A Smile From the Heart
by Shreya Shah

What does being healthy really mean? If you are full of tension and stress, can you say you are healthy? If the mind is turbulent and agitated, you most probably cannot be. When emotions are not stable and fluctuate too much, you are not healthy. To attain a perfect state of health, one has to remain mentally calm and steady and even have the beautiful qualities of compassion, sharing, and caring.

The state of “healthiness” has to flow from the innermost of your being to the outermost, and vice versa. In Sanskrit, this state is called Swasthya: total health. It also means being centred in one’s self or being. Swasthya, or health, is not just confined to the body but is also defined by a peaceful and steady state of mind.

Has it ever happened to you that, when you enter a place, you start feeling disturbed for no reason? Feelings are not isolated in one’s body. These vibrations can permeate the environment all around you and can be felt. In the same way, when there are harmonious vibrations from chanting and meditating in places such as temples, churches, etc., you also start to feel good. You might not know why, but you do. 

Is there a way to control these emotions, these vibrations we give off, and, if so, how? That is the key question. The answer lies in your breath. For every rhythm in the mind, there is a corresponding rhythm in the breath; for every rhythm in the breath there is a corresponding emotion. You cannot handle your mind directly using your mind. It is your breath that makes it possible to control the mind.

Breathing is the first act of life and it is linked to the vital life force energy, or prana, in us. We gain prana through air, fresh food, rest, and also through meditation. A lack of prana in the body results in lethargy, dullness, and low enthusiasm and, if left unattended, can go as far as dejection, confusion, anger, and depression. On the other hand, when our bodies are lively through high prana, we feel alert, energetic, and full of good humour.

Prana is the very basis of health and well-being for both body and mind

Prana is more abundant in fresh air than in stale air. Yet, whatever the air quality we live in, our health can dramatically improve with pranayama—deep breathing practices that expand the lungs and maximize the absorption of prana into the whole system. Pranayama techniques recharge the cells, keeping us young and vital with resilient health and brilliant clarity of mind. The main purpose of meditation and pranayama is to increase prana, or the subtle life force energy.

The Art of Living (AOL) Foundation teaches stress-relief through the breath. Powerful breathing techniques, simple yoga postures, and profound knowledge is delivered in a 16-hour format over two evenings and a weekend. The main technique in the AOL workshop is the Sudarshan Kriya™. Every cell becomes fully oxygenated and flooded with new life. Negative emotions that have been stored in the body are easily uprooted and flushed out. Tensions, frustrations, and anger are released. Anxiety, depression, and lethargy are washed away. Both the mind and body feel a welcome relief. After the practice, one is left calm and centred with a clearer vision of the world and of oneself. A sense of joy in the moment prevails where once again we can smile from our hearts. And when we feel good about ourselves, love flows naturally in all our relationships with others.

Course elements include:
Profound knowledge to deal with the daily challenges of life
Interactive exercises
Yoga, stretching, and relaxation exercises
Meditation and powerful breathing techniques
SudarshanKriya, a unique breathing technique

Just some of the benefits course graduates report:
Reduced stress
More joy and enthusiasm
Improved efficiency and productivity (at work and at home)
Greater self-esteem
Enhanced health and sense of well-being
Improved interpersonal skills
Clearer perception and decision-making
Shining expression and enhanced beauty
Anti-aging and rejuvenating effects

Founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living Foundation is a not-for-profit, educational, and humanitarian NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) engaged in stress-management and service initiatives. The organization operates globally in 152 countries.

“Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve World Peace,” says Sri Sri. The Art of Living offers stress-elimination programs which include breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga. These programs have helped millions around the world to overcome stress, depression, and violent tendencies. The Foundation has spread peace across communities through diverse humanitarian projects, including conflict resolution, disaster relief, sustainable rural development, empowerment of women, prisoner rehabilitation, education for all, and environmental sustainability. All the teachers are volunteers and all the proceeds from the programs go towards the diverse humanitarian projects that Art of Living is involved in across the globe.

Please log onto www.artofliving.org for more information on the range of different programs offered by the Foundation.

Art of Living Programs are offered monthly in the following cities in Saskatchewan:

Saskatoon, Shreya Shah, 306-715-7624, shreya.shah@artofliving.ca
Regina, Harjit Bajwa, 306-949-3853, harjit.bajwa@artofliving.ca
Yorkton, Wendy Nesseth, 306-641-5307, bodypoetry@sasktel.net

Shreya Shah is the Saskatchewan co-ordinator for the Art of Living Foundation. A former stressed-out investment banker, having learnt and practised the techniques taught by the AOL Foundation nine years ago changed her life. She then decided to dedicate her time to volunteering and was trained to teach the various programs offered by the Foundation. She has been instrumental in getting the YES! (Youth Empowerment Seminar!) off the ground in high schools across Canada. To contact her, call 306-715-7624.