NGOs hold free online classes on managing stress

A ‘Body Mind Powerbank Station’ class being held over Zoom.

TWO humanitarian non-governmental organisations are jointly holding free online classes on techniques to alleviate stress.

The Art of Living (AOL) Malaysia and International Association for Human Values (IAHV) will hold the classes, themed “Body Mind Powerbank Station”, to teach participants the proper stretching and breathing techniques that can assist people in dealing with anxiety, especially those induced by the Covid-19 pandemic and movement control order.

The classes are 20 minutes’ long and will be conducted via Zoom every Wednesday to Friday between 8pm and 9.30pm.

AOL Malaysia president Sundaresh Aw Yang said the techniques would help calm minds.

“The MCO has disrupted many lives, resulting in sleep disorder, anxiety, lost of concentration and increased anger that take a toll on the body.

“This programme, started in October, will help participants to relax and improve their energy, ” he said when contacted.

“Normal breathing will see about 20% of the oxygen we inhale go to our lungs.

“Through the techniques to be taught in the classes, we can bring it up to about 70% to 80%.

“People who are angry will breathe heavily and in short breaths. Those who are happy will breathe lightly, long and deep, ” he added.

Aw Yang said with better breathing, it would also help improve quality of sleep.

He said the techniques were started by AOL founder Ravi Shankar from India in 1981.

“It can help people to be more positive and have a peaceful mindset, ” he said, adding that there were 156 AOL centres globally and 50 in Malaysia.

IAHV president Tan Boon Yang said he had been practising the techniques for 15 years and found it to be beneficial.

“People commonly advise us to rid ourselves of anxiety and not be angry, but fail to guide us on how to do so.

“I had depression and the techniques have helped me to manage my anxiety, ” he said.

“I am now actively involved in humanitarian efforts.

“The techniques are very simple and I hope it can work for others too, ” he said.

He added that IAHV was a global organisation found in 25 countries, with its branch in Malaysia registered in 2012.

To register for the classes, visit http://tiny.cc/BodyMindEnglish

For further details, visit www.my-iahv.org or www.artofliving.org.my or call 012-413 0890 or 011-6168 2171.