09 December, 2015

End of the Year Update

Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs
A 12-week study course designed to give those with chronic and recurring lower back issues the tools to manage lower back pain. The course is based on a large research trial conducted the the University of York and funded by Arthritis Research UK. Its protocols have shown that this program is more effective than the 'usual care' hospitals provide to these patients in the UK.

The course meets once weekly and practice at home is an integral part of the program. This helps to ensure that by the end of the course students have the tools to keep their backs healthy for years to come. A yoga mat at home will be needed. Course book, relaxation CD and course handouts are included in the course fee. This will be my first offering of this course. Pre-registration is required by January 3rd.

Sunday early evenings from January 10 - April 17 (18h-19h30)
YogaYoga Paris, 6 passage de la vierge (M° Ecole Militaire)
Course fee 380€ (including course materials)

Yoga Survival Tools for Teenagers
A 6-week course designed to give teenagers tools to help manage stress and anxiety, to harness their focus and concentration, to handle emotions better, to relieve lower back pain and tension in the neck and shoulders, to re-energize, develop core strength and increase flexibility. Pre-registration is required by January 3rd.

Saturday early evenings (17h-18h30)
YogaYoga Paris, 6 passage de la vierge (M° Ecole Militaire)
Course fee 180€
Session I: January 9 - February 13
Session II: March 13 - April 16

Second Sunday Workshop
Every Second Sunday of the month with a thematic focus each month. In December, our focus will be on soothing stress and replenishing vitality. Pre-registration for this workshop is necessary -- just send me an email or give me a call to let me know you plan to attend :

Second Sunday of each month
11h-13h, 40€ for a single workshop
chez moi, near M° Porte Maillot

Winter Solstice Celebration
An Integral Hatha Yoga class including mantra (chanting), pranayama (breathing practices), asana (postural practices) and yoga nidra (deep relaxation). All levels welcome.

Tuesday, December 22nd, 19h45-21h15
Centre de Yoga du Marais
72 rue Vertbois (M° Strasbourg-St Denis, Arts & Metiers)
Single class rate, 20€

Community Class at Centre de Yoga du Marais
This is a donation-based Integral Hatha Yoga class with the proceeds going to support Families for Children in India. All levels are welcome.

Sunday, December 20th, 11h30am-13h30pm
Centre de Yoga du Marais
72 rue Vertbois (M° Strasbourg-St Denis, Arts & Metiers)
by donation (10€ suggested, but any amount is fine)


Open Class Schedule:

Monday 12h30-13h30 (M° Porte Maillot) 6-week workshop series - breath focused
Monday 19h45-21h00 (M° Ecole Militaire) - tonic
Tuesday 12h30-13h30 ((M° Arts & Metiers) - tonic
Wednesday 10h00-11h15 (M° George V) - gentle yoga for a Healthy Spine
Saturday 11h00-12h15 (M° Ecole Militaire) - tonic





Ann Moradian

17 November, 2015

Purna Mantra, again...

Cela est infini. Ceci est infini
De l'infini est apparu l'infini.
En prenant l'infini de l'infini, il demeure comme le seul infini.
Il demeure le même, même si l'infini est apparu à parti de lui.

That is whole. This is whole.
From the whole, the whole becomes manifest.
From the whole, if the whole is negated,
what remains is again the whole.

Om
Purnamadah Purnamidam
Purnat Purnamudachyate
Purnasya Purnamadaya
Purnamevavashishyate
Om shanti, shanti, shanti

Photo © Jivahn Moradian


15 November, 2015

Silence gives a little space for the expansion of the heart, when it might otherwise contract too strong, too hard. / Ann Moradian


01 November, 2015

How Yoga Works (Scientific Research)

This article by Angela Wilson appeared in Yoga International, October 9, 2014

"We all know that yoga does a body (and a mind) good. But up until recently, no one could really say with any degree of certainty why — or even how — it improves conditions as varied as depression and anxiety, diabetes, chronic pain, and even epilepsy.



Now (2014) a group of researchers at Boston University School of Medicine believe they’ve discovered yoga’s secret. In an article published in the May 2012 issue of Medical Hypotheses journal under an impossibly long title, Chris Streeter, PhD, and his team hypothesize that yoga works by regulating the nervous system. And how does it do that? By increasing vagal tone—the body’s ability to successfully respond to stress.

The Study: The Effects of Yoga on the Autonomic Nervous System, Gamma-aminobutyric-acid, and Allostasis in Epilepsy, Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

What Is Vagal Tone?
Most of us don’t even know we have a vagus that needs toning, but we most certainly do. The vagus nerve, the largest cranial nerve in the body, starts at the base of the skull and wanders throughout the whole body, influencing the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. Often thought of as our “air traffic controller,” the vagus nerve helps to… read more




https://yogainternational.com/article/view/scientific-research-how-yoga-works

10 October, 2015

A Favorite Fable...

A farmer had only one horse. One day, his horse ran away. His neighbors said, “I'm so sorry. This is such bad news. You must be so upset.” The man just said, “We'll see.”

A few days later, his horse came back with twenty wild horses following. The man and his son corraled all 21 horses. His neighbors said, “Congratulations! This is such good news. You must be so happy!” The man just said, “We'll see.”

One of the wild horses kicked the man's only son, breaking both his legs. His neighbors said, “I'm so sorry. This is such bad news. You must be so upset.” The man just said, “We'll see.”

The country went to war, and every able-bodied young man was drafted to fight. The war was terrible and killed every young man, but the farmer's son was spared, since his broken legs prevented him from being drafted. His neighbors said, “Congratulations! This is such good news. You must be so happy!” The man just said, “We'll see.”


We are so quick to judge, and to think we know what is good and what is bad. And sometimes maybe we do. But we don't always, and it is good to remember that from time to time :-)
--
Ann







28 September, 2015

Video: low back pain basics

Take a look at Doc Mike Evans' video on basics of low back pain. It is simple, clear and comprehensive enough to be useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=15&v=BOjTegn9RuY




29 May, 2015

Yoga au Bureau: Les bienfaits

Les bienfaits sont nombreuse et le science et en train de les rattraper avec le recherche. Voici une interview d'Ann Moradian et le Yogist sur ce sujet:

http://femmes.orange.fr/bien-etre/sport-et-bien-etre/article-yoga-au-bureau-quels-bienfaits-CNT000000azYks.html

Un autre, en anglais, avec les raisons c'est la peine de programmer le yoga dans le journée au bureau: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/865628451/Why-you-should-convince-your-boss-to-schedule-time-for-yoga-at-work.html

26 May, 2015

Creating Your Own Practice

A workshop for Yoga practitioners wishing to continue their practice over the summer, at home or on vacation. We will go through the basics of what is needed for a well-balanced practice, with plenty of examples and ‘hands-on” experimentation. Each student will develop their own home practice, designed to suit their individual needs, abilities and interests, while working with the reality of their time and other constraints. Pre-registration is necessary for this workshop.


Photo © Alex Vanagas.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015
19h00 – 21h30 (55€)
YogaYoga Paris
6 passage de la Vierge
Paris 75007

Open to students of all levels, and practicing any form of Yoga. It includes a mandatory pre-workshop telephone conference to discuss expectations, needs and limitations.

22 April, 2015

Chakra Intensive

with Atmagyanam & Gangamurti
from the Bihar School of Yoga


An intensive study of the Chakra system with Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Nada Yoga, Yoga Nidra, visualization and lectures. A serious study with an intense routine, demanding self-discipline throughout, this workshop is an ideal opportunity for teachers and advanced practitioners to deepen their understanding, practice and teaching.
(We will add the fire rituals and cleansing practices to the degree possible.)



at YogaYoga Paris
6 passage de la Vierge
Paris 75007

August 20-27, 2015
9h00 - 18h00

Contact Ann Moradian
06.89.70.23.58
moradian.perspectives(at)gmail.com

31 March, 2015

Journey to Goa / Voyage à Goa

Mumbai is the port of entry if you are on your way to Goa. The new Mumbai international airport is beautiful, and is a far cry from my first experience in 1988 (which I will happily describe to you one day!):


The city flashes by in an overstimulating bombardment of lights. If you look closer you will see all sorts of things...


But on your first visit, you may prefer to just let the beauty of the lights wash over you.


Or give Mumbai a miss altogether, and head directly on to Goa…


The Retreat Center I stayed at is unusual for Goa (which is usually very touristic and leans far more toward the 'Yoga Holiday' than toward the more 'authentic' ashram experience I had the good luck to find.


I chose the low budget, row houses -- which were perfectly fine.


Though I thought the cottages seemed very appealing with their pleasant front porches to relax on.


The food was fantastic! Indian vegetarian mostly, though they made some wonderful noodles the night I started to return to reality and thought of taking any photos. Clean, not too spicy but full of flavor, made with the best quality ingredients of the season.


If you want an ayurvedic massage, a consultation with their ayurvedic doctor, or a full week-long treatment, the facility is on the grounds and the doctor seemed very good to me.


In between classes, meditation sessions, lectures and Karma Yoga (service) (which I enjoyed doing in their lovely gardens), there is the 'Fake Beach' where you can chill, sun, read, snack and chat. Groups went down to the Night Market, the Flea Market and the beach during the week as well.


I preferred taking a stroll in the jungle nearby, where fresh cashews grow wild, and monkeys swing and swagger.


The center is entirely eco-friendly and is the dream child of its founder, Gyan. He has built it from scratch and brought in his colleagues from the Bihar School of Yoga to help him in running its year-round programs as the Center grows.

I look forward to sharing some of these experiences with you, and to introducing you to India, if you have an interest. I hope, also, to introduce you to Atma and Ganga (the lovely couple who taught the Chakra Workshop that you might have heard me mention). They, along with all of the teachers and staff at the Center, were helpful, knowledgeable and kind.


--
Ann