A few days back, I finished The Art of Living basic course. So, I thought sharing my experience with all of you would be worthwhile.
It was a six-day course. There are three-day courses also. It depends on who organizes it. This six-day course was organized by the main branch of The Art of Living in Pune. The course commenced in the Mahatma Phule Museum on Ghole Road. The main attraction of the basic course is Sudarshan Kriya, which Sri Sri Ravishankar Ji discovered. Sudarshan Kriya was just a part of the course, and there were many other things to learn. The fee for the course was approximately Rs. 1500, or $30, in June 2012. The course was in the evening (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.). So, three hours a day for a total of six days.
On the first day, we were told not to drink tea, coffee, or alcohol during the course days. Also, eating non-vegetarian food and smoking were prohibited.
On the first day, they distributed a small notebook, a pen, and an identity card. A volunteer applied Chandan tilak on everybody’s forehead. Then the teacher delivered a lecture on philosophy and gave some information about AOL. After that, we did some warm-up exercises. Then, she taught us Uzzai Pranayam and three-stage Pranayam, which are important parts of the course.
On the second day, we did some warm-up exercises. Then, there was a small lecture. We were shown a video regarding Guruji’s life. After that, we did Uzzai and 3-stage Pranayam, and the main attraction of the course was Sudarshan Kriya (Day 1). This Kriya was done with Guruji’s voice recorded on a CD. He chants Soham in different ways, and you must breathe according to that.
The third day was the same as the second day. The only difference was that the Sudarshan Kriya we did is known as Day 2.
On the fourth day, we did warm-up exercises. Then, we had Satsang for about two hours, in which some people sang nice devotional songs. After that, there was a lecture. On this day, the teacher taught us how to do Sudarshan Kriya at home because at home you have to do Sudarshan Kriya by counting the numbers. You are not provided with the CD with Guruji’s voice. This Kriya is known as Home Sudarshan Kriya.
The fifth day was the same as day four, except we were taught some yoga poses.
The sixth day was a long one. It started at 8 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m. Initially, we did warm-up exercises, yoga asanas, three-stage pranayam, and then Sudarshan Kriya. After that, we had our tiffins and snacks. We played some nice games and danced to the tunes of devotional songs. Pairs were formed from the participants, and the gifts were exchanged, which we were asked to bring. We were asked to come for follow-ups once every week at the same place.
Thus, I had a lovely time and enjoyed the course. It was very beneficial also. The main aim of the course is to wipe out impurities from our bodies and give us a new attitude to look at the world so that we can be happy throughout our lives. Every day, simple homework was given, and we were asked to bring the answers to some simple questions. The philosophy lectures were also lovely, which helped to change your attitude.
You would find the course easy if you have done yoga and pranayama. If you are uncomfortable doing Vajrasana, you are asked to bring a small pillow to keep under your feet. You do not need anything else besides that and a water bottle. Those with health issues, like spondylolysis, etc., were allowed to sit on the chairs.
If you have not done this course yet, I would advise you to do it. It would certainly benefit you.