Meet Balwan Singh Yadav, a remarkable Head Constable at Tihar Jail, who has dedicated his life to the transformative power of yoga. With a passion for bringing positive change to society, Yadav has been tirelessly teaching yoga to prisoners and community members alike. His devotion and impact have earned him the affectionate title of “Swami Ji” among the prisoners, a testament to the profound influence he has had on their lives.
In an exclusive interview, Balwan Singh Yadav shared his visionary approach to yoga with our representative, Ms. Nidhi. He opened up about his mission to harness yoga’s transformative power, offering valuable insights into its profound impact.
What is your daily yoga routine like and how do you stay consistent?
I actively start my day with 25 minutes of pranayama, followed by 25 minutes of other yogic practices. As a government employee in Tihar jail, I proactively use yoga to manage stress and calm my mind, effectively reducing the flow of bad thoughts.
How have you started your journey of yoga?
I actively enrolled in a 1-month yoga course at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in 2015, a program open to individuals aged 18-60. By diligently attending classes, I intentionally transformed my thinking process and gained a profoundly positive perspective on society, particularly women. As I recognized the profoundly positive impact on my life, I decided to proactively extend this initiative to prisoners, aiming to bring about positive change in their lives as well.
Have you noticed any changes in the life of any prisoner?
Yoga has actively transformed the lives of many prisoners, including a notable case that I witnessed. I actively observed the transformation of Lallan, a prisoner in barrack no. 8, who was serving time for a rape case. Through his dedication and active participation in yoga, Lallan underwent a profound and positive change. After his release, he actively pursued respectful and dignified work, demonstrating the positive and lasting impact of yoga on his life. His transformation serves as a powerful testament to yoga’s transformative power and its ability to positively impact individuals from all walks of life.
There are many options and supplements of yoga and today’s generation is more inclined towards them…?
Yoga actively cultivates inner peace, surpassing the benefits of supplements like gym workouts. While various methods can make your body fit, yoga alone effectively makes your mind healthy and fit. I have witnessed numerous cases where people’s short tempers led to negative consequences, and yoga has proven to be a valuable tool in managing such emotions. By practicing yoga, individuals can actively develop greater self-awareness and emotional control.
What changes have developed in yoga over time as it spreads in the world?
We actively preserve the ancient form of yoga, continuing to practice the same postures that were established during Patanjali Rishi’s time. While technology and innovations constantly update, such as new car models being released every few months, yoga remains largely unchanged. We intentionally maintain the traditional practices, incorporating only minor adjustments over time. This deliberate preservation ensures that the essence and benefits of yoga remain intact.
One last question, when did you decide that you should start yoga?
I joined many activity programs in Tihar Jail, where numerous gurus performed yoga and delivered religious lectures. I participated in these sessions and enjoyed them, which inspired me to initiate yoga practice.
