Govt mulls including yoga in school curriculum: CM

Kollam: With an aim of promoting the secular aspect of yoga, the Indian Martial Arts Academy and Yoga Study Centre (Chetana Yoga), an organization promoted by the CPM also observed the International Yoga Day on Tuesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the state level event at Kollam beach. Similar events were organized by the CPM district committees in other districts.
Pinarayi Vijayan, while addressing the gathering, said that the government would consider including yoga as part of school curriculum. He added that there had been a tendency in recent days to tag yoga to spirituality. "Yoga is an ancient exercise discipline and if someone tries to own it as part of their own religion, then the people outside that religion will not benefit from it. And if anyone avoids it thinking it as part of someone else's religion, then they also will miss the benefits. People should accept this discipline in a more secular way," said Pinarayi.
He also said that yoga practice would bring freshness to both body and mind. "Yoga is an exercise which would give strength and peace to the body and mind. In an age where we witness rise in the lifestyle diseases, practicing yoga can, to an extent, prevent all kinds of diseases," he said.
Around 600 trained people from various centres of the yoga centre took part in the programme where 24 trainers including 10 women demonstrated various 'asanas'. The demonstration also witnessed a large gathering of people from all walks of life.
Chetana yoga was launched in Kannur last year and was expanded to other areas of the state this year. CPM state secretariat member M V Govindan is in charge of Chetana yoga, which aims to promote yoga training among people irrespective of caste, religion and gender.
Kollam mayor V Rajendra Babu presided over the function which was also attended by fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma, MLA M Naushad, Kollam Bishop Stanley Roman and Chetana Yoga state coordinator E Rajiv.