Two of Bollywood's bigger stars – Miss Universe Lara Dutta and box office winner Kunal Kapoor – will be in Auckland this month to teach people how to live without stress – by correcting breathing.
They'll be here linked to one of India's leading spiritualists Sri Ravi Shankar whose Art of Living Foundation courses focus on eliminating stress in life.
Kapoor, 32, has a host of movie credits to his name including Rang De Basanti. As well as promoting Art of Living he is known for Goju-Ryu karate.
Dutta won the Miss Universe title in 2000 and has become one of Bollywood's most recognised stars.
She starred in a comedy Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and is now doing a remake of an Indian film classic, Devdas.
She is also known for her involvement in Art of Living.
"I like to work hard and be myself. I don't think I should be in the rat race. It is better to do what you need to do instead of getting worried about what everybody else is doing. I live life on my own terms."
Kapoor and Dutta will lecture with teacher Sangeeta Jani on the movement which combines meditation, yoga and breathing exercises with leadership development, physical training and communication skills.
New Zealand Art of Living teacher Neha Bhatia says breathing techniques they teach have been responsible for the rehabilitation of prisoners, troubled youth, victims of natural disaster and war in the world's hot spots.
Bangalore born Shankar, 51, has a track record around the world, including in his own country where his programme has been successfully used to help curb farmer suicides.
"Meditation is the true comfort in life," he says.
"If we can eat food from every part of the world, enjoy music from all cultures, why can we not accept wisdom from all parts of the world. Globalizing wisdom is the need of the day."
Anupamaa
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
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