©REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
Pre-reading questions:
- What strategies or methods do you use to relax and unwind after a stressful day or week?
- Can you think of any unique combinations of activities that could potentially enhance people’s relaxation or joy?
Vocabulary:
- relief /ri-LEEF/
- launch /lawnch/
- concept /KON-sept/
- expand /ik-SPAND/
- delightful /dih-LAHYT-fuhl/
[noun] – a feeling of happiness that something unpleasant has not happened or has ended
The rain brought a sense of relief to the farmers after a long period of drought.
[verb] – to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product
The company plans to launch its latest smartphone model next month, aiming to capture a wider market audience with its innovative features.
[noun] – a principle or idea
The concept of sustainability involves balancing environmental, social, and economic factors to ensure long-term well-being for future generations.
[verb] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way
The company plans to expand its operations overseas, aiming to reach new markets and broaden its global presence.
[adjective] – very pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable
The children’s laughter was a delightful sound that echoed through the playground, bringing joy to all who heard it.
Article reading:
At Puppy Yoga Paris, people engage in 20 minutes of yoga followed by 40 minutes of fun with cute puppies, like ten Golden Retrievers. Ella Rubinski explains how it attracts busy city dwellers in compact homes, aiming to create a peaceful atmosphere with these charming animals. The sessions cost 35 euros before but increased to 45 euros this year. Ella Rubinski partners with local breeders who supply animals for the sessions; the puppies stay briefly before departing in the evening. Inspired by the increasing interest, she has launched a center in Madrid and aims to open more across France in 2024, sharing the happiness of yoga with playful puppies with a larger audience. This unique concept of combining yoga with playful puppies aims to provide a special way for busy Parisians to relax and find joy in their busy lives. Ella Rubinski plans to expand this business across France, allowing more people to experience the benefits of yoga while enjoying the delightful company of young animals.
Comprehension questions
- What is the unique activity that Parisians can now enjoy for stress relief?
- Who is the founder of Puppy Yoga Paris, and why did she start this initiative?
- How does Puppy Yoga Paris combine yoga exercises with other activities?
- How long do people practice yoga and engage with puppies in a Puppy Yoga Paris session?
- What kind of puppies participate in the sessions, and how many of them are usually present?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever tried a unique way to relax or relieve stress, similar to puppy yoga, that helped you manage a busy schedule or brought joy to your life? If yes, what was it, and how did it make you feel? If not, would you think about trying an activity like puppy yoga for relaxation? Why or why not?
- Can you remember a time when spending time with animals made you feel happier or improved your mental well-being? How did this experience influence your mood or stress levels? If you haven’t had this experience before, how do you think being around animals might help you relax and reduce stress?
- Do you think creative methods like puppy yoga can really help people in busy cities relax and reduce stress?
- What do you think about the idea of renting animals from local breeders for activities like puppy yoga? Are there any ethical concerns that come to mind about this practice?
- Ella Rubinski plans to expand puppy yoga to other cities in France and around the world. What difficulties or differences in culture might arise when introducing puppy yoga to new communities? How do you think these challenges could be overcome?