Dhaka Flow, the country's first festival of Yoga and Wellness was hosted at the Gulshan Society (GS) Lake Park on Friday.
The festival was founded by Shazia Omar, co-hosted with Gulshan Society and managed by Interspeed, said a press release.
“Dhaka City can be a toxic space with 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.
She also said that she organized Dhaka Flow as a way to give space to all the people making efforts to contribute to a healthy community.
Shayaan Seraj, convenor of the GS Lake Park, said: “It is very important to keep the youth in our community engaged with healthy activities such as yoga and meditation.”
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.
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.
Mustafa Turan, Turkish Ambassador, and Natalie Chuard, Swiss Ambassador, also spoke at the launching.
Shazia Omar also said that 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. Kloth gave away free yoga mats.
F45, Amra Active, Yasmin Karachiwala Body Image and individuals like Ed Jujitsu, Nazia Fit Studio 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.
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 Isobguler 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 is also a writer, a yogini, an activist and a mom. She runs yoga retreats around the country and classes in Gulshan.
