| April 2013 84 www.womanthismonth.com “You can’t tell your mind not to get stressed. But you can do this through breathing. If you learn to control your breath, you will control your mind and achieve a positive state of mind. We come out as light and free as a new flower,” she says. A fundamental teaching at the Art of Living is a breathing technique called the Sudarshan Kriya. This technique is a very powerful and unique rhythmic breathing uniting body, mind and soul. “At the very deep cellular level, this technique release the body’s toxins, stress or whatever the body doesn’t require,” explains Jayashree. “Your mind comes to the present and the body is totally relaxed with no thoughts in your mind.” The Art of Living also teaches a gentle form of yoga that follows and compliments the Sudarshan Kriya. Together, the two techniques provide the individual with the ability to be in the present, calm, controlled and able to face life’s challenges. Trying to achieve this balance doesn’t depend on what you have done in the past. The experts also agree that what really matters is the present. As a result, you can reverse your problems by practicing certain techniques. The Art of Living offers courses in the Sudarshan Kriya, yoga and other forms of deep mediation such as silence courses, where participants are taken to deeper state of rest to connect with inner harmony. It is such an experiential course and you need to share the energy. Courses also help businesses looking for team building to families wanting other ways to connect. There are also special courses for children, teens and youth to raise selfawareness and help to be the best they can be. Art of Living will hold courses at the Royal Golf Club from April 13-18, and at the centre in Zinj from April 23-27. Our expert: Jayashree Sharma, teacher, The Art of Living. Call 39 932-788 or visit www.artofliving.org/bh-en. If finding a balance between body, mind and soul is indeed possible then why do we think it is so hard to achieve? “We give everything else a priority and neglect ourselves,” says Jayashree Sharma, a teacher at The Art of Living Foundation’s centre in Zinj. “It’s like charging a phone every day; we also need to charge ourselves daily.” The Art of Living helps people from all walks of life through stress management workshops, including breathing techniques, meditation and yoga. These programmes have helped millions around the world to overcome stress, depression, violent tendencies and find peace of mind. They also offer prison smart programmes, addiction programmes and are involved in many educational and service projects. Most recently, the Bahrain chapter has adopted a labour camp to teach labourers a special stress-relieving breathing technique through its Breath Water Sound workshops which Jayashree says help them to feel empowered, relaxed and happier. Thousands have gone through the Art of Living centre in Bahrain, where the aim is to promote a stressfree and violence-free society. “It is not always easy to explain Art of Living because besides the obvious external changes there are many subtle changes that one can only experience first-hand,” says Christal, a volunteer at the centre. Under your nose We might tell ourselves we are strong and can handle whatever life throws our way but stress is pretty hard to avoid. Finding an effective stress-buster would be terrific. Jayashree says that what we need is right under our nose. Our expert: Somayah Liuzhen Xu, managing director, Bahrain Wellness Resort. Call 39 728383 or visit www.bahrainwellnessresort.com. In the quest to find a balance of body, mind and soul, it is good to know there are many approaches to help achieve harmony. In their tranquil setting beside the sea nearby, you might forget where you are. At the Bahrain Wellness Resort, east meets east in the complimentary offerings of ancient Chinese medicine and time-tested Indian Ayurveda, aimed at preventing and treating ailments from stress, fatigue to more serious medical issues. Both are holistic approaches with Chinese therapies working to restore the yin/yang balance by targeting energy channels throughout the body. The essence of this energy comes from five elements of fire, water, metal, wood and earth. “If someone came to us with a bad temper, the doctor might say that the patient has too much fire so water is needed to put out the fire. The doctor might suggest a therapy to increase the kidney function,” explains Somayah. Cupping or acupuncture would then be used to balance the individual. Ayurveda is also based on the same five elements. Therapies, such as the Shirodhara treatment where oil is poured on the forehead, are used to treat various conditions and to restore balance. Depend on yourself Somayah says that people go to the resort to be healthy and to prevent illness. “We don’t focus enough on prevention, particularly in young people who think there is no need to find a balance in body, mind and soul at their age,” she says. It is never too late to start therapies. The more responsibility for family or work we have, the more stressed we get. “A doctor or therapist can help but most of the time, you need to depend on you. There are 24 hours in the day and a treatment may take a couple of hours. It is only you for the rest of the time,” explains Somayah. Taking a break and escaping to the resort for the weekend to recharge your batteries might give you the boost you need to be more confident and positive. One of the most popular treatments is massage therapy where clients can de-stress and regain balance. Other therapies such as acupuncture, cupping and scraping are used to treat many ailments, help calm emotions and improve the body function. You will go back to daily life having more balance in body and mind. You should do sessions from time to time to maintain the balance. Exercise is also encouraged with classes offered in the Chinese version of yoga called Taiji Qi Gong, which is effective for cooling emotions and making the body more flexible. Wellbeing
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