24/05/2023
*🕊️ Sattva talks 🕊️*
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🎞️ Presents Session on *Wednesday 24th May 2023 at 9:10 PM* on topic
*The Amazing Story of First Woman Teacher Of Art Of Living Pakistan*
An interactive session with The Art of Living faculty *Shahnaz Minallah*
*Joining Zoom Link* :
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3943816748
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📢 Know Your Guest Speaker :-
Shahnaz Minallah, a renowned teacher/trainer and a leading figure in mental well-being, yoga, and the art of happiness in Pakistan, has had an inspiring journey. Instead of pursuing a career as an interior designer, she chose a different path and became an Art of Living teacher. Her deep spiritual background, rooted in her lineage of Sufi saints, has greatly influenced her perspective on life. Shahnaz spent her early years on her parents' tea estate in Bangladesh, receiving home-schooling from her mother before attending a convent school.
The partition of East and West Pakistan forced Shahnaz and her family to leave behind their established life and belongings and start anew in Pakistan. She obtained a degree in Law and Political Science, got married, and became a mother to two children. Throughout her married life, she had the opportunity to travel extensively before settling in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
In 2001, Shahnaz's life took a dramatic turn when she attended a conference at Elixir, a software company where she served as a board member. Although she initially dreamed of pursuing landscaping and interior design, she felt the desire to do something different. That's when she encountered Naushad Thariani, an Art of Living teacher who had come to Pakistan. Shahnaz quickly embraced the principles of The Art of Living and started to believe in the concept of a "one world family," transcending traditional family structures and fostering international unity.
After completing her Part 1 course, Shahnaz experienced emotional and physical growth. She became more stable and developed the ability to observe her emotions independently, no longer relying on her family for support. Additionally, she noticed improvements in her physical well-being, such as better sleep quality and overall vitality. This transformation fueled her enthusiasm for the Art of Living, leading her to attend an Advanced Course in San Francisco, California, which proved to be a life-changing experience.
During her time in the United States, Shahnaz connected with Naeem Zamindar, a fellow Pakistani follower of the Art of Living. When Shahnaz returned to Pakistan for a summer holiday, she coincidentally arrived at the same time as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's planned visit to the country. Shahnaz and Naeem expedited Sri Sri's visa process in just six days, a task that typically took six weeks. During Sri Sri's visit with his 20 delegates, he was the first ever Indian spiritual leader to have visited a Pakistani household and attended a musical evening at Shahnaz’s residence.
Driven by her involvement in service (seva) and spiritual practices (sadhana), Shahnaz felt compelled to share her master's knowledge and become an Art of Living teacher herself. She completed her Teachers Training Course (TTC) during the silver jubilee of The Art of Living in February 2005, marking the beginning of her continuous teaching journey. Despite the challenges of promoting the Art of Living in Pakistan, where skepticism due to its association with Hinduism exists, Shahnaz found success through word-of-mouth promotion. Teaching non stop more than 180 Happiness programs since 2005 and 8 Advance courses since 2018 also teaching SSYoga continuously.
Shahnaz recounts a powerful experience involving a young boy who decided against committing su***de after watching her on television. This incident reinforced her belief in the universality of spirituality, transcending religious boundaries. The transformative power of the Art of Living has not only brought personal growth to Shahnaz but has also expanded her role as a woman in society, enabling her to witness the magical transformation of others.
Shahnaz's vision revolves around integrating Sri Sri's powerful message into the everyday lives of average Pakistanis. She aims to empower many individuals to embark on the journey of love, wisdom, and service. As the founder of "A Soul Sanctuary," an ecological and spiritual organization, Shahnaz teaches the Happiness Course, a practical training program that helps individuals increase their energy, manage stress, and find inner clarity during challenges and crises. The seminar includes innovative breathing techniques that promote calmness, mental clarity, and improved recovery from emotional situations.
In her role as a life coach, Shahnaz has facilitated training sessions and delivered talks to nearly 15,000 employees across various organizations in Pakistan. Her clients include renowned companies such as PepsiCo, Mobilink, Engro, PTCL, Foodpanda, JS Bank, UBL, Tetra Pack, Mitsubishi Corp, British Council, BNU, GIKI, and PTC. Previously, Shahnaz worked as a General Manager at Elixir Technologies from 1995 to 2001 and also ran a successful interior design business and furniture factory. Now, as a life coach, she derives joy from helping individuals discover and unleash their inner beauty—a true interior designer in every sense of the word.
You can also Watch it on YouTube channel *Sattva talks*
Jai Guru Dev!!
