Yoga and Wellness Festival: What is your healing method?

With my feet on the ground, I sit up straight and breathe as instructed while calming tunes play at the back. In any scenario, this simple exercise helps you regain your focus on the present, closing all the other tabs in your brain. 

In front of me, Namira Hosain, a cosmic guide and intuitive healer, shuffles a deck of tarot cards. Before diving in, she asks me a few questions about myself and what I've been going through. As I pick cards from the shuffled deck, she thoughtfully helps me connect their meanings to my life, offering insights and suggestions for personal growth. 
 
Generic? Yes. Did it feel good anyway to discuss my issues and find a few new ways to tackle those problems? Also, yes. 

Dhaka Flow is all things healing under one platform bringing you multiple options to let go of your inner troubles. Dhaka Flow's two-day event, 'Bangladesh Reimagined: Yoga and Wellness Festival', held at the Gulshan Lake Society Park, started off on 6 December and will come to a close on 7 December. 

The weekend event truly embodies a space for healing and wellness. While regular joggers went about their routine, running across the park, others browsed the many wellness-related stalls and stuck around through the day-long events and panels.

"We brought together energy healing, art therapy, sound healing, meditation, yoga, fitness, dance, music, and writing—everything that contributes to overall well-being. Mental health organisations are also present because to truly be well, both the mind and body must be in balance," shared Shazia Omar, yoga instructor and co-founder of Dhaka Flow.

She continues, "Through this festival, I hope to foster greater openness and awareness around well-being, encouraging people to seek help and healing when needed, especially those silently suffering from stress and trauma."

Omar also elaborates on how one of Dhaka Flow's aims is to break the taboo surrounding mental health while addressing nutrition and lifestyle choices.

The festival also incorporated aspects of environmental wellness through clean air campaigns, with recycle bins strategically placed throughout the park. According to Omar, personal health and the environment have an innate connection. However, with high pollution levels, getting in touch with nature has become harder than ever. 

Throughout the festival, one of my personal favourite stalls stood out— Clay Station had their popular 'Pick and Paint' stall, where visitors could choose from a range of pre-made clay objects and paint them however they pleased—an excellent activity to de-stress and unwind from the week's woes.  

As the day progressed, the energy at the festival only grew stronger. Fitness enthusiasts found their groove in sessions like 'Cardio Flow with Rezoana', 'Boxercise with Misha'—a dynamic combination of boxing and exercise—'Killer Cardio with Nazfit', and the 'Fitness Challenge with Britto'. These sessions were perfect for those looking to stay physically fit, which naturally supports mental well-being.  

Not in the mood for physical activities? Dhaka Flow had something for everyone. Creatives could indulge in 'Drawing for Adults with Tanmay', experience 'Art Healing with Diti', or let their thoughts flow freely in 'Write 2 Release with Kashfy'. For those seeking ancient methods of relaxation and healing, there was 'Transformative Yoga with Vari', 'Sound Meditation with Kerry', and 'Reiki Healing with Raiyan Hassan'.  

And if participating in activities isn't your thing, you could still grab a bite with friends, relax, and enjoy the entertainment line-up.  

Day 1 of Dhaka Flow concluded on a high note, featuring a captivating Magic Show by Mystical and a soothing concert by Kaaktaal.  

There was something for everyone to enjoy, thought-provoking panels on real-life issues and mental health, plenty of stalls showcasing local businesses, and a fantastic food selection. The food selection was perfectly done with great dessert shop picks to healthier savory options.

You have to walk around the whole park to even glance at everything lined up for the festival. Before you even realise it, you will have gotten your step count up for the day. And after all, there's no harm in getting some sunlight and taking a walk in the park in the beautiful winter weather. 

The second day of the event includes a range of activities such as panel discussions from authors for the panel, 'Golden Bangladesh 2.0', alongside 'Sound Mediation with Radiant Sound'. They also plan more healing activities such as 'Write to Release with Kashfy' and 'Share-apy with Srabonti and Shazly'. Dhaka Flow will also be introducing all of its coaches in a panel. The festival also plans to combine healing and music with a Yoga Beats session.

With all that said, healing comes with a good cost, but is it worth it? That's up to you to decide what works best for your mind and body.