Mumbai: From Asanas to A-sea-nas

Hrishi Yogendra

The Yoga Institute located at Santacruz East and the Directorate General of Shipping have collaborated for an initiative called ‘Sagar Mey Yog' translated as Yoga on the Seas. This coming together was cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at the recent Global Maritime India Summit 2023 at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The Institute spokesperson stated, "This signifies a new era in ‘seafarer' well-being." Seafarers refer to the Merchant Navy. Hrishi Yogendra, assistant director of the 105-year-old Institute, said, "We hope this will benefit over 2,60,000 seafarers at 165 maritime institutes spread across the country."

The challenges

Giving meaning to phrases like "emotional and physical well-being" and ushering in a new era, Yogendra said, "They have significant physical and mental challenges. Merchant Navy sailors are one of the key drivers of the economy. Even during the global COVID-induced slowdown, when the world had literally screeched to a halt, this section was at work, delivering supplies like medical kits. They connect the globe."

Hansaji Yogendra

Specific

Yogendra explained there are mental challenges too, which are part of any job, but certain are unique to seafaring and so the programme must take these aspects into account. Said the assistant director, "Our team is doing background research, talking to former and current seafarers, asking some to fill in questionnaires about specific challenges they face. We want to address these, in particular. There is, for instance, the fact that these persons spend a lot of time at sea, away from their families.

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Once they are back home on a break after three, six or even nine months, it takes adjustment even within the family. While this is a happy and looked forward to re-union, there are some stressors within, it is aspects like these that our programme will address. The Yoga Institute has under the guidance of Dr Hansaji Yogendra meticulously crafted a programme that encompasses tailored asanas, wellness techniques and breathing exercises. Yoga is not a one-size-fits-all programme.

It can be customised and personalised. With the research gleaned, we plan to do just that," he stated. Yogendra added that the programme will be ironed out in a month's time. He explained that some of the asanas to be taught and practised are, "Talasana and Parvatasana while attitude training will also be part of the module."

Faculty

The Institute plans to conduct these sessions at the institutes, "and we will have a train the trainer approach, where we will be training the faculty to teach, based of course on the parameters of the faculty. We will hold workshops and sessions to train them and they in turn can train seafarers at the academy. Our staffers though, will make periodic visits to these places." "We have embraced the responsibility of making our seafarers' lives better," said Dr Hansaji Yogendra, Institute director, and added that the collaboration is a "shared dedication to improving the quality of life for those who brave the seas to facilitate global trade".