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NEW DELHI, INDIA July 10, 2004: People worldwide are turning to the intensive Art of Living course on lowering stress and finding renewed vigor and clarity through age-old Hindu breathing techniques. More than 2 million people, from students at the Art of Living ashram in southern India to the techies of Silicon Valley, CEO’s of Manhattan and prisoners in New Delhi have taken breathing and meditation courses based on the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, says this article. Though Shankar is a devout Hindu, his message is not religious, states this article. “The Art of Living is not about conversion. Some things are the same everywhere: caring, sharing and leaving the world a better place than you found it,” said Art of Living instructor, Sanjiv Kakar. The premise of the program is to perform “sudarshan kriya” every morning for 25 minutes. Sudarshan kriya, which Shankar says came to him during 10 days of silent meditation in 1982, involves rhythmic breathing to infuse the body with oxygen and help rid it of toxins and stress. India’s ancient yogis considered fresh oxygen and calmness key to physical stamina, so breathing in tune with the rhythms of nature has always been an integral part of yoga. The program’s teachers offered free courses to some 1,000 people in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attack, and 22,000 prisoners in New Delhi’s Tihar Prison have taken the corse. The group builds schools and provides health care in rural India, among other projects.

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