The Art of Living has Donated Over $150,000 of PPE to keep Healthcare Workers Protected on the Frontlines in the US. In Addition, Art of Living is Providing Free Access to Evidence-based Breathing and Meditation Workshops to Help Healthcare Workers Stay Strong and Resilient During the Covid 19 Pandemic
Since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis during mid-March, local chapters of Art of Living Foundation have come forward to support their healthcare heroes and essential workers in New York, California and several other hotspots around the nation. On behalf of third congressional district of New York, Congressman Rep. Tom Suozzi issued a special congressional recognition to Art of Living Foundation on May 22, 2020.
The volunteers of the foundation have raised over $150,000 in donations to support the frontline superheroes, healthcare professionals and essential workers by:
Donating much needed PPE to hospitals, nursing homes and police stations, other first responders.
Donating food for healthcare professionals
Conducting free meditation and stress reduction programs for healthcare professionals
The foundation has donated over 80,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) including Coveralls, Isolation Gowns, Gloves, Face Shields, N95 Masks, Face Masks, Caps and Shoe Covers to various hospitals in the impacted communities.
Some of the hospitals and facilities that have been the primary beneficiaries of PPE and food in the New York metropolitan area include: Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate Hospital, Brooklyn, Woodhull Hospital Center, Brooklyn, Elmhurst Medical Center, Queens, St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, New Jewish Home Nursing, NYC. In addition, Medical Centers and First Responder Centers in Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Fremont and Walnut Creek Hospitals in California have also received donations of PPE and food for health care workers.
Art of Living also offers an opportunity for healthcare workers across the US to learn its powerful breathing meditation - at no cost - to help sustain them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its launch in March 2020, thousands of frontline workers and healthcare professionals have benefited from this program. The program was developed in collaboration with leaders of the Provider Well-being Program at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC and other healthcare experts from around the country.
Towards a larger global effort, Art of Living in partnership with IAHV (International Association for Human Values) in USA have raised $350,000 to support the daily wage laborers in India. This effort has contributed to distribution of over 75 million meals to the marginalized segment of the population. Additionally, Art of Living and IAHV have distributed over 500 tones of relief material in form of medicines, sanitizers, and complete PPE kits in India.
“To all the doctors, the paramedics, frontline workers and all other healthcare professionals, for your services, your dedication, we cannot express our gratitude enough,” said global humanitarian, spiritual leader, and founder of the Art of Living, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. “Please don't ignore yourself. Your good rest is absolutely essential and it’s necessary to keep you charged and keep you healthy. Art of Living Foundation and its counselors are ready for you, anytime to help you. This meditation will be tremendously beneficial to you. You'll feel the energy and enthusiasm renewed in you to carry your noble mission forward.”
US healthcare worker can access the online course by visiting www.aolf.me/covid19 and register using their professional license number. The SKY Breath Meditation Program, also known as the Happiness Program, which has been taught in person to millions across the world, has been adapted to a new online platform, and tailored specifically to busy healthcare providers. The self-paced format can be accessed from anywhere, and in just a few minutes, will equip health care workers with powerful, evidence-based breathing and meditation techniques.
"We found this course significantly reduced burnout and anxiety among our providers, some of whom said the daily practices have transformed their entire lives,” said Dr. Hemant Sharma, Chief of Allergy and Immunology at Children’s National and co-lead of Well-being. “At this time of immense strain on healthcare systems world-wide, we are so grateful to the Art of Living for offering these evidence-based practices to bolster the physical and mental well-being of those caring for the sick.”
About Art of Living
Operating in 156 countries, The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) is a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by the humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. All of AOLF’s programs are inspired by Gurudev’s philosophy of creating world peace through a stress-free and violence-free society. AOLF has touched over 400 million lives through numerous educational and self-development programs and tools that facilitate the elimination of stress and foster deep and profound inner peace, happiness and well-being for individuals.
Media Contacts:
Art of Living Foundation
Kushal Choksi
Phone: 917.836.2819
Email: kushal.choksi@artofliving.org