To beat stress, Naidu and his team take to yoga

Taking a break from the routine, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, his ministerial colleagues, IAS, IPS, IFS and other officials undertook yoga and breathing exercises in a relaxed atmosphere on Thursday. It was the opening day of a three-day crash course on ‘ Ínner Engineering- for joyful living’, which was organised by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev of the Isha Foundation.

Interspersed by talks, Mr. Naidu and others were taught yogic postures. At the outset, Mr. Jaggi Vasudev made it clear to them that they were attending the course as human beings and there was no hierarchy of Chief Minister, Ministers, Chief Secretary and Secretaries. Anybody could sit anywhere. He told them that they have to take responsibility for whatever was happening around them.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Mr. Naidu turned a tad spiritual and spoke about the positive impact of yoga and meditation on thinking and approach. “We need spiritual classes to stay relaxed and learn to live happily.” He said this was the first time that a State government was trying to incorporate yoga and meditation into its schedule. Mr. Naidu expressed confidence that the three-day course would give officers a clarity of thought and enable them to deal with stressful situations in a calm manner.

Director of the AP State Skill Development Corporation Lakshminarayana termed the session “very good”. He said Jaggi Vasudev tried to define the relationship between body and mind and the kind of food taken by people.

Civil Supplies Minister Paritala Sunitha, who planned to attend only the opening day, was so impressed with the session that she decided to postpone her tour to Anantapur district and attend the course for the next two days.

With the Chief Minister, his Cabinet colleagues and top bureaucrats away, the AP Secretariat wore a deserted look.