Saudi Gazette

Jeddah — “You are a great yoga teacher to popularize yoga in Saudi Arabia and work to get it legalized as a sport, great!” This is how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Saudi Arabia’s first certified yoga instructor who was at the President House in New Delhi on Tuesday to receive the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, from President Ram Nath Kovind.

“The prime minister asked me about my guru and the place where I studied yoga,” Nouf Marwaai, director of Holistic Health Care in Jeddah and president of Arab Yoga Foundation, told Saudi Gazette relaying some of the conversation she had with Modi.

India conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award on Nouf in recognition of her efforts to popularize yoga in Saudi Arabia and getting it recognized as a sports activity.

Indian consulate has also organized a felicitation function for Nouf on Monday.

In November 2017, Saudi Gazette broke the story that the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Investment recognized yoga as a sports activity.

The recognition for Nouf has been the fruit of her two decades of tireless efforts, as she says humbly accepting the Indian honor, “It is indeed a great honor, and I am thankful for the recognition of my two decades of work in promoting yoga in the Arab world and Saudi Arabia.”

Nouf, however, would not have achieved success without the support of Princess Reema Bint Bandar, who heads the Saudi Federation for Community Sports (SFCS) and is the vice president for Development and Planning at the Saudi Arabian General Sports Authority.

Nouf says: “In Feb 2017 when I met HRH Princess Reema to request her support in legalizing and systemizing yoga activities, the most beautiful thing was her positivity, her encouraging words and assurance.

“HRH listened to all my thoughts, worries and ideas patiently and always encouraged me. She gave me a great hope that no matter how long it takes to finalize all the rules, she is there for every Saudi women and athlete. She always showed interest in my achievements. I would like to say if it wasn’t HRH Princess Reema it wouldn’t have happened and we wouldn’t have yoga listed as a sport today in Saudi Arabia.”

Nouf’s efforts supported by Princess Reema paid dividends so much so that today there are approximately 500 yoga instructors — a majority of them women — in Saudi Arabia.

Many Saudis are practicing yoga.

“Now yoga is really known to Saudis unlike 14 years ago when I started teaching and talking about yoga publicly in 2004 in many media channels, radio, magazines and newspapers,” she said.

“Saudis are health conscious these days and they are interested in wellness and sports. A huge number of people of all ages are interested in wellness and sports activities,” Nouf said, adding that she has plans to expand her activities.

She is happy that she is “living the real change” under Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense. “I am more motivated than ever to be a productive and a proud Saudi woman. Many other women and youth are so inspired by Crown Prince Muhammad’s words, promises and motivational quotes. I am looking forward to serve my society and be an active part of the changes taking place in my country. I am sure many other women in many fields and sectors are so motivated and hopeful as well.”