Empowering Women’s Health: Holywings Peduli Champions Wellness Through Somatic Exercise in Makassar
MAKASSAR, Indonesia – In a concerted effort to foster community well-being and elevate awareness regarding women’s health, Holywings Peduli recently spearheaded a significant social initiative in Makassar. On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the organization hosted a "Somatic Exercise" event at Helens Play Mart, specifically targeting the residents of Kelurahan Masale. The program, which combined physical activity, educational seminars, and the provision of essential medical facilities, served as a localized observance of World Menopause Day, which is globally commemorated every October 18.
This initiative underscores a growing movement to normalize discussions around menopause and the physiological shifts women encounter during the perimenopausal and menopausal stages of life. By integrating mindfulness-based movement with tangible community support, Holywings Peduli aims to shift the narrative from menopause as a "taboo" subject to one of proactive health management and bodily awareness.
The Core Objective: Redefining Menopause Awareness
Menopause is an inevitable biological transition for women, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. As hormonal levels fluctuate, women often face a myriad of challenges, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and chronic muscle or joint discomfort. Despite the universality of this experience, many women remain under-informed about how to manage these symptoms effectively.
Holywings Peduli’s initiative was designed to bridge this information gap. By organizing the Somatic Exercise session, the program sought to provide women with a tool for self-regulation. Unlike high-intensity aerobic exercises, Somatic movement focuses on internal sensation—a gentle, controlled approach that emphasizes breathing, posture, and the release of chronic muscular tension.
Why Somatic Exercise?
The choice of Somatic Exercise was strategic. As noted by fitness expert and instructor Andy Batari Yulianin, the physiological changes during menopause—specifically the decline in estrogen—impact joint comfort and muscle tone.
"Somatic exercise is particularly suitable for women navigating perimenopause and menopause because it is low-impact and highly adaptable," Yulianin explained. "It allows individuals to reconnect with their bodies, manage stress-induced tension, and improve mobility without putting undue strain on the skeletal system."
However, Yulianin was quick to provide a balanced perspective: "While somatic exercises are excellent for relaxation and mindfulness, they are not a medical treatment for menopause. To maintain long-term health, women must also incorporate strength training and weight-bearing exercises to combat bone density loss, which is critical during this phase of life."
A Chronicle of the Event: From Movement to Community Support
The event held at Helens Play Mart in Makassar was structured to provide a comprehensive experience for the participants, blending physical engagement with lasting community impact.
Morning Session: The Somatic Workshop
The day commenced with a guided Somatic Exercise workshop. Participants, primarily women from the Masale neighborhood, were led through a series of mindful movements designed to increase awareness of muscle tension. The atmosphere was one of inclusivity, allowing women of varying fitness levels to participate comfortably. The session focused on "somatic education," teaching participants how to listen to their bodies and identify areas of strain caused by daily stressors or hormonal fluctuations.
Mid-Day Session: Educational Seminar
Following the exercise, the program transitioned into an educational seminar. Experts highlighted the importance of early detection of health issues and encouraged participants to seek professional medical advice rather than suffering in silence. The seminar served as a platform to dispel myths surrounding menopause and emphasize that this transition is a natural stage of life that, with the right support, can be managed with grace and vitality.
Afternoon Session: The Distribution of Aid
The event concluded with a formal handover of equipment aimed at strengthening local public health infrastructure. Recognizing that long-term health initiatives require proper facilities, Holywings Peduli donated:
- Two sets of four-seater patient waiting chairs.
- One high-quality medical examination bed.
- A portable Megablast speaker system with dual wireless microphones for community outreach.
- Five digital thermometers.
- An HP printer for administrative health reporting at the local clinic level.
Official Perspectives: A Tripartite Collaboration
The success of the initiative was largely attributed to the collaborative spirit between the private sector, local government, and the community.
The Vision of Holywings Peduli
Andrew Susanto, the Commissioner of Holywings Group and Head of the Holywings Peduli CSR program, emphasized that the organization’s commitment goes beyond one-off events. "We believe that corporate social responsibility must be sustainable," Susanto stated. "Giving a donation is easy, but fostering an environment where people feel empowered to take charge of their health is the true goal. By providing the tools—be it education or medical equipment—we hope to leave a lasting footprint in the Masale community."
Government Appreciation
Andi Achmad Ginastiar, the Lurah (Village Head) of Masale, expressed his deep appreciation for the initiative. He noted that the program’s holistic approach effectively touched on three vital areas: public health, education, and social cohesion.
"This is exactly the type of collaboration we need," Ginastiar noted. "When private organizations step in to provide not just medical tools but also health literacy, it helps normalize important conversations in our community. We are particularly pleased that this event focused on women, as they are often the primary caregivers who frequently neglect their own health."
Societal Implications and Future Outlook
The "Somatic Exercise for Women’s Health" initiative in Makassar carries profound implications for how corporations and communities approach health education in Indonesia.
Moving Beyond "Charity" to "Empowerment"
The shift in focus from mere material aid to the promotion of physical literacy—teaching women how to move and care for their bodies—is a modern approach to CSR. By addressing the specific needs of women in the 45-55 age bracket, Holywings Peduli is tapping into a demographic that is often underserved in rural and semi-urban health programming.
The Role of Community Spaces
The use of Helens Play Mart as a venue highlights a trend where commercial social spaces are increasingly being repurposed for community benefit. This integration allows local businesses to play an active, positive role in the neighborhood, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
Long-term Sustainability
The impact of the event will likely be measured by the continued use of the donated equipment. By providing an examination bed and patient chairs, the initiative has directly improved the capacity of the local health facility to process patients. Furthermore, the participants who learned the basics of Somatic exercise are encouraged to integrate these movements into their daily routines, potentially reducing the prevalence of chronic pain and stress among local women.
Participant Sentiment: A Resounding Success
The reception from the residents was overwhelmingly positive. For many of the women in attendance, the event was their first introduction to the concept of Somatic health.
"I learned that my body isn’t just failing because of age; it’s changing, and I need to learn a new way to work with it," said one participant from the Masale neighborhood. "Doing the exercises together made it feel less isolating. It’s comforting to know that our community, with the help of Holywings, is paying attention to these issues."
As the event concluded, the consensus among attendees was a desire for consistency. The demand for recurring health workshops, combined with the new facilities now available to the community, sets a new standard for local engagement in Makassar.
Looking Ahead
Holywings Peduli has indicated that this event serves as a pilot for broader, nationwide initiatives. As the organization looks to the future, the integration of health literacy into their social programs appears to be a permanent fixture. By combining the "heart" of social work—compassion and care—with the "science" of health education, Holywings Peduli is proving that a holistic approach is the most effective way to improve the quality of life for the Indonesian public.
In the heart of Makassar, the message was clear: a healthy community starts with informed women, supported by a system that values both their physical well-being and their long-term dignity.
