Interview: Karoun Yoga

Published: Tuesday, February 09, 2010, 11:21 AM Updated: Tuesday, February 09, 2010, 5:49 PM

              TSM Design

TSM Design talks with Karoun Charkoudian of Karoun Yoga about the many joys of becoming part of Springfield's diverse community.

What lead you to become a yoga instructor?

Karoun Charkoudian of Springfield's Karoun Yoga

I went through a major life change during the summer of 2008. I gave up my corporate job in Houston, sold everything, and moved to Massachusetts. Teaching yoga wasn’t on my radar durng that time. But I had been practicing for five years. I casually signed up for some yoga camps during my transition. It was at these camps that I discovered my gift for teaching yoga. Simultaneously, I moved from Newton to Springfield. It was supposed to be a temporary move, but I fell in love with the city - the historic European architecture, courtyards, urban green spaces, and the many activities within walking distance. I also loved the city’s revitalization efforts. I wanted to be a part of that evolution and growth. But what surprised me the most? There was no urban yoga studio. I felt that I had found my passion for teaching yoga and a city in need of a studio. That’s why I opened Karoun Yoga.

What type of yoga do you teach?

I teach Vinyasa Flow yoga. The emphasis is on moving with the breath. Compared to other forms of yoga, Vinyasa has more fluidity, movement, and emphasis on the breath. Ideally the breath is deep and strong in yoga, even in static positions. It’s the first step in unifying the body and the mind. However, when the focus is solely on alignment, people stop breathing - they grip, cling, and feel stuck. This is a great metaphor for how we deal with challenges in our lives. Everything is so much easier with the breath.

What have some of your students said about your classes?

One of my students is amazed at how yoga helps her run. It’s helped expand her stride and increase her strength and stamina. Other students have noticed that a regular yoga practice helps diminish their anxiety issues. Another student told me that her day is simply more manageable when she realizes it's a "yoga day.”

Tell us about Lunchtime Yoga!

I teach 45-minute lunchtime classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15-1:00 pm on the 13th floor of the Sovereign Bank Building. The classes are open to everyone regardless of experience. It’s a beautiful open space that overlooks the Connecticut River. We can see all the way to the foothills of the Berkshires. Lunchtime yoga is a great way to split up the workday. Some students come in stressed, tired, or even in physical pain. When they leave their faces literally look brighter. They also seem so much more relaxed. Everyone has a lot of fun. We all laugh together through some of the challenging poses.

What do you like most about teaching yoga in downtown Springfield?

Where do I start? I love both teaching spaces. In addition to the Sovereign Bank space, I teach at the 11 Pearl Street studio. That space is as "urban chic" as it gets - large windows, beautiful hardwood floors, and views of Mattoon Street and the courtyard. Our diverse urban community also inspires me. It’s really noticeable in the classes. My students run the gamut. Men and women of all ages, (one of my students is 81), skill levels, ethnic, social and economic backgrounds attend classes regularly. I also teach a donations-only gentle class on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm for those who feel they can’t afford classes but know they can benefit from yoga. The Western Mass Recovery Learning Community sponsors the classes. The sense of community is growing. Many of my students are coming to classes together and forming meaningful connections. We’ve even started doing a "yoga happy hour" together. We look forward to seeing new faces in our classes very soon.

Learn more about Karoun Yoga’s affordable classes available throughout the week.

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