About me
Hello,My name is Abrar. I provide workshops and create content about mental health and meditation.Meditation and self-care practices are not always accessible for people with post-traumatic stress, neuro-diversity, BIPOC, and other intersectional identities. Having several intersectional identities myself, I understand this reality and make space for these lived experiences in my work.I was born in Bangladesh, a small Southeast Asian country, where I spent 8 years of my life in military schooling. My schooling and environment growing up taught me about discipline, training, and resilience. However, it has also made me encounter the less-than-human side of the world.I moved to Canada by myself when I was 20. In my search for belonging, community, and connection here, I found myself most at home with all things mental health and storytelling. Meditation has been the most important tool in my mental health journey. It has reliably helped me come back home to myself, especially when I feel disconnected after a stressful period. Sharing about my experiences from this connected place has helped me deeply connect with people on similar journeys, and find humanity and peace in each other's life experiences.Currently, I am a final-year undergraduate student studying Psychology at Concordia University. When I'm not being a university student and a meditation instructor, I enjoy my time playing music, going on long walks, cloud gazing while lying down at the park, cooking and eating ridiculously delicious food, dancing tango, seeing my friends, and reading non-fiction.My meditation journey at a glance:Meditating since 2014. Regular formal practice since 1st September 2020800+ hours of formal meditation practiceCertified Mindfulness Teacher from The Meditation Organization (TMO) & International Association of Therapists (IAoTH)Led workshops and sessions for Concordia University Psychology Association and the non-profit organization Shelter Movers.Trained in various traditions: Kundalini Yoga, Vipassana, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.Favorite teachers: Ram Dass, Pema Chodron, Ajahn Brahm, Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Vedhathri Maharishi and many others.