What would it take to see an unshakable smile from everyone on the planet?

Less anger and division. More love and equality. And less pandemic too, right?

Now, let’s take a step back to narrow our perspective for just a moment. Because the answer to an unshakeable smile may vary greatly, depending on one's life experience and circumstance. The truth is, what might inspire one to smile, may cause another to frown. Life gets complicated that way.

But the breath has a powerful secret to offer, and Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC has caught on.

Washington, DC empowers residents with SKY Breathing

Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the #FITDC3 campaign to empower residents to take control of their health, and to promote wellness and true fitness for every body, mind, and community in the District. Powered by Aetna, and in collaboration with the SKY Schools team, SKY Breath Meditation is a featured service of #FITDC3.

Essentially, this means that all DC residents have access to SKY—for free!

So are you wondering: “Why SKY?”

Science has shown that SKY Breath Meditation can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and increase joy, resilience, and immunity. With over 100 peer-reviewed studies backing it across four continents, there’s no denying the positive impact that SKY offers.

Here’s what Tierra had to say after attending a SKY course in October, sponsored by #FITDC3:

Practiced by millions of people around the globe, from every background imaginable (from rural farmers in South America to Manhattan CEOs!), it’s a technique that literally works for everyone.

The stats that show why DC residents love SKY

All that from attending a 3-day SKY course! And the best part? It’s not over when it’s over. Participants continue to amplify those benefits with a take-home, daily SKY practice.

When I see those stats it says: No matter who the participants were, no matter what their life experience may have been, SKY Breath Meditation is working. And to me, that’s revolutionary. Because imagine what the world could be if we were all sincerely calm and happy. Most of the violence, crime, and injustice would be eradicated.

Now that’s a breath of fresh air, yeah?

How SKY Breath Meditation & IAHV have created a huge impact

Thousands of residents have benefited from a wide range of SKY courses across the District. In addition, DC residents have had free access to:

• a weekly online community space for breathwork and meditation

• a restorative space to discuss social issues and gain tools for stress-relief and self-care

• mental wellness webinars led by health experts

• on-demand meditations and guided breathwork webinars

In their second year of partnership, the following services have been added to the list:

• in-person mental wellness experiences at the DC Department of Recreation’s 5Ks

• Sahaj Samadhi Meditation™ and Silent Retreat programs

As we’re still in the woes of the pandemic, DC continues to move forward in their COVID response efforts to support a healthy lifestyle. Through comprehensive approaches to strengthening immune systems and supporting positive health decisions that affect the body, mind, and community, DC residents are breathing SKY for change.

“SKY Breathing has been so essential, I’m not sure where I’d be without it.
Now, in my little apartment in DC. I wake up every morning and breathe.
And my life is different with this in my life.”

-Annie

The breath: A powerful link to inner & outer peace

SKY Breath Meditation was developed by Gurudev, the founder of the Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values. He has often shared that outer peace becomes possible and sustainable through inner peace. And that’s exactly what we’re collectively working towards, one SKY breath at a time.

Through inner peace, we can work towards this vision of a violence-free society, disease-free body, quiver-free breath, confusion-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, trauma-free memory, and a sorrow-free soul, which are the birthrights of every human being.

We’d like to thank Mayor Muriel Bowser for empowering residents with this evidence-based breathing technique that’s transforming lives, and to the SKY team for this meaningful, impactful partnership.

May we all breathe for peace and change, each and every day.