On June 21st, 2025, the global celebration of International Yoga Day unfolded across the region as something far more meaningful than a single-day event.
This year marked 10 years of Yoga Day worldwide, alongside two powerful milestones:
1,000 years since the first Arabic translation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and the global celebration of World Music Day.
Together, these moments created a rare opportunity, not just to practice yoga, but to reflect on its journey across cultures, languages, and generations.
Through Awaken Wellness, this vision came to life across three cities:
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Beirut, each gathering rooted in the same intention:
to honor the past, celebrate the present, and consciously shape the future of yoga.
Dubai: A Gathering By Yogis, For Yogis
Hosted at Keyani Wellness, the Dubai event brought together teachers, founders, musicians, and wellness leaders in a shared space of reflection and connection.
We were especially honored by the presence of Ahmed Musabah, President of the UAE Yoga Committee UAE Ministry of Sports and the UAE Sports for All Federation, whose support continues to play a key role in the growth of yoga in the UAE. His presence set the tone for a gathering rooted in both recognition and forward vision.
The morning opened with a meditation and wisdom talk led by Manish Pole, co-founder of Awaken Wellness.
Centered around the 1,000-year milestone of the Arabic translation of the Yoga Sutras, the session invited participants to reflect on the moment yoga began its journey beyond borders, marking the early roots of its global expansion.
Honoring the Past, Opening the Future
At the heart of the Dubai gathering were two panel discussions, each representing a different moment in time.
Panel 1: The History of Yoga in Dubai
Moderated by Manish Pole
This conversation paid tribute to the pioneers who have shaped the yoga landscape over the past decade and beyond:
Soniyaa Kiran Punjabi: Founder of Illuminations Wellbeing, podcast host
Eda Gungor: Founder of Seva Wellness Centers, Mentor & Facilitator
Harinaam Anand: Founder of Kirtan Dubai, Bhakti Yoga leader
Nancy Zabaneh: Kundalini Yoga teacher trainer, regional coordinator with Gabor Maté
Through their stories, the panel reflected how yoga has evolved into an integral part of life in Dubai.
Panel 2: The Future of Wellness
Moderated by Rana Abihayla
Looking ahead, the second panel explored how yoga continues to evolve in response to modern needs:
Alex Zagrebelny: Founder of R·Evolution Group, developer of Eywa (World’s Best Property 2024)
Chiranjeev Malhotra: Host of Shift with CJ, founder of Biohackn
Dr. Linda Sakr: Holistic psychologist, founder of Keyani Wellness
Vanessa Roux: Yoga teacher, sound healer, retreat leader, founder of Ubuntu Bliss
The conversation bridged tradition with innovation, opening a deeper inquiry into the future of the practice.
Where Yoga Meets Music
In celebration of World Music Day, the gathering also featured live performances:
Sarah Gohary; Multi-genre vocalist, known as the voice of Cinderella in Disney productions
Bernard Ghorra; Handpan musician, yoga & fitness teacher
Music became an extension of the practice: a shared rhythm that brought the community together beyond words.
A Collective Effort
We were honored to host this event with the support and endorsement of the UAE Ministry of Sports, the UAE Yoga Committee, and the UAE Sports for All Federation.
We extend our gratitude to our partners and sponsors, Scoopy Healthy Food, Tatami, and Eywa Real Estate whose support made this gathering possible.
We are also grateful to our host, Keyani Wellness, under the leadership of Aliya Khan.
Abu Dhabi & Beirut: A Shared Vision Across Cities
This celebration extended beyond Dubai.
In Abu Dhabi, the community gathered in a similar spirit—bringing together voices from across the wellness space to reflect, connect, and celebrate.
In Beirut, the energy carried forward—rooted in culture, resilience, and community.
Each city held its own expression, yet all were connected by the same intention:
to honor yoga as a living, evolving practice that belongs to everyone.
A Moment to Reflect
Ten years of International Yoga Day is not just a milestone.
It is a moment of awareness.
From ancient texts to modern conversations, from stillness to music, from individual practice to collective experience
This is the journey of yoga. And it continues to unfold through all of us.