When I was in the 8th grade, our school administration mandated that we all speak English within the school premises. A friend jokingly remarked, “Angrez gaye par Angreziyat rah gayi hai” (The colonialists have gone but the colonialism remains). We all laughed at the time, and like every fleeting moment of innocence that one, too, faded into the past.

Earlier today, someone in a WhatsApp group shared a news clipping from a leading English newspaper titled, “When Jaggi Vasudev’s daughter is married, why is he telling others to be hermit?” The headline left me stunned. I reread it, hoping it was merely a journalist’s creative liberty, but it wasn’t. Instantly, I recalled the remark, “Angreziyat rah gayi hai” Such uninformed and casual commentary from those entrusted with the duty of delivering justice is deeply concerning.

Let’s first understand the context in which the Hon’ble Judges made these remarks. One S Kamaraj filed a habeas corpus petition under Article 225 of the Constitution of India, seeking ‘an order or direction more particularly in the nature of a writ of habeas corpus directing the respondent to produce the corpus or body of the petitioner’s daughters, Geetha Kamaraj alias Maa Mathi, aged 42, and Latha Kamaraj alias Maa Maayu, aged 39, daughters of Dr. Kamaraj, who are held captive inside Isha Foundation, Coimbatore, before this court and set them at liberty.’

The Hon’ble High Court, during the adjudication of the matter, examined Maa Mathi and Maa Maayu, both of whom clearly stated that they had voluntarily taken Sanyas of their own free will. Yet, despite this, the Hon’ble Court, in its order dated 30.09.2024, stated:

“…In view of the serious nature of the allegations raised against the institution and the way and the manner in which the detenues have spoken before us, we could form an opinion that some more deliberations are required to understand the truth behind the allegations. Therefore, the petitioner shall produce the details of criminal cases registered against the institution and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor also shall collect all those case details and place before us for further consideration.”

What’s particularly intriguing here is that the petitioner, Mr. S Kamaraj, had earlier appeared in a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife, Mrs K Sathiajothi, in 2016, making similar allegations and seeking similar relief. In HCP No. 1656/2016 titled Mrs. K. Sathiajothi v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors, the Hon’ble Division Bench directed the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Coimbatore, to visit the Isha Yoga Centre, interact with the family, and file a detailed report. Following the judge’s visit and interaction, the Hon’ble High Court dismissed the petition on 12.08.2016. The relevant portion of that order reads:

“17. Having gone through the report of the learned Principal District Judge and having gone through the statements of Ms. Geetha Kamaraj and Ms. Latha Kamaraj, and having heard the statements of Dr. Kamaraj, the husband of the petitioner, and the learned counsel for the fifth respondent/Isha Foundation, and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the State, we are of the view that as of now, there is no material on record even to remotely infer that Ms. Geetha Kamaraj & Ms. Latha Kamaraj are illegally detained by the Isha Foundation. Prima facie, we are satisfied that the detenues are staying in the Isha Foundation on their own volition, following a path of Sanyasin which they like. Therefore, no relief as prayed for in this petition can be granted.

18. In the result, this Habeas Corpus Petition is dismissed…”

Despite the dismissal of a similar petition with the same prayers, the petitioner once again approached the Hon’ble High Court in the present matter. What concerns me is the lack of mindfulness in the remarks made by the Hon’ble Judges.

Regarding the legal framework for habeas corpus petitions, a three-judge bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, consisting of then Chief Justice Dipak Mishra, Justice AM Khanwilkar, and Justice DY Chandrachud, clarified the ambit of habeas corpus in the Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. & Ors case, commonly known as the Hadiya case. While the bench reached the same conclusion, Justice Chandrachud wrote a concurrent judgment on the issue. The key observations from the judgment authored by the Hon’ble CJI for himself and Justice Khanwilkar are as follows:

“The ambit of a habeas corpus petition is to trace an individual who is stated to be missing. Once the individual appears before the court and asserts that as a major, she or he is not under illegal confinement, which the court finds to be a free expression of will, that would conclude the exercise of the jurisdiction…

The schism between Hadiya and her father may be unfortunate. But it was no part of the jurisdiction of the High Court to decide what it considered to be a ‘just’ way of life or ‘correct’ course of living for Hadiya. She has absolute autonomy over her person. Hadiya appeared before the High Court and stated that she was not under illegal confinement. There was no warrant for the High Court to proceed further in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 226.

The purpose of the habeas corpus petition ended. It had to be closed as the earlier Bench had done. The High Court has entered into a domain which is alien to its jurisdiction in a habeas corpus petition…

The duty of the Court is to uphold the right and not to abridge the sphere of the right unless there is a valid authority of law.”

Justice Chandrachud, in his concurring judgment, added:

“1…. The High Court of Kerala has committed an error of jurisdiction. But what to my mind, is disconcerting, is the manner in which the liberty and dignity of a citizen have been subjected to judicial affront… The reason for this concurring judgment is that it is the duty of this Court, in the exercise of its constitutional functions, to formulate principles in order to ensure that the valued rights of citizens are not subjugated at the altar of a paternalistic social structure….

23. The High Court, in the present case, has treaded on an area which must be out of bounds for a constitutional court. The views of the High Court have encroached into a private space reserved for women and men in which neither law nor the judges can intrude. The High Court was of the view that at twenty four, Hadiya “is weak and vulnerable, capable of being exploited in many ways”. The High Court has lost sight of the fact that she is a major, capable of taking her own decisions and is entitled to the right recognised by the Constitution to lead her life exactly as she pleases….”

Thus, the legal position on habeas corpus is clear.  The Sanyasins appeared before the court and confirmed that they had taken Sanyas of their own free will. The matter should have been settled then and there. With the same issue already settled by the Hon’ble High Court in 2016, reopening it and subjecting two adult individuals—one aged 39 and the other 42—to further scrutiny is a clear violation of their constitutional rights. Do they not have the right to autonomy over their own lives? Is this not a repeat affront to their liberty and dignity at the hands of the judiciary?

What exactly is Sanyas? Can anyone force someone to take Sanyas? There are millions of people worldwide associated with Isha Yoga Centre, but are all of them Sanyasins? Certainly not. Only a select few have embraced the path of Sanyas, and they did so not because Sadhguru compelled them, but because Sanyas comes from within. Thousands of years ago, Prince Siddhartha renounced his kingdom and became a Sanyasi, known today as Gautam Buddha. Countless devotees of his have renounced worldly life, and many continue to do so each year. Similarly, Jain monks follow this path, with entire families—sometimes including minors—embracing Sanyas. In Hinduism, since time immemorial, people have taken up Sanyas, severing all worldly ties, sometimes even performing ‘Shradh’ for their living parents. Despite attempts by various foreign powers, from the Greeks to the British, to dismantle this institution of Sanyas, they all failed.

In independent India, many attempts have been made to discredit Gurus and Mathas, deterring people from associating with them. The attack on Sadhguru is just the latest in this ongoing effort. What’s troubling is the judiciary’s involvement. Are we now suggesting that courts must approve Sanyas? Sanyas often faces opposition from family members, and if courts start scrutinizing every case, it could undermine the institution and provide a tool for those seeking to erode our cultural heritage.

The unnecessary oral remarks by the Hon’ble Judges reveal how certain elements in our legal system still echo the approach of British judges before 1947. Much like how British judges, with little understanding of Indian culture and traditions, used to view matters through a Western lens, the oral observations made by the Hon’ble Judges regarding ‘Sanyas’ demonstrate that even after 75 years of independence, we continue to approach such issues with the same colonial mindset. While our country has attained sovereignty, ‘sovereignty of thought’ remains elusive.

This entire situation reveals the colonial mindset of some in the judiciary, who still view Dharma through the same lenses as the British did. It’s a complete disregard for our cultural heritage and traditions. What was once the “White Man’s Burden” seems to have transformed into the “Hon’ble Judges’ Burden.”

Shivam Raghuwanshi is an Advocate at Supreme Court of India and author of book ‘Ballot, Bullet and Blood’.

Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Hon’ble Judges’ Burden: Judicial Overreach And The Erosion Of Personal Liberty In Isha Sadhguru Case appeared first on The Commune.

The tranquil areas of Thondamuthur and Alandurai Poondi, renowned for their natural beauty and temples, have recently witnessed unsettling violence. Hindu Munnani State President, Gadeshwara C. Subramaniam, has urged the police to take immediate action against those responsible for the disturbances, specifically pointing fingers at the Dravidar Kazhagam and Naxal organizations.

In his statement he said,“Poondi, often referred to as Southern Kailash, has recently seen hooliganism from Dravidar Kazhagam and Naxals. Immediate police action is required to address the violence and apprehend the culprits. Thondamuthur and Alandurai Poondi in Coimbatore, known for their natural beauty and numerous temples, are home to the Isha Yoga Center at the foothills of the Velliangiri Hills. This center attracts millions of devotees from India and abroad, offering not only spiritual guidance but also education, shelter, and healthcare to the underprivileged through its Village Rejuvenation Mission.”

He also added, “The Dravidar Kazhagam and Communist organizations, allegedly driven by proselytizing forces, have been attempting to discredit the Isha organization, which has been operational for over 25 years. They have hidden elephant routes and staged unnecessary protests with false land acquisition claims, all of which Isha successfully refuted in court.”

He called out hooliganism of the DMK, “Recently, Isha Yoga Center installed an electric incinerator for tribal and rural use. Despite its compliance with regulations, Dravidar Kazhagam continued to oppose it and instigated a lawsuit in the High Court. The court ordered the Pollution Control Board to inspect the crematorium, and the case has been postponed to June 26. Anticipating a favorable verdict for Isha, members of Dravidar Kazhagam and Naxal groups, accompanied by out-of-town rowdies, invaded the Isha Yoga Center on 14 June 2024, at 4 pm under the guise of inspecting the crematorium. They injured two individuals who were later hospitalized.”

In his statement he stated, “Authorities must take stringent action against the perpetrators. The Coimbatore district administration and police should identify those undermining social peace for selfish reasons, particularly the Thanthai Dravidar Periyar Kazhagam. Organizations like Dravida Iyakkam Tamilar Peravai, Tamil Tigers Party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal, Tamil Nadu Dravidar Self-Respect Kazhagam, CPI ML Liberation, and Revolutionary Youth Front are spreading terrorism among rural youth and inciting them against the Isha Yoga Center. If appropriate action is not taken, Hindu Munnani plans to organize a massive demonstration involving the public and devotees.”

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Hindu Munnani Demands Crackdown On Hooliganism By Dravidar Kazhagam & Naxal Groups: State President Gadeshwara C. Subramaniam Releases Statement appeared first on The Commune.

Isha Yoga has taught Yoga to more than 2,000 prisoners in 73 prisons across Tamil Nadu in a single month. In April, Special yoga classes were conducted in prisons, including central jails in Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, Palayamkottai, and other Districts and Sub jails in the state. Both male and female prisoners participated enthusiastically in these classes.

Yoga teachers trained by Sadhguru visited the prisons and taught the inmates different Yoga practices, including- Uyir Nokkam, Upa Yoga, and Surya Shakti. Uyir Nokkam is a simple yet powerful yogic practice to make body, mind, emotions, energies, and the five elements within us, function for our well-being. Upa Yoga which essentially means “sub-yoga” or “pre-yoga” offers a powerful set of 10 practices that activates the joints, muscles, and energy system, bringing ease to the whole system. Surya Shakti, an active form of Sun Salutation, cultivates great physical fitness and strength.

Prisoners in India report high levels of stress and other health-related problems. Understanding this, Isha, in the past few years, has undertaken to teach special yoga classes in prisons to improve the physical and mental physical well-being of the jail inmates.

(This is an official press release from Isha Foundation. The Commune was not involved in creating this content.)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Isha Teaches Yoga To 2000 Prisoners In A Month appeared first on The Commune.

In order to improve the physical and mental well-being of prison inmates, special yoga classes were conducted by Isha for about 5,000 prison inmates across Tamil Nadu in the last 3 months. These classes were conducted in all Central, District jails, and sub-jails of Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Vellore, and Cuddalore.

​​​​​​Yoga teachers trained by Sadhguru visited the prisons and taught Yoga practices like ‘Life Purpose’, ‘Surya Shakti’, and ‘Upa Yoga’. By doing these practices daily, the inmates can get rid of stress and improve their physical health.

The impact of these classes was apparent in the startling experiences of the inmates. Sharing one such instance, an Isha Yoga teacher who took the class in prisons said, “When conducting yoga classes in Cuddalore prison, some 19-20-year-old youths joined the class on the first day against their will. However, after the 3rd day of class, their experiences were the opposite. They felt had they attended such a yoga class earlier, they would not have ended up in jail. They were glad to get the opportunity.”  

“This class will help us not to engage in any criminal activities again after we go out,” confided one of the inmates to the teacher.

The eagerness to fully received what was offered even made one of the inmates desire not to come out on bail. “I had applied for bail and all of these days I would be longing to get out on bail. However, after the first day of the class, I prayed to God to not get the bail before the end of the class. I did not get the bail as requested and now I am happy that I completed the 3-day class.”

Isha Foundation has been conducting Prison Programs in various prisons across Tamil Nadu for about 30 years since 1992. These life-transforming programs have touched the very core of the prisoners and have helped them bloom into their natural state of love, freedom, and joy – free from anger and hatred. So far around 40,000 inmates have benefited from these programs.

(This is an official press release from Isha Foundation. The Commune was not involved in creating this content.)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Isha Conducts Special Yoga Class For 5000 Jail Inmates appeared first on The Commune.

Responding to an observation on the rising number of Indian housewives committing suicide each year, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev Founder of Isha Foundation said that the trend “doesn’t bode well for society.” Sadhguru was referring to a post by Shamika Ravi, Director of Research at Brookings India who highlighted the phenomenon on Twitter.

#DidYouKnow Twice as many housewives commit suicides, as compared to farmers. #WhoWillSpeakForThem pic.twitter.com/tWzavVsIYE

— Prof. Shamika Ravi (@ShamikaRavi) December 11, 2020

“Twice as many housewives commit suicide as compared to farmers. Who will speak for them?” Ms. Ravi, who is a former member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, posted on her handle.

Sadhguru, who has spoken about the issue of people taking their own lives at several forums observed that “A Woman is the fulcrum of the family unit.” Sadhguru has often spoken about the need to create a gentler planet that allows the feminine to flourish. “Doesn’t bode well for society that women of the house are taking their own lives; will destabilize the foundations of society. Our Inner Wellbeing must become our priority- vital in ensuring the wellbeing of those around us,” Sadhguru wrote in his comment on Ms. Ravi’s post.

A #Woman is the fulcrum of the family unit. Doesn’t bode well for society that women of the house are taking their own lives; will destabilize the foundations of society. Our #InnerWellbeing must become our priority- vital in ensuring the wellbeing of those around us. –Sg https://t.co/Ht4H1mbLfn

— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) December 12, 2020

A 2018 report from India’s National Crime Records Bureau states that 63 housewives killed themselves every day that year. It is estimated that more than 20,000 housewives have killed themselves every year since 2001. This number is second only to the number of daily wage earners who killed themselves for various socioeconomic reasons including poverty, loss of livelihood and agrarian distress.

The post Doesn’t bode well for society, says Sadhguru, on rising number of housewives committing suicide appeared first on The Commune.

Cauvery Calling volunteers organized a plantation drive in Erode today in memory of Thiru. Nel Jayaraman who dedicated his life to the restoration of traditional paddy varieties and was a tireless supporter of Isha’s grassroots ecological initiatives. The event was inaugurated by Thiru. S. Nallasamy, President of Lower Bhavani Farmers’ Welfare Association (Irrigation Farmers Welfare Association). Around 3,500 saplings were planted on 12 acres of farmland belonging to Thiru. K.S. Rajeshwaran of Sivalingapuram village in Gulur Panchayat of Erode district.

Paying tribute to Thiru. Nel Jayaraman, Cauvery Calling Field Co-Coordinator [Tamil Nadu], Thiru. Tamilmaran said that Thiru. Nel Jayaraman had offered invaluable support to Isha’s ecological initiatives including Project GreenHands and Sadhguru’s river revitalization effort. Thiru. Jayaraman had raised and distributed 10,000 timber saplings to farmers free of cost in partnership with Project GreenHands. He said Thiru. Jayaraman had also supported the Rally For Rivers initiative on river revitalization. “We are planting these saplings today in his memory and in gratitude for his service to farmers for whom he toiled tirelessly,” said Thiru. Tamilmaran.

More than 100 people including youth, college students, Isha volunteers and members of voluntary organizations operating in Erode district, participated in the plantation drive.  Commercially valuable timber such as teak, blackberry, sandalwood and rosewood were planted on the farmland. The species will substantially enhance farmer income and have a significant ecological impact.

The plantation drive in Erode was part of ‘Maram Nada Virumbu’ platform launched by Cauvery Calling to involve the general public in sapling plantation. The platform offers first-hand experience in sapling selection and planting to the general public. The Erode drive was the second event after the initiative was launched last month. The first plantation drive was held in Karur district on 18 November.

Cauvery Calling is a movement launched by Sadhguru, Founder of Isha Foundation, to revitalize river Cauvery. It promotes tree based agriculture on private farmlands in the Cauvery basin. Its 12-year mission is to enable over 50 lakh farmers to plant 242 crore trees on their own farmlands in the river basin for economic gain. This will substantially increase farmer income by 3 to 8 times, enrich soil in the basin, improve water tables and augment Cauvery’s source flow levels.

The post Cauvery Calling pays tribute to Thiru. Nel Jayaraman with plantation drive in Erode appeared first on The Commune.

Globally, there is growing acceptance of the role of human consciousness in supporting the advancement of medical science. A new initiative by Harvard Medical School affiliate Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston has taken a bold step towards pushing the boundaries of medical science to explore how raising human consciousness can augment healing and recovery.

BIDMC’s Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine has established the Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet with the objective of improving the health of patients and the broader community through scientific research in three connected areas of Consciousness, Cognition and Compassion. BIDMC’s mission is to teach technologies for inner wellbeing and raise every human being to the peak of their potential. Using scientific tools, the Center’s research and ongoing clinical studies are focused on establishing the relationship between meditative practices and physiological changes. The initiative is part of Sadhguru’s mission to establish global platforms that will raise individual human consciousness to accelerate the journey towards creating a Conscious Planet.

“This unique center will use a scientific approach to integrate medical and contemplative sciences, help identify methods to improve and enhance the physical and mental health of our patients, providers and community,” said Bala Subramaniam, MD, MPH, Director of Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet.

Harvard Medical School affiliate Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has established the “Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet”  to explore how Consciousness, Cognition and Compassion can be harnessed to augment healing. We’re delighted and excited to associate with the Center, Isha Foundation tweeted.

#HarvardMedicalSchool affiliate Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has established the "Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet" to explore how #Consciousness, #Cognition & #Compassion can be harnessed to augment healing. We’re delighted & excited to associate with the Center. https://t.co/rB4tSV7GZc

— Isha Foundation (@ishafoundation) November 25, 2020

The Center’s research will focus on (1) expanding the understanding of human consciousness, cognition, and compassion; (2) creating medical and contemplative interventions to reduce cognitive decline and accelerate recovery after surgery and critical illness; (3) using meditation techniques to enhance well-being; (4) promoting collaboration across other disciplines, and (5) educating the community about best practices.

The Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet will bring together scientific investigators, experienced meditators, experts in the fields of medicine, contemplative sciences and others in exploratory research in this field. Based on their findings, the Center aims to develop education programs for health care workers, patients and the public about the role of meditative techniques and to improve cognition and wellbeing.

The post Harvard Medical School affiliate establishes “Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet” in US appeared first on The Commune.

The Cauvery Calling team is organizing a statewide drive for the general public to participate in sapling plantation on private farmlands across the Cauvery river basin in Tamil Nadu. ‘Nurturing the Desire to Plant a Tree’ is a platform for eco enthusiasts who don’t own land and don’t know where and how to plant saplings but wish to do so. The sapling plantation drive will be held at a different location each month. The first event will be held at Thotiyapatti village in Karur district on Wednesday, 18 November 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Representatives from Isha Agroforestry visit the farms and evaluate the quality of the soil and water. They then recommend suitable saplings for plantation. Saplings are finalized for plantation by farmers. The initiative achieves several objectives: it involves the community in plantation activity and gives them first-hand experience of working on a farm; it generates curiosity and interest in farming among the general population and brings the community closer to the farmer; it ensures high sapling survival rate as they are on farmlands where they will be cared for.

There are 30 Isha nurseries in Tamil Nadu that produce 100% naturally grown saplings. The saplings are available to farmers at a nominal cost.

Cauvery Calling is a movement launched by Sadhguru, Founder-Isha Foundation, in an effort to revitalize river Cauvery. It promotes tree based agriculture on private farmlands in the Cauvery basin. Its 12-year mission is to enable over 5 million farmers to plant 2.42 billion trees on their own farmlands in the river basin for economic gain. This will substantially increase farmer income by 3 to 8 times, enrich soil in the basin, improve water tables and augment Cauvery’s source flow levels.

Those who are interested in participating can register for the event by calling 94437 19705.

The post Cauvery Calling to organize statewide drive for sapling plantation appeared first on The Commune.

Continuing Isha Foundation’s ongoing commitment to bring wellbeing to prisoners, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev interacted with inmates of prisons across Tamil Nadu in a one-hour live session on November 9. The interaction was organized by Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh, DGP, Tamil Nadu Prison Department.

Sadhguru spoke about icons like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela who used their prison terms for inner transformation and made lasting contributions to humanity. Stressing on the futility of resisting the inevitable, Sadhguru said that prisoners must work towards creating a joyful state within themselves regardless of external circumstances. For this, one must understand the basics of the mind, said Sadhguru. “Whatever you say you don’t want, will happen in your mind. Do not decide what you don’t want. Decide what you want,” he urged his listeners and demonstrated the mechanics of the mind by involving them in a short experiment.

“For the next 10 seconds, do not think of monkeys. Give it a try. Can you do it? Your mind is full of monkeys, isn’t it? Your mind is not doing what you want it to do. If you say, ’I don’t want monkeys,’ it will think only of monkeys.”  Isha’s Yogic practices are designed to bring inner balance and harmony and gain mastery over body, mind, emotions and energy.

Sadhguru answered several questions from the prisoners mostly related to mental wellbeing and dealing with crippling negative emotions such as fear, loneliness, guilt, shame and anger. Sadhguru encouraged daily practice of Isha Kriya and other modules that will help them recover from psychological trauma.

In response to the DGP’s question on how to make it easier for prisoners to find employment once they complete their term, Sadhguru suggested speaking with industry leaders to introduce a process that would make it easier for former inmates to find mainstream

In a Deepavali message to prisoners, Sadhguru said “You are not with your family.  But, I am with you. There is always a place in my heart for you. Make good use of the time you spend in prison,” he said adding, “No one can fix what happened yesterday but we can create what needs to happen tomorrow.”

Isha trained Yoga teachers conducted online Yoga sessions for a total of 8165 male prisoners, 3453 female prisoners and 3971 prison staff during the pandemic. The sessions were held at the request of the State Prison Department.  Isha has been conducting Yoga sessions, specially designed by Sadhguru for prisoners, for over two decades in Tamil Nadu prisons.

The post “There is always a place in my heart for you” Sadhguru tells inmates of TN prisons appeared first on The Commune.

With the COVID19 pandemic restricting people’s movement, Isha Foundation offered Yoga sessions for inmates in central prisons across Tamil Nadu through online mode.

The sessions were conducted in central prisons in Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Vellore, Salem, Cuddalore, Palayankottai and in special prisons for women in July, August and September. 8,165 men and 3,453 women inmates as well as 3,018 men and 953 women prison workers participated, taking the total attendance to 15,589.

The practices included ‘Simha Kriya’ to increase their lung capacity and overall immunity; and ‘Isha Kriya’ and ‘Yoga Namaskar’ for physical and mental wellbeing and to bring a sense of balance in their system.

As per the government’s guidelines, proper protocols were followed to ensure social distancing. The participants were split into groups for their sessions.

Isha Foundation has been offering Yoga, free of cost, to prisoners in the state of Tamil Nadu for the last 20 years.

The post Isha Foundation offers Yoga to 11,600 prisoners appeared first on The Commune.