Journey towards rehabilitation

“Anoek Shanti Paysi (we got lot of peace now),” chorused the participants of the first special Art of Living workshop for sex workers in Bangladesh. The Mirpur premises of the Social and Economic Enhancement Program seemed transformed in just few days of the course. Yoga, games, meditation and relaxation processes helped them relieve the bottled-up angst that these girls have experienced in life. Sad, brooding faces broke into huge smiles on the last day of course. Many of them said that they had never experienced such peace before. “This program has helped us let go of our dark past and given hope to start life anew,” they shared.

The girls celebrated their new-found inner freedom when they freely performed at a talent show held on the concluding day of the stress relief program. The freedom with which they displayed their skill in drama, music and dance left Fatima Afroz and Dhwani, Art of Living instructors, and Oishi, an organizer amazed.

Thanks to the workshop, these girls have embarked on a journey towards rehabilitation. The Art of Living is committed towards complete rehabilitation of the girls. Follow up meditation and yoga sessions along with counseling will be conducted regularly to help them pursue the journey towards integrating with the mainstream.

The Art of Living was also a part of the launch of the Trafficking Survivors Foundation (TSF) in Bangladesh in April 2011. This foundation is dedicated towards saving trafficked women and rehabilitating them. Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, minister for women and child affairs, Bangladesh, who inaugurated the program, has promised full support to the initiative.

Contact Sajeev Menon (sajeevjgd@gmail.com) if you can support or organize similar programs in Bangladesh

Testimonials

M.,
age 26
“I had decided to go back to my anti-depressants before this (The Art of Living) course, but now I don’t need them. I will practice these techniques every single day for the rest of my life. I only hope other people are lucky enough to take this course. It has given me more help than I could have ever imagined possible. Thank you.”

Course participant

“I’ve been suffering from a loss of concentration, weak memory and extreme anger. Now I feel as if something heavy has been lifted from my back.”

Course Participant

“I found that this training of breathing is so useful and its benefit shows when I do it. I feel that my heart is stronger and younger. When I can’t sleep I just do the breathing and I feel energy in all parts of my body.”

Dr. Venus

“I feel peace with myself and have less stress. I think if I continue with the practice, this feeling of peace will continue to grow.”

M. Ali Bankat

"Before this experience, I was sad, depressed and starting to lose hope because of the situation here in Iraq. Now, after only four days, I feel confident in myself – happier, have hopes and dreams again and I feel that life is so beautiful. I have started to love everyone and physically I have much more energy and am able to do more things. I want to thank you very much for helping all of us feel better.”