Exam stress? Yoga, reiki, 'yajnas' to the rescue for Mumbai students

This is not part of their education syllabus. But Mumbai schools have expanded their educational aid to include spiritual lessons to reduce pre-exam stress among students. 

They are conducting reiki and Tibetan yoga sessions, mass prayers and yajnas (Vedic ritual of sacrifice) to ensure that their students do well in the board examinations.

An Andheri school recently held a yajna for its class X students. “It is a Vedic custom to conduct a yajna before embarking on any important project. It helps keep the negative energy at bay and is considered a good omen,” said a teacher from the school.

Meanwhile in Kandivli, Gundecha Academy students are regularly administered reiki, the Japanese method for stress reduction and relaxation. “We use the ‘laying on hands’ process so that a life force energy flows through them and they are more capable of being happy and healthy,” said Anjali Sengupta, reiki master, who conducts the classes.

Tibetan Yoga lessons are a common feature at RN Podar School, Santa Cruz. At Kamala High School, Khar, students are called to observe ‘quiet time’ and then pen down the thoughts that come to their mind during that time.The school chose to hold such classes after seeing the growing angst amongst its students. “After students tried out the ‘quiet time therapy’, we had several parents lining up for it,” said Seema Buch, school principal.

Some schools have started yoga sessions for parents whose children will appear for board exams this year. Priyanka Rajani, principal of Vidyanidhi School, Juhu, holds parents responsible for stressing out children during exams. “Earlier we used to counsel teachers and students on how to deal with board exams, but parents need it too. A child can relax only if the parents eliminate their stress,” said Rajani.

Students and parents said that these spirituality drives have helped them calm down. “I have learnt to control my anger when dealing with my son. Yoga has helped build a healthy atmosphere at home,” said Shobha Joseph, a parent.