Interview with Mala Sundareshan

Stress today has become a part of a child's life too. Children often find themselves at crossroads when it comes to dealing with peer-pressure, handling emotions, expectations of their parents and the ever-increasing competition. Meet Mala Sundareshan, who travels around the globe teaching children the art of dealing with their minds and helping them make life a perpetual party




Q: What is it that drives you to travel around and teach kids- isn't schools meant to do that exactly?


A: I have played cricket for India and captained Karnataka for 20 years. One day, I was dropped from the Indian team. It was a very tough time for me. All the teachers, coaches only tell you how to reach the top but no one teaches you how to handle failure. I myself went through a lot of stress and pain and when I did my Art of Living program, I learnt how to smile through situations. That is when I decided that it is important for all to know how to heal from within. This was the driving force to take this to children all across.


Today, many schools are becoming aware of the value of teaching human values, but efforts in that direction are less. Schools are looking at this kind of education The Art of Living has tremendous knowledge and experience in the field of personality development and developing human values in children and youth, and make sure that kids learn from their core subjects. Our programs are designed such that they can be made an integral part of the school curriculum as well and it is already being offered in many schools.
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Oriya Boy got 5th Prize at International Painting Competition organised by UN

Bhubaneswar: Binayak Pujari, a class 10th student of Ryan International School, Kandivli, Mumbai has got the 5th prize at the 18th International Children's painting competetion on environment organised by United Nations Environment Programme, Asia Pacific Region. On 21st July,09 at Mumbai Binayak received the certificate signed by the UN Director for Asia Pacific along with a prize & few books on environment.


Bainayak has won several award on painting at Delhi & Mumbai for his school. He also represent his school in basketball and is a very good key board player. Apart from Art, Music & sports, he is good in his study. Binayak is a member of Sri Sri Ravishankar's the art of living youth wing and practice his sudarshan kriya regularly. Read More

Empowering the youth

CHENNAI: From July 8 to July 12, Chennai will receive the first youth empowerment workshop provided by the Art of Living and W.A.Y.E. (World Alliance of Youth Empowerment).


This workshop is designed to bring a diverse audience, especially amongst those engaged in the expressive arts and provide guidance throughout the process, particularly using the methods brought by Art of Living’s founder: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This workshop has the advantage of being funded by NGOs and not being under the radar of traditional educational policies according to volunteers of the Art of Living.
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Charity urges city's schools to adopt 'emotional education'

Kind Courtesy SCMP Post.


Education on managing emotions should play a bigger part in the city's schools as the economy worsens, a charity group says.
The Art of Living Foundation Hong Kong Centre called on local teachers to take part in its Non-Aggression Programme, which is aimed at helping people manage their emotions and stress. They can then pass the skills on to their students.



Students at Poinsettia School, a Nepalese primary school, participated in the programme last month.

They performed a variety of relaxing exercises. Other parts of the course include stretching and games. Instructors say participants learn to be confident in the face of challenges.

"Children know if adults are unhappy," said Sylvia Luk Kam-yee, a co-ordinator for the foundation's Hong Kong chapter. She said teachers should teach their students how to find their inner strength.

"Students are taught academic knowledge at schools. It is rare that they are taught how to manage their own emotions," she said.

After the Sichuan earthquake last year, the organisation introduced the programme to more than 15,000 children there to relieve stress.

The organisation has now shifted its focus to helping students in Hong Kong who are under a lot of stress, especially as people face the challenges posed by the economic crisis. The group says it is important for children to support their families.

"Instead of asking why it [the crisis] is happening, they will think about how they can change," instructor Timothy Wong Chung-ming said.

Heavy academic workloads and extracurricular activities had left children with little time to relax, Mr Wong said, adding that many of them are unhappy even if they bury their noses in video games.

Relaxing by stretching the body could be helpful in restoring a positive mindset.