India Mandates Yoga-Based Wellness Training for All Seafarers
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), formerly the Directorate General of Shipping, has introduced a mandatory yoga-based wellness training programme for all Indian seafarers. The initiative, named 'Sagar Mein Yog' (SMY), aims to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of seafarers through a structured curriculum delivered via a dedicated Learning Management System.
Under the new directive, all seafarers holding a valid Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) must complete the course within one year. Additionally, all candidates at DGMA-approved Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs) are required to finish the modules as part of their training.
The SMY programme is built around ten thematic wellness pillars, covering a total of 19 hours and 14 minutes of instruction. The longest module, social wellness, focuses on interpersonal skills, teamwork, and conflict resolution both onboard and ashore. Occupational wellness addresses adjustment to shipboard life, career growth, and feedback practices. Physical wellness includes nutrition, hydration, fitness routines, and sexual health, while intellectual wellness emphasizes critical thinking, risk management, and cognitive sharpness at sea.
Other pillars include economic wellness, which covers budgeting, investment, and taxation for seafarers; cultural wellness, built around cross-cultural competence and identity on multinational crews; and spiritual wellness, which draws on meditation, chanting, and pranayama breathing techniques. The spiritual wellness module comprises four sub-modules: meditation, chanting, mudras (hand gestures), and breathwork. It opens with exercises and guided meditation techniques aimed at helping seafarers build a daily practice. A separate segment introduces hand mudras such as the Dhyana Mudra, associated with meditative focus, and the Apana Mudra, linked to detoxification and grounding.
The circular positions the SMY initiative within the framework of the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), the STCW Rules 2014, and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. It also links the programme to the government’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kal Vision 2047. The initiative reflects the government's commitment to enhancing the welfare of seafarers, who often face unique challenges due to prolonged periods at sea.
The mandatory nature of the training underscores the importance the DGMA places on holistic wellness in the maritime sector. By integrating yoga and wellness practices into the seafarer's routine, the programme aims to reduce stress, improve focus, and foster a healthier work environment. The initiative has been welcomed by maritime industry bodies as a progressive step towards seafarer welfare.
