Walking On Sunshine @ Surya Yoga

The Magic Word: LOVE . SHARE . TRUST

2015-12-07T11:42:00.001+08:00

Today, all branches of Surya Yoga come to share their love and happiness on Get-Together for the first time. There are over 40 of yoga enthusiasts came with glamourous wear in white for early celebration of Christmas and family dinner.

Correspond with the organizer: Surya Yoga founder: Josephine, she is an entrepreneur with a unique perspective in life. She is very diligent yet challenger. She soars her ambition to do extraordinary miles in yoga and thus grow and reinvent her yoga business by developing from one yoga centre to five yoga centres now, one person manage yoga centre to now family like management. Josephine overwhelmed how much she has grown and she will continue to grow.

She host and welcome the Get-Together dinner with heart warmth filled. The room is full of surprises with Christmas decoration and it has the most visual impact with Christmas lighting and colour scheme that embrace with the Christmas festive mood while keeping the theme and colour at home intact. The space mimic the glitter and allure of shiny ornaments that full of surprises exclusivity room for set to the mood of joy and fun.

Jospehine welcomed the group by offering sumptuous dinner ranging from salads, to main course with selection of chicken satays, lamb shank, chicken skewers, spaghetti and many more. It has desserts that everyone likes too. The Get together was fun and Josephine opens her speech by thank you everyone in presence and officially announce and introduce each yoga entrepreneurs whom managed the other branches of Surya Yoga. It received the most applaud when Josephine announces that there will be more Surya Yoga centres to come for next year that excites the group. In year 2016, Surya Yoga will be expecting to have another 3 more operators in Klang Valley. Wow, this is a way forward and be it aggressively grown.

Family of Surya Yoga Aman Suria

Family of Surya Yoga Kuchai

Family of Surya Yoga Cheras

Family of Surya Yoga Bukit Tinggi

Family of Surya Yoga Sri Petaling

The dinner hikes up when Josephine invites one of the pioneer yoga instructor Dennis to be on the stage. Dennis is a humble and low profile instructor by telling all of yoga enthusiasts in presence that the power of this Get together is great and even meaningful to yoga enthusiasts. Yoga needs dedicated passion to grow, and all of presence are there with heart filled passion. Trust is amicably not forgotten as we place trust in Josephine, which we belief in the character, strength or truth of Josephine will sail all of us to better tomorrow.

This integrity level is undeniable and we are taking a quantum leap in yoga industry, believe it or not, we are! You have helped Josephine to make it, and you did it for yourself and your personal goal too. Now, both of them are trusting each other to step further to make it happen even in bigger prospective, taking the advantage of Pre-Natal Yoga is a plus point to promote. Nevertheless, love is aired around the room with group photos among the operators and the get together dinner ends with fun, cheerful and make way forward to grow with Surya Yoga.

Surya Yoga as a family wishes you Merry "Twistness" and welcoming you to have Surya Yoga by your side, every yoga journey is a gift. Visit any of the Surya Yoga branches:-

Surya Yoga Aman Suria; Suria Yoga Bukit Tinggi,

Surya Yoga Cheras, Surya Yoga Kuchai, Surya Yoga Sri Petaling

and thank you to be our Patron!

Create Blue Ocean built Brand in Yoga – Surya Yoga Sri Petaling

2015-11-05T14:31:00.003+08:00

Rather than competing with the confines of the existing yoga industry or trying to steal customers from rivals, Josephine Chan, the Surya yoga owner cum operator with more than 5 yoga centres around Klang Valley find the way to create Blue Ocean Strategy: developing the uncontested market space that makes the competition irrelevant.

In Josephine’s eyes, yoga industry businesses viciously fight against each other for a share of the marketplace. In the area of Sri Petaling, it has more than ten yoga centre and how many yoga centres today will exist (in the future)? Yoga centres, a fact that is reflected in the deep changes that have been necessary in changing lifestyles towards wellness and ultimately, self-awareness and self-actualization, a sense of fulfilling human’s potential.

Of course competition matters, but by focusing on quality of yoga teachers and quantitative of yoga training course expands the boundaries of the existing yoga industry. Having said that, Josephine deserve credits for having made the point of the ever focus on competitive advantage and also for the beautiful metaphor of this.

By having to open a new branch in Sri Petaling, Josephine focuses on what yoga-lovers in Sri Petaling needs and wants. The classes range to offer connecting the breath and movement and balance shifts from doing mostly what the yoga-lovers wants to doing a lot more of what you think they need. These classes are create for the yoga lovers to feel being present and open. It offer yoga class for Senior, Yoga for men are tailor made yoga program for the specific group.

Other than that, Surya Yoga Sri Petaling focuses on ambience. Relax, Focus, Explore is key “environment enhancer” that creates the best atmosphere for yoga. The greens surrounds create ecology and help mitigate the phenomenon of being stressful and essentially, relax.

The Surya Yoga Sri Petaling with its garden theme combines the synergy of ‘chi’, mind and body. This uniquely opens the eyes of the yoga-lovers in Sri Petaling and best fit the meaning of yoga.

Welcome to join us onto green lush yoga studio - Surya Yoga Sri Petaling!

Surya Yoga Sri Petaling

91-2, Jalan Radin Bagus,

Bandar Baru Sri Petaling,

57000, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +6012 276 6468 / +603 9056 4044

Taking a change - Unlock bottleneck in yoga business

2015-10-28T12:01:00.000+08:00

Regardless of what type of business you have, bottleneck in small businesses are norm. When it comes to the stage where you find limitation of process in the business system, it is time to take a change.

A married couple expressed their sympathy when finding a bottleneck in their yoga business operating for over 5 years. Both of them neither know yoga nor running a business, yet they know the way to eliminate the biggest bottleneck from the business – THEMSELVES.

Let’s dive in how they look onto this.

Stanley and Chrystine is a dream catcher, they are running a yoga business as an innovator and a builder of systems. Both of them know nothing either on yoga or running a yoga business. No one knows exactly how big the yoga market is, but with the number of yoga practitioners in Malaysia are improving day by day, both of them author their yoga business and decided to take over the yoga centre and run as a new one. Though there are no hard and fast rule, the rule of thumb is to run as realistic as possible to kick start it. Unfortunately, their business has come to bottleneck and immediate take them to think long term and think big. They have get the idea.

Be part of Surya Yoga licencing program is a way to perform creating business that will move as fast as it can. By investing efforts in the right place, they have found that Surya Yoga create opportunities and possibilities that can’t be fully realized by themselves. There, they has now turn to the 3^rd Surya Yoga licencing program, Surya Yoga Kuchai Lama!

The entrance

Surya Yoga unblock bottlenecks in the business and they discover the true low hanging fruit in the business. Finally, Surya Yoga Kuchai Lama focuses on substance over style. Surya Yoga has built marketing that is important to business success, of course ability of personal ability to communicate with members will be true key to abundance.

Supported by Josephine, Surya Yoga owner says: Speaking from own experiences and sharing from heart has been the best way to encourage people to try yoga. Literally, the disillusion has turn to more reality and now the yoga centre has the most classes ranging from beginner until technical yoga that caters every yoga practitioners.

Welcome to be part of Surya Yoga Kuchai. Contact us now:-

Surya Yoga Kuchai

33-1 & 33-2, Jalan Kuchai Maju 8,

Kuchai Entrepreneur Park,

58200, Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +6016 390 8112

https://www.facebook.com/Surya-Yoga-Kuchai-418140858389696/

Parlaying a Passion for Entrepreneur

2015-10-16T08:47:00.000+08:00

Yoga is the key! We are two good intimates get to know each other from yoga. Yoga has company us through moments. Yoga bond in our living and has a healing power that surrender our hearts in yoga philosophy.

She is Ginny and she is Jocelyn, both said simultaneously. We are the owner of Surya Yoga Bukit Tinggi. Ultimately, we are considerably Yogipreneurs under the licencing program of Surya Yoga.

Prior to that, Jocelyn owned a yoga centre – Bliss & Joy Yoga Centre, and Ginny is yoga teacher in there. Coincidentally, both of them share the same passion in yoga that led them to be yogipreneurs. Jocelyn intends to reigniting the market hoping to see more people are expose to yoga whilst Ginny takes the Yoga of money! Of course, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. In the process, Ginny find Yoga, is an art of going professional and able to elevate this career to the same professional status of other respected career paths.

Collectively, Surya yoga, a brand in the yoga industry is their preferred choice to go forward and they are committed to be there just for yoga practitioners in Bukit Tinggi. The adaptive of Surya Yoga brand has come alive! Rebrand has transform the studio to more lively and most rewarding to the members. Each studio corner filled with hand drawn yoga style and posture that motivates in a way.

As you walked up the yoga studio

Inside the studio, the ample space yet cosy is the perfect setting for Surya Yoga Bukit Tinggi. Both Jocelyn and Ginny would love to call the yoga centre that the members would love to call their own. They believe that a yoga centre can be a home taking the “Klangites” ought to be welcomed and able to radiates an infectious enthusiasm in everything they do.

Further to that, it surrounds filled with aromatherapy, the art and science for aromatic essences from pure plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.

Yes, Yoga can help everybody with the same focus. Their burning passionate desire to achieve their vision motivates them to forge ahead. Both of them setting themselves up with aid of Surya Yoga for an uphill battle to attract more students so that enable them to find the niche and naturally resonates with their members.

Both of them finds the ties that bind and evolving their passion in yoga, a forward thinking business. Now, Surya Yoga Bukit Tinggi is fully resourceful that is blessing from the support from members surround Bukit Tinggi.

Come and join Surya Yoga Bukit Tinggi to be a sustainable yoga career they both love.

Surya Yoga Bukit Tinggi, Klang

12A-B, Jalan Bayu Tinggi 6,

Taman Bayu Tinggi, 41200, Selangor

Telephone: +6019 337 8200 or +6012 278 3331

P/S: You are invited to visit Surya Yoga Headquarter (Aman Suria) open day on this Sunday, October 18, 2015!

Beauty in Business

2015-10-01T09:38:00.001+08:00

Hello, I am Felicia, a wedding decorator, and I am Yoon, a yoga instructor. We are the owner of Surya Yoga Cheras.

Our Yoga studio

Opening of Surya Yoga Cheras is the stunning decision we ever made. We have no experience of running a business, yet, our yoga knowledge and experiences has depicted us to be yoga operator, a business owner.

With the support from Surya Yoga, which is the prominent brand in the Yoga industry has easily held up our dream. The Surya Yoga owner, Josephine teaches us to be instinctual beings and to always trust our guts when making any decision in life.

With the licencing program, we took up the program and start our journey. Surya Yoga putting us into the spotlight, and makes us more visible. We stand out as a boutique yoga centre with its relatively small in size business operation in Cheras area comparatively to other major yoga operators. Taking the advantage of its size, we have designed our own yoga boutique with Do It Yourself corner that carry out theme of operation.

Yoga studio outlook

Josephine advocates on knowing what we want and support us through to make it happened. The transition period of starting a yoga business has bring life, laugh and love to our life components. Yoga has embedded our daily values and working through it, we have overwhelming response sign outs within 2 weeks of operation.

It inspires us that the yoga industry are full of flamboyant personalities, egregious shows of attention and evidently discovering yoga values that lead to beautiful results.

House brand merchandise for sales

We can put a stamp on Surya Yoga that is the way to be applauded. And, all of this came to fruition because of a little help from Surya Yoga.

Let us shine you through with Yoga! Come and join us in:-

Surya Yoga Cheras (Taman Bukit Segar)

1A-B, Jalan BS 9,

Taman Bukit Segar, 43200, Selangor

Tel: +6017 359 5948

www.suryayoga.com.my

2015-08-05T11:04:00.000+08:00

Renew . Refresh . Reenergized . Yoga Centre Branding

What if the yoga centre that you manned gained the second chance? What if the yoga centre strive to success?

What if Surya Yoga could uplift your yoga centre business that you are manning? What if Surya Yoga could unite yoga operators?

The owner of Surya Yoga, Josephine Chan has this dream.

To connect to this dream, back to basic, the very word "yoga" makes reference to this. The root, "yuj" (meaning "unity" or "yoke"), indicates that the purpose of yoga is to unite ourselves with our highest nature. And, Josephine has bigger dream to unite yoga operators, yoga practitioners and yoga centres as one. With her external achievements, she obsessed one yoga centre to two, two to four and multiply the success.

Paths to the Summit

Josephine outbreak the traditional way of doing business in manning yoga centres. She make contacts around yoga operators, yoga practitioners, yoga centres that are low in manning, yoga centres that are low in commitment, small yoga centres that are low in investing time, low in performance and make connection and bond to one. Imagine this, how could this happen?

Licencing is the key.

What is yoga licencing mean and what the objectives lies behind?

Yoga licencing is a yoga enthusiast whom requires support in various aspects like marketing to uplift its’ business regardless of revenue nor membership, making eminent mark to give you a major edge in increasingly competitive markets.

Surya Yoga expands through re-establish the business by providing marketing strategy that involve creating a differentiated name and image for brand identity. Other than that, the process include advertising campaigns with a consistent theme.

The application of this technique carry the main functionality associated with its objectives like:-

1. Help me to help you

2. Enable to uplift brand

3. Primarily, increase the business volume financially

Ultimately, it aims to establish a differentiated presence in market, attract and retains loyal customers.

With Josephine’s capabilities, she managed to support through at least three (3) yoga centres for new opening in August, and two (2) in September and few more on the queue. These yoga centres shares the one motto. Each yoga centre has distinctive theme and able to make it personal and meaningful, and create space for members and yoga practitioners a space to linger.

To start with, Josephine has the first area spotted:-

1. Cheras, Grand opening on 02 Aug 2015

Before, it was relatively small in size studio. After yoga licencing, Surya Yoga utilize its size and turn onto boutique yoga studio.

The corridor shares the heart warmth filled moment

Unexpectedly, the studio has turn into bright and distinctive feeling

A contemplative spirit in the space

At the edge, the rest area design

2. Bukit Tinggi, Grand opening on 16 Aug 2015
Before, it was low business investment. After licencing, Surya Yoga turn onto merrier studio with kids' corner on the row.

Welcome to Grand opening on 16 August 2015,
you will witness the transformation!

3. Kuchai represents healthy corner, shakes and replacement meal is available after yoga.

4. Puchong has Zen ambience that offers yoga practitioners to observe the breath, and the mind.

5. Sri Petaling welcomes garden feel provides comfortable and coherent environment.

Geographically, these are success transformation of renew, refresh and re-energized. Change begins with Surya Yoga. Branding is what you are. Surya Yoga is your direction.

What are you waiting for? Contact us now!

2015-07-29T16:29:00.002+08:00

Discover . Experience . PreNatal Yoga

Welcome to Pregnancy! This is the start of an incredible journey for you, your spouse and your family. When you hit the first sign of pregnancy, the most common symptoms are unpleasant as you thought. Yet, the inner of you, you feel the baby, the joy and excitement inside you is unbeatable.

All you need to know about Pregnancy is available everywhere. However, because of the earliest symptoms don’t begin until after the embryo is formed, it is important to take good care of yourself and various physical symptoms and new emotions arise. Your health and safety, diet and fitness, body, life, relationship changes from Day 1 when it begins.

From what to expect each week and how to prepare for labor and beyond. Here’s one of the information you need to as parenting tools – Prenatal Yoga by Josephine Chan. Josephine Chan, a certified and experienced prenatal yoga instructor teaches you right yoga practise for you during pregnancy.

Prenatal yoga is one of the best things that you can do for yourself, and your growing baby. This book discover the physical and mental benefits of yoga during pregnancy, which yoga poses are safe when you are pregnant, and how to do yoga safely.

Prenatal yoga is multifaceted approach to exercise that encourage stretching, mental centering and focused breathing. It is an amazing way to prepare your body and mind for labor and motherhood while relieving pains and discomfort during pregnancy. This book includes step by step photographs of each pose at every stage of your pregnancy from first trimester (0-12 weeks); second trimester (14-25 weeks) and third trimester. It also illustrate postnatal yoga journey that will form a great experience for you and baby.

Most pregnant women resist to try and doing yoga because perceive sense of inflexibility and some taboo-minded. Let's break it and most researchers studied that to do Yoga during pregnancy is wonderful practice, and moderate and right pose tend to eliminate pains over pregnancy. Detailing on this book contains comprehensive information on why, how, what can you do and don't during yoga practise and equips with pictorial that ease you to start your experience with prenatal yoga.

This book is beyond the physical on what you can reach, but it is to prepare your mind, body and spirit to the best for childbirth and motherhood.

Pregnancy is something cheerful to celebrate and come and meet to bond with other pregnant women at the spectacular free event – “CELEBRATING YOUR PREGNANCY @ SURYA YOGA” on 09 Aug 2015 (Sunday) from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to Discover. Experience. Prenatal Yoga and personally meet with the author, Josephine Chan – Prenatal Yoga, the most comprehensive resourceful guide, available at any MPH nationwide store.

Set aside your ego and honor where your body is at today. Practice loving compassion for yourself and baby. Listen to your body and do what feels right to you. Surya Yoga is your companion throughout your pregnancy stage.

Welcome to Celebrate Your Pregnancy with us!

Surya Boutique: Launching quality yoga apparel and yoga props

2015-03-10T15:03:00.002+08:00

This time round, Surya Yoga brought you Surya boutique, offering wide range of quality yoga apparel and yoga props.

Surya Boutique product range include Yoga Props, Yoga Top and pants, yoga leggings and yoga T-shirts.

Whether you are new to yoga looking for a basic yoga map; or you are at the advanced level searching for props to enhance your workout, we've got you covered!

Surya Signature Brand exclusively hand-picked and manufactured by Surya Yoga, bringing you quality yoga bottom and tops in variety of choices with the best value!

We also bring in a few of our favourite Yoga apparel brands around the world such as 'Tonic' from Canada and Brazil brand 'Callmecozy'.

Surya Yoga is your one-stop Yoga station, from head-to-toe, inside-out!

Head over to http://www.suryayoga.com.my for more info or drop us a visit at:

Surya Yoga & Pilates Studio

No. C-1-9 and C-1-11a, Jalan PJU 1/45 Aman Suria, Damansara 47410, Petaling Jaya.

Contact us:
016 2027417(Jo)/ 03 78036044(studio)
or email mysuryayoga@gmail.com

Our bushiness hours:

Monday - Thursday (9.30 am - 9.00 pm)

Friday (9.30am - 8pm)Saturday (9.30am - 4.30pm)
Sunday (9.30am - 11.30am)We are closed on all Selangor public holidays.

Workshop: Deepen Your Practice with Ed Namchai

2014-08-04T11:28:00.000+08:00

A lil' Q & A with Ed Namchai

Ed's dropping by in September to conduct his very own workshop at Surya Yoga & Pilates! We managed to get him to do a little Q & A session with us. This is how it went.

But first, let's read up a little on Ed!

Ed Namchai or Kanisorn Namchaiswadwong, hails from Bangkok, Thailand. He is known for placing 1st in Thailand's 5th Yoga Asana Championship in Bangkok 2008. He is a 4-time Thailand Yoga Asana Champion and placed 2nd in International Yoga Asana Championship in Los Angeles in 2011. He is also the overall champion of the Malaysia International Yoga Competition in Kuala Lumpur in 2013.

Ed is a Yoga Alliance Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200) and now recently also a Bikram Yoga instructor. Ed currently teaches at Yoga Elements Studio and Lullaby Yoga in Bangkok. His class is always energetic, informative and good fun. He enjoys volunteering his time in nonprofit organizations teaching yoga to kids and the elderly.

Watch Ed in action at the 2012 Malaysian International Yoga Competition

Check out this other snippet of Ed!

Before yoga, Ed pursued sports and many exercises including even aero boxing! Since he exercised regularly, he just decided to try out yoga because it seemed interesting. Ed did not take it with any faith that it will change his life, but it did! With continuous practice, yoga has blended completely into his life. It has brought him not only physical health improvement, but also a peaceful state of mind.

Now, on with the Q & A? Here we go..

You mentioned that Yoga has now completely blended into your life. What little daily things Yoga related do you do? In what way did your life change? Was there a transition period or did the changes happen instantly and naturally?

My friends said my personality changed. Perhaps the practice of yoga gives me a sense of how to align my body when I stand, walk, sit and so on. That’s some of the physical changes. In mental level, Natarajasana invited me to come out of comfort zone, Sirsasana armed me a weapon to fight the fear, Urdva Dhanurasana revealed my hidden potential and Shavasana equipped me an ability to find peace in the chaos of daily life, for example. There are many ways in which yoga practice has changed the experience of myself and living. So if you ask in what way my life change. The better way! The line between old and new me is blurred. These changes are the continuous process and still keep transforming me and everyone who practice yoga.

Before you started Yoga you were an exercise buff, whoah! It says you were into dance exercise and even aero boxing and only by chance did you do yoga and thus began your lifelong love affair. Did you ever wish you started yoga earlier? What would you tell other exercise/cardio buffs about yoga?

Everything happens for a reason in the right place and time. If I started yoga earlier I’m not sure if I’m going to carry the practice along or quit yoga before I love it. So it doesn’t matter at what time or age I started my first yoga class. I just continue my practice and find that it always brings joy to my life. Yes I would encourage everyone including those exercise buffs to try their first yoga class. But I would let their learning habit reveals the answer to themselves how yoga brings joy to their life. They have to experience by themselves, cannot be told.

You have impressively won many international yoga championships. You are Thailand's Yoga Asana Champion 4 times in a row! Also, champion of Malaysia's International Yoga Competition and not forgetting ranked number 2 in the world for the international yoga asana championship in 2011. How do you prepare for these competitions? Any memorable moments? Any funny moments?

The competition has changed the way I practice. I take less group class, but more practicing on my own. People think I’ve been working on many advanced poses, but I’m actually working on basic. Strong basic will build up the advanced one naturally. Every moment is memorable. Behind the stage we, the competitors, shared the love of yoga with each other. We shared our practice and techniques in asana. And you know that the fun is doubled when we share and practice together.

Your blog posts at yogacadabra.com are very good! Very detailed and passionately written! Do you have a personal life motto? Something you hold true to your heart?

I like Aristotle’s quote – “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” That summarizes the way I practice.

It seems that yoga has brought you places! You have practically traveled the world! Any particular place you love the most and hope to return?

I love to travel and see the world. There’re still many places I’ve never been to. And I hope the path of yoga will lead me to those places. I love sea and beach. So if I have time for vacation I always return to my favorite beaches in Phuket or Krabi in Thailand.

Would you like to say anything in particular to us Malaysian yoga enthusiasts about your workshop this Sept 6th and 7th at Surya Yoga Studio?

The name of this workshop is “Deepen Your Practice”, not “Deepen Your Pose”. So it would help you find the way you practice. After that you will be able to work on the depth of the pose on your own later. You will see the new possibilities because some obstacles will be removed. So come with the open mind to experiment what your body can really do, and then just have fun with it.

.....

Overall, we at Surya Yoga feel that Ed is a pretty nice guy with incredible skill and talent! Gotta love how he is fantastic with kids too. Join us this September for Ed's workshop! More details below. Have a great day guys! Don't miss out on the early bird promotion.

Namaste

Deepen Your Practice : Yoga Workshop with Ed Namchai

Per Session : RM100

Per Session Early bird (before Aug 17th 2014) : RM 80

Backbend Breath by Breath (2.5 hours)

Saturday, 6th Sept 2014 11am - 1.30pm

Backward bending is the natural ability of human. But if you always have a hard time doing backbend, this workshop will provide you a toolkit to help you deal with it. We are going to explore a breathing mechanism of our body and find out the appropriate way to breathe while doing backbend. Working on some key muscles involved in backbend, strengthen and then stretch them out. Building a strong and stable foundation of backbend. And learn how to deal with the gravity as you go against it in some backbends, and go with it in other backbends. Overcome all physical and emotional limits and let's bend like a pro!

Neck, Shoulders and Back Therapy (2.5 hours)

Saturday, 6th Sept 2014 2.30pm - 5pm

Many people spend many hours a day at the office desk or in front of the computer, reading, writing, texting, mousing, typing and so on. If you are also doing so, you might notice each day how tight, even painful, your neck and shoulders are. Even though yoga should be the answer to this problem, sometime careless practice of yoga aggravates it especially if you are too much crazy doing backbend and inversion. This workshop will introduce to you many gentle movements around your neck area and some asana that help relieve the tension in that particular part. Also you will learn some easy exercises you can do during the day at your desk.

Arms in Action (2.5 hours)

Sunday, 7th Sept 2014 11am - 1.30pm

Playing with many arm poses will stretch you in new ways. A little bit more openness in your shoulders, elbows and wrists can make a big improvement in many more complicated poses. In this workshop you are going to play around these joints of your arms and create different and much deeper stretches for them. It also includes strengthening exercises for your arm muscles. At the end you are going to experience how your amazing arms help you perform many different poses, especially inversion and arm balance.

Demystify Your Hips (2.5 hours)

Sunday, 7th Sept 2014 2.30pm - 5pm

Perhaps there is nothing wrong with your back or your knees. If they are hurt, maybe you can blame your hips. Tight hips can lead to problem in many parts of your body; lower back, pelvis, sciatic nerve, knee pain, to name but a few. Leave your comfy sofa and come to this workshop to explore the mobility of your hips. We are going to work on many big and small muscles around hips and thighs, relieve their tightness and strengthen and energize them. And, of course, you probably want to try some asana that challenges your hips. You got it!

Please contact us at mysuryayoga@gmail.com or 0162027417 Jo/ 0378036044 (studio)

Kids Yoga Workshop: A lil' Recap and Follow Up

2014-07-22T15:13:00.000+08:00

I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to all the parents and their children for participating in our “Back to Basics” Kids yoga workshop this year. I am happy to see some familiar faces from last year's Yoga Kids workshop as well! Surya Yoga Studio's team were also super supportive and assisted me in conducting the workshop.

Kids yoga are for 3-11 year olds

Most participants were new to Kids Yoga

18 children from 3 years old to 11 years old joined us this year. This workshop might a first experience for some of the youngsters. I could see that they had experienced some anxiety and fear at the beginning of the workshop. This is completely normal for children to fear something new or what they do not understand. In fact, we (adults) get that too! True to kids yoga, me, Elisha and Jo got them excited and kept them engaged with our kids yoga workshop activities. After awhile, you could see the little ones come out of their shell and even start socializing with the other participants. The 3-4 year olds were extremely cute!

We managed to get everyone loosened up!

Everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest adult, experiences anxieties and fears at one time or another. Feeling anxious in a particularly uncomfortable situation and NEVER feels very good. However, with kids, such feelings are not only normal, they're also necessary. Dealing with anxieties can prepare young people to handle the unsettling experiences and challenging situations of life. Feel the fear, but do it anyways!

A small mention though, as the young ones must learn to handle their anxieties, we (as parents) also need to learn to, I shall quote Elsa from Frozen (I am sure your little one is addicted to it!), we need to 'let it go'. Let go of our very OWN fear of letting our little ones feel discomfort and anxiety. It is instinctual to protect and nurture, but we also must learn to let go and sometimes let our kids learn things in their own way and right. Smaller things of course that doesn't cause any harm. It will actually build a sense of independence and confidence from a young age.

Lunch time!

One of the greatest joys of this workshop for me personally, is seeing the children’s creativity blossom! We had a card making activity. It had a heart motive in front. At first, Elisha (she is part of the studio team) was a little worried that it would be too complicated for the participants but I assured her not to underestimate kids. They are sometimes even more adaptive than most of us adults! Children are naturally creative. We need to allow them to push their own creative boundaries and inspire them with creatively engaging activities. They learn by seeing, doing, and exploring.

A lil' art and craft to kick off the workshop!

I am happy to receive a lot of positive feedback from the children after the workshop. This year's workshop included the basic concept of getting along and building strong relationships with parents, a little fun art and craft work, basic yoga poses, game, storytelling and most importantly, FUN!

Our little technicolor canopy!

Do join us for Kids Yoga class every Saturday at 3.30pm! We've also got a Family Day coming up and we are giving introductory classes to participants. More details in the attached poster below. Do check it out! We look forward to seeing the little ones again!

Thanks and regards

Susan Leow

Surya Yoga Studio Kids Yoga Instructor

Kids Yoga Workshop: Back to Basics with Susan Leow

2014-07-09T08:59:00.002+08:00

“Back to Basics”

Yoga Kids Workshop with Susan Leow

4 - 11 years

Description

Allow your kids to enjoy themselves during the upcoming “Back to Basic” yoga-kid workshop! This workshop is educational and your child will learn something new such as new experiences, new skills, making new friends and most importantly occupying their time wisely and having fun!

Activities

Introduction
Education on how to stay close, get along and build strong relationship with parent
Art Works/ drawing
Yoga Kids
Game
Closing Activities

Why you chose Back to Basic as this year’s kid’s workshop?

This year theme is “Back to Basic” Yoga Kids workshop. Back to Basics Yoga Kids workshop is appropriate for kids new to yoga and for more experienced ones wishing to deepen their understanding.

I like to study the reasons behind yoga practice by always getting back to the beginning, back to basics of yoga and the reason why we started, and continue the practice. For me, back to basics concept is like back to home concept for children, no matter how much information the children had learned, how fast the children grow up or how far the children go, they should still back to their own home.

Snippets from 2013 : I Love Earth Yoga Kids Workshop

However fast the children grow up or

how far the children go, they should still back

to their own home.

Yoga teaches an awareness of the relationship between body and mind.

Kids Yoga is a creative way for children to experience the physical aspects of yoga, the calming effects of breathing exercises

It will be good if children learn how to

stay close, get along and build strong

relationship with parent.

Parent (Mom and dad) are two of the most important people in our life. Moms and dads need to care for their kids from the minute they are born. It is a parent’s job to love and guide kids, and most parents will do this as long as they live, even when the “kids” are grown up and have children of their own. That means kids have many years ahead to share with their mom and dad. It will be good if children learn how to stay close, get along and build strong relationship with parent.

Kids Yogs help children understand their emotions and their bodies better.

This workshop provided a fun and creative way for children to experience the physical aspects of yoga, the calming effects of breathing exercises and the soothing benefits of relaxation techniques. Yoga teaches an awareness of the relationship between body and mind. The awareness benefits children from the earliest of ages, so that they can understand their emotions and their bodies. This workshop encourages learning and developing new skills, guide the children on the basic concept of get along and build strong relationship with parents, and most of all, having fun!

Thanks and regards,

Susan Leow

Check out our lil' poster.

Yes, that's me and my little one, Allen!

More info at www.suryayoga.com.my

Alice: Let's Find a little Yin-ner peace!

2014-07-07T16:12:00.003+08:00

Add a lil' Yin to your Yang with Alice!

I had the opportunity to have a sit down with Alice just before her Sunday 10am Yin Yoga class. I have known Alice for perhaps 3 months now and the first thing that always comes to mind should anyone ask me about her, is that she is truly genuine.

Her passion to teach Yin Yoga is refreshing and if you have been to her classes, you can see how caring and always makes time even after class is over to answer any questions by her students. She definitely gives her all during each class. So this is how the little interview went.

Q: What attracted you to Yin Yoga?

A: I find Yin Yoga the most relaxing form of yoga. It brings about calmness in a person. Especially though used to the fast moving corporate life, fast paced environment. Prior to Yin Yoga, I was a pretty stressed person. I would go for massages and manicures to ease the stress. (she laughs) Once the masseuse even mentioned that - I just don't know how to relax. So yes, the ability to LEARN how to relax and truly let go was what attracted me to Yin Yoga.

Q: Who should try Yin Yoga?

A: Well, truly everyone should try! For me to pin point a specific type of person would be unfair. Each individual would have different specific poses that they should practice. There really is no hard and fast rules when it comes to Yin Yoga. One thing for sure, props like blocks and blankets truly helps and fights any obstacles one might face, if they are seniors or right up to even athletes. It all boils down to relaxing the muscles. Active muscles that are at work all the time. These overworked muscles will eventually cause stress to your joints and yes, your life in general.

Q: Who generally would enjoy Yin Yoga classes?

A: Everybody that prefers a slow class, those that have particularly tight joints and of course, those that simply find it hard to slow down and relax. Those even interested in taking up meditation would greatly benefit from Yin classes. Oh yes, Yin yoga also helps with anger management. It truly works on both body and mind . If you have anxiety or often find yourself in stressful environments, Yin yoga is a surefire way to center yourself and find that balance.

Q: Have any advice for newbies?

A: Do what you can do, as much as you can do. Take it slow and easy. Yes, you got that right - Relax, relax and relax! Also focus on your breathing. Yin yoga classes will cover simple diaphragm breathing and be open to the concept of 'just letting go'. Just focus on the basic principles of practice of Yin yoga and be aware of the bodily sensations as we work on a specific targeted area.

Q: Lastly, Alice what is Yang style of yoga?

A: Yang is the opposite of Yin yoga - but not better or less than. Yang style of yoga is the dynamic form of practice. You could say that the other forms of yoga taught here at Surya Yoga is predominantly Yang style of yoga and focus on building heat in the body and targets in strengthening of muscles.

Everyone has their own preference and choice as to what form of yoga they would like to practice but ultimately, to be more balanced - practicing both Yin and Yang would complement each other .The more you work hard, truly the harder you need to accept that relaxation is important to keep you going.

Great news guys! Surya Yoga has made July 2014 the official Yin Yoga Awareness Month! Would you like to try out some free Yin yoga classes? Alice is participating and our other Yin instructors - Regine, Ken and Susan.

We have scheduled a Yin yoga class everyday for the month of July! Deadline for registration is 24th July 2014. How to register? Click here.

We look forward to meeting everyone! Existing members and newcomers are welcome to join. Do let your friends and family know. Let's make this month an Yinteresting one!

Namaste

Elirus

____________________________

Alice's Instructor Profile

After 2 consecutive shoulder surgeries, coupled with multiple health issues, she took the option for early retirement from her then stressful corporate life in 2009. In her journey to recovery and while rehabilitating with physiotherapies, she started to look at Yoga. She first joined a 6 weekly sessions in ‘The Introduction to Yoga’ at MAYI in Damansara Uptown.

Subsequently, she undertook the Foundation Level (1) of their “ International Yoga Instructor Course” in 2010. In 2011 she continued her journey to Singapore to be trained by Paul Grilley and Victor Chng in their 30 and 100 hours Yin Yoga Teachers Training respectively. In 2012, she attended a 1 year weekend study on The Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at the KL Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This course enhanced her understanding and practice of the Yin Yoga Meridian Series.

In 2013, she completed a 200-Hours Teachers Training Program with Manasa Yoga, a US Yoga Alliance Registered School.

Along with her daily practice, she continues to participate in Yoga Immersions and Workshops.

Of those that she attended are :

Evolution Asia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong (2011) where she was exposed to international teachers like Simon Low and Mark Laham in Yin Yoga, Marla Apt in Iyengar Yoga, Andre Lappa in Universal Alignment Yoga, Martin Kirk in Anatomy and Biomechanics , Paul Dallaghan in Pranayama and also many others.

Back to Basics: What You Didn't Know About Kids Yoga

2014-05-06T08:50:00.000+08:00

I had a pleasant conversation with our Kids Yoga teacher, Susan Leow. It seems that there is much more to Kids Yoga than what I originally thought. I'm 28 years old, okay.. 29 years old this year (gosh that biological clock is ticking!) and I am proud to say that I too, when I was a wee lil' thing, used to attend Kids Yoga classes myself!

This was way back in Johor Bahru. There was a lovely Iyengar Yoga teacher named Ms. Devi that rented a small lot in (at the time) famous shopping mall, Holiday Plaza in Taman Century, Johor Bahru. My mom, which was rather into numerology, astrology and at the time yoga, was practically beaming with joy when she found Ms. Devi! So that started my little yoga journey with my other 2 siblings.

Susan Leow and her little Kids Yoga class Saturday group. The kids yoga I attended back then had the same 'feel'! Different ages, different sizes, different colors - but we really didn't care about differences.

So where is this story going?

Speaking to Susan, I realized that I DID in fact benefited from those Kids Yoga classes, which at the time, being a little preschooler didn't know what was happening at all, I just followed everybody in the kids yoga class. Bits of memories came back and I remember sticking my tongue out, on all fours pretending to be a lion and watching my older sisters doing headstands! One thing for sure, as I look back.. those weekly trips to Holiday Plaza to go for Ms.Devi's class truly meant quality fun time with my siblings.. and of course, White Castle burgers with mom and dad right after. It's these little treasure drops of memories that we would like to give our children for sure. My parents did a great job in this aspect.

Kids yoga gives children a stress-free and technology-free environment to play

Okay, now back to my conversation with Susan..

She expressed rather passionately that despite the advantages of fast-paced technology and the birth of iPhones and iPads (we both grew up only knowing that, if you want to reach your parents when they are late to pick you up from school, you need to find a - most of the time, broken down - payphone), that this very technology is robbing our children of the many childhood experiences most of us had before. Running around the field doing cartwheels to impress and show off to our friends, playing 'batu seremban', jump rope with linked-up rubber bands and using the earth as our canvas to draw and leave 'SMS's' to people. It all boils down to how we used our imagination. Even with leaves, sand and a few flowers - we could make make believe pots of rendang playing 'masak-masak'.

Socializing skills and the importance of team work is a focus in Kids Yoga

The 'not so good' parts of children growing up with too much technology around them:

They feel tired and lethargic very fast. This I believe is due to the lack of physical engagement.
They get addicted to social media apps and use all their spare time playing games on their iPhones/iPads. Susan used the words 'cannot let go' which pretty much sums it all. Hence, the word - addiction.
Eyesight and posture problems. Which if I may add, for a growing child may cause other problems in future.
More prone to getting headaches
They grow up having very short attention spans (and sometimes, short temper as well - since everything evolves around instant gratification).

Kids yoga is for kids aged 3 - 11 years

Builds confidence and strength in children

Susan, explained to me further how Kids Yoga (for children 3-11 years) helps to even out the playing field. Counter attack technology so to speak. As she nibbled on her rice salad, she gave me these few interesting snippets of information.

Kids yoga helps distract children from being glued to their computers and iPads and encourage them to socialize with other children through fun exercises and games
Kids yoga, for the lack of a better word, actually 'tricks' children to exercise through use of class themes such as 'a trip to the zoo', 'family love', 'friendship' and much more.
Storytelling and fun music used in Kids yoga classes encourages children to use their imagination and natural creativity.
Partner yoga, which is often a focus in Kids yoga classes teaches children to learn the value of trust and the importance of working as a team
Kids yoga participants tend to be more focused, less hyperactive (and more calm), have better posture and breathing (Susan teaches easy breathing exercises).

Susan teaches simple breathing exercises in Kids Yoga

Kids yoga is not competitive, with no grading system.

Children are allowed to grow at their own pace.

What is a Kids Yoga class like?

Truly, I have watched several of Susan's kids yoga classes in motion, and it almost seems like a 'quick getaway' for the kids. Getaway from the stress of school and yes, tuition classes. Susan then said something that made so much sense, but of course never dawned upon me. Have a mentioned that her son, Allen attends her classes as well? This is what Susan told me - a light bulb moment for me. So leave you with this. It is definitely something to ponder over.

Children are able to just 'let go' and be themselves

"Children tend to thrive in a non competitive, fun environment. Yoga is not really looked upon as a skill compared to perhaps ballet, playing the piano or even more competitive sports like even figure skating. But what really is considered a 'skill'? We don't have exams in Kids Yoga and there is no 'grading system'.

Kids yoga allows children to just 'let go', helps them learn to be comfortable in their own skin and just be themselves. Every activity or exercises in class is built up naturally and at a slow but steady pace to make sure every child stays on track and doesn't get left behind.

We let children, just be children. There is no real hurry in growing up."

~ Susan Leow, Surya Yoga Kids Yoga teacher

Namaste

Elirus

please visit http://www.suryayoga.com.my/

to find out more about Susan Leow's Kids Yoga classes and

upcoming Kids Yoga 'Back to Basics' workshop

13 July, Sunday 11am-4pm (lunch included)
RM 45 per child

Be Physio Savvy: How To Treat Scoliosis

2014-02-20T10:56:00.000+08:00

Scoliosis is a sideways S or C shaped bend in the spine that can lead to pain, imbalances in muscles, limitations in movement, poor posture and breathing difficulties. In most cases it comes about from unknown causes and can either be functional or structural.

Structural means that the spine and ribs are bent and rotated into abnormal positions and fixed regardless of your position.

Functional scoliosis does not have the rotation of the spine and ribs and will disappear when bending forward, this can be corrected with treatment of tight muscles or leg length differences.

The bends and rotations in the spine can be visualized using blocks as below:

The 3 main options given to those with scoliosis are (or a combination of the below):

1. Surgery

2. Exercise and physiotherapy

3. Bracing

Physiotherapy is the most widely used exercise based, non-surgical approach for management of scoliosis. Following an assessments conducted by a physiotherapist, the exercises will be individually tailored by the curve patterns and severity, as well as the patient’s age and level of function and fitness. They are designed to create awareness of posture and alignment through proper positioning and repetition.

The patient is taught certain positions that will allow expansion of the flattened chest and back areas. Along with prominence of their ribs, many scoliosis patients have flattening of their backs, lumbar spine or pelvis as a result of the curvature. The exercises that improve the flat back, restore the alignment of the pelvis and reduce the protruded areas of the trunk are simple and highly effective in improving function.

The result of physiotherapy treatment and exercises is a decrease in pain, slowing or halting of the curvature progression, and improved cardio-pulmonary function, mobility, and postural stability. Some exercises include:

Hip hitch exercise

Pelvic shifting exercise

Hip stabilization exercise : more on conscious awareness of hip position and consciously correcting it before movements exercises

Any exercises involving bending backwards, twisting of ribs, bending sideways or bending the rib cage should be avoided as they put more pressure on the ribs and spine which can cause pain and worsening of the condition. Other exercises like weight lifting also worsens the condition.

Be careful not to engage in certain yoga poses should you have scoliosis. These poses include the cobra, the wheel, spinal twists, shoulder stand and poses which involve the side bending of the spine. Seek physiotherapy treatment to improve your cardio-pulmonary function, mobility, and postural stability. For a general idea on which exercises you should avoid please find out more here.

However, some yoga poses that lengthens the spine do compliment physiotherapy treatment. To name a few poses; cat-cow pose, child pose, triangle pose, locust pose and savasana - which is mostly practiced in Yin Yoga, a more passive and more gentle version of yoga. More information can be found here.

A gentle note, yoga compliments physiotherapy treatment. Please seek a consultation with us at Physio Savvy to further guide you on how to treat your scoliosis. We will guide you in what exercises, what yoga poses and treatments best suits you.

Till our next blog post, let's all be more physio savvy!

Written by guest blogger,

Alisha Bajerai
Principal Physiotherapist

More information on Physio Savvy:

Physio Savvy was founded in 2012 in Kuala Lumpur by Australian physiotherapist Alisha Bajerai to provide the highest standards of care by using the latest research and treatment techniques to continually improve the care of our clients. We specialize in providing quality physiotherapy treatment and care for patients and differentiate ourselves with our very hands-on approach.

Our team of physiotherapists are all highly qualified in treating musculoskeletal and neurological conditions ranging from back pain, scoliosis and ACL rehabilitation to stroke and Cerebral Palsy. For a more extensive list of conditions we treat or any other information, visit our website at www.physiosavvy.com or Like us on www.facebook.com/physiosavvy for our regular informative posts and information.

2014 Activity Calendar

2014-01-17T10:54:00.000+08:00

Our 2014 Activity Calendar is out. Do have a look.

Take note that Surya Yoga studio is closed on public holidays.

Our workshops and retreat dates are stated in the calendar.

Do join our many activities and build up our little Surya Yoga community.

Let's all walk on a little sunshine.

Namaste

Please click on image for a better view

Charity : Surya Yoga Community Gives Back

2013-12-09T19:12:00.000+08:00

“There is no exercise better for the heart

than reaching down and lifting people up.”

Every year, the Surya Yoga community gets together to help others in need. This year, our students donated funds to the Lotus Charity Care Centre Society Selangor & W.P. and Charis Youth Home Drug Rehabilitation Center.

A few of us loaded our cars with gift packages, boxes of daily household items and kind donations from our Surya Yoga students and made a trip to Semenyih, where the Lotus Charity Centre is located.

Regine, Billie, Josephine and Xiang spent their Sunday afternoon helping out.

We prepared bags of gifts for the children and old folks of the Lotus Charity Care Centre. Each bag were unique with personal messages and wishes from our caring students. Below are just a few examples. With donations from our students, over 20 gift bags were made.

We collected donations as well to provide the care centre with some everyday household goods to help the caregivers run the center with a little more ease. Food, shelter and even clothing is all provided by the care centre. Most times there isn't enough to go around. Not enough room in fact to go around as well. Everyone seemed uncomfortably squeezed in.

Food donations and clothing is always appreciated by the kind people of the Lotus Charity Care Centre.

The home has 18 children and 17 senior citizens -very much overcrowded and uncomfortable for everyone at the home. The Lotus Charity Care Centre is a multi ethnic home providing assistance for those in need and do not have anyone to depend on. Many of the children have been abused and neglected by their parents. Some even rejected by society. Lotus Charity Care Centre is a safe haven for these children and abandoned seniors.

It was a surprise to see even toddlers being in the home. All the children, even the toddlers were very well behaved. There were no shouting, crying or screaming. No one was running around. The kind people running the care centre take care of everyone very well. Even the children that are old enough to attend school, when they have the funds, get to go for tuition classes.

Where does funding come from? Unfortunately, they do not get government funding. All funding are from occasional private donations. The care centre expresses their gratitude to our students for their time, effort and donations.

Overcrowding, as mentioned earlier is still a very difficult issue. More and more children and senior citizens need help and assistance, but the care center cannot provide enough room for them.

When we arrived, a few were gathered outside to have lunch. The lady in blue (the caregiver in charge of the centre) handed out packets of food to everyone. All of us could see that everyone were taken care of with a lot of love.

The senior citizens of the home ate lunch with the younger ones. It was eye and heart opening in a sense - the young and the old staying together in a home - caring for each other and creating their own family.

The care centre proudly displays artwork by the children. It's nice that despite circumstances, the children still manage to simply - be children. The kind people running the centre really put a lot of love, time, effort and care into giving everyone the best care and quality of life possible.

Josephine (Jo for short), filling up some donation forms.

The office had a few bookshelves filled with children activity books.

A few students made their own private donations to the center. The caregiver was all smiles accepting the generous donations given on behalf of the society. This is Jo, handing one of our student's private donation to the center. The care centre is always in need of funding and support from the public. They have plans to purchase a double storey bungalow house to accommodate the increasing number of children and senior citizens in need. (more details below)

Billie, having a look at certificates hung in the mini office.

Even little Eugene came along to lend support!

After getting to know some of the children, and letting everyone finish lunch. We passed around the gift bags. They care center rarely got holiday gift bags, so it was a pleasant surprise for them.

We managed to make everyone happy. It was really heart warming. Many of them were all smiles and excited to receive the gifts and attention. It is sad how many of the young and old get left behind and forgotten by society.

Jo, Regine and Billie handing out the gift packages.

The seniors in the care center were also given gift packages. The uncle in the white t-shirt (one of the 17 that squeezed in the little room provided) showed us around and helped us hand out the gifts.

Little Daniel excitedly opening his gift bag!

All the children were well mannered and helped us pass the gift packages to their other friends. They do not have much, but they share everything they have. It seems like those with the least are the most to give.

Daniel was pleasantly surprised to get some toys in his gift bag!

He couldn't wait to start playing with his new toys!

Another center the Surya Yoga community made donations to is the Charis Youth Home. The home has 40 members (from 13 to 50 years of age). This home in particular is a drug rehabilitation center and home for rebellious youth.

Families generally pay the center for the shelter and rehabilitation service they provide but many stop paying after one or two months and abandon their children. Charis Youth Home is always in need of donations from the public. They are also in need of everyday items to keep their centre running. They mentioned that their daily intake of rice alone is a little more than 1okg. Much support is needed. You can contact Chiew May 011 28094933 for more information on how you can show your support.

Both centers we visited do not get enough outside help.

They struggle to stay afloat.

We urge you to lend a helping hand.

We hope that with our combined donations and effort, we could bring about more smiles, healthier living conditions and better quality of life for these forgotten members of society.

It's time we give back.

It's time to spread a little sunshine.

Real change won't happen without you.

Namaste,

Elirus

Lotus Charity Care Centre Society Selangor & WP

http://www.lotuscharity.com.my

No, 41 Jalan 3A Taman Hiew Piaw,

43500 Semenyih, Selangor

Bank in cheque or cash donations to

Hong Leong Bank

Lotus Charity Care Centre

039-00-30334-7

Current project requiring your donation and support

Please click on image

Holiday Announcement

2013-12-07T13:18:00.000+08:00

Change a Habit in 30 days? - Challenge Accepted!

2013-12-02T11:07:00.000+08:00

Any new resolutions or plans for change usually only materialise end of December. That's when we sit down and review how the year went and in what way you want to be different or what you want to do different the next, brand new year.

There is this power to a new year. You feel like you can shed bad habits, that you will finally work on things on your bucket list, or (as well) decide that it's time to simply - be a new you.

I would argue that every single day could be looked upon just as magically as New Year's Eve, that we don't need to wait for the New Year to do the things we really want to do - but, I'm not here to be a grouch. As the blog title suggests, YES. I am here to equip you on ways you can carry out your resolutions for 2014.

It's too early? It's not even end of December? Carpe diem! My view - New resolutions can be looked upon simply as 'new habits'. It's a game of replacement. It's replacing bad habits with better new habits.

Below is a list of typical bad habits

Smoking
Overspending
Gambling
Overeating
Arguing
Being ‘superconnected’ (spending too much time on the computer, watching television, texting, or on Facebook)
Being late
Complaining
Eating junk food
Exaggerating
Not listening and/or always trying to dominating the conversation
Working too much and/or being stressed

Feel like you might want to change an unhealthy habit?

Take a look at these steps.

Change a Habit in 30 Days

Step 1

Identify the bad habit that you want to change

ie 1. snacking even when not hungry

ie 2. smoking cigarettes

Step 2

Identify the triggers of that bad habit

ie 1. stress, bored, angry, sad

ie 2. social situations, drinking tea or coffee, driving in the car, waiting between classes, checking email, bored, talking on the telephone

Step 3

Identify a replacement habit for every trigger

ie 1. wait until your body feels physically full, replace junk food with real food (fruits, veggies, nuts), don't shop for unhealthy food, plan out healthy snacks

ie 2. call a friend or a family member, nicotine patch or gum, stretching, yoga, do crossword puzzles to keep your hands busy, brush your teeth, nap

Step 4

For the next 30 days, every time there are triggers, focus on the replacement habits

It's a simple method.

But since simple doesn't always mean 'easy', check out the tips below.

9 tips to help make that new habit stick

Take on changing only one bad habit at a time. Don't try to change all at once. Tackle one resolution at a time. Habit changing is not easy. Keep it simple.

Start out with small replacement habits. You can build it up gradually over time. Stopping habits cold turkey will not work.

Find a good 30 day challenge online or better yet, create and plan one out. Commit yourself. Write down your motivations for changing. Understand the obstacles you might face and how to overcome them.

Check out these fitness challenges you can try. It's a good way to build up the habit of exercising daily.

go to these websites for more ideas

http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com

http://www.my30dc.com/site

Get support. Ask for help from friends and family or even a support group online. Spend more time with people with habits you want to mirror. Find role models.

Be your own cheerleader. Stop beating yourself up. Have a positive daily mantra or use 'The Secret' and practice powerful visualizations. Visualise yourself with replacing the old habit with the new. Attach the visualisation with a positive feeling of accomplishment or happiness. Do it daily as you are about to sleep.

Reward yourself from time to time. Give yourself a pat on the back.

source

You could make a reward chart. It doesn't just work well for kids. Stay motivated! You'd be surprised how the urge to 'collect more stickers' or 'complete the chart' can motivate you to replace bad habits.

Be your own drill sergeant. No exceptions to the replacement rules. Every time there is a trigger to your old habit, you must replace it with the new habit. Be firm with yourself for the 30 days. That's the only way you can create the new better habit.

Get accountable. Tell people about your plans, blog about or post it on an online forum. When you are accountable, the chances of sticking to the plan (all the way through) is much higher.

But what if it goes wrong? That's perfectly fine. It's hard to be both drill sergeant and cheer leader. Review what went wrong, make a new plan and give it another go. Don't beat yourself up. You didn't fail. You just found out ways which didn't work. Feel the pain and move on. Rome wasn't built in a day. Keep on trying.

So what say you?

Ready to change a habit in 30 days?

Namaste

Elirus

*Update: 4 August 2014*

Hi guys, just a little update. We've come up with our very own 30 Day Shape Up Challenge! Finally! What's it all about? More details here.

source:
http://zenhabits.net/the-habit-change-cheatsheet-29-ways-to-successfully-ingrain-a-behavior/
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/18-tricks-to-make-new-habits-stick.html
http://www.rd.com/slideshows/10-bad-habits-and-the-best-ways-to-quit-them
http://www.scienceofstillness.com/blog/habits/bad-habits-list/

Weight Loss for Warriors: 5 Tips to Stay On Track

2013-11-16T16:35:00.002+08:00

Losing weight is easy, all you have to do is diet and exercise.

WRONG!

Losing weight is just as much as a mental challenge as it is a physical one. It requires stamina, emotional support and rational thinking. It's never JUST 'diet and exercise'. There is more to it. Weight loss is both a mental and physical journey that takes a significant amount of time.

Stay on track in your weight loss journey with these 5 tips.

1) Love Yourself Unconditionally

Yes, love yourself. Treat yourself with compassion. Loving your own self, loving your body as it is. It might be difficult at first (if you are not used to it). Loving yourself in essence means respecting yourself. Know when you need rest, do not treat your body badly by starving yourself or over restricting. Don't be too hard on yourself if the scale doesn't seem to cooperate.

Many people give up half way because they don't feel or see the results that they want. Losing weight is a process. It takes time. Be kind to yourself as you are kind to others. If compassion doesn't include you, it's incomplete. Yes, discipline is important, but staying sane throughout your weight loss journey is equally as important. That's really the key. That way, you will stay on track and very likely to maintain the weight that you've lost. Overcome that self doubt that you have. Love yourself enough to know that change takes time and doesn't happen overnight.

Learn to let go. Love the body you are in. If you feel uncomfortable in your skin, it's okay to want change. 2kg or even 20kg. Love yourself every step of the weight loss journey.

2) Quit Your Magical Thinking

Accept and understand that no, life doesn't suddenly become a bed of roses when you are thinner. Don't get caught up in the dream of a happy ending, that everything will be solved with weight loss. It's rather a rude awakening, but many slip back into unhealthy habits and gain back the weight because they realized that even being thin, they still had the same amount of problems as they had before when they were carrying the extra kilos.

If you want to change your life, start now. Don't wait to be thin before trying that new fashion style. Don't wait to be thin before asking out that guy you are interested in. Don't wait to be thin before deciding to finally wear that cute bikini top and hang out at the beach with friends. Why must life only begin after you lose weight? Change your mindset. You do not need to be a certain way physically to enjoy life and to live it. Join a dance class! Enjoy the weight loss process!

Find and fall in love at any size

Try something new, you might have hidden talents!

Socialize, there is no reason to hide.

The 'little' black dress is overrated. Don't let your size stop you from looking great. It's okay to get all dolled up even if you haven't reached your target weight.

3) Self Care Will Empower Others

As Robert Kiyosaki would say, 'pay yourself first!'. Or as flight attendants tell us before our flight takes off, 'should there be any flight turbulence, please put on your own oxygen mask first before your child'. There's nothing wrong with putting yourself first.

There is nothing selfish about it. In fact, taking care of yourself will inspire others to treat their own selves better. In addition of course, your health will allow you to help others and be there for others when needed. In the long run really, helping yourself helps others. Win-win.

Love and nourish yourself first. Be around and be in good health to help others with even greater ability now.

4) The Root Of It

Food is no different than drugs in away. Sometimes we use food to self medicate. Why? Usually people overeat because there is an underlying problem. There is a reason behind why people binge, or get addicted to certain types of food. Some eat to fill in the emptiness they feel in life. Some gain weight from depression or physical conditions like hypothyroidism.

Identify the root of the problem. Why are you eating so much? What gap in life are you trying to fill up with food? Was there a bad experience that you are trying to forget? Lift the weight off your shoulders, and the weight will melt off your physique.

It's hard. It's stressful. Some days you feel like giving up or resort to extremes. Try not to hurt yourself in your journey of weight loss. People can be mean or 'mean well'. Find the strength to overcome it. You are never alone. Seek help with online support groups and talking to a therapist or counselor.

Behind all that binge eating and late night grazing is a deep rooted issue. Identify it. Acknowledge it to yourself and make a plan to address the issue.

5) Life Begins At The End of Your Comfort Zone

Go on, step out of the comforts you are used to! It's time to step out of the house, push yourself into the pool and join that zumba class you've always been afraid of! We create boundaries for ourselves, we get comfortable in a certain way of life and most times, we are afraid to cross over it. Our comfort zone, after several efforts stepping outside of it, will eventually get larger.

Why not make losing weight fun?

It's okay to not look your best trying something new. Learn to let go of perfection. Accept that awkward moments are merely part of gaining the life that you want. You'd be surprised how opening one door, will lead to even better doors in future.

Initially, you'll be afraid to start for example, rock climbing. You'd be worried if the ropes can hold your weight, or if for dance, you'd be worried if you don't look good and look awkward. BUT hold on! Don't let go! Don't give up! It is this very discomfort that will make us better people. Better how? You'd learn that for one, anything is possible when you put your mind to it and you'd be surprised at how you managed to overcome the initial fear. Feel the fear, but do it anyways!

Sometimes even putting on a swimsuit and heading for a swim can be a challenge emotionally for some. Break through that negative thinking. Feel the awkwardness. but do it anyway!

Change, like all things, takes time. Getting a degree, or learning a new skill takes time. Why stress yourself out trying to lose weight at lightning speed? Take it day by day. One step at a time. If planning things out helps you stay on track? That's great! BUT if your weight loss doesn't go according to plan, don't fret. Don't beat yourself up. Brush if off, and try again.

Important thing is, be kind to yourself. Start now, start small. Try change one habit every month. You don't have to run out and pay thousands for a gym membership. You can start with a humble yoga mat, a small space and the small but powerful belief that - you may not look good temporarily losing weight, but knowing that with some effort and some time, you can, and you will.

We are our own enemies at times. Make yourself proud. Prove to yourself that you CAN do it. You'd be surprised at how you may even exceed your own expectations! Climb to even greater heights. If you are waiting for a sign, this is it.

Game on.

Namaste
Elirus

source:

http://www.myfitstation.com/2013/04/01/how-to-become-a-badass-warrior-babe-stay-committed-to-your-fitness-goals/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/11/weight-loss-stories_n_4228649.html

Scorpion Pose : A Beginners Guide

2013-10-31T09:39:00.000+08:00

Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to watch Surya Yoga intermediate students learning the Scorpion pose. It was Foo's evening intermediate class. Foo (one of our dedicated instructors) is rather adventurous and personally, I find rather inspiring. His classes are challenging, but somehow his sense of humor and cheeky smile makes most of us believe that in time even the most challenging poses, can be achieved.

Surya Yoga Instructor Jenny Chia

showing us the Scorpion pose from handstand

source

As I watched the class unfold, one or two students managed to do the Scorpion pose. Being curious, I google-ed how to achieve the Scorpion pose and I've compiled all the information I've found in this blogpost.

Benefits of Scorpion Pose

Strengthens the torso, back, arms and shoulders
Improves your sense of balance
Improving the flexibility of the spine
Builds stamina and endurance
Allows blood to rush to the brain improving memory and concentration
Stimulates the hair follicles in the scalp (hair loss prevention)
Release accumulated stress in the shoulders and spine

Things to consider before attempting the Scorpion Pose

Only attempt Scorpion pose under the guidance of a yoga teacher if it's your first time and you are new to the pose
If you have a history of heart disease or suffer from any hip or back problems - this pose is not recommended

STEP 1
The Basics

As we all know, Yoga is all about practice. For beginners like me, It's best to focus on 3 things before attempting the Scorpion pose - Strength, Flexibility and Trust.

To create better shoulder strength, Dolphin pose is key. As I've read. The best way is to do Dolphin pushups! We start off with the Dolphin pose and then bring the shoulders over the wrists into a Dolphin plank. Start of with sets of 10 and build it up over time to sets of 20 and 30.

Dolphin Pose

Dolphin Plank

source

Create flexibility with the Camel pose. It opens up the heart and lumbar spine which is needed to achieve the Scorpion pose. Try holding the Camel pose for 5-10 breathes. Have you tried falling back into Camel pose? Falling back into Camel pose requires trust and a sense of fearlessness, which brings me to the last basic step - Trust.

Camel Pose

source

Trust yourself. Sometimes we paralyze ourselves with anxiety and fear. It's time to break free from fear. You will be surprised how the lessons we learn on our yoga mat can be applied to real life. Trust is key in any inversion practice. You need to work on your headstand and headstand variations to achieve the Scorpion pose.

source

____________________________________________________

STEP 2
wall assisted Scorpion pose

source

Before attempting the Scorpion pose, use a wall to practice first. I found a really good video with instructions on how to do it. Do have a look.

____________________________________________________

STEP 3
Forearm stand

From my research, you need to work on your forearm stand (without the wall) in order to get into the Scorpion pose. I found another good video on YouTube on how to do it. Check it out.

____________________________________________________

STEP 4
Forearm stand Scorpion pose

Start with Dolphin pose.
Inhale and lift your right leg up into the air as high as you can into the Three-legged Downward Facing Dog pose.
Slowly kick the raised leg backward and lift the other leg off the floor. Your entire body weight is now on your palms, forearms and elbows.
Center yourself. Balance.
Arch your back and slowly bring your feet as close as possible to your head by bending your knees. Use your core to maintain balance.
Keep your head facing front with your eyes focused on an imaginary point on the floor in front of your arms.
Hold.
Exhale and slowly come back to the starting position.

Another excellent video to have a look at.

So this is my personal compilation of Scorpion pose how to's. Like all things, it takes effort, time and discipline to achieve anything. Be sure not to push yourself too hard physically. Work your way up from the basics.

So it's time to take the sting out of scorpion pose! Want to give it a go?

Namaste

Elirus

Source:

http://www.myyogaonline.com/about-yoga/learn-about-yoga/beginners-guide-to-scorpion-pose h ttp://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/five-steps-to-headstand/

5 Things I Wish I Knew At 25

2013-10-18T07:09:00.000+08:00

(1) Happiness isn't some state that we get to eventually. There is only now, it can be found now. Chasing after happiness (when it could be clearly be just in front of us) will make us lose our breathe, or worse, lose our hope.

Also, bad things happen to EVERYONE. Suffering is just part of life. But as many things, it will pass. We shouldn't get to caught up in happy or sad moments as well, they come and go.

(2) Comparisons is definitely a deadly negative thinking sin. It's always, "I wish I was as _______ as ________". If we compare ourselves endlessly with a list of people (and the worse, celebrities) we will always feel horrible and feel bad about ourselves. Some can use this as motivation though. We were all dealt with different cards. So we play the game differently.

(3) Success isn't for just a small percentage of people. I wish I knew that success could be measured in many ways. There are no winners of losers.

(4) Competitiveness makes us greedy, hurtful people. We can hate someone without even knowing them. Success as I've read and found out, can be shared. Working towards a common goal together is waaayyy better.

Competitiveness comes from making comparisons. Comparisons are fallacies. People are just different. No two are alike. If we were all the same (all with the same characteristics and achievements), we'd be robots!

We need to accept our flaws as just that, flaws. That we are human. We are all equal. We are all flawed in our own ways. There is no need to compete. The playing field is different for everyone.

(5) Anger is a tricky feeling. Someone could be angry with us or at us, but we could choose how to respond. We could go the 'high' way or pick a fight. To be honest, 'standing up for yourself' is just a ribbon wrapped version of 'reciprocating anger'.

The best was is to let it slide off like teflon! (not my own quote unfortunately, found it online... catchy huh?). If we really wanted to stand up for ourselves, we should let 'so and so' cool off, then approach the matter when everyone is more level headed. Sometimes emotions can get in the way of common sense.

Let em' slide

Thank God for teflon!

Namaste

Elirus

research :
http://zenhabits.net

Tips for em' Juicy Apple Shaped Women!

2013-09-29T08:05:00.002+08:00

'Woot woot' my apple shaped comrades! So as you probably can tell, today we shall be going through what makes us apples, well... more 'apple core' (pun intended). Being an apple myself, I have gone through so many trials and errors in terms of fashion.

Countless of really bad fashion mistakes like wearing tops that don't go below my hips WITH sheer leggings! (in my defense, I really thought they were the denier opaque type). Tons of people stared at me that horrible day when I went to the movies at the Curve. Oh well, let's move on... time to erase my fashion 'boo-boos' and head on to the more ample well dressed apple!

Above, general women shapes

The apple

There's a whole bunch of us out there!

Apples are 'top heavy' folk, we have wide torsos, broad shoulders and a full bust (waist, and upper back!). We however have thinner arms, legs and hips (the perks of being an apple).

We gather fat around our waistlines though, little tires that add up day by day if nothing is done to deflate them. Let's show em' what we've got! (but appropriately). Lets get down to business and see what works for us.

Numero uno, draw attention away from thy belly! Avoid low shorts or low pants. Find ones that hug you well (over the belly if possible - yes, I know this may look a little 'aunty/mom jeans' but hey, if it works.. it works!)
Don't wear tops with a different pattern in the belly section. Let's not draw attention to it more.
Choose yoga attire that isn't too clingy. Try find textured fabric (woven material). T-shirts with ruched middles also give definition.
Flaunt your bust. It actually takes away the attention from your belly. Wear V necks and plunging neckline yoga tops.
Avoid halter yoga tops, very high necklines, decorated necklines, off the shoulder cut yoga tops and yes, boat neck yoga tops. They make our upper body look broader.
Yoga pants with back pockets will help balance out our apple waist. Flared, wide-leg or boot cut yoga pants work wonders to even us apples out.
This is my own tip, if you have flappy flabby arms (you know what I mean?), stay away from those capped sleeves yoga tops! If you like t-shirts, remember to find something that clinches your arms. Don't let it be too loose.

Generally what apples should look for

Marika Miracles Butt Booster Capri

with Tummy Control

Marika Miracles

$60.00

Marika Tek -

Braided Dry Wik Tank Tee

Marika Tek

$28.00

AVIVA

Short Sleeve Top

RM 99

Northern Lights Tee

Blueberry Heather Reflective

$49.00

A Hybrid Racerback and Loose Cami

NUX USA

$62.00

Of course, these are just guidelines and the outfits on top
are just examples. We have tons of outfits for sale at our yoga carnival.

Click click the banner below or go through
our past blog posts for more information.

Namaste

Elirus

Oh yes, don't forget, those that complete the

8 hour Yogathon will get a special certificate from Surya Yoga!

Source:

http://www.wikihow.com/Really-Dress-an-Apple-Shape-Body

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/beauty/guides/makeovers/cute-workout-clothes-for-every-body/

A Hafla Story: Zyen's got on her yoga groove!

2013-09-25T06:00:00.000+08:00

I had a lovely time joining Zyen at this Hafla (belly dancing party hosted by the famous Sophia Kong) event. I brought along a camera to catch her in action. She's been dancing for over 10 years, and WHOAH, she's good! Charismatic and technically brilliant on the dance floor (in my humble opinion). Overall, she dances her heart out, and that's what really matters *grins*

She comes for yoga very often at Surya Yoga. She says that it helps her maintain her physique and flexibility. Her performance that night was captivating and her flexible moves were the product of years and years of training and not forgetting yoga!

Zyen's special performance was a fusion of belly dance with jazz and latin influences. Yoga helped build up her core muscles helping her with belly dancing movements and the much needed technique of isolating muscles. In addition, she managed to build muscle tone and strength to execute the more jazz and latin movements in her performance.

Me, Zyen and Jo at Surya Yoga

Most dancers take up yoga to keep their body in shape and some yoga poses in fact, help build specific body muscles needed to dance well and with control. Yoga in itself is rather graceful. There is a type of yoga called Tripsichore which can be explained in short as 'dance yoga'

www.brooklynyogastar.com

It explores a variety of stylistic forms including punk ballet, conventional modern dance and strict neo-classical techniques. This yoga dance is very fluid and rather beautiful.

I personally like contemporary dance, and I know for a fact that yoga helps tremendously in helping sculpt a dancer's body! Look at Zyen! She's uber fit! Basically any type of yoga helps and does wonders to the physique.

She danced to a medley of music from Shakira's "Whenever Wherever" to No Doubt's "Hey Baby" to Pussycat Dolls' "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps". She blew me away (and others too), everyone was so quiet during her performance, everyone stopped talking, and paid full attention to her mesmerizing moves!

A little collage I made for Zyen

Catch Zyen's full performance!

Zyen prepping up for her belly dance performance

Lots of behind the scenes work goes into looking the part *smiles*

All dressed up. Gotta love her outfit!

Photos with other participants

and Sofia Kong (bottom left corner)

*laughs* and me (top left corner)

All the vibrant very seductive belly

dancers that performed during the hafla

(can you spot Zyen?)

So dancers, take up a yoga class (preferably at Surya Yoga *smiles*)

and you'll see the difference it makes to your dance skills!

Zyen showing us some yoga poses,

she participated in Surya Yoga's 'Strike A Pose' project

for the blood donation drive we held earlier this year

Zyen, at our detox retreat this year at Janda Baik,

she wrote about us too in her website.

Click here to read all about the Janda Baik detox retreat!

Thank you Zyen for letting me use these photos! *grins*

"Yoga is a fantastic complement to a dancer's daily routine. Yoga helps improves one's breathing, balance, flexibility and muscle tone, all of which is needed for a dancer, no matter which type of dance, be it belly dance, jazz, contemporary, even hip hop dance and salsa!

It is not enough for a dancer to be able to move to rhythm, he or she must have the stamina and the ability to execute the moves. Speaking as someone who has tried a variety of gym classes, I always come back to yoga because yoga is the best complementary exercise to improve myself as a dancer."

~ Zyen Hoo

Don't forget to check out her website!

www.zyenhoo.com

Oh, she's joining us for our Yoga Carnival and
8 hour Yogathon coming Sunday, 6th October 2013 as well!

You guys making your way down to Surya Yoga for our Carnival?
See you there!

View Larger Map

Namaste

Elirus

Creating Curves - Yoga Outfits for Rectangular Shaped Women

2013-09-22T06:00:00.000+08:00

I wrote about yogi fashion for pear shaped women previously. As promised, I'm on to the next body type! The athletic rectangle! Natalie Portman is a rectangle as well, which is awesome because I really like her a lot, from Leon: The professional right up to even her Queen Amidala days in Stars Wars. Oh, Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow are rectangles as well. Rectangular Hollywood stars! (pun intended)

Below are pictures of female body types as well as celebrities that correspond (I knew Beyonce was an hourglass! Her body is definitely bootylicious!). I'm an apple, perhaps I'll blog about that next. I don't mind having Kate Hudson's body. She's a fantastic singer. Watched Dreamgirls anyone?

So what characteristics do rectangular women have?

Well, the hips, waist and shoulders are of the same width or at least similar. These women don't really have curves and I would say, have a rather boyish, athletic figure. BUT do not fret rectangular women! There are ways to solve this problem by adding curves, balancing things out. I rather like rectangular women to be honest, they have that toned athletic body type and personally, adding curves is easier than lets say, trying to slim down? Reminder to self - emo less, yoga more!

So, let's get to it shall we?

Below are tips for rectangular shaped women (smiles)

Look for scoop-neck tops or better yet, sweetheart tops. These designs give rectangular women some serious curves.
Tops with collars and ruffles are great - flatters your chest (yay!)
Try find tops with a band around the waist, or at least something prominent (a pop of color) at the waist to create the hourglass look
Layers! Adding layers give rectangulars more shape
Huggable clothes - or I mean, clothes that hug your body. That creates the illusion of curves.
In general, you can wear almost any yoga pants variations.
Try not to use the same shade of color on both top and bottom - that would probably make you appear blocky

Eg. - How to create curves (Yoga top and bottom)

Lola Tank from Zobha

Fast track tank, Rm299 selling at Danivy

(I REALLY like this one! This photo model reminds me of Kim Kardashian)

Tonic (Canada) selling at Danivy

Atomica Hotpants, Zaggora £65.00

Zaggora seems to be rather popular in Malaysia currently. Lots of deals/groupons online for Zaggora hot pants and 3/4 pants. Just need to wait for it. I bought one myself too. The ONLY downfall of Zaggora pants is that when you walk, you swish away. My thighs touch, so the pants touch. The material (can be compared to diving suits) tend to swish swish swish away. Makes me feel a little self conscious walking past people, but overall, it's great for yoga. It can withstand splits without any problems.

Viva Capri™ Purple, Zaggora $95.00

Women's Adidas Supernova Fitted Shorts,$28.00

Up next, for apples like me! Stay tuned!

An apple a day keeps the doctor away?

ROFL!

Namaste

Elirus

Tons of yoga outfits on sale during our Surya Yoga Carnival 6th October 2013!

Not forgetting our 8 Hour Yogathon, come take the challenge!

Source:

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/beauty/guides/makeovers/cute-workout-clothes-for-every-body/?page=4
http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/1012259/how-to-dress-a-rectangle-shaped-body
slicenlife.wordpress.com
http://slicenlife.files.wordpress.com

Carnival Event : 8 Hour Yogathon - read all about it!

2013-09-20T08:20:00.000+08:00

Hey yogis,

participating in

our 8 Hour Yogathon?

Don't forget to join our 8 Hour Yogathon (a special carnival event!). It's a free and easy, relaxed, zen-ed out yogathon. If you feel tired you can head out for a drink or rest.

If you feel like you can't handle the full stretch, don't fret! It's okay to join one or two sessions as well. No hard fixed rules. Those that complete 8 hours of the yogathon will receive a little something from us at Surya Yoga.

Join us!

FREE for existing members

a small fee of RM50 for non members

Participants of ALL levels are welcomed to join

Poses will be modified according to the different levels

Below is a detailed itinerary of the 8 hour Yogathon.
Read about each yoga session and what it's all about.

Do have a look *smiles*

Lily

9am - 11am

Breathing and Meditation

Starting our yoga practice with the right frame of mind.

Meditation is all about re-centering our awareness. Our breath is interconnected with the body, our emotions and mind. When the body is calm, our breath is calm. When our emotions are calm, our breath is calm and so it is for the mind as well. Sitting with eyes closed letting the mind absorb in observing and experiencing the movement of breath we will enter a state of consciousness and peace. Lily will lead us in this beautiful peaceful practice preparing ourselves to undergo the 8 hour yogathon.

Selina

10am -11am
Standing

Good for strength, balance and focus.

These energetic poses provide a straight line to shaping our best body.

Standing balances require leg strength, upper body flexibility and at times the ability to balance on one leg. Selina's sequence will challenge you to move from one pose to another with grace and balance. You will build strength as you use your standing leg to keep you grounded. You will notice your core muscles building up as well. Perfect for all yoga levels and fitness levels. Poses will be modified accordingly. Selina believes in doing yoga with a graceful flow, having an extensive dance background, her yoga techniques are strong and precise.

Junko

11am - 12noon

Hips Opening

Junko will create a breath and movement sequence combining both dynamic asanas with more passive held stretches focusing on the hips and hamstrings. This will allow for greater freedom of movement of the lumbar region of the spine. Participants will feel energized after a class with Junko with her natural sense of humour.

Jenny

12noon - 1pm

Arm Balance

These yoga poses are good for strength,

body awareness and focus, providing some fun challenges for every body.

Jenny will provide detailed instructions on arm balance poses such as handstands, fore arm balance, crow pose and many more. Jenny will teach us how to approach these poses safely, with proper alignment and strong intention. She is a natural yogi, and is very concise with her instructions. She often gives thorough demonstrations beforehand allowing students to have a closer and detailed look at her yoga technique.

_________________________

1pm - 2pm

Lunch, Jenny's Yoga Performance

and light refreshments

_________________________

Ken

2pm - 3pm

Back Bends

Opening up in the spine and chest feels great

and strengthens our connection to intuition.

Ken will focus on safe and effective ways to prepare the body for back bending. Back bending helps provide internal warmth and openness without any strain. Ken has a gentle assuring aura about him. You will feel comfortable in his class helping you further enhance your back bending skills.

James

3pm - 4pm

Inversions

Good for balance and concentration, as well as circulation.

Turn your world upside down for awhile to improve your spinal strength and upper body. Inversions takes out all the pent up stress you might have been keeping and it builds emotional courage. James will teach us how to safely practice inversions with proper alignment with modifications for each level of yoga. Armed with knowledge in pilates therapy, James's classes are very informative and interesting. He will help you get in touch with body awareness.

Regine

4pm - 5pm

Sitting Restorative

These yoga poses are great for winding down and connecting to our breath.

After hours of pushing yourself, after all the endorphin rush - what better way to end the yogathon with a nice sitting restorative session with Regine? It's time to slow down, breathe and sink into the mat. Restorative yoga is a very gentle form of yoga that uses props (such as pillows, blankets, bolsters) to help you to hold poses for a much longer time. Regine will teach us poses enabling us to move in all directions. All that needs to be done, is to arrange props to give the proper alignment - then it's simply rest, relax, breathe and just 'let go'. Not a bad way to end a yogathon huh? Regine is very detailed in her instructions making it easy for students to follow and understand. She's one pocket rocket!

Walking On Sunshine @ Surya Yoga

The Magic Word: LOVE . SHARE . TRUST

﻿

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Renew . Refresh . Reenergized . Yoga Centre Branding

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Workshop: Deepen Your Practice with Ed Namchai

Kids Yoga Workshop: A lil' Recap and Follow Up

Kids Yoga Workshop: Back to Basics with Susan Leow

Alice: Let's Find a little Yin-ner peace!

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Be Physio Savvy: How To Treat Scoliosis

2014 Activity Calendar

Charity : Surya Yoga Community Gives Back

Holiday Announcement

Change a Habit in 30 days? - Challenge Accepted!

Change a Habit in 30 Days

9 tips to help make that new habit stick

Weight Loss for Warriors: 5 Tips to Stay On Track

Scorpion Pose : A Beginners Guide

5 Things I Wish I Knew At 25

Tips for em' Juicy Apple Shaped Women!

A Hafla Story: Zyen's got on her yoga groove!

Creating Curves - Yoga Outfits for Rectangular Shaped Women

Carnival Event : 8 Hour Yogathon - read all about it!