Over 100 support staff at Dubai School learn to De-Stress

Art of living conducts free workshop at Cambridge International School 

4th November 2018; Dubai, UAE:   With the aim to reduce stress and provide hands-on tips for achieving greater wellbeing, the Art of Living Dubai conducted a free workshop for the support staff of the Cambridge International School in Al Garhoud. The three day workshop, called the “Alertness and Awareness Program” focused on creating holistic health for the workers in physically and mentally demanding jobs. Over 100 staff consisting of cleaners, classroom assistants, and technicians amongst others were trained in yoga, breathing exercises and meditation to help them overcome the day-to-day stress and exhaustion of the jobs. Moreover, the workshops also had interactive knowledge sessions on healthy living providing information on balanced diet, nutrition, proper hygiene and appropriate physical activity.

The Art of Living offers various stress-relief programs across UAE and the world to create a stress-free, violence-free society based on human values of peace, happiness and universal brotherhood. Globally, the Art of Living has transformed the lives of 370 million people through its 12,000 Happiness Centers across 156 countries in the last 37 years. 

 “A happy employee is integral to growth of any organization. Yoga, breathing techniques and meditation are the way to inner happiness and peace,” says Sujatha Balaji, instructor of the Alertness and Awareness Program, “This program uses a holistic approach to healthy and joyful living. I have been personally practicing the same techniques for about a decade and have had immense benefits from them. It gives me great satisfaction to see the smiles on the faces of the people who come for the program.”

Padmanabhan Anidil, Manager – School Operations, Cambridge International School said, “We at Cambridge International School, are grateful to the Art of Living team for their relentless efforts towards the wellbeing of our staff through Alertness and Awareness Program. The session was completely fruitful to our staff which enhanced their enthusiasm, energy & approach towards the work.”

Talking about the workshop, Nithya Kala, a Sri Lankan support staff at school commented, “I used to have severe asthma before. I learnt the breathing practices and yoga in last year’s workshop and have been practicing regularly for a year now and my breathing has improved a lot. I’m glad I found yoga!”

Another participant Ali Raza, a Pakistani national said, “I feel so relaxed, fresh and full of energy upon doing yoga and breathing practices. On the mornings that I practice yoga, my day goes great and my mood remains so happy.”

“At first I was a little hesitant to join as I had a lot of pain in my leg. In fact, it was giving me sleepless nights. But after two days of doing the yoga, breathing and meditation practices, my leg pain reduced. I had proper deep sleep for the first time in days. I feel a lot less stressed out at work now, “commented Padma Sarita, Nepali national and support staff at the school.

“We experience stress when we have too much to do and too little time or energy,” explains the founder of The Art of Living, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, “No work remains stressful if we learn how to manage our body, mind and emotions”. Through his yoga, breathwork and meditation workshops, Gurudev has transformed the lives of millions around the world in the last 37 years. The world renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader will be visiting the UAE for the first time in November and will conduct a 2-day transformational meditation master class in Dubai on 16th and 17th November. The sessions will provide an incredible opportunity to the participants to accelerate personal growth and remove deep-rooted stress, by learning the best meditation practices from one of the leading meditation experts in the world.