To hold and release

The yoga students that I have met and am teaching have motivated me to find ways of improving myself as a yoga teacher. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they reap the benefits off each pose. More so when they find their inner and outer strength to maintain poses they have found difficult to manage before. With their consistent practice and perseverance, it is always nice to see their hard work 'paying off'.

My challenge is when I meet a student who's pretty much low in self esteem and confidence. And then to change their way of thoughts from 'cannot' to 'can' is something the individual can only do for themselves. But when a student faces her challenge with courage, subconsciously or consciously, I know he/she will continue to discover her other hidden qualities he/she did not know existed.

The strength to maintain Warrior 1,2 and 3 is powerful. To stay focus and to hold the pose for a period of time takes endurance, willpower and determination. And when you release it, it is that moment of freedom from the pose that feels exhilarating. To let go of the pose is not to amid the defeat, but to feel the wonders of surrendering without resistance to changes. Like in life, we endure things, we persist, we fight to survive challenges then comes the moment where you just have to let go of the issues or situation you have been caught in. Having to surrender your emotions and feel it's okay to just 'go with the flow'. Let whatever the situation be to take its course without having to 'direct it' the way you would want it to be.

I remind my students each pose they do carries a different story each time they practice. You can only wear the issues 'on your sleeves' for however long, but know this, it is always more exhilarating and joyful to be free of your issues even for a day or more.

Seeing The Bigger Picture ( The Daily Om, Madisyn Taylor)

August 5, 2008
Seeing The Bigger Picture
Together On Earth
Seeing an image of the planet Earth taken from space inspires awe in many of us, since we can clearly see the connectedness of all of us who live upon this planet. We have created imaginary boundaries, sectioning ourselves into countries and states, forgetting that in reality we are all living together, breathing the same air, drinking from the same water, eating food grown from the same earth. We share everything on this planet, whether we are conscious of it or not, with other people, and those people are our brothers and sisters. Keeping a photograph or painting of the planet Earth in a prominent place in our homes can be a positive way to remember our interconnectedness.

Meditating on the fact that any sense of separation we have from one another is truly an illusion, we will naturally begin to make more conscious choices in our daily lives. The simple act of preparing food, or determining how to dispose of our refuse, can be done with the consciousness that whatever we do will affect all our brothers and sisters, no matter how far away they live, as well as the planet herself. When we foster this kind of awareness in ourselves out of a feeling of awe, it becomes easier to be conscious than to fall back into old habits of thinking of ourselves as separate.

When we contemplate the earth in her wholeness, we attune ourselves to the truth of the bigger picture, which is the Earth, and all of us, every one of us, living on her body. We are connected to one another in the most intimate way, because we literally share our living space. As more people become aware of the reality of our interdependency, things will shift in a positive direction, and much of the discord that we see now will give way to a more cooperative, loving conscious. This is happening already, so as our consciousness grows, we can join with the many other minds working to live in the spirit of togetherness.

Dharma धर्मं

Seane Corn used the word 'dharma' in most of her workshops. I wasn't entirely sure the real meaning behind it, until I read the Bhagavad Gita, a version written by Eknath Easwaran.

The word dharma means many things, but its underlying sense is " that which supports", from the rood dhri, to support, hold up, or bear. Generally, dharma implies support from within: the essense of a thing, its virtue, that which makes it what it is.

Dharma means the essential order of things, an integrity and harmony in the universe and the affairs of life that cannot be disturbed without courting chaos. Thus it means rightness, justice, goodness, purpose rather than chance.

There is an ancient Sanskrit epigram, Ahimsa parama dharma; the highest dharma is ahimsa, non violence, universal love for all living creatures; for every kind of violence is a violation of dharma, the fundamental law of the unity of life.

Notes From The Universe

There is no greater love than kindness

A smile, a compliment, encouragement
and compassion belong in the arsenal of every
Time~Space Adventure

Today, may you crush, kill, and destroy the fears you encounter, in others and in yourself

En Garde

Passion & Compassion

It was good to be back in Singapore. I was there to attend some yoga workshops in Pure Yoga studio, hosted by Seane Corn herself. Her workshops was very focussed on compassion and understanding for others as well as bringing awareness to yourself and chakra balancing. Her workshops brought awareness into how we treat ourselves, people around us and the environment.

Seane Corn became a Youth AID's first National Yoga Ambassador. A few years back, she has launched the campaign Off The Mat, Into the World, with all proceeds going to Youth AIDS.

" I found my purpose by going straight into what scared me. Whatever brings you to the mat-alcoholism, abuse, divorce- will be the place from where you'll serve."- Seane Corn (Yoga & Joyful Living, Jan - Feb 2008)

Corn stressed a lot on approaching social activism from love rather than anger. Her workshops also focussed on making healthier choices for ourselves and the world, detoxifying our bodies, clearing emotional blocks, like resentment, with the spiritual practice of forgiveness.

She also believed to start your love and charity in those closes to you first. Rather looking for the causes in your life at home before you head out.

All in all, it was such an uplifting experience to be in her workshop, and yes, would definitely return back whenever the opportunity arises again.

Namaste

Busy Night in Singapore.............

I stayed with a friend in Singapore, in one of those high rise flat. I have stayed in hotels way high up, but far in a few. My friend's flat was probably the first one I have been where I felt it was ' too high up'. Being so high up did make me felt queasy when I took a look down from his window. The fear of falling comes all rushing back in a sweep when I look out into the city. It is a bit noisy even from high above but the view was spectacular (even if I do have a phobia about heights). Yes, I don't like flying in aeroplanes. Multiple toilet visits are necessary before boarding the plane. (As a yoga teacher, I am trying to get over my fears slowly, especially when I go into headstand. )

I took a picture of the city in the night and am glad it turned out well in the photo. The view was nice to look at. The darkness in the night took the fear of height away, couldn't really see the ground much and the little lights below were comforting. I guess, it doesn't look as overwhelming during the day when the ground below is more visible and looks as if it would just swallow you up.

Well, I hope to see Singapore soon again. Seane Corn's workshop is just around the 1st August. Looking forward to it. ........and back again to the Lion City................................once more

What is Baddha Vinyasa?

Badda Vinyasa means binding flow, a complete energy Hatha yoga series practised in a graceful manner. This practice will improve joint flexibility and give a terrific energy boost. The movements create a squeeze to all our different body parts - arms, thighs, back, shoulders, everywhere - to supply better oxygenated blood to our whole body and replenish energy lost through our day's work or stress. Twisting and binding poses squeeze our internal organs, and flush them with fresh oxygenated blood to help detoxify the organs and stimulate the glands.

We will practise binding in standing, sitting, lying, and arm-balancing postures.As we move gracefully from one posture to another, our body and mind both become more aware. We will improve our coordination through such movements. When practising in this way - shifting weight and concentration from one area of the body to another - we are constantly challenged. We will be less inclined to get tired and our bodies will be happy to do more and more, no matter how much time has passed in the practice.

Baddha Vinyasa With Kenny Meitei in Singapore

Baddha Vinyasa with Kenny Meitei in Singapore was very interesting. I didn't think you could bind and lock your arms anymore than what he showed us in the workshops. At some point during the session, I did get myself all knotted up but it was good fun and challenging. Kenny Meitei was very expressive in body language as an instructor rather than verbally but we knew what he meant.

The tricky bit was went he got us to do 'Pavritta Trikonasana' doing baddha with our arms and hands at the same time into one legged Bakasana. Yes, I think I looked more like a turkey with one leg up rather than a graceful swan.

There were all sorts of people of different races and ages joining the workshop. All in all, there were approximately 60 students.

I have brought back the same asanas into my class and like me, they too found it challenging but real fun. ................

Walking Down Memory Lane

Lately, it's a case of walking a few feet away from my car and only to return back to it just because I have forgotten if I have actually locked it. Other times, I be trying to scan my brain on what my friend had asked me to do earlier on. At worst, I be teaching my students at 6.30 a.m and forgotten the Sanskrit for alternate nostril breathing. Maybe I have an excuse for the latter since it was the early hours of the morning, but then again, you think about the yogis in India waking up at 4a.m every morning meditating and doing yoga, that puts me to shame.So, lucky me, I bought a copy of Joyful Living magazine today. It had suggested remedies for forgetfulness. Here are a few to boost your memory power.

1) Stay ActiveTake 30 minute walk in the fresh air five days a week Or do 12 cycles of the hatha sun salutation, add inversions like the shoulderstand and plow pose to increase blood flow to the brain(I don't want to know what my memory be like if I'm not a yoga teacher as I do more than 12 cycles of surya namaskar in one day)

2) BreatheAnuloma Viloma (See, I do remember. Surya Namaskar must be helping)It helps stimulate the left and right hemispheres of the brain and improve brain memory.

3) Study UpMemorise a poem, Sanskrit scripture, reciting it every morning till you know by heart. Then start learning a new one.4) Feed Your BrainThis is an Ayurveda way of boosting your memory, eat foods like sweet potatoes, okra (lady fingers), spinach, oranges, carrots, milk, ghee (clarified butter), tapioca and almonds.

And if you're still losing your keys and forgetting appointment dates, best thing to do is use sticky notes and remind yourself of everything