MANILA, Philippines -- When Vikram Hazra decided to leave his lucrative job in India to become a teacher for the Art of Living courses, his parents were perplexed. It didn?t help any when he told them he wanted to go around the world teaching people how to breathe.

?But what can be more important than breathing?? Hazra, who is also a Mumbai-based concert artist and musician, asked around 30 participants at the recent Art of Living class held in Makati.

?You can live without food for a couple of weeks; you can live without water for a few days. But take away the breath for a few minutes? You?re gone!?

Proper breathing has been proven to relieve physical discomfort, relax the body and calm the mind. Meditators acknowledge it as the key to spiritual awakening.

?Observe your breath when you are upset,? Hazra instructs. ?And see how different it is when you are happy. Or sad.? Manage your breath, and you manage your life.

Workshop

The fulcrum of the workshop is the Sudarshan Kriya, a rhythmic breathing technique that energizes, detoxifies, and clears the mind of tension and fatigue. In between the breathing processes are group conversations, yoga and self-exploration.

The participants were also treated to a concert of Hazra and Cynthia Alexander, who is also an Art of Living teacher.

The next Art of Living course will be held Aug. 24-29 at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. Call 2166139, 0917-8484898 or 0917-5275466; e-mail info@artofliving.org.ph; visit www.artofliving.org.ph.