07 January,2010 08:45 AM IST | | Chandran Iyer
Health experts feel the massive crowd that will attend the AOL workshop may trigger a swine flu scare; organisers play it safe
Pranayam and Sudarshan kriya, both breathing exercises, may be good for increasing health and longevity.
But when nearly one lakh people from different parts of the country are in close proximity in a city that has been dubbed the epicenter of swine flu, it doesn't spell out a healthy picture.
Medical experts feel that proper care should be taken to ensure that there is no fear of swine flu infection during the event. Nearly a lakh people are going to perform breathing exercises at an Art of Living (AOL) programme from January 13 to 15 at the SP College ground.
Health is wealth
The main feature of the programme is a workshop on health and happiness, meditation course and a youth empowerment workshop, which will be conducted under the guidance of Sri Sri Ravishankar, founder of AOL.
One of the important components of AOL is the Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique that facilitates physical, mental and social well-being.
While there is no dispute over its benefit to health, in the given circumstances proper care must be taken as over 150 people have succumbed to the virus in the city, and many more are still infected.
No guidelines
"We have no guidelines from the government with regard to the public programmes we are planning to have. If the government gives us any directives we will definitely implement them," said Kumkum Naren, spokesperson of Art Of Living.
"At Antarnaad, our classical music programme where we are expecting one lakh people to assemble, there is no active breathing. At the Pranayam Dhyan Shibir, where active breathing will be practiced we are limiting entry to 20,000 people and each person will have 20 sq ft of space," she added.
Screening process
Avinash Bhondve, former President of Indian Medical Association (IMA), said, "Pranayam is definitely good for health. But in this city where the swine flu cases are very high, the organisers should take extra precautions as infected people performing these exercises can spread it to others."
"Hence, proper screening of the people is needed before they are given entry. People suffering from cough, cold and fever should be discouraged from entering the venue," he added. Bhondve said, "If done properly the exercises are excellent for good mental and physical health. I have myself undergone the course and benefited."
Assistant Director of Health Services C A Kante, who is involved in monitoring swine flu, said, "Since there are large scale cases of swine flu in city, the organisers should ensure that besides screening of people, the distance between the participants performing breathing excercises should be adequate."
