Programs · Self-Work Festival

Self-Work for the social sector

An initiative of Touching Lives supporting the inner well-being of changemakers, through an annual online festival, monthly Self-Work Saturdays, a growing library of recorded practices, and consultations for organisations. Because caring for yourself is part of caring for the world.

A moment of Self-Work and mindful presence
Why This Initiative

Sustainable impact begins with inner clarity

The Self-Work Festival is a space for people in the social sector to pause, restore and reconnect with themselves, so they can keep serving from a full cup. It is open to changemakers, and to NGOs in India and internationally.

Rooted in the belief that self-work and social-work are deeply connected, this initiative creates spaces where educators, caregivers, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, social sector professionals and students can restore inner balance, heal personal and generational patterns, learn sustainable practices of well-being, and integrate self-work into leadership and daily life.

Visit selfworkfestival.org →
The Annual Festival

Next edition: January 2027

The Self-Work Festival is an annual 3-day online gathering, a circle of healers, artists, therapists and leaders guiding participants through practices of grounding, healing and integration. Each edition brings live workshops, immersive embodied practices, and offerings from masters and guides around the world.

Stay Updated →
Edition One · February 2026

How it began

India's first Self-Work Festival for the social sector was held over three days in February 2026, 12 live workshops across three arcs (Grounding, Healing, Integrating), together with the Self-Work Living bundle of 20+ pre-recorded offerings. All sessions from Edition One remain available as replays.

3
Days of immersion
30+
Healers, artists & thought leaders
140+
Participants
25+
Healing modalities shared
The Journey

Three arcs of the festival

Arc One

Grounding

Meeting yourself where you are. Experiential tools, breathwork, pranayama, authentic relating, storytelling and play, that help you come back to Self, safely.

Arc Two

Healing

Clearing the room. Gentle release and emotional clarity through expressive writing, hypnotherapy, inner-child work and Emotional Freedom Technique.

Arc Three

Integrating

Weaving Self-Work into daily life, archetypes, systemic constellations, somatic resilience and mysticism, so healing becomes part of how we lead, relate and serve.

Beyond the Festival

Year-round offerings

The festival has grown into an ongoing platform for inner work in the social sector.

Monthly · Free

Self-Work Saturdays

A free monthly online gathering. Each month, a facilitator guides a different self-work practice, from breathwork and sound meditation to storytelling for meaning-making and healing, through experiential learning, reflection and conversation.

Join the next gathering →

On Demand

Self-Work Living Library

30+ recorded workshops from Edition One and beyond, inner-child work, ancestral healing, hypnotherapy, authentic relating, self-reflection and more, available as an all-access pass, individual sessions, or group packages for organisations.

Explore the library →

For Organisations

Consultations & Mentoring

For organisations mapping their team's well-being landscape and building a more conscious work culture, reflecting on existing frameworks, identifying needs, and exploring practices that support clarity, care, balance and conscious impact.

Write to info@selfworkfestival.org →

Self-work is not separate from social work. Inner healing creates outer impact. Your well-being is a seed for collective well-being.
The spirit of the initiative
Candles lit for a Self-Work and healing space
Founder's Note

“We transform ourselves first for holding space for others”

“When you engage in self-work, you begin to shape a path of self-healing, one that allows you to create a safe space within yourself. From this space arises a deeper sense of belonging, and from belonging, a profound sense of purpose naturally emerges.”

Sonia Mackwani, Founder of Touching Lives and the Self-Work Festival

All proceeds from the festival and its offerings support the ongoing work of Touching Lives.

Join Us

Become our festival partner

The Self-Work Festival grows through like-minded partners, CSR supporters, platform and technology partners, outreach and media collaborators, and ecosystem networks that help us reach changemakers across India. Help us take the next edition further.

Partner for January 2027 →

Bring Self-Work to your team

Group participation for NGO teams and collectives, organisational consultations, and corporate well-being workshops, built on the same healing-centered approach.

Visit the Festival Site Partner With Us →