Muslims in Pakistan have always objected to Yoga as they allege it has a base in Hinduism. I am surprised it is practiced in Dubai. Hope someone does not issue a Fatwa against Dubai Police…
Yoga offers peace of mind for prisoners
By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Police_and_The_Courts/10017301.html
Dubai: Dubai Police are training prison inmates on yoga to relieve them of stress and help them view the world as a better place.
Police authorities organised a 10-day yoga training session for 39 inmates chosen randomly. Drug addicts, inmates with chronic psychological disorders and those with insomnia were given special focus. Lieutenant Colonel Tariq Kalanter, Managing Director of Central Jail, said this is the first time such training has been given to prison inmates in the Arab world.
The training session Art of Living started on January 24 and was conducted in association with the Art of Living Foundation. “We wanted to train inmates to reduce their stress and help them learn to think positively to solve their problems,” said Osama Al Mousa, a psychiatrist at Dubai Men’s prison.
"He said the training was initiated in line with the belief of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said: “Human beings before the place”.
Inmates did physical exercises and learnt breathing techniques to manage their emotions and minds three hours daily. “Earlier, some inmates used to approach me for medicines to relieve their stress. But now I do not see them anymore,” Al Mousa said.
“It was a life-transforming experience for the inmates,” said C.N. Sri Krishna, who conducted the session. “Their attitudes have changed from ‘I hate myself’ to ‘I love myself’.”
The foundation is also in talks with Dubai Police and the Roads and Transports Authority to conduct stress elimination sessions for heavy vehicle drivers, he said.