Healing Through Culture, Community & Movement
Episode 3
In this powerful and inspiring episode of The Mind Body Method, host Danielle Begg sits down with the remarkable Shaqaeq Rezai, a community leader, fashion designer, yoga teacher, mother & proud Afghan woman whose life story is as powerful as the work she brings to her community.
Since arriving in Australia, Shaqaeq has dedicated herself to supporting newly arrived refugee women through trauma informed yoga and culturally grounded wellbeing practices. In this conversation, she opens up about the resilience of women from Afghanistan, the realities of mental health in her community, and the healing power of movement, safety, and storytelling.
In This Episode, Shaqaeq Shares:
How mental health is understood in Afghan communities. Shaqaeq explains the cultural language of mental health, how emotional struggle is often expressed through the body, the stigma that for a long time existed around psychological support, and the ways that have changed in recent years.
Trauma informed yoga for refugee women. She describes how yoga, delivered in a trauma informed way, has become a grounding tool for newly arrived women navigating uncertainty and change. You'll hear insights into the specific techniques she used, including:
invitational language and the importance of choice
empowering women to reconnect with their bodies at their own pace
the power of self touch and visualisation
the impact of yogic breathing techniques
the power of providing women the space to experience their feelings
What it takes to create a genuine feeling of safety. Shaqaeq outlines how to build an environment where women feel held, respected, and safe
Integrating culture: Poetry as healing. One of the most beautiful parts of this episode: Shaqaeq shares how she weaves poetry and storytelling into her classes. These cultural threads create connection, familiarity, and a sense of home, especially for women who have lost so much
Supporting women in Afghanistan. Beyond her work in Australia, Shaqaeq remains deeply involved in supporting communities in Afghanistan, including new mothers and education for girls. She discusses the grassroots ways she supports women and girls who continue to face profound restrictions and hardships.
What life is really like for women in Afghanistan. Shaqaeq offers a grounded, first hand perspective on:
day to day realities for women in Afghanistan
how many social media narratives are missing the truth
the incredible strength, creativity, and resilience that rarely make the headlines
Key topics covered
Susy's lived experience with scoliosis and related surgeries, and how yoga can safely support the nervous system after trauma
The inspiring ways Susy's personal transformation impacted her life path
The evidence base for trauma informed methods
Why an evidence base is important for integrating Yoga within healthcare
How trauma informed yoga differs from mainstream studio practice
How Yoga can impact healing from childhood trauma
Practical Techniques to regulate the nervous system that Susy finds helpful to practice and teach
Supporting parenting capacity through nervous system regulation and the power of coregulation
Why this Episode Matters
This conversation is a moving reminder that healing isn't just about techniques, it's about culture, community, and safety. Shaqaeq's work shows what's possible when we honour people's lived experience and invite them to reconnect with their bodies in ways that feel culturally congruent and empowering.
Tune into Episode 3 of The Mind Body Method to hear a powerful and heart opening conversation that bridges worlds and brings humanity back into the centre of wellbeing.
