Art of Living YES!+ YesPlus Youth Program U.S. Report

the art of living

f o u n d a t i o n~ USA ~

Summary of Accomplishments

YOUTH PROGRAMS, USA

IAHV

The Art of Living Foundationin partnership with the international association for human values

“The need of the hour demands channeling abundant youth energy in a constructive manner. We need to give this energy the right direction.

Generally, the tendency is to condemn their problems by telling youth to abstain. Instead, we need to show them a path and a motive.”

– Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Founder of the Art of Living and

International Association for Human Values

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Table of Contents

table of contents

Youth Programs

Youth ProgramsA brief description of Art of Living Youth Programs

TestimonialsReported benefits from students and caretakers

InitiativesNational youth programs and service projects

Photo GalleryYouth from New York to California

Survey ResultsEffects of breathing techniques on youth

Conferences and SymposiumsPartial listing of national conferences and events

In the NewsPartial listing of national media coverage

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Youth Programsa brief description

The Art of Living Foundation is dedicated to inspiring, strengthening, and empowering young people to

live life to its fullest potential. We do this by providing the tools and wisdom needed to meet life’s challenges and keep a smile no matter what the circumstances. Art of Living youth programs support the overall health, happiness, and growth of today’s youth by teaching essential life and leadership skills in a fun, challenging, and supportive environment.

At the heart of each youth program is a set of innovative and powerful breathing techniques that systematically release mental, emotional and physical stress. Once learned, these techniques can be practiced by students in any setting to bring about a state of calm, rejuvenation, and focus.

Students, educators and parents have reported a variety of research-verified benefits from the programs, including improved social skills, higher academic performance, and a greater sense of well-being. YES! Summer Camp 2008

Techniques:

Benefits:

Empowerment Knowledge for Life Service Learning

• Strengthens confidence

• Increases energy

• Strengthens memory and concentration

• Fosters non-violence

• Cultivates compassion and a sense of belonging

• Develops interpersonal skills and acceptance

• Develops social responsibility

• Cultivates leadership and teamwork skills

• Establishes value of selfless giving

• Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique

• Meditation

• Yoga

Knowledge, games, interactive exercises and stories that promote leadership and nurture universal values such as friendliness, compassion, nonviolence, honesty, responsibility, service, and concern for humanity

Students plan and implement community service projects

“The Art of Living Course for Educators was a wonderful and powerful experience for my teachers: they experienced a great reduction in stress levels. . . . It has helped them to deal calmly with trying situations and students in the classroom. They have reported better moods in general, and a greater sense of ease and closeness with their co-workers.”

— Philip Weinberg, Principal, High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, Brooklyn, New York

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ART Excel Ages 8 - 13

all round training in excellence

YES! Ages 14 - 18

youth empowerment seminar

ART Excel provides children with an opportunity to discover the human values they naturally possess, while giving them the Six Golden Keys to Success – knowledge that is kid-friendly and yet deeply relevant to students growing into an increasingly stressful middle school environment. Providing tools that stimulate children’s natural sense of inquiry and imagination while expanding their minds, ART Excel inculcates a strong love for learning, while attending to the emotional, physical, and personal development of each child.

YES! enables youth to successfully navigate through the academic and personal challenges of high school. The program features interesting discussions, fun and challenging games, and a practical approach to problem solving, time management, handling relationships and dealing with peer pressure. YES! is offered as both an after school program as well as for credit in various high schools across the United States. As a continuation of the YES! Program, an annual 10-day summer camp serves as a platform for graduates to develop leadership skills, build strong friendships and enjoy the great outdoors.

YES+ Ages 18 - 27

youth empowerment seminar plus

YLTP Ages 18 - 27

youth leadership training program

YES+ is a highly fun and challenging life-skills and capacity building program that has reached thousands of students and young professionals worldwide. Featuring tried and tested techniques to increase efficiency, strengthen relationships, and build unshakable confidence, the program also features practical knowledge on time-management and entrepreneurship. YES+ is offered to students in universities, and to young professionals at their workplace. In 2008, Google became the first enterprise to offer its staff the YES+ Program at its Mountain View campus, California.

The mission of the Youth Leadership Training Program is to revive and enrich communities through the upliftment and transformation of youth. YLTP functions on two levels: eliminating stress using independently researched stress-relieving breathing techniques and empowering youth to take responsibility for their own future and that of their community. The program begins with an intensive 10-day training followed by 4 - 8 weeks of fieldwork. The first YLTP in North American took place in the summer of 2002 with 20 youth from across the U.S. and Canada. After the initial two-week training, youth leaders organized and facilitated Breath Water Sound community development programs in several underprivileged communities. Teams of 6 - 10 traveled to Mexico, Belize, and various parts of the U.S. to offer these stress-relief programs in juvenile detention facilities, orphanages, senior centers, and schools. YLTP has been instrumental in rebuilding some of the most devastated areas in North and Latin America including New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mexico City, and Haiti.

YES+ at Google“I have always wanted to learn meditation and other techniques I could use daily. But how to learn them? Books are boring. Just trying it myself seemed lonely. This class introduced me to powerful approaches I can use in my everyday life. And I am using them!... I got to know myself better and see and feel ALL the joy in my life. I would recommend this class for anyone who feels like they want to step-up their dedication to their own happiness.”

– Google Employee, Mountain View, California

a brief description

Youth Programs

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Testimonialsyouth share their experience

presented at the john f. kennedy center for the performing artswashington, dc 2007

Reducing gang violence...

“Hello my name is Alexis Hernandez and I represent Bell Multicultural High School and I came here today to talk about my goal: to reduce Gang violence in the streets of Washington D.C. I have seen young people be shot in front of my eyes - I hear a lot about how somebody got hurt or killed in the streets because of gangs. In order to do my part, I took the YES! Program. My assistant Principal, Ms. Dahlia Aguilar, told me about it. In the beginning, I thought “NO WAY” But I took it anyway to see how it was and when I did it, it was GREAT! I think the YES! program would be great at reducing Gang Violence because if we can get some gang bangers in the program, they would know how great it is just to breath by doing the Kriya and techniques taught. Some kids join gangs because they got nobody to relate to, to make them feel wanted, needed and the program has that and even more. When I took the YES! program, I could not wait for school to be over so I could go take it. I am not going to tell you what I did in the program, because it is something you have to experience for yourself. I would like to thank everyone that helped me with the program and I would like to thank Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for inventing this wonderful program. Thank you for listening to my speech.”

“The breathing helped me control my anger, concentrate better and sleep at night. The breathing also helped me to see that everyone is human, they make mistakes too, and I don’t get angry at that anymore. At the end of the course I felt like I had made a whole new family and it was an unforgettable experience. The YES! course is something to help kids get away from the norm and stay out of trouble to help change their lives.” – Justine, age 16, New York City

“Before I came here I was really stressed out. Little things made me angry. I learned to get rid of the anger and free my mind from all the clutter. If I get angry I just do the breathing and it makes me feel better.”– Matt, age 15, Los Angeles

“I liked learning techniques about how to make yourself a better person. The breathing made me more aware of every-thing. ART Excel is a place to learn ways or making yourself a stronger, less stressed person.”– Marika, age 12, New York

“The YES! Course is fun and awesome! The breathing techniques made me calm and centered. They also made me feel energized. I feel refreshed and eager to go out and fix problems!– Becca, age 16, Michigan

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“I really loved this course. I wish it would last longer.. I had lost and now regained the use of my right arm. This course has inspired me to make changes in my relationships with my family…. I feel like we all became a strong family.”– Candace, Graduate Student. Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illinois (Following on-campus shooting on February 14, 2008)

“This course is really excellent in the sense that it tells everybody how to live life. It teaches Sudarshan Kriya and other yoga exercises which help to reduce stress, pressure in the mind, and how to keep the body calm and relaxed. The interactive games and activities let each one drop his inhibitions and mingle with everyone else just as a human being. I recommend this course to everybody.”– Nitin, YES+ Graduate

“This course has helped me be a better observer of myself and my behavior. The result… calmer mind, which in turn has helped me become more effective and productive.” – Student, Stanford University, California

“My family knows me for my temper! Over the past few days, I have had a calmness that has felt like a relief. I didn’t know I was missing it until I felt it” – Sanda, Virginia Tech University. Blacksburg, Virginia. (Following on-campus shooting in April 2007)

“When I left the last night of the course at 10:15pm, I wasn’t worried about the fact that I had a prelim the next morn-ing… It was easy and I have turned into a calmer, more chill person.”– Student, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

“Amazing!!! The best thing I have ever done for myself. I am excited to move forward with my life using all I have learned from the Art of Living. I already feel the benefits.” – Kate, 5th Grade School Teacher, Bethesda, Maryland

“How surprised I was to see what simple thoughts and gestures could do to me!” – Student, Columbia Business School, New York City, New York

“I have always wanted to learn meditation and other techniques I could use daily. But how to learn them? Books are bor-ing. Just trying it myself seemed lonely. This class introduced me to powerful approaches I can use in my everyday life. And I am using them! The teachers and classmates were fun, open-minded, and friendly. I got to know myself better and see and feel ALL the joy in my life. I would recommend this class for anyone who feels like they want to step-up their dedication to their own happiness.” – DN, Google Employee, Mountain View, California

Testimonialsyouth share their experience

“The breathing helped me to reduce the amount of stress in my life. There is less negativity in my life and I sleep better at night. At the end of the course I felt happy and loved.”– Cedric, age 18, Baltimore

I know how to control my emotions and how to love myself, and be myself.– YES! Graduate, USA

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Testimonialsfrom educators and caretakers

letters of support

“We have had the YES! course taught to our high school students for four years with great results. Students look forward to the course and participate with enthusiasm. Students became friendlier, more accepting and supportive of one another. They also began taking responsibility for their emotions and behavior. Aggressive behavior, including bullying and fights, diminished, significantly. Students were calmer in class and more receptive to learning. Consequently students attendance increased and more students made the academic honor roll...”

– Ms. Paulette Jones-Imaan, Principal Academy of Ideal Education, Washington, D.C.

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Testimonialsfrom educators and caretakers

letters of support

December 21, 2007 Dear Ms. Milano-Berrios: Palm Springs Middle School was fortunate to have the Art of Living Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES!) offered to our eighth graders this year. I am writing this letter in support of the YES! program, and to share my observations about the YES! program. The program was well received by students. Even though this voluntary program extended over 12 weeks, we had a 90% retention rate in the program. Students participating included both gifted and at risk youth. Students had many positive things to say about the program. They report increased self-esteem and self-confidence, increased commitment to academics, increased focus in school and at home, and a new found ability to handle their emotions. They frequently reported increased respect for other students, and a sense of community. Personally, I noticed a shift in student attitude and the teachers reported positive changes in the classroom from early in the program. My Trust Counselor has made the following observations regarding students she is still working with from last year. Those who had issues managing anger and emotions have decreased anger, acting out, and bullying. They show more focus and a greater sense of being in control of themselves. She also reports that students recognize how valuable and lasting the things that they learned in the YES! program are, and that they seem to carry these tools with them. Based upon the results I have seen with the YES! program, I have decided to create a YES! after school club at PSMS. I feel that continuing to offer the students a structure for using the stress management, focus enhancing, and leadership tools they learned through the YES! curriculum should help them both academically and personally. I am hopeful it will reflect positively in FCAT scores as well. As part of the YES! SSHS grant, we also were able to offer the Art of Living Course for Educators. Thirty-eight educators enrolled. Conservatively speaking, 2/3 of the teachers reported reduced anxiety, stress, anger, frustration, physical discomfort, and an improved ability to stay calm, ability to focus, better sleep and closeness with co-workers, positive mood, optimism, and heightened energy levels. These observations came from the surveys given upon completing the training. And finally, I found the YES! staff professional and highly committed to the wellbeing of our entire school. I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to offer this program to our school under SSHS, and recommend it highly. If there is anything else I can do to support this most important program, please let me know. Warm regards, Melissa Wolin Principal

To Whom It May Concern:

It is an honor and a pleasure to bring to your attention the work of Art of Living.I am the director of Planned Parenthood’s IMAGES Theatre, a professional teen theatre that performs for middle and high school students. IMAGES Theatre is a unique, award-winning performance/peer health education program. Through the art form of theatre,IMAGES delivers information concerning adolescent issues, provides positive rolemodeling, and promotes healthy self-esteem, family communication, and responsible decision-making.

Every summer, the cast members are educated in a variety of adolescent issues and at the same time, they experience several workshops to assist with their process of developing an ensemble and building an original performance.

Two years ago, and since that time, I have offered The Art of Living week-long workshop to the cast. The experience is profound. They are given tools to integrate healthier and more compassionate lifestyles, to understand and care for self and others, and to live their lives with conscious intent. Above all, they are provided with an amazing tool for stress release that can lead to a more peaceful existence in the world.The results of the program not only assist them personally, but also ripple into their immediate communities with their peers and family, and are integrated into the messagesof the performance.

The Art of Living is a wonderful program that can make a difference to the lives of not only teens, but all ages. This is a gift and opportunity not to be overlooked. Feelfree to call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Sharon Oppenheimer

Sharon Oppenheimer, Ph.D. Producer/DirectorPlanned Parenthood’s IMAGE Theatre

Email: [email protected]: (619) 881-4548

June 1, 2006

One year ago, I took the introductory Art of Living course that taught me the breathing techniques of the Sudarshan Kriya (SK) and introduced me to the teachings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Among other things, practicing the SK reduces my level of stress, provides me with increased energy and allows me to focus on the present moment. This has opened me to new experiences and, I believe, has improved my relationships with those I love. As a professor, this practice has enhanced my ability to communicate with my students and to discuss with them the importance of the integrity of the learning process and my philosophy of life-long learning.

Little did I know how important these lessons would be to me in the following year! Less than six months after I took this course, Hurricane Katrina forced my family from New Orleans, and I found myself confronted with the need to make rapid personal and professional decisions with very long-term ramifications. I have found myself to have far more clarity in my thought processes and an ability to identify and focus on the issues that are most meaningful to me. This has resulted in a renewed commitment to my city and university and has opened the door to many new and exciting opportunities. While these new demands are likely to be complex and at times distracting, my experiences with the AOL have provided me with confidence that I can successfully meet this challenges while maintaining a good quality of life. In many ways, what I have learned from AOL remains intangible, but it has clearly allowed me to enjoy an increased quality of life and remain focused on the more important aspects of my life. This is true after only one course – I look forward to further courses to expand upon what I have already learned.

Donald P. GaverChair, Department of Biomedical EngineeringTulane University

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Initiativespartial listing

Schools and Universities Where Art of Living Youth Programs have been offered

Atlanta, GE• Emory University*• Georgia Institute of Technology*• University of Georgia Athens

Austin, TX• Mendez Middle School

Baltimore, MD• Northwestern High School***• Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary

California• Stanford University• University of Southern California (USC)• University of San Diego (UCSD)• UC Berkeley• Loyola Marymount University**• San Jose State University • Los Angeles High School• The Urban School

Chicago, IL• Northern Illinois University (Dekalb)• Roberto Clemente High School• Glenbard East High School (Lombard)• Noble Street Charter School• New Trier High School (Winnetka)***• Evanston Police Department, Gang Members

Boulder, CO• Colorado University Dallas, TX• Willson Middle School• Williams High School• University of Texas at Arlington

Kansas• Scuola Vita Nuova Public Charter School - the New Life School

Indianapolis, IN• Purdue University Miami, FL• Fienberg Fisher Elementary• South Pointe Elementary• Horace Mann Middle School• Lawton Chiles Middle School• Palms Springs Middle School***• Madison Middle School

New York, NY• Columbia University• Cornell University**• Pratt Institute of Art*• Rutgers University (NJ)*• Brandeis High School• City-as-School High School***• Martin Luther King High School• Park West High School• Wadleigh High School• High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology***• Bayard Rustin Educational Complex, (HS)• Professional Performing Arts School***• Public School 84 • Children’s Storefront School• Public School 161• Spence High School (Private)• Newark East Side High School (NJ)

New Orleans• Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Facility• Ben Franklin High School***• Cabrini High School• University of New Orleans - Upward Bound• Jefferson Parish YMCA• Louise S. McGehee School

Pennsylvania• Carnegie Mellon University• Penn State University Portland, OR• De Paul Detention Center

Providence, RI• Brown University

Reno, NV • University of Nevada, Reno**

Washington D.C.• Georgetown University• The George Washington University• Bell Multicultural High School ***• Booker T. Washington Public Charter School• Academy for Ideal Education Charter School• McKinley Technology High School Washington State• University of Washington

* YES+ offered through the school as a non-credit course** YES+ offered through the school as a credit course*** YES! offered as part of curriculum

Youth Delegates participate in YES+ Leadership Seminar during United Nations Annual Youth Assembly. New York City, NY, 2007

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From December 28, 2007 – January 20, 2008, 500 youth leaders, representing over 40 different countries, traveled to Bangalore, India for an experience of a lifetime: The first annual YES+ Winter Break.

YES+ Winter Break was an adventure in self-discovery and selfless service. It included three dynamic programs as well as travel, recreation and service activities designed to empower university students and young professionals.

This elite group of youth leaders came from some of the top universities in the world including Stanford, Harvard, Brown, Cal Poly, Cornell, Williams University, and Purdue University.

The culmination of this event was a meeting with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who encouraged each youth to “reach out to thousands” in the world with the aim of serving and bringing peace to society.

in the spotlightYES+ Winter Break: Bangalore, India

Youth Programs & Initiativesacross the U.S.

• In Fall of 2008, Cornell University introduces YES+ as a credit course

• Northwestern University’s Kellog Grant supports the Youth Leadership Training Program and tree-planting initiatives in Haiti

• YES+ offered to staff at Google, Mountain View Campus, and is considered one of the most popular staff-development programs available

• YES+ Winter Break reaches 90 youth from the US and 500 overall.

• Ongoing YES! and YES+ Programs offered through Job Corps, South Bronx, NY

• In 2008, YES! is offered for credit at Palms Springs Middle School in Miami, FL

• YES! Program taught to entire Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Facility in Houma, Louisiana, bringing a decrease in violent incidents to the facility

• YES! Program taught as part of the Health Education curriculum at Bell Multicultural High School in Washington DC Fall 2007

• The Art of Living receives the 21st Century Award to fund 5-year YES! Program in Miami, Florida

• New York City YES! Program offered as alternative credit for health, gym, and wellness classes in two public schools, YES! and Art of Living Educator Courses integrated into 4 public high schools

• The US Federal Dept of Education, Criminal Justice, and Health and Human Services fund 2-year YES! Program, through the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative (SSHS)

• Mendez County, Austin funds ART Excel for 160 middle school youth and teachers resulting in improved mental clarity and sense of well-being

• YES! Summer Camp offers extensive leadership and international travel opportunity to graduates of the Youth Empowerment Seminar

• ART Excel brought to four schools and 100 Miami students by the Children’s Trust Grant

• State test scores improve for 4th graders at Public School 161 in Brooklyn, NY after participating in the ART Excel Program

• 6-year ongoing YES! program at Los Angeles High School continues to strengthen community by addressing racial tension

• Chicago’s New Trier High School implements YES! Program as alternative for Kinetic Wellness (Physical Education)

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The Vision.A healthy, progressive society that has a rich environmental resource for present and future generations.

Take Action.Tree planting to take place globally between July 15 – October 16, 2008.

iLead 2008: Be the Change is a campaign to bring together people of all backgrounds to sup-port a Violence Free Stress Free Society starting with positive and energetic youth leaders. In-spired by both His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shan-kar and the late Mahatma Gandhi, Art of Liv-ing volunteers gathered on July 26th, 2008 in the Nation’s capital to make change in the world starting with the individual.

The campaign began by awarding the “Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Award for Human Values” to three young individuals who have sparked change in their communities.

This successful kickoff included more than 200 leaders in the field of education, business, social entrepreneurship, arts and media, and spiritual-ity. The Youth Empowerment Seminar PLUS (YES+) followed shortly after, with 80 partici-pants from across the United States in atten-dance.

The campaign will continue in various states across the U.S. including California, Indianapo-lis, and Seattle.

Stand Up, Speak Out was a worldwide call-to-action to make poverty history and to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Art of Living volunteers in the U.S. joined millions in this movement to raise awareness to eradicate poverty & hunger, promote gender equality, ensure environmental sustainability, improve health conditions and achieve universal primary education around the world.

The Art of Living Foundation and the United Nations Millennium Campaign have joined hands to inspire the planting of one hundred million trees around the world. One of the important goals of the United Nations Millenium Campaign is to create a sustainable environment. This year’s Mission Green Earth campaign is a significant step in this direction.

Worldwide Art of Living Count

7 million

US Partial list7613

Stand Up, Speak OutMeeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals

Mission Green Earth100 million people. 100 million trees.


city/state

new york

boston

washington, dc

texas

bay area

pennsylvania

new jersey

charlotte

atlanta

bellingham

count

2403

1514

1403

791

750

391

200

105

47

27

iLeadBe the Change Campaign: Washington, DC

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Photo Galleryyouth participants by age group

ART Excel - elementary and middle school program

An ART Excel Student shares...“Before I came here I was really stressed out. Little things made me angry. I learned to get rid of the anger and free my mind from all the clutter. If I get angry I just do the breathing and it makes me feel better.”– Matt, middle school student

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Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES!) - High School Program


A YES! Student shares...On the first day of class one female student proudly announced, “ I love to fight!” About four weeks into the course, she showed up at class, and announced that several girls had disrespected her on the way to class and she realized she had a choice–she didn’t have to fight. She said that she loved the power and control she now had over herself. Nobody could force her to fight anymore.– Zaccai Free, Art of Living Instructor - Palms Mill Middle School, Miami, Florida

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Youth Empowerment Seminar PLUS (YES+) - University Program


YES+ Reaches more than 1000 youth...Between July 2007 and June 2008, more than 1,000 students participated in the YES+ Program offered on college and university campuses across the country. In the Spring of 2008, Google employees at the Mountain View Campus participated in YES+ as an on-site staff develop-ment training. Several college campuses are now offering YES+ to its students as a credit course. Since September 2008, YES+ is being offered as a physical education elective at Cornell University, located in Ithaca, NY.

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Survey Resultsabstracts

Studying the Effects of the Art of Living YES+ ProgramAlmost all of the 103 students completing the YES+ course felt better after the course,

and reported increased calmness, reduced stress and better moods.

November 2007 - August 2008* ‘Better’/’Yes’ is defined as when students reported at least a 25% improvement.

Missing responses are scored as No Improvement

YES 98%No 2%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 99%No 1%

YES 100% YES 94%No 6%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 97% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 69%No 31%

YES 88%No 12%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 96%No 4%

YES 85%No 15%

YES 91%No 9%

Feel Better

Reduced Stress

Breathing Made You Calmer

Improved Mood

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Studying the Effects of the Art of Living YES+ ProgramSimilarly, a large percentage of participants reported improved focus, better sleep and lower anger –

hence demonstrating a greatly improved sense of well-being.

November 2007 - August 2008* ‘Better’/’Yes’ is defined as when students reported at least a 25% improvement.


YES 98%No 2%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 99%No 1%

YES 100% YES 94%No 6%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 97% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 69%No 31%

YES 88%No 12%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 96%No 4%

YES 85%No 15%

YES 91%No 9%

Feel Better

Better Sleep

Improved Focus

Less Anger & Frustration


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Studying the Effects of the YES+ Program on Students at Cornell University

YES+ offered as Physical Education Credit Course at Cornell University.

February, March, August 2008. Ithaca, NY* ‘Better’/’Yes’ is defined as when students reported at least a 25% improvement.


YES 98%No 2%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 99%No 1%

YES 100% YES 94%No 6%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 97% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 69%No 31%

YES 88%No 12%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 96%No 4%

YES 85%No 15%

YES 91%No 9%

Feel Better

Reduced Stress


Improved Mood


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Studying the Effects of the YES+ Program on Students at Cornell University

February, March, August 2008. Ithaca, NY* ‘Better’/’Yes’ is defined as when students reported at least a 25% improvement.


YES 98%No 2%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 99%No 1%

YES 100% YES 94%No 6%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 97% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 69%No 31%

YES 88%No 12%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 96%No 4%

YES 85%No 15%

YES 91%No 9%

Feel Better

Better Sleep

Improved Focus



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Studying the Effects of the YES+ Program on Low Income Inner City Populations

South Bronx Job Corps Academy. Bronx, NY

April 2008. Bronx, NY* ‘Better’/’Yes’ is defined as when students reported at least a 25% improvement.


YES 98%No 2%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 99%No 1%

YES 100% YES 94%No 6%

YES 97%No 3%

YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 97% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 100%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 100% YES 91%No 9%

YES 69%No 31%

YES 88%No 12%

YES 98%No 2%

YES 96%No 4%

YES 85%No 15%

YES 91%No 9%

Feel Better

Reduced Stress




100% of the Job Corps participants report feeling better.....

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Research Findingsabstracts

The Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES!) has been offered to youth in Miami, Florida in partnership with the Miami-Dade County School District. The program was jointly funded by three federal agencies: the Department of Criminal Justice, Department of Education, and Health and Human Services. YES! was offered to at-risk, special needsa and gifted youth in the county and included two months of weekly follow-ups lasting an hour each.

PSMS Trust Counselor Elizabeth Steele reports that after completing the program, students are generally calmer, happier, and more responsible, and show less anger, bullying, fighting and acting out. She notes “The class is experiential and seems to get into the students’ bones. It solidifies the learning in their long term memory and is something they recall and use. They see alternative solutions to problems that were not on their radar before.”

According to PSMS school administration, the benefits of the program have persisted. On March 19, 2008 Principal Melissa Wolin reported:

“In the last two weeks we have had more problems with violent episodes and drug use than during the rest of the year combined, probably due to FCAT pressure. Although there were a lot of problem students in the YES! Program, not one of them has gotten involved with this. That says a lot.

My observation is that students [who took YES!] handle anger and other issues differently. YES! teaches a solid tool that the students use. It gives them a concrete tool to calm their mind and find alternative solutions in times of stress and conflict, that they may not have been aware of before.”

A formal evaluation of the program was developed by researchers at Barry University. The majority of students report feeling more confident and relaxed, being more in control of their emotions and behaviors, and having more respect for self and others. (See pages 5 - 6 for student statements). An independent evaluation of this program was developed by researchers of the Safe School Health Student Grant.

The data from this evaluation is now being prepared for publication and is consistent with the reports from teachers and students of less violence, aggression, bullying, acting out, anger and a greater sense of community and cooperation among students.

The same research protocol has been used in NYC at multiple high schools with the same results and is being prepared for publication.YES!

YES! Outcomes in African American At-Risk Youth

The YES! Program has also experienced substantial success with African American at-risk youth when offered in middle and high schools, through social service agencies and at juvenile detention facilities. Determination of success is based upon administrative and student reports, institutional surveys and quantitative analysis.

School Administration and Student Reports

Since 2002, over 1,000 students have completed YES! training at more than a dozen middle and high schools. Approximately 75-80% of students were at risk, and at least 30% were African American. YES! helped decrease incidence of violence and aggression among students faced with the pressures that accompany poverty, broken families, and substance abuse.

YES! effects on Middle School Youth in Miami, FLAdministrative Reports from Palm Springs Middle School (PSMS), Miami, Florida

YES! was offered to 80 eighth graders (13-14 year olds). These Administrative reports confirm the successful outcomes of the YES! program in students’ live

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Research Findingsabstracts

Study: The subjects were ages 13–18, and they were 707B offenders of violent crimes offenders of violent crimes such as murder, rape, armed robbery and terrorizing threats against others.

The course was taught over a period of one week for about 20–25 hours. These courses took place between January and April of 2001, with post-testing approximately eight weeks after instruction. Follow-up consisted of one-half hour of guided meditation and the breathing techniques taught on the course, conducted at bedtime three times a week.

Results: The result of this study showed a significant decrease in anxiety in every course, except one that had four participants. This would indicate that the course was successful with a variety of group sizes and a variety of teachers. Overall the numbers show that the decrease was statistically significant at the .004 level. This would lead one to the conclusion that in our population that the

Anxiety Study at Violence Alternative ProgramL.A. County Probation Camp for Violent Youth Offenders

By Verna Suarez, M.S., MFTPresident of Los Angeles Association of School Psychologists

Sudarshan Kriya and Street Lights Program decreased anxiety, that in turn led to the decrease in anger, fear, and reactive behaviors that were previously reported. The number of minors in incident reports decreased significantly within the four-month period that these courses were taught. Staff reported there were no night-time disturbances on the evenings that the Sudarshan Kriya and meditations were conducted. These results were in spite of a change of director, a massive changeover in staffing, and significant deficits in staffing ratios during this time period, all of which are understood to increase the anxiety level of the detainees and affect the level of security.

Due to the success of the program, the directors from five other camps at Challenger Memorial Youth Center, where this program was being conducted, have all requested that this program be put into their camps. Further studies on larger numbers of subjects, with controls, are needed to confirm these findings.

Facility Director’s ReportFights, Facility Incident Reports and Disciplinary Removals (all indicators of negative behavior)

Fights

Facility Incident Report

Temporary Disciplinary Removal

Monthly Averages

6.8

91.2

51

4.2

71.8

39.2

- 38%

- 21%

- 23%

Percentage DifferenceAfter the Program

November 2000 – March 2001 Before the Program

June to October 2000

January to June 2001A Study that evaluates the effects of the Art of Living program in stress and anger management for

incarcerated youth (offered through PrisonSMART-Street Lights).

“Wards who entered camp with their hard, angry composures and delinquent attitudes were transformed by the end of one week into happy, smiling youngsters. . . . In the 33 years of my probation experience I have never seen such responses.”

— William Richardson, Former Director of Los Angeles County V.A.P. Anger Management Program, Camp Michael Smith, Camp Francis Scobee, Lancaster, CA

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Conferences & Symposiumspartial listing of public symposiums

• “Global Change: Sustaining Our Environment, Sustaining Our Minds” United Nations Youth Assembly. New York, NY, August 2008

• “The Secrets of Successful Leaders” United Nations Youth Assembly. New York, NY. July 2007

• “Becoming Tomorrow’s Leaders With a Global Vision” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Cornell University, April 4, 2007

• “Inspiring Youth to Create Change” Indus Women Leaders Annual Conference. National Press Club. Washington, DC, October 7, 2006

• “Leadership, Team-Building, and Personal Well-Being” United Nations Youth Assembly. New York, NY, July 2006

• “The Science of Mind/Body Techniques: How and Why They Work” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Boston College, May 18, 2005

• “The Art of Teaching Human Values: Creating Communities in Our Schools” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Boston College, May 18, 2005

• “Faith and Service: An Interfaith Perspective” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Harvard School of Divinity, Cambridge, MA, May 2005

• “Leadership and Trust” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Stanford University, Law School. Stanford, CA, May 10, 2005

• “Wisdom, Music and Meditation” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Columbia University. New York, May 4 2004

• “Uplifting Spirit Through Education” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. University of California, Berkely, May 14th, 2003

• “Human Values, Science and Sustainable Development” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Rice University. Houston, Texas, May 2003

• “Fostering Universal Understanding” Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. United Nations, New York, August 2000

• “Stress Management Programs for Youth” Los Angeles County Probation. Downey Office. Los Angeles, CA, 1999

• “Breaking the cycle of violence and abuse in families and communities” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Nova Southeastern University, School of Systemic Studies. Department of Conflict Resolution. 1999

• “Breaking the Cycle of Violence and Abuse” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. World Trade Center. Baltimore, Maryland. June 1998

• “The World’s Great Religions and Their Transformation in the 21st Century” Keynote Speaker: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. University of California, January, 1998

• “The Applications of Prison SMART in US prisons and benefits to youth” Los Angeles Association of School Psychologist. Los Angeles, CA, 1997-1999

• “The Breath and Stress Management” America Youth Crime Watch. Atlanta, GA, 1997

• “Stress Management and Americas Youth” National Crime Prevention Council. Washington, DC, 1996

• “Stress Management and Americas Youth” National Crime Prevention Council. Denver, CO, 1996

• “Breath Power” Cape and Islands Youth Congress. Cape Cod Community College. Cape Cod, MA, Yearly 1996 – 2000

Conferences & Symposiums

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In the Newsnational media coverage (partial listing)

Class shows students how to find life balance

By Elizabeth Elkins January 14, 2008

For many students, the hardest part of college is managing stress. Learning to balance classes, relationships, par-ents and emotional ups and downs are a key component of a new Evening at Emory course called “Art of Living’s YES (Youth Empowerment and Life Skills).”

Just Say YES

By Kevin Clifforn April 13, 2008

The Art of Living YES+ course closed with an enthusiastic “YES!” from it’s participants as the Art of Living club concluded it’s annual course at the Joe Crowley Student Union. “I’ve seen significant changes in the students,” said Natalie Kaharick, YES+ teacher from New Orleans.

Stressed? Just Breathe

By Kersha PennicottSeptember 8, 2008

Coming back to campus is often filled with myriad emotions: you’re excited to see your friends, thankful to be out of from under your parents’ rule, and dreading the stressful juggling act of exams, jobs, and relationships. In the midst of all that goes on at Emory, some students have found a way to help themselves deal with the often hectic life in college.

New Year, New Yoga

By Katie Neith August 18, 2008

For thousands of years, yoga has been practiced as part of the Indian system of medicine known as Ayurveda. Now, this ancient healing tool has been integrated into Western cultures, with six million Americans practicing yoga regularly...

Breath in the Benefits

By Taya Flores June 10, 2008

Unique exercises encourage relaxation of body and mind. Heidi Parker leads a group of four people in a series of breathing exercises on top of a tarp covering a grassy patch in Happy Hollow Park.

Washingtonians Come Together Against Global Poverty

Ida WahlstromOctober 18, 2007

Tens of millions of people around the world came together in their respective home towns over the past two days “to show that they refuse to stay silent or seated in the face of poverty.” The “Stand Up and Speak Out” rallies have been held annually since 2000, when world leaders signed the Millennium Declaration committing to meet eight world-changing goals by 2015...

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Living is an Art –Youth Programs help shape the future

By Cristina Fernandez - Pereda October 23, 2007

The Art of Living Foundation is the largest volunteer based non-governmental organization in the United States. Just a short walk from U-Street station in Washington, the organization works closesly with the United Na-tions... The organization’s instructors practice yoga, breathing exercises, group techniques and meditation with teenagers, implementing special excercises for those with special needs.

Guru offers simple advice for a complicated world

By Steve Padilla August 7, 2007

He made it sound so simple. Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar brought his message of hope and love to Los Angeles this week, and again and again offered the same advice: Be at peace, be good to others. During brief remarks and then in a wide-ranging and lengthy question-and-answer session with a rapt audience...

Learning to relax with the Art of Living

By Lisa Cook October 3, 2005

Just breathe. Forget about the past and the future. Shrug off your stresses. Live in the present moment. Every morning students wake up (some a bit more slowly than others), jump into their clothes and fly out the door.They may stop at Hillside for a morning coffee, or hungrily munch on a Power Bar (who has time for...

Yoga group gets involved in communityFerron Salniker November 18, 2002

The Arts of Living Club sponsored its biweekly “Yoga in Action Day,” Saturday, with students participating in yoga and meditation, as well as community service. Close to 20 students met in the Campus Center at noon. The day of action was developed in an effort to establish a balance between finding personal joy through yoga and providing joy for others through community service.

In the Newsnational media coverage (partial listing)

Lesson Plan on Peace

Lynn Anderson September 2, 2006

The cafeteria at Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School in Southwest Baltimore is usually a noisy, active place. But when Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar entered the room yesterday, children sat still in their seats and listened as the diminutive man with long dark hair spoke.

How to Overcome Stress

By Doris Wu November 5, 2007

Stress can cause depression, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, difficulty concentrating and many other ailments in students. Is it possible to produce a less stressful lifestyle within the daily mayhem of college?

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Art of Living YES!+ YesPlus Youth Program U.S. Report

Documents

Transcript of Art of Living YES!+ YesPlus Youth Program U.S. Report