The week wellness got sweaty, scientific, and a little bit pink 💗

Hey Wellness Besties,

It’s a big month for wellness in Dubai - the city’s buzzing with movement, motivation, and a whole lot of pink. 💗

From Dubai Active taking over Expo City this weekend - with 40,000 visitors, 2,000 athletes, and fitness icons like Kayla Itsines and Leana Deeb leading the charge - to the Zenos Health Summit over in Saudi (think less biceps, more biomarkers), the region’s wellness scene has never looked more alive.

October also marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’ve got some beautiful activations happening around the city - including our Wellness Stroll on Kite Beach, this Tuesday 7AM. We’ll start with a gentle standing stretch guided by Adrienne, founder of HWH Studio, followed by a quick “how to check your boobs” demo from Dr. Nazia at Genesis. No mats needed - just you, something pink to wear and your best walking buddy.

We can’t wait to see you there 💕
👉 RSVP HERE

With love (and plenty of steps),

📍 Matcha Club - Al Quoz

We’ve said it before - wellness is as much about how a place makes you feel as what you do there. And Matcha Club nails both.

Tucked away in Al Quoz, Matcha is one of those rare spots that feels like a little escape from the city - with Bali-inspired design, lush greenery, and the kind of energy that’s both relaxed and quietly buzzing. You’ll walk in and instantly feel like you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re there to play padel, flow through yoga, or get your Pilates fix (mat or reformer), the facilities are beautifully kept, the instructors are top-tier, and the overall vibe is unmatched. Some of our favourite yoga teachers in the city teach here - and now that the weather has cooled, the outdoor padel courts are back in full swing (and they’re stunning).

And then there’s Nette - the gorgeous Japanese-inspired café on site that’s perfect for post-class smoothies, matcha lattes, or lunch with a friend.

It’s the kind of place you come to move… and stay to hang.

Oh, and did we mention the valet parking? Hassle free!

As we ease into the final week of October, the city’s wellness calendar is glowing - from pink strolls and moon rituals to mindful celebrations of Diwali and self-care retreats. Here’s where to move, connect, and soak up some soul this week ✨.

💪🏻 Dubai Active Show
Friday 24th – Sunday 26th October 
Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City
The Middle East’s biggest fitness and wellness event is back. Expect expert talks (including Bradley Simmonds & James Smith), world-class workouts, and serious motivation under one roof.
Buy tickets here

🌕 New Moon Manifestation
Sunday 26th October | 7–8 PM
HWH Studio, Burj Al Arab
A deep nervous system reset to activate your life force under the energy of the new moon. Expect Yin yoga, Wim Hof breathwork, and deep sound healing - the ultimate combination for release and renewal.
Book here

💖 The Wellness Stroll: Pink Edit
Tuesday 28th October | 7–8:15 AM
Feels, Kite Beach
Our very own Wellness Drop community walk returns - this time, in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We’ll begin with a short stretch led by Adrienne, followed by a self-check demo with Dr Nazia (because looking after our boobs is wellness too 💕). Then we’ll stroll the beach, complimentary drinks in hand.
It’s free to join — just RSVP here.

✨ Diwali on The Palm
Tuesday 28th October | 5:30–8:30 PM
The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel
A luminous evening of connection, reflection, and celebration hosted by The Brave Table community. Expect Chai Tonics mocktails, soulful conversation, and Indian-inspired canapés under the Dubai skyline. Come ready to celebrate the light within - and all around you.
Book here

🔥 Solar Sculpt
Friday 31st October | 9 & 10 AM
The Lob, Al Quoz
Celebrate Halloween the wellness way - with reformer Pilates under infrared panels and red light masks. Expect heat, muscle burn and a full-body glow that goes beyond skin deep whilst getting the benefits of red light.
DM @thisisthelob to book.

🌸 Wellness Day Retreat
Saturday 2nd November | 9 AM onwards
Raffles, The Palm
A full morning of rest and restoration by the sea. Begin with restorative yoga and sound healing, then linger over breakfast before settling in for pool and beach time. Bliss.
Book here

Mark your diaries for this special event a couple of weeks away…

🌊 Floating Breathwork at the Louvre
Friday 7th November | 5:30 PM & 9:30 PM
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A little road trip - but worth every mile. Join Breasy for a floating breathwork session beneath the Louvre’s iconic dome. Guided breath, soundscapes, and water combine for a deeply restorative experience that feels like pure art.
Book here

 INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS

☀️ Sunday Lighting Has Bright Ideas
The light therapy startup just raised $1M in pre-seed funding, led by Collaborative Fund with WHOOP CEO Will Ahmed joining in. Its 34K-lumen LED fixtures mimic natural sunlight — giving you your daily dose of brightness in just 30 minutes. Designed to boost cognitive function, regulate circadian rhythm, and ease seasonal blues, it’s part of the growing “sun-tech” wave lighting up the wellness world.
Punchline: We’ll admit — it makes our soul a little sad that fake sunshine is now a thing. But for shift workers, those with limited mobility, or anyone living in low-light regions, we’ll take it as a win. Just don’t forget — getting outside will always be the OG medicine.
📖 Read More

📱 iPhone 17 Gets a Flicker-Free Upgrade
Apple is quietly solving a long-standing headache — literally. The new “Display Pulse Smoothing” toggle in Accessibility settings lets users disable pulse-width modulation (PWM), the flicker-based dimming tech that’s been known to cause eye strain and headaches for some. Found on the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, the feature swaps PWM for a smoother dimming method that’s easier on sensitive eyes.
Bottom Line: It’s a small change with big relief.. Screen Time is part of our lives whether we like it or not, so we may as well make it easier on our retinas.
📖 Read More

🏃‍♀️ Running Mate Wants Every Woman to Feel Safe on the Run
Born from lived experience, Running Mate is the first run-share app in the US designed to make running safer for women — connecting users with verified, background-checked “mates” for safety, support, or accountability. Founded by Dena Lewis after surviving two assaults while running alone, the platform is blending tech with community to tackle one of the sport’s biggest issues head-on. The app’s crowdfunding campaign on Honeycomb Credit invites anyone to invest in expanding its reach and impact across the U.S. (Currently live in 9 major cities with more coming soon)
Our Thoughts: It breaks our hearts that an app like this even needs to exist - and also reminds us how grateful we are to live in a place like Dubai, where safety is something we can so easily take for granted. But if you’re headed to the U.S. (or know someone training there), this one’s worth downloading - because no woman should have to choose between feeling strong and feeling safe.
📖 Read More

💊 Creatine, But Make It Chewy
Supplement brand Momentous just launched Creatine Chews — a vegan, lemon-lime chewable version of the gold-standard Creapure® creatine monohydrate. Each serving delivers the full 5 grams backed by 30+ years of research, minus the chalky powders or filler fluff. Every batch undergoes rigorous third-party testing to guarantee safety, quality, and label accuracy — closing a major gap in the edible creatine market.
Outtake: Finally - a creatine that feels more like a treat than a chore. Convenient, clean, and science-backed, it’s a smart way to get your daily dose anytime, anywhere (no shaker required).
📖 Read More

🧠 Meet the SuperAgers
Turns out, some 80-year-olds have memories sharper than your iPhone storage — and scientists finally know why. After 25 years of research, Northwestern University has found that these “SuperAgers” either resist the brain-clogging plaques that cause Alzheimer’s or simply aren’t affected by them. Their secret? Youthful brain structure, resilient neurons, and seriously strong social lives.
Bottom Line: Apparently your social calendar might be just as important as your Sudoku habit. Staying connected, curious, and kind could be the real longevity flex.
📖 Read More

TREND TO WATCH

🛍️ The Future of Fitness x Retail
The lines between workout, wellness, and wardrobe just blurred. UK giant Sports Direct has opened a 90K-sq-ft Liverpool flagship complete with an Everlast Gym+, HYROX training zone, Pilates studio, saunas, and ice baths — all under one roof. Meanwhile, Reebok x F45 are teaming up on co-branded gear, a smart ring, and whispers of an integrated in-studio retail concept.
Punchline: As 80% of consumers now crave IRL brand experiences, fitness and retail are becoming one ecosystem - think shopping meets sweat session. The next era of wellness retail isn’t about selling products; it’s about moving people.
📖 Read More

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

🧫 Gut Check: The Best Non-Drug Fixes for IBD?
A meta-analysis of 62 randomised trials just spotlighted the top non-drug therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. Acupuncture (and moxibustion) came out strongest for symptom relief, fecal transplants best reduced inflammation, and targeted diets were most effective for maintaining remission. Researchers say these options could complement standard medical care and help dial down chronic gut inflammation.
Bottom Line: Promising stuff, it’s a powerful reminder that gut health is never a one size fits all approach (and should always be guided by a pro).
📖 Read More

📩 SHARE IT, SAVE IT, SEND IT

💾 Save it — for your Sunday scroll when you want to know what’s actually trending in wellness (not just on TikTok).
📲 Share it — with your wellness bestie who loves a new gadget, a good stretch, and a smarter sleep setup.
📤 Send it — to your group chat so everyone’s in the know before Dubai Active even opens its doors.