Aflamnah

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WHAT IS AWAKENINGS?

I'm launching a holistic and healthy living magazine for the UAE to help grow and support the alternative healing and wellness community in the Emirates.

The magazine will come in print and digital formats and focus on the wealth of alternative therapies and lifestyles already on offer here in the UAE. This includes everything from aromatherapy to Ayurveda, colour therapy, sound healing, meditation, feng shui, Reiki, life coaching, organic food, raw vegan and vegetarian cookery, sustainable living, eco-friendly shopping, spa treatments and more.

I'm doing it because I love magazines and print media and I'm completely fascinated about exploring alternative ways of existing on Planet Earth that might help its human inhabitants lead happier, richer, more fulfilling lives and be nicer to each other.

I want Awakenings ME to provide a focal point for people living in the UAE who are passionate – or just mildly curious – about alternative lifestyles, complementary medicines, exploring new ways of seeing our world, the mysteries of the universe and our place in it.

WHY IS THIS IDEA IMPORTANT?

Awakenings Middle East magazine will be the first of its kind in the region. It is important because it will emphasise just how big and active the holistic community already is that's here, in the UAE bubbling away just below the surface, and it will help people realise the wealth of wellness options available to them, right here on their doorstep. It will also provide exposure to local holistic SMEs and sole traders.

THE NITTY GRITTY

Iniitally a quarterly magazine (I hope to go bi-monthly or monthly asap), Awakenings ME is slated for release on 1 October 2012 and will be free to readers. As well as being posted to individual subscribers, it will be distributed through holistic clinics, mind-body-spirit businesses and related shops, spas, hotels, resorts, fitness centres, cafes, medical and dental clinics and salons.

It will contain unique editorial for the UAE and is produced by professional designers, writers and editors.

HOW WILL THE AFLAMNAH MONEY BE USED?

To launch the first issues, the biggest costs are design and images, printing and distribution, and a trade license. I am committed to covering the expenses myself that I don't meet through advertising sales but it would be great to get some help paying for the printing and distribution because this would mean I can print even more copies and distribute more comprehensively throughout the Emirates. This would be in the region of AED 17,000 to AED 20,000 per issue but, again, it depends on the number of copies printed.

Awakenings Middle East magazine will be the first of its kind in the region. It is important because it will emphasise just how big and active the holistic community already is that's here in the UAE, bubbling away just below the surface, and it will help people realise the wealth of wellness options available to them, right here on their doorstep. It will also provide exposure to local holistic SMEs and sole traders.

Iniitally a quarterly magazine (I hope to go bi-monthly or monthly asap), Awakenings ME is slated for release on 1 October 2012 and will be free to readers. As well as being posted to individual subscribers, it will be distributed through holistic clinics, mind-body-spirit businesses and related shops, spas, hotels, resorts, fitness centres, cafes, medical and dental clinics and salons.

It will contain unique editorial for the UAE and is produced by professional designers, writers and editors.

To launch the first issues, the biggest costs are design and images, printing and distribution, and a trade license. I am committed to covering the expenses myself that I don't meet through advertising sales but it would be great to get some help paying for the printing and distribution because this would mean I can print even more copies and distribute more comprehensively throughout the Emirates. This would be in the region of AED 17,000 to AED 20,000 per issue but, again, it depends on the number of copies printed.

Hi, my name’s Tamara, I’m a Dubai expat of six years and my big dream and plan is to launch a holistic and healthy living magazine for the United Arab Emirates called Awakenings Middle East.

In the time I’ve lived in Dubai, I think there’s been a large shift in interest towards holistic living from people from all walks of life and there’s already a wealth of local holistic small businesses and sole traders providing alternative services and products here, Awakenings ME will give these people exposure to the audience looking for them.

A first-of-its-kind magazine for the region, it will be a handbook for personal growth and feature new ideas from global thought leaders and philosophers, as well as local interviews and real life stories on everything from combatting stress to Bikram yoga. It’ll also have UAE information and listings on everything from finding a hypnotherapist in Abu Dhabi to buying organic produce online in Dubai and details on events like the inaugural Dubai Mind & Body Festival, spa retreats and meditation classes.

I’ve been working in print and digital media for about 20 years in six different countries. I love magazines, I love print media and I understand the process of creating a magazine inside out. (Yeah, I know, I know, word on the street is that print media is dying, like, ‘woteva!’ I still love it although in recognition of our changing times, Awakenings Middle East will be available in ever evolving digital formats because it’s the message, not the medium, that is ultimately important.)

At the risk of sounding like a freaky flower fairy, at the heart of Awakenings ME and at the heart of all the wonderful alternative healing and wellbeing work that’s now going on in the UAE, it’s about spreading love and light, finding ways to heal our individual emotional and physical pain so we can exist with more kindness, harmony and joy. (Sorry, getting a bit hippie dippie again, I'll try to keep that in check.)

Useful Links

• http://www.awakeningsme.com
• http://www.facebook.com/AwakeningsME