1. What is SKY Happiness Retreat?

SKY Happiness Retreat is a total well-being training offered to thousands of university students, faculty, and staff across the country. Participants gain foundational stress-management and leadership skills, develop a personal evidence-based breathing and meditation practice, learn a short personal yoga practice, develop strategies for social connection and community building, and engage in peer-driven service initiatives.

The SKY Happiness Retreat introduces SKY Breath Meditation, an evidence-based meditation practice integrated with breathwork that can significantly increase well-being and calmness and reduce anxiety and stress markers. The retreat features interactive group processes, experiential learning, emotional intelligence training, breathwork, yoga, evidence-based meditation, and service leadership. It's one of the coolest places to connect with yourself, make awesome friends, and, most importantly, have fun!

As each session of the retreat builds upon the previous one, we suggest that all participants plan to be there for the entire retreat for an optimal experience and to commit that time to their own well-being. This is always communicated in advance and is mentioned in the registration form as well as the interview/orientation call prior to the retreat.

2. I already meditate; why should I be a part of SKY Campus Happiness? Are there any benefits to doing so?

Several students, staff, and faculty have expressed immense benefits with respect to their happiness, resilience, increased energy, stress relief, productivity, and connection from our programming. You’ll learn evidence-based breathwork and meditation practices such as the SKY Breath Meditation, which enables one to decrease physical and mental strength and drop into a deep state of rest. One also gains tangible tips and tools to manage your mind and emotions. There’s also a power in a positive community to help support and enhance your personal practice. Several participants share how the community is key to them.

3. What are the goals of SKY Campus Happiness? What do you do?

We spread happiness, peace, and social connection in and around campuses globally by offering tangible tools for stress relief, which enhance physical and mental health. We also plan and execute community service projects that hone leadership skills and make a difference in society. Our flagship program is the SKY Happiness Retreat, where participants learn SKY Breath Meditation, an evidence-based meditation practice integrated with breathwork that can significantly increase one's well-being and calmness and significantly reduce anxiety and stress markers. Our student organization at UF has had over two thousand participants in our breathwork and meditation programs conducted since 2013 from a variety of majors, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds.

4. I am a prospective member; what do I need to do to be part of the student organization?

We have no formal membership requirement. Those who become members normally start by taking our flagship program, the “SKY Happiness Retreat,” or by attending our meetings or other breathwork and meditation workshops. Prospective members can learn more by visiting our website, signing up for a SKY Happiness Retreat, or checking out our Instagram and Facebook.

5. You speak about ‘spiritual’ wellness, are you a religious organization?

No, SKY Campus Happiness is not a religious organization. By 'spiritual,' we mean universal human values like friendship, generosity, compassion, care for the environment, and service to humanity. One of our goals is to promote human values, regardless of the religious, cultural, racial, ethnic, or social background of people who participate, respecting and not questioning any religion people may practice.

6. Do you have a connection with any organization?

SKY Campus Happiness is a comprehensive biopsychosocial program tailored for university populations–students, faculty, and staff–offered by the International Association for Human Values and Art of Living Foundation and designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

7. Who founded SKY?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the founder of the International Association for Human Values, the parent organization of SKY Campus Happiness. He is a humanitarian leader and a peace ambassador. He is globally renowned for his peacebuilding work in several countries. He is the person behind the evidence-based SKY Breath Meditation practice that is a key part of the SKY Happiness Retreat.

8. What is SKY Breath Meditation?

Having the mind “calm down” or “shut up” can be challenging, especially when we need it the most. The breath is a powerful link between the body, mind, and spirit. SKY Breath Meditation, also known as Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, is a powerful yet simple rhythmic breathing technique. It incorporates specific natural rhythms of the breath, harmonizing the body, mind, and emotions. It also has a host of benefits, evidenced by over 100+ independent research studies. 

9. Is there any research on SKY Breath Meditation?

Over 100+ independent studies conducted in four continents and published in peer-reviewed journals have demonstrated a comprehensive range of benefits from practicing SKY Breath Meditation. SKY has been shown to improve emotion regulation, decrease stress, reduce anxiety and depression, reduce PTSD, and benefit several facets of well-being. More information, including specific research studies and articles, can be found at https://www.skycampushappiness.org/research.

10. Do you charge fees for membership or attending your programs?

Our cornerstone programs, the SKY Happiness Workshop and SKY Meditation Workshop, have a content fee. This fee is covered by the university, department, club, or participant, depending on who is hosting the program and how it is funded. Some programs may have an entry fee, such as special retreats that span multiple days where food and/or other materials may be provided to the participants. We aim for these to be minimal and non-cost-prohibitive. For advanced programs offered, we regularly provide need-based scholarships.