Heartfelt wishes

It was a solemn yoga practice with my students this morning. I wasn't sure what to say to them, as you would try to in so many ways to comfort them. How do you comfort somebody who's lost a dear friend? Being a nurse of so many years, I still have no words to say but to 'be there' just for 'them'.

Lee Jefford and her family lived in Brunei for a good number of years. She was hit by a car yesterday morning while cycling down the road and was in a fatal condition. She passed away not long after. The incident was a hit and run. The police has launched an appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Brunei is a small place with close communities. So everyone would know one or the other. My yoga students knew Lee. One of them in particular was Lee's friend. What do you truly say at a time like this except give a 'comfort' hug or your heartfelt sympathy touch on the shoulder?

I wasn't aware of Lee's passing till I got to the class. Even before we start, the atmosphere was somber. My voice tried to reach out to comfort while teaching but even then I just felt sad myself that another life is lost. I myself lost a dear friend in a car accident a few years back and even now, I still think of her. It was hard on us as friends and I can't really say till now, that I have 'let go'. The memories still stays.

The class ended shortly after as I didn't felt focused enough to continue.

I think it's okay to 'not be okay' about losing someone. To grieve and have some space and time to feel sad about it. There are no reasons to why some things happened, but to just continue with your love and appreciation for the lives lived, have lived and still lives.

My heartfelt wishes and prayers to Lee and her family.

What is Happening with the Knowing?

My parents returned back from Bangkok last night and they bought some dvds. Borrowed The Knowing with Nicholas Cage and was excited to watch it since most of his movies are pretty good. The start of the movie had a good intro and the suspense build up throughout the movie until out of nowhere, aliens showed up. I mean what the 'ding dang dong' was that about? For those who are not sure what the movie's all about, let me fill you in on it. It starts with this young girl in the 1970's (who looks like Carrie possessed) writing out sentences of numerals on paper. The paper was later found in a time capsule about 50 years later by Nicholas Cage and his son. The numerals turns out to be a code of all major events or catastrophe that has happened in the fifty years. Cage finds out that there are more tragedies to take place unless he tries to stop it. The events starts taking place coincidentally where he's at and he tries to find a way to save himself and his son from the last major event. Yes, you guess it.....the end of the world.......But it feels like the writer and director couldn't be bothered about how the movie ends, they threw in the aliens just for laughs. That's 2 movies in a row that is so unbelievably disappointing, The Happening and The Knowing. Please don't let there be another movie using the present tense unless it's called The Joking.

Yoga Retreat June 09

Here's another yoga retreat I found for yogi's and yogini's enthusiasts.

Click here if you're interested for a retreat in Langkawi

Or if you like, click here for Cameron Highlands

Under the weather

I am just bunged up, can't breathe, have used 3 boxes of tissues and 2 toilet rolls. Hubby woke up with unpleasant surprise to find our bed covered with tissues and empty box of strepsils. He's decided to invest in a facemask airborne free of my colds. I retired to sticking two small tissues up my nostrils last night after being fed up of having to blow my sore nose to pieces. Lucky me, hubby was in deep sleep.


Well, being housebound, I have been spring cleaning the kitchen, living room and bedroom. Found some lost items, discovered horrible bits of food in odd corners, am astounded at how much rubbish we have in the kitchen, and flabergasted at how much skin we shed to make up for the dust on the shelves. I have a 'Monica' tendency to clean everything once I start, I don't stop. Peter really believes I have been a squirrel in my past life, pottering around gathering my 'nuts' and 'shells' for the winter. I told him he probably reincarnates as a snail since he takes his sweet time to eat his meal.

Oh ho ho, get this, little Nadia was doing her homework, and she had to rhyme words to cat, bat, mat and man. She got stuck at man, when all of a sudden she shouted,"I got it!! Man rhymes with nan nan" For those who don't speak hokkien, 'nan nan' means a woman's breasts. My sis had to keep a straight face and told her to rethink again.

It's very funny and interesting when you hear little children speak to each other. The things they say just doesn't stop surprising you day by day.

Yogini Nomad & Telly Tubbies

Here, there, everywhere, teaching in the park, school, studio....feel like a travelling nomad. I should have got me a trailer, all the 'b.o' I must have been carrying around. I kinda' like the freedom of just teaching in my own time. It feels great not to be tied down to billion classes in one day. Feel much more refresh and alert with what I do. At least I'm not doing yoga lessons in my sleep anymore.

Other than that,have been checking facebook. What in the world is going on with that silly thing? Why does it have to show what everyone is doing every second of the day? Seriously, we don't need to know what you're eating to if you're using the loo. Well, unless you're going to be descriptive. Talking about poos, my little nephew Max was on the potty and my sis was getting a little impatient waiting for the poor little bug to finish. When she asked, Max just said," I think Mr Poo is a bit shy to come out." .......Peter thought it was not funny when I told him over dinner. Did you ever see the x'mas poo episode in South Park with Stan?

Oh yes, saw Izan just yesterday in Country Patch. Seems like that's her favourite breakfast spot. She's got a new hair do with a shade of blue to it. Needless to say, Izan did some balancing poses in the middle of the coffee shop and yes Izan, you should come do yoga!!!

hee! hee! I told Peter about me wanting to attend this training from Paul Dalaghan who follows under Pattabhi Jois. His reply was," What....?? Telly tubbies??? You want to be trained by telly tubbies?" ........"NO I SAID Pattabhi Jois!!!NOT Telly Tubbies!!!!!"

Poos and Telly Tubbies, my week of discovering human's nature of conversation..........

See ya later alligators!

Yoga Workshops and Courses (Overseas)

Here are some workshops and retreats you might be interested in for this year's travel.

Dr. Jean
Byrne Pre Natal Yoga Teacher Training, Kuala Lumpur

Victor Chng Yin Yoga
in Asia

Yoga Retreat in Bali with Kino MacGregor and Tim Feldmann
2009

5thAnnual Bali Yoga Adventure with Jennifer Lynn

– Ubud, Bali (Sept 19th-29th
2009)
More on Jennifer Lynn

Ashtanga
Yoga Teacher Training in Bali July 23rd to August 19th, 2009

Join us on Bali, a tropical paradise island, for an inspiring Yoga Teacher Training Retreat. 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification Course

Yoga Retreat : Ashtanga Practice Essentials Oct 3-10 2009 with Neil
Barker, Koh Samui

Bali
Spirit Festival April 23rd to May 8th 2009

Yoga Outdoors

Took the students out for today's class. Weather was good and it was nice listening to the stream of water flowing down the rocks and breathing in fresh air. I think it's nice practising yoga asanas in nature, especially when you are surrounded by green trees, blue skies and natural light. Very much different from practising in a studio environment.

Just imagine, getting into trikonasana from warrior II, as you square your chest to the side and turn your head to look up at blue skies and white clouds. It just takes your breath away.

Sue had her son with us, so Andrew decided to join us and I was amazed at how good he was with the sun salutations. He's only 6 years old but brimmed with enthuasiasm and focused during the whole session.

Looking forward to our next outdoor yoga tomorrow.....

Just Messa' Round !

Ardha Chandrasana

Standing Half Split

Bandha in extended side stretch, parshavakonasaChakrasana

Mayurasana (Peacock Pose)

Bakasana

One of the yoga students kindly requested me to do a yoga video for her so she's able to practice it back in the UK when she returns. I decided to take the shoots at my old studio in Kiulap. The new landlord hasn't made his move in ( I have no idea what's going on with the buildings now.) so the studio is still there with all it's floorings, lightings and mirrors intact.

It was as if I never left the studio, it felt good to be back in it. A bit dusty but just a little sweep up with the broom did the job nicely. Peter played the director while I did the sequences. It was harder than I anticipated. 10 minutes into it, my nose started itching, the sweat was trickling down my eyes, my throat was tickling and it made me wanted to cough, ..................................... We had to do retakes and trust me, it was really a truly yoga challenge to complete the video.

It took us awhile.......AWHILE...to finish off everything. (Jules, I really hope you like it)

A good yoga teacher

The most frequent question I get from a student is,"Can I do yoga?" I like to end the question with just one word 'depends'. But here's my advice to everyone out there who's new to it or who's considering taking up yoga classes again.

Here are things you should be looking out for and questions you should ask a yoga teacher:-

1) A friend's recommendation to a yoga class is good but please do check the teacher and the studio atmosphere, sit in one of the classes. Unless it's a big corporate studio where non members aren't allowed, I understand but they should still allow you to have a general 'feel' of the class. The last thing you want to do is buy a 'yoga package' deal without realizing what you're getting yourself into. Observe the yoga class and see if it's what you really want and be realistic about your goal. i.e during your observation of the class, if your jaw drops and you think the class looks like a boot camp, do rethink on whether 'what yoga means to you.'

2) The poses may look simple in cut outs and magazines, until you're actually doing it. Be sure the teacher's leading and guiding you into your practice. Not all poses suit everybody, our bodies are made differently and a good yoga teacher should be able to accomodate to your needs rather than his or hers.

3) Yoga is about "Mission Possible" not "Mission Impossible". Don't be fooled by anyone telling you,"practice makes perfect" i.e yoga is not about getting your foot tangled behind your head. Yoga is knowing how to listen to what your body needs and how you connect your mind and body to your breaths. It's not about how long you can hold your headstand for the next 1 hour.

It's about you feeling good physically and emotionally after the session.

4) A good yoga teacher is someone you are comfortable with when he/she adjusts your poses. You trust them to take care of you and the other students during the session. Know that no one should push you beyond your limit. "The mind soars sky high in thoughts, but the body stays grounded and knows it's capabilities."

5) A good yoga teacher is someone who's open to ideas and not stagnant in his/her practice. His/her continuance of attending different workshops and courses helps him/her update her knowledge on yoga. This will also help the teacher explain to the student how to get in and out of the pose safely.

6) Most yoga teachers should know your medical background from previous back pains, anaemia, high blood pressure, joint injuries, e.t.c This helps the teacher to inform the student which poses are best suited for them.

7) Does the yoga teacher see and hear you? Does he/she notice any struggles you might be experiencing? A good yoga teacher will have a feel of what her students' energy is like for the day and works accordingly to the experience and mood of the class. Each yoga class should feel personalized and meaningful, even if they are teaching the same sequence or poses, it is how the teacher brings awareness to the poses.

8) Any hands on adjustments should be done with loving kindness in their hands and hearts, without strain and without force.

9) A good yoga teacher walks around to check the students poses.

10) Importantly, you need to ask the teacher what type of yoga does he/she teaches. There are various types of yoga being taught in each studio. Some very physical, some physical but relaxing, some solely on breathwork, e.t.c In Brunei, we are limited to just two types, Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga. Both yoga are based on postures and breathing exercises. If you have any physical limitations, pure restorative yoga is probably better. Do not start a class without knowing the type of yoga the teacher offers.

11) Most of all, enjoy and smile......is all about feeling well and good

See you later crocodiles......

Yoga Conference 2009 :- Evolution

I haven't been good at blogging lately since the arrival of my nephews. Bless their little hearts. I love em' but they are such a handful, adorable but a bunch of mischiefs. I don't know how mothers stay sane when they have to look after their kids 24/7. I mean we are pretty fortunate to have housemaids here in Brunei to look after the munchkins. But for those 'round the clock' mums, a big thumbs up to you guys! I really admire the patience and love they have. I haven't got any of the little menaces yet (and yes, I do plan to) but like Peter says,'Looking at our nephews makes me feel pretty exhausted already!

I am so glad my sis had my nephews first, at least I can see the 'to do's and not to do' situation with kids.

Anyhow, just to let you guys know there's a yoga conference held in Hong Kong in June. The programmes are pretty good and the price for the passes are reasonable. So, if you're interested to know more, go to http://www.asiayogaconference.com/

Some of you might be thinking the conference are meant for yoga teachers or advanced practioners, it isn't. If you have a keen interest in improving your practice, or a yoga enthuasiasts, then do join.

Here's what Evolution suggest in ' Who can attend?'

With more than 100 classes of different levels and styles, Evolution allows students to choose sessions that cater to their interests and abilities.The conference is suitable for anyone striving towards a balanced and healthy lifestyle. We expect to see a diverse range of participants including:

Beginner, intermediate and advanced yoga students
Fitness instructors
General sports enthusiasts looking to gain a competitive edge through yoga
Individuals approaching yoga for the first time
Masseuses and physiotherapists
Personal trainers
Pilates teachers
Yoga studio owners and managers
Those in the wellness and holistic industries
Yoga teachers