ART EXCEL

1. All Round Training in Excellence ART EXCEL “To excel in life is an ART … Expand your fundamental capabilities with ART Excel !!!” Art Of Living Foundation - http://www.ArtOfLiving.org/ Art Excel - http://www.artoflivingyouth.org/kidzone.html

2. The Course in a Nutshell … The course is taught through games, activities and discussions in a friendly & joyful atmosphere. Start early. Give children an early advantage for life! ART Excel nurtures the human values and supports the overall well-being of children by teaching them a variety of empowering techniques that foster peace of mind, mental clarity and focus, physical relaxation and health, and emotional stability. Includes processes that reawaken a value system of love, compassion, peace, generosity, gratitude and grace

3. Elements At work or in play, a healthy body and a focused mind are mandatory to excel. The ART Excel program has been specifically designed with these aims in mind : It helps and complements the efforts of all those striving for excellence. Academics, Sports or Creative pursuits – expand your fundamental capabilities with ART Excel. Experience an educational & innovative curriculum that blends the topics of overall health, service and self development. "They all say this practice helps them relax anywhere. I strongly recommend that students have access to the ART Excel because it enables them to take control of their lives, even in the most desperate circumstances.” Marie Diamond, Student Services, Wilson Middle School

4. Course Fundamentals • The program promotes overall health and human values • through a variety of techniques that teach • important skills as: • Yoga & Breathing techniques • The art of making friends • Personal Responsibility and • The Value of Service • It nurtures creativity- all in a supportive, yet challenging and fun atmosphere. • The program participants are enthusiastic and satisfied. They say: • " The experience was amazing…you can understand things from a different point of view." Some appreciate the relaxed and simple way of learning significant aspects of life: • "It was fun and energizing!"

5. Features Kids are challenged to look beyond their own circle of friends and interests to contemplate the world at large. They become aware of their responsibility for life and to others. The program shows children how to become responsible but remain uninhibited, joyful, loving, creative, and fun. This program is unique in its ability to bridge the generation gap. It looks into what is timeless in all of us and from there all goodness and understanding grows. A 20 to 25 hours workshop usually spread over four to six days, covering every aspect of a child's development

6. Program Goals • Improve health, well being and happiness • To increase mental focus and to facilitate the learning process. • Release Stress • Strengthen the personality & life skills • Foster Human Values in Daily Life • Nurture a Sense of Belonging • Broaden Vision & Embrace Diversity • Renew Celebration of Life! To truly excel in life is an art !!! Though much emphasis has traditionally been placed on higher academic achievement, more can be done to give students the tools to handle stress and live life to their fullest potential. The true measure of success is a happy healthy well-adjusted child that is able to deal effectively with life's challenges.

7. The curriculum has three different aspects: • Physical: stretching, yoga, pranayama • Mental: specific breathing exercises (kriya), relaxation techniques, meditation. (leads to calmness of mind, improved memory and concentration at school work) • Social: problem solving strategies, development of social skills, leadership training, group dynamics, creative projects like art, drama, literature, song, dance and service projects like helping elderly people, planting trees and cleaning the environment.

8. They arrive at the knowledge through their own experience. • Participants meet and get to know new people, • experience the power of breathing and • become aware of their body and their emotions. • Also, they learn how to be self-confident and happy. • Activities throughout the course • are designed to lead the participants into • a closer understanding of themselves and others. • The human values component leads students to identify higher values • such as acceptance of others, compassion, respect, trust, selfless giving, • cooperation, sharing, service to others, respect for self and others. • It's fun because all of the topics are of interest • and presented within an experiential format.

9. Outcome !!! Hearts and minds are opened to the greater values of life. Kids leave happier, more self-aware, with an experience of mutual acceptance, sensitivity towards others and tools that they can use every day to deal with their emotions. The program helps drop inhibitions, lethargy, timidness and unfriendliness. It helps develop a spirit of adventure which enables to deal with the unexpected twists and turns, upsets and challenges that life may bring. "ART Excel is the best thing that has happened for kids all over the world. The structure and contents of the course allows children to connect with each other and work with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds. They leave the program feeling happy, confident and with a desire to help others.“ Ramola Prabhu, M.D., Parent

10. Courage to face the world !!! Translated into practical living this means that kids learn how to face their emotions and deal with them in positive and constructive ways, rather than blindly react to their environment. Techniques of profound relaxation enable them to release stress caused by pressures at school and the demands of a tension filled society. Once learned correctly, these techniques can be used in any place or situation to bring calmness, increase focus and augment mental clarity. Children often comment that they use the knowledge of breathing taught on the course to decrease test anxiety, Confidently handle public interaction, reduce stage performance fear and also more easily recall their studies.

11. Quotes from Parents "I have seen before my eyes a transformation in Marissa."Marie Chistmon "It helped her out a lot in calming down." Mother of a middle school student"He's getting better sleep. I want him to teach me. He's more relaxed doing the exercises." Father of a middle school student"He's improved a lot. I see it everyday. He's learned a lot."Mother of an elementary school student"He pays more attention to detail. His progress report is excellent. He's doing better in school." Parent of a middle school student "It opened a window for Austin. When he does his techniques he's happier, has higher energy and is nicer to be around.” Rebecca Slade, Parent.

12. Art Excel Testimonials – Kids Speak "Its like an energy bar!" - Rebecca, middle school student "I think the ART Excel Course should be a must! It really helps you relax.“ - Kelly, middle school student "I felt like my mind was able to think more. It made me focus in class better. I felt more energy and like my asthma went away.“ - Reggie, age 9 "Just simple breathing exercises and you feel really, really good." - Shane, middle school student "Before I came here I was really stressed out. Little things made me angry. I learned to get rid of the anger and free my mind from all the clutter. If I get angry I just do the breathing and it makes me feel better." Matt, middle school student "ART Excel helped me relax, expand my mind and body. It helped me relax from test stress!!! I love ART Excel!!!“ - Sade, age 10

13. Art Excel - All Round Training in Excellence is a course for children devised by Sri Sri Ravishankar and is conducted by his Art of Living Foundation. It aims to counteract negative tendencies and introduces a balancing effect on children. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, an international spiritual leader and native of Bangalore, India, Originated this program which incorporates ancient Vedic knowledge within a practical framework that appeals to youth of all ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. Education should be an enjoyable experience, not a stressful one. " The purpose of education is to nurture awareness", says Sri Sri Ravishankar, the spiritual master, who is hailed all over the world as a leader in human resource development and known for his innovative thinking.

14. The Art of Living Foundation is an international non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization. World’s largest NGO in special consultative status with the U.N In addition to teaching stress management, leadership, and personal development programs in 146 countries, the main focus of the organization is to enhance the quality of life in the global community. This goal is approached by providing practical tools for the promotion of holistic health, conflict resolution, crime prevention, social rehabilitation, community development, and the development of universal human values.

15. The Art of Living Foundation -http://www.ArtOfLiving.org/ Art of Living, Austin-http://www.ArtOfLivingAustin.org/ Art Excel -http://www.artofliving.org/Courses/ARTExcel/tabid/92/Default.aspx Registeration -http://secure.artofliving.org/course_details.aspx?course_id=3099 Info/Queries -ArtOfLivingFoundation@gmail.com / 512.366.3828