Namaskar July 2010

namaskar 

A VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMUNITY OF ASIA JULY 2010 

Tapas 

Tokyo 

Cambodia

2

Inside 

JULY 2010 

Dristi Tapas 

Volun 

oluntary Suf 

uffering, 10 

Clayton explains this niyama in simple 

terms. 

First t Instrumen 

trument t of f Yoga, 

11 

For Paul, tapas is almost the starting point 

of a yoga practice. 

Tan 

antr 

tra on Tap 

apas 

as, , 12 

Yogi presents Satyananda Sarasvati’s 

prespective on tapas. 

Opposit 

site e of f Lux 

uxury 

ury, , 13 

Ron gives lots of real life examples of 

tapas. 

Regular Contributions 

NEWS, WORKSHOPS, RETREATS & TEACHER 

TRAININGS, 5 

MYTHOLOGY IN A MINUTE, 9 

TEACHER’S VOICE, 22 

TEACHER TRAINING REVIEW, 35 

HATHI YOGI, 37 

DIET, 38 

RECIPE, 40 

BOOK REVIEW, 43 

CROSSWORD, 45 

TEACHER & STUDIO LISTINGS, 47 

Special Features 

Growing Back, 15 If you think 

you’ve gone through difficult times, read 

this article by Isabelle for some perspective. 

Yoga for Special Kids, 17 Yoga is 

proving to be a powerful therapy for a 

group of Autistic kids in Hong Kong, says 

Sanjukta. 

Yamas at Work, 19 A good 

introduction to the first limb of Patanjali’s 

Ashtanga yoga, the yamas. And how Jeanne 

applies them in her life. 

Philosophy in Class, 21 Benjamin 

explains how and why teachers should 

infuse yoga philosophy into their classes. 

The Kitchen Sink, 25 In this first 

contribution from the U.S. & Australiabased 

Spiritual Research Foundation, 

Sharon shares what she learned washing 

dishes. 

Alexander Technique, 27 Valerie 

finds an Alexander Technique tip helpful in 

her yoga practice. 

Yoga in Tokyo, 28 Inna tells us 

about the Japanese yoga scene. 

Carlos Pomeda, 33 Leah caught up 

with this respected meditation teacher at 

this year’s Asia Yoga Conference. 

Stillness within, 37 How Gricia 

has been inspired by a photograph of her 

teacher. 

About Namaskar 

Namaskar provides a voice for the yoga 

community around Asia. The publication is a 

vehicle for practitioners on a yogic path to share 

their own knowledge, learnings and experiences 

with others. 

Namaskar, is published quarterly in January, 

April, July and October. 

We welcome unsolicited submissions, therefore 

the opinions expressed within these pages are 

not necessarily those of Namaskar or its staff. 

Namaskar is distributed at no charge through 

yoga studios, fitness centres, retail outlets, food 

& beverage outlets and other yoga-friendly 

locations throughout Hong Kong and elsewhere. 

For more information, to contribute or to order 

Namaskar, please contact:: 

Carol, News Editor & Administration 

carol@caroladams.hk 

Wai-Ling, News Editor & Copy Editor 

wailing.tse@gmail.com 

Joanna, Copy Editor & Writer 

jomwilliams@hotmail.com 

Frances, Editor & Publisher 

fgairns@netvigator.com /+ 852 9460 1967 

Deadline for October 2010 issue: 

September 15, 2010 

3

As the summer heat starts to rise (in Hong Kong at least), it seems fitting we introduce 

tapas as our dristi. Sometimes translated as heat, this niyama had been unclear to me till now. 

Thanks to four guys, much more knowledgeable than I, who explain tapas in four very 

different ways. I hope after reading the perspectives by Clayton, Paul, Ron and Yogesvara 

you will also a clearer understanding of what tapas is, and its role in your practice. 

namaskar 

In this issue, there’s a nice balance of articles for new practitioners: Jeanne’s article on yamas 

at work, Tia’s introduction to yoga’s most spiritual mountain Arunchala, Inna’s report on 

the Tokyo yoga scene, Sharon’s lessons learned at the kitchen sink and Gricia’s personal 

story of inspiration, as well as articles for those with more experience. The interview with 

meditation teacher Carlos Pomeda by Leah and Benjamin’s suggestions for how to 

introduce philosophy into your yoga classes, should inspire teachers and those deeper into 

their practice. 

For serious inspiration and possibly a few tears, read Sanjukta’s article on yoga for special 

needs kids and Isabelle’s story on how yoga is healing children, particularly one girl, in 

Cambodia. I suggest you have a box of tissues handy when you get to this latter one. 

Stories like Isabelle’s remind me the world is much bigger and sometimes darker than my 

beautiful little bubble. And while there are tons of stories of people who endure hardship, 

the fact these practice yoga as I do, connects me to them more strongly. 

Namaskar helps connect and inspire yoga practitioners from different backgrounds around 

the world. In support of this, can I ask those of you who may be traveling overseas this 

summer to take a couple copies of this magazine. Please share them with the yoga studios 

you visit and tell them they can receive the magazine for free if they like it. They just have to 

email me to be added to our distribution list. 

Thanks to everyone for their generous contribution to Namaskar. Particularly to Nigel 

Gregory who photographs most of our covers, and to Paul Dallaghan and Yoga Thailand 

for providing the venue and practitioner-models for the cover of this issue. 

I wish you a happy and healthy summer. 

FRANCES GAIRNS 

Editor & Publisher 

SOMETHING TO SHARE? 

If you have something to share with the yoga community in Asia and elsewhere (we 

distribute around the World), please email fgairns@netvigator.com 

4

NEWS 

SUNSET YOGA FOR CHARITY 

The 3 rd ‘Sunset Yoga by 

donation’ class was held on 12 

June at Repulse Bay beach, 

Hong Kong. It was attended 

by almost 50 people. The event 

was blessed by the cool sea 

breeze and the beautiful energy 

of all present. The class was 

taught by volunteer teachers 

Megala K. and Sally Fong. 

The aim of this donation-only 

class is to create a charitable 

giving community in Hong 

Kong and spread yoga to the 

community. Money collected 

fromo the class was donated to 

Hong Kong Cancer Fund. 

Aside from raising money to 

sponsor a Nepali orphan, 

TingTing is actively sparking a 

change in awareness through 

yoga events in Hong Kong. 

Donation-based Yoga for 

Charity classes continue with 

lunchtime sessions for athletes 

at CityLinks during July and 

August. Also watch out for a 

bootcamp + yoga programme 

tailored to those wanting to 

make real changes in their body 

and mind. 

For more information email: 

tingting@sukhasamui.com or 

visit www.nepalorphanshome.org. 

every last Friday evening of the 

month. It’s a complimentary 

event open to all. 

For more information call 

+852 2971 0055. 

FLEX STUDIO ON THE MOVE 

Flex Yoga and Pilates studio 

will move to a beautiful new 

studio in Wong Chuk Hang, 

near Aberdeen in Hong Kong, 

offering four times the space of 

its current Stanley location. Flex 

Stanley will close after classes on 

17 July, and the studio will reopen 

in the Regency Centre in 

George Dovas is Iyengar Yoga 

Center of Hong Kong’s new 

director 

This event is held once a 

month in Hong Kong and all 

proceeds collected will be 

donated to a local charity. The 

next class will be held on 24 

July, all are welcome! 

For more information on 

Facebook or email Wai-Ling at 

wltse11@yahoo.com or Frankie 

at befrankiechan@yahoo.com. 

YOGA FOR FREEDOOM 

Hong Kong yoga teacher, 

Tingting Peng, recently led a 

class at the W Hotel’s BLISS 

spa to raise awareness and 

money for the children of 

Nepal Orphan’s Home. 

Originally planned for the 

hotel’s poolside, inclement 

weather forced the event 

indoors, where participants 

were able to relax in the hot tub 

and world class spa after 

practicing the balancing series. 

To show their support, Hong 

Kong based label tanya-b 

presented its latest yogawear, 

offering 10% of the day’s 

profits to Tingting’s cause. 

The Nepalese orphanages 

provide food, shelter and 

education to over 100 street 

children, including young girls 

rescued from child prostitution 

throughout Nepal. 

NEW DIRECTOR OF THE IYENGAR 

YOGA CENTRE OF HONG KONG 

For the past 11 years Linda 

Shevloff has been the studio 

Director and has been fully 

immersed in that role. Recently, 

the Directorship has been 

passed to George Dovas. 

George is a well respected 

Iyengar Yoga teacher who has 

been part of the studio for 

almost 10 years. Besides 

teaching part-time at the 

Centre, he also had a career as a 

manager and instructor in a 

large fitness company. Now 

George will be leaving the 

fitness field to run the Centre. 

Linda will be in and out of 

Hong Kong more regularly in 

the next few years. She will still 

be affiliated with the Centre 

and continue to teach some 

programs there. 

MONTHLY KIRTAN AT PURE YOGA, 

HONG KONG 

Kirtan is a Bhakti Yoga practice 

of chanting Sanskrit mantras 

with music. Mantras carry 

sound vibrations that have a 

powerful healing effect on all 

levels of our being. 

Chant and unite with others in 

yoga for the heart - a musical 

meditation journey held on 

Artist drawings of Flex’s new location in Wong Chuk Hang 

Raising money and awareness for Nepali orphans were (standing l 

to r) Sandra Leung, Kathy Wu, Tina Chu, Katie Ng, Andrew Cassim 

(kneeling l to r) Carina Ho, Monisha Daryanani, Tingting Peng, 

Jenny Wu 

Wong Chuk Hang on 16 

August, with FlexKids 

commencing in September. 

The new location with 4,500 

square feet of space will offer: 

- Pilates Mat/Yoga studio 

- Allegro studio 

- Pilates Apparatus private 

training studio 

- Retail boutique for Tulaa and 

other items 

- Café and waiting area 

Flex will offer more yoga 

classes, at morning, lunchtime 

and evening times. 

5

WORKSHOPS 

Ana Forrest effortlessly 

demonstrates her power and 

grace at AYC 

As a result of the expansion, 

Flex Studio is looking for full 

or part time staff for Business 

Management, Marketing & as 

instructors. 


+852 2813 2212 or visit 

www.flexhk.com, Flex Yoga & 

Pilates Studio, 1 st Floor Regency 

Centre (Phase II), 43 Wong 

Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen 

EVOLUTION ASIA YOGA 

CONFERENCE 

This year’s conference brought 

over 2,800 visitors from Asia 

and across the globe. Students 

from Hong Kong, China, 

Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and 

other countries attended the 

workshops and lectures by 30 

instructors. 

As well as classes, the 

conference offered free 

community events, a Trance 

Dance party, Yogaid Charity 

event which raised HK$35,000 

and a dramatic demonstration 

by Ana Forrest. 

Visit http:// 

www.asiayogaconference.com/ 

2010/gallery2010/index.php 

for photos from the event. 

Next year’s event, 9 – 12 June 

2011, marks AYC’s 5 th 

anniversary. Registration starts 

January 2011. 

For more information 

www.asiayogaconfernce.com or 

info@asiayogaconference.com. 

108 SURYA NAMASKAR FOR 

CHARITY 

Art of Living is organising a 

charity event Sunday, 25 July 

from 10 am – 1:30 pm at 

Aldrich Bay Community Hall, 

Kowloon, Hong Kong. The 

event is supported by mYoga, 

Maggie Tan, Praveen, 

Yogaraj, Abhyaas and Renu 

Parayani. 

People of all ages, walks of life, 

ethnicities and religions, are 

welcome to join this celebration 

of Guru Poornima the full 

moon day dedicated to the sage 

Vyasa and gurus in general. 

Participants may be sponsored 

to attend weekly practices on 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 

and Sunday, and/or participate 

on the Sunday by completing 

as many cycles as possible. The 

enrolment fee is HK$108. 

Monies will be donated to the 

food bank at the Fresh Fish 

Traders School in Kowloon. 


Prema +852 6343 2910, Lai 

Fong +852 9829 9001, Art of 

Living Center +852 2311 2298. 

NIA AT YOGA ROOM 

The Yoga Room in Hong 

Kong is now offering classes in 

a practice called Nia Technique. 

It is a blend of Dance, Martial 

arts, Tai-Chi, yoga, meditation 

and body therapy. Nia builds 

internal and external strength 

including strengthening bones, 

joints, muscles and breathing, 

through movement we find 

health. The classes are taught by 

Tracey Fenner a Certified Nia 

Blue Belt, and the first Nia 

trainer in Hong Kong. 


www.niahongkong.com 

BRYAN KESTPOWER YOGA 

WEEKEND WORKSHOP 

Pure Yoga, Hong Kong 

10 - 11 July 

Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga 

Master Class is a well-rounded, 

flowing asana practice 

integrating mental practices that 

enhance everyday living. 


www.pure-yoga.com 

KIDS SUMMER WORKSHOP- FIND 

YOUR FOCUS 

The Yoga Room, Hong Kong 

12, 14 & 16 July 

Students will learn to move 

and breathe to calm their 

minds, stimulate their brains 

and focus their thoughts. Cost: 

HK$900. 

3 - 6 yrs 2 – 3:30 pm 

7 - 12 yrs 3:45 – 5:15 pm 

For more information +852 

2544 8398 or 

www.yogaroomhk.com 

FULL MOON SERIES WITH NEIL 

IRWIN 

The Yoga Room, Hong Kong 

25 July 

Aquarian Acceleration: The 

powerful technologies of 

Kundalini Yoga provide the 

perfect tools to deal with the 

stresses and challenges of these 

fast changing times. Cost: 

HK$500, time 2 - 6 pm 


2544 8398 or 

www.yogaroomhk.com 

BUILDING DAILY HOME PRACTICE 

WORKSHOP 

Jakartadoyoga Studio, 

Jakarta, Indonesia 

31 July - 1 August 

Learn to build an energizing 

home practice 45 and 90 

minutes with Ann Barros. 

For more information +62 21 

3100071 or +62 888 967392 or 

www.jakartadoyoga.com 

SUMMER TEENAGE BEGINNERS 

YOGA WORKSHOP 

Yoga Mala, Hong Kong 

August 

This workshop will be taught 

in English and Chinese. It will 

introduce the primary series of 

Ashtanga Yoga. 

Course A: 2 - 6 & 9 - 13 August 

Course B: 16 - 20 & 23 - 27 

August 

Time: 4 – 5:30 pm 

Cost: HK$1,200; Early bird 

HK$1,000 pay by 23 July 


info@yogamala.com.hk or 

+852 2116 0894 

ASHTANGA WORKSHOP WITH 

RICHARD FREEMAN 

Space Yoga, Taipei, Taiwan 

6 – 8 August 

Discover the thread of nectar 

with Yoga Master, Richard 

Freeman, as he guides you 

through a deep exploration of 

the basic thread of form, 

breathing, and movement 

upon which the classical series 

of postures in the Ashtanga 

Vinyasa system is strung. 

For more information visit 

www.withinspace.com 

ASHTANGA IMMERSION WITH 

RICHARD FREEMAN 


10 – 15 August 

Join Richard Freeman in this 

six-day immersion. Daily 

philosophy lectures will include 

a general overview of the 

Bhagavad Gita and a general 

discussion on teaching. 



JUDY KRUPP WEEKEND 

WORKSHOP 


20-22 August 

Judy will help you recognise the 

restrictions and imbalances that 

prevent you from being able to 

flow with ease and grace. 

6

RETREATS 



ANUSARA IMMERSION WITH 

DESIREE RUMBAUGH 


1 – 5 September 

Desiree Rumbaugh will leading 

part I of a three-part 

Immersion; The Immersion 

training is for any level. It is 

very beneficial for those who 

want to advance their practice 

and it is also a requirement for 

anyone who wishes to teach 

Anusara Yoga. 



ASHTANGA WORKSHOP BY ALEX 

MEDIN 

Yoga Mala, Hong Kong 

October & November 

Popular Ashtanga teacher Alex 

Medin is tentatively booked to 

return to Hong Kong for two 

workshops: 30 & 31 October 

(Weekend Workshop); 1 - 5 

November (5 days of Mysore). 


info@yogamala.com.hk or 

+852 2116 0894 

ANUSARA YOGA WORKSHOP WITH 

CHRIS CHAVEZ 

Hong Kong 

5 – 7 November 

Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher 

Chris Chavez will be teaching a 

series of Anusara Workshops 

in Hong Kong. His playful yet 

practical personality makes his 

teachings accessible, fun, and 

inspiring. 


www.yogaprojects.com or +852 

9711 4040 

SEEDS OF YOGA HOLIDAY 

RETREAT 

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia 

28 August - 5 September 

Come to join Clayton and 

Claudia on the Island of the 

Gods - both returning to Bali 

to offer you this unique Yoga 

Holiday Retreat. Ashtanga 

Vinyasa and restorative yoga 

classes, meditation, yoga 

philosophy, healthy food and 

plenty of time to just relax, 

rejuvenate and explore Bali! 


www.seedsofyoga.com 

YOGA THAILAND RETREATS 

Koh Samui, Thailand 

September - October 

Paul Dallaghan: Yoga for Body, 

Breath and Mind 

Claudia Jones: Yoga and Your 

Health & Detoxify Body and 

Mind 

Hillary Hitt: Dharma Healing 

Fasting with Yoga 

Stephen Thomas: The Essence 

of Yoga 

Clayton Horton: Yoga - 

Sustainable Practice 

Elonne Stockton: Yoga - 

Insight into Practice 


www.yoga-thailand.com 

ASHTANGA RETREAT AT MOUNTAIN 

YOGA RETREAT CENTER 

Beijing, China 

18 – 25 September 

Treat yourself to an amazing 

week of yoga and relaxation in 

a countryside retreat 

atmosphere, far away from the 

business, stress and fast pace 

of the city with master teacher 

Clayton Horton at Mountain 

Yoga Retreat Center. 


www.fine-yoga.com 

WILDLOTUS RETREAT WITH 

PATRICK CREELMAN 

Kamalaya Resort, Koh 

Samui, Thailand 

1 - 7 October 

Join Patrick for a playful and 

progressive seven days of yoga 

at the stunning Kamalaya. 



ECO-YOGA & ECO-ADVENTURE 

RETREAT IN SOUTHEN THAILAND 

WITH CLAYTON HORTON AND 

DAVID LUREY 

Private Island of Lao Liang, 

Thailand 


Treat yourself while refining 

your personal practice and 

reconnecting with your true 

nature. This will be a unique 

and empowering week of ecoyoga 

and eco-adventure on the 

gorgeous private island of Lao 

Liang in the Andaman Sea off 

the west coast of Southern 

Thailand. Clayton and David 

will create a dynamic week of 

morning asana practices to 

open the body to harmonize 

with the magical nature of this 

tropical paradise which has long 

been the locals’ secret spot. 


visit www.leelatravel.com 

YOGA FUSION RETREAT IN NORTH 

THAILAND 

Kaomai Lanna Resort, 

Chiang Mai, Thailand 


An immersion into a fullspectrum 

of yoga practices 

including Anusara, philosophy, 

Tantra, Pranayama, meditation, 

ritual, mandala, kirtan, music, 

voice, touch and more with 

three unique teachers sharing 

their passion. 

Jonas Westring, founder of 

Shantaya Yoga & Bodywork 

School, Certified Anusara Yoga 

Instructor, Physiotherapist, E- 

RYT 500, and specialized in 

Therapeutic Bodywork. 

Emil Wendel’s long years of 

residency in Nepal and India 

have brought about a passion 

for yoga, in particular the 

aspects of breath and 

meditation techniques in both 

the Buddhist and yogic 

traditions. 

Geoffrey Gordon has been 

practicing yoga, meditation and 

kirtan for over 35 years. He 

became a true pioneer in both 

the kirtan and world music 

community working closely 

both live and on recordings 

with Ram Dass, Jai Uttal, 

Krishna Das, and Bhagavan 

Das since the 1970s. 

Find more information visit 

www.shantaya.org; 

www.beyond-the-asana.com; or 

www.geoffreygordon.com 

ASHTANGA YOGA RETREAT IN 

GOA, INDIA 

Purple Valley Retreat Center, 

Goa, India 

27 November - 10 December 

Led by Clayton Horton, 

mornings will begin at 6:30am 

with brief seated breath work, 

followed by Mysore style classes 

in which students work 

through the series at their own 

pace with individual 

instruction, adjustments and 

encouragement from the 

teacher. Beginners will be 

taught with individual 

attention and will be guided 

posture by posture through the 

series. Afternoon sessions, 4-6 

pm, will consist of restorative 

asana, Q&A, breath work, yoga 

philosophy, meditation and 

kirtan chanting & music. 


www.yogagoa.com 

7

TEACHER TRAININGS 

ANN BARROS & THE ART OF 

SEQUENCING TEACHER TRAINING 

Jakartadoyoga Studio, 

Jakarta, Indonesia 

2 - 4 August 

With four sessions on 

sequencing asanas and two on 

hand-on adjustments. 

For more information +62 21 

3100071 or +62 888 967392 or 

www.jakartadoyoga.com 

PILATES MAT CERTIFICATE IN 

THAILAND WITH ORY AVNI 

Koh Pangan, Thailand 

16-21 August 

In this course you will learn 

the Pilates fundamental 

method for mat exercises, 

including the new exciting 

standing Pilates routine. 

The fee for both courses – 

US$ 1,000 including study 

materials, test, and certificate. 

Advanced registration is 

required, minimum 6 

participants to open course. 


enquiries@yogaretreatkohphangan.com 

PACE YOGA TEACHER TRAINING 


11 September – 3 October 

Adnan Tahirovic and Basia 

Going will lead this Yoga 

Alliance certified 200-hour 

teacher training. It is a 

comprehensive full-time course 

covering asanas, the related 

human anatomy and 

movement patterns, as well as a 

cross-section of required 

knowledge, including 

pranayama, meditation, major 

yogic texts, philosophy and 

psychology of teaching. This 

unique training will focus on 

making the theories real and 

relevant to our growth as 

teachers, with time spent 

learning to read bodies and 

skillfully adjusting students. 



TEACHER TRAININGS 

Boracay Island, Philippines 

September, February & May 

26 September - 10 October 

(100-hours Level One training) 

13-25 February 2011 (100-hours 

Level Two training) 

1-28 May 2011 (200 hours) 


www.boracayyoga.org 

YOGASANA 100-HOUR TEACHER 

TRAINING 

Hong Kong 

1- 16 October 

This is a two-week full-time 

training to deepen your practice 

and transform your life. Open 

to students who have a sincere 

desire to undergo an in-depth 

study of asana, pranayama, 

anatomy and more. Recognized 

by Yoga Alliance USA. 


www.yogasana.com.hk; 

info@yogasana.com.hk or 

+852 2511 8892 

RADIANT CHILD YOGA TEACHER 

TRAINING WITH AMANDA REID 

Shakti Healing Circle, Hong 

Kong 

1 - 3 October 

Radiant Child Yoga progamme 

is secular, with no affiliation to 

any particular religious beliefs, 

making it suitable for all 

children. 

This intensive workshop is 

designed for Yoga teachers, 

parents, school teachers and 

therapists who would like to 

share the gift of Yoga with the 

children in their life. 

Internationally recognised and 

able to be used as continuing 

education credits with Yoga 

Alliance, RCYP is full of ideas 

and inspiration, information 

and experience covering 

children’s development; Yoga 

for children from babies to 

teens; using Yoga in a school 

environment; considering 

children with special needs; 

games, relaxations, meditation, 

visualistion, songs and more. 

RCYP Levels 1 and 2 are 

delivered over the Friday 

evening and all day Saturday 

and Sunday. RCYP1 and 2 

qualify as 20 credit hours for 

RYT 200 (registered yoga 

teacher, 200 hours) and 

continuing education credits 

through Yoga Alliance. Cost: 

HK$5,000 (includes $1,500 

materials: 1 teacher training 

manual, 2 books, 4 CDs, 1 

DVD and 1 workbook) 


2521 5099 or 

www.shaktihealingcircle.com 

VIBRANT LIVING YOGA TEACHER 

TRAININGS 

Ubud, Bali 

10 October – 7 November 

(300-hour Level I course) 

12 – 26 November (500-hour 

Level II Module) 

Breathe, sweat and transform 

with Daniel Aaron, Simon 

Borg-Olivier, Dena Kingsberg, 

Rusty Wells, Edward Clark, 

Dave Stringer, Alanna Kaivalya, 

Emil Wendel, Geoffrey 

Gordon, Ron Reid with Marla 

Meenakshi Joy, Kathy Clark 

and more special guests. 

These Yoga Alliance RYT 

certification courses present a 

phenomenal, comprehensive 

curriculum from challenging 

asana to enlightening 

philosophy, uplifting live music 

to organic, gourmet living 

foods. 

Ubud-based, Vibrant Living 

Yoga Teacher Trainer, Daniel 

Aaron 

The 300-hour Level I course is 

for people of all levels; and 

Level II Module is a unique 

and powerful opportunity to 

dive much deeper, in an 

intimate program specifically 

designed for the intermediate 

practitioner and practicing 

teacher. 

For more information and 

registration email 

ytt@radiantlyalive.com; call 

+62-81 337823719 or visit 

www.radiantlyalive.com 

4-DAY INTENSIVE TEACHER 

TRAINING KIDZYOGA IN 

SCHOOLS PROGRAM 

Prince Hotel, Hong Kong 

19-22 October 

The KidzYoga way, 4-day 

intensive experiential training 

will equip anyone who wants 

to bring yoga to students of all 

ages in schools! 

8

Mythology in a Minute 

With educational-based yoga 

tools and techniques, 

participants will learn how to 

seamlessly integrate yoga in the 

classroom, PE, and start a Yoga 

Club, that will foster beautiful 

minds, healthy bodies and 

compassionate students. 

This teacher training is perfect 

for parents, school teachers, 

yoga teachers, nurses, OTs, PTs, 

and child-focused 

professionals. Yoga experience 

is beneficial, but not a 

requirement for this training. 

Fee: Early Bird- Register 

before September 15 

HK$7,500. Regular HK$8,500. 


visit www.kidzyoga-asia.com 

ASHTANGA-BASED TEACHER 

TRAINING 


31 October – 21 November 

This comprehensive 

training led by Dylan Bernstein 

roots its curriculum in 

Ashtanga Vinyasa in the 

tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois 

of Mysore, South India. The 

course provides traditional yoga 

practice in a modern setting 

that offers health, happiness, 

peace and awareness of one’s 

true self. Trainees will graduate 

prepared to teach and with a 

comprehensive understanding 

of Yoga and with deeper 

meanings for their own 

practice. Topics include: Asana, 

Teaching Methodology, 

Yogic Lifestyle, Anatomy, 

Global Yoga Philosophy, The 

Yoga Tradition 

For more information please 

visit www.pure-yoga.com 

500-HOUR ADVANCED TEACHER 

TRAINING 

Absolute Yoga, Koh Samui, 

Thailand 

14 November – 18 December 

A Yoga Alliance recognised 

course broken into seven 

different teaching modules, 

each with a different teacher: 

Michel Besnard, Carlos 

Pomeda, Michelle Lam, Sara 

Avant Stover, Nora 

Mangiamele, Lucas Rockwood 

and Macarena Aguilar. 


www.absoluteyogasamui.com/ 

yoga-alliance-500-hour/; +852 

2511 8892 or 

info@yogasana.com.hk 

CENTERED YOGA TRAINING 

Yoga Thailand Retreat 

Center 

March 2011 

Led by Paul Dallaghan in its 

11th year, both Foundation and 

Advanced Training courses are 

Asia’s most respected and 

longest running Yoga Alliance 

Registered program both at the 

200 and 500 levels. Now 

accepting applications for the 

Foundation Level March 2011 

course. 


www.centeredyoga.com 

Arunachala 

Tia Sinha 

Once upon a long, long time ago, the two gods, Brahma and 

Vishnu got into a heated argument. In the Hindu pantheon, gods 

often behave like mere humans! Brahma argued he was more 

powerful than Vishnu while Vishnu argued he was more 

powerful than Brahma. In the absence of a “mirror, mirror on the 

wall” that could tell them who was the most powerful of them 

all, Brahma and Vishnu decided to enlist the services of a referee, 

none other than the powerful Shiva himself. 

To test their might, Shiva flung a beam of light on earth. He asked 

the two sparring gods to find the end of the beam. Whoever 

found the end of this vertical beam of light and returned to Shiva 

first, would be declared the more powerful of the two. While 

Vishnu assumed the form of a wild boar and chased the bottom 

of the beam, burrowing deep within the earth, Brahma flew up 

on his graceful swan, intent on finding the top of this beam. The 

race went on for years and years. The beam was so long, the ends 

just could not be found. 

Finally, an exhausted Vishnu gave up the search and returned to 

Shiva, admitting defeat and acknowledging it was Shiva who was 

the most powerful of them all. Meanwhile, Brahma, flying ever 

higher, came across a flower. Assuming that the top of the beam 

of light was near, Brahma rushed back to Shiva and triumphantly 

declared to Shiva that he had found the top of the beam. This was 

a lie! Brahma’s lie, incidentally, explains why there is only one great 

temple in India devoted to Brahma, while temples devoted to 

Vishnu abound. 

The infinite beam of light came to be revered as an agni linga. The 

place where it touched the earth was none other than the glorious 

mountain, Arunachala. Around this sacred 

mountain, considered an embodiment of 

Shiva himself, sprang up the city of 

Tiruvannamalai in southern India. 

Tia studies Buddhist philosophy and practice 

at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 

Dharamshala and teaches Hatha Yoga to the 

nuns of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s nunnery. 

9

Dristi Tapas 

Volun 

oluntary 

Suf 

uffering 

Clayton Horton 

tapas is the hard work 

involved in any 

transformational 

process 

WHAT IS TAPAS? A MYSTERY TO 

the lazy… a magic ingredient for the 

evolving yogi….accomplished athletes, 

yogis and musicians know it well. 

Tapas is traditionally defined as to burn or 

to glow or a method to produce 

energy…or a process which illuminates the 

imperfections of one’s own personality 

Tapas is listed as one of the five niyamas or 

observances, which one of the eight limbs 

of Ashtanga yoga from the Patanjalim 

Yoga Sutras. In many commentaries, tapas 

is often defined as austerity, penance or 

discipline. Simply put, tapas is the hard 

work involved in any transformational 

process. 

A more esoteric perspective of tapas is, 

voluntary suffering for one’s own 

purification and development. This 

intentional suffering is one in which we 

place ourselves in a situation in which the 

heat of the moment begins to cook our 

entire being, physical body, mind and sense 

organs included. 

By consistent, hard work, unhelpful or 

negative samscaras (habits), kleshas (root 

afflictions) are forced to surface in our 

awareness and then discarded, burned, 

released and purged. Ahimsa (nonviolence) 

and vairagyam (dispassion) have their place 

in one’s life and practice, but we all need to 

do some authentic “housecleaning” to see 

the brilliance of jewel of the Self shine 

forth. 

One simple example of tapas is sitting in a 

sweltering hot sauna to sweat out toxins. 

Another example is B.K.S. Iyengar’s saying, 

“the posture begins when you are ready to 

come out of it. Doing the hard work of 

staying in the asana even though our legs 

are shaking and our breath is becoming 

unsteady is what is required for us to 

develop core strength and stability. 

Tapas for mental development or 

purification could be regarded as training 

our minds to concentrate on one thing for 

an extended period of time. This Tapas-ia 

of the mind involves harnessing the verve 

and inspiration to let go of our limited 

Self-concepts and unhealthy negative 

thought patterns. 

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali begins his 

discussion of sadhana or spiritual practice by 

saying along with svadyaya (study of the 

Self) and isvarapranidhana (surrendering to 

the divine), tapas is a necessary ingredient 

for any authentic yoga practice (YS 2:1). 

Without tapas we never make it onto the 

mat or meditation pillow. 

Thinking about yoga, planning to do yoga, 

talking about yoga is wonderful, inspiring 

and easy. Doing the work is another. Going 

deeper into our practice consistently to get 

stronger and to get clearer glimpses of our 

true eternal nature is hard work. To taste 

the fruit of our practice is a great source of 

real joy and peace. Learn to schedule and 

manage your time. Prioritize work, play, 

eating and practice to 

create a balanced, healthy 

and joyful life for yourself. 

Clayton is director of 

Greenpath Yoga. 

www.greenpathyoga.com 

When the body develops the power to endure 

hardship and when the mind does not get easily 

upset by lack of physical comfort, one becomes 

qualified for practicing yoga 

Swami Hariharananda 

10

First Instrument of 

Doing Yoga 

Paul Dallaghan 

TAPAS IS MOST COMMONLY 

translated as austerity, attitudes 

characterized by severity or asceticism or 

extreme plainness and simplicity. We hear 

much of it today with European countries 

making their austerity budgets, with less 

spending, more taxes, reduced pay for 

public sector and strong debt controls. 

Tapas is the first word of Sadhana Pada (YS 

II.1), the second chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga 

Sutras. In a sense it is the first instrument 

of yoga. It is mentioned as a Kriya Yoga, a 

technique for yoga and thus can be 

considered actual physical practice. There are 

two other elements involved in Kriya yoga, 

namely Svadhyaya and Ishvara Pranidhana, 

self-study and surrender. It is often 

interpreted that if tapas is the physical 

practice, svadhyaya is the verbal practice and 

ishvara pranidhana is the mental practice, all 

constituting instruments of doing yoga. 

Tapas is also mentioned in the second limb 

of Ashtanga, as a niyama (YS II.32). It is 

not mere repetition, but revealing the two 

sides of tapas and its importance in 

development. Tapas follows shaucha 

(naturalness), and santosha (contentment), 

in the niyamas. Once comfortable with 

yourself and content with yourself and 

what you have in life, your practice will have 

less chance of developing into a calculated 

or selfish approach to what you want, and 

you will not become miserable and give up 

your practice. 

If tapas as a kriya is doing, then tapas as a 

niyama is the attitude. If you know you are 

going to finish and gain something from 

it, it is not considered tapas. To discipline 

yourself purely for self growth and endure 

the difficulties that come with it, keeping an 

even mind without any prospect of 

material reward can be considered tapas. 

Very often heat is associated with tapas, as 

that is part of its literal translation, to burn. 

Why was this word chosen to represent 

“austerity”? According to Hemachandra, 

tapas purifies the jiva, (the spirit), as fire 

purifies gold. If we observe the physical 

world we note the agent of change is heat 

or fire. Here we find our actions, practices 

and attitude build a purifying heat. 

We can look at tapas as practices which 

channel prana inward, away from mere 

sense indulgence, thereby concentrating the 

force within, which results in heat and 

purification on the physical and subtle 

levels. The body and senses will refine and 

the attitude will mature. This happens as 

your practices direct energy away from 

preconditioned patterns and habits to a 

place of integrity within. 

In time you will notice heat building inside, 

close to the sacrum, behind the pubic bone 

and going up to the navel. Your body 

transforms and becomes light, your senses 

follow your will, not the other way round, 

and your attitude becomes open and 

increasingly unselfish. 

Asanas, pranayamas and sitting techniques, 

the most common forms of today’s yoga, 

are primarily tapas. And they are excellent 

tapas practices. The teachings also advise 

certain fasts or at least discipline over eating 

food; from discipline over speech to a 

complete observance of silence; service of 

the Guru; sexual discipline and; a full 

observance of truth. 

It has been said pranayama is the best tapas. 

However, they are not to be forced or done 

to an extreme where they cause a physical or 

mental disturbance. This is unhealthy and 

imbalanced. Tapas is healthy, just not 

comfort driven. 

So why do this? What’s the need for it? 

Yoga is not a harsh science nor a path 

forcing you to do things you don’t want to 

do. On the contrary, Patanajali is 

wonderfully rich in common sense. Vyasa, 

the primary commentator on the Yoga 

Sutras, states we have are a mass of 

impressions from many actions and 

afflictions across time and form. The only 

way to weaken and remove the force of 

these impressions, which rule our current 

life is through austerity, action and attitude. 

If you are honest with yourself you can see 

you have much mess to clean up in your 

life. And if you are interested in inner selfdevelopment 

then it is a requirement to 

work on yourself. Tapas is that first 

instrument. You can call it “ascetic 

observance which should only be practiced 

as long as it purifies the mind and makes it 

pleasant without injuring health” (Vyasa 

paraphrased by Swami Veda Bharati). 

Patanjali does not give much explanation 

of tapas other than its outcome. He states 

(YS II.43) “From tapas (ascetic practice), 

through the elimination of impurities 

our actions, practices and attitude build a 

purifying heat 

there occurs mastery over the body and 

senses.” Thus it is clear tapas brings the 

body and senses to a state of excellence. 

Tapas is mentioned in many other yogic 

texts including many of the Upanishads 

and the Vashishta Samhita. From all of 

these it is clear tapas is the attitude which 

the yogis are advised to adopt towards their 

physiological needs, meaning to be 

endured and to appeased without leading 

to mental or physical disturbance. 

Simply, the purification of mind, senses 

and body through actions and attitude 

(that do not indulge the senses or 

encourage any counter-productive, preexisting 

conditions), is necessary for anyone 

intent on self growth and the path of 

yoga. This is tapas and it’s the first 

instrument of doing yoga, both as a means 

and an end. 

Paul is director of 

Centered Yoga and Yoga 

Thailand in Koh Samui. 

www.yoga-thailand.com, 

www.centeredyoga.com 

11

Dristi Tapas 

Tan 

antr 

tra on Tap 

apas 

as 

Yogesvara Sarasvati 

GRATITUDE TO MY GURU’S GURU, PARAMAHAMSA SATYANANDA SARASVATI 

(“Swamiji”) who recently took Mahasamadhi [the act of consciously and intentionally 

leaving one’s body at the time of death] and is largely responsible for re-invigorating the 

tradition of classical Tantra and Hatha Yoga in our modern context. 

In Swamiji we find the expression of a real 

tried and true yogi – fully established in the 

view, methods and ultimate fruit of 

authentic yoga practice. In his authoritative 

commentary on the seminal text, the Hatha 

Yoga Pradipika by Swami Swatmarama, 

Swamiji deals adeptly with the topics of 

tapas, yama and niyama – subjects that have 

become associated with so much of 

modern commercial yoga. 

Swamiji writes, “The beauty of the Hatha 

Yoga Pradipika is that it solves a very great 

problem faced by every aspirant. 

Swatmarama completely eliminated the 

yama (moral codes) and niyama (selfrestraints) 

which are the starting points in 

the Buddhist and Jain systems, as well as in 

Patanjali’s raja yoga” (and the majority of 

commercial yoga today). Swamiji continues, 

“the contention is that you have to first 

When one tries to impose lofty codes of moral 

conduct on a body in disharmony, one’s practice 

actually becomes a hindrance 

perfect yama and niyama, otherwise asana 

and pranayama may fail to give desirable 

results.” But, yogis have long been aware 

of the “practical difficulties every person 

faces in relation to yama and niyama. 

Moreover, yama and niyama have more to 

do with religion than with a person’s 

spiritual life.” 

He continues, “often we observe that when 

we try to practice self-control and discipline, 

we create more mental problems in our 

mind and personality… Therefore, before 

you practice self-discipline and self-control, 

you must also prepare yourself.” 

The non-dual Tantrik perspective is amoral 

and cares only about desirable results 

(freedom) and appropriate responses. We 

do not judge aberrant behavior because we 

know it is simply the result of imbalanced 

chemistry in the body/mind/spirit. We 

understand one cannot practice yama and 

niyama to be able to practice hatha yoga and 

pranayama, but rather one must practice 

hatha yoga and pranayama to be able to 

express appropriate behavior in response to 

one’s environment. 

wrestle with the mind, yet you wrestle with 

it, thereby creating a pattern of animosity 

towards yourself.” When one’s desires and 

impulses are at odds with their moral ideas 

of how things should be, “there are not 

two minds, there is one mind trying to 

split itself into two. One mind wants to 

break the discipline and the other mind 

wants to maintain the discipline. You can 

find this split in everybody. When this 

split becomes greater, then we call it 

schizophrenia.” 

It is said the mind is most difficult to 

tame, and the body is more accessible for 

practitioners to work with. When one tries 

to impose lofty codes of moral conduct or 

harsh disciplines on a body that is in a state 

of disharmony then one’s practice actually 

becomes a hindrance rather than the tool 

of liberation yoga is intended to be. 

Swamiji says, “this danger was clearly 

realized by the authorities and masters of 

hatha yoga. Therefore, they said, first 

discipline the body,” then, one will 

effortlessly express the inherent human 

virtues of compassion, wisdom, 

unconditional love and respect – the yama 

and niyama will take care of themselves. 

Otherwise, when one tries to force 

discipline and control on the mind through 

codes like yama/niyama, the ten 

commandments – the result is what 

Swamiji calls “spiritual schizophrenia.” 

This is obviously a far cry from the original 

intention of hatha yoga, which is “for 

those who wish to ascend to the highest 

stage of yoga, raja yoga (i.e. total 

enlightenment).” 

Yogi is the co-founder of Energy of Mind 

Therapy (www.energyofmindtherapy.com ), 

the practice of 

psychotherapy that draws 

on Tantra, Yoga and 

Aryuveda. He lives in a 

community of Tantrik 

yogins, along with his wife 

and child, at the rural Thai 

retreat center: Kailash 

Akhara - home of Adi 

Yoga (www.adiyoga.com ) 

Swamiji questions, “Why do you fight with 

the mind first? You have no power to 

12

Tapas, the Opposite 

of Luxury 

Yogacharya Ron Katwijk 

TAPAS TRANSLATES INTO THE 

practice of austerity. Austerity is the 

continuation of the practice of 

contentment (santosha): Tapas or austerity is 

a matter of being content, keeping a sense 

of satisfaction, even when you find 

yourself in difficult situations. 

The word tapas literally means “strength”, 

indicating that practicing austerity is in fact 

power training. Through the practice of 

austerity you develop an enormous power 

and good health. As a result the peace 

within you will deepen increasingly and the 

power of Atman, which is the Self or the 

soul, will manifest itself through you more 

and more. 

Austerity has a relative meaning: It is the 

opposite of luxury and has to be filled in 

by each person individually by looking at 

what is practically necessary for you. 

Pay attention not to become fanatic or 

extremist: When you push austerity too far 

you harm yourself and you may get hurt. 

This goes against the principle of Ahimsa 

(non-violence). 

Austerity is your ability to withstand cold, 

heat, hunger, thirst, uncomfortable places 

and heavy exercises and so on. 

Every activity that can help you to maintain 

your strength and warmth is an exercise in 

austerity. Practicing tapas teaches the body 

again to maintain itself, leading to a natural 

rehabilitation process. 

If you are not really hungry then do not 

eat. When you eat, eat so much or little that 

you still feel a little hunger. Eating too 

much food blocks the good (celestial) 

energies from circulating. Those celestial 

energies serve as spiritual food. To eat less 

gives a feeling of utter strength, not only 

because it gives you a feeling that you are in 

control and independent; also the physical 

and mental bodies recover and become 

stronger. Keep in mind also that too much 

eating is a habit and an addiction. 

To practice austerity you can challenge 

yourself to withstand uncomfortable places 

like swamps full of mosquitoes and 

deserts, or to sleep in the snow in a little 

tent. Remain positive and adapt to the 

situation you are in. Stay in control and 

organize yourself. However, when things 

really do not seem to work out anymore 

and you cannot stand the suffering you just 

leave and go to another place, knowing that 

you tried your best but then made the 

sensible decision that you did not want to 

push it too far. 

In general people in industrialized countries 

pamper themselves to such an extent that 

they become weak and susceptible to all 

kinds of diseases. This is the result of 

indulgence in comfort and luxury. However, 

like in the practice of non-desire, do not get 

this wrong: it is not wrong to create a level 

of comfort for the basis for your 

development. The keyword here is 

“sensible” and the use of common sense: 

if you live on the second or third floor of 

an apartment flat and you use the elevator 

to go up and down you are not using 

common sense. Use the stairs. 

Tapas brings you physically and mentally 

into perfect condition. As a result you will 

feel incredibly good overall. 

Withstanding mockery, hatred, gossip and 

so on, is also a form of practicing austerity. 

Withstanding uncomfortable asanas to 

rehabilitate your physical being makes you 

very strong and leads to physical perfection. 

Yoga practice is based upon this principle 

of austerity. 

People who do not understand the 

principles of tapas might think it is 

masochism. 

Mental practice of austerity is silence. It is a 

way to learn to feed yourself mentally and 

spiritually. It leads to feeding yourself with 

celestial powers. You become stronger, talk 

less and you will become more efficient in 

using words. Silence is the most difficult 

exercise in austerity. 

TAPAS IN THOUGHTS 

Try to have the least thoughts possible. 

Dharana or concentration helps with 

obtaining this goal. Do not let other 

people’s bad use of language, like insults 

bring you out of balance. 

A strong adjustment in Eka Pada Sirasana - 

torture or luxury? 

TAPAS IN WORDS 

Try to avoid angry or bitter words or any 

kind of words expressing strong, negative 

emotions. 

TAPAS IN DEEDS 

Do not avoid difficult situations. Try to 

withstand them and make a sport of it. 

Difficulties are your teacher and overcoming 

them is highly spiritual. The most 

courageous and heroic people of history 

always end up being quiet and spiritual. 

Originally from Holland, Ron has studied 

and taught yoga for over 26 years. For 13 

years he has lived in Korea, where he set 

up Magic Pond Yoga 

School. He was conferred 

the grade of Yogacharya 

in 2009. He has received 

an honorary membership 

from IYF and is their 

honorary secretary and 

representative for Korea. 

www.magicpond.co.kr/en/ 

13

14

Karma Yoga 

my way to the yoga center that is lush with foliage, fruit and birds. 

Children come to the studio from slums for weekly Kids Yoga 

classes and poke at the guppies that live in the fish ponds in the 

front yard after class. Teenagers from an organization that cares for 

young women rescued from human trafficking circles come for 

yoga therapy to reclaim ownership their bodies. 

These young people arrive at the studio for the first time bundled 

up in jackets and long trousers to protect themselves from the 

world, and after a few weeks can do backbends and shoulderstands, 

they are stretching out their arms and legs without feeling 

endangered, and they are confident and beautiful in sleeveless shirts 

and shorts. Two hundred and fifty kids come to yoga every week 

to reclaim their right to grow. 

One of the many tall trees in Phnom Penh slated to be cut down 

Growing Back 

Isabelle Skaburskis 

A BRANCH FELL ON SOMEONE’S CAR, SOMEONE WHO 

mattered, and the governor of Phnom Penh was outraged at the 

tree’s impertinence. To reassert his mastery over all things living, he 

ordered the tall trees in Cambodia’s capital to be cut down: 100- 

year-old Cannonball Trees were felled outside the temples; Boddhi 

Trees with trunks fat as elephants were taken apart until they were 

nothing but a stump wide enough for a family to sit on and eat 

their lunch in the burning sun. 

I train a group of young adults, aged 17-28, to teach these classes. 

To open space for others to grow, first they have to manage their 

own pain and fears; and as an optimistic young yoga teacher myself, 

I was sure yoga could help them build their capacity to open to 

their darknesses and let these pains out of their bodies and minds. 

As a team, we spent as much time talking about mental and 

spiritual healing as we did practicing physical postures and 

breathing, and one day a door opened for Rattana, 19, and she told 

me about being raped by her cousin when she was nine. She 

pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her 

legs and told me when she was 14 she was sick to death of seeing 

her family miserable with poverty, and she felt sorry for her mother 

who always tried to make it work and never made it work. She 

went to a brothel to borrow some money to help the family, and 

established terms of repayment, and every time she got close to 

paying off her debt they told her she owed more. 

Rattana’s voice went from soft to loud, and her eyes were tearing 

but she kept speaking, increasingly oblivious to the people around 

her—myself and two other girls she lives with at Transitions 

Global—and I was beginning to understand why it was so hard 

for her to speak gently to others or touch the kids with kindness 

when giving adjustments. She talked with increasing rapidity as if 

to get it all out; she talked of gang rape, when two young men 

hired her for the night and then took her to a cemetery where eight 

of their friends were waiting. I understood where the cigarette 

To reassert his mastery over all things living, 

he ordered the tall trees in Cambodia’s capital to be cut down 

The National Museum, an elegant historic building across the street 

from my house, dug in its heels and refused to chop the trees to 

the base. The foliage protected the wine coloured walls of the 

museum and offset the golden spires of the Royal Palace nearby. 

But the Governor is not one to accept resistance and one by one 

they cut off the branches, leaving naked trunks and a shrunken 

museum. 

Every day I make my way to a group of young adults I train to be 

community leaders, yoga teachers and entrepreneurs. And each day, 

I pass by men with power saws and bandanas over their faces on 

burns on her thighs came from. She said the police raided the 

brothel when she was 16 and they threw her in jail with criminals 

and they beat her for being a broken girl and then she was picked 

out by an NGO and sent to live with other girls who reminded her 

of herself: miserable, angry and used up. She leaned her head on 

her arms; the other girls in the room with comparable stories had 

blank faces, one clutched at her temples and said she had a 

headache. Then Rattana looked up and said she had a new life 

now, it was like one book was closed and a new one was open and 

everything was changed. She had a new family at Transitions, she 

15

had a job, she had respect, she was a new person now. 

I spent the rest of the week in a daze of information I didn’t know 

how to process, and I handled it like they do. I put it away, there 

was nothing to do about the images I now had in my head: I could 

not afford to let my own confusion and weakness show to these 

young people who trusted me to lead them somewhere safe. I 

made it through the week and on my day off I laid out my yoga 

mat at home, and stretched and cried. 

A few of the little yogi trees sprouting up around Phnom Penh 

like the trees outside my window, 

these girls will grow their leaves 

back and over a lifetime, they will 

grow new branches and fill the sky 

While I was on the mat, the chainsaws across the street started up 

again; they had been silent all week. They had pruned all the lesser 

trees back to their trunks and that morning they started on the 

biggest one that would send helicopter pods flying in through my 

window, scratched loose by playful squirrels. I had been telling 

myself they would not be cutting that one; surely the beauty of that 

particular tree was too much even for them to miss; surely someone 

would take note at some point of the value of life in this city of 

poverty, barbed wire, rust and wretchedness. The bandana-faced 

men went up in machines and spent the greater part of the day 

sawing off branches thicker than my body and letting them crash to 

the earth. There were no birds anymore, the sky looked naked and 

raw, and every time they put their saws into wood I heard the 

screech and groan that is the negation of life, the destruction of 

innocence that comes not from hatred but from blindness. Every 

branch they cut was to my ringing ears the sound of boys in this 

country raping my girls, unable to see life in the bodies they push 

down, unable to see the beauty in their faces. Humanity without 

sensitivity to beauty, beings without the ability to cherish life, are 

machines; cold, growling, insensible power tools that let colour and 

life crash to the ground. 

My girlfriend came over to my house that day and sat with me. I 

told her what I heard outside my window, behind the curtains I 

pulled across in futile attempt to stop the growing exposure of 

empty sky. She held my hand and I cried. She didn’t say anything to 

try and make me feel better, because there is no feeling better when 

you see human beings erasing life from this planet, draining it out 

of nature and from other human beings. She held my hand and 

she sat with me and she shared with me her love. 

And that is all I can do for my girls, too; I cannot cleanse their 

minds and bodies of the knowledge they have incurred by being 

born girls into a poor society, nor can I expect that from yoga. I can 

hold their hands, though, and share with them my love and my art; 

and I can believe that like the trees outside my window, these girls 

will grow their leaves back and over time, a long time, a lifetime, 

they will grow new branches and they will fill the sky. 

Isabelle is the founder of NataRaj Yoga, 

Cambodia’s first yoga studio, and her students 

have gone on to form Krama Yoga, a Cambodian 

yoga therapy NGO. Isabelle specialises in trauma 

therapy yoga for children and young women who 

have grown up in abusive environments of 

generational poverty and war trauma 

www.yogacambodia.com and 

www.transitionsglobal.org 

16 

POSTSCRIPT 

Three months ago, Rattana’s family had their land stolen by their 

village chief and they had no recourse to the law; again, her family 

faced dire consequences, homelessness with five dependent children. 

For a second time in her life, Rattana reached out to the people 

around her and took out a loan to help her family, and at 20 years 

old she bought a piece of land for them to live on. And this time, 

to pay off her debt, she teaches children the value of life, how to 

breathe and move and stand proud, and by example, she shows 

them that the innate tendency of life is live.

Karma Yoga 

Yoga for Special 

Needs Children 

Sanjukta Sharma 

I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THE 

principles of yoga are universal. It applies to 

everyone whether you are an advanced 

practitioner, or a person confined to a 

wheelchair. With that in mind I set about 

teaching children and young adults with 

special needs the benefits of yoga therapy. 

Yoga speaks its own 

language which 

connects us 

irrespective of our 

differences 

with special needs? It helps increase cognitive and motor skills in those with learning and 

development disabilities. It helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity. It 

improves physical strength, balance and confidence. Above all, it is a therapeutic 

intervention they can participate actively in. In a group setting, it also gives them an 

opportunity to practice social skills. 

MANTRAS AND MUDRAS 

When I first started out, I harboured doubts about how effective they would be. How 

mistaken I was! The children respond so well to the music, and the rhythmic actions do 

help in opening up learning receptors. The chanting and rhythmic hand movements help 

to also enhance better motor coordination and concentration as it engages the brain. Yoga 

stimulates all the areas necessary for development. 

Last month I conducted a workshop in New Delhi for mothers who have children with 

special needs, teaching them the benefits of yoga therapy . The children had been 

diagnosed with Down’s syndrome, Autism, Sturge-Weber syndrome, etc. At the end of 

the workshop the mothers walked up to me and said how much empowered they felt, and 

one even said “I now have some hope.” Another said yoga was demystified for her. 

Whether it is a non-verbal child with Autism, or a child with emotional disorders, they 

have been able to reach out and communicate through the language of yoga. Everyone 

succeeds, and it is a very small step towards building a more inclusive society. 

Sanjukta is a Special Education teacher in South Island School in Hong Kong and also 

teaches yoga to special children. 

So how do you teach a child with Autism or 

Down’s Syndrome deep breathing? How do 

you teach a child with cerebral palsy the 

principles of alignment? How do you show 

someone who is visually impaired the 

graceful movements of cat cow stretches? 

The answers were all in the practice. Yoga 

transcends all barriers – physical, intellectual, 

emotional, and I found my special students 

were my gurus. Yoga speaks its own 

language which connects us irrespective of 

our differences. 

Yoga isn’t about being in the perfect pose. 

For special needs children, yoga helps them 

feel more comfortable in their bodies, 

develop more body and breath awareness, 

improve hand to eye co-ordination, and 

learn self regulation. 

A young lady with cerebral palsy tried hard 

with support to get out of her wheelchair 

simply to try “Tadasana.” Later when I 

asked her which was her favourite pose, she 

replied, standing up. I could not help 

blinking back tears when I realised a simple 

act like that gave her a such a sense of 

personal empowerment. 

What benefits does yoga provide to people 

Sanjukta with a few of special yoga therapy kids 

17

18

Yoga 101 

Practicing 

Yamas at Work 

Jeanne Lim 

I’VE BEEN LIVING TWO SEPARATE 

lives. As a yoga practitioner, I do my 

practice on the mat and more or less try to 

adhere to the yamas- the yogic principles of 

social discipline - when I interact with a 

roomful of yoga souls. 

How hard can that be? Everyone is 

beautifully yogic, so it is easy to put on my 

best yogic behaviour as well. There are 

never insects to kill and seldom any nasty 

people to avenge within the confines of the 

studio walls. We happily chant about 

prostrating to the Supreme Guru for good 

knowledge, self awakening, and great 

happiness. So I live in that blissful realm 

for an hour or so every day. 

But stepping outside to the real world, my 

best yogic resolve is quickly forgotten. With 

crazy drivers willing to run you over, fellow 

pedestrians pushing you off the sidewalk, 

co-workers shuffling office politics down 

your throat, and generally a city that 

celebrates money as the “Supreme Guru”, 

it seems like yamas are very out of place, a 

thought which gives me the perceived right 

to be judgmental, critical, and even 

vengeful. But yoga is as much, if not more, 

a practice in life as one done on the mat. 

Yamas are meant to be a set of internalised 

principles that direct how one interacts with 

the world, not a set of etiquette used only 

when one is with a chosen group in a 

chosen place. To live the principles, we need 

to practice every moment in our lives, on 

and off the mat. Confining our yama 

practice to the mat and within the safety of 

the yoga studio is an easy way to live a 

blameless yogic life, but it is not a 

consummate one. 

energy outside of work. 

Actually, I believe the work place is one of the best places to practice yoga. Yamas are 

supposed to be practiced and validated when interacting with others. Business is built on 

the relationships between people—people from all walks of life and from diversified 

backgrounds. But what does it take to practice yoga in business? The learning comes from 

the yama itself:. 

AHIMSA 

Non-violence and non-harming. Not abusing or harming others physically is usually not 

too difficult in the work place, since violence in the workplace is not a common occurrence 

(I hope this is true in your case). But it also means not harming others in our mind. How 

many times have we said hurtful things to others, or lost patience with those we dislike? 

Or even willed negative things to happen to an annoying colleague or competitor? 

SATYA 

Truthfulness. This includes telling the truth both literally and in meaning. “White lies” are 

justified as insignificant so we do not count them as untruths. But where do we draw the 

line? Is the justification based on our tolerance of our own actions, or the impact it has on 

the receiving end? And how do we draw that line? 

ASTEYA 

Non-stealing. Most people don’t steal at work, at least in terms of what is considered 

stealing. But this also means not taking that which is not given. How about taking a pen 

home, claiming more than was spent on an expense report, and “stealing” other people’s 

limelight? 

BRAHMACARYA 

Sexual responsibility and restraint. Sexual harassment includes both physical and mental. 

And some would say mental harassment is even more damaging than physical harassment. 

APARIGRAHA 

Abstention from greed. This means not coveting that which is not ours and not making 

unnecessary acquisition of objects that are not essential to one’s life. In business, where the 

raison d’etre is about profits, one often walks the fine line between greed and making a 

deserved profit. The key is to covet that which we have earned in an honest manner and in 

the right mindset. 

Living the yamas at work are surely a challenging endeavour. But the real practice is in 

learning and striving, one day at a time. This is all we can, and need, to do. 

Jeanne is a yoga practitioner and certified teacher. She works in the IT 

industry and is currently studying the history and philosophy of yoga as 

part of a five-year Traditional Yoga Studies course led by Georg 

Feuerstein. 

In all the years I’ve practiced yoga, I’ve 

seldom brought my “yoga life” to the 

office. I work in the IT business where 

things happen at internet speed and 

everything is about productivity, 

effectiveness, and results. Yoga, if ever this 

topic comes up, is seen as “that new age 

thing” or a physical exercise for Type A 

personalities who need to burn off some 

19

20

For Teachers 

Bringing Philosoph 

ophy into a Yoga Class 

Benjamin Finnerty 

YOGA IS A PHENOMENA OF MODERN CULTURE. WITH 

its roots in prehistoric India, and millions of practitioners in cities 

across the world, there is no sign the modern yoga movement is 

slowing down. With countless styles of yoga in gyms, health 

clubs, culture centers, meditation centers, office buildings, and of 

course yoga studios, how can it all be yoga? Sometimes it seems 

there are enormous irreconcilable differences that make one kind of 

yoga different than others, but still it is always called yoga. Most 

people have their favorite style, with many students powerful 

advocates, trying to convince others of why their teacher or their 

style is the best. 

The truth is, all yoga styles have a common thread. Even as far 

back as the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras, there is an underlying 

sense of moving toward greater freedom that crosses cultures, 

body types, and gender, that has for centuries brought people to 

this practice. Krishna taught Arjuna that Yoga is: evenness, skill in 

action, and separation from contact with pain. Patanjali wrote that 

Yoga is the cessation of the movements of the mind. Kashmir 

Shaivism teaches that each of us are the play of Shiva and Shakti, 

the light of being, and the 

awareness of being. 

Anusara Yoga teaches that we are 

Cidananda, the supreme 

consciousness that is always and 

forever absolute auspiciousness, 

combined with the highest 

creative power that is always in a 

state of dynamic and unbound 

freedom called svatantriya. Bikram Yoga teaches to sweat ourselves 

to a cleaner body and mind that will feel, look, and move with 

greater ease and freedom in our lives. 

If all this is yoga, then how can we bring different ideas to our 

teaching, to our students, and into our lives? How do we introduce 

a stronger philosophical foundation to give deeper meaning and 

greater freedom in our lives? Of course if we can bring philosophy 

into our yoga classes, it gives a sense to the students that this is 

something more than a group exercise class. 

I find many students a little uncomfortable with some 

presentations of Yoga philosophy they feel somewhat mystical. 

But if we break down the deeper philosophical concepts into 

something we can actually relate to, then our students will find 

greater meaning in our teachings, and we may also find a deeper 

sense of accomplishment as teachers of yoga. The greatest part 

about this accomplishment in yoga, is that what it brings about 

cannot be described in words, but certainly it can be called freedom. 

STEP 1: STUDY 

If we want to bring a deeper sense of philosophical teaching into 

our yoga classes, we must first have a deeper understanding of 

philosophy in our lives. The greatest part about modern yoga is 

with all the variation, philosophically infusing our yoga classes has 

no limitations by dogma, rules, or styles (unless you teach under a 

specific style that allows certain philosophies, but not others in 

classes). To study philosophy means simply to look into the 

journey we are on, and find common denominator’s amongst our 

differences that give us themes for our classes. This can be from a 

traditional text of Tibetan Buddhism, Judaism, or yoga. 

Underlying all religions, is a philosophical foundation is based on 

finding deeper freedom in our lives. Our themes do not necessarily 

need to come from traditional texts. One of my friends teaches at 

in Hong Kong. I attended one of her classes when the theme was 

based on a concert she had attended previously, and how inspired 

she was from the artist’s performance regardless of the low 

Steve attendance. Merkley When we find philosophy in our everyday lives, this is 

usually easy for people to relate to. 

if we bring philosophy into our yoga 

classes, it gives a sense this is more 

than a group exercise class 

STEP 2: INTEGRATE 

First and foremost students are coming to most yoga classes for 

the workout. If we are going to bring philosophy into our classes 

we need to understand that 

many of our students may not 

be open to religious ideas. So 

we can first look at our student 

body, and see what our 

demographic is. If we are 

teaching yoga to a strongly 

Muslim population, we may 

consider not trying to teach 

ideals that are very Hindu in 

orientation. Sometimes the best way to connect to peoples’ hearts 

is a great poem or story. The Ramayana, Rumi, and Caroline Myss 

all have inspiring stories to teach us. There are countless self-help 

books with ideas most of our students could benefit from 

understanding. Whatever kind of philosophy we use, it must 

bring together the group creating depth and unity so we are doing 

yoga with the words we use. 

STEP 3: GET POETIC 

This can be very difficult for many of us, especially if we have very 

logical and straight line kind of minds. Rodney Yee is one of my 

favorite teachers for his use of poetry. His classes are always so full 

of beautiful words that give a great depth of understanding of the 

body, and feel beautiful to think about. We can talk about the 

breath as expansion and contraction, or we can find allusions to the 

ocean’s slow rise and fall like every wave of our breath comes in, 

and slowly moves back into the ocean of prana. We can talk about 

softening our groins, or we can talk about the deep open space 

where our legs meet our torso and finding the intelligent receptivity 

here. John Friend often tells me to lovingly hug the muscles to the 

bone. In every way that we are using our voices in our yoga classes, 

we can probably find ways to be more poetic with our words. 

21

Teacher’s Voice 

George Dovas 

break down the deeper 

philosophical concepts into 

something we can relate to, our 

students will find greater meaning 

STEP 4: SEQUENCE 

When we are bringing philosophy into our yoga classes, we should 

have sequences that can be connected to the philosophy we are 

trying to present. If our theme is the celebration of our innate 

freedom, and the joy of embodiment, it may be a good idea to do 

something dynamic. Strong vinyasa, backbends, arm balances all 

may have deeply celebratory themes. In the same way if we are 

moving into forward bends, we can talk about the benefits of 

becoming quiet, or perhaps we could talk about the quality of tapas, 

and how it takes real strength to hold poses with integrity for a 

long time. 

STEP 5: INTERWEAVE 

In my Anusara training, we often talk about the spiritual sandwich. 

As you may imagine the spiritual sandwich is full of yoga poses in 

the middle, with a little spiritual filling in the beginning and at the 

end. While this is a great way to begin bringing a deeper meaning 

into our yoga practice, it can often leave the students feeling a 

separation between the work in our bodies, and the philosophy the 

teacher is trying to present. It may take a long time to get really 

good at this, but there are a lot of ways that it can be practiced, like 

looking at the clock and every 20-30 minutes bring up the theme 

again. Another way may be to take specific poses that embody the 

theme, and remind the students when it is time to teach those 

poses. 

STEP 6: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE 

When we as yoga teachers are trying to bring more depth into our 

teachings, we must try all sorts of different ways. As yoga teachers 

we are here to inspire, to create and to embody a deeper sense of 

freedom and joy. John Friend explains the three most important 

qualities of being a teacher as: soft heart, sharp mind, and vibrant 

body. When we are trying to deepen our philosophical 

foundations as teachers, we use these three qualities to be the best 

teachers we can be. Teaching with sensitivity, compassion, 

intelligence, strength, and coordination, infused with philosophy 

to present some amazing yoga classes to all those 

who are fortunate enough to cross our paths. 

WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING ASANA AND WHY? 

All asanas are challenging in one way or another. 

Along the path of practice, various asanas have challenged me - 

physically and mentally. As my practice has developed, my “most 

challenging” asana has changed. As my body has changed, the 

“most challenging” asana has changed. As circumstances in my life 

have changed, my “most challenging” asana has changed. 

One of my current “most challenging” asanas is Kurmasana. My 

body does not want to hold that pose - my mind wavers and it’s 

challenging to find stillness in the pose. 

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS ASANA? 

This was a pose that I once used to do with relative ease. This has 

taught me that the body is always undergoing physical changes and 

what once appeared “easy”, may appear “challenging” tomorrow. It 

has taught me not to think of poses too much in the context of 

“easy/challenging” and instead to learn the lesson that is for me 

from each of the asanas. 

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR PRACTICE? 

To still the fluctuations of the consciousness - some days they are 

like a raging river! 

Born in Sydney, George Dovas is an Iyengar yoga teacher who has 

been living in Hong Kong for 10 years. He recently become the 

owner and Director of the Iyengar Yoga Centre of Hong Kong. He 

teaches asana classes and conducts discussions about yoga 

philosophy in the Yoga Sutras. george@iyengaryogahongkong.com 

22 

Benjamin is 34 years old, and for more than 

three years has being teaching Anusara yoga at 

The Orange Room and Yoga Space in Shanghai, 

China. His inspiration comes from amazing 

students, the sun that always shines, and his 

teacher John Friend. 

benjaminfinnerty@gmail.com

23

24

Spiritual Research Foundation 

Lessons learnt from 

the Kitchen Sink 

Sharon Clarke Sequeira 

FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE LIVED IN 

the ashram, I have wondered why the 

kitchen, which daily feeds 250 to 300 seekers 

(of spiritual growth), has only one kitchen 

sink. But I maintained an attitude of 

learning and tried not to comment on what 

I felt could have been done more 

logically…. but the question never went 

away from my mind. 

How could it? Every time one was at the 

sink trying to wash dishes for two hours or 

so, someone would gently intervene and 

request to fill a small container of water, or 

rinse their hands between cooking, or they 

needed the sink as they felt like a cup of tea, 

the seeker about to chop cilantro would 

bring her colander to rinse the leaves and the 

one who wanted to churn buttermilk would 

require the sink as well, and so the flow of 

users remained uninterrupted! 

So the heap of dishes would get washed at 

a staggered, but even, pace that took into 

account all the interruptions. No one ever 

questioned the absence of another sink. 

One kitchen sink was accepted as a way of 

life. Everyone was content. 

I tried to align myself with everyone, always 

thinking that a couple more sinks would 

have been the more efficient way to go. 

Suddenly, only a couple days ago a new 

understanding suddenly nudged into my 

consciousness. I began to realize this sink 

was God’s ‘Divine Design’! I had been 

25

26

Alternative Therapy 

using my limited intellect all this while. But 

Spirituality is beyond the intellect. So I had 

to look beyond the illogical scenario and see 

the real purpose that this kitchen sink was 

fulfilling. I realized God did not merely 

want dishes to be washed. He wanted to 

create divinity within seekers. 

This sink put one on the spot as it had the 

potential to precipitate the flaws within one 

– the slightest bit of irritation could easily 

be perceived by the interrupting seeker who 

now stood right beside one. So one’s 

patience had to develop and one’s love had 

to develop too, so each interaction was 

gentle and friendly, and even sublime. 

The kitchen sink interruptions have served 

as a time to nudge the other and say 

something uplifting, share some advice or 

correct a mistake like ‘you have the tap open 

too wide, you‘re wasting water’. Washing 

dishes for those two hours was really 

merely an excuse for the big picture which 

was that each of us was getting a chance to 

be washed up and sorted out on the inside. 

Our Kitchen Sink has given us practical 

lessons on how to be in complete 

acceptance mode and has even got me to 

learn how to go beyond my intellect. 

Without this divinely orchestrated 

discomfort, where would we have got this 

almost laboratory-like situation that 

induces internal transformation? 

Sharon is a former model 

and Miss India. At the 

very height of her 

success as a model, she 

gave up her career to 

focus on being a 

motivational speaker and 

helping others to achieve 

happiness from within. Sharon has been 

doing spiritual practice since 1988. 

www.SpiritualResearchFoundation.org & 

hongkong@spiritualresearchfoundation.org 

Falling Down to Stand Up 

Valerie Wilson Trower 

SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED TO PRACTICE YOGA, A YOGA TEACHER 

taught me the art of standing up from a seated position on the mat without using my 

hands. As she said: “it just looks more elegant.” 

And so it does. Try this: Sit on the mat, bend your knees so your feet are planted firmly on 

the mat close to your body and wider apart than your hips. Then, as you inhale, move your 

head and upper body forwards between your bent knees, and keeping your hands off the 

mat, push your weight slightly forward and upwards (and heels down in to the mat), and 

there, you have stood up without using your hands! Effectively, what you are doing is 

‘falling upwards.’ 

I often ask students to do this at the beginning or end of a Hatha yoga practice. It makes a 

gracious beginning or ending to a practice. 

I had not realised that is a practice used in Alexander Technique until I met an Alexander 

practitioner recently. Explaining how to do this from a chair, he commented I seemed to 

have learned to do this very quickly! 

The Alexander technique is an alternative medical technique, a discipline which focuses on 

body co-ordination and mental awareness (not unlike yoga in this respect). Founded by F. 

Matthias Alexander in the 19 th century, it was initially developed as a technique to enhance 

his acting skills. Practitioners use hands-on techniques to help clients’ physical problems on 

a one-to-one basis without prescribing repeated exercises, and seek to teach people not to 

use undue physical effort as they move. Freedom, efficiency, and patience are the guiding 

principles (again, much like a yoga practice). Over time, practicing Alexander technique 

methods can help with physical pain and chronic disabilities. It is thought this works by 

helping patients deal with pain as it assists clients’ stress management abilities. 

Thinking of the yogic principle of Tapas, particularly the ‘commitment to practice’ part, you 

can see how practice of this very small addition to your practice: standing up from sitting 

by ‘falling upwards’ and not using your hands, takes practice, and that this can be 

completed successfully by anyone who tries. It certainly embodies the concept of Tapas. A 

small beginning, but a step on the path to a deeper regular yogic practice: try it. 

My thanks to Bob Graham for introducing me to an Alexander technique practitioner. 

Valerie holds a doctorate in Historial and Critical Studies from the 

London College of Fashion, The University of the Arts, London. She 

practices Ashtanga yoga, Mysore style and leads Hatha yoga stretches 

for the Siddha Meditation Path. 

NAMASKAR LISTING AND DISPLAY ADVERTISING RATES FOR 2010 (IN HK DOLLARS) 

Outside back cover $20,000 210 mm x 297 mm 

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1/2 page $1,000 188 mm x 137.5 mm horizontal / 90 mm x 275 mm vertical 

1/4 page $550 90 mm x 137.5 mm 

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Teacher listing $500 (January - October 2010) 

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Advertisements should be submitted as high resolution (300 dpi) tif files (no pdf or ai files please). Advertising fees are payable in Hong Kong 

dollars only to: Namaskar c/o Carol Adams, 1/F 46 Leung Fai Ting Lower Road, Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong 

For more information contact Carol on (852) 9137 9992 /kambotan@netvigator.com or Frances (852) 9460 1967 / fgairns@netvigator.com 

27

Yoga Travels 

Tok 

okyo o Yoga - 

Tradition & 

Modern 

Inna Costantini 

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO PRACTICE IN 

one of the most modern, expensive and 

cutting-edge city in the world? Tokyo has 

for years been a trend-setting, buzzing 

capital, a hub for business, technology and 

consumer culture, attracting foreigners, 

tourists and the masses to its belly like a 

vortex running on adrenaline. Coffee can 

vending machines appear on virtually every 

street corner, station platform and parking 

lot, providing a quick fix solution to a 

demanding and hectic lifestyle. 

Shibuya, Ginza and Ueno – epic, buzzing 

districts, always seem to appear in visitors’ 

snapshots of Japan, in the same way as 

London is famed for Piccadilly Circus and 

Big Ben. Media reports only reinforce this 

post-modern, stereotyped view of 

Japanese culture, so when I told friends I 

was off to investigate the yoga scene in 

Tokyo, I was greeted with some quizzical 

looks. Japan is certainly famous for its 

aesthetics, zen temples and spiritual roots, 

but yoga is a far more recent import. 

Although as a practice, yoga has been 

around for many years, the big boom 

started in 2004, when yoga became trendy 

in most parts of East Asia – following a 

global trend partly set by people like 

Madonna or Sting. But that boom only 

lasted for a couple of years in Japan – by 

2006, the few large yoga centers like Bikram 

Yoga had to close or downsize to adjust to 

falling numbers. The smaller, independent 

studios remained active and even grew with 

a smaller but more dedicated student base, 

some of whom having traveled or studied 

abroad, wanting to take their practice to 

another level. The current student base still 

remains fairly young, with a typical class 

consisting of a majority of 25-35 year old 

women, but there has recently been an 

increase in Japanese men joining classes. 

The fact that Yoga Journal just launched a 

quarterly edition in Japanese, should 

indicate that interest for yoga is here to stay, 

28 

Jogajaya teacher and owner Patrick Oancia (center) 

with a shift towards integrating yoga 

lifestyle into a modern environment. 

Different from many Asian cities, all the 

studios I visited in Tokyo were small (one 

room, holding up to 20 people on 

average), due to high rents and lack of 

space, but not surprisingly, all were 

extremely clean – students diligently 

spraying their mats after class wiping off 

every speck of dust or drop of sweat, 

tidying props and bolsters, in a typically 

respectful and dutiful manner. 

MINDFULNESS IN JAPAN’S CAPITAL 

My quest for places to practice yoga in 

Tokyo started in the West side of the city, 

in Ebisu, a quiet yet trendy and up-market 

area. It is also home to YogaJaya, one of 

Tokyo’s leading independent studios. 

Opened by Patrick Oancia in 2004, and 

neatly tucked away in a residential back 

street, YogaJaya is a peaceful abode to all 

things yoga. A small reception on the 

ground floor acts the shop, information 

desk and meeting point. 

I was greeted with a smile as I registered for 

Patrick’s busy Friday evening dynamic class. 

We all started by quietly sitting, while 

Patrick slipped in and led an extended 

breathing sequence. Core strength and arm 

balances happened to be the theme of the 

day, so we went straight into a playful, 

sweaty and hard session, but Patrick gave 

each student help and attention as if in a 

workshop. 

Browsing the schedule after class, I felt 

reassured to see handstand practice wasn’t a 

Japanese studio specialty, but rather a oneoff 

special: YogaJaya offers much more 

variety. Patrick pointed out that although 

dynamic styles are very popular, classes and 

workshops do range from gentler styles to 

meditation and pranayama with renowned 

practioners. 

But, as I asked Patrick after the class, is the 

yoga approach here, typically Japanese? 

How are students’ general attitude to life 

reflected in their practice? (Tricky question 

to answer when the class is a mix of men, 

women, foreigners and teacher training 

students). 

Japanese culture, he tells me, is on a very 

broad level, clearly regimented, structured 

and competitive. This is why at the start, 

dynamic practices like Astanga really kicked 

off. As a discipline, Astanga is systematic, 

organized and structured, which fits well 

with an ordered and controlled Japanese 

way of life. Students are generally dedicated 

and disciplined –often to the extreme, 

which is why they love this system. 

But aspects of a culture that can sometimes 

be extremely dogmatic never came across in 

my tour of Tokyo – and I saw fewer yoga 

fanatics than in London. 

Yoga Jaya has always shifted more towards 

other forms of yoga – they offer less 

Astanga classes to balance the schedule with 

other styles like Hatha Vinyasa, Yoga Focus

29

30

classes and special courses. Class dynamics 

vary, taught with an emphasis on 

alignment, breath awareness and 

mindfulness. 

Patrick is a thinker and an activist. His 

dedicated yoga practice goes far beyond 

setting up and running one of Tokyo’s 

leading yoga studios – he has a vision for 

Yoga in Japan. (Highlighted in a recent 

video: http://www.yogajaya.com/films/ 

yogajaya_vision_small.mov). 

The Teacher Training courses, workshops 

and classes held at YogaJaya reflect this 

vision whilst seek to provide an 

environment for people to explore their 

own practice; speaking eloquently and with 

passion, he encourages students to develop 

awareness and find their own way, by 

“working with different metaphors to find 

their potential in real life and become 

unified to the active life.“ Rather deep 

insight for a Friday night but I liked his 

style, approach and the space. 

MORE SHIBUYA-YOGA 

Next stop, Hiroo station. Still in the heart 

of Shibuya, is Tokyo’s latest arrival, Yoga 

Tree studio. Running up four flights of 

stairs (I found out there was a lift on my 

way out!) after a somewhat confusing train 

journey through Tokyo, it felt like entering 

a sleek, intimate, yoga haven. I was late so 

missed the start of Michael Glenn’s 

Vinyasa Flow class, but was greeted with a 

smile as I lay my mat down at the back. 

Michael, who opened the studio in 2009 

(thanks to a slump in the property market, 

making spaces like these more affordable in 

central Tokyo), teaches in a calm and gentle 

manner, focusing on alignment, breath and 

body awareness. Students in this (English) 

class were mostly foreign but Yoga Tree 

attracts people from a mix of backgrounds, 

age, gender and levels. 

Yoga Tree’s variety of classes and styles 

maintains the ‘belief that yoga is a big 

umbrella that offers something to 

everyone’. The schedule reflects this view: 

from traditional Hatha to Astanga, Vinyasa 

Flow, Yoga for Runners and Restorative – 

taught in both Japanese and English- there 

is definitely something here for everyone. 

Having worked for years in advertising, 

Michael believes in letting the studio find 

its own space in the capital: he remains 

reluctant to overly promote his studio, new 

classes and workshops. He believes in 

letting the space “grow organically”, 

develop in its own terms – and this is 

exactly how Yoga Tree feels like – a peaceful, 

calm and open space with what it seems, a 

steady, harmonious future ahead. 

OTHER PLACES 

Tokyo does offer a variety of other places 

to practice- Sun Moon Yoga, Lotus8 and 

Prana Power to name but a few. Each has 

its place in the capital, and each of them 

seems to offer a selection of Dynamic, 

Hatha and Restorative classes in both 

English and Japanese. Iyengar fans can pay 

Rajay Mahtani (Iyengar Certified) a visit in 

one of her central Tokyo classes (http:// 

www.rajay.org/yoga/tyc.html). 

Yoga Tree offers a variety of styles 

The website Hello Yoga gives an honest 

overview of the main studios and practical 

information on each place. 

So yoga shopping in the capital of Japan 

could be an activity in itself, but this time, 

my tour stops here. 

COSTS 

Tokyo is a notoriously expensive place to 

be and yoga classes reflect this costly 

lifestyle. Drop-ins vary between 2,500-3,000 

yen (about GBP 20 on average per class), 

but cheaper options are available for 

residents or long-term stayers. Some 

studios like YogaJaya for instance, offer 

introductory discounts (half price for the 

first class). They also run daily open practice 

between 8.30-10 am for space-deprived 

Tokyo-ites wanting to roll out their mat 

and practice freely in a dedicated yoga place 

– a good concept for busy cities. 

CLOSING THOUGHTS 

Has yoga in Japan evolved in a way of its 

own, taking some typically Japanese traits? 

Yoga in one of the world’s most hectic, 

cutting-edge cities definitely has a place, 

rooted for many years but only fairly 

recently emerging into people’s daily lives. 

While yoga practice here is a fairly new 

phenomenon, it is leaving space to grow 

deeper roots and open up to new realms. 

Training teachers locally is one first step, a 

task that YogaJaya is deeply committed to. 

Tokyo may in fact not be a number one 

destination for spiritual quests, but on a 

next visit to Japan’s capital, you can 

definitely feel safe in the knowledge you can 

roll out your mat, practice, breathe and find 

a welcoming yoga community, no matter 

which path you choose to take. 

USEFUL INFORMATION 

Hello Yoga 

Run by yoga teacher Dylan Robertson, this 

is the website for Tokyo’s English speaking 

community, providing information on 

classes, workshops, teachers, and articles. 

http://helloyoga.com/ 

Yoga Jaya 

1-25-11-2Fl. 

Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya Ku 

Tokyo, 150-0021 

Ph: +81-(0)3-5784-3622 

http://www.yogajaya.com 

Yoga Tree 

Tanaka Building 4F, 5-5-1 Hiroo, 

Shibuya-ku 

Tokyo 150-0012 

http://www.yogatree.jp/ 

Eco Nikko 

A retreat centre in the heart of Unesco 

World heritage site of Nikko, two hours 

north of Tokyo. They run some classes and 

retreats in a stunningly peaceful and 

Buddhist temple setting. 

http://econikko.com/ 

Inna is a freelance writer and yoga teacher 

based in London and Asia. Since embarking 

on an intensive Ayurveda 

and Yoga teacher training 

in Goa, she has been 

sharing her passion for 

yoga and environmental 

issues on and off the mat 

– and across the globe. 

inna@brahmaniyoga.com 

www.brahmaniyoga.com 

31

32

Profile 

Once a Swami, Always a Swami 

Leah Kim 

THE ANNUAL ASIA YOGA CONFERENCE HAS THE AMAZING EFFECT OF YOKING TOGETHER WONDERFUL 

teachers and students from around the globe, all onto our little island of Hong Kong. I was especially aware of this feeling of global unity 

whilst talking with meditation and philosophy teacher, Carlos Pomeda. Originally from Spain, he is now based in the US and travels the 

world to share his teachings on the ancient yoga tradition of India. 

Carlos’ first steps onto the yogic path were 

much like the rest of us. As a young 

teenager, he found himself with many 

unanswered questions. In 1974, he 

happened upon a yoga flyer, and shortly 

thereafter, a meditation poster. He quickly 

became a student of both yoga and 

meditation, and felt a most welcome sense 

of familiarity in these ancient disciplines. 

He also found he could explain things he 

could not explain before. 

Sooner than he expected, however, Carlos 

hit bottom; he could not go deeper in his 

understanding. It was at about that time 

someone told him about his guru. This is 

where his spiritual path diverged from that 

of the average modern-day yogi. He 

attended a weekend transformation 

workshop and was amazed to find how 

close he felt to this guru, closer than he felt 

to his own father. 

On being initiated by his guru, Carlos 

recalls, “It was an experience of coming 

home. There was an immediacy of 

remembering that was so potent that I 

wondered how I could have forgotten the 

state of bliss and perfection I am always in. 

I knew whatever else I would do in life, 

this residue of knowingness would always 

stay with me. The initiation gave me a 

sense of who I am.” 

The initiation also served as his entrance 

into monasticism. Knowing he still had a 

lot of work to do in finding himself and 

sharing his experiences and insights with 

others, Carlos took his monastic vows. 

“Those 18 years were my formative years; 

they shaped the rest of my life. I look back 

upon my life as a monk with great 

fondness. I finally had time to learn and a 

context in which to study. Sometimes I 

studied for 12 hours a day. I gained deep 

insight from the practices; they grounded 

what I was learning.” 

Carlos went to university for a Master’s 

Degrees in Sanskrit and Religious Studies. 

It was then that something started shifting 

The Spanish swami, Carlos Pomeda 

for him. He became aware “renunciation 

isn’t so much an external way of life, but 

an internal shift you make within yourself: 

the shift towards freedom.” 

This philosophical departure from the 

monastic idea of renunciation was marked 

by a feeling of separation. “I realized the 

same robes that protected and supported 

me also separated me from others. The 

relationships I had were based on the 

projections and expectations people had 

about me as a monk. Most people didn’t 

see me as a human being with my own 

inner journey and struggles. What kind of 

interaction is that?” As these internal shifts 

did not match his external life as a monk, 

he knew something needed to change. 

Courageously and honestly, he penned his 

decision to renounce his renunciation in a 

letter to his guru. The response was an 

outpouring of love and immense support 

from his students and monastic family 

alike. The smooth transition out of 

monkhood confirmed his understanding 

that real yoga is an internal process, and 

how I could have 

forgotten the state of 

bliss and perfection 

I am always in 

33

Teach from insight and 

experience, and not 

merely from tradition 

disrobing his robes has proved to be one less barrier to people hearing the truth of his 

message. 

And what is that message? Carlos advises each individual to follow his/her own calling. 

“We are all at different points in our evolution and we all learn differently. The big question 

is, can you apply your practice to every moment in life?” 

To the student on the spiritual path, Carlos speaks of practicing tapas, “Concentrate on 

being a student. Whatever you need will come to you. God is always talking to you, 

whether you’re in robes or not. Know that the first principle of being a student is being 

able to discriminate whom you’re learning from. Where is that teacher’s authority, where is 

that person teaching from? What are you after, the ancient exotic, or something deeper? If 

you persevere, and as long as you’re sincere in your practice, you will learn from everything 

you experience. Keep an open mind, and decide what works for you.” 

To the teacher, Carlos reminds, “Your own journey is happening in your own unique 

context. Teach from insight and experience, and not merely from tradition. This does not 

mean to change yoga in any way you want. Be cautious of fundamentalism, which ignores 

the natural evolution of life, searching for the permanence of life where there isn’t any.” 

Leah is a native 

Californian yogini living 

and loving in Hong Kong. 

She loves exploring the 

planet, connecting to the 

Big Mind, breathing in and 

out. www.beyoga.org 

Robes or no robes, Carlos’ comforting, liberating wisdom is that of a great philosopher, 

guru, and sage. His presence is still that of a monk. When I express this to him, he 

chuckles and says, “If you ask my wife, she will say that I am still a swami.” 

True to evolving with the times, Carlos offers courses over the internet, as well as 

meditation and scriptural retreats. [www.pomeda.com] 

34

Teacher Training Review 

Feeding my 

Spirit 

Rani Kamaruddin 

IN MARCH 2010 SEATTLE WAS 

calling me: a quantum leap from the 

concrete jungle to the Forrest, Ana Forrest 

that is. The teacher training was intense and 

intensely rewarding on all levels. Ana 

created and held a sacred space, allowing us 

to explore, rediscover or uncover our 

capacities, acquire new skills and refine 

those that we already have, learn and teach 

ourselves and each other, heal and grow, 

together as a group and as individuals. 

Never before had I felt so safe. 

We taught from day one and I felt 

permitted to be bold, messy, loud, 

vulnerable, strong, hilarious. I played my 

edges and had a lot of fun. As I wondered 

“how do I teach from the heart; how do I 

teach from me?” Ana answered my 

question, through the ceremonies, the 

feedback, but mostly by leading by 

example. It wasn’t about doing it perfect, it 

was about putting my spirit into the 

teaching; I had a blast! I was overwhelmed 

with gratitude. 

We taught beginner workshops open to 

the public over the two weekends. The 

experience was amazing – there were about 

20 students in every class, some with special 

conditions and injuries, there were 

seasoned practitioners and we even had 

first timers! I felt honored to have been 

part of people’s introduction to yoga and 

grateful for the trust they showed to us. 

In every class, the energy was incredibly 

beautiful, even tangible as I put my hands 

on someone’s ribcage, I felt with my hands 

how the ribcage expanded with breath and 

how energy changed that person. I saw 

savasana from a new perspective and 

wholeheartedly felt it’s a gift to the teacher 

as much as it is to the student - yoga is a 

healing practice. 

From the very beginning, we were assigned 

to “do one thing that brightens your 

spirit” as part of our homework. For me, it 

usually meant a walk of several blocks, 

skimming through the organic veggies 

section of a large supermarket or admiring 

the snowy tops of the Olympic mountains 

Rani (center) and friends from the Ana Forrest teacher training 

on a sunny day. This year’s winter was mild 

on Seattle – flowers were blooming early 

March. I loved being connected to the 

simple things and realized how much I had 

missed the connection with nature. 

I’d been on a quest for grounding for over 

a year and it was only in Seattle that I 

realized why it had been such a struggle. 

For the last four years I had spent my days 

moving between skyscrapers, 30 floors 

above the ground, rarely touching the 

ground. No wonder I struggled to feel any 

connection with the earth! The little things 

of daily life were the things that made me 

content, nourished and grounded. 

I did not realize the power of my 

homework “do one thing that delights 

your spirit, once a day… every day”, until 

day 11. During the ceremony that day, I was 

profoundly surprised and shocked by what 

I learned about my spirit. It was hungry 

and had been wandering in search of love. 

Ana had me feeding my spirit ever since day 

one, but it took me ten days to discern it’s 

voice. Ana reconnected me with my spirit - 

I have not experienced anything more 

powerful. This connection is what really 

grounds me to walk life’s paths in beauty. 

From my window seat on the plane to 

Hawaii, a big rainbow appeared. Oh 

wonders of nature, I haven’t seen a 

rainbow in four years! This was no doubt 

an invitation to get on my windhorse and 

ride full steam ahead to do my part on 

mending the hoop of the people. 

Do something that 

delights your spirit, 

once a day, every day 

Ana Forrest 

Rani directs and owns 

breatheUNLIMITED, a 

company with the vision 

to empower people to live 

in wellness 

(www.breatheunlimited.com). 

Rani 

practices and teaches 

Forrest Yoga wherever 

she goes. rani.kamaruddin@gmail.com 

35

36

Perspective 

Stillness from Within 

Gricia Gan 

alignment between the intellectual mind 

(thoughts), the emotional being (feelings) 

and the physical body (speech and action). 

WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS PHOTO, I 

immediately decided it was my favourite of 

Yogananth’s most recent shoot in Bali. He 

seemed surprised but I elaborated it’s 

because it captures the essence of yoga - 

stillness within. 

Yoga transformed my life; probably a 

comment you commonly hear from 

friends who practice regularly. As an athlete 

at school, I engaged in vigorous 

cardiovascular, strength and resistance 

training that naturally lead me to the gym. 

Up until last year, I was still doing 

marathon, long hikes and mountain 

climbing in exotic locations. During all of 

these activities my body felt different to 

me, it felt highly-strung like an elastic that 

had been stretched to its snapping point. 

All my muscles were tight and the majority 

of my joints were not properly aligned. As 

a result, I was living with an array of 

chronic pains that sent me to masseurs, 

doctors, physiotherapists, and eventually, 

Yogananth. 

Hatha yoga has revolutionised my physical 

workout, eating habits, mental health and 

emotional being. As I write this today, I 

have never felt closer to the meaning of 

“being true to myself ”, something I used 

to struggle with. Being true to oneself, by 

my definition, involves a complete 

In our day-to-day human relationships, 

this means having an opinion towards 

someone, feeling the same about them and 

acting the same towards him or her. Hence 

if you like someone, you will feel happy 

around them and your actions will reflect 

how much you care for him or her. This 

sounds simple; however, if you review 

your personal relationships with the people 

in your life – your workmates, your boss, 

your friends, family and relatives - you will 

discover misalignments that may need 

adjustments or simple awareness. 

For me, this alignment has been moving 

into place over time and the answers keep 

surfacing from within me as I practice 

regularly. Often after a satisfying practice, 

answers to doubts and questions in my 

mind reveal themselves. This profound 

clarity is a result of the internal alignment 

of my mind, heart and body. Over time, I 

feel this practice has given me a space where 

I can retreat to for silence and stillness 

when my mind is troubled with fear and 

doubt or when my own body physically 

challenges me. 

This photo is the most powerful of the 

collection simply because Yogananth sat at 

the ledge of a 100ft cliff in Uluwatu, with 

crashing waves thrice his height behind him 

while posing in a variation of eka pada 

rajakapotasana. Even the photographer 

retreated inland a little, joking he was not 

paid enough to take this kind of risk! 

after a satisfying practice, answers to 

doubts and questions reveal themselves 

Despite all this excitement and movement, 

within him and written on his face, I see 

and feel that his stillness is from within. 

Gricia enjoys her daily 

yoga practice and is a 

graduate of Yogananth 

Andiappan’s 300-hour 

yoga teacher training. 

She is a volunteer at the 

Yogananth Andiappan 

community: involved in organising events; 

taking photos and teaching. 

37

Diet 

Could Candida Albicans be 

affecting your health? 

Claudia Jones 

MANY CANDIDA ALBICANS SUFFERERS ARE UNAWARE 

this is the cause of many of their seemingly unrelated health 

problems. Candida is a yeast present in all of us, yet when this 

yeast grows out of control it creates an imbalance in the body 

creating an acidic condition that weakens the immune system and 

leaves us open to disease. Left untreated, Candida Albicans can 

become systemic, spreading through the entire body and affecting 

our whole wellbeing. People suffering from illnesses such as AIDS 

and cancer often have a systemic overgrowth of candida yeast. 

WHAT CAUSES CANDIDA? 

• Repeated use of antibiotics that kill off the friendly as well as 

the unfriendly bacteria in the body. 

• Steroids and contraceptive pills that create a hormonal 

imbalance. 

• Heavy metals in the body (from mercury fillings and 

environmental factors). 

• Stress (resulting in increased cortisol in the body) 

• Worms and parasites 

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), 

• Diabetes 

• A diet high in sugar and carbohydrates 

• Chronic constipation. 

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDA? 

• Constipation/diarrhea 

• Abdominal gas and bloating 

• Headaches 

• Muscle and joint pains 

• Insomnia 

• Fatigue 

• Feeling spacey or foggy 

• Poor concentration 

• Depression 

• Genital itching 

You can complete a Candida Questionnaire which can give you a 

good indication of whether or not your problems are yeast related. 

Blood tests and stool tests can also be used to determine whether 

you have Candida with varying degrees of accuracy. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE CANDIDA? 

To control the overgrowth of yeast and relieve symptoms, the 

balance in beneficial microflora needs to be restored. A strict anticandida 

diet needs to be observed, this means a sugar free diet, no 

38

efined flour products or carbohydrates, no fermented foods 

including alcohol and no yeast. Plenty of probiotics are needed and 

cultured foods including raw cultured vegetables and raw organic 

apple cider vinegar to repopulate the friendly bacteria. You will need 

to keep your protein intake high, particularly animal proteins (fish, 

meat, eggs) which contain all the amino acids. Regular protein 

intake will help to keep blood sugar and energy levels balanced since 

carbohydrates have been taken away. 

If you are a strict vegetarian a good source of protein is spirulina 

which can be purchased as a powder and added into juices or taken 

in capsule form. Vegetable intake should also be high, particularly 

green veggies which are alkalizing to the system, helping to counter 

the acidic condition created by the yeast. A good way to take the 

veggies is either steamed or juiced. Raw garlic is a very effective antifungal 

and should be included in the diet daily. Caprylic acid and 

Virgin Coconut oil (from which the latter is derived) are also 

effective anti-fungal agents and should be included in the anti- 

Candida program. 

Cutting sugar, yeast, carbohydrates and fermented foods from the 

diet mean that the candida has nothing to feed on and therefore 

must die. A strict anti-candida diet can keep the overgrowth and 

symptoms under control but may not fully eradicate the problem 

even after a number of months of following the diet. When 

restricted foods are reintroduced, symptoms may reappear. Only 

when one is symptom free for some time should attempts be 

made to reintroduce regular foods and only then one at a time so 

that any reaction can be clearly observed. If the food does not cause 

a problem then it can slowly become a regular part of the diet again. 

ANTI-CANDIDA DETOX 

A specific Anti-Candida Detox Program can help. A good program 

will target the problem from a number of angles to tackle the many 

possible causes of the overgrowth. At Samahita Wellness, a strict 

diet of green juices and green veggies is followed, along with plenty 

of probiotics, specific herbal tinctures, caprylic acid, citricidal and our 

special ayurvedic herbal detox formula. Added to this, detoxifying 

therapies, particularly colon hydrotherapy with specific anti-candida 

implants, far infrared saunas and the use of our anti-candida and 

parasite zapper ensure that multiple issues are addressed 

simultaneously. The anti-candida diet must be strictly adhered to 

following the detox program for the best results to be achieved. 

DON’T DELAY! 

If you think your symptoms may be yeast related, it is important to 

get started on an Anti-Candida program as soon as possible. Not 

only will your symptoms be alleviated but you will stop the yeast 

overgrowth from compromising your immune 

system in the long term. 

Claudia Jones is a committed student of Ashtanga 

yoga, Pranayama and Meditation. Claudia is 

Samahita Wellness’s Director at Yoga Thailand. 

39

Recipe 

A Really Cool Summer Lunch 

Moosa Al-Issa 

HERE’S A LITTLE TWIST 

on the usual soup and salad 

lunch combo. 

Cold soups are super easy to 

prepare and lentil salads can be 

made a day in advance and still 

taste fresh and delicious for 

lunch the next day. Perfect! 

Lentil Salad with 

Orange, Fennel & Mint 

INGREDIENTS 

3 cups Green lentils 

2 cups Celery finely diced 

1 cup Carrot finely diced 

I cup Fennel medium dice 

½ cup Red onion finely diced 

cup whole Mint leaves 

3 Oranges, peeled, segmented, 

and cut into small pieces, 

reserve zest 

3 tablespoons Lemon juice, 

reserve zest 

1 cup White wine 

½ cup Orange juice 

2 tablespoons minced Ginger 

plus 1 “finger” 

Sea salt to taste 

½ cup Olive oil 

2 tablespoons Honey 

2 small Bay leaves 

Black pepper 

DESCRIPTION 

In a small saucepan combine 

the lentils, water, white wine, 

bay leaf, a “finger” of ginger, 

lemon zest, orange zest and a 

pinch of salt and pepper. 

Bring to a boil then turn the 

heat to medium low and cook 

the lentils for 40 minutes or 

until they are cooked but still 

firm. 

Cool the lentils and remove the 

bay leaf and ginger. 

Prepare the vinaigrette by 

combining the ½ cup olive oil 

with 3 tablespoons lemon juice 

and 1/3 cup orange juice, 

honey and the two tablespoons 

40

of minced ginger, salt and 

pepper to taste. 

Combine the lentils, carrots, 

fennel, celery, onion, orange, 

mint and vinaigrette and serve. 

Moroccan Style Cold 

Tomato Soup 

INGREDIENTS 

1 lbs Fresh tomato, cored and 

seeded, large dice 

1 medium Cucumber, half 

large dice, half fine dice 

1 cup Carrot juice fresh or 

bottled 

3 tablespoon fresh squeezed 

Lime juice 

½ cup Coriander, leaves only, 

¼ whole leaf, ¾ medium 

chopped 

1 tsp Cumin 

1 tsp Smoked Paprika 

½ tsp Cinnamon 

DESCRIPTION 

Combine in a blender the 

tomato, large dice of cucumber, 

chopped coriander, lime juice 

and carrot juice and salt and 

pepper to taste. Pulse the 

mixture till almost smooth but 

with a little bit of the vegetable 

texture still present. 

Bring a small frying pan to 

medium heat and add three 

tablespoons of olive oil, the 

cinammon, smoked paprika 

and cumin and fry for 1 

minute. Turn off heat and 

reserve. 

Portion the soup in four 

bowls, spoon half teaspoon of 

the spice oil on each, add a few 

coriander leaves and serve. 

Moosa is 

Executive 

Chef and 

Managing 

Director of 

Life Café and 

Director of 

Just Green 

Organic 

Convenience 

Stores. 

41

42

Book Review 

Foundation of f Buddhis 

uddhist 

Meditation 

-by Kalu Rinpoche 

Reviewed by Tia Sinha 

Tia, a student of 

Buddhist philosophy 

and practice at the 

Library of Tibetan 

Works and Archives, 

Dharamshala, teaches 

Hatha Yoga to the nuns 

of Jetsunma Tenzin 

Palmo’s nunnery. 

THE LATE VENERABLE KALU RINPOCHE WAS AMONG THE LEADING AND 

most revered Kagyu meditation masters of the twentieth century. He belonged to the 

Shang-pa Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He spent over 20 years in solitary retreat, 

several of these in caves, following the lineage of the great cotton-clad yogi, Milarepa. 

Kalu Rinpoche’s pint-sized book of 50 pages explains four teachings that can motivate one 

to take up spiritual practice. These teachings, the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind 

towards Dharma, are common to all four sects of Tibetan Buddhism. 

First, a precious human birth favourable for 

dharma practice, 

Is hard to obtain and easily lost. 

I must make this life meaningful. 

Of the six realms of existence, a human 

birth where one has the opportunity to 

practice dharma is the rarest. While hell 

beings are as numerous as dust particles of 

the earth, those who have a precious 

human birth with opportunities and 

blessings are like daytime stars. Having the 

opportunity to practice, yet waste this 

opportunity is more wasteful than, for 

example, a poor man finding jewels as 

many as would fill a house, makes no use 

of them and so loses them. Not making 

good use of the precious human birth will 

most likely lead to rebirth in one of the five 

other realms where suffering is even more 

intense than in human realms. 

Second, the world and all its inhabitants are 

impermanent. 

In particular, the life of each being is like a water 

bubble. 

It is uncertain when I will die and become a corpse. 

At that time, only dharma can help. 

I must practice now with diligence. 

If impermanence is contemplated, strong 

clinging to life diminishes. What do we 

take with us when we die? Neither riches 

nor enjoyment nor fame nor power. All 

gatherings of riches, enjoyment and 

splendour are in the end, dispersed. Those 

who have gathered together are separated. 

In the end, those born, die. What then, is 

permanent in our lives? This holding to 

the impermanent as permanent is like 

existing in the delusions of a madman. 

Third, when death comes, there is no freedom, 

And karma takes its course. 

Since I create my own karma, 

I should abandon all unwholesome actions 

And always devote my time to wholesome actions. 

With this in mind, I must observe my mindstream 

each day. 

Our thoughts shape our words and actions 

and our very lives. Kalu Rinpoche examines 

the fruit of different kinds of actions. 

From good or bad karma come the results 

of births in the higher or lower realms and 

their corresponding happiness and 

suffering. When the good and bad karma is 

mixed, various uncertain sorrows and 

comforts are experienced. It is thus 

imperative to weed out all thoughts that 

lead to suffering and to develop the 

thoughts that lead to joy. 

Fourth, just like a feast before the executioner 

leads me to my death, 

Home, friends, pleasures and possessions of 

samsara 

Cause me continual torment by means of the 

three sufferings. 

I must cut through all attachment and strive to 

attain enlightenment. 

The importance of finding a reliable, 

qualified teacher of meditation and 

practicing meditation techniques that help 

us look in, dissolve our delusions and 

unearth humane qualities cannot be 

emphasized enough. 

The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind 

towards Dharma may seem bizarre or farfetched 

to the average city-dweller. To 

some, they may even appear to be religious 

propaganda. However, the point is that 

genuine, lasting happiness can only result 

from sincere and sustained effort in 

training the mind. Training the mind to 

abandon all thoughts that are 

unwholesome and harmful and to develop 

humane qualities of generosity, patience, 

genuine concern for others and the wish to 

serve and benefit others without 

discrimination, a wish that arises from an 

all-embracing compassion. 

Kalu Rinpoche’s clear and thoughtprovoking 

book is a precious jewel that can 

guide and inspire many. So, do we want to 

exist like robots, controlled by our unruly 

minds, deceiving ourselves that we are fine, 

or do we want to put our lives to good use 

and be genuinely happy? Enlightened 

masters across religions tell us that with 

effort, genuine happiness is possible. 

43

44

Tia’s Crossword 

Twisting Crossword 

A twisting crossword coming up. Sitting, standing, lying down or 

upside down, let’s try and twist a little. Promise there are no twists 

in this tale! 

ACROSS 

1, 11, 12 & 15 – Revolved tri 

angle pose. (10,3,4,5) 

1 & 2 ACROSS, 8 DOWN & 15 

ACROSS – Twisted seated knee 

to head forward bending pose. 

(10,4,7,5) 

1, 5, 13 & 15 ACROSS – A 

revolved seated forward bend. 

(10,9,6,5) 

1 & 9 ACROSS, 5 & 8 DOWN 

& 15 ACROSS – Twisted 

headstand? (10,3,4,7,5) 

1 ACROSS, 1 DOWN, 12 & 15 

ACROSS – Revolved side angle 

pose. (10,7, 4,5) 

3. See 2 DOWN. 

5. See 1 ACROSS. 

7 & 15 ACROSS – Noose pose. 

(5,5) 





14. 5 ACROSS, 4 DOWN & 15 

ACROSS – A seated twist 

named after a sage whose name 

means Lord of Fish. (5,10,5) 

15. See 1 ACROSS, 7 ACROSS, 

14 ACROSS, 16 ACROSS, 1 

DOWN, 2 DOWN, 4 DOWN 

or 10 DOWN ! 

16 & 15 ACROSS – Jumble 

‘Aaa! Java has a brand!’ to give 

another seated twist named 

after a sage. (10,5) 

DOWN 

1.See 1 ACROSS. 

1 & 6 DOWN & 15 ACROSS – 

Twist to the side in shoulder 

stand. (7,8,5) 

2 DOWN, 3 & 15 ACROSS – 

Stomach turning pose! (7,11,5) 




10 & 15 ACROSS – Jumble 

‘Cain is Mara? Ah!’ to give a 

seated twist named after yet 

another sage. (7,5) 

SOLUTION 

ACROSS 

1. Parivritta, 2. Janu, 3. Parivartana, 5. Pashchima, 7. Pasha, 9. Eka, 

11. Tri, 12. Kona, 13. Uttana, 14. Ardha, 15. Asana, 16. Bharadvaja 

DOWN 

1. Parshva, 2. Jathara, 4. Matsyendra, 5. Pada, 6. Sarvanga, 8. 

Shirsha, 10. Marichi 

45

46

Yoga Teachers & Studios 

Pascale Aline 

Private & Corporate 

s: stress, anxiety and trauma with 

vinyasa, hatha, yoga Therapy 

l: English, French 

t: + 852 6770 0241 

e: yoga@canterel.com 

AMICO STUDIO 

2-4/F, 167-169 Hennessy Rd 

Wanchai, Hong Kong 

s: Hot, Hatha, Ashtanga 

l: English, Cantonese 

t: (852) 2827 9233 

e: studio@amico.com.hk 

w: www.amico.com.hk 

ANAHATA VILLA & SPA 

RESORT 

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia 

s: various styles, group retreats, 

yoga for privates & corporates. 

Studio rental available. 

l: Indonesian and English 

t: (62) 361 745 3267 

f: (62) 361 989 7804 

e: promo@ anahataresort.com 

w: www.anahataresort.com 

Michel Besnard 

Yogasana 

s: Hatha Vinyasa 

l: English 

t: (852)2511 8892 / 9527 6691 

e: info@yogasana.com.hk 

Tanya Boulton 

Privates 

s: vinyasa, core 

l: English 

t: (852) 6448 7310 

w: www.tanya-b.com 

Kathy Cook 

Retreats, workshops, privates 

d: Hong Kong, Bali &Thailand 

s: Iyengar (Junior Intermediate) 

l: English 

t: (852) 6292 5440 / (62) 811 

387781 

e: kcinasia@gmail.com 

w: www.yogawithkathy.com 

Claire del Rosario 

Privates and Groups 

d: Hong Kong, Manila 

s: Anusara inspired, Ashtanga 

based, Yoga Therapy and Mantra 

Meditation 

l: English 

t: (852) 2881 0321 

e: clairedelrosario@ymail.com 

FLEX 

1/F Woodleigh House, 80 

Stanley Village Road, Stanley, 

Hong Kong (until 17 July) & 

1/F Regency Centre (Phase II), 

43 Wong Chuk Hang Road, 

Aerdeen, Hong Kong (from 16 

August) 

s: Iyengar, Ashtanga, Hatha 

Vinyasa 

t: (852) 2813 2212 

f: (852) 2813 2281 

e: info@flexhk.com 

w: www.flexhk.com 

IYENGAR YOGA 

CENTRE INDONESIA 

Ruko Simprug Gallery 

Jl. Teuku Nyak Arif No 10W 

Jakarta 12220, Indonesia 

s: Iyengar 

t:(62) 21 739 6904 

e:info@iyengaryogaindonesia.com 

w: www.iyengaryogaindonesia.com 

IYENGAR YOGA 

CENTRE OF HONG 

KONG 

Room 406 New 

Victory House, 93- 103 Wing 

Lok St., Sheung Wan, Hong 

Kong 

s: Iyengar 

t: (852) 2541 0401 

e: info@iyengaryoga 

hongkong.com 

w: www.iyengaryoga 

hongkong.com 

IYENGAR YOGA 

CENTRE SINGAPORE 

149B Neil Road 

Singapore 088875 

s: Iyengar 

t:(65) 9052 3102 & 6220 4048 

e:info@iyengaryogasingapore.com 

w: iyengaryogasingapore.com 

Hari Amrit Kaur (Kaldora) 

Privates, workshops 

d: Central, Discovery Bay 

s: Kundalini, Radiant Child Yoga 


t: (852) 6428 5168 

e: kaldora_lee@hotmail.com 

w: www.kundaliniyogahk.com 

Ming Lee 

Privates, workshops 

s: Iyengar Certified teacher 

l: English, Cantonese, 

Putonghua 

t: (852) 9188 1277 

e: minglee@yogawithming.com 

LIFE MANAGEMENT 

YOGA CENTRE 

Non-profit Classical Yoga School 

d: Tsim Sha Tsui 

s: Patanjali yoga, Kids yoga, 

Seniors yoga, Corporates 


t: (852) 2191 9651 

t: (852) 6349 0639 (Chinese) 

e: life@yoga.org.hk 

w: www.yoga.org.hk 

Ursula Moser 

The Iyengar Yoga Centre of 

Hong Kong, Yoga Central, LRC 

d: Central 

s: Iyengar Certified 

l: English, German 

t: (852) 2918 1798 / 9456 2149 

e: umoser@netvigator.com 

Anna Ng 

Privates 

d: Hong Kong 

s: Hatha yoga 

l: Cantonese 

t: (852) 9483 1167 

e: gazebofl@netvigator.com 

PURE YOGA 

Hong Kong 

16/F The Centrium, 60 

Wyndham Street 

t: (852) 2971 0055 

25/F Soundwill Plaza, 38 Russell 

St, Causeway Bay 

t: (852) 2970 2299 

14/F Peninsula Office Tower, 18 

Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 

Kowloon 

t: (852) 8129 8800 

9/F Langham Place Office 

Tower, 8 Argyle Street, Kowloon 

t: (852) 3691 3691 

4/F Lincoln House, TaiKoo 

Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry 

Bay 

t: (852) 8129 1188 

Singapore 

391A Orchard Road, #18-00 

Ngee Ann City Tower A 

t: (65) 6733 8863 

30 Raffles Place, 04-00 Chevron 

House 

t: (65) 6304 2257 

Taiwan 

151 Chung Hsiao East Road, Sec 

4, Taipei 

t: (886) 02 8161 7888 

REAL YOGA 

545 Orchard Road #08-01 

Far East Shopping Centre 

Singapore 

s: Hatha, Power, Ashtanga and 

Gentle Yoga 

l: English 

t: (65) 6734 2853 

e: contactus@realyoga.com.sg 

KUNDALINI YOGA @ 

SHAKTI 

3/F Waga Commercial Centre, 

99 Wellington Street, Central, 

Hong Kong 

s: Kundalini & Svastha Yoga, 

Kundalini Yoga Meditation, 

Reiki, Qigong 

t: (852) 2521 5099 

e: info@shaktihealingcircle.com 

w: www.shaktihealingcircle.com 

George Dovas 

The Iyengar Yoga Centre of 

Hong Kong 

d: Sheung Wan 

s: Iyengar Certified (Junior 

Intermediate I) 

t: (852) 2541 0401 

e: george@ 

iyengaryogahongkong.com 

SPACE YOGA 

26 / F, 27 An-Ho Road, Section 

1, Taipei 106, Taiwan 

s: Hatha, Ashtanga, Anusara 

Inspired, Flow, Yin, Restorative, 

Power, Hot, Meditation, 

Pranayama, Virya Sadhana, and 

Yoga Dance 

l: English, Mandarin 

t: (886) 2 2773.8108 

e: info@withinspace.com 

w: www.withinspace.com 

THE YOGA ROOM 

3/F Xiu Ping Building, 104 

Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, 

Hong Kong 

s:Hatha, Ashtanga, Kids yoga, 

Meditation 

t: (852) 2544 8398 

e: info@yogaroomhk.com 

w: www.yogaroomhk.com 

Wai-Ling Tse 

Freelance, Privates and Groups 

d: Hong Kong 

s: Sivananda certified, Hatha, 

Svastha Yoga, Anusara-inspired, 

Power, Hot, Yin, Pranayama and 

Meditation 


t: (852) 9465 6461 

e: wltse11@yahoo.com 

YOGA CENTRAL 

4/F Kai Kwong House, 13 

Wyndham Street, Central, Hong 

Kong 

s: Iyengar, Hatha Vinyasa, 

Acroyoga, Mat-based Pilates, 

Privates, Corporate and Studio 

rental available. 

t: (852) 2982 4308 

e: yogacentralhk@yahoo.com 

w: www.yogacentral.com.hk 

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Namaskar July 2010

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