Over 200 Participants Perform 108 Synchronised Rounds of Sun Salutations to Raise Funds for Dubai Autism Center

Dubai-UAE: 28 February, 2011 - Fitness First, the world's number one health and fitness club chain and a part of the Landmark Group in the MENA region, today announced more than 200 enthusiasts participated in the 'Fitness First Wellness Festival - Yogathon'.

Organised to spread awareness about adopting a healthy lifestyle, the event saw people from all walks of life enthusiastically joining the 108 rounds of sun salutation at the Safa Park.

Participants were also offered free blood glucose level screening under the 'Beat Diabetes' programme, a Landmark Group's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, along with the campaign's medical partner Zulekha Hospital. The event was also used as a platform to raise funds for Dubai Autism Centre.

Gary Knill, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Fitness First, MENA, said: "At Fitness First, our continuous endeavour is to reach out to more people and educate them about the significance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. The overwhelming response to this event has encouraged us to offer many more similar platforms in the future and reach out to even more in the community. Fitness First is also privileged to donate the event's proceeds to the Dubai Autism Centre."

Type-2 diabetes, which is largely prevalent in the UAE, affects almost 20 per cent of the local population. Through its message 'Beat Diabetes. Get Active' Landmark Group seeks to support events that help spread awareness about leading an active, healthy lifestyle.

Bhuvana Acharya, Head of Corporate Communications and CSR, Landmark Group, said: "As a responsible corporate citizen in the region, Landmark Group believes it is imperative to spread awareness on diabetes and lead a healthy lifestyle. 'Fitness First Wellness Festival - Yogathon' is yet another step in the direction of persuading more people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and combat medical conditions including diabetes."

Sun salutations are usually done early in the morning facing the sun as sunlight is a major source of vitamin D-producing ultraviolet B radiation that has a wide range of positive health effects. A 10-minute exercise provides a complete workout for mind and body. It also stimulates and conditions virtually every muscle in the body, and helps eliminate toxins.

Fitness First conducts a variety of yoga classes such as Hatha Yoga, Dynamic Flow Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Power Yoga and Gentle Flow Yoga to actively raise awareness on healthy living and as part of Fitness First initiatives.

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About 'Beat Diabetes'
'Beat Diabetes' is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative introduced by the Landmark Group to raise understanding and awareness about diabetes. The campaign was launched in UAE in 2009, and has extended into five new countries in 2010, namely Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and India. Walkathons were held across all 6 countries, where over 25,000 people walked with the Group for the cause and free blood glucose tests were conducted for over 30,000 people.

About Landmark Group
Founded in 1973 in Bahrain, the Landmark Group has successfully grown into one of the largest and most successful retail organizations in the Middle East and India. An international, diversified retail and hospitality conglomerate that encourages entrepreneurship to consistently deliver exceptional value, the Group operates over 900 outlets encompassing over thirteen million square feet across Middle East, India, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen and Pakistan (franchise operation).

Landmark Group has a strong workforce of over 32,000 employees and provides a value-driven product range for the family through its core retail concepts: Centrepoint, Babyshop, Shoe Mart, Splash, Lifestyle, Beautybay, Iconic, Home Centre, Q Home Décor, Max, Shoexpress and E-Max. In addition to the brands developed in-house, the Group also holds the franchise rights for some of the world's leading fashion and footwear brands in the countries where it operates.

The Group has also diversified in the leisure, food and hospitality segments with Fun City, Gourmet Station, Spaces, Citymax Hotels, Fitness First and Foodmark, the restaurant division which operates the Group's own and franchise food outlets.

For more information, please visit www.landmarkgroupme.com

For further information, please contact:
Rishi Talwalker
JiWin
An APCO Worldwide Company
Direct:             +9714 361 3572
Switchboard +9714 361 3333
Mobile:         +97150 911 0865
Fax: +9714 388 8001
Email: rishi.talwalker@jiwin.ae  

Mohamed Mousa
Jiwin
Direct:             +9714 369 2836
Switchboard +9714 361 3333
Mobile:         +97150 678 7243
Fax: +9714 388 8001
Email: mohamed.mousa@jiwin.ae

Landmark Group
Bhuvana Acharya
Direct:             +9714 8094131
Switchboard +9714 809 4000
Mobile:         +97150 7085912
Fax: +9714 809 4321
Email: bhuvana.acharya@cplmg.com

© Press Release 2011