Namaskar December 2019 issue by namaskar

namaskar A VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMUNITY

HONORING YOUR INNER MOON Each phase of our menstural cycle offers us gifts, if only we take time to appreciate them...........p18

ACROBAT TO INVALID Yoga teacher Lois Nesbitt shares her journey through hip replacement surgery.................p24

Karol Krauser Hasegawa practicesvariation. forearm stand Northern Thailand countryside. Photo by Eva Schweiger Samrat Dasgupta in Handstand Photo inbythe Bianca Dasgupta

December 2019

STUDIO OWNER’S PATH Three women explain what’s involved in starting, owning and operating a yoga studio................p28

NAMASKAR

NAMASKAR - DECEMBER 2019

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR It’s been an emotionallycharged year all over the world.

ON THE COVER KAROL KRAUSER HASEGAWA

As yoga practitioners it’s even more important we stay true to the path of peace and personal growth. Originally from Hawaii and now based in S.E. Asia, Karol

Staying calm and compassionate as those around us are cold and critical, is one way we can affect positive change in the world. This issue is full of inspiring journeys shared by generous yoga practitioners. In our dristi – studio owner’s path, Hersha, Kanami and Andrea talk of the challenges and upsides of starting and running yoga studios. Seeing the positive in a bad situation is a skill many yogis hone. Two of them - Manila-based Dona and US-based Lois, present of the upsides of the menstrual cycle and hip replacement surgery, respectively. Natasha’s lovely poem was an example of synchronicity, as a photographer friend of mine had a remarkably similar experience and the perfect picture to accompany the poem. Gabrielle has documented her extensive yoga travels in our pages before. As always, she introduces us to a beautiful and peaceful spot. Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to Namaskar in 2019, from writers and advertisers to printers and readers.

has been a student and teacher of Yoga and martial arts for over half his life. A massage therapist as well as personal fitness and corrective exercise specialist he is passionate about combining these modalities with yoga and anti-aging practices to help others live optimal painfree and active lifestyles. Fitwellx@yahoo.com

In This Issue DRISTI - STUDIO OWNER’S PATH EVOLVE WITH THE TIMES PATH THROUGH THE POWDER A DREAM COME TRUE

SPECIAL FEATURES MIND YOUR FLOW 18 Yoga & phases of our menstural cycle THE BIRD & HER GUIDE 21 A yoga poem FROM ACROBAT TO INVALID 24 Can there be life for a yoga teacher after hip replacement surgery? REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS KULA UPDATES, WORKSHOPS, RETREATS, TEACHER TRAININGS MUDRAS BOOK REVIEW DIET DIRECTORY

ABOUT NAMASKAR ADVERTISING Carol Adams, NamaskarAdvertising@gmail.com KULA

Wai-Ling Tse, NamaskarKula@gmail.com

SUBSCRIPTION Angela Sun, NamaskarSubscription@gmail.com EDITOR

28 32 34

6 39 39 43 44

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

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

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

Namaskar, is published quarterly, usually January, April, July and October. About 5,000 copies are printed and distributed for free to yoga studios, teachers, fitness centres, retail outlets, cafes and yoga-friendly outlets. Mostly distributed in Hong Kong, with 1,500 copies mailed to readers in 32 other countries.

Frances Gairns, NamaskarEditor@gmail.com

December 2019

CONTRIBUTORS

ANDREA DROTTHOLM

Carol takes care of Namaskar adminstration, advertising and billing from the UK. She works from home which gives her the freedom to take care of her son. NamaskarAdvertising@gmail.com

southern Mexico, or adventuring in the mountains around her hometown of Vancouver, Canada. hello@powderyoga.com KRISHNAA KINKARIDAS

DONA TUMACDER-ESTEBAN

Andréa began her Ashtanga yoga journey in 2006 and is now an authorised level 2 Ashtanga teacher through KPJAYI . andrea@samadibali.com ANGELA SUN Angela takes care of distribution and circulation of Namaskar. Now

Dona is a Manila-based Integrative Women’s Wellbeing Counsellor, a corporate stress and energy management consultant and an Embodiment teacher in the Philippines. IG @innermoonwellbeing and @mindbodydona.

Yoga — a teacher training school that specialises in teaching beginners and people with limited mobility as well as YAMA Foundation — a local non-profit that makes yoga, arts and meditation accessible to underserved communities, including those with special needs, disabilities or disadvantage of any kind. hersha@hershayoga.com

Krishnaa lives in London. She studied with B.K.S.Iyengar and now runs classes in London and teaches Sanskrit and mudras for yoga for the Yoga Alliance and British Wheel of Yoga. She has written 15 books on Bhakti Yoga. kinkaridasi@hotmail.com

KANAMI ANDERSON LOIS NESBITT

GABRIELLE MCMAHON

back in her home town of New York, she has been practicing yoga for 10 years. She currently teaches privately. NamaskarSubscription@gmail.com CAROL ADAMS

Gabrielle is a life and spiritual coach, incorporating meditation, yoga and Ayurveda. She is based in Byron Bay, Australia. www.bebliss.com.au HERSHA CHELLARAM Hersha is a yoga educator focusing on addressing the gap in the market by making yoga more accessible, inclusive diverse and body positive. She leads Hersha 4

Kanami is an ERYT 500 hr Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor, Mat Pilates instructor, Traditional Thai Masseuse, and Founder of the Powder Yoga Niseko studio. Before her career change into fulltime yogi and studio owner, she was a whitewater rafting guide for twelve years. She worked on rivers in Japan, Australia, Canada, USA, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uganda. When she’s not directing her yoga studio in Japan, you will find her surfing at her new home in NAMASKAR

Lois Nesbitt is a yoga teacher, teacher trainer, and writer based in New York. For the past decade, Lois has traveled to teach throughout China, Japan, Australia, and Central America. She is currently working on her second book, a collection of essays on yoga practice and teaching. loisnesbitt1@gmail.com. NATASHA DEVALIA Natasha is owner and teacher at Studio Figure Eight, a dance, fitness, and yoga studio in Koh

namaskar

SOPHIE SANDERS

Now on-line at: www.issuu.com/namaskarasia Dristi for February 2020:

History of Asana Samui, Thailand. www.studiofigureeight.com QUINN TAPLIN

Sophie is a Tier 2 certified Baptiste Yoga Educator, an aspiring writer and a teacher mentor. She is living and breathing her empowered (yoga) life, moment to moment, day by day in Singapore and writes on www.sophiexsanders.com/blog

Dristi for May 2020:

Yoga & Buddhism

WAI-LING TSE If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to contribute on any of these topics, please email NamaskarEditor@gmail.com with the idea for your article. Contributions are also welcome on other topics. Final articles are welcome before January 10 for February issue and; April 10 for May issue. Quinn is a devoted student and teacher of mind-body awareness .Quinn makes yearly pilgrimages to study the holistic healing arts to share his experiences with love and compassion. quinn@samadhibali.com

Wai-Ling practices and teaches mindfulness, therapy and is Kula editor for Namaskar. NamaskarKula@gmail.com

December 2019

KULA

Updates

interested in a therapeutic mindful yoga practice to relax body and mind.

For more information karmayoga.hk / (852) 9386 3267 / helen@karmayoga.hk

For more information www.meetup.com/MindfulYoga-renew-recharge-relaxevery-weekend-HK/

Madera Yoga Opens in Kowloon

Mum & Babies & Kids Yoga Classes at Karma Yoga International Day of Yoga Sunday, 21 June 2020 Celebrated around the world since 2015 since its inception at the United Nations General Assembly. Never too early to start thinking about how you will celebrate. Maybe you can offer a free public class, or join an existing event as a teacher, student of volunteer.

Causeway Bay and Central Karma Yoga is a boutique yoga studio at the heart of Central and Causeway Bay. They opened their second branch in Central in July 2019. Some new classes offered in Central: Yoga for mums and babies with Madeline Adcock - every Friday 11:15-12:15pm, suitable for babies of 6 weeks old to pre-walkers. Yoga for Kids - every Tuesday and Friday afternoons. These classes contains lots of fun elements including Yoga games, partner and group poses, arts and crafts, and more!

HONG KONG

Jordan, Kowloon Located in Jordan, they provide a brand new and tranquil space with small classes to encourage holistic rejuvenation and thorough relaxation. Their facilities includes Café 1997 and Horizonte Lounge as well as a fully equipped in-house gym.

worlds, Richard intends to inspire more people to come onto the mat and begin a journey of self discovery. Working with many leading teachers in various yoga communities around the world, such as Manju Jois, Sharon Gannon, Mark Whitwell, Danny Paradise and Rusty Wells to inspire change.

For more information yoga.maderagroup.com / whatsapp (852) 5338 1638 / (852) 3190 9988

Ashtanga Yoga by Richard Pilnick, Book Launch At the beginning of 2015, Richard began his major project on “Ashtanga Yoga”, with the vision of a fine art book dedicated to the practice. By taking yoga into the photography, art and fashion

Yoga photographer Richard Pilnick launches his book on Ashtanga Yoga.

For more information www.yoga.photography / studio@richardpilnick.com

Weekend Mindful Yoga Classes

Self-Attunement Meditation

Every Saturday in Mongkok, Kowloon These classes have been successfully held for the past eight years with the help of volunteers. This is a community well-being initiative with an intention to share mindful yoga with the Hong Kong community. These classes are by donation, so that more people can benefit. The holistic session lasts around two hours and is suitable for anyone

PICER, Central For the past 20 years, this community has been assisting people to help bring about real change to their lives. Sessions held Mondays 3-4pm and Wednesdays 8-9pm; HK$100. Call to reserve a space. For more information www.picer.com / (852) 2167 8661 Madera Yoga opens in Hong Kong

NAMASKAR

Yoga Counselling at Ananda Yoga

biodegradable yoga mat alternative available in Hong Kong.

Ananda Yoga is offering Yoga counselling service in Hong Kong, using ancient yogic techniques to manage emotional health according to individual needs.

Created in 2003, by yoga teachers Nick Loening and Seona Robinson, EcoYoga mats are made of 100% natural rubber and jute. Both materials are biodegradable, which means the mats do not poison the planet. To order your EcoYoga mats, contact Katrina Johnston life@samacitta.com

For more information (852) 3563 9371 / www.anandayoga.hk

Welcoming 2020 with Love & Joy Pure Yoga, Central Happy New Year! Join Anjan and other Pure Yoga teachers in a special fundraising class for “Yoga Gives Back” that heralds a 2020 filled with humility and humanity. Minimum donation of HK$200.

INDIA

International Yoga Festival 1 - 7 March 2020 Rishikesh, India For more information www.internationalyogafestival.org INDONESIA

For more information www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ news/detail/634 / yogagivesback.org

Biodegradable Yoga Mats available in Hong Kong Imagine what happens to your yoga mat when you are finished with it? Most of yoga mats in the world are made from PVC. Originally a useless by-product of the oil industry, PVC is currently not recyclable and is toxic to our environment. Those looking more closely at their contribution to the betterment of the earth, may be pleased to hear there is now a

Desa Seni welcomes Alicia Casillas Bali Alicia Casillas was born in Spain and became a professional athlete at the age of 14. Alicia first turned to yoga to recover from a serious physical injury she acquired during her career as a professional swimmer. Through yoga

she discovered how to connect and balance her mind, body and soul. She has been practicing and teaching around North America, Europe and Asia for more than 10 years. She is trained and certified as Reiki Master and Craniosacral Therapist by the Upledger Institute.

Live Well London 28 February - 1 March 2020 Old Billingsgate For more information www.livewelllondon.com

The Playing Human Balispirit Festival Conference and 29 March - 5 April Laughter Yoga

For more information www.desaseni.com

Ubud, Bali One of Asia’s longest-running festivals, BaliSpirit now offeres over 300 workshops over the week.

5-7 June 2020 London

For more iinformation www.balispirit.com

USA

SPAIN

Sedona Yoga Festival

Barcelona Yoga Conference 2 - 6 July 2020 Barceloona For more informaion www.barcelonayogaconference.cat SWEDEN

Yoga Games, Nordic Yoga Conference

For more information www.laughteryogaconference.co.uk

12 - 16 March 2020 Sedona, Arizona For more information www.sedonayogafestival.com

Evolution of Yoga Summit March 20-22, 2020 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California For more information www.accessibleyoga.org/

8 - 9 February 2020 Stockholm

Yoga Service Conference

For more information www.yogagames.org

15 – 17 May 2020 The Omega Institute Rhinebeck, New York

Alicia Casillas joins the teaching team at Desa Seni

December 2019

For more information www.yogaserviceconference.org

KULA

Workshops

www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Dive Deeper into Asana & Pranayama with Vicky Mishra 18 January 2020 Pure Yoga, Mong Kok www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1189

Ruby Ong will be at Reflections in Hong Kong

HONG KONG

The Code to Heal Workshop with Shubhraji 20 January 2020 Ananda Yoga, Sheung Wan www.anandayoga.hk / (852) 9219 0005 / dinagidwani@hotmail.com

Living Light Energy Sekhem Foundation Level Spiritual Flow with Ruby Ong with Katharina 11-12 January 2020 Reflections Resource Center, Sheung Wan info@reflections.com.hk / reflections.com.hk

Singing Bowl & Tuning Fork Relaxation with Malbert 11-12 January 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Active Birth Workshop with Holly 18 January 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / 8

26-28 January 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Leave the Wall Intensive with Dana Lai

Gong Training with Martha Collard Level 1 - 8-10 February 2020 Level 2 - 11-12 February 2020 Level 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13-14February 2020 Red Doors Studio, Wong Chuk Hang www.red-doors.com/shop/ gongtrainingwk1902-nysd6 / info@red-doors.com / (852) 2110 0152

Spinning Baby Workshop with Michelle 9 February 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Understanding Chakras Workshop with Sonia Samtani 10 February 2020 All About You Centre, Sheung Wan Allaboutyoucentre.com / info@allaboutyoucentre.com / (852) 2992 0828

Sonia Samtani will teach about chakras in Hong Kong

www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1238

Jivamukti Chakra Tuning Workshop with Ariel 15 February 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

1 & 8 February 2020 Pure Yoga, Wan Chai www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1235

4-Day Ashtanga Immersion with Kino MacGregor

Healthy Spine Workshop with Chops

13-16 February 2020 Pure Yoga, TST www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1155

16 February 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

8 February 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Counter Flow by Marcus Leung

WildLotus with Patrick Creelman

15-16 February 2020 Creation City, Phase 5 NAMASKAR

The Magical Cups with Ariel

1 March 2020 Pure Yoga, Wan Chai

Breathwork Yin Yoga & Reiki Mastery with Dan with Carlotta BrulĂŠ Castangia

Integral Sound & Cosmic Dance Weekend Workshop with Jens Zygar

9 May 2020 Desa Seni, Bali www.desaseni.com / info@desaseni.com

INDONESIA

Goddess Series with Carlotta Castangia

Yin Yoga & Reiki with Alicia Casillas

Gong master Jens Zygar will be at Red Door, Hong Kong

www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1217

16 March-29 December Pure Yoga, Wanchai www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1247

4 January 2020 Desa Seni, Bali www.desaseni.com / info@desaseni.com

Hang www.red-doors.com/shop/ jens20190117 / info@red-doors.com / (852) 2110 0152

Full Moon with Carlotta Castangia 10 January 2020 Desa Seni, Bali www.desaseni.com / info@desaseni.com

6-8 March 2020 Red Doors Studio, Wong Chuk Hang www.red-doors.com/shop/ integralsoundtraining / info@red-doors.com / (852) 2110 0152

Goddess Series with Carlotta Castangia 25 January 2020 Desa Seni, Bali www.desaseni.com / info@desaseni.com

Steven Weiss Yoga Alignment Workshop

Goddess Series Durga with Carlotta Intensive Practice Castangia Cosmic Octave Workshop with 20 March 2020 Desa Seni, Bali Sound Circle with Noy Petchwikai www.desaseni.com / 14-15 March 2020 Jens Zygar info@desaseni.com Pure Yoga, Causeway Bay 6-8 March 2020 Pure Yoga, TST www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1171

7 March 2020 Red Doors Studio, Wong Chuk

23 May 2020 Desa Seni, Bali www.desaseni.com / info@desaseni.com

Noy Petchwikai will lead a workshop at Pure Yoga, Hong Kong

www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/839 December 2019

Carlotta Castangia will lead a series of workshops at Desa Seni, Bali

THAILAND

Gong Training & Puja with Martha Collard Level 1 -11-13 January 2020; Level 2 14-15 January 2020 Reiki Yoga Studio, Bangkok www.red-doors.com/shop/ gongtraininglvl1-201906bkk / melanie@lotus-rei.com

KULA

Retreats

BHUTAN

Retreat to the Happiest Place on Earth with Nora & The Yoga Room 14-21 March 2020 info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398 CHINA

Yinyasa Urban Retreat with Scottie Chang 10-12 April 2020 All studios, Shanghai www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1142

Heaven on Earth: Hangzhou Yoga Retreat with Sandy Shum 20-24 May 2020 Shangri-La Hotel, Hangzhou www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1224 HONG KONG

Wake Up Hong Kong Retreat 27 February-1 March 2020 Asian Institute of Applied Buddhism (AIAB), Lotus Pond Temple, Lantau aiab@pvfhk.org / pvfhk.org

Inna Costantini leads a retreat in India

INDIA

Ayurveda Ashtanga & Yin Retreat with Inna Therapeutic Restoration Costantini 19-26 January 2020 Retreat with Jivana, Mandrem, North Goa Prabir Karmakar jivanagoa.com Kundalini & the Radiant Body Immersion with Kia Miller 10-20 March 2020 Sattva Centre, Rishikesh kiamiller.com/product/

kundalini-radiant-body/

14-19 March 2020 Somatheeram Ayurveda Village, Kerala www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1223 GERMANY

Mindful Action Retreat for Activists NAMASKAR

19-25 March 2020 European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB), Schaumburgweg 3 Waldbrol wkup.org/single-event/wake-upretreat-for-activists/ eiab.eu

Wake Up Your Artist Retreat 30 April-6 May 2020 European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB), Schaumburgweg 3 Waldbrol Eiab.eu / www.facebook.com/ events/426308808052813/ INDONESIA

100-hr Ashtanga Immersion

Training with Upper Mustang Damien de Bastier “Little Tibet” Module 1 Foundations - 26-31 Nepal Yoga December Module 2 Action – 3-8 January Adventure 2020 Samadi Bali yoga@samadibali.com / samadibali.com / (62) 8123 8312 505

Tropical Create your own Rejuvenation with retreat with Kim Samrat Dasgupta Roberts 7-12 March 2020 Samahita Retreat, Ko Samui www.pure-yoga.com

4-21 October 2020 www.nataliemacam.com THAILAND

Yin and Yang Wake Up Yoga Retreat with Indonesia Retreat Simon Low 12-15 March 2020 wkup.org/events/

11-18 January 2020 Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui www.samahitaretreat.com

Namaste Yoga Retreat with Rachel Solomons 11-15 March 2020 Villa Saan, Phuket www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1203 USA

A Meditation Immersion with Kia Miller 6-9 February 2020 Himalayan Institute Honesdale, PA www.kiamiller.com/event/ know-your-true-self-ameditation-immersion/

Wake Up Retreat 1-5 April 2020 Plum Village, Deer Park Monastery, California Deerparkmonastery.org deerparkmonastery.org/join-aretreat/#WU Facebook / www.facebook.com/events/ 2524626787769783

Natalie Macam leads a retreat in Nepal

NEPAL

Yoga Pilgrimage ~ Discover Nepal 25 September-2 October 2020 www.nataliemacam.com

Hot Yoga Retreat Wake Up Retreat with Jacqueline & 17-21 June 2020 Plum Village, Blue Cliff MonasJeanie tery, New York 5-8 March 2020 Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1130

www.bluecliffmonastery.org/ www.bluecliffmonastery.org/ schedule-of-events/2020/6/17/ mu2pdjyndc0c44xunkbeg6kj6pap83

December 2019

Crestone, Colorado Kim offers personalised retreats in her Crestone house. You can choose a non-guided or guided retreat (via phone or Skype calls), where you can benefit from the silence and solitude, with Kim as an on-call meditation guide or creativity coach. If you feel you need a profound re-set, or some dedicated time to work on a creative project, create a retreat that would support you. For more information www.kimroberts.co / kim@kimroberts.co VIETNAM

Journey to the Sacred Mountains of Vietnam with Katharina & The Yoga Room 14-18 February 2020 Hanoi info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Hoi An Yoga Retreat with Henry Phua 27 February-1 March 2020 KOI Resort & Spa, Hoi An www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong/ workshop/detail/1129

KULA

Teacher Trainings

HONG KONG

200-hr TT 4 January-31 March 2020 Sincere Yoga HK, Kwun Tong sincereyogahk@gmail.com / (852) 9873 9459

28 February-2 March 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Lazy Cat Yoga® 200-hr TT 8 March-20 September 2020 Lazy Cat Yoga, Fotan (852) 6433 8126 / lazycatyoga@gmail.com

85-hr Pregnancy & Prenatal Yoga 200-hr Advanced 200-hr TT TT (Chinese) with Hatha Yoga TT Certificate Course Ann da Silva with Yogananth 9 February-10 May 2020 March–April 2020 Anahata Yoga, Central Andiappan Flo Yoga Academy, Sheung Wan www.anahatayoga.com.hk / (852) 2905 1822 / enquiry@anahatayoga.com.hk

Yoga Nidra TT with Scott Moore 22-23 February 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

200-hr Hatha Yoga TT (Chinese) with Ann & Keiki February-May 2020 Flo Yoga Academy, Sheung Wan flotrainings@gmail.com / (852) 9888 2400

Kidding Around Yoga (CE) 15-16 February 2020 (full time 9am-5pm) Platform Events Space, Sai Ying Pun info@hershayoga.com / kiddingaroundyoga.com

Level 1 - 30-hr Yin Yoga Foundations TT with David Kim 12

flotrainings@gmail.com / (852) 9888 2400

13 March-18 May 2020 Anahata Yoga, Central www.anahatayoga.com.hk / (852) 2905 1822 / enquiry@anahatayoga.com.hk

100-hr Pranayama & Meditation TT Certificate Course YogaWorks 2003 March-16 April 2020 hr TT with David Anahata Yoga, Central Kim www.anahatayoga.com.hk / (852) 2905 1822 / enquiry@anahatayoga.com.hk

Accessible Prenatal Yoga (TT)

Part 1 - 19-22, 26-29 March 2020 Part 2 - 17-20, 24-27 April 2020 Part 3 - 8-11 May 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan

Transformation TT with Samrat Dasgupta 4 April-17 May 17 2020 Pure Yoga, Mongkok www.pure-yoga.com

15-Hour Hands on Adjustments & The Art of Looking at Bodies TT with Joan Hyman 10-12 April 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Kidding Around Yoga (CE) 29-30 August 2020 (full time 9am-5pm)

4 March-17 June 2020 (part time Wednesdays 6-9pm) Meera Yoga Centre, Wong Chuk Hang info@hershayoga.com / hershayoga.com

Level 2 - 20Hours Myofascial Release & Restorative TT with David Kim 6-8 March 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Joan Hyman will be at The Yoga Room, Hong Kong

info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

NAMASKAR

Platform Events Space, Sai Ying Pun info@hershayoga.com / kiddingaroundyoga.com

Raja Yoga Foundation Course 14-19 September 2020 (full time 9am-5pm) Venue TBD info@hershayoga.com / hershayoga.com

Accessible Yoga Training (CE) 5-8 November 2020 (full time 9am-5pm) Platform Events Space, Sai Ying Pun info@hershayoga.com / hershayoga.com

Level with Sarah Powers 10-19 January 2020 The Yoga Barn, Bali sarahpowers.com/iyi/schedule2020/insight-yoga-teachertraining-intensive-primary-leveljanuary-2020/

Desa Seni School of Yoga Yin Yoga TT “Harmony” 15-20 February 2020 “Quietude” 3-14 July 2020 Bali www.desaseni.com / info@desaseni.com

Powder Yoga, Niselo will offer a 200-hr TT

THAILAND

100-hr Anusara Yoga TT with Jonas Westring

300-hr Advanced Yin Yang Vinyasa Yoga TT (Chinese) with Janet Lau

Desa Seni School 200-hr Yoga TT

150-hr Mindfulness (Module Part 1) 28 September-4 October 2020 150-hr Mindfulness (Module Part 2) 13-22 November 2020 The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com/ (852) 2544 8398

Desa Seni School 200-hr Yoga TT

Mystical 200-hr Yoga TT

2-29 October 2020 Bali www.desaseni.com / info@desaseni.com

10-30 January; 9-29 February 2020 School Yoga Institute www.schoolyogainstitute.com / info@schoolyogainstitute.com

INDONESIA

10 April-6 May 2020 Bali www.desaseni.com / info@desaseni.com

5-19 January 2020 Amaravati Ashram, Chiang Mai www.shantaya.org

JAPAN

USA

Yoga Immersions 200-hr Vinyasa TT and Yoga Yoga TT with Training with Immersion with Janet Corvino & Damien de Bastier Kia Miller Kanami Anderson 26 January-1 February 2020 Module I: 27-31 December Module II: 3-7 January 2020 Samadi Bali, Bali www.samadibali.com/bali-yogaretreats/damiens-intensive/ info@samadibali.com

Insight Yoga TT Intensive Primary

16 March-10 April 2020 Powder Yoga Studio, Niseko, Hokkaido www.powderyoga.com/ytt/ soulcityyoga.com/

Joshua Tree, CA www.kiamiller.com

Radiant Body Yoga Yoga Immersion TT with Kia Miller

December 2019

12 May-4 June 2020 Himalayan Institute, Honesdale, PA www.kiamiller.com VIETNAM

Advanced Training Course with Hart Lazer 26 February-1 March 2020 Zenith Yoga, Hanoi zenithyogavietnam.com/el/listarticle/24/teacher-trainingcourse.html/ manager@zeinithyogahanoi.com

200-hr Essential Yoga TT course with Marzena Kierepka 4 May-13 June 2020; 11 September 2020-7 February 2021 Zenith Yoga, Hanoi zenithyogavietnam.com/el/listarticle/24/teacher-trainingcourse.html/ manager@zeinithyogahanoi.com

The Lake Shrine grounds were opened to the public by Parahamsa Yogananda in 1950. Spanning 10 acres, it sits like a jewel in the hills overlooking Pacific Pallisades California. Access is free and it offers something for all ages and spiritual seekers. Parahamsa Yogananda (1893-1952) is most well known for his book Autobiography of a Yogi. He also founded the Self Realisation Fellowship, an international non-profit religious society in 1920, to foster greater harmony and understanding as well as spreading his teachings on Yoga. The dome shaped Temple, built in 1996, with its strikingly white exterior is adorned by several golden lotuses. It incorporates detailed stained glass, wood, and ceramic tile which all make it a delight to sit in to meditate or to join a Satsang. The exquisite Temple is located a two-minute drive or 105 steps beyond the Lake and offers meditation sessions, talks and other spiritual and educational opportunities. The secure and silent retreat centre for guests and the monks living area lies beyond this. During my silent retreat I was fortunate enough to attend the four-hour meditation session on a selected Saturday. This was a real highlight for me and my spiritual practice, where the energy of the main hall rose high. The teachings incorporated Yoganandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key philosophies, and with so many like-minded purposeful devotees and friends, it was a joy to feel the presence of Yogananda. Stepping down into the general visitors area, beyond the temple and retreat facility, the serene Lake and surrounding gardens create a lovely environment for visitors to mindfully walk the path to enjoy the sights and feel the energy of Yogananda. The main attractions include the boat house, golden lotus archway, the peaceful waterfall with Krisna playing his flute, the Gandhi memorial, which can all be enjoyed from many vantage points whilst sitting on the well-placed swan design mosaic seat benches. The museum and souvenir shop holds many authentic treasures and a private collection offering a step back in time to learn about the life of Paramhansa Yogananda. And there is also so much more to see, meditate and contemplate on, around the grounds. My particular favourite is the windmill chapel - a must meditate place, where Yogananda played the organ and had his final evening meal with his devotees, before leaving his body. The kind staff, volunteers, facilities, including comfortable purpose-built chairs in all meditation areas, all create the perfect atmosphere, based on Yoganandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision for a deep and transformational meditation experience.

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PHOTO ESSAY

LAKE SHRINE

Where Paramahansa Yoganandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Legacy lives on WORDS & PHOTOS BY GABRIELLE MCMAHON

December 2019

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December 2019

PHYSIOLOGY

MIND YOUR FLOW

Honoring Phases of your Inner Moon BY DONA TUMACDER-ESTEBAN

“Where are you in your cycle right now?” I asked in a yoga workshop of mostly female students. With this uncommon question, I realized how much we focus on the flow of our yoga sequence, and how little on the monthly flow of our female energy - our “Inner Moon.” I started to question whether the asana generally practiced today was mindful of the rhythmic cycles influencing women’s physiology, psychology and spirituality. Without this awareness, could we be cutting ourselves off from our natural female energy cycle, inadvertently creating more imbalances? For example, high achieving women may well be attracted to intense muscular practices. However this could increase their cortisol levels, causing overheating and drying up, which in turn could delay ovulation. Or we go to our regular high energy workout when we are having our period, and our body is actually craving rest. Our wombs are living bodies of wisdom. When we are out of sync with our Inner Moon, we miss the gifts each phase has to offer. We may even experience disharmonies like PMS, menstrual cramps, cravings, mood swings and irregular periods. When left unattended, it can lead to problems with fertility, low libido, delayed or no ovulation, difficulties transitioning to menopause and a

tendency towards inflammatory diseases. Well-being is our natural state, one we can come back to with simple changes to our lifestyle. The first step is being mindful of our feminine flow, both on the mat and in our wombs. FEMALE ENERGY CYCLE Women are influenced by the monthly dance of our hormones. This delicate choreography of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones in charge of our cycle is, in return, affected by the way we live our lives –eating and sleeping, activities and relationships. Self-awareness and self-care of our female energy cycle as a foundation can be considered a mindfulness practice. Every month, we cycle through four phases – the blood phase, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase. Each phase has a unique hormonal cocktail that expresses itself through our psycho-emotional, energetic, creative and spiritual states. BLOOD PHASE During the Blood Phase, estrogen and progesterone drop to their lowest levels, and our energy is internal. There is a tendency towards introversion - a time for deep reflection, contemplation and honing our intuition. The two sides of our brain communicate better, perfect for evaluation

and discernment. We shed what is no longer needed by the body, or lives, in preparation for a new cycle. When we are unaware of, or ignore, this inward flow, we may be exhausted, frustrated, feel isolated, angry or have painful periods. To receive the gifts of this period, slow down and take lots of rest. This may be the time to pass on dynamic practices and opt for restorative or Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. Try a cradling meditation, lying down on your back with your knees straight, or bent with feet on the ground. Place one hand on your womb and one on your heart. Ask yourself, “What is my heart’s deepest desire? What do I need to let go off? What do I bring into the next cycle?” Allow the answers to come without judgment. FOLLICULAR PHASE The next phase is our Follicular Phase with rising estrogen levels helping to build our uterine lining. Our energy begins to move outward as we come out of the winter of our blood phase. This is a proliferative time. Ideas are sprouting. There is a youthful spring to our step and a rise in confidence. Physically, muscles build and recover better during this phase, prime time for interval and resistance training. While the mind, body and emotions are blossoming, our internal energy is beginning to consolidate and recharge to prepare for ovulation, so make sure to incorporate recovery so you don’t burn out. Movements for strength, flexibility and dynamism are recommended during the follicular phase. Aside from your dynamic practice, I encourage free-form flow and dance. Balance this with a Yin practice to open the stomach meridian along the front line of the body. This should help with digestion and absorption of nutrients to nourish the womb.

Try this cradling meditation during your Blood Phase

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Ask yourself, “What wants to blossom through me?” Allow yourself to be surprised. OVULATION PHASE During the Ovulation Phase our bodies release a mix of hormones which elevates our energy to its peak. It is summer in our wombs, and we are in full bloom. Ovulation has two energy imprints – expressive and receptive. We are at our most communicative and open. Studies have shown waitresses get higher tips when they are ovulating! Notice too a receptive energy that underpins this outward expression. Because we are fully energized, there can be a tendency to overwork our bodies. I encourage moderation to prevent overloading your body with cortisol. Alternate activity and rest through shorter flowing sequences. Intersperse opening front and back of the heart with luxurious, delicious twists and sidebends to wind and unwind slowly. Imagine opening the doors of your body and receiving breath and energy from the outside in. Ask yourself “What are you letting into your life? What seeds will you allow to take root and fruit?” LUTEAL PHASE The Luteal Phase can be divided into two parts. The first half, a nesting period of possible pregnancy, with rising progesterone and a significant drop in estrogen, initiates inward-moving energy. There may be a desire for resolution and completion. You may find yourself getting things in order, completing tasks, tying up lose ends, organizing, harvesting and enjoying what you planted in the previous phases. During the second half of the Luteal Phase, our pre-menstrum, energy withdraws further as progesterone and estrogen levels drop. This can be seen as a fall in energy, though I see it as a movement towards closure, giving us a clearer sense of what is important.

Well-being is our natural state, one we can come back to with simple changes to our lifestyle. During the first half, ease tension with gentle circular movements. Root and strengthen your focus with standing and balancing poses. During the second half, slow your practice with Yin Yoga for the side body and the inner legs to move Qi, which helps smooth emotions and, eventually, our menses. Ask yourself, “What needs to be completed today? What needs my attention? What life concerns are asking for consideration?” December 2019

FINDING OUR GRACEFUL FLOW Our bodies are our greatest teachers. Open to her wisdom. Learn her language. Listen deeply so we can honor, respond to and support her needs. When we are mindful of our natural flow and live according to our female energy cycle, grace – the absence of unnecessary effort – flows through our lives.

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photo courtesy of Aline Junko Derer

POEM

The Bird and her Guide BY NATASHA DEVALIA With a thud, the little bird fell, The glass remained intact. The bird was stunned. He approached her with all his compassion Wrapped her in a soft, beige towel And held her close to his softly beating heart. He stayed that way for a few minutes as she came to; Alive. She, unaware of what was going on, squirmed around. He, instinctively loosened his grip Spreading his pink fingers apart just a little bit. She moved one wing, then the other She seemed to be testing her abilities. He, the true guide, gave her more room, Enough for her to express herself but not too much, Not to scare her of her own freedom. He navigated the space with her gradually moving her to a more open area. He gave her a little lift And off she flew. Confident. Loving herself. Free and Grateful. December 2019

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December 2019

MY STORY

FROM ACROBAT TO INVALID

and Back! BY LOIS NESBITT

“You’ll know when it’s time.” By which, I now know, they meant the point at which chronic pain escalates into frequent agony during simple daily movements.

My hip problem, like most big problems, started small. A twinge, sometimes a prolonged ache, in my right buttock. Occasional, then gradually worse, then really bad. Heard the parable about frogs? If you toss them into a pot of boiling water, they immediately sense danger and jump out. If you leave them in a pot of gradually warming water, they will stay there till they die. They just don’t notice gradual discomfort becoming dangerous.

That’s exactly when I went under the knife. Not being sure I’d ever do yoga again, I rushed to get some photos shot. I worked around all the things I couldn’t do (standing, rotating my legs in or out, forward bending, binding, and most twists). Even so, I had tears of pain in my eyes as I struggled to hold the poses long enough to get good shots. I’m glad I made the effort, as I sensed my doctors had no idea what I considered normal physical activity. Guessing the description “yoga teacher” implied sitting cross-legged in meditation, I started calling myself an acrobat. This got my doctors’ attention. I wanted to still be able to put my foot behind my head at 100 years old. Well, they did ask!

I was a frog who stayed in the pot. Let it be said I don’t love complications. As hard as it is to ignore physical pain, my first and most enduring response was, “I don’t have time for this.” I just kept hoping the pain would go away. Well, it didn’t; things got really hot. I found myself in excruciating, debilitating, 24/7 pain. I finally went to the doctor. X-rays revealed “end-stage” arthritis in my right hip. The only solution: a total hip replacement, which, for various reasons, I was not the ideal candidate. The first surgeon advised I hold off as long as possible. I also developed a pronounced limp, which was alarming my yoga students, who look to me for sound and safe practices to keep their own bodies well. I feared I’d soon be unemployed. Turning to me for guidance might seem like asking a chain smoker to help them quit cigarettes. I felt like a fraud espousing the life-enhancing gifts of yoga while feeling my own body disintegrate from the inside out. I feared for my physical wellbeing. I was afraid to lose my status as a self-sufficient person who could navigate the world on two good legs. Afraid my career as a yoga teacher would come to an abrupt end, that all the years I’d put into studying, practicing, and perfecting my teaching skills would go to waste. I’d end up homeless. In a wheelchair. I was also angry. I cursed God. I cursed my body for betraying me. But under the anger was deep, deep grief. Rage inevitably

Lois Nesbitt post hip replacement surgery

sputtered out and landed me in tears. I love to move. I love to walk, run, swim, and dance. Most of all I love yoga, which has released tension, eased anxiety, lifted dark moods, boosted my self-confidence, and taught me the value of patience, perseverance, and humility. Yoga has returned me to the person I once was as a little kid: full of curiosity and enthusiasm, of laughter and wit. I’m well aware not everyone will face a hip problem. I hope to inspire anyone facing one of life’s curve balls—and everyone does: injuries, illnesses, breakups, layoffs, and losses of every stripe. If I learned anything from this journey, it’s that what seems like the worst thing that could happen turns out to be the best. I’m fully aware those words may sound hollow to anyone currently in the throes of unbearable pain, deep mourning, or paralyzing fear. I also know it doesn’t take something as catastrophic as major surgery to induce any of those states. I asked each specialist if and when I should have the surgery. The universal answer?

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My surgery apparently went splendidly (I was so doped up I missed the whole event). Postop was a little different. Hours after surgery, I still had no sensation in my right leg. There was talk of damage to my sciatic nerve. Just when I thought I was out of the woods, things were looking pretty grim. As I lay there, I faced the prospect I would never walk again. Or do yoga. Or swim in the ocean. Or…. the picture grew darker and darker. Until one of life’s little miracles occurred. Chalk it up to 20 years of yoga and 12-step recovery, plus a hearty dose of Tantric philosophy, which reminds us life is a gift (not a penance), but something shifted inside I could never have consciously directed. I said, “Yes!” Yes to being a cripple, yes to a life in a wheelchair, yes to whatever was left. I realized if I couldn’t use my body, I could still use my mind, my eyes, my ears. I could write, I could make art, I could connect to the world in so many other ways. At the deepest level, I realized I would be fine. I couldn’t have forced that feeling to surface. No amount of affirmations or prayers could have led me there. I had simply, and pro-

foundly, become a different person than the girl who desperately needed everything to be perfect. Who felt she was just barely getting by using all of her God-given abilities. I now believe I will always be fine. Fortunately, the problem was an overdose of post-op pain block, which temporarily paralyzed the nerve. I was going to walk again! I might even be able to do yoga—or swim in the ocean, or dance, or drive a car. I was one of the lucky ones—I was going home! Ahead lay weeks of physical therapy, accelerated to prepare me for a teaching tour of China. I was on my feet in record time. That trip to China marked the turning point in my recovery. Each day as I led yoga practices and did my share of demonstrating,

my confidence grew. Within weeks I was up to my usual tricks—wacky arm balances, deep backbends, dicey balances. I emailed my surgeon two especially remarkable feats: a one-handed handstand while “shaking hands” with a student, and a forearm balance with my legs are crossed in full lotus. I had not been able to do anything like a lotus, seated, upside down, or otherwise, for months. I cheerfully attached a brief note below the photos stating: “I hope you understand that I’m not doing anything I consider risky!” To which he replied, “Fantastic! Enjoy the rest of your trip.” How does one end a happy story? How can I express my gratitude without spawning envy in those less fortunate than I? How can I avoid sounding smug if not invincible?

December 2019

I can only hope by sharing my trials and triumphs, my fears and my courage, my doubts and my resolve, I can give others hope. That you, dear reader, will face whatever life has thrown your way with: “trust in yourself, faith in the universe, and a willingness to take the next right step at every stage of your journey. “

ADAPTED FROM HER BOOK HIP OP: BEYOND RECOVERY, AVAILABLE AS HARDCOPY AND E-BOOK AT AMAZON.COM.

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December 2019

DRISTI – STUDIO OWNER’S PATH

EVOLVE WITH THE TIMES Considerations for Yoga Studios BY HERSHA CHELLARAM

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Photo by Trail on Unsplash

At times, the path of the yoga studio owner is easy and surrounded by beauty... December 2019

What is beautiful about yoga to some, can turn others away. There are many other seeming dichotomies in yoga which may not be apparent when starting a studio. In this article I offer a few observations gleaned from my two decades of teaching and operating a yoga business. CONSIDER YOUR DEMOGRAPHICS The majority of new yoga clients are not young, fit or flexible. In a recent survey conducted by OnePoll for Eventbrite, 64 percent of yogis going to yoga classes fall into the ‘brand new’ or ‘beginner’ categories with only 34% identified as ‘intermediate’ or ‘advanced.’ While these statistics are U.S. based, Hong Kong’s yoga practitioner market is very similar. Closer to home, the Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department, reports the number of senior citizens will likely double to 2.4 million by 2038. There is an increasing gap in what yoga teachers are trained to teach and what the majority of practitioners are able to do. It seems yoga studios mainly target the smaller percentage of able-bodied practitioners which makes it a very crowded space to find clients. There is a huge opportunity for studio owners and teacher trainers to be more inclusive of beginners or those with limited mobility. This extends to classes offered, and to teacher training curriculums as well.

There is huge opportunity for studio owners to be inclusive of beginners or those with limited mobility.

LOWER BARRIERS TO ENTRY Part of yoga’s main appeal are its physical and mental benefits. Yoga is commonly regarded as an art form that promises eternal youth and flexibility. This has definitely contributed to its popularity, however the stunning images of adept yogis often puts people off trying yoga. Many yoga teachers have heard potential clients say they cannot try yoga because they aren’t flexible. This main barrier to entry lies in the way yoga is portrayed in the media. The majority of clients looking to start yoga are complete beginners or older folk looking for an experience to help release tension, get stronger and feel happier. So when yoga studios market an unattainable idea of perfection, many don’t bother because they feel it’s not for them. Yoga studios can feature more realistic images of their targeted demographics and emphasise improving quality of life in their marketing materials. EMBRACE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS The conversation around the scope of practice for yoga teachers is shifting. If our industry is to stay authentic and survive increasing injury litigation, abuse allegations and accessibility needs, we should all lean into these conversations whole-heartedly,

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without naming and shaming. First, there is a great need to address the history of injury and abuse that exists in every yoga lineage or school. Whether your teachers follow a lineage or not, many do mix different styles together while following a culture of unrealistic alignment cues and physical hands on adjustments. We are all a part of this story, no matter where our yoga comes from. (Personally, I follow a lineage and a Guru who has taught me so much, yet even he isn’t spared from this conversation. I would never discount another person’s suffering just because I follow a teacher.) Consider the conversation between Tejal Patel and Jesal Parikh in their controversial podcast Yoga Is Dead. Patel says, “There needs to be a distinction between honouring a lineage and copying to a fault.” This extends to teaching styles as well. Yoga studio owners and teachers must embrace the importance of client safety and consent. Studio owners can influence the way yoga is taught by hiring teachers who are respectful and trauma-aware. The future of yoga instruction is less about telling students what to do, and more about developing their sense of agency — facilitating the process of welcoming people back to their bodies, minds and hearts on their own terms and in their own time. Another hot topic in the world of mainstream yoga is increasing cultural appropriation — an unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of customs and practices of a people or society by members of another, typically more dominant society. In a world where the West is influencing the story about the global yoga phenomenon, it’s important to respect the culture from which it came. Yoga has evolved from a predominantly spiritual discipline from India to modern capitalistic industry. I think yoga studios and teachers have a responsibility to consider whether their classes are insulting to a certain culture, race, gender or age. Touch, body image, humour and even the name of a class can be offensive. Just because it’s popular and sells, doesn’t mean it’s appropriate. LIKE-MINDED COMMUNITY The Evolution of Yoga Summit 2020 — a pioneering collaboration between Yoga Alliance, Yoga Service Council and Accessible Yoga, aims to address these essential issues facing the yoga teaching industry. The industry as a whole has the responsibility to find balance among respecting yoga’s original culture, understanding the need to be secular and inclusive, respecting a person’s own journey, and staying true to the classical teachings while evolving with the times. This is the new generation of yoga.

Photo by Erica Magugliani on Unsplash

...and at other times, less so. December 2019

Kanami’s studio is surrounded by some of the best powder snow in the world

DRISTI – STUDIO OWNER’S PATH

PATH THROUGH THE POWDER

From Ski Bum to Studio Owner BY KANAMI ANDERSON

Winter 2010. I was a bright-eyed, energybursting 27-year old fireball. I arrived into the ski town of Niseko, Japan, full of big dreams, blind ambitions, and zero plans. I had been an avid yoga practitioner since the age of 18, had just completed my Level 1 yoga teacher training course, and was as keen as could be. Before leaving my hometown of Vancouver, Canada, I announced to my friends, “I’m going to Japan to open up a yoga studio!” No one believed me - actually, I’m not sure I believed it myself! But just the act of saying aloud this seemingly unattainable goal set something into motion that day. I went into my first winter of living in Niseko with a powerful mission on my mind. The following winters came and went as I cycled through a multitude of typical ski town jobs: bartender, waitress, barista, snowboard instructor, front desk attendant, as well as teaching some yoga classes. It was challenging to earn enough coin just instructing yoga (I wish they taught us this in yoga teacher school!), so to make ends meet I worked whatever job came my way. All I 32

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wanted to do was to start living my yogateaching studio-opening dream, but with each passing winter the mission became seemingly more impossible, and my inner fire was extinguishing. Another challenge I faced was finding a reliable studio space. The first two winters I was lucky enough to come across a small empty room at the back of a hotel named JSekka where I organized some classes, but it was so cold! Did I mention that Niseko is one of the snowiest places on the planet? Please try and imagine what it would feel like to practice yoga in an ice-cold room when there’s also a blizzard outside. Not great for business! Then, for a dose of perspective, on my third winter in Japan I couldn’t find any studio space at all. Christmas was fast approaching, and I was about to give up on the dream. At the last minute a friend came to the rescue and offered to let me use the floor space in her cocktail lounge: all I had to do was sweep, vacuum, and mop the floor every morning before yoga class. If you’ve ever been to Niseko, you’d be familiar with this spot: Bar

Gyu (aka the Fridge Door Bar). Although far from ideal, I will forever be grateful for the year I taught yoga in a whiskey bar. My yoga dream was slow to grow and almost fizzled out, but my powder dream was slaying it that winter. Thanks to the combination of my friend’s generosity and one of the best snowfalls in over a decade, I got through a pivotal tipping point moment in the story of Powder Yoga. As I said goodbye to my third winter in Niseko, and left behind the memory of teaching yoga to the faint smell of beer and whiskey, I felt a new surge of energy to propel me forward into summer. I returned to Canada and applied for a passion project scholarship for a Level 2 YTT I was interested in. My scholarship application was a detailed business plan on how to (finally) open up my yoga studio in Japan. I knew this was my last shot at making my old dream come true, and I gave it my everything. I got it! I received a full ride scholarship to a month of yoga studies at a remote Eco Lodge in Nicaragua with my favourite teacher Julia McCabe. I returned to Japan for Winter 2014 with a head full of yoga wisdom, a heart full of inspiration, and an intense sense of purpose driving me forward. The momentum was building, and I hopped onto a wave that pushed me to new heights. I went for it— bought a bunch of yoga mats, printed business cards and flyers, found a warm fulltime studio space, and a friend built me a website. Before I knew it, I had created a fulltime job offering daily yoga classes in Niseko. Winter 2020. I am a calm, calculated 37-yearold boss lady with many grandiose failures under my belt, and one big success story: the Powder Yoga Niseko studio. Right now I am celebrating my tenth winter of teaching yoga classes in Niseko, and the seventh of operating as a daily winter yoga studio. These days we have 24 classes per week, taught by 11 unique instructors, and last winter we had over 5,000 students walk through our studio door. In this day and age of corporate yoga studios taking over, it’s deeply satisfying to operate a small one populated by incredibly diverse students from all over the world.

1. THE YOGA AND SPIRITUAL INDUSTRIES ARE BOOMING, and it’s ok to take advantage of it. But in order to create a lasting business in this industry, yoga values need to be at the core of everything. I constantly check in with the first limb of the ‘Eight Limbs of Yoga,’ from the ancient Indian text ‘The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’. The ‘Yamas’ are a sort of code of conduct for the yogi, and a way of practicing yoga on and off the mat. Being considerate, aware, and authentic in all actions towards others are some of the many ways I use yogic wisdom in everything I do. 2. IT’S OK TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART. I am a wandering seasonal nomad and am finally) proud of it! For years, no one took me seriously because I travelled a lot and moved from country to country with the change of seasons. Now, this is the main reason why Powder Yoga has survived after all these years. Thanks to my nomadic tendencies, I was and am only interested in operating during the busy winter ski season. I have worked hard to negotiate seasonal leases and have found ways to make the most out of the winter tourism traffic because I have endless travel adventures planned for the rest of the year. I have been able to avoid the financial burden of struggling shoulder seasons by being real about who I am, and what makes me happy. 3. WORD OF MOUTH IS A POWERFUL WAY TO ADVERTISE, especially for a small business in a small town. My number one priority has always been: teach great classes, always. No matter what, give it your everything, and share powerful, meaningful messages. When the classes are great they speak for themselves. I also put a lot of care into hiring teachers who have similar values and visions to mine. Together we create a unique community that spreads love, positivity, and acceptance. When your actions come from a place of love, everything else falls into place.

saying aloud this seemingly unattainable goal set something into motion

The ride from 2010 to 2020 was a wild and bumpy one, and I am grateful beyond words for everything I have learned and will continue to learn with Powder Yoga. Looking back on the last ten years, here are the top three things I would not have learned without my (much needed) graduation from ski bum to yoga studio owner.

December 2019

DRISTI – STUDIO OWNER’S PATH

A DREAM CAME TRUE

My Path in Co-Creating a Yoga School BY ANDRÉA DROTTHOLM

Serving has always come naturally to me

I’ve been in the service industry ever since I started working. I started out as a waitress, worked in hotels and later the tourist and travel industry. Serving has always come naturally to me as I love seeing people happy and content with what we offer them. In 1999 I moved to Barcelona and four years later started my first business in tourism. It was so exciting to meet people from all over the world and so gratifying our services enhanced their holiday. That same year I found my first Ashtanga teacher, Diane Bell, and was hooked. By 2006 I was ready to get more serious with my practice and took my first trip to India. It may sound clichéd, but I came back a different person. My job serving tourists was not so fulfilling anymore. I needed something deeper, still to serve people, but with something more meaningful. Tony Robbins was in London, I joined his three-day course, and he ignited my desire to become a life coach. As I studied to become a life coach, my yoga practice along with this became rather serious given 3 hours every morning, followed by private lectures given by my then teacher Nick Evans. To find a teacher more fired up and devoted to Ashtanga I think would be difficult. He is devoted not only to his own practice but very much so to his students. I watched him interact with students, guide them outside of the mat, with the “stuff” that would emerge in life, perhaps due to the intense practice. This is where I for the first time got inspired and realised the depth of the practice. Why? I noticed not only changes in myself but how Nick was able to hold that space for people to get deep inside, feel what was happening and arising and not run away from it. Teacher Trainings were not really heard of back then, we just kept practising, showing up and flying to Mysore, to practice under Sharath Jois. My intention was not really to become a teacher, I was simply inspired and intrigued about the process.

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One day my teacher asked if I wanted to assist in the shala, it was an honour and my years of assisting began. It took another five years before I got authorised to teach. In the meantime, I met my then partner Damien de Bastier, he was an already authorised teacher. We shared the same visions and dreams, to have a space to teach and share our passion of this practice. The vision was to have a place somewhere exotic, we wanted to build a community and have a space where people could come and stay and deepen their practice fully. We landed in Bali. Bali was already popular for Yoga, but not so much for Ashtanga. We decided this was the place we were to build our dream. Everything fell into place, the visualised location for the shala materialised. Samadi Bali was born. We were fortunate enough to be near the surfer beach Echo Beach in Canggu, teachers like Mark Robberds came down with his students the day we opened doors to practice and surf. It was magic the shala never had a day where without any student show up to practice. But there were days we would teach very few students, living from our savings and the company was going into red. I worked 15 hours a day as we had a restaurant and a small shop as well. I was cleaning dishes, accounting, sourcing suppliers, creating new recipes for the restaurant, marketing, and of course, teaching. Back then Canggu did not have a large community. Commitment was like a swear word on our laid-back tropical island. People dropped in and out, a few became regulars. The most important thing for us was to build a community. To connect with people. We would create dinner nights, movie nights, workshops, farmers market and more.

Andrea & her three partners’ studio is in the tropical paradise of Bali, where you can get extra help in Paschimottanasa from Timmy.

The community started to grow. What we hear from our visitors and students, is how they appreciate our presence in the yoga space and also out of it. We hang around the café to work and chit chat with those who were eager to talk. We meet our students outside Samadi for birthdays, Christmas, weddings. We have had couples meet, get married and even have babies at Samadi. The Doula was one of our yoga teachers. Yoga is asana and also self-enquiry to know ourselves better. My life coaching skills have kept me open to my students, hear them, question their emotions and support them as they grow, though the process is difficult. Today, Samadi Bali has daily classes, a Mysore programme, and other styles of yoga asana, chanting and meditation. We have workshops on a wide range of topics and therapies to support our students’ journeys. Our food is 100% vegetarian and our shop sells fairtrade, artisanal products. We show them some smaller changes they can make towards a healthy, conscious and sustainable way of living. We started with very little money and invested our hard-earned savings. Samadi

has grown organically with support from our community, friends, Ashtanga buddies. Of the four founders, none are marketing wizards, but we managed to get the message out there about who we are, what we do, and what we believe in. The four of us are healers and teachers. We do this for one reason, to share our own life styles, to introduce a balanced way of living. Money has never been our motivation. Rather to be authentic and keep to our path and mission with clear intentions, supporting our community, supporting the local farmers for our organic produce, our staff which are like our extended family and keep inspiring our community. Life is too short for gossip, shopping, small talk about the weather! We only have now, so let’s go deeper into our emotions. Like Gandhi so famously suggested, if we want to see change in the world, first change has to happen within ourselves. This morning, like most others before, I got out of bed at 3:15 am, did my yoga practice, taught yoga, and then tended to the rest of the business. It’s not easy, but for me it’s a wonderful sense of service, that what I do and teach matters. I am so grateful for this life. December 2019

Our food is 100% vegetarian and our shop sells fairtrade, artisanal products.

NAMASKAR

December 2019

NAMASKAR

IN BRIEF

MUDRAS BY KRISHNAA KINKIDARIS The studio owner’s path is like the blades of a sword! Be ethical and you may not make lots of profit, too much emphasis on profit and the peace seekers may walk away.

located at the level of the ball of the foot, in line with the root of the third toe. While on the hands talahrdaya is at the centre of both palms in line with the root of the middle finger. As we constrict this mudra, we seal heart and consciousness through our body.

The simple joined palms method can be effective for pulling oneself together and can be done sitting, standing or even lying down. Intrinsic to the yogic approach of asking for a favour is a sense of humility. In a similar way to Namaste being more than hello, it means “I bow to and respect the Divine within you”. Remember the fifth niyama, Ishvara pranidhanaha: dedicate your yoga selflessly to the Supreme Divine. Here we are introducing a beautiful practice where we bring together all the central points of the body, an exercise that perfects the fifth Anga Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses. From the Ayurvedic Marma Therapy we learn the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands are also hearts. On the soles of feet talahrdaya is the heart of the foot. It’s

To the second of Baptiste’s Eight Principles This is the second of eight articles to introduce the Universal Principles for Stepping up to the Edge by Baron Baptiste from his “Journey in Power.” For someone who’s afraid of heights, standing over the edge of my balcony on the 23rd level, gives me the jitters. Tipping forward to float to crow pose brings up a myriad fears and excuses. WHAT IS THE EDGE? The Edge is the end of our comfort zone, the line separating what is safe and unsafe. The Edge is about facing fears and our emotions, like anger.

In short, the very best path is Sri Patanjali’s Classic Ashtanga Yoga System which is the foundation for every method and intention. Just as yama and niyama are the most important factors in the success of one’s yoga, so too they should be reflected in the practice space. A warm but regulated atmosphere attracts. One must try to bring simplicity to a complicated world. The healing ethic is “Do as you would be done by.”

Anjali is the hollow formed in between the palms when held together. Hrdaya is heart, Atma is Soul.

INTRO… BY SOPHIE SANDERS

Balance is the key - offer a choice and never take advantage of the vulnerable student looking for a sound boat to carry them across an ocean of trendy methods. Be flexible enough to say yes and ready to say no when necessary. There must be open communication between the businessperson and the instructors, who are often tending to the students’ physical and emotional development.

ATMANJALI MUDRA This month let’s look at a time-honoured mudra: Atmanjali Mudra or Hrdayanjali Mudra. It’s often known as the Prayer Gesture. It can be interpreted as holding the soul in the palms of the hands, surrendering the heart to the absolute, thus effecting the dissolution of the ego. It gives reverence to the heart, both to one’s own and to that of others in front of you as well as reverence to the soul, the essence of one’s very life and being.

BOOK REVIEW

Right now, I’m angry. Good news is my yoga training has helped calm me down. I meditated, got present, I forgave in order to drop the anger, however I discovered I’m hiding the anger, because I didn’t acknowledge it’s there at all. I shouldn’t be angry, but why not?

METHOD Sit in Baddha Konasana, with the soles of feet firmly joined together. Sustain a strong and upright spine, align from top to bottom of your upper body with crown of head, tip of nose, sternum and perineum lined up. Join palms of the hands firmly together with fingertips in line with this centre line of the upper body. Establish a firm, deep and even breathing rhythm. Tuck your chin down slightly. Practise for as long as possible whenever you have time and require centering. Nasti Maya Sama Paso Nasti Yogatparambalam Nasti Gyanatparo Bandhuh Nahamkarah Paro Ripuh There is no fetter stronger than delusion There is no better strength to overcome this than the practice of yoga There is no better friend than knowledge and no worse enemy than egotism December 2019

What if I deal with what’s actually causing my anger, which is causing my inner turmoil. There is an Buddhist saying “pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.” And that is what “Stepping up the Edge” means - to see what’s possible beyond the edge; on the other side of fear? PRINCIPLE 2: BE IN THE NOW & YOU’LL KNOW HOW This question of “How” is prevalent in most of us. Some questions are easy – how do I use my new iPhone, ask google. The internet answers a lot of our “How” questions. Then what about how do I save the Earth? How can I be of service to others? How do I not worry what other people think? How do I quit my job? In the first article of this series, which appeared in the October 2019 issue of Namaskar I introduced the first principle for stepping up to the edge being to be present in the now, to drop thoughts of future or past. How do we do that? Baron says it is to be in the “Now.” How often have you been distracted in your yoga asana practice by your worries of something in the past or future?

The Baptiste Yoga asana sequence puts strong focus on physicality. This is to help the practitioner learn how to be present, first while in the poses. We connect to our mind through the physical sensations of our body, rather than listening to all the stories our mind tells us about our body. For example, some of my stories are: “I am scared of breaking my wrists in Crow pose, or my neck in Headstand, I am scared of failing, that I’m not strong enough!” I made a significant shift when I started to question how to make my yoga easeful rather than difficult. Staying present to the present in my asana practice helped me to focus on what I can do, instead of what I can’t do. Here are some reminders I wrote for myself:

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• • •

I do something, instead of nothing. I do what I can with what I have. I trust I know what I am doing.

Slowly I found a similar ease being present off the mat too. It became easier to differentiate the real facts from the unreal stories. HOMEWORK Here’s an exercise which I hope helps you as much as it did me. In moments of fear, anger or anxiety try to focus on being in the present, to appreciate what you have, what is around you and notice what comes up. You have nothing to fix or work out, just acknowledge the thoughts then let them go. AFTERWARDS JOURNAL: • What is my most meaningful creation in life? My work, my family, myself… • When do I feel most energized? • When and how do I deplete my own energy or connection to myself?

December 2019

NAMASKAR

DIET

THE POWER OF NATURAL FOOD

Why Vegetarianism & Veganism are on the Rise BY QUINN TAPLIN

Why are we seeing a global switch to vegetarianism and veganism? For some people it’s to preserve our natural resources, others want to save animals by avoiding meat, yet others want to eat more nutritious food so they may live longer and healthier lives. A vegetarian diet reduces the risk of many diseases like obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer including colon, breast, prostate, stomach, lung and esophageal cancer. No wonder over two thirds of all diseases are related to diet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Center for Health Statistics; 64% of adults and 15% of children aged 6 to 19 are overweight and are at risk of weight-related ailments including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Michael F. Roizen, MD, and author of The Real Age Diet: Make Yourself Younger with What You Eat claims: “people who consume saturated, four-legged fat have a shorter life span and more disability at the end of their lives. Animal products clog your arteries, zap your energy and slow down your immune system. Meat eaters also

experience accelerated cognitive and sexual dysfunction at a younger age.” The key is not just to live longer, but to stay healthy longer. A healthy diet and regular physical activity is why the Japanese people of the Nagano enjoy the longest average life expectancy in the world at 87.2 years. Their secret is a low-calorie diet of unrefined complex carbohydrates, low in sodium and fiber rich fruits and vegetables. Let’s have a look at why switching to plant-based food can have a massive impact on your life: 1. STRONG AND SUPPLE BODY Your body does not produce enough calcium naturally to keep your skeletal system strong, so your body instinctively percolates from itself. It is only through the correct intake of nutritious foods that we can keep enough of certain vitamins and minerals in our body, and that comes from vegetables. 2. REDUCE FOOD BORNE ILLNESS Animal protein like meat, poultry and seafood are the main cause of food-borne illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control report 76 million food borne illnesses and 5,000 deaths alone in the United States, the second largest meat consumer of any country in the world. 3. GOOD NUTRITION BOOSTS YOUR ENERGY Our energy levels depend on the foods we eat and how much we eat, we all know that. But did you know you can conserve energy by eating less animal meat? It takes more energy and longer time It’s easier for your body to digest animal protein. That’s why you may have trouble sleeping if you eat close to bedtime. 4. FIBER FOR HEALTHY BOWELS It’s really important to think of food as your fuel. Plant-based foods are incredibly rich in fiber so let’s face it, the more you go to the bathroom, the less sluggish you’ll feel and the more time you’ll have to feel light and energetic. Fiber isn’t digested by your body, instead it passes through your stomach, small intestine and colon and out your body. A high fiber diet will normalize and maintain your bowel movements, lower cholesterol levels, normalize blood sugar and help with weight loss. 5. FEWER TOXINS Fish contain carcinogens and heavy metals that can’t be removed through cooking. Most of your meat and dairy products are likely spiked with steroids and hormones. By eating organic, you intake a higher level of nutrition and omit pesticides and fertilizers. While saving yourself you’ll also be maintaining healthy soils for future harvests! It’s so easy these days to find delicious and healthy vegetarian foods whether you’re walking down the street or in your local grocery store. So instead of asking yourself why go vegetarian, how about asking why haven’t you gone vegetarian?

December 2019