MONTHLY HIGHLIGHT

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About ZEN&CO.

When asked "What surprises you most about humanity?" the Dalai Lama replied,
"Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health."

Mission | Background | Philosophy

Mission

ZEN&CO. hopes to actively improve the wellness of employees and executives who are under a lot of stress, as they often are in the corporate sector. The company comes to your workplace to teach simple, natural techniques with lasting results to cope with and reduce stress. Using yoga-inspired relaxation techniques, ZEN&CO. helps participants learn to practise on their own and take responsibility for achieving a satisfactory mental and physical balance.

Background

Julie Banville

As the founder of ZEN&CO., Julie Banville knows the reality of daily life in business, where stress goes hand in hand with performance. Her experience in the corporate sector resulted in both physical and mental suffering. Fortunately, she discovered the life-changing power of wellness techniques, taught by her company today.

Julie, who has a degree in marketing and management, relies on simple and effective tools that produce concrete, measurable results. The techniques taught by ZEN&CO. can certainly improve a team of employees' health, as well as bring a greater sense of calm to the workplace.

Philosophy

  • Overall health = Healthy body, alertness, emotional intelligence (intuition)
  • Knowledge = Power to change
  • Live in the present = Key to being positive

It is acknowledged that to achieve a balanced body, mind and emotions, you have to first look at your overall health. It is therefore important to know how you are put together, if you are to succeed.

Stress is one of the scourges of society and costs a lot. It is thought that about 90 percent of medical consultations are related to stress. More than 50 percent of people in the workplace claim to suffer from high levels of stress. To avoid overworking, you have to learn how to manage and reduce stress. To do this, your mind must be calm. It is also essential if you want to take control of your life on a personal and professional level. ZEN&CO. believes that serenity can be achieved by practising its suggested yoga techniques

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Team

ZEN&CO. is a team of experienced teachers who is happy to come to your offices and offer a weekly "serenity break" to employees and executives.

If you would like to join our team, please send us your CV.

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Why ZEN&CO.?

  • ZEN&CO. has offered wellness classes in the workplace since 2004.
  • Our team of wellness experts have been trained to meet the specific needs of businesses.
  • Our teachers are qualified and recognized in their fields.
  • We offer turnkey programs.
  • We assess participants' satisfaction and the effects of the techniques taught on their overall health.
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Testimonials

  • I really enjoyed the class - a real break in the day.
  • Since taking yoga classes, I no longer have back problems.
  • I feel a lot more relaxed and I've noticed a real improvement in my quality of life and in the way I deal with stress.
  • The breathing exercises have helped me a lot in my everyday life (during stressful periods and helping me to get to sleep).
  • Yoga is one of the best things I've ever done for myself. My whole way of being has changed.
  • After the class, I feel more self-confident and better equipped to face my workload.
  • A very enriching experience. It's helped me on a personal level and in my relationship with colleagues. I find it easier to relax.
  • I never thought I'd like yoga so much, but since I started, I feel less stressed and I always look forward to Tuesday's class.
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Partner Organizations

ZEN&CO., member of

Groupe de promotion pour la prévention en santéGroupe de promotion pour la
prévention en santé
Fédération Francophone de YogaFédération Francophone de Yoga Fédération Québécoise des MassothérapeutesFédération Québécoise des Massothérapeutes

Wellness Partners

Inspirations and References

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Media Coverage

Le messager de LasalleArticle in Le messager LaSalle magazine
May 2011 (PDF) (in French)
VitaArticle in Vita magazine
Feb-March 2011 (PDF) (in French)
L'Émeraude PlusArticle on L'Eméraude Plus website
December 2010 (in French)
ChâtelaineArticle in Châtelaine magazine
September 2010 (PDF) (in French)
Les VersantsArticle in Les Versants magazine
May 2007 (PDF) (In French)
JouerReport on Radio-Canada's
"Ma vie en main" TV show (in French)

Julie Banville
Julie Banville

Julie experienced the benefits of yoga and meditation when, after completing Management Studies at UQAM and helping run the family business, her life became too hectic. Her schedule made it impossible to take time out. After working briefly in Toronto, she started looking for techniques to cope with her everyday stress and anxiety.

It was at this point that Julie discovered yoga which changed her life completely. She has taught yoga and meditation since the summer of 2006 and also practises reiki. She now focuses on teaching these different techniques in the workplace. As a result of her personal and professional experience and awareness of the specific needs of business people, Julie is deeply convinced that her teaching can give her clients the tools to find peace and serenity.

Julie set up her own company, "ZEN&CO.", whose mission is to bring wellness techniques to the workplace, making it possible for clients to recharge their batteries without having to go anywhere. She has clearly found her way in life, bringing the worlds of wellness and business together. Julie's challenge every day is to live in the present, the most beautiful present that she could create for herself and share with others!

Angela Chiarella, Montreal
Angela Chiarella, Montreal

Angela has been practicing yoga in a variety of traditions since 1998. She completed prenatal yoga teacher training with Janice Clarfield in 2006. Then, she completed her first 200 hours Hatha yoga teacher training in 2007, inspired by the Kripalu tradition with Kelly McGrath and Melanie Chévarie at the Joy of Yoga Studio in Montreal. In 2009 Angela completed a 150 hours advanced yoga teacher training with Hart Lazer and Lyne St Roche and in 2010, she completed her level 1 and 2 of restorative teacher training, with Michael Bridge Dickson.

While studying yoga, Angela came across Buddhism and completed her first ten day Vipassana meditation retreat in 2001 at the Goenka Center in Massachusetts. She continues to attend regular retreats at various retreat centers in Canada and the U.S. In 2008, Angela completed a year long meditation facilitator training program with Noah Levine (author of Dharma Punx and Against the Stream).

Angela is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in the school of social work at McGill University while enjoying teaching yoga.

Becky Todor, Montreal
Becky Todor, Montreal

English version coming soon...
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Professeur certifiée d'hatha yoga oeuvrant à Montréal, Becky cultive un intérêt particulier pour l'enseignement aux débutants ainsi que pour les classes de yoga régénérateur et de yoga prénatal. Elle croit pertinemment que tout le monde peut pratiquer le yoga et adore explorer les variantes possibles de postures, afin de permettre à chacun d'en expérimenter les bienfaits. Aussi encourage-t-elle ses élèves à aborder leur pratique avec curiosité et à développer une plus grande conscience corporelle. Au cours des années, elle a découvert que ses asanas lui ont non seulement procuré une force et une flexibilité physique, mais aussi une force et une flexibilité mentale et spirituelle. Elle considère le yoga comme étant davantage qu'un enchaînement de postures réalisées sur un tapis et espère communique à ses élèves le bonheur de vivre le yoga au quotidien.

Claire Armange, Montreal
Claire Armange, Montreal

English version coming soon...
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Artiste et auteure, les recherches de Claire sur la connaissance de soi l’amènent tout naturellement à rencontrer le yoga. Formée par Hervé Blondon - Swami Premananda Saraswati - à l’École Satyam de Hatha Yoga, Montréal, elle devient professeure et découvre, en donnant son premier cours, que ce qu’elle cherche à apporter à ses élèves est identique à ce qu’elle souhaite provoquer chez l’autre avec son travail artistique: Un retour vers le Soi, une prise de conscience menant à la connaissance et à l’acceptation de soi. Claire quitte alors son emploi d’éditrice et de rédactrice en chef pour se consacrer au yoga et à sa création artistique. Elle expose, publie son premier livre au Québec, en France, en Suisse et en Belgique et collabore à la traduction d’une pièce de théâtre Off-Broadway, jouée à Montréal en 2008.

Ayant travaillé en entreprise, Claire connait les réalités du monde du travail, le besoin d’être sans cesse créatif dans des délais très courts, la compétitivité et le stress qui en découle. Elle conçoit le yoga, l’art et l’écriture, comme des outils avec lesquels elle espère guider les autres vers une meilleure compréhension d’eux-mêmes, faite d’équilibre, de joie, de stabilité, à la rencontre de leur propre sérénité intérieure.

« Chaque jour en faisant des choix nous créons notre propre vie. Avec l’art et le yoga, je cherche à éveiller ou développer la part créative qui existe en chacun de nous ». Claire a reçu le nom spirituel Mati (discernement, pensée spirituelle).

Isabelle Landry, Montreal
Isabelle Landry, Montreal

English version coming soon...
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En 2000, lors d’un séjour de 2 ans à Taiwan, où elle exerçait la profession d’ingénieure, Isabelle ressent un urgent besoin de retour vers soi. Elle s’initie alors au yoga. Elle entreprend par la suite un voyage en Inde et reçoit une formation particulière avec un professeur d’influence.

De retour au Québec, elle laisse une carrière d’ingénieur pour se consacrer entièrement au yoga. Elle entreprend sa formation de professeur de Hatha yoga et est certifiée professeur en 2004, en même temps qu’elle devient propriétaire de Centre Yoga Plus. La naissance de ses jumelles en 2007 a marqué un tournant dans sa vie, elle délaisse la gestion du centre pour se consacrer entièrement à l’enseignement du yoga et à sa pratique.

Carina Raisman, Montreal
Carina Raisman, Montreal

English version coming soon...
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Carina Raisman pratique le Yoga depuis plus de 15 ans et l'enseigne depuis 8 ans. Dès sa première session elle s'aperçoit des bienfaits que lui procure la pratique du yoga et cherche ensuite à élaborer et approfondir sa compréhension ainsi que sa pratique.

Elle poursuit donc des cours dans plusieurs styles, notamment l'Ashtanga, le Satyananda et l'Anusara. Elle suit aussi des cours de danse, massage, et médecine chinoise afin de raffiner sa conscience corporelle. Carina a étudié en Microbiologie-Immunologie et en France, elle étudie a la Faculté de Pharmacie, qui comprend, entres autres, des cours sur l'homéopathie, la phytothérapie et les plantes thérapeutiques.

Carina a combiné tous ces enseignements afin de créer la « Yogathérapie », une science qui combine les bienfaits du Yoga (physique, psychique et physiologique) et offre une approche d'auto-guérison sur mesure.

Geneviève Adams, Montreal
Geneviève Adams, Montreal

Geneviève lives by the notion that life is a journey of discovery. She is on a holistic healing path using the daily practice of yoga as a limitless opportunity to evolve consciously. She pursued a yoga teacher training program in India where she lived in a traditional Ashram. She holds a powerful intention of sharing the healing and transformative powers of this five thousand year old Eastern Wisdom tradition to benefit the Western world.

While sharing her love of yoga she guides her students to help awaken a sense of expansion, harmony and aliveness within. In University, Geneviève studied Health Sciences and she now enjoys studying Quantum Physics, Spirituality, Yoga, Philosophy, and theories of Human Potential and Consciousness as a way of developing a greater understanding of the mind-body-spirit connection. With a deep desire to contribute to others’ lives, Geneviève wishes to guide you on your mat and in life, through your experience to attain an optimal well-being. She is also a life coach and available to support you in any situation you may be facing. She believes that Love is the center and the core of everything, and Self is the place where all must begin. She is open and compassionate which creates a fun and nurturing atmosphere for yogis and yoginis of all levels and horizons.

Patrick Vesin, Montreal

English version coming soon...
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Patrick Vesin détient un Baccalauréat ès Sciences en Éducation physique. Il est formateur en gestion du stress et techniques de relaxation. Il est également conférencier.

Depuis 1979, il est amené à faire des interventions dans différents milieux : Gouvernement du Québec, hôpitaux, commissions scolaires, Universités (Sherbrooke, Montréal), YMCA, caisse populaire, organismes et entreprises privés. Sa solide expérience en tant que gestionnaire d'organisme au niveau provincial lui permet également de bien comprendre les problèmes reliés au milieu du travail.

Formateur agréé par la Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT) (Emploi Québec). No d'agrément: 0055020

Marie-Claire Dumont, Joliette
Marie-Claire Dumont, Joliette

English version coming soon...
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Marie-Claire est directrice fondatrice du centre Terre et Ciel.

Orthophoniste formée en France et professeure de yoga, elle étudie et pratique le yoga depuis plus de 25 ans. Élève de François Lorin.

Sa formation professionnelle chemine depuis la France, diplômée du C.E.R.Y. (Centre d'études et de rencontres pour yoga), en passant par l'Inde, un séjour au Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram de Madras où elle étudie avec T.K.V. Desikachar et le Québec où elle enseigne et poursuit son développement personnel.

Depuis 1991, elle intervient au Québec :

- Professeure au Centre Canadien de Yoga,
- Centre hospitalier régional de Lanaudière, service de pédopsychiatrie,
- Hôpital Jacques Viger de Montréal,
- Maison de la famille: cible famille Brandon,
- Université de Montréal (CEPSUM),
- Clientèle privée.

Curieuse et voyageuse, elle croit à notre pouvoir créateur et à l'importance de nous éveiller à nos forces profondes. Son approche s'enracine dans une quête de plénitude, de paix, de joie et d'amour, alliant la tradition des anciens et la recherche contemporaine.

Marie-Claire Dumont a fondé l'école en 2002 où elle enseigne et forme des professeurs.

Laurence Boudreault, Quebec
Laurence Boudreault, Quebec

English version coming soon...
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Laurence Boudreault est professeure de hatha-yoga, diplômée de l'École de yoga Tous Azimuts, dirigée par Danie Doyon Sarasvati. Elle pratique le yoga depuis l'âge de 20 ans et elle participe régulièrement à des stages de perfectionnement pour approfondir sa pratique.

Son enseignement du yoga vise à redonner à chacun des outils de mieux-être, afin de tendre vers une meilleure santé du corps et de l'esprit, dans le respect de la singularité de chacun.

Serge Parent, Quebec
Serge Parent, Quebec

Serge is a kinesiologist, occupational therapist and massage therapist (member of the FQM). He has been interested in health and wellness for a long time now, and makes it a way of life. Yoga, Qi gong, meditation and more mind body practices have become part of his daily routine in order to live a balanced life. He strongly believes in the creative potential of every human being. For him, massage therapy is a way to touch the person’s soul and help them connect with their bodies. He truly cares about people’s health and well being. That’s why for him, prevention and health promotion are much more than theory but far and foremost a life philosophy.

Marjolaine Leblanc, Quebec
Marjolaine Leblanc, Quebec

Marjolaine Leblanc has studied Yoga at the Vedanta Sivananda international school of Yoga at Reith in Austria. She has been teaching yoga since 2007 in the Quebec region.

She has a bachelor’s degree in social communication. She’s interested in people and in their role of social transformation.

Yoga is part of her life and she finds her inspiration through life’s beauty and through people she meets. Open minded and heartfelt woman, she’s been given the spiritual name Madhavi, “The one who’s as sweet as honey”.

I bow to the Universe that will always surprise me!

Jennifer Young, Montreal
Jennifer Young, Montreal

Jennifer Young is a Hatha Yoga teacher certified by Yoga Alliance, Yogatherapist, trained by Carina Raisman and founder of her company Yoga Life based in Montreal. She is also a registered Naturotherapist with L’association des Naturothérapeutes du Québec’.

She has been practicing Yoga since 2002 and it has become a lifestyle for her, a way of appreciating everything she encounters in her life as an opportunity for learning.

Jennifer has a teaching style that is very therapeutic in nature, and she takes the person as a whole into consideration. She has implemented Yogatherapy at Kinatex West Island, a sports physio clinic in Montreal, where she works in collaboration with physiotherapists, osteopaths, massage therapists, acupuncturists and many more. She is dedicated to making health and happiness accessible to all!

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