Arab Woman Award Winner Says: Yoga Changed My Life

Arab Woman Award Winner Says: Yoga Changed My Life
Indian Yoga Making Saudi Arabia Healthier; Women Lead the Way
"When doctors told my parents that there was no hope for my recovery, I chose to live. I stayed at home and learned yoga, and over time, it transformed my life," says the first Arab woman to receive a Padma Shri award. Nouf Marwaai, an Arab woman from Saudi Arabia, made history as the first woman to be honoured by the Indian government with this award for her contributions to yoga and Indian culture.
Marwaai began her yoga journey in 2017 in Saudi Arabia. Recognizing her efforts, the Indian government awarded her the Padma Shri in 2018. In 2021, Saudi Arabia's Education Ministry officially included yoga in its curriculum. Marwaai points out that yoga's acceptance in Saudi Arabia has empowered women; in the first yoga instructor training in Jeddah, 56 out of 66 participants were women, marking a clear majority.
She recalls that practicing yoga in Saudi Arabia once faced strong societal opposition due to religious misconceptions. People often misunderstood her activities, and for a long time, yoga was seen as something forbidden. Despite this, she pursued her mission to promote yoga, organizing classes, and raising awareness across Saudi Arabia.
Adopting a New Culture with Ease
Marwaai shared that while Saudi Arabia values its traditions, there's no hesitation in adopting beneficial practices from other cultures. Through her efforts, around 8,000 people have benefited from yoga and Ayurvedic practices, bringing a new wave of wellness to the region.