Jail Inmates in Kathua Jail Learn The Art of Living under Prison Smart Program
Kathua, 13 April, 2021: The Art of Living, with the support of Kathua District Jail authorities, successfully conducted a 7-day Prison Smart Program for 30 inmates that featured deep breathing techniques, powerful meditations, yoga, interactive and life transforming knowledge sessions with senior Art of Living trainers, Shri Bhagwati Prasad and Dr Nitin Sharma DTC Art of living Kathua Chapter, JnK
“The end of these seven days program is a beginning of change in the lives of these participants,” said jail superintendent, Smt. Rajni Sehgal SSP, “The program will open doors to understanding the essence of life. We will organize the intermediate programs of The Art of living too. And I hope one day we will have an Art of Living teacher from among the inmates.”
Prison Smart Program is a popular stress-relief and rehabilitation program designed to transform the lives of people working in or incarcerated within the criminal justice system. The program helps them relieve stress, sleep better, heal traumas, gather a holistic and positive understanding of life, let go of the disturbing past, provides practical knowledge of how to handle negative emotions in order to live to one’s highest potential and contribute to society in a positive way, Ajay Kapoor State Coordinator Art of living Bureau of Communications and DDC elaborated.
The inmates reported feeling happier and mentally refreshed at the end of the seven day program. “When we do the Sudarshan Kriya (breathing technique taught in The Art of Living), it feels like we are in another world full of happiness and joy,” said one of the inmates, Sajil (name changed). Yet another inmate, A Sharma added, “The stress is gone from my mind and the mind is very fresh all the time.”
Appreciating the long standing association of The Art of Living with prison rehabilitation initiatives, Ms Sehgal further added that “Inmates when they enter the jail they feel that life has ended. So there is lot of negativity, stress and tension. Prison Smart has helped remove this stress, while the meditations and breathing techniques help to let go of the negativity, to start living life anew. I am thankful to The Art of Living for taking the program in these tough times. Now you see every morning there is a smile on every face.” She also thanked Volunteers and DDC members of the art of living who selflessly worked for this workshop.
