namaskar June 2012

namaskar

A VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMUNITY OF ASIA

Karma

Emotional Balance

JUNE 2012

Swara Yoga

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Inside JUNE 2012

Dristi Karma

Special Features

Choices, 12

Emotional Balance, 19

Does the concept of karma have any scientific basis, asks Mihaiela.

AYC faculty member Bo Forbes explains how we can find peace with our emotions.

Karmic Bliss, 13

Yoga, Patriarchy & Disease, 21

A Buddhist upbringing introduced Robin to karma from a young age.

Yogi explains a little about where modern yoga came from, and what really is Tantra.

Just one Look, 14

Swara Yoga, 24 Yogiuday introduces this subtle pranic yoga practice.

AYC faculty member Paul Dallaghan introduces karma.

Love Your Body, 27 Treat your body Karma & me, 16 Spiritual Research Foundation’s Zubin explains how karma works.

Karma in Action, 17

with the respect it deservces, says Kayla.

Your way to a better Planet, 28 AYC faculty Janet Lau shares her less mainstreams ways of being green.

Rosie introduces the Tabitha Foundation.

HIgh Intelligence, 42 Stephen and Regular Contributions NEWS, WORKSHOPS, RETREATS & TEACHER TRAININGS, 5 TEACHER’S VOICE, 25 AYURVEDA, 31 EVENT REVIEW, 32 WORKSHOP REVIEW, 35 TEACHER TRAINING REVIEW, 36 KIDS YOGA, 39 RECIPE, 41 TEACHER & STUDIO LISTINGS, 45

James’ perspective on the importance of high quality food to our wellbeing.

Who reads Namaskar?

About Namaskar

5,000 copies are distributed for free in Australia, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA, Vietnam

Namaskar provides a voice for the yoga community around the world. The publication is a vehicle for practitioners on a yogic path to share their knowledge, learnings and experiences with others.

If you would like to offer Namaskar to your students or customers, email fgairns@netvigator.com

We welcome unsolicited submissions, therefore the opinions expressed within these pages are not necessarily those of Namaskar or its volunteers.

Namaskar, is published quarterly in January, April, June (coinciding with Asia Yoga Conference) and October.

Namaskar is distributed at no charge through yoga studios, fitness centres, retail outlets, food & beverage outlets and other yoga-friendly locations.

For more information, to contribute or to order Namaskar, please contact:: Carol, Administration carol@caroladams.hk Wai-Ling, News Editor & Copy Editor wailing.tse@gmail.com Frances, Editor & Publisher fgairns@netvigator.com /+ 852 9460 1967

Deadline for October 2012 issue: September 15, 2012 3

Welcome to all Asia Yoga Conference delegates. I hope you find this issue interesting and inspiring. Or at the very least, find it helps you pass some time between your workshops!

If this is your first time reading Namaskar, and would like to share it with your studio and students, please email me and we’ll be happy to add you to our distribution list. This year’s schedule looks dynamic and diverse, so thanks and congratulations to Alda and her organizing team for this wonderful contribution to the yoga community.

namaskar

Regular readers of Namaskar might be surprised by my photo this month. I have not joined a nunnery, nor am I undergoing chemotherapy, nor have I lost a bet. This is how I have looked each summer for the past three years. And though it was a big scary step the first time, I now look forward to the beginning of July, when my husband and our children make a fun family activity of shaving my head. I was prompted to share this picture, taken last year, by Kayla’s article on self-love and Janet’s article on being creatively green. If you find time to read them, you’ll understand the sentiment.

I hope you will also be much informed and inspired by the dristi of this June issue - Karma.

A big subject of which we’ve just scraped the surface with articles by Mihaiela, Paul, Robin, Rosie and Zubin.

If you are spending more time than usual with children over the summer, perhaps you can try some of Laura and June’s ideas about kids yoga. And if, like me, your summers are sometimes over-indulgent, then Stephen and James’ article on the importance of good food quality and Moosa’s healthy recipe should help keep some balance.

In the spirit of yoga, this is a magazine of sharing freely. Thanks to contributing writers Bo, Jenny, Mahesh, Nelson, Shervin, Yogi, Yogiuday and Yoko for being so generous of time and effort. Thanks to Wai-Ling, our news editor and Carol who handles all our administration. And to Kazuya for his awesome pose on this cover.

Finally, I invite your suggestions for how to improve this magazine. We are in the process of brainstorming a re-vamp of Namaskar from January 2013, and we’d love to have your feedback on what new sections and topics you’d like to see, also what you’d like us to keep going and what you think we should put to rest. Please email me on fgairns@netvigator.com with your suggestions and/or offers to contribute.

In the meantime, I wish you an enlightening summer.

Frances Gairns Editor

SOMETHING TO SHARE? If you have something to share with the yoga community, please email fgairns@netvigator.com

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NEWS WIND HORSE: INTERNATIONAL FORREST YOGA CONFERENCE Snow Mountain Ranch, Colorado, USA 17-20 August The name of this conference emerged from the phrase, “Ride your Wind Horse,” a cue Ana Forrest coined for deepening the breath and creating change. This discipline was created by Ana Forrest, Medicine Woman, Master Yogi, teacher, and author of Fierce Medicine.

Forrest Yoga’s pillars are breath, strength, integrity, and spirit.

Forrest Yoga teachers undergo rigorous training to start on the path toward Forrest Yoga Certification. Set in an amazing natural landscape, with many scheduled events for training, practice, and reflection, this event contains all the ingredients for a perfect summer holiday away from the humidity of Asian summers.

For more information www.forrestyoga.com THE SANCTUARY FOR YOGA & HEALING OPENS IN HONG KONG The Sanctuary is a new healing centre in Central, Hong Kong, which welcomes everyone to a peaceful and secure haven where energy healing, spiritual awakening and self-realization can take place.

The new space offers group classes in Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, Sound Healing, Yoga and Pilates, as well as various healing modalities for private sessions, including Hypnotherapy, Hot Stone Healing, Vibrational Attunement, Animal Communication, Sekhem and Aromatherapy. The focus is mainly on healing and selfconnection with an array of workshops and courses that encourage and reinforce spiritual growth.

For more information www.thesanctuary.com.hk;

Over 10,000 yogis took part in an outdoor yoga event in Taipei, organised by Pure Yoga

info@thesanctuary.com.hk; or +852 2537 1373 ULTRA PURE EXPERIENCE Taipei City Hall 13 November 2011 In this first mega outdoor yoga event in Taiwan, 10,000 participants took to the streets.

Taking the practice from the studio to outdoors did more than provide a change of scenery – the energy created by so many yogis practicing together dissolved all the pressures (at least momentarily) of those who attended. The next event will take place on 11 November 2012 in Taipei.

NEWS FROM BIKRAM YOGA, INDONESIA Check out the newly-renovated Bikram Bali studio and relaunch of their new website.

A posture clinic was held in Jakarta in April and Precision classes with Lauren, Marcelo and Mony offering personal corrections and adjustments were held in May. For more information www.bikrambali.com; www.bikramyogajakarta.com

The new Sanctuary offers yoga and lots of healing treatments

BEING IN YOGA - NEW YOGA CENTRE IN SINGAPORE Dedicated to the teachings of the late Professor T Krishnamacharya and his son and student TKV Desikachar (Chennai, India). Accredited by the KHYF (Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation, Chennai). The Centre in Singapore is directed by Valerie Faneco, KHYF certified Yoga Teacher Trainer. They offer yoga therapy, teacher training, yoga studies, weekly group classes for children and adults, family program, pre and post natal classes.

Ana Forrest, always ready to turn things upside down

For more information www.beinginyoga.com; +65 9830 3808 5

WORKSHOPS FREE CLASSES AT LULULEMON SHOWROOM IN HONG KONG Complimentary yoga & fitness classes every Saturday morning 9:30-10:30am featuring amazing instructors from all over Hong Kong. Open to all levels. Showroom address : 2701 Citicorp Centre, 18 Whitfield Road, Causeway Bay. For more information www.lululemon.com/ hongkong ; +852 2238 5555 SEEKING YOGA TEACHERS AROUND ASIA Yoga company looking for registered, experienced yoga teachers in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo to teach yoga and Pilates classes to groups and individuals.

For more information info@yoga-privates.com; +852 6504 4280 HK IYENGAR YOGA COMMUNITY EVENT 28-30 September Featuring senior international teacher and trainer, Jawahar from Mumbai, this event is for experienced practitioners with community classes for anyone who would like to try.

For more information www.iyengaryogahongkong.com; www.yogacentral.com.hk; www.yogasalahk.com VOLUNTEER TEACHERS FOR TUNG WAH IN HONG KONG Seeking Chinese-speaking yoga teacher volunteers for Tung Wah Group of Hospital’s Patient Empowerment Programme. This programme started in March 2011, at the Wan Chai Ko Wong Mo Ching Memorial Holistic Healthcare Centre. The second location is in Homantin and currently seven volunteers teach at the two locations.

For more information janet.lau@pureyoga.com 6

CONSCIOUS BIRTHING WORKSHOP FOR COUPLES WITH PEGGY CHIU The Yoga Room, Hong Kong 9 June 3-6:30pm Cost: HK$1,000 regular, Early Bird (before 26 May) HK$800 For more information +852 2544 8398; www.yogaroomhk.com INTRODUCTION TO TANTRIC RITUALS Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand 18-22 June Go deeper into the amazing subject of Tantric Rituals.

Aries: Warrior Workout All workshops from 2-6 pm; each workshop is HK$500.

For more information www.agamayoga.com; info@agamayoga.com; +66 892 330 217

For more information www.shaktihealingcircle.com; +852 2521 5099

YOGA AND SCIENCE Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand 16-20 July A new workshop that explains the mysteries of yoga in a more scientific way.

IYENGAR YOGA WEEKEND INTENSIVE Yoga Central, Hong Kong 30 June-2 July Taught by Sue Scott, JI3 Iyengar-certified teacher and trainer from Melbourne. Open to all levels.

For more information www.agamayoga.com; info@agamayoga.com; +66 892 330 217 YOGA KIDS SUMMER WORKSHOPS The Yoga Room, Hong Kong June and July For more information +852 2544 8398; www.yogaroomhk.com FULL MOON KUNDALINI YOGA SERIES WITH NEIL IRWIN Shakti Healing Circle, Hong Kong 30 June - Full Moon in Capricorn: Rooting and Grounding 28 July - Full Moon in Aquarius: Yoga for the Information Age 28 July - Full Moon in Pisces: Cosmic Tides 1 September - Opening to the Intuitive Flow 29 September - Full Moon in

For more information www.yogacentral.com.hk BORN TO RUN & DO YOGA WITH BORN TO RUN’S BAREFOOT TED AND YOGI PAUL DALLAGHAN Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui 7-14 July The natural, uplifting force of running barefoot or minimalist goes hand-in-hand with the natural barefoot style of yoga.

Both can uplift when learned correctly and practiced sincerely.

To work with the body, channel the breath and centre the mind is behind this practical and fun experience in both running and yoga asana practice. There will be morning runs led by Ted, short asana sessions, post running to keep the body open and injury free; followed by “Born to Sit” sessions with breath and power of the mind.

For more information

www.yoga-thailand.com/yogarunning.html YOGA & THE ART OF BEING WITH SHARYN GALINDO Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui 14-21 July In the world of multi -tasking, high technology and hectic schedules it is difficult to relax.

Finding balance and functioning in the present without the constant concern of performing a task or doing something constructive is difficult. Morning practices will begin with meditation and pranayama , followed by asana practice that will include Led Ashtanga, Mysore, and some creative and fun Vinyasa Flow.

Afternoon sessions include: Q & A, more detail on philosophy, Ayurveda, poses, breathwork, meditation and end with a yin/restorative practice.

For more information www.yoga-thailand.com/yogabeing.html PRANAYAMA & THE BHAGAVAD GITA WITH SRI O.P. TIWARI & PAUL DALLAGHAN Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui 22 July-4 August The Bhagavad Gita is full of wisdom for anyone in life. It is also a foremost teaching text in yoga. Quite different to the Yoga Sutras, it delivers the various teachings of yoga in the form of a great dialogue.

Tiwari-ji is personally very close

to this teaching both from a practicing yogic point of view and being immersed in Indian culture. A rare opportunity to go over this text with him, perhaps the last chance to cover this text with him as he winds down his teaching over the next few years.

The primary focus will be Pranayama practice with indepth pulse reading of each student, varying as necessary.

Mantra recitation will also be practiced. Some evenings will include tratak practice. Daily asana practice will be led by Paul and his assistants. They will cater for all types of practices, including Ashtanga and other approaches.

For more information www.yoga-thailand.com/ training-philosophy.html ASANA, PRANAYAMA & PHILOSOPHY WITH PAUL DALLAGHAN & PROFESSOR NAGARAJ RAO Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui 5-18 August The focus will be on the principles of asana and vinyasa, exploring the postures of Ashtanga Yoga’s primary and intermediate series. Also on how to structure practice and adapt the series or any sequence of postures so it works for you and your timeframe. They will also cover pranayama theory and its practical aspects.

Vijnanabhikshu helps explain yoga in a very clear light through this text. Professor Nagaraja Rao is very familiar with the text and is one of the top Sanskrit experts from India.

For more information www.yoga-thailand.com/ training-course-asana.html RELATING WITH YOUR SELF Sai Kung, Hong Kong 11-12 August How do you relate with your

Self ? Have you ever thought how your relationship with others has a lot to do with the way you relate with yourself ?

How do you relate with your body? How do you manage your mind ? Is it tough to manage your relationships with others ? And beyond all this how do you connect with your Loving Inner Self ?

freedom, softening and opening to find power. To stabilize and free the shoulders and awaken the core and hips.

Part of the workshop will be dedicated to working with therapy balls to release tension in the body.

13 October - Introduction to Homeopathy & First Aid Remedies for All the Family 20 October - Homeopathy for Mothers to Be, Childbirth & Infants 27 October - Balancing your Mental & Physical Health

For more information www.withinspace.com

Cost: HK$700 per 3-hour workshop or early bird for all three HK$1,800.

As we all know the world is going through a major shift in its energy, so it is even more important now that we start looking at yoga as something more than just postures and body science. This workshop with Prasad Rangnekar is for those who want to explore yoga in all its aspects, especially in the aspect of complete self transformation of body, mind and heart. Join Prasad for a serious asana practice, lighter breath work, honest reflection, deeper meditations and loving togetherness.

IYENGAR IMMERSION WITH PETER SCOTT Space Yoga, Taipei 16- 21 September

Price: HK$2,300; HK$400 Early bird discount till 1 July; HK$200 discount for Prasad’s past participants and Yoyo’s students For more information info@yoyoyoga.net; +852 9302 3931; www.yogaprasad.in ASHTANGA BY THE SEA Thailand 17 - 19 August Presented by Yoga Journal Thailand and Jade Yoga Mats, this two-day workshop at Regent Chalet Beach Chaamwill be taught by Authorized Ashtanga teachers Kranti Atmo and Sasha.

For more information www.withinspace.com IYENGAR WORKSHOP WITH PETER SCOTT Space Yoga, Taipei 22-23 September For more information www.withinspace.com INTRODUCTION TO HOMEOPATHY White Lotus Centre, Central, Hong Kong This specialist series introduces Homeopathy and first aid remedies to use at home.

Suitable for therapists, carers, parents and teachers alike, and welcome to attend just one or all three. Taught by Mina Weight, Founder of Homeopathy to Health and presented by Gecko Yoga.

For more information info@geckoyoga.com; +852 6973 1792 INSIGHT YOGA WORKSHOP WITH SARAH POWERS Osaka, Japan 2-4 November For more information www.spirityogastudio.com INSIGHT YOGA INTENSIVE WITH SARAH POWERS Tokyo, Japan 8-11 November Continuing education for teachers.

For more information www.underthelight.jp INTRODUCTION TO THE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF CHILDREN White Lotus Centre, Central, Hong Kong

For more information yj_thailand@yahoo.com; +66 2635 5185.

STHIRA SUKHAM ASANAM: STABLE AND GROUNDED YET FREE AND OPEN WORKSHOP WITH BASIA Space Yoga, Taipei 25-26 August Cultivating stability to discover

Doug Keller will be teaching several workshops at Space, Taipei later this year

Childhood education specialist, Carol will be at White Lotus Centre

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RETREATS Taught by Helen Binge and presented by Gecko Yoga. This specialist series introduces children’s physical development for those working with children and families in health and social care sector. This is suitable for therapists, carers, parents and teachers alike, you are welcome to attend just one or all three.

Special discount for those attending all three workshops.

Cost: HK$600 per 3 hour workshop or Early bird all three for HK$1,500.

10 November - Development of the infant from birth to walking 13 November - Development of the child from age 1 to 7 years 17 November - Development of the child through adolescence For more information info@geckoyoga.com, +852 6973 1792 PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR YOGA THERAPISTS – ADAPTIVE YOGA FOR CHILDREN WITH MODERATE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES White Lotus Centre, Central, Hong Kong 24 November A workshop to demystify yoga therapy and present the common concerns for those people who are yoga teachers, parents or educators working with children with learning difficulties. This training will help show which poses are great for the spectrum of children’s learning difficulties as well as their contraindications.

Taught by Carol Chapman who has over 30 years experience in this arena of childhood education along with Sanjukta Sharma who teaches yoga to children of all ages and abilities.

Cost HK$650 For more information info@geckoyoga.com; +852 6973 1792 8

SACRED INDIAN DANCE WORKSHOP Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand 2-7 December A rare opportunity outside India to learn this sacred Indian art form.

For more information www.agamayoga.com; info@agamayoga.com; +66 (0) 892 330 217 YOGA AS THERAPY IMMERSION WITH DOUG KELLER Space Yoga, Taipei 10-14 December This course provides a firm foundation in the practice of Yoga as therapy. It will begin with learning assessment tools and the most essential aspects of anatomy and action in asana, then focus on the major areas of the most common therapeutic problems that can be helped through yoga, including sacrum and lower back, the lower and upper body.

For more information www.withinspace.com PRACTICAL WISDOM: MAKING YOUR YOGA WORK FOR YOU YOGA THERAPY WORKSHOP WITH DOUG KELLER Space Yoga, Taipei 15-16 December This workshop will look at having healthy hips and hamstrings that will benefit the knees and lower back. It will also take an in-depth look at the psoas, the development of the ‘core’ and its relationship of the alignment of the upper body. This therapeutic workshop will be rich with ‘news you can use’ in these areas of the body, with plenty of user-friendly tips for making the most of your practice.

For more information www.withinspace.com

DETOXIFY BODY AND MIND AND DEVELOP A YOGA PRACTICE Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui 30 June-7 July This detox and Yoga program is the ultimate opportunity to take your wellbeing to a new level with Claudia Jones. This fully supported detox program will lead you through a transformative process both on a physical and mental level to leave you feeling light, energetic and uplifted. This detox retreat can help you to normalize your weight, balance your eating habits and transition into a healthful way of living.

For more information www.wellness-thailand.com/ detox-yoga-retreats.html HRIDAYA RETREAT Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand 29 June-8 July; 27 July-5 August A 10-day silent meditation retreat that focuses on the opening of the spiritual heart.

For more information www.agamayoga.com; info@agamayoga.com; +66 892 330 217 AWAKENING THE SPIRIT RETREAT Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand 24 August-2 September; 21-30 September, 19-28 October Agama Yoga’s new 10-day silent Meditation retreat that explores the awakening of the true Spirit.

For more information www.agamayoga.com; info@agamayoga.com; +66 892 330 217 AMANJIWO INWARD JOURNEY RETREAT 20-24 September The retreat begins with a predinner blessing and an introduction to the purpose of a spiritual journey. KhandroLas will reveal how these journeys help to develop the

qualities of an open and joyous heart that is strong and can help navigate the many challenges presented in life. In Buddhism, this is the definition of pilgrimage.

For more information www.amanresorts.com; reservations@amanresorts.com; +94 77-7743500 YIN YOGA RETREAT Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Phokara, Nepal 8-14 October Transform yourself under the snow mountain with Yin Yoga and the words of the Buddhas with Victor Chng.

This will be an amazing retreat where you can experience staying in Temple Tree Resort, the tranquility of Yin Yoga practice, watching morning sunrise among the snow mountains, Nepal culture shows, spa and exploring along the Phewa Lake, just outside the resort.

Victor is one of the most experienced Yin Yoga teachers in Asia. He travels all over Asia yearly to share his knowledge on Yoga. His retreats are highly crafted for serious students who are spiritual seekers. As a Tibetan Buddhist, he visits Kathmandu yearly for pilgrimage and to receive spiritual practice from his Lama. Victor is a skilful teacher and an avid seeker who will share his knowledge relentlessly during the retreat.

Tao of Yoga is a special practice which combines Yin Yoga with Dynamic Yang flow. It is a practice that starts with stabilizing your internal environment and steadily transiting into a yang flow. The practice serves to provide both strength and flexibility to the body. It also helps in expanding one’s life force (Chi) and brings calmness to the inner body.

TEACHER TRAININGS For more information www.yinyogainasia.com; yammieymwong@gmail.com; +60 12-3222018

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF YOUR YOGA PRACTICE A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH Como Shambhala Estate, Indonesia 8-14 October

Led by Judy Krupp, this retreat will explore the deeper openings of the moving body.

Exploring beyond the muscular skeletal to work more organically. Judy’s teaching reflects her training in the Iyengar system and work as a Myotherapy body therapist to help habit-prone bodies increase strength and flexibility.

Her multi-faceted approach blends her passion for the art of asana practice with the science of the mechanics of movement.

For more information cse.comoshambhala.bz; res@cse.comoshambhala.bz; +62 361 978 888

At Amanjiwo’s Inward Journey retreat, you could waked up to this view every morning. (image courtesy of Aman Resorts)

INSIGHT YOGA RETREAT & TRAINING FOR TEACHERS Koh Samui, Thailand 6-16 December For more information insightyoga@gmail.com

The Borobudur at sunrise at Amanjiwo is sure to put you in a peaceful mood. (image courtesy of Aman Resorts)

200-HOUR YOGA TTC Lullaby Yoga, Bangkok, Thailand June Led by Mark Scoderallo, an experienced Vinyasa Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200) together with experts from around the globe in various fields; Yoga Philosophy (Prof. Narasimna), Anatomy (Les Smith) and Guest Teacher (Bo Srey), as well as a select team of advanced teachers. The training includes asana practices & techniques, Yoga Sutras & philosophy, alignment & Vinyasa, mantras & chanting, hands-on assists, ethics & charity, anatomy & physiology, Sanskrit, meditation, and strategic planning in setting-up your own Yoga studio/profile.

Scholarship available.

For more information www.lullaby-yoga.com; info@lullaby-yoga.com NEXT GENERATION YOGA™ TEACHER TRAINING FOR 2-7 YR OLDS Amico Studio, Wanchai, Hong Kong 11-13 June Taught by Jodi Komitor, Founder of Next Generation Yoga and hosted by Gecko Yoga. This NGY Teacher Training™ is an inspiring program that shares Yoga for rapidly growing and everchanging 2-7 year old Yoginis.

Cost: HK$6,200 For more information info@geckoyoga.com; +852 6973 1792

Or join Victor Chng’s Yin retreat in Pokaara, Nepal and be greeted by this magnificent view

NEXT GENERATION YOGA™ TEACHER TRAINING FOR 8-13 YR OLDS Amico Studio, Wanchai, Hong Kong 14-15 June Taught by Master Kids Yoga Teacher - Jodi Komitor, Founder of Next Generation Yoga and hosted by Gecko Yoga. Next Generation Yoga Teacher Training™ is a 9

Valerie Faneco of Being in Yoga, is offering a TTC in Singapore in the teachings of Krishnamacharya

Rachel Hull is director of the Shakti Spirit TTC in Bali Sarah Powers is offering various workshops, TTCs & retreats in Asia

comprehensive exploration of yoga for the maturing minds and budding bodies of 8-13 year oldss. Cost: HK$6,200 For more information info@geckoyoga.com; +852 6973 1792 NEXT GENERATION YOGA™ TRAIN THE TRAINER FOR 2-7 YR OLDS White Lotus Centre, Central, Hong Kong 18-21 June Taught by Master Kids Yoga Teacher - Jodi Komitor, Founder of Next Generation Yoga and hosted by Gecko Yoga. You will learn how to lead NGY Teacher Trainings for 2-7 year olds, how to successfully set up your own NGY Teacher Trainings and expand your kids yoga business. Cost: HK$10,000 For more information info@geckoyoga.com; +852 6973 1792 BIRTHLIGHT TT - PERINATAL YOGA White Lotus Centre, Central, Hong Kong 2-5 July Taught by Sally Lomas, Birthlight Tutor and hosted by Gecko Yoga.The course consists of three modules: First Module is Part 1: 2-5 July; Second Module is self-practice over a period of approximately six months; Third Module is Part 2: 2 Days (in Hong Kong 10

late January 2013) The course includes a detailed review of students’ coursework and teaching experiences, followed by tuition on yoga applied to special ailments, yoga from the pregnancy class to the labour ward and yoga to help new mothers who have experienced a difficult birth or postpartum.

Students have a maximum of 24 months to complete the Diploma from the time of their Part 1 course.

This course is for teachers who hold a recognised yoga teaching qualification; Cost: HK$10,100; AYC Special Offer: HK$9,090. For both Perinatal Yoga and Baby Yoga courses HK$15,470; AYC Special Offer for both courses HK$14,560.

For more information info@geckoyoga.com; +852 6973 1792 BIRTHLIGHT TT – BABY YOGA White Lotus Centre, Central, Hong Kong 6-8 July Taught by Sally Lomas, Birthlight Tutor and hosted by Gecko Yoga. The course consists of three modules: First Module is Part 1: 6-8 July; Second Module is self-practice over a period of approximately six months; Third Module is Part 2: 2 Days (coming to Hong Kong late January 2013).

The course includes a detailed review of students’ coursework and teaching experiences, followed by tuition on Yoga for mobile babies, babies with

www1.onewellness.com.sg; +65 6221 9663; enquiry@onewellness.com.sg Les Smith will teach the anatomy portion of Lullaby Yoga’s TTC in Bangkok

Special Needs, Tinies and more “advanced moves”. Students have a maximum of 24 months to complete the Diploma from the time of their Part 1 course.

Open to all health practitioners working with babies, yoga teachers with experience of babies and to mothers who are motivated to teach other mothers. It is not necessary to have a previous qualification in infant massage to enrol on this course or be a qualified yoga teacher.

Cost: HK$8,100; AYC Special Offer Price: HK$7,290 For both Perinatal Yoga and Baby Yoga courses HK$15,470; AYC Special Offer for both courses HK$14,560.

For more information info@geckoyoga.com; +852 6973 1792 200-HOUR HATHA YOGA TTC WITH DEV KAPIL One Wellness Fitness Club, Singapore 17 August-30 September (7 weekends course) Develop your knowledge and deepen your understanding of Hatha yoga as you practice, explore and learn to teach 54 basic and advanced postures in this 200-hour teacher training.

For more information

INTEGRAL YOGA TTC Founded by Sri Swami Satchidananda, this TTC is one of the oldest and respected teacher training programs in the world. Coming to Hong Kong for the first time, the Hatha 1 Teacher Training will be delivered as a part-time training, taking place one weekend each month from September 2012 to June 2013.

Participants receive a wealth of knowledge about the complete system of yoga. The curriculum covers all the essential information on asana and anatomy, but also the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, branches of Integral Yoga, diet and lifestyle.

For more information www.hershayoga.com; Hersha +852 6103 9642; info@hershayoga.com SHAKTI SPIRIT YOGA & AYURVEDA LEVEL 1 TTC Ubud, Bali 9 September-21 October The Shakti Spirit Yoga and Ayurveda Level 1 Teacher Training is designed for practitioners who love the Hatha Yoga system, including postural safety and alignment, prop usage and Vinyasa Flow Yoga, and would like to learn more about integrating their practice with Ayurveda and Yoga philosophy.

In this 6-week, 230-hour intensive, students learn the art

Dev Kapil is offering a 200hour Hatha TTC in Singapore

of sequencing, adjusting, and conducting safe and successful Yoga classes. Senior teacher and Director, Rachel Hull (E-RYT 500 – Asana, Pranayama, Ayurveda), is joined by an internationally experienced team of senior teachers, including Emil Wendel (Pranayama, Meditation & Yogic Philosophy), Dr Sujatha Kekada (Ayurveda Consultations & Cooking), James Newman (E-RYT 500 – Anatomy & Yoga Therapy), and Anna Smallwood (Asana).

For more information www.shaktispirit.com SIVANANDA YOGA TTC Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort and Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand 7 October-2 November Four-week theoretical and practical training in all aspects of Yoga. Internationally recognised certificate from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, the oldest yoga TTC in the West (since 1969), with over 1,000 graduates per year.

Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort & Spa is one of the first boutique hotels in northern Thailand.

For more information www.sivananda.org/thailand; registrations@sivananda.org

Past participants of the Shakti Spirit TTC

HATHA VINYASA 200-HOUR TTC WITH STEPHEN THOMAS Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui, Thailand 8 November-6 December

17 August 2013 Learn how to teach yoga in this very intensive 500-hour+ TTC on a tropical island paradise!

For more information www.centeredyoga.com

For more information www.agamayoga.com; info@agamayoga.com; +66 892 330 217

YOGA PRASAD TTC AND SELF DEVELOPMENT IMMERSION January - August 2013 Launching for the first time in Hong Kong a TTC with study modules in both Hong Kong and India. They believe in not just making you a Yoga teacher but also transforming you from within so you live what you teach and help others transform their lives. That’s why this course is not just a TTC but also a consciously created self-development immersion. For students seeking a deeper exploration of yoga and are serious about their own spiritual transformation.

For more information www.yogaprasad.in; yoga@yogaprasad.in 500-HR AGAMA YOGA TTC Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand 7 January-30 March & 27 May-

BEING IN YOGA 500+HRS YOGA TTC, IN THE TRADITION OF T. KRISHNAMACHARYA (KHYF L1000 LEVEL) Singapore Jan 2013-July 2015 In-depth training in yoga for teaching and personal evolution, and introduction to Yoga as a healing system. The course syllabus is set, reviewed and updated regularly under the direct supervision of TKV Desikachar (Chennai), son and student of the late Professor T. Krishnamacharya. Valerie, the course director is a KHYF certified Teacher Trainer. This is a 2.5 years program (average 6 weekends + a one-week seminar per year) designed for students from all around Asia.

For more information www.beinginyoga.com; Valerie Faneco +65-9830-3808

MYSTICAL DANCE TTC Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand 4 March-13 April 2013 Become a teacher of Mystical Dance classes in this 6-week immersive training with Monika Nataraj.

For more information www.agamayoga.com; info@agamayoga.com; +66 892 330 217

Wai-Ling compiles and edits this section of news, workshops, retreats & teacher trainings.

Email her directly on wailing.tse@gmail.com

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Dristi Karma

THE PO WER OF PRE SENT MOMENT CHOICE S POWER PRESENT CHOICES Dr. Mihaiela Pentiuc

A long time ago a rebellious yoga student complained to me about the fact that yogis talk so much about karma – the Indian concept of destiny, the law of causality ruling our lives.

There is no scientific proof of its existence and, thus, why do we even consider it?

My mind stopped in a kind of Zen moment. The truth is I had never carefully considered this perspective before. Karma is such a common concept in the East and a kind of axiom for yoga culture. Fundamentally in yoga we aim for samadhi, the condition of consciousness underlying the liberation from chains of karmic suffering. We all look forward to an escape from suffering, but how much do we really understand karma?

The universal law of cause and effect. The origin of ignorance and bondage. The seminal point of our very existence. Really?

How far does this determinism go? How much can my mind conceive of this layering within existence?

Daily meditation makes the gray matter thicker, while fear kills neurons

There is no demonstration needed to prove my present situation is the result of a past choice. I am in this place because of a choice to turn right or stay home. People call me doctor or teacher because of certain decisions I took regarding my education.

My cholesterol level runs high because I love cheese so much. There is no need for sophisticated Sanskrit names or advanced metaphysics in order for us to accept such a simple sophism.

Causality is a fact but how far can we afford to stretch it while still keeping its logic and practicality intact?

Fundamental yogic texts describe the content of our mind as being the cause of our bondage and distress. Yoga says samskaras (impressions of past events) and vasanas (overwhelming, insatiable desires) pollute the mind and prevent us from experiencing the truth of our freedom.

Modern science recently proved mental activity influences the structure of our brain. The quality of our thoughts is transmitted to all body parts via chemical and neural signals and produces specific connections between our nervous cells.

Daily meditation makes the gray matter thicker (reference Sara Lazar’s study, for example) while fear kills neurons. Every type of seriously maintained training creates new neuronal pathways, while a lack of repetition of certain information weakens synaptic connections, leading to forgetfulness.

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What does this have to do with karma?

Karma can be defined as the power of choice. Our future condition depends on our present choices. I choose to go out and party or stay home and meditate. I order a pizza or a salad if I go out to eat, I get married or go to India.

Besides the obvious consequences of these decisions, every repeated choice reinforces in the brain a specific and complex connection between neurons. All other possible neural relationships are slowly weakened and forgotten. Every time we face the same situation in the future will also bring a more limited range of freedom. Our predominant thoughts shape our brains.

Function influences structure and structure supports good function.

From this perspective clearly karma is not a big bogeyman protecting the gates of heaven with a merciless face. It is not a fierce God in the skies counting our sins. It is in our brain. What we learned, what we repeated, what we chose in the past makes us more likely to take the same path, to “see the same solution,” to roam into the same range of mental patterns.

The emotional storage in the limbic system of our brain determines the instinctual reactions to present events; yogis speak about samskaras, the impressions that shape our minds and create bondage. What a beautiful metaphor to poetically describe the meat of anatomy and physiology.

These impressions, all desires, the content of mind or the structure of the brain create a destiny for us.

Karma: the power of choice. How much are we aware of all the choices available to us?

How much do we dare to take another path or even to investigate different alternatives? How elastic is our brain?

Here is a simple example: Most people list being stuck in traffic as a very stressful condition. While stress is meant to generate efficient protective reactions, a traffic jam is not exactly the equivalent of lifethreatening aggression. On the contrary, one could play nice relaxing music, enjoy the comfortable seat and temperature of one’s car, or cherish the close presence of a dear person. Worrying is not going to

change the colour of the traffic light. It is so obvious the stress originates mostly from the mind and yet, how much control do we have to stop it? What if I am late, what if he leaves, what if the shop is closing, what if my boss needs me? All the “what ifs” are productions of many stored memories of misfortune and suffering or projections of a hyperactive monkey mind.

Brain structure and chemistry. Karmic chains of samskaras and vasanas, if using yogic language.

How much liberty do we have to choose between a smile or frown when cars are not moving and we are already late? There always remains the choice of enjoying a short break. Will we take it? Will the sweaty or smiling face arrive at one’s job or home or other destination? Is this face going to freeze in front of her boss or shout at her kids? In time will we become stress-addled or the friendly bon homme citizen? Choices, causes, effects, karma, and something we can do right now, without the need for complicated metaphysics, unusual body postures, or a comfortable yoga mat.

In yoga vasanas and samskaras are “burned” by the power of practice. Meditation, kriyas (purification techniques), karma yoga, and specific kundalini techniques are recommended by the guru. Through their practice the degrees of mental clarity and freedom rise and one can ultimately make the choice of resting in one’s true Self.

Nevertheless what is gained on the yoga mat or meditation cushion must permeate the whole of a yogi’s life. More and more wise choices will extend one’s sadhana into more and more moments.

One of my favorite jokes from childhood is a story about the power of free choice.

The almighty king of the jungle, the lion, decides one day to make offerings to the gods and sends Big Bear to collect the victims. The bear enlists all the animal families and proceeds with the painful task.

First the wolves are visited – despair appears and tears flow from their tribes as the dearest son dies. Foxes and deer, vultures and mice follow, and soon the entire forest resounds with painful cries. In the end Big Bear meets with the rabbit, telling him: You are next on my list to die for the gods. Arrange your affairs and follow me. The rabbit is desperate, scratches its long right ear, moves from one paw to another, hesitates, shrieks, and then asks: Oh, you most wise of animals, is

there a possibility to erase me from your list? The Big Bear looks at his feared list: Nobody asked until now but, yes, I do have an eraser which I never used. Why not? There, you are no longer present on the sacrificial list!

I have not seen the ruling gods of karma although the Puranas speak about them.

Maybe it is not scientifically accurate to refer to destiny and predetermination. Still the power of our predominant present choices clearly shapes the future and this is a scientific fact. Also it is psychology in science that demonstrates the profound expressivity of metaphors and symbols.

Synaptic neuronal pathways are difficult to fathom but the word karma describes them as well. Yoga, legends, folklore, common beliefs, and neuroscience all speak in different terms about the power of our present choices. What is beyond this present time might not be so easy to prove or deny but the practical yogi does not need to look into his or her actions further than now in order to change future karma.

Mihaiela is a senior Agama Yoga teacher, medical doctor and specialist in holistic healing methods.

My P ath tto owar ds K armic B lis Path ards Karmic Blis lisss Robin Giang

As a child, I was taught to be virtuous - humble, honest, kind and helpful. Doing so, according to my family’s Buddhist belief, would lead to fortunate rewards for me in this lifetime and into the next life in the areas of relationships, fortune and health. As I got older, the path toward a life of virtue, according to my circle of Christian-valued brothers and sisters, was to avoid succumbing to the seven deadly sins. Doing so would evade the Gate of Heaven and to suffer in the afterlife in eternal hell. So early on the concept of karma – the dualistic judgment of good and bad and the ramifications of my angelic and devilish deeds – was already introduced to me to help shape my moral fiber and character.

With discipline and practice I managed to deepen my virtuous roots as I moved into adulthood. Along with new and heightened experiences, however, I started to be aware my actions (along with my thoughts and feelings) and their outcomes do have immediate ripple effects far beyond me. Karma as I have come to know it manifests itself as a pure reflection of my own intention toward an outcome and more notably it manifests itself very quickly in the here and now.

The karmic relationship I am conscious of and experience at every given moment in time is the dynamic synergy I have with everyone and everything I relate to. With every choice I make, every word I speak and every wish I cast upon the stars, I am aware of the outcome I create for myself, others and the planet. This outcome may not be deemed as good or bad any longer, but simply an outcome to be fully expressed, experienced, cultivated and transformed over and over again, even well into the afterlife until again there is rebirth.

From this perspective, karma serves as an infinite opportunity and possibility for everyone to reinvent themselves through purposeful life lessons. To transform and be reborn when we are ready to move onto a different level of experience and existence is a karmic bliss in disguise. As such we are all creators in transition and in progress, picking our color, our melody, our rhythm that suite our senses to ignite the passions within our lives.

This summer may your karmic inspirations lead you toward ground breaking transformation that will allow you to reconnect to your past, to appreciate your present, in order to build your future to create much love, abundance and wellness in your life. Through this action alone karma will automatically manifests itself onto everything you connect with.

Robin is a Communication and Behavioral Coach at Cosmo Kids. robin.giang@cosmokids.net (852) 2915 8138

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Dristi Karma

JUST ONE LOOK Paul Dallaghan

More than 30 years ago one would not find much use of the word karma in Western vocabulary. Yet in the last 10 years karma has entered the mainstream, young and old use it, even nightclubs and dance music albums have sequestered the title. How so? What is the karma of the use of the word karma?

I am fortunate to have a very close, direct relationship with my teacher. That is my karma.

What I do with it is part of my dharma. I have adopted many of his phrases over the years, as happens by osmosis when two people share much and spend time together. One of my favorites is “their karma” or “your karma” or even “my karma”. It is said in a way that is fully integrated in the bones and blood. I understand it so well that no explanation or translation is needed, yet it is a foreign concept to the culture I grew up in.

Just as foreign as my teacher, or any non-modern, Western-culture person, saying: “hey dude”. Today I can say to my 80-year-old father “hey dude, it’s your karma”. Both phrases are equally foreign to him, yet he’s heard them over the years via the ever-expanding and homogenizing media. A perplexed look will remain on his face wondering if I am ridiculous, from another country or another time?

Perhaps the karma of Sanskrit terms entering our Western culture, is equaled by Gen-X, Gen-Y and beyond Gen-Y terms entering non-Western cultures. Perhaps this karmic duty has been carried out by popular music, MTV and watching movies. Equally many in music and movies have embraced these Eastern paths. There’s no escaping the karma, no force or tide can undo.

The Sanskrit root of the word karma is “kr”, which means “to do”, so karma means “doing”. This is something we cannot avoid in life. One of the greatest teachings on karma is in the Bhagavad Gita. A perplexed student (Arjuna) asks his guide and teacher if the path of complete understanding and true knowledge, is greater than the path of doing things, then why do any of these things at all, especially if they don’t look too favorable?

Here comes the first problem of karma: it’s easy to use it to make excuses and justify any action or non-action. Ironically, its meaning is really the opposite of this: do what has to be done; accept what you have done and what comes from it and; know what you do now affects all that comes.

Karma is a vast and complex subject and cannot be dealt with in an article like this, an academic paper, or even a book. It has to be imbibed, soaked up, explained and then allowed to vibrate within each cell. As soon as you think you understand it, a situation will come up to confuse you. It is often asked: why nothing bad happens to those who do

I must take responsibility for all my actions, words and watch my thoughts

bad? We have a childlike mind when we look at the world, human behavior and what it all means. How could we fathom a concept as complex and tricky as the mystery of the universe itself ?

To put it in perspective, one must surrender to the fact there is much beyond what we know. There are billions of years of life on this planet alone, billions of stars with their own galaxies and planets, trillions of life forms, and still our human race has not figured out completely how our own brain works. The subtle experiences of that realm confound the hard fact scientist.

At a discussion recently between one of the world’s top neuroscientists and a Buddhist monk, the scientist stated if these extrasensory perceptions are valid and possible, sort of uber-brain activity, then the field of neuroscience is in trouble - well it is in trouble!

This field of karma is tricky to figure out.

One can look at one’s own life and feel injustice, but none of us really have any idea of our past actions. Some teachings and texts list karmic causes and effects.

However these cannot be taken absolutely.

Two people may kill, one may go on to a prosperous next life and one may be damned. The unknown is the content of one’s heart at the time of the act, plus the store of previous deeds’ effects. In addition to these is how one lives life beyond such an act, changing their path, moving completely away from the old methods and habits.

There is a famous true story of Angulimala, the Buddha’s disciple. A mass murderer, about to murder his onethousandth victim, his own mother, he ran into the Buddha on the way. He subsequently adopted the ascetic path, a completely different life focused on inner growth and care for others, which led him to realization. Still there was no escaping the karma of his previous deeds and he died a violent death at the hands of his victims’ realtives.

Buddhist and yogic literature is filled with definitions of karma and its theory. But for now, if we simply understand there is stored karma, meaning the effects of our past actions (some are predetermined to ripen in this life, some are minor karmas that pop up along the way), and there are

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karmas happening now. From a personal perspective, how we respond to this issue is the key that affects the future course. This is why much emphasis was placed on practice, to clean up our karmic load and affect our current use of time and activity in a nonkarma adding way.

The best approach to karma is to look at ourselves: I must take responsibility for all my actions, words and watch my thoughts.

What is going on in my life is a direct result of my own particular mindset, how I live, how I treat people, how I respond.

In the second chapter of the yoga sutras, Patanjali deals magnificently with karma, building on how Sankhya philosophy presents it. At one point we are told all future suffering can be avoided. Just after we are told the situation we are in right now can be used to work on ourselves, transform ourselves. It all comes down to how we handle our current circumstances.

It may seem unfair what just happened to me, or others, but how I approach it is key.

And this avoids adding to my karmic load, increasing suffering.

I cannot over-emphasize this point – turning to spiritual practices of yoga and meditative techniques for insight, calm and relief is a good thing, but it is not enough.

Doing what has to be done is essential and part of your practice. A crisis may come. It can be valuable to sit quietly, reflect, give some space, but nothing can replace doing what has to be done. So don’t just resort to practices in times of difficulty, do not procrastinate (which only causes further suffering), instead do, but with awareness.

“Doing with Awareness” leads us back to the teacher in the Gita teaching Arjuna to do what has to be done. The two central tenets of the whole teaching are “nishkama karma”, desireless action, and “karmasukaushalam”, skill in action. If you personally adopt these two aspects you will understand karma in a personal sense, by observing life unfolding right in front of your eyes.

To do what has to be done and not get caught up in forcing your selfish end on it, is the essence of “nishkama karma”. Every moment we are tempted to argue for our own agenda (based on some form of attachment), we may be convinced we are right and deserve justice. This is where karma becomes a tricky because we feel the

Try to really, really care.

Then do everything with awareness. karma should work out the way we are looking at it. Fortunately, karma is far less personal than that and operates on more of a universal set of principles. So best we can do is check our own motivation and selfish intent behind all of our doings. This is not easy, but as I have found, to achieve any peace, it must be part of our life.

To do what has to be done without causing another reaction is it often termed the “nondoing of doing, and the doing of non-doing.” This is also the meaning behind “karmasukaushalam.” To behave in a way that checks our intentions, we need to function skillfully. The simplest way I can translate this, and how I try to apply it in my life, is by caring.

If I care for the environment I will do my best not to waste water. This doesn’t mean I don’t use water, but I just use enough. It is a skill to not over-use it and a refined mental attitude to not get caught up in “it’s my right” or whining “I’m thirsty.” The same when using toilet paper in public bathrooms - how much is wasted and thrown on the floor carelessly? This attitude applies when eating food and dealing with people. To do it well requires the “normal-plus,” meaning you care enough to do what has to be done and put your own interests, sensual pulls and desires second.

I recently attended a very inspiring talk by an Irish man who was shot in the face by a British soldier 40 years ago when he was 10, and has been blind ever since. He went on to set up “Children in Crossfire,” an organization which gives thousands of young children, particularly in Africa, opportunities. Though he was poor, from a family of 12, and with an unemployed father, he had three things going for him. He was from a good family; a good community; and had opportunities. He realized many children in the world had their eyesight but none of these three factors.

From the day he was shot he said he has never felt anger or hatred towards the soldier.

They even met about seven years ago and became good friends. All he wanted to share with him was that he held no animosity or ill will towards his shooter and only possessed forgiveness. His whole life has been colored by this attitude, this aspect of character. He realized the only person anger would hurt was himself. He couldn’t change what happened, but he could change what he was doing and thinking now, and therefore what would happen. This has led to a fulfilled life in which he actively helps and shares with others.

These personal examples of a life well lived without a dominance of controlled outcome, are the best way to understand karma and to apply it in your life. Know we cannot answer everything or solve every issue. But understand the bit we do has to be done, and should be done well, including our practice, eating, working, relationships and so on. Though I cannot help everyone I can help some. See what comes in front of you in life and “do” that.

Try to really, really care. Then do everything with awareness.

Paul is director of Samahita Retreat and Yoga Thailand www.yogathailand.com

Paul’s schedule at AYC 9 June, 10:30am - 12:30pm - Pranayama: The Key Practice of Yoga 10 June, 10:30am - 12:30pm - Asana for Pranayama and Meditation

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Dristi Karma

Karma & Me Zubin Nalladaru

instance, the law of gravity prevents us from floating into space or falling off the earth. It is equivalent to Newton’s law of ‘every action must have an equal and opposite Little Amit is five, but the cancer that afflicts reaction’. When we think, speak or act we initiate a force that will react accordingly. This him mean he will not live to his sixth returning force maybe modified, changed or birthday. suspended, but most people will not be Sneha passed with 92% in her pre-university able to eradicate it. This law of cause and examination exams and then was the top of effect is not punishment, but is wholly for her class in university. Twenty years later, life the sake of education or learning. According to the Law of Karma every positive deed has not been kind to her. She has not been able to find a job that suits her. She is ill treated by her husband, been through bouts of depression and has had thoughts of committing suicide a couple of times.

Sometimes the best student in university may not do well in life.

Rahul’s car was hit by a drunk driver and he is being airlifted to a nearby hospital. Rahul will never be able to walk again.

earning karma. The accumulation of good (merits) or bad karma (demerits) dictates what we have to face in each life. This accumulated account is known as ‘Sanchit Karma’ in Sanskrit.

Now the Law of Karma and how the giveand-take plays out is complex and depends on various factors. These factors also determine the intensity of the account created whether positive or negative.

• Intention behind the act – for example a

for an average person in the era of Kaliyuga, 65% of life is destined and 35% is willful action

Omar was born in a terrorism-affected area.

He will never have a proper education and will only know violence and hunger throughout his life.

These are some examples from around the world. Life hands us happy or unhappy situations without even asking for it.

This brings to mind a question for the inquiring mind; why would Providence, the Supreme Power or God provide the ultimate luxury for one child while another does not even get enough for sustenance?

Why would He let one person be born physically impaired and the other healthy? Is there some Universal rationale behind which all of us are granted different circumstances in our lives? Let us understand this with the Law of Karma.

DEFINITION OF KARMA AND THE LAW OF KARMA - THE GOLDEN RULE Karma is Sanskrit for action. However it means action and the consequences of action we have to live through.

There are many universal laws, which are above the laws of any country. To quote a few, there are laws of gravity, electricity, interstellar planetary forces, weather, and the earth revolving on its own axis. These are the laws no country or international laws or dictator can annul or eradicate. The law that affects us the most is the Law of Karma also known as the ‘Law of Give and Take’.

There is a reason for every universal law; for 16

generates a ‘Merit’ while every negative deed person killing for money as opposed to a generates a ‘Demerit’. Every person has to person killing in self-defence. undergo the consequences of the merits and • Severity or extent of the act – for demerits of accounts created by him. example swindling an individual of a little money or a lifetime’s earning.

KARMA BROUGHT ME HERE • Situation at that time – whether the Let’s look at an example of the Law of money was to have a party or to pay for a Karma playing out. family member’s operation.

• Happiness or anguish faced by the Person A swindles person B and give him 5 person affected units of pain. As a result Person A creates a • Who has been affected (an average negative account with B. Consequently Person A will have to suffer 5 units of pain person or a seeker of God or a Saint, a spiritual organisation etc.). Killing a Saint from Person B for the negative account to constitutes the biggest sin or demerit. be settled. Now this is the important part: If the account cannot be settled in the current lifetime for some reason it will need to be settled when both Person A and Person B reincarnate on Earth together in a future lifetime.

As per the Law of Karma, unless we settle all our accounts we cannot gain liberation from the cycle of birth and death and because most of us continue living without doing any substantial spiritual practice we accumulate more karma and hence keep When they reincarnate together the events getting reincarnated on Earth to settle our will play out something like this. give and take accounts. Every time we are When Person B meets person A, he will for born, we bring with us a small part of the accumulated accounts in our Sanchit Karma no apparent reason have an innate dislike for Person A. He will look for opportunities to settle. The portion of our accumulated account that we have to settle in our current to give pain to person A. When Person A lifetime is known as our destiny. does get 5 units of pain because of Person B he will wonder why Person B is so intent Every birth is endowed with forgetfulness on hurting him. But little do they both know that the answer lies in an account that of past events; otherwise it is impossible to go forward in our journey; for example if was created in a previous lifetime. As soon we had the knowledge that someone close as the account is settled there may be a to us was an enemy in a previous lifetime it change in person B’s attitude to A. will influence our interaction with that We have free will from the very first individual. If we sincerely practice spirituality incarnation, and subsequently we start under the guidance of a realized Master we

Karma in Action Rosie Deane

are able to develop forgiveness and other Divine qualities which help us to move forward and hence even our adversaries can promote our spiritual progress.

Through spiritual research we have found that for an average person in the current era of Kaliyuga, 65% of his life is destined and 35% is willful action. This means we have no control over approximately 65% of the events that happen in our lives.

Our main aim is to learn through experience to become better souls. It is only through the process of purification by experiencing what life has to teach us that we will become perfect. In this way we will finally return to the Source or Absolute.

The spiritual purpose of our lives is to: 1. Complete our destiny and subsequently our accumulated account i.e. experience happiness or sadness according to our destiny 2. Practice spirituality to grow spiritually and come out of the cycle of birth and death.

This classroom of planet earth is a very varied one. We have to learn all manner of occupations, professions and vocations to experience greed, anger, selfishness and pride. After acquiring these selfish traits in the separate self we then have to relinquish them to return to interconnectedness that means we have to be not only in all trades, but all nationalities, all sexes and all grades of criminals as well as all classes of Saintliness. With hundreds or thousands of incarnations, we start to let go and transform ourselves to better souls.

When we practise spirituality per the basic principles of spirituality, it helps us face a difficult destiny and grow spiritually.

Zubin is a heart surgeon by profession.

His interest in spirituality was kindled when he realized patients with a spiritual bent recovered quickly and with fewer complications from major surgery than others. He has been doing spiritual practice under the Spiritual Research Foundation for the past 10 years. www.SpiritualResearchFoundation.org; dr.zubin@spiritualresearchfoundation.org

A few years back, my son - then in kindergarten - was eating a mandarin orange. He found some pips in it and asked what they were. I explained they were seeds and if you planted them, they would grow into a mandarin tree and perhaps one day produce mandarin oranges. So he said, “Let’s do it!”. We live in an apartment in Singapore with a very small balcony, but undaunted, we found a pot and some soil and planted the pips. Sure enough, with a little care and nurturing, they started to grow. Over the years we have re-potted them, given some away as they started to take up too much space and now have one remaining mandarin tree, well over 6’ tall.

What does this have to do with Karma?

Tabitha Foundation’s Jannes Ritskes Karma is often defined as “what goes teaches people to escape poverty by microaround, comes around”, or the Law of saving Cause and Effect. But the Sanscrit word karma simply means “Action”. When we first have any thought, it can only be made real, or manifested, through our action. Every thought has the potential to grow into something greater, given some action. This is equally true for positive and negative thoughts. Say we read about a terrible famine and think, “I must donate some money to help those people”, this is a positive thought, born of compassion. But without some action on part i.e. making the effort to write a cheque, our good thought evaporates to nought.

Thoughts are like seeds we plant in the fertile garden of our mind. By taking action based on those thoughts, we can become truly powerful, even changing the direction of our lives - this is the true meaning of karma.

Last year I was reading a blog by an amazing woman living in Cambodia, by the name of Janne Ritskes, who runs an organisation called the Tabitha Foundation. The aim of Tabitha is to release people, often women, from the cycle of poverty through micro-savings schemes. But although this has been hugely successful over the years, the process sometimes breaks down when the woman falls sick and is unable to afford adequate medical treatment. So Janne decided to do something about this and build a hospital for women in Phnom Penh - a daunting task you might think! But through her action, and the actions of others around the world, this is becoming a reality. After reading her blog, I decided it would be a good idea to organise a walkathon in Singapore. With a little action on my part and some assistance from the wonderful ladies in the Tabitha Foundation in Singapore, on International Women’s Day (8th March) around 150 women (plus a couple of brave men) walked the 10km length of the East Coast Park, raising over US$10,000.

Thanks to a private foundation, this amount has been trebled and along with the other events around the world, almost US$1 million has been raised - the figure required to start the building process. What great things can come from a small thought.

To donate to the hospital visit http://nokor-tep.net or www.tabithasingapore.com Rosie has been teaching yoga in Singapore since 2004. She started practising yoga in London almost 18 years ago. Rosie recently completed a Meditation TTC and will soon be teaching Meditation Made Simple™ and Meditation in Action™. rosiehdeane@gmail.com / www.streetdirectory.com/yoga

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Psychology

Yoga for Emotional Health & Balance Bo Forbes

Last year, during a workshop in London, a participant asked, “How do we find emotional balance inside ourselves when there’s so much chaos and imbalance in the world around us?” His probing question gets to the heart of why anxiety and depression have reached such epidemic proportions today. In fact, it’s our outer focus—and what it does to our minds and bodies—that lies at the heart of our emotional struggles.

Recently, a new yoga teacher came to me for advice. After only one year of teaching, he was exhausted and disillusioned. As we talked, the reason for his fatigue became clear: he taught 16-18 classes per week. Plus, he wanted to teach on the national circuit, so he posted on facebook several times a day, did frequent photo shoots to update his media kit, taught as many local workshops as possible, e-stalked the editor of the New York Times’ Health Sciences section for extra press coverage, and generally ran himself into the ground. When I asked him why he wanted to be on the national circuit, he looked at me as though I were crazy. “What do you mean?” he asked. “That’s what everyone wants!” But when I asked him again why he wanted it, he had no answer.

WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF EMOTIONAL BALANCE Today’s professional climate demands we perform at high levels externally, but gives us no guidance for assessing our inner spiritual progress. So we measure ourselves and one another by our output: where we live, where our children go to school, how successful we are in our jobs, how much work we produce. Our modern yardstick for success now includes how many facebook friends and fans, twitter followers, or Youtube subscribers we have. We have only to surf facebook to see a fellow yogini has baked homemade vegan curry, designed a new website, taught three yoga classes, volunteered for the local yoga benefit, and written an article for a yoga magazine, all by 5 pm! Now she’s heading off to take a yoga class, followed by a swim in the local pond and dinner with close friends. I imagine soon, someone will create a reality T.V. show called “The Amazing Race to Enlightenment,” where winning depends on hours logged in meditation, the ability to wrap one’s legs behind one’s head, and the amount of esoteric spiritual knowledge one can accumulate.

So how do we move at our own organic pace when everyone seems to be racing along at lightning speed? And how do we focus inward when it feels like the world demands we attend to things outside ourselves? There’s no way around it: this outer focus and pressure to perform keep us from looking inward—and looking inward is the first step in developing emotional balance. So what is emotional balance, and how do we cultivate it?

WHAT IS EMOTIONAL BALANCE? A yogi friend of mine remarked over tea the other day that his wife, long known for her strict emotional control, was suffering from acute colitis. She meditated every day, he told me, but she looked deeply unhappy during and after her meditations. “Sometimes I wish she’d just let her anger out!” he said wistfully. “All I ever get from her is the silent treatment.” His wife’s stomach problems told the story: the anger she couldn’t express was devouring her from

the inside out. “Zen on the outside, chaos on the inside,” he observed sadly.

It can be tempting to think emotional balance means mastery over our emotions: that we don’t feel them deeply, or maybe at all. Yet we are biologically primed for reaction: emotions are wired into us.

Few of us, even yogis, can encounter a dramatic display of anger without an answering burst of our own, or weather a romantic rejection without taking a hit to our self-esteem. Even the most disruptive emotions, like grief and anger, add richness and spice to our lives.

True emotional balance is not about getting rid of emotions, or only feeling positive ones. It has to do with how we relate to our emotions and to the residue they leave behind. After we’ve shot an emotional arrow into a loved one, for instance, can we reduce the angry aftereffects, or do we keep the fight alive? When our heart has been broken, how long does it take to restore our self-esteem?

When we’re emotionally balanced, we experience the full range and richness of fear, anger, sadness, or shame. We may even briefly submerge in them.

The important thing for emotional health is to feel them fully, and then let go and return to center The important thing for emotional health is that we learn to be present with our emotions: to feel them fully, and then let go and return to center. And this requires a dynamic balance between the activating and resting parts of our nervous system.

Emotions are mediated through the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS has two branches: the sympathetic (fight-flightfreeze) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest). This two-pronged system structures our emotional well-being. Think of a car: the sympathetic nervous system is like the accelerator. It revs us up and provokes an emotional response. The parasympathetic system is like the brake; it slows down the nervous system overdrive and returns us to our emotional center. The more we press the accelerator and move into nervous system overdrive, the more deeply we wire in that pattern. Eventually, overdrive becomes our default mode, and it’s harder to step on the brakes and find our balance.

YOGA FOR EMOTIONAL BALANCE How, then, do we learn to balance the nervous system? This is where yoga and mindfulness practices come into play.

Neuroscientists have studied the effects of mindfulness, and more recently yoga, on emotional health. We know through research the tools of yoga and mindfulness help balance the nervous system 19

• Access the deep, intrinsic muscles of your core body to help

yoga and mindfulness help balance the nervous system and create emotional health in the following ways: • The contemplative practices of yoga, such as meditation and Restorative yoga, help to calm the nervous system and build resilience to stress • Contemplative, relaxation-based practices such as Restorative Yoga help reduce anxiety and depression • Even a 10-minute daily yoga practice increases stress resilience and helps with emotional balance—perhaps even more, research suggests, than a twice-weekly 90-minute practice MAKING YOUR ACTIVE PRACTICE MORE THERAPEUTIC Does all this research mean if we love a fast-paced vinyasa class set to music that we need to give it up in favor of something less active or fun? As a former teacher training student once remarked, “I like being on auto-pilot and ‘going with the flow’ for 90 minutes. It’s like a car wash—so cleansing!”

The bottom line: we don’t need to give up the yoga we know and love. The true alchemy of yoga therapeutics, however, is when we marry yoga’s contemplative practices with its active ones. In this way, it’s not so much about what you practice, but how you practice.

Infrastructure interventions are powerful tools that shift the entire structure of your practice. These tools help make your yoga practice more therapeutic: they balance the nervous system, strengthen the immune system, promote physical health, and build resilience to stress, anxiety, and depression. You can integrate them into any style of practice to make it more therapeutic, or craft an entire yoga practice using them. Here are several suggestions for making your current asana practice more therapeutic: • Slow down your practice and lengthen the transitions between poses: this makes your practice more challenging, yet it helps all movement emanate from core strength and integrity. If you practice Ashtanga or Power Yoga, you needn’t give that up. Just try slowing the pace a little, adding alignment focus, or taking one day a week to do a slower, alignment-based vinyasa practice • Work more closely with pranayama, the regulation (and lengthening) of the breath. You can add specific pranayama exercises before you initiate movement, and you can also deepen ujjayi pranayama in the vinyasa practice.

• Use alignment therapeutically to awaken ‘sleeping spaces’ in the body and release tight fascia. The freedom and space you create will reverberate throughout your entire Mind-Body Network.

reinforce your centeredness and your internal boundaries. This will also strengthen the immune system, and supports your spine and internal organs.

EMOTIONAL BALANCE ON AND OFF THE MAT Andrea, a yoga therapy client, came to me for help with her anxiety.

Her most debilitating symptoms were insomnia, panic attacks, and the habit of continually mentally rehearsing conversations and conflicts with others—before they’d even occurred. She’d imagine every possible permutation so she could be prepared. The trouble with her strategy: these challenging future interactions felt as real to her brain as though they were actually happening. Not knowing the difference between perceived and actual stress, her brain simply registered these fantasies as real-life stress. A longtime power yoga practitioner, Andrea found it easier to motor through her practice; exhausting her physical body gave her a small measure of relaxation. It took some convincing to get her to practice restorative yoga, which wouldn’t give her the tight butt, flat abs, and highoctane calorie-burn she was used to.

So she added in one restorative pose (savasana) after each of her power practices. Yet almost from the beginning, she felt a difference. Her mind began to slow, and her thoughts didn’t jump to the worst-case scenario setting to which they’d been wired. As she learned to focus more in the present moment, Andrea’s narratives about conflict began to soften. She developed more confidence in her emotional resilience: her ability to handle challenging situations as they arose and then return to center. She also felt more self-compassion, and was more understanding when people close to her overreacted.

The therapeutic practices of yoga are antidotes to the performance pressure and endless comparison that pervade our culture. And as they did for my client Andrea, they balance the nervous system.

And when we practice these seemingly small and subtle practices day after day with awareness, they build on one another. Our mind and body have time to assimilate them. Together, these small and subtle practices add up to something big. They help unravel the deeply woven emotional patterns of anxiety and depression. They create the embodied awareness that leads to lasting change. And they help us engage with our emotions as messengers, gifts that are sent from the deepest self.

Bo Forbes is a yoga teacher, integrative yoga therapist, and clinical psychologist with over 22 years of clinical experience in mind-body healing. She is the founder of Integrative Yoga Therapeutics and director of training at the New England School of Integrative Yoga Therapeutics. She is also the co-founder of Embodied Awareness, which offers online trainings in Integrative Yoga Therapeutics.

Bo’s schedule at AYC 7 June, 2 - 5pm - Injuries and Chronic Pain Disorders: Awakening our Pathways to Healing 7 June, 5:30 - 7:30pm - Change Your Body, Change Your Mind: Neuroscience and Yoga 8 June, 2 - 5pm - Crafting a Therapeutic Vinyasa Practice: Yoga as Mind Body Medicine 9 June, 5 - 7pm - Restorative Yoga Therapeutics for Mental and Emotional Healing 10 June, 8 - 10am - Gateway to Prana: Empowering the Neck/Shoulder Axis in our Practice 10 June, 5 - 7pm - Yoga for the Nervous System: Healing Anxiety, Insomnia & Chronic Stress

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Philosophy

Yoga, A yurv eda, Ayurv yurveda, eas e atriarch chy Dise ase Patriar ch y & Dis Yogesvara Saravati

The yoga and ayurveda teachings popularized in the West (now also spanning the modern world) were mostly spread by a minority of practitioners with a particular view. Yoga is originally part of the religion and practice of the majority living in India. The adherents of this overall way of life, which included yoga and ayurveda, were largely householders with families, community roles, etc. However, the people who were most able to spread yoga due to position, status, wealth, education and sex, were largely of the “elite” class and almost entirely male.

This class of people were (and are) a very small percentage of the population. This class posits a transcendental view of reality. These “elites” were considered to be superior and thus their opinions

the people most able to spread yoga were largely the elite class and almost entirely male

Steve Merkley

were given more weight. Furthermore, it was the job of these people to travel and teach - and they had the means, financially and otherwise, to do so.

The vast majority of original yoga and ayurveda was practiced by the “people” – who had neither means, nor time (as householders) to travel and teach. If they did, though, modernity would have received a set of yoga teachings that were much more practical, healthy and effective for householders.

The aim of transcendental practice is to “get up and out of the body”, freeing the atman (soul) from the impurities of life (prakriti). Therefore, the physical body is treated as an impediment to spiritual practice and liberation. The body is to be purified and cleansed by any and all means that will enable the atman to literally “fly” into the heavenly realm of “Parusa” and experience “samadhi.”

This perspective caught on like wildfire in the West because it is essentially the same view (that matter/flesh is sinful and we must purify and shed the body to get to heaven) as the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Transcendental, dualistic yoga is foreign and exotic enough to attract those in modernity who are disillusioned by their religious upbringing, but familiar enough at the base to be comfortable, even if only subconsciously.

The views and practices of transcendental, dualistic yoga - the roots of which have spawned the very vast majority of modern, commercial yoga – emphasize drying up the body’s sexual fluids so as to purge oneself from the temptations of the flesh.

Furthermore, the dualistic, transcendental traditions overemphasize the cultivation of “lightness” and “purity” because the 21

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aim is to float into samadhi and not be dragged down by the weight of the world. Therefore it is considered best, highest or most spiritual to renounce the world (become a monk), and practice celibacy.

At least when these practices were undertaken in antiquity, or in certain enclaves today, practitioners knew this aim and intentionally went for this result (transcendence). Now, most people just assume that anything packaged and sold as yoga is good for them even if it actually contradicts their desire for a life of pleasure and fulfillment that is simultaneously spiritual.

Transcendental views are synonymous with “worship” of the “masculine” principle of life – and they are often espoused by men.

Considering transcendental views and lifestyles as superior often results in degradation of women and feminine energy as a whole.

The “evils” of imminence: sin, temptation, matters of the flesh, sex, etc have long been associated with the devil, witchcraft, pagan religions and women.

The original root of yoga and ayurveda is Tantra, which aims for liberation while living – here, now and fully embodied. Tantra is a system of practice that yields a fruit of enlightened experience that is not only both transcendent and imminent but also a state that is beyond and inclusive of both transcendence and imminence.

Therefore, Tantrikas honor life in totality – including all the yucky stuff and see the body’s health as the only means to experience realization. This life-affirming view emphasizes “worship” of the feminine principle. We cultivate sexual energy, have families, hold positions in society, practice arts of enjoyment and emphasize making the body juicy and vital as a means to spiritual liberation.

Modern neo-tantra uses the authentic perspective of Tantra to justify all sorts of unbridled hedonism – but that is also a limited extreme. Nevertheless, it is true that authentic Tantrikas intentionally build sexual creative force in order to transmute limited individual sexual energy into an experience of universal awareness, compassion, love and bliss.

Diet is a huge part of both of these strategies: the path of drying up or that of juicing up. Vegeterianism and raw foodism as rules, not eating garlic, onions, etc. are dictates hailing from the camp of transcendental, dualistic religion propagated by Brahmin/monk/ sanyassin/renunciate (and male) supremacy. These limited views and practices are now often considered standard ideals by the modern yoga and ayurveda movement.

On the flip side, non-dual Tantrikas are known to be a-moral, meaning without rules. Instead, non-dual Tantrikas adhere to principles, the first of which is: “for whom and when.” One person’s medicine is another person’s poison and what is medicine for one person at one time might be poison for the same person at another time. This principle is always held in the overall context of moving towards becoming more healthy, juicy, vital, and strong, while cultivating surrender and openness. The Tantrik aim is to build and build energy in order to expand and expand.

Tantrikas seek to be so fully here (imminence, pleasure, joy, power, feminine Sakti, etc) that we penetrate the mysteries of our depths and realize our oneness with all. We find, at Energy of Mind : A Sauhu Therapy (which treats many people experiencing the pitfalls

of spiritual practice) that many modern practitioners think they are practicing something in line with their desire for a healthy, full, vibrant and spiritual experience of imminence. When, in fact, they are practicing methods born from views that are aiming towards transcendence only.

The resulting phenomenon is what my teacher’s guru, Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati calls spiritual schitzophrenia, which is characterized by anxiety, doubt, lack of grounding, delusional experiences (often thought to be spiritual), inner conflict, anger and the myriad of physical health problems that arise from drying the body with harsh disciplines and strenuous effort.

That all being said, it is important to remember, again, that nondual Tantra is a-moral. So, sometimes it might be appropriate to adhere to a vegetarian diet. Sometimes it might be appropriate to eat mostly, or even only raw foods. One must undergo a study of Tantrik Ayurveda in order to effectively make these discernments.

But, as a general principle most householders require meat protein to be healthy, sane, and happy and to achieve the goals of yogic sadhana (spiritual practice). Also, generally speaking, most meals should be cooked for the proper nourishment to take place, with a smattering of raw food sprinkled in to provide certain qualities to the meal.

original texts of ayurveda have countless recipes for meat-based remedies and cooking We could write tomes on this topic but will have to summarize by saying the original texts of ayurveda and non-dual hatha yoga have countless recipes for meat-based remedies and cooking. The popular notions of yoga and ayurveda that abound today are not only creating the negative symptoms listed non-exhaustively above; they are also not producing the awesome, beneficial fruits promised by these texts of the non-dual traditions. Instead, the textual promises of extraordinary siddhi (great accomplishments) are relegated to analogy and given psychological equivalents.

At best, the modern state of yoga produces psychologically welladjusted individuals who are physically healthier than the average person who pays little attention to their body’s needs. Though this is a great result, it is the baby-beginner step to what is really possible from a complete yoga practice. At worst, and all too often, modern notions of yoga are teaching things about diet, bandhas, pranayamas, asana, etc. that are genuinely problematic. These practices generate severe problems that can go unnoticed for years after one has established major disturbances in the pranic body, which then manifest as serious physical and mental disease.

Yogi, co-founder of Energy of Mind Therapy (www.energyofmindtherapy.com) works with clients online and at Kailash Askhara retreat (www.adiyoga.com) in Northeast Thailand.

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Yoga Styles

Swar aY oga ara Yoga Yogiuday

Swara yoga is the awareness and manipulation of the prana as it moves between ida, pingala and sushumna nadis.

Swara in this instance, means flow, and it is the flow of energy between these two polarizing channels which brings harmony to our being on every level.

nadis. The purpose of many separate and alternate nostril pranayamas is to open, and more importantly, balance ida and pingala so that the time sushumna is flowing is longer and the prana is stronger, offering a significantly enhanced opportunity for meditation, god awareness and ecstasy.

Very simply speaking, pingala nadi runs up the right side of the body from muladhara chakra to ajna chakra. Ida runs up the left side. These are the two principle nadis that crossover at each chakra bringing balance to the energy centres and overall health and well being to the body and mind.

The influence of pingala is heating, extroverted, active, physical energy, logical, analytical, or male energy, as it is called. The influence of ida is cooling, introverted, passive, mental energy, receptive, intuitive, emotional, or female energy. Pingala connects with the power of the sun and ida connects with the softness and surrender of the moon. We require both of these swara in equal amounts to be healthy.

People who have more firey pitta dosha in their system, may also tend towards a more dominant pingala, whereas cooling and anxious vata and cooling and emotional kapha may tend towards ida.

Normally, one side is more dominant, and every 90 minutes or so, the dominant nadi will switch. And this rotation, with one swara always more active at sunrise, follows the cycle of the moon switching sides at the time of the new and full moons. You can observe which nadi is stronger at any given time by observing the breath at your nostrils. When pingala is flowing, the right nostril is more open and the left side of the brain is active. When ida is flowing, the left nostril is more open, and the right side of the brain is active. Sometimes, in the beginning, it is hard to ascertain, but it is simply a matter of practice, like everything.

During the change over from one nadi to the other is a short period when they are balanced, when neither active nor mental energy is dominant and this is the time when prana is flowing more freely through sushumna nadi and spiritual energy is active.

It is the best time for all spiritual practice.

The purpose of yogasana is to open the 24

Ida on the left is the cooling, introverted, feminine, moon energy

This is the simple story of swara yoga; as you become more and more aware, swara yoga can ultimately offer to you all the secrets of existence. For beginners, it is best just to start watching the breath first thing in the morning, when you first sit down for any physical sadhana and meditation, and afterwards. Check every 2 hours and keep a log. If you are healthy, you will find the swara shifting as required. Problems arise when normal transference between nadis stops and one stays dominant for longer.

was totally blocked, and after some effort to open pingala, warmth and physical energy began to flow and useless thoughts flew away from my mind without effort. In the normal course of events it is often quite easy to shift from one swara to the other, but when dominancy starts to create these kinds of imbalances, it may be somewhat more difficult. If one swara becomes too dominant for even three days you will witness its powerful effects.

After you become aware of swara, it becomes possible to manipulate it for your well being. If pingala is flowing you will be much more efficient at any physical activity; ida, mental activity. Maybe you have had this experience in your life. You are quietly reading a book. Most likely ida is flowing.

Suddenly you feel the need to put the book down close your eyes and do nothing.

Within a short period, you have jumped up and are into some activity more physical.

This is the normal shift from ida to sushumna to pingala. Start observing and you will see. If you need to run a marathon, it is much better that pingala is flowing. If you want to plan a class in your mind you will

Recently my body became ill - my stomach, throat and head were distressed. As I was lying in bed most of the afternoon and night, my lower spine became swollen, my hip and pelvis became swollen and my brain Pingala on the right is the firey, extroverted, masculine, sun energy was swollen. This body was on fire.

Then I realised that pingala was very open and ida was totally blocked, even lying on my right side, (which normally opens the alternate nostril) ida would not open even the tiniest...hence all the swelling and fever.

Maybe the fever was being useful to get rid of some god-given invader, but when I was finally able to help ida open, the inflammation went away almost immediately; my eyes which were burning, started to feel normal and my brain started to calm down.

Another time, some years ago, I was getting particularly chilled, my mind was morose, my body felt like a lump and I was watching thoughts circle and circle in my mind without escape.

Sure enough, ida was very open and pingala

be much more efficient if ida is flowing.

And it becomes possible to plan ahead once you know the natural cycle of your swara, thus maximizing your efficiency in all activities.

Some ways to shift swara: 1) lying down on one side will open the alternate nostril 2) concentrating on the closed side with the intention for it to open 3) various pranayamas 4) all asana, though certain side bending and twists will have more specific effects 5) make a fist with your left hand and push it up under your right armpit, keeping your arms tight to your body. This will help to open ida and vice versa.

Swara yoga practices take time, commitment

and discipline. Like all yogic activities, it is best to go slowly with full awareness and have a teacher on hand who can guide you through any dangers or questions. The spiritual effects and possibilities are enormous and while not for the beginner, any greater understanding of who we really are and how we work will benefit everyone.

Swara yoga can help people to regain trust and confidence in their own wisdom and ability to heal themselves, taking responsibility for their own health and well being, and take our society away from its physically, mentally, spiritually and financially crippling dependence on dangerous pharmaceuticals.

The longer and stronger you can enjoy the flow of spiritual energy through sushumna, the greater detachment you will find from the worldly desires of ego, and the easier to surrender to the Divine and all the glory, peace and love that will offer: it is the ultimate goal of all yogic practices; the culmination of experiences in the human form.

Recommended reading by Swami Muktibodhananda, published by Yoga Publications Trust

Formerly a resident of Hong Kong and Canada, Yogiuday now lives mostly in Rishikesh, India, where he operates a small business called Yogi Yum Yums, from which all profits go to supporting the education of local children.

Teacher’s Voice

Jennifer Rockowitz WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS? My struggle with this posture, and many others, has taught me to develop the attitudes of patience, persistence and acceptance.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR PRACTICE? I think the most challenging aspect of my practice at this stage of life is finding the time to visit my mat on a regular basis. Without a consistent practice I find it hard to effect change in the physical body. Two WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING steps forward, one step ASANA AND WHY? back. Thankfully to At this point in my practice I counterbalance this, it seems find a lot of asanas challenging! with age and experience the If I have to pick just one I other mental and spiritual would say paschimottanasana. I disciplines of yoga seem to feel limited by lots of restriction come more easily, and life coand unevenness in my lower operates by presenting a back, and general tightness in multitude of opportunities to my hamstring and calf muscles. practice them.

So this makes for a very Jennifer is a mother of four who humbling experience in this has been a student of yoga for posture.

16 years. She has been teaching Ashtanga, Power and Yin Yoga for 10 years. She currently teaches at Flex in Hong Kong. www.flexhk.com

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26

Personal Growth

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE YOUR BODY? Kayla Leung

Are you one of the countless women (and men) who are not happy about your body?

Do you think your body can be better after losing a little fat here or there? Or do you wish you could be taller by an inch or two and are blaming your inferior genes?

In today’s modern world, we are living under tremendous stress and are incessantly bombarded by media’s messages and idealizations of the perfect body types. In the world of fashion and in Asia, women all strive for the fragilely

ideals of our society, we are simultaneously disempowering ourselves because we judge, reject, recant and dislike the natural state of our physical being that is reflected by our bodies. How can you reach your highest potential without loving yourself wholeheartedly? How can you leave your body out of the equation of self-love?

Our body is the temple for our soul: it is the home we have for this lifetime, if you believe in incarnation. People pay homage to temples: they love and respect the sacredness of the place. Shouldn’t we treat our bodies in the same manner?

If you are on the spiritual path, perhaps you overlook the importance of physicality and bodily needs. The body can sometimes be perceived as having lower vibrations and is being regarded as a vessel that will ultimately be disposed of at the end of a lifetime. As infinite beings, we feel we should focus on nourishing our soul for spiritual growth and, ultimately, enlightenment. However, like any ideas, concepts and theories, this “knowing” of us creates the polarized notion that we are finite in physical forms, which further creates an underlying notion that the physical body is not (as) important and does not require as much nourishment— love, in this case—as the soul.

Stop doing the pinch test! Accepting your body is the first step in self-love

skinny look while women in the Western hemisphere tend to prefer a toned, slender body. Men generally work out for the wellchiseled body. Of course, there are also other “ideal” body preferences out there; yet all these preferences are shaped by our culture. We are continuously working to attain that physical perfection of our cultures, but what is the physical perfection for you? What do you, as an individual, want for your body? Or what does your body want for you? Are you in communion with your body to know what it wants?

Loving and accepting your body is the first step in self-love, the first step in what psychologists called self-actualization. In trying to achieve the hard-to-reach bodily

I would like to now invite you to ditch the belief the body is secondary to the soul.

Treat your body with equal respect as your soul: you need “soul foods”, but you need foods for your body, too. Try to establish a more conscious and mindful connection to your body. How does it feel? Are there any discomforts or points of unease within your body? Does it want water, food, or rest? Also, please ditch your beliefs and knowledge about what kind of foods and supplements are supposed to be good for you—your body knows better. Just try to tune in and listen to your body’s needs.

Cravings are not always just cravings—they can be your body’s way to tell you what nutrients or foods it wants. In The Yoga of Eating, Charles Eisenstein states “each person is the ultimate authority on his or her bodily requirements, and that the body will reveal its requirements given sufficient attention and trust.”

their corresponding nutrient deficiencies: a craving for chocolates can translate to a magnesium deficiency, yet on the emotional level you might just want some love and happiness. Feel like some freshly baked bread? You probably need some nitrogen (as found in high protein foods such as chicken), and you might also want more security and comfort in life. Isn’t it fascinating how much you can learn about yourself by really tuning into the body?

Learn to respect your body as an intelligent being. It knows what it needs better than your conscious mind does—unless, of course, you have already mastered respecting, loving and listening to your body with an open heart. Do not try to counteract your bodily needs. If you are on a diet and the diet is somehow making you grouchy and is suppressing desires for specific foods, then stop it. Of course, if you persevere through determination and self-discipline, your efforts will be paid off—for a while. But in the long-run, you are suppressing yourself more and more and you will come to the point of explosion because you have been fighting against your body’s needs through willpower. Instead of trying hard, why can’t we just go with the flow? As Charles Eisenstein puts it: “It is to trust your natural desire for pleasure, and to trust that your body indeed gets the most pleasure from meeting real needs. You trust your body and accept its requests. Instead, you come to a deeper and deeper understanding of what you want and what feels good.

You relax into freedom.”

This is the point where you not only come into balance and have peace with your body, you also start to love this physical aspect of you as part of the whole package. Try pampering your body. If you read a good book or listen to great music to feed your soul, why not try to have a good massage or good workout for your body? Try showing more love to your body from now on—it will be grateful and will reward you immensely.

Kayla is an Access Consciousness™ Facilitator, Spiritual Response Therapy practitioner, aspiring psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and astrologer. kaylaleung@ymail.com

Perhaps some of you have read articles regarding the specific food cravings and 27

Green Yogi

Finding your Own Way to a Better Planet Janet Lau I was growing my hair long a few months ago, then changed changed my mind and cut it short again. Many were surprised to see me with this new look and asked me why I cut my hair so short. I told them, “as I was growing my hair, I noticed I started to use more conditioner, had more reasons to buy hair accessories, earrings (because earrings look better with longer hair)... and I thought to myself, ‘I could save more resources including time (my shower time was a lot shorter when I had short hair versus long hair), electricity (no need to blow dry my hair), water (quicker shower = saving water), money (no need to buy hair pieces and earrings), and other material resources (earrings and hair pieces are made from natural resources, and the environment is being polluted during the production process), so why don’t I just keep my hair short so I have more time to do things that are more important in my life?’ That’s why I decided to keep my hair short.”

This illustration shows us that for you to read this article, there are many many conditions needed – some are more immediate (e.g. you have the time to read this article, Janet wrote this article), and some conditions are further down the path (e.g. the parents giving birth to the people who work at the paper factories, our interest in spiritual understanding). The fact you are reading this article has to do with many conditions coming together. We cannot pin-point one thing or event that stands alone without having a relationship with another thing, person, or event. This is what we mean by dependent origination, and it can also be called emptiness.

I was surprised that most of my friends found it difficult to believe my reasons, and I realised we have many concepts about saving the environment and we do not challenge ourselves to look outside the box. There are many ways to take care of Mother Earth.

I used to think saving the environment was just something we should do because lots of people said it is a good thing. I thought helping the environment was important, but somehow I did not see the urgency of protecting the environment. Many campaigns mention that to protect our environment is to protect future generations. I guess because I was not married then and had no children, I did not see any connection between me and the future generations. I thought, “by the time the global warming issue comes to a critical point, I’ll be dead, and so it wasn’t my problem.” Having said that, I would recycle whenever I could but I did not see the urgency to act now.

Until one day, I heard a teaching by Zen Buddisht teacher Thich Nhat Hanh in which he explained how everything is interconnected and nothing can stand on its own as a separate identity.

This is a non-dualistic thinking.

Dependent origination and emptiness seem to be two different ideas, but they are describing the same thing. Dependent origination means in order for one thing to happen, it’s manifestation depends on having the right conditions. When the conditions are sufficient, the thing manifests; when the conditions are not sufficient, the thing does not manifest.

We are raised with the notion we are ourselves, I am Janet and you are you. I have nothing to do with you and what you do does not affect me. This is dualistic thinking. However, if we look closer within ourselves, we cannot find one thing that can stand alone without having any relationship with other things, and this is called the law of dependent origination. Let me give you an example:

Studying the above example, if we miss anything mentioned (e.g. paper factory workers go on strike or there is no Namaskar), you would not be reading this article. So we say this article is empty of a separate self because it’s manifestation depends on many other conditions. As you can see here, emptiness does not mean nothingness; it means there is a lack of a separate identity, or it is full of everything else. Thich Nhat Hanh would say this article is full of non-article elements. And because this article is full of nonarticle elements, is why this article is this article.

I am writing this article because my friends were surprised to see my short hair, and I have short hair because my stylist helped me with the cut. My stylist has the skills to cut hair because he works at a hair salon and he chose to study hair styling. My stylist had the money to study hair styling because his parents supported him.

His parents had the money because of their jobs. They had their jobs because there was a demand and clients were happy with the service provided. And you are reading this because there is Namaskar, this magazine is made of paper. To have the paper, there have to be factories to make paper, and there are workers at the factories, there are machines to make the paper, and there are factories to make the machineries. This could go on and on.

When we understand dependent origination in our lives, we start to realize our well-being depends on the well-being of everything else. To be healthy, we need fresh and healthy food, clean water, fresh air, a healthy society, a harmonious community, and many other things. Because we know without clean water, clean air, a balanced eco-system, we would not be healthy. So, to protect the human race, we need to protect the non-human elements, which means we have to protect everything else with our best effort.

When we understand our intimate relationship with other elements, then it comes naturally that we want to protect our resources, rather than just thinking it is a good thing to do. Because we know others’ happiness equals our happiness, and our

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happiness depends on the well-being of others. The health of the planet equals the wellness of human beings. When we have a deep understanding of our intimate relationship with everything else, then we instinctively want to protect the environment just like we want to protect our own children.

There are many ways we can protect the environment, and one way is to live a simple life. The second mindfulness training* provides us a guides us beautifully in living simply and tapping into true happiness: Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking, and acting. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others; and I will share my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. I will practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are not separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true

happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion; and running after wealth, fame, power and sensual pleasures can bring much suffering and despair. I am aware happiness depends on my mental attitude and not on external conditions, and I can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering I already have more than enough to be happy. I am committed to practicing Right Livelihood so I can help reduce the suffering of living beings on Earth and reverse the process of global warming.

Protecting the environment is not limited to recycling and reusing. It also includes reducing. The simpler we live, the less resources we require, and the more we can preserve our environment. The more we observe our way of living, the more creative ways we can find to protect our Mother Earth, so for me it is to keep my hair short, for you, it can be to turn off the lights when you leave the room, for yoga teachers it can be to turn off the stereo after ending a class.

Combining our small individual actions

can make a huge difference. We can all make the world a better place, let’s join our effort together for a healthier planet and happier living beings.

A committed student of Buddhism and yoga, Janet teaches at Pure Yoga, Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. *The Five Mindfulness Trainings can be found on the Plum Village’s website: http:// www.plumvillage.org/ mindfulness-trainings/3-the-fivemindfulness-trainings.html

Janet’s AYC schedule 7 June, 5:30pm - 7:30pm - How to Introduce Meditation Into Our Practice

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Ayurveda

Karma & Health Mahesh Sabade

Commonly we focus on karma as the effect of actions / illegitimate behavior that turn out to be a cause for bad fate. The meaning of the word karma is not limited to this.

The word karma comes from Sanskrit word ‘kru’ which means to do. So karma is the action and also the effect.

The principle of Cause and Effect is very commonly used in all theories. The science of Ayurved uses it at every level. The formation of a disease is always in relation with some causative factor. Seasonal changes, dietary, behavioral changes, thoughts all play a major role on the human mind as well as body. These changes, actions, indulgence in wrong habits can be seen as karma as can their effects on body.

Ayurveda and philosophical texts, emphasise the concept of karma. From the philosophical point of view as well as from the health point of view we see a definite connection between a cause and effect karma. There’s a fundamental concept in Ayurveda called ‘Karya Karan bhava’ which is derived from Darshan Shastras (ancient texts that explain logic and the study of decision making). It says there can’t be an effect unless there’s some cause. This concept is explained with different types of causes which have the potential to create an effect.

From minor health issues to major conditions, there are certain causes which trigger these ailments. There are certain diseases which are considered specific effects of illicit behavior. “Sinful acts” like disrespecting / misbehaving with elders,

Yatra yatra dhuma: tatra tatra Vahni: (Sanskrit quote) - which means wherever you see smoke, there’s fire.

parents, Guru, Gods are considered causative factors for those diseases. A scientific mind might find it ludicrous as well as superstitious. For most of us the mind is such a great tool for regulating various functions of the body – directly or indirectly. When a person has created such an act, it produces tremendous turbulence on a psychological plane. This creates disturbance with body physiology and this in turn can create imbalance in the body leading to certain diseases.

This line explains the relationship between cause and the effect. It is in context with making diagnostic decisions using logic with available factors. This theory strongly believes nothing will happen unless there’s some cause / reason.

Newton’s first law also is in the same line with this theory – every body persists in its state of being at rest or of moving uniformly unless it is acted upon by an external force. The concept of force is very important to create a change in the present state. This will help to understand any effect will be seen when some cause is acting there.

Karma can be good as well as bad depending on the cause. In the spiritual texts, it’s always believed unlawful acts create a karma cloud which we carry throughout our life and further. This has a strong potential to create disturbance with the physical, mental and spiritual health.

On the contrary good karmas make the mind and body healthier and the good effects can be seen in the form of good health, bliss and overall wellbeing.

The concept of karma has a great depth.

Technically what you do is karma (action) and what you achieve is also karma (effect).

SadVrutta – the moral tenets, behavioral pattern that connects us to good health.

Recently published research papers states a good lifestyle has potential to change the genetic makeup. A healthy lifestyle is nothing but the tool to manage karma.

Furthermore strengthening the tissues and organs of the body will lead towards wellbeing at every level. This concept of building the tissues (improving immunity) is called as Sarata in Ayurveda. Having excellence of tissues yields good health as well as great virtues like happiness and success. In a way this turns out to be good karma to have fitness, vigor, and happiness throughout life.

certain diseases are considered the effect of illicit behavior

Our mind is a very powerful tool to keep us fit and healthy. It produces certain vibrations that in turn have specific effect on physical health, mental health and spiritual health. These vibrations which we understand by karma can either construct or destruct health.

Mind, body and lifestyle including food, behavior and thoughts support each other.

In other words a healthy lifestyle creates equilibrium in mind/body and creates health. Likewise a peaceful mind supports body, and healthy body supports mind. By having good karma of healthy lifestyle, one can build a stronger, healthier structure.

Most cultures and traditions have social tenets, behavioral patterns recommended in society. Similarly Indian culture extracts its principles from Vedas and Ayurveda.

The traditions, festivals, diet and related behavior have an effect that shows good karma on all levels. Ayurveda explains

In the classification of disease, Ayurveda explains Adhidaivik as one of the types of diseases which emerge due to certain karma which lead to these illnesses. The treatment mentioned here is to use precious stones; chanting some specific mantras etc. This modality of the treatment focuses on creating certain vibrations in our body and help correct the karma related-bad effects.

As explained by Swami Vivekananda, karma - the action is truly important to gain the knowledge which is the true goal of mankind, and not the pleasure. When we tend to gain pleasure more and more, we slip from the path and indulge in causative factors which cause imbalance in body and may create a disease.

Karma yoga, the connection with good karmas will lead towards the fruitful karma of mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Mahesh is a doctor of Ayurveda, Anchor Teacher Vedika Gurukul CA, USA, Hon. Ayurved Physician to Governor of Maharashtra, India and Hon. Ayurved Consultant to Health Centre University of Pune, India. www.Ayurved.Net.In , Ayurved.net.in@gmail.com

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Event Review

BaliSpirit Festival Sparking Worldwide Wave of ‘Yogactivism’ Shervin Boloorian

BaliSpirit Festival is going from strength to strength. This year’s event which took place 28 March – 1 April was declared Bali’s first really green festival, for its pioneering recycling policies. It also brought to US$70,000 the amount raised for various charities over the past five years. And the culmination is a potent new wave of “Yogactivism” to reshape the yoga world’s capacity to impact the world.

In five years, community-focused “Spirit Festivals” in Indonesia (BaliSpirit), Australia (Byron Spirit), USA (East-West Spirit and Hawaii Spirit) and one planned for India (Goa Spirit) are sending signals that yoga’s civic engagement power is beginning to match its vast potential.

One of the hallmarks of the original Spirit festival, according to BaliSpirit Festival cofounder, Meghan Pappenheim is putting the local community first. “I wanted to create an experience that would inspire people to not just reflect inwardly but to go out into the world and make a difference,” says Pappenheim.

In 2008, the very first BaliSpirit Festival was initiated in the town of Ubud, which opened its first yoga studio (the Yoga Barn) in the prior year, and has since evolved into a yoga Mecca in Bali and Asia.

Offering over 20 forms of yoga, dance and wellness workshops, the Festival’s unique blend of yogic mindfulness, uplifting entertainment, and inspiration for social action every year produces positive results for the Bali community.

It’s the third year in a row the BaliSpirit Festival has supported the HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program for Balinese school-aged children. HIV/AIDS in Indonesia is reaching epidemic proportions, according to Wikipedia and Bali’s recent up-tick in infection rates among locals has seen it flagged as a threatened area.

BaliSpirit’s global impact is reflected by its ability to unify a diverse range of visionaries from over 47 countries at one forum. A series of discussion panels are planned for 2013, with one that will unite yoga practitioners from Iran, and countries 32

Seeing the world from a new perspective - practitioners at BaliSpirit and other Spirit Festivals around the world are making a difference

politically at odds with Iran, like the USA. The Festival has also joined forces with the Africa Yoga Project, an organization linking yoga to health education and community activism in parts of East Africa.

Iranian yoga instructor and studio owner, Nobieh Kianyfard expressed how BaliSpirit Festival had inspired her before flying back to Tehran. She also noted how the practice of yoga was spreading like wildfire in Iranian cities; in part, she believes, because yoga serves as a way of bringing joy and celebration back to a community that she says has been isolated by years of economic sanctions and the threat of war.

The BaliSpirit Festival features live entertainment from international stage artists who are also social activists in their home countries, expanding the scope of the Festival’s reach beyond just the yoga community.

Back in 2007, Pappenheim predicted Ubud’s emergence as a holistic center in Asia, she may have also envisioned how yoga’s growing global appeal and its support for personal awareness and proactive social consciousness can be brought to bear to create significant benefts for society at large.

BaliSpirit Festival will return to Ubud, 20 24 March 2013 www.balispiritfestival.com A writer and peace activist, Shervin served as a government and community relations advisor for Middle East peace, proenvironment, and nuclear disarmament campaigns in Washington D.C. He is a certified sound therapy practitioner and graduate of the Tama-Do “Way of the Soul” Academy. He currently manages communications for the BaliSpirit Group.

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34

Workshop Review

Ash in yas a, Jap ane Ashttanga V Vin iny asa, Japane anesse-s e-sttyle Yoko Kikuchi & Nelson Ng

This month’s cover features Japanese Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga student and teacher Kazuya Yanagimoto in an extreme variation of Eka Pada Sirasana C. He was in Hong Kong recently leading a four-day workshop which Yoko and Nelson had pleasure of attending. Here’s more about this soulful teacher.

Devoted Ashtangi and surfer, Kazuya Yanagimoto was in Hong Kong recently for his first workshop here. His joyful yet challenging workshop combined Ashtanga and Stretch Yoga, and was very effective for hip opening and strengthening.

A genuinely humble teacher, Kazuya taught us enthusiastically through a English translator (for the non-Japanese speaking students). And although it was his first time teaching in this was through a translator, all went well.

Kazuya presented such a nice balance between freedom and strength. Too often rigidity is mistaken for strength; one may feel weak inside and therefore create an outer rigidity that gives a false feeling of strength. But freedom comes from having the inner strength necessary to let go of the outer. With his muscular body and extreme flexibility, Kazuya showed us outer softness is not weakness, just as there is strength in the flexibility of the willow tree.

But on the other hand, one must not mistake flexibility for inner strength. There must be a balance between strength and flexibility, between inner and outer, between surrendering and resisting, in order for one to practice in the spirit of yoga. And this is how the practice asana represents the spiritual essence of yoga.

Kazuya’s way of teaching is different from other Japanese instructors, because he does lots of hands-on adjustments. Perhaps it is his background in Shaolin Kung Fu, which he started practicing (age 4), which makes his style so different from other Japanese teachers. Or perhaps it is his love of surfing and being so connected to his environment. It was actually through surfing that Kazuya found yoga. He was in Bali, his regular surf destination that he was introduced to yoga. And to his pleasure his lower back tightness and repetitive injuries cleared up very quickly.

In Japan Kazuya is in high demand as a teacher. In addition to being the head teacher at Udaya Yoga Studio, he also teaches at Be My Self, Yoga Tree, Under The Light and Wired Café Fit. In Hong Kong, however, the pace was of the four-day workshops was relaxed, with lots of time to get into poses and of course, lots of challenges. We all made progress physically, and in attitude, from the very positive energy we received from Kazuya. He kept reminding us not to push too hard to go beyond our capacity (which we tend to do when we start practicing asana). By teaching us Ashtanga and Stretch yoga together, he hoped to help avoid injury, release tension and calm our mind, as Kazuya said.

Kazuya Yanagimoto

Thanks to Kazuya and his joyous and humble spirit, we saw the essence of creativity lies in the balance between control and surrender. Yoga teaches you to have the strength to take life in your own hands and direct it, as well as the wisdom to know when to let go so life can lead you.

Yoko was introduced to yoga in 2009 when she wanted to strengthen her muscles for marathon. Since then she has taken an Advanced Hatha Yoga teacher training in Hong Kong with Yogananth Andiappan, and her practice now explores the spiritual aspects of yoga.

Nelson, a yoga and Tai-chi practitioner, employs holistic bodycentered approaches to assist people in integrating and transforming themselves through movement. He is also a Hong Kong-based registered physiotherapist and Gyrotonic ® instructor.

Upon his return to Tokyo, Kazuya went on to study with Japan’s most famous Ashtangi Ken Harakuma, and also Goabased Ashtanga teachers Rolf and Marci.

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Teacher Training Review

Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher Training - Going Beyond Yourself June Chan

Who could have thought children have inspired me the most in my journey of personal growth? For the past three years, I’ve been working with them. Children have pure souls. They’re not afraid to express themselves through their body language. They tell you what’s going on in their little brain, without filtering anything out. Somehow they motivated me to join Rainbow Kids Yoga this past April. It was a three-day “Yoga for Kids and Families” teacher training in Hong Kong.

I felt the energetic vibe the moment I stepped into the studio. The class was welcomed by Lei, our trainer who is based in Japan and is the Asian ambassador for Rainbow Kids Yoga. She is definitely one of the craziest yoga teachers I’ve ever met.

She laughs like thunder, screams like a mad woman, moves like a monkey and has a strong voice that commands attention instantly. She showed us how to open a class through “Human Mandala”. We sat in a circle with our knees touching, rubbing our hands together and then placing our heated palms on each other’s cheeks. This was followed by group shoulder and foot massage. This exercise broke the ice amongst the group in no time.

Our first group Surya Namaskar – “The Sun Dance” began with Lei. First, the leader, struck a pose. Then the person on the right followed and so that pose flowed around the circle until it reached back to Lei, where the second pose began and continued in the circle like a wave. It was definitely a challenge as we needed pure focus. The moment your mind wandered, the cycle of the wave would be disrupted.

Just when I thought “The Sun Dance” was mind blowing, Lei wowed us with even more innovative yoga practices with the use of props.

For kids yoga, props are the core of each class. The selection can be anything from the most common yoga cards, storybooks and animal soft toys to outrageous choices like pirate kits to create themed yoga classes.

Sticks ranging from chopsticks to drumsticks are also clever props to form bonds and trust between two people. Each pair balances two sticks by pushing them against each other to walk around the room or even to strike a pose – all without dropping the sticks. All these alternative 36

Learning a lot from acting like a kid, June and the other trainees at the Rainbow Kids TTC

ways to practice yoga opened my eyes and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had to get wild to be present to enjoy the training to the fullest. We had a crazy morning that slowed down with seated lectures in the afternoon. We learned which types of sequences are good for different age groups and of course how to organise and manage a class of up to 20 active kids who can’t wait to do yoga with props.

On day two, we kicked off the morning with acrobat yoga. We learned to work with a partner as well as in a group. The acrobat yoga led to “Yoga Gym”, which was a series of sweaty workouts from training the core to thighs. In Rainbow Kids Yoga, all their poses and flows have creative names. At the training, we were encouraged to come up with our own sets of lesson plans, which pushed us to think outside the box. After the morning training had zoomed past, we had hands-on experience working with the kids and families in the afternoon through a public community yoga class. We got to observe and help Lei organise, prepare and assist the group class.

More practical skills were introduced to us on the last day. Ending a children’s yoga class doesn’t necessarily need to be still and in silence. “Quiet Time” can still be achieved with breathing exercises, listening to stories or massaging each other before they go to Savasana, which is usually guided

imagination to take them onto a magical journey within themselves.

My experience from this training was unexpected. It inspired me, in more ways than one, to apply the things I learned even to adult yoga classes. Yoga practice can be a beautiful story in itself. As a teacher, I can take my students on yoga journeys to give them room for imagination, while combining yoga to assist each person to reach their destination. The unity involved in kids yoga allows me to truly experience “yoke” – the Sanskrit word for yoga, meaning to join and to unite.

It always takes time for a person to warm up and feel confident in a group. Yet in kids yoga, the second you walk into the studio, you’ve leapt out of your comfort zone. My biggest weakness is breaking the ice with strangers. Learning to go beyond myself is a continuous test. With this training, I’m proud to say I’m one step closer.

June is a former journalist who now teaches yoga at various studios in Hong Kong. chanjunews@gmail.com

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Kids Yoga

Enjoying Yoga with Children Laura Shore

Yoga for children is gaining popularity.

Children can take classes at yoga studios, or they may enjoy yoga breaks in the classroom at school. There are many excellent books and DVDs available, which make yoga fun and accessible for children of all ages.

Because they are breathing they are relaxed and because they can see you they can focus on what you are saying. Because their mouth is covered they might not answer you back!

kitchen. Take down some tomatoes and as you breathe out, spread them on your toes, legs, body, and right up into your hair (yukky!). Reach up again for the next ingredient and repeat as many times as you

TREE POSE Most children are not able to balance on one leg until around 3 years old but younger children will nevertheless enjoy having a go at this pose. Use any variation of tree pose you enjoy.

like. On the final repetition, take a piece of bread to put on the top of your sandwich and then gobble it up from you toes to your tummy. This is a fun way to stretch out the spine, shoulders and hamstrings.

Traditional yoga texts say paschimottanasana increases the appetite, so you may find yourself heading to the kitchen for real!

Children do not always have the time or attention span to take a full 45 minute or one hour class, especially if they are new to yoga. As a yoga practitioner or parent, you may like to try a light-hearted introduction by sharing some quick and easy yoga poses with the children in your life. You can share yoga (by modeling the pose yourself) with children of any age. Trust your instinct and you will know which poses will work best and be the most fun for the kids you know. Once you get into the flow you can invent your own poses or modify the poses from your own practice to suit your mini practitioner(s). Here are a few ideas to get you started.

POLAR BEAR POSE (adapted from YogaKids) Take child’s pose with open knees but rather than stretching your arms out in front or behind, interlace your hands and cup them over your nose and mouth.

Breathe slowly. Kids love this pose! They are grounded (close to the earth) and enjoy the sensation of their warm breath on their hands. They feel safe because they can still see you and they feel nurtured because they can feel their breath. Engage them whilst in the pose by asking them why the Polar Bear covers its nose in this way? (Answer: Polar Bears are white all over except for their black nose. To camouflage themselves in the snow they cover their nose with their paws so predators cannot spot them).

This pose can also be done sitting at a table – eg as a ‘take 5’ from homework or from schoolwork. I also use this pose if I have a message that I want to get across to a child.

With younger children, try the following simple verbal instructions: Say: Tree Pose! Foot goes here (place foot on calf or thigh) Say: Hands ready (as you place hands in prayer pose) Say: Tall Tree! (as you reach your hands up) Engage the children by talking about trees whilst they balance and breathe in the pose.

Talk about where there are trees in your local environment and what colour the trees are. You can discuss how trees help us to breathe and how we can take care of trees. If children get frustrated when they wobble, make it into a game by pretending the wind is blowing and encourage them to ground both legs so they are stable.

SANDWICH POSS E (based on Paschimottanasana) You’ve practised a few yoga poses and now you’re feeling hungry. Breathe in and reach your arms up to the top shelf in the

LEGS UP THE WALL POSE For some reason, the children I’ve been teaching seem to warm to this pose much more than a traditional Shavasana. I think it could be the slight naughtiness of having your legs in a place where you don’t normally put them which appeals to them.

Or perhaps, like many of us, they are simply drawn to the therapeutic benefits of this pose. Find a space big enough to practice side by side and use blankets and supports if you would like to. Relax and breathe for as long as feels good. You can place a small soft toy or a small plastic figure on the child’s tummy as their breathing buddy and encourage them to watch their breathing buddy going up and down as they breathe in and out.

Here are a few more ideas you could try.

Experiment to find what suits and as mentioned above, trust your instinct!

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TO RELIEVE RESTLESSNESS Bicycle Legs - alone or with a partner stimulates the navel point Shoulder Stand or Legs Up (alternative) can balance the thyroid to help relieve anxiety Table Pose - can strengthen and relax the nervous system Child’s Pose - relaxes the whole body TO ENCOURAGE BREATH WORK Children’s inhalations and exhalations are generally shorter than adults due to their lung size.

Flower Power Breath - Reach out in front of you and pretend to pick a flower.

Bring the imaginary flower to your nose and breathe in deeply through your nose.

Breathe out slowly through your nose as you open your hand like a blossoming flower.

Repeat with your other hand. Try to take five to six flower power breaths.

Lion’s Breath (Simhahsanna) - Fun for children of all ages.

Take 5 (from YogaKids) - this is supersimple but surprisingly effective.

Sit in a cross legged position, close your eyes (optional) and hold up five fingers on

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one hand.

As you inhale and exhale deeply, fold down one finger for each complete breath.

Count 5 breaths like this.

PEBBLE MEDITATION BY THICH NHAT HANH If you have a little more time, you could try practicing Pebble Meditation together.

This can really capture a child’s imagination if he or she has the time to select and then decorate his / her own pebbles. Here is a brief summary of the activity: Sit up straight and relaxed and place four pebbles on the ground next to each of you. Pick up the first pebble and say: Breathing in, I see myself as a flower.

Breathing out, I feel fresh. Flower, fresh (3 breaths)

Continue to practice the keywords silently “flower, fresh” and breathe together quietly for three in and out breaths, really being a flower and becoming fresh. The next three pebbles are: Breathing in I see myself as a mountain, breathing out, I feel solid. Mountain, solid.

(3 breaths) Breathing in I see myself as still, clear water, breathing out, I reflect things as they really are. Clear water, reflecting. (3 breaths) Breathing in I see myself as space, breathing out, I feel free. Space, free. (3 breaths) Details of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Pebble Meditation and templates at http:// mindfulkids.wordpress.com Laura teaches yoga to kids and families around Hong Kong. laura@greenfrog.com.hk or www.facebook.com/ greenfrogyoga

Recipe

A Super Raw Breakfast Moosa Al-Issa

Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast helps set your physical energy and mental focus at a high level and keeps it there. Most people complain about not having time in the morning, but the good news is it’s easy to prepare a delicious breakfast smoothie in just a few minutes. My favorite smoothie is a combination of raw oats, raw cacao, almond milk, banana and hemp seeds. This shake is packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and raw cacao; a super food that boosts serotonin levels to naturally increase one’s sense of wellbeing.

Super Raw Breakfast Smoothie Because this recipe makes two large smoothies feel free to cut the recipe in half or make smoothies on two successive days.

INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup Organic steel cut oats, soaked overnight and drained 2 cups Organic almond milk 1 Banana, peeled and chopped ½ cup Organic hemp seeds 2 tablespoons Organic raw cacao powder 3 drops Organic vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon Organic ground cinnamon Agave nectar to taste (optional) METHOD In a blender combine the oats, hemp seeds and 1 cup of the almond milk and blend till it is a smooth paste.

Add the banana, second cup of almond milk, cacao, vanilla and agave if you prefer a sweeter smoothie and blend till smooth. If you prefer a thinner consistency to your smoothie, add a little juice or water.

Pour into glasses and enjoy your breakfast!

Moosa is Executive Director of Life Cafe and Director of Just Green Organic Convenience Stores in Hong Kong.

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Diet

Giving B ir th tto oy our Highe e Bir irth your Highesst In Inttelligenc elligence Stephen & James Costello

“Sensitivity in its highest form is intelligence,” said Krishnamurti.

His quote reminds us true intelligence is not a material intelligence.

It is the intelligence of making your body the most efficient carrier of prana, Qi, or bio-photon energy. Doing this in a balanced way is what yoga, the union with the Divine, is all about.

By contemplating the works of some of the world’s best minds, we understand what you allow in and out of the body, when done intelligently and in a balanced way, will enhance the body’s sensitivity, thereby creating intelligent life to which most aspire.

Maxing your creativity and sensitivity will guarantee you give birth to the best manifestations in this life and beyond. As with yoga practice, it’s all waiting for you. You just have to make the effort.

A SMALL PROBLEM Modern lifestyles of junk food, bad food, GMO, pesticides, herbicides, flavorings, preservatives, highly-heated foods, bad air, bad water, poor sleep, rob us of the basic working capital we need to create the most ideal future version of ourselves. Namely, it diminishes our energy and our Life-Force.

If you can make a habit of accessing the best food, water, air and sleep every day, your reserves will be at their optimum and you’ll have ample energy to do what you like. You can create an even better future life for yourself as far as manifesting your ideal body, home, relationships and work experiences. You can consciously build your own intelligence and sensitivity to its highest form, by enhancing your prana, Qi, or bio-photon energy.

OUR SYSTEMS ARE NOT CLOSED We breathe. We are connected to the atmosphere. We are not isolated in these divine “meat suits” but are intricately integrated with the earth, water, air, sun and stars. The breathing system is open. The air you breathe, its quality, rhythm and quality, all affect you in every moment.

Drinking liquids is also an open system. The fluids of our bodies, like air, are constantly coming in and out. You are what you drink.

Most of us know to drink as much clean, pure, non-chlorinated water as we should each day (1-2 litres, depending on your size).

We touch the earth with bare feet to enhance our vitality. Yes, another open system. The ancient knowledge of the importance of connecting to Earth’s raw, free flow of energizing electrons is now being re-realized. If you haven’t checked out “Earthing”, please do. (www.Earthing.com) When you sleep you access the infinite energy of Source, Universal Energy, Non-Physical Energy. All resistance is released. Deep brainwave states are accessed. As we dream and forget, mind rejuvenates.

Renewing and refreshing energy is accessed through the portal at the core of your being while you sleep. Dreaming and forgetting are essential to a healthy, balanced state of mind.

And of course, the foods we eat affect us profoundly. Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MD says: “What you put in your mouth is both the cause, and the effect, of your awareness”. Research of the past 20 years shows us a mostly raw, plant-based, whole food diet is the 42

key to healthy longevity and an energetic life.

QUANTUM PHYSICS QUANTIFIES AND QUALIFIES During the 1990’s. Dr. Fritz Popp, an integrative biophysicist, came through with some game-changing science. He was studying cancer.

Dr. Popp and his associates had developed highly-advanced instruments for measuring energy in living organisms. He saw people’s bio-photon energy was a way of communicating between cells and within the cells. In cancer he saw this communication broke down. There was chaos in the field.

As yogis, meditators and intuitives, we know we can enhance and extend our life and its experience by consciously taking action to ramp up and maintain our bio-photon flow (prana flow). Food is important. Breathing is important. Water is important. Yoga is important. Earthing and good natural sleep is important.

Below is a chart showing the results taken from Dr. Popp’s biophoton measuring devices. All peer-reviewed and independently replicated. Ref see: “Integrative Biophysics”, 2010 (Popp and Beloussov) HUMAN BIO-PHOTON SCORES Highest Record Holder 114,000 units (Yogi/meditor who is fasting or eating raw, wild herbs, sprouted nuts& seeds) Organic Live foodist 83,000 units Baby 43,000 units Organic vegan w/green superfoods 23,000 units Cooked organic food eater (vegan) 20,000 units Lowest Junk food eater 200-1000 units

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CONCLUSION As yogis we look to our practice of mind, body, and spirit to enhance our lives. Rather than constantly reminding yourself to stay positive, your sense of well-being can put you there effortlessly. You’ve got your vibe on. We can further our objectives by breathing, drinking, sleeping, dreaming and eating with a view to giving birth to a new and enhanced self in every moment. Dr. Popp’s works help to qualify in physical terms a simple way to engender the highest health and intelligence available to a human body: the intelligence of sensitivity. By incorporating these practices we will have the most functionally operative physical, mental and spiritual powers at our finger tips. Rather than letting life happen to you, you will happen to your Life.

Brothers, and dentists by training, Stephen and James are founders of Stephen James Luxury Organics, a Macau-based line of food-on-the-go with minimal processing and no chemicals or additives. www.sjluxury.com

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Yoga Teachers & Studios AGAMA YOGA SCHOOL & ANANDA WELLNESS RESORT 42/4, Moo 8, Srithanu, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand s: Tantra, Kundalini, workshops, retreats, meditation l: English t: (66) 892 330 217 e: info@agamayoga.com w: www.agamayayoga.com

AMICO STUDIO 2/4/F, 167 - 169 Hennessy Rd, Wanchai, Hong Kong s: Hot, Hatha, Ashtanga l: English, Cantonese t: (852) 2827 9233 e: studio@amico.com.hk w: www.amico.com.hk

ANAHATA VILLAS & SPA RESORT Ubud, Bali, Indonesia s: group retreats, yoga for privates & corporates. Studio rental available. l: Indonesian & English t: (62) 361 8987 991 / 8987 992 f: (62) 361 8987 804 e: sm@anahataresort.com / info@anahataresort.com w: www.anahataresort.com

ANAHATA YOGA 18/F Lyndhurst Tower, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong s: Hatha, Ashtanga, Yoga therapy, Yin and more. Groups & privates t: (852) 2905 1922 e: enquiry@anahatayoga.com.hk w: www.anahatayoga.com.hk

B.K.S. IYENGAR YOGA INSTITUTE OF MACAU 174 Rua de Pequim, Edif. Centro Com. Kong Fat, 7A, Macau s:Iyengar t:(853) 2882 3210 / 6662 0386 e:yoga@macau.ctm.netw: www.iyengar-yoga-macauchina.com

BODYWIZE YOGA & DAY SPA G/F & 2/F, 1 Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong s: Private and group classes, Yoga for stress management, Couple yoga, Tantra yoga for couple, Jivamukti, workshops, retreats, spa, wellness consulting, holistic

therapy, nutritional advice. l: English t: (852) 2838 5686 e: yoga@bodywize.com.hk w: www.bodywize.com.hk Dario Calvaruso d: Hong Kong, Bali, Thailand, Europe s: Hatha, Vinyasa, Detox, Yoga Therapy, Yoga for Stress Management, Partner Yoga, Tantra Yoga for couples l: English, Italian t: (852) 9247 3938 e: info@dariocalvaruso.com w: www.dariocalvaruso.com Kathy Cook Retreats, workshops, privates d: Hong Kong, Bali &Thailand s: Iyengar (Junior Intermediate 2) l: English t: (852) 6292 5440/(62) 811 387781 e: kcinasia@gmail.com w: www.yogawithkathy.com Misa Derhy Yoga teacher and life coach in Dublin & worlwide Classes, retreats, workshops s: Hatha, Yin l: English, French, Czech, Spanish t: (353) 427 9117 e: freehugyoga@yahoo.fr w: www.freehugyoga.com / fhytimes.com

FLEX 1/F Regency Centre (Phase II), 43 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong s: Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin Yang, Core Power Flow, Kids Yoga, Yoga for special needs t: (852) 2813 2212 f: (852) 2813 2281 e: info@flexhk.com w: www.flexhk.com

IYENGAR YOGA CENTRE INDONESIA Ruko Simprug Gallery Jl. Teuku Nyak Arif No 10W Jakarta 12220, Indonesia s: Iyengar t:(62) 21 739 6904 e:info@iyengaryogaindonesia.com w: www.iyengaryogaindonesia.com

IYENGAR YOGA CENTRE OF HONG KONG Room 406 New Victory House, 93- 103 Wing Lok St., Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

s: Iyengar t: (852) 2541 0401 e: info@iyengaryoga hongkong.com w: www.iyengaryoga hongkong.com

IYENGAR YOGA CENTRE SINGAPORE 149B Neil Road Singapore 088875 s: Iyengar t:(65) 9052 3102 & 6220 4048 e:info@iyengaryogasingapore.com w: iyengaryogasingapore.com

KUNDALINI YOGA @ SOL WELLNESS 16/F Tin On Sing Commercial Building, 41-43 Graham St, Central, Hong Kong s: Kundalini Yoga, Detox, Raw & Living Food Nutrition, Holographic Health Scan, Ultrasonic Acupuncture, Corporate Wellness, Children’s Health, Body treatments, Homeopathy, Counselling, Kinesiology t: (852) 2581 9699 e: info@sol-wellness.com w: www.sol-wellness.com

t: (852) 9483 1167 e: gazebofl@netvigator.com

PURE YOGA Hong Kong 16/F The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street t: (852) 2971 0055 25/F Soundwill Plaza, 38 Russell St, Causeway Bay t: (852) 2970 2299 14/F Peninsula Office Tower, 18 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon t: (852) 8129 8800 9/F Langham Place Office Tower, 8 Argyle Street, Kowloon t: (852) 3691 3691 4/F Lincoln House, TaiKoo Place, 979 King’s Rd, Quarry Bay t: (852) 8129 1188 Singapore 391A Orchard Road, #18-00 Ngee Ann City Tower A t: (65) 6733 8863 30 Raffles Place, 04-00 Chevron House t: (65) 6304 2257 Taiwan 151 Chung Hsiao East Road, Sec 4, Taipei t: (886) 02 8161 7888

Ming Lee Privates, workshops s: Iyengar Certified teacher l: English, Cantonese, Putonghua t: (852) 9188 1277 e: minglee@yogawithming.com

Jenny Rockowitz Group and privates at Flex d: Wong Chuk Hang s:Yin Yang, Vinyasa, Hatha l: English e: info@flexhk.com w: www.flexhk.com

LIFE MANAGEMENT YOGA CENTRE HK

Jenny Smith s:Children’s Yoga teacher: Hatha RYT200 & Radiant Child Yoga Program (RCYP) FacilitatorKundalini l: English t: +852 6973 1792 e: info@geckogyoga.com w: www.geckoyoga.com

Non-profit Classical Yoga School d: Tsim Sha Tsui s: Patanjali yoga, Kids yoga, Seniors yoga, Corporates l: English, Cantonese t: (852) 2191 9651 t: (852) 6349 0639 (Chinese) e: life@yoga.org.hk w: www.yoga.org.hk Ursula Moser The Iyengar Yoga Centre of Hong Kong, Yoga Central, LRC d: Central s: Iyengar Certified (Junior Intermediate II) l: English t: (852) 2918 1798 / 9456 2149 e: uschi.moser51@gmail.com Anna Ng Privates d: Hong Kong s: Hatha yoga l: Cantonese

SHAKTI HEALING CIRCLE 3/F 34 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong s: Kundalini, Qigong, Guided Kundalini meditation, Yoga for beginners, Restorative t: (852) 2521 5099 e: info@shaktihealingcircle.com w: www.shaktihealingcircle.com

SPACE YOGA 16/F, 27 An-Ho Road, Section 1, Taipei 106, Taiwan s: Hatha, Ashtanga, Anusara 45

Inspired, Flow, Yin, Restorative, Power, Hot, Meditation, Pranayama, Pilates, Sivananda, Jivamukti and Yoga Nidra l: English, Mandarin t: (886) 2 2773 8108 e: teachertraining@withinspace.com w: www.withinspace.com

THE BREATHING ROOM 42A Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427766 s: Prenatal, Vinyasa, Yin, Kids, and AromaYoga. t: (65) 8112 5827 e: ashley@sacredfunk.com w: www.sacredfunk.com

THE YOGA ROOM 3 & 4/F Xiu Ping Commercial Bld, 104 Jervois St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong s:Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, Yin Yang, Hota, Vinyasa, Asana & Pranayama, Yoga Therapy, Pilate, Pre- & Post-natal, Mom & Baby, Yoga Kids, Belly dance & more t: (852) 2544 8398 e: info@yogaroomhk.com w: www.yogaroomhk.com

TRUE YOGA Singapore 9 Scotts Road, Level 4, Pacific Plaza 228210 t: (65) 6733 9555 10 Collyer Quay, Level 4, Ocean Financial Centre 049315 t: (65) 6536 3390

$21,000 $2,800 $2,300 $1,800 $1,050

1/4 page 1/8 page Teacher listing Studio listing

$580 $370 $530 $1,050

Taiwan 563 Chung Hsiao East Road, Section 4, 1st & 2nd floor Taipei t :(886) 22764 8888 337 Nanking East Road Section 3, 9/ & 10/F, Taipei t: (886) 22716 1234

YOGA on CAINE ROAD @ COSMO KIDS

s: Hatha, Power, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin, Gentle, Flow, Yoga Dance, Pre-natal e: operations@trueyoga.com.sg w: www.trueyoga.com.sg / www.trueyoga.com.tw

1/F Jadestone Court, 138 Caine Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong s: Kids, Privates, Meditation & healing, studio rental t: (852) 2915 8138 e: ask@cosmokids.net w: www.cosmokids.nets

Wai-Ling Tse Freelance, Privates and Groups d: Hong Kong s: Sivananda certified, Hatha, Svastha Yoga, Power, Hot, Yin, Pranayama and Meditation

Yoga with YoYo Yoga Alliance ERYT200 & RYT200. Offering asana, pranayama, meditation and scripture study.

210 mm x 297 mm 210 mm x 297 mm 210 mm x 297 mm 210 mm x 297 mm horizontal - 188 mm x 137.5 mm vertical - 90 mm x 275 mm vertical 90 mm x 137.5 mm 90 mm x 63 mm (January - October 2012) (January - October 2012)

Notes Advertisements should be submitted as high resolution (300 dpi) tif files (no pdf or ai files please).

Payment Advertising fees are payable in Hong Kong dollars only to: Namaskar c/o Carol Adams, 1/F 46 Leung Fai Ting Lower Road, Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong Information Carol (852) 9137 9992 /carol@caroladams.hk Frances (852) 9460 1967 / fgairns@netvigator.com

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YOGA CENTRAL 4/F Kai Kwong House, 13 Wyndham St, Hong Kong s: Hatha/Iyengar clases, yoga teacher training workshops, private group classes, corporate health programs. t: (852) 2982 4308 e: yogacentralhk@yahoo.com w: www.yogacentral.com.hk

NAMA SKAR LIS TING AND DISPLA Y AD VER TISING RA TE OR 22012 012 NAMASKAR LISTING DISPLAY ADVER VERTISING RATE TESS FFOR (IN HK DOLLARS) Sizes & Prices Outside back cover Inside front cover Inside back cover Full page 1/2 page

l: English, Cantonese t: (852) 9465 6461 e: wltse11@yahoo.com

d: Sai Kung, San Po Kong s: Sivananda and YogaPrasadinfluenced asana, pranayama, meditation and scripture study for small groups and privates l: English, Cantonese t: (852) 9302 3931 e: info@yoyoyoga.net w: www.yoyoyoga.net

To list your details here for the last issue of 2012 (October), please email Frances on fgairns@netvigator.com The cost is HK$530 for individual teacher & HK$1,050 for studio.

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