Participants Speak Out

The program is well-received by the community, and enjoys a participation reflecting the diverse nature of the pandemic. The course participants themselves have created a self-generating program to share the knowledge with others. The following are words of the course participants about their experiences of the program. The original grammar & spelling have been retained.

I had my blood drawn shortly before taking the Yoga of the Breath Course. My T-cells had dropped again - they've been dropping steadily for the past year, even after changing my HIV medications. My doctor told if I could not get them over 200 by the next blood draw, I should go back on a long-term antibiotic (Bactrim) to protest myself against PCP (pneumocystis pneumonia.)

I took the Yoga of the Breath and did the breath work at home twice a day for 40 days, as you suggested. I had my blood drawn again a few days after that, and my T-cells had risen almost 100 points. I don't have to go back on antibiotics.

There have been many changes, both small and large. I used to have days when things felt bad, like something was very wrong, without there being any concrete problem. I also often had feelings of dread, like something really bad was going to happen soon. To feel okay about myself, about my life every day is an amazing change to me, especially after just doing a bit of simple breath work. Some days things are much more than "ok" - I often have feelings of joy, contentment and gratefulness.

Yoga of the Breath was exactly what I needed, when I needed it. The Kriya helped me to shed very old baggage that was blocking forward progress in my life. Now, I’m looking at my life afresh, and I’m looking at my life afresh, and I’m looking forward to doing the next 30-40 years with HIV. I could not have said that before I took the course.

In the beginning, the breath let me focus on the pain and sadness I have been feeling and gave me a space to focus on those feelings and bring them out as tears of pain and suffering. Near the end, during the long Kriya, the breath let me peel those layers of pain and sadness that I’ve adapted in life and see through it. For once, I felt and believed the things that others have said about me that were positive and I sobbed with joy.

I went on a journey that took me from hardened and stressed, to peaceful and calm. I found that I somehow tamed the demons or negativity inside me. I received tools that will help me be a ‘peaceful warrior’. I no longer need aggression, but I need to change that energy into something positive. I found the class a great anger management system that I know is inside me and always there for my calling.

I see past the barriers that prevent me from being a happy positive person. I have released past hurts and I enacted future positive energy. I see the world through different eyes by taking the ‘Yoga of the Breath Course’. The class has taught me to find the sun, even when it’s stormy. I gained the ability to show compassion to all, and to accept them exactly as they are. I had a great, challenging, wonderful journey.

I just had my first doctor’s visit since I redid the course. I had amazing results. My T-cell count nearly doubled.

The first time I experienced Sudarshan Kriya I felt who I had become, how I got there, and most importantly, I felt my true nature for the first time. At that moment I realized I could choose to walk in my own light. It was liken to a death of what I had become and a rebirth of my true self. My only job now is to care for, nurture and respect myself. I practice the Sudarshan Kriya every day, feelings come and feelings go but from my first Kriya I am living the life I was meant to live, whole, healthy, alive and completely acceptable. Thank you for giving me the tools to change my life.

More than any treatment/study/experience/training that I have done, I have felt so supported & loved. My whole mind set is back closer to where it needs to be. I look around and appreciate the world and the biggest change is that I appreciate myself. I’ve only started to do the practice, but already the taking of the time to replenish myself is rewarding.

I had been living my life as a product of my environment. Even though my life seemed to be rounding the same old twists and turns, I felt there was no way let go of 44 years of programing. My endless search for peace in my life always seemed to lead me back to the old self-destructive ways that I somehow, someway thought I deserved.

It was only after I thought for sure I had accomplished becoming the most unacceptable person I had believed I could be that I found my way to The Art of Living Course. The first time I experienced Sudarshan Kriya I felt who I had become, how I got there, and most importantly, I felt my true nature for the first time. At that moment I realized I could choose to walk in my own light. It was liken to a death of what I had become and a rebirth of my true self. My only job now is to care for, nurture and respect myself.

The past eight days have been a very positive experience in learning about a practice that I’d like to share with others. Made me confirm how misplaced our priorities are in life sometimes, in regards to the level of importance we give to some things and how we can neglect paying attention to what really matters.

Since I’ve became HIV+ and even before, I had started to further explore my spirituality and practices that go with it, and this class fell very much in place for that learning and understanding, and makes me look forward to the next stage, or the next step forward and up in discovering and uncovering my true being of light.

The yoga breathing has been a wonderful experience to me. It is reminding me who I am, what I can do, and all the things that life offers to be grateful. This week has been overwhelming to me. I found out that I have to go back on meds. It has been a huge hit for me. I thanks the class because it is helping me to see this new situation from different angles and to have a better approach in a positive way. It’s keeping me grounded and stronger. Yoga breathing really helps to change emotions, lower anxiety and to learn more about ourselves.

I have been given the tools to lift burdens from my shoulders - burdens I have carried for years. It has also allowed me to not only look at the world through my eyes, but the eyes of my brother or sister of the human race.

Last Friday I felt desperate. I had come to the end of my rope. When I started this class so much in my life changed. I was angry & depressed, sad and extremely lonely. Using these techniques you have given me brings tears of joy to my eyes. To know someone who can listen to another’s struggles in life and with the kindest of ears, take what’s worth taking and keep in her heart and the gentlest of hands, throw the rest away. I now know love, laughter and I also know how I will forever miss seeing your radiant smile and love you brought into my life.

I was not expecting anything; I was not sure I fit would be helpful or not. I have high blood pressure and was hopeful that it would teach me a way to relax. And, to my surprise, it has. I have been sleeping better and the other day at the doctor my blood pressure was a lot better. I have also had a return of a more healthy habits and an interest in social areas also. Most of the time since starting the course I have had the serenity that I was missing and have the tendency to let things go that would have bothered me before.

This has been the most incredible thing I’ve ever done. I was in such dispare over not being a hairdresser or whatever anymore . . . feeling sick most of the time . . . in terrible morning for my old life, my old friends. Then I had a Budda show me my light. I had seen someone else’s but I had never seen my own. And I realized I wasn’t just a hairdresser or a singer or whatever. They were just things I like to do and I will do them when able. I now feel at peace with what has happened and feel hope for the first time in a long time. No matter what happens I am very grateful to have had this opportunity.

Changes from Yoga of the Breath:

Overall a bit more calm in the storm.
Used ujjayi breathing when stressed (helped)
Feel more firmly planted in my life.
Able to be more open with friends & loved ones; also can share more readily.
The negative words or mild resentments of daily life have fallen away much easier.
I noticed I naturally gravitated to more healthy eating practices.
I also noticed I was waking up earlier in the morning.
More energy throughout the day.
Able to focus more on others than my own burdens.
And, of course, I feel I can catch my breath.
Simply put - more joy.

Changes observed over the last week:

- Clear head - able to focus on good things; easily identify problem areas in life and think of ways to correct
- Mood very good all week - - no ups & downs
- sleep: slept more soundly at night; fell asleep quickly at night; needed less naps during the day
- Digestion: ate vegetarian for 1 week -- felt very energetic; needed less caffeine throughout day
- Temper: more controlled temper & after getting angry or upset, I quickly realized it and corrected my behavior
- Focus: ability to concentrate for longer periods of time
- Relationships: made several positive ones
- Ability to share: felt confident to share experiences & feelings
- Improved ability to listen to others

This was an amazing class - - what a great gift to myself. I feel more centered and calmer. I feel these past eight days were like a dream - a beautiful one. I feel more open to my surroundings and to myself I’m more conscious of my breath and my attitude as I navigate my daily life. I experienced lots of love & community in this group.