What do you need to be happy? And when will you be happy?
These questions are posed at the start of The Art of Breath programme and I write ‘when I’m healthy and feel vibrant’ because managing menopause is a bitch and if this breathwork can help with that, as well as the stress of navigating today’s economic climate on top of climate change, sign me up!
The Art of Living runs a course called the Happiness Programme aka The Art of Breath. People experience a range of significant benefits from clarity and stillness in the mind and body to reduced stress, greater energy and increased satisfaction in life. It’s also proven to reduce cortisol levels.
On day one of the three-day course, just two hours after learning these new breathwork techniques, I’m stuck to my yoga mat – blissfully relaxed and practically asleep. That night I sleep like a baby and I feel more positive and energised in the days that follow.
Sudarshan Kriya breathing taught by The Art of Living is referred to as SKY. Incidentally best-selling author of Breath, science journalist James Nestor attributes learning the SKY technique as the impetus for writing his book.
NEWSFLASH! The person who founded The Art of Living and the SKY technique – Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Gurudev) – is making a rare visit to New Zealand for a public ticketed event at Auckland’s Aotea Centre on October 24.
As an ambassador of peace, Gurudev has played a key role in conflict resolution around the world as he shares his vision of non-violence at public forums and gatherings worldwide.
Gurudev was named by Forbes as one of the top ten most powerful people in India. The Swedish have described him as one of the world’s three wise men alongside the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra. And the SKY breathwork course has been run at the World Bank, Google, Microsoft and NASA.
His programmes are now taught in 180 countries including New Zealand and what I like about them is that they are not religious or culty.
Great breath techniques can benefit everyone explains Andrew Melville, Art of Living, National Teacher Coordinator. “Our very act of breathing connects our inner and outer worlds physically and can settle the connection between our mind and body,” says Melville. “Research shows that a significant number of bodily toxins are released through the breath. We most often are using only a third of our lung capacity.”
Melville learned about breath and meditation from Gurudev and he’s one of more than 600 million people from all walks of life who have participated in his courses before becoming a trained teacher.
The Art of Living is still relatively unknown in New Zealand but there is a dedicated group of 50 teachers (including Melville) who volunteer to run the breath and meditation courses and carry out community projects.
Over 100 independent studies conducted across four continents and published in peer-reviewed journals have indicated a wide range of health benefits from reducing stress to getting better rest from the breathing technique the Art of Living teaches in a three-day course.
These benefits include positive impacts on mental health such as a reduction in the stress hormone cortisol of up to 50 per cent and increases in life satisfaction indicators of more than 20 per cent within a week of taking the course, says Melville.
The practices are simple, which makes them well adapted for people’s busy lives and work.
To see Gurudev in person is also an opportunity to hear the wisdom of one of the world’s leading humanitarians.
“His timeless message of inspiration and peace continues to touch the lives of countless people around the globe. We are so fortunate to have Gurudev coming to New Zealand at a time when many are experiencing severe stress and anxiety from the complex challenges of modern life, the impacts of, global climate issues, recession, cost of living crises and navigating a post-Covid world, so his visit couldn’t be timelier,” says Melville.
During the event, Gurudev will lead a powerful meditation experience. Previous meditation experience is not required!
Find details about Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s upcoming visit to New Zealand here.
