Renewing the mind
Immersed in darkness the narrow room at Prana Lounge is an ambiance of serenity. Lit up by scattered candles with zen music from the speakers and six individuals deep in meditation. As we sink into our seating an indescribable feeling of exhilaration embraces us as the passing minutes tick by with every inhale-exhale.
Biman. Pix by Priyantha Wickramarachchi
“Mindspa” sessions, brainchild of conductors Biman Wimalaratne and Likitha Ratnasekera is a carefully curated space for relaxation through games, meditation and discussion. Hosted at the Prana Lounge, Likitha and Biman host sporadic sessions of Mindspa, every month (sometimes even twice or thrice a month).
Unwinding every month on random Wednesdays from 6 pm to 8.30pm. Unwinding midweek is because “Wednesday is peak time and hosting sessions on this day will allow individuals to feel more relaxed in the coming days,” Likitha shares.
The sessions are run on a donation basis.Likitha is a designer with over 13 years of experience in designing and developing lingerie for international brands. Whilst, Biman – an actor by trade, now teaches kids and adults the art of performance at his class “Acting with Biman”. Together they initiated Mindspa as an open forum to allow people to find their own “answers” to life.
Biman with his flaming red hair, laughs that for him “life is full of colour”. A graduate of the University of Sydney he studied engineering, finance and economy later pursuing his love for arts at the Actors Centre, Australia. Having been on many spiritual and self-discovery escapades in the past Biman’s inquisitive nature made him curious as to “Why people suffered” and their endless “Search for happiness.”
Likitha too has been on a discovery of her own – unearthing personal answers and standing by her beliefs. Finding her inner peace drives her to help others find their own. “Mindspa is a chilled out session with creative exercises to let your hair down and have some fun,” Biman shares. The sessions are a different experience from the extreme meditation sessions of a certified retreat or wellness centre. The duo are unanimous in their answer “We’re not gurus!” They’re just “average Joes” attempting to allow others to get in touch with personal core values and their spiritual side unearthing a “casual feeling through meditation and awareness” Likitha states.
“If you relax your body you can relax your mind,” Biman adds is a strong belief they follow at Mindspa. Starting in September, the two conductors have made it to their 10th Session in November this year. They’ve had turnouts of people from a myriad of backgrounds from psychologists, to teachers to photographers etc.
Likitha Ratnasekera
Biman and Likitha both have their own unique ways of conducting the sessions. Their awareness based culture is “expression through creativity,” Biman shares. Within their 2 hour time period, the conductors engage patrons in a variety of soul searching and creative exercises.
The first part of the session – creative games are either “art therapy” or “drama therapy” (depending on whether Likitha or Biman are conducting the session) and is designed to get attendees“into the moment”. This segment focuses on getting attendees comfortable, to have some fun and heighten their awareness. Following this are the two separate segments of meditation and discussion.
The concluding segment discussion, is a carefully created “safe space” for anyone to speak openly “leaving all judgments aside” and come together in a “circle of trust”.
Speaking to one of the patrons of Mindspa that evening, drama teacher and director Sashi Mendis de Costa, she shares “I didn’t come for the purpose of mediation” adding “Indirectly I’m interested in the working of the mind”. This being her first time visiting Mindspa, Sashi was impressed by the “regular drama exercises used for a complete state of relaxation” (as the session that evening was conducted by Biman). Having been to mediation sessions before, Sashi shares that most places made her feel “tense”. However, the step-by-step method followed at Mindspa allowed a “very friendly approach,” she added saying “Most of us live busy lives, full of activity,” however these type of sessions “energize and relaxes, connecting your physical and mental being” she said.
“Mindspa is a process of empowerment and an investigation of our inner selves” Likitha says.
For more updates on Mindspa be sure to keep an eye out for their Facebook page (@Mindspa.lk). Sessions are usually held on Wednesdays from 6 pm to 8.30pm at Prana Lounge. Run on donations the sessions are open to all.