Each AOL course, approximately 90 minutes, begins with a three-part pranayama (yogic breath-awareness exercise), a series of "bellows breaths" (energizing pranayama), three chants of Om and then the Sudarshan Kriya itself, during which one is guided through a series of breathing rhythms by an AOL instructor.

It takes about 20 hours for a new student to complete the program, or learn the Kriya. Once a month, the AOL Center in New York offers an intensive course ($375, discounts available; second course by donation). In addition to learning the techniques and postures over the six days, participants also engage in self-exploration and encounter groups—discussions, exercises and question-and-answer sessions—that challenge students to think about who they are, what they want from life and how they can react (or not react, as it were) to challenges. In other words, they receive guidance on the "art" of living.

When I took the course, my classmates were a mixed bag: models, photographers, painters and sculptors; psychologists, an acupuncturist and others in the healing professions; a former Jesuit priest; some Wall Street brokers; an 80-year-old Jewish bubbe and her Zen priest son; and a fireman still suffering from PTSD from 9/11. I was astounded by the number and range of New Yorkers attending what could be viewed as a touchy-feely seminar. As Dr. Brown explains, "People need this, so they come."

At least two thirds of the participants were patients of or connected to patients of Dr. Brown. A kind, soft-spoken and immensely caring man, he is known far and wide in the psychopharmacological field for his work and research in natural alternatives. He doesn't shun traditional Western medicine, but he does feel (as do many progressive doctors) that it treats symptoms rather than causes. He's also written two seminal books on alternative approaches to treating depression. A few years ago, after reading one of them, a senior teacher from the AOL contacted Dr. Brown to introduce the Kriya as another alternative for treating depression. Dr. Brown was so impressed he began steering patients—literally hundreds—toward the course.

"Anyone who practices yoga, meditation or chi gung knows that breathing quiets the mind and soothes and calms the nervous system," Dr. Brown explains. "The Sudarshan Kriya not only helps calm down the stress response system—which is what antidepressants do—it also activates the recharging, healing part of the system." The Kriya has been shown to lower levels of cortisol, a hormone released when the body is under stress. High levels of cortisol in the body have been linked to depression, memory loss, high blood pressure and osteoporosis. "The longer one practices the Kriya," Dr. Brown says, "the more your psychological and physical health will increase." AOL teachers do stress, however, that the Kriya is too powerful to attempt without formal instruction. "When it's done correctly, chances are you will benefit enormously," Dr. Brown says. "But if done incorrectly, you can experience dizziness, disorientation and confusion."

According to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Kriya is designed to help restore your body, mind and spirit to its "original self"—meaning the healthy, stress-free self you were as an infant, before you had to go to school, get jobs and worry about any number of problems. "Doing the Kriya helps you remember what that joy and simplicity was like," Dr. Brown says. And you can tell by the smile on his face that he remembers. Now that I practice the Kriya on a regular basis, I feel more centered, balanced and happy. Others who have been doing the Kriya for some time say they have healed themselves of asthma, allergies, chronic pains and crippling depressions. They all wore that smile, too; they all seemed to know some secret.

"I don't think breathing can heal everything," Dr. Brown says. "Just like medicine can't. But breathing gives you an opportunity every day for at least half an hour to be genuine, to be yourself. Yogis have known for thousands of years that breath is life. The Sudarshan Kriya gently reminds you of that." Art of Living, 127 West 25th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, third floor (212-414-8222, www.artoflivingny.org).