18 Apr 2023
Belgin Aksoy invites the world to dance on Global Wellness Day 2023
BY Megan Whitby
Saturday 10 June 2023 will mark the 12th anniversary of Global Wellness Day (GWD) – an event dedicated to emphasising the importance of wellness and encouraging as many people as possible around the world to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Founded in 2012 by Belgin Aksoy, GWD is always celebrated annually on the second Saturday of June with free wellness activities across the globe and the guiding principle that ‘one day can change your whole life’.
The GWD theme for 2023 is #DanceMagenta – a set of actions centred around championing the benefits of regular dance and movement.
This year, Aksoy and her team of over 140 GWD ambassadors, key supporters and volunteers are inviting people of all ages to live life with dance, bringing together the tangible and intangible aspects of dance with three basic steps.
“To #DanceMagenta you don’t need to be a professional dancer, know how to dance or even need a specific place or time,” says Aksoy, “It all starts with three extremely easy steps.
“1. Dance with your body: Whatever style you choose; dance is a unique form of exercise. Dancing is good for your body.
“2. Dance with your thoughts: Add dance to your meditation while relaxing. Dance in your mind. Free your dreams.
“3. Dance with life: Don’t resist, stay in the flow and trust the process. Add music to your life. Let music bring you happiness. Start your day with music, and fall asleep with music. Take control of the rhythm of your life.”
Highlights planned for GWD 2023 include dance workshops, flash mobs, contemporary dance for kids, family-friendly wellness events, healthy cooking demonstrations, Zumba, laughter yoga, and much more.
All in-person and virtual events organised this year continue to hold three main attributes: educational, non-commercial and complimentary.
In keeping with the theme, GWD’s official audio partner Myndstream – a specialist wellness music company – has curated a dedicated GWD anthem called "Good to You", by Academy Award/ Golden Globe Award-nominated songwriter Taura Stinson with producer Darien Dorsey.
The track is designed to uplift and inspire and is performed by Brianna Mazzola. It will be released globally on 10 June to set the tone for a day of wellness and celebration around the world.
“To dance is to free yourself and to be one with the world,” added Aksoy, “dancing is getting away from stress, exercising your body and spreading happiness at the same time.
“Nietzsche said ‘And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music’. At GWD, we know this all too well.
“Wellness is not a luxury reserved for a certain privileged group of people, but the inherent right of every individual.
“Life is all about choices. GWD invites you to choose what is good for your body, soul and mind. With small but steady steps, you can travel great distances in life.”
Since its inception, GWD has grown from being celebrated in one country to being observed in 170 countries in tens of thousands of locations. Ibiza, Ghana, Belgium, Tanzania, Bhutan, Seychelles, Cameroon, Mauritius, Senegal and Tunisia are new to the roster this year.
Among other international brands, Accor, Four Seasons, Chiva-Som, Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental and IHG are all set to take part in the initiative.
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