Nouf Marwaai
The first certified yoga instructor in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
She is the founder of the “Arab Yoga Foundation” in Saudi Arabia.
Nouf Marwaai contributed to the regulation and official recognition of yoga in the Kingdom.
She was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2018.
Nouf's Introduction to Yoga
Nouf was a physically frail child and was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus at the age of 17. Doctors told her parents that there was little hope for her recovery. She read a book about yoga that her father had brought back from his travels and began practicing some postures (asanas). Over time, as she continued practicing yoga, her health improved, allowing her to graduate from university with high honors and become a full-time yoga practitioner.
In an interview, she mentioned that after starting yoga and Ayurveda, she lived for 21 years in good health without needing any medication.
Nouf's Introduction to Yoga
Nouf was a physically frail child and was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus at the age of 17. Doctors told her parents that there was little hope for her recovery. She read a book about yoga that her father had brought back from his travels and began practicing some postures (asanas). Over time, as she continued practicing yoga, her health improved, allowing her to graduate from university with high honors and become a full-time yoga practitioner. In an interview, she mentioned that after starting yoga and Ayurveda, she lived for 21 years in good health without needing any medication.
About
Nouf, born in 1980, earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from KSU. In 1998, driven by health concerns, she embarked on a 20-year journey practicing yoga. Pioneering the field, she became the first certified yoga teacher in Saudi Arabia and established the Arab Yoga Foundation. Recognizing her significant contributions, she was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award by the president of India for her dedicated efforts in promoting yoga in the Arab region.
Positions
In 2005, Nouf founded a yoga school in Saudi Arabia, laying the foundation for her influential journey in this field. In 2010, she strengthened her commitment by establishing the Arab Yoga Foundation, expanding her global impact by assuming the honorary secretary position at the International Yoga Federation in Italy. This was followed by advisory roles at the Asian Yoga Federation (2012) and the World Yoga Council in Europe (2015).
With her expertise, she became a member of the Presidents’ Committee at the International Yoga Federation (2015), contributed to the Saudi Fitness Standards Committee (2019), and held a position in the International Affairs Committee of the Saudi University Sports Federation.
In 2021, she was appointed Chairperson of the Saudi Yoga Committee under the supervision of the Olympic Committee until 2024, while simultaneously serving as Vice President of the Asian Yoga Sports Federation. She was later elected as its President (2024-2028), becoming the first Arab woman to hold this position.
Globally, she contributed to the Yoga Standards Committee of the World Health Organization and the Indian Ministry of Yoga (2019). Her achievements earned her the Padma Shri award from the President of India (2018), the Yoga Jewel Award from the Asian Federation (2018), the Women’s Empowerment Award in Dubai (2018), the Women’s Achievements Award from the Vice President of India (2024), and the Asia Yoga Ambassador Award (2024), recognizing her pioneering role in promoting yoga worldwide.
Positions
In 2005, Nouf founded a yoga school in Saudi Arabia, laying the foundation for her influential journey in this field. In 2010, she strengthened her commitment by establishing the Arab Yoga Foundation, expanding her global impact by assuming the honorary secretary position at the International Yoga Federation in Italy. This was followed by advisory roles at the Asian Yoga Federation (2012) and the World Yoga Council in Europe (2015).
With her expertise, she became a member of the Presidents’ Committee at the International Yoga Federation (2015), contributed to the Saudi Fitness Standards Committee (2019), and held a position in the International Affairs Committee of the Saudi University Sports Federation.
In 2021, she was appointed Chairperson of the Saudi Yoga Committee under the supervision of the Olympic Committee until 2024, while simultaneously serving as Vice President of the Asian Yoga Sports Federation. She was later elected as its President (2024-2028), becoming the first Arab woman to hold this position.
Globally, she contributed to the Yoga Standards Committee of the World Health Organization and the Indian Ministry of Yoga (2019). Her achievements earned her the Padma Shri award from the President of India (2018), the Yoga Jewel Award from the Asian Federation (2018), the Women’s Empowerment Award in Dubai (2018), the Women’s Achievements Award from the Vice President of India (2024), and the Asia Yoga Ambassador Award (2024), recognizing her pioneering role in promoting yoga worldwide.
[ Educational Paths ]
Naturopathy and Ayurveda Qualifications
[ 01 ]
Diploma of Holistic weight loss certification, 2006
[ 02 ]
Lifestyle counselor diploma from Dr. David Frawley (Ayurveda and Natural medicine doctor), India, 2006-2007 Institute of vedic studies
[ 03 ]
Training in Nutrition and Natural Health from PVA College, UK - 2008
[ 04 ]
Diploma in Ayurveda from the Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine, UK - 2008
[ 05 ]
Training in Nutrition and Natural Health, UK - 2008
[ Educational Paths ]
Yoga Qualifications
[ 1 ]
240 Hrs Yoga Teacher Training Certification USA, 5/11/04 - 11/4/05
[ 2 ]
Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga Training Certifications, Sydney Australia, 2007
[ 3 ]
Physiology and Anatomy of Iyengar Yoga in Sydney Australia, 2007
[ 4 ]
Advanced Yoga Therapy from PVA college, Kerala India, 2008
[ 5 ]
Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and 500-hour registration, Master’s Certificate in Yoga with Swami Vidyananda at Srima School and Sri Aurobindo Ashram, May 2009. And a Diploma in Yoga Arbitration from the Asian Yoga Federation.
[ 6 ]
Diploma of Advanced yoga therapy and training with merit and high honors from Institute of Yoga Sciences and Research, Indore, Madhya Pradesh Jan -Jul 2009
[ 7 ]
International Yoga Federation Yoga Teacher Diploma, 2010
[ 8 ]
Recertification for yoga teacher license 200hrs from Yoga Yug International Yoga School, Nov-Dec 2013, Himalaya India
[ 9 ]
Ashtanga Yoga Training , Kaivalya Yoga Center , Rishikesh India 2015 - 2017
Naturopathy and Ayurveda Qualifications
Diploma in Holistic Health and Weight Loss – 2006
Diploma in Lifestyle Coaching, Islamic Life Guide Diploma from the American Academy of Nutrition Studies – 2006 Institute of vedic studies
Training in Nutrition and Natural Health from PVA College, UK – 2008
Diploma in Ayurveda from the Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine, UK – 2008
Training in Nutrition and Natural Health, UK – 2008
Yoga Qualifications
240-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification, USA, 5/11/04 – 11/4/05
Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga Training Certifications, Sydney, Australia, 2007
Physiology and Anatomy of Iyengar Yoga in Sydney, Australia, 2007
Advanced Yoga Therapy from PVA College, Kerala, India, 2008
500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and Registry, Yoga Master Certification with Swami Vidyānanda Srima School and Sri Aurobindo Ashram, May 2009
Diploma of Advanced Yoga Therapy and Training with Merit and High Honors from Institute of Yoga Sciences and Research, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Jan-Jul 2009
International Yoga Federation Yoga Teacher Diploma, 2010
Recertification for Yoga Teacher License 200HRS from Yoga Yug International Yoga School, Nov-Dec 2013, Himalaya, India
Ashtanga Yoga Training, Kaivalya Yoga Center, Rishikesh, India, 2015-2017