WORLD WELLNESS WEEKEND
Rise as a Wellness Champion in September
The World Wellness Weekend, founded by French Spa and Hospitality Consultant Jean-Guy de Gabriac, is set to take place from 19th to 21st September, with over 10,000 venues hosting free workshops and training sessions in 160 countries. The creation of this event was a passionate response to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 – ‘Good health and wellbeing for all’, where wellness should not be considered a luxury. It should be inclusive and accessible – especially when one in three adults globally aren’t getting enough physical activity. Timed just before the September equinox, the event marks a natural transition, symbolic of slowing down, reflection and releasing patterns that no longer serve us.
The World Wellness Weekend offers those in the industry an opportunity to give back and serve others with a sense of purpose, while people in the community have the chance to spice up their wellness routine, connect with others or simply take the first step on their wellness journey. It’s easy to take our physical and mental health for granted – until something reminds us how fragile it really is. By fostering a support system, we can encourage and inspire one another.
An exciting development this year is the partnership with the International Massage Association – giving therapists a chance to show how effective hands-on therapy can be at alleviating both physical, mental and emotional stress. With one in five adults now using complementary therapies for physical or mental wellbeing, this kind of visibility is more important than ever. Therapists can sign up via wellmap.org, pin their activity on the interactive global map, and host events ranging from head & shoulders massage, or hands & forearms massage workshop demos (in person or online) through to stretches sequences people can do at home (like this one from LEMI with Jean-Guy’s guidance).
In previous years, World Wellness Weekend has featured everything from yoga sessions in a temple (Karatsu), a planetarium (Nagoya) or on top of the Tokyo Tower in Japan to wellness picnics in Argentina. In Brazil, Buddha Spa, the largest Day Spa franchise in LATAM with 135+ locations shared the gift of wellness with the public through group stretching sessions, breathing, mindfulness, active meditation and self-massage classes with a licensed therapist.
Jean-Guy reinforces the idea that “Wellness is not only for people in high-end clinics with DNA testing and cryo-chambers.” He initially created the World Wellness Weekend with small businesses, freelancers and community therapists in mind, where every individual has the chance to make a difference in his / her community.
Many gifted massage therapists remain hidden behind treatment room doors, making their talents invisible to the wider world. Jean-Guy emphasises the importance of both visibility and branding: “Offer a little more perceived value for clients, not a lower price, while saving your thumbs for your friends.” Massage therapy is a rewarding profession, but it can take its toll on both the therapist’s body and mind through the emotional load. Therefore, looking after our bodies is essential to ensure career longevity, and to have energy left for friends, family and partners.
While elite wellness trends often dominate headlines, World Wellness Weekend puts simple practices back in the spotlight: sleep, nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and purpose. Jean-Guy hopes more wellness writers, influencers and journalists will write about the many ways to reap the joyful benefits of a healthy social lifestyle, and promoting feeling the rush of endorphins, serotonin and oxytocin.
“Ask yourself: what did your grandmother tell you? Get some sleep, eat your vegetables, go play outside with your friends until dusk.”
Amid the glut of high-tech health promises, sometimes wellness is as simple as breathing deeply, hugging a friend, or simply saying “no” when you need some space to reconnect with yourself.
World Wellness Weekend should not be seen as an event that happens once a year, but a time to encourage people to find their own rhythm by adopting habits that nourish them. We can look to influencers for advice, but everyone should become a person of influence to encourage family, friends and colleagues to switch to fun & healthy habits. Jean-Guy encourages each of us to become a #wellfluencer
As therapists, we can use World Wellness Weekend to set ourselves apart in a world full of people chasing trends. Whether you’re a spa director, a yoga instructor, a stretch therapist, or just trying to feel more at home in your body, this September, you’ve got a chance to show up, share what you know and shine in your community as a 2025 Official Wellness Champion.
After all, isn’t it time we all felt a little more well?
How to get involved:
1. Sign up at wellmap.org
Add your venue or activity and pin yourself on the global wellness map (no charge since World Wellness Weekend supports the United Nations SDG3).
2. Host a Free Activity
A demo, workshop, stretch class or online tutorial. Keep it inclusive and simple.
Receive your “2025 Official Wellness Champion” badge and certificate if you organize three free, inclusive sessions or classes (in person and/or online). Contact info@weekend-wellness.com
3. Promote Yourself
Use the World Wellness Weekend Communication Kit and social media graphic elements to keep your audience engaged after the event – click here