Introduction to Breathwork and Meditation

The Art of Living Foundation isa volunteer-based, non-profit humanitarian and educational organization founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It is dedicated to stress reduction and mental well-being through programs that include breathing techniques like the Sudarshan Kriya™, meditation, and yoga. The foundation operates in over 180 countries and is also involved in various social and humanitarian initiatives, such as prison rehabilitation, disaster relief, and environmental sustainability.Core activities

• Wellness programs: Offers programs focused on stress reduction and improving quality of life through breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga.
• Educational programs: Provides programs for all ages, including stress-relief courses for students and techniques to build inner strength and leadership skills.
• Social and humanitarian work: Engages in projects like disaster relief, prisoner rehabilitation, environmental projects (e.g., tree planting), and empowering women and children.
• Peace and conflict resolution: Aims to promote a stress-free and violence-free society and works on initiatives for peace in communities.

Global presence and impact

• Global reach: The foundation has centers in over 180 countries.
• Reach: It has reached millions of people worldwide with its programs and initiatives.
• Volunteer-based: The organization relies on a vast network of volunteers to operate and expand its programs globally.

Philosophy and vision

• Vision: To create a happier, stress-free world by providing tools for personal transformation.
• Core principle: A commitment to inner peace and unity, based on the philosophy that "unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace".
• Methodology: The foundation blends ancient wisdom with modern science to empower individuals and communities.