New arrivals - JADE Mats

Great news!!!! new stocks of the phenomenal Jade mats has arrived. However, stocks doesn't last forever, so, if you have heard of how awesome the Jade mat is, you heard it RIGHT! The feedback from users has been "its so grippy", "its great when doing downward dog", "love it because its 100% rubber", "it has selection of good colours", "it doesn't smell of strong latex", "its the best mat ever", etc.

The picture above is just to illustrate the different thickness of Jade mats available. From left to right. Travel mat (3mm) in Slate Blue (the actual colour is lighter and not as per photo). Harmony Professional (5mm) in Orchid and Fusion (8mm) in Purple.

The Travel mat has been very popular amongst the teachers as its light weight, hence more convenient to carry around.

Harmony Professional mat provides sufficient cushioning for the back and knees and its the choice with practitioner whom prefer the extra comfort for their back and knees.

Fusion mat is excellent for Pilates as its thickness provides the comfort and protect the back. Its also good for practitioner whom requires all the cushioning and for those that practice at home on a hard surface.

The mat is easy to maintain, as you just need to use a damp cloth to wipe it & the stain or dirt is easily removed.

Order with me via email at yinyang_yoga@yahoo.com or just drop a message in the blog, HURRY, while stock last.

Blindfold Yoga with Indrawati Widjanarko

I had a chance to try blindfolded yoga with Indra, whom most of us know that she's an amazing teacher with patience, love & extensive knowledge of yoga. It was an unique experience and the best thing was the group was multi-racial. Indra started off with a brief explanation that being blindfolded or being a blind person, the senses becomes more acute and we will be more aware of our surroundings, taste, smell, sounds and touch.


We had to quiet down our mind and ignore everything else around us, except to listen to Indra's instructions. She gave us precise instructions, guiding us step by step to the asanas, rather than telling us to get into cat stretch, plank, warriors, etc names of which we are all so familiar with. I think her intention was just to make us listen attentively to her instructions to get into the asanas rather than expect and know what is coming next. With these, I am able to listen to myself and my body's movement and be so aware of my every step, trying not to get out of the mat.


Four types of tea were served to us, we were asked to smell and drink to identify the teas. To taste and identify the flavours, type of teas, I was sipping it so slowly, as if I was wine tasting. However I only managed to get 2 correct, Ti Kuan Yin & Jasmine. I couldn't identify Pu-er, which I drink on a daily basis, it tasted like warm water to me and Earl Grey tasted like mild lemon juice.

We also had food tasting, which was placed in an order of the clock with 5 main varieties. They gave us a spoon each, but how to eat blindfolded without touching the food?therefore, I opted to use my fingers. I diligently finished each portion before going for the next, not realizing that that others just took a little bite of everything and took off their blindfold to finish the rest of the portions and had to wait for me to take off my blindfold. It was interesting to find out, that everyone eats so differently, some started clockwise, some at random and some anti-clockwise. Does this tells a person's character?

We were also asked to identify the direction of the chime that ding dong.

Tasting the spices with smell, taste & touch.

Some identified Ginger as being hairy and wet. Cardamon as something used in curry. Unless you cook, its not easy to just list the spices. I had to bite into a spice to identify as i couldn't detect the smell- black peppercorn, it was stinging the tongue.

It was an endeavour trying to write in a straight line, not overlapping (as you notice below, No.2 & No. 3 was overlapping)


It was truly a fun experience, that everyone should at least try blindfold yoga sometime in their practice.

Pincha Mayurasana

Pincha Mayurasana
pin-cha my-your-AHS-anna) piñca = feather
mayura = peacock

(click on the link to read further on Pincha Mayurasana)

You could try doing this pose with a partner, however, you need to be able to come to a head-stand on your own before attempting this posture.

Dri-fit VS Cotton

Which is better for yoga? I am sure that most of the avid yogis has a drawer or two filled with yoga attires. Dri-Fit which is polyester as picture above or Cotton? Most athletes would choose Dri-Fit for its lightness, its quick absorbent and evaporation effect. I do like Dri-fit for all the things i've just mentioned, but, its cotton that feels oh so comfortable on the skin. I have tried dri-fit and cotton crop tops, pants and tops. Dri-fit pants works really well with me as its doesnt leave spots of sweat as compared to cotton,especially if its light coloured! Please! if you wear cotton pants, just make sure the colour is dark! you can't see yourself, but others can (can is gossip in my blog??). Some sweat so much at the groin area that it leaves blotches of sweat THERE! and there was another that left water marking after the toilet visit, and she/he was talking to others with the legs wide apart not knowing that others were looking at her & probably noticed THAT wet spot THERE ! arghhhhhh... I am just highlighting the effects of light coloured cotton pants. and since then, I have ever been so aware of myself.

I have tried both dri-fit and cotton crop-tops, tops. Though cotton crop-tops are very comfortable to the skin and absorbs sweat, however, sweat does not evaporate quick enough after a really good workout! I myself caught cold many times after my cotton crop-top was drenched in sweat! therefore, now I use dri-fit crop top with sometimes cotton top. I recently got these and the salesperson assured me its dri-fit, but the tag indicates cotton! But, to my pleasant discovery, Rockwear, does ROCK! Its absorbs well and evaporates quick enough, and at least its not made in china as Nike, Reebok, Stella McCartney, etc. If its pricey, wait for the 50% sales, just like i did, hehe. If I remember the name of the shop correctly, Hoohoohaha in Plaza Damas carries some good range of yoga attires.






Its interesting to watch a studio full of practitioners with their yoga attire, some has matching top with their pants and some would just put on a simple yet comfortable over-sized t-shirt and a track bottom. Is there really a "proper" attire as some may argue???? Some people may find it simply an eye-sore if the pants are a little too hipster and it shows some of the crack in between the cheeks and the teachers definitely have an interesting view from the front with the plunging neckline?? I learnt a new word from class, "commando". If you are scratching your head right now wondering what it means (like i did!!), i did witness a girl with hot shorts, definitely not tight enough to hold on to her thighs, exposing whatever she has as she went commando! As I was behind her, I had to practice with my eyes closed most of the time, LOL (I am sure your know what is commando by now).

Whatever your yoga attire may be, as long as it gives you a fulfilling practice at the end the class, is what matters the most.

JADE Travel Mats

Jade travel mats at 3.2mm (both on the right in Sedona Red and left in Purple) in comparison with the Jade Harmony Professional mats at 5.0mm.




The weight of the travel mat is lighter as compared to the Jade Harmony Professional, therefore, I would highly recommend it to yogis/yoginis that travel frequently or even for those that practice in a yoga studio. If you find that you need extra cushioning, you could always stack the travel mat on top of the mat provided by the studio.

I personally use a Jade Harmony Professional as I practise yoga at home on a solid surface, but I also carry my mat to the studio (its heavy but I don't mind the weight as I know I would have a good session without slipping on the studio's mats)

Travel mats comes in 5 colours.

travel mats doesn't come in Slate blue(extreme right) and Orchid (extreme left)

from right to left - Midnight Blue, Sedona Red, Olive Green, Purple and Black

For enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact me at yinyang_yoga@yahoo.com

Awesome Beginner at it!

My girlfriend whom has just been doing yoga for the 4th TIME with a "real teacher", is super flexible that she amazes all of us and even herself. I said real teacher as she too has her own "personal trainer", the one on TV with the DVD all these while (not sure for how long). Of course all excited & anxious, when she spoke to me this morning, as she wanted to show her other half, currently half the globe away from her, could only see her magnificent flexibility on my blog now. I have been trying but in vain to upload the pictures on facebook, which has been failing on me for the past week. It is taking too long to upload on the blog too, there are more pictures to upload, but just uploading one picture has taken me 30 mins & the other pictures just failed to upload again after the 4th attempt. But I got to do it, there are people waiting to see the pictures..... i wish i have the time to patiently wait for more pictures to upload, but I need my afternoon beauty nap in 10 mins. It was a frantic morning and midday for me, so, I need a nap now before I am non-functional, LOL.

Yippee, as I am waiting for the other picture to upload (failed for the 5th time now), the pictures uploaded on facebook! Can I pleaseeee take my nap now???? But then again, since she's my very "old" friend, I would just bring the laptop into the room and catch a wink or two while waiting for the uploads! Be warned : I might get cranky as I didn't sleep well last night and totally exhausted now.

This picture doesn't really justify her flexibility as she actually had her face to the floor (you know why the picture is not here). Matthew was just letting her feel how its like when you stretch out to the floor with your face, forehead or even your chin. sorry, pictures failed to upload again, but FB was successful, so, those on my FB list, go view the pictures. Nap time!!!

HeadStand

It has been a while since my last update, not that I have not been practising my yoga nor private classes has been cancelled. It's just that during the private classes with Matthew, I seldom get the chance to snap pictures as I am in deep concentration whilst holding the poses. He tends to make us hold the poses for at least 10-20 seconds (let me re-iterate, at least 10-20 seconds!). So you could imagine, I am certainly not in the position to reach out for the camera least alone trying to hold strong in my poses, with the sweat dripping down my face. A word of advise, do not apply moisturiser before class, as the cream is rather smarting when the sweat drips down your nose or the eyes, and you can't reach out for your face towel as you wouldn't want to interrupt the rhythm.

Yes, I said rhythm as I sometimes feel like I am dancing above ground. Try closing your eyes when you practise your yoga next. You may be able to feel rhythm of your breath, your muscles and you will certainly feel your movements deepens. e.g. when doing a twist, inhale and lengthen your spine, exhale and twist with your eyes closed, you will notice that you are able to twist further. This applies even when doing any other poses. When the sub conscious mind is in tune, we are not consciously prohibiting our body from stretching or going beyond our boundaries.

Having said that, I am working on my fear of being upside-down. Been working with Matthew on headstand, still have not really gotten the rhythm of it & decided to try it on my own without feeling fearful of falling over. However, I got a little over confident & tumbled to the side of the wall (how did I tumble sideways???), I tried controlling the fall so that I fall graciously and slowly but my knee hit the wall and left a bruise for a week. Thank goodness nobody was near me, LOL.

Please note the position of the arms whilst doing this headstand. According to her, it seems its easier than it looks (but not for me, I was just a spectator with the camera).

Bravo! she has a good alignment & I was just wishing I could do it too :(

This is another alternative with the arms, unlike the usual.

But please practise with care, unless you are ready & strong, then please have a friend or teacher by your side so that you don't get bruises like me.

JADE Harmony Mat is HERE!!!!

Colours from left to right,

Orchid, Purple, Olive Green, Sedona Red, Midnight Blue and Slate Blue.

Please contact me at email yinyang_yoga@yahoo.com. It is still available for sale (Nov 2011)

Motivation plzzzz

I have a confession to make, I have not been disciplined and been getting lazy to practise my yoga. It's now only once or 2 times a week (whenever there are classes) as compared to previously, at least 4 times up to 5 times a week, with self practice. Yesterday, I had a choice between taking a nap, swim or yoga and I kept playing it in my mind "yoga, yoga, yoga" & practically dragged myself to the poolside, ready with my yoga mat. But the sun was scorching and the heat was unbearable. Went back up and changed to my swimsuit (well, I was eager to try out my new Victoria Secret's swimsuit). Swam 20 laps, or was it 10 laps??

Since I cut down on my practice, I notice that my indigestion is creeping back, I feel easily stressed out & some bulges are quitely but surely building up.

I kept asking myself, where is my passion, determination, discipline for yoga, where has it gone? Why am I being lazy? Why? Why? Can someone share with me how to put myself back to track?


Classes for the week :-

1) Tuesday 14/07/09

Teacher : Felix

Class : Yoga Core

Time : 3.00pm - 4.15pm


2) Friday 17/07/09

Teacher : Matthew

Class : Gentle Flow

Time : 6.30pm - 7.45pm


At least I know I will be getting 2 yoga classes this week, no matter how lazy I feel :)

Pregger doing it!!

Be Inspired!!!

I copied this picture from a friend's photo album, taken during an Anusara workshop. There were many awesome pictures of dynamic poses that I can only view with my jaw dropping and going wahhhhh, wahhhh, ouch, wahhhh.

But of all pictures, I thought that this is most inspiring as she is 9 months pregnant and she still continued her yoga practice and able to do that!!! Its just incredible that when you put your mind, heart and focus, anyone can do it. It seems she did a hand-stand too.

Classes for the week of 06/07/09 :-

1) Monday -06/07/09

Class : Gentle Flow

Teacher : Lily

Time : 4.45pm - 6.00pm


2) Friday - 10/06/09

Class : Flow

Teacher : Keane

Time : 4.45pm- 6.00pm.

FAQ - JADE Mat

Please note that the mats I intend to fly in are the Jade HARMONY Professional mats which is 3/16" = 5mm, which is sufficiently thick. Unless otherwise requested, I could fly-in the TRAVEL mats 1/8"= 3.2mm or the FUSION 5/16" = 8mm.

Though the TRAVEL mats may seems too thin for some practitioners, my thoughts are that it is super-light weight and easy to carry around and if you find it too thin, you could always stack the Jade mat on top of the already provided yoga studio's mat. For those of you that may travel frequently due to work or even pleasure, you may find it convenient as it is light weight to bring it along during your trip (you could actually fold it instead of rolling and it doesn't take up much space in the suitcase or it fits nicely in a hand-luggage too). Can you imagine not doing yoga for days?

The FUSION mats would work out great for practitioners that practice as home (like myself) as its thicker therefore heavier to carry around but its a super cushioning for your back for those that does pilate or enjoy the extra thickness.

Here are some FAQs about JADE yoga mats for your reading pleasure :-

https://www.jadeyoga.com/store/product.php?productid=16134&cat=249&page=1


Classes for the week of 29th June 2009 :-

1) Tuesday (30/06/09)

Class : Yoga Core

Teacher : Felix

Time : 3.00pm- 4.15pm


2) Friday (03/07/09)

Class : Gentle Flow

Teacher : Matthew

Time : 6.30-7.45pm

The Phenomenal JADE Yoga Mats

In my previous posting, I did mention that I had a chance to place my palms on a JadeYoga Mat that my girlfriend has been raving about & now, I know why. The feel of the mat is quite unlike those I have felt before, e.g. Crescent, Manduka, Como Shambala (my current mat, its anti-slip, but it has jute, which can be quite rough on the elbows), Nike, & can I compare to Traxx?? which is such a popular mat amongst the practitioners (I hope its due to the reason that its about the only choice they can get in the market in Malaysia, Nike or Traxx). Btw, I did own a Nike & a Traxx, simply out of NO Choice!!.

I am not exaggerating when I say this "its was a similar satisfaction I get eating a Godiva's Dark Chocolate Cake", heavenly. (btw, chocolate cake lovers, please visit Godiva's cafe on 2nd Floor, Pavillion, opposite Celine).

It seems all these eco-friendly mats, anti-slip, bio-degradable are only available from shops in Singapore or you could courier in 1 mat directly from USA or UK, which probably cost USD100-USD120, may not even include the courier charges.

Therefore, I am shipping in JADEYOGA mats JADE HARMONY PROFESSIONAL 3/16" series directly from USA, yes by courier. The awesome thing is that for every mat you purchase, they plant a TREE!!!. How eco-friendly. If anyone is interested to get your hands on this phenomenal mat and make your practice better (as the mat is rubber/latex, hence the shock absorption is better when jumping & it holds you like glue). Read more about the mats at http://www.jadeyoga.com/store/home.php?cat=249

Place your order with me via my blog or my e-mail at yinyang_yoga@yahoo.com. & please select your colour of choice (I am taking the purple). I hope to get more orders, then the supplier can give me a better price which I would of course share the benefits with all you practitioners.


Keep the orders coming.

Cheers

Video on Deep Yoga Nauli Kirya

Dear All,


This is a fantastic step by step and detailed audio visual guide from teacher Deepak. Viewer's discretion is advised.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ZW_0Jacs8


I hope that all of you will find this video useful. He also advised us to practice Prayanama to strengthen your immunity system during the outbreak of H1N1. Specially those pranayama that has effect on your manipur chakra, a chakra just below the navel,because,manipur chakra or navel chakra is related to your immune system and it will boost your immunity system and practice especially agnisara,kapalabhati,ujjayi and stomach lock.

Enjoy the video & I will be posting more videos of teacher Deepak's sharing with us his profound knowledge of Yoga.

If you find the audio visual guide helpful & would like to see more, please leave your comments/enquiries if any.

Please watch this video-18TG

Last Friday's class with Matthew was invigorating. He said "lets just do Sarvasana for 1 hr!!!, or we could do a Flow class, just simply flow to the left and then flow to the right" we all broke out laughing. However, we did Gentle Flow, it was gently slow but the effect of it is more powerful than of an Ashtangha. I get a chance to breathe in and out of the asanas, feel the tremendous stretch of the hamstring, the side stretch of my body, the shoulder blades had a good workout too with Anusara (btw, i still feel the effect of the stretch today, a mild ache).

I love the fact that he reminds us not to reach out to touch/grab your toes and compromise your alignment (you know what I mean right?) while doing Revolved Head to Knee Pose/Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2496. But we did it quite differently, we had the opposite hand holding on to the bending knee, so its tougher to actually have your hand touching the toes, & there is where the stretchhhhhh is. I usually could grab my toes, but with the other hand on the knee, hmmmm, I need more practice :).

I filmed Renee doing a cart-wheel, very impressive. But somehow the file is not compatible when I blue-toothed to my laptop. But anyway, please watch the video below, be patient & watch for at least 30 secs, that's when your jaw will drop. As the heading recommends-18TG. (do not do this at home without Teacher's Guidance"

http://thefunnypage.com/potato-sisters/

Classes for the week :-

1) Monday 22/06/09

Class : Flow

Teacher : Lily

Time : 4.45pm -6.00pm

2) Tuesday 23/06/09

Class : Yoga Core

Teacher : Felix

Time : 3.00pm - 4.15pm

3) Friday 26/06/09

Class : Gentle Flow

Teacher : Keane

Time : 4.45pm-6.15pm

New Arrival - Skidless Yogitoes

Great news!! The new stock of Skidless Yogitoes Towel Mat has just arrived. Variety of colours from soft blue, earthy & vivid bright colours. There is only 1 piece from each colour.

Purple with Butterfly

Lavender - Rape Awareness

Moss & Stone - Stability, strength, solidity

Maroon - Lakshmi

Light Golden Brown - Vishnu (like mine, nice soft earthy tone)

Blue - Water Element

Blue - Ganesha

Orange - Fire Element

Maroonish Brown - Krishna

Please go directly to the website at http://www.yogitoes.com/index3.php?l=shop to have a clearer look at the colours.

Size of Mat - 24" x 68"

I recently used mine, & according to the instructions I need to wash it 2x before use. But I was too excited to use it, I just soaked the towel in water for 5 minutes, hang it to dry, which took about 2 hours (with the ultra hot day, & gosh, as I write, I have the windows & sliding doors close tightly, hoping I don't need to inhale the haze! that reminds me to switch on the Hepaire) & repeated the procedure. I am not sure if my towel bleed as i only soaked it for 5 mins, but according to some users & also the manufacturer, it should bleed. Therefore, please don't throw it in the washer with your whites. Since we paid so much for it, I would advice that we take the effort to hand-wash it so that it would last you a lifetime?????

In my opinion, I find that the towel would be a great lining between the studio mats and you, as it provides a dry & more hygienic practise. I know that some of us perspire a lot, and I have experienced lying down on a drenched mat in a studio (before I got my own personal mat) and it becomes somewhat an unpleasant feeling. For those that does Bikram/Hot Yoga, this is definitely a towel mat to get!!!! It absorbs your perspire and it still gives you an anti-slip when doing down-ward dog (how do you not slip when doing down-ward dog in a HOT class with all the sweat dripping on a normal polyutarene mat the studios provide??) And it's so much lighter and convenient to carry a towel mat than a yoga mat.

Speaking of yoga mats. My first yoga mat was a Nike mat, the thinnest one so that its not heavy to carry, I do love the fact that it has a line in the centre, great for alignment esp. in warrior poses. But after some time (probably 1 yr) the mat started to loose its grip due to the mat thinning and the pressure from my palms has exhausted its thread. Since then I have been looking around for a good, environmentally friendly, guaranteed anti slip mats which can only be bought either from Singapore or you could import it directly from US or UK.

Of course there is the Cadillac of mats, "Manduka", amongst the other available brands, e.g. Crescent Moon, Jade Yoga, Ecoyoga by Como Shambala, etc.

I recently upgraded (LOL) to Ecoyoga mat by Como Shambala, its 100% eco-friendly and I LOVE IT. Its sooooo anti-slip, feels spongy too from its latex & jute. And my girlfriend is looking for a Jadeyoga mat. Should I import in, Hmmmmm???? Anyone interested in getting any imported mats??