In a city brimming with yoga studios, Eco Yoga Sanctuary represents a breath of fresh air by offering a sustainable yoga space.
Situated in the heart of old Jumeirah in Dubai, the women's-only yoga studio is designed to ensure a low environmental footprint. The space features lush green plants, walls painted a bright yellow and eco-friendly, antibacterial padded flooring, which is sourced from Germany. LED lights are installed throughout, with motion-sensor taps in the bathrooms. All the products used in the studio are eco-friendly, too – for instance, the towels are made from bamboo and organic cotton.
The manager, Elaine Kelly, who is also the founder of yogafest.me (a free community, mind and body festival in the UAE) and teaches vinyasa flow and body balance at Eco Yoga Sanctuary, explains what sets the studio apart from the rest.
How is Eco Yoga Sanctuary different from other yoga studios in the UAE?
When you walk in the door, it feels as if you are in a spa rather than a yoga studio. We really take care of the smaller details to pamper our clients. From individual name cards and organic fruits and teas to chromotherapy showers and our cold, scented towels after class, we are concerned with everyone’s well-being without compromising our commitment to our planet. We know exactly how much energy we use each day and how much waste we create, everything is measured here.
How did the concept of Eco Yoga Sanctuary evolve?
The owner of Eco Yoga Sanctuary, the Emirati entrepreneur Khalifa Al Marri, wanted to create an environmentally friendly alternative exclusively for women, since they represent 85 per cent of the yoga market in the UAE.
What makes Eco Yoga Sanctuary a sustainable space?
Instead of paper, we have an electronic registration system. We have only sustainably sourced equipment, including mats, blocks, straps and blankets. Our towels are made from organic cotton and bamboo and our soaps are chemical-free. Far-infrared radiant (FIR) heat panels are installed for hot yoga and use significantly less energy than the regular hot-yoga studios. Infrared heat works differently than traditional heating systems in that instead of heating the air within the room, it heats the body directly. The result is a lower power bill and deeper tissue penetration, while the body still receives all of the healthy benefits.
What sparked your desire to teach yoga?
I first tried yoga while at university in Canada in my 20s. I practised on and off for many years, but it was after working as a fitness instructor and teaching body balance for three years that I wanted to learn more about yoga and decided to train as a teacher.
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