Namaskar - Oct 09
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Santosha, contentment, is the dristi of this issue. Wait, you might ask, didn’t you cover<br />
that already? Yes in <strong>Oct</strong>ober 2007, apologies for the repetition. It wasn’t until after we’d<br />
emailed everyone that someone reminded me. And when so many lovely new articles on<br />
the subject came in, I thought why not just use it again. Afterall, who wouldn’t benefit<br />
from more suggestions on being content.<br />
Kim, Yogesvara, Sara, Sankirtana and Cat each share a different perspective on this second<br />
of Patanjali’s five Niyamas. Lots of practical advice we can adopt into our own lives.<br />
namaskar<br />
As we grow more content as a community, we are better able to share with others. The<br />
Art2Healing Project, to rehabilitate trafficked women, an outdoor yoga practice to celebrate<br />
the International Day of Peace, and a new online platform called TheSourceAsia.com, for all<br />
things spiritual, are three examples of yoga practitioners sharing their love to make the<br />
world a better place. Thanks to Joanna, Ting Ting and Leah for bringing us these inspiring<br />
stories.<br />
Personal thanks to Paul and Suzee Grilley for coming to Asia to host a yin yoga workshop<br />
at True Yoga in Singapore last month, and to Jo for her two-year campaign to bring them<br />
here. You can read the first part of Rani’s review of this workshop on page 33. One of the<br />
Grilley’s main teachings is that we are born with different bone structure which influences<br />
the shape of our asanas, as much as diligent practice. Just have a look at Simon on the<br />
cover, Shyam on page 6 and Yogaraj in an advertisement on page 37. All are doing scorpion<br />
pose, but how different they look! I’m sure no one thinks Simon’s spectacular<br />
demonstration is wrong, just because his feet don’t touch his head like Shyam or Yogaraj.<br />
They are all dedicated practitioners and we admire the fruits of their labour. So why are we<br />
so hard on ourselves when our poses don’t look like our teacher’s or friend’s?<br />
Valerie’s article on elbows also points out some intrinsic differences, which if taken to heart<br />
can help us avoid injury through practice.<br />
Rounding out this issue are some lovely contributions from Allen, Clayton, James, Moosa,<br />
Paul, Peggy, Steve, Tanya, Tia, Wendell and Yogaraj. Together with Carol, Wai-Ling and<br />
Joanna working behind the scenes, a lot of people have poured their love and experience<br />
into <strong>Namaskar</strong>. We hope you enjoy reading this issue and learn something positive from it.<br />
Finally a boring, but important, housekeeping note - as this is the last issue of the year,<br />
teachers and studios who want to list their details at the back throughout 2010, please send<br />
us your new details and cheques (HK$500 for teachers, HK$1,000 for studios).<br />
I hope the rest of your 20<strong>09</strong> is filled with Santosha.<br />
FRANCES GAIRNS<br />
Editor<br />
SOMETHING TO SHARE?<br />
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH THE YOGA COMMUNITY IN ASIA AND ELSEWHERE (WE<br />
DISTRIBUTE AROUND THE WORLD), PLEASE EMAIL FGAIRNS@NETVIGATOR.COM<br />
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