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The volunteers of the Art of Living are risking hostile conditions such as threat to life from constant bombing and shelling, heavy army presence, language barriers, lack of fresh vegetarian food, shoe-string budget. Initially, the foundation also focused on distribution of food, clothes and medicines. But sensing a deeper need to address the disturbed mental and emotional states, the volunteers introduced Art of Living workshops that include breathing and meditation exercises. They also conducted several medical camps using Ayurveda medicine. The combined approach to the well being of body and mind gave us spectacular results.
 The team has already set up a trauma relief center in Baghdad where they are teaching the world-renowned Art of Living Course and Sudarshan Kriya (a breathing technique). Sri Sri has trained more than 45 Iraqis who are now working to bring peace and solace to the Iraqi people. Since 2001, the volunteers of the Art of Living are risking their own lives to heal the trauma of decades of war. Since September 2003, volunteers have been working under trying circumstances to help the Iraqi people overcome the deep pain and suffering inflicted by the ongoing warfare and the prevailing uncertainty.
Medicines, food and clothes for the body, breathing and meditation exercises for the mind and soul - the trauma relief camps received a very enthusiastic response from the Iraqi people. For the first time, people who had not been able to sleep for days together because of constant bombing and killing were able to sleep thanks to breathing and meditation techniques. Many got relief from
The techniques we teach have been documented to improve a variety of mental and physical illnesses, including hypertension, depression, anxiety, blood pressure, migraine, coronary heart disease, asthma, diabetes, HIV and other psychosomatic disorders resulting from war-related stress. What started with thirty participants has rapidly expanded, and now hundreds of participants have gone through our programs. Participants have said that they’re sleeping better, they’re more energetic and relaxed, and that their confidence has grown. Our work in Iraq continues to expand, and more trauma relief centers are being opened around the country.
“We are committed to making life a celebration on this planet.”
- His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
The Art of Living Foundation has a history of taking on tough tasks. Among our programs are rehabilitation projects in some of the world’s toughest prisons, projects for at-risk youth, and disaster and trauma relief projects in Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, and New York City post-9/11.
Iraq also face the same daily struggles as the Iraqi citizens: blackouts, explosions, and living within a devastated infrastructure. AOL Volunteers up to the challenge, and are committed to working with the people of Iraq to build a better future.
The openness and acceptance of our volunteers by the Iraqi people has encouraged the AOL volunteers to stay on despite the harsh and hostile conditions of life there. The inspiration to do so comes from ceaseless endeavour of H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to promote global peace and foster human values.
 Medical clinics are also started and treating people using traditional herbal medicines. Over two hundred Iraqis are treated each day, and are able to find natural remedies to their health issues.
In addition we are implementing our highly successful 5H Program (Health, Hygiene, Homes, Human Values, Harmony in Diversity) in Iraq, which is empowering communities to rebuild and take responsibility for their own development.
Sri Sri has decided to go to Iraq to help rebuild the country. "It is critical that the world community collaborate on the rebuilding of Iraq. This must be a worldwide effort to help the Iraqi people restore their country," Ravi Shankar said.
Sri Sri went to the US after a visit to Lebanon where he met with religious leaders and social activists to discuss the issue of rebuilding Iraq. "Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is hoping to gather leaders of his stature from the major faiths in Iraq once it becomes a little more calmer and safer in Iraq," his aides said.
Geneva-based International Association for Human Values, founded by Sri Sri, will commit volunteers to help restock and rebuild the much-needed facilities such as hospitals and schools as well as create trauma centers in Iraq.
The IAHV, which is also a United Nations accredited non-governmental organization, is calling on volunteers from all ethnic, cultural and faith traditions to join them in delivering aid to the Iraqi people.
The first group of volunteers to be drawn predominantly from the association's Mid-East offices will work to provide resources to institutions made destitute by the war and subsequent looting. The initial step will be to assess needs and to see how the skills of the volunteers can be best applied.
"Basically what Sri Sri is saying is that this (rebuilding) is not a job of one or two organizations or governments. He says that all the major religions of the world have resources and they should utilize these resources to help Iraq. That is what is needed now," one aide said. "He wants people from other faiths to come together and say 'yes' to helping the hapless people of Iraq."
The humanitarian crisis in Iraq, according to IAHV that has a consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN, may very well be one of the most serious in recent years and because of this it is calling volunteers from around the world to form a multinational coalition of rebuilders.
"The provision of aid through a multinational and multi-faith coalition will demonstrate that this is an opportunity to bring greater unity and cooperation to the world," Sri Sri said.
If any country’s citizens needed de-stressing it would be those of Iraq. Now India’s Art of Living Foundation is bringing yoga, meditation and breathing exercises to try to soothe a people rattled by war and continuing violence. The foundation's whose goal is to “eliminate stress, create a sense of belonging and restore human values” has added Iraq to its 140 countries of operation. The response, say team members, has been very encouraging. At one of the al-Qadisiyah camps, 200 Iraqis queued up every day. The volunteers found that Iraqi children were among the worst affected. The children are being put through breathing exercises and play stress relieving games.
“I’ve been suffering from a loss of concentration, weak memory and extreme anger. Now I feel as if something heavy has been lifted from my back.” - Course participant “I found that this training of breathing is so useful and its benefit shows when I do it. I feel that my heart is stronger and younger. When I can’t sleep I just do the breathing and I feel energy in all parts of my body.”
Course Participant
“I found that this training of breathing is so useful and its benefit shows when I do it. I feel that my heart is stronger and younger. When I can’t sleep I just do the breathing and I feel energy in all parts of my body.”
- Abdul Wahab.k.moish, Chief engineer, Ministry of Electricity
“I feel peace with myself and have less stress. I think if I continue with the practice, this feeling of peace will continue to grow.”
- Dr. Venus
"Before this experience, I was sad, depressed and starting to lose hope because of the situation here  in Iraq. Now, after only four days, I feel confident in myself – happier, have hopes and dreams again and I feel that life is so beautiful. I have started to love everyone and physically I have much more energy and am able to do more things. I want to thank you very much for helping all of us feel better.”
- M. Ali Bankat
“I had a wonderful experience in these four days. I feel better, like my head is clear and that oxygen is entering every cell in my body… thank you for sharing this experience with us.”
- M. Fahdil
“I’ve been chronically depressed and on medication for years. I’m no longer depressed or take medication. Since taking the Art of Living Course, I’ve learned to live in the now… less concerned about the past and the future.”
- T.M.
“I feel like I went through a mental shower. Before, I was very angry and very sad about everything in the past. Now I’m just filled with joy and gratitude.”
- S.L.
“I can’t really begin to tell you the emotional and psychological feelings I’m having now after the course. The peace, serenity, and exhilaration I have got from doing the breathing techniques have me more euphoric than any drug I’ve ever taken, and I know that if I continue this in my daily life I’ll never use drugs again.”
- A.K., age 24 
“I had decided to go back on my anti-depressants before this course, but now I don’t need them. I will practice these techniques every single day for the rest of my life. I only hope other people are lucky enough to take this course. It has given me more help than I could have ever imagined possible. Thank you.”
- M., age 26
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