Look: UAE rolls out mats for Yoga Day 2025 with mass events, stars, pets

Dubai: From sunrise to sunset and beyond, thousands of community members across the UAE marked International Yoga Day 2025 with vibrant energy on Saturday.

Held under the global theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, the celebrations united communities, cultures, diverse nationalities and even furry companions.

In Abu Dhabi, the capital’s grand venue Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) came alive as Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, joined the mass yoga session.
Organised by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event drew people from all walks of life, who performed yoga under the guidance of expert trainers from various schools and styles.

Adding a celebrity touch, Dubai resident and Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza also joined participants on the mat.

Later in the day, the embassy held a session at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
“Set against the museum’s iconic backdrop, yoga enthusiasts embraced the spirit of yoga for wellness and harmony,” the embassy said in a statement.
Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, led from the front at both events.

One of the most heartwarming experiences unfolded at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, where residents took part in Puppy Yoga.

Experts noted that such sessions with tail-wagging, mood-lifting, and stress-busting companions not only boost physical health but also improve emotional well-being for both people and pets.

Dubai went all in, transforming iconic landmarks, schools, parks, shopping malls, and yoga studios into hubs of wellness.
Sessions tailored to different age groups and fitness levels were held across the emirate, highlighting yoga’s inclusivity and growing appeal.

Meanwhile, the Indian Consulate in Dubai organised a mega event at Expo Centre Sharjah, with more than 5,000 participants.
The Consul General of India in Dubai, Satish Kumar Sivan, led the proceedings along with other members of the community.

In Sharjah, the Emirates Ayurveda Graduates Association (EAGA), in collaboration with the Indian Association Sharjah (IAS), hosted a holistic wellness event.

It combined yoga with Ayurveda awareness and featured a free health camp offering consultations and screenings.

The Dubai Consulate’s event, held in association with the Indian Social Club, Fujairah, saw community members come together to practise the Common Yoga Protocol. It helped raise awareness about the importance of yoga and its transformative power.