Namaskar july 2016

namaskar A VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMUNITY OF ASIA

STARBUCKS YOGA More styles of yoga is not necessarily better, suggests one yoga teacher.............................p19

PARENTING & YOGA How learning to teach kids yoga can help you be a better parent................................................p24

Christina Mae Borges in Gomukhasana variation, photo by Melinda Juang

July 2016 FAMOUS YOGIS, PART II Meet five teachers who have helped define the yoga we know today.....................................p28

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NAMASKAR - JULY 2016

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Amazing teachers are all around, if only we are willing to see them.

On the cover - Originally from the US, Christina has been studying and practicing yoga for 6 years. She teaches in Hong Kong at Yoga BamBam or Blue Door Studio. christinaborges45@yahoo.com

This issue is dedicated to A.T., an amazing woman who passed away, symbolically, on the International Day of Yoga, 21 June.

Though not a teacher in the usual sense of the word, she nevertheless taught and inspired those knew her, especially during the last nine months of her life. She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and given just three months to live. She could have given up. But no, she faced the illness head-on, embarking on traditional as well as alternative therapies. She tripled the time the doctors had given her, which gave her the time to prepare her husband and four children for life without her. She planned her own funeral down to the last detail so they would not have to deal with it, while grieving for her.

One lesson yoga teaches to take care of ourselves so we can take care of those around us, as A.T. did so selflessly!

I hope the dristi articles herein about famous yogis prompt you to reflect on how you can inspire by example. And while you might not find the courage of A.T, or as well known as Pattabhi Jois, Sri Sri Anandamurti, Milrepa, Naropa, Tilopa, J. Krishnamurti or Adi Shankaracharya, you can help and inspire in your immediate circle.

Children’s yoga teacher and mother of two, Jenny, share her own experience of how teaching kids has helped her be a better mom. Astrologist and yoga philosophy teacher, Srav suggest the stars may explain why people from very different backgrounds seem so similar.

Andy Willner lays down the proverbial gauntlet, with his strong opinion on the proliferation of different styles of yoga diluting the traditional yoga teachings. If you have a different perspective which you’d like to share, please email me fgairns@netvigator.com Thank you to all our other contributors for graciously sharing their experiences and knowledge with our community. Hope you have an inspiring summer.

ABOUT NAMASKAR ADMINISTRATION Carol Adams, carol@caroladams.hk NEWS EDITOR Wai-Ling Tse, wailing.tse@gmail.com CIRCULATION Angela Sun, angela.sun@gmail.com

In This Issue DRISTI - FAMOUS YOGIS PATTABHI JOIS SRI SRI ANANDAMURTI MILREPA, NAROPA, TILOPA J. KRISHNAMURTI ADI SHANKARACHARYA

28 31 32 34 34

SPECIAL FEATURES STARBUCK’S YOGA 19 Are all the differents styles of yoga hurting or helping the tradition of yoga?

BANDMEMBERS & BHAKTAS 22 Could the commonality between rockers and yoga devotees be in the stars?

YOGA & PARENTING 24 What one kids yoga teacher has learned about being a better parent

REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS KULA UPDATES, WORKSHOPS, RETREATS, TEACHER TRAININGS PHOTO ESSAY MUDRAS IN BRIEF BOOK REVIEW RECIPE DIRECTORY

6 14 40 40 46 48

Namaskar provides a voice for the yoga community in Asia and 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 in 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 yogafriendly outlets. Mostly distributed in Hong Kong, with 1,500 copies mailed to readers in 32 other countries.

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Frances Gairns, fgairns@netvigator.com

July 2016

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CONTRIBUTORS ANDY WILLNER

take care of her 9-year-old son. carol@caroladams.hk CLAYTON HORTON

Yoga, a school focused on children’s yoga in Hong Kong. info@geckoyoga.com or www.geckoyoga.com.

KRISHNAA KINKARIDAS

KELLY FIELDING

Andy teaches yoga at Pure Yoga in Hong Kong. andy@pure-yoga.com ANGELA SUN

Clayton teaches Ashtanga yoga at Pure Yoga in Hong Kong. clayton@pure-yoga.com DYLAN BERNSTEIN

Kelly has been in the world of raw food and vegan cuisine for almost 10 years. Initially training with raw chef Elaina Love in Ubud, Bali, she has worked in raw and health food establishments in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, the U.S. and Thailand. info@bellaandbhakti.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 nine books on Bhakti Yoga. kinkaridasi@hotmail.com MAHADEV

KIM ROBERTS

Angela takes care of the distribution and circulation of Namaskar. Originally from New York, she has been practicing yoga for 10 years. She currently teaches privately. asunwellness@gmail.com CAROL ADAMS

Dylan has helped foster Ashtanga practice in Hong Kong, teaching here for the last 7 years. He now also runs a seasonal program at Ashtanga Yoga Bali Research Center. Additionally, he continues to travel and teach around the globe. www.stillnessinaction.com JENNY SMITH

Carol takes care of the Namaskar’s administration, advertising and billing. She works from home which gives her the freedom to 4

Kim is a graduate of Naropa University’s M.A. Contemplative Psychology program and a student of Ashtanga yoga and Dharma since 1992. She spent 15 years living in SE Asia and now makes her home in Crestone, Colorado. She coaches yoga teachers via Skype, and is the founder of Your Fab Yoga Life ecourse. www.toolsforevolution.org

Jenny is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist and founder of Gecko NAMASKAR

Mahadev is a spiritual teacher of the Vedanta philosophy. He mostly travels around Southeast Asia, holding sessions and retreats in different places www.vedantaspiritualretreat.com MARY DIMEGLIO

Based in Philadelphia, US, Mary is a certified teacher of SpiritDance

SoulSong. mary@movingventures.org, www.spiritdancesoulsong.com , www.movingventures.org.

MELINDA JUANG

Prabhupada in 1971 she has studied yoga with senior teachers in the Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois traditions. She taught hatha yoga in Taiwan and Hong Kong where she also conducted teacher trainings. www.LifePath.am TIA SINHA

namaskar Melinda is a Taiwanese living in Hong Kong. A freelance yoga teacher, writer and photographer.

She believes that every single photo taken is not meant to be perfect but certainly evolving along a path to a personal calling. melinda.juang@gmail.com

Tia spends most of her time in retreat in Himachal, teaching yoga asana, philosophy and Tibetan Buddhist techniques of meditation and translating and editing for lamas. Onlytia2@yahoo.comin

Now on-line at: www.issuu.com/namaskarasia Back issues still at: www.issuu.com/caroladams

WAI-LING TSE MONO XIAO

October’s dristi:

BEYOND ASANA

Mono is based in Shanghai and photographs yoga, music, performance, culture and portraits, both documentary and commercial. monoxiao@gmail.com or www.monophotocenter.com.

SRAVANIYA DIPECORARO

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

For this dristi, we are looking for articles on how yoga asana practitioners can start to practice the philosophies of yoga in their lives.

• What has worked for you?

• What hasn’t worked and why?

• Are certain teachings easier to incorporate than others?

• Are certain teachings more important to practice than others?

• Which texts are more helpful on this progression?

• How your non-yoga community reacted when you’ve tried to live your yoga teachings off the mat?

If you are interested in contributing on this subject, please email me first on fgairns@netvigator.com to discuss your theme.

Contributions are also welcome on other topics. Final articles are welcome before September 10.

Srav is a yogi, an astrological consultant and medium. Initiated

by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami July 2016

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Updates

CHINA

SpiritDanceSoul Song Classes 25-31 July Zhipu Holistic Health Centre, Fuzhou Ellen Watson and Daphne Tse will help you discover your body as a musical instrument through singing and dancing.

For more information contact@movingventures.org / (86) 591-88888388 / (86) 13705001842

For more information (852) 2363 1112; info@breathesmile.org; www.breathesmile.org

Yoga Fest and Hanuman Carnival 9 June Central The Hong Kong Chinmaya Foundation’s (HKCF) Sundown YogaFest was a free event, held at the Central harbourfront

Wellbeing Centre in Hong Kong

Breathe and Smile Mindbody Wellbeing Centre Sham Shui Po, Kowloon The Breathe and Smile Mindbody Wellbeing Centre opened on 10 April with the aim to promote the wellbeing of individuals, families and society through offering professional and clinical services that integrate the mindfulness practice of Plum Village tradition founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

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alongside the Hanuman Carnival to celebrate Indian culture with over 250 people coming together for 108 sun salutations, 108 chants and 1008 seconds of guided meditation.

Bringing families and the community together to have fun, explore the joy of balance and movement and to experience an inter-connectedness of spirit.

The carnival, which saw over 7,000 people attending through the day, featured free interactive games, story telling, live entertainment, a vegetarian food festival and an ethnic shopping village.

Naam Yoga Classes in Hong Kong

The Joy of Devotion Yoga Music Concert with Giridhari Swami

October The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Central Led by Anastasia Williams, Naam Yoga involves a synthesis of yogic asana (movement), mudra (hand postures), breath, rhythm, stretching, acupressure and vocal vibration infused with Universal Kabbalah. Anastasia also specializes in Harmonyum Healing, a unique gentle form of bodywork that helps connect physical, mental, emotional and energetic intelligence, consciousness and collective functions.

16 July (3:30-5:30pm) Sheung Wan Civic Centre Organised by the International Yoga Institute, cost HK$50 per person.

For more information (852) 2132 0011 / www.mandarinoriental.com/ landmark/spa/

For more information www.chinmayamission.com

For more information Rai Kaun/ Sitarani (852) 2369 6696 / whatsapp (852) 9022 1445

Monks from Plum Village blesseing the newly-opened Smile and Breathe Mindbody

HONG KONG

The HKCF, a registered charity in Hong Kong, is a part of the Chinmaya Mission, a global nonprofit organization with a mission to share the ancient wisdom of the Hindu scriptures for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling individuals to become positive contributors to society.

Kirtan at International Yoga Institute (IYI) 29 July (7-8:30pm) International Yoga Institute, Tsimshatsui Enjoy an evening of kirtan followed by a light vegetarian dinner. Cost is HK$80 per person (includes dinner).

For more information Rai Kaun/ Sitarani (852) 2369 6696 / whatsapp (852) 9022 1445

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Yoga, Music & Meditation Festival 1-5 October Cheung Chau Island This festival combines Yoga and Meditation with workshops on natural health, spirituality and ecological living. Guided by 25 experienced teachers from different continents to synchronize body, mind and spirit. Offering vegetarian food, performances by musicians, singers and dancers and even a yogic wedding.

For more information (852) 6487 9875 / meditationcentre.hk@gmail.com / meditationcentre.hk/events

John Scott (left) and Dario Calvaruso (right) are just two of the many yoga teachers participating in photographer Richard Pilnick’s project to create an online resource for high quality, large format photographs of yoga asana.

Pilates / Yoga / Personal Trainer Openings Yoga Privates provides private Yoga, Pilates and Personal Training sessions across Asia.

They are looking for registered, experienced instructors to join their team.

For more information visit www.yoga-privates.com / info@yoga-privates.com / (852) 65044280

SWITZERLAND

European Union of Yoga Conference 21-26 August Zinal With presenters from around Europe, the theme of the conference is the state of wellbeing known as Svastha in Sanskrit. With guests of honour A.G. Mohan and family.

John Scott, Laruga Glaser, Danny Paradise, Dr Ronald Steiner and many others are participating in the project which hopes to build a community who believe Yoga is an integral part in transforming society today.

For more information www.yogaphotography.com /

For more information www.europeanyoga.org/ congress

INDIA

India Yoga Trip 19-30 October Mumbai, Risikesh, Vrndavan Organised by the International Yoga Institute in Hong Kong, cost HK$12,500 including accommodation, 3 vegetarian meals per day, transportation, visa and insurance (excludes air ticket).

For more information Rai Kaun/ Sitarani (852) 2369 6696 / whatsapp (852) 9022 1445

UNITED KINGDOM

Yoga Photograph Kickstarter Campaign International Yoga photographer, Richard Pilnick is launching a kickstarter campaign to fund the creation of a global resource of yoga photographs (free for viewing and downloads) of all known yoga asana.The aim is community based, to share and showcase yoga postures and make them available to view on a global scale.

July 2016

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Workshops

CHINA

Holotropic Breathwork 8-10 July Shanghai This technique uses the breath to allow access to nonordinary states of consciousness to find healing and wisdom.

For more information 11287514@qq.com / (86) 137 8891 2655

A Taste of Esalen Massage & Dance with Ellen Watson 12-14 July Shanghai The practise includes Esalen Massage, Touching Essence, SpiritDance SoulSong, 5Rhythms, breath work and sounding.

For more information 11287514@qq.com / (86) 137 8891 2655

SpiritDance SoulSong Weekend Workshop 16-17 July Shanghai Through singing and dancing, learn to find joy, healing and selfexpression by discoverin g your body as a musical instrument.

For more information 11287514@qq.com / (86) 137 8891 2655

Yoga & Art For A Guided Study on Children with the Yoga Sutras Priscilla with Sravaniya First Workshop: 11, 13, 15 July Second Workshop: 18, 20, 22 DiPecoraro July HONG KONG

23 September-11 November (Every Friday: 7-8:30pm) Yoga Central-Iyengar, Central 25 September-13 November (Every Sunday: 4:15-6pm) In-Motion Studio, Tsim Sha Tsui An overview of the Yoga Sutras, explore the Eight limbs (Ashtanga) of Yoga, summary and revision . Fee: HK$2,400 includes handouts, excludes textbook: Light on Yoga Sutras

by BKS Iyengar.

For more information Karen yogacentralhk@gmail.com / Sravaniya info@LifePath.am / (852) 9856 0799 / www.lifepath.am

Hammock Yoga for Teens with Cindy 5 July-9 August (Every Tuesday: 3:30-4:30pm) The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan For 11 to 15 year old teens to explore Yoga, learn mindfulness and self-regulation strategies to help them to develop both mentally and physically.

Cost: HK$1,080 for whole program; HK$220 per drop in class.

For more information www.yogaroomhk.com / (852) 2544 8398

9-10:30am (5-8 year olds); 11am12:30pm (9-13 year olds) The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan This workshop allows students to explore their bodies, work on focus and balance, and find joy expressing through art. Through a mix of Yoga, mindfulness exercises, games, stories and artmaking, students will learn more about themselves and connect with others. Cost for each workshop HK$850.

For more information www.yogaroomhk.com / (852) 2544 8398

Dharma Yoga: Body Aware Yoga Intensive - Rose Erin Vaughan 22-24 July – Pure Yoga Hong Kong Rose Erin Vaughan, MSAc, is an experienced Acupuncturist, Trigger Point Therapist, and Yoga Tantra Teacher. She has studied thousands of hours with Master Yogi Dharma Mittra and other renowned healers.

For more information www.pure-yoga.com

“I Care” Practice Sin Hee MaCabe 2-7 August – Pure Yoga Hong Kong Forrest Yoga designates a spot in

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the body that needs attention or healing. In this yoga practice, Sin Hee will teach practitioners to experience contentment by bringing caring energy to the breath and poses. This will soften habitual gripping places and succeed in deepening the practice.

For more information www.pure-yoga.com

A Weekend of Mindfulness with Janet Lau 3-4 September The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan Learn to understand the motivation behind your actions, strengthen your awareness, and develop equanimity to help you face the challenges in life. Includes Yin Yoga, meditation, lecture and selfreflective exercises.

For more information www.yogaroomhk.com / (852) 2544 8398

Ashtanga Yoga Second Series Intensive Clayton Horton 24-25 September – Pure Yoga Hong Kong Curious about the Intermediate Second Series of Ashtanga Yoga?

Been Practicing the Primary Series for a while and ready to move on?

This workshop is for students who have been practising the Primary Series and are looking to progress and deepen their practice to the next level.

For more information www.pure-yoga.com

intermediate series, incorporate the latest movement research into your yoga practice, and integrate the Eight Limbs into your daily life.

INDIA

5-Day Spiritual Workshops for Rapid Spiritual Growth 8-12 July; 22-26 August; 20-24 September & 4-8 October The Spiritual Research Centre and Ashram, Goa The Spiritual Science Research Foundation (SSRF) and the Maharshi University of Spirituality are hosting these workshops in Goa which are open to all. They provide a forum to participate in an intensive program which paves the way for deeper insights about oneself and to help get direction for rapid spiritual growth.

For more information www.spiritual.university/ workshop/ www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org INDONESIA

Morning Mysore & Immersion with Dylan Bernstein

For more information www.withinspace.com

Easy Breezy Yoga Sutras with Janet Lau

Trish Corley leads anatomy and yoga workshops in Singapore

Assist & Empower - Yoga Assists with Dr. Trish Corley 5-6 November New Angle Yoga As a student, gain understanding of alignment and the possibilities of the poses. As a teacher, learn how to confidently assist students and empower them to deepen their experience in each pose.

For more information www.yogajourney.com.tw/2016janet-lau-workshop/

For more information www.newangleyoga.com

23 September - Philosophy Talk: Understanding Tantra as a Hatha Yogi 24-25 September - Weekend Workshop 26-30 September - 5-day Immersion SPACE Yoga Go beyond the physical aspect of the practice and explore asana as mudra - an enhancement of

September 2016-January 2017 Ashtanga Yoga Bali Research Center, Bali Dylan will host daily Mysore practice and five-day immersions.

TAIWAN

For more information ashtangayogabali.com / dylanyo@gmail.com

30-31 July Space Yoga, Taipei Learn the unique methods created by BKS Iyengar that makes the advanced poses accessible and safe.

SINGAPORE

Anatomy Connections Yoga Anatomy with Dr. Trish Corley 29-30 October New Angle Yoga Gain a clear understanding of yoga anatomy and put it into action on the yoga mat. The workshop consists of interactive lectures with anatomical models and illustrations; and integrated with full asana practices.

For more information www.newangleyoga.com

20-21 August Yoga Journey, Taipei Learn the Yoga Sutras in the simplest term, and how to apply them into your daily lives so that we can live a more harmonious life with yourself and others. Class will be conducted in Mandarin.

Advancing Practice the Iyengar Way with Peter Scott

Unlocking Therapeutic Wisdom with Doug Keller

energy that contains therapeutic and meditative insights. Discover the craniosacral perspective on the bandhas to the sushumna and chakras, and their role in our emotional life and well-being.

For more information www.withinspace.com

Full Spectrum of Iyengar Yoga with Sue Scott 12-13 November: Weekend Workshop 14-18 November: 5-day Immersion SPACE Yoga An opportunity to study all the essential Iyengar principles with Senior Iyengar teacher, Sue Scott. Establish a solid foundation as a new student to Iyengar Yoga. If you are experienced, gain clarity and deepen your understanding of the intricacies.

For more information www.withinspace.com

For more information www.withinspace.com

Ashtanga Yoga Summer Camp with Adarsh Williams 2-5 August and 9-12 August: 4day Intensive 6-7 August and 13-14 August: Weekend Workshop Experience Ashtanga with Adarsh and take away practical lessons you can immediately implement.

Learn to master the primary series, go deep into the Australian Iyengar teacher Sue Scott will be in Taiwan

July 2016

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Retreats

AUSTRALIA

Retreat to Byron Bay Offering 8-day and now 5-day retreats that includes Yoga and meditation classes, wellness and philosophy sessions plus time to relax by the heated mineral salt pool. Also individual massage treatments and vegetarian food, much of it grown on site in their organic gardens.

For more information wwwbyronyoga.com

For more information www. sadhanaofselfdiscovery.com/ cambodia-retreat HONG KONG

PranaVidya Retreat with Swami GyanDharma 30 September-4 October Salesian Retreat House, Cheung Chau Swami-ji will teach every morning on how to understand PranaVidya, and apply this knowledge into practice in the afternoon.

Plus Q&A session as well as mantra chanting and kirtan at night. In between there will be asana, pranayama, meditation and Yoga Nidra practice. Swami GyanDharma is based in the UK, he has practised Yoga for 40 years and travels around the world spreading Yoga knowledge.

For more information wellness@hkcf.org

Francesca Regala leads a retreat to Cambodia with Lee Grane

CAMBODIA

Sadhana of Self Discovery: The Yoga of Myths and Virtues 27 October-1 November Navatu Dreams Resort & Spa, Siem Reap Led by Francesca Regala and Lee Grane. Includes Yoga classes and group discussions, daily trips to temples of Angkor, round trip airport pick up, accommodation and breakfast.

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Urban Retreats with Landmark Mandarin Oriental 7-9 October and 14-16 October The theme of these two retreats will be ‘Vitality and Vibrancy in the Modern World’ and ‘Courage, Confidence and SelfLove.’ Includes morning and afternoon yoga sessions, access to the hotel’s spa heat and water facilities, use of yoga mats and props, morning smoothies and lunch.

For more information (852) 2132 0011 /

Swami GyanDharma (l) will be leading a retreat on Cheung Chau in Hong Kong

www.mandarinoriental.com/ landmark/spa/ INDONESIA

Finding the Path to Wholeness and Joy with Bernd Windhofer 24-29 August Desa Seni, Bali Bernd will lead a wide variety of practices, including yoga asana and pranayama, chanting, and a cycle of meditations designed to open the heart fully and without reservation.

For more information info@desaseni.com

Tantra Retreat for Couples with Angela Perez 21-25 September Desa Seni, Bali Relationships can be powerful, deeply connecting and

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transformative places for you to evolve, if you learn to cultivate and expand your soul union.

Offering tools for you to find your way through the challenges that arise in the relationship, discovering several Tantric techniques to facilitate a deeper connection with your partner.

For more information info@desaseni.com

5-Day Vedanta Spiritual Retreats with Mahadev 16-21 September; 14-19 October; 18-23 November - Lombok 23-28 September; 21-26 October; 25-30 November - Bali Suitable for people who are drawn to attaining selfrealisation or enlightenment, are confused about what to do in life, want to be able to open their hearts and love better; and want to know more about what deep spirituality is and how it works.

Includes Vedanta philosophy plus chanting and meditation.

For more information (852) 9338 8931 / www.vedantaspiritualretreat.com

For more information (66) 825467995 / info@wiselivingyoga.com / www.retreats.wiselivingyoga.com

JAPAN

Touching Essence 100-Hour Island Retreat Samkhya & 6-8 August Bhagavad Gita Niijima, Tokyo Intensive Learn Touching Essence™, inspired by Esalen Massage. All levels of experience welcome.

Taught in English, with an experienced Japanese translator.

For more information holiken.net / esalen@holiken.jp THAILAND

YogaCoreCycle Flexible dates, available all year Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui Samahita Retreat welcomes all to join their all-inclusive, integrated yoga and functional fitness program YogaCoreCycle. It combines cardio and specific strength training, alongside yoga poses, breath work and meditation practices to help achieve this balance.

Arm balance specialist David Tilston will be at Samahita Retreat

10-23 July; 23 October-5 November; 27 November-10 December Wise Living Yoga Academy, Chiang Mai In addition to the study of Samkhya and many traditional practices and techniques, will also explore the Four Paths of Yoga, namely Raja, Jnana, Bhakti and Karma Yoga as explained in the Bhagavad Gita. Includes theory and practice; and vegetarian meals in residential basis.

For more information www.samahitaretreat.com/yogaholistic-healin-retreat.html

For more information (66) 825467995 / info@wiselivingyoga.com / www.retreats.wiselivingyoga.com

Yoga & Holistic Healing Retreat For more information www.samahitaretreat.com with Anouk Prop, Tracy McDonald 50-Hour Samkhya & Manuel Molina Yoga Intensive de la Torre 10-16 July; 23-29 October; 27 November-3 December Wise Living Yoga Academy, Chiang Mai People often speak about Yoga without realizing it forms an integral part of a composite Samkhya-Yoga Philosophy, the oldest philosophical system in the world. Includes theory and practice of Yoga techniques; and vegetarian meals.

practice, bodywork, etc • Craniosacral • Somatic Experiencing • Reiki • Chakra Balancing • Family Constellations • Communication Skills • Movement Therapy • Art Therapy • Polarity Therapy

24 September - 1 October Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui Presenting several different modalities – tools – for helping to deal with our “shadow side,” and the past traumas, issues and emotions that we hid away in places in our physical body.

These tools will always serve to help you process things as they come up for you, through yoga

Marilou van Hoek will be teaching at Samahita Retreat

Connect to the Essence of your Practice with Marilou van Hoek 15 – 22 October, 2016 Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui This week will re-treat you from your daily life away from distractions and busy-ness, immersing in your practice, giving you all the opportunity to effortlessly forget time and space to rebalance and reconnect with your body, mind and spirit.

free, while Tuesday and Thursday evening there is Meditation.

For more information www.samahitaretreat.com/ essence-practice.html

From the Ground Up:Inversions & Arm Balances with David Tilston 15 - 22 October Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui This week long retreat is designed to build confidence on your hands, allowing you to add inversions and arm balances to your practice, regardless of experience. Utilising various props you will be shown how easy it is to support yourself and work up into handstand, arm or forearm balance whilst maintaining a strong awareness of the breath. Upon leaving Samahita a structured practice guide will be prepared for you to continue your inversion and arm balance journey at home.

For more information www.samahitaretreat.com/ inversions-arm-balances.html

The mornings will start with chanting, kriyas and simple breath work (pranayama) which will be followed by Ashtanga Led class. Afternoons will be a mix of lecture and discussions on topics, explorative and playfully learning asanas, restorative yoga and pranayama. Wednesday is Angela Perez will lead a Tantra Retreat at Desa Seni in Bali

July 2016

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Teacher Trainings

HONG KONG 300-hr Advanced Yoga TT (in Chinese) with Ann da Silva and Keiki To Master Curriculum (Mandatory): from 15 July (rotational) 10-18 September - Yin and Restorative Yoga TT 29 April-7 May 2017 Pregnancy Yoga TT The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan Suitable for Yoga teachers with 200-hour foundation training.

Training modules can be taken individually without joining the full program. Graduates of full 300-hr program will qualify as RYT500 with the Yoga Alliance.

training by Yoga Point HK and Yoga Vidya Gurukul (India) in Cantonese. Yoga training and knowledge from the ancient yoga scriptures and a specially added 30+ hours of practical Karma Yoga to give service to the community.

For more information Micha (852) 9344 8589 / yogahchim@yahoo.com

For more information www.yogaroomhk.com / (852) 2544 8398

Iyengar teacher Brian Legere will be at

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

Alignment, Adjustment 200hr TT with Bryan Legere

27 July-6 August - 90-hr Living our Yoga 23-29 October and 8-17 December 2017 - 150-hr Mindfulness Yoga 6-12 November - 60-hr Healing our Hearts The Yoga Room, Sheung wan Designed for those who do not just want to teach, but also to transform themselves inside and out so that they can share the experience with others. Using the essence of mindfulness and spiritual teachings from different lineages woven into the Yogic teachings and your everyday life.

1-27 August – Pure Yoga Hong Kong The 200-hour yoga teacher training is about learning what yoga has to offer that can enhance your everyday life. You will learn yoga anatomy and philosophy.

You will be introduced to Asana, Pranayama and meditation.

For more information info@yogaroomhk.com / www.yogaroomhk.com / (852) 2544 8398 12

250-hr Classical Hatha Yoga TT with Micha Chan

7-16 November – Pure Yoga Hong Kong This training offers an in-depth review of the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, labour and birth. Trainees will gain extensive experience with asanas well suited to pregnant women and a thorough understanding of contraindications during pregnancy.

This course is delivered using a combination of face-to-face lectures, practicum, your own research, observation of classes, teaching practice and assignments.

Pure Yoga in Hong Kong and Taiwan

For more information www.pure-yoga.com

Pre- & Post-natal Yoga Teacher Training with Samantha Chan

Jimmy Barkan brings his own form of hot yoga to Hong Kong

Barkan Method Hot Yoga Level 1 14 September – 1 October – Pure Yoga Hong Kong This training is designed to certify students to teach The Barkan Method Hot Yoga Sequence. Students will learn: Yoga Posture Alignment, Anatomy, History, Communication Skills, Philosophy and Basic Sanskrit.

For more information www.pure-yoga.com

September Flex Studio Micha will lead this first

For more information www.pure-yoga.com

50-Hour Yoga for Kids TT with Jodi Komitor 25-27 November for 2-7 year olds 28-30 November for 8-13 year olds The Yoga Room, Sheung Wan A practical and experiential environment, filled with live demonstration classes, lesson planning opportunities and ready-to-use teaching tools.

Including age-appropriate poses, animated breathing exercises, guided visualizations, thematic classes, child development principles and behaviour management techniques.

For more information

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www.yogaroomhk.com / (852) 2544 8398

For more information www.newangleyoga.com

certified massage training with them or has an equivalent level of experience or qualification.

THAILAND

INDIA

TAIWAN

Level 2 TT with Julie Martin & Emil Wendel

For more information www.movingventures.org / contact@movingventures.org

20 November-17 December Brahmani Yoga, Goa Daily immersion into the depths of asana, philosophy, Pranayama and meditation. Through practice, interaction and feedback participants will learn to integrate skills and knowledge beneficial not only for teaching, but also for an advanced understanding of Yoga.

Roots to Wings 200-hr TT Immersion

For more information www.brahmaniyoga.com/yogateacher-training/level-2-yogateacher-training-julie-martinand-emil-wendel

1-22 October Inle Lake, Myanmar Join Tristina Kennedy and Michael Fong to discover how the path of Yoga deepens and expands your life. Completely commit to your practice and absorb the beauty and richness of Myanmar.

For more information www.yangonyogahouse.com / www.tristinak.com PHILIPPINES

The Collective 200-hr TT

200-hr Hatha Vinyasa Yoga TT with Bruce Chung & Steve Roberts

2-30 October Desa Seni School of Yoga, Bali Led by teachers in different traditions of Kundalini, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Anusara, and Hatha to share, educate, nurture all those interested in becoming a teacher or deepening their practice.

For more information info@desaseni.com

Esalen Massage & Bodywork 175-hr Training 16 October-9 November Mimpi Menjangan, Bali Led by Ellen Watson and Jessica Fagan, this style of massage is known for its long, integrating strokes, and for deep relaxation that supports the body’s natural ability to self-heal.

For more information www.movingventures.org / contact@movingventures.org

Specialized Esalen Massage Training 10-15 November Mimpi Menjangan, Bali Advanced training with Ellen Watson. Suitable for anyone who has completed a

Pre- & Post-natal Yoga Teacher Training with Samantha Chan

MYANMAR

INDONESIA

www.pure-yoga.com

19 September-15 October Cebu City Develop the essential s kills to intelligently sequence a nd deliver yoga classes to all stude nt levels. Key topics include: teaching methodology, posture clinics, anatomy, and philosophy.

You will develop a teaching voice unique and authentic to you, and graduate with a portfolio that showcases your development.

19-28 September – Pure Yoga Taipei This training offers an in-depth review of the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, labour and birth. Trainees will gain extensive experience with asanas well suited to pregnant women and a thorough understanding of contraindications during pregnancy.

200-hr Yoga TT 10 July-5 August; 23 October-18 November; 27 November-23 December Wise Living Yoga Academy, Chiang Mai A full immersion experience in traditional Yoga studies in an “Ashram-like” environment.

They provide a foundation on Classical Yoga philosophy and practices, including meditation, asanas (postural training), pranayamas (breathing techniques) and simple kriyas (cleansing techniques). All programs are residential and include vegetarian meals.

This course is delivered with face-to-face lectures, practicum, your own research, observation of classes, teaching practice and assignments.

For more information (66) 825467995 / info@wiselivingyoga.com / www.teachertraining. wiselivingyoga.com

For more information www.pure-yoga.com

An Education in Yoga: Foundation Level I

Alignment, Adjustment 200hr TT with Bryan Legere 7 November – 3 December – Pure Yoga Taipei The 200-hour yoga teacher training is about learning what yoga has to offer that can enhance your everyday life. You will learn yoga anatomy and philosophy.

You will be introduced to Asana, Pranayama and meditation.

6 August – 3 September & 29 October - 26 November Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui A one-month residential trainings, preceded by precourse assignments and preparation. This is an immersion in a focused learning environment — live the practice.

For more information www.centeredyoga.com/yogateacher-training.html

For more information For more information asanayogamovement@gmail.com / www.asanayogamovement.com/ overview.html SINGAPORE

Power to Lead: Vinyasa Yoga TT with Dr. Trish Corley 14-23 and 29-30 October; 5-6 and 12-13 November New Angle Yoga Based on Baptiste Yoga, through the practice of Yoga and selfexploration, gain the tools to confidently lead Yoga classes and to access new possibilities in your practice, teaching, and life.

Paul Dallaghan at Samahita Retreat, Thailand

July 2016

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PHOTO ESSAY

DANCE & THE ART OF TOUCH

At BaliSpirit Festival 2016

TEXT BY MARY J. DIMEGLIO, PHOTOS BY MONO XIAO For nine years, yogis, seekers, dancers and musicians from around the world have gathered in Bali, Indonesia, to share asana, movement, sound and healing during the BaliSpirit Festival.

World-renowned teachers and performers attract a dedicated international tribe to the festival every year.

A major sponsor of the festival, MovingVentures proudly shared Esalen Massage and Touching Essence, teaching the art of touching others with care and presence. While in SpiritDance SoulSong workshops, the ancient medicine of song and dance came to life as ecstatic festival-goers discover their bodies are a musical instrument. This moving meditation invited students to realize physical and metaphysical fitness by exploring their breath and opening their heart.

In a safe space, the throat chakra opens. Natural pranayama invites sound from all parts of the body, opening space, new vitality and balance.

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OPINION

STARBUCKS YOGA

More styles, Less depth?

BY ANDY WILLNER

Server: How would you like your yoga today?

Miss Anorexic: Reeeeaaaallllly hot, otherwise I just can’t get a good sweat going!

Server: Any cream with that?

Miss Anorexic: No thanks, I come here twice a day to lose weight!

Server: Next please, how would you like your yoga today?

Mr Agitated: Yogalates for me with extra foam.

Server: Certainly Sir. We do have to charge a bit extra for Yogalates with extra foam.

Mr Agitated: No problem. My mind adores the extra foam, it’s great to feel all stirred up after yoga, otherwise it just feels so boring and still!

Server: Next please, how would you like your yoga today?

Mr Distracted: Hmmm, what would you recommend?

Server: Well, today’s special is Meditation with Pranayama.

Mr Distracted: Oh, I don’t really like meditation, I can’t sit still, and as for Pranayama, I already breath all day, I don’t think I need any of that. How about some Vinyasa level 5 with really loud music?

Ok, the above scenarios are fictitious, but sometimes contemporary yoga seems like going to Starbucks. Not just because of the myriad styles of hatha yoga, but we now have a complete smorgasbord of hybrids Acroyoga, Yoga Sculpt, Crossfit yoga, Aerial yoga, Naked yoga (yup, classes being offered in New York), Glow In The Dark yoga (hopefully never to be combined with Naked yoga!), Rage yoga (where u can swear your head off and scream a lot), Broga (for men only) the list goes on.

So maybe it is time to take a pranayamic breath and ask ourselves what actually constitutes Yoga, and what has become of it in the rush to consumerize this ancient practice.

The oldest surviving definition comes from July 2016

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Let them come to real yoga once they are ready, rather than dumbing it down to the point of being unrecognizable. the Katha Upanisad around 700BCE, which defines yoga as “holding the senses steady”.

Roughly 200 years later, Panini defined yoga as samadhi, which literally means “bringing everything together”.

Down the chronological line, the Bhagavad Gita written around 200-300 CE talks of yoga being “skill in action”, or how to act in a manner that does not give you more karma, “balance/evenness” and “separation of the union with pain” - which refers to the pain caused by samsara (the cycle of birth, death, rebirth).

Subsequently in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras we find yoga defined as “stilling/restraining the movements of the mind”. There are several more definitions of yoga in the historical texts, but I think this is sufficient to highlight an important point: there are no definitions stating Yoga to be “getting more flexible and stronger”, “losing weight”, “improving cardio”, “gaining greater self confidence (read: ego)”, “performing amazingly difficult poses to impress those around you”.

My teacher, Carlos Pomeda, talks about Yoga being the pursuit of freedom from our conditioning (karma). We try to deconstruct our identity, not switch one with another.

Hopefully we come realize this pure blissful consciousness is our fundamental nature. It seems obvious to most genuine yoga practitioners that seeking this connection can only begin to take place if we internalize, which requires introspection and a lot of patience, since for most this journey of discovery is a long one.

So I return to the original enquiry whether the “Starbucks yoga” of today is really leading students towards this path.

Moreover whether all the hybrids are Yoga at all, or rather an entertaining form of exercise!

I suspect this statement may have some practitioners leaping off their mats in defense of their hybrid, but to assert an activity is truly a Yoga practice, there needs to be some genuine link to the purposes of Yoga as outlined above. When yoga practice is all about performing rather than informing, is it Yoga? I argue not. If we define yoga as anything that incorporates poses

resembling asana, without any regard of the true purpose of performing asana – which is to prepare the body for a journey to restrain the fluctuations of the mind - then we risk diluting and trivializing this wonderful and ancient art/science/philosophy. When the by-products of yoga practice such as improved strength, flexibility, balance become the raison d’etre for attending yoga classes, then we have, in the 21st century, stolen a wonderful tradition and altered it beyond recognition to fit the cultural tastes of our times.

This article does not permit the time or space to address every hybrid individually, so I shall focus on a couple that are relevant to my own personal experience- martial arts and aerobics/fitness training. I taught and competed in martial arts for many years before discovering Yoga, and I would challenge anyone to argue that the ultimate goals of martial arts and Yoga are equivalent.

Even slow moving forms of Tai Chi are focused on precise bodily movement to enable ones chi (prana) to move effectively and thus enhance ones physical and mental health, but there is nothing stated in any of the leading tai chi organizations’ literature that refers to the spiritual goals of yoga.

Absolutely! The intention of both teacher and student is very important. Is a hatha yoga class really Yoga if practiced with wrong intention? But when hatha yoga, which has been tried and tested for hundreds of years, is practiced with right intention then the fruits of that practice flower in the way the student thinks, speaks and acts, both within and beyond the yoga studio. This ultimately assists them in their evolution towards selfrealization.

The recent trend towards various hybrid yoga practices offers nothing additional in assisting students in this journey.

Let me also take a moment to address possible objections to my contentions:

I contend they do not, and are merely marketing gimmicks to attract the modern man/woman, with a very short attention span, looking for the next cool fad.

Argument 1: hybrids attract newcomers, who might not otherwise discover yoga as they would not choose to attend a hatha yoga class. Whilst newcomers might indeed try one of these funky fusion offerings, it is misleading to suggest it bears any resemblance to Yoga.

To me this argument does not hold water taken to its logical conclusion one could call anything Yoga - “xyz-yoga” maybe circusyoga, soccer-yoga, train spotting-yoga saying it will open the door for participants to discover the real practice of Yoga. If it does not look, feel, smell, taste or sound like Yoga, then it probably isn’t Yoga. If people are not ready for a real Yoga practice, that’s fine. Let them come to real Yoga once they are ready, rather than dumbing it down to the point of being unrecognizable.

Argument 2: sankalpa (intention) behind the activity, not the activity itself, is what determines whether it is Yoga or not.

July 2016

How does wearing florescent tubes round your wrists in a dark room enhance one’s inner journey? How does focusing on a partner in Acroyoga assist you in the introspective journey of Yoga? It might help the practitioner develop trust in others, but so does rally car racing where the life of the driver is in the hands of the navigator reading the map, but nobody calls it “Rally Car Racing Yoga”. How does using weights to sculpt your body whilst forming shapes that simulate yoga poses lead the practitioner away from the most superficial of koshas (layer of being), the physical kosha?

In conclusion, saying anything that brings people into the yoga fold is beneficial, as these students will eventually find their way to a deeper understanding is wrong. Those within the yoga community who value the origins and essence of Yoga should be skeptical that this misrepresentation of Yoga will lead students towards the path of selfrealization. If what is being taught has nothing to do with Yoga other than the label of the class, then it is unlikely students will find their way through these classes to any deeper understanding, and in so doing we perform a dis-service to genuine Yoga.

When you add caramel, cocoa powder, whipped cream, marshmallow, rainbow sprinkles and mint flavouring to your coffee, there comes a point when it is no longer recognizable as coffee. Let’s wake up neoYogis and smell the coffee...the real coffee!

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ASTROLOGY

BAND MEMBERS & BHAKTAS

Astrology & Bhagavad Gita Intersect

BY SRAVANIYA DIPECORARO

I cannot get over how many of my god brothers were musicians before they took up Krishna consciousness or Bhakti yoga.

And that’s not all. For the past quarter of a century, whenever I have looked at the birth horoscopes of any god brothers and sisters, I have noticed nearly all of us have Neptune in aspect with the Sun or Moon in our charts.

In other words even if one cannot achieve the perfection of yoga in one lifetime one will get another chance to take up where he or she left off, and be drawn to it naturally.

makes these daydreams quite real to you. But you should be careful not to retreat into your little world every time you want to avoid the problems of the real world.” -Robert Hand

Since the conjunction is most intense indicator of the energy dynamic, I will share some of those excerpts from noted astrological authorities.

What has one got to do with the other? As an astrological counselor and student of Vedic philosophy, connecting the dots is something I do regularly. If you are up for it I can explain the energetic connection between these two seemingly unrelated things.

SUN CONJUNCT NEPTUNE “You like to pretend and create worlds in your mind in which you can do anything you want. But it is very important to learn the great difference between the world that you create in your mind and the one outside that you share with others. If you train your creative mind properly, your fondness for fantasy can help you produce significant poetry, art or music.” - Robert Hand

“You are inclined to offer assistance to anyone who seems to need help. …Your latent ability should find an outlet through publicoriented work, such as service and welfare, nursing, working with the mentally retarded, or rehabilitation of the handicapped.

THE INFLUENCE OF NEPTUNE “On the psychological level,” says astrologer Liz Greene, “Neptune reflects our need to lay down the lonely burden of material existence and experience the bliss of union with something greater.”

Sounds like a concise description of the urge toward self realization, doesn’t it? And with this energy flowing through one’s identity - as aspects to the Sun or Moon indicate - the chances are good this motivation will be a dominant theme.

Don’t get me wrong. I do not mean Neptune is causing this but, rather, that those bhaktas were each born at a particular time for a purpose. I am reminded of Bhagavad-gita where Lord Sri Krishna tells Arjuna (6.41-43): “The unsuccessful yogi, after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy. Or he takes his birth in a family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom. Verily, such a birth is rare in this world. On taking such a birth, he again revives the divine consciousness of his previous life, and he tries to make further progress in order to achieve complete success, O son of Kuru.”

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“When your attention is focused on art, poetry, music, or drama you are extremely creative and inspired. There is a mystical quality to your artistic expression that sets it apart from that of the average person. You have special gifts, but you must have training in order to use them constructively … You should choose a profession that will provide you with sufficient freedom to use your creative abilities… In such professions as education, medicine, social work and religion you would derive as much benefit as those you serve. It is important to remember that you must face life’s realities, which are unusually abrasive to your sensitive nature.

Do not project unrealistic expectations, or you will be unnecessarily disappointed.” Robert Pelletier

… Learn to accept people at their level of development and do not give them attributes they have not earned or deserved. You can express your imagination in artistic pursuits - designing, painting, music, or poetry.”

-Robert Pelletier CONCLUSION It is fascinating to me that art, music, drama and religion all bask in the same dream-like illumination of Neptune. Of course it takes more than merely that one facet to manifest positive creativity in one’s life. A wellaspected Saturn, for example, can make all the difference between a successful yogi and a homeless drug addict.

Yoga is to the individual what religion is to a group. Practice or sadhana is something a person has because it is something he does regularly, and the transcendental principles reveal themselves to one who perseveres. It starts with the guidance of a bonafide teacher and can be encouraged by the good association of others on the path.

MOON CONJUNCT NEPTUNE “You are very sensitive to the emotions of the people you are with. You pick up their moods and make them your own, so it is very important to be with people who are good for you emotionally.

As for Bhakti yoga, Krishna says (BG 9.2), “This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.”

You are a dreamer and not very practical, preferring to sit by yourself and play in your private fantasy world. Your vivid imagination

That means it’s fun. It would have to be to have gotten all those guys to trade in their guitars and drumsticks for chanting beads.

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KIDS YOGA

MINDFUL PARENTING

Yoga Lessons Beyond the Mat

BY JENNY SMITH

As a children’s yoga teacher, I’ve shared yoga with hundreds of children. And every experience has taught me more about being present and focused as a teacher and parent.

As a teacher, the present moment awareness practiced through my mediation translates into being flexible with my class plans if they don’t match the needs or abilities of the children in front of me. This flexibility develops with the understanding that our students are never the same, changing due to growth spurts, more or less school work or, busier social lives.

As a parent, this present moment awareness is reflected as I stop what I am doing to actively listen to my children, and support them, as they share their day with me respecting their courage to try a challenging new activity; admiring their personal expression through arts and crafts; commending their achievements in sports and play.

The life skills we seek through yoga are not perfection, but an understanding of how we are right now, and what we can do to support our mind, body and spirit with the resources we have. This is what parents need to guide their children on a day-to-day basis and steer themselves through the landscape of parenthood. Just when you think you’ve mastered being a parent, something new presents itself that unsettles you, tests your patience and pushes you into unchartered waters!

Children are born natural yogis, they are in samadhi when they enter the world. They are not aware of their hands or feet, let alone ego! As a yoga teacher who works with all ages, I see how the loss of connection to our innate state of present moment awareness at a young age affects older children. Yearning

for what others have; seeking approval from others; or the changing educational systems influences our children. For all these reasons yoga can enhance children’s lives, by teaching them tools for life and by enhancing family life.

Caring for family and friends, creating a noncompetitive community, while remaining aware of your inner voice and needs, are some of the benefits a parent can learn from a yoga practice.

Working and living with children is never the same and always enlightening. Yoga practice becomes more of a lifestyle than a mat-based regime. Your meditative practices soon become real time in the hectic pace of parenting, consciously focusing on your breath and calming your mind for example, while dealing with the 5pm nightly toddler temper tantrums. Moving mediations can be invaluable when you’ve been called in to the school due to a child’s incident.

The stillness and silence experienced while on your yoga mat is always there and your ability to find that peacefulness in unsettling circumstances takes your yoga to a whole

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new level. Linking mind, body, spiritual practices in how you conduct yourself on and off the mat, in and out of your classes, with or without your family, means that life becomes your teacher.

Here are some more tools and practices I’ve developed teaching children yoga and being mum to two incredible children (and my most important teachers).

1. Family yoga is one activity you can share with every family member. From mums and dads with young babies, toddlers with older siblings, children with grandparents, teens guiding their parents through new poses - the combinations and opportunities are endless.

2. Use a combination of partner poses and yoga games, to build strength and flexibility and teach mental concentration and body awareness.

3. For working parents who can’t bring their children to class, try family yoga time in the evening or weekend to practice together.

4. Time allocated to bedtime stories can include Thai yoga massage, guided visualisation and yoga story books.

Yoga is an innate state of being, interconnectedness, balance and feeling at ease, whether in challenging yoga poses or parenting situations. Savasana takes on an entirely different meaning, as you connect within and listen to what worked, what didn’t, how you can support your inner guide and how you can be fulfilled in all you do.

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DRISTI - FAMOUS YOGIS

PATTABHI JOIS 1915 - 2009

BY DYLAN BERNSTEIN

SRI SRI ANANDAMURTI The path of bliss........................31

THREE KAGYU YOGIS Milrepa, Naropa & Tilopa....... ..32

J. KRISHNAMURTI Anywhere to everywhere.........34

July 2016

ADI SHANKARACHARYA The World Guru........................34 29

Shri Krishna Pattabhi Jois has become one of yoga’s great icons. His pictures hang in thousands of yoga shalas and homes around the world and his sayings have become memes, jewelry and yes, even the requisite yoga tattoo.

Pattabhi Jois’s fame is well earned. The course of yoga has been forever changed by the teachings of Jois, his students and his students’ students. In fact, I think that only today are we are only beginning to see the magnitude and spread of his influence.

K Pattabhi Jois, or Guruji as he is known by his students, lived a life bordering on the mythic. In full disclosure, I have told and discussed his story many times. Any student of Indian thought will realize the power of story. The more we tell it, the grander it becomes. I’ll do my level best to keep it straightforward and concise on this page.

Pattabhi was born in South India in 1915 – on the night of Guru Purnima. This is the annual full moon that celebrates the Guru principle which guides us towards spiritual wisdom.

He was born into a Brahmin family and learned Hindu rites and rituals. He was very attracted to the study of Sanskrit and the Vedic philosophies. From a young age, his family would encourage him to focus on chores instead of his esoteric leanings.

At the age of 12, young Pattabhi witnessed and met Tirumalai Krishnamacarya at one of the elder’s travelling yoga demonstrations.

Jois immediately undertook studies with Krishnamacarya. Krishamacarya left town

after a few years and Pattabhi was temporarily separated from his Guru.

At the age of 15, Pattabhi ran away from home, fearlessly and farelessly hopping the train to the city of Mysore. He arrived with two rupees and two good friends. Soon he was reunited with his Guru, Krishnamacarya, and would remain his devoted student for decades to come.

Pattabhi Jois quickly went from student to adjunct professor to full professor to leader of the Sanskrit College in Mysore. He taught Sanskrit there for 35 years.

During the 1970’s, around the time he retired from academia, Jois devoted more time to running a full-time yoga shala. More and more Western students were attracted to India and specifically to the man many of them would simply call Guruji.

The method he taught emphasizes linking breath and movement in a discriminating way. The series of postures is linked by connective transition sequences built from Sun Salutations. The pedagogy also relies heavily on self-practice, monitored and assisted by a teacher. This “Mysore-style” has been named after the city. Instead of calling his methods Pattabhi Yoga or Jois Yoga, Guruji named the system Ashtanga Yoga. He clearly was referencing the meditative teachings of the Patanjali Yoga Sutra. When asked how he’d developed this system, he would consistently refer back to Krishnamacarya, Patanjali and other venerated scriptures and traditions.

In short, the West deeply embraced his yoga practice. During the 1990’s, the core of Ashtanga spread to many fledgling styles of yoga. The breathing system and the related art of connecting postures became a mainstay of most modern asana practice.

Today, even teachers who aren’t particularly aware of Pattabhi Jois’s life happen to be teaching techniques greatly influenced by his method.

He passed from the worldly life in 2009.

Many of us can remember where we were.

We can recall the ceremonies that we led and participated in honoring the transition.

Amazingly, the mainstream media failed to note the importance of his contribution at the time. The New York Times took days to publish an incomplete obituary. Similarly, the living Pattabhi avoided excess attention, instead allowing the practice to inform the students.

Pattabhi Jois was an ardent scholar of Sanskrit traditions. However, in his later years, he would encourage us to remember practice as the most important aspect of yoga. Many of his most celebrated turns of phrase refer to this prioritization.

Yet the memes and one-liners all fall short of encapsulating the light which Guruji brought forth. That light is to be experienced by the individual. The practice itself is the real teacher and that legacy is carrying itself forward, gaining momentum each day.

Yoga is an internal practice, the rest is just a circus.

K. PATTABHI JOIS

Samahita Retreat in Thailand is strongly influenced by Pattabhi Jois, photo by Nigel Gregory

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DRISTI

SRI SRI ANANDAMURTI

1921 - 1990

BY CLAYTON HORTON

consciousness in and around us.

Anandamurti is well known for his work on Biopsycology which explains how the traditional tantric science of chakras (wheels) with their subtle energies, are related with the body through nerve plexi as physiologic counterparts, influencing the associated endocrine glands with the neuroendocrine system and the psychic part of the body. Ananda Marga yoga asana is based on the principle that the basic 50 propensities (vrttis) of the human mind can be brought into balance by working with the hormonal secretion of the glands and sub glands that are expressed by the chakras.

Sri Sri Anandamurti was born Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar in Bengal, India. At a very young age, he displayed signs of great spiritual wisdom and intelligence. His amazing life and work has proven to be a profound contribution in the fields of philosophy, science, natural health, social theory and yoga. He authored over 200 books and his blend of historical perspective and social commentary has inspired social activists seeking progressive alternatives to capitalism and communism.

In 1955, Anandamurti founded Ananda Marga (Path of Bliss) in India with the twin purposes of spiritual progress and social change. Ananda Marga soon became a multifaceted organisation of over one million followers worldwide with different branches dedicated to the uplifting of humanity through education, disaster relief, welfare, the arts, health, and ecology, Ananda Marga has founded hundreds of children’s schools worldwide with ashrams, yoga studios and health centres in over 130 countries.

PARAMA PURUSHA, BIOPSYCHOLOGY & MICROVITA Adjusting the ancient science of Tantra Yoga and Vedic culture to meet the needs of this age, he developed a scientific and practical philosophy. The core of his philosophy combines Self-realization and social service with an emphasis on continuously recognising Parama Purusha, the divine

In 1986, Anandamurti introduced the theory of Microvita. His theory struck at the heart of conventional physics and biology, by pointing out that the basic buildings blocks of life, Microvita, are emanations of pure consciousness. He predicted Microvita would unite physics, biology, and mathematics towards an understanding of the true nature of the universe.

SADHANA, 16 POINTS & THE SUPREME COMMAND Anandamurti describes Sadhana (spiritual practice) as “the transformation of fearful love into fearless love”. In the AM system, meditation is done twice daily, Devotees are initiated by an Acharya and taught meditation with six different lessons or levels of progression. Each lesson is increasingly more complex as the mind is brought into a more subtle state with breath, mantra, chakra awareness, visualisation and ideation.

He developed a system of Sixteen Points to be followed daily; a system of spiritual practices to help initiate balance within the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of life.

The Supreme Command is read aloud at all Dharma Chakras (communal meditation gatherings) and states ‘by practicing sadhana twice a day regularly, the thought of Parama Purusha (divine eternal consciousness) will certainly arise in the minds at the time of death; their liberation is a sure guarantee….”

MUSIC, DANCE & CHANTING A lover of music and the arts, Anandamurti July 2016

wrote over 5,018 mystical song poems during his lifetime. He placed high priority on the devotional practice of Kirtan as a means of transcending the ego and connecting with the eternal love of the universe.

SOCIAL SERVICE, KARMA YOGA & PROUT P. R. Sarkar (Anandamurti’s psuedonom for academic publications) brought great importance and attention to Karma Yoga (selfless social service) as a means of liberation. In 1958 He developed the Progressive Universal Theory or PROUT, as a response to immense government corruption in India. The Proutist economy as described by Sarkar is a form of cooperative and decentralised economy that looks more at the collective welfare rather than for profit. “Progressive Utilization” stands for the optimisation and maximum utilisation of natural, industrial and human resources on a sustainable basis for the entire ecosystem.

Today, PROUT is gaining much attention worldwide as citizens of the world are recognising the increasingly large distribution of wealth between the wealthy and the poor; and the need for sustainable and Earth friendly communities.

In 1963 He introduced AMURT (Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team) to render immediate relief from the disasters of fires, floods, typhoons, earthquakes and war.

In India during the Indra Gandhi era of the 1970’s, Ananda Marga’s social activism gained much momentum and attention.

Anandamurti was falsely imprisoned and was poisoned in an attempted assassination by the prison doctor. After fasting on only one glass of milk per day for five years in a protest against false accusations and his attempted murder, Anandamurti was released from prison when Indira Gandhi was voted out of power.

Today the wisdom and teachings of Sri Sri Anandamurti lives on through the works of his organisation. Ananda Marga has its headquarters in Ananda Nagar, India.

Ashrams, schools, orphanages and health clinics are worldwide.

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we all start with human obstacles to deal with, but we all possess the seed of enlightenment

top right Tilopa, right Naropa, above Milrepa

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DRISTI

THREE KAGYU YOGIS

Milrepa, 1052 – 1135, Naropa, 1016 1100, Tilopa, 988–1069

BY KIM ROBERTS

When I was a graduate student at Naropa University, we studied the lives of Tibetan yogis. These legendary stories are such an integral part of the spiritual education in Tibet they have a name for them: namthars.

Namthars of the great Indian and Tibetan saints serve as examples for how to heal from the affliction of believing everything your mind tells you. Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa—the forefathers of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism— worked through their particular circumstances through trials and tribulations to wake up from the dream of delusion.

These men were real people with real suffering. Marpa had calluses on his bottom from sitting in meditation for so long. His student Milarepa performed back-breaking physical labor, building towers out of stone and then tearing them down, over and over again, until he got it right, and that was after killing off half of his family.

Milarepa’s father died, leaving him and his mother to the mercy of greedy relatives who stole his inheritance. Milarepa left home to study sorcery to avenge his mother’s loss.

While his evil aunt and uncle were throwing a party (using the riches from the inheritance his father had left to him) to celebrate their son’s marriage, Milarepa summoned a deadly hailstorm that killed most of the party, including his aunt and uncle.

Naropa was an Indian prince born in the 11thcentury, who became one of the most famous scholars of his era. One day as he was studying the Buddhist texts, an old hag—the deity Vajrayogini in disguise—appeared to him and asked if he understood what he was reading. He answered, “yes,” and the woman seemed pleased. Then she asked if he understood the real meaning of what he was reading. Wishing to please her, again he answered yes, and she threw a fit. He didn’t understand the inner meaning at all.

So Naropa quit his prestigious position at the university to search for a guru who could teach him the inner meaning. He finally found the man who would become his guru, Tilopa, eating fish heads by the side of a river.

Naropa asked Tilopa to be his teacher, but Tilopa refused and ran away.

Finally, Naropa caught up with Tilopa, who was sitting on a high cliff. Again he asked Tilopa to be his teacher.

Tilopa said: If you were really desperate and determined to learn about the teachings, you would jump off this cliff without any hesitation because you would be able to understand how important it is to follow the commands of your master.

So Naropa jumped. He broke every bone in his body. When Tilopa found him later, he instantly and magically healed Naropa’s body.

But still Tilopa would not accept Naropa as a student.

So Milarepa became a mass murderer.

Despite this heavy karma, because of the strength of his devotion and the power of the yogic practices, he became one of Tibet’s greatest yogis and saints.

To me this was so encouraging, because haven’t we all done things we wish we hadn’t?

Another of the stories that intrigued me most was the story of the great Buddhist saint and scholar Naropa.

Naropa spent years trying to convince Tilopa to become his teacher. He was tested in every possible way to prove his worthiness as a student. Naropa was so hungry for a teacher’s guidance that he stole food for Tilopa, got beaten for it, and still came back for more. After twelve years of this kind of abuse, Naropa was destitute, but determined. Once again he asked Tilopa to give him the profound teachings.

of fury, Tilopa removed his slipper and slapped Naropa’s face so hard that Naropa fainted and attained a state of realization.

When he awoke, Tilopa lovingly explained to Naropa why he had to be so wrathful and subject him to so much suffering.

He said: Your negative karma could not be purified by your own effort alone. Only by actually experiencing hardship could you purify the negative karma that prevented you from realizing the ultimate nature of Buddhahood. In this way you were able finally to overcome the conflicting emotions and experience realization.

It’s like trying to clean a rusty tin can. The rust—our delusion—is so rough that trying to remove it with a soft cloth would take ages, lifetimes. The quick way to remove the rust is to find another substance even rougher than the rust, like steel wool. If you rub the can with this, then the rust can be removed.

Similarly, the negative karma obscuring the true nature of mind cannot be removed by softness or gentleness, nor can the achievement of realization occur if a teacher is overly kind. Sometimes harshness is needed to wake up to reality—to see what we’re not seeing.

These stories brought home the truth that we all start with very human obstacles to deal with in this life. But with dedication to practice and the guidance of a great teacher, it is possible for all of us to wake up from the delusion of conditioned existence, because we all possess the seed of enlightenment.

Tilopa said: You are not yet pure enough to be introduced to the nature of mind! In a fit

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DRISTI

J. KRISHNAMURTI

1896-1986

BY MELINDA JUANG

J. Krishnamurti was once asked if practicing Yoga could awaken kundalini. Instead of replying with a yes or no, he invited the audience to think about what Yoga actually is.

He explained Yoga in the past was to live a holy and moral life. As far as he was concerned, the “Yoga” in modern times is more like an exercise, which is practiced in order to not only have a healthy body but also to force, discipline, and control, in order to increase energy. J. Krishnamurti expressed we could do this kind of Yoga exercises for a whole lifetime and still would not awake spirituality within. He stressed higher energy can only come when there is absolutely no sense of the Self, which is in constant conflict and therefore energy-draining.

If we imagine the human mind as a tree nurtured by the soil of past experiences, J. Krishnamurti goes to the root of the question rather than giving a direct answer to the symptomatic tree leaves of our conditioned mind. His scientific approach by carefully observing the nature of our thought processes provides a simple point of view, not persuasive in the beginning, but penetrating if you allow him to go further.

For that, it requires great attention and sensitivity to the consciousness, which is meditative in essence; only in this, can we be free from our known conditionings and make new discoveries in the unknown.

Jiddu Krishnamurti was born in a small town in south India and went on to be one of the

greatest Indian philosophers. Proclaimed by many, Krishnamurti was to be the World Teacher. He was adopted in his youth by Dr. Annie Besant, then president of the Theosophical Society.

In 1929, despite the grand title and standing, he renounced his role and returned all the money and assets that was donated for the work. From then on, he travelled throughout the world giving talks and holding discussions on the things related to our daily life. The purpose of his teaching is to set men unconditionally free through the understandings of their own minds. He believed that “Truth is a Pathless Land” and people cannot find it by relying on any organization, authority, knowledge or even a Guru. From his viewpoint, truth is unlimited, unconditioned and unapproachable by any known path. J. Krishnamurti stood for everyone to begin finding the truth from within as a result of sowing this seed will lead them to whatever was truly in their heart.

What is the connection between Krishnamurti and Yoga? He is not a Guru in a traditional sense and even disregarded the stature of being one; however, his teachings are all about how to live a conscious life with total freedom. He had learned Yoga from several teachers including B.K.S. Iyengar. He not only practiced asana and pranayama regularly, but most importantly, lived Yoga throughout his life.

Despite of disagreement and criticism on Krishnamurti’s way of teachings, Osho made a comment on his death: “…If you hear him, if you allow him, if you open your doors to him, he is pure fire. He will burn all that is rubbish in you, all that is old in you, and he will purify you into a new human being. It is risky to allow fire into your being—rather than opening the doors, you immediately close all the doors...”

In the name of Yoga, we may agree on the same principle but decipher it differently depending on our experiences and knowledge.

I found it very interesting that some personalities studied under both J. Krishnamurti and B.K.S. Iyengar at the same time. As I see it, their teachings have the same quality in analytical thinking while pursuing a life of consciousness. In seeking of intuition and awareness, J. Krishnamurti believed we should examine and observe our mind closely to be free from the conditionings of the past.

In traditional Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar used props innovatively and scientifically so practioners can have the same therapeutic benefits and develop an awareness within each pose without the physical struggle.

Only with such awareness and sensitivity in every aspect of living, Yoga is the pathless path, starting from anywhere and leading to everywhere.

DRISTI

ADI SHANKARACHARYA

788 - 820

BY MAHADEV

The realisations of the Guru Adi Shankaracharya made him peerless in his day, and the results of his work still form the foundation of deep spirituality in India today.

He defeated in debate all the masters of all the other philosophies who preached from the point of view of knowledge, thus showing Advaita (non-dualistic) Vedanta to be the 34

only accurate description of metaphysical truth, and thereby making clearing the way for seekers of Self-realisation.

out of reach, as well as describing technical devotional and meditative practices for advanced aspirants.

He also invigourated Shakta worship, in which the divine is seen in the form of the Goddess. By so doing, he presented a way to develop spiritually for normal devotees to whom the high ideals of non-dualism seemed

As well as all this, he established four monasteries, one in each corner of India, to act as guardians and propagators of Vedantic knowledge. He took the dasanami lineages of sannyasa (renunciation) and reinvigorated

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Photo by Mitter Bedi and courtesy of Krishnamurti Foundation Trust England

Krishnamurti believed we should examine our mind closely to be free from the conditionings of the past.

them, associating each lineage with a monastery, his best disciples becoming the first heads of these monasteries.

Shankara had studied the scriptures and been trained in spiritual disciplines, but knew Self-realisation was not possible without a Guru. Hence, when little more than a child, he took sannyasa, left home and went

roaming around India, searching for one.

In those days, there weren’t always good roads, and so he sometimes had to walk alone through pathless jungles. Eventually he heard of a Guru, called Govinda Bhagavatpada, whose abode was a cave by the River Narmada. He had reached the culmination of Vedantic realisation, and there seemed to be July 2016

nothing left for him to do, so he went into longer and longer samadhis, which would eventually lead to him leaving the body.

However, the knowledge came to him that he had to become the Guru of a Guru of the world. Unfortunately, that World Guru would only come after a thousand years.

What to do for a divine seer while waiting for 35

he presented a way to develop spiritually for normal devotees

a thousand years? He found the cave by the Narmada, blocked most of the entrance with a big boulder so he wouldn’t be disturbed and went into samadhi.

People who peeped into the cave could see the famous seer was in samadhi, so word got around, bringing hopefuls from far and wide, seeking blessings or spiritual initiation. The trouble was nobody could get him out of samadhi, so they all left disappointed.

However, as soon as Shankara peeped into the cave, Govindapada’s samadhi broke, he opened his eyes, and asked, “who are you?”

Shankara immediately made up a beautiful song about the nature of the Self on the spot, which showed deep Vedantic understanding.

That song, Nirvana Shatakam, is still sung in ashrams, temples and homes all over India even today. Govindapada’s spiritual feeling rose up higher, the atmosphere in the cave crackling, laced with spiritual power. He asked, “what do you want?” Shankara said he wanted Self-realisation.

Govindapada stuck his foot out of the cave and told Shankara to worship it. Shankara 36

brought the worshipping materials and did so with all his heart, all his mind, all his soul, and fell into the depths of realisation in samadhi. It worked so fast for him because the austerity he had done had opened up his mind, and his huge longing had permeated every corner of it, resulting in his surrendering all his mind to that foot of Govindapada, keeping nothing back for himself. The attracting power of the Self in Govindapada could then suck Shankara’s intellect into samadhi.

Shankaracharya challenged Mandana Mishra, a master of the Purva Mimamsa philosophy to debate. The only person they could find that they both agreed was wise enough to be their referee was Bharati Devi, who was Mandana Mishra’s wife.

Before the start of the debate, she said the purpose of the debate was to ascertain who was more established in Truth, and the loser would have to become a disciple of the victor.

Then she garlanded both Shankara and her husband. Legend has it they debated for two weeks without stopping. Then, Bharati Devi ordered them to cease, announcing Shankaracharya the winner. There was a NAMASKAR

storm of protest from the audience, claiming Mandana Mishra hadn’t been decisively defeated from the point of view of logic.

Bharati Devi repeated the purpose of the debate and indicated the garlands. After two weeks, the flowers of her husband’s garland had wilted, but Shankara’s were still as fresh as at the start. She said in her husband’s mind there had been some excitement, but in Shankara’s there had been none, hence the power of the Self, the Absolute Existence or Truth, had arisen unobstructed, hence the flowers had been nourished.

The referee lost her husband, as becoming a disciple of Shankaracharya meant becoming a renunciant. He changed Mandana Mishra’s name to Sureshwaracharya, who went on to achieve great realisations, and became installed by Shankaracharya as the head of the most prestigious of the four monasteries he had set up, the one at Shringeri.

The lineage of my own Guru, Sri Bhagavan of the International Vedanta Society, passed through the Shringeri monastery in South India, whose three lineages have the role of propagating Vedanta.

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IN BRIEF

MUDRAS

BY KRISHNAA KINKARI With life as a teacher we will all have learnt there are two types of souls. The scriptural word is they are godly or ungodly! One easy interpretation is there are takers and givers: the selfish and the selfless. Givers know one can receive only through giving.

This is particularly relevant to being a yoga teacher: the Guru must give their knowledge to the student; but in that selfless giving much more is received. Being a yoga teacher is a vital role in today’s society; teaching our students, by example, to give generously, receive with gratitude and learn from every moment of life; introspecting and controlling our reactions to situations and guiding others on the Path to spiritual contentment.

Indeed, giving is a great quality, but one must be sure to have correctly studied and responsibly understood the real essence of yogic teachings.

The theme this issue gives two very simple mudras to perform, which in themselves are great guides. Their energetic focus leads to contemplation and all absorbing meditation on these aspects of giving and receiving. Since the performance of mudra is very personal, these “tools of transformation within our hands” take us deep into our hearts. The whole of the subtle body is cleansed and the inner bliss can shine out through the windows of the eyes and be carried in the speech to those whom we have the privilege of guiding.

Two mudras are collected under the title of Upasamhara Mudra, which means gathering, fulfilling and completing.

SINHAKRANTA MUDRA As if repelling an attack by a lion. There is also the aspect of repelling attacks from one’s own Ego and lower, selfish nature and need for recognition.

elbows down. Keep the back upright, the face totally relaxed the lips soft and joyous and the breath long, smooth, even and full.

Smilingly give of yourself to the world both near and far. Calm generosity.

MAHAKRANTA MUDRA Invaded by the most excellent: imbibing the Highest Power.

Simply turn the palms to face inwards. Same as above, hands just in front of the shoulders. Shower yourself gratefully with all the glories the world has to offer: this giving to yourself, imbibing the universal free and positive energy, subsequently makes one a better giver. Giving is a privilege!

Take time, these mudras are extremely rewarding. The best formula would be three times a day for 10 mins each. Nature’s best medicine!

BOOK REVIEW

THE WHEEL OF LIFE (A MEMOIR OF LIVING & DYING)

by Elisabeth KublerRoss REVIEWED BY TIA SINHA It is impossible to live life at the highest level unless you get rid of your negativity, your unfinished business... your black bunnies.

Lift up both hands to shoulder level, in front of the shoulders with the fingers slightly separated and the palms facing outwards,

This is the incredible story of an incredible human being who dedicated her life to helping people deal with the anger and tears in their lives. Particularly those on the verge of death and children and prisoners stricken with AIDS. Elisabeth Kubler Ross, the world famous author of On Death and Dying is credited with starting the hospice movement in the USA to provide emotional and spiritual support to those on their deathbeds, often in cold, clinical, negligent and sometimes even hostile hospital environments. She is also acclaimed for her controversial work with people who had near-death experiences

I think modern medicine has become like a prophet offering a life free of pain. It is nonsense. The only thing I know that truly heals people is unconditional love.

- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004) July 2016

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Born to a ‘typical upper-middle-class, conservative’ Swiss couple in Zurich, Elisabeth was the eldest of triplets. Her fight for an identity of her own, defying her autocratic father’s readymade plans for the lives of his children, began in school. Early on, when asked by her father to take her pet bunny, Blackie to the butcher and bring back the butchered bunny for dinner, she witnessed the cruelty that often comes with parenting by adults who have unresolved issues, their unfinished business and are thus blind and insensitive to the needs of their children.

The shock and grief from this incident, suppressed as a child, were to surface many years later. As a child, she questioned the behaviour of the town’s Protestant minister who used to beat his children black and blue and send them to school hungry. When denied a chance to study medicine, and instead, expected by her father to help him with boring clerical work in his office, Elisabeth left home to work as a housemaid for a year, under harsh, exploitative conditions, eventually training as an apprentice at a bio-chemical research institute and working her way through medical school. These and many other experiences as a child and adult toughened her to make her own decisions about her life, abandoning the beaten path and forging her own despite tremendous opposition.

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The only way we can find peace is to let the past be the past In her early twenties, Elisabeth worked with AIDS patients in a hospital in Zurich, realizng they had emotional needs that were every bit as dire as their physical requirements. “They craved friendship and compassion, which I could provide, and in return they opened my heart as wide as my eyes.” During World War II, after the Normandy landings in 1944, refugees streamed into Switzerland and the chaos and all her experiences at the hospital prepared her for what was to come. Poland.

Elisabeth flung herself into relief work in war-ravaged Poland, visiting the erstwhile concentration camp at Maidanek where over 300,000 Jews had perished. Many years later, in the U.S., she arranged the adoption of hundreds of AIDs stricken babies.

Elisabeth describes the turning point in her life during her encounter with Golda, a survivor at Maidanek. Golda had said, “There is a Hitler in all of us... If I used my life, which was spared, to sow the seeds of hatred, I would not be any different than him. I would be just another victim trying to spread more

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and more hate. The only way we can find peace is to let the past be the past...If I can change one person’s life from hatred and revenge to love and compassion, then I deserved to survive,” she had said.

In her memoir, Elisabeth writes about her marriage with a fellow medical student, four miscarriages and bringing up two children.

And surviving divorce and several strokes.

Elisabeth was a Bodhisattva in action, a pioneer in many fields and incredibly zealous in diving into the midst of suffering and helping people deal with their unfinished business, drop their grudges and heal their hearts so that they could live more fully and happily and die peacefully. Hers was a life dedicated to serving others. She practised neither yoga asana nor fomal meditation. Yet she was a true yogini in action.

To call Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ life inspiring would be an understatement. Her memoir is unputdownable, thought-provoking and heart-opening.

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RECIPE

GREEN MATCHA CHEESECAKE WITH LIME, MINT & GINGER

BY KELLY FIELDING

This refreshing raw cheesecake is the perfect combination of flavorssweet and tart with a vibrant zing. Free from dairy, sugar and gluten it is a healthy and delicious dessert that is sure to please everyone.

BASE 1 cup dates, roughly chopped 1 cup raw almonds 1 cup desiccated coconut 2 teaspoons honey 2 teaspoons coconut oil METHOD For the base, process the nuts until they begin to break down.

Add the dates, coconut, honey and coconut oil and process until the mixture comes together.

FILLING 3 cups raw cashew nuts (soaked in water 2 hours) 3/4 cup coconut oil 1/2 cup lime juice 1/2 cup coconut nectar 1 teaspoon of vanilla Pinch of sea salt 1 inch piece of ginger finely chopped A dozen fresh mint leaves 3 green kiwifruit 1 teaspoon of matcha powder METHOD Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth and creamy.

Pour the mixture on top of the prepared cake base and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until firm.

Press the base into a spring form cake tin and set in the fridge.

Decorate with seasonal fresh fruit to serve.

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RECIPE

YOGI BREAKFAST BOWL

BY KELLY FIELDING This is a beautiful bowl to enjoy in the morning to nourish and energize you for the day ahead. You can prepare the chia seeds the night before if you like to make it very quick and easy to prepare. It is perfect for a recharge after your morning practice!

INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons of chia seeds 1 cup of coconut milk 1 teaspoon of coconut nectar A small pinch of vanilla powder 1 banana sliced 1 kiwi fruit sliced A handful of fresh blueberries 1 tablespoon each of desiccated coconut, flaked almonds, flax seeds, chopped dates, raisins and pumpkin seeds METHOD Prepare the chia pudding by adding the coconut milk to the seeds and whisking well. Allow this mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb, mixing frequently so it sets evenly and without clumps. Add the sweetener and vanilla and mix well to combine.

While the chia absorbs, slice up your fresh fruit and set aside. In a small bowl mix together the desiccated coconut, flaked almonds, flax seeds, chopped dates, raisins and pumpkin seeds.

When the chia is ready simply arrange the chia pudding, sliced fruit and the dried fruit, seeds and coconut in your bowl. You can drizzle with more coconut nectar or add a dollop of coconut yogurt if you desire.

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DIRECTORY

Guide to yoga studios & teachers ANAHATA VILLAS & SPA RESORT Ubud, Bali, Indonesia s: group retreats, yoga for private & corporates. Yoga studio available for rent. l: Indonesian & English t: +62 361 8987 991/ 8987 992 / +62 21 70743366 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 ANANDA YOGA 33 & 34/F, 69 Jervois Street Sheung Wan, Hong Kong s: Private and Group Classes : Yoga Therapy (neck, shoulder, back, hip, knee and joints), Hatha, Power, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Detox, Yin Yang, Kundalini, Chakra Balancing, Pranayama, Meditation l: English t: (825)35639371 e: adm.anandayoga.hk@gmail.com w: www.anandayoga.hk Anna Ng Privates d: Hong Kong s: Hatha yoga l: Cantonese t: (852) 9483 1167 e: gazebofl@netvigator.com BEING IN YOGA – SINGAPORE Teaching yoga in the tradition of T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar. s: yoga therapy (customized personal practice), teacher training (Yoga Alliance RYS 500 hours+), in-depth yoga studies, small group classes for children and adults, workshops, 48

meditation classes, Vedic chanting, continuing education for yoga teachers. Certified Teacher Trainer – Yoga Therapist - E-RYT 500 RYS 500 t: +65-9830-3808 e: beinginyoga@gmail.com w: www.beinginyoga.com B.K.S. IYENGAR YOGA ASSOCIATION 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.net w:www.iyengar-yoga-macauchina.com Chloe Yates Private and Group Kid’s Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation d: Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories and Outlying Islands s: Kid’s Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation Mummy and Baby Yoga, Dance Therapy l: English, Cantonese t: 9543 1524 e: chloe.yy.yates@gmail.com w: www.facebook.com/ humblewarrioryogaanddance Corinne Konrad Luxe Nova 68 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong & home visits s:Pre and Post-natal yoga, home classes as boutique yoga classes for beginners t: +852 9633 5573 e: corinne@rawandrich.com w: www.rawandrich.com David Kim Yoga E-RYT 500+, Senior YogaWorks and Yin Yoga Teacher Trainer; International TTs, Workshops & Retreats d: Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Sweden, Norway, USA s: Yin Yoga, YogaWorks, Vinyasa Flow l: English, limited Korean t: +1 310 480 5277 e: david@davidkimyoga.com w: www.davidkimyoga.com FLEX STUDIO Island South

Shops 308-310 One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong s: Vinyasa, Power, Detox, Hatha, Pre-Natal, Kids Yoga t: + 852 2813 2212 f: + 852 2813 2281 e: info@flexhk.com Central 3/F Man Cheung Building, 15- 17 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong s: Detox, Power, Pre-Natal Yoga t: + 852 2813-2399 f: + 852 2812 6708 e: central@flexhk.com www.flexhk.com PURE YOGA China L6-615 iapm mall, 999 Huai Hai Zhong Road, Xuhui District Shanghai t: +86 21 5466 1266 Hong Kong 16/F The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central 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 2/F Asia Standard Tower, 59 Queen’s Road, Central t: + 852 3524 7108 Level 1 The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay t: +852 8200 0908 3/f Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Admiralty t: +852 8105 5838 Singapore 391A Orchard Road, #18-00 Ngee Ann City Tower A

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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 4/f Urban One, 1 Qingcheng St, Taipei t: +886 02 8161 7868 Ling Yoga and Wellbeing, Private Yoga Teacher, Privates, Groups, Corporates, Free Yoga Community Event: Yoga in the Park with Ling www.meetup.com/ yogaintheparkhk d: Hong Kong, China s: Yoga Therapy, Sivananda, Hatha, Svastha, Mindfulness, Yin, Breathing (Pranayama), Guided Meditation, Total Relaxation (Yoga Nidra) l: English, Cantonese, Mandarin t: +852 9465 6461 e: yogawithling@gmail.com w: www.facebook.com/ yogawithling RED DOORS STUDIO 21/f, 31 Wong Chuk Hang Rd s. Gong meditation and training, labyrinth facilitation and construction, kundalini therapeutic yoga and complementary practices to elevate energy. Multiple studio spaces available to rent. t. +852 21110 0152 e. info@red-doors.com w. www.red-doors.com SPACE YOGA s: Hatha, Ashtanga, Advanced, Flow, Yin, Yin Yang, Restorative, Hot, Yin/Meditation, Pranayama, Mat Pilates, Jivamukti, Universal, Myofascial Release Yoga, Mindful Yoga, Rope Wall Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Yoga Therapy l: English and Mandarin w: www.withinspace.com An-Ho Studio 16 F, No. 27, An-Ho Road, Section 1

Taipei, Taiwan t: +886.2.2773.8108 Tien-Mu Studio #5, Lane 43, Tian-Mu E. Road, Taipei, Taiwan t: +886.2.28772108 Kathy Cook Wellness Retreats, Workshops, Private Groups and Privates d: Hong Kong, Bali & Thailand s: Iyengar Certified (Junior Intermediate III) l: English t: +852 6292 5440 / +62 811 387781 e:kcinasia@gmail.com w: www.yogawithkathy.com THE YOGA ROOM 3, 4, 6, 16/F (Studios) & 15/F (Office) Xiu Ping Commercial Bldg, 104 Jervois St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong s: Hatha, Hot, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Candlelight Yin, Yoga Therapy, Jivamukti, Hammock Yoga, Mindfulness Yoga, Detox Yoga, Pre-natal Yoga, Pre-natal Pilates, Mat Pilates, TRX, Kids Yoga and Mum & Baby Yoga l: English, Cantonese t: + 852 2544 8398 e: info@yogaroomhk.com w: www.yogaroomhk.com KUNDALINI @SHAKTI 7/F Glenealy Tower, 1 Glenealy, Central, Hong Kong. s: Kundalini, Reik healing, life coaching, Shamanic healing, Bowen Therapy, Angel Cards t: +852 2521 5099 e: info@shaktihealingcircle.com w: www.shaktihealingcircle.com THE COLLECTIVE, DESA SENI SCHOOL OF YOGA Jl. Subak Sari #13, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia s: Full service resort, Ashtanga, Embodied Flow, Hatha, Kundalini, Restorative, Tantra, Therapeutics, Yin, Yang, Vinyasa, Buddhist Meditation, Vedic Meditation, all on a regular basis. Teacher Trainings, Intensives, Privates, Workshops, specialising in hosting retreats.

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t: +62 361 844 6392 e: info@desaseni.com w: www.desaseni.com TRUE YOGA Singapore 9 Scotts Road, Level 4, Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210 t: +65 6733 9555

4 times a year 6,000 yoga practitioners 32 countries

9 Scotts Road, Level 5, Pacific Plaza (Bikram Original Hot Yoga), Singapore 228210 t: +65 6735 9555 Taiwan 337 Nanking East Road Section 3, 9 & 10/F, Taipei T: +886 22716 1234 68 Gongyi Road, West District 12 & 13/F, Taichung t: +886 43700 0000 s: Ashtanga, Bikram, Flow, Gentle, Hatha, Kids, Power, PreNatal, Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Dance e: operations@trueyoga.com.sg w: www.trueyoga.com.sg / www.trueyoga.com.tw Ursula Moser The Iyengar Yoga Centre of Hong Kong d: Central s: Iyengar Certified (Junior Intermediate III) l: English t: +852 2918 1798 / 9456 2149 e: uschi.moser51@gmail.com

DISPLAY ADVERTISING RATES & SIZES Outside back cover HK$24,300 210 mm x 297 mm Inside front cover HK$3,400 210 mm x 297 mm Inside back cover HK$2,600 210 mm x 297 mm Full page HK$2,100 210 mm x 297 mm 1/2 page (horizontal) HK$1,400 180 mm x 133.5 mm 1/2 page (vertical) HK$1,400 88 mm x 275 mm 1/4 page HK$690 88 mm X 133.5 mm 1/8 page HK$420 88 mm x 66 mm

WISE LIVING YOGA ACADEMY 198 Moo 2, Luang Nuea, Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, Thailand s: Classical Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Yoga Therapy t: +66 8254 67995 e: info@wiselivingyoga.com w: www.wiselivingyoga.com

LISTINGS Individual listing Studio listing

YOGA CENTRAL – IYENGAR CENTRAL s: Boutique studio with Iyengar Yoga classes; flexible timings for corporate wellness, small groups, and privates l: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Malay t: +852 2982 4308 e: yogacentralhk@gmail.com w: www.yogacentral.com.hk fb: Iyengar-Central

NOTES Advertising materials should in black & white and submitted as 300 dpi high resolution .tif files (no pdf or ai files please) Listings should be submitted as text only (approx 35 words)

HK$610 HK$1,270

for full or partial year for full or partial year

PUBLICATION DATES, BOOKING & MATERIAL DEADLINES Publication date Booking Deadline Material Deadline January December 1 December 10 April March 1 March 10 July June 1 June 10 October September 1 September 10

PAYMENT Payments should be made in Hong Kong dollars to: Namaskar c/o Carol Adams, Flat 101, Block L, Telford Gardens, Kowloon, Hong Kong INFORMATION Carol +44 75432 55886 / carol@caroladams.hk Frances +852 9460 1967 / fgairns@netvigator.com

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