Benjamin Finnerty's Yoga Workshop, Brunei

It has been busy for the last two days at Yogi Bliss Studio, with so much information to assimilate, absorb and understand from Benjamin.  From day one, the students learnt how to integrate and engage their muscles effectively in each asana.  Benjamin was patient and his good sense of humor made the students feel at ease during the workshops, which helped to build a student - teacher relationship pretty quickly.

On day two, Benjamin then lead us into our meditational class.  The turnout was great and the students followed through Ben's soothing voice.  There was a glow on everyone's faces when the session ended, and the response from most was, " Hey Jac, when will be able to invite Ben back for more teachings?"

Well, the workshops has been successful, so I would say Ben will be back with us soon enough.

                                  10th & 11^th March 2012!

                                      Benjamin Finnerty

                                   “Purification of Elements”

Benjamin's yoga studies take him all over the world to follow the Anusara way, and he teaches teachers and spreads the Anusara light in every way he can. He has participated in more than 2000 hours of certification training for Yoga Teachers, holds 5 yoga teaching certifications, and he is currently participating in the Anusara certification process.

Since beginning teaching in 2002, Benjamin has taught more than 5000 hours of public and private yoga classes, as well as hundred's of hours of training teachers in the USA and China as well as Internationally

10^th March 2012, Saturday      

9.30am till 12pm                              

Space workshop. The element called space Akasha is expansive. In this workshop we will learn to cultivate the space in our being that will give us a deeper understanding of the infinite space that rests within our own hearts. We will do Backbends in celebration of our natural spaciousness that is at the center of our being. (2.5 hours)

 2.30pm till 5pm

Earth and Air workshop. Earth is called Prithivi and Air or wind is called Vayu. When we learn to be powerful and steady like the earth, it can give us the capacity to harness the power of the air as we become channels for our highest potential. This workshop we will develop stability and power in standing poses as we prepare for arm balances and inversions. (2.5 hours)

11^th March 2012, Sunday

9.30am till 12pm

Fire and Water workshop. Fire is agni and water is ap. The power that fire contains is one of the most powerful forces in the universe.  In this workshop we will learn to cultivate the capacity to be fluid like water and powerful like fire as we go deeply into hip openers and seated poses. (2.5 hours)

Meditation 2 to 3pm 

Workshop Fees  $95 per workshop            Venue: Yogi Bliss Health & Spa Studio

                           $275 for 3 workshops                                 2nd Flr, Blk B, 

                                                                                        Simpang21,Gadong

                                                                                        Brunei Darussalam 

                                                                                            

Early Bird Discount  : $80 per workshop                                    

(Before 1st March)             $230 for 3 workshops

  

Contact: Jac Fang @ 8930886

Coldplay's Fix You - Music Matters for Japan (Various Artists)

"Fix You" For Japan

"Fix You"

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down on your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down on your face
And I...

Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down on your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/index.html   (Japanese Red Cross Society)

All For A Good Cause

CAS is holding our 6th Activity Day on Sun 15 Jan at Unit 4, Block A, Gadong Muhibbah Complex II from 2 - 4.30pm. We hope to take this opportunity to raise awareness on animal welfare, and the importance of controlling the urban stray and domestic pet population through sterilisation.
Food donations and sponsorships that will go towards the strays’ medical bills and sterilisation costs are welcome on the day. All sponsorships will be supported by medical bills once the funds are utilised. We are also looking for volunteers in several areas which include Administration, Fundraising, Volunteer Coordination, and Rehoming. There are a wide range of positions available that will suit your skills, interests, and time commitments. Please email if you require further information about the roles.
We are also urgently looking for temporary foster homes for our dogs and cats.
Hope you and your friends can come to meet the lovely selection of strays that are still looking for a place to call home!

Adieu 2011

Today's New Year's Eve has a more profound meaning to it than most New Year's Eve I can remember.  It has truly been a year of life transforming decisions, and whether they had any significance to my life path number, my zodiac signs, my chinese horoscopes or my life foretold by several fortune tellers, I know my life this year has been more than mere coincidences.  It's like I could see how my life, and everyone else's life is fully orchestrated by these invincible hands, working to make sure incidences were interwoven carefully so we fulfil our life's balance at the utmost potential.
The beginnings of this year was filled with tears and heartaches, desiring to have a child of my own has been an ongoing desire for years.  Maybe it's something inside that runs like clockwork, maybe it's the hormones that sends you brain signals, ....I have three young nephews, and out of the three, the other two are real handfuls.  But I love them to bits, they are naughty but lovable in every way.  
When my six months of fertility treatment didn't work, it was days of self pity and blaming everything else.  I guess the one thing that pulled me through was believing I've always pulled through difficult times, knowing truly to name Him as God.  I feel his amazing presence in all things I do, and knowing there's a reason to most things in life.  It's just a matter of looking deep within our hearts.
Facing our inner truth is the most scariest things we could ever do.  Having courage to step out of our fears into the unknown is a quality most of us still thirst for.  I don't even know if I'm really and truly in my utmost truth, but I know at least I've faced some of my devilish and scariest parts of my life.
I looked into my relationships with loved ones, and where there were unhappiness, I addressed them with loving kindness and compassion.  I didn't see any reason to be angry or bitter.  I learn to trust the power within, and in heart, to courageously let go of things that were not meant to be in my travels in this life.  I've learnt that if I truly loved myself, I could never hurt another.  I saw myself in them, and I would want them to find as much peace and happiness as I would want them for myself. 

Eckhart Tolle
The most important, the primordial relationship in your life is your relationship with the Now, or rather with whatever form the Now takes, that is to say, what is or what happens.  If your relationship with the Now is dysfunctional, that dysfunction will be reflected in every relationship and every situation you encounter.  The ego could be defined simply in this way: a dysfunctional relationship with the present moment.  It is at this moment that you can decide what kind of relationship you want to have with the present moment.
" Do I want the present moment to be my friend or my enemy?" The present moment is inseparable from life, so you are really deciding what kind of relationship you want to have with life.

The last 6 months, they are my past and will also play more significance part of my future.  The dreams and nightmares all come from a place of illusion that life is what it is, because we are all part of a big play on a stage.  And how we decide to live our destiny is the big question, do I step out of the play and start my own quest of self truth or do I carry on with the tide and let it carry me where it wants to. Sometimes, you just got to throw yourself off the tangent to see what's on the other side.  I definitely like to play.  I definitely like to take risk to see what can be and not stroll along anymore to the what if's, and instead look into possibilities of the many things that can happen.  Why not? We did them when we were kids, why should we stop now. 

I remember these words, never be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

Two weeks ago, I was told I have polyarthritis.  AND it's not an old person's disease, I just happened to have it.  But it doesn't stop me from living my life the way I want to.  Okay, I might not be able to do certain things but I'm still living freely, I'm still moving, I'm still breathing and I'm so lucky to be where I am, what I am and what I do.  Like dearest Nicole S. always says "Super!!!!"

So, 2011...I bid 'adieu' to you, if I could hug you I would.  You have given me oodles of love, joy, tears, heartaches, sadness, turmoils, adventures, new friends, old friends, old loves, new loves, breathtaking moments, crazy challenges...but I love you still, for teaching me so much.  I greet 2012 with oodles of hope and peace for all to live in light and love. 

"Faith allows us to trust in the present moment as we observe our part in the Divine plan" (N.J Devi)

Tango Workshops With Ogie Mendoza

Dates : 3rd, 4th & 5th February 2012
Venue: Yogi Bliss Health Studio
Beginners Workshops -Introduction To Basic Argentine Tango Steps
                                 BND $350 for 6 Total Hours
                                 Per Workshop $116
                                 Scheduled From 4 to 6pm

Intermediate/Adv Workshops BND $450 for 6 Total Hours
                                                    Per Workshop $150
                                                    Scheduled From 1 to 3pm

Private Classes Can Be Scheduled Between 9am and 12.30pm.
Fees at $150 per hr.

If you further enquiries, please contact Elaine at 8846848
    

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Merry Christmas !

                         

              Christmas Bazaar at Yogi Bliss Health Studio
                        Join us on the 18th December from 2pm onwards!
    * Part of the proceeds from the sale will go towards the Bali Orphanage.*

And these are the things you'll get to see and buy.....Accessories, Crystals, Handmade Crafts and Books, Party Dresses, Scarves, Bags, Mince Pies, Cakes and Much More!

Cancer Patients Experience Benefits of Yoga

 
Yoga, as I’m sure you know, provides many benefits for an extremely diverse assortment of physical issues from back and joint pain to stress management and overall well-being. The success millions of people have had with yoga prompted the medical community to take notice of the benefits. Today, many doctors’ (including the Mayo Clinic) recommend a yoga practice to cancer patients. And while yoga does not cure cancer, it does provide several important benefits to cancer patients.

Yoga primarily is beneficial because it relieves many of the symptoms related to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Cancer patients often must undergo these painful treatments, and suffer fatigue and nausea after. However, a mild yoga program relieves the nausea, which is unbearable for many patients and helps maintain patients’ energy. While many still feel fatigued it is to a much, much lesser degree. For cancer patients this is often a very welcome relief.

Yoga has also been shown to increase the number of red blood cells which is particularly important for cancer patients. Regular yoga practice increases the circulation of oxygen carrying blood cells and adequate oxygen supplies are undeniably important in healing the a cancerous body. The improved circulation and increased red blood cells helps the body to heal and keeps the immune system in working shape.

Attitude is also an important aspect of fighting cancer and one many cancer patients struggle with. Because cancer is a devastating disease is often fatal if not treated early it can be difficult for cancer patients to stay positive. Yoga, however, is proven to increase a person's sense of well being and can help patients maintain a positive attitude.

Another of the amazing benefits of yoga is that it can help people sleep better. Sleep is essential to maintaining health during cancer treatments. Furthermore, for cancer patients sleep deprivation can cause emotional and physical breakdowns but yoga can help patients get a restful sleep and feel better throughout the day. 

By Trevor Bradshaw

Tango With Ogie Mendoza

Thank you Ogie Mendoza for coming over to Brunei and gracing us with your 'tango love'.  We've learned so much and we thank the students including teachers who have supported us in the last few days.  There's so much to learn and I'm happy we still have our tango teacher Jhung Saile at Yogi Bliss Studio.  And hopefully, by end April next year, Ogie will come visit us again with more tango moves to teach!

A Journey to Remember

"Pilgrim, pilgrimage, and road-it was but myself toward my Self, and your arrival was but myself at my own door" Rumi

My journey into Bali this time round will always be memorable.  I travelled there without expectations, without knowing what I was going to do for one whole week.  Yes, relaxation was 'one to do' on my list, and watching Devdan was the other.  But arriving there was just a relief to my soul.  For some reason, I felt connected to the place, not because of what Bali 'should' be, but my love for everything that resided there. 

I journeyed to places: and as the saying goes," beauty is in the eyes of the beholder", and in my eyes- whether the roads were rubbles, with houses half built, crazy hustles and bustles...I saw 'colors' all around me.  The days greeted me with the morning beauty of the sun, beautifully decorated entrances, lined with pink and yellow frangipannis.  No sunrise wherever I may be, ever fails to impress me with their full light shining into the day.  And if anything else, I felt there was defintely the Divine's making, it's vast power in the mountains, waterfalls and volcanoes I felt in my heart and soul.

I felt as if the spirits of the place were dancing to the stars at night and telling me life  never ceases, it is never born, it is eternal as Sri Krishna had reminded Arjuna of his immortal nature, his real Self. And what a coincidence to be in Bali at the time when there's a full moon festival taking place.  The bright light shining brightly from the moon at night is as if to assure you there's still beauty even in the nights ahead. 

" Dont be afraid your life will end.  Be afraid that it will never begin." Grace Hansen

How true...how would we live if we had no fear in us?  With beautiful landscapes like pictures in books to look at, Bali encouraged me to do things with courage and as if she knows the results might be something spectacular.  And yes, I got more than just spectacular.  Swimming in the reefs with the fishes in Lovina was my highlight.  I would never have done it if I had let my fears overcome me.  I've never been a fond of the sea since my last encounter with it as a kid,  having nearly drowned in the waters before.  But when I jumped into the amazing blue waters of Lovina, I saw the beauty of God's amazing work in the ocean.  Swimming above it felt like flying high in the skies.  For an exchange of mere courage to 'just be', I got more than I could ever ask for. A witness to the extraodinary beauties of the sea.  What a gift!

"What you are is what you have been, what you will be is what you do know" - Lord Buddha

There are things in my life that still holds me, chained to fear and lack of trying, but I'm learning to pluck up my courage to come into a place of possibilities and results that may liberate me from my comfort zone.

But whichever path I may or have taken, it's the abundance of love that's available all around me as long as I open my heart right out to reach and embrace them whenever I can. 

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray." Rumi

One dear friend always reminded me of the word 'simplicity'.  And for sure, the children in Bali reminds me of the pure joy and happiness you can have with simplicity.  Even though, life can be a little harsh or hard for the little ones there, they have this beaming exude of love shining through their eyes.  With less to possess and if willed ..more to complain, the little ones are still content with little to hold. And I feel like taking a dive in those bright eyes and rediscover their joys of life.

"Look through the eyes of the child, they have more to teach us than we can learn in a lifetime" - Anonymous.

"Always give from the overflow of your well, not from its depth"-Sufi Saying

I've learned there are no limitations to my love, not only for myself but extending them to others without judgement. 

"Through compassion you find that all human beings are just like you" Dalai Lama

Yoga Workshops With Nicole Serrano

Give Love!

A soulful journey into Bali

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.  It will not lead you astray.  (Rumi)

Pre Workshops to Nicole Serrano

Pre Yoga Workshop I & II

Key Words To Remember

Maki & Myself
'Preparing our notes'

How to align in one legged downward dog

                       Argentine Tango Workshop With Ogie Mendoza

Beginners Class
Time:- 1 till 3 p.m
Date:- 27th, 28th, 29th October
Contents:- Academic Basics, Postura (Posture), Abraso (Open/Close Embrace), Entrada and Salida, Ochos (Forward & Back)

Intermediate Advance Class
Time:- 3 till 5p.m
Date:- 27th, 28th, 29th October
Contents:- Axis, Boleo (Front and Back), Sacadas, Barrida

Price Lists:
Beginners Workshops $390 BND  (Inclusive of Milonga Nights 28th & 29th October)
Int/ Advance Workshops $520 BND (Inclusive of Milonga Nights 28th & 29th October)

Per Workshop for Beginners $130
Per Workshop for Int/Adv $173

Venue: Yogi Bliss Health & Spa Studio
Contact: Elaine C at 8846848