Jogi takes a break, finds respite in Art of Living

‘‘For the next four days, Jogi will attend the session along with his ministers, MLAs and bureaucrats who got themselves registered for the basic course,’’ says Baghel who is the only minister to have done an advanced course in Art of Living.

Jogi is reported to have cancelled all his morning appointments for the course. ‘‘Even today, on day one, he was more cheerful than earlier days at jan darshan where he meets people for one hour at his residence before leaving for office,’’ says an aide.

Baghel claims some more ministers were keen to join but only ten of them could be accommodated for want of proper space. Others will follow suit in the second phase, he adds.

‘‘Let’s hope it pays back,’’ says another participant-minister Satya Narain Sharma. Two hours in the morning are reserved for the ministers and MLAs while evenings are for the bureaucrats and police officers. The basic course is of 16-20 hour duration. Says course teacher Dr Sunita Vajpayee: ‘‘It started well. The Chief Minister was in a good mood and so were the ministers. When you see them after the course, you will find a change in them .’’

‘‘In additional of some routine exercises and yoga, we will teach sundarshan kriya — a breathing exercise designed by Sri Sri Ravishankar. This relieves one of all mental tensions and worries. The body and mind are refreshed by the end of the course,’’ she adds.