Yoga for all: XYoga Dubai reveals line-up of international yogis, and programme for those aged 1-100

Dubai, UAE; 21 February 2018:  With just over three weeks to go until the highly anticipated XYoga Dubai presented by Dubai Holding festival – 16-17 March at Kite Beach - XDubai is unveiling a line-up that includes the rock stars of the yoga world to deliver the festival’s most holistic programme to date.  Made possible by a partnership between global investment holding company Dubai Holding and XDubai, with global fitness brand Reebok as an exclusive partner, XYoga Dubai 2018 aims to attract over 10,000 people with more than 25 yoga styles and over 60 complimentary classes & workshops designed to engage, inspire and challenge yogis from age 1 to 100.

International yogis confirmed to join the line-up of over 35 instructors for the two-day festival include runway model-turned-yogi, Yogi Cameron who will co-lead the festival’s opening session as well as an Ayurveda Yoga session; Harvard Business School-trained, strategist, award-winning author and executive trainer, Teresa Kay Aba-Kennedy, who will lead sessions that include Breath and Burn as well as Blissful Vibration, and healthy living blogger and author of Namaslay, Candace Cabrera Moore, who is confirmed to lead a Deep Core Strength class as well as a Yoga Nidra Guided Meditation session.  Indonesian TV-star turned yogi, Anjasmara is confirmed to lead both Vinyasa of a Grateful Heart and Candi Dasa Nectar Flow sessions, while strength and mobility yogi, Daniel Morgan will impart his knowledge through a Hands As Feet session as well as a Twist out the Tension class. Chocolate Yoga instructor, Sjha’ra Taylor is also confirmed to deliver her signature Chocolate Yoga class. As previously announced, 99-year-old Tao Porchon-Lynch is also confirmed to co-lead the festival’s opening session as well as two additional sessions,  Eternal Energy and  A Talk With Tao, in which the yogi will reflect upon her yoga journey.

The international yogis will join over 30 talented local yogis who, together will deliver a programme of over 60 classes in five distinct zones: a main stage for sessions of up to 1000 people, two yoga pods, a natural-oasis themed studio by Reebok and a dedicated Kids’ Area. 

“Since the very first XYoga we have seen an overwhelming growth of yoga within Dubai and the UAE as more and more people see the benefits of practising yoga. For our second edition of XYoga Dubai, we wanted to channel the spirit of the local community to design an event that appeals to everyone, whether you’re 1 or 100 years old,” said Mohammed Javad, General Manager of XDubai. “The result will be two full days of holistic and inclusive yoga, workshops and activities led by some of the most engaging yogis in the world including home-grown, UAE-based teachers.”

Classes for All

Opening on 16 March at 8am for a mass yoga session for 1000 people led by Tao Porchon-Lynch and Yogi Cameron, other classes confirmed for the two-day festival include Yin Yoga, Traditional Ashtanga, Hatha Flow, Jivamukti Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Power Flow, Vinyasa Flow, Sri Sri Yoga, and Grounding Sunrise. Non-traditional and beginner yoga classes, which aim to engage existing yogis while at the same time, open the practice to new audiences will include Yoga for All, Yoga in Arabic, Dancing Yoga, Partner Yoga, Yoga Fundamentals, Art Therapy Yoga, Chocolate Yoga, Clinical Yoga and Laughter Yoga.

A Mom and Me class will aim bring balance to new mothers while at the same time, introduce babies to the benefits of yoga. Children aged 2 to 12 years old can also participate in classes that include Kids’ Yoga, Posetivity Kids Yoga, and Laugh Your Way to Wellness in a dedicated kids’ area, which will also offer entertainment including arts & crafts and features such as a sandbox. Teens age 11 to 16 can also take advantage of Teens Yoga classes, designed especially for them.

Yoga for Athletes, Yin for Athletes, Partner Yoga, Let’s Invert, Happy Hips & Hammys and HIIT/Yoga crossover class, Hiitsana offer added appeal to athletes across various sports. Classes designed specifically for women include a Ladies-Only, Ladies-Only Flow, a Ladies-Only Hormone Therapy talk as well as a Yoga of the Feminine class.

Holistic Talks, Meditation & Entertainment

Highlighting the holistic nature of the event, talks that include Philosophy of Ashtanga, Ethical Living, Selfless Service & Vegetarianism and Feng Shui and Yoga are also on the two-day programme.  Sessions such as Gong Meditation, Heartfulness Meditation by Spiritual House DJ, Pierre Raven, Hand Pan Tunes by Sherif El Moghazy and chanting known as Kirtan by Kirtan Dubai will also give yogis time to reflect and meditate against a backdrop and soundscape of the Arabian Gulf.  Throughout the festival area, yogis can also take advantage of entertainment, activations and healthy food and beverage options from local and international yoga-related brands. 

Yoga Activations

Further complementing the main event is a series of activations and events in select Dubai Holding locations in the lead-up to the two-day festival including a weekend of yoga, 1-3 March at JBR’s #WOWJBR Festival.  Among the classes on offer at JBR’s Rimal Square at that time will be a Vinyasa Flow session on Thursday, 1 March at 5:30pm, three 20-minute Laughter Yoga classes on Friday, 2^nd March at 5:30pm, 6:00pm and 6:30pm, as well as a kids’ yoga session entitled Posetivity Kids Yoga on Saturday, 3^rd March, at 5:30pm. All yoga classes at #WOWJBR are free and open to those registering though www.xyogadubai.com.  

The return of XYoga Dubai presented by Dubai Holding festival follows the highly popular inaugural edition in Downtown Dubai in 2016. XDubai’s first foray into yoga attracted thousands of Dubai residents and visitors representing over 50 nationalities.  The two-day holistic yoga event was designed to both introduce yoga to new audiences, as it also provided a platform for experienced yogis to practice the discipline amongst friends and family and in new and unique ways.

XYoga Dubai presented by Dubai Holding, with global fitness brand Reebok an exclusive partner, will be open to the public to attend but all classes, workshops and events although complimentary, will be subject to registration with announcements on registration opening dates for the two-day festival to occur soon. The event will run over two days from sunrise to sunset with opportunities available for all levels, ages and abilities. Those wishing to attend and encouraged to register their interest at www.xyogadubai.com to be amongst the first to be notified when bookings open.