We Possess the Power: How Sky Campus Happiness Is Helping People Reduce Stress and Restore Peace

SKY Wellness Facilitator Training Participants on the North Carolina Central State University Campus.

Do you remember in the movie The Wizard of Oz, how Dorothy realized that she had the power all along to go home? Oftentimes, we may not realize that the solution to one of our problems is right under our nose. In a world filled with stress, anxiety, emotional overload, and constant pressure, many people are searching for ways to feel calmer, think clearer, and live healthier lives. What made the recent Sky Campus Happiness Wellness Facilitator Training so powerful was the reminder that one of the greatest tools we already possess is something we carry with us every single day—our breath.

The Sky Wellness Coach Training teaches participants how intentional breathing techniques and meditation can help regulate emotions, calm the nervous system, and reduce stress and cortisol levels naturally. It was a refreshing reminder that healing does not always begin with something outside of us. Sometimes it begins by learning how to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the mind, body, and spirit.

Held recently at North Carolina Central University, the workshop was truly a groundbreaking experience. NCCU became the first HBCU to host this wellness facilitator training, joining institutions such as Harvard University and Yale University that have also welcomed similar trainings to their campuses. At Yale University, researchers found that the program helps to reduce stress and depression.

Developed by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Sky Campus Happiness program introduced participants to practical wellness tools rooted in meditation, mindfulness, teamwork, and breathwork. One of the most meaningful concepts shared throughout the weekend was simple yet profound: sleep is rest for the body, but meditation is rest for the mind.

Participants at the Sky Campus Happiness Retreat enjoy their session.

From the opening session, the atmosphere was filled with warmth, encouragement, and unity. Participants were placed into teams where support and cooperation became a natural part of the experience. There were no “big I’s and little you’s.” The spirit of the training centered on community, compassion, and collective growth. One of the themes repeated throughout the weekend was, “We move together."

The breathing exercises themselves were especially impactful because they provided practical techniques that people can use daily to calm themselves during stressful situations and become more emotionally balanced. As a woman, I found the experience especially beneficial and empowering. In a society where stress levels continue to rise, workshops like this offer simple but meaningful tools to help people become healthier mentally, emotionally, and physically.

The instructors were absolutely phenomenal, leading with patience, wisdom, and sincerity. Their positive energy helped create a safe and uplifting environment where participants felt valued, heard, and inspired.

This training was more than a workshop—it was an experience in healing, connection, and transformation. Everyone should experience a Sky Happiness Workshop in their city or online. It is a beautiful investment in peace of mind, emotional wellness, and personal growth. I left the weekend feeling renewed, grateful, and excited for the next training experience.

Sky Campus Leadership Teacher, Jameelah Carver (rt) with Dr. Audrey Muhammad. Mrs. Carver said her mother and aunt, who are MGT, started attending Sky Campus sessions years ago with other Muslim sisters in Atlanta.

(This summary was submitted by Dr. Audrey Muhammad, editor and publisher of Virtue Today Magazine. As a Sky Campus Happiness facilitator in training, she will be offering a short free Sky Campus Happiness Wellness Workshop session on June 1, 2026. To register for this free event, go to https://Breathinginjoy.eventbrite.com.)