Holistic Health, Harmony And Healing

It probably sounds a little woo-woo, but there was a noticeable humm at the recent Gippsland Wellness Expo, almost a vibration.

Maybe it was the heady scent of essential oils or the almost unnoticeable undertone of meditative music. Whatever it was, it’s undeniable that this popular event brought together an incredible amount of healing energy.

Now in its third year, the Gippsland Wellness Expo has grown from humble beginnings at the Traralgon VRI Hall to the expanse of Morwell’s Kernot Hall – showcasing more than 60 businesses from across the region.

Expo President Olivia Skinner from Sacred Wise puts the success down to the vast network of health services who’ve helped the event grow.

“There’s nothing else that covers the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. So we’re looking at it very holistically. So it’s not just a specified area. We’re trying to look at addressing health on a holistic level,” Olivia explained. “It’s showcasing businesses that the majority of people that come in here said, ‘I never even knew these existed’. And they’re all local, and we’re supporting each other, and the community has been supporting us.”

The expo brought together everything from birthing classes and holistic therapy to fitness and vitamin IV therapy. Expert practitioners shared their knowledge with Gippslanders hungry for information on the latest innovations in the health sphere. 

Sherry Whitmore launched her mental health transformational mindset coaching business Sherapy at last year’s Gippsland Wellness Expo.

“I do Neuro Linguistic Programming, timeline therapy and hypnotherapy, community services,” Sherry said.

“If you’re looking to step into more power for yourself, self consciousness, anxiety, depression, so many different things, childhood trauma, PTSD, anxiety, those types of things, we can help to be able to heal all of the triggers.”

For Carnivore Origins owner Meeka Raiter, the expo was a chance to bring her grass-fed beef, tallow-based skincare products to a wider audience.

“My suet that makes the beef tallow is sourced locally in South Gippsland from grass fed beef cattle, and all of the herbs that are used in my tallow are also locally grown by me and the toners are all handmade by me. I started this business because I started the carnivore diet seven months ago. Saw incredible results. Wanted to fully immerse myself in animal based living and non toxic lifestyle.”

Meeka has an intense passion for the endless benefits of a carnivore way of living, which she said has transformed her life.

“I was plant based once as well, and I did not do very well on it. I haven’t experienced this kind of healing ever in my life. I’ve literally turned back to my 20s. I can’t believe the change in my body and my soul, in my mind, my anxiety is reduced. I was living with anxiety most of my life, and now that I’m basically eating just beef, butter, bacon, eggs, everything’s calmed down. I lost 35 kilos in three months and it’s just completely turned my house around and I’ve really fully embraced this lifestyle now.”

The expo was also a chance to showcase the newest innovations in healthcare. A stand that attracted non-stop attention was the Pelvic Pod – a non-invasive pelvic floor treatment.

“It works on pelvic floor rehabilitation, so it strengthens pelvic floor muscles, particularly in cases of people suffering urinary incontinence, postpartum pelvic floor weakness, men that have had prostate removal, or in the case of mild prolapse, or for sexual dysfunction,” said Jay Tyndall from Pelvic Pod and Cocoon Acupuncture.

“People in these situations in the past have been able to just do Kegel exercises through physiotherapy. This alternative to that, whereby sitting on the chair for a 28 minute session delivers the equivalent of 11,000 Kegel exercises in one session.”

For Menofit founder Tenille Leahy, being invited to showcase her business at this year’s expo was a chance to continue the conversation around women’s health and wellbeing.

“Menofit Australia is all about empowering women over 40 to take back control of their body, health and life. Our bodies are changing, and we need to change with it if we want to thrive in life, feel comfortable and confident in our bodies and look forward to being actively engaged in life in our future.

“The expo was a great experience and it was amazing to see so many people engage in events and their health in this way.”

To keep up to date with details on next year’s expo, and discover these incredible Gippsland health businesses, follow Wellness Expo Gippsland on Facebook.

Photos: Anita Butterworth