5 days ago
Women's retreat builds resilience
The two-day retreat includes a mindfulness walk at Taman Tasik Permaisuri with a focus on the five senses. — Low Lay Phon/The Star
A retreat in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 brought together nearly 100 women from various backgrounds to recharge and inspire one another.
Held in Komune Living and Wellness in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, 'Enliven Women 2025' was organised by online-based programme Yoga for Mums.
Among the women who benefitted from the overnight retreat was Maisarah Hanum Abd Latib, 40, from Flat PKNS AU2, Taman Keramat in Ampang, Selangor.
'During the mindfulness walk, I walked in silence, observing only what was around me,' the home-based tailor and single mother of five told StarMetro.
'As a busy mother, this gave me space to breathe and reflect, bringing calmness to my mind.'
Her fellow participants included B40 mothers, homemakers, working professionals and young corporate employees.
Through mindfulness and self-discovery in an emotionally safe space, the women were able to connect, recharge and support one another.
For Maisarah and her fellow B40 mums, the retreat was a form of support by social enterprise Thrive Well that seeks to provide trauma-informed mental health services to underserved groups.
Chua: Retreat aims to encourage all women to live the best life they can.
Thrive Well clinical coordinator Hani Adriana Azman said retreat participants included nine B40 women from Flat PKNS AU2 and PPR Seri Semarak in Kampung Baru Air Panas, Kuala Lumpur.
'These women have completed our basic, advanced and ambassador-level programmes.
'At the ambassador stage, they are able to support mental health peers within their own communities,' she said.
Certified mindfulness coach and Yoga for Mums founder Caleen Chua Yen Keng said the retreat was aimed at encouraging women to live the best life they could.
Chua also guided participants during a 10-minute silent mindfulness walk at nearby Taman Tasik Permaisuri where they focused on their five senses and let go of judgement.
'In that silence, we uncover our own strength, resilience and calm,' she said.
The retreat featured structured sessions including the life wheel workshop, lunch, a mindful eating session, a personal vision workshop, and group reflection and sharing.
The initiative was endorsed by Women, Family and Community Development Ministry alongside Malaysia Retail Chain Association's (MRCA) women division.
MRCA women division chief Aiveen Wong said the division's tagline 'Empower women, build nation' reflected the movement towards women's empowerment nationwide.
'Today, more women are stepping into the workforce with confidence and ambition,' she said.
'This retreat is about discovering that inner strength and helping each other grow.
'In 2023, women made up nearly half or 15.9 million of Malaysia's population of 33 million.
'That's more than a number, it is a sign of strength, resilience and potential,' she added.
Wong said 219,000 females were born that year, representing the country's future women leaders.
The event was supported by corporate and brand sponsors.
