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How the Happiness Program Helps You
Create Lasting Happiness
Through practical, self-empowering tools, you'll discover how to quiet the mind and be fully present and alive. Then, you can access and abide in peace and joy, even while facing the increasing demands of contemporary life.

Connect More Easily in All Your Relationships
The program isn’t just about dealing with your internal self... It also helps you connect more deeply and easily with others, so you can enjoy happier, more confident and stable relationships with old friends and new.
Learn Practices for a Lifetime
Come away new skills and an effective routine you can follow at home to strengthen your resilience and deepen your joy. Plus receive access to weekly practice groups to improve your skills and maintain momentum after the workshop.
A powerful program brought to you by compassionate experts
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, humanitarian leader, spiritual teacher and ambassador of peace, creator of The Happiness Program and Sudarshan Kriya.
After teaching meditation for many years, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar developed The Happiness Program and its central breathing technique, Sudarshan Kriya, which effectively reduces stress and seems to take people effortlessly into a state of deep meditation.
Millions of people around the world, including dozens of Fortune companies, olympic athletes, top business schools, and CEOs have discovered the power of Sudarshan Kriya.
Our partner nonprofits use the same techniques in service projects to support communities in need. Returning soldiers, at-risk students, prisoners and disaster victims have all experienced relief from trauma and stress.
There are now over 700 Happiness Program instructors around the US, most of whom volunteer their time to lead these programs. So you can join a course in over 200 locations, and quite possibly, right in your neighborhood.
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The Art of Living Happiness Program: a uniquely powerful combination
The Happiness Program takes place over three relaxing yet focused days.
Here are some of the unique benefits you’ll experience:
A 3 Day Program. A Lifetime Of Happiness.
Get A Daily Practice You Can Continue At Home
The goal of the 3-day Art of Happiness workshop is to give you the skills, support and training to continue using these powerful breathing techniques once you get home. Research shows your cortisol levels can reduce by over 50% on the first day you practice, and will continue to improve if you keep practicing. We'll teach you a simple, effective home breathing practice you can do each day to release stress and start every day afresh: feeling clear, confident and happy.
PLUS: Lifetime access to weekly practice groups and a global spiritual community
The Happiness Program doesn’t end after the 3-day course. You will also receive FREE lifetime access to weekly Sudarshan Kriya Practice Groups in Art of Living Centers, and can attend wherever you are in the world.
You’ll be able to connect with a dedicated community of like-minded, positive and compassionate people who will be there to support and grow with you.
You’ll make friends and lasting connections with people who understand how to get the most out of the program, and develop your practice alongside them to get the very best out of your life.
Share your journey and surround yourself with happiness!
PLUS: Exclusive FREE Bonus Content in our Happiness Program Graduate Area
UPGRADE YOUR HOME PRACTICE
- Home Kriya Helpers - Handout on the home practice details, and audio file that guides you through the whole sequence.
- Home Yoga Sequence - Get a handout and video for the yoga sequence we will practice in class. The perfect peaceful workout before your breathing.
- Home Meditation Starter Kit - 5 Guided Meditation MP3 downloads ($50 value) and 3 Golden Rules for Meditation Video by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
DEEPEN YOUR MIND MASTERY
- Extended Wisdom from the Happiness Program in text, audio, and video
- Handouts with journaling prompts on integrating the key points from the course
- Premium Wisdom Videos from Sri Sri ($32 value)
- Celebrating Silence Ebook - an anthology of Sri Sri's practical wisdom ($12 value)
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Discover the power of Art of Living's breathing exercises
70 independent studies on Sudarshan Kriya & related practices (SK&P)
From reducing stress to getting better rest, these techniques have a demonstrated measurable impact on quality of life.
Over 70 independent studies conducted on four continents and published in peer review journals, have demonstrated a comprehensive range of benefits from practicing Sudarshan Kriya™ and related breathing exercises taught on the Art of Living Happiness Program.
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What people are saying about The Happiness Program
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WHY THIS COURSE? | WHAT YOU'LL LEARN | RESEARCH | REVIEWS | FAQS | MEDIA | REGISTER NOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Why take a course about breathing? I’ve been breathing my whole life!
While breathing happens automatically, most of us are unaware that working with the breath can give us the ability to manage our mind and emotions. In fact, every emotion you experience has a corresponding rhythm in the breath. By changing the rhythms of breath, you can change your emotions.
For example, you’ll learn the breath of peace, which makes both inhale and exhale long and smooth, bringing you back to calm and relaxed mind. Another technique, we call “Yogic Coffee” will give you a boost of energy and focus (and no caffeine jitters). The centerpiece of the course, Sudarshan Kriya™, uses specific rhythms of breath to get you unstuck and take you effortlessly into a state of meditation.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly the breath can calm the mind and how easy meditation can be.
What if I’ve already learned some breathing exercises before? Will this be too beginner?
In addition to a series of introductory breathing exercises (pranayamas), The Happiness Program features a unique breathing technique called Sudarshan Kriya™. Many people who’ve practiced other breathwork and meditation techniques have told us that Sudarshan Kriya is the most powerful and effective tool they’ve ever learned.
It leaves you calm yet energized, focused yet relaxed, bringing more joy and happiness to your life, eliminating fatigue and negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and depression.
What results have been seen by independent researchers?
Over 60 independent studies have been done on the breathing exercises taught in the workshop, called SKY (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga).
Here are some of the most impressive research results:
- Up to 87.5% reduction in stress bio-marker levels (serum cortisol and blood lactate) [4, 6, 14]
- 33% increase in the well-being hormone prolactin from the very first session [26]
- Relieves depression in 67-73% of participants within one month (across over a dozen studies). [2, 4, 8-14]
- Relieves anxiety in 71% of individuals for whom medication and psychotherapy treatments had failed. [1]
- 3x more time spent in deep restful stages of sleep. [21]
- Increased levels of antioxidant enzymes which protect us from many diseases and rapid aging. [6, 23, 27]
- Reduced blood pressure in both healthy and health compromised individuals. [25,30]
- Improved cholesterol and triglyceride profile. [24] [6,28]
- Greater mental focus in regular practitioners (significantly greater EEG Beta wave activity) [20]
(Research Details and References: www.artofliving.org/us-en/research-sudarshan-kriya)
Disclaimer: The Happiness Program is for overall well-being and rejuvenation. The above results are from research studies, many of which are based on an adaptation of The Happiness Program to special needs groups. The Happiness Program is not designed to treat or alleviate clinical symptoms. If you suspect you may have a clinical condition, consult your healthcare professional before deciding whether to enroll in our program.
How soon will I start seeing results? And do they last?
Research shows physical & mental health benefits are often shown from the very first session. And results are cumulative; they grow stronger over time.
Results also seem to have a lasting effect. In one study cited by Prevention Magazine, not only did people's anxiety reduce 44%, but it lasted for 6 months. Results from studies on people with PTSD and depression also show sustained effects. See details and references at https://www.artofliving.org/us-en/research-sudarshan-kriya
How is the Happiness Program different from other spiritual and self-development courses?
Experiential - Unlike many self-development programs, this course is not a lecture. The Happiness Program is experiential and interactive. You will learn and practice yoga, breathing and meditation, enjoy engaging group processes and discussions, and receive expert guidance on how to practice the breathing at home.
Effortless, Yet Effective - One thing that makes us unique is the effortless nature of our techniques. You don’t have to worry about fast, complicated yoga poses, strict meditation techniques, or overly intense breathing techniques.
Time-tested and Universal - Many people out there go through a yoga teacher training or write a self-help book and call themselves a spiritual teacher. Meanwhile, The Art of Living has touched hundreds of millions of lives in 155 countries for the last 36 years. And Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, has received 16 honorary doctorates, and dozens of high honors from governments around the world. Our educational and self-development programs offer powerful tools to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. Appealing not only to a specific population, these practices have been proven effective globally and at all levels of society.
Research-based - Over 65 independent studies conducted on four continents and published in peer-reviewed journals have demonstrated a comprehensive range of benefits from practicing the breathing exercises taught on the Art of Living Happiness Program.
Who created this course?
The Happiness Program was designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a world renowned humanitarian leader, spiritual teacher and ambassador of peace. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people around the world through service projects and courses offered by The Art of Living.
As a spiritual teacher, Sri Sri has rekindled the traditions of yoga and meditation and offered them in a form that is relevant to the 21st century. Beyond reviving ancient wisdom, Sri Sri has created new techniques for personal and social transformation. These include Sudarshan Kriya, which has helped millions of people to find relief from stress and discover inner reservoirs of energy and inner silence in daily life.
As a noted humanitarian leader, Sri Sri’s programs have provided assistance to people from a wide range of backgrounds – victims of natural disasters, survivors of terror attacks and war, children from marginalized populations, and communities in conflict, among others. The strength of his message has inspired a wave of service based on spirituality through a huge body of volunteers, who are driving these projects forward in critical areas around the globe.
As an ambassador of peace, Sri Sri 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. Regarded as a neutral figure with a sole agenda of peace, he represents hope to people in conflict. He has received particular credit for bringing opposing parties to the negotiating table in Columbia, Iraq, the Ivory Coast, Kashmir and Bihar. Through his initiatives and speeches, Sri Sri has consistently emphasized the need for reinforcing human values and recognizing that we belong to a one-world family. Fostering interfaith harmony and calling for multi-cultural education as the remedy for fanaticism are significant parts of his efforts to achieve sustainable peace on our planet.
Who is eligible for this course?
You must be over the age of 18 to be eligible for this course. We do offer Youth Programs for Middle School and High School-aged students through a partner nonprofit.
Some techniques on the course are not suitable for pregnant women. A suitable alternative program for pregnant women is the effortless meditation program called Sahaj Samadhi Meditation.
Persons having undergone major surgery within 8 weeks of the course start date, and those with a seizure disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorders, must consult with a physician and provide a signed copy of the attached medical clearance form in order to enroll in The Happiness Program. For such individuals, the effortless and highly effective Sahaj Samadhi Meditation program may be a valuable alternative.
Can I repeat the course after taking it before?
Many people enjoy repeating the Happiness Program and find they get something new out of it each time. There is a discounted fee of $100 for repeaters.
I have other questions. Who can I talk to about the course?
Call us at (855) 202-4400 to speak with one of our experts about The Happiness Program and how it can benefit you in your life.
Ready to start living your life the way you've always wanted to?
Join the Art of Living Happiness Program and develop effective skills for lasting happiness
- Discover secrets of the breath with the powerful Sudarshan Kriya and related yogic breathing techniques which reduce stress, raise energy and give you a clear, positive state of mind.
- Regain control of your own mind and emotions – develop a stress-busting attitude that gives you more perspective on life, and helps you deal more effectively with frustration, impatience and other difficult emotions.
- Get tools to last a lifetime – Get expert training in breathing techniques that can benefit you for the rest of your life, including exclusive online bonus content and a practice you can continue at home.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SHARE
Helping People Thrive
WHY THIS COURSE? | WHAT YOU'LL LEARN | RESEARCH | REVIEWS | FAQS | MEDIA | REGISTER NOW
A Dozen Leading Publications on How The Happiness Program is Changing Lives

The Easy Breathing Technique That Can Lower Your Anxiety 44%
August 18, 2015
"many people reported better sleep, improved self-awareness, and even fewer PMS symptoms"
Six months later, their anxiety scores had decreased by about 44%, and many no longer qualified for a clinical diagnosis. Scores on a comprehensive measure of psychological symptoms—including depression, phobias, and hostility, among others—also fell by 45%.

Breathing is the New Yoga! 9 Shortcuts to Calming Anxiety
August 11, 2016
Sudarshan Kriya’s engagement of the parasympathetic nervous system can rebalance brain chemistry.
In scientific terms, a controlled breathing practice cuts into stress hormones, dances with our nervous system, and regulates the oxygen, CO2, and pH levels in our blood. It has therapy potential against depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In sidewalk terms, breathing lets us get a grip.

An Incredible Alternative to Mindfulness You Never Heard Of
April 9, 2016
"Does meditation make you anxious or mad? Here's a science backed alternative."
"We keep seeing more studies demonstrating how mindfulness meditation can change the brain, make us feel better, and generally improve our lives. That’s great. But what if it doesn’t work for you? Maybe the practices that were supposed to take you to a calm place made you feel anxious or irritable.
Your skin crawls, you have ants in your pants, and you swing between anxiety attacks and rage. Not exactly Zen."

Breathing Lessons
September 27, 2006
"A yoga-based technique that targets healing and stress is gaining favor"
Students of the Art of Living program say the breathing technique can bring greater awareness, a fuller and happier life, less stress, greater mental focus, and a bevy of other health benefits. – Los Angeles Times

3 Science-Backed Ways to Relieve Pain and Stress
August 7, 2017
"Calm your nervous system with the relaxation response"
"Guided relaxations calm the nervous system by decreasing blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension while increasing blood flow. When your mind is in a state of stress from pain or anxiety, your breathing becomes tense and shallow. But research shows that when you consciously change your breathing, you can quickly change how you feel as well."

How Meditation Transformed This Entrepreneur’s Approach To Work And Life
March 14, 2016
“It changed my life literally overnight.” ~Louis Gagnon, CEO of MyBrainSolutions
Louis Gagnon, CEO of MyBrainSolutions and former executive at Audible Inc., ... shared his view that we can only reach our highest potential as individuals and leaders if we find peace of mind.

Emperor of Air
August 28, 2007
"Art of Living may be the fastest growing spiritual practice on the planet"
If you try to understand things through experience, the proof is in the pudding. You do the practice and the stress leaves you and you feel better. It promises a very satisfying and immediate thing. You can feel better without relying on someone else to explain it rationally and without relying on the promise of heaven later.

Art of Living on CNN Project Life
April 1, 2008
“Life Changing”
“Meditation is like a mental workout. The more you exercise these parts of the brain, the healthier and happier your mindset will be.”

Take a Deep Breath
July 5, 2007
"just as emotions impact how people breathe, how they breathe can also impact their emotions"
The breathing technique Shankar teaches is based on the notion that just as emotions impact how people breathe, how they breathe can also impact their emotions. By controlling their breath, the idea goes, people can counter their stress and recover from natural disasters and violent surroundings.

Yogic Breathing: What are the benefits?
September 18, 2015
"not only aims to remove day-to-day stresses, but also target negative emotions you may not know are still affecting you"
A specific kind of yoga called Sudarshan Kriya is in the limelight. Focused on breathing, this form has been shown to provide relief from depression and has even shown promise in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, according to a recent study in the Journal of Traumatic Stress.

Here’s Why Meditation Is So Amazing For Your Mental Health
March 2, 2016
“impressive results”
“A study done on this specific type of meditation showed that it was able to alleviate stress-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, because of the way it affects the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for moderating heart rate and hormone release), and curbs the body’s stress response.”
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We're making this affordable for everyone.
When you join The Happiness Program you'll not only be enrolled in a potentially life-changing 3-day in-person workshop near you, you'll also be getting training on a home practice and lifetime access to supportive weekly practice groups and exciting online bonus content.
Some online-only courses that simply teach meditation techniques without in-person training can cost up to $2,000. But because the Art of Living Foundation is a volunteer-led nonprofit, our course is open to anyone for just $395. A single small investment for a lifetime of calm and happiness.
Get equipped with a comprehensive toolkit for a peaceful, happy state of mind.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Advanced Breathing Exercises
- Experience the Sudarshan Kriya - effectively reduces stress and takes you into a state of deep meditation
- The power of pranayama - learn a series of breathing exercises to calm and energize your mind
- Backed by research - 70 independent studies confirm a full range of mind-body benefits from Sudarshan Kriya, home kriya and related practices (yoga and pranayama)
- Get expert training on how to practice Sudarshan Kriya and pranayamas on your own
Mind Mastery
- Traditionally, yoga is more than movement - it’s also an outlook on life. On The Happiness Program, we’ll explore a profound and practical yogic thinking framework, which when understood and practiced, can act like a force-field against stress. Sudarshan Kriya helps us remove stress; wisdom helps us not accumulate stress to begin with.
- These aren’t just intellectual lectures - you’ll engage in interactive discussions and experiential processes based on adult learning theory to maximize your understanding and retention.
Yoga and Meditation
- Learn easy yoga poses you can incorporate into your day for greater health, focus and relaxation.
- Enjoy unique guided meditations and get a taste of the beauty within.
Plus, never stop growing with these special bonuses:
FREE Lifetime Access to Sudarshan Kriya Practice Groups
Get access to weekly graduate-only practice groups in nearly 200 US cities and 150 countries. Connect with a community of healthy, positive people supporting you to live your best life, and refresh the wisdom and techniques from the course. ($520/year value!)
FREE EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT: Happiness Program Graduate Area
Grads can log-in and have access to:
- Audio guidance and Handout for your home practice
- Home yoga sequence
- Home Meditation Starter Kit ($50 value)
- Exclusive extended wisdom from the Happiness Program
- Graduate-only webinars
- Premium wisdom videos from Sri Sri ($32 value)
- Celebrating Silence Ebook - an anthology of practical wisdom ($12 value)