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Healing sans medicine
YOGA IS often associated with stimulating and physically challenging postures and, of course, breath control exercises. But, today, this attitude is changing and practitioners have added a deeper dimension to this intriguing Hindu philosophy. It is perceived as a new horizon for understanding the potential of the mind, increasing the power of concentration and as a panacea for several ailments.
Yoga is a form of drugless therapy that treats the origin of a disease and not the disease alone. Started in 1976, the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) aims to spread the message of the benefits of yoga among the masses. The KYM is a charitable trust, recognised by the Government of Tamil Nadu, with centres in India and abroad. Its activities include yoga studies and research, yoga therapy, health awareness programmes and teaching through regular publications.
Right from its inception, the KYM has held several social awareness programmes as part of its mission; it has addressed the needs of the underprivileged, economically backward women and children, mentally and physically challenged children and low income groups. Now a separate unit, KYM-Mitra, has been formed to address these issues, and also teach yoga to the under-privileged.
"It had been the general notion that yoga was for the rich.
There were even some who were not even aware of the beneficial effects of yoga. This explains the need for KYM-Mitra. The basic concept underlying the formation of this unit is to teach yoga to the mentally and physically challenged and to the underprivileged. We wanted to achieve this goal by undertaking projects both independently and in collaboration with other NGOs," says Anuradha Swami, assistant director, KYM-Mitra.
Some of the on-going projects of KYM-Mitra are — teaching yoga to the mentally-challenged and destitute women at the `Banyan', to the hearing impaired at the ability foundation, and to underprivileged girls, in collaboration with the Good Shepherd Society, a project for Arunodhaya, a centre for street and working children...
The funds for these projects? KYM-Mitra aims to mobilise resources by creating a large membership base comprising individuals, other yoga centres, corporates, and institutions. More information can be had about KYM-Mitra by visiting www.kym.org/mitra
PRASSANA SRINIVASAN
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