Fitness freaks, listen up! International Yoga Day is just around the corner and Abu Dhabi has big plans in store. Come June 21, yoga enthusiasts can head to various spots in the city to stretch, bend and strike a few poses- all for FREE. Sounds like fun, right? Well, before we dive in and bend backwards to make the day special, here’s a little about how the concept came alive.
In 2015, 21 June was adjourned as International Yoga Day by the UN General Assembly. The UAE has since taken efforts to celebrate the day and take initiatives to educate the residents about the benefits of Yoga.
Here are three FREE yoga events you can sign up in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
1. Umm Al Emarat Park
At the dusk of 20 June, Abu Dhabi expects families to gather in Umm Al Emarat Park to celebrate the fifth International Yoga Day. The annual event seeks to raise awareness about Yoga by informing the participants about the many benefits of practicing yoga. It will also see Yoga experts from nine schools in action from 7 pm on Thursday. Abu Dhabi expects to host a multitude of folks gathering to celebrate different forms of Yoga.
There will be a 45-minute Common Yoga Protocol developed by accomplished gurus that will incorporate sets of yoga formations for all age group of people to ensure full family participation.
Entry to the park will be free to all, and yoga mats and T-shirts shall be distributed to all participants. The event will also have food stalls to keep the participants refreshed and energetic throughout the game.
Where: 15th Street, Mushrif Area
When: 20 June
Timings: 7:00 pm onwards
Contact: +971 2 666 9559
2. YogaOne, Mangrove One
YogaOne is offering a complimentary Playful Salutations class, that breaks down each move step by step, to help complete levels for new students, or experienced yogis who want to brush up on their techniques. The session is running from 11 am to 12.30pm, and booking in advance is advised. The class shall be held in aid of Yoga Gives Back, which supports under-served women and children living at risk in India.
Where: Mangrove One Compound
When: 21 June
Timings: 11 am to 12.30 pm
Contact: +971 50 950 8863
3. Body Tree Studio
Body True studio is organizing a two-hour class complete with 108 Sun Salutations, a body activation workshop to balance the body energy and activate spiritual chakras. This specific class, they proclaim, helps to detoxify the mind and body. This class is also available for free with prior registration.
Where: Hazza Bin Zayed the First Street
When: 21 June
Timings: 5 pm to 7 pm
Contact: +971 2 443 4448
In addition to the above free classes, other fitness houses like The Hot House, The Studio and Anantara Eastern Mangroves are organizing paid events on International Yoga Day. The events start fromAED 150.
This article has been contributed to Curly Tales by Syeda Saniya Fatima. If you wish to contribute your travel story, please drop an email here
First Published: June 19, 2019 1:29 PM