Indian Armed Forces Personnel Trained in Classical Hatha Yoga at Isha Foundation
Coimbatore, April 1, 2025: In a continued effort to promote holistic well-being among India’s armed forces, 72 defence personnel have successfully completed a 15-day Classical Hatha Yoga Instructor Training Program at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. Organized by Isha Foundation, the residential “Train the Trainer” course ran from March 17 to March 31 and marks the eighth edition tailored specifically for the Indian defence community.
The program is in line with the Indian Navy’s vision to foster physical fitness and mental strength among its personnel. Participants were rigorously trained in ancient yogic practices including Aum Chanting, Isha Kriya, Upa Yoga, Surya Kriya, and Angamardana, under the guidance of trained instructors from Sadhguru Gurukulam.
On the successful conclusion of the program, Sadhguru, founder of Isha Foundation, congratulated the batch via social media, stating:
“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.”
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
Commander Vaibhav, one of the trainees, shared his experience, noting that defence training often focuses on external strength, while Classical Hatha Yoga builds inner resilience.
“Rather than seeing yoga as just another physical activity, integrating it into defence training can fortify our inner strength, making us more effective in everything we do.”
The participants are now equipped to bring these practices back to their units, spreading the knowledge across various defence stations to improve overall wellness and operational readiness.
Over the years, Isha Foundation has collaborated with the Indian Army and Navy, offering free yoga programs to over 10,000 personnel in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Jhansi, Secunderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. This long-term initiative reflects Isha’s mission to make Classical Hatha Yoga a core part of military wellness programs.
To maintain the continuity of learning, Isha Foundation aims to organize at least one residential “Train the Trainer” program each year, ensuring a wider impact across the armed forces.
