Twenty years ago, in college, Deepak Gilra remembers, “I suffered.” Away from his family, juggling the stresses of a tough curriculum, he recalls, “I snapped at people all the time, usually for no reason.” Eventually, Gilra developed arthritis and took several pills a day to lessen the pain. About the same time, Annelies Richmond was hurting, too. A ballerina with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, she tried yoga to nurse her injuries and endured hours of stage fright before each performance. Today, the temper tantrums are gone, the pills are absent, and the anxiety is a distant memory. Both Gilra and Richmond discovered, and now lead, a different path to well-being: The Art of Living Happiness Program. 

Founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living Foundation is a humanitarian nonprofit operating in more than 155 countries. The foundation’s Happiness Program, with local centers in Folsom, Sacramento, and Roseville, teaches rhythmic breathing exercises and deep meditation, along with guided yoga, to help reduce stress and heal the mind and body. “These are proven techniques that help manage your mind and emotions,” Gilra says. “The mind is all over the place. It goes to past anger and regrets and worries about the future, but the present is where you are most productive. These techniques help you get there.”

The basic program is a nine-hour weekend course from Friday to Sunday. By the end of the three days, Richmond says, participants are able to slip into a deep state of meditation. Anyone can do it, even people who think they can’t. The result? Program graduates report less stress, anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness, even depression. In their place are greater mental stamina and focus, more energy, a feeling of well-being, and a positive state of mind. Studies seem to support the claims. The Art of Living website cites research showing clinical depression reduced by 67% and clinical anxiety by 41%. In various studies, beta wave brain activity increased significantly, correlating with heightened alertness and mental focus, and the immune system strengthened. Even overall cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure levels dropped.

Gilra credits the increased circulation of deep breathing with curing his arthritis and eliminating chronic anger. “The first few weeks after learning the program,” he says, “were blissful.” He has no doubt the techniques can help everyone. “We breathe 10,000 liters of air a day. Using our breath effectively is a powerful tool that can do wonders. It’s so fulfilling to see the effect these techniques have on people.”

The Folsom center, where Gilra teaches, offers one fee-based Happiness Program weekend a month and two free preview sessions each week. Alumni can join advanced sessions and Meetups or download apps to keep up their practice. The program also accepts children as young as eight who work in same-age groups. The benefits to kids, Gilra says, include helping them learn to focus and make good life choices. 

artofliving.org