The much wanted long weekend finally came in. I set out with my wife and two of my friends to the Ved Vigyan Maha mandir, the Art of living international centre in the out-skirts of Bangalore. It was a three day course - Art of Living Part I. We settled there in the lush green Ashram on a drizzling Thurday evening. We were awe struck by the blissful silence and serene environment of the Ashram.
I wanted to do the Art of Living basic course since a long time. Somehow, it had not found its fine day. To start with, I was sceptical about the content and usefulness of the course; did a little bit of research before opting. I was very impressed after going through these links on reviews and usefulness of Art of living course and the breathing excersices which are parts of the course -
http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-of-living-san-francisco
http://www.mouthshut.com/review/ArtOfLiving.org-114618-1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR0D6Ill6Qo
http://gseweb.harvard.edu/~t656_web/peace/Articles_Spring_2003/Tang_Julia_ArtOfLivingTheoryBreath.htm
As far as I know, the course is offered in two varients in India - 6 day course - about 1.5 hour each day -offered in the city and the town centres accross India and 3 days full time on the Ashram campus course. After going through whatever little research, I decide to take the 3 day course away from the hassles of the Bangalore's noice. My wife also decided to take the course with a bucket of scepticism. Two my friends joined one with utmost interest and the other just have a different weekend from the usual Bangalore weekend of MG road and cinema...
The serene surrounding of the Ashram, the clean, neat satvik food served in the Ashram and the nice comfortable stay would ashamed even the heaven. How the 3 days of the course ended is just not settled in the minds and we had to leave the Ashram with big smile on the face and mind.. an enlightened soul. My wife was very impressed with the learnings she got in. Frieds - one was completely delved in and the other had the most useful weekend ever in Bangalore since last 6 years.
The course offers a holistic approach to the improvement in the quality of life. We learnt the Sudarshana Kriya and allied processes such as Kanishta pranayama and Bhastrika pranayama. It is exteremely de-stressing to say the least. The yoga was re-freshing. The life lessons were deep philosophy explained in common-sense simple words.
Here is what I can summerize on the course:
(1) No frills and guaranteed stress buster techniques
(2) Provides for holistic improvement in the quality of life
(3) It is a spiritual course not a religious course
(4) Practical and focussed course with emphasis on practice.
I recommend the course should be taken by everyone. As with any course, you take what you like and makes sense to you. One more important practical info (my wife reminded me add) - during the course follow all the instructions for all the activities without hesitation. It would enable you to reap better benefits. If you would like to take the course and you stay in Bangalore; just run to Ashram for the course. It makes a million sense to take the course in the Ashram than in the city unless you are on confinement... Finaly, "Gift a smile"...
Updates:
There were couple of questions from some of my friends. I have tried to answer them.
I wanted to do the Art of Living basic course since a long time. Somehow, it had not found its fine day. To start with, I was sceptical about the content and usefulness of the course; did a little bit of research before opting. I was very impressed after going through these links on reviews and usefulness of Art of living course and the breathing excersices which are parts of the course -
http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-of-living-san-francisco
http://www.mouthshut.com/review/ArtOfLiving.org-114618-1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR0D6Ill6Qo
http://gseweb.harvard.edu/~t656_web/peace/Articles_Spring_2003/Tang_Julia_ArtOfLivingTheoryBreath.htm
As far as I know, the course is offered in two varients in India - 6 day course - about 1.5 hour each day -offered in the city and the town centres accross India and 3 days full time on the Ashram campus course. After going through whatever little research, I decide to take the 3 day course away from the hassles of the Bangalore's noice. My wife also decided to take the course with a bucket of scepticism. Two my friends joined one with utmost interest and the other just have a different weekend from the usual Bangalore weekend of MG road and cinema...
The serene surrounding of the Ashram, the clean, neat satvik food served in the Ashram and the nice comfortable stay would ashamed even the heaven. How the 3 days of the course ended is just not settled in the minds and we had to leave the Ashram with big smile on the face and mind.. an enlightened soul. My wife was very impressed with the learnings she got in. Frieds - one was completely delved in and the other had the most useful weekend ever in Bangalore since last 6 years.
The course offers a holistic approach to the improvement in the quality of life. We learnt the Sudarshana Kriya and allied processes such as Kanishta pranayama and Bhastrika pranayama. It is exteremely de-stressing to say the least. The yoga was re-freshing. The life lessons were deep philosophy explained in common-sense simple words.
Here is what I can summerize on the course:
(1) No frills and guaranteed stress buster techniques
(2) Provides for holistic improvement in the quality of life
(3) It is a spiritual course not a religious course
(4) Practical and focussed course with emphasis on practice.
I recommend the course should be taken by everyone. As with any course, you take what you like and makes sense to you. One more important practical info (my wife reminded me add) - during the course follow all the instructions for all the activities without hesitation. It would enable you to reap better benefits. If you would like to take the course and you stay in Bangalore; just run to Ashram for the course. It makes a million sense to take the course in the Ashram than in the city unless you are on confinement... Finaly, "Gift a smile"...
Updates:
There were couple of questions from some of my friends. I have tried to answer them.
-Are we required to stay in the Ashram for 3 days ?
Yes. The Ashram course is 'full-time residential'. Experience of staying in seren greenery is heavenly pleasent. There are huse stay apartment blocks accross the Ashram amidst lush green. We were given the room in Aparna block which had capacity of four per room. If you like to stay with your friends, go in group of four or even otherways you will make good friends in the calm stay over there.
-Food ?
There is a common kitchen which serves hundreds of people everyday. It is run by Ashram on Seva of long term and short term visitors. The Satvik food is served in the kitchen. We loved the mouth watery food. Meanwhile, try to find some time to do seva while you stay there.
-What to carry?
You should carry some comfortable loose clothing for yoga. Carry an umbrella in the rainy season. A water bottle should help you out to quench the thirst. And everything that you would need everyday like paste, brush...
Yes. The Ashram course is 'full-time residential'. Experience of staying in seren greenery is heavenly pleasent. There are huse stay apartment blocks accross the Ashram amidst lush green. We were given the room in Aparna block which had capacity of four per room. If you like to stay with your friends, go in group of four or even otherways you will make good friends in the calm stay over there.
-Food ?
There is a common kitchen which serves hundreds of people everyday. It is run by Ashram on Seva of long term and short term visitors. The Satvik food is served in the kitchen. We loved the mouth watery food. Meanwhile, try to find some time to do seva while you stay there.
-What to carry?
You should carry some comfortable loose clothing for yoga. Carry an umbrella in the rainy season. A water bottle should help you out to quench the thirst. And everything that you would need everyday like paste, brush...
3 comments:
That sounds great Panchi. I too would like to take the course.
Is that a whole day(s) event?
do we need to stay there for three days?
Chary, I have updated the post answering your query and other information. Come back sometime!
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