Dynamic activity demands deep rest.
Yoga
From ancient times on, Yogis have discovered that there are connections between the body and mind. On the minus side, stress tends to accumulate in certain parts of the body, like the shoulders and nexk areas. On the plus, skillful use of postures (asanas) can allevaite these tensions and bring about a peaceful state of mind. More than that, precise asanas have health benefits on particular organs and regular practice of Yoga brings mental benefits like greater concentration.
In Art of Living programs Yoga is frequently the beginning of spiritual techqniques as Yoga perfectly prepares you for breathing techniques and then meditation.
Breathing Techniques
It is very difficult to handle the mind at the level of the mind. If you tell yourself "I need to relax", it may not help much.
Breath is the key. Each state of mind is associated with a precise pattern of breathing - we breathe in sharply when scared,
when someone shouts "Boo!", we take deep slow breaths in when happy and relaxed. Art of Living breathing techniques, especially
the Sudarshan Kriya technique - the core of the Part 1/Happiness and SKY Campus programs - build on this foundation. The Sudarshan Kriya in particular relaxes so deeply, that participants naturally and easily start to meditate.
Meditation
A deep state of relaxation. A state of mind without thoughts. An action where we are so engaged, that instead of getting tired, we actually again energy. A state of peace out of which the most brilliant creative thoughts come up. Meditation is all of these things and more.
The best introduction to meditation is on the Art of Living Part 1 programs ("Happiness" programs) or SKY Campus for students - or Art Excel and YES for children and young adults. There we begin with Yoga and breathing techniques which together make it easier to meditate.
After one of those programs, the Sahaj Samadhi Meditation program takes you deeper revealing the connection of sound - mantra - and peace of mind. A mantra, your own mantra, is like wiping the slate clean each day. Whatever has happened, you are fresh and waiting for the next day with enthusiasm.
BASIC COURSES
Begin your journey with Yoga, Breathing Techniques and Meditation! On our entry-level courses (the Part 1 Course/Happiness Course, SKY Campus (students and young professionals 18-30)) you will first of all relax, unwind, and get a deep rest.
Then you will learn a set of simple but powerful techniques - based on Yoga, Breathing Techniques and Meditation -
for daily de-stressing at home and some life skills to help you handle life's challenges more easily - whether those challenges concern work, family, relationships or a leadership role in your community.
You can sign up rightaway for a course or come for a free of charge session online or a session in your area (there may be a small fee).
ADVANCED COURSES
Advanced courses are for when you want to deepen the experience of your first course. When one of the elements of your first course struck a chord with you, you can focus on that in an advanced course or course focussed on that area: life skills and practical wisdom are developed in our New Knowledge Courses; the deepest rest possible in 4 days is available in a silence program where you can also deepen your experience of meditation, Sri Sri Yoga programs focus on Yoga
itself, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation enables you to learn your own mantra for deeper meditation and a daily "wiping the slate clean". Check our Recommended Course Path to get a more detailed idea of our courses and how they are interlinked.
SPECIALIST COURSES
Specialist programs like Sanyam, VTP and TTP are programs for you either because you want not just to eperience deep relaxation but are wondering How does this all work? You would like to find out more about subtler aspects of our life. Or perhaps you feel ready to begin sharing what you have learned. This requires special training, but it also
deepens your own practices - it turns out that being wise and sharing wisdom are connected.
COURSES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
This is an extremely effective program for coping with childhood stress (mainly school-related). Through games, play, laughter, dance, and music, children learn valuable lessons about harmonious cooperation and sharing with others.
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Part I course and participate in regular Follow Ups to consolidate what you've learned.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras - especially if the practical wisdom in the Part I course intrigued you.
After that you will want to deepen your experience of meditation with the Sahaj Samadhi meditation program where you learn how to effortlessly meditate at home.
Once you have completed these programs with at least two silence courses, you are ready, if you wish, to take more advanced or "expert" programs like DSN, VTP or the Teacher Training Program (TTP).
These are programs for those who feel ready tob begin sharing or teaching the techniques they have themselves been benefitting from.
Breath connects the body and the mind.
Breath connects the body and the mind. Breath has a connection with the body - we can breath slower or faster at will, to some extent, just as we can move our body at will - to some extent! But breath is also intimately connected to the mind, each state of mind has an accompanying rhythm of breath.
That is why breathing techniques can be so effective - both as an energiser and as a way of handling emotions.
The main breathing technique taught in Art of Living basic programs is Sudarshan Kriya. A growing body of
scientific research has found significant benefits of Sudarshan Kriya for mental health.
Course Dates
FAQ
I am under pressure at work, I have a demanding job, can the Art of Living programs help?