GPS introduces yoga to female prisoners, staff

A team led by Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr KJ Srinivasa on Tuesday facilitated a yoga programme at the New Amsterdam Prison, and several female inmates and officers participated therein.

The session was conducted by founder of the Namaste Yoga Studio, yoga teacher Agnela Patil, who skilfully led the participants through a series of postures and relaxation techniques.
During the exercise, the Indian High Commissioner stated that, given the benefits to one’s mental and physical well-being, efforts are being made to make yoga popular among the prison population.
“Yoga is the art and science of well-being, which is a traditional practice from India. Over the years, efforts have been made to share yoga with people globally, since it is good for not only your mental well-being, but also physical well-being. It helps also in your spiritual upliftment,” he said.

Acting Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, has related that in a society where we acknowledge the importance of human rights, the Prison Service has a duty to rehabilitate the people incarcerated, and expose inmates to a variety of programmes to effect positive change in their lives.
“The use of yoga in prisons is a promising tactic to help reduce recidivism rates and improve relationships within a prison environment. By helping prisoners to better deal with their restricted surroundings, heal from past traumas, recover from addiction, and increase their emotional intelligence, yoga can be a component in creating better outcomes both for the prisoners personally and for society as a whole,” Mr. Elliot has said.
The Officer in Charge of Prisoners’ Welfare and Corrections, Marielle Bristol Grant, participated in the exercise, and encouraged the inmates to take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them. She reiterated that she is committed to ensuring there is a programme to interest all of the inmates while working to meet and exceed the 1400-inmate target for 2022.
Elliot has expressed gratitude to the visiting team, adding that the GPS is looking forward to continued goodwill, friendship and cooperation with them.
The United Nations, in December 2014, proclaimed June 21 every year to be the International Day of Yoga. The concept of such a day was first proposed by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This year is the eighth International Day of Yoga.