In the relentless hustle and bustle of Singaporean life, it’s all too easy to forget to take a break and focus on our well-being. When was the last time you sat down, emptied your mind, and just breathed? Before I attended Glow Festival by Prudential, I couldn’t tell you the last time I dedicated a portion of my day to focusing solely on myself. However, thanks to the festival, I now understand just how imperative it is to take a breather every now and then.
In case you haven’t heard, Glow Festival is a 16-day urban wellness extravaganza happening at Marina Bay Sands. For 16 days, you can expect to journey through the world of urban wellness and glow up! The festival focuses on more than just physical health but also mental wellness – which is perfect for those who would rather not break a sweat from exercise.
But if you consider yourself a sports fiend, you’d be happy to know that there are a ton of physical activities sprinkled into the mix for you to try! Not to mention that lululemon is also involved in all the festivities. Every weekend morning, participants can attend Get Into Strides with lululemon – a five-kilometre run led by different lululemon ambassadors. If you’re looking for a complete list of happenings, make sure to check out the official Glow Festival website.
Glow Festival is an event for everyone – you don’t have to be a fitness junkie to enjoy this. Take it from me: someone with the same athletic abilities as a jellyfish. I didn’t think I would enjoy the event as much as I did, but count me a convert because Glow Festival opened my eyes to a whole new world of holistic wellness I never knew existed.
The blend of tranquillity and energy, mindfulness and movement showed me that wellness is a multifaceted journey, accessible to anyone willing to take the first step. If you need me to back up my claims with evidence, here you have it. Allow me to give it to you point by point and show you exactly why Glow Festival is worth more than one visit.
Wellness Bazaar by Guardian
As soon as you step into the area, you’ll be bombarded with tons of booths selling anything from food and drinks to vitamins, supplements, and wellness accessories. I could spend hours exploring each and every booth, but I wasn’t afforded the luxury of time. If you plan to visit Glow Festival, I strongly suggest taking a leisurely stroll and checking out as many booths as possible.
Although we didn’t manage to check out every booth, we chatted with a few that caught our attention. If you’re overwhelmed and need a place to start, you can drop by these two booths.
Mudo Labs
If you’re like me and you’re a Vicks inhaler addict, this is the product for you. Think of Mudo Labs’ product as an elevated version of the Vicks inhaler. Instead of a default medicated smell, you can choose from various aromas, each with its own unique function.
I’ll be the first to admit that I usually whip out my Vicks inhaler if I’m feeling antsy or anxious – it’s like a self-defence mechanism to keep me busy and distracted from the source of my anxiety. So, when I stumbled upon Mudo Labs and saw they had the exact product for me, I knew I had to give it a go.
The device resembles a pen; it comes with a cover and a cartridge holder. I chose to get three different cartridges: Rest (Tongkat Ali scented), Confidence (Damiana scented), and The Bond (Rose scented). These scent concoctions are tested in labs, and their results are backed by science.
I’m no scientist, so I can’t give you the intimate details of how this works. But I can say I had the worst sleep schedule before using their Rest scent. I could be in bed by 1am but would toss and turn till 5am – it was unbearable. After being introduced to Mudo Labs, a few sniffs of their Rest scent, and I’m out like a light in 15 minutes. The difference is astonishing.
Do yourself a favour and visit their booth; you’ll experience firsthand how transformative their products can be. Whether you’re seeking better sleep or increased confidence, Mudo Labs has something for everyone. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. If you can’t wait to learn more about them, head over to their official Instagram page or their official website.
Almora Botanica
Tucked away in the hall adorned with the huge lululemon logo was Almora Botanica. I don’t consider myself a skincare guru, but I know good skin care when I see it, and Almora Botanica was it. I won’t bore you with the details, but if you’re looking for a clean beauty brand that is both vegan and sustainable, congratulations—you’ve found it!
One product in particular that caught my eye was their Purifying Gel Cleanser. I had switched from make-up wipes to oil balms a long time ago, but this cleanser really changed the game for me; it epitomises “clean beauty”. Designed to be used as a makeup remover, it was just as effective as a cleansing balm but 100 times lighter.
To illustrate how clean this product really is: when I rubbed it on my hand, it instantly dried up, leaving no residue or stickiness. Compare that to the haziness I get in my eyes after I wash off my cleansing balm, and you have a clear winner.
This was also my introduction to face yoga – exercises that engage your facial muscles. It’s been a long time since I used a Gua Sha and practised face yoga, but Almora Botanica put me back on the grind and reminded me of the importance of sticking to my routine.
They gave me a crash course in Gua Sha routines that addressed issues like puffiness and stress. Using Almora Botanica’s Gua Sha Mushroom every morning and night has hit the spot. They’ve helped untangle the knots in my eyebrows and temples – who knew we carried so much stress in our faces? I was pretty bummed to find out that they don’t sell the Gua Sha Mushrooms individually. You’ll have to get it in their Almora Botanica Skin Glow Set, but given the results, I’d say it’s well worth it.
If all of these sound appealing, you can head over to the official Almora Botanica website to learn more information and start shopping.
Experiences
Welcome to the main event: The Experiences. This portion of the event threw me for a loop. I have the dexterity of a brick—a complete lack of agility or strength. So, you can imagine my trepidation at the prospect of having to do anything physical. However, the experiences at the Glow Festival were more holistic than physical.
If I had to sum up the experiences in a word, I’d use: transcendental. While we often prioritise physical health, we can often overlook our mental wellbeing, which is equally important. Yet, after three hours at Glow Festival, I felt refreshed and developed a newfound appreciation for these urban wellness practices.
Join me as I recap the life-changing experiences I had trying new forms of meditation I otherwise would’ve never had the opportunity to try.
Sound Bath
The sound bath was a therapeutic experience. We immersed ourselves in the sound waves produced by a myriad of different instruments and resonant tools. We laid on our mats and let the sound vibrations wash over us.
I have never been the type to be able to sit still and clear my mind. My brain runs at a million thoughts a minute, making it hard to truly empty my head and focus on my breathing. But by some divine force, for the first time that day, I was put into a state of relaxation so profound that I was able to clear my mind completely.
Some part of me believes that the vibrations and sounds soothed me and calmed my thoughts, allowing me to focus on meditating as best as I could. Think of sound bathing as sleeping in a Tibetan singing bowl. The rich, deep sounds that harmonise together literally shake your body and mind, introducing you to a world of comfort and subconsciously aiding you in your meditation.
During the sound bathing, we were gently guided to centre our attention on the rhythm of our breathing and encouraged to vocalise affirmations aloud. We immersed ourselves in a collective journey of inner peace, allowing the sounds to wash away mental clutter and foster a sense of tranquillity.
Bliss Room
It’s important to remember that you can practice meditation in many different ways. You don’t need a fancy set-up or an expensive package at a yoga studio to meditate. Compared to the other experiences, the Bliss Room had a simple concept. It was a room with circular pillows for us to sit on as we did some breathing exercises.
On the pillows were cards that guided us through box breathing, the chosen exercise for the day. Throughout the session, an instructor led us through the exercise, prompting us to simply close our eyes and breathe. It was remarkably simple. You could practice it right now if you wanted to. Just close your eyes and inhale to a count of four, hold it for four, exhale and hold again for four – easy, right?
As simple as the exercise was, tearing my gaze away from the gorgeous view was the most challenging part. It felt somewhat paradoxical to pause for a breather in a glass room overlooking the bustling Central Business District – undoubtedly one of the busiest areas in Singapore on a weekday. Yet, it served as a poignant reminder that no matter how hectic life gets, there should always be time for a moment of meditation and relaxation.
The Oracle by Alpha Wave Experience
I saved the best for last. Introducing The Oracle by Alpha Wave Experience – it’s unlike anything you have ever experienced before. As soon as we walked into the room, we were greeted by a huge pizza-like contraption that hung from the ceiling. On the floor, giant pillows and headsets awaited us. It looked like something out of an alien abduction scene.
Let me talk you through how it works. There is a contraption hanging from the ceiling that would flicker bright lights over you as the headsets play different audios of a specific hertz. Both the visual and audio aids are meant to (literally) guide your mind through a meditation session.
We were fortunate to have a private experience with The Oracle. Before we could try it, someone from the previous session mentioned feeling like he could count every single cell in his body — talk about setting high expectations.
I couldn’t even be sceptical because I was unsure how it would work – it’s genuinely unlike anything I’ve ever heard of. We laid down, closed our eyes and let the experience begin. As soon as the lights started to flash, I was so shocked by how effective it was that I remember audibly gasping.
It was like a light show unfolding behind my closed eyes, with the audio guiding my mind through an unexpected journey. It felt like the closest I would ever come to a psychedelic experience. I fear my explanation may not do The Oracle justice because each person’s experience will be different – the lights and audio will evoke different responses in everyone.
All I can say is, you have to give this a shot. The entire experience was fifteen minutes, but it felt like mere seconds. It was a spectacle to behold, and I lament that I may never have the opportunity to try it again.
While I don’t think I could count every cell in my body, my mind had never been clearer, and I’ve never been more relaxed. I implore you to give The Oracle a go before the Glow Festival is over because I feel this is an experience everyone should have the chance to try.
Make Your Way Down to Glow Festival
All in all, we had a blast at Glow Festival, immersing ourselves in the world of urban wellness – every moment was enlightening. Glow Festival isn’t just an event; it’s a reminder to prioritise our well-being amidst the bustle of daily life. Whether you’re a wellness enthusiast or simply curious about holistic practices, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
The festival not only refreshed our minds and bodies but also opened our eyes to new possibilities in mental and physical health. I encourage you to seize this opportunity and experience the Glow Festival for yourself. It’s more than an event—it’s a journey towards holistic wellness that you won’t want to miss. Visit the official Glow Festival website to learn more and plan your visit before it’s over!
🗓️Date: 6 to 21 July 2024
📍Location: Marina Bay Sands’ Event Plaza
💲Price: S$20
⏰Time: To see the timings of all classes, check out Glow Festival’s schedule page.
Visuals courtesy of Glow Festival by Prudential.
