Source

IRAQ, January 13, 2004: The Art of Living foundation of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is bringing yoga, meditation and breathing exercises to try to soothe a people rattled by war and continuing violence. The Bangalore-based foundation whose goal is to “eliminate stress, create a sense of belonging and restore human values” has added Iraq to its 140 countries of operation. About 15 volunteers, including doctors, are running medical camps using traditional Indian alternative medicine, and meditation and yoga classes to ease the strain on Iraqis. The initiative began in Dillad, a farming village near Saddam Hussein’s home town of Tikrit. Since then, volunteers have set up medical camps in Baghdad and al-Qadisiyah on the outskirts of the city. At one of the al-Qadisiyah camps, 200 Iraqis lined up every day. “After the bombings, trauma and anxiety levels among people in Baghdad were very high,” said Vinod Kumar, the leader of the group in Iraq. “Though the war is over, we found many residents were unable to sleep or even eat. The residents go through mood swings and depression. The majority of the men smoke heavily and a large number of women have begun smoking,” said Mr. Kumar. The volunteers conduct stress-busting sessions — two-hour-long special breathing exercises over four days — and the doctors recommend traditional Indian herbal medicines. The volunteers found that Iraqi children were among the worst affected by the continuing violence and insecurity in the country. The children are being put through breathing exercises and play stress-relieving games. The foundation’s volunteers have not found it easy to work in Iraq, although being Indian has helped. “Iraqis are fond of Indians. So they have been very open to our healing techniques. They also have a spiritual thirst,” said Mr. Kumar.

Post Views: 553