Teachers from around the globe and island shared their knowledge at a festival focused on improving people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Mindful Mann Festival was in its second year of providing workshops and talks to residents, encouraging them to make ’positive changes’ in their lives and communities.

This year’s event, sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council, was held in the quiet location of The Children’s Centre Community Farm just outside of Douglas.

Speakers included stand-up philosopher Tim Freke, transpersonal psychologist and best-selling author Steve Taylor, Sufi teacher Zahir Khan, Canadian spiritual teacher Canela Michelle Meyers, and Philip Quirk, one of the UK’s leading human performance coaches.

Mike Kewley, a mindfulness teacher from the island and event organiser, called the one-day event a ’great success’.

’The feedback has been really positive as it’s been a celebration of mental health. Our keynote speakers were able to share their own interests and discoveries, which were very well received,’ he said.

’The headliner was Tim Freke who recently gave a Ted Talk in California and is a world famous philosopher. He was tapping into connecting people together as we’re all the same because we share a common ground.

’Another popular session was by Ian Quirk, the only Manx Wim Hof instructor.’

Wim Hof, a Dutchman known as ’The Iceman’, has set Guinness World Records for withstanding freezing temperatures using certain breathing techniques and meditation.

Mike said: ’It was amazing seeing so many people laid out on the ground during this mass Wim Hof workshop who were interested in getting the best out of themselves.’

He added that it was great to have a multicultural festival, as many residents originally hailed from Spain, USA, France, Philippines and other countries.

Next year’s event, he said, ’will hopefully be bigger and better’.

He also hopes the festival will attract visitors to the island.