ALKHOBAR: It starts with a stretch. Then a breath. And for many women in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, what follows is far more than just physical movement. It’s calm, clarity and control. But not everyone gets to experience it.
While pilates and yoga classes have become increasingly popular in Alkhobar, Dhahran and beyond, the women who attend them — or hope to — say the trend isn’t just about fitness. It’s about access.
Outdoor aerial Pilates sessions combine traditional poses with hammock support to improve core strength and balance. (Supplied/Instagram/sunsets_yoga)
“I’ve felt a real difference in my body and mood since I started pilates,” said Noura Alzayani, 42, from Dhahran. “I feel more flexible, balanced, even my posture and breathing improved. I just feel better.”
She attends classes for free at the King Gym in Aramco camp and describes the sessions as “a complete reset.” Her favorite part? The style of the workouts.
