It's a little overdue, but here’s a rundown of my one-month rigorous Sivananda Teachers’ Training Course in the land of curry and spices (India):
Being the only non-Indian on the plane from Kuala Lumpur to Chennai, the lone Chinese in Chennai airport and the only Malaysian in the ashram (monastery), life was certainly rough. We had to wake up at 530am, and it was all meditation, asanas, pranayama lectures and karma yoga until 930pm. Daily. Except for Fridays, which were our days off.
I'm so madly in love with Indian vegetarian food. I actually came to a stage where I couldn’t picture eating meat anymore. The mere thought of consuming animal protein made me want to puke
I'm very proud to say this: from the numerous beaches I have visited in Thailand, UK, Australia, Bali, Europe and India, Malaysia still has one of the finest and most swim-able beaches. But then... if only our beaches were better maintained and managed
More on our daily TTC schedule: we all had to wear yoga attires that were provided by Sivananda, and this meant no skimpy and tight spaghetti tops and butt-hugging yoga pants. It’s a monastery, bear this in mind. We had a fixed daily schedule, and performed the same things at the same hour EVERY SINGLE DAY - with attendance taken. This included cleaning toilets and 2 sessions (6am and 8pm) of worshiping Hindu Gods and gurus - not unlike a church service - and chanting and singing the same songs in Sanskrit
I don't know if it's the detoxification effects of my vegetarian diet and the 4 hours of yoga per day. I have NEVER had so many facial breakouts in my entire life and it freaked me out!
I think it was my good karma to have met a few really lovely fellow students to help me pull through the tough regimen in Sivananda
The grossest thing about cleaning toilets is NOT the toilet bowl itself. You see, in India, toilet papers are NOT to be disposed into the toilet bowl but into bins provided. And I had to clean the bins daily. Other people's bins. Imagine what I had to see and smell and endure
The TTC course itself was not terribly tough. The unforgiving part was on one’s emotions - loneliness, closed community, no freedom, deprivation of everything including entertainment and social life, and not enough food (only 2 meals daily @ 10am and 6pm). I would have gone cuckoo if not for my faithful Ipod
The funny thing is despite all these, I think I found spiritual bliss. I woke up from my sleep laughing and smiling on a few nights while in the monastery. I didn’t remember any of the dreams though. This has never happened before. It's just so strange. And amazing.
And of course, I did learn a lot more about yoga. That was the ultimate objective.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Perform real yoga please!
Over commercialization of yoga. That’s my predicament. It appears "commercialized yoga" in many urban neighborhoods has lost its fundamental meaning and pure intention. I have witnessed many undesirable elements of "commercial yoga", which results in yoga not achieving its real purpose - unity of body, mind and soul.
- Yoga students who don’t know or refuse to understand what yoga is really about. They don’t comprehend yoga as a harmony of the eight limbs. They only know asanas (body postures). Whatever happened to Yama (universal morality), for instance?
- Students who treat yoga as just another aerobic workout. The more they sweat like proverbial pigs, the better the class and instructor is
- Students who, after many years of so-called yoga practice, are not pleasant. I’ve seen disrespectful students arriving to class 10 minutes late and rudely banging the studio’s door wanting to be let in, and disrupting the class in session. Don’t these people know the door is locked for their own good, to prevent them from injuries potentially caused by jumping right into the middle of an already-begun yoga session without first warming up?
- Students who demand instant gratification. They want fast results. They want to "master yoga" in six months. All without realizing holistic yoga is about lifetime practice and experience
- Students who treat the other limbs of yoga, like pranayama, as nonsense. Because they don’t receive the satisfaction of a good workout. Sigh!
- Yoga studios, for profitability sake, yield to students’ demands for tough, sweat-generating classes. Excellent Indian yoga instructors have been hired and unfortunately sent back simply because they don’t make their students here perspire much. Thus their classes are unpopular. Near-empty classes equal loss making and this means these Indian instructors are "commercially not viable". Very, very sad indeed.
To all yoga practitioners, please practice real yoga. That includes fully comprehending its eight limbs and living in peace and harmony with everything, and having good health. If you’re just interested in asanas and sweating and losing weight, you would probably do better in a gym. Don’t do yoga just because it’s currently in vogue.
- Yoga students who don’t know or refuse to understand what yoga is really about. They don’t comprehend yoga as a harmony of the eight limbs. They only know asanas (body postures). Whatever happened to Yama (universal morality), for instance?
- Students who treat yoga as just another aerobic workout. The more they sweat like proverbial pigs, the better the class and instructor is
- Students who, after many years of so-called yoga practice, are not pleasant. I’ve seen disrespectful students arriving to class 10 minutes late and rudely banging the studio’s door wanting to be let in, and disrupting the class in session. Don’t these people know the door is locked for their own good, to prevent them from injuries potentially caused by jumping right into the middle of an already-begun yoga session without first warming up?
- Students who demand instant gratification. They want fast results. They want to "master yoga" in six months. All without realizing holistic yoga is about lifetime practice and experience
- Students who treat the other limbs of yoga, like pranayama, as nonsense. Because they don’t receive the satisfaction of a good workout. Sigh!
- Yoga studios, for profitability sake, yield to students’ demands for tough, sweat-generating classes. Excellent Indian yoga instructors have been hired and unfortunately sent back simply because they don’t make their students here perspire much. Thus their classes are unpopular. Near-empty classes equal loss making and this means these Indian instructors are "commercially not viable". Very, very sad indeed.
To all yoga practitioners, please practice real yoga. That includes fully comprehending its eight limbs and living in peace and harmony with everything, and having good health. If you’re just interested in asanas and sweating and losing weight, you would probably do better in a gym. Don’t do yoga just because it’s currently in vogue.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
No competition rules in yoga
I have noticed many a yoga practitioner driving themselves hard, maybe too hard, just because a neighbor is able to balance on one leg, while they already have a hard time staying poised even with both feet on the ground. There is an inclination to want to compete in a yoga class. There is a tendency to want to master all postures as fast as possible, instead of listening to your own body and identifying your own capabilities.
Maybe you’ve come to yoga from another competitive sport. Or maybe you’re spirited by nature. After all, it’s a dog eat dog world out there. But yoga offers a respite from the bloodthirsty and stressful world. Yoga is non-competitive. It’s hardly about looking over your shoulder and comparing your posture with the person’s behind you. Yoga is not about perfecting your asanas (read: Perform real yoga please!).
I remember my first yogilates class that ended up with me feeling sore all over the next morning. There were plenty of advanced practitioners and I was trying awfully hard to keep up with them. Big mistake. Since then, I’ve learnt to only give 80-90% of what I’ve got, physically, and focus on breathing well throughout the asanas. That way, you get the best of what the asanas and pranayama have to offer.
If you find yourself trembling or gasping for breath during an asana, you’ve probably pushed yourself too hard. Your breath in asanas must always be smooth and deep and continuous.
Remember, no competition in yoga. Yoga is about finding your own liberation... at your own pace.
Maybe you’ve come to yoga from another competitive sport. Or maybe you’re spirited by nature. After all, it’s a dog eat dog world out there. But yoga offers a respite from the bloodthirsty and stressful world. Yoga is non-competitive. It’s hardly about looking over your shoulder and comparing your posture with the person’s behind you. Yoga is not about perfecting your asanas (read: Perform real yoga please!).
I remember my first yogilates class that ended up with me feeling sore all over the next morning. There were plenty of advanced practitioners and I was trying awfully hard to keep up with them. Big mistake. Since then, I’ve learnt to only give 80-90% of what I’ve got, physically, and focus on breathing well throughout the asanas. That way, you get the best of what the asanas and pranayama have to offer.
If you find yourself trembling or gasping for breath during an asana, you’ve probably pushed yourself too hard. Your breath in asanas must always be smooth and deep and continuous.
Remember, no competition in yoga. Yoga is about finding your own liberation... at your own pace.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Welcome to IshaYoga Online Shop
We are the very first Yoga Accessories Online Shop in Malaysia. Being a yoga practitioner myself, I often feel frustrated that I can't buy yoga accessories easily at an affordable price in this part of the world.
Finally, our prayers are answered - IshaYoga Shop is the answer! Not only you get beautiful world class design and the highest quality pewter, you don't have to pay a premium because they are made in Malaysia!
Some may ask - why not silver? Well, silver tends to turn black after a while due to the chemical reaction with our sweat and requires polishing frequently. Pewter is matte silver in color, very rustic and trendy too! In addition, there is hardly any discoloration over time but they last as long as silver! If you do not already know, they make great souvenirs from Malaysia too!
Our products
PENDANTS
Our pendants are exclusively designed and made of >92% pewter (same grade as Royal Selangor pewter). Don't be fooled by the pewter-looking inferior zinc alloy products which you can buy cheaply from Thailand and China. Cheap things are never good - they may cause allergy to your skin, they are easily scratched and they don't last like pewter.
Our products are 100% designed and made in Malaysia - the country that produces high quality pewter.
Pendant size: About 2cm-2.5cm (less than 1") in height and width.
For the chain, you have an option of nickel-plated mini beads (26" long, which you can easily cut to suit your own length) or BLACK synthetic rubber string (the length is also adjustable between 17" to 19" at the clasp). Same price for both.
(Left-Nickel plated MINI BEADS; Right-RUBBER STRING with nickel plated clasp)
EARRINGS
Our earrings are exclusively designed and made of >92% pewter (same grade as Royal Selangor pewter).
The earring hooks are nickel-plated.
Earring size: ABout 2cm-2.5cm (less than 1") in height and width without hooks.
CHARM BRACELET
Our charms are exclusively designed and made of >92% pewter (same grade as Royal Selangor pewter).
The bracelet and the toggle/hooks are nickel plated. Measures at 7" or 18cm.
B 01 - 4 pewter charms: Dancer, Scorpion, Wheel and Om (Natarajasana, Vrschikasana, Urdha Danurasana, OM)
B 01 - RM99 (excluding postage)
Charm size: About 2cm-2.5cm (less than 1") in height and width.
YOGA BABY-T's (coming soon)
Made of 100% combed cotton (a cooling material for our humid climate and does not go out out shape easily after wash), our baby-T's are specially designed for the yoga lovers. Limited quantity for each design - grab them fast!
Size chart for our baby-T's:
XS (Bust 32" Length 21")
S (Bust 34" Length 22")
M (Bust 36" Length 23")
L (Bust 38" Length 24")
XL (Bust 40" Length 25")
They also make great gifts! Get your baby T's gift-packed in our specially designed, exclusive HARD metallic bronze gift box for just an additional RM6, we can even help you attach a message tag and deliver to the recipient's doorstep!
Finally, our prayers are answered - IshaYoga Shop is the answer! Not only you get beautiful world class design and the highest quality pewter, you don't have to pay a premium because they are made in Malaysia!
Some may ask - why not silver? Well, silver tends to turn black after a while due to the chemical reaction with our sweat and requires polishing frequently. Pewter is matte silver in color, very rustic and trendy too! In addition, there is hardly any discoloration over time but they last as long as silver! If you do not already know, they make great souvenirs from Malaysia too!
Our products
PENDANTS
Our pendants are exclusively designed and made of >92% pewter (same grade as Royal Selangor pewter). Don't be fooled by the pewter-looking inferior zinc alloy products which you can buy cheaply from Thailand and China. Cheap things are never good - they may cause allergy to your skin, they are easily scratched and they don't last like pewter.
Our products are 100% designed and made in Malaysia - the country that produces high quality pewter.
Pendant size: About 2cm-2.5cm (less than 1") in height and width.
For the chain, you have an option of nickel-plated mini beads (26" long, which you can easily cut to suit your own length) or BLACK synthetic rubber string (the length is also adjustable between 17" to 19" at the clasp). Same price for both.
(Left-Nickel plated MINI BEADS; Right-RUBBER STRING with nickel plated clasp)
EARRINGS
Our earrings are exclusively designed and made of >92% pewter (same grade as Royal Selangor pewter).
The earring hooks are nickel-plated.
Earring size: ABout 2cm-2.5cm (less than 1") in height and width without hooks.
CHARM BRACELET
Our charms are exclusively designed and made of >92% pewter (same grade as Royal Selangor pewter).
The bracelet and the toggle/hooks are nickel plated. Measures at 7" or 18cm.
B 01 - 4 pewter charms: Dancer, Scorpion, Wheel and Om (Natarajasana, Vrschikasana, Urdha Danurasana, OM)
B 01 - RM99 (excluding postage)
Charm size: About 2cm-2.5cm (less than 1") in height and width.
YOGA BABY-T's (coming soon)
Made of 100% combed cotton (a cooling material for our humid climate and does not go out out shape easily after wash), our baby-T's are specially designed for the yoga lovers. Limited quantity for each design - grab them fast!
Size chart for our baby-T's:
XS (Bust 32" Length 21")
S (Bust 34" Length 22")
M (Bust 36" Length 23")
L (Bust 38" Length 24")
XL (Bust 40" Length 25")
They also make great gifts! Get your baby T's gift-packed in our specially designed, exclusive HARD metallic bronze gift box for just an additional RM6, we can even help you attach a message tag and deliver to the recipient's doorstep!
How to order
Just 4 simple steps to order:
1) Email to ishayogashop@gmail.com or sms to 014-328 3201 stating the following:
Product code: (as found under products)
Quantity:
Specification: (e.g. for pendant, do you want mini beads or black synthetic rubber string; or if it's a gift give us a personal message to be included inside)
Recipient and address to send to:
2) Then, IshaYoga Shop will reply you with the shipping cost, total cost, and bank details (We have Maybank, CIMB and HSBC accounts).
3) You bank in the payment through internet banking or cash deposit machine/ATM, and inform us via sms or email.
4) We'll ship the product(s) to you within 48 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays) OR you can arrange to pick up yourself from my house in PJ so that you don't have to pay for shipping.
1) Email to ishayogashop@gmail.com or sms to 014-328 3201 stating the following:
Product code: (as found under products)
Quantity:
Specification: (e.g. for pendant, do you want mini beads or black synthetic rubber string; or if it's a gift give us a personal message to be included inside)
Recipient and address to send to:
2) Then, IshaYoga Shop will reply you with the shipping cost, total cost, and bank details (We have Maybank, CIMB and HSBC accounts).
3) You bank in the payment through internet banking or cash deposit machine/ATM, and inform us via sms or email.
4) We'll ship the product(s) to you within 48 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays) OR you can arrange to pick up yourself from my house in PJ so that you don't have to pay for shipping.
FAQ
Why IshaYoga Shop?
We are the very first Yoga Accessories Online Shop in Malaysia. Being a yoga practitioner myself, I often feel frustrated that I can't buy yoga accessories easily at an affordable price in this part of the world.
Finally, our prayers are answered - IshaYoga Shop is the answer! Not only you get beautiful world class design and the highest quality pewter, you don't have to pay a premium because they are made in Malaysia!
Why pewter and not silver?
Some may ask - why not silver? Well, silver tends to turn black after a while due to the chemical reaction with our sweat and requires polishing frequently. Pewter is matte silver in color, very rustic and trendy too! In addition, there is hardly any discoloration over time but they last as long as silver! If you do not already know, they make great souvenirs from Malaysia too!
What is the quality of your products?
Our accessories are exclusively designed and made of >92% pewter (same grade as Royal Selangor pewter). Don't be fooled by the pewter-looking inferior zinc alloy products which you can buy cheaply from Thailand and China. Cheap things are never good - they may cause allergy to your skin, they are easily scratched and they don't last like pewter.
Our products are 100% designed and made in Malaysia - the country that produces high quality pewter.
As for our t-shirts, they are made of 100% combed cotton which is cooling, does not go out of of shape easily after wash, with quality silkscreen printing.
What is your shipping cost like?
Our shipping cost is probably the most reasonable in town, click here.
How do I order?
Just a simple 4-step process, click here.
Do you gift-pack your products if I want you to send direct to a friend for her birthday?
Yes we do! For accessories, we provide an exclusive gift pouch for every item ordered, and if you want to attach a message tag, just let us know - everything at no extra charge.
For t-shirts, we can provide an exclusive classy metallic bronze hard box at a nominal fee of only RM6, and a free message tag with your personal message.
If I choose to pick up myself, can I pay you on the spot (cash on delivery) when I collect?
Sorry, we don't accept COD - pay first (via Maybank, CIMB or HSBC), then collect :)
How to care for IshaYoga Shop accessories?
Keep your pewter dry with a soft cloth/tissue at all times.
Avoid spraying perfume directly on them, if you do, wash them with WATER ONLY without scrubbing as soon as you take them off, and dry them with a soft cloth. In general, pewter products do not change colors due to normal wear and tear, but nickel products may be more sensitive to chemicals.
We are the very first Yoga Accessories Online Shop in Malaysia. Being a yoga practitioner myself, I often feel frustrated that I can't buy yoga accessories easily at an affordable price in this part of the world.
Finally, our prayers are answered - IshaYoga Shop is the answer! Not only you get beautiful world class design and the highest quality pewter, you don't have to pay a premium because they are made in Malaysia!
Why pewter and not silver?
Some may ask - why not silver? Well, silver tends to turn black after a while due to the chemical reaction with our sweat and requires polishing frequently. Pewter is matte silver in color, very rustic and trendy too! In addition, there is hardly any discoloration over time but they last as long as silver! If you do not already know, they make great souvenirs from Malaysia too!
What is the quality of your products?
Our accessories are exclusively designed and made of >92% pewter (same grade as Royal Selangor pewter). Don't be fooled by the pewter-looking inferior zinc alloy products which you can buy cheaply from Thailand and China. Cheap things are never good - they may cause allergy to your skin, they are easily scratched and they don't last like pewter.
Our products are 100% designed and made in Malaysia - the country that produces high quality pewter.
As for our t-shirts, they are made of 100% combed cotton which is cooling, does not go out of of shape easily after wash, with quality silkscreen printing.
What is your shipping cost like?
Our shipping cost is probably the most reasonable in town, click here.
How do I order?
Just a simple 4-step process, click here.
Do you gift-pack your products if I want you to send direct to a friend for her birthday?
Yes we do! For accessories, we provide an exclusive gift pouch for every item ordered, and if you want to attach a message tag, just let us know - everything at no extra charge.
For t-shirts, we can provide an exclusive classy metallic bronze hard box at a nominal fee of only RM6, and a free message tag with your personal message.
If I choose to pick up myself, can I pay you on the spot (cash on delivery) when I collect?
Sorry, we don't accept COD - pay first (via Maybank, CIMB or HSBC), then collect :)
How to care for IshaYoga Shop accessories?
Keep your pewter dry with a soft cloth/tissue at all times.
Avoid spraying perfume directly on them, if you do, wash them with WATER ONLY without scrubbing as soon as you take them off, and dry them with a soft cloth. In general, pewter products do not change colors due to normal wear and tear, but nickel products may be more sensitive to chemicals.
Our shipping cost (CHEAP!!)
Accessories (pendants, earrings, bracelets)
Malaysia: For pendants, earrings and charm bracelets, it's only RM3 (comes in a nice classy pouch for each product)! If you order a few items, we can ship it at no extra shipping costs (provided they do not exceed the weight allowance).
Other countries: We'll need to check with the post office first once you place your order, but be rest assured they are very affordable and reasonable.
Yoga Baby-T's
West Malaysia: It's only RM6 by courier! If you order a few items, we can ship it at no extra shipping costs (provided they do not exceed the weight allowance).
East Malaysia: It's only RM9 by courier! If you order a few items, we can ship it at no extra shipping costs (provided they do not exceed the weight allowance).
Other countries: We'll need to check with the post office first once you place your order, but be rest assured they are very affordable and reasonable.
You can even PICK UP yourself from my home in PJ and you do not need to pay for shipping. Click here for location map.
Malaysia: For pendants, earrings and charm bracelets, it's only RM3 (comes in a nice classy pouch for each product)! If you order a few items, we can ship it at no extra shipping costs (provided they do not exceed the weight allowance).
Other countries: We'll need to check with the post office first once you place your order, but be rest assured they are very affordable and reasonable.
Yoga Baby-T's
West Malaysia: It's only RM6 by courier! If you order a few items, we can ship it at no extra shipping costs (provided they do not exceed the weight allowance).
East Malaysia: It's only RM9 by courier! If you order a few items, we can ship it at no extra shipping costs (provided they do not exceed the weight allowance).
Other countries: We'll need to check with the post office first once you place your order, but be rest assured they are very affordable and reasonable.
You can even PICK UP yourself from my home in PJ and you do not need to pay for shipping. Click here for location map.
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