< PreviousWellbeing 60 December 2021 timeoutriyadh.com A quiet place Clear your mind with these meditation classes, says Millie Milliken I t’s been a tough couple of years and for a lot of people, a chance to stop and reflect has also meant some well-deserved time to set aside for more holistic endeavours. Endeavours like meditation. A practice often used alongside yoga, meditation can come in many forms (mantra, movement, spiritual and more) and can incorporate breathing techniques, slow movement and an element of life coaching. Only recently have meditation classes been flourishing in Saudi Arabia, so here’s how you can get involved. Check out five of the top classes in the capital. “Just looking at the space makes us feel more zen...” Exhale Yoga Among the plethora of classes at Exhale Yoga (honestly, whatever you want they probably do it) is their meditation and pranayama yoga class. Prana means ‘vital life force’ and yama ‘to gain control’ in Sanskrit, and with prana being linked to breathing this is where the breath control is used in this form of yoga and meditation. According to the team at Exhale, “We believe that practicing yoga regularly greatly enhances a person’s physical, mental and spiritual health. This produces a powerful ripple effect, which radiates through the surrounding family, community, and workforce 60-61_TOR_003_ENGWELLBEING FEATURE_11856038.indd 6022/11/2021 16:46:31Wellbeing timeoutriyadh.com December 2021 61 the connection between beta waves and mind control, and discussing anxiety and how to manage stress control. With Lani’s experience as a life coach too, her classes are as empowering as they are meditative. Lani runs regular, weekly meditation sessions as well as one-off classes. O 6 December, 7.30pm. Healing tent, 3884 Al Abtal, At Taawun, meetup.com/inner-glow-with-lani (050 520 5730). Mindfulness Meditation A slightly less obvious choice for those looking to apply meditation to their everyday lives, but this Meditation 101 course is the ideal place to start for beginners who want to find out how meditation can change their lives for the better and be taken through an interactive session. This instructor-led course will show you how to apply the art of meditation in order to achieve personal growth – or so they say. By the end of the course you will understand the basics of meditation. On top of that, you will reduce stress, increase calmness, contentment and concentration, as you will also learn to focus your mind. O December 22-23. Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers (66 11 454 3300) To the Moon The Breathing Class with Dr Rasha is a hit. Set in the prettiest of studios that you’ll want to visit time and time again– think paired back interiors, neutral tones, natural furnishings, also known as the perfect setting to wind down. The founders say the studio was born out of a lack of places for people to learn about the benefits of doing such mindful pursuits and wanting to provide a space to discover the physical, psychological and intellectual benefits to yoga and meditation. To be honest, just looking at the space makes us feel a whole lot more zen. O Every Wednesday 8.45pm-9.30pm. King Abdullah District, studio-to-the-moon.sa (050 047 8699). Soul Warrior Studios If chanting mantras is your thing then the Kundalini Yoga class at Soul Warrior Studio is the one for you. If you don’t already know, Kundalini is a form of divine feminine energy found at the base of the spine and believed to be a power associated with the concept of the goddess. A mix of both spiritual and physical exercises, the class incorporates dynamic breathing techniques with meditation and chantras such as ‘sat num’ meaning ‘truth is my destiny’. Its other classes are a big more high-octane (winged aerial yoga, anyone?) but Soul Warriors is one of the most lauded spaces in Riyadh if you’re looking to combine personal, spiritual and physical growth. Booking is easy too, just WhatsApp the team and they’ll let you know timings. O p Prince Saud Ibn Abdullah Ibn Jalawi, soulwarriorstudio.com (053 314 6622). MEET THE BREATH GUY in ways that positively influence everyone.” O Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, exhaleyogasa.net (055 541 7550). Healing Tent Using techniques she learned from specialists in California, India and the O&O academy of Philosophy and Medication, Lani Monroy runs regular outdoor and tent meditation classes with a focus on women-only sessions. The concept of ‘inner glow’ focuses on deepening students’ awareness of themselves and their surroundings and Lani’s lessons include learning breathing techniques, discovering Who? Richie Bostock, who’s in Riyadh this December to help us all, well, breathe better by combining breathwork with meditation What can we expect from your class? A breathwork class is very simple. Think of it a bit like a yoga class but instead of doing any positions of poses, you just lie down and breathe to a sequence of different techniques. These techniques are designed to take your mind and body on a journey and provide you with physical, mental or emotional benefits. What are the main benefits? I define it as anytime you intentionally become aware of your breath and use it to improve your physical as well as mental health and emotional wellbeing. The way you breathe affects just about every system in your body, such as your cardiovascular system, endocrine system, digestive system, nervous system and immune system. Think of your breath as your body’s very own in-built Swiss army knife. When you know how to use it purposefully, you can reduce stress, increase energy and so on. Are there any sights you want to see? In my short time here so far, I have been most touched by the generosity and open-heartedness of the people in Saudi Arabia. I have felt so welcomed and I am grateful to be here. O December 15, 18. INTO Center, Riyadh, into.sa. To the Moon 60-61_TOR_003_ENGWELLBEING FEATURE_11856038.indd 6122/11/2021 16:46:4062 December 2021 timeoutriyadh.com Fashion Futures hits Riyadh this month. Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, explains what it’s all about Shopping timeoutriyadh.com/shopping L ondon. New York. Paris. Milan. The fashionable four have been creating scroll- stopping moments way before the Insta- glammers took to the FROW, and any fashion lover worth their weight in Chanel brocade would have suspected that the continued domination of these trendsetting hotspots was assured. But thanks to the arrival of a man with an ambitious plan to push Riyadh’s burgeoning fashion scene into the spotlight, we suspect that a shuffle of the fashion pack is underway. Burak Cakmak, a passionate advocate of sustainability and former dean of fashion at the Parsons School of Design in New York, is the man presiding over Fashion Futures Live, which opens in the Diplomatic Quarter on December 10. Building on the momentum created by the virtual event in June, this gathering of the industry’s top local talent ushers in stylish firsts for the kingdom: first hybrid virtual and physical fashion event; first museum-quality exhibition of local talent; and first swap shop. FASHIONING THE FUTURE 62-63_TOR_003_ENG_SHOPPING LEADER_11856028.indd 6222/11/2021 16:47:05timeoutriyadh.com December 2021 63 and tastes, from the traditional, couture and bridal to accessories, streetwear and jewellery”, explains Cakmak. “Our theme is Saudi heritage – its past, present and future – and we’re really challenging the designers to look inside themselves as creatives, to show us what makes them Saudi designers.” Each designer is crafting a unique, never-before-seen piece especially for the exhibition, so we can’t wait to see what the local talent has up their perfectly-tailored sleeves. And with eight days to take it all in, you can expect to be immersed in each designer’s story and inspirations in a way that is arguably less fleeting than a flash- bulb filled 15-minute runway show. Talking of her involvement in the exhibition, Riyadh-based designer Noura Sulaiman, whose refined silhouettes ooze sophistication, says, “I am surrounded by a wave of emerging fellow creatives like myself who are all eager to develop and evolve… I’d like to express my gratitude to the ministry for believing in its local talents and its mission to create a Saudi imprint in the fashion world.” The power of pre-loved While the exhibition is a visual feast and ramps up the fun factor, Fashion Futures Live is hosting a fashion swapping extravaganza at an as yet undisclosed location. “This is first time we are doing a swapping event in Saudi”, says Cakmak, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “We are inviting influencers, the public, designers – everybody will bring their key pieces and it will basically be one big fashion moment of styling, having fun, DJs and really engaging with fashion in a way that’s not about buying but really appreciating what we have.” While we can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to swap your kaftan for a piece of couture, the aim is to create a conversation about sustainability in an industry that has complex environmental questions to address. And Cakmak sees the swapping event – and the vintage fashion shop that will also be a part of the space – as the perfect way to engage people in the debate. “We don’t really have any local brands pushing for fast fashion. Everybody’s positioned somewhere in the middle or higher,” Cakmak adds. “It is a fashion-conscious place that appreciates quality and we want to create a culture around that. Hence why we’re putting all our effort into ensuring all our fashion events talk about sustainability, recycling, digital transformation and technology. It’s all part of this educational journey and we want the whole world engaging in the conversation.” Fashion mavens, this one’s for you. O December 10-11, The Fashion Futures Live Summit. December 11-18, Saudi 100 Brands Exhibition. December 11-12, Riyadh Swap Shop. fashionfutures.live. Fashion Futures “Everything is a first in the country in some ways”, muses Cakmak. “This is our first effort doing something that is partially public related to fashion and we intentionally chose to do something quite different.” Indeed, unlike events of old where you had to prove your fashion creds to get an invite, whether you’re engaging with the series of talks and workshop at the two-day Fashion Futures Live Summit – either in person at the Cultural Palace or virtually – or sashaying along to any one of the “fashion moments”, as Cakmak is dubbing them, everyone’s invited. Made in KSA Chief among such moments is the Saudi Brands 100 Exhibition, a curated museum experience showcasing the local designers selected for the Commission’s Saudi 100 Brands programme. “This is an opportunity to show the range of diverse voices that exist in the country as well as all the different styles Noura Sulaiman designs “Our theme is Saudi heritage – its past, present and future” 62-63_TOR_003_ENG_SHOPPING LEADER_11856028.indd 6323/11/2021 12:42:0264 December 2021 timeoutriyadh.com The Saudi designer shares her love of abayas and sustainable fashion goals with Aline Alkhoury WHILE MOST PEOPLE around the world just stay in the same career, what we love about Saudi is how there is a whole generation of people who have the confidence and ambition to mix things up. Take Nasiba Hafiz – she has always been creative but started out as a fashion photographer before becoming a designer. While she’s stayed in the same industry, it’s not the most obvious shift. (It’s not like we see Mario Testino launching his own line.) Here she chats about overcoming her fears, and creating a brand that fuses Middle Eastern traditions with modernity, while ensuring that she addresses the urgent issue of sustainability. The Saudi designer caught the fashion bug when she was young, inspired by her mother’s class and sophistication. “At the early age of nine, I realised I wanted to become a fashion designer,” she shares. Her passion for fashion first had an outlet when she worked in clothing stores during her summer breaks. She then headed to London to Central Saint Martins College, which boasts an alumni that reads like a who’s who of the fashion world: Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Christopher Kane, Stella McCartney and so on. While she managed to complete a foundation course at the college, she failed to make the cut onto the uber-competitive womenswear programme. So she studied fashion photography and styling and tailor-made a ten year career for herself in this area.“Getting rejected was quite discouraging. It held me back for a good decade. When I decided to go back to fashion design, I studied at London College of Fashion, Dubai, only to realise that I really did not need to wait all this time. I had it in me all along, and this was how I started my brand in 2012.” Almost ten years ago, Nasiba made the bold decision to take the plunge into fashion design. Since then, she has carved out a niche for herself by creating contemporary, stylish pieces. The designs are aimed at modern, open-minded women who are willing to embrace change. But she also has a wider BRAND SPOTLIGHT Nasiba Hafiz appeal, as her designs target women coming from abroad who do not have enough choices in the Saudi fashion market. The brand offers ready-to-wear items as well as designer abayas. “All Saudi brands at that time specialised in designing abayas,” she recalls. “My greatest inspiration is abayas, although I did not start by designing them. All of my fashion lines must have abaya designs. For me, it is the final, most beautiful cover-up piece that can work with any style.” According to Hafiz, abayas are the crown jewel of fashion, and the common thread in all of her collections. You’ll fall in love with the Love and Heart abayas, which are so popular they are available the entire year. One of the driving forces (and most important issues) for the brand is to design environmentally friendly clothes and minimise waste. The three core pillars that underline her work are sustainability, recycling and upcycling. For that reason, she uses extra fabrics to design new pieces or to make bags that can replace paper bags. “Once, we used Palestinian djellabas to design one of our collections, however, rather than asking tailors for special fabric for us, we bought what they had and wanted to sell off, and repurposed it,” she explains. Hafiz even used the ties that her late father used to collect, reworking them into new structures and pieces. With them, she launched a line of dresses and skirts. Nasiba also collaborates with charities. She bought Palestinian djellabas from SEP Jordan. She creates Love and Heart Abayas in collaboration with Namat, an organisation that teaches village women crafts. She is proud to be part of Al Oula, the first women’s charity association in Jeddah, and launched a collection that raises money to help families and children. Nasiba: a woman of many talents, and a brand with its eyes on a sustainable future. O nasibahafiz.com “The abaya is the most beautiful cover-up piece” 64-65_TOR_003_ENG_SHOPPING SPOTLIGHT_11856026.indd 6422/11/2021 16:47:39Shopping timeoutriyadh.com December 2021 65 Nasiba Hafiz Abaya collection Second-hand ties upcyled to create clothes 64-65_TOR_003_ENG_SHOPPING SPOTLIGHT_11856026.indd 6522/11/2021 16:47:4866 December 2021 timeoutriyadh.com Fun winter buys for the little people in your life Gifts BRILLIANT PRESENTS FOR LITTLE ONES (0-3-YEAR-OLDS) 1 The gamechanger gift: Ewan the Dream Sheep Award-winning Ewan is responsible for soothing thousands of young children to sleep (and saving the sleep-deprived sanity of just as many parents). Cute and cuddly to look at, the secret lies within with Ewan who emits a range of calming, low frequency noises which emulate the sounds babies hear in the womb. Comforted by the familiar, Ewan can send even the most restless of infants to the land of nod and also happens to double up as a lovely nightlight. Give a new parent the gift of sleep this winter and they will thank you for it, time and time again (the baba will love fluffy Ewan, too). O SAR142. mumzworld.com Family & Kids timeoutriyadh.com/kids xxxxxx Ewan the Dream Sheep for kids 66-69_TOR_003_ENG_FAMILY & KIDS LEADER_11856024.indd 6622/11/2021 16:48:10timeoutriyadh.com December 2021 67 2 The gift to repeat year after year: Seasonal pyjamas Purchasing super-soft and snuggly PJs for a tiny baby might initially give you more of a kick than them, but if you do so year after year it will become a sweet annual tradition that little ones look forward to. This is particularly true if the pyjamas in question feature a favourite film, TV show or character (Frozen, Paw Patrol, Sing – you know the drill). When it comes to cute and comfy kid’s nightwear, Marks & Spencer and Next know their stuff. O SAR120. marksandspencer.com/en-sa 3 The inexpensive but excellent gift: Dimpl Digits Fat Brain Toy Company’s rainbow- coloured, number and word-embossed version of the sensory toy that took 2021 by storm has been created with 2-5-year-olds in mind. Lightweight, safety-tested and easy to handle thanks to the studier than usual frame, the Dimpl Digit fidget toy might not look like much but you’ll be amazed at just how long it will keep a toddler amused (we’re talking enough time to drink a coffee while it’s still hot. And you can’t put a price on that). O SAR76, amazon.sa; SAR70, mumzworld.com GREAT GIFTS FOR 4-7-YEAR-OLDS 4 The educational, enduring and just generally excellent gift: Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100-Piece Set Magna-Tiles are that rare gem of a toy that utterly entrances children, stimulating imaginations, boosting dexterity and providing hour upon hour, year upon year, of screen-free, hands-on learning and entertainment. Infants will enjoy sorting the translucent 3D magnetic tiles into different shapes and colours, while for older children the sky is the limit when it comes to constructing complex buildings and plotting the architectural wonders of the future. O SAR546 amazon.sa; SAR849 saudi.desertcart.com 5 The ideal gift for a super-cool aunt or uncle to buy: Jumbo Slime Kit Kids adore making slime and revel in all its colourful, slippery, sticky, messy glory. Parents tend to be rather less keen for all the same reasons. Don’t let that put you off though. There are hundreds of different slime-making packs and products on the market but we found this 50-item strong kit to one of the best. Not only is it filled with everything children need to whip up batch after batch of all-bells-and-whistles DIY slime (think neon colours, glow-in-the-dark glitter, mini beads, ball, cutters, cups and more), the contents are eco-friendly and borax-free. O SAR88.06, mumzworld.com 6 The meaningful gift: Stories for Kids Who Dare to Be Different: True Tales of Amazing People Who Stood Up and Stood Out by Ben Brooks As inspiring books for kids go it doesn’t get much better than this compilation which celebrates the real-life achievements of a range of individuals, all of whom refused to conform to the norm and changed the world for the better as result. Not only does the book have a brilliant message at its core - challenging stereotypes, celebrating diversity and overcoming adversity - it’s also wonderfully engaging. In short, this is perfect reading fodder for little people feeling their way in the world. O SAR184.85 amazon.sa Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100-Piece Set Seasonal pyjamas 66-69_TOR_003_ENG_FAMILY & KIDS LEADER_11856024.indd 6722/11/2021 16:48:1968 December 2021 timeoutriyadh.com 7 The present that will grant you cool parent status: a blanket hoodie We have it on good authority (and by that we mean we’ve been told by several 8-and 10-years olds) that this winter season a blanket hoodie is the only acceptable loungewear to do said lounging in (so long slanket, see you later, onesie). For the unfamiliar, we are indeed talking about a garment that’s part oversized hoodie, part soft and snuggly blanket. Tweens do tend to favour getting cosy in a blanket hoodie with cute designs; seek out those with rainbows, cartoons, pizza slices, watermelon wedges and the like and you won’t go far wrong. O amazon.sa 8 The perfect gift for the fashion-forward: Tulip One-Step Tie Dye Kit You heard it here first (maybe): tie-dye clothing is back and its bolder, brighter and better than ever. The tween in your life is no doubt already aware of the trend and this fun gift will allow them to get in on the action. Available in an array of colour palettes ranging from statement neon to pretty pastels and everything in between, each packs contains five bottles of easy-to-use dye, protective gloves and those all-important rubber bands. Throw a few white t-shirts into the gift mix and the kids will have everything they need for a super-fun tie-dye party. O SAR87 amazon.sa THE EARLY TEENS (AKA THE HARDEST TO PLEASE) 10The gift they all want: Apple AirPods Pro Why you should buy it: This is the present of the moment and will make any music-loving, podcast-devouring teen smile. Admittedly the new and improved ear buds from Apple (an update on their 2019 model) don’t come cheap but boy, do they deliver. Sleek, stylish and wireless (of course), these little power pods are Bluetooth enabled, pair easily with other Apple devices, are sweat and water resistant and come with three different-sized tips for a customisable fit. What really sets them apart though is the wireless charging case (which delivers an impressive 24-hours of battery juice) and their fully immersive, active noise cancelling credentials. O SAR799, noon.com; SAR1,129, virginmegastore.sa 9 The best gift for budding young chefs: MasterChef Junior Cooking Essentials Set While they may have previously dabbled in baking, this is the perfect age for kids to really get stuck in and find their feet in the kitchen. This durable, child-safe set includes plenty to help them on their way: a sturdy chopping board, apron, mixing bowls, measuring cups, spatula and spoon, as well as recipe cards. If you know someone who is already a MasterChef fan and chomping at the bit to hone their knife skills, they’ll love this gift. Plus, as parents, it brings you one-step closer to having breakfast made for you… O SAR416 amazon.sa Tie-die kit Blanket hoodie Stories for kids 66-69_TOR_003_ENG_FAMILY & KIDS LEADER_11856024.indd 6823/11/2021 12:41:40timeoutriyadh.com December 2021 69 11The gift that should raise a smile: The Unofficial TikTok Cookbook by Valentina Mussi If in doubt when present buying for a teen, a gift with TikTok in the title is likely to serve you well. From the lockdown sensation that was Dalgona coffee to ever-so pretty garden focaccia, the pasta recipe that sent feta cheese sales soaring and the pancake cereal that made millions of TikTok fans mornings sweeter, this fun cookbook features all the quick and quirky recipes that have dominated social media platforms over the last 18-months or so. O SAR74, ubuy.com.sa 12The nostalgic gift: Kodak SMILE Instant Print Digital Camera While they might take hundreds of snaps on their smart phones, it’s unlikely your teen has many printed photos knocking about. This nifty device from Kodak will change all that, allowing users to shoot, edit (there are filters, of course) and print their photos instantly. Pocket-sized, available in a range of colours and featuring a trendy slide-open design, this is a brilliantly modern way to give Gen Zers a taste of the tactile thrill that comes with handling a physical photograph. O SAR623, saudi.whizzcart.com FAMILY FAVOURITE GIFTS THAT ALL AGES WILL ENJOY 13The gift that will make memories: A record player A record player for all the family to share is, though we say it ourselves, a genius gift. The perfect conversation-starter or evening focus point, a night spent sitting around the turntables with everyone picking their favourite records is family bonding gold. Lightweight, with a retro suitcase design both the GPO Attache Briefcase Style Three Speed Portable Record Player and the ByronStatics Vinyl Record Player provide an excellent, relatively budget-friendly introduction to the world of vinyl. O SAR463 ubuy.com.sa 14The gift with multu- generational appeal: Trivial Pursuit Family Edition Turn those smart phones off, cosy up and embrace some good old-fashioned fun with this family-friendly version of the classic boardgame. While the kids might initially be reticent, we guarantee that a few rounds in they’ll be fully focused on winning their next wedge, beating mum and dad and showing off their general knowledge at the same time. The Trivial Pursuit Family Edition has separate questions geared towards adults and children and is a deliberately quicker play than the original, making it a win-win in our eyes. O SAR404, en-sa.namshi.com 15The gift that keeps on giving: Gift Republic 100 Movies Scratch Off Bucket List Poster A simple poster this may be, but it will yield hours of entertainment, making memories that kids will remember for years to come at the same time. Offer this present up with the promise that from now on one evening a week will be movie night, then proceed to work your way through this list of films (in age-appropriate order of course). Scratch the movies off as you go and by the end you can congratulate yourself that your offspring are now well versed in the cinema classics. Pro tip: go big on the movie night snacks and this gift will be even more popular. O SAR77 en-sa.namshi.com Apple Air- Pods Pro A record player Kodak SMILE Instant Print Digital Camera 66-69_TOR_003_ENG_FAMILY & KIDS LEADER_11856024.indd 6922/11/2021 16:48:41Next >