Gallery Cosmos, the artistic wing of Cosmos Foundation, is hosting a unique, interactive segment titled “Art Therapy through Printmaking” at “Inspire Her Wellness” by Dhaka Flow, a pioneering yoga and wellness festival. The festival — to be held on March 8-9 at the Baridhara Society Lakeside Park in Dhaka — will commemorate International Women's Day 2024, while “Art Therapy through Printmaking” will celebrate the power of creative expression in healing through art. Eminent and pioneering printmaking artist Professor Rokeya Sultana will conduct a live printmaking session and workshop at the Creative Playground for the attendees. Besides, young artist Surovi Akter will be drawing caricatures live at the event. ‘The Black Story’ exhibition by Gallery Cosmos launched virtually The workshop and printmaking session will be held on both days - Friday, March 8 at 11:30 am and Saturday, March 9 at 11:00 am. In addition, the Gallery Cosmos Pavilion will be featuring 20 promising young visual artists and printmakers, showcasing a total of 35 artworks as part of its ongoing commitment to promote the country’s emerging talent by highlighting the work of these talented female artists. With a large number of visitors expected to join and explore the art fair, Gallery Cosmos aims to provide a platform for these young Bangladeshi artists to gain recognition and appreciation on a global scale. The festival-goers can purchase their artwork from the gallery at the festival. Nasrin Jahan Onika's maiden solo exhibition ‘Home’ begins at AFD Art therapy has long been recognised for its capacity to unlock emotional expression and foster healing. It serves as a non-verbal communication channel that allows individuals to explore their deepest thoughts and feelings. Women have been pivotal in the art world, yet their representation has not always been proportional to their talent. This event is dedicated to promoting women artists who do more than just fill a gallery; they shatter glass ceilings and pave the way for the next generation of female creators. They challenge societal norms, question the status quo, and, most importantly, offer a rich narrative with diverse female perspectives. The Black Story webinar sheds spotlight on ‘Dismantling Anti-Blackness in South Asia and the Diaspora’ Women’s entrepreneurship in the art world is a burgeoning force. Female artists are not just creators but innovators and business leaders. One of these pioneering women entrepreneurs is Nahar Khan, a writer, curator, and patron of the arts who is currently serving as the Executive Director at the Gallery Cosmos and the Cosmos Foundation. In addition, Nahar Khan also currently serves as Director at United News of Bangladesh (UNB) and Vice President of the Cosmos Group. An enthusiast of Arts and Culture who is keen on working towards inclusive curatorial practices and curatorial activism to challenge assumptions, hegemony, and heterocentrism while sparking meaningful discourse around social, racial, and political issues, Nahar Khan is especially devoted to the cultural and historical exchanges between communities. ‘Amar Dekha Noya Chin’: Bangabandhu’s formative journey in a travelogue-style graphic novel Gallery Cosmos garnered widespread recognition from the international creative community for many of its artistic endeavours. Among these endeavours was the series of intellectual and artistic interventions for “The Black Story” project, an interactive virtual exhibition conceived and curated by Nahar Khan during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also works with differently-abled children in the art space and holds several art events and workshops for them, alongside the regular artistic ventures of the gallery in order to foster the country’s glorious art and culture. Kicking off this Friday at 10 am with an opening ceremony by Dhaka Flow co-founder and esteemed yogini, Shazia Omar, the “Inspire Her Wellness” festival is scheduled to host a wide range of workshops and classes, originating and concluding at Baridhara Society Lake Park on March 8-9. UNB is the media partner of the festival. Yoga a gift of India to world: Pranay Verma

This weekend, Dhaka Flow, an innovative wellness platform, in collaboration with Baridhara Society, is thrilled to launch a pioneering festival dedicated to yoga and wellness, commemorating Women’s Day. Scheduled for March 8-9 at the Baridhara Society Lakeside Park in Dhaka, the festival is being supported by Brac Bank Tara, Suzuki Motorbikes, BTI, Turaag Active, and Ispahani Blenders Choice Premium Tea. Offering a complimentary, engaging exploration into the realms of movement, mindfulness, and health, the event aims to unite experts, enthusiasts, and the broader community for a weekend filled with educational, inspirational, and actionable wellness experiences. Aligned with this year’s Women’s Day theme, “Inspire Her Wellness,” Dhaka Flow’s festival embodies its commitment to universal wellness. Recognising the unique challenges women face in juggling caregiving and work duties, often at the expense of their own health, the festival intends to shed light on these often-overlooked issues. Providing a nurturing environment for women and their families, the festival invites exploration of holistic health in Dhaka’s context, as detailed in a media release. Nasrin Jahan Onika's maiden solo exhibition ‘Home’ begins at AFD Participants can anticipate an enriching engagement with wellness professionals, hands-on classes and workshops designed to enhance physical, mental, and emotional resilience, interactive Q&A sessions, nutritious dining options, and networking opportunities with peers. This in-person event pledges to empower the community to elevate their overall wellbeing and maintain fitness. Kicking off on Friday at 10 am with an opening ceremony by Dhaka Flow co-founder and esteemed yogini, Shazia Omar, the festival will commence with a sound healing session. Saturday’s activities includes a wide range of workshops and classes, originating and concluding at Baridhara Society Lake Park. Remaining true to its eco-friendly ethos, the festival includes a symbolic tree planting ceremony by Dhaka Flow and Shakti Foundation, contributing to the greening of Baridhara Park. The festival’s art zone promises creative workshops and activities suitable for all ages, alongside engaging outdoor pursuits for children and educational sessions on essential health principles. Emphasizing the importance of financial independence, time management, health awareness, and the freedoms of belief, speech, and expression, the festival aims to inspire and educate.Additionally, the festival will offer a Sufi whirling class and a journaling session. A meditation garden will host all-day mindfulness practices and support groups addressing chronic pain, cancer, depression, grief, addiction, and the challenges of raising children on the spectrum, in hopes of fostering a sense of community strength and solidarity. ‘Amar Dekha Noya Chin’: Bangabandhu’s formative journey in a travelogue-style graphic novel Highlighting female coaches and entrepreneurs in the wellness sector, the event will also feature a farmer’s market showcasing fresh produce and organic goods from local women farmers in collaboration with FAO and ZXY International FZCO. The festival emphasizes an eco-conscious approach, avoiding plastic waste, offering vegetarian food options, and providing free activities for all attendees. Generous sponsorship from leading private sector companies underscores the festival’s commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles within the community. Dhaka Flow remains dedicated to positively impacting individuals and the environment, offering resources, events, and a supportive network to encourage optimal living and environmental stewardship. For further details and registration, visit www.dhakaflow.com and follow Dhaka Flow on social media (@dhakaflowofficial). UNB is the media partner of the event.  Read more: Which Type of Yoga Should You Try?

Who doesn’t love a head full of healthy, smooth, and shiny hair? Losing a few strands of hair every day is normal, but many experience severe hair loss. People of different age groups and genders can go through hair fall problems for diverse reasons. Excessive hair fall may lead to thinning hair, bald patches, and even baldness. Thanks to advancements in medical science, those suffering from baldness can now regain their hairline. Let’s take a look at the causes of hair loss and effective hair transplant solutions.  Common Causes of Hair Fall An individual can experience excessive hair fall for different reasons. Here are the most common ones: Genetics Family history plays a crucial role in determining hair health. If one’s parents or grandparents experienced hair loss, one may be genetically predisposed to the same condition. Read More: 10 Energy Healing Methods: Which One is Right for You? Hormonal changes Hormonal imbalances caused by pregnancy, menopause, thyroid disorders, or other health conditions can cause hair fall. Hormonal changes can cause hair follicles to shrink, resulting in thinner hair or bald patches. Stress Chronic stress can cause an increase in the hormone cortisol, which can affect the hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss. Nutritional deficiencies A lack of essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, vitamin D, or biotin, can lead to hair loss. Medications Certain medications used to treat health conditions like cancer, depression, arthritis, or high blood pressure can cause hair fall as a side effect. Read More: Best Foods for Hair Growth: What to Eat, Drink and Avoid Excessive use of hairstyling products Frequent use of heat styling tools, tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails, and chemical treatments like coloring or perming can damage the hair shaft and cause hair fall. Medical conditions Health conditions like scalp psoriasis, alopecia areata, or fungal infections can cause hair loss. What is Hair Transplant? Hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves moving hair follicles from one part of the body, typically the back or sides of the scalp, to a balding or thinning area. The procedure is primarily used to treat male pattern baldness, but it can also be used to restore hair loss due to injury or burns. The transplanted hair follicles are usually harvested in groups of one to four hairs and transplanted into tiny incisions made in the recipient area. Over time, the transplanted hairs grow and blend in with the existing hair, creating a natural-looking hairline. Read More: Summer Skin Care Guide For Men

Energy healing manipulates the "energy fields" of the human body to promote balance. Whether seeking relief from pain or enhancing overall well-being, energy healing can help. It's an alternative therapy used for centuries across different cultures. Believing that the human body has an energy system, several types of energy healing methods are practiced around the world. Each kind of energy healing bestows unique benefits. Let’s explore 10 energy healing methods.  10 Popular Energy Healing Methods Yoga Yoga is a centuries-old practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and the chakra system to promote holistic healing and wellness. Various forms of yoga exist that focus on energy healing, such as Kundalini, Iyengar, and Vinyasa. Kundalini yoga emphasizes the awakening of energy within the body, Iyengar yoga emphasizes proper alignment to promote energy flow, and Vinyasa yoga uses movement and breath to enhance the flow of prana, or life force energy, throughout the body. Read More: Which Type of Yoga Should You Try? Yoga first originated almost 5000 years ago in ancient India. It can provide numerous benefits, including reduced stress, improved flexibility and strength, and enhanced mental clarity and focus. However, it is important to approach yoga with caution and consult with a qualified teacher, as certain postures and practices may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain health conditions or injuries. Reiki Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. It is based on the concept that there is a universal life force energy that flows through all living things, and when this energy is blocked or disrupted, it can cause physical or emotional distress. During a Reiki session, the practitioner uses their hands to channel this energy into the recipient's body, helping to remove any blockages and promote balance and harmony. The benefits of Reiki can include relaxation, emotional release, and an overall sense of well-being. There are minimal risks associated with Reiki, as it is non-invasive and gentle. Read More: What is Reiki? Does It Really Work? Massage Massage is a popular and ancient form of energy healing that uses various techniques to manipulate the body's energy and promote relaxation. The origins of massage can be traced back to ancient China, Egypt, and India. During a session, the therapist uses their hands and sometimes other tools to apply pressure to different parts of the body, helping to release tension and improve blood and lymphatic circulation. Massage has been shown to have numerous benefits, including reducing stress, easing muscle pain, and improving sleep quality. It is generally considered safe, but certain conditions may require caution or avoidance of massage, such as deep vein thrombosis or infectious skin diseases. Reflexology Reflexology is an energy healing practice that utilizes specific pressure points on the feet, hands, and ears to stimulate healing. Practitioners believe that these pressure points correspond to different organs and systems in the body, and by applying pressure, energy can flow freely and balance can be restored. Reflexology was invented in Egypt and was practiced from 2500 BC. Read More: Happiness Hormone: Ways to Boost Dopamine Reflexology can promote relaxation, improve circulation, and reduce stress and anxiety. Some individuals may experience discomfort or soreness during a session, and reflexology is not recommended for individuals with foot injuries or certain medical conditions. Craniosacral Craniosacral therapy is an alternative healing technique that involves a gentle touch approach to assess the movement of fluids surrounding the central nervous system. This therapy is designed to relieve stress, tension headaches, and neck pain by targeting the areas that are causing discomfort. It is believed that craniosacral therapy can also help restore balance and promote wellness after experiencing traumatic injuries. The origin of this practice can be traced back to osteopathy and cranial osteopathy, which was developed by Andrew Taylor Still. He invented it as a way to remove restrictions in human skulls in a toxic-free way. The main benefit of craniosacral therapy is its ability to provide relief from chronic pain without invasive procedures or medications. Read More: Workplace stress affecting women in Bangladesh needs attention However, as with any therapy, there are risks involved, such as potential side effects or adverse reactions. It is important to consult with a qualified practitioner before undergoing this therapy.

Pain and discomfort are a part of life, but finding ways to manage and alleviate them is essential for maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health. Traditional medical treatments are often effective, but some people turn to complementary and alternative therapies to supplement their care. One such therapy is Reiki, a Japanese healing practice that involves a practitioner placing their hands on or near the body to promote relaxation, balance, and healing. What is Reiki? Reiki is a holistic healing practice rooted in ancient Eastern beliefs about energy flow in living beings. Its name derives from the Japanese words "rei" and "ki", which translate to "universal" and "vital life force energy", respectively. Some practitioners compare it to acupuncture without needles. At the core of Reiki is the concept of energy fields that support our health and well-being. Practitioners use their hands to sense and treat energy blocks that can impede the natural flow of energy in the body. They believe that these blocks not only cause physical ailments but can also manifest as negative life circumstances like financial struggles or relationship problems. Read More: Happiness Hormone: Ways to Boost Dopamine Reiki is not limited to humans; some practitioners also work on animals and plants. By focusing on moving energy for the greater good of the client, Reiki aims to improve physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. As a complementary health approach, it is often used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments. How does Reiki Work? Reiki is based on the belief that all living beings have a vital life force energy that flows through them, known as "ki" or "qi". When this energy is blocked or out of balance, it can manifest as physical, emotional, or spiritual issues. Reiki practitioners aim to restore balance and promote healing by working with this energy. During a Reiki session, the client lies down fully clothed while the practitioner places their hands on or near different areas of the body. The practitioner uses their hands to sense the client's energy flow and move any blocks or imbalances. This is done through a series of hand placements and can include techniques such as light touch, tapping, or visualization. Read More: Workplace stress affecting women in Bangladesh needs attention

This Friday (January 13, 2023), from 11 am to 5 pm, Shazia Omar hosted Bangladesh’s first-ever yoga and wellness festival, Dhaka Flow. The event saw 60 private sector companies, 20 fitness teachers and healers, and over 1000 people gather around the theme of healthy living. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) was the Media Partner of Dhaka Flow's yoga and wellness event held at Gulshan Society Lake Park in Dhaka.  “Dhaka City can be a toxic space with the chaotic traffic, population density, air pollution and overall lack of healthy living. Given this, it is important for us to cultivate a higher conscience and embrace a more intentional way of life that is harmonious and nurturing for our people and our planet,” said Shazia.  In the opening session, Shazia said she organized Dhaka Flow as a way to give space to all the people making efforts to contribute to a healthy community. She said healthy living is not about exercise alone, its about mind, body, spirit, as well as home, community, country. She said one cannot be healthy in isolation. Good health requires good physical health, good mental, psychological, emotional health, clean air, green earth, pure water. She described a vision of Dhaka City as a place that is free, healthy, clean, inclusive and green.  Dhaka Flow, in partnership with Gulshan Society, made use of public space to provide a free event for the community that would encourage everyone to live healthier. For the event, Shazia had a few pillars. Managed by Interspeed, the event was entirely plastic waste free and eco-friendly. All companies participating did not use PVC banners. Stalls were made of bamboo and jute with cloth canvas signs, keeping an eye on the aesthetics, to ensure an eco-artistic feel.  Read More: Dhaka Flow brings day-long Festival of Yoga and Wellness No plastic bottles were sold, instead everyone enjoyed Pureit by Unilever’s water dispensers. The event had 14 food vendors, all taking on the challenge, or opportunity, of designing purely vegetarian treats, as ahimsa, non-violence towards living beings, was one of the pillars of the event. The final pillar was that of collaboration rather than competition, as all vendors and instructors were asked to cross-promote one another. Pushing the boundary bit by bit can lead to cataclysmic change. She hopes all events going forward will see how it easy it is to shift modus operandi and adopt cleaner habits.  Mustafa Turan, Turkish Ambassador, and Natalie Chuard, Swiss Ambassador, also spoke at the opening, to express their strong belief in yoga as a positive way of life. The theme of devoting time to taking care of oneself, in order to show up better, so we are in a better place to raise a healthy family and healthy community and healthy nation came up. Shazia said she was thrilled to see how many people are actively engaged in the wellness sector in their own way. She said Dhaka Flow showcased several start-ups including East Bengal Coffee Grinder, Mama’s Tarts, Aliens, fithobo.com, Moar co-working space, Smart Air and Just SXY sportswear. WhiteBoard participated to record citizen’s voices around the theme of building a better Bangladesh. Basecamp offered park visitors a chance to climb a 50-foot tree. Clay Station, Aranya and Art for the Soul gave people space to be creative. Aqua Paints, the Growing Up Club and Kolpotoru kept the kids zone active. F45, Amra Active, Yasmin Karachiwala Body Image and individuals like Ed Jujitsu, Naziafitstudio and Britto offered cardio sessions while Faria Athar, And_zen, Tasmiah and Dyuti offered yoga sessions. Anita Aparna Muyeed offered meditation and energy healing while Namira Hossain offered intuitive tarot card reading.  Read More: Pandemic Yoga: How to strengthen lungs, ease breathing problems with yoga Core sponsors, Turaag Active, a local designer sportswear brand, provided yoga pants to the yogis, Aarong Earth, with organic skin and hair care products,  and Prime Bank, with green financing, made the event possible. ACI Nutrilife showcased their healthy grain products, Sprint from Apex showcased shoes made from recycled plastic bottles, CalciPlus showcased calcium fortified milk for bone health, Sajeeb Group showcase Isobuler Bhushi as a traditional and effective way of keeping ones gut healthy,  Blenders Choice Ispahani tea showcased green tea, and Sajida Foundation showcased Kaan Pete Roi and Shojon, suicide hotline and mental health service providers. Other stalls at the event included Shombob,com, online pharmacy, Movement Solutions, physiotherapists, Dhaka Ayurveda Centre, offering therapeutic massages, and many more.  Shazia Omar has been teaching yoga in Dhaka for over 15 years. She encourages everyone to subscribe to her channel, Youtube.com/ShazzyOm. She is a writer, a yogini, an activist and a mom. She runs yoga retreats around the country and classes in Gulshan. To join the wellness movement and ‘surrender to the flow’, she invites everyone to check out Dhaka Flow’s website and join the Dhaka Flow community on Facebook and Instagram.  One of the key messages of the event was that yoga can help people cope with stress and reduce physical and mental ailments. Meditation and mindfulness can improve concentration, compassion, peace and community spirit. An understanding about healthy habits and better nutrition can contribute drastically to our fitness and journey towards inner peace.  Read More: From coffee to yoga to happiness: Offbeat ministries from around the world! The event was closed with some beautiful songs by Armeen Musa, Grammy-award nominee. We look forward to more such events in the future.  For more information about yoga or Dhaka Flow, please email [email protected].

Yoga is an ancient system to experience divine freedom, peace, and self-realization through physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual practices. Originating from Sanskrit, the term Yoga means “yoke” which refers to drawing, binding; or uniting together. The purpose of Yoga is to unite the body, mind, and soul, as well as the universal consciousness. A healthy mind and body lead to a healthy family, community, and city.  However, the hectic urban life in Dhaka city gives the residents little room for calmness, contemplation, or purpose. Thanks to Shazia Omar for hosting the Festival of Yoga Wellness Dhaka Flow. Let’s take a look at the host and the festival. Dhaka Flow: A Wellness Movement Dhaka Flow is a wellness movement in Bangladesh. Dhaka Flow aims to promote a sustainable lifestyle of self-growth, joy, and gratitude. Dhaka Flow promotes wellness through festivals and retreats, events and gatherings, social media, and more. Read More: Which Type of Yoga Should You Try? Dhaka Flow organizes the Festival of Yoga & Wellness in January 2023 to bring together the vendors of wellness products, fitness teachers, healers, and people, to build community, celebrate health and healing, honor the environment, and elevate the spirit. The festival will be conducted with zero plastic waste. Dhaka Flow also upholds the principle of ahimsa which means non-violence towards any living being, and as such, food stalls will ALL offer vegetarian meals only. Journey of Shazia Omar: From investment banker to yogi  Starting her career as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers in Manhattan, Shazia soon realized this was not her calling in life. She grew disillusioned with the state of the world and geopolitics and capitalism and soon after 9/11, she left her job and went traveling around the world to look for a better way to be. Shazia landed up in South Africa, working at an AIDS orphanage as a volunteer, where she met a group of yogis.  Read More: Free Online Yoga Courses for Stress Relief and Better Immunity From there, her passion for the practice began. She began visiting ashrams and yoga schools in India and Thailand and eventually got certified in ashtanga yoga. She has been teaching yoga for 20 years. Shazia teaches regular classes at Nordic Club and Canadian Club in Dhaka. She has conducted numerous corporate workshops on yoga, mindfulness, well-being, health, and fitness. She organizes retreats around Bangladesh and around the world because she believes well-being and wanderlust go hand-in-hand. She is associated with Samahita Yoga Retreat in Thailand.  Shazia has written a mind, body, and spirit book (Intentional Smile: A Girl’s Guide to Positive Living, Bloomsbury 2016) and children’s books (Sun Moon Secret, Guba Books 2022) as well as two novels. Shazia writes a regular column for Daily Star (Kundalini Rising). Shazia did her undergrad at Dartmouth College, USA, and her Master's in Social Psychology at LSE, UK. Shazia Omar’s channel is YouTube.com/ShazzyOm.  Read More: How to strengthen lungs, ease breathing problems with yoga Dhaka Flow: Festival of Yoga and Wellness Dhaka Flow organizes a unique event to bring many of Dhaka’s yoga teachers and healers under the same sky. Aside from yoga, there will be certified practitioners offering meditation, reiki and energy healing, martial arts and boxing, cardio and HIIT, and much more. Over 30 companies and entrepreneurs are participating in the fair, with a similar vision to promote a cleaner and greener Dhaka city, cultivating good health and well-being. The event will be organized with eco-friendly materials, like jute stalls, cloth canvas signs, etc. Food partners will provide vegetarian treats. During this festival, there will be free yoga classes all day long by different teachers in the yoga shala. These classes are suitable for all ages and sizes. There will be cardio and HIIT and martial arts classes in the fitness pavilion. There will be dance, breathing, meditation, and kids' yoga in the amphitheater. There will be art activities in the art corner. Read More: From coffee to yoga to happiness: Offbeat ministries from around the world! Time and Venue of Dhaka Flow Festival of Yoga and Wellness The festival will be held at Gulshan Society Lake Park on Friday, January 13, 2022, from 11 am to 5 pm. How to Participate in Dhaka Flow Festival of Yoga and Wellness Registration is required to participate in the event. It is totally free of cost.  Visit the following link for free registration: https://partyinvite.club/e/Dhaka-Flow--Festival-of-Yoga---Wellness-6388813caf21872f9b6dcf8b