I wonder how many Yogini out there have the same skin problem like mine. My facial skin will look like a raisins and the skin will started to peel after each hot session. I have been avoiding Hot Yoga classes but unfortunately sometimes I have no choice but to attend the class. However, I’ve thought of an idea for those that want to practice Hot Yoga but had very dry or dehydrated skin like me. This method can also be used at home. All you need to get is a very warm jacket. Wear them over and tada, now you have a walking heater room.

It may sound like a joke but I think this is a very good idea. No?

First of all, I did not mean to leave the readers guessing as what is happening to Yoga Zone until I hear the story from the Teacher there. I was mainly waiting for the Sunday class as Mary (not real name) and me is some sort on a talking term. According to Mary, the Management has not been paying the Teachers salary for almost a month and a half now. Since teaching Yoga is only her part-time job, she don’t really feel the pinch yet. But of course we pity all the full time Teachers. And another rumors was saying Yoga Zone has expended their branches too fast and they are now running at a lost. Now, that is their internal Management problem. I do not see why, we as a student has to suffer all this along with the Teachers!

There’s another thing about the Management attitude. I’ll blog about that one day when I get the opportunity. At the mean time, let’s just forget about the whole issue. I have no control over their Management issue. All I know is, I pay for the membership and I want my classes back!

p/s: Thanks Cassandra for your comment too. Kinda enlighten us a bit. But still, there are hundred over students at the Klang branch who is still confused and lost their confidence with Yoga Zone. I hope the Management will do something to gain back the trust.

I can sense that the recession is coming nearer and nearer. First it was the recession in US and the rising of crude oil prices which hit Malaysian lately and seems that prices for retailed product has increased too for the the past few weeks. And now, petrol kiosk is not accepting payment by Credit Card. All sales have to be in cash. It has gone from bad to worst. Even Yoga Zone, Klang has been going through something very weird this few weeks. Either the Teacher did not turn up for classes or the Teacher has resigned. Rumors have been going round lately in the studio. I will refrained myself from spreading more rumors here in hope that they will sort out their internal problem.

The only thing I’m afraid now is the closure of the Klang branch. I love the strategic location at the shop lot in the hearts of Klang town which is very near to my house. Not to mentioned, we do not have to pay parking which is a cost saving to us. They have been talking about a new branch opening in a commercial tower. I can feel the pinch now. Not only it is a bit further and inconvenience to me, each time I go there, I will have to pay for the parking too.

Gosh, since the recent petrol price hike, everything seem not going smoothly at my end especially in expenditure. The kids school transport has increased from RM70 to RM90. I am fine with that as I can totally feel their pinch. Their violin lesson has increased from RM70 to RM80. For goodness sake, what does a music class have to do with the price hike???!!! &%$# The only thing that didn’t increased is our salary. That is so unfair! If Yoga Zone, Klang really closing down, I can’t be going for my classes as often as before. Oh, please God, please don’t let this thing happen!

… pleaseeeee ….

I have a riddle here.  Nothing too tough.  You just need to put a little more senses.  It goes like this:

On the weighing scale, we have 2kg of stones and on another weighing scale, we have 2kg of cotton.  Which is heavier?

If your answer is the stones, you are wrong.  They are both equally heavy cos both of them weight at 2kg.

What I am trying to point out is, there is this bunch of woman in my HOT yoga class.  Funny how they always comment on the weather like this, “Gosh, the weather is so hot outside it is going to add up the temperature in the yoga room.”

Halo?  The room temperature is set at 40C.  No matter how hot or how cold the outside weather, the room stays at 40C.  Making any sense here?

Not many people know that in sitted forward bending, your belly is suppose to stick to your tight and not j let your body hanging in the air.  That is totally wrong and not counted just so your hands could touch your toes.  If you can’t reach the toes, bend your knee a little, bending forward so that your belly sticks to the tight.  Take a deep inhalation and try straighten the knee bit by bit.  Listen to your body.  Stop at your maximum and never force yourself down by pulling your feet.  Sad to say, sometimes I notice my neighbour doing that in the pre-text of showing off.  But she did not realized what she did is really wrong. Worst thing, I think the teacher is blind.  In another word, just plain lazy.

Namaste, everyone.

I am trying my best to blog as often as I can about my life and experiences here in yogajess not in the pre-text to teach or showing off (a bit got la) but as a reminder to myself.  I am not pro and not a qualified Teacher either.  After practicing Yoga for a year now, I am happy to see the progress I’ve achieved so far.

Sometimes, seeing myself in photographs really amazed me.  Not that we have a chance to catch a glimpse of ourself in the studio mirror.  You know what I mean?  The head is either looking upward or downward.  For example this picture which I took over the weekend in Pangkor Island Beach Resort (formerly known as Pan Pacific Pangkor).

The first word that came out from my mouth, “WOW!  I look beautiful!” *cough* I mean the sunset is beautiful.  I wanted to snap more poses but suddenly I just can’t think of anything that is outstanding in a silhouette. Other time then.  At the mean time, I really love this shot ;).

Namaste, everyone!

I am so in love with the new Wii Fit console by Nintendo especially the Yoga component. To start playing the game, firstly you must buy the Nintendo Wii game console which costs about $250 and the Wii Balance Board retails at $90. Prices could varied elsewhere.

The game consist of 15 yoga poses but only four was ‘unlocked’ for starter i.e. Deep Breathing, Half Moon, Warrior I and Tree Pose. You needed to practise for a certain amount of time before the next 2 yoga pose is available to you. Perfection is secondary here. However, scores will be given depending how perfectly the poses is done. The game could also tell if you are balancing evenly or imbalance. At the end of each pose, the game gave you a ranking of Yoga Newcomer, Yoga Novice, Yoga Trainer or Yoga Master.

I do find it weird doing Warrior I pose with one foot elevated on the 2 inches high board and the other on the ground. Isn’t that what we called body imbalance? No wonder the poses is so limited comparing to the original 1000 poses we did at the studio. But then, the console is a good buy as it can be used for other games too like jogging, step aerobics, hula hoop, rhythm boxing, find step, skiing, snowboarding, heading soccer ball, tightrope walk or balance bubble.

It is always good to switch Yoga teacher every now and then so that you get to hear and learn different things. My usual Sunday class was replaced by Xiang, a male teacher with huge belly. lol. We don’t always get the chance to see ugly teacher, don’t we? Alright, albeit his huge belly, he is as flexible like any one of us. Forward bend, headstand, split…. no problem at all but he did claim that the huge belly does blocking his way in forward bending. Back to the class, it’s the usual Sunday afternoon where people would prefer to stay home for nap rather than working out. The classes consist of three yogis only.

End of the class, Xiang explained a few theory to us like the benefit of yoga. It helps to increase flexibility and increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons.  It is important to always practice counter pose for every asana.  Failing which, the muscle will get harden.  Once it is harden, there is no way to make it flexible again.  Just look at the guy in the gym – 6 packs and huge muscle.  But then, these people is not able to remove their shirt or even reaching out to scratch their back.  Good thing I always love Yoga.

Sanskrit: Parivrtta Upavistha Konasana

Don’t get mixed up with ‘revolved’ and the non-revolved version of this asana. Basically, with Side Seated Angle Pose, one just stretches the upper body and lean forward down as far as possible towards one leg. With the Revolved Side Seated Angle Pose, from a seated position regardless if you bend one of the knee or not, lean your body side way towards the outstretched leg. It gives you a different type of stretches. With the ‘revolved’ version, one have to be very flexible on the shoulder and the other stretches more on the hip. Try both the asana and you will know which category you are from. Basically, I am more flexible on the shoulder than the hip. From this, I would prefer the Revolved side seated angle pose than the other one.

Namaste, everyone.

A cup of drink albeit any type of drinks will not be as healthy as the one you make at home, or at least they are free from excessive sugar and fat free ingredients.  Just as much as I love smoothies, I made them at home quite often too using the finest ingredients.

This is MY way of making a cup of healthy Strawberry milk shake/smoothie:

Frozen some strawberry flavoured milk in an ice tray. Frozen a cup of low fat yoghurt too. Once set, place them in a blender with 6 pieces of fresh strawberries. No sugar add, please! Blend ingredients till smooth.

Garnish with strawberry and serve immediately.  You can be a bit creative by adding banana + strawberries.  They taste great too.