Shankar touts techniques toward a happy life

To better handle the stresses of daily life — not to mention getting through this time of economic uncertainty — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar advises a simple starting point.

Just take a deep breath, says Shankar, a spiritual teacher from Bangalore, India.

"Know that these tough moments will pass."

Shankar — not to be confused with the sitar player by the same name — visited Seattle Friday for a workshop on breathing techniques.

About a thousand people, paying from $20 to $100, were expected.

Shankar has built a worldwide following for his teachings on breathing techniques.

He's also regarded as a humanitarian, one who has mediated political conflicts.

A popular magazine in South Asia named him one of the subcontinent's 10 most influential leaders.

In the United States, Shankar's Art of Living Foundation conducts youth-leadership programs and has offered trauma-relief programs for survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the Virginia Tech shootings, according to foundation officials.

Although Shankar is Hindu, he emphasizes that what he teaches is not confined to Hinduism.

"It's all inclusive," he said in an interview at the Westin Friday. "It's basically how the breath is linked to our emotions, our state of mind."

Thus, his foundation attracts people of various religions — or none at all.

His teachings appeal to people in the Northwest, where many say they are spiritual but not religious.

About 1,300 have gone through a $350, six-day course at the local chapter of Shankar's Art of Living Foundation, established more than 15 years ago, according to Deborah Gillham, a retired therapist and local spokeswoman for the foundation.

Breathing and meditation techniques seem to be catching on nationwide as well.

A recent report from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life said almost two-fifths of Americans report meditating at least once a week. (The meditations may incorporate both Christian and non-Christian traditions, the report says.)

On the face of it, what Shankar teaches isn't new or radically different.

But Gillham says the specific techniques he teaches make meditation easier to grasp and to practice.

"Whatever way you want to do it, do it and be happy," Shankar said.

"A happy soul — that's all I'm concerned about."