When Covid and its different variants were sending shivers down the spine of everybody, there were some children for whom Covid wasn’t a threat or a deterrent. The foster children from Dnyandeep Balakashram, an orphanage in Pune were not worried about contracting the infection because they had mastered the knack of immunising themselves from within. And their regular dose of immunity was Yoga. Yes, you’ve read it right. An initiative that was started in 2017, Yoga has now become an integral part of their lives.

Dnyandeep Balakashram is an orphanage located in Dighi, Pune. Established in December 2009, the orphanage is committed to not only providing daily necessities to these foster children, but they also make sure that they groom every child to enable them lead an independent life with dignity. And hence when Sab Ka Mangal Ho (SKMH), a non-profit foundation in Mumbai with the intent to help orphanages transform the lives of these children positively and to help enhance their physical ability to bring about a sense of confidence, delight and contentment, partnered with SOSVA- Society for Services to Voluntary Agencies a 40year plus NGO started by Late Shri V. Srinivasan ( IAS Retired ) working to build a strong voluntary sector that would help underprivileged to participate effectively in social development approached different orphanages including Dnyandeep to introduce Yoga to its children, they immediately grabbed the opportunity and began imparting yoga training to their children.

Since 2017, these children have incorporated yoga practice in their daily routine. At times they do not mind missing out on school or going for their regular tuition classes, but they never miss out on their morning yoga sessions. The founder couple – Madhuri and Jeetendra Shinde of Dnyandeep Balakashram ensures that every child in their shelter grows up in a secure and playful environment. They have children coming from different parts of the state and the country with diverse languages, different backgrounds and social issues.

Talking about the experience during Covid-19 pandemic-imposed lockdown, Madhuri Shinde said, “While in cities families were complaining psychological issues for having to stay confined to their home limits, here our children were at the best time of their lives. Being confined to staying indoors, we had made sure that we kept them occupied at all times. Also, the drill to host yoga sessions for one hour early in the morning had made sure that the children were immunised from within.”

When Covid-19 struck the world, these children didn’t have to undertake any special measures to stay protected as they had already mastered and were benefitted from the therapeutic benefits of different yoga asanas. Regular yoga sessions ensured that the children did not fall ill, even when the pandemic was at its peak. Yoga is a tried and tested method for promoting good health and for building resistance against diseases. People have been, since ages, practicing this form of physical activity and have experienced tremendous health benefits. Daily practice of yoga promotes good health, builds immunity against diseases and ailments, promotes sound mental health and helps maintain a fit body with high energy levels. And that makes these children truly unstoppable.