Coimbatore-based Isha Foundation has launched the 'Yoga for Stress Management and Holistic Wellness' programme in collaboration with the Southern Command of the Indian Army, on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day. The programme aims to bring holistic wellness to our soldiers who otherwise undergo a lot of stress under testing conditions, the foundation said in a statement.
Isha Hatha Yoga teachers will conduct a week-long free classical Hatha Yoga programme for over 10,000 serving soldiers in 23 locations in nine states under the Command.
“As soldiers you have done enough for your physical fitness and wellbeing, but to bring a different level of mental and energetic capability within you, yoga and the technologies for inner wellbeing can make a phenomenal difference. We’ve already taught this yogic processes for thousands of soldiers and other forces and also we have trained over 300 trainers within the forces, and now we want to offer this to Southern Command, which is an important part,” Isha founder Sadhguru said in a video message.
“In willingly committing their lives to protect and defend the Nation, our men and women in uniform are offering the highest commitment and the greatest service to the Nation,” Sadhguru later wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“A Privilege to offer Isha Classical Hatha Yoga to the Southern Command, Indian Army- this will bring a different level of mental and energetic capability within you & will make a phenomenal difference both in terms of how you perform & how you experience your life. Best Wishes & Blessings,” he added.
Inauguratig the ceremony, Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh, General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command, highlighted the importance of mental wellness in the Indian Army and how yoga can be used to ameliorate mental health issues prevalent in the society in general and Indian Army in particulars.
“With rising stress, suicides and marital discords, it’s very important that we connect back with our cultural and spiritual heritage. I am grateful to Sadhguru for helping us connect with our culture,” he said.
As part of the programme, Isha Hatha Yoga teachers will teach classical Hatha Yoga practices such as Surya Kriya, Angamardana, Nadi Shuddhi and Isha Kriya to the soldiers.
The first set of batches with thousands of Amy participants began on Tuesday in cities including - Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Jhansi, Secunderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru, among others, the foundation said.