About 150 police personnel were seen inhaling and exhaling in synchronization in a courtyard.
Some were also found sitting cross-legged on mats in a mass yoga session to boost their physical and mental strength during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Diplomatic Security Division has started the yoga sessions devised for over 1,000 cops of the division.
Everyone of the division — from deputy commissioner to constable — will get three days in a week to participate in sessions, which are about two hours long.
“From the early stage of the onset of coronavirus, our deputy commissioner Ashraful Islam has been thinking how the force could stay healthy and well,” said Rajon Kumar Saha, assistant police commissioner, diplomatic security division.
“Our members were stressed as they were working in the frontlines, from executing lockdown to burying dead bodies, and so on. Basically, it is to boost them up mentally.”
All the members are also directed to practice this at home. However, the project length is only two months.
“We would try to think about the extension of the session period based on the result,” said ASP Rajon.
Bappa Shantonu, an yoga teacher, of “Evergreen” has been given the responsibility to train them.
“I found them [police] afraid of the thing [coronavirus pandemic]. To make sure they can stay fit mentally and physically, I was given responsibility for these sessions,” said Bappa.
He said: “Yoga works in the body and mind level. Though we normally practice the physical part, there are breathing and meditation parts as well.
“I am making them do all three parts. They are enjoying it [yoga] a lot.”
Moreover, Bappa hopes the other departments of the police would arrange yoga sessions for their staff.
He said, “Immunity cannot be strengthened by going to the gym. There is no other way except for yoga [during coronavirus pandemic] as it makes the lungs stronger.”
