The Embassy of India in Riyadh celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga with remarkable enthusiasm at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium on Friday, drawing over 500 yoga enthusiasts from across Saudi Arabia. The event, organized in collaboration with the Saudi Yoga Committee and local partners, highlighted this year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” emphasizing yoga’s role in promoting individual well-being and global harmony. Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the extraordinary turnout and warm support from Saudi authorities, describing yoga as more than just exercise but as a bridge between cultures and civilizations that transcends boundaries.
The celebration featured prominent speakers who underscored the growing popularity of yoga in the Kingdom and its integration into Saudi Arabia’s evolving health and wellness landscape. Padma Shri awardee Ms. Nouf Al-Marwaai, President of the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation and a pioneering yoga advocate in Saudi Arabia, praised the Embassy’s continued efforts in spreading awareness and fostering cross-cultural engagement. Mr. Ahmed Alsady, CEO of the Saudi Yoga Committee, reaffirmed his organization’s mission to promote yoga as an integral component of Saudi wellness culture, while Ms. Shahad Al-Mufti, Director at the Saudi Ministry of Sport, also graced the event with her presence.
The main attraction was the Common Yoga Protocol session, led by two women yoga instructors, Ms. Nervin Ashram and Ms. Seema Ghanam, who guided participants of all skill levels through foundational yoga postures and breathing techniques. The iconic stadium setting provided an ideal atmosphere for attendees to immerse themselves in various yoga asanas and experience their rejuvenating effects firsthand. The International Day of Yoga, proclaimed by the United Nations and celebrated globally each June 21, underscores the timeless relevance of yoga as a practice that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit.
Friday’s main event represented the culmination of a month-long series of yoga activities organized by the Embassy throughout the Kingdom. The celebrations began with a curtain-raiser event at the Embassy on May 17, followed by multiple sessions in early June under the “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” theme. A particularly notable event took place at the iconic Edge of the World on June 8, showcasing yoga against a breathtaking natural backdrop that perfectly embodied the connection between human wellness and environmental harmony.
The week leading up to the main celebration saw extensive participation from Indian school students across six Saudi cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif, Jubail, Khafji, and Tabouk — who took part in yoga sessions from June 14 to 20. Their enthusiasm and unity reflected the spirit of wellness, harmony, and togetherness that yoga promotes, demonstrating how the ancient practice continues to resonate with younger generations. The widespread participation across multiple cities and the strong collaboration between Indian and Saudi institutions highlight the deepening cultural ties between the two nations and the universal appeal of yoga as a tool for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.