An Indian wellness organisation has launched an initiative to promote yoga among Kenya’s security personnel as part of efforts to enhance physical fitness, mental resilience and overall well-being, while strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Kenya.
The programme, dubbed “6 Million Minutes of Fitness to the Global Defence,” is being spearheaded by HRIM Yogshala, an international wellness and yoga organisation, and seeks to equip police officers and other security personnel with yoga techniques to help them manage stress, improve resilience and maintain holistic health.
In celebration of the International Day of Yoga, commemorated annually in June, more than 4,250 uniformed officers from the Kenya Police Service and Nairobi City County participated in yoga sessions, contributing more than 327,000 minutes to a global fitness campaign.
The initiative formed part of HRIM Yogshala’s broader “6 Million Minutes to Fitness” campaign, which promotes physical activity and wellness while raising awareness of the health risks associated with physical inactivity.
The combined participation of Kenyan officers made the country one of the largest contributors to the campaign in terms of engagement by uniformed and public safety personnel.
HRIM Yogshala founder Rajvi Shailesh Mehta told KNA that the initiative aims to strengthen wellness while fostering cultural exchange between India and Kenya through yoga.
“Through HRIM Yogshala, we are building a movement that connects wellness, service and international friendship. We are honoured to contribute to a mission that promotes fitness, resilience and India-Kenya cultural diplomacy,” she said.
She added that security personnel carry significant physical and emotional responsibilities in safeguarding communities, and yoga offers a simple but powerful tool for stress management, resilience and overall well-being.
“This initiative is dedicated to security officers worldwide in recognition of their service and sacrifice. Promoting their health contributes to building safer and more peaceful societies,” she said.
HRIM Yogshala co-founder Raj Shailesh Mehta said the programme reflects a commitment to deepening cooperation between India and Kenya beyond trade and investment.
He said the initiative aligns with the growing bilateral partnership by promoting wellness, innovation and stronger people-to-people connections.
Mehta expressed appreciation to the Governments of India and Kenya, the Nairobi City County Government and the Kenya Police Service for supporting the programme.
“As an investor and long-term stakeholder in Kenya’s growth, we believe in contributing beyond business by supporting community well-being, stronger institutions and cultural diplomacy,” he said.
He added that HRIM Yogshala intends to continue working with Kenyan partners to expand wellness programmes that promote healthy communities while strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Yoga originates from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” meaning “to yoke” or “to unite.” It broadly represents ancient physical, mental and spiritual practices aimed at harmonising the mind, body and spirit.
By Wangari Ndirangu
