Yoga, meditation practised in many schools along coast

Mangaluru: Several schools, including government ones in Dakshina Kannada, have been conducting yoga and meditation sessions voluntarily for many years.
The state government recently instructed all primary and secondary school managements in the state to conduct meditation sessions for 10 minutes every day.
For instance, at the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Upgraded Government School, Daddalkad, in Bantwal, the first 20 minutes of the day are reserved for yoga and meditation.
Prakash Anchan, president of Sarkari Shaale Ulisi Belesi, who has adopted the school, said that students have been practising yoga and meditation for the past two years. The school adopted by Shree Durga Charitable Trust, Daddalkad, has about 1,200 children enrolled. “Meditation starts around 9am, followed by yoga, and at 9.30am, the school assembly is held. On average, about 700 children join the session daily. It helps them to start the day with a fresh mind and body,” said Anchan. He adds that several teachers have been trained in yoga and meditation. “It is better to practise yoga every day, than just restricting its practice to the International Day of Yoga on June 21,” he said.
“There are some schools that conduct the session either in the morning or evening, depending on their convenience, and the availability of students. The recent proposal from the state government will help to streamline this activity, and make it a systematic practice on school campuses. Besides, a few schools have been conducting yoga and meditation exclusively for SSLC students, to help them perform better in board examinations,” said Shambhu Shankar, coordinator, block resource centre, Belthangady.
A minority-run school in the heart of Mangaluru city conducts yoga sessions every Tuesday and Friday.
Dakshina Kananda DDPI K Sudhakar, said that in many schools in the district, yoga and meditation have been practised for several years. We will direct the implementation of yoga and meditation practice in all schools, after receiving an official letter from the department of public instruction, he said.