BMC to begin yoga training in wards with a lukewarm response

by Web Desk | Published: 24 Jan 2023

To improve Mumbai residents' health, the civic organisation is adopting a number of actions. The opening of the HBT clinics and Shiv Yoga Kendras was announced in the budget for 2022–2023. On World Yoga Day, the yoga centres were launched throughout the city; as of now, 133 centres in 24 wards are operating and have trained 167 batches of city residents.

But in some wards, the reception has been muted. According to data, only 30% of beneficiaries have taken yoga classes at the yoga studios in D ward, which includes the Malabar Hill, Tardeo, and Grant Road regions, since June 2022. The low response in these places, according to senior officials, has a number of causes, including people from higher societies who could feel uncomfortable visiting a BMC yoga centre. All five of the area's yoga studios have been closed as a result of the underwhelming reaction.

Residents in D ward gave a variety of excuses for their absence, such as having to leave early for work or picking up their kids from school. A civic official stated that a session costs Rs. 4000 and requires at least 25–30 participants. "The centres opened their doors in June 2022. Because of the monsoons, initially, few people came forward, and three centres had to be closed within three months. The two remaining centres had to be closed as well after waiting another two months for anybody to enrol, the official added, explaining that this was necessary since the BMC was having trouble paying the instructors.

According to a senior official from the local Health Department, the majority of the population in these locations already participates in yoga sessions at establishments or gyms and lives in high-rise buildings. Since this is a first for the BMC and the project has been well embraced in other wards of the city, there is a need for sufficient awareness at yoga centres in the D ward. Meetings are currently taking place in order to reestablish these centres, he said.

Along with the D ward, the M-East ward, which includes places like Govandi, also sees a lack of participation from the populace. There is currently only one session running, and 28 persons are being trained. In addition, only a total of 238 people have shown up for the yoga sessions since June 2022. A senior ward officer claimed, "The response in this is low as much of it comprises slums."

"Over 12,000 citizens have benefited at these yoga centres, and we are anticipating numbers to climb in the coming days as the civic body is giving all the facilities for yoga free of charge," said BMC's executive health officer, Dr. Mangala Gomare. We are giving away a free space and an instructor. In case of a space shortage, we are also offering schools access to free space.

Image Courtesy: Twitter @bmcbbsr