Prisoners to be released early if they practice yoga

Yoga is held in such high regard in its birthplace, India, that prison inmates in one state will now be released early if they begin a daily practice.

Prisoners in the central state of Madhya Pradesh will have up to 15 days lopped off their sentences for every three months they practice yoga inside.

Astonishingly, even murderers serving life sentences will qualify for early release under the new ruling announced by prison authorities.

The decision comes after a successful trial project which has seen inmates' behaviour improve; with prisoners having far more control over their own emotions - including anger.

Indian prisions are notoriously over-crowded, and around 35,000 are awaiting trial for minor crimes.

Inmates need to complete an hour of yoga every morning to quality for early release, with around 4,000 already having signed up.

A greater vote of confidence in yoga would be difficult to imagine. 

Lucia Cockcroft, editor