Living Aloha: A Holistic Wellness Journey in O’ahu

Living Aloha: A Holistic Wellness Journey in O'ahu

$1,095  |  IN-PERSON

+ registration fees

 

72 Hours (equivalent to 6 credits)

 

 

Offered in collaboration with Hudson County Community College

 

 

Instructors/Class Coordinators:  Agnes Brandin & Vanessa Hornedo

Wellness Coach: Appelusa McGlynn

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED AND FILLS UP QUICKLY, SO REGISTER EARLY!!

 

**We reserve the right to modify any activities in the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

 

 

 

 

2026 dates coming soon!

 

Immerse yourself in the healing energy of Oʻahu through Living Aloha—a transformative 4-day wellness journey designed to nourish your body, calm your mind, and awaken your spirit. Rooted in the sacred values of aloha—love, compassion, presence, and connection—this immersive experience blends ancient Hawaiian healing traditions with modern, science-based approaches to whole-person well-being.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Oʻahu’s mountains, rainforests, and ocean shores, you’ll explore the foundations of wellness—nutrition, rest, movement, stress reduction, and supplementation—through experiential practices such as yoga, guided meditation, breathwork, somatic movement, and intuitive nutrition. Grounded in the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) framework and enriched with indigenous practices such as Ho‘oponopono and La‘au Lapa‘au (Hawaiian herbal healing), this course empowers you to reconnect with your body’s innate healing intelligence.

Each day invites deeper self-awareness and practical integration—from crafting personalized meal plans and herbal infusions to exploring nervous system regulation, mindfulness rituals, and the cultural wisdom of aloha ‘āina (love and respect for the land). Whether you seek renewal, clarity, or harmony, Living Aloha offers a sacred space to restore balance, cultivate resilience, and align with what truly matters.

Leave Oʻahu not only refreshed but renewed—carrying with you a personalized action plan to continue your healing journey and embody aloha in everyday life.

What You’ll Experience:

– Gentle movement and mindfulness practices including yoga, hiking, snorkeling, swimming, and breathwork

– Guided meditations, journaling, and reflective practices for emotional clarity and grounding

– Plant-based nutrition guidance inspired by Oʻahu’s local abundance and tropical superfoods

– Nature walks and grounding rituals honoring the ʻāina (land) and ocean

– Group connection and sharing circles in a supportive, heart-centered space

– Hawaiian cultural wisdom interwoven throughout—embracing pono (balance), lōkahi (unity), and aloha ʻāina (love of the land)

 

Places You’ll Visit and activities you’ll try:

– Waimea Valley: A lush valley once home to high priests, Waimea is considered a sacred site (wao akua) and center of spiritual learning. Its botanical gardens, waterfall, and cultural demonstrations make it a natural sanctuary for physical and emotional renewal.

Aloha Kai Luau: At its heart, a lūʻau is a celebration of life and togetherness. It’s about gathering people to share food, stories, song, and dance — all expressions of aloha.

Manoa Falls: is a stunning 150-foot waterfall tucked within a lush rainforest valley. The trail that leads there is an easy, meditative hike through bamboo groves and tropical flora — and it holds deep cultural and spiritual resonance in Hawaiian tradition.

– Kualoa Ranch is not just a working ranch — it’s a 2,000-acre ancestral land with immense cultural and historical significance. In ancient Hawaiʻi, this region was considered one of the most sacred places on the island, reserved for aliʻi (chiefs) and used as a site for education, healing, and spiritual practice.

Snorkeling invites presence and mindfulness — observing marine life in silence, slowing the breath, and attuning to natural rhythms. This kind of embodied awareness mirrors many wellness practices such as meditation, breathwork, and grounding.

Hula dancing

Circle Island Tour and more…

DAY 1: 10:00 AM – 7:00PM

DAY 2: 7:00AM – 9:00PM

DAY 3: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

DAY 4: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in Oahu. You are expected to be in class on time every day, including the first day and last day, so choose flights accordingly.

First Day: Class starts at 10:00 AM in Waikiki. Location TBD.  The latest that you should arrive at the airport is 8:00am

Last Day: Class ends at 2:00 PM in Waikiki. The earliest you should book a flight out is 4:00pm

If you miss any class hours you will risk not receiving your certificate! Please note, that this is a long weekend intensive class and the days are long. Bring comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, water & snacks. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!

– Tuition fees

– 3 x nights of shared accommodations at Ewa Hotel or similar

– 1 dinner buffet at a Luau

– Local transportation costs to and from all activities

– All class activities including yoga, breathwork, sound healing as well as entrance fees to parks

– All course material

– Airfare to/from Honolulu, Hawaii

– Transportation to/from airport

– Meals (except for 1 dinner)

– Registration fees (platform fees & credit card processing fees)

In addition to the in-person meetings, this class will include pre-assignments and post-assignments as part of the 72-hour class.

You will be invited to join Google Classroom about a month before class starts, which is the platform we use for the course. Check your spam folder, as invitations to join Google Classroom sometimes end up there. Please make sure you register for the course with a valid email address, since this is where you will receive the invitation and later, your certificate. Your email has to be Google compatible, so it’s best to use gmail, outlook, hotmail or yahoo. If you do not receive a notification to join Google Classroom, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact us.

The pre-assignments will be posted on Google Classroom 2 weeks before class starts. Make sure you join Google Classroom early and complete the assignments BEFORE coming to class. It will take you approximately 18 hours to complete

The follow-up assignments will be posted on Google Classroom on the weekend of class, and also consist of 18 hours. You must complete them in order to receive your course completion certificate. Course completion certificates will be emailed to you, a few days after the class has officially ended. You will have 3 weeks to complete the assignments. If you need your certificate earlier, please indicate it during the registration process and we will email it to you as soon as you successfully complete all assignments.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the Foundations of Healing Nutrition

– Explain why a “one-size-fits-all” diet often fails and the value of bio-individual nutrition.

– Identify their metabolic type and apply it to build balanced, nutrient-dense meals.

– Conduct a basic pulse test for food sensitivities and reflect on personal diet records.

– Evaluate the role of supplementation and perform a supplement audit.

2. Explore Indigenous Herbal Healing

– Identify key Hawaiian herbs such as māmaki, ʻolena, and ōhiʻā lehua and describe their healing properties.

– Participate in hands-on tea-making and herbal infusion preparation for everyday wellness.

3. Develop a Personalized Movement and Breathwork Practice

– Compare different exercise types and identify which movement style best suits their current needs.

– Demonstrate basic lymph-moving micro-workouts and explain their detox benefits.

– Explain the physiological benefits of breathwork and apply multiple techniques in practice.

– Participate in and reflect upon a guided Somatic Breathwork journey.

4. Analyze the Interplay Between Stress, Sleep, and Hormonal Health

– Describe how adrenal function, detoxification, and blood sugar regulation affect sleep quality

– Assess personal evening routines and create a customized “wind-down” checklist

– Differentiate between eustress and distress and identify key personal stressors

– Differentiate acute vs. chronic stress

– Identify types of stressors

– Understand the science of Grounding (Earthing)

– Describe Ayurvedic principles and the healing power of nature

5. Apply Evidence-Based Tools for Stress Reduction and Resilience

– Describe how the vagus nerve impacts stress, digestion, and emotional regulation.

– Practice vagal toning techniques including breathwork, humming, tapping, and sound therapy.

– Understand Ayurvedic perspectives on stress and healing and incorporate the concept of

sankalpa (heartfelt intention).

– Engage in experiential practices such as Ho’oponopono (Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness), earthing walks, and sound healing.

6. Synthesize and Integrate Healing Tools for Daily Life

– Create a personalized morning routine addressing at least 3 pillars: movement, breathwork, stress reduction.

– Reflect on personal insights gained through hands-on practice and create a plan for continued integration and growth.

7. Examine O’ahu’s Unique Ecosystems and Biodiversity
– Study the island’s native plants, animals, and ecosystems while understanding the impact of human activity and the importance of conservation efforts led by local communities.

8. Participate in Cultural Activities Rooted in O’ahu’s Traditions
– Engage in hands-on experiences such as lei-making, hula, or traditional chants (oli), and understand their cultural meanings and role in preserving Hawaiian identity.

Now offering classes in Los Angeles, California!  Social Media 📱 |  Digital Marketing  💻  |  Event Planning  🎊

X