Yoga Off the Mat is a unique way to experience the beauty of a personalized program of mind-body wellness through Yoga, Ayurveda and meditation.  Gianna’s expertise at developing a program that fits my individual needs is evidenced by the fact that I use the techniques she taught me on a daily basis.  The flexibility of virtual learning made it easy to fit the training, meditation and asanas into my busy schedule.  Thank you for showing me a new approach that enhances my spiritual and physical well-being.  Namaste!

- Kim Duran-Portello, Los Angeles, CA

It’s a true pleasure to find a teacher who is not only singularly capable, but also has the rare ability to communicate with a peaceful, confident energy.  Gianna unquestionably falls into this exceptional category.  I give her practice my highest recommendation.

-Eric Marvin, Portland, OR

Gianna provides a very integrative approach to health, wellness and personal discovery that I have rarely witnessed. It was a pleasure to 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

Gianna is actually one of the more amazing people I know. She has made a commitment to help others get back to their best selves. There are many people like me who get sucked into a routine where we know we aren’t being as mindful or conscious as we’d like to be. I think we need people like Gianna, who have multiple tools and resources in their vast toolbox and the insight and compassion to apply them.

Her work is informed by a successful career that she left behind in order to be a teacher and a healer. From this I think she understands this rut people like me find myself in when we get too fixated on cubicle life or meeting sales quotas. She not only knows how we can live with ease, she models that sort of conscious living without being fake or preachy.

Gianna is your friend who finds a way to help you make good choices and offers pure encouragement along the way. Rumi wrote that we should “Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” This is Gianna’s path. If you’re looking for wisdom, inspiration and encouragement you might hire her and see for yourself first hand.

-Gordon Heady, Portland, OR

Yoga Off the Mat helped me take the principles of yoga and the value that yoga offers my body and apply them to other areas of my life.  I used to think of yoga as an escape from the stress of life, and now I view it has a practice that makes my entire life more balanced.  Yoga Off the Mat combines the physical, the mental and the spiritual aspects of yoga into one program that has helped me think of my life more holistically.  Gianna has a special way about her – I would highly recommend this program for anyone who practices yoga or wants to begin practicing.

-Mindy Jellin, Yoga Off the Mat hybrid client, Seattle, WA

 

 

Much thanks for your thought-provoking seminar.  It is easy to see that you walk the walk as you talk the talk.  I enjoyed this series because it reminded me… about taking care of myself emotionally as well as physically.  And how the two are never separate.  It has given me a focus and desire to step up my devotion to this type of caring and nurturing of my body and mind and spirit.

- H.C., Portland, OR

 

I started seeing Gianna with the hopes of learning about meditation as well as yoga.  She really seeks to discover what you want to achieve and develops a very personal routine for you.  I am able to do my routine at home and modify it according to how much meditation focus I want or if I want a great stretch or even if I only have 15 minutes to do a little practice.  I mentioned to Gianna that I had some hip pain and she added a few poses to my routine and now I am able to run longer and experience no pain in the hip.  Gianna is a very talented, compassionate and beautiful person I feel lucky to have met.

-Brooke Daniel, Portland, OR

 

Gianna was a pleasure to work with. I had a desire to integrate a quick yoga routine into my day and she customized a wonderful 10 minute program for me. I learned a lot about how yoga can be just what any given individual needs. Thanks!

- Sheila Franzen, Portland, OR

For over 20 years I’ve been practicing a series of yoga poses that I put together (from a book!). My practice was tired and outdated so when I met Gianna I was thrilled to have the opportunity to ask her to evaluate, amend and update it so I could experience fresh benefits. I love the new routine Gianna developed for me — and it’s affecting my daily life with wonderful and powerful results. I find I’m at peace much more of the time in spite of what’s going on around me.

-Gracie C., Portland, OR

I’m an avid Alpine Snow Skier & Cyclist competing at regional and national levels in both sports; Prior to meeting Gianna; I had major issues with back, hip and other related pain- injuries. After my competitions, I found myself in extreme pain, unable to prepare for the next race or training session. I was fairly skeptical that something like yoga or stretching could make such a dramatic difference. I was wrong. Gianna put me into a sport specific yoga & stretching routine that paid dividends immediately. My chronic lower back pain was virtually gone within the first week of following her routine. I have now designed the program, along with Gianna’s guidance, to fit my very busy schedule by doing a 20 to 30 minute session in the morning and evening.   Thanks to Gianna, I can now continue my obsessive training & racing schedule.

-Scott Harman, Portland, OR

Gianna is an incredibly smart and creative individual. Her ability to see the whole picture gives her an edge when it comes to delivering excellence. Her presence is grounding and her enthusiasm is contagious. I would highly recommend working with her.

-Gina Mollicone-Long, Bestselling Author and Coach, Toronto, CANADA

 

Gianna helped me to create my own yoga practice over the course of six weeks. She is patient, creative, and affirming. I’ve found that the individual approach to yoga can take you very far in a short amount of time and the feedback and instruction from someone who really gets to know you is invaluable.

-Tom Mattox, Portland, OR

 

I first met Gianna when I attended a talk she gave in the community. I was considering following an Ayurvedic diet to help balance stress and anxiety problems. Gianna was discussing the combination of Ayurveda, Yoga and antioxidants to support and facilitate health and wellness and an embrace of the mind-body connection to healing. I was immediately impressed with Gianna’s knowledge and experience with all 3 subjects, but mostly I was drawn to what an open, grounded, enthusiastic, and genuine person she is. She is professional, yet warm and caring. I felt like I could trust her and I had a feeling that she could help me take an active role in my health and healing and to develop a personal practice to facilitate that. I feel like my sessions with Gianna are such a gift. I now have a fully developed yoga and meditation practice that has supported my getting off all medications previously prescribed for stress and anxiety.

-Tambra S., Portland, OR

 

Gianna, Thanks again for your time today. Your understanding, support, and encouragement are all so important to my journey.  It is such a gift to find a kindred spirit like you who not only recognizes and appreciates these alternative paths but also can offer tools to facilitate growth and awareness along the way… a lot of my focus has come out of our conversation.  It was extremely empowering for you to affirm this journey of mine while reminding me that most of society has no clue what I’m doing here… thanks again.

– Pam Stringer, Portland, OR

I was a little nervous going to my very first session with Gianna because I know I am not that flexible and I had hip replacement surgery last year. Within only a few minutes of being in her studio I was relaxed and confident that she would gently guide and teach me yoga poses that would work with my physical limitations. My goal is to use yoga to gain strength, be more flexible, lose weight, and above all relieve stress. After only three sessions I am amazed at not only what I have learned, but how much I look forward to waking up in the morning and practicing my yoga. I’m excited because it is getting easier for me with every practice session and I have noticed a positive difference in how I feel.

The beauty of yoga is that you can take it with you wherever you go.  During these challenging and stressful economic times it is very important that we all remember to take care of ourselves. Without our health and well being we will not have the strength we need right now. I have reevaluated every place I am spending my money, but my yoga sessions with Gianna remain a priority. My investment with Gianna is the absolute best thing I have done for myself this year. I am a better person with yoga in my life and I am so thankful to have met Gianna when I did. She always reminds me that with yoga you can find that “quiet peaceful place” wherever you are and whenever you need it!!

-Kelly McGuire, Portland, OR

I’m a big fan of Gianna, and the services she provides. Through the practice she developed for me, I’ve been able to lengthen my incredibly tight and short muscles, and focus on breathing and relaxation. I also started taking the supplements that she provides and have had excellent results with an increase in antioxidants in my system. I feel confident that I am healthier, and more resistant to both disease and injury, as a direct result of working with Gianna. And I must say that on top of all these things, she is a marvelous person with a beautiful soul – you will be better off just for knowing her, regardless of the services you decide to try! 

-Arianne Westby (Cakarnis), Portland, OR

I was a sack of nuts and bolts that needed a new direction physically. The same old gym workouts were getting old, and my resolve was waning. My breathing was a problem too. Over the years I often wanted to try yoga but was too intimidated by all the apparently convoluted poses and unfamiliar surroundings. I always knew I would find someone to help me get over that initial barrier, and introduce me properly to the wonderful world of yoga and its many rewards. And I did in Gianna Piccardo from Balanced Wellness. She patiently directed me over a 12 week period to learn how to use my body differently strengthening my core, increasing flexibility and improving my balance that bled off into improving my weekend sports of sportbiking, motocrossing and skiing not to mention sleeping.

She also added a nutritional supplement called CordyMax to help with my occasional exercise induced asthma, and regular night time breathing problems. It amazingly worked immediately as well as the yoga improving my quality of life by helping me sleep better and breathe more efficiently throughout every day and night. Plus the mental benefits of the yoga were a major unknown, but what a wonderful natural high yoga provides.

Gianna makes it so easy, and supports you during and after the program with practice cd’s and instructional/practice aids. Now I have the confidence to walk into any yoga facility and take a class. I may still be the same sack of nuts and bolts, but Gianna helped me put them all together with the missing washers. I feel so much better than I ever have, and every time I practice what Gianna taught me I feel like a new man. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a easy and inexpensive personal window into yoga and its multifaceted benefits. Or anything having to do with wellness and nutrition. She is a gem among rocks I assure you.

-Robert R, Portland, OR

Balanced Wellness has been chosen as a top 10 pick in Portland:

PORTLAND PICKS™
life + style to you: every Friday

See the write-up at
http://www.portlandpicks.com/newsletter/0245.php
#4 “Such a Poser”, October 10th, 2008