The 8th Healing Ibiza festival was held this Sunday 10th May from 11am-11pm at Atzaro. Healing Ibiza is an annual event that brings together the healers, therapists and artists of the island, who want to share their gifts with the residents (and lucky tourists) on the island.
The event is organized and run entirely by more than 100 volunteers. Guests gave a donation at the entrance, and with monies raised to go to various local Ibiza charities. Since its inception, Healing Ibiza has raised €35,000. It is an energy filled, guilt free day out with a feel good factor.
Atzaro has hosted the event for years, and continues to be the perfect setting for Healing Ibiza. A stunning location by itself, surrounded by nature, trees, pools and beautiful views, it was enhanced with Healing Ibiza's collection of tipis and tents scattered in various areas.
Healing Ibiza kicked off with its opening ceremony a short while after 11am. Every year has a different theme, and this year's theme was happiness. One of the founders welcomed everyone to the event, introduced the theme of happiness and shared a story where he was told “everyone has the right to be happy”. He then passed over to writer and vocalist Lucinda Drayton, who opened the festivities with a sing a long, which went down a treat. Quite impressive for before noon! With the happiness vibe in the air, and the crowd energised, the day was set up to be a good one.
The Shamanic area started off their series of talks with “What is Shamanism?”. Bruce Parry (of TV programme Tribe fame) shared anecdotes of on his experiences of Shamanism around the world. Talks continued on voice work, shamanic crafts, the journey to your power animal and ended with their own bespoke closing ceremony.
The family area had tents and tipis, a pop up theatre, Green Kids Crafts, a singer, a magician, storytelling, a bubble machine and a drumming tipi, all thoroughly enjoyed by both children and parents.
The oracle reading area, coordinated by Elaine Nicholls of Tarot from the Heart, was busy from the moment it opened. They obviously foresaw that and were organized and well prepared so each guest received time and attention.
Yoga was everywhere and in many forms at Healing Ibiza. There were two main yoga areas, each with classes every hour from 12-6pm. Even the walk towards one of the yoga areas (next to the spa) offered ample opportunity to try therapeutic yoga, acroyoga and more.
The Meditation area offered mindfulness and meditation workshops in both English and Spanish. There was lots of choice including sessions on rebirthing, breathing, past life regression, mindfulness based stress reduction, inner child healing and of course, meditation.
The coaching corner ran from 12noon-6pm with coaches taking turns to reboot and re-energize visitors, and perhaps putting an end to several phobias or limiting beliefs.
The Glass House opened up with the songwriter, singer and author Lucina Drayton leading a workshop “Listening to the Voice of the Heart”. It closed with Justus Paiewonsky hosting a session on “Happiness and Mindfulness”, with plenty of other good workshops in-between.
In the happiness workshop space there were talks and dances. Author Dawn Breslin shared her life journey with audiences in the session “How to Live in Surrender”. Dance sessions included Well being Fertility for Women therapeutic dance and Dance like a Mayan : Energy–clearing Incan style. A world away from a night at DC-10, but enjoyed with the same enthusiasm.
The free area had popular “Heart Hug Healing” sessions. Such intimacy is not for everyone, but it seemed to work for those to took part.
The therapists started to finish up around 6pm. After all the relaxing, meditation and massages, people were very relaxed. Bali beds being shared, people were enjoying food and drinks as the sun went down. This is when the music really got the attention it deserved.
We all know Ibiza is famous for its music scene, but I wonder how many of us think that it includes such an eclectic mix of artists. From an electric chill out set by DJ Andrus Emerson to Japanese singing bowls, from Egyptian balls to Kirtan Mantra singing. Andy Prince played the Chapman Stick (tuned to the healing frequency of A=432Hz) and the Ibiza Ibango Circle, including drummers from the Beniras drumming circle, got feet stomping. Soulshake DJs shared an uplifting blend of mystic beats and chilled electronic grooves.
This was indeed a happy day filled with good smells, sounds, stretches, massages, energy and tunes! If you missed it, keep your eye out for Healing Ibiza 9.
WORDS | Louise Ware
