My weekly om is this. Go With The Flow

Daily Om on the 29th August, 2008 was to synchronise with life. To see the bigger picture and to understand that our lives are filled with both positive and negative events. Once we can recognize that one event is neither more desirable nor better than the other – they all have an overall purpose in our lives, then we are truly ready to listen to the messages the universe gives us.

I think of the times when things just when completely out of control and seemed unending with tragedies and disasters. It may seemed I didn't deserve the situation
at that time. But when I look at the whole entire scenario again, I imagined what it be like if it didn't happened and where I'd be after.

For instance, I took a resignation to my nursing career at the beginning of this year. I was under a lot of immense pressure to work overtime 12 hours a day. Management at that time was laying a lot of medical responsiblities on nurses. To top it off, I was laughed at by people for wanting to change my career. They didn't understand why I would place my nursing career aside to become a yoga teacher. I probably asked myself that a million times. 3 years of university, 9 years of nursing experiences was a lot to release and let go.

I thought it through sleepless nights. I knew I wanted to do more than being in a 'hospital' environment. I felt I wanted to travel and share more of myself to 'something'. I wasn't prepared to work in an environment where nurses were suppress in thoughts, words and actions (My previous workplace was just about that). I wanted much more than nodding heads, ' Yes, mam' ' and 'Yes, Sir', . I wanted to say ' Yes, world'. So, I took a deep breath and handed in my resignation letter.

Starting out as a yoga teacher wasn't easy. Raised eyebrows and mockeries came along with the new found career. I carried on, following my own dreams. Hoping for the best.

Now, with a studio I can see my past career as a nurse has not been discarded aside as a yoga teacher. I feel I have more insight to students past medical history and their physical limits.

The bigger picture was it didn't started off easy to become a yoga teacher. But the previous workplace with low staff morale played a part in my decision making. If it wasn't there I wouldn't have thought too much to change my career. The initiation to take courage in becoming a yoga teacher has only made me stronger in person.

So, yes, even events that might not at first seem to be related to each other are indicators that the universe is working with, not against, us. This idea of synchronicity, then, means that we have to trust there is more to our lives than what we experience on a physical level.

A Nurse & Dear Friend

2 years back, Carol and I started out in ICU at the same time. We both went through a lot and was at the point of 'quitting' when the pressure amounted too much. We made a 'pact', not to quit till two years later. Just shortly after 2 years and abit, I left ICU. Four months after my resignation, Carol called me yesterday saying she too left our previous workplace and was heading back to the Phillipines. Felt really sad she was leaving Brunei. But I guess, that's part of life, to move on. Will miss her lots.

The Yoga Manifesto

There will be no correct clothes
There will be no proper payment
There will be no right answers
No glorified teachers
No ego no script no pedestals
No you're not good enough or rich enough
This yoga is for everyone
This sweating and breathing and becoming
This knowing glowing feeling
Is for the big small weak and strong
Able and crazy
Brothers sisters grandmothers
This mighty and meek
Bones that creek
Those who seek
This power is for everyone
Yoga to the people
All bodies rise


Yoga + Joyful Living Nov-Dec 2007

Shivers down my spine

Watched Untraceable last night with Pete after our late night dinner. It stars Diane Lane as an FBI investigating a website on which victims are subjected to fatal ordeals involving cement, sulphuric acid and lawnmowers. The more people click on the site, the faster the victim dies. The film was slow in the beginning, Pete's eyes were already half close by that time. It got interesting half an hour later and the story reveals the killer's identity within 45 minutes. The film was interesting but the killings were grotesque. I felt sick in the tummy again. Such imagination with the killings, it sent shivers down my spine. The film didn't interest Pete, he was fast asleep before the film ended. So I guess besides the gross parts, the film is watcheble.

Yoginis at Seraphina

Had a nice day today with the students. Morning started off with Sun Salutation with Zana. It was refreshing to start at 6.30am, sun rays coming through the windows. We flowed with all the warrior and balancing poses. I think it’s not so much about how long we hold the poses that makes yoga enjoyable. It’s the friendship and the company you keep as both teacher and students. I love the flow of Sun Salutation even if I have done it a 100 times in one week. Perhaps Zana feels the same way too, she has such focus and endless energy to hold the pose. I like her grace when she does it.

Then came afternoon session with the beginners. I had Mei King and Sidah. It was good to run through in details on the poses. I got to work them through the ones they weren’t too sure about. We also got to look through Iyenger’s Light On Yoga. Telling them about the 8 limbs of yoga, and how it all relates to ourselves outside the class. It was a good chit chat before and during the session. I should call it Little Tea Time Yoga !

I decided to go full steam ahead with the 5.30pm session with the Intermediates. They did a lot of balances and poses that works with the heart chakra. I think I was the one that was puffed out cause I had my words all jumbled after 30 minutes. My brain, I think, was a little steam train trying to keep up with pace the students were doing.

Ahhhh, now I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Hmmm, maybe Pete will prepare a nice breakfast on Sunday….you think? …………Sigh

Warriors and Princesses

(Stardust 2008)


Warriors and Princesses,
Heroes and Villains,
Fairies and Trolls
They’re stories of us all
Precious in a moment
To courage and bravery in the next
From moments of magic spells
To ugly tales of gore, misery
And broken bridges


Wizards and Witches
Saints and Unsung Heroes
Kings and Jesters
They’re stories of us all
Wishing and Wanting
Saving and Sacrificing
Battling and Conquering
Till tis’ very day

Unsung heroes
Like you and me
Journeyed thru’ all our lives
As Kings and Queens
Of our own fairytales
To venture into life’s mystery
Fated by our own destiny

Live ! as you would in
Dreams of legends and tales
Of yesterday and not so long ago

Live ! Our sacred journey awaits
Not so far away
So, come live and fight
Love, cry and laugh
Give me your story
And we can both tell
Our true adventure
Our dream
Our world

Crystals Workshop At Seraphina Health Studio, Brunei

Crystals Workshop
Venue at Seraphina Health & Fitness Center
Date : 7th September 2008
Time : 2 to 3.15 pm
Fees : $15
Conducted by Ms E.Chin




Gemstones unlike any other ornaments have been used time and again for crystal healing. The ancient Egyptians used them and continues to use them in Ayurvedic medicine which is the traditional medicine in India. The subtle energy vibrations of the crystals have powerful healing effects.

The chakras are vortices of energy through which the Universal Life Force is channelled and transmitted. They resonate at different frequencies, which we, in the physical dimension, associate with different colours. Crystals work on the same principle. They oscillate to a natural healing frequency that is activated by the power of the mind. Crystals are compatible tools with which to harmonize and balance the chakras.

For example, rose quartz is the most powerful for dealing with affairs of the heart. It opens up the heart for both giving and receiving love. It soothes negative influences. This stone is good for dealing with issues on an emotional level. A stone from the heart and for the heart. It helps one to be able to love themselves. A good stone for dealing with a "broken heart." The rose quartz is also good for helping one to release childhood traumas, neglect, lack of love, self-esteem. The best stone for opening the 4th chakra.

Would you like to know more about chakra balancing? Have you got crystals in your possession you like to make full use of?

Get to know more about crystals with Ms E.Chin. Limited spaces available. Book your seats early to avoid disappointment. For further information, please call Elaine at 8846848.


( Ref : L. Simpson, Chakra Healing and C.S Arewa Way Of Chakras)

Mirror mirror on the Wall, who are you ?

"What about The Mummy?" hoping Pete would say yes to it. Unfortunately, we turned up too late for the show. We missed it. "What about Mirrors?" Pete asked. I looked over at the 'Mirrors' poster by the ticket counter. I didn't like the ghostly look and said no immediately. "Oh come on. I bet it won't be that scary. Besides, we always watch too many 'mushy' movies. Please, pwetty pweez....." Sigh, I agreed.

First part of the movie showed a guy running away from 'something' and only a few minutes later, he stood in front of several mirrors, talking to 'them' apologetically , without no reason, he started slashing his throat with such self brutal intentions, it was so grotesque.

Kiefer Sutherland plays Ben Carson, he takes up a night time security job in a burnt down building that used to be a luxurious department store. Night time approaches and Ben experiences horrific events with the mirrors. It follow him wherever he went, including his sister's appartment, his family home and his car. Wherever there was a reflection, the 'mirror' took possession of the person's spirit or will to self inflict or kill. The deaths were horrible. Ben's sister died a horrible death, I won't want to describe it in my blogsite cause I already felt like 'throwing up' when I was watching it through closed fingers.

The movie traces the history of the building and the demonic souls in the mirrors. It didn't have a satisfying ending but overall it scared the crap out of me. Ya, nearly poo poo in my pants.

I guess I don't have strong gut to watch this type of horror movies. When it was over, I think I looked as pale as a sheet.

" Pete, we are going home in one car!" (Pete and I drove separate cars, he met me at the studio after my teaching session)

Pete looked at me as if I was out of my mind ( I think I was) "Jac, it's only a film"

"I don't care. I am not looking in my back view mirror, it's midnight and it's a long way back home to Muara!!! Otherwise, we just have to camp out at the studio!"

"What? Look, I will drive right behind you where you can see me. If anything happens, pull over and I'll be there." says Pete.

"No,if something appears in my backview mirror, it'll be too late for you to save me. No, we stay at the studio and go back home in the morning, in BROAD DAY LIGHT!"

Pete gave in and we camped out. He had a sore back the next morning, and he has vouched not to make me watch another horror movie if it meant having to sleep rough.

It'll be a while till I see another horror movie again. Hmmmm, when's Mamma Mia showing??

If you like to know more about the film, Wikipedia has a website for it at http://en.wikipedia.org.wiki/Mirrors_(film)

Hoorah, Sunday's here.......

Today's beginners class was fun. There were six of us, so, I got to concentrate more on their postures. The flow was consistent and the students kept up with it. It was a series of chair pose with balancing poses incorporated. All of the students had good focus and their stamina was good. Their breathing techniques were strong and slowly but surely they are getting used to schronising their breaths with each movement.

Hmm, wonder what movie I should watch tonight...there is The Mummy......miss having popcorn.

Hoorah, Sunday tomorrow and going to have a nice relaxing day.....ahhhhhhhh........I think I will a nice ice mango milkshake.......

Surya Yoga At Sea

Surya Yoga At Sea
Borneo Island

21st September 2008
Feeling weary and tired? Need a short break? Come join us for a day at the beach. Practice Hatha Vinyasa Flow in a calm and serene manner with mother nature. Breathe in fresh air and step your movements on soft sands.

Take this opportunity to know other yogi's and yogini's. Have a picnic with us after the yoga session. Each yogi and yogini will be asked to bring a wholesome and healthy 'dish'.

Fun and games included. So, don't miss out Surya Yoga at Sea. Book your place early to avoid disappoinment.

For more enquiries, call Jac at 00 673 8133860