Art of Living Foundation

Art of Living Foundation

The Art Of Living Foundation
"Celebrating Life" Motto [1] [2]

"We care for the World, We care for You"

Headquarters 21st Km, Udaypura, Kanakapura Road, Bangalore Website http:/ / www. artofliving. org

The Art of Living Foundation is a volunteer-based, humanitarian and educational non-governmental organization (NGO).[3] It was founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with the vision of creating a stress-free, violence-free society. It says it has reached out to over 300 million people in over 150 countries with its various programs.[4] The Foundation is working in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) [5] of the United Nations. The International Association for Human Values [6] is the sister NGO that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founded, that focuses on the upliftment of human values at the grass roots level.

Organization
Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) has its international headquarters in Bangalore, India at Ved Vignan Mahavidyapeeth or VVM campus (usually referred to as the Art of Living's international facility in Bangalore, or as the Bangalore Ashram)and has regional centers in more than 150 countries. In Europe, the organization is known as the Association for Inner Growth. The Foundation was founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and offers a variety of personal-development and trauma-relief programs around the world. AOLF has been an educational and humanitarian organization in the U.S. since 1989. Accredited as a United Nations non-governmental organization in 1996, it works in special consultative status with the UN's Economic and Social Council, participating in a variety of committees and activities relating to health, education, sustainable development, conflict resolution, and disaster relief.[7] The Art of Living is a DPI NGO (Department of Public Information), which means it plays an active role in communicating and contributing to various United Nations goals (such as the UN Millennium Goals and the Stand Up initiative).[8] The Foundation operates as a social business and its main activity is to organize Art of Living courses; yoga. breathing, and meditation workshops, and education and trauma relief in regions of trauma and disaster.[9] The majority of the officers of the organization, along with most of its teachers and staff, are volunteers. Many humanitarian programs, disaster relief efforts, and training programs are conducted through, or in conjunction with partner organization, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV). Some of the key worldwide 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 Living South Africa, Art of Living Israel, Art of Living Brazil, and Art of Living Argentina. The objective of the organization as described in its website is to develop a stress-free society and a peaceful individual.[10] Its areas of work covers conflict resolution,[11] disaster and trauma relief,[12][13] poverty alleviation, empowerment of women, prisoner rehabilitation, education for all, campaigns against female foeticide and child labour and environment sustainability. Guided by Sri Sris 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

Art of Living Foundation mainly on breathing techniques, meditation and yoga. These programmes have helped thousands around the world to overcome depression and violent and suicidal tendencies. Art of living hopeline (24X7 telephonic hopeline number 022-69999999) is a dedicated program to reduce suicidal tendencies.[14] A number of medical studies on the organization's core life-enhancing/trauma-relief techniques (Sudarshan Kriya and its preparatory practices) have been published in international peer-reviewed journals. A range of mental and physical benefits are reported in these studies, including reduced levels of stress (reduced cortisolthe stress hormone), improved immune system, relief from anxiety & depression (mild, moderate & severe),[15] and increased antioxidant protection, enhanced brain function (increased mental focus, calmness and recovery from stressful stimuli), among other findings.[16][17] While there are a number of published studies on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's techniques,[18] there are also one which is claiming that viruses cannot survive in the oxygen-rich environment produced by Sudarshan Kriya[19] on the basis of a 40-day study on 25 patients suffering from HIV/AIDS. While many studies show significant mental and physical health benefits, some descriptions, if not accurately conveyed, could mislead participants. The organization is involved in community service through its centers [20] According to the tax return filed by the American chapter, AOL Foundation had total revenues of $5.5M (mainly 3.5M from course fees and 1.7M from public support ) and expenditure of $3.6M from July 2006 to June 2007. Net assets at the beginning of July 2007 amounted to $7.7M. AOLF is said to work in partnership with the International Association for Human Values which implements humanitarian programs, and cash allocations including foreign grants of 0.95M are included in the above reported expenses, though this tax return does not have line items on the specific humanitarian relief and training programs conducted directly or through IAHV.[21] EIN for the American chapter of AOL Foundation is 77-0240101.

Professional affiliations and memberships

AOLF is an international non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, with accredited representatives at the United Nations in New York, Geneva, and Vienna. AOLF has also worked in formal consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO): "Development of a Global Health Policy for the 21st Century". AOLF is also affiliated with the International Association for Human Values.[22] AOLF is a member to the following international associations:[22] CONGO (Conference of NGO's in consultative status with ECOSOC of the United Nations), Geneva and New York United Nations NGO Committees: Health, Mental Health, Committee on Aging, New York United Nations NGO Values Caucus, New York and Geneva International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Paris NGO Forum for Health, Geneva National Association of Women's Organizations, Uganda

Musical concerts and dance events

The Art of Living has entered the Guinness Book of Records for a Mohiniyattam dance organised in Cochin[23][24] The performance has been awarded the world record for the most people performing a Mohiniyattam dance, the traditional Kerala dance form. [25] The citation issued by Guinness states: "The current record for Most People Performing a Mohiniyattam Dance is 1,200 at a performance held as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Art of Living Foundation at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Cochin, Kerala, on Nov 28, 2006.".[24][26] The organization organized Brahm Naad musical concert which also entered Guinness Book of Records.[27] The proceeds of the event went towards rehabilitation of the victims of the Bihar floods.[27]

Art of Living Foundation Similar music concert, Antar Naad, was held in Pune[28] on January 12, 2010.[29]

References
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] "Art of Living Foundation" (http:/ / artofliving. org). Artofliving.org. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. FAQ (http:/ / artofliving. org/ FAQ/ tabid/ 244/ Default. aspx) "Art of Living Foundation Overview" (http:/ / www. newswiretoday. com/ news/ 17261/ ). Newswiretoday.com. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. "The Art of Living Facts" (http:/ / www. sify. com/ news/ art-of-living-has-presence-in-150-countries-news-national-kf5ukdbhhef. html). . "Art of Living Facts" (http:/ / esango. un. org/ irene/ ?page=viewProfile& type=ngo& nr=1291& section=9). Esango.un.org. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. [6] "The International Association of Human Values" (http:/ / www. iahv. org/ ). Iahv.org. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. [7] "United Nations - Department of Economic and Social Affairs - NGO Section" (http:/ / www. un. org/ esa/ coordination/ ngo/ ). Un.org. . Retrieved 2011-03-18. [8] (http:/ / www. un. org/ dpi/ ngosection/ asp/ form. asp?RegID=--& CnID=all& AcID=0& kw=art of living& NGOID=2465) [9] Gautier, Francois. The Guru of Joy. New York: Hay House, 2008. [10] "About Us | Art of Living Foundation | Sri Sri Ravi Shankar | NGO | About Us" (http:/ / artofliving. org/ about-us. html). Artofliving.org. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. [11] "Unesco Conflict Resolution And "The Art Of Living In Peace"" (http:/ / portal. unesco. org/ en/ ev. php-URL_ID=3112& URL_DO=DO_TOPIC& URL_SECTION=201. html). Portal.unesco.org. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. [12] "Art of Living providing trauma relief in China" (http:/ / www. thaindian. com/ newsportal/ india-news/ art-of-living-providing-trauma-relief-in-china_10056131. html). Thaindian.com. 2008-06-03. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. [13] "Art of Living trauma relief through broadcast in China" (http:/ / www. thaindian. com/ newsportal/ india-news/ art-of-living-trauma-relief-through-broadcast-in-china_10056012. html). Thaindian.com. 2008-06-03. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. [14] "Project Hope - World Alliance for Youth Empowerment" (http:/ / www. wayeonline. org/ projecthope). . Retrieved 2011-04-25. [15] Antidepressant efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in melancholia: a randomized comparison with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and imipramine Janakiramaiah N; Gangadhar B.N; Naga Venkatesha Murthy P.J; Harish M.G; Subbakrishna D.K; Vedamurthachar A Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 57, Number 1, January 2000 , pp. 255-259(5) http:/ / www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/ pubmed/ 10708840 [16] Gautier, Francois. The Guru of Joy. New York: Hay House, 2008. p. 155-164. [17] Scientific Research on Art of Living Practices http:/ / www. aolresearch. org/ published_research. html [18] "Published Research" (http:/ / www. aolresearch. org/ published_research. html). . Retrieved 2011-05-07. [19] http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20050509053759/ http:/ / www. bawandinesh. net/ AIMSPresentation. ppt [20] Melton, J. Gordon (2003), and, though not a religious organization, and programs are taken by people of many traditions and religious backgrounds, underlying principles are compatible with Vedic philosophy. Encyclopedia of American Religions (Seventh edition). Farmington Hills, Michigan: The Gale Group, Inc., p. 1004. ISBN 0-7876-6384-0 [21] "Art of Living Foundation, Fairfield, IA Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, IRS 2006" (http:/ / www. guidestar. org/ FinDocuments/ / 2007/ 770/ 240/ 2007-770240101-03db3e53-9. pdf) (PDF). . Retrieved 2010-07-20. [22] "About The Art of Living Foundation USA" (http:/ / us. artofliving. org/ foundation/ index. html). Us.artofliving.org. . Retrieved 2010-07-20. [23] "Mohiniyattam dance enters Guinness Book" (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ Mohiniyattam-dance-enters-Guinness-Book/ Article1-262391. aspx). Hindustan Times. 2007-12-10. . Retrieved 2011-03-18. [24] "A Guinness record 1200 dancers and Art of Living - Trends News - IBNLive" (http:/ / ibnlive. in. com/ news/ a-guinness-record-1200-dancers-and-art-of-living/ 53985-19. html). Ibnlive.in.com. 2010-02-03. . Retrieved 2011-03-18. [25] (http:/ / spirituality. indiatimes. com/ articleshow/ 3594447. cms) [26] http:/ / www. indiaenews. com/ pdf/ 85538. pdf [27] "sri sri news-Brahm Naad enters Guinness Book" (http:/ / www. zeenews. com/ lifestyle/ etc/ 2009-01-21/ 500584news. html). Zeenews.com. . Retrieved 2011-03-18. [28] "Pune gets ready for another musical treat" (http:/ / www. hindustantimes. com/ Pune-gets-ready-for-another-musical-treat/ Article1-496450. aspx). Hindustan Times. 2010-01-12. . Retrieved 2011-03-18. [29] "Mega show on classical music on cards - Times Of India" (http:/ / timesofindia. indiatimes. com/ city/ pune/ Mega-show-on-classical-music-on-cards/ articleshow/ 5302031. cms). Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2009-12-05. . Retrieved 2011-03-18.

Art of Living Foundation

External links
Official website (http://www.artofliving.org/)

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

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