Yoga Retreat (1 Day)

My 1st ever retreat in my life...

I still remember how much I wished for this event way back I started yoga - 3 years AGO! I viewed people's blog talking about the retreat and how much fun they had which made me so keen about it but never had the chance.

Actually there were a few retreat had been held in last year until beginning of this year. I couldn't make it due to most of the retreat held previously clashed with my EXAM...So unfortunately, I can't make it. Today was different because I HAVE MADE IT and I'm filled with satisfaction.

During this retreat, we did Arm Balance & Inversion (by JH Foo), Vinyasa (by Matthew Kemp) and Acro Yoga (by Foo). These 3 modules suite me because I need to improve my arm balances (i.e. Hand Stand). For all these while, I could not make it well because of the too-flexible-back that caused to get "BANANA (or C shaped)" and loose balance later on.

As for Vinyasa, I had been learning it way back in Penang when I was still with Celebrity Fitness, Janice used to conduct this. I quite like it personally because we have to move with our breath - just like dance. The difference within both of these will be - Vinyasa flow with our breath (one breath, one movement) and Dance (you got to dance with beats). If all the flow did well with our breath, it will look very smooth and nice just like a dance.

Acro yoga...as the name suggest, it is an Acrobatic Yoga which collaborate acrobatics movement indulge with yoga poses. The poses for acro yoga is kind of DYNAMIC as it requires a lot of strength and balances, maybe a little of flexibility. Apart from that, we need 2 persons or maybe 3 persons (for beginner) to make it workable. The reason for us to have "3rd" person as he will be the supporter - to avoid injury. Acro yoga is one of the yoga that I'm a fan of since I came into it on youtube 2 years ago. There is a plus point for Acro Yoga as it require all of us to use a lot of muscles work. So it will be as good as doing weights.

Apart from the modules, the most importantly, it was held at Golden Palm Tree Resort. It was a great place as it is NEW and those hotels were built on the sea? Apart from that, they sponsored the venue for us to use. Overall, everything was just great and I did had lots of fun there...and now I'm kind of exhausted because of the EARLY wake up and all those flows and stuns.

For pictures, please check my Facebook as I'm still uploading it...=)

Certainly, I keen to look forward for more retreats/workshops provided I have the time!! After since I came to KL, my yoga life went revolution and I'm enjoying it very much...! I didn't regret to make an option to come here for studies...

Bali Yoga Retreat

Yoga retreat in Bali??

Yeahh....there will be a yoga retreat in this coming 24th - 27th October 2009!

It's organised by one of my yoga teacher, Jazamine. The package to go there will cost only RM750 (resort, breakfast, 4 yoga classes + tour around Bali with tour guide). The things exclude in this package will be air ticket and also the other 2 meals of the day.

My heart really itchy for this retreat because I always wanted to go for a retreat and I can practice yoga while tour around at the same time~ Besides, doing yoga in different environment is another satisfaction for a yoga practitioner.

However, I couldn't make it for this trip due to I have classes. I don't think I could afford to skip classes, so I must stay determined not to go for this time and I believe that there will be a 2nd chance in everything! =)

So, whoever is interested...click this link for more information.

Simple yet tough!

After went through 2 classes with a Yoga Master, Vincent Tam, the feeling was really great and I learned a lot from him. Although it was only 2 classes and only 1hour per session, the knowledge I've gained from him was trumendous!!

In the class, he did all basic poses. It's to be considered as basic, yet tough pose because he made us hold it. The purpose for holding it long is to see our minor mistake that we dont actully see it during normal class. By making us to remember, he made us repeated the pose for many times and also keep on stressing on our mistake.

His class was never boring because he used our mistake and illustrate it very clearly and also making it a bit hilarous! After went through his 2 classes, I'm so keen to go for more of his class in Menara MBF.

After I've been through classes, I realised that yoga in KL is so much different, just like what Michelle told me "you'll learn a lot there". It's an eye opening for me and there is a lot more for me to learn from here! I'll pick up whatever I can so that I'll become a better person! Perhaps, this could help me to fulfill one of my dream, which is to be a Yoga teacher one day!! I'm hopping that those day will come~

Put theory into practical

Everytime I'm asked to do 'seated forward' from 'downward dog pose' using jumping technique, I really dont get the concept and I dont know which part I should focus on. Today, it's a very nice try - at least I put those theory into practical. Now, I know how is it flow and which part I should focus on.

Sounds interesting right?? *hehe*

By the way, let me quote something from what one of the yoga teacher told me during his class - Donald from FF told us "yoga is about self discovery - and it's also a way to understand your body". I found this statement is useful because today, I've discover something which I always have problem with. (Actually I still cant really do it, but I've understand the technique as well as the theory).

So, what is downward dog pose?? what is seated forward leg??

This is what I trying to say all the time..=D

Today, I went to swim with my housemate at the condo I'm staying in. After swimming, I was thinking something about yoga, but I'm not sure what I'm thinking also. As for that, suddenly I've the thought of doing something that I always have problem with, which will be to do 'seated forward' from 'downward dog pose' using jumping technique.

Michelle always told us to use core strength and a little of arm balance to jump through. I know what she is saying, but I really dont know how is it feel nor which is the part need to be concentrate on. Until just now was trying in the pool, as water made our weight lighter - probably the best place to get theory into practice because we wont get injured, and it can be practical.

After I did it a few times, I could really feel the part I really need to use. Basically, we need to use the whole core, as in abs strength by contracting them and using some arm strength to leave you up and put your leg through between hands.

These are the parts you need to use! =)

Today, I've discover something new, and would like to share with people so that you'll understand more..=)

Enjoy yoga...=)

p/s: I dont really have the flow in my blog because I type what I think at the same time trying to find pict to illustrate. So, bear with it yeahh?? I hope you get what I wanna convey...=)

Ridiculous to Ban Yoga...

I realise that nowadays, our Malaysian's thinking getting narrower and become obselete? By practicing yoga will draw you away to your own religion? I do not think so!! It's ridiculous to ban this and that.

Practicing yoga is like you're doing other sports. It's undeniable that yoga does contain the element of worshiping, but then I does not mean that you're worshiping to other gods or it will draw the muslim away from Allah.

I, myself a Yoga practicioner does not have any feeling that I'm "be one with god" (hindu god) because I only treat it as a workout/exercise. If they would say that those asanas (yoga postures) can draw them away from their original religion, can they prove anything out of it??

According to theStar.com and said by Norhayati Kaprawi “I don’t think it has caused any Muslim to convert to Hinduism, neither has it weakened their faith. It’s just an exercise like qigong or taichi which has its roots in Buddhism.

I have a total agree on her statements!! I really had no idea why they would have the thought of saying Yoga is a threat for muslim. It's really out of their mind! The thing that they should concern about but they never pay any attention instead, they go care all the minor issues to make it big! This is very inefficient act of them to the country!! Now, Malaysia is feeling the recession and they should give more attention to bring US out from the recession!!!!! On top of that, I think they should concern on environmental issue more instead of this? I still can see many black and think smoke that came out from the busses; an unethical company still using that busses around Penang! Shouldn't they say something on it?? There are many people still open burning which causes all the global warming...why aren't they doing something on it?? By banning the muslims from Yoga could help anything to the country??? The answer is NO!!

I really dont know why they wanna BAN the muslim from yoga..... Cant they use a proper words such as " Muslim people are discourage from practicing yoga because....". I bet this looks better and more appropriate.

I really do not understand what's the threat, as I can see there are no threats to it. I was kind of disappointed to see this news. There are a lot of benefits for practicing yoga. Look at the yoga benefits here - Yoga Benefits.

If they would say that yoga asanas is a worshiping to hindu god, then there are a lot of things shouldn't be done by the muslims, right? (I'm not going into too details) So I would say that stopping the muslims from practicing yoga is a ridiculous and nonsensical stuff!!! Should give the muslims the freedom of doing what they like.

The wonderful asanas of Yoga:

Look at the marvelous postures...you can get all the benefist from all these postures, of cause there are many other postures that give you different type of benefits too. All of these postures help us in blood circulation and etc. I see no harm or threats for the muslims to practice Yoga for their health!!

p/s: For my own opinion, I guess someone's faithfulness/fear to god is depends on themselves!! There is no point for you to come out with many rules that people can take advantage on it; meaning people can break rules!

Lazyyy...........

Gosh~ i'm so lazy!!!!
now i really feel like DO NOT WANT TO MOVE at all~
partly is because i've been so busy keep chasing for all the deadlines for me assignments, test and presentations...awh~
really hate it to do so many things with such a limited time..
today, i could have a full rest day..but i felt that i do not have enough yet..
i wish i could have more rest days!!!! REST!! i want it so badly...*wakakakakaaaaa*

partially i feel so lazy to move is because i went for Yoga class just now..that was Power Flow conducted by Michele Q and it was a great class because today's class were conducted a little different than usual..overall, it's a nice class..!
that class make me so tired is due to all the intense pose that make me really tired..
anyway, i love them so much!! and it could help me to tone up..*giggling*

NOW I'M REALLY LAZY TO MOVE, EVEN TYPING I'M ALSO LAZY...... =.=