Upcoming Yoga Trend in the Holy Land

 Yoga and meditation have long suffered a social stigma in Palestine, primarily due to the confusion that the practice is associated with a foreign religion, leading to a lack of exposure among Palestinians to yoga or meditation. Today, however, yoga is growing in popularity among Palestinian youth. 

Across the country, yoga practice is becoming increasingly popular in community centers and gyms, not just among Ramallah's elite, but also in small villages. Yoga is used in health clinics in refugee camps as well as small private studios with new teachers trained by international volunteers. 

Despite its growing popularity, yoga was not without its critics in more conservative areas that viewed the practice as part of religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Yet over and over again, new teachers who are practicing Muslims found that yoga postures helped them with their own prayers. Some people said that the meditative aspect of yoga helped them connect more deeply with the intention and sentiment behind their prayers. Palestinian yoga pioneers aim to develop a sustainable future for the practice by training and empowering local Palestinians to give workshops and training themselves. 

Palestinians experience trauma that negatively impacts their mental and physical health. West Bankers can now enhance their wellbeing by combining the ancient traditions of yoga with modern practices. 

Even though yoga won't end the stress and ongoing events in the Holy Land, it can encourage a positive attitude in the midst of decades-long political deadlocks.