Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Indian Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, while highlighting the benefits of yoga, called on enthusiasts to become the medium to foster harmony by using this traditional discipline as a cultural bridge.

He was speaking at the 5th International Day of Yoga celebrations here at the International Indian School, Jeddah.

Dr. Ausaf, while rounding off his address, said, “Use this platform to promote yoga, and let’s use it as a tool not only for health and wellbeing but also as a tool to spread love and harmony among people and conquer different faiths. For yoga doesn’t represent any religion, it is a gift that everyone should cherish and carry forward.”

The Consulate General of India in association with Arab Yoga Foundation & General Sports Authority marked the event. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, opened the event by lighting of the traditional lamp along with Consul General Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh, Padma Shree Yogacharinee Ms. Nouf Marwaai, president of Arab Yoga Foundation, Ms. Lina Almaeena, member of the Shoura Council and Board Member of Saudi Mass Participation.

Many Saudi friends and Indian nationals participated in large number in the mass yoga practice led by yoga instructors of Arab Yoga Foundation and the Indian consul general, who also performed Sirsasana (head stand posture) at the end of the mass yoga practice.

June 21 is celebrated as the International Day of Yoga all over the world. Recognizing that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, the United Nations General Assembly in its 69th Plenary Session held on Dec. 11, 2014, decided to proclaim June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

According to experts, yoga does more than burn calories and tone muscles. It is a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation. It uses breathing techniques, exercise and meditation. It helps improve health and happiness.

The Indian envoy, while extending a warm welcome to all on fifth International Yoga Day, stated that the celebrations spread out all over the world from this weekend till June 22 or 23.

“So here in Jeddah we are having it on Saturday (June 15) and in Riyadh we’ll have it on June 21,” he said, adding, “I’m happy and delighted to learn that yoga is being practiced very enthusiastically in Jeddah for the last several years and also in the last few years after getting the first yogacharya from this part of the world Ms. Nouf Marwaai, promoting yoga today though her foundation.”

“As you are aware yoga represents thousands years old tradition going back to the Indus Valley Civilization and rightly the United Nations recognized this as one of the representatives of the intangible heritage of cultural humanity,” Dr. Ausaf said.

“It is the epitome of India’s ancient and deep-rooted and diverse civilization. It is an invaluable gift from India to mankind, and as has been explained by several speakers, it has several health benefits, especially as a stress buster and many other ailments,” he said.

“It is in this context that we look to yoga as a non-medical relief for many such ailments, and I’m happy that the number of yoga enthusiasts is increasing in Jeddah,” he added.

With the Indian government promoting yoga as a cultural bridge, there is a yogacharya (yoga gurus) in all missions in the world, and we in Riyadh too have a cultural, yogacharya posted in our mission,” he said.

“We have daily workouts in the diplomatic quarters, and these classes are attended by several people, and are also going to start different modules, specific modules, to help people flexibly. For yoga has a solution for different problems of people in practicing yoga.”

Earlier, Consul General Sheikh, who has been practicing yoga for 28 years, reiterated the fact that people from all over the world have started practicing yoga and doing various asanas (postures) to live a healthy and positive life... for “yoga is basically the unity of mind and body.”

He revealed his foray in to this practice, calling it a unique journey. “My interest in yoga began with a simple thing when my father brought home posters of 32 asanas and I started practicing seeing those posters, and of course I later took guidance from several gurus and for us it is a matter of pride that so much interest is shown for yoga in this region and in this country.”

Sheikh said, “The consulate held yoga classes when interest was shown...and we are thinking of resuming these classes soon as there are lots of instructors who are ready to guide the enthusiasts.”

Shoura member Ms. Lina and Arab Yoga Foundation President Ms. Nouf also spoke about the benefits of yoga.

I’m very honored and happy to be here,” said Lina, adding, “I’m not a yoga expert, but my friend Nouf is and I’ve always been an admirer of sports in general and through Nouf yoga.’

“I’ve started off as a cricket player with my father, then played football and basketball....but when Vision 2030 was announced in 2016 that was huge leap for the sports sector, especially with the aim of increasing participation in this sector from 30% to 40%,” she said.

Continuing, Lina stressed, “In Islam, during prayer, we realize that all our movements — standing and bowing — combined with our spiritual endeavor provides a holistic approach. I see in yoga similar movements, and the positivity got from the breathing exercises... it is all about being a positive and active person.”

Nouf, related to her host of health issues in her childhood and how yoga proved a fulcrum in her steady improvement. “As you all know I’m a lupus survivor, and had a host of health issues from the age of 17... it was then I began thinking ‘is this the life I want, stay home and do nothing, of being restricted to my bed and medication.’ It was at that time I found a book in my father’s library about martial arts, and I started practicing from the book and videos.

“Anyone who has been practicing yoga can tell about the vitality and the improvement in their life for the breathing, the asana positions, relaxation and the fighting off of depressions etc. but most importantly we can control our obesity and stress through the breathing exercises in yoga... a very simple and costless tool to better oneself,” she added.