Commuters Find Calm Amid Chaos as Yoga Sessions Roll Across City’s Lifelines
Mumbai, May 18 — As the sun rises over Mumbai’s buzzing skyline and the city’s iconic local trains begin their relentless journeys, a quiet revolution is taking shape inside the crowded compartments. Amid the usual rush of commuters checking phones and catching naps, a unique wellness ritual unfolds — seated yoga, guided breathing, and micro-meditations.This unconventional yoga initiative is the brainchild of Ruchita Shah, founder of Heal-Station, a wellness movement turning daily commutes into opportunities for inner well-being.
From One Train to a Citywide Movement
What started as a small experiment on International Yoga Day in 2017 has now evolved into a full-fledged community wellness campaign embraced by thousands of daily passengers and supported by over 100 volunteer yoga instructors.“People often ask, ‘Yoga? In a crowded train? How is that even possible?’ That’s exactly what we wanted to demonstrate — not just in theory but live,” said Shah.
Acknowledging the hectic pace of life in Mumbai, where many spend up to three hours commuting daily, she explained, “This isn’t about doing handstands. We guide people through gentle stretches, breath awareness, hasta mudras, and micro-meditations — practices that require no space, no mats, just mindfulness.”
Empowering the City, One Compartment at a Time
As part of Heal-Station’s 100-day countdown to International Yoga Day 2025, two trained instructors ride different suburban train routes each day during non-peak hours, offering 15-minute guided yoga sessions. The initiative began on March 13 and now covers routes from Panvel to CST, Virar to Churchgate, and other busy corridors like Mulund, Ghatkopar, Dadar, and Bandra.“These routines are tailored for the realities of the train — simple movements that fit the space of a single seat, yet significantly enhance posture, breath control, and mental clarity,” said Varsha Ahuja, senior yoga teacher and coordinator of the campaign.
Senior Citizens Lead the Charge
One of the most inspiring aspects of this initiative is the enthusiastic involvement of senior citizens as yoga instructors.“Who says seniors lack stamina? They’ve become our strongest ambassadors, showing up with dedication and transforming local trains into moving sanctuaries of calm,” said Shah.
The teachers volunteer their time, buy their own train tickets, and guide fellow passengers purely out of commitment to the cause.
A Grand Finale in Motion
With over 75 days completed, the excitement is building for the grand celebration on June 21 — International Yoga Day. Wrestling champion Sangram Singh will join the finale, as Mumbai’s suburban trains across the Central, Harbour, and Western lines are set to transform into synchronised yoga studios on wheels.From shoulder rolls to seated parvatasana and deep breathing, the campaign is proving that yoga is not about where you are — but who you are in that moment.
As Shah puts it, “Yoga doesn’t need a mat. It needs a mindset.”