AlUla Wellness Festival Unveils Array of Innovative Nature-Centric Activities

AlUla Moments has unveiled new insights to enhance visitor engagement and foster their connection with nature in AlUla during the 3rd edition of AlUla Wellness Festival, scheduled from October 19 to November 4, said SPA on Sunday.
The festival will include new activities: The Heritage Restoration Experience, Reviving Nature Experience, and Eco-Gardening. There are also other offers, such as the Silent Hike, that allow visitors to connect with the silence of the natural deserts and canyons of AlUla.
The activities are designed to help attendees establish a meaningful connection between the human mind and soul with the wonders of nature through a collection of mind, body, and soul-revitalizing activities, providing the chance to interact with wellness enthusiasts, yoga practitioners, and meditation experts.
Rami Al-Moallim, Vice President, Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: "Celebrating the beauty of the natural wonders of AlUla at this edition of Wellness Festival is not just about finding wellness in ourselves, but also in the world around us. Nature, with its timeless serenity, serves as our greatest wellness partner.”
Below are the top activities to connect with nature during the festival: Heritage Restoration Experience (Date: October 19 to November 30). The Heritage Restoration, as the name implies, offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with AlUla's cultural heritage by delving into the art of mudbrick house construction. This hands-on experience allows participants to learn about and actively participate in the creation of these traditional structures.
This event is suitable for those who are interested in engaging with the history of AlUla, and would like to leave a lasting impact during their time in AlUla. The ticket price is inclusive of a welcome drink, continued refreshments throughout the experience, necessary vests and PPE to be worn during the construction process, and a souvenir to take home.
Reviving Nature Experience (Date: October 19 to November 30). An immersive journey that allows visitors to learn about circular design whilst working with palm fronds from AlUla's farms. Participants will actively engage in weaving individual petals by hand, which will then be placed on our monumental sculpture named “Tanafaas” (In Arabic means: Breath). This experience shares the importance of a collective vision towards sustainability, promoting environmental consciousness, and fostering a connection to nature.
The Reviving Nature Experience combines creativity, education, and community to bring to life a sculpture which will stand as an example of how everyone has a role to play as an individual, which comes together to collectively make an impact!
The ticket price is inclusive of a 70-minute weaving workshop, a 10-minute natural dyes workshop, a welcome drink, continued refreshments throughout the experience, necessary aprons and PPE to be worn during the event, and a souvenir for each attendee to take home. The total duration will be 2 hours including the welcome orientation.
Eco Gardening (Date: Oct 20, 2023 - Mar 06, 2024). Exploring the rich agricultural and floral heritage of AlUla's Oasis through Eco Gardening within the AlUla Wellness Festival. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the vibrant Oasis environment through an eco-gardening experience.
It's a chance to connect with the local farmers and meet the animals they care for, providing a deeper understanding of this unique ecosystem. This event is free to attend however spaces must be booked via experiencealula.com.
The Silent Hike (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, depart 8 am, return 11:30 am).The Silent Hike offers an unforgettable opportunity for visitors—a journey through the Hidden Valley in the Arabian Desert. This 4 km hike provides a chance to disconnect from technology, engage in reflection, meditation, and savor the breathtaking natural splendor of AlUla. The experience culminates with a refreshing cold towel and revitalizing beverages.
Moreover, the popular Sanctuary Five experience is making a comeback, offering a holistic health journey involving yoga and salt room therapy. Visitors can engage in a diverse range of activities and workshops, all aimed at promoting relaxation and inner harmony.
For more information about the AlUla Wellness Festival 2023 and ticket details, please visit the website www.experiencealula.com.

Jennifer Lopez found herself in tears as the real-life mom Judy Robles, whom she portrayed in the sports drama film "Unstoppable", showered her with compliments for her performance.

The two real-life mothers formed a special bond while working in tandem to take Lopez's role to the next level and connected on how mothers inevitably make mistakes.

"I don't know of a human being who doesn't make mistakes," Lopez said.

"But for moms, it really is a thing where you're always putting up the front of, like, 'everything's perfect,' 'everything's OK,' to protect your children, to give them safety," she added.

For Lopez, women, especially moms, have so much going on behind the scenes, which is a belief that helped her performance.

"Unstoppable," distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, had a limited theatrical US release on Dec. 6 and will be available for streaming on Prime Video on Jan. 16.

The American biographical sports drama film, directed by William Goldenberg, follows wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg, and joins the Arizona State University wrestling team as a walk-on, eventually earning a spot on the team and making a name for himself.

His mother must find ways to not only advocate for her son, but also for herself.

Goldenberg aimed to add authenticity to the film by having the real-life Robles serve as the body double of the "Moonlight" actor Jharrel Jerome, who portrays Anthony.

Jerome said he became a changed man after working so closely with Anthony Robles.

"You hear actors say it all the time, I learned something, I learned something, but this truly shaped me and changed me as a growing person, as a growing man, all the way down to my physicality, how I move, my posture, my gym routine," Jerome said.

He and his mother being so close to the production made things feel especially nostalgic for Anthony Robles.

"I feel like I go through the roller coaster of emotions all over again and I'm just traveling back in time, just watching the film and especially when I'm sitting next to my mom, because there are certain moments where she's gripping my arm in the audience," Anthony Robles said.

"It's painful for us to relive those moments. But also, there's other moments she's grabbed my arm again, just happy moments. And so that's something special for us," Robles added.

AlUla Wellness Festival Unveils Array of Innovative Nature-Centric Activities