Linda discovered the benefits of yoga six years ago after moving from London to Rochester, NY. Since then, yoga has become a way of life for her. She practices yoga on daily basis and attends regular classes in a variety of styles. Recognizing the absence of professional yoga studios in Yerevan and wishing to share her passion for the many benefits of yoga with Yerevan residents, Linda was encouraged to establish Shoonch.
Contact:
Bella Machkalyan
Yoga Instructor
Bella is a certified yoga instructor. She started practicing yoga in 2003 when studying in London. Initially, much of her learning was through reading books and practicing on her own. After her return to Yerevan, when the opportunity was presented to her, she agreed to further commit to yoga and become a yoga teacher. In 2007, Bella attended World Conscious Yoga Family yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh, India developed by Yogi Vishyketu Ph.D. and Chetana Panwar and obtained her Yoga Alliance registered 200 hour certificate. Bella is looking forward to sharing her passion and experience with you.
Contact:
Shushan Hovhannisyan
Yoga Instructor
Shushan is a certified yoga instructor.She was introduced to yoga by the visiting American Peace Corps Volunteers in 2004. As her interest in yoga grew, she started to share her experience with others and became a self taught yoga instructor. When the opportunity was presented to her, she agreed to get formal training to become a certified yoga teacher. She attended yoga teacher training course with certified Iyengar Instructor Francois Raoult, M.A. R.Y.T at Open Sky in Rochester, NY. During her training, Shushan assisted Francois Raoult in his Louisville, Kentucky workshop, and some back care classes in Rochester, NY.
Contact:
Zarine Grigoryan
Yoga Instructor
Zarine Grigoryan received her yoga teacher certificate in Ashtanga yoga from Yagobov Yoga Institute, Los Angeles, USA. Zarine has been practicing yoga since 2004. She was introduced to yoga when studying Indian philosophy during her studies at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography. Zarine’s principal yoga teacher and mentor has been her brother, Roland Yagobov who is an experienced and well established yoga instructor. Her initial teaching experience was gained by providing voluntary instructions to her friends. Zarine joined the team at Shoonch in the fall of 2009
Contact:
Yulia Gharibyan
Trainee Yoga Instructor
Yulia graduated from Yerevan State University the faculty of Theoretical Mechanics. She was introduced to Yoga at Shoonch two years ago when pregnant with her second child. Having enjoyed the benefits of Yoga, she expressed interest in advancing her knowledge and becoming trained as a Yoga instructor. Yulia has completed her basic Yoga instructor training at Shoonch and in March is planning to start her formal training and becoming certified as a Yoga instructor in Boston, USA.
Contact:
Luci Martirosyan
Pilates Instructor
Luci
is a professional ballerina graduated from Moscow State Academic
Theatre of Dance, Russia. In 2002, after ending her ballet career on
the stages of Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre she left for
Moscow to train as a Pilates instructor and start her second career.
After the completion of her training, she returned to Yerevan in 2003
and became a self-employed Pilates instructor. Luci is looking forward
to sharing her formal training and the experience gained over the last
four years teaching Pilates with you.
Contact:
Ani Nersisyan
Trainee Pilates Instructor
Ani has been studying music at the Yerevan State Conservatory. Her interest in Pilates originated from her mother, Luci Martirosyan, a successful and well established Pilates instructor. In November 2009, after receiving extensive training from Luci, Ani started work at Shoonch as a trainee pilates instructor
Contact:
Vicky Odeh
Facial Therapist
Vicky is a certified facial therapist with world renowned Institut de
beaute Mary Cohr, Paris, France. She practiced her profession in
Tehran, Iran for five years before moving to Yerevan in 2003 to
establish her own skin care centre, Vitak. Vicky joins the team at
Shoonch to provide the highest level of facial care to the Spa clients.
Contact:
Vahe Danielyan
Massage Therapist
Vahe has been a sportsman since he was 7. His love of sports eventually
took him in the direction of anatomy and massage therapy. In 1990 he
qualified as a massage therapist at the Sports and Physical Education
department of Moscow Medical School, Russia.
After his return to Yerevan, he studied psychology at Yerevan State
University for five years while working as a massage therapist. Today,
Vahe practices as a child psychologist and continues his work as a
massage therapist. Vahe is a very creative and loves to experiment and
explore with different massage types and techniques. In addition to the
classic massages, Vahe specializes in giving Thai massage and massage
with hot stones.
Contact:
Joanne Patti Munisteri
Massage Therapist
Joanne is a dual citizen of the United States and New Zealand. She is a graduate of Georgetown University for her Bachelor of Science, Circle-in the-Square Professional School for her Diploma in Performing Arts, Massey University for her Graduate Diploma in Education and the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for her training in Chinese Medicine, Tuina (Chinese Medical Massage) and Medical Qigong. She has done residencies at Lincoln Hospital, New York, Belfast, Northern Ireland, New South Wales, Australia and has worked with Indigenous peoples in North America, Australia and New Zealand. She continues to train with Master Li JunFeng Wudan martial arts master and Shen Zheng Qigong master. Joanne is here in Armenia teaching at the Yerevan State Medical University and the Center for Medical Genetics as a fellow with the Center for Intercultural Education and Developement. She has always had an intense interest in other cultures, all types of movement, dance and healing.
Contact:
Zara Nahapetyan
Receptionist
Zara is a graduate of Yerevan State Linguistic University, majoring
in Spanish and English. Zara has chosen to put her communication and
organizational skills to looking after Shoonch clients. Zara is often the first
point of contact for new members and is always happy to assist Shoonch members
with their enquiries.
