The third XYoga festival will be held in Dubai on February 1 and 2. In keeping with the star line-up of previous festivals, this year will see former Portuguese footballer Luis Figo joining an estimated 2,500 yogis on Kite Beach.
Figo will lead the complimentary early-morning session on Friday alongside Indian yogi Deepika Mehta and Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri. Although he’s now retired, Figo continues to advocate a fitful and mindful life.
Considered one of the greatest footballers of his generation, Figo won the 2000 Ballon d’Or and was the Fifa World Player of the Year 2001. In 2004, Brazilian great Pelé named Figo – who has played for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sporting CP and Inter Milan – in the Fifa 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.
Other well-known yogis confirmed for the two-day event include handstand and inversion expert Laura Sykora from New Jersey; San Francisco-based “yoga warrior” Janet Stone; Garth Hewitt, creator of the Shiva Yoga system; and best-selling author and meditation guru Davidji.
The festival is expected to bring together 15,000 yoga enthusiasts, and will host classes such as Hula-Hoop yoga, Acro Yoga, Dance of Prana, Animal Flow, Tai Chi and Yoga Bil Arabi. These are free to attend upon registration at www.xyogadubai.com.
