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Conference A Reminder on Yoga & Happiness at Asia Yoga Conference Rachel Jacqueline “Am I happy with what I am doing? Is what I’m doing contributing to confusion, to happiness, to peace? What will I be remembered for when I die?” questions Danny Paradise to a group of budding yogis on a Saturday afternoon during the Asia Yoga Conference in June. His long, greying hair - pulled forward over his blue tie-dyed shirt and swept off his face with a fading bandana – is the only physical sign he’s been practicing yoga for over 36 years. He speaks and moves with a childlike energy of someone half his age. Danny Paradise Along with 40 other students sitting on odd yoga mats – splashes of colour against the gray of Hong Kong’s Convention and Exhibition Centre – I quietly contemplate the words of the vibrant yogi. To be honest, happiness was not my first reaction to the inconceivable number of yoga offerings in the AYC schedule. Instead, I was overwhelmed. How was I going to make the most out of the weekend of yoga from the mind-boggling selection on offer? Bernie Clark’s Yin Yoga, or Scott Blossom’s Shadow Yoga? Or listen to Bo Forbes speak on Yoga Therapy? What is Jivamukti Yoga, Karma Yoga, OM yoga, or the Kaivalya Method? And how could I miss Shri Rajpal’s final lecture outside of India? For those of you not in the know, the AYC offers four days of inspirational yoga practice, philosophy and psychology in Hong Kong each year. One may choose to attend single days or indulge in a full weekend emersion into everything yoga. This year 46 yoga teachers gathered from around the globe to share their love, passion and insights over 7 - 10 June. The brilliance of the AYC is it brings the world of yoga in its differing forms and interpretations together in one place over one weekend: Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Sivananda, Bikram, Anusara, Vini, Kundalini – the list goes on. The frustration, however, is the volume on offer, forcing choices and sacrifices. In some ways, it also seems like the world of yoga has become divided, commercial and, well, at times a little confusing. Reading the AYC schedule also reinforced just how little I seemed to know. Yoga has always been in my life since the age of ten when my mother (now an Iyengar yoga teacher) started practicing, but I hadn’t even heard of or contemplated some of the classes and teachings. I was curious, but at the same time, there was a silly, ego-led anxiousness in my stomach: would I be out of my depth amongst a sea of yoginis on another plane of consciousness? My worries had quickly dissipated during my first session: a talk on Yoga Philosophy by Carlos Pomeda. No knowledge was assumed – only one’s passion for yoga - as Cindy Lee Carlos led us playfully through the world of yogic Gods. He explained everything in an engaging and insightful way, with a humour and approachability entwined into his teaching like his neatly folded legs. Bernie Clark’s session on Yin Yoga further melted my concerns. Bernie took us through the most inspiring and soothing two hour journey through the world of Yin Yoga – the opposite of the more intense yoga our busy lives tend to gravitate towards. We created balls of energy with our hands and relaxed into a calm space not often possible when practicing higher energy Yang forms of yoga. And Cindy Lee’s Om Yoga, which lead me through a very mindful yoga practice, brought me back to the fundamentals: the breathe and remaining ever in the present. The AYC unifies the many possibilities of yoga in one forum, allowing for play and discovery. While it may seem that there are a myriad of teachers, teachings and practices on offer, each practice I attended was another way to unlock and tap into another layer of myself. Though the mediums may be different, the messages were universal. Danny’s parting words that afternoon were full of encouragement and gentle reminders: Happiness is something that you create within yourself But, leaving the weekend equipped with new yogic chants, balls of energy in my palms to tap into at any time, the feeling of lifting from prasarita into a handstand (assisted, thanks Danny!) and a smile, I was also reminded of the importance of having yoga along for that inner journey. Yoga – whichever way you like it – is always there to lead a helping hand towards the creation of happiness and, ultimately, a better you. Rachel threw in the life of a lawyer earlier this year to pursue her passion for writing, the outdoors and a healthy lifestyle, which she believes includes a regular yoga practice. www.hkadventurebaby.com 31