72 Indian Defence Personnel Complete Hatha Yoga Instructor Training At Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga Center

April 1, 2025: In alignment with the Indian Navy’s vision for physical fitness & mental resilience, Isha Foundation’s Sadhguru Gurukulam concluded a 15-day Classical Hatha Yoga “Train The Trainer” Residential Program specially designed for the Indian Defence Forces. The program witnessed the participation of 72 defence personnel, successfully trained to impart the ancient science of classical Hatha Yoga to their peers in the defence forces.

The transformative program, conducted from March 17 to March 31 at Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, was the eighth such program for the defence forces, conducted by Isha Foundation. The participants learnt Aum Chanting, Isha Kriya, Upa Yoga, Surya Kriya, and Angamardana during the program.

This initiative aligns with Sadhguru’s vision of bringing the profound benefits of classical Hatha Yoga to those who selflessly serve the nation. Posting on the program’s culmination on X, Sadhguru, Founder of Isha Foundation, said, “Congratulations to the 72 Indian Navy personnel on completing the ‘Classical Hatha Yoga Training Program for Indian Defence Forces’. When you are offering the highest service to the Nation, most important to ensure that your Body and your Mind are at your service. Hatha Yoga will empower you with the strength & resilience you need to sail through any situation with Balance & Clarity. Our gratitude, best wishes & blessings to all of you.”

Congratulations to the 72 Indian Navy personnel on completing the ‘Classical Hatha Yoga Training Program for Indian Defence Forces’. When you are offering the highest service to the Nation, most important to ensure that your Body and your Mind are at your service. Hatha Yoga will… pic.twitter.com/uI90qLkQTW

— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) March 31, 2025

Reflecting on his experience, Indian Navy Commander Vaibhav shared,  “In my experience, the physical exercises we undergo in defence training are primarily aimed at building muscle strength or improving lung capacity. However, practising Classical Hatha Yoga here made me realise that yoga is often misunderstood as merely a physical exercise.”

“Rather than seeing Yoga as another physical activity, integrating Yoga in our training can serve as a foundation that fortifies our inner strength, making us more effective in everything we do.”

“If we can make Classical Hatha Yoga an integral part of our defence training programs, it will cultivate an inner strength that no adversary could ever comprehend,” he emphasized.

Through intensive training sessions, participants gained an in-depth understanding of yogic practices that foster strength, flexibility, and mental clarity. Now equipped to share these invaluable tools, they will take these teachings to their peers across defence stations, contributing to overall wellness and resilience within the forces.

In the past few years, Isha Foundation has collaborated with the Indian Army to provide free Classical Hatha Yoga programs for more than 10,000 Defence Forces personnel, in cities including – Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Jhansi, Secunderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, among others. The continuity in learning and practice of this holistic wellness has been ensured further with the intensive ‘Train the Trainers’ Residential Program. Isha Foundation aims to conduct at least one such program every year for the Indian Defence Forces, ensuring that more personnel benefit from this powerful Hatha yoga practice.