Mind Body Soul Festival hosted by Seena Incorporated in Sydney drew a crowd of more than 50 women who gathered at Dar-ul-Islam, Bonnyrigg on Saturday 17 June 2023 to immerse themselves in a day of self-care and mutual support exploring various aspects such as mental health, physical creativity, movement, and spirituality that left attendees feeling inspired and rejuvenated.

The participants had the opportunity to attend motivating talks, engage in hands-on activities, and forge deep connections and friendships.

They crafted their own facial scrubs, created stunning watercolour paintings of Islamic calligraphy, and enjoyed a captivating drum healing workshop.

The event successfully provided a safe and nurturing space for women to learn and grow together.

The women were inspired by the motivating talks, made their own facial scrub, painted stunning watercolours of Islamic calligraphy, enjoyed the drum healing workshop, and discovered deep connections and friendships.

Mehar Ahmad, President of Seena Inc, expressed her enthusiasm for the overwhelming response to the event, stating, “In our third year, we have seen an overwhelming need for this kind of event – where there is a safe space for women to learn how to care for themselves and enjoy activities building strong social connections. We want to provide a village-like atmosphere and communal living in order to combat the dread of isolation that many women feel and to combat it with sisterhood, friendship, and creativity. Women are the foundation in which our society thrives, so we must take care of them and we must teach them to take care of themselves!”

Princess R Lakshman, the facilitator of the Self-Care segment, praised Seena Inc for the event’s successful turnout.

Reflecting on the day, she said “It is vital that optimal health is perceived as not only physical health, but also mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual health. Self-care for women in our CALD communities is often a forgotten concept because women tend to forget about taking care of themselves as they are too busy taking care of people at home, household chores, and work related tasks. Events like the Mind, Body, Soul Women’s Retreat provides a much needed time and safe space for women to gather and give themselves permission to stop doing and just be…be in the present moment and let go of any anxiety and stress of the future. These events are necessary so that these often multi-tasking women can pause, take a breath, and learn to practise self-kindness, self-compassion, and positive self-talk.”

One of the highlights of the event was the drum healing workshop led by the Desert Echo Daff School, where attendees learned to incorporate healing drum sounds with dhikr, known for its calming effects on the nervous system.

Anjum Kasmani, the founder, and Head Daff Instructor at Desert Echo Daff School, shared her thoughts on the workshop, stating, “At the Mind Body Soul festival, our aim was to bring the participants an upbeat workshop which equally gave them a safe space for releasing tension. The women were empowered by learning the history of the daff drum, energised by playing upbeat rhythms to release stress and tension, and soothed through learning how dhikr and breath work together.”

Aisha from QAisha.Art conducted a creative watercolour painting workshop, allowing attendees to destress and clear their minds through artistic expression. Aisha highlighted the sense of accomplishment that comes from creating artwork and how it encourages individuals to explore their boundaries and step outside their comfort zones in other areas of life.

The festival offered a comprehensive approach to well-being, encompassing the mind, body, and soul. The festival provided opportunities for free meditation sessions, inspirational seminars, and mindful and healing activities such as journaling.

It also emphasised the importance of nourishing the body through physical movement, beauty, artistic expression, and a nourishing lunch. Moreover, the event fostered a spiritual connection to the divine creator, promoting inner healing and growth.

The retreat catered to individuals who feel lost, broken, or overwhelmed by life’s challenges, as well as those seeking to enhance their existing self-care practices. It celebrated the diversity of cultures and religions, ensuring inclusivity for people from all walks of life.

With a focus on building awareness and fostering healing, the event collaborated with mental health professionals and community leaders to provide a holistic experience.

Attendees were encouraged to build connections and friendships, both within their own communities and across diverse backgrounds, nurturing cultural resilience.To ensure accessibility, Seena Inc offered complimentary tickets for individuals requiring self-care.

The Mind Body Soul Festival was sponsored by AMUST. Funding for this project has been provided by the NSW Government.

Photos by Shems Photography.