Fitness First to Host Annual Yogathon Challenge

Programme to Mobilise Community Support for Dubai Autism Center

Dubai-UAE: 17 September, 2013 – Fitness First Middle East, a Fitness First franchise owned and operated under licence by the Landmark Leisure and Hospitality Services Ltd, is set to host its annual charity challenge - the Yogathon - that seeks to raise awareness on the importance of healthy living while mobilising residents to support Dubai Autism Center (DAC).

Scheduled to take place on Friday, 20 September from 4pm to 7pm at the Burj Park, Dubai, Yogathon 2013 is open to members and non-members. Participants will be required to pay a registration fee of AED50, which will go to the Dubai Autism Center.

Designed as a fun and interactive activity for the entire family, the Yogathon will challenge members of the community to complete 108 sun salutations within three hours. The sun salutation, known as ‘surya namaskar' in Sanskrit, is a sequence of movements that relaxes the body, mind and breath rhythms for improved wellness.

Led by Fitness First's prominent yoga instructor, Pewee Sanchez, who holds over 20 years of experience, the session will also highlight a variety of yoga practices that promote holistic well-being. Additionally, a number of veteran yoga instructors from Fitness First will also participate in the unique yoga marathon.

Mark Botha, Group Operations and Marketing Head of Fitness First Middle East, said: “We are pleased to host yet another successful edition of Yogathon and collaborate with the Dubai Autism Center in its noble activity to support the development of autistic children. We are grateful towards the community in the UAE for its overwhelming support to our initiative and delighted that we can positively impact such a large number of individuals. We reiterate our commitment to hosting this event year after year.”

The Dubai Autism Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to catering to children with autism, a condition that causes speech impediments that hinder their social interaction.

For more details on the event, call 800-FITNESS (3486377), visit www.fitnessfirst-me.com or log in to our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/fitnessfirstme

The first 200 participants to arrive will receive a branded t-shirt from adidas.

With more than 52 clubs across the UAE offering state-of-the-art equipment, fully qualified personal trainers and the latest group exercise classes, Fitness First is dedicated to ‘making the world a fitter place'.