Unlocking the Inner Voice: The Art of Living’s Intuition Programme at Sarvam Shakti

Founded in 1981 by spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living is a global, volunteer-based non-profit built on the belief that world peace begins with a stress-free mind and a violence-free society. Driven by the philosophy that the world is one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam), their primary objective is to uplift human life through practical tools like yoga, meditation, and their signature breathing technique, Sudarshan Kriya.

By transforming individual well-being first, the movement funnels that collective positive energy back into society through global humanitarian initiatives.

The Sarvam Shakti Foundation recently partnered with The Art of Living to host a transformative, week-long Intuition Programme for our girls. Built upon the three pillars of Mindfulness, Movement, and Meditation, this immersive experience was expertly facilitated by Priyanka Ma'am and Kapil Sir. Through their dedicated guidance, the program provided the girls with powerful tools to tap into their inner wisdom, build emotional resilience, and discover a lasting sense of peace.

When You Take Away Sight, You Gain So Much More

The first thing the facilitators did was ask the girls to close their eyes.

Through a series of blindfolded focus exercises and intuition games, the girls were invited to silence the noise of the outside world and tune into their inner instincts. Immersed in this sensory experience, they played games blindfolded, coloured by touch, and learned to see themselves in a completely new light. The exercises became a gentle act of excavation.

Girls who usually stayed quiet in group discussions spoke with newfound confidence, guided by feeling rather than fear. Strikingly, they began to figure out the numbers rolled on a dice, accurately sense which colours to choose, and anticipate how many steps to move forward. By letting go of visual judgment, they unlocked a deep, intuitive trust in themselves.

The logic is simple: when you strip away the mirror, you stop asking how do I look doing it? and start asking what do I know?

Movement as Medicine

Stillness alone was never going to be enough for ten-year-olds with energy and stories to burn.

Somatic activities — Knuckle Tapping, Twirling, Ujjai Grit — brought the curriculum to life through the body. These weren't just games. They were bridges between physical coordination and mental calm, teaching the girls that the body and mind are collaborators. When one settles, so does the other.

The activities aim to improve concentration, boost coordination and strengthen mind-body connection. Movement, it turns out, is one of the fastest ways a child can find her way back to herself.

Breath: The Tool They Will Always Have

At the heart of The Art of Living's work is something elegantly simple: breath. Specifically, Sudarshan Kriya — a rhythmic breathing practice with documented benefits for stress, emotional regulation, and cognitive focus.

What struck us most about introducing this to our girls was not the technique itself, but the benefits it brought to the girls. It deeply relaxed their minds, restored their emotional balance, and heightened their awareness of both themselves and the world around them. It requires no device, no data, no money. It works in a classroom before an exam, in a crowded bus and many other situations and places.

The week closed with Honey Meditation and Shavasana — practices of deep rest and gratitude which soothed their developing nervous systems, shielding them from early academic or social stress through deep, restorative rest. These practices cultivate a strong foundation of emotional resilience and inner peace, encouraging a habit of body gratitude that fosters a healthy, positive self-image during critical growth years.

What We Carry Forward

We are deeply grateful to the teachers from The Art of Living who brought so much care, skill, and warmth into our space. The seeds planted this week — of self-trust, emotional literacy, and inner calm — are not the kind that wash away easily. They take root. They grow quietly. And one day, they hold up something extraordinary.

Written By: Zunairah Khan