By Denise Everheart I Posted on : November 18, 2020
Can breathwork reduce violence in America? Read how Cities 4 Peace created a ripple effect using breathwork and principles of non-violence. #ReThinkPeace
What happens when law enforcement and former gang members come together to breathe? The answer might surprise you!
In fact, what happened may have surprised everyone participating. Except, that is, for the executive director of Cities 4 Peace, Mandar Apte.
For more than 10 years Mandar has taught breathing and meditation for the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) and the Art of Living Foundation. He knew that breath, meditation, and practical wisdom would have a positive impact!
Inspired by Gandhi’s message of non-violence, Mandar set out to share the transformational power of SKY Breath Meditation with community members in South Los Angeles. If a difference could be made there, a difference could be made anywhere!
Working with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development, Cities 4 Peace facilitated the first-ever Non-violence Ambassador Certification Program over 8 weeks in 2019.
With police, ex-gang members, and community leaders all in attendance a beautiful experiment began!
How violent is South Los Angeles?
In 2018, there were over 25,000 violent crimes (including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) reported in Los Angeles. Over 70% of these incidents were reported in South L.A. This created huge stress on local residents and the police department.
Stress is a known health hazard. But it also contributes significantly to how we interact with one another. Stress comes in many forms. Everything from environmental to economic, to emotional and nutritional. When we experience too much stress our ‘fight or flight’ response can get stuck in the ‘fight’ mode. That constant struggle to keep fighting is exhausting. But without an alternative, the fight continues.
#ReThinkPeace
Through interactive discussions and group processes, the Cities 4 Peace program helped build strong bonds between LAPD officers and community members. Participants were also trained to facilitate an introductory module on non-violence so that they could share the benefits of the program and become ambassadors of non-violence in their communities. George Mason University School of Conflict Analysis & Resolution undertook an independent research evaluation of the most recent program in Los Angeles. Here is a brief summary of the impact that the program had on participants:
Deepened understanding of and commitment towards non-violence
Learned a profound tool-kit of meditation techniques and wisdom for enabling transformation on a daily basis.
Improved leadership capacity to promote compassion and non-violence within the community
Petra Funtilla, Director of 2nd Call in Los Angeles, shared “In the workshop, I interacted with law enforcement in a way that I would never have done normally. This allowed me to see them as human beings”.
Talk about inspiration for troubled times.
Ellen Pace, Board Member, Neighborhood Council: “Because we did it here. I think we can do it anywhere.”
Community intervention using SKY Breath Meditation
The program equipped the participants with profound breathing and meditation techniques to reduce stress, heal from trauma, and improve resilience. The central breathing technique, SKY Breath Meditation, has a lot of research backing up these results.
Studies have shown participants experience a 56% reduction in stress hormones! While also giving a 21% increase in life satisfaction. SKY has been shown to reduce impulsivity, addictive behaviors, and PTSD. Many participants also report improved personal relationships.
It’s no wonder that everyone felt empowered to make a difference in their communities!
Community Intervention worker: “Now my reaction is to forgive and say, you know what? Maybe I can help him. Maybe that person is just having a bad day.”
Community Intervention worker: “It's like the weight is being lifted off your back when you come from this experience. We carry a heavy load when we do community intervention work and this lightens that load a hundred percent.”
Cities 4 Peace across America
On the last day of the program, Deputy Chief Dennis Kato of the LAPD said “Today, the 40 graduates and people that went through the eight weeks, I'm watching you guys today, interact. I have gang interventionists talking to officers, talking to people from the community and it's working”.
Imagine if Cities 4 Peace was available in all major cities in the U.S.!
If you want to get involved and have Cities 4 Peace to come to your city, click here. You can also donate!
If you liked learning about Cities 4 Peace, you might enjoy learning about another unique initiative by Mandar Apte to promote nonviolence. ‘From India With Love’, is a documentary that takes us on a journey to India with a delegate including victims of violence, former gang members, and community advocates. They traveled to the other side of the world to walk the same path as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took when he visited India. Would they also be inspired by Gandhi’s message of non-violence? To learn more click here. You can also watch on Amazon!
Want to learn more about SKY Breath Meditation? You can attend a free online ‘live’ introductory session, Beyond Breath. You will learn how you too can experience the benefits of SKY! You will also learn a powerful breathing technique and experience a guided meditation. Select a date now!
Are you all ready to do some breathing? Let's do this! Take a deep breath in, and relax...
Denise Everheart is a freelance writer, breath meditation coach, and recipe designer. Follow her @everheartstudio4meditation and @celeplateyourlife on Instagram.
