The Art of Living, Sri Sri Rai Shankar und Die Kunst des Lebens - Yoga, Meditation, Humanitäre Projekte -NewsAbout usCoursesHumanitarian Projects

Sichuan Earthquake (May 2008)
On May 12, 2008, the northern region of the Sichuan Province of China was struck by a catastrophic earthquake, the worst natural disaster in its history. The calamity left nearly 70,000 dead and over 350,000 injured. The loss of every aspect of a secure life - loved ones, homes and infrastructure caused a complete human breakdown, both for the victims and the relief volunteers.

An international team of Art of Living teachers and volunteers assisted in the immediate search and relief operations, at the same time beginning trauma-care, reaching out to over 2,000 people.

“Please thank those teachers for me. After doing the exercises, I feel my inside is freed. I feel so much more comfortable now.” -A 14-year-old girl, survivor of Shifang school tragedy

Bihar, India (September 2008)
An estimated 3.5 million people were affected by the flood caused when the monsoon-driven Kosi River changed its course, following a breach in a dam upstream in Nepal. Around 1,600 villages in the region have been marooned resulting in enormous loss to life and property.

The Art of Living volunteers and its team of doctors have reached out to 5,000 people in the Jankinagar Phulwari camp, providing food, clothes, essential supplies, medical aid and training them on hygiene and sanitation. Water purifying machines are being installed to provide clean drinking water and help check the spread of water-borne diseases. Art of Living has shipped 1,000 life-jackets to help the rescuers and is assisting the Indian Army in rescue operations.

In addition, volunteers have been conducting stress elimination programmes which include pranayama and meditation sessions, providing thousands of survivors much needed relief from fear and anxiety. This two-pronged approach is aimed at offering them holistic rehabilitation.

Art of Living has conducted relief work worth Rs 100 million (US$2.2 million) to Bihar. It proposes to raise another Rs 400 million (US$8.7 million) for the rehabilitation of the victims.

Surat, India (August 2006)
In August 2006, heavy floods ravaged the city of Surat, Gujarat, claiming the lives of hundreds and affecting thousands more. Water levels were as high as 22 feet in some parts of the city, causing an estimated economic loss in excess of US$500 million.

More than 1,500 volunteers of the Art of Living provided drinking water, food, medicines and other essentials. Several medical camps were conducted throughout the city, providing aid to more than 11,000 people. The Art of Living also worked with the Surat Municipal Corporation to urgently clean up flood-affected areas and prevent any outbreak of disease.

Subsequently, they moved into the second phase of relief work by conducting trauma relief programmes. The volunteers worked closely with local government officials, the army, other NGOs and service organisations, to extend assistance to the affected, including people trapped in remote areas.

Hurricane Katrina (August 2005)
In Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the United States witnessed the most devastating hurricane to hit its shores in recent times. Art of Living volunteers immediately launched trauma-relief programmes.

More than 400 refugees - adults and children underwent trauma-relief workshops in Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Baton Rouge. By March 2006, Art of Living Breath-Water-Sound workshops were offered in New Orleans full-time and they became key source of stress and trauma relief for its citizens.

"While charitable organizations have provided Hurricane Katrina victims with essentials, such as food, clothes and shelter, the Art of Living Foundation and the International Association for Human Values offered emotional support." -The Daily Texan

Kashmir-Pakistan (October 2005)
On October 8, 2005 a massive earthquake in Kashmir and vast areas of northern Pakistan took the lives of over 75,000 people, left many more seriously injured and over 3.5 million homeless.

Within 48 hours of the earthquake volunteers of the Art of Living and its sister organisation, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) started relief operations followed by trauma relief programmes in some of the worst affected areas of Kashmir. Around 2,000 children and adults experienced health benefits after undergoing these workshops.

“Until we did the breathing exercises my heart had not stopped pounding, not since the earthquake. Now at last I am at peace, I will tell my neighbours.” -Begum Azie, Shaalkot village, Baramullah, Kashmir, October 20, 2005

“Every morning I used to wake up with a jolt, my whole body used to ache and at night I used to be very scared of noises and I missed my mother who died in quake. Now I am feeling very relaxed and no longer afraid of noises.” -Arshad Khan, aged 14, Gabra village

Mumbai, India (July 2005)
Soon after Mumbai was submerged by the floods in July 2005, Art of Living volunteers rushed to the worst-affected slums of Agripada, Dharavi and Kalwa in spite of chest-high water levels. Volunteers distributed large quantities of food packets, home essentials, water purification satchets and medicines and ran a community kitchen that fed 2,000 people per day. In order to maintain hygiene and prevent spread of disease, they cleaned toilets, sprayed disinfectants and removed truckloads of garbage from the slums.

The volunteers subsequently started counselling sessions and trauma relief programmes which helped people overcome the fear of rains and get over sleepless nights.

Appreciating the humane way in which the volunteers offered relief, the State Government appointed the Art of Living as a nodal agency in the worst-affected areas of Mumbai.

Government showers praise on The Art of Living:

"We found the work done by Art of Living volunteers more than up to the mark. Not only were they sincere and transparent, but they were also very compassionate. They willingly went to difficult areas, visited more than 10,000 households and talked to people about their needs and problems. What was more impressive was that they were quick in action, which is needed at such times." -Satish Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Government of Maharashtra who coordinated the relief work between the government and NGOs .

Gujarat, India (January 2001)
On January 26, 2001, the Indian state of Gujarat was hit by a devastating earthquake that wiped out cities and led to around 100,000 deaths. The Art of Living and its sister concern, the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) stayed on long after the disaster, helping survivors come to terms with the new reality.

Apart from providing relief material, Art of Living built a high school, a hostel and 15 temporary schools. Through its post-traumatic stress counselling and trauma relief programmes, the volunteers reached out to over 100,000 people in 120 villages. In Nana Dahishar, they rebuilt the village completely with 124 earthquake-resistant homes, a multi-purpose community centre, a primary healthcare centre, village government centre, a primary school, a place of worship, water tank, water supply system and drainage system.