Breathe, bend and be happy: Dhakaites’ new mantra for wellness

Erika discovered yoga near the end of May 2020, during the early days of the pandemic. For her, it became a source of comfort and purpose in a time of uncertainty — her 'Covid Love,' as she calls it. She began practicing almost daily, focusing primarily on 'Ashtanga' but occasionally incorporating 'hatha' and 'yin' yoga into her routine.

The transformation was extensive. Yoga helped Erika become more flexible and gave her lean muscles. Despite years of strength training, she also grew noticeably stronger, achieving strength milestones that had previously been out of her reach. For instance, she could never do a push-up before yoga, but consistent practice changed that entirely. Yoga helped her perform better on her marathon runs as well.

Erika's yoga journey began with 'Boho Beautiful,' a YouTube channel that served as her virtual instructor. It became her trusted guide, shaping her practice and fostering her passion.

"Regular practice of asanas (stances) and pranayama (breath work) can improve flexibility, build strength, and enhance vitality," says Ishtiaque Mahmud, a Yoga and Kyokushin Karate instructor. 

"These practices promote oxygenation, energy flow, and detoxification, helping the body eliminate toxins effectively," he added.

The concepts of 'wellness' and 'wellbeing,' though relatively new in our country, have become increasingly familiar to the people of Dhaka. In recent times, there has been a notable shift in health awareness, with a growing focus on concerns that are not immediately visible. The narrative has moved away from equating being skinny with fitness, emphasising the importance of overall health and wellbeing.

"Yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, and regular exercise have been shown to work better for improving mental and physical health than relying solely on medication. These methods help in changing thought patterns. Depression often takes away the interest in activities we once enjoyed, but therapy can help bring that back."

Dr SM Zikrul Islam, Psychiatrist, DMCH

The wellness industry now encompasses far more than traditional practices like yoga, meditation, and conventional workouts. It extends to include art therapy, taking supplements, journaling, and various creative approaches as people continue to explore better ways to care for their mental, physical, and emotional health.

"Art therapy helps with emotional healing," said Shormy Shafiq, an art therapy coach. 

"I use mindfulness sheets and encourage participants to reflect on their bucket lists, goals, and inspirations to understand themselves better. In our daily lives, we often move forward without clear direction. This process allows people to think about regrets, recognise good outcomes, and practice gratitude through activities like a gratitude jar. Participants share their thoughts, creating a sense of community and support," she continued.

Research shows art activities and techniques play a significant role in emotional healing by engaging both the mind and body. Beyond cognitive benefits, they contribute to social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. 

For many, art kindles nostalgia, while its scientific basis shows that creating art stimulates the brain to release serotonin, nurturing a sense of positivity. Art and creativity encourage a positive mindset, and the social aspect helps individuals find common ground, and develop meaningful connections.

However, the market for art therapy remains niche, with session fees ranging from Tk500 to Tk600. It is more commonly pursued as a weekend activity rather than being widely recognised or utilised for emotional healing.

Over the past two years, Dhaka Flow has organised holistic wellness events, serving as a platform for various wellness businesses to showcase their offerings. From supplements to journals, these events bring together a wide range of wellness products under one roof. 

Dhaka Flow also hosts retreats within Bangladesh and overseas, with prices ranging from $500 to $950 or more, depending on the location. Their retreats have included destinations like Turkey, Thailand and Vietnam.

"Yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, and regular exercise have been shown to work better for improving mental and physical health than relying solely on medication. These methods help in changing thought patterns. Depression often takes away the interest in activities we once enjoyed, but therapy can help bring that back," said Dr SM Zikrul Islam, psychiatrist at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Eza Chowdhury, advanced yoga teacher, master healer and founder of Samadi Wellness, said, "I started with Samadi as a yoga teacher in Dhaka about seven years ago, around 2017-18. We had a physical studio back then, but now it has evolved into a virtual holistic platform. The idea behind it has always been to make yoga accessible to everyone."

But affording such wellness practices is not everyone's cup of tea.

Shama, dealing with a physical condition that led to persistent soreness, turned to Samadi in 2019 for relief. At the time, the cost was Tk12,000 per month for three weekly classes, totalling 12 sessions. While the 12 sessions proved beneficial, the cost was too high for a student like Shama to afford consistently. 

Ishtiaque Mahmud's in-person sessions with clients are priced at Tk2,500 per hour, reflecting the standard rate for personalised wellness services. 

However, there are alternative options, such as free beginner-friendly yoga guidance available on YouTube, which can help individuals incorporate wellness practices into their routines without breaking the bank. In Dhaka, in-person yoga sessions are gradually gaining popularity, though they are still often viewed as a niche lifestyle choice rather than a mainstream exercise option.

"Along with yoga, we offer Reiki healing, pranayama (breathwork), astrology, and tarot reading, all conducted virtually. Yoga classes, however, are available both in-person and online. It's a niche market because not everyone is ready to try these practices," Eza said.

As she mentioned in addition to yoga and meditation, new concepts like Reiki (energy healing), crystal healing, and Tarot reading, which lack scientific evidence, are gradually making their way into Dhaka's wellness industry. While many of these practices remain unproven, they are gaining traction as part of the broader wellness trend.

"Interestingly, some even report positive results due to their strong beliefs. However, explaining the flaws in their approach is often futile, as their belief system is reinforced by observing others following the same path and joining the herd," shared Dr Islam.

"Some psychological conditions, such as conversion disorder, tend to appear and resolve on their own. For instance, during a stressful situation, you may experience psychological changes. If, during this time, you visit a Kabiraj and are given crystals or other methods with no scientific basis, you might feel better — but it is not because of the crystals. You would have recovered naturally without the visit,"  he added.