JEDDAH: International Yoga Day was marked across western Saudi Arabia with wellness events that brought together yoga practitioners, instructors and community members in settings ranging from horse stables to the Red Sea coast.
“International Day of Yoga has become an important platform for strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Saudi Arabia,” said Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, India’s consul general in Jeddah.
“Yoga transcends nationality, language and cultural backgrounds, and its growing popularity in the Kingdom reflects shared values of well-being, harmony, inclusivity and community engagement that bring our societies together,” he added.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” focuses on extending the benefits of yoga across all age groups and raising awareness about its role in promoting a healthier life.
At Karama Yoga, founder Lana Nazer hosted a session at a horse stable, where about 50 participants from Jeddah and Riyadh practiced surrounded by animals and nature.
“I chose the horse stables because horses embody many of the same qualities that yoga teaches us: presence, patience, awareness, and connection,” she told Arab News. “When you’re around horses, you can’t be distracted. They naturally bring you into the present moment and encourage you to slow down, soften, and pay attention.”
For Nazer, International Yoga Day is about more than physical movement. “It’s an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves, with nature, and with one another,” she said. “The stables felt like the perfect setting to create that experience in a way that was memorable, grounding, and a little different from a traditional studio environment.”
She noted that yoga in Saudi Arabia has evolved significantly over the past decade, shifting from a niche fitness activity into a broader wellness culture: “Today, people are looking for something deeper: balance, connection, and a way to slow down in an increasingly fast-paced world.”
“What is particularly exciting is that yoga is becoming both a lifestyle and a community experience,” Nazer explained. “People are not only attending classes, they are building friendships, creating healthier routines, and finding a sense of belonging.”
She added that local cultural values have played a key role in shaping this transformation.
“Community has always been at the heart of our society, and Vision 2030 has created greater awareness around health, quality of life, and active living, making wellness more accessible than ever before,” she said.
Ebaa Sabbagh, a pilates, yoga and wellness instructor, told Arab News: “I believe yoga is much more than a physical practice. It gives people the opportunity to reconnect with themselves, listen to their bodies, slow down, and create space for both mental and physical wellbeing. In today’s fast-paced world, that connection has become more important than ever.”
At Rixos Murjana in King Abdullah Economic City, International Yoga Day was marked with a sunset beachfront session titled “Finding Stillness by the Red Sea,” combining a guided yoga flow with sound healing.
The session’s instructor, Daniela Mishina, said: “In today’s fast-paced world, people are not just looking for a holiday, they are seeking a restoration of balance.”
She added that combining yoga with sound healing allows participants to move into deeper states of relaxation.
Wellness influencer and yoga trainer Ahmed Mandor, who attended the session, said the initiative reflects a broader shift in luxury hospitality. “The event was designed not merely as a fitness session, but as a holistic shift in awareness, seamlessly blending physical alignment with mental rejuvenation,” he added.
The evening concluded with detox juices and healthy canapes.
