The Art of Breathing Course

The Art of Breathing Course is the most precious gift I have ever received. The knowledge spoken and the practices taught were shared with so much love. I have happiness, strength and peace. The world has been waiting for this course.
- Daniel Mendez, Writer, Houston, Texas

Overview

The Art of Breathing Course gives participants both practical knowledge and simple techniques to unlock their deepest potential, and to bring fullness to life. Whether they are dynamic, happy and successful, or they feel the stress of poor health, disappointments or fear, every participant is cared for and comes away lighter.

During the course, participants find themselves releasing mental and physical stresses, inspiring a natural sense of well-being: increasing health, energy, peace, self-knowledge, awareness, joy and the connection to oneself and others.

Practices that heal and harmonize the body, mind, and spirit Skills for handling negative emotions and situations Practical wisdom for improving relationships Insight into the laws that govern the mind and emotions Stretching and low-impact yoga for health, circulation, and body well being

I learnt the "the art of living". Living in the now, not in the past or future. Being able to cope with both my positive and negative emotions and being able to handle them in a manner that leaves me unaffected. Enjoying every moment and cherishing everything I have right here, right now.
- Rashmi Patel, Full Time Mother, San Ramon, California

Experience Peace of Mind

Much of the stress or limitations in life come from our mind vacillating between regret about the past or worry about the future. And yet, the present is the only place that happiness can ever be experienced! A remarkable feature of the course is that participants are able to re-discover the present moment — not as a concept but as a direct experience.

More Energy In Daily Life

Participants leave with efficient energy-boosting techniques they may practice every day, and an extraordinary weekly group practice is available in many areas. These practices are sacred treasures that grow in value over the years, helping the benefits continue to blossom and unfold in daily life.

In a harmonious environment, it’s easy to say, "I feel peaceful and contented." However, if nothing goes to plan and there is utter chaos all around, and you still say, "Yes! I am peaceful and happy," then you have attained something very special indeed... That is The Art of Living... and that is what the Art of Living courses bring to our experience.

Unlocking The Secrets of Breath

One of the breath's great secrets is that for every feeling or emotion there is a corresponding rhythm in the breath. The masterpiece of the the Art of Breathing Course is a powerful breathing-based technique called Sudarshan Kriya, or the healing breath. Sudarshan Kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to release stress and bring the mind to the present moment.

The Art of Breathing Course has been enjoyed by people of all traditions, religions, and walks of life; in universities, churches, governments, businesses, prisons, war zones, community rooms, and living rooms. The course is complete in itself and is also a foundation for other Art of Living programs.

The Sudarshan Kriya has dissipated alot of the worries and anxieties I had in my life. Now I am able to deal with every day challenges with a feeling of inner strength. - John Chu, Realtor, Miami, Florida

Sudarshan Kriya The masterpiece of the Art of Breathing Course is the unique breathing-based technique called Sudarshan Kriya, or the healing breath. (The practice goes by this Sanskrit name in whatever language the program is taught throughout the world.) Sudarshan Kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to release stress and bring the mind to the present moment. The course also includes other breathing techniques, meditation, low-impact yoga, and skills for dealing effectively with challenging emotions and situations. Greater creativity and clarity of mind Reduced stress and tension More ease and joy in personal relationships

Daily Practice The Sudarshan Kriya practice is instrumental in creating a sense of harmony in the body, mind and spirit. After the practice, participants commonly report feeling calm and centered, with a clearer vision of the world and themselves. Several independent studies on the numerous mental and physical health benefits of Sudarshan Kriya have been published in international peer-reviewed journals, and confirm what participants commonly report.

A few times of the healing breath fully relaxes you. Your life becomes more total. All the faces of your personality come together to make you one whole person. Do the healing breath and meditate. these practices completely transforms you and kindle the love deep inside. - His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of the Art of Living Foundation

My work requires me to interact with many different people. After taking the course for the first time in India four years ago, I have become an efficient communicator. I am more receptive to people’s ideas and I am enjoying being more creative. Earlier I was a big procrastinator. Now I am cured of that and I am able to take more and more responsibilities.
- Sachin Singh, an Oracle Developer from Deloitte Consulting

Benefits of The Course

We have learned many skills at home and in school, but we have never been taught how to handle negative emotions like: anger, sadness, fear etc. "Don't be angry!", we hear... But how to do exactly that?

If we learn the skill to deal with our mind when these emotions arise, the quality of our lives can change significantly for the better. Through the power of the breath and ancient knowledge of the mind, the Art of Breathing Course teaches us this skill. The Art of Breathing Course teaches us how to have greater peace, energy and joy, for a lifetime!	What happens when we are unaware? Følelser tar lett overhånd...
Return To Joy Our mind tends to vacillate between the past and the future. We are either regretting the past or anxious about the future. However as we all know living in the present moment is the route to joy. Our mind is such that we cannot control it in a direct manner. We cannot force it to be in the present moment. But we can influence our mind through the breath. "Take a deep breath" is an age-old recommendation for relaxation. The Art of Breathing Course takes this effect of breath on our minds and applies it in a very precise and powerful manner through the Sudarshan Kriya technique. Regular practice of this technique can bring our mind effortlessly into the present moment. As this happens, we learn the ability to reduce the effects of negative emotions and return to our natural state of joy.	More enthusiasm and dynamism in activities Increased harmony in relationships at home and at work Increased resilience to withstand stressful situations A smile born from inner stability Experience of a new depth in life and spirituality
Restoring The Natural Rhythm There is a rhythm in all parts of nature; the sun rises and sets with a particular rhythm, the tides rise and ebb with their own rhythm, our body wakes and sleeps with a certain rhythm. Similarly every emotion has a corresponding rhythm in the breath. In the Art of Breathing Course we use this link between our breath and our emotions to come closer to the rhythm of our natural Being. For a detailed summary of the medical benefits, please visit medical research.

The Art of Living Course Part 1 practices have changed my life. Negative emotions do not have the same grip on me and they go away faster. I really think my health has improved also. I am strongly recommending the course to all my friends, family, and patients. - Jyotsna Sahni, Doctor, Tucson, Arizona

Medical Research And Health Reports

Research Summary

Research on mind-body techniques has entered a new era requiring state-of-the art techniques and methodologies. The Art of Living Foundation is developing a long-range approach. Now in the first phase, scientists are producing pilot studies to demonstrate the potential benefits of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga for improving health and well-being. Of necessity, most of these studies are relatively small and exploratory. However, they provide the evidence required for obtaining larger grants to fund more definitive work. Many of these studies have been presented at the World Conferences at the All India Institute of Medicine and NeuroSciences in 2003 and 2006. As you read about research projects, keep in mind that these results suggest but do not yet prove benefits.

Though my yoga practice has long been essential to my well-being, since I began practicing Sudarshan Kriya, I feel lighter, as though I'm carrying less emotional baggage, while I feel a growing solidity at my core.
- Amy Weintraub, Author of Yoga for Depression

The Course Format

The Art of Living Course Part 1 is a twenty-two hour program taught in six sequencial days in a non-residential format. Each session lasting about three to five hours. For most courses, the weekday sessions are in the evening while weekend sessions happen during daytime. Courses are occasionally offered in different formats (including residential), and programs may be arranged for specific groups.

Often, newcomers will be greeted by repeaters of the Art of Living Course Part 1. Infact, according to most repeaters: With every successive course, one receives a better understanding of the knowledge points, as well as more profound integration and awareness in daily life.

Tools For Life

The home practice usually requires about 20-30 minutes on an ongoing basis. Guided followups happen weekly in most areas, which establishes correct techniques, keeps up the inspiration, as well as supporting beneficial habits.

More than 25 million people have up till now benefited from the Art of Living courses and humanitarian service programs. People from all traditions, religions and walks of life; in universities, churches, governments, businesses, prisons, war zones, community rooms, and living rooms. Internationally, Art of Living Foundation is currently offering stress-management courses and leading humanitarian projects in more than 150 countries, by the help of tens of thousands of contributing volunteers.

Contacts

Norway

The Art of Living Foundation - Norway

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Phone: 22 59 37 05