World Yoga Day

Apparently, 24 February is World Yoga Day. In Malaysia, today is also the last day of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Lunar Valentine's Day. AND it's a day before my birthday! With so much to celebrate, wouldn't it be a shame if you didn't live life to the fullest?

Wishing you a very Happy World Yoga Day. May your breath come from a place of inner peace, your life brimming with joy, and your practice filled with awesomeness!

xx

Yoga Retreat in Bandung, Indonesia

Save the dates... 20 to 24 April, and come away with me.... for a 5 Days/4 Nights Yoga Retreat in Bandung, Indonesia.

(due to the national elections, the Early Bird deadline has been extended to 18 March)

Set in a picturesque, cool and tranquil surrounding, the Green Forest Resort in Bandung (www.greenforestresort.com) is the ideal setting for our Yoga Retreat. Join us as we guide you on a journey to relax, reconnect and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery, listen to the soothing sounds of the river flowing, and wake up to the birds’ lullabies as you take the time to unwind from life’s daily hustle and bustle. Immerse in a daily yoga practice that will energize the body and balance strength with flexibility, while building a strong body, mind and breath connection. There’s plenty of time for off-the-mat activities like shopping, massages, spa and jungle-trekking too.

Day 1 : 20 April

Morning : Arrival, briefing and check into Green Forest Resort. Chill out 

12pm : Lunch 

5.30pm : Sunset Yoga, Meditation & Pranayama 

7.30pm : Dinner, followed by Discussion and Q&A on yoga

Day 2 & 3 : 21 & 22 April

7am : Sunrise Yoga, Meditation & Pranayama 

9am : Breakfast 

10.30am : “Flight of the Yogi” Workshop (21 Apr : exploring arm    

                   balance & inversions)

                 “Padma & Shanti” Workshop (22 Apr : safe backbends        
                 & hip openers) 

1pm : Lunch

Afternoon : Free & Easy (book a massage, go shopping or explore the     outdoors!) 

5.30pm : Sunset Yoga, Meditation & Pranayama 

7.30pm : Dinner

Day 4 : 23 April

7am : Sunrise Yoga, Meditation & Pranayama 

9am : Breakfast 
Free & Easy for the rest of the day (more time for off-the-mat activities - transport arranged for factory outlet shopping!) 

No Lunch & Dinner provided

Day 5 : 24 April

7am : Partner Yoga 

9am : Breakfast 

Check-out and depart for airport

Registration and Bookings

RM1,260 (Early Bird) 

RM1,460 (After 18 March)

Includes :

• Twin-sharing accommodation
• 7 x 90 Min Yoga sessions & 2 Workshops
• Daily breakfast / 3 lunches & dinners
• Airport transfer* (to/from Bandung Airport)

Limited to first 20 participants.  Suitable for ALL levels of practitioners.

* for group traveling on morning flights AK1328 on 20 Apr & QZ8451 on 24 Apr

* please bring your own yoga mat

For enquiries or registration, please email me at liew.angel@gmail.com.

For yogis living in Indonesia, and would like to drop-in for practice, please contact Ing Ing at 08122045898.

Just Shut Up, Please!

For someone whose training with my Master in India involves the golden rule of "strictly no talking once you step into the shala", I have since been brainwashed to adhere to a silent, meditative state the moment I step into a yoga studio for practice.

Most studios have their list of pre-class do's and don't's.... switch off your cell-phones, arrive to a class on time, appropriate clothing for practice, and all that jazz.

Everyone's got their own pre-class habits. Some like to arrive early to book their favourite spot (plus several spots for their friends), some take advantage of a quick Savasana, the bendy-wendies can be seen stretching out their hamstrings, while others sit with their eyes shut in a meditative state. Then there are the odd few who dash in just as the class is about to start, make a huge show of (loudly) rolling out their yoga mats, and stomping over yours to get to the shelf of yoga props.

Here I was, attending classes whilst on holiday recently, lying on my back in Supta Baddha Konasana, when a group of 4 entered the yoga studio, dressed from head to toe (bags, mats and water bottles included) in one of my favourite brands of yoga attire. A gust of wind swept over my face as they flopped their mats down loudly behind me. And that's when the loud chatter started.

Ignoring the rest of the practitioners who were doing some kind of quiet internalising, it was apparent they worked for the company who's logo was embossed on their outfits and were here to train the local retail staff. We were predisposed to 'how many LIKES' their Facebook page had over the past 2 months in spite of the Christmas holidays, how to give a standard reply to emails complaining about how their bright colors bleed, why Emma came in to work puffy eyed last Wednesday, and blah blah blah (Emma's boyfriend dumped her for her colleague Lynn, in case you're wondering!)

I sighed.... loudly... trying to give them a hint.  Nothing happened. In fact, we now know where they'll be going for breakfast after class.

I sat up, crossed my legs in lotus.... hoping that this would be a stronger hint (whilst praying for compassion).

Still, nothing happened. Feeling slightly heated up (and not from my Ujjayi breathing), I then secretly haboured the (insane) desire of reaching for the heavy, brass Lord Ganesha statue in the corner and hurling it in their direction! After all, isn't Lord Ganesha the remover of all obstacles???

Jai Ganesha, remover of obstacles

I'm not trying to be a prude or super judgemental, but there seems to be no sense of yoga etiquette here. It's downright embarrassing when you're the only ones talking and the inappropriate chatter ceases only when the teacher asks everyone to come into a silent meditative state (read : "tells you off").

Wouldn't some of the awareness that we all practice on the mat, rub off into real life? (hang on... you're still ON the mat)! Certainly it's not too much to ask of you to whisper, or talk in softer tones, just out of respect for those around you who aren't in the mood to socialize.  

We don't need to hear you air your dirty laundry. 
So-please-shut-up-OM-thank-you-and-Namaste!

(Note to Self : Don't let anyone steal your peace. Yoga pushes our Yama and Niyama buttons all the time. C'est La Vie).