Anyone who does yoga will appreciate the overwhelming sense of calm and peace it brings. But when it’s done against a stunning backdrop, it can be a truly unforgettable experience.
Thankfully, in the UAE, we are inundated with places to practice, and many studios regularly take advantage of the country’s natural beauty and impressive landmarks to offer anything but ordinary yoga sessions.
As Monday marks International Yoga Day, here are seven of the most beautiful spots in the UAE to get your practice in:
The View at The Palm
The Palm's brand new 360-degree observation deck, which offers unparalleled views of the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina skyline, is hosting a series of morning yoga sessions. Every Tuesday and Friday from 7am to 8am, join Core Direction for a 60-minute vinyasa yoga session on the 52nd floor of The Palm Tower for an unforgettable start to the day.
Tuesdays and Fridays, 7am-8am; Dh149; The View at The Palm, The Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah; theviewpalm.ae/events/yoga-at-the-view
Burj Khalifa
For another sky-high yoga session, visit at At The Top, located on the 124th floor of the world's tallest building. Not only will you be able to enjoy incredible views, but you will have the pleasure of saying you've taken part in the highest yoga session in the world. The classes, run by Core Direction, take place every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday between 7am and 8am.
Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 7am-8am; Dh149; At The Top, Burj Khalifa; coredirection.com/atthetop
The Green Planet
Embrace nature with a yoga class at Dubai's The Green Planet, where you will be able to practise against the backdrop of a living indoor rainforest, while having a few critters pop by to say hello. The guided 60-minute Yin Yoga and meditation class takes place inside the bio-dome, and is set to the natural soundtrack of birds chirping around you.
Fridays, 8.30am-9.30am; Dh149; The Green Planet, City Walk; coredirection.com/thegreenplanet
Burj Al Arab
Take in one of Dubai's most famous views with a full moon yoga session on the lawns of Jumeirah Beach Hotel. As the sun goes down behind the Burj Al Arab, move through your flow as you witness the Moon move through the sky. The classes take place each month, and vary based on the Moon's cycle.
Dates vary, 6.30pm-7.30pm; Dh114; The lawn, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah; coredirection.com/burjalarab
Dubai Opera Garden
Let Downtown Dubai’s famous skyline light up your evening yoga session on Dubai Opera’s lawn. The class is the perfect way to wind down your day, with a 60-minute yoga flow from the raised private garden at sunset. The class takes place every Saturday evening, offering the perfect chance to relax and de-stress ahead of the week.
Saturdays, 6.30pm-7.30pm; Dh60; Dubai Opera Gardens; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard; coredirection.com/dubai-opera
Saadiyat Beach Club
Set against the backdrop of Saadiyat's white sandy beach and the rolling azure waves of the Arabian Gulf, Saadiyat Beach Club is one of the capital's most popular spots to relax and unwind, and it also makes for an ideal spot for sunset yoga. Bodytree Wellness Studio offers a selection of Pilates and yoga sessions at the beach club each week, with restorative yoga, hatha and Total Body Care Pilates on the schedule.
Days and times vary; single classes start from Dh95; Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; bodytreestudio.com/saadiyat-class-packages
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Take in the stunning architecture of Louvre Abu Dhabi with Yoga Under the Dome. Taking place numerous times per week, the 75-minute classes are run by Bodytree Wellness Studio, and allow participants to practice their flow in one of the capital's top cultural destinations. The classes take place Sundays and Tuesdays at 10.15am and 5pm, as well as Saturdays at 11am and 5pm. During the summer months, the sessions take place inside the museum with views of the ocean and dome.
Sundays and Tuesdays, 10.15am and 5pm, Saturdays, 11am and 5pm; Dh90; Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island; bodytreestudio.com/product/yoga-under-the-dome-at-the-louvre-abu-dhabi
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
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MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
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Engine: 3.0-litre V6
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Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
Founder: Ayman Badawi
Date started: Test product September 2016, paid launch January 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software
Size: Seven employees
Funding: $170,000 in angel investment
Funders: friends
More on animal trafficking
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
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Our family matters legal consultant
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
