Source: News Locale.

INDIA — Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss has indicated the Union government plans to make the practice of yoga compulsory in all schools and colleges in the country. Dr Ramadoss made this announcement at a seminar on “Disease control priorities in India”, which was organized by the D.G. Vaishnav College in Chennai.

The ancient Indian art of yoga is touted to have multiple benefits including reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Dr Ramadoss said yoga would help students stay healthy and also inculcate in them healthy lifestyle practices.

Yoga has many postures that are specific to each body part like the neck shoulder, arm, waist and even the abdomen. Pranayam or breathing exercises to regulate blood pressure and digestive processes are also available.

Students can definitely benefit from practicing these postures, but it remains to be seen if such programs will be welcome in the already burdened government schools. Furthermore, it is really debatable if schools can take up the program on an intense level. The practice of yoga requires special instructors and while there is not doubt it is a healthy practice, there are concerns whether the program is practically implementable in schools today.