A young woman joyfully giving a thumbs-up in a field of flowers, representing the positive mindset encouraged in the Happiness Program.

Introductory Workshop

Uncover the secrets of ancient breathing and meditation practices. See for yourself how Sudarshan Kriya™ can be a game-changer for your mental and emotional health.

INHALE GOOD HEALTH, EVERYDAY!

Within the breath is the unexplored secret of life. And Sudarshan Kriya™ is the key to it.

Breath is the main source of prana – the vital life-force energy. Prana is the very basis of health and well-being for both, the body and mind. When the prana is high, one feels healthy, alert, and energetic. Sudarshan Kriya™ elevates the prana by flushing out more than 90% toxins and accumulated stress, every day.

outline of a person in purple color showing blowing air out.

800+ million people in 180 countries have benefited from our breath workshop. And it takes just 9 hours! Join now!

Group of people smiling during their participation in art of living's happiness program
outline of a person in purple color showing blowing air out.

800+ million people in 180 countries have benefited from our breath workshop. And it takes just 9 hours! Join now!

SUDARSHAN KRIYA™

The exclusive breathing technique of the Art of Living

Numerous scientific studies validate the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual benefits of the regular practice of Sudarshan Kriya™

Harness Balanced Energy with Sudarshan Kriya

Improves mental health

Boosts brain function

Allays insomnia

Lowers biochemical markers of stress

Optimizes immune function

Enhances cardiovascular and respiratory function

These are some of the benefits of Happiness Programme

Breating technique demonstration during happiness program

Breathing

Discover Sudarshan Kriya™, a powerful breathwork technique that will empower you to deal with stress, anxiety, and any curveball life throws at you.

A purple colored arrow pointing upwards

3x increase 

In deep rest and improvement of sleep quality.

A girl in pink dress practicing yoga in outdoors during happiness course.

Meditation

Dive into meditation, find joy in the now, and strengthen your immune response.

A purple colored arrow pointing upwards

70% Increase  

In serotonin and 56% reduction in cortisol, with an overall decrease in stress, depression, and anxiety.

A man demonstrating yoga asana during art of livings happiness program

Yoga

Learn yoga poses that will improve the flexibility of your body and the resilience of your mind.

A purple colored arrow pointing upwards

50% Increase 

In endorphins, energy, physical and mental health

PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCES

What do learners say?

Course Content

Happiness Programme

In this course, you will learn:

Sudarshan Kriya™: Discover Art of Living’s world-famous, patented breath meditation technique that has helped over 800+ million people achieve better mental health. 

Yoga Beyond the Body: Practice specific yoga poses to boost your physical health, mental clarity, emotional stability and spiritual oneness. 

Mechanics of Mind: Learn how to manifest your intentions better by learning how to still your mind and marshal your thoughts. 

Guided Meditations: Dive deeply into powerful yet effortless guided meditations for stress that will help you find your sea of zen.

We are backed by over 100 scientific studies and covered in top media publications 

Background image with a semi transparent swan on the left bottom

Frequently Asked Questions

Why take a course about breathing? I’ve been breathing my whole life!

While breathing happens automatically, most of us are unaware that working with the breath can give us the ability to manage our mind and emotions. In fact, every emotion you experience has a corresponding rhythm in the breath. By changing the rhythms of breath, you can change your emotions.

For example, you’ll learn the breath of peace, which makes both inhale and exhale long and smooth, bringing you back to calm and relaxed mind. Another technique, we call “Yogic Coffee” will give you a boost of energy and focus (and no caffeine jitters). The centerpiece of the course, Sudarshan Kriya™, uses specific rhythms of breath to get you unstuck and take you effortlessly into a state of meditation.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly the breath can calm the mind and how easy meditation can be.

What if I’ve already learned some breathing exercises before? Will this be too beginner?

In addition to a series of introductory breathing exercises (pranayamas), The Happiness Programme features a unique breathing technique called Sudarshan Kriya™. Many people who’ve practiced other breathwork and meditation techniques have told us that Sudarshan Kriya is the most powerful and effective tool they’ve ever learned.

It leaves you calm yet energized, focused yet relaxed, bringing more joy and happiness to your life, eliminating fatigue and negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and depression.

What results have been seen by independent researchers?

Over 60 independent studies have been done on the breathing exercises taught in the workshop, called SKY (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga).

Here are some of the most impressive research results:

Here are some of the most impressive research results:

  • Up to 87.5% reduction in stress bio-marker levels (serum cortisol and blood lactate) [4, 6, 14]
  • 33% increase in the well-being hormone prolactin from the very first session [26]
  • Relieves depression in 67-73% of participants within one month (across over a dozen studies). [2, 4, 8-14]
  • Relieves anxiety in 71% of individuals for whom medication and psychotherapy treatments had failed. [1]
  • 3x more time spent in deep restful stages of sleep. [21]
  • Increased levels of antioxidant enzymes which protect us from many diseases and rapid aging. [6, 23, 27]
  • Reduced blood pressure in both healthy and health compromised individuals. [25,30]
  • Improved cholesterol and triglyceride profile. [24] [6,28]
  • Greater mental focus in regular practitioners (significantly greater EEG Beta wave activity) [20] 
    (Research Details and References: sudarshan-kriya). 
     

Disclaimer: The Happiness Programme is for overall well-being and rejuvenation. The above results are from research studies, many of which are based on an adaptation of The Happiness Programme to special needs groups. The Happiness Programme is not designed to treat or alleviate clinical symptoms. If you suspect you may have a clinical condition, consult your healthcare professional before deciding whether to enroll in our program.

How soon will I start seeing results? And do they last?

Research shows physical & mental health benefits are often shown from the very first session. And results are cumulative; they grow stronger over time.

Results also seem to have a lasting effect. In one study cited by Prevention Magazine, not only did people's anxiety reduce 44%, but it lasted for 6 months. Results from studies on people with PTSD and depression also show sustained effects. See details and references at sudarshan-kriya.

How is the Happiness Programme different from other spiritual and self-development courses?

Experiential - Unlike many self-development programmes, this course is not a lecture. The Happiness Programme is experiential and interactive. You will learn and practice yoga, breathing and meditation, enjoy engaging group processes and discussions, and receive expert guidance on how to practice the breathing at home.

Effortless, Yet Effective - One thing that makes us unique is the effortless nature of our techniques. You don’t have to worry about fast, complicated yoga poses, strict meditation techniques, or overly intense breathing techniques.

Time-tested and Universal - Many people out there go through a yoga teacher training or write a self-help book and call themselves a spiritual teacher. Meanwhile, The Art of Living has touched hundreds of millions of lives in 180 countries for the last 41 years. And Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, has received 16 honorary doctorates, and dozens of high honors from governments around the world. Our educational and self-development programmes offer powerful tools to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. Appealing not only to a specific population, these practices have been proven effective globally and at all levels of society.

Research-based - Over 65 independent studies conducted on four continents and published in peer-reviewed journals have demonstrated a comprehensive range of benefits from practicing the breathing exercises taught on the Art of Living Happiness Programme.

Who created this course?

The Happiness Programme was designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a world renowned humanitarian leader, spiritual teacher and ambassador of peace. His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people around the world through service projects and courses offered by The Art of Living.

As a spiritual teacher, Sri Sri has rekindled the traditions of yoga and meditation and offered them in a form that is relevant to the 21st century. Beyond reviving ancient wisdom, Sri Sri has created new techniques for personal and social transformation. These include Sudarshan Kriya, which has helped millions of people to find relief from stress and discover inner reservoirs of energy and inner silence in daily life.

As a noted humanitarian leader, Sri Sri’s programmes have provided assistance to people from a wide range of backgrounds – victims of natural disasters, survivors of terror attacks and war, children from marginalized populations, and communities in conflict, among others. The strength of his message has inspired a wave of service based on spirituality through a huge body of volunteers, who are driving these projects forward in critical areas around the globe.

As an ambassador of peace, Sri Sri has played a key role in conflict resolution around the world, as he shares his vision of non-violence at public forums and gatherings worldwide. Regarded as a neutral figure with a sole agenda of peace, he represents hope to people in conflict. He has received particular credit for bringing opposing parties to the negotiating table in Columbia, Iraq, the Ivory Coast, Kashmir and Bihar. Through his initiatives and speeches, Sri Sri has consistently emphasized the need for reinforcing human values and recognizing that we belong to a one-world family. Fostering interfaith harmony and calling for multi-cultural education as the remedy for fanaticism are significant parts of his efforts to achieve sustainable peace on our planet.

Who is eligible for this course?

You must be over the age of 18 to be eligible for this course. We do offer Youth Programmes for Middle School and High School-aged students.

Some techniques on the course are not suitable for pregnant women. A suitable alternative programme for pregnant women is the effortless meditation programme called Art of Meditation (Sahaj Samadhi).

Persons having undergone major surgery within 8 weeks of the course start date, and those with a seizure disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorders, must consult with a physician and provide a signed copy of the attached medical clearance form in order to enroll in The Happiness Programme. For such individuals, the effortless and highly effective Art of Meditation (Sahaj Samadhi) programme may be a valuable alternative.

Can I repeat the course after taking it before?

Many people enjoy repeating the Happiness Programme and find they get something new out of it each time.

44 years

of service

180 countries

in over 10,000 cities

40,000+

instructors

800m+

people reached

THE FOUNDER OF THE ART OF LIVING

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Gurudev is a spiritual leader and ambassador of peace on a mission to create a society free of stress and violence. He is globally regarded for his contributions to human happiness and world peace.      

He intuited the Sudarshan Kriya™, a breathing technique practiced by millions of people around the world. Its effects on sleep, immunity and overall well-being have been lauded by scientists and proven by empirical research around the world. 

Ambassador of peace and humanitarian leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Explore the secrets of the breath and harness the power of the mind