At Siachen, a new high for yoga

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 21

International Yoga Day was celebrated by the Army’s Fire and Fury Corps today at Siachen Glacier, Leh, Kargil and other forward locations along the border.

Apart from giving an impetus to physical fitness, the event aimed to popularise yoga and spread awareness on its benefits among the soldiers.

Giving details, defence spokesperson SD Goswami said that the Army had incorporated yoga ‘asanas’ into the daily routine of the soldier in high altitude areas deployed in harsh climatic conditions. “Practice of yoga by soldiers in such environment helps them to combat various diseases such as high altitude sickness, hypoxia, pulmonary odema and psychological stress of isolation and fatigue. The respiratory adaptations of ‘pranayama’ help the soldiers to better adapt to the low oxygen environment in high altitude areas,” he said.

Goswami added, “A positive, well-relaxed and de-stressed body and mind is the most significant benefit of yoga which in turn assists the soldiers to operate successfully, in such a challenging environment. The yoga sessions at all locations were organised by trained instructors who explained and demonstrated the correct postures for various ‘asanas’ while explaining their benefits.