YOGA DURING COVID TIMES 

A Report on Novel Initiatives by the CYTER of SBV

Current scenario across the globe: The COVID19 invasion of the whole world has brought with it a great deal of stress for each and every individ­ual on this planet. The pandemic is advancing at a staggering pace and this “invisible enemy” has affected each and every individual with fear and threat of danger and uncertainty.

‘Yogic Self Care’ by CYTER: During the time of the lockdown worldwide, there is increased mental stress, emotional volatility and lack of physical ex­ercise that leaves people feeling increasingly dis­empowered. To overcome this, the Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research (CYTER) of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV), Deemed to be Univer­sity in Pondicherry has launched a series of online sessions of “YOGIC SELF CARE” since April 2020. The sessions are being shared through the FB page of CYTER designated for the same www.facebook.com/yogicselfcare.

These pioneering initiatives to help our society during this COVID-19 pandemic has been appreciated and supported by the Ministry of AYUSH by mention in its social media. People of all age groups have partici­pated, benefitted and enjoyed these sessions conducted by qualified faculty and staff of CYTER as well as na­tionally and internationally renowned Yoga personnel enabling them to win over this disease.

Yoga for the welfare of SBV employees: The em­ployees of SBV are under tremendous stress due to direct exposure to the COVID-19. A joint survey is being conducted by CYTER along with the depart­ment of Psychiatry of MGMCRI to understand their level of stress and as a solution CYTER is offering direct and online yoga sessions for the welfare of the SBV employees.
The training programs have been organised by the Personnel Department of SBV, focusing on health is­sues of SBV employees during Covid. Yoga sessions are being scheduled and conducted on Wednesday afternoons by CYTER since the 23rd of September 2020, with batches having limited participants and strictly following social distancing and hygiene norms as stipulated by the health authorities and the Govern­ment. There has been a reduction of 48% in anxiety levels of the participants even after a single session of such yoga based stress management and relaxation at CYTER.

This program was inaugurated by the Personal Man­ager, Sri Balamugundan and senior members (As­sistant Personal Manager Mrs Nisha, Housekeeping Manager Mr Nandha Kumar) participated along with the others. Yogic techniques such as Jathis & Kriyas, simplified asanas along with Pranayama and relax­ation practices are being given during these sessions.
COVID Home Care packages are being offered for the COVID patients quarantined at home through SBV’s “E- Healthcare Services” through which con­sultations and Yoga sessions will be offered to enable them regain their health and wholistic wellness from home.
Yoga in COVID wards: CYTER of SBV, function­ing at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Re­search Institute (MGMCRI) of Pondicherry is the first one of its kind to start and sustain regular Yoga training for the COVID positive patients admitted to the hospital, as it would add to the recovery and overall wellbeing of the patients.

The Yoga Instructors of CYTER Sri Danushap­nadeesh P and Mrs Sarulatha G underwent Don­ning Doffing of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit training sessions and virtual ward orienta­tion sessions before starting the Yoga training ses­sions to the patients admitted in the COVID wards of MGMCRI.

Regular Yoga practice sessions are going on in the COVID wards from the September 7, 2020. An hour of simplified Yoga techniques is being given during the training sessions that are conducted four days a week. Both the Yoga instructors are conducting the training with a sense of devoted commitment and full zest. The same is reflected upon by the CO­VID ward patients who willingly and enthusiasti­cally participate with involvement in these lively sessions that will add up to their speedy recovery and healing.

On an average 35 to 40 COVID patients partici­pate in the Yoga training every day summing up to around 400 plus patients having been benefit­ted immensely till date. As evidenced by the sci­entific studies, practice of Yoga addresses and enhances the physical, mental and emotional di­mensions of health and wellness. We truly appre­ciate the sincerity, boldness and the Yogic spirits of both our Yoga instructors who are serving these pa­tients admitted to the COVID wards of MGMCRI.

Positive feedback has been received from both the patients as well as their families who have appreciat­ed this novel approach for health and wellness. Many of them have also been in contact with our team after going home and have reported that they are continu­ing the practices. They have especially found benefits in the oxygen saturation levels and a general sense of empowered wellness.

We need to refocus on our own salutogenesis (Sw­astha), our own inherent capacity and ability to be re­sponsible for our health and happiness. Yoga empow­ers us, and enables us to take charge of our own life, thus promoting holistic health for each and every one of us. If only we can fine-tune our chords of health and hope, world will certainly witness the success of a healthy and happy humanity earlier than later.

Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani

( Editor-in-Chief )