The Art of Living Happiness Program | Art of Living Australia

Do you feel like happiness is always just out of reach?  

Don’t Settle for Happy-ish

Find out how the Art of Living Happiness Program can help you rediscover your joy, cope with the stresses of everyday life and become a calmer, more confident you

 

WHY THIS COURSE?   •   WHAT YOU'LL LEARN   •   RESEARCH   •   REVIEWS   •   FAQS   •   MEDIA   •   REGISTER NOW

If you’re struggling to stay happy, calm and focused, it can be hard to break the cycle.

If you feel trapped, frustrated or overwhelmed in your life... you can’t just ‘wish it away’. Deep down, you know it’s time to make a change.

Through a tried and tested combination of yoga, powerful breathing exercises, meditation and practical wisdom, the Art of Living Happiness Program will help you live life the way you’ve always wanted to:

Calmly, confidently, and armed with the tools you need to deal with whatever life throws at you.

How the Happiness Program Helps You

Create Lasting Happiness

Through practical, self-empowering tools, you'll discover how to quiet the mind and be fully present and alive. Then, you can access and abide in peace and joy, even while facing the increasing demands of contemporary life.

Connect More Easily in All Your Relationships

The program isn’t just about dealing with your internal self... It also helps you connect more deeply and easily with others, so you can enjoy happier, more confident and stable relationships with old friends and new.

Learn Practices for a Lifetime

 Come away new skills and an effective routine you can follow at home to strengthen your resilience and deepen your joy. Plus receive access to weekly practice groups to improve your skills and maintain momentum after the workshop.  

A powerful program brought to you by compassionate experts.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, humanitarian leader, spiritual teacher and ambassador of peace, creator of The Happiness Program and Sudarshan Kriya.

After teaching meditation for many years, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar developed The Happiness Program and its central breathing technique, Sudarshan Kriya, which effectively reduces stress and seems to take people effortlessly into a state of deep meditation.   

Millions of people around the world, including dozens of Fortune companies, olympic athletes, top business schools, and CEOs have discovered the power of Sudarshan Kriya.

Our partner nonprofits use the same techniques in service projects to support communities in need. Returning soldiers, at-risk students, prisoners and disaster victims have all experienced relief from trauma and stress.

There are now over 700 Happiness Program instructors around the US, most of whom volunteer their time to lead these programs. So you can join a course in over 200 locations, and quite possibly, right in your neighborhood.

The Art of Living Happiness Program: a uniquely powerful combination

The Happiness Program takes place over three relaxing yet focused days.
Here are some of the unique benefits you’ll experience:

Quickly & Effectively Reduce Stress with the Power of Your Own Breath

The Happiness Program gives you expert training in a series of yogic breathing techniques which can reduce your stress, relieve anxiety & depression, and bring you back to a clear and positive state of mind.  

Build Resilience with Mind Mastery

Understanding the nature of the mind gives you a greater perspective on life. This enables you to not get bothered by issues that used to create frustration, impatience, worry and more.

Make Meditation Easier with Sudarshan Kriya

Tried meditation, but frustrated with your mind wandering? The central technique of The Happiness Program program, Sudarshan Kriya, is a simple yet powerful breathing technique that effortlessly draws you into a deep state of meditation.  

Relax Deeper with Guided Yoga & Meditation

Enjoy our effortless approach ... Learn easy yoga poses you can incorporate into your day for greater health, focus, and relaxation. Unique guided meditations that give you a glimpse of the beauty within.

A 3 Day Program. A Lifetime Of Happiness.

 

Get A Daily Practice You Can Continue At Home

The goal of the 3-day Art of Happiness workshop is to give you the skills, support and training to continue using these powerful breathing techniques once you get home. Research shows your cortisol levels can reduce by over 50% on the first day you practice, and will continue to improve if you keep practicing. We'll teach you a simple, effective home breathing practice you can do each day to release stress and start every day afresh: feeling clear, confident and happy.  

PLUS: Lifetime access to weekly practice groups and a global spiritual community

The Happiness Program doesn’t end after the 3-day course. You will also receive FREE lifetime access to weekly Sudarshan Kriya Practice Groups in Art of Living Centers, and can attend wherever you are in the world. 

You’ll be able to connect with a dedicated community of like-minded, positive and compassionate people who will be there to support and grow with you. 

You’ll make friends and lasting connections with people who understand how to get the most out of the program, and develop your practice alongside them to get the very best out of your life. 

Share your journey and surround yourself with happiness!

Discover the power of Art of Living's breathing exercises
70 independent studies on Sudarshan Kriya & related practices (SK&P)

From reducing stress to getting better rest, these techniques have a demonstrated measurable impact on quality of life.

Over 70 independent studies conducted on four continents and published in peer review journals, have demonstrated a comprehensive range of benefits from practicing Sudarshan Kriya™ and related breathing exercises taught on the Art of Living Happiness Program.

Research Result Key Findings
Deep Sleep and Wellbeing Increase

What people are saying about The Happiness Program

From "Anxious and Scattered", to "Grounded and Confident"

"Prior to learning Sudarshan Kriya, I had a hard time relaxing and breathing.  I was anxious and scattered. Now that I have this practice, I am more grounded and confident in myself.  I can express more love to myself and others.  I'm more clear, focused and awake." 
- Samora S., actress

"Significantly Improved My Ability to Stay Calm"

"The main benefit is it's significantly improved my ability to stay calm when I'm stressed, tired or angry. I used to think these practices were for people who did very little, but it's the opposite. I have a lot to do and I have to be effective as a leader.  Sudarshan Kriya keeps me moving in the right direction." 
- Clarke Weatherspoon, teacher 

"Helped Heal Past Wounds"

"Learning to manage my own mind and body through breathing practices has truly been the greatest gift. Practicing Sudarshan Kriya everyday has helped me heal past wounds, become more confident in myself and more aware of everything in my life so that I can be a better me." 
- Brittany Potier, entrepreneur

"Transformed into Newness, Aliveness, and Innocence!"

“I had four children as a single parent. I was depressed. Medicines didn't help. After the course, I do the practice when I feel anxious, and an unpleasant emotion is washed away and I am transformed into newness, aliveness, and innocence! I am constantly in awe of the whole process and so thankful, full of gratitude that it's happening. I feel like I will find my purpose in life through this practice.“
- Lillian B., musician, artist, and writer, Smithfield, NC

"Much Healthier Right Away"

“I was very ill. The only thing that helped me other than allopathic medicine was pranayama. It was a complete change (after Happiness and Silence Retreat). I was much healthier right away. My mind became clear and I became more comfortable in my body. Also, people commented on my skin all the time, so I think it helped with anti-aging. That's a benefit.”
- Patricia, retired ESL teacher, Winston, NC

"Come to Work in a Better Mindset"

“Making food that makes people happy brings me a lot of happiness. And when I come to work (after doing my practices), having already centered myself, it's way easier to plan out menus, delegate tasks to other people, or work with other people. Now I come to work in a much better mindset, and that in turn translates into the quality of work and the way I deal with people at work. Just the way I process emotions, thoughts, and feelings is different from before."
- Dan, Boone, NC

"My Whole Personality Has Been Transformed"

“I was diagnosed with Hypertension (High BP) at the age of 19. I started practicing Sudarshan Kriya at the age of 21; now 6 years have passed and I am as normal and fit as I could have imagined. My whole personality has been transformed. I love practicing Sudarshan Kriya and Sahaj Samadhi Meditation … my innate perception of life has since turned very positive. Earlier I was not there for me - now I am there for others."
- Abhinav Kapri

"It pulled me out of my depression"

“I was undergoing moderate depression. Hated eating. Couldn't focus on anything in life. Was basically in a very, very bad state of mind (depression does that) and had no idea how to get out of it. Then I took up Sudarshan Kriya. Within 1 month of Sudarshan Kriya, I was coming back up. I was returning to my usual self. My health improved considerably; I used to eat like a bird, now I eat well. I sleep better.

"Made Me a More Confident and Social Person"

“I am practicing [Sudarshan Kriya] for 5 years now. I used to stammer a lot, but this breathing technique has a helped me to overcome the issue, and made me a more confident and social person. It has also helped me in reducing my sinus problems.”
-Prakash Porua  

"Helps Me Chill Out if I'm Stressed"

"Sudarshan Kriya helps me chill out if I'm stressed, and maintain high levels of energy. Just this morning, I woke up on the wrong side of bed. So I really gave my kriya my all, and my outlook completely changed afterwards. I'm still surprised how effective it is."
- Brooks Hassig, designer, San Francisco, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

 Ready to start living your life the way you've always wanted to?  

Join the Art of Living Happiness Program at a location near you and make a lasting change to your happiness

  • Discover secrets of the breath with the powerful Sudarshan Kriya and related yogic breathing techniques which reduce stress, raise energy and give you a clear, positive state of mind.
     
  • Regain control of your own mind and emotions – develop a stress-busting attitude that gives you more perspective on life, and helps you deal more effectively with frustration, impatience and other difficult emotions.
     
  • Get tools to last a lifetime – Get expert training in breathing techniques that can benefit you for the rest of your life, including a practice you can continue at home.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SHARE

International media coverage of The Happiness Program

 

MSNBC Presents The Happiness Program - with a revolutionary breathing technique that studies show is 'not only therapeutic for stress and depression, it may also benefit the immune system, improve brain function, and improve overall health'.  

A Dozen Leading Publications on How The Happiness Program is Changing Lives

The Easy Breathing Technique That Can Lower Your Anxiety 44%

"many people reported better sleep, improved self-awareness, and even fewer PMS symptoms"

Six months later, their anxiety scores had decreased by about 44%, and many no longer qualified for a clinical diagnosis. Scores on a comprehensive measure of psychological symptoms—including depression, phobias, and hostility, among others—also fell by 45%.

Read Full Article »

Breathing is the New Yoga! 9 Shortcuts to Calming Anxiety

Sudarshan Kriya’s engagement of the parasympathetic nervous system can rebalance brain chemistry.

In scientific terms, a controlled breathing practice cuts into stress hormones, dances with our nervous system, and regulates the oxygen, CO2, and pH levels in our blood. It has therapy potential against depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In sidewalk terms, breathing lets us get a grip.

Read Full Article »

An Incredible Alternative to Mindfulness You Never Heard Of

"Does meditation make you anxious or mad? Here's a science backed alternative."

"We keep seeing more studies demonstrating how mindfulness meditation can change the brain, make us feel better, and generally improve our lives. That’s great. But what if it doesn’t work for you? Maybe the practices that were supposed to take you to a calm place made you feel anxious or irritable. Your skin crawls, you have ants in your pants, and you swing between anxiety attacks and rage. Not exactly Zen."

Read Full Article »

Breathing Lessons

"A yoga-based technique that targets healing and stress is gaining favor"

Students of the Art of Living program say the breathing technique can bring greater awareness, a fuller and happier life, less stress, greater mental focus, and a bevy of other health benefits. – Los Angeles Times

Read Full Article »

3 Science-Backed Ways to Relieve Pain and Stress

"Calm your nervous system with the relaxation response"

"Guided relaxations calm the nervous system by decreasing blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension while increasing blood flow. When your mind is in a state of stress from pain or anxiety, your breathing becomes tense and shallow. But research shows that when you consciously change your breathing, you can quickly change how you feel as well."

Read Full Article »

How Meditation Transformed This Entrepreneur’s Approach To Work And Life

“It changed my life literally overnight.” ~Louis Gagnon, CEO of MyBrainSolutions

Louis Gagnon, CEO of MyBrainSolutions and former executive at Audible Inc., ... shared his view that we can only reach our highest potential as individuals and leaders if we find peace of mind.

Read Full Article »

Emperor of Air

"Art of Living may be the fastest growing spiritual practice on the planet"

If you try to understand things through experience, the proof is in the pudding. You do the practice and the stress leaves you and you feel better. It promises a very satisfying and immediate thing. You can feel better without relying on someone else to explain it rationally and without relying on the promise of heaven later.

Read Full Article »

Art of Living on CNN Project Life

“Life Changing”

“Meditation is like a mental workout. The more you exercise these parts of the brain, the healthier and happier your mindset will be.”

Read Full Article »

Take a Deep Breath

"just as emotions impact how people breathe, how they breathe can also impact their emotions"

The breathing technique Shankar teaches is based on the notion that just as emotions impact how people breathe, how they breathe can also impact their emotions. By controlling their breath, the idea goes, people can counter their stress and recover from natural disasters and violent surroundings.

Read Full Article »

Yogic Breathing: What are the benefits?

"not only aims to remove day-to-day stresses, but also target negative emotions you may not know are still affecting you"

A specific kind of yoga called Sudarshan Kriya is in the limelight. Focused on breathing, this form has been shown to provide relief from depression and has even shown promise in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, according to a recent study in the Journal of Traumatic Stress.

Read Full Article »

Here’s Why Meditation Is So Amazing For Your Mental Health

“impressive results”

“A study done on this specific type of meditation showed that it was able to alleviate stress-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, because of the way it affects the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for moderating heart rate and hormone release), and curbs the body’s stress response.”

Read Full Article »

We're making this affordable for everyone.

When you join The Happiness Program you'll not only be enrolled in a potentially life-changing 3-day in-person workshop near you, you'll also be getting training on a home practice and lifetime access to supportive weekly practice groups.

Some online-only courses that simply teach meditation techniques without in-person training can cost up to $2,000. But because the Art of Living Foundation is a volunteer-led nonprofit, our course is open to anyone for just $395. A single small investment for a lifetime of calm and happiness.    

Get equipped with a comprehensive toolkit for a peaceful, happy state of mind.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Advanced Breathing Exercises

  • Experience the Sudarshan Kriya - effectively reduces stress and takes you into a state of deep meditation
  • The power of pranayama - learn a series of breathing exercises to calm and energize your mind
  • Backed by research - 65 independent studies confirm a full range of mind-body benefits from Sudarshan Kriya, home kriya and related practices (yoga and pranayama)
  • Get trained on how to practice Sudarshan Kriya and pranayamas on your own

Mind Mastery

  • Traditionally, yoga is more than movement - it’s also an outlook on life. On The Happiness Program, we’ll explore a profound and practical yogic thinking framework, which when understood and practiced, can act like a force-field against stress. Sudarshan Kriya helps us remove stress; wisdom helps us not accumulate stress to begin with.
  • These aren’t just intellectual lectures - you’ll engage in interactive discussions and experiential processes based on adult learning theory to maximize your understanding and retention.

Yoga and Meditation

  • Learn easy yoga poses you can incorporate into your day for greater health, focus and relaxation.
  • Enjoy unique guided meditations and get a taste of the beauty within.

Plus, never stop growing with this special bonus:

FREE Lifetime Access to Sudarshan Kriya Practice Groups

Get access to weekly graduate-only practice groups in nearly 200 US cities and 150 countries. Connect with a community of healthy, positive people supporting you to live your best life, and refresh the wisdom and techniques from the course. ($520/year value!)