What is the aim of the Art of Living Foundation?
The Foundation is dedicated to serving society by strengthening the individual first. We do this by offering programmes that eliminate stress, create a sense of belonging, restore human values and encourage people from all backgrounds, religions, and cultural traditions to come together in celebration and service.

What is taught on the Art of Living course?
A broad range of processes are introduced during the course including:
Sudarshan Kriya®: a powerful breathing technique reintroduced to the world by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Pranayama: breathing is normally an unconscious process. Through the practice of pranayama's, you will learn to consciously govern the breath so that it brings harmony into your body, mind and spirit.
All of the techniques and processes that you learn on the course can be practiced at home every day.

How long have the courses been taught?
The Art of Living Foundation was founded by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar 26 years ago. Since that time, over 20 million people worldwide, from different backgrounds, religions and cultures have taken Art of Living courses.

Are you a religious organisation?
No. We are an international non-profit, educational and humanitarian Non Governmental Organisation (NGO). We work in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, participating in a variety of committees and activities relating to health, education, sustainable development and conflict resolution.

Are you affiliated to a particular religion?
No. The courses are open to people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, cultures and traditions across the world. They do not conflict with any persons existing religious, non-religious or spiritual beliefs or practices.

"We identify ourselves as somebody - I belong to this religion, this culture, this tradition, but we forget the basic identity that we are human beings. When that stands first and foremost, all other identities follow behind that." Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Where does the money collected for the courses go?
Most of the money collected goes directly into the Foundation and is used for its social development, humanitarian and disaster relief work, in this country, and around the world. For instance, in London free courses are being run for a drug rehabilitation group, a battered women's group, a disability care home and a London hospital. All the teachers, coordinators and helpers are volunteers - most of them are full-time workers, parents and students who do NOT get any salary from your course fees. A proportion of the course fees will go towards minimum admin and the venue hire, which is why we try to keep the venue costs low.