Satya Yoga

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• Stretch Out Your Mind!

  By Adeline Lum | October 31st, 2011

  The practice of eight-limbs of Yoga offers us various ways to kick start our practice.

  Eventually, the practice guides us towards meditation (a process from concentration to sense withdrawal to no-mind state), to a stage call Samadhi.

  Meditation seems too profound, because it can’t be seen or touched. Unlike asana, physical bodies can be touched; in meditation, we can neither touch the mind or the soul. But we know that they are around.

  There’s a student, who always tried to practice mediation on her own. But it never happened. When I asked about her attempts, she mentioned: frustration. Every time she tried to sit still, many thoughts came gushing into her head (a long to-do-list); she got up and started doing things again.

  For her next lesson i brought a bag containing the following: a tin of ghee, string, meditation clay lamp and lighter. “Let’s do Light Meditation today!” I said.

  After the session, she was surprised that she could actually sit through an hour. The recognition that the initial stage was really challenging; there were so much thoughts running in madness, and eventually the thoughts took a slower lane. Occasionally, a short period of stillness was the most comfortable.

  The tension that she’d always felt in her head had loosened up. With a heap of difference felt before and after the practice, she said, “Just like when our body is stressed up, we go for stretching through asana. My head is stressed up, and I go for mental stretching through meditation.”

  What makes meditation seem so difficult, is when we are trying to do it. We read books and pictures, and mimick to sit down cross-legged and with closed eyes; and are in a loss of what to do next. Meditation is an internal practice, not external. There are many techniques in this practice, and often the guidance of a teacher is recommended for an effective practice.

  As Jose Walsh sang, “You can’t argue with a sick mind.” An experienced teacher prescribes the technique for your practice.

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• Anti-Self-Destruction

  By Adeline Lum | September 13th, 2011

  Whenever I am approached by students with a full list of remedies for problems, my mind will automatically breeze through and pull out a couple of poses and exercises which are simple enough for home practice. Later to know that it did not really help them as much – because of the little effort for self-practices.

  Instead of choking them with more suggestions, why not solve the problem from the root of the problem?

  Anti-self-destruction – stop doing that which is is giving you the problem.

  If 10 hours of bad sitting posture is giving you terrible aches, stop doing it.

  If cold drinks are make you sniff the whole day, stop drinking them.

  If staring at the computer screen for long hours is giving you a migraine, keep them away from a while.

  If you realize that time is really a constraint to commit to any self-practice to relieve your suffering – commit to yourself by not creating more problems from the daily habits.

  Acknowledge the habit and turn them into a positive one – to decrease the level of self-destruction.

  Adjust your working space – Level your chair or re-arrange your table to counter those muscles aches.

  Adjust your living space – De-clutter your resting area or replace healthy food with the junk in the fridge.

  Adjust your daily activities – Reduce staying out late regularly; this will make your body overwork. Our bodies need time to recover and heal overnight. Wake up early to catch the morning sun – it is when the air is pack with positive vital energy (prana), which helps revitalize our body cells.

  There is no point being in the never- ending cycle of “destruction-healing-destruction”; just like putting the soil back into the hole that you are digging.

  We all do know what is actually causing the problem, and stopping the habits of this destructive behavior is the remedy.

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• Facing The Most Unfavorable Pose!

  By Adeline Lum | September 13th, 2011

  Have you been trying to avoid the poses that you dislike, or even pretend that they do not exist?

  Shouldn’t yoga practice make us happy, so why do we still practice those which may make us an unhappy yogi?

  When facing a pose we don’t like it can be a challenge – usually it is due to the restriction of the physical body. Whenever this particular pose appears, the mind begins to create negative perceptions of the pose; when performed; the negative emotions released will make us feel awful. Of course, we can choose to avoid those poses and pick the more pleasurable ones – but overtime, our body will display an imbalance in our muscular growth.

  Our greatest lesson is usually learnt from the hurdles that try to discourage us from moving on. Practicing with this resistance can in turn make us a stronger person on the whole. We cannot possibly love all things that enter our life – if they are beneficial to us holistically; we accept and respect their existence.

  One of the practices of yoga is to move towards equilibrium while living in dualities. Like a beam balance – one end is the likes, the other end is the dislikes; and finding a balance while tasting both ends is an art. While pleasures limit our potential, resistances widen it – embrace those hurdles and see them as supplements that would make us stronger.

  When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

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• Evolution in Hong Kong

  By Shirly Oh | July 1st, 2011

  After Siem Reap, we packed our bags once again and took off to Hong Kong for the Asia Yoga Evolution Conference. The thought of being a student was propelling and humbling, for we know learning is a lifelong journey. It never stops.

  We enrolled into different classes ranging from Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Anusara, Core Strength, Meditation, Chakra Balancing, Ayurveda, Buddhism and many more. A typical day started at 6.30am – Asthanga Led Class with Sharath, and we would end up at the cafe sharing our experiences over dinner at 7.30pm. We were mentally ‘exhausted’ by then, simply because there was so much to learn and unlearn with each class. But we knew we are absorbing new teachings, techniques, understanding and clearer perspectives about yoga and living.

  There are so many different styles of yoga to learn from. Some are attracted to one particular style than the others. Some are ‘hopping’ from one style to another, making comparisons and choosing the ‘best’ style to suit them. Every style tells a different ‘story’ but ultimately as David Frawley shares “yoga is about transcending the desire for external things, which is the cause of suffering, and finding peace and happiness within.”

  Yoga without the awareness of breath and movement is purely acrobatics.

  Be honest and truthful (satya) to your practice.

  Until the next evolution, we are thankful for all the great teachings and sharing from the inspiring teachers and peers.

  For now, it is uninterrupted practice, practice and more practice.

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• Reflections : Siem Reap Getaway

  By Adeline Lum | July 1st, 2011

  The thought of organising a yoga retreat was once a sweet fantasy for me, which I savoured from time to time. Ironically, this fantasy turned into reality with the help of five people. I will not say it was a miracle, but by witnessing how the retreat fell into place simply amazed me. I was extrememly excited.

  Diana’s email popped up at the time Shirly and I were searching for a location for the retreat. Coincidentally all the participants (who only met in Siem Reap) came from the finance industry. We shared many first time experiences – first trip to Siem Reap, first time participating on a retreat program and practicing yoga in Angkor Wat.

  We were all teachers and students at the same time, each teaching one another some valuable lessons. Personally, I learnt a lot from the rest. The openness of selfless sharing of their personal experiences was invaluable. We endured the intense heat, marched in the sudden down pour, clenching our teeth and having a good laugh in the daily yoga practice, watching a 40 year old turn into a 4 year old – there was something mystical that brought the group closer enough though we only met during the retreat.

  I have enjoyed every second of the retreat, from planning to its execution. Particularly, I liked the way we compromised one another’s differences – stepping out of our comfort zones to see, accept and learn what was not familiar to us. We had met at one point of our life journey, stayed on for four days. Now, we have separated to move towards our destined path.

  Best wishes to all.
  

  

  IMPERFECT YOGIS : Dinuke, Amelia, Adeline, Shirly, Tracy, Kwang Hao

  With full of gratitude to every atom, that had make this possible.

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• Modify Your Practise, Be Happy!

  By Adeline Lum | July 1st, 2011

  Yoga Sutra : 2.6
  drgdarsa saktyor ekatmatev asamita
  False identity results when we regard mental activity as the very source of perception.

  Does modifying our practices tell us that we are weaker?
  Of course not!

  It is very motivating to see the person beside you do almost every pose, and very tempting to just jump into the pose on your own. Sometimes in a group class, students can get very competitive with others, with themselves or with their previous practice.

  Usually when I introduce modifications in poses in a group class, not many will take up the alternative. It is encouraging to see that most students are making efforts in their practices; however, when the practice is supported by ego-ness to perform, it becomes an invitation to injuries.

  Pride is another word for fear, the fear of not being enough.

  Adopting alternatives is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of superiority; that you are responsible for your own practice. If the person beside you can ‘fly’ into a full crow pose that does not mean that you have to do the same thing to feel better. You can always stand on a crow pose with both feet touching the mat, breathe fully and enjoy!

  There is no need to drag ourselves down the long rocky path for a short burst of satisfaction of the ego. Why not choose to enjoy the blissful process from the practise. Next time when the teacher in your class offers modifications, try not to block them out instantly. Listen to what the posture can offer, and work according to the condition of your body on that day.

  Any yoga practice that carries a competitive mind is not yoga. When our mind is ‘competing’, our awareness focuses on everything outside – yoga becomes just a physical activity.

  Instead let our awareness digs deep into us – beyond the space and time. Then we will know when to give a little push or step back into the point of ease and joy – this is yoga.

  Do everything with a mind that has let go – John Chan

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• The NEW new age dis-ease

  By Shirly Oh | July 1st, 2011

  Freeze! Don’t move!

  Check – what is your sitting posture now?

  Rounded shoulders, slouching, rounded back (especially middle back), neck thrust forward, tight jaws, teeth clenching? Do you suffer from headaches, stiff shoulders, tightness around the neck, backaches and indigestion problems (constipation)? If your answer is ‘yes’, you are not alone. In fact, everyone experiences this more often than we think. Welcome to the new new age dis-ease that is creating so much discomfort in our body without us even realising it.

  We spend most of our time sitting down – during meals, on the bus, train, driving, in the office, in front of the computer, eating lunch, watching tv or movies, or simply having a cup of coffee, the list goes on. It is too easy to fall into our comfort zone and ignore the importance of proper posture. How long can you sit upright without feeling tired or feel the strain on your back (especially your lower back).

  Now try sitting up straight. Do you feel that you can breathe better, grown ‘taller’, your mind seems more awake and lighter? But why do we not practice this upright sitting posture all the time if it makes us feel better? Interestingly many people commented that it takes more effort than they think to maintain an upright position for even five minutes.

  Start today, sit up and make a conscious effort to observe your posture throughout the day. You will be surprised when all you need to do is to make small adjustments to notice a big difference in the way the body and mind feels.

  Share with us some of your personal experiences with your current sitting posture. Have you experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above?

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• Yoga Sutra 1.33

  By Shirly Oh | March 31st, 2011

  maitri karuna mudita upekshanam sukha duhka punya apunya vishayanam bhavanatah chitta prasadanam

  Cultivating proper attitudes with people – friendliness towards those who are happy, kindness to those who are suffering, goodwill towards those who are virtuous and indifference to those who are wicked.

  Perhaps the most challenging to cultivate would be the last attitude. How to be nice to someone who is not so nice to us? It is a daunting task and perhaps even a challenge to the ego.

  Imagine someone who is mean, rude and loud – this person could be your colleague, your neighbour, your friend or maybe your family members? How can you be indifferent? Practice compassion, with wisdom.

  To a stranger – let go and wish him/her well. Perhaps he/she had a bad day. Laugh it off. You will probably not meet one another again. Why carry the burden with you?

  To a colleague / neighbour / friend – tell him/her how it is affecting you and make it clear it is the behaviour that is affecting you. Leave it to him/her to decide what should be done.

  To a family member – have a good talk without being judgmental, listen and be patient. Sometimes they are unaware that they are behaving inappropriately. That is why we are a family; we need to help one another out.

  Most importantly, we should make our intentions clear without expecting immediate change. It takes years to form habits and similarly it will take time for changes to take place. But if we do not make an attempt to make something work, nothing will happen.

  Besides, when we share our observations with others, we help them to grow as well. It is human nature to assume ‘they should know’ but really it is our own expectations.

  It may seem that we are ‘giving in’ but in actual fact we are helping ourselves to expand our generosity, compassion and wisdom as well. However it does not mean that we become a doormat. If the behaviour is detrimental in the long run, perhaps it is time to let go. Even the world’s best doctor cannot save everyone.

  Remember to be kind yourself too.

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• Yoga Sutra 1.30

  By Adeline Lum | March 29th, 2011

  vyadhi styanasamsayapramadalasyavirati
  bhrantidarsanalabdhabhumikatvanavasthitatvani cittaviksepaste’ntarayah

  Mental laziness

  There are nine types of interruption when in the process of achieving mental clarity. These are obstructions that create mental disturbances and distractions. Mental laziness (styana) is one common interruption that we often denied its presence. It is a tamasic mental state, under the three bodies (gunas) – causing lethargic and heaviness.

  When I was back in school, we used to attend various enrichment programs – I remembered a particular program “Life Skills”. I learnt how to operate a sewing machine, cooking and flower arrangement. Though they are not academically related, it is still educational.

  However, when we are out from colleges and start to work, we would have forgotten the importance of self- enrichment. We want a change in work and lifestyle, yet hesitant to work for it. Constantly busy with outside activities one after another, feeling drained, having little time for yourself and eventually settles in laziness. In mental stagnation, we have all the energy for complaining how much sufferings we are in, but full of inertia to do something to turn everything over. It is a mental interruption we usually fail to see for ourselves.

  Stop complaining and start doing. Good things fall from the sky, but only if we work hard for it.

  There are many ways to enrich our life:

  Pick up a self-help book of your favorite author.
  Read a couple of page every day. Even one page or just one line- digest it slowly throughout the day.

  Enroll yourself to programs that increase your value in work.
  Opportunities do not come by easily. Upgrading yourself constantly will help you get ready to grab any good opportunity that comes by.

  Get into programs that enrich for your wellness – health and mental activities.
  It may seem unrelated to your scope of work, but knowing how to take care of ourselves is an important skill. The way we handle our life, reflects the way we handle our work. What we do, make up who we are.

  There are activities that make us mentally lazy, and there are counter- activities that enrich our values. If we have time for gossips, clubbing, drinking and endless gatherings; why don’t we have time to create a better life for ourselves?

  I met a cab uncle who chooses to push mental laziness away by reading yoga philosophy books. We had a great conversation during the entire ride. Instead of the complaining, he was patient with the other road drivers and not a single sight of anger. This uncle is a happy man in whatever he is doing.

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• Free Your Neck The Crocodile Way!

  By Adeline Lum | March 29th, 2011

  Stiffness along the spine is contagious. It happens from the cervical (neck), and heads right down the thoracic (mid back) and lumber spine (lower back). In most cases, shoulders tightness come into picture too! Trying to ignore the discomfort will lead to:

  - Inflammation of the shoulders rotator cuff muscles
  (unable to straighten your arms over your head completely)
  - Chest tightness (further leads to breathing problem)
  - Migraines
  - Increases stress level
  - Malfunction of the nervous system/ numbness
  (losing the ability to control body movements)

  Practice the Crocodile pose (makrasana), it’s as easy as popping painkiller!

  Awaked Crocodile

  

  1. Assume into a prone position. Legs wid apart.
  2. Come onto your elbows. Clenched your fingers to make a fist.
  3. Tuck the fists under the jaw. Bring the elbows close together.
  4. Slide the elbows forward slowly to the maximum. Lift the chin. Gaze up.
  5. Depressing both shoulders. Breathe slowly for 5-10 minutes.

  Resting Crocodile

  

  This is a counter pose
  1. From Awaked Crocodile, slide both the elbows towards the chest.
  2. Stack palm onto palm. Rest forehead on the back of the hand.
  3. Spread both elbows to the side. Shoulders away from ears.
  4. Breathe slowly for 5-10 minutes.

  Contraindication:
  - Pregnancy

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