Holistic & Wellbeing Zone at Wanstead Festival
This year the holistic and wellbeing zone at Wanstead Festival has expanded with over five facilitators offering various sessions to help improve your wellbeing. From meditation, to laughter yoga and Art of Living – pioneers in breathwork and meditation. For more information, please see the individual listings below:
You can attend the various workshops at the community space and really enjoy the different disciplines teaching styles of yoga.
Patanjali Yoga Peeth Trust
Facilitator info: Local teachers from Patanjali Yoga Peeth Trust (PYPT) a charity promoting healthy living and wellbeing in the community. It’s founder Swami Ram Dev is a household name in India and popularised yoga through his daily live yoga sessions on television.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 11.30 – 12.30 | Yoga: Traditional yoga class under the guidance of Swami Ram Dev. A sequence of yoga breathing, warm ups, sun salutations and postures for a healthy body and happy mind. Discover the power of the breath for transformation and healing. |
Wellbeing & Wisdom works
Facilitator info: Varsha is a wellness trainer and mindfulness and yoga teacher. She teaches wellbeing programs in the workplace, sessions in her local community and events such as Yoga Show, International Yoga Day on top of the Shard and Diwali in Trafalgar Square. Her sessions are fun, interactive and calming.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 12.40 – 13:20 | Laughter Yoga: Have some fun with laughter yoga and boost your mood and energy. Laughter yoga is a unique combination of laughter exercises, yoga stretches and breathing exercises. A few minutes of laughter yoga can reduce stress and keep you positive in challenging times. |
Art of living
Facilitator info: Art of Living satsangs are a journey of mantra, music and meditation. The singing of sacred chants takes you into a state of bliss and contentment. Come and sing, merge and celebrate with the soulful sounds.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Art of living: Local singers and musicians for the Art of Living satsang group in East London. The Art of Living, founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is committed to uplifting individuals, through it’s stress reduction, wellbeing and happiness programs. |
Sacred Yoga Life
Facilitator info: Steph is Doctor in Osteomyology. Assisting people on their healing journey using a variety of techniques like Reiki, Deep tissue Massage, MPT, TFT… Steph also supports Sacred Yoga Life, and teaches yoga and meditation classes.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Tapping (TFT): Taster session using TFT (Thought Field Therapy) to release emotions, sensations and feelings we no longer want or need. Book Tapping (TFT) |
| 12:40 -13:10 | Gaia meditation: Meditation connects us to the energy of the Earth, helping us to align our heart and ground our selves to this beautiful planet that is our home. Book Gaia Meditation |
| 13.20– 13.50 | Focus on silence: Letting go of the noise to reside in a space where there is nothing, just for a moment, given us the chance to open to everything. The perfect mind holiday. Book Silence Meditation |
| 15.20 – 15.50 | Reiki Meditation: Meditation on the chakras, infused with Reiki energy Kundalini yoga: a practice in movement to help nourish the Kundalini energy, helping to rebalance our whole being. Book Reiki Meditation |
| 16.40 – 17.10 | Kundalini yoga: A practice in movement to help nourish the Kundalini energy, helping to rebalance our whole being, body, mind and soul. Book Kundalini Yoga |
Wellbeing & Wisdom works
Facilitator info: Varsha is a wellness trainer and mindfulness and yoga teacher. She teaches wellbeing programs in the workplace, sessions in her local community and events such as Yoga Show, International Yoga Day on top of the Shard and Diwali in Trafalgar Square. Her sessions are fun, interactive and calming.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 14.40 -15.10 | Relaxation: Discover different relaxation tools and techniques and experience deep rest and relaxation. Join this guided relaxation journey with breathworks, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, visualisation and meditation and fully relax the mind and body. |
Come and visit Brahmakumaris in the holistic zone they will be facilitating a selection of meditation techniques throughout the day.
Drop in sessions From 12:00 – 17:00
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK), a registered charity since 1975, opens its doors every day of the year to students from all walks of life, cultures and backgrounds to study Raja Yoga meditation. Students find that meditating in this way daily brings a lot of peace and positivity to their lives. We also join together with many national and local organisations and diverse communities, helping to enhance the wellbeing of people in different spheres of society. We work across the UK in more than 40 locations and are part of a network of organisations offering activities in over 110 countries. Our spiritual headquarters is in Mount Abu, in the Aravali mountain range, Rajasthan, India.
Pyramid Meditation Foundation UK (PMF) widely works on spreading meditation and teaches on practicing Anapanasati Meditation.
PMF is widely in Trekkings, conducting meditation sessions for children, arts, dance and music and bring meditation through the art form which makes children to adapt the meditation.
Meditation means total cessation of all the restless waves of the mind.
With this simple easy practice called Anapanasati which derived from Budha, we can attain manhood to Budhahood.
Drop in sessions available all day.
Herbal medicine with Kathy
British born but spent ten years in the Caribbean Island of Grenada – when my parents returned there after it gained independence. I returned to Britain in 1984. I love all things natural. I have been very much into herbs since learning that God made the bitter herbs for our healing. I am a gardenologist at heart and to this end, I with my fiance have secured a leasehold in the East of London to establish Plantastic – a community garden with all things natural for the benefit of local residents. I write songs, I am creative, innovative and somewhat of a Community Advocate. In 2007, I was voted 1 in 7 of the most inspirational men and women in the East of Anglia. In 2010 graduated from East London University having obtained a Ba Hons Social Enterprise degree. I also have a passion for food innovation.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 12.00 – 12.45 | Herbal Medicine |
Menopause with Dr Marva Williams
Meet Marva, the heart and soul behind Shhh… Menopause Wellness-a passionate Menopause Coach and Counsellor, and the creative force behind natural skincare formulations. Her journey is driven by a deep commitment to women’s wellbeing and empowerment. In 2019, Marva faced a life-altering moment-a near-death experience caused by undiagnosed perimenopausal symptoms. This pivotal event inspired her to create a line of products specifically designed to support women on their menopausal journey. Today, she not only formulates skincare solutions but also offers education, counselling, and coaching to guide women through perimenopause and beyond. At the core of Marva’s mission is a commitment to transparency and efficacy. Through Shhh…, she aims to empower women with accessible self-care products and essential wellbeing knowledge, challenging societal taboos and stereotypes surrounding menopause. Her vision is to erase the discomfort and stigma associated with menopause, fostering improved wellness and community support.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 13.00 – 13.45 | Menopause with Dr Marva Williams Sleep Challenges and Solutions During Menopause 1. Introduction Importance of sleep during menopause 2. Menopause and Hormonal Changes Brief explanation of menopause phases (perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause). Impact of declining estrogen and progesterone on sleep. 3. Common Sleep Issues Insomnia, night sweats, and hot flashes, Restless Legs Increased risk of sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea). 4. Health Consequences of Poor Sleep Physical impacts: Cardiovascular risks, weight gain. Mental and emotional effects: Mood swings, cognitive decline. 5. Managing Sleep During Menopause Lifestyle Adjustments: Sleep hygiene tips: Environment, routine. Diet and exercise considerations. Medical Options: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) pros and cons. Non-hormonal treatments and alternative therapies. 6. Practical Sleep Strategies Relaxation techniques: Mindfulness, CBT-I. Evening rituals to improve sleep quality. |
Action for Happiness
Action for Happiness is a movement of people taking action to create a happier society. Let’s prioritise the things that really matter. Join us and help spread happiness at home, at work and across the community
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 14.00 – 14.45 | Action for Happiness Action for Happiness is a movement of people taking action to create a happier society. Let’s prioritise the things that really matter. Join us and help spread happiness at home, at work and across the community |
Dynamic Therapy with Denny Drumming
Denny is a professional Fitness Instructor and Yoga Teacher who has 30 years experience in the fitness industry. She teaches around East London and Essex. In 2019 she began holding Drumming Therapy Workshops and events.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 15.00 – 15.45 | Dynamic Therapy with Denny Drumming A dynamic therapy which lifts the mood, stimulates the nervous system, relieves stress and anxiety, focuses and clears the mind. It’s fun and promotes overall well being plus it encourages the feeling of tribal community. Beginners are guided to play rhythms by repeating positive affirmations, which makes it easy to learn and enjoy. |
Chair Yoga with Varsha
Varsha is a wellness trainer and mindfulness and yoga teacher. She teaches wellbeing programs in the workplace, sessions in her local community and events such as Yoga Show, International Yoga Day on top of the Shard and Diwali in Trafalgar Square. Her sessions are fun, interactive and calming.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 16.00-16.45 | Chair Yoga with Varsha Stretch, breath and relax in your chair and release tensions in the mind and body. Chair yoga is simple and modified yoga postures that’s done seated on a chair. It is accessible to all and brings the health benefits of yoga and an improved sense of peace and wellbeing. |