Props

I have found an interesting article in Yoga Journal, entitled “To Prop or Not to Prop”, and have found the information useful in my yoga practice and teaching. Here is my attempt to summarize the key principles of using props (blocks, straps, towels): Be your own teacher. Use our body’s signals to devise new and [...]

DHYANA

Dhyana is the 7th limb of Raja Yoga, just before Samadhi. It is also known commonly as Meditation. Recently, a colleague of mine shared that she had nagging pain on her shoulders and neck. Another colleague of mine, who had just attended his yoga classes, was quick to offer yoga as the cure for her [...]

Yoga or Nothing

The title ‘Yoga or Nothing’ is not a philosophical one, but a practical one. It is my attempt to address an issue I encountered in my yoga practice. Amidst my tight schedule, I constantly struggle to find time to commit myself on the mat – to practice yoga. While there are weeks where I practice [...]

YOGA.RUN.LOVE.PEACE

I like this series of magazine advertisements on yoga apparels which carried nice pictures of people practicing difficult yoga poses. I am even more taken in by their advertisement theme that goes by: Yoga.Love.Run.Peace, because it highlights 2 of my favourite practices – yoga & running. When I started my teacher training, I struggled with [...]

Pic-a-Pose

During the teacher training, I have found the notes of the Ashtanga Yoga asanas in pictorial form that was provided for us very useful in my practice. It has not only helped me to remember the sequence of poses, but has also enable me to picture how each asana looks like (pic-a-pose). As I prepare [...]

Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a traditional french provencal stewed vegetable dish. It was made famous in the Pixar movie with the same name as the dish. ‘Touille’ in french essentially means tossed food. I stumbled upon my version of ‘Ratatouille’ when I first prepared my baby daughter’s food. It was at a time when I was pondering [...]

Karnapidasana

Karnapidasana (Ear Squeeze Pose) is an asana in the Finishing Sequence. It looks like a pretty easy pose, but if not done correctly may cause strain on the upper back and neck muscles. Let’s take a closer look at the pose. From Halasana (Plow Pose), bend the legs and bring the knees to either side [...]

Brahmacharya

The 4th Yama (restraint) in the Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga is Brahmacharya. Brahmacharya means “to respect the creative power of sex and not abuse it by manipulating others sexually”. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras 11.38 “Brahmacharya-pratishthayam virya-labbah” translates to “When one does not misuse sexual energy, one obtains enduring vitality resulting in good health”. I came [...]