When Alaa Abanomi and her partners opened the first public yoga and wellness studio in Saudi Arabia in 2014, their first priority was to raise awareness about the physical and mental health benefits of yoga and well-being. Less than 10 years later the country is home to an extraordinary assortment of yoga centers and well-being programs, and Alaa is leading travelers on spiritual retreats deep into the heart of the Arabian desert.
“When I started out, yoga was a fringe activity,” she says. “I could never have imagined all the changes that have happened to my country.”
Alaa first started exploring the world of yoga while at university in the U.S. in 2005. On her return to the Saudi capital Riyadh to start a career in finance she continued to practice and study yoga and found solace and peace in the ancient discipline. She then took the courageous step of leaving corporate life behind, giving her first private yoga lessons;a few years later, she and some friends opened a studio called Sukoun—the Arabic word for stillness and peace.
“I was burnt out and yoga as a system helped me heal, find balance, and become a more centered and content person,” she remembers. “Yoga evolved naturally into a way of life and eventually a career.”
Alaa worked hard to educate the Saudi public about the therapeutic benefits of yoga, breathing, sound therapy, mindfulness, and meditation. The response, especially from women, exceeded all her expectations. “Sukoun was a place where people could slow down and let go of the stress and tension that are inevitable in life. It was a true sanctuary.”
““The energy of gratitude is the highest and can help us fully experience all the beauty of life.”
Alaa Abanomi, yoga teacher and founder of Emtinan
During the lockdown Alaa was inspired to create Emtinan or “gratitude,” a well-being event management company. At Emtinan, she takes clients from all over the world on wellness programs and curated experiences in carefully selected breathtaking natural sites across Saudi Arabia and beyond. One of her favourite locations is the ancient oasis town of AlUla, the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, set in a stunning sandstone landscape of canyons, rock art, seashells, and Arabian leopards. “It is an inspiring place full of magic, wonder, space, and silence,” she says. “There is no noise or pollution. It is the perfect place to disconnect from civilization and connect to nature.”
In addition to yoga, Alaa also guides travelers on retreats across Saudi Arabia, which specialize in disciplines such as breath work, sound therapy, and meditation, unlocking spiritual experiences in unforgettable, inspiring locations.
“When people go somewhere new, they tend to be more present and engaged with all their senses. I would invite everyone to come to my country to discover the beautiful nature, culture, people, and experiences that will breathe inspiration and new presence into their lives.”
What’s it like to go on a retreat in Saudi Arabia?
Saudis are very hospitable people and they care a lot about their guests. The country has just recently opened up again for tourism, so it remains relatively unexplored. Services and infrastructure have evolved tremendously. You can go hiking and meditate in the mountains of Asir, do yoga on the beaches of Umluj, travel to AlUla and camp underneath the desert stars. The Saudi deserts in wintertime are truly beautiful places, full of possibilities for deep spiritual experiences!
What events are you currently planning?
We are developing a few retreat options. We want to explore new places and curate magical experiences that can help people slow down and touch life more deeply. We aim to create a restful environment and an unforgettable transformative experience.
What are your favorite places in Saudi Arabia?
AlUla, because of the kind-hearted locals, breathtaking natural beauty and history. And, in the southwest of the country, the green mountains and pristine forests of Asir.
How has yoga changed your own life?
I experienced burnout early in my professional life and yoga offered me healing on every level, as well as a sense of stability and discipline—something I could turn to again and again. Yoga was the beginning and then it evolved into other well-being modalities such as meditation, breath work, and sound therapy.
The energy of gratitude is what moves me to serve my country and community. I hope that comes through in my work at Emtinan
As published in Conde Nast Traveler magazine
