Monday, July 26, 2010

Strength in Gentleness

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength."

My sister, Arine, who is also a yoga practitioner gave me a fridge magnet with the above saying on it. As I read the words, I started to link it to my yoga practice and remembered Azmi telling us to keep our practice light when we do the asanas.

Often during the Ashtanga class, there would be a loud thump when a fellow yogi does a jump back into chaturanga during the vinyasa. This may be due to lack of core strength and stability but it can also be due to working too hard without awareness of the breath and the movement.

The crux of an Ashtanga practice lies in the breath and knowing how to intertwine the breath and the movements until there is no distinction between them. As it is a 90 mins class, learning how to conserve your energy by keeping your movements light and fluid would help to maintain your awareness and focus throughout the practice and that's when gentleness becomes the real strength of an Ashtanga practice.

Below is a video on Ashtanga Jump Back and Jump Forward.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Be Yoga Workshops

GREAT NEWS!!!

Be Yoga has lined up a series of workshops in the coming months by five key teachers with multi-levels of expertise.

For this month, the following workshops featuring two international teachers, Viviane De Doncker from Belgium and Michelle Myhre from USA will be held. The workshops for both beginners and intermediate students will help to broaden their perspective on the fundamentals of a yoga practice.

Body, Breath and Bandha (A Vinyasa Workshop) - The Journey is the Destination
by Viviane De Doncker
Saturday, 24 July 2010
9.00am to 11.00am (Part 1)
11.30am to 1.30pm (Part 2)


Vinyasa Yoga is the intelligent progression through a sequence of postures in a continuous flow of movement. Each movement in Vinyasa Yoga is done in harmony with the breath, and supported by the use of Bandhas.

Bandhas are muscular and energetic adjustments that generate and transform the internal energies, which has a profound effect on the muscular body, the skeleton and the central nervous system. The use of Breath and Bandha is the most important difference between the asanas of Hatha Yoga and gymnastic exercises.

This workshop offers a gentle introduction into Vinyasa, and gives newcomers to the practice an in-depth exploration to the use of Bandhas and proper breathing techniques. The workshop is suitable for beginners, and will include more intricate variations for more experienced practitioners.

FEES: RM180
BE YOGA MEMBERS - 10% discount


Viviane De Doncker

As a Vinyasa and Spinal specialist, Viviane is one of the most skillful therapists among her peers. She has worked extensively in Singapore gaining accolades from many students, namely Ms Christina Ong who are especially practicing in the Vinyasa style. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, Viviane has been one of the most prominent name in her area of expertise in Singapore.

Her workshops are very alignment based, using props as tools to keep you in that journey. She works very well with ALL levels of students offering ALL levels of intensity. As a brilliant therapist, she also shares her intensive knowledge in Spinal injury and other issues pertaining to your spine.

Forward Bends - Fold with Finesse : Create Purity & Peace, Unwind & Let Go!
by Michelle Myhre
Saturday, 31 July 2010
9.00am to 10.30am (Part 1)
11.00am to 12.30pm (Part 2)


Forward Folding postures purify the internal organs, nourish the brain, lengthen the legs and spine, soothe the nervous system, slow the heart-beat, and bring on a deep sense of calm and peace. When we release the muscles in the back of the body, we have the opportunity to let go of old patterns we no longer need! Solo & Partner Yoga as well as some Yin Yoga will be explored in this nourishing workshop.

Backbends - Blissful Backbends : A Safe, Fun, and Joyful Yoga to Revitalize Your Spirit!
by Michelle Myhre
Sunday, 1 August 2010
9.00am to 10.30am (Part 1)
11.00am to 12.30pm (Part 2)


The key to successful backbending is moving the pose out of the low-back and into the entire spine. In this workshop you will learn to align your backbend from the tips of your toes, all the way up to the crown of your head! Learn how to activate your core, use those legs, and turn on lines of energy on the inner body that will take you into a new, deep, place, with no pinching feeling or ache in the low-back!

FEES:
RM150 for ONE Workshop
RM250 for BOTH
BE YOGA MEMBERS - 10% Discount


Michelle Myhre

Michelle is originally from San Francisco, California and she has taught yoga full time for 10 years. Her specialty is the Yoga Sutras and alignment based vinyasa. She teaches her class with playful sequencing and extended holds of key postures to build strength, endurance and stability. Michelle is skilled at working all levels and works at the level of the students. No one is pushed beyond their limits and variations are encouraged.

She is very passionate about teaching workshops. She is also currently writing a book about the essentials of yoga for yoga teachers and students, & organizing her teacher training that is happening soon in Vancouver, Canada.


As there are limited seats for each workshop, book your seats early to avoid disappointment. For further enquiries and booking, you may call Be Yoga at 03-77286182,