Dhaka Flow Youth Festival: Nurturing a culture of wellness in our academia

Classes, exams, assignments, presentations, friendships, and festivals — that's how four years at university often fly by in the blink of an eye. In the relentless rat race, the pressure to excel academically, maintain a social life, and prepare for an ambitious future can weigh heavily on student and their well-being. 

To address this growing concern, Dhaka Flow's Youth Festival launched a series of workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage students to become wellness advocates. 

Their mission is to create a supportive environment where young people feel safe to speak up and seek help. As part of this effort, the Dhaka Flow team visited 10 universities across Dhaka, engaging with students to raise awareness about the importance of well-being and to promote a more active, mindful lifestyle.

The Dhaka Flow Youth Festival at Brac University took place on 29 April at the Multipurpose Hall, beginning at 11 AM and ending at around 2.30 PM. 

To ease students into the session, it began with the basics of wellness and what it means for people.

"Wellness means inner peace to me, and the way you find inner peace is within yourself," shared Shazia Omar, yoga instructor and co-founder of Dhaka Flow, who guided students through breathwork practices.

During her yoga session, Shazia spread her arms, embodying a mangrove tree of the Sundarbans. As she guided students through the exercise, she emphasised the importance of Tadasana — a concept she described as charging one's internal battery, something she believes is vital for students balancing heavy academic loads. She also encouraged attendees to embrace their authentic selves against societal and academic pressures.

Eeman Ahmed's session came out as one of the highlights of the Dhaka Flow Youth Festival at BRAC University. Many students found her guidance on breathwork and mindfulness deeply impactful. 

"I could not understand the postures at first, but as I was doing the breathwork as she instructed, I started feeling better instantly," said Rabeya Binte Rashid, a second-year BBA student at Brac University.

"The instructor taught us how to visualise our breathing–our stomach getting full with each inhale, and emptying as we exhale. This helped me relax. Even the humming exercise calmed my anxiety. We go through a lot in a day as students, so we really needed this," the attendee added.

Her feedback reflected the broader response from attendees who appreciated the grounding techniques taught during the session–they were easy to learn and calmed the anxious thoughts in their minds, proving that the event was a true gateway to wellness.

The energy remained high as Shadman Sakif, a self-defence coach and expert in mixed martial arts, conducted a hands-on demonstration. His session offered practical strategies that could prove useful in everyday situations, especially for young students navigating the dangers of the city.

In between, an all-women panel discussion featured nutrition coach Tasneem, health and nutrition expert Nayma Hasan, mental health coach Salma Ikram, Dr Shamma Salwa Chowdhury a dentist as well as Munjarin Abony, who took the crown of Mrs World Bangladesh. 

The session connected mental health and nutrition, raising awareness about a healthy diet among students. 

Nutrition coach Tasneem warned against binge eating during periods of stress, noting that excessive carbohydrate consumption under stress can produce carbon dioxide, which may harm the brain more than help it. 

The panellists also shared practical advice on managing stress, anxiety, and dental hygiene — all vital components of a holistic wellness routine. 

They reminded students that forming good habits takes consistency, not perfection. The session also encouraged students to come forward to open up about their anxieties,  GPA worries, and other struggles, making it a space for open, honest dialogue and support.

The event came to a lively close with an energetic Zumba session led by program coordinator and choreographer Hafsa Ibrahim. It allowed students to understand that mental and physical wellness can be developed through small, consistent actions — and sometimes, just by letting go and dancing it out. 

Hafsa also opened up about her own mental health struggles during her student life, sharing how she often battled negative thoughts and academic pressure.

"I am glad the new generation is more open to conversations about mental health. Movement doesn't necessarily have to be yoga or going to the gym — it can be something as simple as walking in the park. Personally, for me, it's dancing. You're focused, and you don't worry about anything else," Hafsa shared.

"Wellness also branches out into many areas such as sound healing, journaling, and art therapy. Young people should have the opportunity to explore their creative side. It allows for self-expression, helps relieve stress, and promotes emotional balance," she added.

The Youth Festival will conclude with the 10th and last event on 5 May at East West University.