International Yoga Day highlights Saudi Arabia's growing wellness movement

Al Arabiya

21-06-2025

As the world marks International Yoga Day on June 21, a growing number of Saudis are rolling out their mats – not just for fitness, but for peace of mind.
In a region where conversations around mental health are rapidly evolving, yoga is gaining ground as a tool for emotional balance, stress relief, and self-care.
'In Saudi Arabia, cultural shifts and increased awareness of holistic health have sparked interest in practices that support both mental and physical wellbeing,' Antony Bainbridge, Head of Clinical Services and Clinical Lead at Resicare Alliance, told Al Arabiya English in an interview.
When Lana Nazer, Yoga and Wellness Instructor, first opened Karama Yoga Studio in Jeddah in 2016, yoga was relatively new in the mainstream wellness scene in Saudi Arabia.
'Not many people really knew what yoga was, and those who did had very limited access to it. There were almost no bilingual spaces that felt culturally familiar or inclusive, and very few studios offered the kind of variety and international standards of teaching that I was passionate about bringing to my community,' she told Al Arabiya English.
Fast forward to today, the practice has seen exponential growth.
'We now teach thousands of students every year, many of them Saudi, and the appetite for holistic wellbeing is stronger than ever. There's a new generation redefining what health and movement look like, blending tradition with modern wellness in such a powerful and authentic way,' Nazer said.
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In 2021, the Ministry of Sports launched the 'Saudi Yoga Committee,' a sports committee that operates under the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, in response to its increased popularity.
According to the committee's website: 'Yoga has a large fan base across the country, and there is a genuine desire to supervise and develop its activities, as well as to support and improve the performance of yogis and sport professionals.'
Societal shifts and inclusivity
Once viewed as a niche or foreign concept, yoga is now part of mainstream wellness discussions in the Kingdom, particularly among youth and women.
'As stigma around mental health diminishes in Saudi Arabia, yoga has emerged as a socially acceptable, non-clinical way to manage stress and emotional challenges,' Bainbridge noted.
The low-impact and accommodating nature of the sport makes it particularly favored by women in the Kingdom.
'At Karama Yoga, we teach with empathy. Every class is layered. We offer variations, we speak both Arabic and English, and we make sure everyone feels welcome, whether it's their first time or their hundredth. We honor tradition, but we teach in a modern, inclusive way that speaks to today's Saudi – mind, body, and soul,' Nazer said.
Since the launch of Vision 2030, the percentage of women's involvement in sports in the Kingdom has increased by 150 percent, according to the General Authority of Statistics (GASTAT).
Societal shifts are enabling women to take a proactive approach towards fitness and wellness – and yoga fits right in.
The rise of mental wellbeing
A 2025 study by Gymnation – the largest survey of its kind conducted in the Middle East – showed 92 percent of residents in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates value mental wellbeing.
For many, yoga offers a culturally compatible outlet that blends mindfulness, movement, and spiritual reflection.
'Its focus on mindfulness and inner peace aligns with Islamic principles of reflection and self-care,' Bainbridge explained, adding that this makes yoga 'both culturally resonant and spiritually compatible.'
The science backs it up.
Yoga combines breathwork, gentle physical movement, and meditation – elements proven to regulate the nervous system and lower cortisol levels.
'Yoga fosters present-moment awareness and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping individuals self-regulate emotions,' Bainbridge said.
In a fast-moving world, the practice offers a grounding space, according to Karama Yoga's founder.
'For young Saudis, it's become a powerful tool for self-awareness, confidence, and emotional strength. It helps cultivate inner calm, sharpen focus, and build resilience both on and off the mat. It's more than movement. It's emotional resilience, breathwork for anxiety, and a deeper connection to self,' she said.
Even in clinical settings, the ancient practice is beginning to find its place.
Bainbridge said: 'In Saudi Arabia, while still emerging, some rehabilitation and wellness clinics have started integrating yoga to support treatment for depression, PTSD, and stress-related disorders.'
The goal isn't to replace therapy, he added, but to complement it – giving patients more tools to cope with trauma and emotional strain.
So, could yoga be part of national health policy one day? Bainbridge and Nazer believe it should be.
'Yoga can be integrated into Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 health goals by promoting it in schools, workplaces, and public wellness programs,' he said.
'Training healthcare providers to use yoga as preventive and rehabilitative care, particularly for stress and lifestyle diseases, can position it as a cost-effective, culturally adaptive solution.'
As for Nazer, she said: 'The future of yoga in Saudi is bold and beautiful. With Vision 2030 supporting wellness and female empowerment, I see yoga becoming more integrated into everyday life in schools, workplaces, retreats, and public spaces.'
'My dream is to have every person in Saudi to try yoga at least once by 2030. I truly believe Saudi is the future of wellness. We're not just following global trends anymore. We're leading them in our own way,' she added.
As Saudi Arabia continues to embrace both innovation and tradition in its transformation, yoga appears to be more than a fleeting wellness trend – it's becoming a meaningful part of how people move, breathe, and feel better in their bodies and minds.