Mumbai, Maharashtra, Mumbai Police Commissioner D. Sivanandan graced the 91st anniversary celebrations of the Yoga Institute, Santacruz, which is the oldest organized centre in the world. While visiting the Yoga-Health exhibition during the International Yoga Week at the Institute, the Police Commissioner advocated the need for stress management Yoga workshops for the police. Senior police officials including ACP Sadanand Datey, who are regularly doing Yoga post 26/11 terrorist attacks, were also present on the occasion.

The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, the oldest organized Yoga centre in the world, enters its 92nd year by organizing the International Yoga Week, Yoga and Health Exhibition (Exhibition - Entry Free: 9 am to 7 pm) till Sunday, December 27, 2009. The registered non-commercial non-profit society recognized by the Government as a Training, Research and Cultural institute, has organized for the first time, a Food Court serving Sattvic refreshments and stalls with Yoga Games for children encouraging them to learn Yoga in a fun way. Families of the policemen also attended the stalls.

As part of the International Yoga Week, The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, is organizing special Stress Management programmes (Full day 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, December 26, 2009, and Sunday December 27, 2009); Blood Pressure, Heart Care and Diabetes Management (Full day 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday December 27, 2009).

For the Mumbai police, The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, has been conducting special six-day (mornings) workshops on Lifestyle and Stress Management in the post 26/11 terrorist strike era. It has been helping the Police to cope up with the stress of dealing with crime and terrorism

Announcing the novel initiatives for the new year, Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva, Director, The Yoga Institute, said, "For 91 years, the Institute has been silently and sincerely committed to promote the purest and simplest form of Yoga to address problems of modern life and society. Through a scientific approach to Yoga, our emphasis is to empower the householder and family members to lead a stress-free, balanced and meaningful life. In this age of multiple brands of Yoga providing instant cures or spiritual evolution, we have remained steadfast in preserving and promoting the ideas of classical Yoga, which has been perfected in this country over the centuries."

Talking about the stress management workshop for the police, Smt. Hansaji said, "The Yoga Institute will help the police to deploy the power of Yoga to deal with stress. The police need to mental, spiritual and emotional strength in addition to physical fitness and modern arms. As part of its Yoga for the Householder movement will, the Institute will empower the police to lead a positive, stress-free, balanced and meaningful life in these turbulent and uncertain times."

Smt. Hansaji added, "The Yoga Institute is truly unique because it is a non-commercial and non-profit institution, which simplifies traditional Yoga practices and makes them part and parcel of people daily lives so as to induce a healthy and balanced way of life. Our time-tested proven way is to blend classical Yoga, modern medical findings, positive attitude and breathing rhythm to bring about a holistic change in a person lifestyle. And we believe that every stressed individual should realize that Work is Worship and Treatment too!"

The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, has started conducting a comprehensive Teachers Training course for the National Project for Introducing Yoga in Schools. It has formulated an experience-based Teachers Training courses for teachers from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Special customized workshops for educational institutions and corporates are also being organized regularly.

Several programmes conducted include Introduction, Video screening & Discussion on Stress Management, Training on Practices-Posture & Techniques (Asanas, Pranayamas & Kriyas), The Art of Relaxation, Attitude Training, Dialogue (Parisamvada) with Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra & Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva (Director), Recreation/games for reducing stress and Personal guidance/feedback.

Notes to Editor

About The Yoga Institute

Located in an acre of lush greenery, the Institute is an oasis of peace in the middle of the hustle-bustle of Mumbai city. The simplicity, sincerity and non commercial angle of the Institute draws many people from across the world and today more than a thousand people come to the Institute daily. The courses offered here include Health camps for several health conditions like cardiac problems and hypertension, respiratory problems, diabetes, orthopaedic conditions and stress related problems, etc. The Institute caters to people from the womb to the tomb as the courses offer guidance for harmony in marital life, pregnancy ante natal and post natal classes are held, as are children classes, including some for teenagers and then right into adult life. Some personal growth workshops foster on the concepts of self development, concentration, relaxation, mind and memory Training. These topics are based on the Samkhya principles of the Bhavas or attitudes, which have to be inculcated for a healthy state. Many find succour, guidance and help at the Institute, while others find their experiences as life changing at this Institute founded in 1918.