Instinctive Drive June 18 Instinctive Drive | Page 25

the International Association for Human
Values (IAHV). Some of the key world-
wide chapters include the Art of Living
Foundation (U.S.A.), Vyakti Vikas Kendra
(India), Die Kunst des Lebens (Germany),
Art of Living Center (Canada), Art of Liv-
ing South Africa, Art of Living Israel, Art
of Living Brazil, and Art of Living Argen-
tina.
The Foundation operates as a charitable
organization actively conducting ‘Art of
Living’ stress-relief courses, based on yo-
ga, breathing, and meditation. Guided by
Sri Sri’s philosophy of peace, "Unless we
have a stress-free mind and a violence-
free society, we cannot achieve world
peace", the Art of Living offers several
stress-elimination and self-development
programmes based mainly on breathing
techniques, meditation and yoga. Art of
living helpline, a telephonic hotline is also
available 24/7, which is a dedicated pro-
gram to reduce suicidal tendencies.
A number of medical studies on the or-
ganization's core life-enhancing/trauma-
relief technique(Sudharshan Kriya and its
preparatory practices) have been pub-
lished in international peer-reviewed jour-
nals. A range of mental and physical ben-
efits are reported in these studies, includ-
ing reduced levels of stress, improved im-
mune system, relief from anxiety and de-
pression and increased antioxidant pro-
tection, enhanced brain function
(increased mental focus, calmness and re-
covery from stressful stimuli), among oth-
er findings.
The organization is involved in communi-
ty service through its centres, and pro-
grams are taken by people of many tradi-
tions and religious backgrounds. Its un-
derlying principles are compatible with
Vedic Philosophy.
The idea of celebrating ‘International Day
of Yoga’, which is another initiative to
spread Yoga globally, was first proposed
by the current Prime Minister of India
Mr. Narendra Modi during his speech at
the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) on 27 September 2014. The UN-
GA, following this initial proposal, held
informal consultations on the draft reso-
lution. The initiative found support from
many global leaders and a total of 177 na-
tions co-sponsored the resolution which is
the highest number of co-sponsors ever
for any UNGA resolution of such nature.
Thus an international day for yoga was
declared unanimously by the UNGA and
is being generally celebrated annually on
21 st June
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