(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As the world takes to the mat today, yoga enthusiasts across the UAE are not too far behind. Several thousand people are all set to celebrate the fourth International Day of Yoga 2018, with celebrations taking place in key locations across the country.
In Dubai, Saudi Arabia's first certified yoga instructor Nouf Marwaai will lead the festivities in Zaabeel Park from 6pm. The Indian Consulate in Dubai is organising the event.
Nouf, the founder of Arab Yoga Foundation and the recipient of one of India's highest civilian awards - Padma Shri - will lead the Yoga demonstration at the event in Dubai. She is also the founder of the Saudi Arabia Yoga School 2008, the Yoga Alliance gulf 2009, the regional director of Yoga Alliance International in the Gulf Region 2009 and was the secretary of the International Yoga Federation in Arab countries and Saudi Arabia from 2010-2012.
In an earlier interview with Khaleej Times, Marwaai said: "I explained the positive changes which yoga makes to your body and the mental and physical benefits of yoga, and this increased Saudi residents' interest in the practice."
Nouf will demonstrate the common yoga protocol on Thursday, which involves various asanas that were popularised on social media by the Indian Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddhi and Homeopathy).
In Jeddah, there are over 800 yoga practitioners today, and yoga is also being increasingly practised in cities like Makkah, Riyadh and Madinah. Consul-General of India Vipul announced at a Press conference last week that he is glad that awareness about yoga has been increasingly growing in the UAE. "The growth has also been consistent," he added.
Yoga enthusiasts in Dubai are very excited to be part of this annual event and plan on heading to mass events or even just practise at home. Lucy Self, a British expatriate and yoga lover, said: "I work with a guru, and try to practise as often as I can. Yoga is a great medium to realise how holistic life can be lived in a balanced way. With yoga, mind, body and behaviour can lead to an inward journey of healthy life."
Another yoga enthusiast Reshma Jaykrishnan said: "Ever since I've started doing yoga, there has been a great change in the way I view life. Apart from the physical benefits, it has also helped me calm my mind and alter the way I think." Reshma and her friends will be hitting Zaabeel Park celebrations on Tuesday.
Dhanusha Gokulan The resident transport and traffic expert, with a touch of music, culture, and youth. I report on everything from rent hikes to traffic jams, from 'most expensive' experiences to tallest buildings, from encouraging upcoming talents to camels laughing. I've been a journalist for seven years and I am ridiculously passionate about music, books, internet memes, Facebook procrastination, and the occasional sport activity (candycrush).
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