Yoga and meditation sessions for prisoners in Tamil Nadu, India

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The “Circle of Love” prison outreach program initiated by Mata Amritanandamayi Math has introduced yoga and meditation practices in Tamil Nadu’s prisons. Collaborating with the Tamil Nadu Prison Department, the program conducted holistic workshops benefiting over 5,000 inmates across Tamil Nadu.
The sessions included yoga, ice-breaking activities, philosophical discussions, and meditation, concluding with prayers for world peace. Inmates expressed gratitude for the peace and relaxation these sessions brought them.
These initiatives have received positive feedback from prison authorities and are aimed at reducing stress among inmates while promoting good citizenship. The program has also been successful in Kerala’s prisons, with the goal of facilitating inmates’ reintegration into society.

22 December 2019

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The Cirle of Love, Prison outreach programme initiated by Mata Amritanandamayi Math, has started meditation practices in the prisons of Tamil Nadu. In association with the Tamil Nadu Prison Department, Mata Amritanandamayi Math helped prison inmates by conducting holistic workshops. Our volunteers reached out to more than 5,000 inmates in Tamil Nadu Central prisons, spread across Tamil Nadu.

The session started off with a brief introduction and invocation, followed by yoga practices, ice-breaking games, philosophical discussions, and MA-OM meditation. The sessions were concluded by chanting the prayer for world peace and happiness: “Lokaha Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu.”

“We felt blessed to have such sessions, even in a prison. It gave us total peace with physical and mental relaxation. We would like to thank the prison department and the Mata Amritanandamai Math for extending such a beneficial service to us”- said one of the inmates.

“The yoga & meditation sessions conducted by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math headed by Brahmachari Vinayamrita Chaitanya from August through October has proven very beneficial for the 300+ inmates of this prison. The sessions have given a new insight to all and were able to relieve their stress and tension.” said Mr. Senthamaraikannan IPS, Head, Central Prison II, Puzhal, Chennai.

Our volunteers are convinced that this initiative accomplished its prime goal of reducing stress among inmates and gave them a sense of purpose in their lives. We believe that such programs would have a meaningful impact on society at large, including police personnel across the nation. The initiative is still being successfully conducted in Kerala prisons, with the mission of helping prison inmates cultivate a wholesome mind of good thoughts and facilitate a productive or successful re-entry into society.