Zumba instructor offers de-stress regime for traffic cops

Stress buster

The sight of traffic police managing dense traffic amid dust, grime and constant honking prompted a city-based zumba fitness instructor, Manisha Bhatt, to roll out de-stress programmes exclusively for traffic police personnel.

Though the programme will officially be launched from August 29, a precursor event was held on July 31 for 14 traffic police staff wherein they were taken to a zumba session followed by pilates (core strengthening exercise) along with a few exercises by physiotherapists from Fortis Le Femme hospital.

Manisha, who is also this year's Bangalore Super Mom contest first runner-up and a certified zumba and pilates instructor, told DH: "Three months back, I came across a traffic policeman near Iskcon temple, Rajajinagar who was toiling hard to control traffic, amidst dust, stress and pressure. The cops do not have any de-stress programmes designed for them. Hence, I got the idea to start programme for them."

She added that in association with Bengaluru traffic police, a fitness session that will include zumba coupled with pilates will be held regularly as part of the de-stress programme known as ‘Aarohan’.

"The de-stress programme will start from August 29 with 200 police personnel from north and west division. It will be a two-and-a-half hour session and includes presentation by doctors on managing stress and a performance by a stand-up comedian apart from zumba and pilates. There will be more sessions for them and gradually, police personnel from other divisions will also be taken through this programme in a phased manner," she said.

Manisha, with support from her team, plans to hold the programme every month owing to busy schedule of traffic police and police protocol issues.

The event, organised by Msquare Networks, will start at 7 am at Sheraton Grand Hotel, next to Orion Mall on August 29.

DCP, Traffic West division, S Girish, said that he has received a request from the event organisers about the de-stress fitness workshop. “Presently, there are no stress management workshops but if an opportunity like this comes by, we are ready to hold it at regular intervals.”