Posted:

Yoga has an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases that include the recurrence of heart attacks, hypertension and coronary heart diseases. Yoga influences the hypothalamus directly, the area of the brain that controls endocrine activity, and helps prevent heart attacks.

Links to the study articles:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137950,00.html

http://www.medindia.net/yoga-lifestyle/yoga-heart.htm

Today, with the fast pace of life, repeated changes in jobs, homes, frequent divorces and marriages and advancement in modern technology with which we cannot keep pace, numerous tensions are created. We are the victims of a monster we have created for ourselves, the monster of progress and sophistication. In this unrelenting struggle for existence, we try to keep a calm exterior but conceal a disturbed mind. Mental stress and strain is the penalty we pay for becoming more civilized…The real problem is that mental stress and strain plays a vital role in the lives of millions today…”

– “Yoga & Your Heart” – Dr. Datey et al

… AND we have learned to live with it, self-medicating with drinking, smoking, television, or other addictions. We hear that healthy habits like yoga and meditation and simply breathing (by golly!), can really help us.

Do you ever wonder “how”, exactly?

A recent Yale Study showed that people who practiced yoga and meditation at least three times a week may reduce their blood pressure, pulse, and risk of heart disease. Volunteers that participated in a six-week yoga and meditation program saw a 17% improvement in blood vessel function (the way the vessels contract and expand to aid blood flow), and participants who had heart disease saw close to a 70% improvement. The group’s average blood pressure decreased from 130/70mmHg to 125/74.

And the best news, it doesn’t require a lot. The participants in this study saw these dramatic changes with 40mn yoga, 20mn deep relaxation, 15mn of yoga breathing and 15mn of mediation, (1.5 hours total) over a six-week period. Even 15-30mns a day consistently will create long-term benefits.

If you’re concerned about heart disease in your life, remember that this is a problem of modern times. Heart disease is psychosomatic in nature. Improper lifestyle, poor diets and negative thinking play an important part in triggering heart disease. Our thoughts, feelings and emotions affect our body and mind. Negative emotions spark chemical processes through the entire body.

So start with observing your thoughts, keeping them positive and practice quiet activity like yoga with joy and gratitude. Most importantly, LOVE YOURSELF.

I like this quote from J. Krishnamurti as it represens a core theme of his teachings -  go inside for the truth!  We often spend our days looking for leaders, gurus, teachers, books…outside help and the truth is only within ourselves.

-Gianna
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

PORTLAND

In BALANCE with Ayurveda

Living and Eating in Harmony with your Unique Self

Bring balance into your life and food habits through this 3-part series (you can join 1 or join all), a comprehensive introduction to mindful living with Ayurveda.  Facilitated by Gianna Piccardo.

FIND YOUR BALANCE : Discover your basic Ayurvedic constitution and how to create healthy balance in diet and lifestyle.  Sat, 1/30/10

LIVE IN RHYTHM : Understand why timing is vital and how to sleep, eat and exercise with the natural rhythms of each day and the seasons. Sat, 2/27/10

EXPERIENCE THE BLISS : Journey into sublime balance of your being, applying Ayurvedic wisdom to yoga asana, breath and meditation inspired by instruments of sound and sacred song.  Sat, 3/27/10

Heartsong Yoga and Wellness Center, Portland, OR

To register for one or for all go to:
http://clients.mindbodyonline. com/ws.asp?studioid=3071& stype=-8&sTrn=100000018

Living in Balance, Living in Ease

A comprehensive 3-part series offered by the Amrita Wellness Yoga Program, these workshops are designed to awaken and integrate Vedic wisdom, as it pertains to the physical body, the mind, and our spiritual essence, into an everyday way of being.   We will explore Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle, yoga asana and mediation with the intention of inviting balance and ease into our lives.
Part I, Living in Balance, Sun, 2/21/10:

“Bringing Ayurveda into your Everyday Life”
Co-Facilitated by Gianna Piccardo, RYT and Lila Ojeda, RD, MS
Part II, Living in Balance, Sat, 4/3/10:

“Being in Rhythm with your Life”
Facilitated by Gianna Piccardo, with Richard Haynes of Ayurveda Plus

Part III, Living in Ease, Sat, 5/8/10:

“Freedom Amidst Discomfort”
Facilitated by Kimberly Carson, MS
To register for one or all, go to:
http://amritasanctuary.com/yogaworkshop.shtml

L.O. LuluLemon
A Series of 3, one-hour long talks hosted by Gianna & Lila on mindful eating, lifestyle changes, and Ayurveda to give an overview of what you would learn in these workshops:
Wednesdays, 12-1pm
1/27, 2/3, & 2/10
For more info:
http://www.lululemon.com/lakeoswego/lakeoswegoshowroom

CALIFORNIA:

“Yoga OFF the Mat”

An Introduction to Ayurvedic Diet & Lifestyle

Take yoga into your everyday life by understanding the basic foundations of yoga’s sister science, Ayurveda.   Ay-Yur-Ved-WHAT?!, you might ask?  Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old system of health and healing from India that is tailored to the unique needs of the individual.  Its holistic approach brings balance to the body through basic diet and lifestyle practices including eating, sleeping, exercise and daily routine.  Using a practical approach, discover how this ancient and effective system of living in balance and rhythm with nature can help you find your path to healthy eating and balanced living. Facilitated by Gianna Piccardo.

2 OFFERINGS this Spring:

Sat, March 6th, 2010
1-4pm
$40
***
Sacred Space Studio
410 Bryant Circle, Suite A
Ojai, CA 93023
971.322.6467 to register
-
OR
-
Sat, April 10th, 2010
1-4pm
$40
***
Yoga Jones
105 S. Oak #200 @Santa Clara
Ventura, CA
805.643.5669 to register
www.yogajones.com

PERCEPTION

. . Something To Think About. . .

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin pl ayed six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurrie dly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:

The musician played continu ously.  Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace.  The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

The questions raised:

*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

How many other things are we missing?

NO RESOLUTIONS THIS YEAR?

Last year at this time, I was feeling quite pleased with myself for the neatly organized and very comprehensive list of goals I had developed for the New Year.

My goals were specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely.
Or so I thought.

A week later, my life showed me that it had a different plan for me.  At first I resisted: “All that time I spent goal-planning!”  But eventually, when I ditched my resistance, a whole new world of opportunity opened up for me.  Though I had set some good goals, my attitude was stopping me from being open to paths I hadn’t even thought of.

So this year, what about just setting intentions instead?

A goal can be intention, yes.  But I’m talking about examining attitudes and perspectives that move you forward on your path.

If you look back on your goals for 2009 and you review what you achieved or didn’t; what worked or didn’t; and ESPECIALLY, if you’ve had the same intention a few years in a row… take a moment to reflect on the attitude or perspective that could have helped you to make your resolution a reality.

For example, if your resolution was to lose 30lbs, but because you’re so busy taking care of every body else, you tend to neglect your own body, maybe you scratch the resolution “Lose 30lbs” and replace it with “Recognize that I need nurturing and deserve time for myself”.

Holding this new intention or attitude may get you there this year.

Or if you had a goal of obtaining something tangible, but it didn’t happen, perhaps there was a good reason why.  Look at what happened instead… What did you learn from the unexpected?
Perhaps this year, the intention might be to “Remain Flexible”, “Go With the Flow”, or “Release Attachment”.

Have fun with this exercise.  See the gift in all of the unexpected ways that life takes you on your journey.  Be ready, with a clear mind, peace in your heart, and a clear intention to move forward in positive ways.

Best Wishes in this New Year and May All of Your Intentions be Realized.

-Gianna

You are what your deep, driving desire is.

As is your desire, so is your will.

As is your will, so is your deed.

As is your deed, so is your destiny.

-       Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV

Gianna provides a very integrative approach to health, wellness and personal discovery that I have rarely witnesses. It was a pleasure to welcome her into my home and learn from her. I feel very fortunate to know her and to be in her care Gianna is a consummate professional and a gifted practitioner.

-SS, Seattle, WA

Holiday Gift Certificate Specials

I’ve created modified packages with special rates so you pay less than full price for a sampler, full, or extended session.  Give the gift of self-care and peace to someone you love.
This offer is for new clients only.
30mn Intensive Session
A lot can happen in 30mn!  This can be a phone session or a live session. For those who are unfamiliar with phone sessions, usually we pick one thing to focus on - the result is often a significant opening supported  by specific breathwork or visualization. $35

60mn Regular Session
In addition to the above, we can focus more on body mechanics as well as breath or anything that the client wants to delve into, including Ayurvedic health consultation.  $65

90mn Extended Session
An relaxing journey into the self, we can integrate multiple modalities into this time.  Great for individuals needing more support or couples who want to practice together! $85

See www.privateyogatherapy.com/services for detailed information on all offerings
Please contact me to purchase a gift certificate

Many Blessings to you this Holiday Season,
Gianna

Isn’t it ironic how our “traditions” often steer us away from the true meaning of the holiday?

We live in a society fueled by fear.  Many of us experience this through stress, anxiety, or depression.

YOU!

Initiation:”The Awakening” …

30mn Intensive Session

A lot can happen in 30mn!  This can be a phone session or a live session. For those who are unfamiliar with phone sessions, usually we pick one thing to focus on - the result is often a significant opening supported  by specific breathwork or visualization. $35

60mn Regular Session
In addition to the above, we can focus more on body mechanics as well as breath or anything that the client wants to delve into, including Ayurvedic health consultation. $65

90mn Extended Session
An relaxing journey into the self, we can integrate multiple modalities into this time.  Great for individuals needing more support or couples who want to practice together! $85

Upcoming Events -Portland

Creating Real Change in Your

Eating & Lifestyle
A Comprehensive, Practical Approach Merging
Ayurveda & Modern Ways

This series merges Ayurveda (a 5,000 year old System of Health and Healing from India) with Modern Science, to help you find your Unique Path to Healthy Eating and Balanced Living.

CREATE YOUR PLAN:  Mon, 12/7/09,@Trainer’s Club, Lake Oswego, OR