2021

In 2021, Mahidol University and the CBS together the project "Smart Living for the quality of life, empowerment and career development of vulnerable populations through the Science of Yoga for sustainable development". The CBS considers that prisoners are one such group who, forgotten and often despised by mainstream society, are especially vulnerable upon release from prison. Prison life undeniably caused them stress and tension, so after their discharge, if they are not properly prepared for their new life outside, they often recidivate and reenter the prison system according to the Thai prison statistics. Therefore, Yoga is an alternative holistic mechanism that prisoners can learn and practice easily during their time in jail. Once they master the theory and postures (asanas), they can train others in prison as well. Upon release, they have the opportunity to become Yoga trainers or work at the Yoga studio without the need for seed money to start a new career.

For these reasons, the CBS has joined with Khao Bin Prison in Ratchaburi province (101 km. from Mahidol University) to organize a 45 hours Yoga training course for 50 women inmates. At the beginning, we planned to train them on-site but due to a 2nd wave of Covid-19, we instead decided to provide 15x3 hour training sessions online. The trainees are happy to learn Yoga with Dr. Adrish Brahmadatta and his assistant, and after each class, they go off to practice the positions by themselves. Certificates are offered by the RILCA in collaboration with the Khao Bin Prison to the trainees. When the training project is over, there is an evaluation process, and the findings of the evaluation will help the planning of further projects.

Yoga trainings for vulnerable populations, khao Bin Prison, Ratchaburi province

Yoga for Burmese Pregnant Migrant Workers

The 2nd wave of Covid-19 in mid December 2020 were traced to Samutsakhon Province (29 km. from Mahidol University) where there is a large number of Burmese migrant workers. Stress leading to tensions in the migrant and local communities took hold as a result of the discovery of the cluster, so the CBS has sought to help relieve the worries of migrant workers, especially those who find themselves pregnant during the crisis. Since lockdowns mean that most are relegated to spending all their time in tiny, crowded rooms, the CBS in collaboration with Dr. Adrish Brahmadatta and his assistant have produced a clip, "Yoga for Pregnant Women" which was dubbed into Burmese and distributed to them and through Youtube on this link: https://youtu.be/7weWbgIdpcM.

Yoga for Pregnant Women

Production of a clip "Yoga for Pregnant Women"