Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper

I enjoyed reading Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper, but having watched the movie starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva and Jason Patric, I wasn't too happy with how they've made the movie out of the novel.  I guess because I have read the book, I felt the film lack the deeper emotional issues each character had in the novel.  The film had a different ending to the book.  It leaves the film with no essense to remember it by.  I just had dinner with a close friend last night, and told her I have a short term memory at the moment.  So, thinking the ending in the film can't have been right, I re-read the book's ending.  Both endings were different.  I don't know, I guess I preferred if they had stuck to the story line instead of making such a drastic change to the original ending.  Well, I would give the film a 6/10.  The book is definitely better.

Time Heals & Strengthens

Life is transforming and for me, it's time along with patience and full awareness I have been able to see the physical spiritual and emotional changes taking place.  Maybe not each day, but once in a while, I learn to realise, if I face my fear, I deal with the challenges a lot better rather than avoiding the issues.  That's the beauty of yoga, it takes years of practice to come into any pose without compromising any particular part of the body.

As a teacher, I'm still refining my asanas, finding which part of the muscles I can actively engage to maximise my full potential in each pose.  But there's a fine moment where I need to ask myself this,"Am I pushing my body beyond it's limit? To which part of my pose do I put a stop so I don't hurt myself? Do I find this  pose therapeutic for my mind and body? Who am I proving myself to? Is my ego hurting me?"

But it's amazing to see each time when I practice, my poses feels better and stronger, not because I'm pushing myself to 'get there' but rather I'm working with my breaths and the 'lines of energy' that exudes our of my body axis.  Imagination and visualisation is powerful.

I even have to admit, even after years of practice, there are times when I get aches in places where it frustrates and annoys me as a yoga teacher.  But I'm honest with myself, I try to find a 'way' to 'free' the part I find stuck.  All of us have unique bodies, different make.  I find a map to 'freedom' in my pose when I practice.  And even if I don't find the answer, I let time do the work and be my healer.  Like in life, even when someone or something else hurts me, I give myself time to calm my anger.  And when I've turned calm, I reason my hurt with love and grace.  I find my importance to find peace not only in myself but in the people around me, cause if I can't peace in others, how are we ever going to create a better world to live in, right?

Easyoga apparels in Brunei

Finally, 'easyoga' brands are now selling in Brunei at Ref Station Sports shop in Kiulap.  Look for the sports station at block A, shophouse number 9, ground floor.  I queried with whom I assume is the owner Angie Chan, and she's hoping to get next stock of yoga mats by the end of the month.  But do check her place out, she just shipped in a box of yoga apparels.  Good thing we don't have to lug the premium mats back from overseas anymore!