YO-GA

A Bit of Yoga Sutra, Pretty Please!

This week's ingredients is the best I can muster, for the moment (and it's within my budget...I'm all 'smiles' to that!) :-

• Made carrot potato soup served with delicious wholemeal home made garlic bread with extra virgin olive oil.  Very yummy for the tum tum!  Chamomile tea (added with half a tea spoon of raw sugar) has been top of my list this week.  Next try will be watercress soup.

• Honey shampoo from the Body Shop, lurve the texture it leaves in the hair after. 
• Colonic therapy - great way to detox especially with the promotion going on right now (yup, you don't have to be a Gweneth Paltrow to afford one in Brunei.) $180 for a trial of two sessions.  Reminder: give Elaine a call later ( If you like to try it, call her at 8846848) 
• Yoga & Joyful Living (mag: issue Oct 2008) : Iove the article Living Kindness                                                                                                                    "  I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close."                                    Pablo Neruda Poem                                                                                                 Meister Eckhart:"You need to love all persons as yourself, esteeming them and considering them alike.  What happens to another, whether it be a joy or a sorrow, happens to you."
• From the Yoga Sutras : 1.14 sa tu dirgha-kala-nairantarya-satkara-adara-asevito drdha-bhumih                                                                                                        To achieve a strong foundation in our practice, we must practice over a long time, without interruption, believing in it and looking forward to it, with an attitude of service.                                                                                                                ...an advice to recognize that there is going to be some effort involved when you undertake anything new.  To consciously create the foundation you hope to build on, not just to attain a successful outcome but also to feel good in the process.    ...dirgha-kala  or ''long time''....means recognizing that what you are undertaking cannot be perfected overnight, that you have to commit over time to get lasting results that you are happy with.   Nairantarya  as "no interruption", which addresses your commitment to the process.  Your efforts must be wholehearted; an attitude of a little bit here and a little bit there is not going to help you reach your goal.  Imagine trying to lose weight while eating healthfuly only once in a while.     
• Practice some yoga off the mat, try a few asana stretches when you get up in the morning, have a few deep breaths....if you will it, it takes place.  Yoga doesn't necessarily mean 10 chaturangas and headstands for 10 minutes.  It's about feeling 'wholesome' and living compassionately...a path to self discovery, mindful thinking, mindful decisions, mindful actions.  Asevito  ..approach each endeavor with an attitude of service......For me, I'm in service of others if I can help.  Something simple but effective.                                                                                              Adara ...look forward to what you're doing.  Whatever you set out to do, on some level, you must enjoy the job at hand.  Even if what you're doing is difficult or tiring, there can still be joy or satisfaction in the effort if you know that you are experiencing something positive from it.  Adara is important because without it, you are prone to burnout or to abandoning your commitment.         
• And last but not least, to have an attitude of friendliness toward those who are happy, compassion toward those who are suffering, pleasure and delight at those who are doing good deeds in the world, and an attitude of nonjudgmental watchfulness toward those who do harmful deeds.    (and p.s these applies to all and everybody)                                                                                                           
• On an ending note, love the fact that we actually burned 520 calories on the last class.  Woo hoo!

Then Again, Who's Counting?

Have been living breathing eating 'yoga' in and out this past two weeks and maybe just a little much to take in all at once.  But it's all good! Peter got me Maya Fiennes CD and (woo hoo!) at last ...I can just chill out to the soothing sounds of  'Ra Ma Da Sa'.   Candy C.got me to check out Yoga Anonymous, and Brock Cahill has crazy moves in his 'Flight' vinyasa. I reckon they would have burned at least 1000 plus calories or more in one hour alone.  Talking about calories, I had a close friend joining my classs yesterday afternoon, and she had a calorie counter watch on, (just out of curiosity )....guess what....at the end of the class, we actually burned 450 calories.  Awesome! I never knew it was that much, figured we could have done 200 plus but 450?!!!! (woo hoo!)  (pps...this was an intermediate/advanced session )

By the by, have you seen this video of Yogi Cameron from Ellen DeGeneres TV show?  Pretty interesting on how this yogi can tell what your imbalances on your body are just by looking at the tongue.  Plus, you can visit his website and take the Ayurveda test just to find out what hormonal imbalances are based on doshas and gunas.  It's embarassing when I took my test,  and nopeedoo, ain't telling you what was my dosha/gunas.....aiyaiyai!  More detox Jac, detox!!!!!! 


'Quote from Ellen DeGeneres on right versus left body non-symmetry “One side could be Cirque du Soliel and the other side could be a 52 year old woman.” Sister, don’t we know it! '

By the by, this is taken from Yogi Cameron website on Ayurveda- Science of Life

Ayurveda is the oldest medicine in use today. It is over 5000 years old.

It says:
All disease has a cause root where it starts out from. Disease first starts as a mental thought. Disease will continue to become physical if thought pattern is not changed. Any disease can be cured as long as the cause root is treated.

• There is no name for any disease as disease is ever evolving into other forms.
• Most diseases are first psychologically created then move to spread in the body.
• An ayurvedic doctor examines with his eyes and touch.
• All our inner life is written on our outer canvas.

Elements in balance = health
One element more dominate = imbalance, start of illness

Ayurveda treats people as individuals.

Firey energetic people have too much pitta.

Earthy people are heavy and lazy in mind and body.

Airy people move about a lot and find it hard to stay in one place.

As our mood changes so do the elements.

Elements move up or down depending on our lifestyle.

Our environment, job, family life, thoughts, etc. determines which
elements dominate us more.

The 5 elements
Water . space . earth  . Air . fire

Doshas  . Body
pitta . fire
Kapha . earth
Vata . air

Gunas . Mind
Sattva . balance
Rajas . over stimulated
Tamas . lazy

By the by again guys, if you would like to take a test on what the Ayurveda Element Quiz, pay a visit to Ayurveda Test

Good Luck Amigos and Amigas!

Believe And Step Forward

"Step forward. Believe. Fall down. Laugh. Learn. Try again. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Let your hair down and just enjoy the amazing ride."

Imagine (John Lennon)

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Without Judgment

Mother Teresa said, “If you judge people, you don’t have time to love them.....If we have no peace in the world, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." 

...ran into a conversation on how yoga is denounced in christianity in some churches.  Some pastors believe you cannot be a christian whilst practicing yoga, they claim it'll disrupt the person's own christian beliefs.  Some christians believe that it'll alter subtle changes within themselves and have profound dramatic spiritual consequences that will not be for the better.  How funny that because yoga is from the East, some even claim that travelling to the East (i.e. East of Eden) is idolatry.  

Yoga can be affiliated to hinduism.......if that's the direction you want to head into.  If you send your kid to a chinese learning school, would you be worried the child might convert into buddhism one day?  Everything in life is related to one thing to the other.  But the linkage to 'whatever not's ' is to your own discretion.  Everything in moderation.  Not too much and not too little.  

I've practice yoga for well over 5 years....still a strong believer in my faith and I don't have deities set up in my home and  even though I meditate, I don't levitate and I don't go into trance.  And this is all because I don't seek to do it and it's not where my practice is heading.  Yoga means (to me) the balance of the body and the mind .....it's not magic.  When you jog or when you dance or when you watch a movie, do you not forget the one thing that was troubling you before you started your run or waltz? The only difference is yoga teaches you to observe the parts of your physicality that needs strengthening and toning.  It teaches you to listen to the breath.  It's not rocket science ! When you're in the hospital and you're recovering from heart surgeries, the nurses teaches deep breathing.  Same thing, yoga teaches you to focus on the breath, one of the many things that helps relaxes a busy day work.  

You could love baking or cooking and maybe that relaxes you.  Some people need poses that stretches and tones, so yoga could be something that makes the day better for them.

I don't hail yoga as the be end and end all.  But maybe if people stop judging, cause judgments seldom leave room for alternate possibilities. 

As we seldom know what roads people have traveled before a shared encounter or why they have come into our lives, we should always give those we meet the gift of an open heart. Doing so allows us to replace fear-based criticism with appreciation because we can then focus wholeheartedly on the spark of good that burns in all human souls. (Daily Om)

It's sad when society claims by self on what's right or wrong to do in every religion.  You'll either be damned if you do and damned if you don't.  Yoga teaches the ego is destructive,  so, is it not egoistical to claim knowing your spiritual way is the only gateway to heaven?

I think above all lessons I have learned till this day is love.  Love is simple and kind.  It's not hateful in any way.  It doesn't judge, it doesn't cause separation and it's not set on certain conditions. It just is.  Simple.  Love tolerates and it forgives.  It doesn't berate grudges for a life time neither does it claim rightfulness above anything or anybody.  It's infinite.  Love is acceptance and understanding of the human race.  Love is trust, faith and hope.

Maybe if one doesn't have all the above, it's time for a little humility, less ego and more enthuasiasm to live in a more balanced world.  Maybe we might not be able to live together in harmony altogether yet, but we can at least start to live in tolerance and compassion.

Like Gandhi once said,"My religion is kindness"

Roll Out Your Yoga Mat

Yoga...it's not a sport or exercise that competes or compares.  And if it is, it should be with the best of intentions.  It attracts people of different ages to try this ancient system of body toning and mind balancing.  And does it work?  It could have worked for some individuals or perhaps not for all.  It even depends on what yoga means to you or me.  Some would see it as a new fashion 'fad' to exercise or wear 'cool' yoga clothes.  Some would do it to lose weight, and just that only.  Or perhaps it gives them a thrilling or heighten sense of acheivement when performing some of the utmost challenging asanas.  Others may seek it for relaxation and to regain a sense of peacefulness ...away from their busy schdules or daily stresses.  Perhaps it's also another way of meeting new friends, perhaps the yoga teacher is truly a hunky stud Brad Pitt lookalike (hell, I be in the class too! .........) or for some, it's a way of life. 

Losing weight....hmmm, I would imagine you would have to practice a dynamic form of yoga (frequently in a week) especially if you're a big eater to lose weight.  And the way we eat in Brunei, means a marathon run on alternate days would suffice to help us maintain our size 8 or 12 body shape.  Let's face it, we can jog, cycle, swim and dance to maintain our physique.  But there's only a far in a few of us that can keep up with the strenous exercise till we age in our sixties.  And perhaps yoga doesn't slim us the way we 'want' it to.  We can't always have 'everything'.  But the beauty of yoga is it heightens our awareness to the things that consumes our thoughts that's unnecessary.  Not to say we shouldn't exercise, by all means do, but everything in moderation.  Our physique shouldn't be something that haunt us on a daily basis, to feel that our need to look 'good' is priortised above everything else.

And really, if you're a regular practitioner, you will soon realise it's the breath and the silence that brings calmness and serenity to the pose.  If you're practicing yoga, don't do it with high expectations, but be inspired to do it so it helps you find your 'dharma'.

The physical side of yoga asanas takes years to practice, it's not an exercise that's easy to master.  Not unless you practice on a daily basis.  It's like an art form ...like a song or a dance.  The time taken to practice may be quite a 'put off ' for some, ...and I don't blame some for seeing it that way.  We all have different views.  I personally don't have much patience for baking cakes made with beautiful decors ....icings and all.  But I love yoga and it's part of me.  Just like someone who loves cooking, baking.....looking after children....You either love it or not, ......cause if you don't like something, it usually taste yucky at the final touch. 

But if you build a love affair with yoga for a lifetime, somehow the results are rewarding and fruitful.  Just like a relationship can either wither or grow, to build the latter, you feed it with continual practice of love, patience, respect and dedication.......even if it's every so often.  

Thoughts For Today

GLEE....If you had a teacher like Will, you take up music any day even if you couldn't sing.  But it would be a real killer to have a P.E teacher like Sue....Tough, tough, tough.  

Earth hour last night, ...........thought hubby was kidding when he said we had to switched off everything for an hour........couldn't see what 'mackeroos' I had on my dinner plate.....hubby then reminded me of my 'non-environmental friendly' four range drive Toyota I have.  Not something a yoga teacher (who cares about the world) will drive, he says.  My reply..," If there was a flood, my car would probably save 6 to 8 people while I drive us to the safest destination.  That's why I'm keeping it."  He says," But if there's a BIG flood, you probably won't save anyone let alone you."  I don't argue, never argue with Peter... kept quiet and placed my cutleries aside to use my hands .....spaghetti are hard to scoop up.......Earth hour should happen when we are sleeping ...........

New Beginners Class

That's right! We'll have new beginners class starting 2nd March 2010 taught by Kristie Ying, Ikuyo Lampel and Maki Sakanoue.  If you are brand new to yoga and have decided to return back to yoga after a long break from it, joining the beginners class will help you ease your way back into the practice.  Here's a brief introduction to the teachers' profile.

Kristie first discovered yoga in 2007 while she was a Business student in Brunei. The following year, she pursued her education abroad and completed her management degree in London. To cope with the sudden lifestyle changes and adversities, she continued her yoga practices regularly with Bikram yoga where classes are conducted in a heated room of 41 degree to promote flexibility and aid in detoxification. Gradually, she developed a growing passion towards yoga and made the decision to embark a journey to India for an intensive teacher training yoga course in Himalayan Yoga Valley, Goa. She had successfully completed the 200 hours training and is now a qualified yoga instructor on Hatha and Vinyasa practice. Other than the fitness and health aspect of yoga, her decision to pursue in this path was also due to its abundance in inner peace and calmness. 

Maki's years of diligent and dedicated practice to Hatha yoga helped inspired and transformed her lifestyle into one's that's peaceful and calm.  Along with another yoga devotee, Ikuyo Lampel, both teachers have recently qualified as certified hatha yoga teachers, having taught by Patrick Creelman in Hong Kong.  Maki approaches her practice with sensitivity and great understanding, her patience to teach will be of great benefit to those students new in yoga. 

Together Kristie, Ikuyo and Maki will lead the classes this coming March, so don't wait, join us and find out more how yoga can help relieve stress.

Class Schedules as follows

Every Tuesday ,Thursday and Saturday at 8.15a.m

Every Monday and Wednesday at 7.15p.m                

Class Fees : Walk In $10 / 8 Lessons for $60.

Please call Kristie at 8873838 or Maki at 8603313,Ikuyo at 7171583

N.B The new beginners classes as stated above are lead by the teachers Kristie,Maki and Ikuyo.  **Jac Fang will continue with her normal schedule as previous **