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

Temptations, Oscars, Dresses....Viola!

I love bank holidays. Especially if it's straight after the Sunday cause then, it feels like a long weekend break from all the stresses. I was happy enough to just take it easy with Peter and the family, lazing on the couch and watching movies that doesn't require a 'thinking cap'. Mum's choice was 'The Last Temptation of Christ'. Sorry guys, but Martin Scorsese must have been high on hallucigenic drugs when he made the film cause it was pretty weird. I thought I was watching another version of Alice in Wonderland. Peter just kept laughing at me everytime I whispered under my breath,"This is so freakingly weird!" I know there are controversials to the way the bible was being told but Martin Scorsese probably had too much caffeine when he made Jesus take an axe and hyped his disciples to lead a war instead of ' love thy neighbour'.

Evening came and we took Nadia to the playground. Funny isn't it when you get grown ups trying to squeeze their 'adult' body into the playtubes. Pete and I shook our heads when one teenager (who looked pretty much 16 to 18 years old) squeezed herself into the play tubes and got herself stucked in the middle of it. We could see her shadow struggling in the narrow tube as she tries to make her way forward in it. She finally retreat backwards out where she came from. I actually thought I would have to make a callout for the ambulance if she didn't.

Anyhow, night came and we watched the rerun of the Oscars. Wow! Hugh Jackman! What a voice! And Alicia Keys and Amy Adams dress, they were stunning! I wished Amy Adams won best supporting actress. I thought she played her role pretty well in Doubt. Where was Kate Capshaw? Was she not there with Spielberg at the Oscars?

I didn't know Diane Lane was married to Josh Brolin. No matter, I like Diane Lane. Loved her in 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. And did you see Queen Latifah's outfit? I always think she carries herself so well in most of her outfits. Looove her dress too.

Since I saw the rerun of the Oscars, I reckon it must have been cut short of the full version since I didn't get to see all the other celebrities in their outfits.....Did anyone else see the Oscars in full?

More pics from Surya Yoga

Was helping my dad load some of his photos to a cd and came across some of the beach yoga pics in his camera.

Spirits lifted and soaring in blue skies

It feels nice to teach again. I didn't realise how much I missed it till I started teaching again a few days ago. It may be a different studio, the surroundings are different but I am counting my blessings and glad there's 'somewhere' to practice. 'Moving on' is the best feeling ever. And to feel 'free' from the past.

I was apprehensive and nervous about teaching again, having had one month's break. But it all came back to me slowly. I know I can't offer all the classes I used to but it's made me realise the time I have for my family is important and cannot be bought if lost.

I remembered a friend once said she was afraid of losing identity if she didn't have a place of her own to teach. I felt the same way too. But I have realised the place doesn't 'make' you. It's what you have in your heart and 'make most of' that matters most.

Like The Beatles song.........Obladi, Oblada, Life goes on.......lalalala life goes on

Back To Teaching

I will start teaching tomorrow 18th February at D'Music Motion Fitness Studio

The schedules are :-

Every Monday and Wednesday at 5.30pm for Beginners
Every Tuesday and Thursday at 8.15am for Yoga Flow
Every Tuesday and Thursday at 5.30pm for Intermediate/Advanced
Every Saturday at 10.30am for Restorative Yoga
Every Saturday at 4pm for Beginners and 5.30pm for Intermediate/Advanced

See you soon......

It's Okay

Life continually teaches. We eventually catch on. Some of us have master's degrees in subjects we never intended to take. And through our experiences, we realize: It's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to fall. It's a form of higher education. -Douglas Pagels

where are all these bugs coming from?

hmmm, don't know where to start. the last time i remember blogging was a little while after the power cut we had. since then I have spent my time recovering from a long spell of colds and flus. i might have cough some of my brain out on tissue so do forgive me if i have mispelled and made 'nonsensical' words or sentences. since the strings of sickness took over, i have probably taken more than the human race's share of medicine. altogether it was a concoction of 'pee paa kau' syrup, robitussin (decongestant), lotsa vit c in high doses i.e 1000 mg each(these freaking pills are so hard to swallow especially when you have a sore throat), echinacea with garlic (it's foul considering it leaves the garlic breath for the whole day.....nasty!), lotsa strepsils (i know it doesn't help with the sorethroat but for comfort, i took it), ibuprofen alternating with solpadeine and ahhhhhh, good ol' paracetamol.........and when i couldn't shake it off and the fevers kicked in after three weeks of the whole 'shebang' , i waved a white flag and took clarithromycin (just found out amoxycillin hates me and gave me the 'run'). feel a whole lotta betta now.

really sorry guys for delaying the classes. believe me, if there was any more tablets or cures that would have remedy me faster than the above category, i say,"GIVE IT GIVE IT GIVE IT ......TO ME!!!!!"

no, for the yogis out there, the neti pot didn't work..........no, not when you have a complete 'road block' in your nose....and no, i need not meditate as my drugs were doing the job for me quite nicely already............sorry guys, i am only human..........i might think of taking up ayuvedic medicine just to see what else there is out there for the taking with the bugs.

but good news is i am feeling betta and am looking forward to this year..................not the bugs