Rewind yoga moment

Ever seen any poses like this one??

Backward bending?It took me a long time to do the full Backward bending pose like Urdhava Dhanurasana -( the Upward Bow / or the Wheel pose). Even til now , i still need to make a lot refinements to get my chest closer to the wall like those ladies do. Their backward bending are impressive! Want to test your flexibility in your upper body & shoulder joints & the strength of your arm? and also the flexibility of your legs & hips? Then do this Upward Bow Pose and you will realize how much integration works of the entire body need to integrate. If you are new to Yoga practice or weak in the back , do this Salabasana ( the locust ) which is an excellent built-up pose to extend & strength the spine. however, with the consistent practice is possible to be like them - the ladies !

Urdhava Dhanurasana - (The upward Bow /or The Wheel Pose )

Salabasana ( the Locust Pose )

Natarajasana ( The dancer )

It is one of the most elegant yoga balancing pose - Natarajasana ( The dancer ) ,yet a lot of integration works are similar in the backward bend pose.

Thigh muscles & gluteal maximus great toner - high lunge. it makes the legs stronger and this is what the backward bending poses need.

A gentle Vinyasa

Chair Camel Pose

Yoga Stretching is to enjoy at any times you need it. you can relief the tension with a simple chair version Yoga stretch while you are in your workplace.

Hips & Shoulder Class ;One of my favorite standing hip opener poses - Parsvakonasana ( extended side angle stretch )

do it in the beginner class as well

A shoulder opener in the standing version

Modification of Malasana( Garland Pose) which combines hips stretch and the upper shoulder stretch

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana - Hand big toe pose

Supta Padangusthasana ( supine big toe pose )

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana -Extended hand foot big toe Pose , not a easy pose , it really testing the flexibility of your hamstring & upper leg strength ( the balancing leg ) and the rotation of Hip joints - Gluteal Maximus and the front thigh muscles. Supta Padangusthasana ( supine big toe pose ) gives you the best imprint how the related muscles worked when do in the standing position.

How i wish my studio has such a wonderful surroundings like this- green , open air and nature fresh air. The location for the Empire group to practice moves around pretty often -Sometimes Indoor Studio , Room 19 , open air Veranda space and so on. The outdoor is always the best choice.

The columns along the corridor have another functions - for yoga practice ;) @ JPMC

The world of "Upside down"

a natural , holistic remedy for physical & mental wellbeing - Picture ( 1 )

It increases in amount when it is turned upside down, what it is? Can you figure out this quiz?an offhand guess ,How about a yogic asana- headstand ? The body being turned upside down, supported on the head and the arm in the action of revering the effect of gravity, this creates a tremendous impact to both physiologically & psychologically.

On a physiological impact ,it is a boon for the whole body system - the heart , the brain ,the center nervous system and the glandular system. These days , do you tend to forget what come next?if yes , perhaps you need to do something to sharpen you memory. this upside down action might be an ideal sharpener for you. When it comes to reverse the effect of the gravity that will be of tremendous interest to women as it could be a satisfying "anti aging" remedy to satisfy "Age after Beauty " desire.

On a Psychological impact , it not only makes you become more clarity and alert but also turns your habitual way of negative thinking into a new positive viewpoint that allows you to react to a constant challenge in life. When things do not go to your way and completely go "upside down". you can still keep you "clarity"head , gather yourself together and "turn " them back in the right direction.

All in all, this ageless yogic asana ( & other versions of inversion & asanas) can be practiced at any milestones of age you are getting on - 20s , 30 s, 40s , 50s ,60s or more.. as old as the great living yogi BKS Iyengar at 94 years ,still keeps his yoga practice on a daily basis. i supposed his (see the picture ( 2 ) ) might spur you to give these yogic approaches a try. He quotes "age cannot be the problem coming in the way of practice. One needs to have strong willpower in one's practice" .

Figure out the quiz yet?the clue is in the picture ( 1 )!! good luck! :)

94 years old BKS iyengar practices inversion with the rope- Picture ( 2 )

this could be an alternative to headstand?
Handstand practice for Matab Sains School's students

quarter headstand with the chair to work with the Empire Country Club's Group @ Marine Center

Happy Twisting!!!

Hatha Yoga classic twisting poses - Ardha Matsyendrasana

Twisting Pose is a blessing for the overall well being. It can be practiced in Standing , Seating and lying & inversion position but the same benefits you can reap;

Physical Benefits:
> Helps to keep the spine elastic by retaining side-to-side mobility
>Helps to relieve muscular problems in the back and hips
>Removes adhesions in the joints caused by rheumatism
>Increases the synovial fluid of the joints and makes the joints very active
>Tones the roots of the spinal nerves and the sympathetic nervous system and brings a fresh supply of blood
>Massage the abdominal muscles , relieving digestive problems.
>Benefits the gall bladder , spleen , kidneys ,liver and bowels

Mental Benefits:
>Helps to cure disorders of the nervous system
>bring peace of mind

Fire Of Love - by Aadil Palkhivala

How can "twisting to the left "in yoga class help us make things right in the world ? how can pressing your right shoulder Blade down in your mat lift up this troubled world?in otehr words , is there a way that our yoga practice can reach beyond our mat, out into the world ? it all begins with feeling.

Feeling is the essence of life. Without feeling , we are not quite human. The real value of our asana practice is that , as we do pose after pose with awareness , we are inviting more sensitivity into our bodies and our lives. We are learning to tune in and feel. So we not only feel better, but we feel better.

When we are intensely sensitive , we taste the unique flavor of each moment. This makes our lives so much richer and more enjoyable. The more sensitive and aware we are, the more we instinctively know what to do , and make correct decisions that avert future pain and regret. We clearly feel what moves us toward our Dharma, and what takes us away from it. Sensitivity simultaneously makes us more intensely focused and more expansively peaceful, and we are able to elegantly handle life's endless dilemmas without feeling overwhelmed or fearful. Yoga compels us always to become more conscious , more aware of ourselves - our bodies , minds , feelings , our very nature. When we are feeling fully , we are finally living in the now.

Parivrtta Ardha Padmasana ( chair version )
A modified version with the wall of Parivrtta Parsvakonasana ( Reversed Side Angle Stretch )

Jathara Parivartanasana ( reclined spinal twist )

Other thing you might need to know about the spinal cord. Basically , the Spinal Cord is a long Hollow column containing spinal nerves , tissues & cartilage , without it , especially without the proper functioning of the spinal nerves , your body can not make a move or feel a thing. Why twisting pose can bring the ultimate benefits to our health as it stimulates efficiently the function of Spinal cord.

Early Blessing!

Salute to the Sun -Surya Namaska

Welcome to the new month! !We would like to continue our services - daily morning yoga session from Monday to Saturday. Nothing is more better than to kickstart a new day with the energy boosting yoga ( Asanas ) stretching and the breathing . The sleepy muscles & joints get stretched out , the stiff spine receives a total massage ,a conscious breathing can bring a comforting stability to the mind.
Appreciating what the morning can offer unconditionally - a sense of tranquility & peace , a fresher air to breathe ,the clear & warmth morning light make you feel you are truly alive. All these could be the reason why regular early birds have been sticking to their daily routines for many years.

A Full body stretch -Dhanurasana

A short yoga retreat !!!

Teaching yoga to beginners or to a multi-level class is always challenging either for a novice or an experienced teacher . especially when the group comes with different ages , different fitness level and different intentions.

by Joanna Osman's request , i fix up a couple of private sessions with her family & relatives as two of her aunties currently reside abroad ( UK & Australia) are here and they think of doing something "unusual "for their holidays. Except for Joanna herself ,has regular practice with me and so have her two cousins . Here it comes the challenge , the rest totally has zero background in yoga. It is quite often that you will receive one or more newbies in a open class unexpectedly from time to time. When the situation comes , you might not be able to teach everything you have pre-planned for that class, again adjustments need to be made for everyone both the new and the old students from time to time. for Joanna's group , i come out with a customized approach- a safe , adaptable and "everyone- can-do" modified asanas to give them a quick -fix how their bodies feel from yoga stretching at such a short period of practice. after all the sessions they look for are simply a fun yoga experience & a holiday retreat!

By the way, goodbye to Veronica Miller & M2 & the kids!! Bonvoyage!!see all you next season!

As commented by Rena on facebook, it seems they are being tied up and tortured:)

Open up..

Balance

Hello...see how bendy i am

Miller brothers

Do..Re. Me

Sisters in Action

Grin..?? and bear it..( cry for help stretching ??)