Early Life and Education

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Pedram Shojai was born on July 21, 1975, in Tehran, Iran, and moved to Southern California during the Iranian revolution. Shojai graduated high school in 1993 and pursued the pre-med track at UCLA,[1] before ultimately graduating with a BA in History.[2]

Shojai's deep interest in health and wellness began at UCLA, where he discovered Tai Chi and Daoist philosophy. These experiences had a profound effect on him, ultimately leading him to become a senior student of Grandmaster Carl Totton at the Daoist Institute of LA and Share K Lew.[3] He took ordination as a Daoist Minister and later became an Abbot of that tradition in 2010.[4]

Career

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Shojai began his professional career as an acupuncturist, but always had a passion for health-focused media. He produced his first film, Vitality, in 2012,[5] and continued working on health-based movies, including Origins in 2014,[6] Prosperity in 2016,[7] and The Great Heist in 2022.[8] During his work on these projects, he also published numerous books, which have landed him a New York Times Bestseller slot.[9] These works include "The Urban Monk" (2016),[10] "The Art of Stopping Time" (2017),[11] and "Focus" (2020).[12] All of these contributions share the purpose of promoting alternative health perspectives.

The Urban Monk

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The Urban Monk brand was born out of a recognition that the challenges faced by modern individuals when working to maintain a balanced and spiritual life were often overshadowed by their immediate obligations.[13] The Urban Monk guides its audience toward peace and serenity, the importance of balance, and the pursuit of peace within the present.[14] Shojai has made various media appearances on the topic of The Urban Monk brand, including The Today Show on NBC,[15] where he advocates for a more integrative approach to health and wellness.

Health and Wellness Advocacy

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Shojai's contributions to alternative medicine are characterized by his opposition to the prevailing "pill-for-ill" model and his advocacy for lifestyle prevention.[1] His beliefs state that the healthcare system’s focus should include vitalistic principles, and attempt to enhance health and quality of life rather than merely the absence of disease.[14] His films and courses at the Urban Monk Academy are designed to teach the establishment of positive habits that contribute to overall well-being.[6]

Awards and Recognition

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Shojai's efforts have been featured in the Integrative Medicine Journal.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Pedram Shojai: Meet the Urban Monk - Sounds True". www.resources.soundstrue.com. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  2. ^ Register, DEEPA BHARATH The Orange County (2016-03-20). "Best-selling author lives life like an urban monk". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  3. ^ Family, Jessica Peralta | OC (2008-12-04). "The Spirituality of Health". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  4. ^ Shojai, Pedram (Jul 10, 2024). "Home". The Urban Monk. Retrieved Jul 10, 2024.
  5. ^ "Pedram Shojai | Executive, Producer, Director". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  6. ^ a b Design (2023-07-06). "Films and Series | The Urban Monk". Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  7. ^ "IFC Center - Prosperity". IFC Center. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  8. ^ "The Great Heist: Awaken Your Financial Freedom Course". store.theurbanmonk.com. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  9. ^ "Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous Books - Best Sellers - Books - Feb. 21, 2016 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  10. ^ Griffith, Charelle (2020-06-19). "[Review] The Urban Monk by Pedram Shojai, OMD". Charelle Griffith. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  11. ^ "The Art of Stopping Time by Pedram Shojai: 9781623369095 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  12. ^ "Focus: Bringing Time, Energy, and Money into Flow". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  13. ^ Shojai, Pedram (2023-10-06). "The Urban Monk: A Contemporary Approach to Cultivating Mindfulness | The Urban Monk". Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  14. ^ a b Shojai, Pedram (2023-05-10). "About | The Urban Monk". Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  15. ^ "#StartTODAY: See Jenna Bush Hager Learn Mindfulness From an 'Urban Monk'". NBC News. 2017-01-27. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  16. ^ McCloud, MFA, Andrea (April 15, 2006). "Vitality Healthcare strives for continuity of care: an interview with Pedram Shojai, LAc, and Rand Torralva, MD". Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal. 5 (2) – via Integrative Medicine Archives.