The Art of Living Foundation: USA Reviews 

I left this cult after 17 years.
I spent close to $5000 for teacher training with Art of Living to become a teacher. I experienced SEXUAL HARRASSMENT with a teacher named R........ She repeatedly shouted at me and asked if I was raped as a child and molested in front of around 60 people. She also shouted vulgar language at me and other participants.

After TTC, I went into depression and suicidal behavior. Had to see a therapist. I was diagnosed with depression and have battled palpitations and nightmares and anxiety attacks for years because of Art of Living. A guy named Justin Broglie who also did TTC with me died of suicide and AOL says his suicide had nothing to do with them. Justin and I were the only ones who were not made teachers during TTC. Rajshree continues to teach in Art of Living.

AOL refuses to acknowledge what happened and have not offered any apology or compensation. I have spent tens of thousands of dollars over these years trying to overcome the trauma of TTC.

Instead AOL did something horrible:-

My teaching license has been revoked recently for speaking out in local WhatsApp group. For years I tried to get justice just through internal channels. The so called ‘NTC Grievance committee’ silenced me, revoked my teaching status and defamed me by emailing all the teachers saying I had violated their policy and also emailed me threatening me with a civil lawsuit suit.

I have spent 10000+ hours offering free volunteering to this cult. These are not the only ethical transgressions of AOL. There is plenty more. The main thing this cult cares about is recruiting more and more people. I have been lied to, manipulated and abused by so many volunteers and teachers.

There are plenty of places where you can learn breathwork and meditation with going through trauma.

I have done Art of living happiness course offline at Art of living Triveni Ashram Pune and Sahaj Samadhi Meditation course online (from Art of living international centre Bengaluru Bangalore) and the experiences are miraculous and super positive. Sudarshan Kriya, Pranayam, Meditation, Sahaj Samadhi Meditation experiences are TRULY outstanding. I practice Sudarshan Kriya, Pranayam , Meditation and Sahaj Samadhi Meditation everyday on empty stomach and my life is transformed POSITIVELY. I recommend 1000%

Amazing experience with The Arts of Living! I am continually practicing it. My deep respect to Guru ji!

I was shocked to find out that this establishment does nothing to compost…everything goes in the dump.It’s sickening to think of the waste per day.. Art Of Living are quick to brag about how much business they have and yet they are damaging the environment…it is shameful & hypocritical Art Of Living! I also found it very dangerous to walk the only path connecting the lower buildings to the upper buildings…crumbling steps and loose rocks very unstable. This is negligence. I appears that management cares more about profit than people.

I joined a 3 day workshop on breathing. First day was interesting. Second day was a repeat, nothing new. We were forced to join a zoom call to worship a guru, at the expense of the workshop. I realised none of the coaches were qualified, but rather were there to try and enlist you to join their cult. I paid top price for the course, but realised it was actually money to fund their movement. I didnt come back for day 3.

I loved the content of the class - my teacher, Radhika, was wonderful. It was nice to be able to do this course online. I can already feel the effect of the SKY practice in my daily life!

Nowadays they are insisting on CASH payments only which is dodgy and not in line with their Published policies.
In a way they are Tricking you, i.e. At the time of registration they don't mention about Cash payments confirm all ok and ask to book/submit International Flight to Bangalore art of Living Ashram and then Once you booked flight they mention about Cash payments. I have even requested them I prefer to make Digital payment but they bluntly refuse. I have evidence of All these communication if needed.

It was an amazing experience. Truly enjoyed the 9 hour session.

I completed the Happiness Program (2017), Advanced Silence Course, Sri Sri Yoga Teacher Training (2018) + Level 2, Blessings Program, Volunteer Training Program (VTP), Shakti Kriya, and countless satsangs and follow-up events. I showed up fully, practised sincerely, and genuinely wanted to share these tools.

What I experienced instead was a clear hierarchy: I was never “whole enough” or “Indian enough” to be approved as a Sri Sri Yoga teacher or to lead Happiness Courses. The message was consistent — attend more courses, do more Kriya, volunteer more. My trauma and sense of displacement were never acknowledged; they were met with “just keep doing the practices.”

In 2021, during an Art of Living yoga event, I was ejected from a vehicle and left on a motorway in heavy rain, with fast-moving traffic and no safe way to retrieve my belongings. No one from the organisation followed up to check on my safety or wellbeing. Instead, decisions were made based on one-sided accounts, and my reputation was affected without due process.

In March 2024, I attempted to return and teach yoga sessions for Kriya follow-ups, in full compliance with their requirements — maintaining a clear separation from my own yoga and Ayurveda work and agreeing to sign the relevant UK and European teaching agreements. When I raised the 2021 incident and asked for basic accountability and respect, the response focused on administrative steps rather than addressing the safeguarding concern.

I was told that attempts had been made to contact me, that “both sides were damaged,” and that “there’s nothing we can do now except allow you to sign the agreements and teach.” This response reflected a lack of accountability and a failure to engage with the seriousness of the incident.

In 2025, I continued attending Kriya programs elsewhere, hoping for a different experience. Unfortunately, similar patterns emerged. During one event, another participant scratched my car.

When I raised this, the response was not to investigate or resolve the situation, but to reassure me that the individual “would never do such a thing,” and to offer an apology only if I felt hurt. There was no accountability, no attempt to address the damage, and no formal handling of the incident.

I was again encouraged to “accept people and situations as they are.” In practice, this meant that harmful behaviour was minimised rather than addressed.

This reflects a broader issue in the teachings. There is a strong emphasis on acceptance and not questioning others’ intentions, but this can come at the cost of accountability. Harmful behaviour is often reframed or dismissed instead of being properly addressed.

While these teachings may be suitable for individuals seeking basic wellbeing support, I found them to be potentially harmful for those with significant trauma. Encouraging unconditional acceptance without accountability can reinforce unsafe environments rather than resolve them.

In my experience, this approach prioritises spiritual ideals over basic human responsibility. Instead of empowering individuals to process and address harm, it can lead to avoidance and emotional suppression.

The organisation presents itself as upholding principles of equality and inclusion. However, in my experience, access to opportunities appeared shaped by informal hierarchies rather than transparent or consistent criteria, with limited support when concerns were raised.

After years of commitment, I realised my training and wellbeing were being treated as conditional — something to be permitted rather than respected. I chose not to sign the agreements.

This is not the “stress-free, violence-free” community that is advertised. While the practices may help some people, if you are looking for trauma-informed support, fairness, and genuine inclusion — this may not be the right environment.

JGD — but not anymore.
Leena Joynat (Sri Sri Yoga Teacher Training 2018)

It’s an indescribable feeling that one needs to experience. Everyone should learn this from childhood

Art of living Frankfurt. The organizer did not have an answer about the charity projects Art of Living supports as they say. It would need time to look things up she said...;)

As I'm know about myself how much I’d an overthinking person. Before 5 years ago in our institute had invited art of living teachers to give some living lesson. Aaj bhi mujhe unka name yaad hai Mrs. Bhawna team from ambala city art of living group is gives such kind magic of living tricks. They totally finished my overthinking mind to a normal mind. Through meditation, suryaasana& etc. I'm so greatful for all the team members of the chain who had give me a good tension free life that I'd not spend before. Thank you so much for all team once...

Great instructions and life changing experience

I read about the breathing practice that they teach in the book Breath by James Nestor and was interested in learning the practice. From the start, I noticed that the organization was vast and operated in a very "corporate sales" type of way. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the five free videos and signed up for the introductory class (three hours, three consecutive days, on Zoom, all for $300). The website states "Flexible rescheduling at no additional cost." I attended the first two sessions. To my surprise, only a small part of the time was spent on the actual breathing/meditation practice (certainly less than an hour). Much of the time was simply endless talk. As someone who has been involved in prior meditation practices, self-help, therapy (and is a licensed psychologist), I was not interested in all of that and found it forced, boring, and tedious. Nonetheless, I was polite and listened and participated as needed. The second session ran over 3.5 hours (half an hour longer than promised) and I was really not pleased about that - not only was it tedious, but it was also disrespectful to the participants who had committed on the basis of a set ending time. Nonetheless, I planned to complete the third session and attempt the breathing practice. However, a serious family emergency came up. I immediately emailed the instructor to explain (in detail) why I would not be attending. I was told - both by him and others, and repeatedly when I asked again several days later - that I would have to repeat the ENTIRE three sessions in order to be given access to the breathing App, i.e., that I could not join a third session as I was requesting. I frankly thought this both ridiculous and again quite disrespectful of my time. What it tells me is that this group is more interested in docility in its participants than anything else - probably because it seeks to enroll them in more courses and involve them more deeply (in what may be a somewhat "cult-like" or perhaps "cult adjacent" organization). Clearly I had hit a wall when I refused to redo the first two sessions (something for which there was no real need whatsoever, given at least average intelligence and the ability to follow simple directions). Not to mention the fact that, if the breathing/meditation technique is as effective as they say it is, the rest of the course should be largely unnecessary. Therefore I am giving this organization one star (at best). There are other breathing techniques available and they do not put up these types of barriers (not to mention costs) and I intend to look into them instead.

It was fantastic

Very informative session. Instructor made it very engaging. The practice was very refreshing.

I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to Rammanohar Kundoor -my wonderful teacher - for guiding me through the beautiful 3-day Art of Living course Part 1. After completing the course - I feel such a sense of peace, clarity, and renewed energy—all thanks to his wisdom, warmth, and dedication.

His teaching was not only inspiring but also incredibly grounding. The effort, patience, and love he brought to every session did not go unnoticed. He made the experience truly meaningful, and I feel blessed to have been a part of his class.

Thank you teacher for sharing these life-changing tools with such sincerity and care. I will carry the learnings and practices forward with a full heart.

My teacher Dr.Sobti was very calm and her voice very soothing. She gave instructions in a easy and understandable way. It was very engaging and interactive. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
Thank you for this wonderful experience!

Wonderful International Day of Yoga event in Bradfield Park - excellent outdoor class, generous gifts & certificate, great teachers, a really fun day out, thank you!

I stumbled upon The Art of Living by chance after reading a book about the importance of breath in an asana practice. After the author raving about Sudarshan Kriya and Sky Breath, I became interested, so I looked for this practice online and found The Art of Living website.

I already know how important Pranayama is since I have practiced and taught yoga for years, but it has not helped me to overcome anxiety. I have been struggling with anxiety induced insomnia for years and I was curious if this practice would help me. Although today is my fourth day (including the three days of the workshop), I am feeling much better. Usually, after not being able to sleep for more than 2-4 hours in four days stretch, I should by now be exhausted, but I am not. My eyes burn a little, but I am feeling fine, which is a miracle. Usually, I am feeling sleep deprived, and groggy from the Medical Marihuana that I take for anxiety and sleep.

I highly recommend the Sky Breath and the Sudarshan Kriya to everyone, especially for people who suffer from anxiety. Also, the instructors were awesome. They were highly qualified, wonderfully supportive, and excellent teachers!