The World Health Organization defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’.
It is this view which inspired this weekend’s South West Wellness Festival.
The free festival is the love child of the Holistic Health Network Inc – a group of holistic health practitioners committed to providing patient-centred, holistic health care to the community.
Festival organiser Sarah Moore said the event was an opportunity for people to familiarise themselves with holistic health options in a nurturing environment, without consultation fees.
The day will begin with a community circle of breathing, chanting and meditation before the official opening.
The event will feature a series of workshops for adults, teenagers and children, plus inspiring TED-style style talks at the Weld Theatre, and 38 holistic health stall holders.
Dr Moore said wellness looked at all aspects of what it meant to be healthy.
“Wellness is a broad topic, it is not just physical health, it can be anything from financial to social health – if one element of your health is off, it can affect wellness,” she said.
“We are really trying to expose and educate people how it is we address those issues in integrated way and support each other.
“We can’t be well in isolation, we really need others around us to support us and, similarly, we need to support others with their wellness. If we take it as a community approach, I think we are going to be much more successful in achieving it.”
The festival will be held on Sunday, October 28, at the ArtGeo Cultural Complex from 8.30am to 2pm.
For more information, visit hhpn.com.au/festival/.
