Yoga Sagar

SR No.: 014011
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Paramhamsa Satyananda
Publisher: Bihar School of Yoga Munger
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 436
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 24 MB

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In 1982, we had an All-India Yoga Convention in Thane where Paramahamsa Satyananda was present. He presided over the function for all the four days. With the permission of the Government of Maharashtra, we took the prisoner yogis from the jail and they presented the demonstrations for the delegates. On one slide from that convention you can see, on the dais, Paramahamsa Satyananda, Dr. Gharote, ex-principal of the Yoga College of Lonavala, and myself. At the extreme left of the slide is a prisoner who was undergoing life imprisonment for committing four murders and who stood first in the yoga teachers examination, securing 87% of the marks.
Now, what were the effects of the training? On the physical level they were increased flexibility, many diseases were eradicated, digestion improved and the prisoners started getting sound sleep. On the psychological level, on the mental level, anger decreased, feelings of tranquility and wellbeing were noticed, feelings of revenge were totally eliminated. On the social level, what happened? There was an improvement in interpersonal relationships among their own group and also with the jail authorities. Now, you will ask me, what is the proof of this? These observations are based on: 1. Letters received from the convicts. I have received so
many letters and I am still receiving them. 2. Reports from the press and public. We took the press
people inside the jail. 3. Reports of the jail authorities. 4. Personal accounts of the yoga teachers who taught the
convicts. 5. Television films. We took the television crew inside the
prison. The entire project "Yoga for Jail Inmates" proved extremely useful in converting the prison from a house of punishment into a true reformatory center. We affirm that the motive behind the project was neither to glorify the criminals nor condone their crimes, but to transform their personalities through yogic practices. Because of the transformation which took place in these prisoners, we humbly recommend that all the prisons should become real reformatory centers by training the prisoners in yogic practices. Therefore, we coined the slogan: "No yoga, no peace. Know yoga, know peace.” And one more thing which I want to add is, “Now yoga, now peace.”
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