Written By Kimberly Ewertz
Art of Living Foundation
W
e may all want to keep in mind the simple
phrase, “take a deep breath,” as it could
provide a very effective way of reducing
stress this holiday season.
Deepak Shridar, director of the Morgan
Hill Yoga Festival and volunteer with the Art of Living
Foundation, (AOLF), suggests taking five minutes out of each
day to sit, close your eyes, and just observe the breath.
“The core essence of the whole organization is expressed
through our meditation and breathing programs,” Shridar said.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, AOLF founder, has been an active voice
for peace and human values, spreading his message of faith,
co-existence, and happiness throughout the world since the
foundation began in 1981.
Shankar, while in deep, silent, meditation, discovered a
powerful breathing technique, the Sudurshan Kriya, and was
immediately convinced that his life-changing discovery was the
key to helping mankind.
The Sudurshan Kriya uses specific, natural rhythms, that
release the deepest levels of stress, and provide balance by
integrating mind, body, and heart.
“That’s how it took off, and now the AOLF is in 154
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countries,” Raj Murtinty, AOLF member and foundation
instructor, said.
For the past several years, Murtinty has been involved in
an outreach venture initiated by fellow AOLF member Krishna
Datla, in expanding the foundation’s services beyond San Jose,
Santa Clara, Mountain View, Fremont and Dublin, offering their
services to the Morgan Hill and Gilroy communities.
Datla laid the groundwork by securing Gilroy Library as a
location to offer weekly meditation classes in 2012.
Three years later, in 2015, Sridhar joined the team, bringing
with him, volunteer and