18 May 2007
New venture into well-being industry offers courses for children and adults including standard, corporate, therapeutic and rehabilitation courses

Saif Belhasa Group of Companies, a regional holding group with a diversified portfolio of businesses, has ventured into the booming well-being industry with the launch of the 'Oriental Yoga Sanctuary', a new yoga centre offering courses for children and adults. The centre offers a wide range of basic and advanced programmes, and a set of corporate courses specifically designed for business people. Located on Al Wasl Road in Umm Suquiem 3 in Dubai, the 3000 sq. ft. sanctuary was inaugurated yesterday (Thursday, May 17, 2007) by Saif Ahmed Belhasa, Chairman and Managing Director, Saif Belhasa Group of Companies in the presence of select senior executives from member companies along with other guests.

The 'Oriental Yoga Sanctuary' will feature a host of professional yoga teachers led by Shri. P. K. Sanjeev Krishnan, who will guide students in achieving the proven physical and mental benefits of yoga. With competitive prices ranging from AED 150 to AED 1,000, the various courses include standard, corporate, therapeutic and rehabilitation and physical competence techniques, all of which aim to promote specific results such as stress management and relief from different physical ailments.

Commenting on its foray into the well-being industry, Saif Belhasa, Chairman and Managing Director, Saif Belhasa Group of Companies, said, "Yoga, which dates back 5,000 years ago, is widely accepted in different parts of the world for rejuvenation and as an alternative medicine. It has been proven to help individuals balance their physical, mental and emotional states as well as relieve ailments. Our sedentary and fast-paced lifestyle and improper diet have detrimental effects on our overall health, and yoga helps us regain physical and mental well-being."

"The 'Oriental Yoga Sanctuary' leverages our core competencies as well as the tradition of quality and excellence that our group has established. Our focus on building long-term relationships with partners and customers has translated to sustained revenue growth and allowed us to diversify our interests over the years, and we expect that the Sanctuary will create its own mark in the well-being industry," added Belhasa.

The standard programmes range from beginners to advanced levels, offering an opportunity for clients to experience holistic improvement regardless of their previous yoga experience. Students can benefit from courses such as Pranayama or 'The Art of Breathing' and Yoga Nidra, which relieve respiratory problems and psychosomatic ailments respectively. The comprehensive corporate programme is designed for employees and covers stress management, personality development, motivational skills, achieving work-life balance and improving professional and personal relationships, whilst the therapeutic and rehabilitation programme is targeted at people suffering from various physical and mental illness and will be provided on a case-to-case basis.

Founded in 2001, the group's varied portfolio includes the industry-leading Belhasa Driving Centre (BDC) as well as travel and tourism, fashion and well-being subsidiaries among others. With branches spread across the UAE, BDC is reputed for pioneering safe motoring and utilizing the latest methods and technologies and specialized courses to train students and enhance the skills of instructors. The new yoga centre follows the group's venture into the fashion industry with a flagship store carrying the creations of renowned Indian designer Manish Malhotra, which offers avant-garde garments and accessories for Arab, Indian and Western tastes.

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About Saif Belhasa Group of Companies
Incorporated in 2001, Saif Belhasa Group of Companies has varied business interests including the industry-leading Belhasa Driving Centre as well as trading, real estate, advertising and building materials subsidiaries. It has built a solid reputation for innovative products and services and strong customer focus with its flagship companies setting industry standards. The Saif Belhasa name has become a corporate asset implying leadership with trust, and the group has leveraged its brand to build long-term relationships with partners and customers and further the business interests of its companies. With sustained revenue growth over the years and significant market share in various industries, the Saif Belhasa Group of Companies comprises Belhasa Global Tourism & Travel, Belhasa Driving Centre, Manish Malhotra and the Oriental Yoga Sanctuary and several other companies.

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PO Box 66861, Dubai, UAE
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© Press Release 2007