namaskar april 2013

namaskarA VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMUNITY OF ASIA April 2013

FREE AYC TICKETS HEREThree chances to get an all-event pass to this year’sAsia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong ..................p43

ONE PATH OR MANY?What’s the best route to take in our yoga practice?Depends where you want to go ...........................p30

THE WHOLE BODY POSEDownward facing dog, a basic pose the teacherssay. But by no means easy ..................................p18

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April 2013 3

Thanks as always to Carol for taking care of allthe administrative and advertising issues andto Wai-Ling for tirelessly compiling Kulanews, workshops, retreats and teachertrainings. I know this is an invaluableresources for many readers. We welcomeAngela Sun to our Namaskar volunteers team.An accountant by profession and a part-timeyoga teacher, Angela will be looking aftercirculation and distribution and may becontacted at [email protected]

And finally Evolution, Asia Yoga Conferenceis just around the corner (6-9 June,www.asiayogaconference.com). There are somany wonderful teachers to choose from. Ifyou are having trouble choosing, perhaps askyour like-minded friends and teachers whichworkshops or lectures they’re interested in.At the very least, I will attend Carlos Pomedaand Ganesh Mohan’s lectures. And if my kidsgive me a bit more time, I’d love to go to SriDharma Mittra, Eoin Finn and my dear friendPatrick Creelman’s asana workshops. Don’tmiss the chance to win one of three all-eventpasses we have to share by answering thequestions on page 43.

Frances Gairns, Editor & Publisher

NAMASKAR - APRIL 2013

ABOUT NAMASKARADMINISTRATION Carol Adams, [email protected]

NEWS EDITOR Wai-Ling Tse, [email protected]

CIRCULATION Angela Sun, [email protected]

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Frances Gairns, [email protected]

Namaskar provides a voice for the yoga community in Asia and aroundthe world. The publication is an opportunity for practitioners on ayogic path to selflessly offer their knowledge, learnings andexperiences with others.

We welcome unsolicited submissions, therefore the opinionsexpressed within these pages are not necessarily those of Namaskar orits volunteers.

Articles and photographs in Namaskar are contributed at no charge.Advertising income covers production, distribution, administrativecosts and discretionary contributions to selected charities and causes.

Namaskar, is published quarterly in January, April, June (coincidingwith Asia Yoga Conference) and October. We print almost 5,000copies per issue (800 more in June for AYC) and distribute for free toyoga studios, teachers, fitness centres, retail outlets, restaurants &cafes and other yoga-friendly outlets. Most readers are in Hong Kong,and about 1,500 copies are mailed to 25 other countries.

LETTER FROMTHE EDITOR‘Tis the Season ofBirth and Renewal

Cover photo of Nihan Hantal in Urdhva Dhanurasana takenat D-Life in Turkey by Serra Mubeccel

In This IssueDRISTI - ONE PRACTICE OR SEVERALONE PATH OR MANY 32The case for pursuing a single path.ONE PRACTICE, MANY FORMS 33Following two complementary practices.DIVE DEEPLY INTO ONE PATH 34What you follow depends on your goal.ONE OR SEVERAL TEACHERS 36The teachers are as important as the practices.TEACHER FEEDBACK 37Four teachers’ choices for own their practice.

SPECIAL FEATURESA DAY IN THE LIFE 14A small Hong Kong studio with a big heart.PROGRESSION 22An Iyengar view of progressing along the path.POTENTIAL 25What stands in our way, how can we overcomethe obstacles.MANTRA INITIATION 26How one yogin received a personal mantra fromher teacher.POEMS OF THE GANGA 40Bathing in the mystic waters in Summer,Monsoon & WingerFREE AYC TICKETS 43

REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONSKULA WORKSHOPS, RETREATSTEACHER TRAININGS 6ASANA 18TEACHER FEATURE 27KIDS YOGA 27SSRF 39FESTIVAL REVIEW 45TEACHER TRAINING REVIEW 46RECIPE 49DIRECTORY 52

Living in hectic Hong Kong, it’s easy tobecome disconnected from the cycles andseasons of nature. Fortunately Philippe is anavid gardener, who teaches our children nowis also the time for planting squash, basil andall kinds of beans. Albeit in pots and a tinyurban garden plot he’s cultivated under ourbuilding’s carpark.

And while diversity might be recommendedfor a healthy diet and balanced life, is itbeneficial for a yoga practice? We ask thisquestion in our dristi “One Practice orSeveral”. And the answers of Kim, Lori, Pauland Yogesvara are very varied. This questionwas also asked of yoga teachers Laura, Chris,Janet and Inna, and Julia in Teacher Feature.

Other articles you might enjoy includeGaelle’s interview on how to progress in ourpractice with Iyengar teacher Marla Apt. Anice follow on from that is Valerie’s article onrealizing our potential by overcoming fear.

The anatomy focus this time is on DownwardFacing Dog, by self-confessed anatomy junkieChris. And the photo essay from Kenneth isabout a small Iyengar studio in Hong Kong.For those of you with a sweet tooth, Moosa’srecipe is sure to hit the spot. And poetry-lovers may enjoy Yogiuday’s three poemsabout the Ganges River. Rounding out thisissue are reviews of Bhakti Fest by Natalie, aSivananda teacher training in Austria fromVicky, Anu’s view from the Spiritual ScienceResearch Foundation and a child’s simpleperspective of yoga from Shreya.

Spring is unstoppable in the concrete jungle.New leaves brighten winter’s trees andflowers poke through pavement cracks.

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CONTRIBUTORS

ANGELA SUNAngela joins the Namaskarvolunteer team to look afterdistribution and circulation.Originally from New York Citywith a stint in Los Angeles, shehas been practicing yoga for 9years. She is currently teachingprivate classes in Hong [email protected]

ANU PURSRAMAnu has been a voluntary memberof Spiritual Science ResearchFoundation (SSRF) for 17 years.From a young age, she searchedfor answers to the purpose of herlife, karma and destiny. This questbrought her to SSRF whichexplains the meaning of life andprovides tools for [email protected]

CHRIS POONChris has been teaching at PureYoga in Hong Kong since 2009.He is particularly interested in

learning about the complexstructures and functions of thehuman body and apply them as atool in the ancient science ofhatha yoga. [email protected]

GAELLE FOULON DAFFNERAn Introductory level 2 certifiedIyengar teacher, Gaelle teaches atYoga Central in Hong Kong andstrives to live a better life throughyoga. [email protected]

HERSHA CHELLARAMHersha has studied yoga underSri Swami Satchidananda sinceshe was a child. She is a certifiedIntegral Yoga Instructor, YogaTherapist and Yoga TeacherTrainer. She has been teachingyoga since 2002. She member ofthe Yoga Alliance (ERYT500),Integral Yoga Teacher’s Associa-tion and the InternationalAssociation for Yoga Therapists. [email protected]

KENNETH LEUNGKenneth has been practicingIyengar yoga for 3 years. His heldhis first photo and drawingexhibition this year to raisemoney for the Hong Kong CatFancier’s Club. He has four [email protected]

KIM ROBERTSKim is on staff at New LifeFoundation in Chiang Rai,Thailand, teaching and counsel-ling. [email protected],www.toolsforevolution.org

LORI DOYLELori has been teaching at AgamaYoga in Koh Phangan, Thailandsince 2005. She grew up inspiredby her father in science and hermother in spirituality. Herfavorite aspects of Yoga includeKarma Yoga, the transcendentteachings of Kashmir Shaivism,

the dynamic and elevatingKundalini practice, and thesublime mysteries of [email protected]

MOOSA AL-ISSAMoosa is Executive Director ofLife Café and Director of JustGreen Organic ConvenienceStores in Hong [email protected]

NATALIE MACAMNatalie travels within South EastAsia as a guest teacher and isbased in [email protected] /www.tigerwaveyoga.com

PAUL DALLAGHANPaul is director of SamahitaRetreat and Yoga Thailand. Hewill be teaching at Asia Yoga

April 2013 5

VICKY HILLVicky is a yoga instructor atWellness and Birth, and HongKong company which providespre- and post-natal homecare.www.wellnessandbirth.com

YOGESVARA BOYLEThe founder of Energy of Mind: ASauhu Therapy, Yogesvaracounsels clients online at www.energyofmindtherapy.com.He is also a teacher and trainer forDHARMA INC, a living traditionof classical non-dual Tantra fromCentral Asia. ww.dharmainc.org

YOGIUDAYYogiuday lives in Rishikesh, Indiawhere he makes Yogi Yum Yums,handmade, natural sweets, fromwhich all profits go to secondaryand tertiary education of [email protected]

Conference again this year.www.yoga-thailand.com

SHREYA PANDEYShreya, 8, studies in Year 3, inQuarry Bay School, Hong Kong.She enjoys art, music, reading,Barbie and playing with her twinbrother. Her favourite books arefrom Indian Mythology and theHorrid Henry series. She alsopractices Yoga Asanas withMaster Mariappan at AnahataYoga. [email protected](Mother)

VALERIE FANECOValerie from Being in Yoga,Singapore, is a senior yoga teacherand teacher trainer certified bythe Krishnamacharya HealingYoga Foundation (KHYF)founded by TKV Desikachar. Shehas been studying and teachingthe Yogasutra and principles ofyoga philosophy for many years.She recently translated acommentary of the Yogasutra intoEnglish, published in [email protected]

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KULAUpdates

HONG KONG

A Day ofMindfulness(DOM) forHealth Care &Human ServiceProfessionals13 AprilThe University of Hong Kong,PokfulamCo-organized by Asian Institute ofApplied Buddhism, Plum VillageFoundation Hong Kong and theCentre on Behavioral Health, TheUniversity of Hong Kong. This DOMis part of the “Healthy Body,Healthy Mind” initiative to integratemindfulness practices to thephysical and mental health fields.This one will focus on ways to dealwith anger, when we think thatanger is caused by externalconditions, and how we respond topeople who have done us harm.Cost HK$100 (including lightvegetarian lunch and tea).

For more information www.pvfhk.org; [email protected]

Zen MasterThich NhatHanh in HongKongZen Master Thich Nhat Hanh isa Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk,teacher, author, poet and peaceactivist. He and the Plum VillageInternational Monastic Sangha willcome to Hong Kong:18 May: “Cultivating Peace andHappiness in Schools”, a Day ofMindfulness for the Educator foreducators and students at the HongKong Institute of Education, Tai Po

19 May: A Day of Mindfulness andVesak Celebration at the AsianInstitute of Applied Buddhism -Lotus Pond Temple, Ngong Ping,Lantau Island

21 May: “Body and Mind are One”, aDay of Mindfulness for Healthcareand Social Service Professionals atthe HKU Centre on BehaviouralHealth, Pokfulam

23-26 May: “Happiness is the Way”,a 4-Day Retreat at the YMCA WuKwai Sha Youth Village, Ma OnShan (Fully booked at time ofprinting)

27 May: “Happiness is the Way”,Public Talk at the Hong KongColiseum, Hung Hom, Kowloon.(Free tickets from 22 April at TomLee Music)

For moreinformation www.pvfhk.org; [email protected]

Weekly SanghaYoga ClassSangha (Community) Yoga everyTuesdays in Kowloon Tong withWai-Ling. Sangha is the communitythat lives in harmony and aware-ness; practising together to becomea healthy and peaceful community.The practise focuses on theintegration of body, breath andmind; cultivating awareness,mindfulness and joy as well asintegrating the practise into dailylife. Held 7-8:30pm, FunctionRoom, The Kowloon Tsai HomeOwners Association, KowloonTong. Cost HK$120.

To register [email protected];(852 ) 9465 6461

Gecko Yoga nowat The SanctuaryGecko Yoga has recently moved toThe Sanctuary. Gecko Yoga runschildren’s yoga teacher trainingcertification courses, specialistlearning workshops promotinghealthy well-being for kids andfamilies & hosts internationalchildren’s yoga teacher trainingranging from Perinatal & Baby Yogato Teen Yoga Intensives.

For more informationwww.geckoyoga.com;www.thesanctuary.com.hk

New Space forDickson YogaDickson Yoga has expanded andrelocated to Tsim Sha Tsui Centrein TST East. The 20,000 sq feetcentre has a 1,500 sq feet hallwayequipped with a Hanuman wall forstudents to practise inversions. Afull vegetarian bar is servingdesserts and Taiwanese specialtydrinks. The changing rooms havesauna, steam and infrared lightrooms for pre-yoga warm-up orpost-yoga relaxation.

For more information www.dicksonyoga.com

Studio for HireBody & Brain Yoga is a cosyboutique studio (500 sq ft) for hirefor workshops and classes. Centrallylocated in Stanley Street, it is brightwith natural light and woodenflooring. Can accommodate up to20 seats or 10 yoga mats. HK$350-400 per hour. Rates are negotiablefor regular and long-term users.

For more information (852) 31041156 / [email protected]

Yogasalaofficiated byIyengarYogasala has obtained the approvalfrom Guruji, B.K.S. Iyengar to usinghis name for the studio, so is nowofficially called Iyengar YogasalaHong Kong.

For more informationwww.yogasalahk.com /[email protected]

The sparkly new studios of Dickson Yoga in Hong Kong

April 2013 7

New pregnancyYoga at ShaktiHealing CircleYing is a certified Yoga teacher whohas been teaching since 1991 and amember of Birthlight, a UKorganisation who are world pioneersin the research and development ofpregnancy and baby Yoga.

Yoga for Pregnancy - Birth andBeyond - Learn how to relax, breathand tone the changing bodythroughout the different trimesters.

Mom & Baby Yoga (10weeks-precrawling)Benefits for Baby: Develop bodyawareness: involuntary muscles tovoluntary, and baby motor skills.Improve sleep and digesting withthe power of massaging touch.Benefits for Mom: Gentle post natalexercise and relaxing techniqueswith baby.

For more information (852)91914004 / www.sueyenwan.com /www.shaktihealingcircle.com

Free Peter ScottIyengar ClassPeter Scott will celebrate his 10 yearof teaching in Hong Kong with freecommunity classes at ChineseInternational School. Organised byYoga Central.

For more informationwww.yogacentral.com.hk /[email protected]

Personalisingyour PracticeYoga Central is offering an 8-hrPersonal Practice Workshops tohelp practitioners pathe their wayto practise Iyengar Yoga systemati-cally and safely at home.


DadaJ.P.Vaswani HKProgram14-21 AprilDada J.P.Vaswani is the spiritualhead of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission,Pune, India. He is said to be thespiritual leader and the guiding starof the Sindhi community in Indiaand worldwide. He has spoken atthe U.N.O on universal peace, andat the House of Commons, Londonon the World Without Wars. Hismessage of global harmony andpeace has captivated audiences atinternational gatherings such as theWorld Parliament of Religions andthe United Nations MillenniumWorld Peace Summit.

Dada’s talk in English on 15 April“Five Pillars of Spiritual Life”highlights present lives and apositive attitude toward yourspiritual goals. The Fifth SpiritualCamp will be held 19-21 April inGold Coast.

For more information (852) 23699519/ 9831 3535 /[email protected] /www.sadhuvaswani.org

Shakti Healing Circle’s spacious studio for new pregnancy yoga with Ying

Dada Vaswani will be speaking in Hong Kongthis April

Yoga SocialNetworkingPortalbluShiva.com is a new Yoga socialnetworking portal. Promote yourselfas a professional Yoga instructor forfree to an active and exciting yogacommunity.

For more informationwww.blushiva.com / (852) 23348408

Flex moves toOne Island SouthThe Flex new studio encompasses3,400 square feet, with threedistinct workout studios: a multi-purpose studio (Studio A) equippedwith a beautiful bamboo floor, balletbarres, TRX rods and numerousprops. Offering Yoga, Xtend Barre,Zumba, TRX, adult ballet andFlexKids children’s classes. Studio Bis a Pilates Allegro room, equippedwith 11 machines, as well as a TRXrod. Studio C is a private Pilatesapparatus room for private or smallgroup tuition. The room also housesGyrotonic Expansion System (GXS)Pulley Tower Combination Unit.

For more informationwww.flexhk.com/ (852) 2813-2212;[email protected]

YogaAppreciationMonth atBalance HealthApril is “Yoga Appreciation Month”at Balance Health. Yoga teachersare invited for a complimentary

Acupuncture treatment with PeterYeung.

For more information (852) 25303315 / [email protected]

SINGAPORE

30-day HotClassic YogaChallenge withRene Ekeheien13 April – 12 May – Pure YogaSingapore – Chevron HouseThe 30-Day Challenge unites acommitted group of yogis to worktogether and support each other onthe path of transformation.

For more information www.pure-yoga.com / [email protected]

THAILAND

New SivanandaYoga VedantaCentre inBangkok7 April marked the inauguration ofthe newest Sivananda Yoga Centrein Bangkok, Thailand. The inauguralprogram included a yogasana class,a special Havan puja, satsang withAcharya Swami Mahadevanandaand a vegetarian lunch.

For moreinformation [email protected]/(66) 819156195 / 22871714 / 15

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KULAWorkshops

HONG KONG

AshtangaWeekendWorkshop &Primary SeriesTraining withDavid Swenson19-28 AprilPure Yoga – The Peninsula OfficeTowerCome and discover an incredibleexperience of yoga, laughter and funwith one of the world’s foremostAshtanga Yoga instructors!


Iyengar Yogawith Marla Apt26-28 AprilYoga CentralMarla Apt will be conductingIyengar workshops from ‘KeyPrinciples’ for beginners to yogateachers’ workshops on Adjustmentin Teaching.


Kundalini YogaFull Moonworkshops27 April, 25 May, 22 JuneShakti Healing CircleJoin Neil Irwin from 2 - 6 pm for thisregular workshop.

For more informationwww.shaktihealingcircle.com /[email protected]

Angel Healing10-12 May House of LightTina Marie Bertoli, an AngelTherapy Practitioner and Mediumcommunicates with your Angels andGuides to receive Divine Guidancefor all aspects of your life.

For more information +852 35952134 / [email protected] /www.houseoflight.com.hk

Happy BrainWorkshop13-26 MayBody & Brain YogaDr Jilong Han teaches how to createhealth, smile/happiness and peace. You will learn to deepen energysensation, strengthen physical bodyand opening heart, and ultimatelyadvancing your spiritual growth. Allages and levels welcome.

For more information +852 31041156; [email protected]

Zeo SheehanWorkshop15-21 MayZeo Sheehan is a divine channel,spiritual healer/teacher as well asdesigner and artist. He has 16 yearsexperience in spirituality, healingand natural health. He has a specialinterest in crystal energy and healingand as a graduate of the SacredMystery school has been trainingand working closely with theEnlightened Masters since 2003.

For more information (852) 35952134 /[email protected] /www.houseoflight.com.hk

The HealingPower of Asanas25 – 26 MayPure Yoga – The Peninsula OfficeTowerJourney with Michelle Ricaille tothe roots of Hatha yoga to learn thehealing power of asana through theprinciples of Yamas and Niyamas.


Internal Qigong25 May & 1 JuneShakti Healing CircleJoin Qigong master David Seto learnabout this ancient Chinese practice.

For more informationwww.shaktihealingcircle.com /[email protected]

Aim True withKathryn Budig3-5 JunePure Yoga Hong Kong – ThePeninsula Office TowerSet every practice, day and breathwith the power of your intention.This lecture/class encourages us totap into what it means for us to AimTrue in our lives and to conquer fearto reach love.


Vikasa Yoga withKosta Miachin14-16 JunePure Yoga – The CentriumKosta’s philosophy is yoga practicehas to be an ever-evolving processbased on classical hatha yogatechniques that anyone can be apart of, rather than a complete staticsystem.


Iyengar Yogawith Peter Scott16-20 JuneYoga CentralPeter Scott, Senior Iyengar teacherfrom Melbourne, shares hisexperience in teaching andassessing Iyengar Yoga at YogaCentral.


Know your Body;Know your PoseWorkshop withJanet Lau21 JulyThe Yoga RoomIf you want to learn more about yourbody, or if you have ever wonderedwhy certain poses are always achallenge for you, you will have yourmysteries solved at this workshop.Cost HK$1,288 Regular (Early birdHK$1,088 before 15 June). Suitablefor all levels and limited to 15students.

For more information (852) 25448398 / www.yogaroomhk.com

SINGAPORE

MeditationWorkshop withMaster Guo Jun14 April–26 May (every Sunday inEnglish)20 April–1 June (every Saturday inCantonese)80 Gallery

April 2013 9

Open to everyone who is interestedin learning basic Chan (Zen)meditation practice. You will learnthe correct body posture in sittingmeditation to enable you to sit for alonger period of time and to learnvarious basic skills to release theneurotic tension to soften your bodyand mind. Taught by Chan MasterGuo Jun, the youngest Dharma Heirof the late Chan Master Shengyen,the most prominent Chan Master inthis century.

For more informationwww.80gallery.org /[email protected]; (65) 6438 4481

The HealingPower of Asanas20 – 21 AprilPure Yoga – Ngee Ann CityJourney with Michelle Ricaille tothe roots of Hatha yoga to learn thehealing power of the asana throughthe principles of Yamas andNiyamas.


Enjoying theTherapeuticUses of Yogawith ChrisKummer7-9 JunePure Yoga – Ngee Ann CityIn this series of workshops we willlook from an integrated perspectiveat posture, yoga asana, movementsand myofascial connections. We willexamine their component muscleaction, bone, joint, nerve andligament positions, and fascia

directions. We will also explore howthe various ways of utilising thesecomponents affect other functionsof the body, such as digestion,neurologyl and general health.


Vikasa Yoga withKosta Miachin10-13 JunePure Yoga– Ngee Ann CityKosta’s philosophy is our yogapractice has to be seen as an ever-evolving process based on classicalhatha yoga techniques that anyonecan be a part of, rather than acomplete static system.


THAILAND

Yoga Practice &Daily Living withMichaelHamilton13-20 AprilSamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiThis one-week retreat offers a mixof asana, meditation, practicalworkshops on inner alignment andtalks/discussions on philosophy.The morning session will be a yogapractice in the Ashtanga MysoreStyle. The afternoon sessions will bea combination of meditationpractice, special yoga asanaworkshops and talks drawing onBuddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Tantraand Classical Yoga.

For more information www.yoga-thailand.com

Transformationwith Rachel Grey& Dorien Israel20-27 AprilSamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiCore strength isn’t just found in thephysical expression of our yogapractice. It is also the practicalapproach needed to overcome theinevitable challenges and complexi-ties of our daily lives. Discover thisinternal reservoir of strength that isthe core of your being and that willenhance both your yoga practiceand your everyday living. By creatinginner stability we equip ourselves tolive in an unstable world. Onceexperienced, every aspect of life

aligns effortlessly with a sense ofpresence, purpose and power.


Restore & Relax27 April-4 MaySamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiElonne Stockton will also look athow the entire practice can andshould have a restorative effect.Whether you are doing breathworkor asana/poses and vinyasas/movement with breath, the entirepractice should support all thesystems of the body. Learn how tosoften the practice and find thissubtle aspect, touching a deepsense of calm and inner peace.


Ashtanga Yogawith MarkRobberds4-11 MaySamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiThis retreat will be a chance to divedeep into the heart of the AshtangaYoga practice. Each day will be acomplete and comprehensiveexploration of the different layers ofthe practice - Mysore classes,guided classes, yoga philosophy,music, storytelling, applied anatomyand physiology, alignment andtechnique, as well as the essentialsof yoga breathing, pranayama andmeditation.


Yoga & HealthyWeight Retreatwith Andrea

Mayer & IvanaJelenjic11-18 MaySamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiWhether you’re overweight as aresult of stress, lifestyle, bad eatinghabits, hormonal imbalance oremotional eating, this retreat willhelp you reach the goal of bringingyour body to its ideal and healthyweight. Learn to manage yourweight in a holistic way with yogaand healthy eating.


The Female Body& Yoga15-29 JuneSamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiOur hormones produce significantbiomechanical, physiological andpsychological differences betweenthe sexes. With a focus on appliedanatomy and physiology, this courseis designed for both men andwomen, practitioners and teacherslooking to understand what thesedifferences mean for women withan Ashtanga Vinyasa practice. Ledby Elonne Stockton and ArielleNash.


PranayamaDetail & Practice(Part One) withPaul Dallaghan30 June-13 JulySamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiThis course is inspired and blessedby Tiwariji, Paul’s direct teacher andone of the few living knowledgeableauthorities on Pranayama and itsplace in the field of yoga today. It isa living tradition. This course willcover a synthesis of practice,techniques, physiology andphilosophy.


Pranayama andThe Gita with SriO. P. Tiwari &Paul Dallaghan14-27 JulySamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiThe Srimad Bhagavad Gita is an

Anatomist & yoga teacher, Chris Kummerwill be at Pure Yoga in Singapore

Elonne Stockon has a busy schedule atSamahita Retreat in Koh Samui

10 NAMASKAR

exceptional writing and is full ofwisdom for anyone in life. It is also aforemost teaching in Yoga. Quitedifferent to the Yoga Sutras itdelivers the different teachings ofyoga in the form of a great dialogue.

Tiwariji encourages an openquestion format in the afternoondiscussion sessions as “Yoga” islearnt through what is coming up inthe practitioner’s mind. The text isthen supplementary and not merelya scholastic approach but one full ofwisdom and direct experience. Thiscourse can be an intensiveinternalizing period.

The primary focus will bePranayama practice with in-depthpulse reading of each student,varying as necessary. Mantrarecitation and seated meditativetechniques will be practiced.


Philosophize &Harmonize27 July-3 AugustSamahita Retreat, Koh SamuiElonne Stockton focuses onphilosophies and traditions of thepractice. And since the tradition wasoriginally an oral one, and texts werepassed down by chanting them longbefore anything was properlywritten down, it will also explore thechanting as a tool to experience thepractice and the ideas behind thepractice on another level.


Tantra 122-26 AprilAgama Yoga, Koh PhanganExplore your sexuality from aTantric perspective.

For more informationwww.agamayoga.com /[email protected] / (66)892330 217.

Tantra 213-17 MayAgama Yoga, Koh PhanganFollow-up to their popular Tantra 1workshop.For more informationwww.agamayoga.com /[email protected] / (66)892330 217.

Nidra Yoga/Lucid Dreaming17-21 JuneAgama Yoga, Koh PhanganExploring amazing possibilities bythe power of your mind.

For more informationwww.agamayoga.com /[email protected] / (66)892330 217.

TAIWAN

Opening Body,Mind and Heartwith Basia Going29 May-1 JuneSPACE Yoga, TaipeiIn this unique integrative intensive,not only will you learn to safelycondition the body to hold an openspace through intelligent back-bending and interactive functionalanatomy, you’ll also deepen youropenness energetically by letting goof emotional baggage and gaininsight through philosophicalunderstanding.

For more informationwww.withinspace.com

Essentials &Intricacies ofAsana I withPeter Scott22-23 JuneSPACE Yoga, TaipeiLearn the essential and intricatemethods of Iyengar Yoga not only tolearn how to practice safely and howthe body should feel and be in a

pose, but also to elevate yourpractice to a state of meditation inaction that brings light of awarenessinto the previously dark andunconscious part of your body andmind.


Focus ForwardFold &Pranayama withPeter Scott24- 28 JuneSPACE Yoga, TaipeiOne of the crucial steps in living anauthentic, self-actualized life isdeveloping a personal practice. Thiscourse is designed to provide youwith the tools to deepen and enrichyour practice whether it isdeveloping a home practice alone ormaking your practice in a group classyour own. While the focus of thiscourse is on forward bends, otherposes will also be covered.


Going Deeperusing ActiveIsolated Stretchwith AdarshWilliams6-7 July & 13-14 JulySPACE Yoga, TaipeiExplore how modern techniques inisolated muscle stretching andstrengthening can help make youbetter students and teachers ofYoga by providing you with themeans to greater strength, flexibilityand body awareness. This in turnwill give an intuitive sense of

Adarsh Williams leads various workshops atSPACE Yoga in Taipei

Iyengar teacher Peter Scott will be at variousstudios around Asia

alignment in Yoga, therefore makingpostures easier and more refined.


Ashtanga YogaIntermediateSeries withAdarsh Williams19-21 & 27-28 JulySPACE Yoga, TaipeiThe main focus will be clearlydetailing the techniques inalignment, bandha, vinyasa andbreath to master more advancedpostures including arm balances,deep hip-openings and backbending. This course is perfect forstudents with a regular practice thatmay have reached a plateau in theiryoga and are looking for thebreakthrough to the next level.


The esteemed O.P. Tiwari will be teachingwith Paul Dallaghan at Samahita Retreat,Koh Samui

April 2013 11

KULARetreats

AUSTRALIA

Wellness Retreat5-7 JulyHom Yoga, SydneyA beautiful eco-retreat 45 minutesoutside Sydney for a weekend ofyoga and yummy food dedicated toyou. Stuck in a yoga rut or lookingfor some fresh inspiration? Explorenew postures, exciting transitionsand work on refining technique totake your vinyasa practice to thenext level. As well as exploringgentler styles such as restorative, yinand yoga nidra and the fundamen-tals of breathwork and meditation tohelp deepen your understanding ofYoga as a holistic practice.

For more information [email protected] /www.homyoga.com.au/winterwellnessretreat

BHUTAN

Sky Heart – APure YogaRetreat withPatrickCreelman5-12 MayUma by COMO, ParoBe empowered by the majesticbeauty of raw nature high in the sky.Be embraced by rich culturaltradition, ceremony and colours,while transforming yourself throughdeep yogic practices in 5-star luxury.


INDIA

Inner Awakening8-28 MayBidadi, BangaloreExperience the space of ultimatepossibility of amazing leadershipand extraordinary enlightenmentAwaken your inner potentialthrough power of initiation by aliving incarnation, ParamahamsaNithyananda.

For more informationwww.innerawakening.org /[email protected] /YingYing (852) 93023931

THAILAND

Agama Yoga, KohPhangan5-12 April Crown Chakra Retreat -A 8-Day Silent Meditation retreatthat explores Sahasrara, the CrownChakra.

5-12 May & 2-9 June - Third EyeRetreat - 8-Day Silent Meditationretreat that explores Ajna Chakra,the Third Eye.

30 June - 7 July - Serpent PowerIntensive, 8-Day intensive thatexplores the secrets of KundaliniShakti, our dormant energy.

28 July - 4 August - Yoga of thePurpose. Everything is possible withthe power of our mind. Find yourpurpose and make it happen.

25-28 August - Awakening the SpiritRetreat. Satsang with SwamiVivekananda Saraswati.

For more informationwww.agamayoga.com /[email protected] / (66) 892330 217

Introduction toVikasa Yoga4-11 MayVikasa Yoga, Koh SamuiPractice with the founder of VikasaYoga – Konstantin Miachin. VikasaYoga ‘s “Evolution of Yoga”approach is based on integratingdeep core work with precisealignment, combining activedynamic exercises from differentdisciplines with static poses fromclassic hatha yoga schools,alternating dynamic and static,pressure and deep relaxation.

For more informationwww.theevolutionofyoga.com

Foundations ofDharmaJuneKailash AkharaA series of week-long immersionretreats in Adi-Yoga, PrimalAyurveda, Meditation andsupporting Dharma teachings thatcan be taken individually, ortogether for a discounted package.

For more informationwww.dharmainc.org /[email protected]

Extreme WeightLoss Bootcampwith MontyCrooke5-15 JuneVikasa Yoga, Koh SamuiThis is an unique chance to trainwith famous Drill Instructor MontyCrooke in Thailand. Monty will getyou from where you are to whereyou need to be.

For more information

www.evolutionofyoga.com/weightloss/

Yoga &Meditation30 June – 7 July, 10 – 17 August, 24November – 1 DecemberVikasa Yoga, Koh Samui

Two different styles of yoga practicea day. Structured for beginnersthrough advanced students.

Meditation allows th e mind toexperience an oasis of peace andlove within our heart and mind.

For more informationwww.evolutionofyoga.com/meditationretreat/

UNITED KINGDOM

AyurvedaRetreats withTri-Dosha10-14 April - The Fundamentals ofAyurveda15-19 May - Ayurveda and NutritionMalvern on the Hills

For more information www.tri-dosha.co.uk / [email protected]

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KULATeacher Trainings

HONG KONG

Radiant ChildYoga - Levels1&23- 5 MayThe SanctuaryTaught by Jenny Smith, RCYPFacilitator, RCYT, Founder of GeckoYoga. This training is designed tobring peace, creativity and joy intochildrens’ lives through the ancientpractice of Yoga. For anyone who isinterested in teaching Yoga tochildren.

For more informationwww.geckoyoga.com

Full Pre-natal &Post-natal Yogawith Jean Bryne& Michelle Papa28 May – 5 JunePure Yoga – The Peninsula OfficeTowerPre-natal and post-natal yogateaching is one of the mostrewarding experiences you mayhave as a yoga teacher. Pregnantwomen are very dedicated to theirpractice, and women often feelphysically and emotionallyvulnerable during pregnancy andthe post-natal period.


Yoga for theSpecial Child8-14 July (part 1) , 15-21 July (part 2)Sonia Sumar’s yoga is gentle andsafe for babies and children withDown’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy,Microcephaly, Autism and otherdevelopmental disabilities. Taught

by Sonia Sumar and Kathy Randolf;Part 1 covers training for children 0-12 and is open to parents, carers andeducators of special needs children,as well as yoga teachers. Part 2covers training for children over 12and participants must complete Part1 and required assignment first.

For more information Hersha (852)6103 9642 / [email protected]

Yoga For TeensIntensive4-6 OctoberThe SanctuaryTaught by Erin Lila Wilson - E-RYTfrom San Francisco. A comprehen-sive certification in Yoga for teens. Itoffers yoga as a transformative lifepractice for teens that fostersphysical, mental, emotional, andsocial development through yogapractices and principles.

For more informationwww.geckoyoga.com

INDONESIA

Yin Yoga2-5 May & 6-9 JuneYoga Leaf Center, West JavaJoin Sebastian & Muriel as theirshare their knowledge andexperience with 50 hours of Yin /Yang philosophy, Anatomy, key Yinasana, sequencing, assisting withYin poses, pranayama, teachingmethodology and more.

For more information www.with-yinyoga.com

SINGAPORE

Universal Yogawith AndreyLappa & Copper

Crow10-30 JunePure Yoga – Ngee Ann CityThis programme is designed forpractitioners who seek a deeperunderstanding of the ancient pathof yoga, regardless of theirbackground or practice style.Participants will come away with aprofound understanding of theirpersonal practice, as well as theskills required to effectively teach awide array of students through bothhatha and vinyasa sub-styles.


TAIWAN

Rainbow KidsYoga26-28 AprilSPACE Yoga, TaipeiA comprehensive, intensive andpractical certification course,perfect for anyone who lovesworking with kids, and yoga. Thisfun-filled course will provide youwith immediate, tangible knowl-edge and tons of fabulous ideas tocreate original, captivating and funyoga experiences for kids of all ages. You do not need to be a yogateacher to take the course.


Living Lab withBasia Going4-26 MaySPACE Yoga, TaipeiIn this 200-hour training, we will useour body, mind, and other tools torealize and come into the heart ofwho we really are. While a cross-section of required knowledge suchas pranayama, meditation, majoryogic texts, philosophy and

psychology of teaching is covered,our focus will be on making theoryreal and relevant to our growth.


THAILAND

Agama YogaTrainingsKoh Phangan27 May-17 August Learn how toteach Yoga in this very intensive500-hrs.+ training on a tropicalisland paradise.16 September-9 NovemberTherapeutic Yoga TTThe first time this training is offeredat Agama Yoga. Learn how to applyTherapeutic Yoga for healingpurposes.

For more informationwww.agamayoga.com /[email protected] / (66) 892330 217

TraditionalHatha & RajaYoga5 – 31 May, 9 June – 5 July, 14 July –9 AugustWise Living Yoga Academy, ChiangMai200-hour trainings are all inclusive(4 weeks accommodation, 3vegetarian meals a day, coursematerial and certification). Taughtby Daniel Fonseca (E-RYT500) andJeenal Mehta (Registered memberof IAYT)

For more informationwww.teachertraining.wiselivingyoga.com/ [email protected] / (66)8254 67995

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PHOTO ESSAY

A DAY IN THE LIFEYogasala is an Iyengar oasis in the midstof busy Hong Kong.BY KENNETH LEUNG

Hong Kong is a fast-paced city where homes are small, streets are crowdedand noisy. So when you come across a place which offers a calm respitefrom all this, it’s easy to want to spend lots of time there.

Yogasala in Quarry Bay, is such a place. Since this Iyengar-certified studioopened in 2009, it has become a second-home to many of us students.The teachers Icy (seen opposite at bottom right helping Janet with hershoulder position), Johnny and Bibi share their experience and knowledgegenerously.

The studio is spacious, light and fully equipped with all the props – wallropes, bridges, bolsters, blocks, straps, blankets – a dedicated Iyengarpractitioner could hope for.

And though we students come in all shapes, sizes (just look at the variety inshoulder and back flexibility in the photo at the top of the opposite page)and ages (74-year-old Lai King Lai seen opposite being assisted inGomukhasana), the yoga helps us slow down to find some space andstillness.

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YOGA ASANA

THE WHOLE BODY POSEA fundamental pose which can takeyears to get comfortable with.BY CHRIS POON

“Downward facing dog is one of the mostbasic yoga postures,” said the yoga instructorto the class I was taking 18 years ago. But itdefinitely didn’t feel that way to me: my palmscupped the ground weakly; arms shookconstantly; my spine felt like it was buckling;my tight hamstrings were excruciating and;my heels were nowhere near the ground!

But 18 years of consistent and earnestpractice and the guidance of some knowledge-able and generous teachers, and I can finallystart to agree with that teacher’s statement.And in this article I’d like to share a few of thethings I’ve learned about this pose.

BENEFITS OF THE POSEMost practitioners will know Downwardfacing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)strengthens most major muscles of the body,and stretches the muscles of the back, hipsand backs of legs.

However it also has powerful benefits for ourcardiovascular, respiratory and detoxificationsystems.

As with all inversions, where the heart ishigher than the head, deoxygenated blood isflushed down to the lungs with gravity,speeding up detoxification. In addition theheart has to work harder to pump theoxygenated blood against gravity to the hips,where gravity can take it down the legs.

Practitioners with high and low bloodpressure who may need to avoid full inver-sions, can usually practice this pose tostrengthen their heart.

The pose also strengthens our breathing

capacity. The body is at about 45 degrees, solungs, ribs and internal organs are partiallyinverted, making our body work a bit harderto breathe deeply. During the exhalation, thegravity makes it easier to exhale morecompletely than when standing up.

As the upper body is inverted, the lungs,diaphragm, abdominal organs and the fasciawhich wraps around the organs are affectedby gravity; though about 50 % less than inheadstand. This force helps restore elasticityto the tissues of the lungs and the otherorgans, as well as stimulate the circulationand functioning of the organs. So wasteproducts are taken away quicker and newnutrients are delivered more quickly.

ALIGNMENTDowndog is a common pose to many differentstyles of yoga. Each school emphasisesdifferent alignment principles and usesvarious techniques to achieve this. As mypractice is predominantly in Ashtangavinyasa, I share this school’s principles.

We can view alignment from two levels, thefirst is external alignment, where to placeyour hands and feet etc, and the secondinternal alignment, concerning the internalprocesses of breath and bandhas.

External alignment in downdog covers sevenfundamental landmarks, namely:1. palms, fingers, wrists – hands aboutshoulder-distance apart with fingers spreadand palms pressing flat down. Middle fingeror index finger pointing forwards dependingon shoulder tightness2. forearms, arms – arms aligned with wrists,with elbow pointing towards the knees.

Inwardly rotate forearms, while externallyrotating upper arms3. shoulders – working to spread away fromthe centre line of the body.4. head, spine – neck extended, but relaxed.Maintain all three spinal curves.5. pelvis - tilted forwards to retain slightcurve of lower back, and to allow the thighbones to move back into the hip sockets.6. thighs, knees – thighs slightly rotatedinwards.7. shins, ankles, feet – feet about hip distanceapart, slightly turned in. Some practitionershave limited flexibility in their ankle jointsand may never get their heels to the ground.

Internal alignment concerns consciousbreathing together with proper engagementof mula and uddiyana bandha. The goal is tochannel prana into ida, pingala and thecentral sushuma nadi. Practitioners mayvisualise a flow of prana between the base ofthe pelvis and top of the skull, though thespinal column.

Practitioners come in all shapes and sizes andabilities. Some have tight shoulders, whileothers have overly flexible spines. There is noone piece of alignment advice that will suiteverybody. So when considering if thisalignment tip or principle is right for me, agood question to start with is “how can I bestalign my spine to create balance and ease?”

COMMON MISTAKESAs a teacher I often see students trying topress their chest towards the ground indowndog. And indeed I was guilty of thiswhen I started practicing under MichelBesnard at Yogasana [now Yoga Mala] inHong Kong. He was the first teacher to

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suggest my sternum (chest bone) should notbe so close to the ground, which creates abackbend through the whole spine and waspainfully compressing my lower back. Hetaught me to respect the natural curves of myspine and bring my chest up a bit higher.

Another common mistake is rolling theweight of the hands to the outer edges. PaulDallaghan of Samahita Retreat [formerly YogaThailand] put me right, advising me to spreadmy fingers as wide as possible and press downthrough the whole hand. Since practicing thisway, my shoulders are pain-free.

CONCLUSIONGenerally, downdog seems to be an easy andfundamental pose. However it can take manyyears of consistent practice to understandingfully its benefits and potential. Have faith thatif practiced with good alignment, properbreath and energetic integration, it is apowerful pose which can rejuvenate the innervitality of the body.

Downdog Adjustmentsfor Teachers & GoodFriendsSACRUM PRESSStand in front of your student or friend indowndog. Place the heel of your hand on theirsacrum (the flat bone just above the tailbone).Press up and back to give the feeling oflengthening the lower back. This adjustment isnot so good for people with tight shoulders.

THORACIC PRESS / SHOULDER WRAPStand in front of your student or friend and puteach hand on each of their shoulder blades. Theheels of your hands should be on the inner edgeof their shoulder blade, and your fingers spreadover their shoulder (deltoid). On their exhale,press gently on the shoulder blades and use yourfingers to rotate their shoulders and upper armsaway from the centre line of their body.

PELVIC TILTStand behind your student or friend and holdeach side of his/her pelvis, with your fingers tothe front, thumbs to the back of the pelvic bowland inner wrists pressing inwards. Gently pull thewhole pelvis back and up, while using your wriststo help tilt the pelvis forwards. As you helpcreate more space in his/her hip sockets, askyour student/friend to inwardly rotate their thighbones.

WRIST PAINIf your student/friend has carpel tunnel (wrist)pain, fold up a small towel to about 1 – 2 inchesand put in under the heel of each hand whendoing downdog.

After 18 years of practice Chris finally feels comfortable in Downdog

How can I bestalign my spine tocreate balanceand ease?

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now. From the very standing poses I create apath for progression.

You teach the syllabus you are certified for,but you practice several syllabi ahead so youstart understanding the relationship betweenthe asanas, what skills are needed and wherethey can be learned in the syllabi.

Marla’s PracticalProgression Tips• Think about your goals in yoga and fromthese goals, design a several years long plan• Observe how you work with challenges andlimitations• Let your goals evolve• Use your progresses as benchmarks. Youhave to have tapas but mindless effort will notmake you progress. Only by enrolling intelligencewill you progress so you need action andreflection• Get support from your teacher when youencounter obstacles. Enroll your teacher’s visionand knowledge to help remove obstacles insteadof asking them to give you the full plan.

YOGA STYLES

PROGRESSIONThe Compass of our PracticeBY GAELLE FOULON DAFFNER

Do you remember your first yoga class and theaches of the morning after? How different youare now, on and off the mat? What isprogression in yoga and how do we navigatethe current of progress without crashing onthe cliffs of ego?

Marla Apt is a Senior Intermediate Iyengarteacher known for instructing in a veryprogressive, paced manner, skillfully layeringintricacies, enabling amazing physicalpenetration and the feeling of going within.

I had the opportunity to talk to Marla aboutprogression, from an Iyengar perspective, andshare it with you here.

WHAT IS PROGRESSION IN YOGA?Marla: Mr Iyengar teaches: Yoga is Art andArt has to have progression otherwise itbecomes stale. So progression is the life of ourpractice.

There should be progress within an asana,progress in learning the different asana andprogress within each sequence.

Progressing within an asana is not just sheerflexibility; it has to be penetrative. Props canhelp to penetrate deeper. For progression inlearning, Mr Iyengar laid the path before usby designing syllabi that take us from themost basic standing pose, Tadasana to themost complex pose. As for sequencing, it isthe key to progression in our practice as itbrings us deeper within, using each asana as astep for the next one.

We need to build our sequences to createstrong imprints (Samskara) in our body tocarry the change through the days.

HOW DO WE AVOID BEING EGOISTICALIN OUR DESIRE TO PROGRESS?Marla: We need to watch our actions carefullyand understand how they touch us. We can dothe same sequence everyday of the week andyet it will be a different sequence, because thesame asana will have a slightly different effectevery time we perform it.This is why although we are looking for

progression in our practice, we should stillapproach it as a beginner every time. Thisdoes not mean forgetting everything we havelearned and worked on previously. It meanslooking objectively at ourselves and recogniz-ing the differences in level of energy, mood,and physical limitation.

Mr Iyengar says the body is dull, tamasic.Every day the level of dullness is different, theplace of dullness is different, so it is ourmission to recognize and work accordingly.This is based on the founding principal ofIyengar yoga: observing, reflecting and actingupon the fruit of our reflection.

We take into account the day-to-dayvariations and the progression of aging. Weneed to be sensitive to our changes so we donot practice from blinding ego and let thesechanges control us, but instead learn to workwith them. This echoes Mr Iyengar words inLight on Life Chapter 4 – “We must be careful,however that the idea of progress does notproject us into a future that never comes.”

Progression is about revealing our truenature. We have to push ourselves toovercome the tamasic nature of the body butnot be ego driven. There is a danger inwanting to progress. To avoid this danger wehave to stay aware of our daily nature and useSamsakara with our intelligence not our ego.

HOW DO WE WORK IN A PROGRESSIVEMANNER AND TAKE CARE OF OURDAILY NATURE?Marla: We have to make it into a process. Firstdecide what we want to achieve. Then look atwhat stands between us and our objective.Then design a practice plan, which over time,pushes us to overcome the obstacle(s). Thatcreates an intelligent practice instead of anego-driven one.

In this process, we learn a lot about ourselvesbut also, for teachers, about how to lead ourstudents’ progression. You have to be clear. Itis a path.

From the very first class, I teach with an ideaof what they will have to know years from

Marla Apt will be teaching again at Evolution, Asia YogaConference in Hong Kong, 6 - 9 June.

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YOGA STYLES

THE SEEDS OF POTENTIALYoga helps us put aside our fearsBY VALERIE FANECO

When my seven-year-old daughter told meshe wanted to take Manga drawing lessons,my blood froze in my veins. The idea ofJapanese Mangas conjured visions of paleteenagers clad in baggy clothes and hunchedin a corner reading violent comic strips. Mydaughter loves drawing and has a passion forall things Japanese, so she simply put the twotogether and decided Manga was going to beher thing. I gave in, took her for a trial class,then signed her up.

That was more than three years ago, she stillloves drawing Mangas and she is very good atit. Whether or not her passion is sustained,she has had an opportunity to explore herpotential in a field of her own choice!

When we ask ourselves whether we have trulyexplored our potential, most of us observethat unfortunately we have not. As such, wehave “invited death into our life at a youngage”, to quote Kausthub Desikachar, thegrandson of Krishnamacharya.

We are all born with certain seeds ofpotential that we may not know of. In yoga,these potentials are called svabhava, meaningwhat is inherent to our nature, what we areborn with. But obstacles in life mean oftenpotential fails to develop. Dreams are crushedor talent goes unnoticed. If it is noticed it maynot be nurtured. We could wonder how thishappens, because when our children are

young we want the best for them. Theproblem is often what we perceive as beingthe best for them does not actually reflecttheir real temperament, personality orconstitution. To complicate matters evenfurther, there can be conflicts betweenindividuals or within one’s self.

A wonderful aspect of the classical yogatradition is the strong relationship with ateacher and mentor. A yoga teacher in thetruest sense is one who helps the student onthe journey to fulfill his or her potential, notto live someone else’s life or play someoneelse’s role. A good yoga teacher gives us thetools we need at a point in time so we mayadvance on a path to discover our Self; a pathevolving from our own practice rather thanleading to a goal set by the teacher. In ancienttimes having such a mentor would help astudent to understand him or herself better,to make the right decisions in education, workand personal life.

We are limited by boundaries and identifica-tions, many of which are self-imposed. I ammy children’s mother, my husband’s wife, ateacher for my students, and a student when Iam with my teacher. Roles put us in boxes;they showcase aspects of our self, but not theSelf as a whole.

There are many life situations in which we tryto be someone else: when we follow a teacherin the practice of the “perfect” form in a yogaposture, are we not trying to imitate someoneelse? The asana is put in a box and we try tosqueeze ourselves into that box. What is truefor asana is also true for our behaviour, habitsand experiences in society. Most of the timewe are responsible for erecting our ownbarriers which prevent our consciousnessfrom expanding, and our true potential frombeing explored.

People who start yoga often ask themselves:“What is the right practice for me?” A yogastudent may practice for years and go aroundin circles, hopping from style to style.

The right practice is simply the one that helpsthe student to reach his or her potential.

While the practice may work well, its effectsare not always pleasant; growing can bepainful! But if it does its job, then thereshould be a time when the practice is nolonger needed. A classical definition of yogasays: apraptasya praptih yogah, “to go wherewe have not been before”: the realization ofone’s potential during one’s lifetime.

One of the reasons why most of us fail to reachour potential is fear.

Fear takes many forms. There is the fear ofoneself, fear of the unknown, fear of otherpeople’s opinions, etc. Sadly, the list is long!The fear of what you might think of thisarticle could have stopped me from writing it.My daughter’s fear of failure in a drawingcompetition could stop her.

But we must not be too quick in dismissingfear. It is not wholly bad. If it were not for thefear of death, how could our ancestors havesurvived in the prehistoric jungles andsavannahs? According to Patañjali a deeplyingrained fear is a common denominator inall human beings, an inborn survivalmechanism, even for the most accomplishedyogin-s. It is a part of our nature (svabhava).

The problem is when fear becomes overblownand influences the way we act and respond toexperiences. We can effectively becomeparalyzed, stopped in our tracks when we areprisoners of our own fears. Yet the awarenessof fear is the first step towards being releasedfrom it. Once the awareness is there, the workof yoga can be done. Few things are moreexhilarating than the feeling of being set free.

A path of yoga is always challenging. It makesus look at ourselves straight in the eyes; itmakes us dig through our baggage of fear,identifications and self-imposed boundariesto reach our core, to unearth the jewels of ourpotential so that we may fulfill it. It is nevertoo late to try, but it can be difficult andpainful at times. It takes courage andhumility, amongst other qualities.

Most people’s potential lies dormant. Yogahelps it to come to life.

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Initiation is a ceremony where a spiritualteacher gives the student a specific mantra touse for Japa meditation. A mantra is a cosmicsound vibration. This vibration hums,creating sounds like OM, Amen, or Ameen. Amantra allows the mind to tune into a higherwavelength, creating a connection with theGuru’s spiritual energy - something like aweak battery receiving current from a fullycharged battery, in order to run again. Thestudent makes a commitment to repeat themantra, which allows the energy to set inphysically and mentally, deepening the natureof one’s spiritual practice and taking it to thenext level.

I received a mantra from my Yoga Master, SriSwami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev), when Iwas eight years old. He personally gave me,along with my parents and sisters, a particularmantra. His only instruction was to chant it asoften as possible inside my head. Needless tosay, as a child, I took those words of wisdomlightly. I had absolutely no idea what justhappened.

A year and a half later, my nanny, who arrivedinto my life when I was just ten days old,passed away with stomach cancer. I felt like Ihad lost a mother. Out of nowhere, the mantraentered my head. When I felt completelybeside myself with emotion, I would hideunder the blankets or in a closet and say themantra to myself. It was the only thing I coulddo to escape the overwhelming grief I wasfeeling. Still no idea why I was using it or whatthe benefit of it was. All I knew was that myGurudev gave it to me, so it must have hadsome value.

Fast forward to age 22: I was at Yogaville, ayoung adult living a fast-paced corporate lifein New York. I went on one of my regular tripsto Sri Gurudev’s ashram, Yogaville in Virgina,USA. I went for a walk with one of mymentors, Swami Dayananda, around thetranquil setting of the Blue Ridge mountainsand the Saint James river. During our walk,Swami Dayananda asked me if I ever receivedmantra initiation. I had absolutely no ideawhat that was and told her so. We spent the

entire walk trying to figure out if I had beeninitiated. I wasn’t even sure what the meaningof it was, but all of the sudden, I wanted it. Idesperately wanted to be initiated by mybeloved Sri Gurudev.

So as luck would have it, I had the opportunityto see Sri Gurudev that evening. He wassitting in a large arm chair as I walked in, notquite sure what I was asking for. He asked mewhy I wanted to see him. I awkwardlymurmured that I wanted to be initiated. Hescowled and said, “Didn’t I already give you amantra? What’s wrong with that mantra?Why do you want another one?”I panicked, “Actually, I don’t want anothermantra. I’ve been using the one you gave meall this time. I love my mantra, I don’t needanother one.”“So then why are you here?”Now I felt like a complete idiot for wasting SriGurudev’s time. “Um…Okay, actually I haveno idea about initiation or whether I’ve beeninitiated. All I know is that I want it.”“Why do you want it?”“I can’t explain it. I just really want it. I wantfull confirmation that I am yours.”He was silent, then smiled his empowering,radiant smile and said, “Okay, if that’s whatyou want.”

Then came the most beautiful experience ofmy life. I was initiated. I cannot begin toexplain its wonder with words. It wasn’t aceremony (like it often is with many yogatraditions). I didn’t prepare, nor did I fast, nordid I bring anything to offer. I just received it.I consider myself extremely blessed and I’venever looked back.

The goal of all traditional yoga lineages is thesame; to know the Universal Spirit. ThisUniversal Spirit has various names and forms.A lineage will always guide you to rise abovethe limitations of the body and mind andrealize the Self.

Receiving initiation from a lineage means thatyou have accepted that spiritual guide as yourGuru. You become committed to theteachings of your lineage. If you already have

YOGA STYLES

MANTRA INITIATIONA personal mantra can help you through all thechallenges life throws your way.BY HERSHA CHELLARAM

a mantra, stick to it. There is no need tocollect mantras from different traditions, as itwill not serve you. Your mantra is all youneed to tap into your inner Guru. The mantrais your tool to steady your mind with theGuru’s guidance and energy. Initiation is avery subtle but effective spiritual technique,which is why it is only for those who areserious on the path and very interested toknow the benefit of it. My beloved Gurudevused to say, “There’s no value in diggingshallow wells in a hundred places. Decide onone place and dig deep. Even if you encountera rock, use dynamite and keep going down. Ifyou leave that to dig another well, all theeffort is wasted and there is no proof youwon’t hit rock again.”

My mantra has been my dynamite. It hashelped me through the most challenging andmost beautiful moments of my life. It remindsme to keep my heart wide open even thoughit’s completely frightening to do so.

It gives me strength when I feel I have none.When I am filled with doubt, it reminds me tokeep the faith. I have dug deep and reachedthe water that quenches my spiritual thirst.For that, I am forever grateful.

Hersha’s beloved Swami Satchidananda

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TEACHER FEATURE

JULIAMCCABEAll styles takeus to the sameplace.DO YOU PRACTICE SEVERAL STYLES OFYOGA, OR STICK TO ONE? I study many different styles. My passion andlongevity as both a teacher and studentcommands of me that I keep learning, thebigger the palette - the better, is my theory.Ultimately, I believe all styles of yoga will takeus to the same place: feeling free in our bodiesand minds.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MAJORCHALLENGE(S) TO THIS? At dinner parties for example, when someoneasks me “What style of yoga do you teach/practice?” I’ve had to learn how to articulatethat how/what I teach is an infusion of all thatI have learned from many different schoolsover the years. The nature/mood of the class,the students, their bodies, the weather, thetime of year - there are so many variables toassess as a teacher, instantaneously and on

the spot- which is why I like to draw on toolsfrom different schools to adapt. Not just oneschool of thought. This might be challengingfor people whose brains needs a quick,categorical answer. Categories are limitingand boring to me.

WHAT DO YOU ADVISE STUDENTS ONTHIS SUBJECT? For new students, it might be to theiradvantage to begin with one style of yoga thatthey really love that has a set sequence. Forexample, Bikrams or Ashtanga. Confidencebuilding is key. For some newcomers to yoga,set sequences might give them a chance topractice the same postures day after day tobuild confidence. Otherwise, I would advisefor life long practitioners, that branching outand being a voracious learner keeps lifeinteresting. Practicing the same thing everyday can numb the spirit - and be too safe. HOW CAN STUDENTS AVOID GETTINGCONFUSED BY DIFFERENT TEACHINGS?It can be very confusing as a student lookingat any studio’s given class schedule. I wouldadvise asking the studio directors or teachersthemselves - catch them after class or in thelobby, to describe what they teach. Otherwise,I would advise taking a week and touring all ofthe different “styles’ of studios and classes intheir community and experiencing it forthemselves Make an adventure of it, ratherthan Googling “Jivamukti” or “Kundalini” - goand take a beginner class and have fun with it.

A yoga teacher and writer, Julia is based in Whistler, BritishColumbia, Canada. She will be leading a Level One 200-hrYoga Alliance TT, 20 May 20 - 9 June in Spain(www.spainyogaretreats.com), a Passion Project Workshop,21 - 23 June 21 -23 in London, England(www.breezeyoga.co.uk), and a Level Two, 300-hr YogaAlliance TT 15 October - 12 November 12 in Nicaragua(www.loscardones.com). www.juliamccabe.com /[email protected]

KIDS YOGA

WHAT IS YOGAAnd why it is goodBY SHREYA PANDEY

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DRISTI - ONE PRACTICE OR SEVERAL

ONE PATH ORMANY?

We get to water by digging deep in one place and not byshoveling a bunch of ditches.

BY YOGESVARA BOYLE

ONE PRACTICE, MANYFORMSFinding space and comfort for twocomplementary practices............p33

BENEFITS OF DIVING DEEPLYINTO ONE PATHNuturing a single path bears morefruit..................................................p34

ONE OR SEVERAL TEACHERSFinding the right teacher for theright time of your life....................p36

WHAT DO TEACHERS DO?Four teachers share their thoughtson this dristi....................................p37

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Cassandra Kish in Urdhva DhanurasanaA tree grows underground in the MTR , Wai-Ling Tse by Adrian Au

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I am definitely in the camp of one path, versusmany. We get to water by digging deep in oneplace and not by shoveling a bunch of ditches.Eclecticism is nice, and it makes thingsinteresting… but often times “interesting” is adistraction that keeps us from going throughwhat is needed to experience mastery. Myteacher’s guru, Paramahamsa SatyanandaSarasvati, said it best, “Only when we becomecompletely bored with a practice and wecontinue to do it anyway can we really callourselves a yogin.”

However, there is an element to mixingtraditions that is far more problematic thanthe distraction factor. We need to understandthe relationship between view, method andfruit. The underlying philosophical basis ofany tradition is its view. View informs themethods, the practices performed in thattradition. The methods produce the results(fruit). If we begin to mix methods born fromdifferent views, which naturally havedifferent fruits, then we end up withindigestion.

One common idea in the modern yoga scene isthat we can read into a text or a tradition inwhatever way we want to in order to fit it toour ideals and desires (our view). This way ofmixing views and methods doesn’t bear goodfruit. The methods of most ancient traditionsare very good at accomplishing what theyintend to accomplish (their view). Justbecause we have access to texts and traditionswithin the framework of our current,different view does not change the fruits ofthe methods because they are intrinsicallyone with their original view.

For example, many people like to readPatanjali as if it were a life-embracing text ofnon-duality. Modern spiritual aspirants whoare interested in lives of enjoyment think(mistakenly) that Patanjali is the father ofauthentic yoga. Therefore, they think that

they must bend his clearly dualistic andtranscendental practices to fit their desiresfor a life that is both spiritual and imminent -replete with nice food, entertainment, art,culture, sex, etc.

The aim (view) of Patanjali’s yoga (andtherefore all the forms of practice that stemfrom it) is transcendence. The practices areintended to enable the soul to escape theprison of the flesh and the kingdom of matterbecause the body, its desires, life, matter, etc.are all considered innately problematic – notin a way that can be transformed, but in a waythat must be escaped, or “transcended.” Withthis view, the methods are well suited to dryup the body and its desires, and to eventuallyshed the body, allowing the soul to roam freefrom the shackles of earth and life.

Transcendental methods actually work, so ifwe don’t agree with the view that gave rise tothem we shouldn’t practice these methods.Doing so is one common way people practic-ing the “many paths” idea wind up withoutthe fruit of practice they really desire - orworse yet physically and/or mentally ill.

People who follow dualistic, transcendentalpractices born from transcendental views,while holding a life-embracing view anddesiring a life-enhancing fruit are dividedwithin themselves. This is dangerous.

A serious problem arises, termed “spiritualschizophrenia” by Paramahamsa Satyananda,when we perform methods that are notcompatible with view. When we unwittinglypractice methods born from views we don’tshare (even if we don’t know it) we can reallypull ourselves apart with shame and guilt, notto mention frustration because the practiceswon’t really work.

In Sauhu Therapy, a system of psycho-spiritual work derived from classical non-dual

Tantra, we see far too many cases of spiritualschizophrenia due to the modern habit ofeclectic spiritual practice. Troublesomesymptoms often arise in sincere practitionerswho don’t know the origins of the austerities,dietary restrictions, asana, bandha, kriya andmeditation practices they perform and don’trealize these methods have an aim that iscompletely antithetical to the fruit theyactually desire.

There are many paths that are complete intheir own view, method and fruit. We are farless likely to attain the fruits of a practicewhen we mix views and methods fromdifferent traditions, especially when thoseviews stand in opposition. Complete paths arecomplete. They need not be mixed. More isnot better.

We should carefully consider the originalcontext of the view that gave rise to anymethods we practice. We should then askourselves, is this what I want? There are manypaths and many fruits, enough so that we canall find what we really want. But, the idea ofeclectic spiritual practice is at best lessaffective than digging deep in one path and atworse quite dangerous physically, mentallyand emotionally.

If we begin to mix methods born from differentviews, which naturally have different fruits,then we end up with indigestion.

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DRISTI

ONEPRACTICE,MANYFORMSNow I allowspace for bothpractices inmy life.BY KIM ROBERTS

I had the good fortune many years ago toattend my first yoga class with RichardFreeman. One week later, I entered graduateschool at a Buddhist university, where part ofour curriculum was to maintain a dailymeditation practice.

Many people—and many teachers—say youshould focus on only one practice. And believeme: for years, I tried. I could never choose.

I tried to give up Dharma. I became obsessedwith yoga, compromised jobs and my sociallife to make time for daily practice. I went toMysore and practiced intensively for a year; Istudied yoga philosophy and led my life like ayogini. This allowed me to build a strongfoundation, and had huge and beneficialimpact on my life.

But then at a certain point, while I was busyteaching and running a yoga studio, I hit aplateau. Something was missing; I needed avaster view. I needed a perspective or a

context in which to place the yoga practices.As I got older and faced new challenges, Ineeded to know how the yoga practice fit intothe larger context of my life.

I veered away from yoga for a while. I went toBodhgaya and Kathmandu, studied andpracticed with Dharma teachers. Prostratedunder the Bodhi tree and counted mantras onmy yak bone mala. I studied obscure Tibetantexts on the nature of mind describing howbodhicitta is the seed of enlightenment. Thisstuff is the water of life for me—integral formy wellbeing.

And yet, I notice that without a connection tothe physical body, any meditative exerciserisks becoming purely intellectual.

So, what is my solution? Now I allow space forboth practices in my life. Once I accepted thatboth lineages were here to stay, it has becomesimple to see how they fit together, how thepractices complement each other.

KEEP THE PRACTICE PUREThat said, it has always felt important to me tokeep each practice pure—not to mix them or

blend them like coffee roasts. Focusing on onepractice at a time is good for developing theskills. It’s like learning to play music or be anartist—you have to learn the basics, thebuilding blocks before you can begin toimprovise with any insight. At least at thebeginning, when you are learning a newpractice, it is very important to stick to thetraditional instructions—and to consult witha master to be sure you understand theinstructions. Later, when you have someexperience, you can improvise a bit. But likeany good artist, technique is required beforeyou have the skill to play your heart out.

There are many different approaches toworking with the mind. Yoga practiceemphasizes steadying the breath by aligningthe body—which will take you to awareness—and meditation practice emphasizes trainingawareness directly. Each practice can informthe other. In the end, however, the goal is notto perfect the form; the goal, if there is one, isto tune in to awareness that will lead you towisdom, which is accessed through compas-sion. But you need the form as a sort ofinterim goal, a ruse to trick the mind intopaying attention. The practice is just a tool.

Wai-Ling Tse by Adrian Au

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You can spend your life crafting the perfectsword, but unless you put that sword to gooduse, it is not very helpful.

Too often, I see people who have a lot ofpractice under their belts, and who can’t seemto get along with others or who become rigidin their approach. It makes me wonder whythey continue to practice. If practice isserving only to turn you into an arrogantexpert, or an obedient slave, dogmaticallyrepeating the prescribed formula, thenperhaps another approach is necessary. AsMilarepa, Tibet’s great yogi observed, “Thebest signs of success [in practice] are adecrease in self-centeredness and the easingof mental afflictions.”

BODY, SPEECH, AND MINDWhat seems important to me is to have abalanced approach to practice. Yoga asana is awonderful practice to keep the body fit, andthis is important to set the stage. It’s helpfulto have a breath-based practice to help tamethe mind, like pranayama or chanting.Meditation practice is necessary to tame themind, but because it is difficult for some toimmediately connect with meditation,following the breath is a wonderful andconvenient way to begin. In order to keepperspective and intention pure, study isuseful, either by reading sutras or meetingwith a teacher. With these bases covered,chances are a balanced practice will evolve.

A NOTE ON FUNDAMENTALISMOnce you fixate on a point of view, you’vebacked yourself into a corner and have thenobliged yourself to defend your point of view.It’s important to keep questioning yourrelationship to practice, not the practiceitself. You can make anything dogmatic, evenattempts to go beyond dogmatism. Moreimportant than the practice itself is theintention behind the practice.

According to Shakyamuni Buddha, there are84,000 paths to enlightenment. Differentpractices are appropriate for different people,and phases of life. If you need severalpractices to remind yourself to be awarethroughout the span of your day—and yourlife—then use whatever helps you to tap intoyour innate source of wisdom.

While negotiating the spiritual path, what’smade most sense to me is to let go of thecultural trappings that clothe these practicesfrom the East. I see rather two wisdomtraditions applicable to the modern era, withall its unique challenges. Rather thanfollowing a practice or tradition religiously, Itry to rely on body, breath and awareness toreturn to the truth of the present moment—which is the only reality we can rely on. If youlose this freshness and attempt to rely on atrail someone else has broken, you might getlost. While it’s useful to develop relationshipswith and follow the examples of wise masters,ultimately, we all have to find our own way.

DRISTI

BENEFITS OFDIVINGDEEPLY INTOONE PATHPursuing onepath withdiligence ismore likely toyield fruit.BY LORI DOYLE

In considering the question of whether tofollow one practice or several, we may firstneed to clarify our personal goals with regardto yoga and spiritual practice. Why do we dowhat we do? Are we yogis because we wish tobring inner calmness to otherwise hectic orchaotic lives, because we wish to heal ourlivers or traumatic emotional wounds, orbecause we want to reach the supreme goal ofspiritual life – enlightenment? Eachindividual’s response reveals the seed of his orher own motivations.

For those whose primary intentions arespecific or limited and related to health orlifestyle, it may be helpful to absorb and applypractices from various yoga styles or otherspiritual traditions that have immediacy andrelevance. Someone with Attention DeficitDisorder may be helped both by the yogicpractices of trataka or Shambhavi Mudra aswell as by Buddhist Vipassana meditation.One who recognizes her own need to open andunblock her heart might combine Bhakti Yogawith Anusara and also Tantra. Someone whomainly wishes to reduce the stress heexperiences may focus on Nidra Yoga anddeep relaxation, conscious breathwork, andTM meditation practices. However, if onehopes for great spiritual benefits – higherconsciousness and realization – above all else,pursuing one path with diligence is morelikely to yield fruit.

There is no denying that we live in a worldenriched by its myriad spiritual practices andpaths, religions, and esoteric philosophies.We can acknowledge that beyond meretradition, which attracts many to theirspiritual callings, people are drawn byresonance to the various paths availabletoday. What touches one deeply in the heartmisses another, who must be highly engagedat the mental level. It’s also the case that evena committed yogi can learn a great deal from

other traditions which deepen aspects of hisown practice. For example, attending aVipassana meditation retreat can bring a newlevel of insight or awareness to daily life oreven to one’s asana practice. Participating inbhajans at a South Indian ashram can imparta devotional attitude of bhakti to our entireworldview. A visit to Jerusalem can bring usinto attunement with the profound wisdom ofthe teachings of Jesus, the traditions ofJudaism, or the truth of Islam….

However, in this way, we are only informingaspects of our practice. Agama Yoga, where Iteach, is a school offering various practices ofauthentic integral yoga (Kundalini Yoga, LayaYoga, etc.). We also synthesize this with othergenerally Tantric practices carefullyintroduced to supplement one’s knowledge inspecialized areas. For example, we teach anintroduction to the Bardo Thodol ritessurrounding death from the Tibetan Buddhisttradition to inform our ability to approachdeath spiritually and our ability to help othersthrough this immensely important transition.We teach the prayer of the heart of theChristian mystics to help ourselves deepenour surrender into the realm of anahata, theheart chakra, and our communion with God.

But we do this within the larger vision ofplunging ourselves into yoga with fervor anddiligence. By and large, we teach our studentsit is better to pursue one style of yoga, or oneset of practices, to its depths, in order todiscover its real potency and benefits. Thegreat Dr. Swami Sivananda advised hisdisciples that perseverance was one of themost important qualities in a yogi. Similarly,Ramakrishna, the renowned Indian saint ofthe late 19th century, famously said: it is betterto dig one well successfully than to dig 12shallow holes…. What he implied by this isthat we are better off diving into a practicefully – and sticking with it until we know it inour being – than in tasting it superficially andmoving from practice to practice.

Ramakrishna was perhaps the most autho-rized person to speak on this subject. In thecourse of his life, during which he burnedwith intense spiritual fervor, fanatically crazyfor spirituality, he not only pursued thepractices of all religions, he managed to reachthe same place – samadhi, or spiritual onenessand ecstasy – through all of them. He said:

“God can be realized through all paths. Allreligions are true. The important thing is toreach the roof. You can reach it by stone stairsor by wooden stairs or by bamboo steps or by arope. You can also climb up by [using] abamboo pole.”

At one time in the spiritual history of ourplanet, it was the norm to spend at least 12years with a guru, situated in a deep sadhanauntil one surpassed the limitations of the egoand reached a level of spiritual transcen-

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dence. Today in our age of instant everything,we are more restless than ever, and maybewithout the patience to stick with a practiceuntil we realize its results. It has becomemore and more common to make a “soup” ofone’s various spiritual practices, reflectingour increasing connectedness as people, oursynthesizing nature, our broadening minds,horizons, and spiritual understanding.However, perhaps simultaneously, on aplanetary level, we see fewer spiritual giantsreaching the elevated consciousness or evenpeaks of practice achieved through immer-sion, diligence, and commitment.

Yoga is sometimes called the great scienceexperiment in which you are not only thescientist but also the subject. We have sutrasborn of millennia spelling out recipes forcosmic oneness, methods for dissolution ofthe self into the Absolute. Yoga even tells usexactly how long we need to relax into anasana to reach samadhi. (Three hours and 48minutes!) We have been given a jeweledplatter of secrets and there is only need forpractice, practice, practice to realize theirtruths in our lives. As Ramakrishna said, anypath can take you there. But first we need toactually follow the path, with one-pointeddedication, bent on discovering its depths forourselves.

The important thing is to reach theroof. You can reach it by stone stairsor by wooden stairs or by bamboosteps or by a rope. You can also climbup by [using] a bamboo pole

Why walk, when you can fly. Wai-Ling Tse by Adrian Au

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DRISTI

ONE ORSEVERALTEACHERS?A guide whoknows ourtemperament& developmentcan help.BY PAUL DALLAGHAN

The confusion perhaps lies in the thought thatthere are several practices. This division maysuit analytical purposes but it can only lead toa distraction in terms of genuine practice. Thechallenge is there are many elements topractice and several approaches that fitdifferent individuals, and even the sameindividual at different points in time.

One of my favorite teachings on this comesfrom a 16th century French mystic, BrotherLawrence: he claims he sees no differencewhen he is at prayer or when he is working inthe kitchen, as his mind is always engrossed inthe “practice of the presence of God”.

You can change the word God to a mindfuland aware state, or one of pure love, if thatsuits your disposition, but the point is thateventually it becomes part of your life and youcannot segment it or separate it. You, yourcharacter, what you say, do and think, whenand how you practice, how you treat otherpeople, are all part of one approach, onepractice, living it. To further quote the goodBrother above, he informs us it is a processand the inner tides take time to shift: “asdifficult as it is in the beginning as easy as it islater”.

The effort to shift from “difficult beginning”to “easy later” is the difference of starting apractice (or several practices), to knowingyour practice, being in it, both when sitting aswell as throughout the day. In one sensepractice leads to a development of higherinner qualities that should eventually bespontaneous and part of your make-up suchas genuine kindness, empathy, compassion,and the ability to really share and care. Atanother point one should be naturally livingthese qualities as it would be impossible to beanything other than “these”. There aretechniques, or individual practice approaches,to focus on each one of these and then there isa practice approach that helps cultivate themin an overall, well-rounded way. One maystart practice with varying degrees of these

qualities based on our karmic and inheritedcharacter, yet the start of practice willundoubtedly involve the learning of severaltechniques that ultimately unite and form abody of holistic personalized practice.

It is not so much a question of severalpractices as it is of loyalty, commitment andsincerity. It is quite natural to be seduced bymany approaches early on, just as one is inromantic endeavors when single. At a certainpoint there is a maturing and a connection.For that to go anywhere it requires thesethree qualities, both in practice and in arelationship.

In my own experience, practice is actually arelationship with yourself. To keep integrityand for it to develop in the right directionsuch sincerity is needed. It is very easy tospend years focused on one practice methodor recreationally sampling many andachieving very little from either approachbecause it lacked these three qualities. This isnot a moral point, rather more of a practicalone. Each person is free to follow their ownnature and habit, yet without a level ofgenuine reflection and real connection the so-called one or many practices only yieldfanaticism or fickleness. Neither areadmirable qualities for a life and are counter-productive to the spiritual path and thepractices it is prescribing.

The challenge here is no one can tell you thatthis way or that way is correct. Really oneneeds a guide who can look at it based on yourtemperament and current level of develop-ment and timing in life. The same is true inromantic affairs. One cannot stand on thepulpit and tell you not to be with many loversor not. It is really down to where you are at inyour life at this moment, single or not, a timefor many or a time to eventually follow thatcommitment with sincerity and loyalty. Thechallenge before this is being able to find,trust and rely on such a guide, we may evencall a teacher, and others run off and even calla guru. Whatever it is, this person shouldknow you well and also be an expert in thepath of practice. So, as opposed to one orseveral practices it is more a question of oneor several teachers.

My own path has involved 19 years of practice(to date) with no two years being the same.This is due to changes in life and, at a certainpoint, directions from my teacher. It took mefive years of playing with practices before Imet my teacher. It took another two-plusyears before that relationship became solid asa teacher-student one. Such a main relation-ship is often called a “diksha guru”. There isreally only one who guides you on that innerjourney. Yet, prior to or consecutively, thereare numerous “shiksha gurus”, meaning avariety of other teachers of different levelswho help you along the path.

I call my early years playing with practice as Iwas having fun, exploring, learning, getting toknow different methods and approaches,feeling an urge to commit to something and soon. Having said that, these several practiceswere primarily just varying approaches toasana. I found I made my most profoundprogress when I committed to a particularapproach to asana. But I had to find that. AndI did. In so doing I can now say in hindsightthat such a commitment made me “ready” forwhen I did meet my primary teacher, Tiwariji.Tiwariji has directed me fully on the pathsince yet never taught me asana. He did notneed to. I was learning well with Pattabhi Joisand others and so need to interfere with that.However, Tiwariji did fill in the rest of thepicture for me in terms of the meditativeprocess. In so doing it involved manypractices but all coming from a particulartradition but also being made suitable to meand where I was at.

In addition, one needs to understand thepurpose of practice. You can treat it as arecreational endeavor or something to helpkeep you healthy and fit. Then doing a varietyof asana approaches really does not matter. Ifpractice involves some cognitive developmentand heart opening process then what you do,how you do it, how it is learned, and from who,are all of vital importance. Asana can onlyreach so far in to the bag, so to speak.Eventually a student, or aspirant, needs to betaught more and practice more. At this stageone has to be even more careful in acceptingpractices and from whom.

It is fully realistic to pursue some or oneasana approach, have a guide for themeditative process, which in yogic terms haspranayama as its central vehicle coupled withfurther mantra and sitting techniques, and atthe same time visit Buddhist, or evenChristian, monasteries, for solitude andcontemplation. This has been my own path.Yet I always knew my own practice. I haveeven brought Tiwariji with me to my favoriteThai monastery. While there we couldembrace the place but knew what we wouldpractice in our own time. So above all strive tobe kind and compassionate and mature yourpractice along lines of loyalty, commitmentand sincerity. This is love.

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LAURA SHORE, GREEN FROGYOGA, HONG KONGI practice several different stylesbecause… I love them all!

I love my Ashtanga practicebecause it allows me to focus onbreath and mind whilst movingthrough the familiar asana. I lovethe ongoing challenge of theAshtanga Primary series.

I love the feeling of restorationand relaxation that I gain fromYin practice. Sometimes 5breaths in an asana is not enoughfor me. Yin allows me to stay forlonger.

If I don’t have enough time forthe full Ashtanga Primary seriesor a longer restorative Yinpractice I enjoy a 30-60 minuteself practice of hatha yoga andmeditation.

For fun and challenging armbalances I occasionally attend aloud-music, sweaty Vinyasa /Power class.

www.facebook.com/greenfrogyoga

CHRIS POON, PURE YOGA,HONG KONGI personally prefer to pursueseveral practices. Besidespractices Ashtanga vinyasa, I alsovalue the benefits of traditionalHatha yoga, Hot yoga, Yin yoga,yoga therapy as well as Pilates.Different forms of yoga practices,enlarge your perspective on waysto open the physical body andencourages mental diversitytowards different ways andapproaches. Especially as a yogateacher, having a broad perspec-tive on the diversity of ap-proaches, enables you to help andguide different students withdifferent physical conditions andneeds. Pursuing a great diversity ofpractice can develop or cultivateone to be open minded and beable to look at things at differentlevels and factors in life.

[email protected]

JANET LAU, THE YOGAROOM, HONG KONGPower vinyasa has been my mainpractice for the last 11 years. I likethis style for its adaptability andflexibility in taking care of thebody’s needs. After practicingpower vinyasa for over 6-7 years,I noticed I needed to cultivate asense of softness and serenity inmy personal practice, so Iadopted Yin yoga.

Yin yoga has helped me open myphysical body and becomepresent to mind, it allows me tolearn to listen to the subtlemessages that my body has forme. In the recent years,meditation has been the mostimportant form of practice out ofall three. It seems to be a bridgebetween my yoga practice and mylife, also it gels all of my practicestogether beautifully. I gainedmuch more understanding aboutmyself and have much morecompassion and understandingof others.

The interesting thing I noticedabout meditation practice is themore I learn to be still, the moremy asana practice becomes muchmore stable and clear, and my lifealso becomes fuller and colorful.

www.janet-lau.com

DRISTI

DO YOU FOLLOW ONEPRACTICE OR MORE?We asked four teachers thisquestion, here’s what they hadto say.

INNA COSTANTINI , YOGATEACHER, LONDONI am committed to a singlepractice because it works for me.But I also know it may not be thecase for everyone. Focus,dedication and commitment arekey in any areas of life - fromwork and relationships to a yogapractice. There is no certainty inlife, so questioning is important,but when we lose ourselves intothe endless inner debate (ie. Am Idoing this right? Is this the rightpath for me? Should I be doingmore Yin rather than anotherdynamic practice?) the focus getslost.

If you go to a dozen Ashtangaclasses and get bored, then switchto Bikram, then Vinyasa Flow anddrift back to another style, youare only feeding the monkeymind. We all need to try thingsout, in all aspects of our lives butat some point we need to pauseand commit to one thing.Dedication, perseverance andconsistency should be a priority.Staying open, curious andattentive should be another.

[email protected]

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Spirituality is a science of experience. It isalso beyond the five senses, mind and theintellect. A seeker, who is truly seeking theanswers to various questions like, Who am I?Where have I come from? Where will I go? etc.can be answered only by a Guru, Who isHimself an enlightened Soul, and He hasexperienced the Absolute Truth due to HisGuru’s grace.

So, when this is the situation, it is naturallydifficult for a seeker to decide what path heshould choose. In spirituality, there are somebasic principles:1. There are as many paths to God as people2. Going from many to one3. Progressing from gross (tangible) to subtle(intangible)4. Undertaking spiritual practice as per thespiritual level or spiritual capacity5. Doing spiritual practice relevant to thetimes6. Offering your talent or capacity to God

Let us understand how the basic principle‘many to one’ applies in Spirituality. In ourworldly life, there are many girls and manyboys; but ultimately, we settle down with onlyone girl or boy. When we go to eat in restau-rants, there are many dishes available in theMenu; but we order only a few; becausepractically we cannot eat all dishes. When wego to buy a car, we can buy only one car. Whenwe are looking for a house to rent or buy, wechoose one and rent it or buy it. Like this,there are many examples in our daily life,which confirms that ultimately, we move from‘many to one’.

There is a common misconception that wedecide who will be our Guru. Let us under-

stand this with some examples. In our worldlylife, we do not know many aspects likebanking, retailing, running a business, etc.

When we have to apply for a loan, we go thebank and seek their advice; and accordinglywe decide whether to apply for loan or not.Similarly, we seek advice from mechanic,technicians, lawyers, accountants, etc. Here,the common factor is ‘we do not have enoughknowledge, so we seek their advice. We leaveit to the experts in that respective field todecide what will be best for us.’

In the same way, we do not know anythingabout Spirituality, as mentioned before, it is ascience beyond the five senses, mind and theintellect. So, we do not have the ability tounderstand what is needed for us. In such asituation, how can we decide ‘Who is myGuru?’ But, the Guru is the one who knowswho is his disciple, hence, he is the one whocomes in our life once we reach a stage ofbecoming a disciple.

To become a disciple, one has to first becomea seeker. To become a seeker, one has to firststudy spirituality and start doing correctspiritual practice. So, unlike our worldly life,instead of deciding on our own what spiritualpractice I should do, it is always safe to dospiritual practice according to the basicprinciples of spirituality.

Following the basic principles is similar tofollowing a GPS system; one is guaranteed toreach their destination, that is, progressspiritually. If one does spiritual practice asper own intellect, there is a danger ofchoosing an incorrect path, ultimately, losingthe opportunity to utilise this birth forspiritual progress.

SPIRITUAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

FROMMANY TOONEOften in life,we are facedwith manyoptions, butmust makeone choice.BY ANU PURSRAM

RICHARD FREEMAN ON MIXING OTHERSTYLES WITH ASHTANGA PRACTICEIt’s important to have one root style in whichthe practice allows you to face the rawexperience of reality. Skipping from one styleto another just when the practice begins tobring up difficulties (physical, mental, oremotional) is a way of avoiding yoga andindulging the habitual ego structure.However, some complimentary approaches toyoga can, and should be brought in to improveone’s alignment and meditative sharpness.Any approach to yoga uses impermanent setsof techniques to reveal the true nature of ourmind. We shouldn’t miss out on yoga bymistakenly idolizing the superficial parts of asystem of practice, nor should miss out byskimming the surface—jumping from oneform to another without ever being rooted.

ELISSA JORDAN, THE BRITISH SCHOOLOF YOGA & THE SIVANANDA VEDANTAASHRAMWhen I was recently in India a teachercommented to me that yoga is not just apractice it is a discipline. Yoga, as she sees it,is about withdrawing the senses from thematerial world and moving towards a higherstate. Therefore, we should pick a path –whatever it may be, and stick to it. Taking thesun salute from Ashtanga but the breathingpractices of Kundalini, mixing in some of thesupported poses in the Iyengar teachings andcalling it a practice is an indulgence of thesenses. It is just another way of taking thegood while cutting out the bad, which is nodiscipline at all.

KRISHNAND M. , SIVANANDA TEACHERCHENNAI, INDIARegarding mixing of styles there is noreference in scriptures as Yoga styles are arecent phenomenon. Previously, we hadclassification as Raja Yoga , Hatha Yoga ,Tantra Yoga , Mantra Yoga etc but today wehave classification based on the names of itsfounders like Sivananda Yoga , Iyengar Yoga ,Bikram Yoga , Ashtanga Yoga ( PattabhiJois style ) etc . So my take is it is not wise tomix Yoga styles but to look at Yoga Asanafrom the larger Science called “MovementScience / Movement Therapy” of which Yogais a Major part and Ashtanga Yoga representsthe intensive form of Yoga , Iyengar repre-sents the precision in Alignment and HathaYoga ( Sivananda Style ) is a good startingpoint for beginners to Yoga and suitable formost of busy working people.

QUOTES FROM THE INTERNET

TO MIX OR NOT TO MIX

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SUMMEREyes closed, sitting perfectly stillGanga washes through meCleansingInvigorating.The full moon sits just above the horizonBathing Mother’s waters in soft lightCoolingMentally clarifying.She washes away the dross of my mind andbodyPurifies, prepares, pulses into my heartUpliftingEnchanting.Bhagavan dreams Ganga for allAnd She frees the mind with the kiss of Hertouch.She is me.We are one.

MONSOONRoaring past, altering the shore, turbulent,exciting,You are MahaShakti, Dear Ganga;Writing the story, creating magic.

You destroy the old and make space for thenew;Washing away all the obstacles before me,Cleansing the prana surging through me.

You bring great tides of healing minerals fromthe divine sourcePounding them into fine sand that swirls allaround me.You are the Great Creator, painting yourcanvas with infinite colours.

From here to now, from me to we,Rafting through the drama of life and deathYou are eternal and free.

POETRY

GANGAThree poems about the Ganges River throughthe seasons.BY YOGIUDAY

I wrote this trilogy of poems for Sri Amodini Saraswati’s magazine Mahakumbh Mela, January 2013. She asked me for a testimonial about myexperiences with Ganga during my bath there each morning.

By way of background, Kumbh Mela are the largest gathering of humanity on earth, sometimes reaching 100 million people over the several weeksof the festival. It rotates through four cities, and each site has a Maha Kumbh Mela or Great Fair every 12 years. Everyone comes for spiritualpractice and to bathe in the Ganga on certain dates which are particularly strong purifiers of karmic seeds, thus taking people more quickly tomoksha (liberation). Two and a half years ago, it was the great great Mahakumb in Haridwar, close to Rishikesh where I live, and I went a fewtimes. From a Western viewpoint, it is a crazy feast of colour. One day over 5 millions people came to the crush! The festival brings together amassive energy of spiritual practice. And it is known to bring many of the most advanced real gurus from around the world.

WINTERThe wind is howlingYour shimmering turquoise waters are ruffledaboveBut peaceful below.

My initial breaths tremble as I sit down for anicy, moonlit bathBut then I surrender to your protectiveembraceAnd stay calm immersed in your sweet love.The cold disappearsI disappear

All that remains is your crystal clarityReflecting for meYour wise creationYour ever fresh joy.Your eternal truth and blissful love.

Jai Ma

The Ganga at Rishikesh in March, photo by Yogiuday

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A media sponsor of Asia Yoga Conference, Namaskar is pleased to be ableto share three four-day, all-event passes with our readers.

If you are interested, visit www.asiayogaconference.com and read this issueof Namaskar to find the answers to these three questions. The first correctanswer to each question will receive a pass, one pass per winner and onewinner per question.

1. HOW MANY TEACHERS ARE LISTED AS FACULTY ON THEAYC WEBSITE?

2. WHICH AYC FACULTY IS FAMOUS FOR HIS SELF-PHOTOGRAPHED BOOK OF 608 YOGA POSES

3. WHICH NAMASKAR CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS APRIL ISSUEWAS A DIRECT STUDENT OF SRI SWAMI SATCHIDANANDA?

Please email your answer to: [email protected]

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ASIA YOGACONFERENCE6 – 9 JUNE 2013HONG KONG CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

AYC faculty (clockwise from top left) Mas Vidal, Eoin Finn, Martin Kirk & Bones, Giselle Mari,Tiffany Cruikshank

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FESTIVAL

BHAKTI FESTNon-stop Kirtan, yogaclasses & workshopsoutdoors at JoshuaTree, California.BY NATALIE MACAM

Bhakti Fest is an annual kirtan event whichtakes place in the desert retreat center ofJoshua Tree, California. For four daysstraight, 24-hours a day, there is continuouskirtan from 9 am on Thursday morning tillmidnight on Sunday. That’s 80 hours!

The festival aims to bring Kirtan and BhaktiYoga to the masses in the oldest and largestretreat center in the Western US. This 420-acre retreat center provides camping for up to5,000 people, and also provides dorms andshared accommodations. Joshua TreeRetreat Center is not only remarkable for itsnatural desert beauty, but it is also anarchitectural landmark designed by ArchitectFrank Lloyd Wright.

The festival brings in the who’s who in theGlobal Kirtan community such as DevaPremal + Miten, Wah!, Jai Uttal, Krishna Das,Donna DeLory, Kirtanyas, and C.C. White.However, the amount of Kirtan artistsfeatured at the festival has been exponentiallygrowing so much so that a second stage wasestablished and featured up and comingartists such as Kirtan Rabbi, and Arjun Baba.

The inspiration for Bhakti Fest first emerged40 years ago at the historical festival event,Woodstock, by Sridar Silberfein, ExecutiveProducer of Bhakti Fest. Whilst Sridar waswith Michael Lane and Artie Kornfeld, theProducers of Woodstock, Michael and Artieasked Sridhar what was missing fromWoodstock. He felt the spiritual aspectneeded to be integrated and went on toproduce that segment. Sridhar contacted histeacher at the time, Swami Satchitananda,and arranged to have him flown to Woodstockby helicopter. Swami Satchitananda gave theinvocation and it was at that moment thatSridhar was on stage and gazed upon 500,000people that thought seed was planted,“wouldn’t it be wonderful for all of them to bechanting the divine names. Forty years later,Bhakti Fest emerged and has been a formativeforce in the rise and awareness of kirtan andbhakti yoga to the masses.

“We wanted to bring Bhakti: devotion, love,compassion, the meaning of what this is allabout. We have a little saying, ‘Be in the Bhav’and we hope people can take it from thefestival and to incorporate it into theireveryday lives and into whatever they aredoing” - Sridhar.

Not only was there nonstop Kirtan and music,but there was also over 70 yoga classes andworkshops. And the kirtan and bhakti isliterally infused in every experience. What Iloved most was the combination of yoga withlive music support from musical artists.

Experiencing Saul David Raye’s class andadditionally having Girish play music and leadus in Kirtan adds an entire new layer to theexperience. Epic yogic moments such aspracticing Prana Flow with Shiva Rea withC.C. White’s voice colored the backgroundwere a constant at Bhakti Fest. What I foundwas many of the yoga teachers also had theirown live band and lead Kirtans such as GovinDas and Radha, Saul David Raye, Gigi Yoginiand Mother Medicine, and Sean Johnson andthe Wild Lotus band.

Lastly, the Bhakti Fest organized lectures andworkshops. Most notable workshop that bestembodied intentions of Bhakti Fest wasYehoshua Brill’s Nada Yoga Workshop called,Tuning In to the 3rd Ear. Yehoshua discussedsound and the subtle body exploring theprincipals of yoga, tantra, and mysticism as itrelates to sound and music. This captivatingsubject presented how to connect to sound,breath, and movement to hear and feel ourown unique inner frequencies and rhythms.

Lastly the most memorable part of the entireweekend ends with camping under the desertstars nightly and falling asleep to the chantingof the divine names. Haribol!

Shiva Rae at BhaktiFest photographed by Kristina Clemens

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TEACHER TRAINING

A MONTH INAUSTRIAThe beautiful AustrainAlps are a perfectcomplement to thisintensive Sivanandatraining.BY VICKY HILL

The idea of a month with no meat, alcohol orcoffee is not everyone’s idea of a restfulretreat. When I told my sister this would bepart of my yoga teacher training she said; “Itsounds truly awful.” I didn’t tell her I wouldbe sitting on the floor for six hours a day anddoing four hours of yoga practice. But despitethe austerity i loved every minute of it! I amthe type of person who thrives on routine - Iprobably would have done well in the army.Don’t get me wrong I like a beer and a pizza asmuch as the next person but the intensity ofthe course meant I quickly forgot about all thethings I was sacrificing.

The Sivananda course is four intensive weekswith topics ranging from anatomy to theancient Indian text of the Bhagavad Giva, aswell as the planning and teaching of yogalessons. The course organisers, the Swamis,made it very easy for us to immerse ourselves.The Ashram (yoga centre) set in the AustrianTyrol must be one of the most beautiful placeson earth with snow tipped mountains, brightgreen forests and meadows of pink and purplewild flowers. The air is clean and the tapwater tastes like Evian.

At the start of the course we were invited toexplain why we had chosen to be there -thereasons varied. But as the course progressed,people became more honest with theiranswers and talked about yoga as a way ofseeking support through illness or emotionalupheaval; even as a way to work throughsexual orientation.

The Swamis, are a type of spiritual guide -dressed in orange, who have learnt to stay atarm’s length from the students’ bubbling potof emotions while supporting the collective.Their main teachings were that of un-attachment to life, relationships and thefuture. They say by realising that the soul orthe Self is part of the wider universe we willstop trying to control everything and let go.Balance and moderation in everything willhelp with clarity of thought and makingchoices. They explained that karma governedmuch of what has happened to us but thechoices we make now will affect our future.

The physical act of yoga is just one part of a

process for a healthy body and mind. Yogateachers often start a lesson by askingstudents to relax and then set their intentionor leave things that have been worrying themoutside the room. While doing the postures,which take concentration, it is very difficultto think about bills and work targets.

A 5:30am start is a bit of a shock to the systemparticularly when your day starts withchanting and meditation followed by twohours of yoga practice. Sivananda yoga isconsidered, by some, to be the best in theworld focusing on 12 basic postures and theirrelated health benefits. The main challengewhen practicing advanced postures was to notget frustrated with ourselves but allow timefor the small changes to take effect.

Breakfast is a far away idea that doesn’t appear until 10:30am. In the first couple ofdays the rush to the restaurant buffet waspretty frantic, as just two meals a day areserved and it was a long wait until dinner at6:30pm. Serving spoons were being snatchedto get the last bit of carrot salad. But thefranticness at meal times fizzled out once thevillage bakery was discovered - selling some ofthe finest chocolate and almond cakes I haveever eaten. They were a real treat for ourFriday afternoons off.

Meditation is a major element of the course,the aim of which is to control the mind.However if you sit still and look at yourthoughts you will notice that your mind is likea drunk monkey jumping from tree to tree.The process of meditation had a very powerfuleffect on some people as tears streamed downtheir perfectly still faces. Meditation wasfollowed by chanting in Sanskrit. In the firstfew days everyone was fumbling over thewords and giving each other sideways glances.This was in stark contrast to the end of thesecond week when everyone is swaying,clapping and singing their hearts out.

Chanting is described as a mystical energyencased in a sound and a group of peoplesinging certainly does have an energy. Whenthat group is living, eating and studying

together, the energy of singing is even morepowerful and emotions were released again.

At the end of the course all the students, nowqualified yoga teachers, are full of questions;is there such a thing as good and bad karma orgroup karma, how can I rectify my mistakes?The depth of the yoga philosophy means it isan ongoing discovery which I will never stoplearning from. It is this idea of never knowingenough and learning with students thatmakes me passionate about the practice.

The Sivananda Ashram in Austria, above.Walking meditation in the forest, below.

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RECIPE

RAW LEMON & CACAOHALVASuper easy and packed withsweetness & nutrition.BY MOOSA AL-ISSA

When I was growing up, there were threedesserts that were always around our house: bigjuicy dates with tahini; crisp and rich baklava and;the most common of middle eastern sweets,Halva. Before you start this recipe please beaware that you must have a spice or coffeegrinder to be able to successfully grind thesesame seeds you will need. If you use a foodprocessor the seeds will jump around with lots ofgrinding sounds but when you stop theprocessor unground seeds! Now that we havegot that out of the way let’s move on to therecipe. This raw halva recipe is super easy tomake and is packed with sweetness, richness andpowerful nutrients. I hope you enjoy it!

INGREDIENTS1 cup Sesame Seeds1/2 cup Organic Honey2 tablespoons Organic Cocoa Powder1 tablespoon minced Lemon Zest or 1/2 teaspoonOrganic Lemon Extract

PROCEDURE1. Grind the sesame seeds in three batches in thegrinder till they are ground to a fine powder, thenreserve in a small bowl.2. In a medium bowl add the lemon zest orextract and the honey and stir with a spoon tillmixed.3. Add the cacao to the ground sesame seedsand mix thoroughly.4. Add the sesame and cacao to the honey.5. Stir the sesame, cacao, lemon & honey tillcompletely mixed.6. Shape portions into balls or bars or if you arekeeping it casual, eat it out of the bowl will aspoon. Delicious!7. Optional - roll balls in white or black sesameseeds.8. Place the balls or bars in the fridge for a coupleof hours and they will firm up nicely.9. Store in a sealed container in the fridge andconsume within 2 to 3 days.

Halva, which means sweet in Arabic, is the name of a widevariety of flour or nut-based, dense, sweet confection servedin the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia,North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Balkans, EasternEurope, Malta and the Jewish world. This recipe calls for justthe four ingredients pictured above sesame seeds, honey,cocoa powder and lemon.

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DIRECTORYGuide to yoga studios& teachers

AGAMA YOGA SCHOOL42/4 moo 8, Koh Phangan,Suratthani 84280, Thailands: Tantra Yoga, Kundalini Yoga,Workshops, Retreats, Meditation,Yogic Healingl: Englisht: (66) 892 330 217e: [email protected]: www.agamayoga.com

ANAHATA YOGA18/F Lyndhurst Tower, 1Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, HongKongs: Hatha, Ashtanga, Yoga therapy,Yin and more. Groups & privatest: (852) 2905 1922e: [email protected]: www.anahatayoga.com.hk

Anna NgPrivatesd: Hong Kongs: Hatha yogal: Cantoneset: (852) 9483 1167e: [email protected]

AUM YOGA AND PILATESSTUDIORoom J1, 13/F, Kaiser Estate Phase2, 47-53 Man Yuen Street, HungHom, Kowloon, Hong Kongs: Ayurveda Massage, DetoxMassage, Ayurveda Facial, JoveesRetail Hot Yoga, Pilates, ThaiMassage Yogat: (852) 3523 1332e: [email protected]: www.aum.com.hk

AUMNIE YOGA WEARHong Kong - Room 1601, 99Wellington Street, Centralt: (852) 3188 0973 Shanghai - 60 Xinle Road, 3/FXuhui Districtt: (86) 21 5404 3135Retail, Wholesale, Shop OnlineFree Shipping WorldwideYoga Clothing and Accessoriese: [email protected]: www.aumnie.com

BODYWIZE YOGA & DAY SPAG/F & 2/F, 1 Wong NaiChung Road, Happy Valley, HongKongs: Private & small group classes,Yoga for stress management,Couple yoga, Ashtanga, Power, Yoga therapy, workshops, retreats, spa & wellness, holistictherapy, nutritional advice.l: Englisht:(852) 2838 5686e: [email protected]: www.bodywize.com.hk

B.K.S. IYENGAR YOGAASSOCIATION OF MACAU174, Rua de Pequim, Edif CentroCom. Kong Fat, 7A, Macaus: Iyengart:(853)2882 3210/6662 0386e:[email protected]:www.iyengar-yoga-macau-china.com

BRAIN & BODY YOGA18/F, 11 Stanley Street, Central,Hong Kongs: boutique yoga studio for holistichealing and mind body practicet: (852) 3104 1156e: [email protected]: www.ibrainyoga.com.hk

Dario Calvaruso Ltd / HolisticWellnessFlat A, 10th Floor, Winner House15 Wong Nai Chung , HappyValley, Hong Kongs: Hatha, Vinyasa, Detox, YogaTherapy, Yoga for StressManagement, Partner Yoga,Tantra Yoga for couplesl: English, Italiant: (852) 9247 3938e: [email protected]: www.dariocalvaruso.com

FLEX STUDIO308 - 310 One Island South, 2Heung Yip Street, Aberdeen,Hong Kongs: Vinyasa, Yin Yang, Restorative,Detox Flow, Kids Yoga

t: (852) 2813 2212f: (852) 2813 2281e: [email protected]: www.flexhk.com

FLEXPRESS801 - 802, 8/F Lansing House, 41-47 Queen’s Road CentralCentral, Hong Kongs: Fusion Flow, Detox Flow, CoreFlow, Pre Natalt: (852) 2813 2212f: (852) 2813 2281e: [email protected]: www.flexhk.com

Kathy CookRetreats, workshops, privatesd: Hong Kong, Bali &Thailands: Iyengar (Junior Intermediate 2)l: Englisht: (852) 6292 5440/(62) 811387781e: [email protected]: www.yogawithkathy.com

Kenneth Kum / Yoga withKenneth 8/F, Toi Shan AssociationBuilding, 167-169 Hennessy Road,Wanchai, Hong KongLunchtime classes everyTuesdays & Thursdays. pre-natal,power, group & privatesl: Cantonese, English, Mandarin,Japaneset: (852) 9870 0393/9630 6770e: [email protected]: www.facebook.com/pages/Yoga-with-Kenneth/226857527370528

KUNDALINI AT SHAKTI7/F Glenealy Tower, 1 Glenealy,Central, Hong Kong.s: Kundalini, Qigong, GuidedKundalini meditation, Hatha,Restorativet: (852) 2521 5099e: [email protected]: www.shaktihealingcircle.com

PURE YOGAHong Kong

16/F The Centrium, 60 WyndhamStreet, Centralt: (852) 2971 0055

25/F Soundwill Plaza, 38 RussellSt, Causeway Bayt: (852) 2970 2299

14/F Peninsula Office Tower, 18Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui,Kowloont: (852) 8129 8800

9/F Langham Place Office Tower,8 Argyle Street, Kowloont: (852) 3691 3691

4/F Lincoln House, TaiKoo Place,979 King’s Rd, Quarry Bayt: (852) 8129 1188

Singapore391A Orchard Road, #18-00Ngee Ann City Tower At: (65) 6733 8863

30 Raffles Place, 04-00 ChevronHouset: (65) 6304 2257

Taiwan151 Chung Hsiao East Road, Sec 4,Taipeit: (886) 02 8161 7888

SOL WELLNESS16/F Tin On Sing CommercialBuilding, 41-43 Graham St.Central, Hong Kongs: Kundalini Yoga, Detox, Medical Meditation, LivingFood, Holographic Healing,Acupuncture, Sex/RelationshipCounselling, Kinesiology,Chiropractict: (852) 2581 9699e: [email protected]: www.sol-wellness.com

SOULMADE YOGA &TEAROOM40, Soi Chareonjai (Ekamai 12),Klongton-Nua, WattanaBangkok 10110, Thailands. Kripalu, Hatha, Prenatal,

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Workshops, Healing Arts (Aura-Soma, Bodytalk, EFT)l. English, Thai, Frencht. (66) 2 3814645e. [email protected]: www.facebook.com/soulmade

SPACE YOGA16/F, 27 An-Ho Road, Section 1,Taipei 106, Taiwans: Hatha, Ashtanga, AnusaraInspired, Flow, Yin, Restorative,Power, Hot, Meditation,Pranayama, Pilates, Sivananda,Jivamukti and Yoga Nidral: English, Mandarint: (886) 2 2773 8108e:[email protected]: www.withinspace.com

THE BREATHING ROOM42A Joo Chiat Place,Singapore 427766s: Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha, Kids,AromaYoga, and specializing inPre & Postnatal Yoga. Studiorental also available.t: (65) 8112 5827e: [email protected]: www.sacredfunk.com

THE YOGA ROOM3, 4, 6/F (Studios) & 15/F (Office)Xiu Ping Commercial Bldg,104 Jervois St, Sheung Wan,Hong KongS: Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa,Candlelight Yin, Yoga Therapy,Baptist Inspired, MindfulnessYoga, Detox Flow, Pre-natal Yoga,Pre-natal Pilates, Mat Pilates andKids yogat: (852) 25448398e: [email protected]: www.yogaroomhk.com

TRUE YOGASingapore9 Scotts Road, Level 4, PacificPlaza 228210t: (65) 6733 955510 Collyer Quay, Level 4, OceanFinancial Centre 049315t: (65) 6536 3390

Taiwan563 Chung Hsiao East Road,Section 4, 1st & 2nd floorTaipeit :(886) 22764 8888

337 Nanking East RoadSection 3, 9 & 10/F, Taipeit: (886) 22716 1234

68 Gongyi Road, West District12 & 13 /F, Taichungt: (886) 43700 0000

s: Hatha, Power, Ashtanga,Vinyasa, Yin, Gentle, Flow, YogaDance, Pre-natale: [email protected]: www.trueyoga.com.sg /www.trueyoga.com.tw

Ursula MoserThe Iyengar Yoga Centre of HongKongd: Centrals: Iyengar Certified (JuniorIntermediate II)l: Englisht: (852) 2918 1798 / 9456 2149e: [email protected]

Wai-Ling TsePrivates and Groupsd: Hong Kongs: Sivananda certified, Hatha,Svastha Yoga, Therapy, YogaNidra, Yin, Pranayama andMeditationl: English, Cantoneset: (852) 9465 6461e: [email protected]

WISE LIVING YOGAACADEMY198 Moo 2, Luang Nuea, DoiSaket, Chiang Mai, Thailands: Classical Yoga, Hatha Yoga,Yoga Therapyt: (66) 8254 67995e: [email protected]: www.wiselivingyoga.com

YOGA CENTRAL4/F Kai Kwong House, 13Wyndham St, Hong Kongs: Hatha/Iyengar clases, yogateacher training workshops,private group classes, corporatehealth programs.t: (852) 2982 4308e: [email protected]: www.yogacentral.com.hk

YOGA on CAINE ROAD @COSMO KIDS138 Caine Road, 1/F, JadestoneCourt, Mid-Levels, Hong Kongs: Studio Rental, Yoga & Therapy,Meditation & Healingt: (852) 2915 8138e: [email protected] w: www.cosmokids.net

Yoga with YoYoYoga Alliance ERYT200 andRYT200. Asana, pranayama,meditation and scripture studyd: Sai Kung / San Po Kongs: small group and privatesadapted to students withknowledges of YogaPrasadinstitute, ParamahamsaNithyananda, Sivananda, Yogalimbs and morel: English, Cantoneset: (852)93023931e: [email protected]: www.yoyoyoga.net

namaskarreaches4,500 yogapractitioners,across26 countries,4 times a year.

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