The AYUSH Ministry has asked business chambers and other corporate bodies to make a 30-minute yoga break mandatory for their employees.

Yoga break could become part of office schedules of organisations, if India Inc. accepts a suggestion by the government.

Highlighting the benefits of yoga in lowering stress, Ministry of AYUSH has suggested corporate houses to encourage the physical exercise regime.



Corporate Yoga

To begin with, the ministry has requested participation of the corporate world on Yoga Day on June 21. Along with the invitation, the government has asked the business chambers and other corporate bodies to make a 30-minute yoga break mandatory for their employees.

"We have invited all corporate houses to participate in Yoga Day this year because employees in the corporate sector face a lot of stress. It will be a good opportunity for them to release their stress with yoga. Also, we have written to corporate bodies like the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for releasing a circular in corporate offices associated with them to include a 30-minute mandatory yoga programme for their employees," said Anil Kumar Ganeriwala, Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH.

"AYUSH ministry is ready to provide with all the necessary help to the corporate sector as and when required. We have realised that employees working in the private sector are very stressed, especially in metropolitan cities. They are always under pressure be it because of their long working hours, sitting postures or travelling time. They need to be rejuvenated and yoga can be the answer for them," he said.



Work Related Stress

In India, software industry has become one of the fastest growing sectors employing lakhs of people. According to doctors, there is high volume of medical complaints coming from these employees, including depression, eye and neck pain, and work related stress due to tight deadlines.

As per the common yoga protocol of the AYUSH ministry, medical research in recent years has uncovered many physical and mental benefits that Yoga offers, corroborating the experiences of millions of practitioners. A small sampling of research shows that yoga is beneficial in reducing depression, fatigue, anxiety disorders and stress. It helps in the management of diabetes, respiratory disorders, hypertension, hypotension and many lifestyle related disorders. Yoga helps for physical fitness, musculoskeletal functioning and cardio-vascular health. Yoga regulates menopausal symptoms.

Stress free Youth



"As youth is the future of India, they need a life without stress. Many corporate houses have started optional yoga programmes. We suggest making it mandatory for the employers to start these programmes for at least half an hour," said Ganeriwala.

"We have also advised the corporate sector to conduct brief workshops on yoga as this will create interest and awareness among employees," he said.

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