Karnal, June 6: District Ayurveda Officer Dr. Satpal stated that, in observance of the 12th International Yoga Day (2026) and following the directives of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, various yoga programs and camps are being organized on a large scale across all blocks of the district. As part of this initiative, a yoga protocol training campaign was conducted at the District Jail on Saturday.
Dr. Amit Punj, a Yoga Expert with the AYUSH Department, Karnal, and Nodal Officer for the Haryana Yoga Commission, informed that a special 21-day yoga camp is being held at the District Jail, Karnal, from June 1 to June 21 to keep inmates mentally and physically healthy. This camp is being organized under the guidance of Jail Superintendent Lakhbir Singh Brar and the supervision of DSP Surendra, DSP Dharmchand Nain, and DSP Neelam. Today, under the supervision of Dr. Amit Punj, yoga instructors Munna Kumar and Kanta imparted training on the International Yoga Protocol, with 495 inmates enthusiastically participating in the yoga practice.
Dr. Amit emphasized that regular yoga practice is crucial for stress relief among inmates. In prisons, yoga serves not merely as physical exercise but as the simplest and most effective medium for the mental improvement and rehabilitation of prisoners. He explained that amidst the isolation of prison life, *pranayama* techniques like *Anulom-Vilom* and *Bhramari* help reduce mental stress and calm the mind. Regular meditation alleviates irritability, enabling inmates to gain control over their anger and violent thoughts. He noted that prisoners often slip into deep depression due to past mistakes and anxiety about the future; yoga inspires them to improve their lives by fostering positive thinking.
Achieving mental peace allows inmates to enjoy deep, restful sleep even within the prison environment, which in turn improves their physical health. He stated that 34 AYUSH Yoga Assistants and 22 Yoga Instructors (totaling 56 AYUSH yoga trainers) working under the AYUSH Department in Karnal have taken charge at the rural level. They are continuously providing training based on the International Yoga Protocol at yoga gymnasiums and government Ayurvedic dispensaries across 90 villages in the district, generating great enthusiasm in rural areas.
Dr. Amit Punj mentioned that, in addition to the AYUSH Department's rural centers, yoga protocol classes are now being conducted daily at a total of 272 locations (182 institutional + 90 AYUSH yoga gymnasiums and AYUSH centers) with the cooperation of various active yoga organizations in the district. He detailed the classes being run at both institutional and departmental levels: 150 classes by Patanjali Yoga Samiti, 56 by AYUSH centers, 34 by AYUSH yoga gymnasiums, 20 by 'Mera Mission Swasth Bharat', eight by Bharatiya Yoga Sansthan, and one each by Karan Yoga Sansthan, 'Hamara Mission Swasth Bharat', Heartfulness Institute, and Divya Yoga Mandir. Through these 272 centers, more than 7,000 yoga practitioners in the district are regularly practicing yoga and reaping health benefits.
Providing information about upcoming events, Block In-charge Dr. Nitin Rohilla stated that special yoga training programs would be organized on June 7 in Sector-6 and Sector-12 under the Haryana Urban Development Authority. In these programs, yoga assistants and instructors from the AYUSH Department will provide yoga training to the general public.