Alaap with BMHM

This month’s topic: Masculinity and Mental Health 

Below are the links to the articles used and discussed in today's episode:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5643212/pdf/nihms830187.pdf

During these uncertain times, we offer you a guided meditation in Bangla to manage stress and help reconnect with yourself. This meditation includes calming messages in our mother tongue that can bring forth feelings of comfort and much-needed support. 

Guided meditations are for anyone who would like to bring calm to their day through breathing techniques, restorative practices, and positive affirmations. By making time to just breathe you can help yourself feel more relaxed.

This 3-minute meditation was made for the Bengali diaspora community by Teresa Gomes, Yoga & Meditation Teacher and Founder of Sisters Across Oceans.

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About Teresa | Zen with T

Teresa is a first generation Bangladeshi-Canadian born in Toronto. She is a recent Master's in Environmental Studies graduate from York University. Her research and publications discuss critical migration studies, disaster displacement and international environmental governance. Professionally, Teresa has gained experience in the policy sector, recently, she served as a Policy Analyst at Global Affairs Canada working on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis. She is the Co-Founder and Director of Sisters Across Oceans (SAO), a non-profit that leverages opportunities for Bengali women's growth, well-being and representation. Recently, SAO raised over 5k for vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, impacted by COVID-19 and Cyclone Amphan. Teresa is also a filmmaker, her short documentary was screened at the 2017 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

However, recognizing the need to heal after experiencing anxiety attacks, Teresa made wellness a commitment. Yoga surfaced as a powerful way to heal, becoming a necessity in her every day life. In 2016, she decided to share this beautiful practice with her community so that others can also find healing. Teresa completed 200 hours of Ayurveda and Yoga Holistic Teacher Training and 100 hours of Meditation Facilitator Training Program from JAI Wellness in Toronto. Her training in yoga and meditation was complemented with knowledge in holistic Ayurveda (the sister science of yoga) and lifestyle management. With this knowledge, she hopes to continue serving her community from a place of love, encouraging growth, healing, rejuvenation, nourishment, positivity and overall well being. Her classes and workshops often encompass hatha yoga, restorative practices, qi gong, chakra balancing, breathing techniques, soothing guided meditation, positive affirmations and binaural beats or flute sounds.

You can find this meditation as well as Teresa's upcoming projects on her Soundcloud. 

This month’s topic: Gaslighting.

For this month's ALAAP episode, the moderators come together to discuss more in depth of what gaslighting is, the different environments and relationships where gaslighting may occur, discuss personal experiences to further show that this happens anywhere, even when you least expect it. In addition, we discuss ways to support victims of gaslighting. You are not alone; you are kind, sweet, resilient, and are deserving of love.

Note: People who are concerned about themselves being gaslighted should consult with a professional on how to navigate difficult conversations. Gaslighting occurs in various forms and varies by personal circumstances, so definitely consult with a professional or someone you trust. 

Below are the links to the articles used and discussed in today's episode:

https://www.healthline.com/health/gaslighting

https://www.vox.com/first-person/2018/12/19/18140830/gaslighting-relationships-politics-explained

This month’s topic: Mental Health Stigmas in the Bengali Community. 

This month's topic: Domestic Violence. 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month but even as this month comes to an end, the important discussion that we started today should be recognized and should not end; this is only the beginning. 

**Content Warning: Contains descriptive information about domestic violence in various different forms. 

If you need assistance or want to talk to someone about domestic violence call: 1-866-331-9474 to speak with a trained peer advocate. 

Below are the links to the articles used and discussed in today's episode: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7462560/

https://www.breakthecycle.org/blog/it%E2%80%99s-national-domestic-violence-awareness-month

https://tbsnews.net/coronavirus-chronicle/covid-19-bangladesh/webinar-held-rise-domestic-violence-against-women-during

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (@bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!

During these uncertain times, we offer you a guided meditation to manage stress and help reconnect with yourself. 

Guided meditations are for anyone who would like to bring calm to their day through breathing techniques, restorative practices, and positive affirmations. By making time to just breathe you can help yourself feel more relaxed. 

This 15-minute meditation was made for the Bengali diaspora community by Teresa Gomes, Yoga & Meditation Teacher and Founder of Sisters Across Oceans. 

****************

About Teresa | Zen with T

Teresa is a first generation Bangladeshi-Canadian born in Toronto. She is a recent Master's in Environmental Studies graduate from York University. Her research and publications discuss critical migration studies, disaster displacement and international environmental governance. Professionally, Teresa has gained experience in the policy sector, recently, she served as a Policy Analyst at Global Affairs Canada working on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis. She is the Co-Founder and Director of Sisters Across Oceans (SAO), a non-profit that leverages opportunities for Bengali women's growth, well-being and representation. Recently, SAO raised over 5k for vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, impacted by COVID-19 and Cyclone Amphan. Teresa is also a filmmaker, her short documentary was screened at the 2017 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

However, recognizing the need to heal after experiencing anxiety attacks, Teresa made wellness a commitment. Yoga surfaced as a powerful way to heal, becoming a necessity in her every day life. In 2016, she decided to share this beautiful practice with her community so that others can also find healing. Teresa completed 200 hours of Ayurveda and Yoga Holistic Teacher Training and 100 hours of Meditation Facilitator Training Program from JAI Wellness in Toronto. Her training in yoga and meditation was complemented with knowledge in holistic Ayurveda (the sister science of yoga) and lifestyle management. With this knowledge, she hopes to continue serving her community from a place of love, encouraging growth, healing, rejuvenation, nourishment, positivity and overall well being. Her classes and workshops often encompass hatha yoga, restorative practices, qi gong, chakra balancing, breathing techniques, soothing guided meditation, positive affirmations and binaural beats or flute sounds.

This month's topic: How do you feel about transitions in your life?

What kind of transitions? Work, home, school/college, in relationships, thoughts of relocating.

This is a pre-recorded monthly podcast hosted by BMHM's Event Moderators Tasnova, Fairoz, and Unsha discussing various topics and answering questions from our followers!

Please be sure to stay updated on the BMHM's IG (bengalimentalhealthmvmnt) in order to catch the next topic and add in your own questions and comments, that may end up in an upcoming episode!