Health, wellness, connection and community was the order of the day at the Shanti Wellness Festival, at Riverside Estate, in Hout Bay, at the weekend. Established in 2019 with a focus on “Health, Wellness, Connection and Community”, the festival offered participants a wide range of activities, including yoga, martial arts, wellness, dance and health exercises.

Shanti Wellness Festival founders, Dani Boden and Carey-Ann Sturgess. Picture: Nicky Newman

“Some of our aims were to create an uplifting, positive lifestyle and wellness festival for the whole family,” said yoga instructor Carey-Ann Sturgess, who along with her friend, Dani Boden established the festival in 2019.

With a focus on unique classes, she said, the event presented an opportunity for people to gather and celebrate life in a safe, joyous environment.

The weekend’s wellness festival in Riverside offered participants a wide range of activities, including yoga, martial arts, wellness, dance and health exercises. Picture: Nicky Newman

“We are very passionate about creating a safe space for people to come and experience different wellness modalities, in community, for children to play and connect and for our guests to be able to let go and feel good,” said Sturgess.

“The festival catered for adults and children with a wide variety of classes from Kundalini Yoga to belly dancing, acrobatic yoga and Tai Chi – as well as inspiring talks and workshops,” she said.

Tai Chi is suitable for people of all ages with numerous health benefits, says Sifu Xiong Changsen. Picture: Nicky Newman

Hout Bay Tai Chi teacher, Sifu Xiong Changsen said he is always more than happy to conduct classes to those familiar and new to the art form.

“The atmosphere was warm, dozens of people participated and experienced the health benefits of Tai Chi,” he said.

“Tai Chi is suitable for people of all ages and since Tai Chi combines exercise and meditation, the brain is also exercised, thereby improving brain function. Improving heart health can strengthen the immune system,” he said.

Those who attended his session might agree.

“Practising Tai Chi has many health benefits, not only can it strengthen the body, it can improve balance and coordination, and improve cardiovascular function and muscle flexibility,” he said.

“And there is a saying that goes ‘Step into the door of Tai Chi. Health will always be with you’.”

• For more information, email Carey@shantifest.co.za or Dani@shantifest.co.za or call Sifu Xiong Changsen on 074 583 8888.

Organisers of the weekend’s Shanti Wellness Festival say the idea is for people to gather and celebrate life in a safe, joyous environment. Picture: Nicky Newman