Yogic breathing (Pranayama) expands your lung capacity and improves your lung efficiency, enabling you to take more life sustaining oxygen and expel more toxins. This alters the constitution of your body by reducing the disease-harboring acidity; boosting immunity and energy levels. Increased lung capacity also slows down the respiration rate; thereby reducing your biological age. Pranayama also works on the ‘Chakras’ (energy centers) to revitalize you and attain wellbeing. Deep relaxation recharges your inner batteries and rejuvenates your mind. In this Retreat, you will be introduced to exercises that can be practiced in about 30 minutes, and incorporate in your busy life style.

Modern life style has led to unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety and worry. The common approach of taking a break appears to work only till you get back from the break; and then you confront the same or bigger pile of things to done. Apart from adversely impacting your wellbeing, the absence of inner harmony undermines your productivity and creativity. In this Retreat, you will learn simple but powerful tools and techniques to improve your inner harmony. The techniques help you to manage your stress and boost your immunity to stress. A well-balanced inner harmony gives you access to inner resources, and opens up pathways for realizing your full potential. You will also learn how to manage your physical and emotional stress and lead a happier life.

Happier people are healthier, more successful and more effective in all situations. While the pursuit of happiness is quite common, it is seldom achieved. It appears that happiness levels in modern life have stagnated or even declined, despite economic growth and improved life style. This may be attributed to the common misconception that happiness depends mainly on external factors - such as money, name, fame, favorable events etc. The consensus amongst researchers is that the skills to lead a happier life can be systematically learned. In this interactive and experiential Retreat, we focus on "How to Be Happier" with a unique fusion of ancient wisdom and scientific results. The practical tools and techniques help you live a happier life.

This Retreat will be facilitated by JV. Prior to joining Auroville, JV had a successful career of 38 years in the Indian Navy, Academia and industry in top management positions. He has received the Visisht Seva Medal from the President of India for distinguished service. In 1987, JV was diagnosed with heart disease, high blood pressure and high blood sugar and his life expectancy was 7-8 years. He is now 68 and enjoys an extraordinary level of wellness, thanks to the practical tools and techniques he practices. Since 2008, more than 6000 people from 30 countries have attended his retreats. He is a visiting faculty member at IIM, teaching courses and workshops in the area of Personal Growth.

SCHEDULE

DAY 1:

09:00 to 09:30: Registration and introductions

09:30 to 11:00: Experiencing yourself as an energy field

11:00 to 11:30: Tea break

11:30 to 13:30: Pranayama as a means of managing your energy field

13:30 to 14:30: Lunch

14:30 to 16:30: What is stress and how does it affect you?

16:30 to 17:00: Tea break and day closure   

DAY 2:

09:30 to 11:00: Simple techniques to manage stress 

11:00 to 11:30: Tea break

11:30 to 13:30: How to manage emotional stress?

13:30 to 14:30: Lunch

14:30 to 16:30: Being happier in your life 

16:30 to 17:00: Tea break, feedback and closure