Showing posts with label Body. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Body. Show all posts

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Yoga Teacher Training is a Business

Had a terrible experience with yoga teacher training that left me confused, further away from the yoga practice and unsure of what it is all about and unsure of what I am about.

The positive takeaways: 
- met a group of like minded people who believed had a similar goal of learning more about yoga. 

The negative takeaways:
- Pushed my body way too hard. Not what yoga is about.
- Judgemental philosophy teacher. Not what yoga is about.
- Poor management of schedule and no shows. Not what yoga is about.
- Withholding certification and avoidance in communication. Not what yoga is about.
- Not connecting to the teachers. Feeling not good enough. Not what yoga is about.

200 300 or 500 hours of yoga teacher training is not going to make you a yoga teacher. Yoga is a process and a journey to connect with spiritual and philosophical traditions and a way of life that western society has adapted as an exercise routine. Since yoga is not my roots and I am not from a culture or country where yoga originates or belongs to it only makes sense to dedicate one's life into finding a teacher to continuously learn from.

Memorizing sanskrit and anatomy terminology is not something that resonates with me. There is a certain uncomfortable knot in my stomach when chants are sang in classes. Pursing that goal pose is not the point of yoga, healing from trauma is not the point of yoga. Yoga is about union. It's about being open. I entered yoga teacher training not aware of how far I still needed to go for personal acceptance and inner peace. I left confused and conflicted with my own spirituality, growth and healing.

The intention I set for myself was to heal and partake in something for self growth. Instead I left feeling more vulnerable than before. But now I recognize my limitations, my inner voice is telling me it sucks that you had a terrible experience, because now you know what you are about and you can accept that there is a time and place. I am mostly upset because I have invested time and money into something I love only to find out that there is a dark side to yoga as well. It is a business, it is a business that western society has capitalized as an expensive form of exercise and relaxation. Now that I have gone through training, I have the basic tools to develop my practice anytime anywhere.

I still love yoga. I still love the intention behind the practice. I still love the peace it brings to the mind and body.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Zumba

Zumba – The most fun you can have in a cardio work out!

Who does not envy a dancer's body? The combination of dance and physical exercise keeps you energized. You don't need to perfect the techniques like a dancer to get the benefits of a great workout.

Zumba isn’t about weight loss. It's self-expression, joy, release. It's when you get to be yourself.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

What is yoga to me?


My journey with yoga started from university days. It began as a way to include physical exercise into my daily routine. The various types of yoga practiced were Hatha and Ashtanga. I was attending these classes was because my friends also were.

Fast forward almost 10 years later. I am doing yoga on a weekly basis to heal my mind body and soul. Amid all of the demands of the fast paced life nowadays, it's such a relief to set aside time for myself. More important than ever, I am fighting to stay healthy after a year battling a chronic illness through Yoga.

Healthy living, conscious living, self-awareness, and authentic self are some concepts that have been very inspiring. Instead of solely focusing on the end goal, I can pay attention to the tiny details, the triumphs and the tears of every day struggle. Appreciate the journey and show compassion to myself as well as others.

My critical self often thinks, you have done yoga for 10 years and here you are still struggling with basic postures. The compassionate me sees the calmness and concentration I reach during practice. Although I am still limited by my body, my state of awareness is clear and focused. I hope to carry this state of mind to everyday life.


I leave you with a lovely quote painted on the yoga studio I attend, "Be not be afraid of moving slowly; be afraid of only standing still."

Friday, June 5, 2015

Bikram 26 and 2

Standing Deep Breathing

STANDING DEEP BREATHING- PRANAYAMA BREATHING

Improves respiratory system as it maximizes 100% of lung capacity. Helps any respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma, emphysema and shortness of breath. Circulatory system improves by providing oxygenated blood to entire body.
Half Moon Pose
HALF MOON WITH HAND TO FEET POSE  – ARDHA-CHANDRASANA WITH PADA-HASTASANA
Improves and increases flexibility of the spine comprehensively, from coccyx to the neck. Half moon alleviates back pain, scoliotic deformities, promotes proper kidney function, strengthens core muscles, as well as latissimus dorsi, oblique, deltoid and trapezius muscles.
Awkward Pose
AWKWARD POSE -UTKATASANA
Strengthens and firms all muscles of thighs, calves and hips. Relieves rheumatism, gout and arthritis in the legs by supplying oxygenated blood to elbows, pelvis, hips, knees, ankles and feet.  Aligns feet, toes and ankles and tones whole body at the same time.
Eagle Pose
EAGLE POSE- GARURASANA
Supplies fresh blood to the kidneys and sexual organs. It helps firm calves, thighs, hips, abdomen and upper arms. It also improves the flexibility of the hip, knee and ankle joints and strengthens latissmus dorsi, trapezius and deltoid muscles.
Standing Head to Knee
STANDING HEAD TO KNEE POSE- DANDAYAMANA- JANUSHIRASANA
Helps develop concentration, patience and determination. Physically, it tightens abdominal and thigh muscles, improves flexibility of the sciatic nerve, and strengthens the tendons, biceps of the thigh muscles, and hamstrings in the legs, in addition to the deltoid, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, scapula, biceps and triceps.
Standing Bow Pose
STANDING BOW PULLING POSE- DANDAYAMANA DHANURASANA
Circulates fresh blood to each internal organ and gland to keep healthy. This pose also helps develop concentration, patience and determination. Physically, it firms abdominal wall and upper thighs, and tightens up upper arms, hips and buttocks. It increases the size and elasticity of the rib cage and lungs and improves flexibility and strength of the lower spine and most of the body’s muscles.
Balancing Stick
BALANCING STICK POSE- TULADANDASANA
Perfects control and balance by improving physical, psychological and mental powers. It increases the strength and circulation of the heart muscles and stretches lung capacity. Excellent pose for bad posture; strengthens the flexibility of the latissimus, deltoid, and trapezius muscles; and improves muscle tone in arm and legs.
Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose
STANDING SEPARATE LEG STRETCHING POSE –DANDAYAMANA-BIBHAKTAPADA-PASCHIMOTTHANASANA
Cures and prevents sciatica by stretching and strengthening the sciatic nerves and tendons of the legs. It helps the functioning of most of the internal abdominal organs, especially the small and large intestine, and improves the muscle tone and flexibility of thighs and calves and the flexibility of the pelvis, ankles and hip joints and of the last five vertebrae of the spine.
Triangle Pose
TRIANGLE POSE- TRIKONASANA
This pose improves every muscle, joint, tendon and internal organ in the body. At the same time, it revitalizes nerves, veins and tissues. It helps cure lumbago and rheumatism of the lower spine. Increased strength and flexibility of the of the hip joint and of the muscles of the side of the torso.  Firms thighs, hips, waistline and improves the deltoid, trapezius, scapula and latissimus muscles.
Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose
STANDING SEPARATE LEG HEAD TO KNEE POSE
DANDAYAMANA-BIBHAKTAPADA JANUSHIRASANA
The benefits of this pose are similar to Standing Separate Leg stretching pose and hands to feet pose.  Blood sugar levels are balanced. Stimulates endocrine and digestive functions. Slims abdomen, waistline, hips, buttocks and upper thighs.
Tree Pose
TREE POSE- TADASANA
This pose improves posture and balance. Increases hip, knee and ankle flexibility. By strengthening the internal oblique muscles, it prevents hernia.
Toe Stand
TOE STAND- PADANGUSTASANA
Develops psychological and mental powers ~ especially patience. Physically, it helps cure gout and rheumatism of the knees, ankles, and feet. Helps cure hemorrhoid problems.
Dead Body Pose
DEAD BODY POSE- SAVASANA
Returns blood circulation to normal as well slowing heart rate. It also teaches complete relaxation by training mind to be focused on just the breath.
Wind-Removing Pose
WIND REMOVING POSE- PAVANAMUKTASANA
Cures and prevents flatulence, which is source of most chronic abdominal discomforts. Improves flexibility of hip joints and firms abdomen, thighs and hips.
Sit up
SIT UPS
Strengthens and tightens abdominal muscles. Increases flexibility of the spine.
Cobra Pose
COBRA POSE- BHUJANGASANA
This pose is one of the best ways to maintain the body in perfect condition. Builds lower spine strength, increases upper spine flexibility. Helps lower back pain, scoliosis, lumbago and cervical spondylosis. It also relieves menstrual problems (irregularity, cramps, backache) cures loss of appetite. Improves function of liver and spleen.
Locust Pose
LOCUST- SALABHASANA
This pose builds upper spine strength, increases lower spine flexibility. Firms buttock and thighs. Alleviates pain from arthritis, RSI, carpel tunnel syndrome, bursitis and tennis elbow.
Full Locust PoseFULL LOCUST POSE- POORNA-SALABHASANA
This pose builds strength and flexibility to the middle spine. Strengthens deltoids, trapezius and triceps. Improves liver and spleen function.

Bow Pose
BOW POSE- DHANURASANA
Improves the functioning of the large and small intestines, the liver, kidneys, and spleen. Straightens rounded spines, relieves backaches, and improves pigeon chest by opening the ribcage, permitting maximum expansion of lungs and increased oxygen intake. Revitalizes all spinal nerves by increased circulation. Strengthens abdominal muscles, upper arms, thighs and hips.
Fixed Firm Pose
FIXED FIRM POSE- SUPTA-VAJRASANA
Lubricates and increases circulation to knee and ankle joints; promoting healing. It helps cure sciatica, gout and rheumatism. Slims thighs, firms calf muscles and strengthens abdomen.
Half Tortoise Pose
HALF TURTOISE POSE- ARDHA KURMASANA
This pose provides maximum relaxation. By sending oxygen and blood the brain, symptoms of headache are reduced, as well as depression and memory loss. Increases flexibility of hip joints, scapula, deltoids, triceps and latissimus dorsi muscles.
Camel Pose
CAMEL POSE- USTRASANA
Maximum backside compression of the spine and at the same time stretches the abdominal organs, which helps constipation. It stretches the throat, thyroid gland, and parathyroid. Like box pose, it opens narrow rib cage to give more space o the lungs. Neck and spine flexibility increased to reduce backache. Also firms abdomen and waistline.
Rabbit Pose
RABBIT POSE- SASANGASANA
Maximum front side compression of the spine as the backside is extended, optimizing central nervous system. Spine is able to receive proper nutrition. Maintains mobility and elasticity of the spine and back muscles. The Rabbit improves digestion, and helps cure colds, sinus problems and chronic tonsillitis. Wonderful effect on thyroid and parathyroid.
Head to Knee Pose and Stretching Pose
HEAD TO KNEE POSE WITH STRETCHING POSE- JANUSHIRASANA WITH PASCHIMOTTHANASANA
This pose helps balance blood sugar level. Improves flexibility of the sciatic nerves, ankles, knees and hip joints, improves digestion, enhances proper functioning of the kidneys: and expands the solar plexus. Stretching Pose improves circulation the bowels, liver and spleen. Improves endocrine function and regulates hormone production.
Spine-Twisting Pose
SPINE TWISTING POSE- ARDHA-MATSYENDRASANA
This pose twists the spine from top to bottom. As a result, it increases circulation and nutrition to spinal nerves, veins, tissues, and improves spinal elasticity and flexibility. Opens bronchial muscles and rib cage as well as help aid digestion.
Blowing in Firm PoseBLOWING IN FIRM POSE – KAPALALBHATI IN VAJRASANA
Final breathing exercise strengthens all the abdominal organs and increases circulation. Helps to rid of lungs of metabolic waste.


FINAL SAVASANA
After completion of all 26 poses it is extremely important in order for the body to recover from all the hard work you’ve accomplished in 90 minutes.  Please take at least 2  minutes to relax and absorb all the benefits.