Saudi Arabia Embraces Yoga For Community Wellness
May 10, 2024
To enhance holistic wellbeing and the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Yoga Committee has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to promote yoga as a way of life within the community. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the recognition and integration of yoga into the fabric of Saudi society.
Yoga, an ancient practice originating from the Indian subcontinent, is popular across the globe for its multiple physical and mental health benefits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), yoga benefits people of all ages and incomes and can be practiced anywhere, by people from all countries and cultures. The WHO has recognized yoga for its ability to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases, including leading causes of death such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. With its emphasis on mindfulness, breathing techniques and self-control, yoga offers a holistic approach to wellness that resonates with people from diverse backgrounds.
Through this new collaboration yoga will be brought to the forefront of community engagement initiatives in the Kingdom. Workers, including those in ministry-run care centers and shelters, will be encouraged to incorporate yoga into daily routines and will receive tools to help manage stress, improve focus and enhance their physical and mental health. The Committee’s goal is to advocate for yoga’s role in development and peace within society and among nations.
“Yoga promotes peace, coexistence and harmony through principles such as non-violence, non-stealing, providing sustenance, preserving the Earth, living in peace, tolerance and coexistence,” said Nouf Al-Marwaai, president of the Saudi Yoga Committee. “Through yoga, one can achieve peaceful coexistence by regulating the activities of the nervous system, reducing stress, promoting deep sleep, and enhancing thinking, concentration, relaxation, emotional stability and self-control.”
Yoga’s acceptance in Saudi Arabia has been a long battle. For many years, it was outlawed, making it a crime to practice because it was viewed as a Hindu spiritual practice. However, a significant shift occurred in 2017 when the country's Ministry of Trade and Industry announced yoga would be recognized as a sport, removing the threat of prosecution and allowing all Saudis to practice it freely.
The present effort to build harmonious and balanced workplaces championing holistic wellbeing of employees through yoga aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 national development plan, which establishes targets for the Kingdom for diversification and improving competitiveness. The collaboration will also offer people opportunities to participate in sports and learn therapeutic yoga techniques.
“It’s a very important step for creating equal opportunities for all segments of society and investing in youth human capital,” said Princess Mishael bint Faisal, the vice chair of the Saudi Yoga Committee. “The crown prince said that it is the largest wealth owned by the Kingdom, so investing in it is a renaissance for society and the realization of the vision.”
The Princess and Huda Al-Haidari, director of the ministry’s social responsibility department in the Riyadh region, took part in the signing ceremony for the agreement between the Saudi Yoga Committee and Ministry.
In essence, the agreement between the Saudi Yoga Committee and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development signifies more than just a partnership -- it represents a collective endeavor towards building a healthier, more harmonious and resilient Saudi Arabia.
Source: Arab News