The inaugural Holistic Health and Wellness Festival in downtown Dallas will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 29.  The free community event is at Divine Sight Healing Arts Center, in downtown Dallas, just east of the farmers’ market and the convention center. Attendees can meet local alternative health practitioners, sample food and drinks, take part in complimentary classes and interactive workshops and even receive free haircuts.

Queen Gwyn Askerneese, of Mobile Wellness, sponsor of the Festival, says, “The goal of this event is to help people learn what they won’t hear from conventional medical professionals about naturally healing the body using herbs, food and various treatments that were successfully used long before our modern medical system existed.”

Attendees can try samples of juices and vegetarian foods and take part in tai chi, restorative yoga for the family, cultural dance and other movement classes. Practitioners will also lead workshops on topics such as Using Herbs and Oils for Health and Vitality, Modern Medicine versus Naturopathic Medicine and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

The festival includes naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, therapeutic massage experts, Thai Ayurvedic medicinal massage practitioners, herbalists, raw juice vendors, reiki practitioners, natural healers, wellness coaches and vendors of healthy and natural products. All of the experts will answer questions, give recommendations and provide information on ailments, pain, disease and other problems people may be experiencing.

“People used to achieve wellness through the natural world, but our modern medical system has moved away from natural methods. There are many local holistic resources and practitioners who use natural methods to diagnose why the body functions or malfunctions the way it does. These experts also know how to use ancient and proven forms of treatment that will help us achieve balance, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually, as well,” Askerneese says.

Other sponsors of the event include Life Bound Wellness, The Afiya Center and the Temple of Maat Spiritual Center. Free haircuts will be provided by Texas Fadez Barber College on a first-come, first-served basis.

Admission is free. Location: 1320 Griffin , Dallas. For more information, call 469-394-1789 or email [email protected].