Over the past couple of years, investment in our wellbeing has never been so important. Faced with successive lockdowns, many of us turned to activities such as walking, yoga and baking to cope with the uncertainty and upheaval associated with the pandemic.
Now, more than two years on, many of our lockdown-honed rituals have fallen by the wayside, but our wellbeing remains just as crucial as we navigate the ‘new normal’. Cue Manchester Wellbeing Festival, a new wellness event landing in the city centre this June.
Taking place across the weekend of 11-12 June, the festival will offer a variety of classes, talks and activities designed to help Mancunians lead healthier and happier lives. The festival is bolstered by an all-star line-up of wellness champions and celebrities.
Some of the big names announced as partners and speakers include actress, fitness guru and Hits Radio host Gemma Atkinson, who will be giving advice on how to feel stronger, healthier and more confident and comfortable in your own body. She will be joined by personal trainer and Women’s Health columnist Alice Liveing, who will be interviewing special guests about the importance of building mental and physical resilience.
Elsewhere, Dr Alex George - presenter and government ambassador for mental health - will be addressing our modern health issues including anxiety, mental health and immunity, and how to be fit in a sedentary world. The line-up will also include presenter Vicky Pattison, personal trainer Faisal Abdalla, Tik Tok sensation Dr Emeka Okorocha, This Morning's agony couple The Speakmans, Dr Hazel Wallace and celebrity DJ Fat Tony.
Talks will cover both mental health and physical wellbeing, from balancing immunity and beating addiction to managing anxiety and building confidence. Manchester fitness studio BLOK will act as the festival’s fitness partner, and classes will span yoga, callisthenics, guided meditation, and even Manchester’s first disco barre class.
The Manchester Wellbeing Festival will bring together authors, influencers, scientists, doctors, fitness instructors, yogis and therapists to create an exciting programme to both inspire and inform. The festival is being produced by the live events division Hachette UK.
Debuting for the first time in Manchester, organisers are keen to grow the festival into an annual event and involve more local talent and charities. It takes place at Manchester Central in the heart of the city across the weekend of June 11-12.
For more information, you visit the Manchester Wellbeing Festival website here.
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