Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Psychiatry Today on Sudarshan Kriya

Vol. 4, No. 10 / October 2005 Current Psychiatry Online

Yoga: A breath of relief for Hurricane Katrina refugees

Stress-reducing programs relieve trauma symptoms, perhaps by stimulating the vagus nerve.

Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD

Assistant professor in clinical psychiatry, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY

Richard P. Brown, MD

Associate professor in clinical psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians, New York, NY

Hurricane Katrina survivors need help rebuilding their mental health as well as their homes and lives. That’s why 17 teachers trained in a disaster-specific yoga breathing intervention traveled South just days after the storm.

Yoga-based trauma relief programs are a cost-effective way to rapidly relieve posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression in populations affected by disasters. Experience from the 2001 World Trade Center attacks and December 2004 tsunami show these programs can help patients of all ages, with minimal risk.

This article describes two programs shown to ameliorate anxiety, depression, insomnia, hyperarousal and re-experiencing (flashbacks) in survivors of war, terrorism, and natural disasters. We present a neurophysiologic model to explain how yoga breathing could have these effects.

Box 1

Yoga breathing: Disaster teams aid hurricane victims, many others

Two world-wide, nonprofit, humanitarian organizations that originated in India—the Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) and International Association for Human Values (IAHV)—have provided disaster and stress relief programs in 146 countries.

Among Hurricane Katrina survivors, AOLF volunteers were offering courses for adults and children in Baton Rouge, LA, Houston and Austin, TX, when this article went to press in mid-September. Child evacuees who took a yoga breath course Sept. 7 at the Austin convention center said they felt less tense and less aggressive by the second or third day of the course. Their sleep and energy improved, and their writings reflected a more positive self-image.

Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY) and Breath Water Sound (BWS) teachers are setting up programs in other cities receiving large numbers of evacuees, including San Antonio, TX, Miami, FL, Washington, DC, Perth Amboy, NJ, and St. Louis, MO.

A history of helping. SKY and BWS courses are taught by yoga instructors trained and certified by the AOLF, which offers programs in most major U.S. cities. Fees for regular courses and private donations support the free programs offered to disaster survivors and impoverished populations.

Before Hurricane Katrina, the AOLF and IAHV (which are United Nations nongovernmental organizations) have offered emergency trauma relief in other recent disasters:

In Russia, they offered programs for Russian soldiers with PTSD after more than 300 hostages were killed in the September 2004 Beslan school terrorist attack (Photo 1). Many Beslan civilians also participated in the yoga breath courses.

In Southeast Asia, AOLF and IAHV volunteers delivered supplies, set up refugee camps and orphanages, and provided BWS trauma relief to more than 15,000 survivors of the December 2004 tsunami (Photo 2).

Other countries and disasters where AOLF and IAHV trauma programs have been offered include:

· floods in Jakarta (Indonesia), Poland, and Dresden (Germany)

· earthquakes in Gujurat (India) and Bam (Iran)

· terrorist train bombing in Madrid (Spain)

· war or civil strife in Chechnya, Kosovo, Serbia, Croatia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kashmir, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Kabul (Afghanistan), Ramallah (Palestine), Gaza Strip (Palestine), South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Sudan, and Malawi.




SKY and BWS programs

Art of Living Foundation. www.artofliving.org International Association for Human Values. www.iahv.org; for information on BWS courses, contact relief@iahv.org

Research information

Art of Living Foundation Research Committee. Contact researchcommittee@artofliving.org

Source: Photographs reproduced with permission of the Art of Living Foundation

Yoga breath programs

Yoga programs often combine stretches, breath practices, meditation, and group discussions with psychoeducation. All are valuable, but we will focus on four breath forms.

Victorious breath (Ujjayi) creates a sound like ocean waves by a slight contraction of the laryngeal muscles and partial closure of the glottis to increase airway resistance and breath control. At 2 to 4 breaths per minute, Ujjayi is physically and emotionally calming. Three-stage Ujjayi is an advanced form using specific breath cycle ratios, postures, and breath-holds for more powerful effects.

Bellows breath (Bhastrika) is a high-frequency (30 breaths per minute) exercise using the arms to increase the force of inhalation and exhalation.

Om.’ Chanting “om” very slowly creates vibrations in the abdomen, chest, throat, and jaw stimulating vagal and sensory afferents.

Purifying breath (Sudarshan Kriya) is an advanced cyclical breathing at slow, medium, and fast rates.

All four breath forms are taught in Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a 22-hour course that includes yoga postures, guided meditation, group processes, service, and psychoeducation in stress reduction and human values. Breath Water Sound (BWS)—an 8-hour version of SKY adapted for immediate disaster relief—uses three-stage Ujjayi, Bhastrika, and “om” with or without Sudarshan Kriya breathing.

SKY and BWS are offered by the nonprofit Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) and International Association for Human Values (IAHV), which provide disaster relief worldwide (Box 1).

Lessons from 9/11

More than 1,000 New Yorkers received free yoga breathing courses beginning 2 weeks after the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack and continuing for 6 months. Although retrospective analysis has questioned the efficacy of conventional psychotherapy in treating mass trauma within the first weeks of a disaster,1 SKY and BWS teachers and participants reported that trauma symptoms improved dramatically. Three sample cases follow:

Case 1: Persistent fear. Ms. P, age 28, suffered constant panic attacks after witnessing the twin towers’ collapse and having her apartment engulfed in the toxic cloud. She was afraid to be alone, afraid to go out, and felt “numb, depressed, and paralyzed.” Twelve weeks after the terrorist attack, she took the SKY course on the advice of her therapist.

The first Sudarshan Kriya gave her a feeling of lightness and clarity. During the second, she felt happy and peaceful, as though “purified.” The course relieved her symptoms and helped her get on with life.

Ms. P is a recovering alcoholic who was sober for 2 years before 9/11. When interviewed in 2005, she said the yoga programs helped her stay sober and quit smoking. She still practices SKY and is taking advanced courses. She has no posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression symptoms.

Case 2: Sleepless nights. Ms. M, age 48, did not sleep more than 1 hour a night for 2 weeks after 9/11. She was so groggy that she could not return to work as a waitress.

During the first Sudarshan Kriya she cried with fear every time she got to the fast breath cycles because they reminded her of how she was breathing while running from the dust cloud, terrified that she would die. The next day, however, she felt peaceful during Kriya and finished it feeling happy. That night she slept 12 hours.

Case 3: Inability to eat. Ms. L was so nauseated after 9/11 that she could not eat. For 3 weeks, she vomited every time she tried to eat. The night after her first Sudarshan Kriya she was able to hold down a meal. After the second Kriya, she felt hungry for the first time in weeks.

Box 2

Advantages of yoga breathing programs for emergency trauma relief

1. Well-tolerated by recently traumatized survivors of mass disasters

2. Rapidly improve psychological and physiological symptoms of post-traumatic stress, including insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, depression, hyperarousal, overreactivity to triggers, re-experiencing, emotional numbing, social withdrawal, loss of appetite, angry outbursts

3. Cost-effective group treatments (one teacher can lead three classes of 30 persons every day)

4. Acceptable to survivors who do not want to be stigmatized by seeking “psychiatric” treatment

5. Enhance group bonding, group support, and the empowerment of survivors to take responsibility for projects for the good of their communities

How effective?

Immediately after mass disasters, many obstacles impede the study of mental health interventions:

· Immediate relief efforts must focus on rescue and acute physical care, and conditions are too chaotic for controlled studies.

· One-on-one interventions are impractical as the sheer number of victims overwhelms health care providers.

· The sudden, unexpected nature of disasters denies researchers the time needed to develop protocols, obtain grants, and mobilize teams.

· Researchers cannot follow subjects during massive population displacement.

· Ethical concerns about exploiting disaster victims have discouraged research.

As a consequence, most literature contains retrospective data or studies done months or years after the disaster. For data on the effect of SKY and BWS programs, we have drawn on pilot studies; reports from first responders, relief workers, and news reporters; and government documents.2 Our review shows that SKY and BWS programs have advantages over traditional psychotherapy (Box 2) and are effective in relieving survivors’ depression, stress, and anxiety.

Depression. An open study of 46 patients with dysthymia3 (mean illness duration 3.15 years) showed significant improvement on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Clinical Global Impression scales 1 and 3 months after SKY breath training. Among the 37 patients who completed the program, 67.5% achieved remission. After SKY training, small but significant prolactin elevation occurred.4

In a randomized, controlled study, 45 hospitalized patients with severe melancholic depression received SKY; imipramine, 150 mg/d; or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) three times a week. SKY was as effective as imipramine and almost as effective as ECT, as shown by reductions in BDI and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression total scores. Significant prolactin elevations were noted after SK cyclical breathing.5

Tsunami survivors. A wait-list controlled study of survivors of the December 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami found dramatic improvements in test scores for PTSD and depression after 8-hour BWS training (Descilo et al, manuscript in preparation).

Anxiety and PTSD. Studies of anxiety and PTSD using similar breath techniques document benefits in anxiety,6,7 student exam stress,8 and in Australian Vietnam veterans with PTSD.9

SKY reduced chronic PTSD symptoms in a pilot study of Australian Vietnam veterans (Carter et al, manuscript in preparation). A 6-week study using breath techniques and other mind-body interventions significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in high school students traumatized by war in Kosovo.10

Children and adolescents. In a pilot study of ART Excel (a BWS course adapted for children), atrisk children showed rapid reduction in measures of anxiety and depression (Descilo et al, manuscript in preparation). A pilot study found significant reductions in measures of anxiety, depression, and anger in inner-city youth participating in a Youth Empowerment Seminar, a SKY course adapted for adolescents (Sageman et al, manuscript in preparation).

How does yoga breathing work?

Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are associated with sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overactivity or erratic activity and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) underactivity.11-15 Evidence suggests yoga breathing normalizes SNS activity and increases PNS tone as indicated by heart rate variability.8,16

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates respiration, and emotional states affect respiratory rate, depth, and pattern. Conversely, voluntary manipulation of breath patterns can account for up to 40% of the variance of feelings such as anger, fear, joy, and sadness.17

Yoga breathing is an example of peripheral feedback eliciting an emotional response.18 Evidence suggests that voluntary control of breath patterns can affect ANS functions via vagal afferents to brainstem nuclei (nucleus tractus solitarius, parabrachial nucleus, and locus coeruleus). Yoga breathing also can influence the thalamus, cortex, and limbic system, inducing changes in emotion, cognition, and consciousness.19 Our neurophysiologic model (Figure) postulates that vagal afferents activate hypothalamic vigilance areas and enhance attention and alertness, whereas pathways through the thalamus quiet frontal cortical activity and reduce anxious worrying. Vagal afferents stimulate the limbic system and forebrain reward systems, releasing prolactin (and possibly oxytocin) while inducing joy, pleasure, and bonding. Thus:

· Ujjayi produces a state of calm alertness and well-being.

· Bhastrika stimulates the SNS and, over time, enhances autonomic flexibility, reducing overreactivity to stress.

Among more than 200 persons using Sudarshan Kriya for PTSD symptoms, we have seen that many experience relief from trauma-related memories, emotions, sensations, and physiologic reactions. Most feel calmer, lighter, less worried, happier, and more hopeful. Combined effects on the limbic system, thalamus, and cortex may cause this response.2


Figure
Neurophysiological model of vagus nerve afferent pathways



VNS=vagal nerve stimulation; NTS=nucleus tractus solitarius; PBN=parabrachial nucleus; MRS=mesolimbic reward system; SMR=sensori-motor rhythm; PRS=post-reinforcement synchronization (Adapted and reproduced with permission from John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)19


Referral and precautions

SKY and BWS courses are available in most major U.S. cities (Box 1) and are considered safe for most trauma survivors. Some precautions and contraindications apply, however.

Pregnancy. Pregnant women should not do breath-holds or any rapid or forceful yoga breathing. Slow, gentle basic Ujjayi without breath-holds is safe and soothing.

Comorbid medical illness. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension; migraine headaches; severe COPD; acute asthma symptoms; recent neck, shoulder, or chest injuries; or recent major surgery or myocardial infarction should not do Bhastrika or any strenuous yoga breathing. Yoga breathing is contraindicated in persons with seizure disorders.

Comorbid psychiatric illness. Yoga breathing—particularly Bhastrika and rapid cycle breathing—may trigger manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. Those with type II bipolar disorder whose mood swings are well-controlled may do yoga breathing under supervision if they avoid Bhastrika and rapid cycle breath forms.

Patients with chronic PTSD from childhood abuse can benefit from SKY if they do not have significant dissociative symptoms. The psychotherapist should contact the yoga teacher, prepare the patient, and help process early trauma-related material that may emerge.

Psychosis is a contraindication for yoga breathing. Some psychotic patients benefit from gentle basic Ujjayi under supervision.

Related resources

· National Alliance on Mental Illness. Hurricane Katrina resource guide.

Disclosures

The authors receive no remuneration other than reimbursement for travel expenses for their work with the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values.

Acknowledgment

Jim Farrow, MD, who taught SKY and BWS to hundreds of New Yorkers after 9/11, contributed cases 1 and 3 to this article.

References

  1. Mollica RF, Cardozo BL, Osofsky HJ, et al. Mental health in complex emergencies. Lancet 2004;364(9450):2058–67.
  2. Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Sudarshan Kriya yoga breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression, part II: clinical applications and guidelines. J Altern Complement Med 2005;11(4):711–7.
  3. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text rev. Washington, DC. American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
  4. Janakiramaiah N, Gangadhar BN, Naga Venkatesha Murthy PJ, et al. Therapeutic efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY) in dysthymic disorder. NIMHANS Journal 1998;21–8.
  5. Janakiramaiah N, Gangadhar BN, Naga Venkatesha Murthy PJ, et al. Antidepressant efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY) in melancholia: a randomized comparison with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and imipramine. J Affect Disord 2000;57(1-3):255–9.
  6. Miller JJ, Fletcher K, Kabat-Zinn J. Three-year follow-up and clinical implications of a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 1995;17:192–200.
  7. Waelde LC, Thompson L, Gallagher-Thompson D. A pilot study of yoga and meditation intervention for dementia caregiver stress. J Clin Psychol 2004;60(6):677–87.
  8. Malathi A, Damodaran A. Stress due to exams in medical students-role of yoga. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1999;43(2):218–24.
  9. Carter J, Byrne G. A two-year study of the use of yoga in a series of pilot studies as an adjunct to ordinary psychiatric treatment in a group of Vietnam War veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.Available at www.therapywithyoga.com. Accessed Sept. 13, 2005.
  10. Gordon JS, Staples JK, Blyta A, Bytyqi M. Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in postwar Kosovo high school students using mind-body skills group: a pilot study. J Trauma Stress 2004;17(2):143–7.
  11. Beauchaine T. Vagal tone, development, and Gray’s motivational theory: toward an integrated model of autonomic nervous system functioning in psychopathology. Dev Psychopathol 2001;13(2):183–214.
  12. Carney RM, Saunders RD, Freedland KE, et al. Association of depression with reduced heart rate variability in coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 1995;76(8):562–4.
  13. Porges SW. The polyvagal theory: phylogenetic substrates of a social nervous system. Int J Psychophysiol 2001;42(2):123–46.
  14. Sahar T, Shalev AY, Porges SW. Vagal modulation of responses to mental challenge in posttraumatic stress disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2001;49(7):637–43.
  15. Thayer JF, Friedman BH, Borkovec TD. Autonomic characteristics of generalized anxiety disorder and worry. Biol Psychiatry 1996;39(4):255–66.
  16. Brown RP, Gerbarg PL. Sudarshan Kriya yoga breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression.Part I: Neurophysiological model. J Altern Complement Med 2005;11(1):189–201.
  17. Philippot P, Gaetane C, Blairy S. Respiratory feedback in the generation of emotion. Cognition and Emotion 2002;16(5):605–7.
  18. Damasio A. Looking for Spinoza. Joy, sorrow and the feeling brain. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc., 2003.
  19. Brown RP, Gerbarg PL, Muskin PR. Complementary and alternative treatments in psychiatry.In: Tasman A, Kay J, Lieberman J (eds). Psychiatry (2nd ed., vol 2). West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons; 2003:2147–83.

Current Psychiatry ©2005 Dowden Health Media

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Art of Living Courses Lead to Relaxation...

Art of Living Courses Lead to Relaxation, Alertness & Focused in the Midst of Dynamic Actions.

Janael McQueen is one of the most senior teachers of the Art of Living Foundation, www.us.artofliving.org. Over the past 19 years, she has touched thousands of lives in the US, Canada, India, South America and Europe, conducting Art of Living Courses and Art of Living Teacher Training courses.

She will lead two courses in Orlando in June, the Art of Living and the Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Courses.

Janael personifies peace. Her loving presence adds a unique flavor to each course. She takes special care of each individual to ensure each gets maximum benefit. She will give each participant a great opportunity to rediscover the joy and peace that lie within.

The Art of Living Course is an effective program that can empower anyone to experience their full life potential. Already enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and traditions, the course offers you practical tools to eliminate stress and awaken our innate potential to heal ourselves.

The Art of Living Foundation was created by Sri Ravi Shankar 25 years ago and celebrated its Silver Jubilee at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on March 28th of 2007: http://artofliving.org/25thanniversary/resources/USASilverJubilee.wmv.

Along with its sister organization, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), AOLF is actively involved in providing free trauma relief in various war torn and natural disaster struck areas.

The Foundation most recent work is ongoing on VTech’s campus during the aftermath of that tragedy. AOLF’s volunteers led several free trauma relief courses within a few days of this catastrophe with continuing weekly followup and initiating new workshops for more students, faculty and staff members.

AOL Course will take place in Orlando between June 14th to June 19th, 2007, Weekdays: 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Weekend: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Course will be from June 16th to 18th, 2007, Weekend: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, Monday, 18th, 9:30 to 10:30 PM.


Sahaj means natural, effortless and Samadhi is a deep meditative state of mind. Sahaj Samadhi is exactly that - a natural, effortless system of meditation that allows the conscious mind to settle deeply into the self, thus giving it much needed deep rest.

When the mind settles down it releases all tension and stress and centers itself into the present moment. It is only in the present moment - those moments when the mind is free from regrets about the past, and anxiety about the future - that one finds true happiness. In just a few sessions you will learn to tap the depths of your own nature.

The Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Course is very easy and enjoyable and regular daily practice can totally transform the quality of your life.

Register Online:

http://secure.artofliving.org/course_details.aspx?course_id=1504

Call 321.939.3533 or email artoflivingorlando@earthlink.net for local information.

*** All proceeds from these Courses benefit the AOLF to provide free stress and trauma relief in war-torn and natural and other disaster struck areas.

Discounted Fees for both courses available for Students & Seniors [65 years old and greater].

Monday, May 28, 2007

Testimonials

Art of Living Course

Sachin Singh, an Oracle Developer from Deloitte Consulting, lives in Daytona Beach. He took the Course in Orlando, three weeks ago. Sachin earned his Bachelors and Masters in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology.

“My work requires me to interact with many different people. After taking the course for the first time in India four years ago, I have become an efficient communicator. I am more receptive to people’s ideas and I am enjoying being more creative. Earlier I was a big procrastinator. Now I am cured of that and I am able to take more and more responsibilities."

Dr. Toussaint noted that “Preliminary independent studies that have been done on the core Art of Living Course techniques, particularly Sudarshan Kriya, found significant improvement in health and well-being, increase in energy level, relief of depression and an increased ability to be both relaxed and focused when faced with stresses and challenges of everyday life.”

As per Dr. Toussaint: “Statistically significant decreased levels of LDL cholesterol and increased levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase were found in preliminary studies. These are powerful antioxidants which prevent many chronic diseases”, http://www.artofliving.org/Research/tabid/107/Default.aspx.

Ray Diaz, a Networks Operations Specialist from Embarq says, "I got so much out of this course that it's hard to decide what to say about it. I came out of this course feeling very peaceful and optimistic about my life. I can understand myself and others so much better now and I feel so much empathy for everyone around me. Everything in my life is hopeful now and I walk around with a little smile on my face all day long now. This course literally changed my life. "

Marie Zabel Markarian, a PhD candidate in Analytical Chemistry at the Florida State University in Tallahassee was another person in the recent Orlando Course. With a warm smile, she voiced: “it was beautiful . . . It is awesome! I had such a great time! . . . experience the miracles!”

Purnima Kalahasthi, presently based in Orlando has a Masters in Computer Engineering Technology. “This Course has helped me to reduce stress and be more focused toward achieving my goals at work and at home.” She is a Consultant for SAS. In 1999, she took her first AOLF Course in India. She was also one of the members of the March course in Orlando.

Laurie Mooty is the personal assistant to Anil Deshpande, the CEO and founder of Deshpande, Inc. in Orlando. Her experience with the March Course: “I have feelings of inner peace and relaxation. My energy level has increased and I am more focused. I sleep better.”

Sahj Samadhi Meditation Course

Ray Diaz , a Networks Operations Specialist from Embarq has this to say: "I have been studying and meditating on and off for many years. I thought I knew all I needed to know about the subject and all I had to do was put in the time and do it. -- Man, was I wrong! The method I learned on this course is so much simpler and direct than anything else I had studied or practiced before. Now when I combine it with the daily program from the Art of Living Course, I can take my meditation to a whole new and deeper level. Thanks to this course, meditation is a daily part of my live again, and I meditate every morning without fail."

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Art of Living Course in Orlando: Experience the Joy of Living

Janael McQueen, one of the most senior Art of Living Foundation’s teachers, recently led a dynamic AOL Course and the Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Seminar at the Park Square Home Office Complex in Orlando. The participants learned breathing techniques to assist them in eliminating stress from their life and how to meditate effortlessly. They reported increased energy, improved sleep and lot of joy and laughter.

McQueen’s courses were so successful that she is returning to teach AOLF’s Course in Orlando, on June 14th, 2007,

http://secure.artofliving.org/course_details.aspx?course_id=1503,

as part of AOL’s campaign to create a Stress-Free, Violence-Free America.

The second course was the Sahaj Samadhi Meditation, which according to AOLF can take one beyond the usual mental stress and emotional agitation to a calm, centered place. Sahaj Samadhi Meditation is reported to be a graceful and effortless type of meditation.

Sahaj Samadhi means effortless transcendence.

Participants learn to let go of all tensions and stress, providing the mind with a much needed deep rest. It allows the conscious mind to settle deeply into itself. It is only in the present moment that we find true happiness. As the mind settles down, it centers itself more and more in the present moment and experiences its natural state of joy.

During three sessions of two hours each, students learned to tap the depths of their nature. After the course, participants are encouraged to use this simple meditation practice to overcome the effects of inevitable stressful situations and make a positive impact on the quality of their lives.

Online Registration for the Orlando’s Sahaj Samadhi Meditation is here:

http://secure.artofliving.org/course_details.aspx?course_id=1504

Ray Diaz is a Network Operations Specialist from Embarq in Orlando. He says with a smile, “I came out of this course feeling very peaceful and optimistic about my life. I can understand myself and others so much better now and I feel so much empathy for everyone around me. Everything in my life is hopeful now and I walk around with a little smile on my face all day long now. This course literally changed my life.”

AOLF, www.us.artofliving.org, was created by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, 25 years ago and celebrated its Silver Jubilee at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC:

http://artofliving.org/25thanniversary/resources/USASilverJubilee.wmv

Last month, another AOLF teacher, Swami Pragyapad lead two free seminars in Orlando. The first one, in the Albertson Room of the Orlando Public Library while the second meditation was at the Hindu Society of Central Florida, in Casselberry, FL.

Swami Pragyapad is a young and dynamic humanitarian, a trained engineer, who leads presentations to audiences numbering in the thousands on the topics of renewable energy, humanitarian works, social development, yoga and Art of Living Courses.

Swami Pragyapad has initiated and managed many social service and humanitarian projects including bringing free stress relief programs for natural disaster victims, free schools for children, relief and rehabilitation programs and women empowerment programs.

Along with its sister organization, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), AOLF is actively involved in providing free trauma relief in various war torn and natural disaster struck areas.

The Foundation most recent work is ongoing on VTech’s campus during the aftermath of that tragedy. AOLF’s volunteers led several free trauma relief courses within a few days of this catastrophe with continuing weekly follow up and initiating new workshops for more students, faculty and staff members.

Call 321.939.3533 or email artoflivingorlando@earthlink.net for local information.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Course - Orlando FL


Sahaj Samadhi Meditation

The experience of meditation
can take us beyond the usual mental stress and emotional agitation to a calm, centered place. Sahaj Samadhi Meditation is a graceful and effortless meditation.

Benefits

Sahaj Samadhi means effortless transcendence. Participants learn to let go of all tensions and stress, providing the mind with a much needed deep rest. It allows the conscious mind to settle deeply into itself. It is only in the present moment that we find true happiness. As the mind settles down, it centers itself more and more in the present moment and experiences a natural state of joy.

"Focus means what? Fulfilled in the moment. Looking to the highest... being centered. Remaining in that space of peace. That is focus." - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Course Details

In just three sessions of two hours, we learn to tap the depths of our nature. After the course we can use this simple meditation practice to overcome the effects of inevitable stressful situations and make a positive impact on the quality of our lives.

Sahaj Samadhi Meditation Course : June 16th to 18th , 2007
Weekend: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, Monday, 18th, 9:30 to 10:30 PM.

Discounted Fees for Students & Seniors [65 years old and greater].

Register Online:

http://secure.artofliving.org/course_details.aspx?
course_id=1504


For more information, call: 321-939-3533
Or send email to: artoflivingorlando@earthlink.net

The Art of Living Course - Orlando, FL

This unique course blends ancient wisdom with some of the world’s most powerful healing techniques.

You will learn how to:
•Eliminate stress and toxins from your nervous system;
•Increase your energy, focus, and clarity;
•Improve your relationships, attitude and outlook;
•Eliminate sadness, anger and depression;
•Fill your life with pure serenity.


The Art of Living Course is an effective program that can empower anyone to experience their full life potential.

Already enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and traditions, the course offers you practical tools to eliminate stress and awaken our innate potential to heal ourselves.

The techniques and tools learned bring you greater peace, energy, awareness and joy to daily life.


There is some rhythm in the breath, and this rhythm is connected to the rhythm in the world, the rhythm in the nature, the rhythm in the body, the rhythm of your thoughts, rhythm of your emotions. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

AOL Course: June 14th to June 19th, 2007
Weekdays: 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Weekend: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Discounted Fees for Students & Seniors [65 years old and greater].

Register Online:

http://secure.artofliving.org/course_details.aspx?
course_id=1503


For more information, call: 321-939-3533
Or send email to: artoflivingorlando@earthlink.net