Ludhiana sees surge in CM Di Yogshala enrolments
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Ludhiana sees surge in CM Di Yogshala enrolments

Enrolments in ‘CM Di Yogshala’ double in Ludhiana within a year

The ‘CM Di Yogshala’ programme in Ludhiana has become very popular in just one year. Started by the Punjab government in 2023, this yoga initiative has seen more than double the enrolments. In 2023-24, around 5,722 people joined. But in 2024-25, the number went up to 11,887, as per district programme supervisor Chandan Kumar.

This big increase shows that more people are now interested in staying healthy and fit. A lot of this growth is because of young people, especially those between 20 and 30 years of age. Many of them are turning to yoga to deal with stress, anxiety and inactive lifestyles.

Chandan Kumar shared that around 8,500 to 9,000 people practise yoga every day in Ludhiana. Most of these sessions take place in local parks. These places are being used as Yogshalas. Also, the number of yoga centres in the district has gone up from 182 to 283. To handle the growing number of participants, the district has hired 82 trained yoga instructors. These instructors were selected through Guru Ravidas University in Hoshiarpur.

Free and open for all

The daily yoga sessions are held for one hour, six days a week. The best part is that they are free of cost and open to everyone, regardless of age. If a group of 25 people forms in any area, they can ask the department to send a trained yoga teacher to their location. This way, yoga is being brought closer to the people and made more community-friendly.

This system is helping more people take part in wellness activities. It also allows them to do yoga near their homes without any extra cost. The flexibility and openness of the programme are key reasons why its popularity is rising fast.

Experts say that young people are becoming more active in yoga. Psychiatrist Dr Nikhil Gautam from Christian Medical College shared that anxiety and depression are rising among youth, especially among young women. He said yoga helps with breathing, calming the mind, and even helps those suffering from major diseases like cancer.

Dr Gautam explained that yoga has many benefits beyond just physical fitness. It also improves mental health. Young people, who often deal with pressure from studies, jobs or social life, are now using yoga as a way to find peace.

Veteran yoga therapist Sanjeev Tyagi, who is also the former president of the Punjab Yogasana Sports Association, has over 25 years of experience. He confirmed that even small children are facing stress these days. He said, “Children today face panic attacks and high stress. We now have special yoga classes for them too.”

To keep children interested, they have added fun and creative yoga methods like aerial yoga, belt yoga, chair yoga and bungee yoga. These new styles make the sessions more engaging for kids and encourage regular participation.

Tyagi also said that events like International Yoga Day have helped spread awareness about yoga. These large-scale events make people understand the importance of yoga and push them to try it out. Many people, after attending such events, decide to join regular yoga classes.

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Yoga as preventive healthcare

The government’s goal behind starting ‘CM Di Yogshala’ was to promote wellness and preventive healthcare. Instead of people going to the doctor after falling sick, this programme encourages them to stay healthy from the start. Regular yoga keeps the body active and the mind calm. This can help avoid many common health issues.

People practising yoga daily have shared that it improves sleep, reduces anxiety and makes them feel more energetic. The programme is also giving job opportunities to trained yoga instructors, making it a win-win for both the public and the trainers.

As the demand for yoga continues to rise, the district is planning to add more yoga parks and increase the number of instructors. They are also thinking of adding indoor centres so that people can continue yoga during the rainy season.

The success of ‘CM Di Yogshala’ is also because of strong community involvement. Local residents have formed small groups and requested instructors. This shows that people are taking the lead in improving their health and wellness. The role of community in this programme is very important.

Officials are happy with the response and say they will continue to support such community efforts. They believe that wellness should not be a luxury, but a basic need for every citizen.

In just one year, Ludhiana has shown how a simple and free programme like ‘CM Di Yogshala’ can create a big difference. From young adults to children, many are joining yoga for a better and healthier life. With more support from the government and strong community interest, yoga in Ludhiana is growing at a fast pace. This model can serve as an example for other cities and states aiming to promote wellness in their communities.


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