A weekend of wellness events held throughout Collier County kicks off 2021 on January 16 and 17, inviting locals and visitors to participate in the many health and wellness activities available in Collier in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Activities are held via Zoom or in person, observing physical distancing.
The event, the 3rd annual Paradise Coast Wellness Experience, convenes Collier County wellness enthusiasts and practitioners on Saturday and Sunday, January 16 and 17, 2021, for activities rooted in time-honored traditions that promote health and healing for the mind, body and spirit. The calendar includes nature immersions; beach yoga and meditation; Segway wellness tours of downtown Naples; fitness instruction; Blue Zones-inspired dining; plein air art instruction; a series of Zoom workshops hosted by Spiritual Communities Network, and more.
The weekend is organized by the Paradise Coast Wellness Alliance and the nonprofit Be Well in Paradise, both co-founded by Peggy Sealfon, who says, “The experiences encourage the active pursuit of activities in one’s daily life leading to mindful lifestyle choices that foster a healthy, balanced state of physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being.”
See the calendar of events at
BeWellinParadise.com
Opening Events – Free to the Public
The Paradise Coast Wellness Experience kicks off on Saturday, January 16 at 7:15 a.m. in Sugden Plaza with a Moai walk led by the Blue Zones Project of Southwest Florida. Moai is an ancient Japanese longevity tradition that roughly translates to "walking with a common purpose." During the walk, people make connections and grow a lifelong community of friends.
The walk is followed by beach yoga with yogi MaryAnn Knowles, 8:15-9 a.m.
The Saturday morning activities continue with a history-making, Olympic-style “Walk to Wellness” on 5th Avenue South from the beach to Sugden Plaza beginning at 9:15 a.m. The walk will feature wellness practitioners and community leaders carrying 16 colorful banners representing aspects of wellness such as fitness, health, nature, art, healthy eating, mental wellness, and spiritual pursuits.
Following the “Walk to Wellness,” an opening ceremony will take place in Sugden Plaza at 10 a.m., complete with the ringing of a Tibetan gong and attended by dignitaries including Collier County Commissioner Andy Solis and City of Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann. The ceremony also includes the presentation of the event’s signature artwork by Naples painter Amy Moglia Heuerman, who won a contest for creating an image that represents the joy of well-being.
All of the four opening activities on the morning of January 16 are offered on a complimentary basis. Tickets are available at ParadiseCoastWellnessWeekend.Eventbrite.com.
To sign up for more wellness events, visit
BeWellinParadise.com.
More Wellness Weekend Highlights
The weekend also features nature expeditions at Big Cypress National Preserve with paddling, swamp hikes and a photo expedition at no charge; a “Segway to Wellness” tour of downtown Naples featuring fitness, food and fun on a progressive and interactive journey through wellness-oriented businesses and restaurants ($127); a Blue Zones-inspired “Plants and Pinot” wine dinner at the Edgewater Beach Hotel ($65), and Max Flex’s High Intensity Interval Training.
Six free Zoom workshops, hosted by Spiritual Communities Network’s Gwen Peterson, include an Intro to Essential Oils; the Art of Sacred Smoke; the Power of Words, and EFT: Tapping for Greater Wellness. Registration for the Zoom workshops is offered through BeWellinParadise.com. Three Zoom workshops are held on each of the two days.
The weekend concludes on Sunday, January 17, with a Moai walk along 5th Avenue South, 4:30-5 p.m., followed by sunset meditation on the beach, led by Peggy Sealfon, 5:30-6 p.m.
A portion of proceeds from the “Segway to Wellness” tour of downtown Naples ($127) will be earmarked for the nonprofit Be Well in Paradise and its Mental Wellness Scholarship Fund, benefitting students who are training for a career in mental health.
Event tee shirts, masks and wristbands are for sale at ParadiseCoastWellnessWeekend.Eventbrite.com, with pick-up available at Beautiful Health, a shop specializing in products for healthy skin, body and hair care, aromatherapy, natural nail care, and home cleaning products, located in Naples at 4947 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 105.
