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Free Yoga Classes Draw Crowds

DUBAI — The word yoga is now synonymous with the wellness of body and mind and the UAE has of late seen yoga classes mushroom across the country - especially at health clubs, spas and even in corporate offices.

However, long before all these new initiatives, a group of yoga enthusiasts teamed up here to conduct free, open-air yoga sessions in the public parks and beaches with the aim of keeping everyone fit both physically and mentally.

The founder of Friends of Yoga, KB Madhavan, a Dubai-based businessman, says the seed of ‘Friends of Yoga’ (FOY) was planted in 1990 when KB Rai, a yoga expert from Delhi, visited Dubai and shared the idea of starting yoga classes.

“We started the yogic lessons with a handful of people. As the number of yoga practitioners increased, we thought it fit to give it a name…and there born Friends of Yoga.”

The network now has open-air yoga teaching centres at 13 locations in the UAE and 12 locations outside country with a membership base of more than 25,000 yoga friends.

With a team of more than 250 yoga teachers, the network claims to have served more than 100,000 people with free yoga classes.

The operations of overseas branches in Oman, Jordan, Iran, Philippines, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan and India are run by the former members of FOY Dubai.

The voluntary, non-profit group says the UAE government has been very supportive in letting the yoga enthusiasts use the public place in practising yoga.

The classes at Deira Creek, Bur Dubai Creek, Zabeel Park, Rashidiya Park, The Gardens, International City in Dubai, Al Ittihad Park and Buheirah Corniche in Sharjah, and opposite Abu Dhabi Municipality are held every day from 5.30am to 6.30am and 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Suman Suneja, who leads the Sharjah branches, says the evening classes were started to help more people get the benefits out of the yogic lessons.

Every session usually starts with a prayer (according to participants’ choice and faith) and is followed by warming up exercise, yoga asanas, 
and breathing exercises like pranayama and meditation.

“We always conclude on a joyful mood with a session of laughter therapy,” said Suneja, who became a yoga campaigner after the therapy helped cure his arthritis.

Augustine Joseph, a yoga instructor of the Buheirah Corniche evening session which recently celebrated the third anniversary, said the sessions are open to all, irrespective of their nationalities and social and economic background. “We have people from various countries, including UAE nationals, who attend our sessions,” he said.

Like all advocates of yoga, Joseph said, FOY also spreads the message that yoga is a scientifically proven form of health management system with a holistic approach towards the wellness of body and mind.

Not just that. They have also proven that yoga can be effective in people with stress-related problems, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, insomnia, depression and even obesity. The testimonials on FOY website are just some examples for that.

Malathi Pushpakaran, who has been a member for the past five years, said the yoga classes with FOY changed her physically and mentally.

“My sugar level was 400 plus and I used to have high blood pressure before I joined Friends of Yoga,” said the 56-year-old grandmother.

“My face was swollen and my joints used to pain a lot,” she told Khaleej Times.

“After I started going for the yoga class, my whole life changed. I became active and energetic. Now my blood sugar is between 125 and 130 and I don’t have high blood pressure.”

Like Malathi, FOY sessions have become a part of their life for many UAE residents who also carry out a host of social services and community activities through the network.

The group has also set up a Toastmasters Club to build self confidence and improve public speaking and leadership skills for its members, while picnics and New Year celebrations are organised for the entire FOY following.

sajila@khaleejtimes.ae