Friday, March 09, 2007
Keepers of the (Inner) Peace - Time
Every weekday morning, a detachment of Indian soldiers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) embarks on an unusual kind of peacekeeping mission—one that doesn't require guns or ammo, or even shoes. Their focus, in fact, is on promoting inner peace as they operate what must be the first roving yoga ashram ever to appear in south Lebanon, a region better known for guerilla warfare and air strikes than for deep breathing, chanting and headstands.
But yoga is catching on in Fardis, a small town in the foothills of Mount Hermon, where the Indians began their program with about 20 Lebanese schoolchildren. The kids, aged 5 to 13, appear to enjoy the opportunity to roll around the floor before class, and a flexible few look like yoga prodigies. School teachers say the yoga class leaves their charges calmer and more attentive throughout the day, and the Indians hope this soothing effect will be contagious. "If you are at peace with yourself, you can be at peace with your neighbors," says Lieutenant Colonel Karan Singh, infantry officer and amateur yogi. ...
Every weekday morning, a detachment of Indian soldiers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) embarks on an unusual kind of peacekeeping mission—one that doesn't require guns or ammo, or even shoes. Their focus, in fact, is on promoting inner peace as they operate what must be the first roving yoga ashram ever to appear in south Lebanon, a region better known for guerilla warfare and air strikes than for deep breathing, chanting and headstands.
But yoga is catching on in Fardis, a small town in the foothills of Mount Hermon, where the Indians began their program with about 20 Lebanese schoolchildren. The kids, aged 5 to 13, appear to enjoy the opportunity to roll around the floor before class, and a flexible few look like yoga prodigies. School teachers say the yoga class leaves their charges calmer and more attentive throughout the day, and the Indians hope this soothing effect will be contagious. "If you are at peace with yourself, you can be at peace with your neighbors," says Lieutenant Colonel Karan Singh, infantry officer and amateur yogi. ...
Labels: peace
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