According to District Jail Inspector Kusan Kumar Basnet, an hour of yoga every day will develop positive vibes among the inmates and improve their health both physically and mentality. [break]
"When we started noticing spontaneous acts of aggressiveness and irritation among the inmates, we realized that yoga would be the best cure for them and in a short span of time there were positive results," said Basnet.
"Yoga will help them cope with depression and repressed thoughts, built up their confidence level, and shape up for the remainder of their lives with hope and dreams," added Basnet.
Echoing these comments, member of the Yog Samiti, Hema Dhungana, spoke of the positive impact of yoga. "Mind becomes restless when our body stays inactive for long and in the case of the inmates this is a common problem. If they go for yoga regularly and take it seriously, they will derive huge benefit," said Dhungana.
At present, chief of Nuwakot district branch of Patanjali Yog Samiti, Jafardin Miya has been teaching yoga to the district jail inmates himself.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sanukaji Lamichane said that trainers for further classes will be selected from among the inmates now participating in yoga classes. The classes will run for 15 days, he said.
Jail inmate Sanukancha Tamang, who has been participating in the yoga classes, spoke of how the exercise has brought change in his mental and physical shape.
"A day without yoga now feels so incomplete and the regret lingers the whole day. This developed habit has offered me a new life and I feel lively every day," he said.
There are a total of 170 inmates in the district jail, including women, and 70 of the male inmates have been taking yoga classes regularly.
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