Dubai - People are also invited for mass yoga sessions in Ajman, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
Published: Wed 13 Jun 2018, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Thu 14 Jun 2018, 12:08 AM
Thousands of yoga enthusiasts in the UAE are set to stretch, meditate, and breathe their way to good health and mindfulness for the fourth annual International Yoga Day (IYD) celebrations on June 21 and 22.
Diplomats at the Indian Consulate in Dubai announced on Tuesday, June 12, that the mission will celebrate IYD in collaboration with Indian associations in the neighbouring Northern Emirates. While significant celebrations in Dubai are set to take place at Zabeel Park. People are also invited for mass yoga sessions in Ajman, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
Speaking at a press meet organised in the Consulate premises, consul general of India to Dubai Vipul said, "One cannot measure IYD's growth regarding numbers alone. Awareness on the benefits of yoga has grown considerably, and it has been consistent," he said.
Event details
This year, up to 8,000 people are expected at Zabeel Park in Dubai on Thursday, June 21. Yoga teachers from Art of Living, a volunteer-based humanitarian and educational NGO and, Padma Shri awardee Nouf Marwaai, Saudi Arabia's very first yoga teacher will be conducting the protocol sessions at Zabeel Park. Other participating schools are - Sahaj Yoga, Raja Yoga Centre, Heartfullness Yoga, Sky Yoga, and Laughter Yoga.
Vipul clarified that for the event in Zabeel Park there would be no pre-registration. "We realised even though we had pre-registrations during the previous years, there were several walk-ins. People are free to walk-in and join the programmes," he added. However, pre-registrations are mandatory for the line-up of events in Sharjah.
"Celebrations in Sharjah will take place at the Expo Centre on Friday, June 22," said Dr Sunny Kurian, chairman of the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) in Sharjah. "Registration for the event is mandatory because we are providing yoga mats for the attendees," he said. The centre has already received 1,800 registrations and is expecting more.
President of Indian Association Ajman O.Y. Ahamed Khan announced its participation for the event on June 22. He said, "We are expecting educational institutes and residents to come be a part of the celebrations. No pre-registrations are required." Ira Bhargava, coordinator for events in Umm Al Quwain said over 600 people are expected to participate at the Al Arabi Sports Club on Wednesday, June 20.
Yoga movement growing in the UAE
A global event, IYD was launched in 2014 after the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga after India's proposal won approval from 176 countries. Since its launch, tens of thousands have participated for previous events in 2015 and 2016.
Families, individuals, UAE government departments, schools and universities have actively participated in the events since 2015, according to Vipul. He added, "Since the beginning, the numbers regarding participation from schools have gone up. Kids, in addition to adults, have actively been doing yoga."
In a bid to make the practice more regular, Vipul announced, "An official from the Government of India will be posted at the Consulate, and he or she will be teaching yoga to enthusiasts shortly." The consulate will be organising regular programmes on its premises over and above IYD celebration events.
Also present at the press meet, Ghazi Sebil Al Madani, Sports Tourism Manager at Dubai Sports Council said, "We are very proud to be associated with IYD celebrations. We have been in constant touch with the missions over the event as well."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
