We are starting a Mental Wellness/ Positivity series in collaboration with Sakhi magazine (https://sakhi.online) and will be sharing mental health hacks and tips to feel better/ more positive. Given the current situation of the world – sickness, diseases, deaths, wars, violence etc – most of us need it. While a lot of things are beyond our control, our mindset is definitely in our control and we can do some simple things to keep ourselves uplifted and boost our mental health. Stay tuned.
If you would like to contribute Mental Wellness/ Positivity tips with photos feel free to email us at empoweredbwb@gmail.com or editor@sakhi.online or post on Instagram and tag us @empoweredbwb & @sakhi.online and use the hashtag #PositivityWithEmpoweredNSakhi If selected we will feature your tips. If you would like to donate towards our positivity sessions for women, feel free to contact us as well.
A warm welcome to beauty with brains Eshwin Prasad, who recently joined our platform. She is a Consultant Pharmacist, Educator, Clinical Writer, Actor & Model and is based in Sydney, Australia. This talented gorgeous lady is fast climbing the ladder of success.
“I have a dream of creating a world with no hatred and no suffering, my world is full of love, care, and gratitude. I do not have a sad story, I have an inspiring life story, that has kept me growing and God willing, others will someday get inspired by my story and grow like me.
I was born in a beautiful paradise called Fiji but now, Australia is my home. Fiji is where I was brought up and Australia is where my son is being brought up and I made that choice with great intentions. I am a grateful daughter, grand-daughter, sister, wife, and mum and deep down I feel I have a relation to everyone who is part of this universe.
I enjoy exploring nature, swimming, dancing, reading, writing, yoga, netball, making videos and cooking.
Career wise, I am a registered pharmacist since 2003 and accredited consultant pharmacist since 2010 in Australia. I completed my Postgraduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management in 2015. I enjoy my work as a clinical pharmacist, we work with other health professionals daily to reduce medication related harm in aged care. It gives me the opportunity to help people with medication management, while improving their quality of life. My professional satisfaction lies in educating people and other health professionals, regarding medication management.
I was crowned the Cover girl for Curves & Curls International 2019. I also received the Australian Golden Sash Award 2020 – International Personality Award. I have had the honour of being a judge for BSM Mums & Granny’s International Pageant 2020 and Curves & Curls International 2021. I have been on runway for Lavashe Couture Designs and Dream Beauty Boutique. I have been on screen in TV advertisements, short films, and online ads since 2000.
I am a certified Pastoral Carer and volunteer my services at hospitals and nursing homes. I believe in working on myself and making myself the biggest example to make every woman feel proud of themselves in whoever they are and whatever they do. My word for every woman out there – you were born as a woman for a great purpose and do not let anyone undermine your purpose in this world. We can love and this world needs a lot of us.” – Eshwin.
Meet our featured beauty with brains Rupa Parthasarathy, founder of Mindkshetra (https://www.facebook.com/mindkshetra/). A beautiful person both inside and outside, she has been touching hearts and lives, and painting the world a shade kinder. Here is an interview with her:
Tell us more about yourself – your hobbies, passions, dreams etc.
Mine is a story that partly reveals itself with my distinctive tongue twister of a last name (always a great conversation starter!). At a glance, it’s easy to unravel my backstory of hailing from an Indian background. And within Australia, the story of my family’s journey to this land at some point. While that holds true, mine has also been a story of facing adversities, finding my feet, exploring my identity, and establishing connections. That’s what interests me about life-stories, there’s so much more than just what meets the eye. I have always held a deep love for stories. Hence, I am invested in life stories; I love telling them, sharing them and nurturing them. I am someone who believes in painting this world a shade kinder. I thrive on making meaningful conversations and connections.
I have a soft spot for my parent language (I prefer using the term parent language to mother tongue, as it’s the language of both my parents) – Tamil (my being lights up, in its presence). I also speak Hindi and other Indian regional languages (which, if I hear beyond my home’s boundaries, always make my head turn quicker than a bird and tugs at my heart with familiarity). I am also an optimist, an intrepid learner, a movie/music buff and a person who enjoys watching endless reruns of DIY home renovation shows.
Tell us what inspired you to start Mindkshetra?
I grew up fascinated with all things creative – sketching, music, dancing and storytelling were some of the pursuits I dabbled in and still do. Drawing from this experience, I understand how self-expression can be used to sort through mental chaos, gain clarity, and nurture physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Art therapy provides me with an approach to facilitate positive change in a person’s (people’s) lives using creative means.
I founded Mindkshetra to create a place where people can experience some mind space. A place where we can nurture mental health from a wellness perspective, rather than only through an illness perspective. Growing up, I experienced that having conversations, even basic things like feeling overwhelmed or anxious, was always relegated either to occur either behind closed doors or mostly dismissed as something that will pass. So I wanted to create a space where discussions about mental health are facilitated openly. Much like how a consistent effort builds physical fitness, I believe it takes conscious effort to nurture mental and emotional wellness. Given, I have witnessed and experienced the healing powers of artmaking, and I teach creativity as a strategy to build and sustain mental health.
What is art therapy, and how does it differ from conventional psychotherapy?
Art therapy is a therapeutic technique that integrates psychotherapy and creative process to enhance physical, mental and emotional well-being. It is based on the idea that tapping into our creativity by engaging in self-expression can help us gain mental clarity, explore our emotions, develop self-awareness and promote our well-being. As the emphasis is on the creative process of self-expression, no unique artistic ability or talent is required. Artmaking in art therapy courses is playful experimentation with self-expression without having any concerns about achieving perfection.
As human beings, we are complex and unique. There are various factors like our upbringing, culture, heritage, genetics, family, to name a few, that play a role in how we process and react to situations. There are times when we cannot express our thoughts, feelings, emotions only by verbalising them. Art-making provides us with an avenue to externalise these internal workings. Self-expression allows us to view them outside of us, gives some much-needed space to reflect and process them.
What services do you offer at Mindkshetra?
Mindkshetra offers individual consultations, creative art-based wellness workshops for kids and young people, creative workshops for parties, celebrations, art therapy courses for adults and creative wellness and personal development coaching for communities and organisations.
At Mindkshetra, our mission is to support life stories using creativity. The practise caters to a wide range of people. These people have experienced life adversities, mental health conditions, or anyone interested in taking care of their mental hygiene or connecting with their intuition.
Our Practice is based on the philosophy that we can author our life stories through self-awareness. We believe in seeing clients as a whole person – not defining them by their diagnosis, based on the philosophy that we can author our life stories.
The purpose of our fashion features, photoshoots & events, is to empower and uplift women through fashion and make them feel confident about themselves. Another purpose is to provide a platform for women in the fashion industry to showcase their talents, skills and products.
A warm welcome to beauty with brains Sarbani Dhur, who recently joined our fashion platform as a Model. Confident & Stylish, this gorgeous lady is making waves in the fashion industry.
“My name is Sarbani, I hail from Brisbane, Australia and I aspire to be evergreen!
I grew up in the city of Joy, Kolkata (India), known to have some of the most vibrant multicultural confluence.
I LOVE where I live. I am very proud to be an Australian Indian, with both cultures merging and shaping the woman I am.
Professionally I have always worked in the field of Office Administration and my hobbies include candle making, street food kitchen, volunteering, spending time with family & friends and gardening. Due to my admin background I am good at organising and attention to details. I like the challenge of trying new things and venturing into unknowns.
I am an open and honest person who easily trust others and can be easily pleased by simple gestures of kindness and warmth of friendship.
I hope that as you read my column you learn something not only about the world around you but of yourselves. I have been told by my friends and family that I have no filter and you would think that this would have gotten me in to trouble (and sometimes it has) but for the most part it has worked out in my favour and people have responded amazingly well, I hope you do as well.
I have always been passionate about modelling, billboard hang outs and wondered when I can be in one of them. Nevertheless started my humble and aspriring journey few years ago, and have gained experience in some projects, which enabled me to showcase my talent to the professional world. Known for being flexible, adaptable, stylish and versatile, I am good at taking directions and capable of wearing and carrying all types of clothing styles. My confidence lies in the fact, I am starting to follow my passion at the tail end for the age inclusions in fashion industry.
However, I am fortunate enough, to get few opportunities in life which helped me pursue my passion and chase my dreams.
• ‘Mrs. Body Beautiful’ of Miss/Mrs. India Worldwide 2020 held at Sydney, Australia. • Finalist for Mrs. Australia World • Was a Jury member of an Online Beauty Pageant held in India. • “Mrs. Photogenic“ of GFN Fashion Awards. Had two nominations of Super Model to bag in too. • Ethnic dress shoots for an amateur designer
I want to prove the language of beauty is age independent and believe in the importance of the image of a mature woman. The industry needs to be represented by women who are just like me and are real.
I love writing poems. So that’s all about me.” – Sarbani
Meet our featured beauty with brains, Sarah Dawkins, a Health Practitioner based in Spain.
Sarah is a Registered Nurse, Author, multi-award winning entrepreneur and Holistic Health Coach. She has a plethora of experience in health and wellness gained through her many years in nursing and her insatiable drive to improve overall health through nutrition and natural means. Her coaching sessions are designed for anyone wanting to improve their overall health, whether there is an active health problem to resolve or not. Sarah’s 12 week on-line course, Healing At Home and her hand made natural and organic products, complement her coaching.
Here is her story:
“My training as a Registered Nurse started in 1998. For years, I loved it, helping people to heal. However, in 2013, after completing my Master’s Degree (MSc), I left to set up my own company. I had designed a flow chart for a procedure, registering it with Intellectual Properties and writing a handbook alongside it, for Nurses working in the Recovery Room. I sold my handbook and flow chart to other hospitals all around the globe.
It was during my Master’s Degree at the local University, I joined their Graduate Entrepreneur Programme (GEP). I was put forward to present my company at an entrepreneur’s day and I won an award for my work. I was then advised by the GEP to enter the National Freelancer’s Day competition to find the best UK freelancers. I was a little hesitant because it was a large national award but, hey, what did I have to lose? Absolutely nothing. I entered and came second!! The top three winners were taken to see the then-Prime Minister of England, David Cameron, inside 10 Downing Street…. What a privilege.
I wanted to do more though, my heart was in helping others to heal. I had naturally self-healed from several diseases; eczema, psoriasis, reflux, underactive thyroid, adrenal fatigue, suicidal depression, two frozen shoulders, as well as various body and head pains. So, I trained to be a coach, to give me the skills to help others. This work is so rewarding. I love seeing people have a realisation that they can and do heal.
Still, I wanted to do more. There are too many people suffering unnecessarily in the world today from dis-ease, being told by doctors that they have “chronic, life-long and life-threatening” illnesses. It is more important than ever now to take responsibility for our own health as it has become more difficult to get appointments with doctors and hospitals. I started writing a book, initially about my own natural self-healing. I didn’t feel that this would help enough people, so I had the idea to get many people on-board to write about their own natural self-healing journeys too. How was I going to do this?? Could I do this?
As Doctor Joe Dispenza says, “When we experience for ourselves, or witness in another person, something that we’ve once believed to be impossible, we are freed in our beliefs to transcend those limitations in our own lives”, meaning, it only takes us seeing one person doing what we thought was impossible, to change our belief of what is possible.
Well, I advertised on social media and started reaching out to people, asking for healers. I had many people answer my call. It was exhilarating! To date, I have seventy healer’s journeys, in their own words, from diseases like; ALS/MND, Auto-immune (thyroid, ME, fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis etc), colitis, asthma, eczema, depression, Multiple Sclerosis, chronic pain/CRPS and more.
My book is called; HEAL YOURSELF. The remarkable journeys of ordinary people healing themselves of disease in extra-ordinary ways.
I am submitting my book to the publisher in April and will be led by them on what to do and when it will be published. I know it will help many people around the world to challenge their beliefs about healing and hopefully start their own journey to wellness.” – Sarah.
Please feel free to contact her if you think she can help you.
Sarah Dawkins RN, BSc (Hons), MSc, AMC Holistic Health Coach Helping you to heal yourself, naturally
“I love having picnics in summer and basking in the golden sunshine. My favourite picnic spots are quiet places in woods, near rivers, lakes or oceans. I enjoy being in nature and connected to the earth, dancing to my own tunes, shutting out the world for sometime while I re-charge myself.” – Shilpi Shah, owner of Go Vita Blacktown (https://www.facebook.com/wellbeingkarma/)
“I love being near water and going to beaches in summer. I like wearing loose stylish kaftans in warm weather, pairing them with open toed sandals or sneakers for a casual yet chic look. My summer style is relaxed yet eye catching, comfy yet trendy. Summer brings out my fun loving personality and I try to live life to the fullest while the sunny days last.” Alpana Srivastava, founder of Sakhi magazine (http://sakhi.online)
Empowered Brave Women Building Futures 