Mumbai, As the sun rises over Mumbai’s bustling skyline, the city’s famous local trains are already buzzing with activity. But as the hustle and bustle slowly dies down, something quietly transformative takes place. Yoga on train: Mumbai commuters stretch, find calm in chaos While some passengers are glued to their phones or catching a quick nap, others are sitting upright, shoulders relaxed, eyes closed, breathing deeply in sync with the train’s movements. Welcome to Mumbai’s most unconventional yoga class!
Who thought doing yoga on a crowded train was a good idea? Well, Ruchita Shah did! She’s the mastermind behind Heal-Station, a wellness initiative that turns the daily commute into a zen yoga session. What started as a small experiment on International Yoga Day back in 2017 has now grown into a full-blown wellness movement embraced by thousands of daily commuters and over 100 volunteer yoga instructors. “People are always questioning us, like ‘Yoga on a train? How is that even possible?’ Well, we’re here to show them that it’s not just possible, it’s beneficial,” Shah told PTI.
In a city like Mumbai where life never stops and commuters spend hours on end traveling, introducing a bit of relaxation and mindfulness seemed like a no-brainer. “It’s not about doing crazy yoga poses like standing on your head. It’s about simple yet impactful practices like gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and mini-meditations that anyone can do, even in a packed train compartment,” Shah explained. And she’s right! If there’s room on trains for singing devotional songs and celebrating festivals, why not make space for inner peace and well-being too?
For the working women in Mumbai juggling multiple responsibilities, this train yoga session is a much-needed moment of recharge. “We’ve proved that yoga doesn’t need a fancy mat or a special studio. All you need is the right mindset,” Shah added. As part of Heal-Station’s 100-day countdown to International Yoga Day 2025, two trained instructors hop on different trains every day, guiding passengers through a 15-minute routine that includes stretches, breathing techniques, and posture corrections.
The exercises are specially designed to fit the train environment, requiring no extra space or equipment. “We kicked off this countdown right inside Mumbai locals on March 13th,” shared Varsha Ahuja, a senior yoga teacher and campaign coordinator for Heal-Station. “Every day, two teachers board from their nearest station during off-peak hours and lead passengers through simple seated yoga practices in moderately crowded trains. From Panvel to CST, Virar to Churchgate, and everywhere in between, we’re covering the city coach by coach, station by station,” Ahuja told PTI.
At Heal-Station, most of the yoga teachers volunteering for this challenging campaign are seniors. “Who says seniors can’t handle this kind of work? With dedication and grace, they’re not just teaching yoga. They’re becoming wellness ambassadors for Mumbai’s local trains, making a real impact on society every single day,” Shah proudly stated. All the teachers volunteer their time, buy their own tickets, and spend hours each day leading these sessions with pure intentions.
So, with the countdown reaching the 75-day mark, excitement is building for the big finale on June 21st, the International Day of Yoga. Celebrity wrestler Sangram Singh will be joining the celebrations, turning the trains into moving yoga studios with synchronized sessions across Central, Harbour, and Western lines. It’s truly a sight to behold! And who would’ve thought that a simple idea of doing yoga on a train could bring so much positivity and wellness to the daily commute in Mumbai? But hey, stranger things have happened, right?
