(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Thousands of bodies and souls united as the Capital marked the fourth International Yoga Day at Umm Al Emarat Park on Thursday.
Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, was the guest of honour and inaugurated the event where multiple nationalities participated in enthusiasm.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Suri lauded the successful conduct of programme which united diverse nationalities at one place. "We are happy with the presence of Sheikh Nahyan. In order to make the programme as inclusive and accessible as possible, we have demonstrations for different groups. Yoga with Arabic music and laughter yoga are elements included to get new people interested in yoga," he said.
The ambassador also acknowledged generous support of several Indian companies in making the event a grand success.
A video message from the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also played at the venue.
Among the performances was desktop yoga - a form of yoga designed for professionals with series of simple exercises which helps to keep calm in workplace; power yoga - an intense form of yoga for practitioners; laughter yoga session by specialist and psychologist Naser Al Riyami. Also, there were dance performances from the Yoga Studio and House of Nature.
Abu Dhabi's Inner Space Meditation Centre director Sona Bahri performed a meditation form, Raja Yoga, which is an ancient Indian method of self-discovery. "It helps you to know the mind and have a deep link with your inner self. Raja yoga meditation is managing the mind and self in a better way whether at home or work."
She noted how yoga and meditation helps personal relationships too. "People are like time bombs. There is no tolerance or ability to communicate in a peaceful way. With yoga and meditation, we can react in a peaceful way."
Sona, an Australian citizen with roots in India, has been teaching meditation in Abu Dhabi for more than 10 years. She teaches meditation for free to over thousands at the centre. "Our method is adapted to suit the local requirement. We look to integrate the whole work-life culture. We look to integrate the number of nationalities, which means different culture, background and religion - different styles of living within the way we teach meditation."
Later, there was a full yoga protocol from Philip Evan Cowlishaw, Monica Bapna, Dr Lokesh Hegde, Midori Sato, Rami Gingari, Sathappan K, Rola Al Ghoul.
Ashwani Kumar
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