The world is struggling to cope with the impacts of COVID-19, as the pandemic uproots everything considered “Normal” and forces people to adapt to a new way of life. Uncertainty presents itself in the midst of all these changes, and the majority of the public’s health has suffered because of it. Dazen Collective (däZEN COLLECTIVE) is an organization dedicated to providing outlets for holistic health and wellness through online and in-person retreats, workshops, and events specially designed to empower individuals to take control of their health and wellbeing in life.
And while there is uncertainty, fear and chaos posed by the pandemic and politics, Dazen Collective is staying strong and moving forward with their mission. The Collective believes that an empowered individual is more than capable of increasing their own quality of life, even during these strange times. Dazen aims to unlock these capabilities within all who join their retreats and workshops by equipping them with the resources to not just survive, but thrive during the pandemic.
Under the leadership of Kendyl Thomas and Ben Holt, numerous clients have learned to let go of the traditional, passive model of diagnosis and treatment wherein one surrenders their well-being to outside sources. “Health is an active process that people can effectively undertake given empowerment and proper education, not one where you merely wait and hope to gain the best outcomes” Says Ben Holt.
People crave social support and personal connections—aspects that have been neglected during the pandemic. Dazen Collective addresses these basic necessities by hosting in-person retreats in the face of adversity, but even more importantly, Dazen also provides continual support for all participants through group chats and check-ins after their experience.
Ben Holt and Kendyl Thomas witnessed a lack of holistic wellness resources in their communities, and it served as their driving force when they created multiple avenues to provide individuals with the tools they need to heal themselves as well as providing an education that allows their students to share that healing with their friends and families.
It isn’t hard to see that many are working toward taking command of their lives as they engage in holistic practices and healing modalities during the pandemic. The Dazen team believes that This time of reflection is exactly what is needed for the world to move into the next stage of evolution, our next chapter as a collective species.
Operating with a growth mindset, the Dazen Collective hopes to gradually expand and provide more resources to local and international communities through established retreat centers, creating more opportunities and providing spaces for people of the world to take command of their health, wellness, and joy in life.
Kendyl Thomas is a certified integrative nutrition health coach who embarked on her own wellness journey as she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder 12 years ago. She is also a nutrition expert as well as a certified Yoga Instructor. While Ben Holt is a professional wellness facilitator who found his passion for holistic health after a life-altering experience as he traveled throughout Latin America and Asia apprenticing with shamans, yogis, and Western scientists. Together, they formed Dazen Collective, a manifestation of Thomas’ dream of internationally hosting wellness events and retreats that incorporate over a dozen healing modalities, excellent nutrition, and continued guidance to provide a truly holistic experience.
As the great philosopher, Hippocrates once said, “Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” Embark on your own personal holistic health and wellness journey and learn more about how Dazen Collective can help you on that journey by visiting dazencollective.com.
