Dhaka Flow introduces different senses of healing

Dance as a form of meditation has yet to gain prevalence within Dhaka's yoga community. However, on 7 September, during the opening of Dhaka Flow's new venue at Health and Healing Ayurveda Research in Banani, a refined dance session by Erin Wilson caught the attention of the visitors. 

Erin, a librarian and dancer with about 20 years of experience, shared how, after watching an Odissi dance performance, she felt her calling and immediately knew she had to learn it.

For her session, she guided the audience through various poses and later brought everything together in a captivating dance performance.

Erin was deft in her craft. Even when the speakers faltered, she did not. Watching her dance—matching the beat of the music with her feet and speaking through her eyes—it became clear why this dance style first drew her in.

Dhaka Flow organised an evening of healing meditation through various forms of art. The dance session was the last activity of the event which started with a stretching session.

As Eeman Ahmed, the yoga instructor of Dhaka Flow, took her position and guided guests through various stretches to help with the spine, people began to trickle in, filling the quaint space. Before long, the room was at capacity, with everyone standing in close quarters, arms outstretched.

However, when Parabvrutti of Swayambhu took her place, her first instruction was for everyone to spread out and take up as much space as they needed. Although her sound journey session didn't involve much physical stretching. "This is a way of claiming your space," she smiled, and so did others.

When asked why they decided on such an approach, Shazia Omar, the CEO and Co-founder of Dhaka Flow, mentioned how healing is multifaceted.

Photo: Mehedi Hasan

"The idea of this health and healing centre is holistic healing. We also want to include more creative expressions that I believe help us heal and recover from trauma, such as art therapy, sound healing, and dance therapy," said Omar.

"I do not think everything works for everyone. My dream was to have it all in one space," she continued, adding, "so someone could come and try out a variety of healing methods in order to find one that clicks so they can go deeper into that practice—to find some sort of inner peace."

The evening felt true to Omar's ambition to introduce visitors to a holistic approach to healing.

Starting with the energetic yoga session, it was impossible not to notice how encouraging and welcoming Eeman was throughout. She had the daunting task of getting a room full of people to open up and participate in the activities.

The sound journey by Parabvrutti of Swayambhu was also engaging. The instructor set the mood by lighting incense and asking everyone to find a comfortable pose and close their eyes. What followed was a sensory journey created by different instruments, such as the flute and lyre harp. In the moments when I caught a glimpse of her playing the flute, it seemed even Parabvrutti was lost in the sound of her bamboo flute.

After the session, the instructor encouraged the crowd to have conversations among themselves and share how they felt. One attendee shared how the music had touched their soul and brought them to tears. More or less, the audience shared similar feelings.

Even though there were only three sessions scheduled for the evening, Dhaka Flow had dedicated sufficient time for each activity.

"Over the years, yoga will help you let go of many [stressful and traumatic] things. But even as a beginner, I think you'll feel more energetic, positive, and calm," said Omar.

"Modern science is now also showing the many benefits of yoga. I believe it can heal many stress-related ailments that disrupt your inner balance," she concluded.