Dubai: Organisers of the 4th annual XYoga Dubai Festival, presented by Dubai Holding, are hailing it as the most successful to date with over 20,000 people participating in the festival’s full 2-day programme of yoga sessions, talks, meditations and performances. Held at the scenic and serene Kite Beach last weekend, the festival opened early Friday, 21st February with a mass session for 2000 yogis led by Bollywood star Esha Gupta and International yoga sensation Jacob Manning, and continued until sunset on Saturday, 22nd February.

The festival, the largest of its kind in the region, gave a platform to both beloved local yogis as well as rising stars of the international yoga world including Australian adventure yogi, Sjana Elise Earp and Egyptian American yogi Amina Taha.  Among the 60 classes on offer were sessions that included SUP Yoga, Live Piano Flow, Yoga in Arabic, Flexibility Flow, All About Inversions and Backbends, Turn it UP (side down), Ladies-Only Yoga and both Mom & Me and Dad & Me children and parent classes.  

Designed for yogis of all levels and ages, many of this year’s sessions were filled to capacity as the event has become known as a highlight on the Emirate’s yoga and fitness calendar. This year’s edition also attracted more men and children than ever before with 3850 men and 200 children among the over 20,000 who attended. The youngest yogi participating in classes was just 2 years old while the oldest, 82.  Among the more popular classes were Active Stretch, Sound Healing and Conscious Vinyasa. 

With sustainability at the forefront of the event, approximately 4300 bottles were collected for recycling from the over 11,500 litres of free water that was distributed to those participating.

Since launching in Dubai in 2016, the festival has continued to grow in popularity with its inclusive line-up of sessions and activities designed to engage, enlighten and entertain with the past three editions made possible thanks to a partnership between XDubai and Dubai Holding. One of the key highlights of this partnership was celebrating diversity – a value that sits at the very heart of the Dubai Holding ethos to help create a healthy society in Dubai and beyond.

Not only did the event attract men and women of all ages, nationalities, experience and fitness levels but it also brought yogis from different disciplines from all over the world to lead the array of classes over the two days. It also tackled both mental and physical wellness.

Amit Kaushal, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, said: “We are delighted with how this year’s XYoga Dubai Festival has gone and are proud to have played such a key role in its success. We look forward to supporting this unique and diverse event in the years to come.  It is the perfect addition to our wide range of sports events that we sponsor or offer to the city.”

 “The fourth edition of XYoga Dubai has been nothing short of spectacular,” said Mohammed Javad, General Manager of XDubai, organisers of the festival. “It has been a pleasure watching the festival grow and evolve each and every year, both in size and programming, allowing more people to ‘defy their limits’ in their own unique way.”

Speaking about her experience at this year’s festival alongside Jacob Manning, Bollywood actress Esha Gupta said: “Visiting Dubai has always been a joy but sharing my passion for yoga with 2000 people was truly memorable. We live in such a fast-paced time and society that demands so much of us, so to be part of an event like XYoga Dubai presented by Dubai Holding which promotes meditation, mindfulness, and togetherness was something very special.”

For his part, Jacob Manning, who was at XYoga Dubai presented by Dubai Holding for the first time said: “I’ve had the opportunity to lead classes in Dubai before but sharing yoga over these past two days with thousands of people of all ages and all walks of life was fantastic and I hope to return next year.”

Along with members of the public, Dubai Holding employees were also out in full force enjoying all that the festival had to offer: “This year’s edition was absolutely fantastic and the fact that the event is taking place on the beach is ideal with its scenery, open space and fresh sea breeze,” said Nida Masoud, Associate Director Business and Financial Planning, Dubai Holding.  “I attended the opening session early morning which was totally occupied by people from different ages and backgrounds. The instructions given varied between the intermediate level for all attending audience and the advanced level for professional yogis. I also joined the ‘Gong Meditation’ later in the day and had the chance to meditate until sunset.”

Local studios represented included Yoga House, Yoga La Vie, Nilaya House, Move On Yoga, Yoga Ashram, Urban Yoga, MeFitPro, Shimis, Naya, Lighthouse Arabia and Lotus Yoga. Attendees practiced in five unique festival areas: the Dubai Holding Main Stage which hosted the opening session; two smaller stages or pods, and a popular Kids Area hosted by XDubai’s XPark Jr. Throughout the festival area, yogis were also able enjoy entertainment, activations and healthy food and beverage options from Dubai’s much-loved Ripe Market.