namaskar jul 2010

namaskarA VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMUNITY OF ASIA JULY 2010

Tapas

Tokyo

Cambodia

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Special FeaturesGrowing Back, 15 If you thinkyou’ve gone through difficult times, readthis article by Isabelle for some perspective.

Yoga for Special Kids, 17 Yoga isproving to be a powerful therapy for agroup of Autistic kids in Hong Kong, saysSanjukta.

Yamas at Work, 19 A goodintroduction to the first limb of Patanjali’sAshtanga yoga, the yamas. And how Jeanneapplies them in her life.

Philosophy in Class, 21 Benjaminexplains how and why teachers shouldinfuse yoga philosophy into their classes.

The Kitchen Sink, 25 In this firstcontribution from the U.S. & Australia-based Spiritual Research Foundation,Sharon shares what she learned washingdishes.

Alexander Technique, 27 Valeriefinds an Alexander Technique tip helpful inher yoga practice.

Yoga in Tokyo, 28 Inna tells usabout the Japanese yoga scene.

Carlos Pomeda, 33 Leah caught upwith this respected meditation teacher atthis year’s Asia Yoga Conference.

Stillness within, 37 How Griciahas been inspired by a photograph of herteacher.

InsideJULY 2010

Dristi Tapas

VVVVVolunolunolunolunoluntttttary Sary Sary Sary Sary Sufufufufuffffffering, 10ering, 10ering, 10ering, 10ering, 10Clayton explains this niyama in simpleterms.

FirFirFirFirFirssssst Inst Inst Inst Inst Instrumentrumentrumentrumentrument ot ot ot ot of Yf Yf Yf Yf Yoga,oga,oga,oga,oga,1111111111For Paul, tapas is almost the starting pointof a yoga practice.

TTTTTananananantrtrtrtrtra on Ta on Ta on Ta on Ta on Tapapapapapasasasasas, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12Yogi presents Satyananda Sarasvati’sprespective on tapas.

OppoOppoOppoOppoOppositsitsitsitsite oe oe oe oe of Lf Lf Lf Lf Luxuxuxuxuxuryuryuryuryury, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13Ron gives lots of real life examples oftapas.

About NamaskarAbout NamaskarAbout NamaskarAbout NamaskarAbout NamaskarNamaskar provides a voice for the yogacommunity around Asia. The publication is avehicle for practitioners on a yogic path to sharetheir own knowledge, learnings and experienceswith others.

Namaskar, is published quarterly in January,April, July and October.

We welcome unsolicited submissions, thereforethe opinions expressed within these pages arenot necessarily those of Namaskar or its staff.

Namaskar is distributed at no charge throughyoga studios, fitness centres, retail outlets, food& beverage outlets and other yoga-friendlylocations throughout Hong Kong and elsewhere.

For more information, to contribute or to orderNamaskar, please contact::Carol, News Editor & [email protected]

Wai-Ling, News Editor & Copy [email protected]

Joanna, Copy Editor & [email protected]

Frances, Editor & [email protected] /+ 852 9460 1967

Deadline for October 2010 issue:September 15, 2010

Regular ContributionsNEWS, WORKSHOPS, RETREATS & TEACHERTRAININGS, 5MYTHOLOGY IN A MINUTE, 9TEACHER’S VOICE, 22TEACHER TRAINING REVIEW, 35HATHI YOGI, 37DIET, 38RECIPE, 40BOOK REVIEW, 43CROSSWORD, 45TEACHER & STUDIO LISTINGS, 47

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namaskar

SOMETHING TO SHARE?If you have something to share with the yoga community in Asia and elsewhere (wedistribute around the World), please email [email protected]

As the summer heat starts to rise (in Hong Kong at least), it seems fitting we introducetapas as our dristi. Sometimes translated as heat, this niyama had been unclear to me till now.Thanks to four guys, much more knowledgeable than I, who explain tapas in four verydifferent ways. I hope after reading the perspectives by Clayton, Paul, Ron and Yogesvarayou will also a clearer understanding of what tapas is, and its role in your practice.

In this issue, there’s a nice balance of articles for new practitioners: Jeanne’s article on yamasat work, Tia’s introduction to yoga’s most spiritual mountain Arunchala, Inna’s report onthe Tokyo yoga scene, Sharon’s lessons learned at the kitchen sink and Gricia’s personalstory of inspiration, as well as articles for those with more experience. The interview withmeditation teacher Carlos Pomeda by Leah and Benjamin’s suggestions for how tointroduce philosophy into your yoga classes, should inspire teachers and those deeper intotheir practice.

For serious inspiration and possibly a few tears, read Sanjukta’s article on yoga for specialneeds kids and Isabelle’s story on how yoga is healing children, particularly one girl, inCambodia. I suggest you have a box of tissues handy when you get to this latter one.

Stories like Isabelle’s remind me the world is much bigger and sometimes darker than mybeautiful little bubble. And while there are tons of stories of people who endure hardship,the fact these practice yoga as I do, connects me to them more strongly.

Namaskar helps connect and inspire yoga practitioners from different backgrounds aroundthe world. In support of this, can I ask those of you who may be traveling overseas thissummer to take a couple copies of this magazine. Please share them with the yoga studiosyou visit and tell them they can receive the magazine for free if they like it. They just have toemail me to be added to our distribution list.

Thanks to everyone for their generous contribution to Namaskar. Particularly to NigelGregory who photographs most of our covers, and to Paul Dallaghan and Yoga Thailandfor providing the venue and practitioner-models for the cover of this issue.

I wish you a happy and healthy summer.

FRANCES GAIRNSEditor & Publisher

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NEWS

SUNSET YOGA FOR CHARITYThe 3rd ‘Sunset Yoga bydonation’ class was held on 12June at Repulse Bay beach,Hong Kong. It was attendedby almost 50 people. The eventwas blessed by the cool seabreeze and the beautiful energyof all present. The class wastaught by volunteer teachersMegala K. and Sally Fong.

The aim of this donation-onlyclass is to create a charitablegiving community in HongKong and spread yoga to thecommunity. Money collectedfromo the class was donated toHong Kong Cancer Fund.

This event is held once amonth in Hong Kong and allproceeds collected will bedonated to a local charity. Thenext class will be held on 24July, all are welcome!

For more information onFacebook or email Wai-Ling [email protected] or Frankieat [email protected].

YOGA FOR FREEDOOMHong Kong yoga teacher,Tingting Peng, recently led aclass at the W Hotel’s BLISSspa to raise awareness andmoney for the children ofNepal Orphan’s Home.

Originally planned for thehotel’s poolside, inclementweather forced the eventindoors, where participantswere able to relax in the hot tuband world class spa afterpracticing the balancing series.To show their support, HongKong based label tanya-bpresented its latest yogawear,offering 10% of the day’sprofits to Tingting’s cause.

The Nepalese orphanagesprovide food, shelter andeducation to over 100 streetchildren, including young girlsrescued from child prostitutionthroughout Nepal.

Aside from raising money tosponsor a Nepali orphan,TingTing is actively sparking achange in awareness throughyoga events in Hong Kong.

Donation-based Yoga forCharity classes continue withlunchtime sessions for athletesat CityLinks during July andAugust. Also watch out for abootcamp + yoga programmetailored to those wanting tomake real changes in their bodyand mind.

For more information email:[email protected] orvisit www.nepalorphanshome.org.

NEW DIRECTOR OF THE IYENGAR

YOGA CENTRE OF HONG KONGFor the past 11 years LindaShevloff has been the studioDirector and has been fullyimmersed in that role. Recently,the Directorship has beenpassed to George Dovas.

George is a well respectedIyengar Yoga teacher who hasbeen part of the studio foralmost 10 years. Besidesteaching part-time at theCentre, he also had a career as amanager and instructor in alarge fitness company. NowGeorge will be leaving thefitness field to run the Centre.

Linda will be in and out ofHong Kong more regularly inthe next few years. She will stillbe affiliated with the Centreand continue to teach someprograms there.

MONTHLY KIRTAN AT PURE YOGA,

HONG KONGKirtan is a Bhakti Yoga practiceof chanting Sanskrit mantraswith music. Mantras carrysound vibrations that have apowerful healing effect on alllevels of our being.

Chant and unite with others inyoga for the heart - a musicalmeditation journey held on

every last Friday evening of themonth. It’s a complimentaryevent open to all.

For more information call+852 2971 0055.

FLEX STUDIO ON THE MOVEFlex Yoga and Pilates studiowill move to a beautiful newstudio in Wong Chuk Hang,near Aberdeen in Hong Kong,offering four times the space ofits current Stanley location. FlexStanley will close after classes on17 July, and the studio will re-open in the Regency Centre in

Wong Chuk Hang on 16August, with FlexKidscommencing in September.

The new location with 4,500square feet of space will offer: - Pilates Mat/Yoga studio- Allegro studio- Pilates Apparatus private

training studio- Retail boutique for Tulaa andother items- Café and waiting area Flex will offer more yogaclasses, at morning, lunchtimeand evening times.

George Dovas is Iyengar YogaCenter of Hong Kong’s newdirector

Artist drawings of Flex’s new location in Wong Chuk Hang

Raising money and awareness for Nepali orphans were (standing lto r) Sandra Leung, Kathy Wu, Tina Chu, Katie Ng, Andrew Cassim(kneeling l to r) Carina Ho, Monisha Daryanani, Tingting Peng,Jenny Wu

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WORKSHOPS

As a result of the expansion,Flex Studio is looking for fullor part time staff for BusinessManagement, Marketing & asinstructors.

For more information call+852 2813 2212 or visitwww.flexhk.com, Flex Yoga &Pilates Studio, 1st Floor RegencyCentre (Phase II), 43 WongChuk Hang Road, Aberdeen EVOLUTION ASIA YOGA

CONFERENCEThis year’s conference broughtover 2,800 visitors from Asiaand across the globe. Studentsfrom Hong Kong, China,Korea, Singapore, Taiwan andother countries attended theworkshops and lectures by 30instructors.

As well as classes, theconference offered freecommunity events, a TranceDance party, Yogaid Charityevent which raised HK$35,000and a dramatic demonstrationby Ana Forrest.

Visit http://www.asiayogaconference.com/2010/gallery2010/index.phpfor photos from the event.

Next year’s event, 9 – 12 June2011, marks AYC’s 5th

anniversary. Registration startsJanuary 2011.

BRYAN KESTPOWER YOGA

WEEKEND WORKSHOPPure Yoga, Hong Kong10 - 11 JulyBryan Kest’s Power YogaMaster Class is a well-rounded,flowing asana practiceintegrating mental practices thatenhance everyday living.

For more informationwww.pure-yoga.com

KIDS SUMMER WORKSHOP- FIND

YOUR FOCUSThe Yoga Room, Hong Kong12, 14 & 16 JulyStudents will learn to moveand breathe to calm theirminds, stimulate their brainsand focus their thoughts. Cost:HK$900.3 - 6 yrs 2 – 3:30 pm7 - 12 yrs 3:45 – 5:15 pm

For more information +8522544 8398 orwww.yogaroomhk.com

FULL MOON SERIES WITH NEIL

IRWINThe Yoga Room, Hong Kong25 JulyAquarian Acceleration: Thepowerful technologies ofKundalini Yoga provide theperfect tools to deal with thestresses and challenges of thesefast changing times. Cost:HK$500, time 2 - 6 pm

For more information +8522544 8398 orwww.yogaroomhk.com

BUILDING DAILY HOME PRACTICE

WORKSHOPJakartadoyoga Studio,Jakarta, Indonesia31 July - 1 August Learn to build an energizinghome practice 45 and 90minutes with Ann Barros.

For more information +62 213100071 or +62 888 967392 orwww.jakartadoyoga.com

SUMMER TEENAGE BEGINNERS

YOGA WORKSHOPYoga Mala, Hong KongAugustThis workshop will be taughtin English and Chinese. It willintroduce the primary series ofAshtanga Yoga.Course A: 2 - 6 & 9 - 13 AugustCourse B: 16 - 20 & 23 - 27AugustTime: 4 – 5:30 pmCost: HK$1,200; Early birdHK$1,000 pay by 23 July

For more [email protected] or+852 2116 0894

ASHTANGA WORKSHOP WITH

RICHARD FREEMANSpace Yoga, Taipei, Taiwan6 – 8 AugustDiscover the thread of nectarwith Yoga Master, RichardFreeman, as he guides youthrough a deep exploration ofthe basic thread of form,breathing, and movementupon which the classical seriesof postures in the AshtangaVinyasa system is strung.

For more information visitwww.withinspace.com

ASHTANGA IMMERSION WITH

RICHARD FREEMANSpace Yoga, Taipei, Taiwan10 – 15 AugustJoin Richard Freeman in thissix-day immersion. Dailyphilosophy lectures will includea general overview of theBhagavad Gita and a generaldiscussion on teaching.

For more informationwww.withinspace.com

JUDY KRUPP WEEKEND

WORKSHOPPure Yoga, Hong Kong20-22 AugustJudy will help you recognise therestrictions and imbalances thatprevent you from being able toflow with ease and grace.

For more informationwww.asiayogaconfernce.com [email protected].

108 SURYA NAMASKAR FOR

CHARITYArt of Living is organising acharity event Sunday, 25 Julyfrom 10 am – 1:30 pm atAldrich Bay Community Hall,Kowloon, Hong Kong. Theevent is supported by mYoga,Maggie Tan, Praveen,Yogaraj, Abhyaas and RenuParayani.

People of all ages, walks of life,ethnicities and religions, arewelcome to join this celebrationof Guru Poornima the fullmoon day dedicated to the sageVyasa and gurus in general.

Participants may be sponsoredto attend weekly practices onMonday, Tuesday, Thursdayand Sunday, and/or participateon the Sunday by completingas many cycles as possible. Theenrolment fee is HK$108.Monies will be donated to thefood bank at the Fresh FishTraders School in Kowloon.

For more information callPrema +852 6343 2910, LaiFong +852 9829 9001, Art ofLiving Center +852 2311 2298.

NIA AT YOGA ROOMThe Yoga Room in HongKong is now offering classes ina practice called Nia Technique.It is a blend of Dance, Martialarts, Tai-Chi, yoga, meditationand body therapy. Nia buildsinternal and external strengthincluding strengthening bones,joints, muscles and breathing,through movement we findhealth. The classes are taught byTracey Fenner a Certified NiaBlue Belt, and the first Niatrainer in Hong Kong.

For more informationwww.niahongkong.com

Ana Forrest effortlesslydemonstrates her power andgrace at AYC

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RETREATS


ANUSARA IMMERSION WITH

DESIREE RUMBAUGHSpace Yoga, Taipei, Taiwan1 – 5 SeptemberDesiree Rumbaugh will leadingpart I of a three-partImmersion; The Immersiontraining is for any level. It isvery beneficial for those whowant to advance their practiceand it is also a requirement foranyone who wishes to teachAnusara Yoga.


ASHTANGA WORKSHOP BY ALEX

MEDINYoga Mala, Hong KongOctober & NovemberPopular Ashtanga teacher AlexMedin is tentatively booked toreturn to Hong Kong for twoworkshops: 30 & 31 October(Weekend Workshop); 1 - 5November (5 days of Mysore). For more [email protected] or+852 2116 0894

ANUSARA YOGA WORKSHOP WITH

CHRIS CHAVEZHong Kong5 – 7 NovemberCertified Anusara Yoga TeacherChris Chavez will be teaching aseries of Anusara Workshopsin Hong Kong. His playful yetpractical personality makes histeachings accessible, fun, andinspiring.

For more informationwww.yogaprojects.com or +8529711 4040

SEEDS OF YOGA HOLIDAY

RETREATUbud, Bali, Indonesia28 August - 5 SeptemberCome to join Clayton andClaudia on the Island of theGods - both returning to Balito offer you this unique YogaHoliday Retreat. AshtangaVinyasa and restorative yogaclasses, meditation, yogaphilosophy, healthy food andplenty of time to just relax,rejuvenate and explore Bali!

For more information www.seedsofyoga.com

YOGA THAILAND RETREATSKoh Samui, ThailandSeptember - OctoberPaul Dallaghan: Yoga for Body,Breath and MindClaudia Jones: Yoga and YourHealth & Detoxify Body andMindHillary Hitt: Dharma HealingFasting with YogaStephen Thomas: The Essenceof YogaClayton Horton: Yoga -Sustainable PracticeElonne Stockton: Yoga -Insight into Practice

For more informationwww.yoga-thailand.com

ASHTANGA RETREAT AT MOUNTAIN

YOGA RETREAT CENTERBeijing, China18 – 25 SeptemberTreat yourself to an amazingweek of yoga and relaxation ina countryside retreatatmosphere, far away from thebusiness, stress and fast paceof the city with master teacherClayton Horton at MountainYoga Retreat Center.

For more information www.fine-yoga.com

WILDLOTUS RETREAT WITH

PATRICK CREELMANKamalaya Resort, KohSamui, Thailand1 - 7 OctoberJoin Patrick for a playful andprogressive seven days of yogaat the stunning Kamalaya.


ECO-YOGA & ECO-ADVENTURE

RETREAT IN SOUTHEN THAILAND

WITH CLAYTON HORTON AND

DAVID LUREYPrivate Island of Lao Liang,Thailand6 – 13 NovemberTreat yourself while refiningyour personal practice andreconnecting with your truenature. This will be a uniqueand empowering week of eco-yoga and eco-adventure on thegorgeous private island of LaoLiang in the Andaman Sea offthe west coast of SouthernThailand. Clayton and Davidwill create a dynamic week ofmorning asana practices toopen the body to harmonizewith the magical nature of thistropical paradise which has longbeen the locals’ secret spot.

For more informationvisit www.leelatravel.com

YOGA FUSION RETREAT IN NORTH

THAILANDKaomai Lanna Resort,Chiang Mai, Thailand22 – 27 NovemberAn immersion into a full-spectrum of yoga practicesincluding Anusara, philosophy,Tantra, Pranayama, meditation,ritual, mandala, kirtan, music,voice, touch and more withthree unique teachers sharingtheir passion.

Jonas Westring, founder ofShantaya Yoga & BodyworkSchool, Certified Anusara YogaInstructor, Physiotherapist, E-RYT 500, and specialized inTherapeutic Bodywork.

Emil Wendel’s long years ofresidency in Nepal and Indiahave brought about a passionfor yoga, in particular theaspects of breath andmeditation techniques in boththe Buddhist and yogictraditions. Geoffrey Gordon has beenpracticing yoga, meditation andkirtan for over 35 years. Hebecame a true pioneer in boththe kirtan and world musiccommunity working closelyboth live and on recordingswith Ram Dass, Jai Uttal,Krishna Das, and BhagavanDas since the 1970s.

Find more information visitwww.shantaya.org;www.beyond-the-asana.com; orwww.geoffreygordon.com

ASHTANGA YOGA RETREAT IN

GOA, INDIAPurple Valley Retreat Center,Goa, India27 November - 10 DecemberLed by Clayton Horton,mornings will begin at 6:30amwith brief seated breath work,followed by Mysore style classesin which students workthrough the series at their ownpace with individualinstruction, adjustments andencouragement from theteacher. Beginners will betaught with individualattention and will be guidedposture by posture through theseries. Afternoon sessions, 4-6pm, will consist of restorativeasana, Q&A, breath work, yogaphilosophy, meditation andkirtan chanting & music. For more information visitwww.yogagoa.com

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ANN BARROS & THE ART OF

SEQUENCING TEACHER TRAININGJakartadoyoga Studio,Jakarta, Indonesia2 - 4 August With four sessions onsequencing asanas and two onhand-on adjustments.

For more information +62 213100071 or +62 888 967392 orwww.jakartadoyoga.com

PILATES MAT CERTIFICATE IN

THAILAND WITH ORY AVNIKoh Pangan, Thailand16-21 August In this course you will learnthe Pilates fundamentalmethod for mat exercises,including the new excitingstanding Pilates routine.

The fee for both courses –US$ 1,000 including studymaterials, test, and certificate.Advanced registration isrequired, minimum 6participants to open course. For more [email protected]

PACE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGSpace Yoga, Taipei, Taiwan11 September – 3 OctoberAdnan Tahirovic and BasiaGoing will lead this YogaAlliance certified 200-hourteacher training. It is acomprehensive full-time coursecovering asanas, the relatedhuman anatomy andmovement patterns, as well as across-section of requiredknowledge, includingpranayama, meditation, majoryogic texts, philosophy andpsychology of teaching. Thisunique training will focus onmaking the theories real and

relevant to our growth asteachers, with time spentlearning to read bodies andskillfully adjusting students.


TEACHER TRAININGSBoracay Island, PhilippinesSeptember, February & May26 September - 10 October(100-hours Level One training)13-25 February 2011 (100-hoursLevel Two training)1-28 May 2011 (200 hours)

For more information visitwww.boracayyoga.org

YOGASANA 100-HOUR TEACHER

TRAININGHong Kong1- 16 OctoberThis is a two-week full-timetraining to deepen your practiceand transform your life. Opento students who have a sinceredesire to undergo an in-depthstudy of asana, pranayama,anatomy and more. Recognizedby Yoga Alliance USA.

For more informationwww.yogasana.com.hk;[email protected] or+852 2511 8892

RADIANT CHILD YOGA TEACHER

TRAINING WITH AMANDA REIDShakti Healing Circle, HongKong1 - 3 OctoberRadiant Child Yoga progammeis secular, with no affiliation toany particular religious beliefs,making it suitable for allchildren.

This intensive workshop isdesigned for Yoga teachers,parents, school teachers andtherapists who would like toshare the gift of Yoga with thechildren in their life.

Internationally recognised andable to be used as continuingeducation credits with YogaAlliance, RCYP is full of ideasand inspiration, informationand experience coveringchildren’s development; Yogafor children from babies toteens; using Yoga in a schoolenvironment; consideringchildren with special needs;games, relaxations, meditation,visualistion, songs and more.

RCYP Levels 1 and 2 aredelivered over the Fridayevening and all day Saturdayand Sunday. RCYP1 and 2qualify as 20 credit hours forRYT 200 (registered yogateacher, 200 hours) andcontinuing education creditsthrough Yoga Alliance. Cost:HK$5,000 (includes $1,500materials: 1 teacher trainingmanual, 2 books, 4 CDs, 1DVD and 1 workbook)

For more information +8522521 5099 orwww.shaktihealingcircle.com

VIBRANT LIVING YOGA TEACHER

TRAININGSUbud, Bali10 October – 7 November(300-hour Level I course)12 – 26 November (500-hourLevel II Module)Breathe, sweat and transformwith Daniel Aaron, SimonBorg-Olivier, Dena Kingsberg,Rusty Wells, Edward Clark,Dave Stringer, Alanna Kaivalya,Emil Wendel, GeoffreyGordon, Ron Reid with MarlaMeenakshi Joy, Kathy Clarkand more special guests.

These Yoga Alliance RYTcertification courses present aphenomenal, comprehensivecurriculum from challengingasana to enlighteningphilosophy, uplifting live musicto organic, gourmet livingfoods.

The 300-hour Level I course isfor people of all levels; andLevel II Module is a uniqueand powerful opportunity todive much deeper, in anintimate program specificallydesigned for the intermediatepractitioner and practicingteacher.

For more information andregistration [email protected]; call+62-81 337823719 or visitwww.radiantlyalive.com

4-DAY INTENSIVE TEACHER

TRAINING KIDZYOGA IN

SCHOOLS PROGRAMPrince Hotel, Hong Kong19-22 OctoberThe KidzYoga way, 4-dayintensive experiential trainingwill equip anyone who wantsto bring yoga to students of allages in schools!

TEACHER TRAININGS

Ubud-based, Vibrant LivingYoga Teacher Trainer, DanielAaron

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Mythology in a Minute

Tia Sinha

Once upon a long, long time ago, the two gods, Brahma andVishnu got into a heated argument. In the Hindu pantheon, godsoften behave like mere humans! Brahma argued he was morepowerful than Vishnu while Vishnu argued he was morepowerful than Brahma. In the absence of a “mirror, mirror on thewall” that could tell them who was the most powerful of themall, Brahma and Vishnu decided to enlist the services of a referee,none other than the powerful Shiva himself. To test their might, Shiva flung a beam of light on earth. He askedthe two sparring gods to find the end of the beam. Whoeverfound the end of this vertical beam of light and returned to Shivafirst, would be declared the more powerful of the two. WhileVishnu assumed the form of a wild boar and chased the bottomof the beam, burrowing deep within the earth, Brahma flew upon his graceful swan, intent on finding the top of this beam. Therace went on for years and years. The beam was so long, the endsjust could not be found. Finally, an exhausted Vishnu gave up the search and returned toShiva, admitting defeat and acknowledging it was Shiva who wasthe most powerful of them all. Meanwhile, Brahma, flying everhigher, came across a flower. Assuming that the top of the beamof light was near, Brahma rushed back to Shiva and triumphantlydeclared to Shiva that he had found the top of the beam. This wasa lie! Brahma’s lie, incidentally, explains why there is only one greattemple in India devoted to Brahma, while temples devoted toVishnu abound. The infinite beam of light came to be revered as an agni linga. Theplace where it touched the earth was none other than the gloriousmountain, Arunachala. Around this sacredmountain, considered an embodiment ofShiva himself, sprang up the city ofTiruvannamalai in southern India.

Tia studies Buddhist philosophy and practiceat the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives,Dharamshala and teaches Hatha Yoga to thenuns of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s nunnery.

ArunachalaArunachalaArunachalaArunachalaArunachalaWith educational-based yogatools and techniques,participants will learn how toseamlessly integrate yoga in theclassroom, PE, and start a YogaClub, that will foster beautifulminds, healthy bodies andcompassionate students.

This teacher training is perfectfor parents, school teachers,yoga teachers, nurses, OTs, PTs,and child-focusedprofessionals. Yoga experienceis beneficial, but not arequirement for this training.Fee: Early Bird- Registerbefore September 15HK$7,500. Regular HK$8,500.

For more informationvisit www.kidzyoga-asia.com

ASHTANGA-BASED TEACHER

TRAININGPure Yoga, Hong Kong31 October – 21 NovemberThis comprehensivetraining led by Dylan Bernsteinroots its curriculum inAshtanga Vinyasa in thetradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Joisof Mysore, South India. Thecourse provides traditional yogapractice in a modern settingthat offers health, happiness,peace and awareness of one’strue self. Trainees will graduateprepared to teach and with acomprehensive understandingof Yoga and with deepermeanings for their ownpractice. Topics include: Asana,Teaching Methodology,Yogic Lifestyle, Anatomy,Global Yoga Philosophy, TheYoga Tradition

For more information pleasevisit www.pure-yoga.com

500-HOUR ADVANCED TEACHER

TRAININGAbsolute Yoga, Koh Samui,Thailand14 November – 18 DecemberA Yoga Alliance recognisedcourse broken into sevendifferent teaching modules,

each with a different teacher:Michel Besnard, CarlosPomeda, Michelle Lam, SaraAvant Stover, NoraMangiamele, Lucas Rockwoodand Macarena Aguilar.

For more informationwww.absoluteyogasamui.com/yoga-alliance-500-hour/; +8522511 8892 [email protected] CENTERED YOGA TRAININGYoga Thailand RetreatCenterMarch 2011Led by Paul Dallaghan in its11th year, both Foundation andAdvanced Training courses are Asia’s most respected andlongest running Yoga AllianceRegistered program both at the200 and 500 levels. Nowaccepting applications for theFoundation Level March 2011course.

For more informationwww.centeredyoga.com

10

Dristi Tapas

WHAT IS TAPAS? A MYSTERY TOthe lazy… a magic ingredient for theevolving yogi….accomplished athletes,yogis and musicians know it well.

Tapas is traditionally defined as to burn orto glow or a method to produceenergy…or a process which illuminates theimperfections of one’s own personalityTapas is listed as one of the five niyamas orobservances, which one of the eight limbsof Ashtanga yoga from the PatanjalimYoga Sutras. In many commentaries, tapasis often defined as austerity, penance ordiscipline. Simply put, tapas is the hardwork involved in any transformationalprocess.

A more esoteric perspective of tapas is,voluntary suffering for one’s ownpurification and development. Thisintentional suffering is one in which weplace ourselves in a situation in which theheat of the moment begins to cook ourentire being, physical body, mind and senseorgans included.

By consistent, hard work, unhelpful ornegative samscaras (habits), kleshas (rootafflictions) are forced to surface in ourawareness and then discarded, burned,released and purged. Ahimsa (nonviolence)and vairagyam (dispassion) have their placein one’s life and practice, but we all need todo some authentic “housecleaning” to seethe brilliance of jewel of the Self shineforth.

One simple example of tapas is sitting in asweltering hot sauna to sweat out toxins.Another example is B.K.S. Iyengar’s saying,

“the posture begins when you are ready tocome out of it. Doing the hard work ofstaying in the asana even though our legsare shaking and our breath is becomingunsteady is what is required for us todevelop core strength and stability.

Tapas for mental development orpurification could be regarded as trainingour minds to concentrate on one thing foran extended period of time. This Tapas-iaof the mind involves harnessing the verveand inspiration to let go of our limitedSelf-concepts and unhealthy negativethought patterns.

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali begins hisdiscussion of sadhana or spiritual practice bysaying along with svadyaya (study of theSelf) and isvarapranidhana (surrendering tothe divine), tapas is a necessary ingredientfor any authentic yoga practice (YS 2:1).Without tapas we never make it onto themat or meditation pillow.

Thinking about yoga, planning to do yoga,talking about yoga is wonderful, inspiringand easy. Doing the work is another. Goingdeeper into our practice consistently to getstronger and to get clearer glimpses of ourtrue eternal nature is hard work. To tastethe fruit of our practice is a great source ofreal joy and peace. Learn to schedule andmanage your time. Prioritize work, play,

eating and practice tocreate a balanced, healthyand joyful life for yourself.

Clayton is director ofGreenpath Yoga.www.greenpathyoga.com

VVVVVolunolunolunolunoluntttttaryaryaryaryary

SSSSSufufufufufffffferingeringeringeringeringClayton Horton

tapas is the hard work

involved in any

transformational

process

When the body develops the power to endure

hardship and when the mind does not get easily

upset by lack of physical comfort, one becomes

qualified for practicing yogaSwami Hariharananda

11

First Instrument ofDoing YogaPaul Dallaghan

TAPAS IS MOST COMMONLYtranslated as austerity, attitudescharacterized by severity or asceticism orextreme plainness and simplicity. We hearmuch of it today with European countriesmaking their austerity budgets, with lessspending, more taxes, reduced pay forpublic sector and strong debt controls.

Tapas is the first word of Sadhana Pada (YSII.1), the second chapter of Patanjali’s YogaSutras. In a sense it is the first instrumentof yoga. It is mentioned as a Kriya Yoga, atechnique for yoga and thus can beconsidered actual physical practice. There aretwo other elements involved in Kriya yoga,namely Svadhyaya and Ishvara Pranidhana,self-study and surrender. It is ofteninterpreted that if tapas is the physicalpractice, svadhyaya is the verbal practice andishvara pranidhana is the mental practice, allconstituting instruments of doing yoga.

Tapas is also mentioned in the second limbof Ashtanga, as a niyama (YS II.32). It isnot mere repetition, but revealing the twosides of tapas and its importance indevelopment. Tapas follows shaucha(naturalness), and santosha (contentment),in the niyamas. Once comfortable withyourself and content with yourself andwhat you have in life, your practice will haveless chance of developing into a calculatedor selfish approach to what you want, andyou will not become miserable and give upyour practice.

If tapas as a kriya is doing, then tapas as aniyama is the attitude. If you know you aregoing to finish and gain something fromit, it is not considered tapas. To disciplineyourself purely for self growth and endure

the difficulties that come with it, keeping aneven mind without any prospect ofmaterial reward can be considered tapas.

Very often heat is associated with tapas, asthat is part of its literal translation, to burn.Why was this word chosen to represent“austerity”? According to Hemachandra,tapas purifies the jiva, (the spirit), as firepurifies gold. If we observe the physicalworld we note the agent of change is heator fire. Here we find our actions, practicesand attitude build a purifying heat.

We can look at tapas as practices whichchannel prana inward, away from meresense indulgence, thereby concentrating theforce within, which results in heat andpurification on the physical and subtlelevels. The body and senses will refine andthe attitude will mature. This happens asyour practices direct energy away frompreconditioned patterns and habits to aplace of integrity within.

In time you will notice heat building inside,close to the sacrum, behind the pubic boneand going up to the navel. Your bodytransforms and becomes light, your sensesfollow your will, not the other way round,and your attitude becomes open andincreasingly unselfish.

Asanas, pranayamas and sitting techniques,the most common forms of today’s yoga,are primarily tapas. And they are excellenttapas practices. The teachings also advisecertain fasts or at least discipline over eatingfood; from discipline over speech to acomplete observance of silence; service ofthe Guru; sexual discipline and; a fullobservance of truth.

It has been said pranayama is the best tapas.However, they are not to be forced or doneto an extreme where they cause a physical ormental disturbance. This is unhealthy andimbalanced. Tapas is healthy, just notcomfort driven.

So why do this? What’s the need for it?Yoga is not a harsh science nor a pathforcing you to do things you don’t want todo. On the contrary, Patanajali is

wonderfully rich in common sense. Vyasa,the primary commentator on the YogaSutras, states we have are a mass ofimpressions from many actions andafflictions across time and form. The onlyway to weaken and remove the force ofthese impressions, which rule our currentlife is through austerity, action and attitude.

If you are honest with yourself you can seeyou have much mess to clean up in yourlife. And if you are interested in inner self-development then it is a requirement towork on yourself. Tapas is that firstinstrument. You can call it “asceticobservance which should only be practicedas long as it purifies the mind and makes itpleasant without injuring health” (Vyasaparaphrased by Swami Veda Bharati).

Patanjali does not give much explanationof tapas other than its outcome. He states(YS II.43) “From tapas (ascetic practice),through the elimination of impurities

there occurs mastery over the body andsenses.” Thus it is clear tapas brings thebody and senses to a state of excellence.

Tapas is mentioned in many other yogictexts including many of the Upanishadsand the Vashishta Samhita. From all ofthese it is clear tapas is the attitude whichthe yogis are advised to adopt towards theirphysiological needs, meaning to beendured and to appeased without leadingto mental or physical disturbance.

Simply, the purification of mind, sensesand body through actions and attitude(that do not indulge the senses orencourage any counter-productive, pre-existing conditions), is necessary for anyoneintent on self growth and the path ofyoga. This is tapas and it’s the firstinstrument of doing yoga, both as a means

and an end.

Paul is director ofCentered Yoga and YogaThailand in Koh Samui.www.yoga-thailand.com,www.centeredyoga.com

our actions, practices and attitude build a

purifying heat

12

Dristi Tapas

TTTTTananananantrtrtrtrtra on Ta on Ta on Ta on Ta on TapapapapapasasasasasYogesvara Sarasvati

GRATITUDE TO MY GURU’S GURU, PARAMAHAMSA SATYANANDA SARASVATI(“Swamiji”) who recently took Mahasamadhi [the act of consciously and intentionallyleaving one’s body at the time of death] and is largely responsible for re-invigorating thetradition of classical Tantra and Hatha Yoga in our modern context.

Swamiji writes, “The beauty of the HathaYoga Pradipika is that it solves a very greatproblem faced by every aspirant.

Swatmarama completely eliminated theyama (moral codes) and niyama (self-restraints) which are the starting points inthe Buddhist and Jain systems, as well as inPatanjali’s raja yoga” (and the majority ofcommercial yoga today). Swamiji continues,“the contention is that you have to first

perfect yama and niyama, otherwise asanaand pranayama may fail to give desirableresults.” But, yogis have long been awareof the “practical difficulties every personfaces in relation to yama and niyama.Moreover, yama and niyama have more todo with religion than with a person’sspiritual life.”

He continues, “often we observe that whenwe try to practice self-control and discipline,we create more mental problems in ourmind and personality… Therefore, beforeyou practice self-discipline and self-control,you must also prepare yourself.”

The non-dual Tantrik perspective is amoraland cares only about desirable results(freedom) and appropriate responses. Wedo not judge aberrant behavior because weknow it is simply the result of imbalancedchemistry in the body/mind/spirit. Weunderstand one cannot practice yama andniyama to be able to practice hatha yoga andpranayama, but rather one must practicehatha yoga and pranayama to be able toexpress appropriate behavior in response toone’s environment.

Swamiji questions, “Why do you fight withthe mind first? You have no power to

In Swamiji we find the expression of a realtried and true yogi – fully established in theview, methods and ultimate fruit ofauthentic yoga practice. In his authoritativecommentary on the seminal text, the HathaYoga Pradipika by Swami Swatmarama,Swamiji deals adeptly with the topics oftapas, yama and niyama – subjects that havebecome associated with so much ofmodern commercial yoga.

Yogi is the co-founder of Energy of MindTherapy (www.energyofmindtherapy.com ),

the practice ofpsychotherapy that drawson Tantra, Yoga andAryuveda. He lives in acommunity of Tantrikyogins, along with his wifeand child, at the rural Thairetreat center: KailashAkhara - home of AdiYoga (www.adiyoga.com )

When one tries to impose lofty codes of moral

conduct on a body in disharmony, one’s practice

actually becomes a hindrance

wrestle with the mind, yet you wrestle withit, thereby creating a pattern of animositytowards yourself.” When one’s desires andimpulses are at odds with their moral ideasof how things should be, “there are nottwo minds, there is one mind trying tosplit itself into two. One mind wants tobreak the discipline and the other mindwants to maintain the discipline. You canfind this split in everybody. When thissplit becomes greater, then we call itschizophrenia.”

It is said the mind is most difficult totame, and the body is more accessible forpractitioners to work with. When one triesto impose lofty codes of moral conduct orharsh disciplines on a body that is in a stateof disharmony then one’s practice actuallybecomes a hindrance rather than the toolof liberation yoga is intended to be.

Swamiji says, “this danger was clearlyrealized by the authorities and masters ofhatha yoga. Therefore, they said, firstdiscipline the body,” then, one willeffortlessly express the inherent humanvirtues of compassion, wisdom,unconditional love and respect – the yamaand niyama will take care of themselves.

Otherwise, when one tries to forcediscipline and control on the mind throughcodes like yama/niyama, the tencommandments – the result is whatSwamiji calls “spiritual schizophrenia.”This is obviously a far cry from the originalintention of hatha yoga, which is “forthose who wish to ascend to the higheststage of yoga, raja yoga (i.e. totalenlightenment).”

13

Tapas, the Oppositeof LuxuryYogacharya Ron Katwijk

TAPAS TRANSLATES INTO THEpractice of austerity. Austerity is thecontinuation of the practice ofcontentment (santosha): Tapas or austerity isa matter of being content, keeping a senseof satisfaction, even when you findyourself in difficult situations.

The word tapas literally means “strength”,indicating that practicing austerity is in factpower training. Through the practice ofausterity you develop an enormous powerand good health. As a result the peacewithin you will deepen increasingly and thepower of Atman, which is the Self or thesoul, will manifest itself through you moreand more.

Austerity has a relative meaning: It is theopposite of luxury and has to be filled inby each person individually by looking atwhat is practically necessary for you.

Pay attention not to become fanatic orextremist: When you push austerity too faryou harm yourself and you may get hurt.This goes against the principle of Ahimsa(non-violence).

Austerity is your ability to withstand cold,heat, hunger, thirst, uncomfortable placesand heavy exercises and so on.

Every activity that can help you to maintainyour strength and warmth is an exercise inausterity. Practicing tapas teaches the bodyagain to maintain itself, leading to a naturalrehabilitation process.

If you are not really hungry then do noteat. When you eat, eat so much or little thatyou still feel a little hunger. Eating toomuch food blocks the good (celestial)energies from circulating. Those celestialenergies serve as spiritual food. To eat lessgives a feeling of utter strength, not onlybecause it gives you a feeling that you are incontrol and independent; also the physicaland mental bodies recover and becomestronger. Keep in mind also that too mucheating is a habit and an addiction.

To practice austerity you can challenge

yourself to withstand uncomfortable placeslike swamps full of mosquitoes anddeserts, or to sleep in the snow in a littletent. Remain positive and adapt to thesituation you are in. Stay in control andorganize yourself. However, when thingsreally do not seem to work out anymoreand you cannot stand the suffering you justleave and go to another place, knowing thatyou tried your best but then made thesensible decision that you did not want topush it too far.

In general people in industrialized countriespamper themselves to such an extent thatthey become weak and susceptible to allkinds of diseases. This is the result ofindulgence in comfort and luxury. However,like in the practice of non-desire, do not getthis wrong: it is not wrong to create a levelof comfort for the basis for yourdevelopment. The keyword here is“sensible” and the use of common sense:if you live on the second or third floor ofan apartment flat and you use the elevatorto go up and down you are not usingcommon sense. Use the stairs.

Tapas brings you physically and mentallyinto perfect condition. As a result you willfeel incredibly good overall.

Withstanding mockery, hatred, gossip andso on, is also a form of practicing austerity.

Withstanding uncomfortable asanas torehabilitate your physical being makes youvery strong and leads to physical perfection.Yoga practice is based upon this principleof austerity.

People who do not understand theprinciples of tapas might think it ismasochism.

Mental practice of austerity is silence. It is away to learn to feed yourself mentally andspiritually. It leads to feeding yourself withcelestial powers. You become stronger, talkless and you will become more efficient inusing words. Silence is the most difficultexercise in austerity.

TAPAS IN THOUGHTSTry to have the least thoughts possible.Dharana or concentration helps withobtaining this goal. Do not let otherpeople’s bad use of language, like insultsbring you out of balance.

TAPAS IN WORDSTry to avoid angry or bitter words or anykind of words expressing strong, negativeemotions.

TAPAS IN DEEDSDo not avoid difficult situations. Try towithstand them and make a sport of it.Difficulties are your teacher and overcomingthem is highly spiritual. The mostcourageous and heroic people of historyalways end up being quiet and spiritual.

Originally from Holland, Ron has studiedand taught yoga for over 26 years. For 13years he has lived in Korea, where he set

up Magic Pond YogaSchool. He was conferredthe grade of Yogacharyain 2009. He has receivedan honorary membershipfrom IYF and is theirhonorary secretary andrepresentative for Korea.www.magicpond.co.kr/en/

A strong adjustment in Eka Pada Sirasana -torture or luxury?

15

GrGrGrGrGrooooowing Bwing Bwing Bwing Bwing BackackackackackIsabelle Skaburskis

A BRANCH FELL ON SOMEONE’S CAR, SOMEONE WHOmattered, and the governor of Phnom Penh was outraged at thetree’s impertinence. To reassert his mastery over all things living, heordered the tall trees in Cambodia’s capital to be cut down: 100-year-old Cannonball Trees were felled outside the temples; BoddhiTrees with trunks fat as elephants were taken apart until they werenothing but a stump wide enough for a family to sit on and eattheir lunch in the burning sun.

The National Museum, an elegant historic building across the streetfrom my house, dug in its heels and refused to chop the trees tothe base. The foliage protected the wine coloured walls of themuseum and offset the golden spires of the Royal Palace nearby.But the Governor is not one to accept resistance and one by onethey cut off the branches, leaving naked trunks and a shrunkenmuseum.

Every day I make my way to a group of young adults I train to becommunity leaders, yoga teachers and entrepreneurs. And each day,I pass by men with power saws and bandanas over their faces on

my way to the yoga center that is lush with foliage, fruit and birds.

Children come to the studio from slums for weekly Kids Yogaclasses and poke at the guppies that live in the fish ponds in thefront yard after class. Teenagers from an organization that cares foryoung women rescued from human trafficking circles come foryoga therapy to reclaim ownership their bodies.

These young people arrive at the studio for the first time bundledup in jackets and long trousers to protect themselves from theworld, and after a few weeks can do backbends and shoulderstands,they are stretching out their arms and legs without feelingendangered, and they are confident and beautiful in sleeveless shirtsand shorts. Two hundred and fifty kids come to yoga every weekto reclaim their right to grow.

I train a group of young adults, aged 17-28, to teach these classes.To open space for others to grow, first they have to manage theirown pain and fears; and as an optimistic young yoga teacher myself,I was sure yoga could help them build their capacity to open totheir darknesses and let these pains out of their bodies and minds.As a team, we spent as much time talking about mental andspiritual healing as we did practicing physical postures andbreathing, and one day a door opened for Rattana, 19, and she toldme about being raped by her cousin when she was nine. Shepulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around herlegs and told me when she was 14 she was sick to death of seeingher family miserable with poverty, and she felt sorry for her motherwho always tried to make it work and never made it work. Shewent to a brothel to borrow some money to help the family, andestablished terms of repayment, and every time she got close topaying off her debt they told her she owed more.

Rattana’s voice went from soft to loud, and her eyes were tearingbut she kept speaking, increasingly oblivious to the people aroundher—myself and two other girls she lives with at TransitionsGlobal—and I was beginning to understand why it was so hardfor her to speak gently to others or touch the kids with kindnesswhen giving adjustments. She talked with increasing rapidity as ifto get it all out; she talked of gang rape, when two young menhired her for the night and then took her to a cemetery where eightof their friends were waiting. I understood where the cigarette

burns on her thighs came from. She said the police raided thebrothel when she was 16 and they threw her in jail with criminalsand they beat her for being a broken girl and then she was pickedout by an NGO and sent to live with other girls who reminded herof herself: miserable, angry and used up. She leaned her head onher arms; the other girls in the room with comparable stories hadblank faces, one clutched at her temples and said she had aheadache. Then Rattana looked up and said she had a new lifenow, it was like one book was closed and a new one was open andeverything was changed. She had a new family at Transitions, she

Karma Yoga

One of the many tall trees in Phnom Penh slated to be cut down

To reassert his mastery over all things living,

he ordered the tall trees in Cambodia’s capital to be cut down

16

had a job, she had respect, she was a new person now.

I spent the rest of the week in a daze of information I didn’t knowhow to process, and I handled it like they do. I put it away, therewas nothing to do about the images I now had in my head: I couldnot afford to let my own confusion and weakness show to theseyoung people who trusted me to lead them somewhere safe. Imade it through the week and on my day off I laid out my yogamat at home, and stretched and cried.

While I was on the mat, the chainsaws across the street started upagain; they had been silent all week. They had pruned all the lessertrees back to their trunks and that morning they started on thebiggest one that would send helicopter pods flying in through mywindow, scratched loose by playful squirrels. I had been tellingmyself they would not be cutting that one; surely the beauty of thatparticular tree was too much even for them to miss; surely someonewould take note at some point of the value of life in this city ofpoverty, barbed wire, rust and wretchedness. The bandana-facedmen went up in machines and spent the greater part of the daysawing off branches thicker than my body and letting them crash tothe earth. There were no birds anymore, the sky looked naked andraw, and every time they put their saws into wood I heard thescreech and groan that is the negation of life, the destruction ofinnocence that comes not from hatred but from blindness. Everybranch they cut was to my ringing ears the sound of boys in thiscountry raping my girls, unable to see life in the bodies they pushdown, unable to see the beauty in their faces. Humanity withoutsensitivity to beauty, beings without the ability to cherish life, aremachines; cold, growling, insensible power tools that let colour andlife crash to the ground.

My girlfriend came over to my house that day and sat with me. Itold her what I heard outside my window, behind the curtains Ipulled across in futile attempt to stop the growing exposure ofempty sky. She held my hand and I cried. She didn’t say anything totry and make me feel better, because there is no feeling better whenyou see human beings erasing life from this planet, draining it outof nature and from other human beings. She held my hand andshe sat with me and she shared with me her love.

And that is all I can do for my girls, too; I cannot cleanse theirminds and bodies of the knowledge they have incurred by beingborn girls into a poor society, nor can I expect that from yoga. I canhold their hands, though, and share with them my love and my art;and I can believe that like the trees outside my window, these girlswill grow their leaves back and over time, a long time, a lifetime,they will grow new branches and they will fill the sky.

POSTSCRIPTThree months ago, Rattana’s family had their land stolen by theirvillage chief and they had no recourse to the law; again, her familyfaced dire consequences, homelessness with five dependent children.For a second time in her life, Rattana reached out to the peoplearound her and took out a loan to help her family, and at 20 yearsold she bought a piece of land for them to live on. And this time,to pay off her debt, she teaches children the value of life, how tobreathe and move and stand proud, and by example, she showsthem that the innate tendency of life is live.

A few of the little yogi trees sprouting up around Phnom Penh

like the trees outside my window,

these girls will grow their leaves

back and over a lifetime, they will

grow new branches and fill the sky

Isabelle is the founder of NataRaj Yoga,Cambodia’s first yoga studio, and her studentshave gone on to form Krama Yoga, a Cambodianyoga therapy NGO. Isabelle specialises in traumatherapy yoga for children and young women whohave grown up in abusive environments ofgenerational poverty and war traumawww.yogacambodia.com andwww.transitionsglobal.org

17

Yoga for SpecialNeeds ChildrenSanjukta Sharma

I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THEprinciples of yoga are universal. It applies toeveryone whether you are an advancedpractitioner, or a person confined to awheelchair. With that in mind I set aboutteaching children and young adults withspecial needs the benefits of yoga therapy.

So how do you teach a child with Autism orDown’s Syndrome deep breathing? How doyou teach a child with cerebral palsy theprinciples of alignment? How do you showsomeone who is visually impaired thegraceful movements of cat cow stretches?

The answers were all in the practice. Yogatranscends all barriers – physical, intellectual,emotional, and I found my special studentswere my gurus. Yoga speaks its ownlanguage which connects us irrespective ofour differences.

Yoga isn’t about being in the perfect pose.For special needs children, yoga helps themfeel more comfortable in their bodies,develop more body and breath awareness,improve hand to eye co-ordination, andlearn self regulation.

A young lady with cerebral palsy tried hardwith support to get out of her wheelchairsimply to try “Tadasana.” Later when Iasked her which was her favourite pose, shereplied, standing up. I could not helpblinking back tears when I realised a simpleact like that gave her a such a sense ofpersonal empowerment.

What benefits does yoga provide to people

with special needs? It helps increase cognitive and motor skills in those with learning anddevelopment disabilities. It helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity. Itimproves physical strength, balance and confidence. Above all, it is a therapeuticintervention they can participate actively in. In a group setting, it also gives them anopportunity to practice social skills.

MANTRAS AND MUDRASWhen I first started out, I harboured doubts about how effective they would be. Howmistaken I was! The children respond so well to the music, and the rhythmic actions dohelp in opening up learning receptors. The chanting and rhythmic hand movements helpto also enhance better motor coordination and concentration as it engages the brain. Yogastimulates all the areas necessary for development.

Last month I conducted a workshop in New Delhi for mothers who have children withspecial needs, teaching them the benefits of yoga therapy . The children had beendiagnosed with Down’s syndrome, Autism, Sturge-Weber syndrome, etc. At the end ofthe workshop the mothers walked up to me and said how much empowered they felt, andone even said “I now have some hope.” Another said yoga was demystified for her.

Whether it is a non-verbal child with Autism, or a child with emotional disorders, theyhave been able to reach out and communicate through the language of yoga. Everyonesucceeds, and it is a very small step towards building a more inclusive society.

Sanjukta is a Special Education teacher in South Island School in Hong Kong and alsoteaches yoga to special children.

Sanjukta with a few of special yoga therapy kids

Yoga speaks its own

language which

connects us

irrespective of our

differences

Karma Yoga

19

Yoga 101

PrPrPrPrPracticingacticingacticingacticingacticing

YYYYYamas at Wamas at Wamas at Wamas at Wamas at WorkorkorkorkorkJeanne Lim

I’VE BEEN LIVING TWO SEPARATElives. As a yoga practitioner, I do mypractice on the mat and more or less try toadhere to the yamas- the yogic principles ofsocial discipline - when I interact with aroomful of yoga souls.

How hard can that be? Everyone isbeautifully yogic, so it is easy to put on mybest yogic behaviour as well. There arenever insects to kill and seldom any nastypeople to avenge within the confines of thestudio walls. We happily chant aboutprostrating to the Supreme Guru for goodknowledge, self awakening, and greathappiness. So I live in that blissful realmfor an hour or so every day.

But stepping outside to the real world, mybest yogic resolve is quickly forgotten. Withcrazy drivers willing to run you over, fellowpedestrians pushing you off the sidewalk,co-workers shuffling office politics downyour throat, and generally a city thatcelebrates money as the “Supreme Guru”,it seems like yamas are very out of place, athought which gives me the perceived rightto be judgmental, critical, and evenvengeful. But yoga is as much, if not more,a practice in life as one done on the mat.

Yamas are meant to be a set of internalisedprinciples that direct how one interacts withthe world, not a set of etiquette used onlywhen one is with a chosen group in achosen place. To live the principles, we needto practice every moment in our lives, onand off the mat. Confining our yamapractice to the mat and within the safety ofthe yoga studio is an easy way to live ablameless yogic life, but it is not aconsummate one.

In all the years I’ve practiced yoga, I’veseldom brought my “yoga life” to theoffice. I work in the IT business wherethings happen at internet speed andeverything is about productivity,effectiveness, and results. Yoga, if ever thistopic comes up, is seen as “that new agething” or a physical exercise for Type Apersonalities who need to burn off some

energy outside of work.

Actually, I believe the work place is one of the best places to practice yoga. Yamas aresupposed to be practiced and validated when interacting with others. Business is built onthe relationships between people—people from all walks of life and from diversifiedbackgrounds. But what does it take to practice yoga in business? The learning comes fromthe yama itself:.

AHIMSANon-violence and non-harming. Not abusing or harming others physically is usually nottoo difficult in the work place, since violence in the workplace is not a common occurrence(I hope this is true in your case). But it also means not harming others in our mind. Howmany times have we said hurtful things to others, or lost patience with those we dislike?Or even willed negative things to happen to an annoying colleague or competitor?

SATYATruthfulness. This includes telling the truth both literally and in meaning. “White lies” arejustified as insignificant so we do not count them as untruths. But where do we draw theline? Is the justification based on our tolerance of our own actions, or the impact it has onthe receiving end? And how do we draw that line?

ASTEYANon-stealing. Most people don’t steal at work, at least in terms of what is consideredstealing. But this also means not taking that which is not given. How about taking a penhome, claiming more than was spent on an expense report, and “stealing” other people’slimelight?

BRAHMACARYASexual responsibility and restraint. Sexual harassment includes both physical and mental.And some would say mental harassment is even more damaging than physical harassment.

APARIGRAHAAbstention from greed. This means not coveting that which is not ours and not makingunnecessary acquisition of objects that are not essential to one’s life. In business, where theraison d’etre is about profits, one often walks the fine line between greed and making adeserved profit. The key is to covet that which we have earned in an honest manner and inthe right mindset.

Living the yamas at work are surely a challenging endeavour. But the real practice is inlearning and striving, one day at a time. This is all we can, and need, to do.

Jeanne is a yoga practitioner and certified teacher. She works in the ITindustry and is currently studying the history and philosophy of yoga aspart of a five-year Traditional Yoga Studies course led by GeorgFeuerstein.

21

Steve Merkley

YOGA IS A PHENOMENA OF MODERN CULTURE. WITHits roots in prehistoric India, and millions of practitioners in citiesacross the world, there is no sign the modern yoga movement isslowing down. With countless styles of yoga in gyms, healthclubs, culture centers, meditation centers, office buildings, and ofcourse yoga studios, how can it all be yoga? Sometimes it seemsthere are enormous irreconcilable differences that make one kind ofyoga different than others, but still it is always called yoga. Mostpeople have their favorite style, with many students powerfuladvocates, trying to convince others of why their teacher or theirstyle is the best.

The truth is, all yoga styles have a common thread. Even as farback as the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras, there is an underlyingsense of moving toward greater freedom that crosses cultures,body types, and gender, that has for centuries brought people tothis practice. Krishna taught Arjuna that Yoga is: evenness, skill inaction, and separation from contact with pain. Patanjali wrote thatYoga is the cessation of the movements of the mind. KashmirShaivism teaches that each of us are the play of Shiva and Shakti,the light of being, and theawareness of being.

Anusara Yoga teaches that we areCidananda, the supremeconsciousness that is always andforever absolute auspiciousness,combined with the highestcreative power that is always in astate of dynamic and unboundfreedom called svatantriya. Bikram Yoga teaches to sweat ourselvesto a cleaner body and mind that will feel, look, and move withgreater ease and freedom in our lives.

If all this is yoga, then how can we bring different ideas to ourteaching, to our students, and into our lives? How do we introducea stronger philosophical foundation to give deeper meaning andgreater freedom in our lives? Of course if we can bring philosophyinto our yoga classes, it gives a sense to the students that this issomething more than a group exercise class.

I find many students a little uncomfortable with somepresentations of Yoga philosophy they feel somewhat mystical.But if we break down the deeper philosophical concepts intosomething we can actually relate to, then our students will findgreater meaning in our teachings, and we may also find a deepersense of accomplishment as teachers of yoga. The greatest partabout this accomplishment in yoga, is that what it brings aboutcannot be described in words, but certainly it can be called freedom.

STEP 1: STUDYIf we want to bring a deeper sense of philosophical teaching intoour yoga classes, we must first have a deeper understanding ofphilosophy in our lives. The greatest part about modern yoga is

with all the variation, philosophically infusing our yoga classes hasno limitations by dogma, rules, or styles (unless you teach under aspecific style that allows certain philosophies, but not others inclasses). To study philosophy means simply to look into thejourney we are on, and find common denominator’s amongst ourdifferences that give us themes for our classes. This can be from atraditional text of Tibetan Buddhism, Judaism, or yoga.

Underlying all religions, is a philosophical foundation is based onfinding deeper freedom in our lives. Our themes do not necessarilyneed to come from traditional texts. One of my friends teaches atin Hong Kong. I attended one of her classes when the theme wasbased on a concert she had attended previously, and how inspiredshe was from the artist’s performance regardless of the lowattendance. When we find philosophy in our everyday lives, this isusually easy for people to relate to.

STEP 2: INTEGRATEFirst and foremost students are coming to most yoga classes forthe workout. If we are going to bring philosophy into our classes

we need to understand thatmany of our students may notbe open to religious ideas. Sowe can first look at our studentbody, and see what ourdemographic is. If we areteaching yoga to a stronglyMuslim population, we mayconsider not trying to teachideals that are very Hindu in

orientation. Sometimes the best way to connect to peoples’ heartsis a great poem or story. The Ramayana, Rumi, and Caroline Myssall have inspiring stories to teach us. There are countless self-helpbooks with ideas most of our students could benefit fromunderstanding. Whatever kind of philosophy we use, it mustbring together the group creating depth and unity so we are doingyoga with the words we use.

STEP 3: GET POETICThis can be very difficult for many of us, especially if we have verylogical and straight line kind of minds. Rodney Yee is one of myfavorite teachers for his use of poetry. His classes are always so fullof beautiful words that give a great depth of understanding of thebody, and feel beautiful to think about. We can talk about thebreath as expansion and contraction, or we can find allusions to theocean’s slow rise and fall like every wave of our breath comes in,and slowly moves back into the ocean of prana. We can talk aboutsoftening our groins, or we can talk about the deep open spacewhere our legs meet our torso and finding the intelligent receptivityhere. John Friend often tells me to lovingly hug the muscles to thebone. In every way that we are using our voices in our yoga classes,we can probably find ways to be more poetic with our words.

For Teachers

Bringing PhiloBringing PhiloBringing PhiloBringing PhiloBringing Philosssssophophophophophy iny iny iny iny inttttto a Yo a Yo a Yo a Yo a Yoga Clasoga Clasoga Clasoga Clasoga ClassssssBenjamin Finnerty

if we bring philosophy into our yoga

classes, it gives a sense this is more

than a group exercise class

22

STEP 4: SEQUENCEWhen we are bringing philosophy into our yoga classes, we shouldhave sequences that can be connected to the philosophy we aretrying to present. If our theme is the celebration of our innatefreedom, and the joy of embodiment, it may be a good idea to dosomething dynamic. Strong vinyasa, backbends, arm balances allmay have deeply celebratory themes. In the same way if we aremoving into forward bends, we can talk about the benefits ofbecoming quiet, or perhaps we could talk about the quality of tapas,and how it takes real strength to hold poses with integrity for along time.

STEP 5: INTERWEAVEIn my Anusara training, we often talk about the spiritual sandwich.As you may imagine the spiritual sandwich is full of yoga poses inthe middle, with a little spiritual filling in the beginning and at theend. While this is a great way to begin bringing a deeper meaninginto our yoga practice, it can often leave the students feeling aseparation between the work in our bodies, and the philosophy theteacher is trying to present. It may take a long time to get reallygood at this, but there are a lot of ways that it can be practiced, likelooking at the clock and every 20-30 minutes bring up the themeagain. Another way may be to take specific poses that embody thetheme, and remind the students when it is time to teach thoseposes.

STEP 6: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICEWhen we as yoga teachers are trying to bring more depth into ourteachings, we must try all sorts of different ways. As yoga teacherswe are here to inspire, to create and to embody a deeper sense offreedom and joy. John Friend explains the three most importantqualities of being a teacher as: soft heart, sharp mind, and vibrantbody. When we are trying to deepen our philosophicalfoundations as teachers, we use these three qualities to be the bestteachers we can be. Teaching with sensitivity, compassion,intelligence, strength, and coordination, infused with philosophy

to present some amazing yoga classes to all thosewho are fortunate enough to cross our paths.

Benjamin is 34 years old, and for more thanthree years has being teaching Anusara yoga atThe Orange Room and Yoga Space in Shanghai,China. His inspiration comes from amazingstudents, the sun that always shines, and histeacher John [email protected]

Teacher’s Voice

GeorGeorGeorGeorGeorge Doge Doge Doge Doge Dovvvvvasasasasas

WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING ASANA AND WHY?All asanas are challenging in one way or another.

Along the path of practice, various asanas have challenged me -physically and mentally. As my practice has developed, my “mostchallenging” asana has changed. As my body has changed, the“most challenging” asana has changed. As circumstances in my lifehave changed, my “most challenging” asana has changed.

One of my current “most challenging” asanas is Kurmasana. Mybody does not want to hold that pose - my mind wavers and it’schallenging to find stillness in the pose.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS ASANA?This was a pose that I once used to do with relative ease. This hastaught me that the body is always undergoing physical changes andwhat once appeared “easy”, may appear “challenging” tomorrow. Ithas taught me not to think of poses too much in the context of“easy/challenging” and instead to learn the lesson that is for mefrom each of the asanas.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR PRACTICE?To still the fluctuations of the consciousness - some days they arelike a raging river!

Born in Sydney, George Dovas is an Iyengar yoga teacher who hasbeen living in Hong Kong for 10 years. He recently become theowner and Director of the Iyengar Yoga Centre of Hong Kong. Heteaches asana classes and conducts discussions about yogaphilosophy in the Yoga Sutras. [email protected]

break down the deeper

philosophical concepts into

something we can relate to, our

students will find greater meaning

25

Lessons learnt fromthe Kitchen SinkSharon Clarke Sequeira

FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE LIVED INthe ashram, I have wondered why thekitchen, which daily feeds 250 to 300 seekers(of spiritual growth), has only one kitchensink. But I maintained an attitude oflearning and tried not to comment on whatI felt could have been done morelogically…. but the question never wentaway from my mind.

How could it? Every time one was at thesink trying to wash dishes for two hours orso, someone would gently intervene andrequest to fill a small container of water, orrinse their hands between cooking, or theyneeded the sink as they felt like a cup of tea,the seeker about to chop cilantro wouldbring her colander to rinse the leaves and theone who wanted to churn buttermilk wouldrequire the sink as well, and so the flow ofusers remained uninterrupted!

So the heap of dishes would get washed ata staggered, but even, pace that took intoaccount all the interruptions. No one everquestioned the absence of another sink.One kitchen sink was accepted as a way oflife. Everyone was content.

I tried to align myself with everyone, alwaysthinking that a couple more sinks wouldhave been the more efficient way to go.Suddenly, only a couple days ago a newunderstanding suddenly nudged into myconsciousness. I began to realize this sinkwas God’s ‘Divine Design’! I had been

Spiritual Research Foundation

27

using my limited intellect all this while. ButSpirituality is beyond the intellect. So I hadto look beyond the illogical scenario and seethe real purpose that this kitchen sink wasfulfilling. I realized God did not merelywant dishes to be washed. He wanted tocreate divinity within seekers.

This sink put one on the spot as it had thepotential to precipitate the flaws within one– the slightest bit of irritation could easilybe perceived by the interrupting seeker whonow stood right beside one. So one’spatience had to develop and one’s love hadto develop too, so each interaction wasgentle and friendly, and even sublime.

The kitchen sink interruptions have servedas a time to nudge the other and saysomething uplifting, share some advice orcorrect a mistake like ‘you have the tap opentoo wide, you‘re wasting water’. Washingdishes for those two hours was reallymerely an excuse for the big picture whichwas that each of us was getting a chance tobe washed up and sorted out on the inside.

Our Kitchen Sink has given us practicallessons on how to be in completeacceptance mode and has even got me tolearn how to go beyond my intellect.Without this divinely orchestrateddiscomfort, where would we have got thisalmost laboratory-like situation thatinduces internal transformation?

Sharon is a former modeland Miss India. At thevery height of hersuccess as a model, shegave up her career tofocus on being amotivational speaker andhelping others to achieve

happiness from within. Sharon has beendoing spiritual practice since 1988.www.SpiritualResearchFoundation.org &[email protected]

FFFFFalling Doalling Doalling Doalling Doalling Down twn twn twn twn to So So So So Stttttand Upand Upand Upand Upand UpValerie Wilson Trower

SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED TO PRACTICE YOGA, A YOGA TEACHERtaught me the art of standing up from a seated position on the mat without using myhands. As she said: “it just looks more elegant.”

And so it does. Try this: Sit on the mat, bend your knees so your feet are planted firmly onthe mat close to your body and wider apart than your hips. Then, as you inhale, move yourhead and upper body forwards between your bent knees, and keeping your hands off themat, push your weight slightly forward and upwards (and heels down in to the mat), andthere, you have stood up without using your hands! Effectively, what you are doing is‘falling upwards.’

I often ask students to do this at the beginning or end of a Hatha yoga practice. It makes agracious beginning or ending to a practice.

I had not realised that is a practice used in Alexander Technique until I met an Alexanderpractitioner recently. Explaining how to do this from a chair, he commented I seemed tohave learned to do this very quickly!

The Alexander technique is an alternative medical technique, a discipline which focuses onbody co-ordination and mental awareness (not unlike yoga in this respect). Founded by F.Matthias Alexander in the 19th century, it was initially developed as a technique to enhancehis acting skills. Practitioners use hands-on techniques to help clients’ physical problems ona one-to-one basis without prescribing repeated exercises, and seek to teach people not touse undue physical effort as they move. Freedom, efficiency, and patience are the guidingprinciples (again, much like a yoga practice). Over time, practicing Alexander techniquemethods can help with physical pain and chronic disabilities. It is thought this works byhelping patients deal with pain as it assists clients’ stress management abilities.

Thinking of the yogic principle of Tapas, particularly the ‘commitment to practice’ part, youcan see how practice of this very small addition to your practice: standing up from sittingby ‘falling upwards’ and not using your hands, takes practice, and that this can becompleted successfully by anyone who tries. It certainly embodies the concept of Tapas. Asmall beginning, but a step on the path to a deeper regular yogic practice: try it.

My thanks to Bob Graham for introducing me to an Alexander technique practitioner.

Valerie holds a doctorate in Historial and Critical Studies from theLondon College of Fashion, The University of the Arts, London. Shepractices Ashtanga yoga, Mysore style and leads Hatha yoga stretchesfor the Siddha Meditation Path.

NAMASKAR LISTING AND DISPLAY ADVERTISING RATES FOR 2010 (IN HK DOLLARS)Outside back cover $20,000 210 mm x 297 mmInside front cover $2,700 210 mm x 297 mmInside back cover $2,200 210 mm x 297 mmFull page $1,700 210 mm x 297 mm1/2 page $1,000 188 mm x 137.5 mm horizontal / 90 mm x 275 mm vertical1/4 page $550 90 mm x 137.5 mm1/8 page $350 90 mm x 63 mmTeacher listing $500 (January - October 2010)Studio listing $1,000 (January - October 2010)

Advertisements should be submitted as high resolution (300 dpi) tif files (no pdf or ai files please). Advertising fees are payable in Hong Kongdollars only to: Namaskar c/o Carol Adams, 1/F 46 Leung Fai Ting Lower Road, Clearwater Bay, Hong KongFor more information contact Carol on (852) 9137 9992 /[email protected] or Frances (852) 9460 1967 / [email protected]

Alternative Therapy

28

TTTTTokokokokokyyyyyo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yoga -oga -oga -oga -oga -

TTTTTrrrrradition &adition &adition &adition &adition &

ModernModernModernModernModernInna Costantini

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO PRACTICE INone of the most modern, expensive andcutting-edge city in the world? Tokyo hasfor years been a trend-setting, buzzingcapital, a hub for business, technology andconsumer culture, attracting foreigners,tourists and the masses to its belly like avortex running on adrenaline. Coffee canvending machines appear on virtually everystreet corner, station platform and parkinglot, providing a quick fix solution to ademanding and hectic lifestyle.

Shibuya, Ginza and Ueno – epic, buzzingdistricts, always seem to appear in visitors’snapshots of Japan, in the same way asLondon is famed for Piccadilly Circus andBig Ben. Media reports only reinforce thispost-modern, stereotyped view ofJapanese culture, so when I told friends Iwas off to investigate the yoga scene inTokyo, I was greeted with some quizzicallooks. Japan is certainly famous for itsaesthetics, zen temples and spiritual roots,but yoga is a far more recent import.

Although as a practice, yoga has beenaround for many years, the big boomstarted in 2004, when yoga became trendyin most parts of East Asia – following aglobal trend partly set by people likeMadonna or Sting. But that boom onlylasted for a couple of years in Japan – by2006, the few large yoga centers like BikramYoga had to close or downsize to adjust tofalling numbers. The smaller, independentstudios remained active and even grew witha smaller but more dedicated student base,some of whom having traveled or studiedabroad, wanting to take their practice toanother level. The current student base stillremains fairly young, with a typical classconsisting of a majority of 25-35 year oldwomen, but there has recently been anincrease in Japanese men joining classes.

The fact that Yoga Journal just launched aquarterly edition in Japanese, shouldindicate that interest for yoga is here to stay,

with a shift towards integrating yogalifestyle into a modern environment.

Different from many Asian cities, all thestudios I visited in Tokyo were small (oneroom, holding up to 20 people onaverage), due to high rents and lack ofspace, but not surprisingly, all wereextremely clean – students diligentlyspraying their mats after class wiping offevery speck of dust or drop of sweat,tidying props and bolsters, in a typicallyrespectful and dutiful manner.

MINDFULNESS IN JAPAN’S CAPITALMy quest for places to practice yoga inTokyo started in the West side of the city,in Ebisu, a quiet yet trendy and up-marketarea. It is also home to YogaJaya, one ofTokyo’s leading independent studios.Opened by Patrick Oancia in 2004, andneatly tucked away in a residential backstreet, YogaJaya is a peaceful abode to allthings yoga. A small reception on theground floor acts the shop, informationdesk and meeting point.

I was greeted with a smile as I registered forPatrick’s busy Friday evening dynamic class.We all started by quietly sitting, whilePatrick slipped in and led an extendedbreathing sequence. Core strength and armbalances happened to be the theme of theday, so we went straight into a playful,sweaty and hard session, but Patrick gaveeach student help and attention as if in aworkshop.

Browsing the schedule after class, I feltreassured to see handstand practice wasn’t aJapanese studio specialty, but rather a one-off special: YogaJaya offers much morevariety. Patrick pointed out that althoughdynamic styles are very popular, classes andworkshops do range from gentler styles tomeditation and pranayama with renownedpractioners.

But, as I asked Patrick after the class, is theyoga approach here, typically Japanese?How are students’ general attitude to lifereflected in their practice? (Tricky questionto answer when the class is a mix of men,women, foreigners and teacher trainingstudents).

Japanese culture, he tells me, is on a verybroad level, clearly regimented, structuredand competitive. This is why at the start,dynamic practices like Astanga really kickedoff. As a discipline, Astanga is systematic,organized and structured, which fits wellwith an ordered and controlled Japaneseway of life. Students are generally dedicatedand disciplined –often to the extreme,which is why they love this system.

But aspects of a culture that can sometimesbe extremely dogmatic never came across inmy tour of Tokyo – and I saw fewer yogafanatics than in London.

Yoga Jaya has always shifted more towardsother forms of yoga – they offer lessAstanga classes to balance the schedule withother styles like Hatha Vinyasa, Yoga Focus

Yoga Travels

Jogajaya teacher and owner Patrick Oancia (center)

31

classes and special courses. Class dynamicsvary, taught with an emphasis onalignment, breath awareness andmindfulness.

Patrick is a thinker and an activist. Hisdedicated yoga practice goes far beyondsetting up and running one of Tokyo’sleading yoga studios – he has a vision forYoga in Japan. (Highlighted in a recentvideo: http://www.yogajaya.com/films/yogajaya_vision_small.mov).

The Teacher Training courses, workshopsand classes held at YogaJaya reflect thisvision whilst seek to provide anenvironment for people to explore theirown practice; speaking eloquently and withpassion, he encourages students to developawareness and find their own way, by“working with different metaphors to findtheir potential in real life and becomeunified to the active life.“ Rather deepinsight for a Friday night but I liked hisstyle, approach and the space.

MORE SHIBUYA-YOGANext stop, Hiroo station. Still in the heartof Shibuya, is Tokyo’s latest arrival, YogaTree studio. Running up four flights ofstairs (I found out there was a lift on myway out!) after a somewhat confusing trainjourney through Tokyo, it felt like enteringa sleek, intimate, yoga haven. I was late somissed the start of Michael Glenn’sVinyasa Flow class, but was greeted with asmile as I lay my mat down at the back.Michael, who opened the studio in 2009(thanks to a slump in the property market,making spaces like these more affordable incentral Tokyo), teaches in a calm and gentlemanner, focusing on alignment, breath andbody awareness. Students in this (English)class were mostly foreign but Yoga Treeattracts people from a mix of backgrounds,age, gender and levels.

Yoga Tree’s variety of classes and stylesmaintains the ‘belief that yoga is a bigumbrella that offers something toeveryone’. The schedule reflects this view:from traditional Hatha to Astanga, VinyasaFlow, Yoga for Runners and Restorative –taught in both Japanese and English- thereis definitely something here for everyone.

Having worked for years in advertising,Michael believes in letting the studio findits own space in the capital: he remains

reluctant to overly promote his studio, newclasses and workshops. He believes inletting the space “grow organically”,develop in its own terms – and this isexactly how Yoga Tree feels like – a peaceful,calm and open space with what it seems, asteady, harmonious future ahead.

OTHER PLACESTokyo does offer a variety of other placesto practice- Sun Moon Yoga, Lotus8 andPrana Power to name but a few. Each hasits place in the capital, and each of themseems to offer a selection of Dynamic,Hatha and Restorative classes in bothEnglish and Japanese. Iyengar fans can payRajay Mahtani (Iyengar Certified) a visit inone of her central Tokyo classes (http://www.rajay.org/yoga/tyc.html).

The website Hello Yoga gives an honestoverview of the main studios and practicalinformation on each place.

So yoga shopping in the capital of Japancould be an activity in itself, but this time,my tour stops here.

COSTSTokyo is a notoriously expensive place tobe and yoga classes reflect this costlylifestyle. Drop-ins vary between 2,500-3,000yen (about GBP 20 on average per class),but cheaper options are available forresidents or long-term stayers. Somestudios like YogaJaya for instance, offerintroductory discounts (half price for thefirst class). They also run daily open practicebetween 8.30-10 am for space-deprivedTokyo-ites wanting to roll out their matand practice freely in a dedicated yoga place– a good concept for busy cities.

CLOSING THOUGHTSHas yoga in Japan evolved in a way of itsown, taking some typically Japanese traits?

Inna is a freelance writer and yoga teacherbased in London and Asia. Since embarkingon an intensive Ayurvedaand Yoga teacher trainingin Goa, she has beensharing her passion foryoga and environmentalissues on and off the mat– and across the [email protected]

Yoga in one of the world’s most hectic,cutting-edge cities definitely has a place,rooted for many years but only fairlyrecently emerging into people’s daily lives.While yoga practice here is a fairly newphenomenon, it is leaving space to growdeeper roots and open up to new realms.Training teachers locally is one first step, atask that YogaJaya is deeply committed to.

Tokyo may in fact not be a number onedestination for spiritual quests, but on anext visit to Japan’s capital, you candefinitely feel safe in the knowledge you canroll out your mat, practice, breathe and finda welcoming yoga community, no matterwhich path you choose to take.

USEFUL INFORMATIONHello YogaRun by yoga teacher Dylan Robertson, thisis the website for Tokyo’s English speakingcommunity, providing information onclasses, workshops, teachers, and articles.http://helloyoga.com/

Yoga Jaya1-25-11-2Fl.Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya KuTokyo, 150-0021Ph: +81-(0)3-5784-3622http://www.yogajaya.com

Yoga TreeTanaka Building 4F, 5-5-1 Hiroo,Shibuya-kuTokyo 150-0012http://www.yogatree.jp/

Eco NikkoA retreat centre in the heart of UnescoWorld heritage site of Nikko, two hoursnorth of Tokyo. They run some classes andretreats in a stunningly peaceful andBuddhist temple setting.http://econikko.com/

Yoga Tree offers a variety of styles

33

Profile

Once a Swami, Always a SwamiLeah Kim

THE ANNUAL ASIA YOGA CONFERENCE HAS THE AMAZING EFFECT OF YOKING TOGETHER WONDERFULteachers and students from around the globe, all onto our little island of Hong Kong. I was especially aware of this feeling of global unitywhilst talking with meditation and philosophy teacher, Carlos Pomeda. Originally from Spain, he is now based in the US and travels theworld to share his teachings on the ancient yoga tradition of India.Carlos’ first steps onto the yogic path weremuch like the rest of us. As a youngteenager, he found himself with manyunanswered questions. In 1974, hehappened upon a yoga flyer, and shortlythereafter, a meditation poster. He quicklybecame a student of both yoga andmeditation, and felt a most welcome senseof familiarity in these ancient disciplines.He also found he could explain things hecould not explain before.

Sooner than he expected, however, Carloshit bottom; he could not go deeper in hisunderstanding. It was at about that timesomeone told him about his guru. This iswhere his spiritual path diverged from thatof the average modern-day yogi. Heattended a weekend transformationworkshop and was amazed to find howclose he felt to this guru, closer than he feltto his own father.

On being initiated by his guru, Carlosrecalls, “It was an experience of cominghome. There was an immediacy ofremembering that was so potent that Iwondered how I could have forgotten thestate of bliss and perfection I am always in.I knew whatever else I would do in life,this residue of knowingness would alwaysstay with me. The initiation gave me asense of who I am.”

The initiation also served as his entranceinto monasticism. Knowing he still had alot of work to do in finding himself andsharing his experiences and insights withothers, Carlos took his monastic vows.“Those 18 years were my formative years;they shaped the rest of my life. I look backupon my life as a monk with greatfondness. I finally had time to learn and acontext in which to study. Sometimes Istudied for 12 hours a day. I gained deepinsight from the practices; they groundedwhat I was learning.”

Carlos went to university for a Master’sDegrees in Sanskrit and Religious Studies.It was then that something started shifting

for him. He became aware “renunciationisn’t so much an external way of life, butan internal shift you make within yourself:the shift towards freedom.”

This philosophical departure from themonastic idea of renunciation was markedby a feeling of separation. “I realized thesame robes that protected and supportedme also separated me from others. Therelationships I had were based on theprojections and expectations people hadabout me as a monk. Most people didn’tsee me as a human being with my owninner journey and struggles. What kind ofinteraction is that?” As these internal shiftsdid not match his external life as a monk,he knew something needed to change.

Courageously and honestly, he penned hisdecision to renounce his renunciation in aletter to his guru. The response was anoutpouring of love and immense supportfrom his students and monastic familyalike. The smooth transition out ofmonkhood confirmed his understandingthat real yoga is an internal process, and

The Spanish swami, Carlos Pomeda

how I could have

forgotten the state of

bliss and perfection

I am always in

34

disrobing his robes has proved to be one less barrier to people hearing the truth of hismessage.

And what is that message? Carlos advises each individual to follow his/her own calling.“We are all at different points in our evolution and we all learn differently. The big questionis, can you apply your practice to every moment in life?”

To the student on the spiritual path, Carlos speaks of practicing tapas, “Concentrate onbeing a student. Whatever you need will come to you. God is always talking to you,whether you’re in robes or not. Know that the first principle of being a student is beingable to discriminate whom you’re learning from. Where is that teacher’s authority, where isthat person teaching from? What are you after, the ancient exotic, or something deeper? Ifyou persevere, and as long as you’re sincere in your practice, you will learn from everythingyou experience. Keep an open mind, and decide what works for you.”

To the teacher, Carlos reminds, “Your own journey is happening in your own uniquecontext. Teach from insight and experience, and not merely from tradition. This does notmean to change yoga in any way you want. Be cautious of fundamentalism, which ignoresthe natural evolution of life, searching for the permanence of life where there isn’t any.”

Robes or no robes, Carlos’ comforting, liberating wisdom is that of a great philosopher,guru, and sage. His presence is still that of a monk. When I express this to him, hechuckles and says, “If you ask my wife, she will say that I am still a swami.”

True to evolving with the times, Carlos offers courses over the internet, as well asmeditation and scriptural retreats. [www.pomeda.com]

Leah is a nativeCalifornian yogini livingand loving in Hong Kong.She loves exploring theplanet, connecting to theBig Mind, breathing in andout. www.beyoga.org

Teach from insight and

experience, and not

merely from tradition

35

FFFFFeeding meeding meeding meeding meeding myyyyy

SpiritSpiritSpiritSpiritSpiritRani Kamaruddin

IN MARCH 2010 SEATTLE WAScalling me: a quantum leap from theconcrete jungle to the Forrest, Ana Forrestthat is. The teacher training was intense andintensely rewarding on all levels. Anacreated and held a sacred space, allowing usto explore, rediscover or uncover ourcapacities, acquire new skills and refinethose that we already have, learn and teachourselves and each other, heal and grow,together as a group and as individuals.Never before had I felt so safe.

We taught from day one and I feltpermitted to be bold, messy, loud,vulnerable, strong, hilarious. I played myedges and had a lot of fun. As I wondered“how do I teach from the heart; how do Iteach from me?” Ana answered myquestion, through the ceremonies, thefeedback, but mostly by leading byexample. It wasn’t about doing it perfect, itwas about putting my spirit into theteaching; I had a blast! I was overwhelmedwith gratitude.

We taught beginner workshops open tothe public over the two weekends. Theexperience was amazing – there were about20 students in every class, some with specialconditions and injuries, there wereseasoned practitioners and we even hadfirst timers! I felt honored to have beenpart of people’s introduction to yoga andgrateful for the trust they showed to us.

In every class, the energy was incrediblybeautiful, even tangible as I put my handson someone’s ribcage, I felt with my handshow the ribcage expanded with breath andhow energy changed that person. I sawsavasana from a new perspective andwholeheartedly felt it’s a gift to the teacheras much as it is to the student - yoga is ahealing practice.

From the very beginning, we were assignedto “do one thing that brightens yourspirit” as part of our homework. For me, itusually meant a walk of several blocks,skimming through the organic veggiessection of a large supermarket or admiringthe snowy tops of the Olympic mountains

on a sunny day. This year’s winter was mildon Seattle – flowers were blooming earlyMarch. I loved being connected to thesimple things and realized how much I hadmissed the connection with nature.

I’d been on a quest for grounding for overa year and it was only in Seattle that Irealized why it had been such a struggle.For the last four years I had spent my daysmoving between skyscrapers, 30 floorsabove the ground, rarely touching theground. No wonder I struggled to feel anyconnection with the earth! The little thingsof daily life were the things that made mecontent, nourished and grounded.

I did not realize the power of myhomework “do one thing that delightsyour spirit, once a day… every day”, untilday 11. During the ceremony that day, I wasprofoundly surprised and shocked by whatI learned about my spirit. It was hungryand had been wandering in search of love.Ana had me feeding my spirit ever since dayone, but it took me ten days to discern it’svoice. Ana reconnected me with my spirit -I have not experienced anything morepowerful. This connection is what reallygrounds me to walk life’s paths in beauty.

From my window seat on the plane toHawaii, a big rainbow appeared. Ohwonders of nature, I haven’t seen arainbow in four years! This was no doubtan invitation to get on my windhorse andride full steam ahead to do my part onmending the hoop of the people.

Do something that

delights your spirit,

once a day, every dayAna Forrest

Rani (center) and friends from the Ana Forrest teacher training

Rani directs and ownsbreatheUNLIMITED™, acompany with the visionto empower people to livein wellness(www.breathe-unlimited.com). Ranipractices and teachesForrest Yoga wherever

she goes. [email protected]

Teacher Training Review

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Perspective

Stillness from WithinGricia Gan

WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS PHOTO, Iimmediately decided it was my favourite ofYogananth’s most recent shoot in Bali. Heseemed surprised but I elaborated it’sbecause it captures the essence of yoga -stillness within.

Yoga transformed my life; probably acomment you commonly hear fromfriends who practice regularly. As an athleteat school, I engaged in vigorouscardiovascular, strength and resistancetraining that naturally lead me to the gym.

Up until last year, I was still doingmarathon, long hikes and mountainclimbing in exotic locations. During all ofthese activities my body felt different tome, it felt highly-strung like an elastic thathad been stretched to its snapping point.All my muscles were tight and the majorityof my joints were not properly aligned. Asa result, I was living with an array ofchronic pains that sent me to masseurs,doctors, physiotherapists, and eventually,Yogananth.

Hatha yoga has revolutionised my physicalworkout, eating habits, mental health andemotional being. As I write this today, Ihave never felt closer to the meaning of“being true to myself ”, something I usedto struggle with. Being true to oneself, bymy definition, involves a complete

alignment between the intellectual mind(thoughts), the emotional being (feelings)and the physical body (speech and action).

In our day-to-day human relationships,this means having an opinion towardssomeone, feeling the same about them andacting the same towards him or her. Henceif you like someone, you will feel happyaround them and your actions will reflecthow much you care for him or her. Thissounds simple; however, if you reviewyour personal relationships with the peoplein your life – your workmates, your boss,your friends, family and relatives - you willdiscover misalignments that may needadjustments or simple awareness.

For me, this alignment has been movinginto place over time and the answers keepsurfacing from within me as I practiceregularly. Often after a satisfying practice,answers to doubts and questions in mymind reveal themselves. This profoundclarity is a result of the internal alignmentof my mind, heart and body. Over time, Ifeel this practice has given me a space whereI can retreat to for silence and stillnesswhen my mind is troubled with fear anddoubt or when my own body physicallychallenges me.

This photo is the most powerful of thecollection simply because Yogananth sat atthe ledge of a 100ft cliff in Uluwatu, withcrashing waves thrice his height behind himwhile posing in a variation of eka padarajakapotasana. Even the photographerretreated inland a little, joking he was notpaid enough to take this kind of risk!

Despite all this excitement and movement,within him and written on his face, I seeand feel that his stillness is from within.

Gricia enjoys her dailyyoga practice and is agraduate of YogananthAndiappan’s 300-houryoga teacher training.She is a volunteer at theYogananth Andiappan

community: involved in organising events;taking photos and teaching.

after a satisfying practice, answers to

doubts and questions reveal themselves

38

Diet

Could Candida Albicans beaffecting your health?Claudia Jones

MANY CANDIDA ALBICANS SUFFERERS ARE UNAWAREthis is the cause of many of their seemingly unrelated healthproblems. Candida is a yeast present in all of us, yet when thisyeast grows out of control it creates an imbalance in the bodycreating an acidic condition that weakens the immune system andleaves us open to disease. Left untreated, Candida Albicans canbecome systemic, spreading through the entire body and affectingour whole wellbeing. People suffering from illnesses such as AIDSand cancer often have a systemic overgrowth of candida yeast.

WHAT CAUSES CANDIDA?

• Repeated use of antibiotics that kill off the friendly as well asthe unfriendly bacteria in the body.• Steroids and contraceptive pills that create a hormonalimbalance.• Heavy metals in the body (from mercury fillings andenvironmental factors).• Stress (resulting in increased cortisol in the body)• Worms and parasites• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid),

• Diabetes• A diet high in sugar and carbohydrates• Chronic constipation.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDA?

• Constipation/diarrhea• Abdominal gas and bloating• Headaches• Muscle and joint pains• Insomnia• Fatigue• Feeling spacey or foggy• Poor concentration• Depression• Genital itching

You can complete a Candida Questionnaire which can give you agood indication of whether or not your problems are yeast related.Blood tests and stool tests can also be used to determine whetheryou have Candida with varying degrees of accuracy.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE CANDIDA?To control the overgrowth of yeast and relieve symptoms, thebalance in beneficial microflora needs to be restored. A strict anti-candida diet needs to be observed, this means a sugar free diet, no

39

refined flour products or carbohydrates, no fermented foodsincluding alcohol and no yeast. Plenty of probiotics are needed andcultured foods including raw cultured vegetables and raw organicapple cider vinegar to repopulate the friendly bacteria. You will needto keep your protein intake high, particularly animal proteins (fish,meat, eggs) which contain all the amino acids. Regular proteinintake will help to keep blood sugar and energy levels balanced sincecarbohydrates have been taken away.

If you are a strict vegetarian a good source of protein is spirulinawhich can be purchased as a powder and added into juices or takenin capsule form. Vegetable intake should also be high, particularlygreen veggies which are alkalizing to the system, helping to counterthe acidic condition created by the yeast. A good way to take theveggies is either steamed or juiced. Raw garlic is a very effective anti-fungal and should be included in the diet daily. Caprylic acid andVirgin Coconut oil (from which the latter is derived) are alsoeffective anti-fungal agents and should be included in the anti-Candida program.

Cutting sugar, yeast, carbohydrates and fermented foods from thediet mean that the candida has nothing to feed on and thereforemust die. A strict anti-candida diet can keep the overgrowth andsymptoms under control but may not fully eradicate the problemeven after a number of months of following the diet. Whenrestricted foods are reintroduced, symptoms may reappear. Onlywhen one is symptom free for some time should attempts bemade to reintroduce regular foods and only then one at a time so

that any reaction can be clearly observed. If the food does not causea problem then it can slowly become a regular part of the diet again.

ANTI-CANDIDA DETOXA specific Anti-Candida Detox Program can help. A good programwill target the problem from a number of angles to tackle the manypossible causes of the overgrowth. At Samahita Wellness, a strictdiet of green juices and green veggies is followed, along with plentyof probiotics, specific herbal tinctures, caprylic acid, citricidal and ourspecial ayurvedic herbal detox formula. Added to this, detoxifyingtherapies, particularly colon hydrotherapy with specific anti-candidaimplants, far infrared saunas and the use of our anti-candida andparasite zapper ensure that multiple issues are addressedsimultaneously. The anti-candida diet must be strictly adhered tofollowing the detox program for the best results to be achieved.

DON’T DELAY!If you think your symptoms may be yeast related, it is important toget started on an Anti-Candida program as soon as possible. Notonly will your symptoms be alleviated but you will stop the yeast

overgrowth from compromising your immunesystem in the long term.

Claudia Jones is a committed student of Ashtangayoga, Pranayama and Meditation. Claudia isSamahita Wellness’s Director at Yoga Thailand.

40

Recipe

HERE’S A LITTLE TWISTon the usual soup and saladlunch combo.

Cold soups are super easy toprepare and lentil salads can bemade a day in advance and stilltaste fresh and delicious forlunch the next day. Perfect!

Lentil Salad withOrange, Fennel & MintINGREDIENTS3 cups Green lentils2 cups Celery finely diced1 cup Carrot finely dicedI cup Fennel medium dice½ cup Red onion finely diced cup whole Mint leaves3 Oranges, peeled, segmented,and cut into small pieces,reserve zest3 tablespoons Lemon juice,reserve zest1 cup White wine½ cup Orange juice2 tablespoons minced Ginger

plus 1 “finger”Sea salt to taste½ cup Olive oil2 tablespoons Honey2 small Bay leavesBlack pepper

DESCRIPTIONIn a small saucepan combinethe lentils, water, white wine,bay leaf, a “finger” of ginger,lemon zest, orange zest and apinch of salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil then turn theheat to medium low and cookthe lentils for 40 minutes oruntil they are cooked but stillfirm.

Cool the lentils and remove thebay leaf and ginger.

Prepare the vinaigrette bycombining the ½ cup olive oilwith 3 tablespoons lemon juiceand 1/3 cup orange juice,honey and the two tablespoons

A Really Cool Summer LunchMoosa Al-Issa

41

of minced ginger, salt andpepper to taste.

Combine the lentils, carrots,fennel, celery, onion, orange,mint and vinaigrette and serve.

Moroccan Style ColdTomato SoupINGREDIENTS1 lbs Fresh tomato, cored andseeded, large dice1 medium Cucumber, halflarge dice, half fine dice1 cup Carrot juice fresh orbottled3 tablespoon fresh squeezedLime juice½ cup Coriander, leaves only,¼ whole leaf, ¾ mediumchopped1 tsp Cumin1 tsp Smoked Paprika½ tsp Cinnamon

DESCRIPTIONCombine in a blender thetomato, large dice of cucumber,

chopped coriander, lime juiceand carrot juice and salt andpepper to taste. Pulse themixture till almost smooth butwith a little bit of the vegetabletexture still present.

Bring a small frying pan tomedium heat and add threetablespoons of olive oil, thecinammon, smoked paprikaand cumin and fry for 1minute. Turn off heat andreserve.

Portion the soup in fourbowls, spoon half teaspoon ofthe spice oil on each, add a fewcoriander leaves and serve.

Moosa isExecutiveChef andManagingDirector ofLife Café andDirector ofJust GreenOrganicConvenienceStores.

43

Book Review

THE LATE VENERABLE KALU RINPOCHE WAS AMONG THE LEADING ANDmost revered Kagyu meditation masters of the twentieth century. He belonged to theShang-pa Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He spent over 20 years in solitary retreat,several of these in caves, following the lineage of the great cotton-clad yogi, Milarepa.

Kalu Rinpoche’s pint-sized book of 50 pages explains four teachings that can motivate oneto take up spiritual practice. These teachings, the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mindtowards Dharma, are common to all four sects of Tibetan Buddhism.

the fruit of different kinds of actions.From good or bad karma come the resultsof births in the higher or lower realms andtheir corresponding happiness andsuffering. When the good and bad karma ismixed, various uncertain sorrows andcomforts are experienced. It is thusimperative to weed out all thoughts thatlead to suffering and to develop thethoughts that lead to joy.

Fourth, just like a feast before the executionerleads me to my death,Home, friends, pleasures and possessions ofsamsaraCause me continual torment by means of thethree sufferings.I must cut through all attachment and strive toattain enlightenment.

The importance of finding a reliable,qualified teacher of meditation andpracticing meditation techniques that helpus look in, dissolve our delusions andunearth humane qualities cannot beemphasized enough.

The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mindtowards Dharma may seem bizarre or far-fetched to the average city-dweller. Tosome, they may even appear to be religiouspropaganda. However, the point is thatgenuine, lasting happiness can only resultfrom sincere and sustained effort intraining the mind. Training the mind toabandon all thoughts that areunwholesome and harmful and to develophumane qualities of generosity, patience,genuine concern for others and the wish toserve and benefit others withoutdiscrimination, a wish that arises from anall-embracing compassion.

Kalu Rinpoche’s clear and thought-provoking book is a precious jewel that canguide and inspire many. So, do we want toexist like robots, controlled by our unrulyminds, deceiving ourselves that we are fine,or do we want to put our lives to good useand be genuinely happy? Enlightenedmasters across religions tell us that witheffort, genuine happiness is possible.

FFFFFoundation ooundation ooundation ooundation ooundation of Bf Bf Bf Bf BuddhisuddhisuddhisuddhisuddhistttttMeditationMeditationMeditationMeditationMeditation-by Kalu Rinpoche-by Kalu Rinpoche-by Kalu Rinpoche-by Kalu Rinpoche-by Kalu RinpocheReviewed by Tia Sinha

Tia, a student ofBuddhist philosophyand practice at theLibrary of TibetanWorks and Archives,Dharamshala, teachesHatha Yoga to the nunsof Jetsunma TenzinPalmo’s nunnery.

First, a precious human birth favourable fordharma practice,Is hard to obtain and easily lost.I must make this life meaningful.

Of the six realms of existence, a humanbirth where one has the opportunity topractice dharma is the rarest. While hellbeings are as numerous as dust particles ofthe earth, those who have a precioushuman birth with opportunities andblessings are like daytime stars. Having theopportunity to practice, yet waste thisopportunity is more wasteful than, forexample, a poor man finding jewels asmany as would fill a house, makes no useof them and so loses them. Not makinggood use of the precious human birth willmost likely lead to rebirth in one of the fiveother realms where suffering is even moreintense than in human realms.

Second, the world and all its inhabitants areimpermanent.In particular, the life of each being is like a waterbubble.It is uncertain when I will die and become a corpse.At that time, only dharma can help.I must practice now with diligence.

If impermanence is contemplated, strongclinging to life diminishes. What do wetake with us when we die? Neither richesnor enjoyment nor fame nor power. Allgatherings of riches, enjoyment andsplendour are in the end, dispersed. Thosewho have gathered together are separated.In the end, those born, die. What then, ispermanent in our lives? This holding tothe impermanent as permanent is likeexisting in the delusions of a madman.

Third, when death comes, there is no freedom,And karma takes its course.Since I create my own karma,I should abandon all unwholesome actionsAnd always devote my time to wholesome actions.With this in mind, I must observe my mind-stream each day.

Our thoughts shape our words and actionsand our very lives. Kalu Rinpoche examines

45

Tia’s Crossword

Twisting Crossword

A twisting crossword coming up. Sitting, standing, lying down orupside down, let’s try and twist a little. Promise there are no twistsin this tale!

ACROSS

1, 11, 12 & 15 – Revolved triangle pose. (10,3,4,5)

1 & 2 ACROSS, 8 DOWN & 15ACROSS – Twisted seated kneeto head forward bending pose.(10,4,7,5)

1, 5, 13 & 15 ACROSS – Arevolved seated forward bend.(10,9,6,5)

1 & 9 ACROSS, 5 & 8 DOWN& 15 ACROSS – Twistedheadstand? (10,3,4,7,5)

1 ACROSS, 1 DOWN, 12 & 15ACROSS – Revolved side anglepose. (10,7, 4,5)

3. See 2 DOWN.

5. See 1 ACROSS.

7 & 15 ACROSS – Noose pose.(5,5)

9. See 1 ACROSS.

11. See 1 ACROSS.

12. See 1 ACROSS.

13. See 1 ACROSS.

14. 5 ACROSS, 4 DOWN & 15ACROSS – A seated twistnamed after a sage whose namemeans Lord of Fish. (5,10,5)

15. See 1 ACROSS, 7 ACROSS,14 ACROSS, 16 ACROSS, 1DOWN, 2 DOWN, 4 DOWNor 10 DOWN !

16 & 15 ACROSS – Jumble‘Aaa! Java has a brand!’ to giveanother seated twist namedafter a sage. (10,5)

DOWN

1.See 1 ACROSS.

1 & 6 DOWN & 15 ACROSS –Twist to the side in shoulderstand. (7,8,5)

2 DOWN, 3 & 15 ACROSS –Stomach turning pose! (7,11,5)

4. See 14 ACROSS.

5. See 1 ACROSS.

8. See 1 ACROSS.

10 & 15 ACROSS – Jumble‘Cain is Mara? Ah!’ to give aseated twist named after yetanother sage. (7,5)

SOLUTION

ACROSS1. Parivritta, 2. Janu, 3. Parivartana, 5. Pashchima, 7. Pasha, 9. Eka,11. Tri, 12. Kona, 13. Uttana, 14. Ardha, 15. Asana, 16. BharadvajaDOWN1. Parshva, 2. Jathara, 4. Matsyendra, 5. Pada, 6. Sarvanga, 8.Shirsha, 10. Marichi

47

Yoga Teachers & StudiosPascale AlinePrivate & Corporates: stress, anxiety and trauma withvinyasa, hatha, yoga Therapyl: English, Frencht: + 852 6770 0241e: [email protected]

AMICO STUDIO2-4/F, 167-169 Hennessy RdWanchai, Hong Kongs: Hot, Hatha, Ashtangal: English, Cantoneset: (852) 2827 9233e: [email protected]: www.amico.com.hk

ANAHATA VILLA & SPARESORTUbud, Bali, Indonesias: various styles, group retreats,yoga for privates & corporates.Studio rental available.l: Indonesian and Englisht: (62) 361 745 3267f: (62) 361 989 7804e: promo@ anahataresort.comw: www.anahataresort.com

Michel BesnardYogasanas: Hatha Vinyasal: Englisht: (852)2511 8892 / 9527 6691e: [email protected]

Tanya BoultonPrivatess: vinyasa, corel: Englisht: (852) 6448 7310w: www.tanya-b.com

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

Claire del RosarioPrivates and Groupsd: Hong Kong, Manilas: Anusara inspired, Ashtangabased, Yoga Therapy and MantraMeditationl: Englisht: (852) 2881 0321e: [email protected]

FLEX1/F Woodleigh House, 80Stanley Village Road, Stanley,Hong Kong (until 17 July) &

1/F Regency Centre (Phase II),43 Wong Chuk Hang Road,Aerdeen, Hong Kong (from 16August)s: Iyengar, Ashtanga, HathaVinyasat: (852) 2813 2212f: (852) 2813 2281e: [email protected]: www.flexhk.com

IYENGAR YOGACENTRE INDONESIARuko Simprug GalleryJl. Teuku Nyak Arif No 10WJakarta 12220, Indonesias: Iyengart:(62) 21 739 6904e:[email protected]: www.iyengaryogaindonesia.com

IYENGAR YOGACENTRE OF HONGKONGRoom 406 NewVictory House, 93- 103 WingLok St., Sheung Wan, HongKongs: Iyengart: (852) 2541 0401e: [email protected]: www.iyengaryogahongkong.com

IYENGAR YOGACENTRE SINGAPORE149B Neil RoadSingapore 088875s: Iyengart:(65) 9052 3102 & 6220 4048e:[email protected]: iyengaryogasingapore.com

Hari Amrit Kaur (Kaldora)Privates, workshopsd: Central, Discovery Bays: Kundalini, Radiant Child Yogal: English, Cantoneset: (852) 6428 5168e: [email protected]: www.kundaliniyogahk.com

Ming LeePrivates, workshopss: Iyengar Certified teacherl: English, Cantonese,Putonghuat: (852) 9188 1277e: [email protected]

LIFE MANAGEMENTYOGA CENTRENon-profit Classical Yoga School

d: Tsim Sha Tsuis: Patanjali yoga, Kids yoga,Seniors yoga, Corporatesl: English, Cantoneset: (852) 2191 9651t: (852) 6349 0639 (Chinese)e: [email protected]: www.yoga.org.hk

Ursula MoserThe Iyengar Yoga Centre ofHong Kong, Yoga Central, LRCd: Centrals: Iyengar Certifiedl: English, Germant: (852) 2918 1798 / 9456 2149e: [email protected]

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

PURE YOGAHong Kong16/F The Centrium, 60Wyndham Streett: (852) 2971 005525/F Soundwill Plaza, 38 RussellSt, Causeway Bayt: (852) 2970 229914/F Peninsula Office Tower, 18Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui,Kowloont: (852) 8129 88009/F Langham Place OfficeTower, 8 Argyle Street, Kowloont: (852) 3691 36914/F Lincoln House, TaiKooPlace, 979 King’s Road, QuarryBayt: (852) 8129 1188Singapore391A Orchard Road, #18-00Ngee Ann City Tower At: (65) 6733 886330 Raffles Place, 04-00 ChevronHouset: (65) 6304 2257Taiwan151 Chung Hsiao East Road, Sec4, Taipeit: (886) 02 8161 7888

REAL YOGA545 Orchard Road #08-01Far East Shopping CentreSingapores: Hatha, Power, Ashtanga andGentle Yogal: Englisht: (65) 6734 2853e: [email protected]

KUNDALINI YOGA @SHAKTI3/F Waga Commercial Centre,99 Wellington Street, Central,Hong Kongs: Kundalini & Svastha Yoga,Kundalini Yoga Meditation,Reiki, Qigongt: (852) 2521 5099e: [email protected]: www.shaktihealingcircle.com

George DovasThe Iyengar Yoga Centre ofHong Kongd: Sheung Wans: Iyengar Certified (JuniorIntermediate I)t: (852) 2541 0401e: [email protected]

SPACE YOGA26 / F, 27 An-Ho Road, Section1, Taipei 106, Taiwans: Hatha, Ashtanga, AnusaraInspired, Flow, Yin, Restorative,Power, Hot, Meditation,Pranayama, Virya Sadhana, andYoga Dancel: English, Mandarint: (886) 2 2773.8108e: [email protected]: www.withinspace.com

THE YOGA ROOM3/F Xiu Ping Building, 104Jervois Street, Sheung Wan,Hong Kongs:Hatha, Ashtanga, Kids yoga,Meditationt: (852) 2544 8398e: [email protected]: www.yogaroomhk.com

Wai-Ling TseFreelance, Privates and Groupsd: Hong Kongs: Sivananda certified, Hatha,Svastha Yoga, Anusara-inspired,Power, Hot, Yin, Pranayama andMeditationl: English, Cantoneset: (852) 9465 6461e: [email protected]

YOGA CENTRAL4/F Kai Kwong House, 13Wyndham Street, Central, HongKongs: Iyengar, Hatha Vinyasa,Acroyoga, Mat-based Pilates,Privates, Corporate and Studiorental available.t: (852) 2982 4308e: [email protected]: www.yogacentral.com.hk

namaskar jul 2010

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