More stories

  • in

    Kintsugi Founder on pushing her vision forward to create a unique wellness space

    Lifeby Camille Macawili38 mins ago Kintsugi, which translates to “joining with gold”, is a Japanese pottery repair technique of mending broken ceramic pieces with gold.Drawing from this inspiration of embracing imperfection is a new wellness concept located on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi that aims to uplift and empower its community.Here, Kintsugi Founder and wellness guru Patrizia Bortolin shares with Emirates Woman about finding the confidence to push her creative vision forward to create a unique space dedicated to wellness in Abu Dhabi.What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?I love starting slowly and gratefully. As a coffee specialist, I indulge in tasting my favourite brew right off the bat. Following this, I engage in a session of either yoga Nidra or Vipassana meditation – two practises that hold immense significance in my life.What is the idea behind Kintsugi?I’m guiding this beautiful project and community within a management board. I’m also particularly glad to curate the concept behind the brand and its future evolutions. Kintsugi Space, nestled within a pristine seven-floor pale pink building on Reem Island, is a haven for wellbeing. This carefully curated community brings together female wellbeing artists, healers, therapists, inventors, scientists, and coaches to address both emotional and physiological aspects. It’s a continuously evolving world of interactive experiences, cutting-edge technologies, exclusive signature treatments, transformative rituals and natural therapies within a sanctuary of peace, movement and stillness.How did you know it was the right time to launch Kintsugi and which steps led you to realise this path?The core idea of Kintsugi echoed within me since the first call to consult for the project. I embraced the challenge with an open heart, aiming to bring genuine inspiration and support for women navigating life’s challenges. Recognising the need for a more meaningful, sustainable and inspired approach to wellness, I laid the foundation of Kintsugi through an initial deepening and expansion of the original vision, strategic planning, then operational enhancements, creative execution, and ongoing training, creating a masterpiece of care and synergies between all those incredible women.Patrizia Bortolin, wellness guru and Kintsugi founderThere are three different branches within the brand. Can you expand on the different concepts?Kintsugi is a movement with aligned activities. The brand will develop, and new projects are expected in the coming year, catering to both our Abu Dhabi Space members and global wellness enthusiasts.Kintsugi offers a unique approach to self-care – what wellness activities and practises are available for members?At Kintsugi Space, we offer a diverse blend of ancient healing modalities, modern technologies, scientific expertise, creative wellness and holistic therapies. Our aim is to guide members toward happier and healthier lifestyles, defying categorisation as we blend healing, technology, culture, artistry and community. We believe in creating healthy routines, purifying the body, stimulating the mind, thinking less, enjoying and observing more. Our team of professionals, including wellbeing specialists, naturopathic doctors, nutritionists, and intuitive healers, provides personalised consultations and recommendations for a tailor-made service.Can you define the inspiration behind the flagship space?Kintsugi Space was inaugurated on 6th November 2023 and stands as Abu Dhabi’s first women-only member’s club specialising in holistic wellness. It’s an exquisite sanctuary in the heart of Al Reem Island to rest and reset with the help of pioneering wellness practitioners. Rooted in a vision of blending scientific innovations with vibrational energy work, ancient healing and holistic treatments, it offers whole wellbeing experiences supported by psychology and enhanced by unparalleled quantum technology.The space focuses on guiding customers to a higher frequency – why is this important to our overall wellness?Elevating frequency is crucial for overall wellness as it enhances the quality of everything around us, when the frequency is high, every global aspect of life feels better. It’s a measurable shift that encourages conscious living and mindful energy management.How is the wellness culture growing in the Middle East?We are delighted to inspire women in the region to explore holistic wellness. It’s time to navigate the diverse wellness offerings with a smooth, personalised approach, creating genuine values. While the last few years have seen a rise in the priority given to healing wellness, there’s still a need to bridge the gap in understanding on how to craft meaningful and effective offerings. At Kintsugi we promote conscious, joyful nutrition for a happier mind and gut, combined with the importance of having a calm mind and more awareness of how to improve energy. Natural beauty is encouraged to preserve energy and harmony. We can see a real interest from women in the Middle East in this matter.How do you measure success in the wellness industry?Success in the wellness industry, for me, is defined by significant improvements in both the team and guests’ daily lives. When a place is perceived as an oasis for self-discovery and the joy of being alive for everyone involved, that’s when true success is achieved.What are your therapeutic must-haves for modern-day mindfulness?Essential to my modern-day wellbeing are moments of stillness and silence, outside and inside. I particularly like smelling essential oils, each with its unique uplifting power – orange for joy, and lavender for relaxation for example. I’m a fan of natural remedies, tasty vegetarian food, meditation, quality massage, and face yoga. I deeply relax with a head and face massage, Vichy shower when available and I promote laughter yoga.This is The Alignment Issue – what activities help you align after a hectic day?After a bustling day, I find alignment through meditation, particularly Vipassana, and yoga Nidra. I was taught by an Indian nun that spending quality time cooking a meal for others prepared with fresh ingredients while focusing on good intentions, serves as a deep spiritual practise. I’m blessed by sharing a lot of time with a few authentic healers and great human beings and this is a huge support. Happiness is an inside job.January’s – The Alignment Issue with FitnGlam  – Download Now– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

  • in

    4 sound healing techniques to improve your wellbeing in 2024

    Lifeby Ruman Baig3 hours ago Sound Healing is a powerful therapy that combines healing sounds and energetic vibrations to improve our multidimensional wellbeing.Sound has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, with its influence extending beyond mere auditory stimulation. Across diverse cultures, the therapeutic potential of sound has been recognised and harnessed for healing purposes.We share an edit of the best to try to kick off 2024 as your best self.Tibetan Singing BowlsTibetan singing bowls have been used in Eastern cultures for centuries as tools for meditation and healing. These bowls, often made of a blend of metals, produce a resonant sound when struck or rubbed with a mallet. The vibrations generated by the singing bowls are believed to promote a sense of deep relaxation, balance energy, and even stimulate healing processes within the body.The Benefits: The sound produced by Tibetan singing bowls is thought to synchro-nise brain waves, inducing a meditative state that can alleviate stress and anxiety. The harmonic vibrations are said to resonate with the body’s cells, promoting a sense of harmony and wellbeing.Binaural BeatsIn the realm of modern sound healing, binaural beats have gained popularity. This technique involves playing two slightly different frequencies in each ear, creating a perceived third frequency – the binaural beat – within the brain. Depending on the frequency used, binaural beats can have different effects on brain activity.The Benefits: Lower frequencies may induce a state of relaxation, while higher frequencies might stimulate alertness and focus. Research suggests that exposure to binaural beats can influence mood, improve sleep, and even enhance cognitive performance.Chanting And MantrasVocalisation, through chanting or repeating mantras, is another ancient form of sound healing. The rhythmic vibrations produced by chanting are believed to have a calming effect on the nervous system and can be incorporated into meditation practises.The Benefits: Chanting and mantras are believed to have positive effects on wellbeing through sound healing. They may promote relaxation, reduce stress, andenhance focus by engaging the mind with rhythmic vibrations. Some cultures and traditions suggest that specific sounds or mantras can harmonise energy and contribute to overall mental and emotional balance. While scientific evidence is limited, many individuals find personal benefits from incorporating chanting and mantras into their wellness practises.Music TherapyBeyond traditional instruments, music itself can be a powerful healing tool. Music therapy encompasses various approaches, including receptive and active forms. Receptive therapy involves listening to music, while active therapy involves creating or performing music. Both have proven benefits in promoting healing and relaxation.The Benefits: Overall, music therapy has shown positive effects on mental health, promoting relaxation, and aiding in emotional expression. Additionally, it has been shownto aid in physical rehabilitation, alleviate pain, and support individuals dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The personalised and non-verbalnature of music therapy makes it accessible and effective for diverse populations.January’s – The Alignment Issue with FitnGlam  – Download Now– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

  • in

    Founder of Amal Counsel shares how what we choose to wear can affects our thoughts

    Life

    by Camille Macawili
    1 hour ago

    When you got dressed this morning, did you have to stop and think about how you want to feel for the day?
    Enclothed cognition is a phenomenon where the clothes (including colours, textures, and styles) that we choose to wear affect our thoughts. When used as a mindfulness tool, it has mood-altering benefits that can greatly improve our mental and emotional states.
    To dive into this, we speak to Emirati CEO and Founder of Amal Counsel, Naila Al Moosawi. Amal Counsel is a homegrown organisation dedicated to offering accessible and affordable online therapy services in the UAE. It operates on a volunteer basis with highly-skilled counselors and associates who are committed to supporting the mental and emotional well-being of society.
    With Naila’s background in Psychology, she brings a deep understanding of the human psyche to her leadership approach. Here, she shares how the clothes you wear shape your thoughts, and gives us an insight into her career journey.

    Naila Al Moosawi, Founder and CEO of Amal Counsel

    What was the catalyst for launching Amal-Counseling?
    Amal-CFBT was originally designed to be launched between 2025 and 2027, but the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the process. In 2020, there was a dire need to support the nation and community in their time for distress, so there was no better time to launch the organization.
    Tell us more about the concept.
    Amal-CFBT is an organization for the people. This means that our team members and counsellors all work on a non-profit basis. We do our best to match our clients with preferred counsellors and even offer a 24/7 helpline. We are also the only private counselling service in the UAE, and we aim to make therapy accessible and affordable to the community. Our overall aim through all our services is to support society and help them engage in a safe emotional wellness process.
    Since its launch in 2020, how has it evolved?
    Over time, we have evolved into an organization with over 45 employees including over 25 counsellors and 20 psychology associates and business leads. The Amal-CFBT infrastructure is designed to ensure accessibility, affordability and sustainability. In the future, we aim to continue reaching out and penetrating the market through our growing partnership arm.
    What advice would you give yourself starting out?
    There should be no such thing as failure; it shouldn’t even be part of our vocabulary. Wake up in the morning to do your best. You may not reach the bar you set for yourself, but that only means you wake up the next morning to aim higher and do better. That’s what matters.
    What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from launching this?
    The biggest lesson I have learned is that there isn’t just one lesson you remember from a journey. For Amal, this is a journey that still has a long way to go, and there are even more lessons to come. Until this point in time, I believe every lesson I’ve learned, whether from a family member or someone I met for two minutes, is crucial to my journey and Amal’s launch.

    Image: Instagram @moyamii

    How do the clothes we wear influence our behavior and affect cognitive processes?
    Clothes can influence our mental processes in more ways than one. They influence the way we perceive ourselves, our confidence, our self-esteem, and even how others react to us. For example, wearing formal attire can make us feel more professional or even authoritative. I believe this is the reason we have comfort items of clothing, like that favorite sweatshirt that makes you feel warm and safe, or the bright, flowy dress that makes you feel free and happy.

    Image: Instagram @anoukyve

    Are there certain colors, prints, or textures that our brain positively responds to?
    Of course. The color blue, for example, triggers better mind flow, whereas yellow can improve your mood and reduce your stress. Green, on the other hand, has the positive qualities of both blue and yellow.
    In regards to textures and prints, I don’t believe there is a lot of research on that, but I do think there is a correlation between them and our mental health. I believe there should be a reason why fabrics like cotton and silk make us “feel” good. In addition to the physically good feeling, they also induce a feeling of calm and comfort!
    What is your go-to outfit do you wear when you want to lift your mood?
    My favorite old, faded pajamas.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram @moyamii and @anoukyve; Feature Image: Instagram @threadsstyling More