In the heart of the Arabian Gulf, where tradition meets fustiness, Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah bridges societies Through Yoga stands as a lamp of heartiness and artistic integration. A member of Kuwait’s royal family, she has seamlessly woven the ancient practice of yoga into the fabric of Kuwaiti society, earning her transnationalism and the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Government of India in 2025.
A trip embedded in Passion:
Sheikha’s incursion into yoga began in 2001, driven by a particular hunt for holistic well-being. Her loyalty resulted in the opening of Kuwait’s first authorized yoga plant, “Daratma,” in 2014. The name ‘Daratma’ combines the Arabic word ‘Dar’ (home) with the Sanskrit ‘Atma’ (soul), emblematizing a sanctuary for inner peace and tone discovery.
Institutionalizing Yoga in Kuwait:
Sheikha praised yoga’s transformational potential and advocated for its formal acceptance in Kuwait. Her advocacy was necessary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry’s decision to introduce a yoga education license, legitimizing the practice and paving the way for its integration into the nation’sheartinessgeography.
Empowering the Youth:
Understanding the significance of early heartiness education, Sheikha co-founded ‘Shems Youth Yoga’ in 2015. This action offers yoga programs acclimatized for children aged 0-14, fostering awareness, physical health, and emotional adaptability from a youthful age.
philanthropic trials:
Beyond yoga, Sheikha Shaikha ‘s commitment to philanthropic causes is apparent. In 2021, she launched ‘Yomnak lil Yaman,’ a fund raising crusade supporting Yemeni deportees and internally displaced individualities. During the COVID- 19 epidemic, she handed educational inventories to depressed children in Kuwait,icing continued learning amidst global dislocations.
Global Engagements and Cultural Exchange:
Shaikha’s vision transcends borders. She organized Reiki Jin Kei Do master training sessions in Kuwait between 2008 and 2014 and shared in knowledge training at the Monroe Institute in the U.S. in 2011. Her sweats emphasize a commitment to integrating different heartiness practices and fostering global artistic exchange.
Recognition and Political Impact:
In December 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Sheikha during his visit to Kuwait, acknowledging her significant benefactions to promoting yoga and fitness in the Gulf region. Their discussion emphasized strategies to spread yoga among the youth, pressing her part in strengthening India-Kuwait artistic ties.

The conferment of the Padma Shri award in January 2025 marked a major moment, as Sheikha Shaikha became the first Kuwaiti public figure to receive this honor. The award honored her exceptional service in promoting yoga and heartiness, emblematizing the heightening artistic connections between India and Kuwait.
A heritage of Wellness and Unity:
According to vamaindia.in, Sheikha Al-Sabah’s trip reflects a harmonious mix of tradition and invention. Through yoga, she has fostered physical well-being, spiritual growth, and cross-cultural understanding. Her trials continue to inspire individuals and communities with the universal values of peace, health, and concinnity.
Note This composition is grounded on available information up to April 2025.
