April 2011

namaskar
A VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMUNITY OF ASIA APRIL 2011
Asteya
Never-ending Story
Asia Yoga Conference

2

Inside
APRIL 2011
Dristi Asteya
What about Asteya, , 13
Clayton offers a simple, yet thoughtprovoking
idea about this yama.
Asteya & Mother Ear
arth,
14
And what about our impact on the
environment? Inge suggests this is also
stealing.
Be the Messenger
enger, , 15
Cassandra’s expands asteya to ideas and
words.
Earn it, Respect it, 16
Asteya is one of the signs of our integrity,
says Paul.
Regular Contributions
NEWS, WORKSHOPS, RETREATS & TEACHER
TRAININGS, 5
TEACHER’S VOICE, 23
SPIRITUAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 34
DIET, 35
MYTHOLOGY IN A MINUTE, 37
RETREAT REVIEW, 38, 41 & 46
RECIPE, 39
BOOK REVIEW, 45
CROSSWORD, 48
HATHI YOGI, 48
TEACHER & STUDIO LISTINGS, 49
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
Special Features
Growth through Travel &
Seva, 18 Angela takes her practice
right off the mat and into the Himalayas.
Never-ending Story, 20
Yogesvara relishes practicing for the rest of
his life.
Teaching Kids, 23 Amanda explains
that teaching kids is not child’s play.
AYC, 28 If you want to be surrounded
by happy, smilely people, Amber suggests
the Asia Yoga Conference.
How to Lose Weight, 31 Samrat
explains the theory of losing weight, in
yoga or exercise.
Kundalini, 33 Ever wondered what a
Kundalini yoga class is like? Nina takes you
through one she attended.
Who reads Namaskar?
Of the 5,000 copies printed, 4,000 are
distributed in Hong Kong. The rest are
sent to yogis and studios in:
China
Czech Republic
Germany
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Japan
Bhutan
Macau
Malaysia
Netherlands
Philippines
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan
Turkey
UK
USA
Vietnam
If you would like to offer Namaskar to
your students or customers, email
fgairns@netvigator.com
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, June 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, Administration
carol@caroladams.hk
Wai-Ling, News Editor & Copy Editor
wailing.tse@gmail.com
Frances, Editor & Publisher
fgairns@netvigator.com /+ 852 9460 1967
Deadline for June 2011 issue:
10 May 2011
3

The biggest yoga event for Hong Kong, and possibly the region, is coming 9 – 12 June.
And Asia Yoga Conference organisers have given us one four-day, all-conference pass to
give to one lucky reader. If you’re interested, please write an original essay of 150 words or
less on “The role of yoga in my life” and submit it to me by email
(fgairns@netvigator.com) before May 10. Our editorial committee will review all articles
and choose one winner. The winning essay will be published in the next issue, which will
come out in June instead of July.
namaskar
As you put your thoughts on paper, you might experience writers’ block. And if you do,
you could be tempted to Google other articles on this subject and “borrow” from them.
Segue to the articles on our dristi - asteya. In particular to Cassandra’s article which points
out the non-stealing definition of this yama can be expanded to taking ideas which aren’t
yours or forgetting where the words you use originally came from. As you toss draft after
draft into the bin, Inge’s article tying ecological issues with asteya may guide you, and
before you lose your temper from eleventh-hour frustration, learn from Clayton’s article
how that outburst could be considered steya. And for the formal, yoga philosophy
explanation read Paul’s article.
The next issue will be published early so it can be distributed at Asia Yoga Conference.
This event is so important for the continued growth of yoga in Hong Kong and this
region, that I hope you will support it in some way, regardless of your studio affiliation.
True to the sharing spirit of yoga, there are 15 free, community classes and events at AYC
this year. I offer my thanks to the organisers for their vision and commitment.
If you’re still on the fence about attending, read Amber’s candid thoughts on the
conference. One last AYC connection, we are pleased to include a retreat review by AYC
teacher Wendy. Usually our retreat articles are written by the students. In this case Wendy
was actually the teacher of the retreat, so quite a different perspective.
Apart from Wendy’s article, we have two other retreat reviews here. Ironically both are of
Ashtanga teachers. Elonne reviews Richard Freeman’s retreat at Yoga Thailand and Inna
looked at David Swenson’s retreat in Goa.
Other interesting articles herein include Angela’s experiences traveling and practicing bhakti
yoga around Nepal, and I loved Yogi’s thoughts about why we absolutely have to keep
exercising our body and minds, not just for ourselves but for everyone around us.
You’ll notice that our news section is getting more comprehensive. This is thanks to our
dedicated news editor Wai-Ling. You are welcome to send your yoga news to her directly
on wailing.tse@gmail.com for future inclusion. Thanks also to contributors Amanda,
Claudia, Moosa, Nina, Samrat, Sean and Tia. To Carol, who works tirelessly behind the
scenes on the administration of Namaskar, and Nigel who photographed this quirky
cover. That’s about 20 people (excluding advertisers, news contributors, printers, postal
workers, ink manufacturers, paper mill workers and tree growers), who’ve poured their
love, energy and over 100 hours of time into this issue.
So from all of us, please enjoy.
Frances Gairns
EDITOR
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NEWS
YOGA CULTURE EXCHANGE TRIP
Deva, a teacher at Pure Yoga led
a group of 17 Hong Kong
yoga students to Kolkata, the
cultural capital of India, last
October. They visited the Om
Yoga World Society for talks,
asana practice and dance
performance as well as the 3rd
International Yoga and Health
Festival. Apart from yoga
culture, the students also got a
taste of Indian culture by
visiting different local sights
such as the Sundarban National
Park, this beautiful forest hosts
about two-thirds of the Bengal
tigers, which has been a
national symbol of India and
is now designated as the official
animal of India.
WELLNESS CENTRE OPENS IN
HONG KONG
SOL Wellness, an urban detox
and nutrition centre opened in
Hong Kong. They believe
many health challenges and
symptoms can be reversed
through therapeutic fasting and
cleansing. They offer treatments
which support the process
including Homeopathy,
Kineseology, Bowen therapy,
Cranial-sacral therapy, Sekhem,
Holographic analysis, Energetic
Cellular Release and Kundalini
Yoga.
Group classes and private
Kundalini Yoga & Meditation
sessions held at SOL Wellness
will be offered by certified
Kundalini instructor, Nina
Mongendre.
For more information contact
Chan or Sharon on +852 2581
9699 / www.sol-wellness.com
/ www.facebook.com/
solwellness
during 23-27 March with over
100 workshops, master classes
and live world music
performances. This annual
celebration has been growing in
size since 2008 and showcases
Indonesia’s rich indigenous
cultures and merges them with
East and West in the spirit of
learning, collaboration and the
celebration of creativity and
spiritual diversity. It provides a
platform of inspiration and
opportunity to affect positive
change at the personal and
community level.
Proceeds from festival ticket
sales supports “AYO! Kita
Bicara HIV/AIDS”, Bali’s
most relevant HIV/AIDS
prevention and education
outreach initiative.
For more information
www.balispiritfestival.com
HONG KONG YOGATHON 2011
Hong Kong Yogathon, the
charity fund-raising event which
aims to promote health
awareness among Hong Kong
citizens through yoga practice
took place again on 10 April at
the Happy Valley infield.
Funds raised were donated to
the Hong Kong Breast Cancer
Foundation. A series of
renowned professional yoga
teachers led the sessions as well
as some yoga demonstrations.
Tropical Transit, one of the performances at the recently held
BaliSpirit Festival
The event is supported by the
Yoga Federation of India.
For more information
www.hkyogathon.com
SVASTHA YOGA WEEKLY ONLINE
STUDIES WITH THE MOHANS
Launched in April, this online
study course is offered by A.G.
Mohan, who over the past 40
years, A.G. Mohan has studied
and practiced according to the
ancient foundations of yoga,
carrying on the work of his
teacher and guru, Sri T.
Krishnamacharya.
For more information
www.svastha.net /
info@svastha.net
NEW DIRECTOR AT BALI VILLAGE
RESORT
Desa Seni, a village resort
welcomes Anusara teacher Tara
Judelle as Director of
Programs. With the arrival of
Tara, Desa Seni establishes
itself as a hub for Anusara in
Bali, with regular classes
complemented by immersions,
teacher trainings, workshops
and retreats.
4TH ANNUAL BALISPIRIT FESTIVAL
The BaliSpirit Festival
assembles Bali’s largest and
most diverse collection of yoga
masters, musical talent, and
dance genres around the world.
This 5-day event was held
Deva (far left) led a group of enthusiastic yoga students from Hong Kong on a cultural exchange to
India recently
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For more information
www.desaseni.com /
info@desaseni.com
SUNSET YOGA
Repulse Bay Beach, Hong Kong
Sunset Yoga class on the beach
at Repulse Bay will start again in
May on the second Saturday of
the month, 5:30-6:30pm. This
is a charity yoga class by
donation only and taught by
volunteer teachers. All proceeds
collected will be donated to a
local charity or worthwhile cause.
Bring your own yoga mat.
For more information
wltse11@yahoo.com
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. Chanting Kirtan is like an
active, effortless meditation that
helps you dissolve thoughts and
releasing you from the
preoccupations of everyday life.
It is wonderful for stress release,
mental relaxation, creating inner
peace and calm, and cultivating
joy and bliss.
Chant and unite with others in
yoga for the heart - a musical
meditation journey held on
6
every last Friday evening of the
month. It’s a complimentary
event that is open to all.
For more information call +852
2971 0055.
SEEKING YOGA TEACHERS
Yoga company looking for
registered, experienced yoga
teachers, based in Hong Kong,
Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo
to teach private Yoga classes to
groups and individuals.
Interested parties should email
their CV to info@yogaprivates.com
or call +852 6504
4280.
STUDIO AVAILABLE FOR RENT
1,000 sq. ft. studio in Sheung
Wan, Hong Kong. Ideal for
dance, yoga and music.
For more information
studio.for.rental@gmail.com /
Eunice +852 2544 8398
HARI KRISHNAN JOINS ANAHATA
YOGA IN HONG KONG
Master Hari, an expert
in Ashtanga vinyasa has joined
Anahata Yoga’s teaching team.
Hari also teaches Hatha Yoga,
Power Yoga, Yin Yoga,
Pranayama and meditation.
For more information
www.anahatayoga.com.hk /
+852 2905 1822
CHINA-INDIA YOGA SUMMIT
Guangzhou, China
16-19 June
The China-India Yoga Summit
is part of the celebration of the
60th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between China and
India. With the presence of Sri
B.K.S. Iyengar, it will be a rare
opportunity to learn directly
from him. At 92 he rarely travels
to teach.
For more information and
registration
www.yogasummit.org
Indra & A.G. Mohan are taking their age-old teachings on-line with
weekly classes
NEW INSTRUCTORS AT THE YOGA
ROOM, HONG KONG
Tamika Savory, Tracy Falle and
Ann Da Silva have joined the
team at The Yoga Room.
Tamika (ERYT-200 & RYT-500)
has been teaching yoga for 7
years and her classes combine
precision in alignment and
technique, with a sense of play
and freedom in the flow of the
practice.
Tracy Falle (ERYT-200 & RYT-
200) has been teaching yoga for
over 6 years and conducts her
classes with attention to proper
alignment, individual care and
safety.
Ann (RYT-200) completed her
first teacher training in Canada
and tailors her classes to her
students’ abilities balanced with
fun and challenge.
To attend a free trial class call
+852 2544 8398.
EMPOWERING PATIENTS THROUGH
YOGA
The Tung Wah Group of
Hospitals in Hong Kong has
recently added yoga to its
treatment for patients with
long-term illnesses. Classes are
part of the Group’s Patient
Empowerment Programme,
which has the goal of creating
awareness of health for patients
suffering from hypertension,
Hari Krishnan joins Anahata
Yoga in Hong Kong
Tamika is now teaching at The
Yoga Room in Hong Kong

B.K.S. Iyengar will make a rare appearance outside India at the
China - India Yoga Summit in June
Tracy is also new to The Yoga
Room in Hong Kong
type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease,
chronic heart disease, stroke and
depression.
The programme sets the
foundation for patients’
understanding. Subjects cover:
awareness of a healthy lifestyle,
the correlation between sickness
and emotional health, weight
management, medication
management, adapting a healthy
diet plan, understanding specific
illness and its risks. In tandem
with the lectures are various
practical classes in Yoga, Pilates,
fit ball, aerobics, weight
management programs, and
healthy cooking courses. These
are taught by professionals from
around the city, including five
yoga teachers, coordinated by
Pure Yoga teacher Janet Lau.
Yoga props are sponsored by
Easy Yoga.
To join this programme, contact
Tung Wah Goup of Hospital at
+852 2714 6911 or email wctpep@tungwah.org.hk.
To join
this programme as a teacher,
email janet.lau@pure-yoga.com
FREEDOM OF FLOW LUXURY YOGA
HOLIDAY
Villa Sepoi-Sepoi, Lombok
22-26 September
KatePorterYoga is hosting an
exclusive, luxury yoga holiday
during September at a stunning
private villa on the beautiful
island of Lombok. With yoga
sessions in the morning and
afternoon, by the end of the
holiday you will feel like you
have been away from the world
for a month.
Who says yoga holidays have to
be Spartan? Join this luxurious,
non-yogi friendly holiday! Open
Win a free pass to Asia Yoga Conference
your body to movement, your
mind to possibilities and your
heart to joy.
For more information
www.kateporteryoga.com /
kate@kateporteryoga.com
NEW AT YOGA CENTRAL
Aishah Jantan, started teaching
at the studio in January.
Summer Specials for students
from mid-July to mid-August -
4 weeks to gain postural
alignment in the Iyengar way.
For more information
www.yogacentral.com.hk
Pure Yoga teacher Janet is
empowering Hong Kong patients
with yoga
Evolution, Asia Yoga Conference is just around the corner, 9 -
12 June 2011 at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Namaskar has one free 4-day, all-conference pass to give
away.
Just write an essay about “Yoga in my life” and email it to
fgairns@netvigator.com by May 10. Please limit your essay to
150 words maximum.
The third new teacher at The
Yoga Room, Ann
Our editorial team will choose one winner whose article will
be published in the June issue of Namaskar, which will be
distributed at the conference.
7

WORKSHOPS
PETER SCOTT AT YOGA CENTRAL
Hong Kong
Senior Iyengar Teacher, Peter
Scott will host Teacher
Development Workshops in
May and October to tackle
advanced poses for practise and
teaching.
For more information
www.yogacentral.com.hk
SLEEP AND RELAXATION
WORKSHOP WITH NINA
MONGENDRE
Sol Wellness, Hong Kong
30 May
Too many sleepless nights? Do
you lack energy in the morning
or throughout the day? Are
you turning to over-thecounter
or prescription
medications to help you sleep
at night? Nina will teach you
practical tools you can take
home with you to have the
good night’s sleep you want,
night after night:
• Breath and meditation
techniques to clear your mind
and relax prior to going to bed.
• Tips for making your
environment sleep-friendly and
conducive to rejuvenating rest.
• Guided head-to-toe
relaxation methods enabling
the best sleep possible.
• A special meditation to
practice before you go to sleep.
7-9 pm, HK$300
For more information +852
2581 9699 / www.solwellness.com
WORKSHOPS AT THE YOGA
ROOM, HONG KONG
Full Moon in Libra (Part 2) -
Yoga for Breathing Free
23 April
Conducted by Neil Irwin, KRI
certified instructor; HK$500
Full Moon in Scorpio - Yoga
for Transformation
15 May
Conducted by Neil Irwin, KRI
certified instructor; Regular
HK$500; Early Bird (Before 1
May) HK$400
Full Moon in Sagittarius-
Yoga of Expansion
19 June
Conducted by Neil Irwin, KRI
certified instructor; Regular
HK$500; Early Bird (Before 4
Jun) HK$400
Birthing Workshops with
Peggy Chiu
28 May
Understanding Birth Pain:
Mind-Body Approach
3-5:3 0pm Regular HK$500;
Early Bird (before 14 May)
HK$400
Couples Birth Preparation
with Peggy Chiu
11 June
3-6pm, Regular HK$600; Early
Bird (before 28 May) HK$500
Master Saumik Bera
3-5 June
A series of workshops varying
from Alignment to Pranayama
offered by this teacher from
Singapore. Regular HK$3,550;
Early bird (before 3 May)
HK$2,950
For more information +852
2544 8398 /
www.yogaroomhk.com
WORKSHOPS AT PURE YOGA
Dancing with the Divine 2011
World Tour with John Friend
Pure Yoga Hong Kong - Tsim
Sha Tsui
23-24 April
John will be presenting two
levels in this weekend
workshop, a mixed-level and
an intermediate/advanced-level
workshop.
Yoga and Anatomy with
Chris Kummer
Pure Yoga Singapore – Ngee
Ann City
23-24 April
Learn tools and receive
powerful knowledge that
enables you to lead an active life
that improves with time. The
refinement of movement and
yoga practices can transform
your yoga from exercise to
therapy, self-improvement and
health insurance. Yoga anatomy
is about exploring your body
and taking more ownership of
it. The workshop will be very
interactive with movement to
understand the relationship
with yoga and anatomy.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga with
Chuck Miller
Pure Yoga Taipei - Pure Tower
1, 7 and 8 May
To practise yoga in its deepest
form, students must commit
to the path of building
awareness through reflection
and observation. With its
methodology of discipline and
commitment, the Ashtanga
system lends itself very well to
this path. In these classes,
Chuck Miller will lead students
on a journey of inquiry into
yoga, combining the physical
practice with study of the
practice.
Core Vinyasa Intensive with
Tanya Boulton
Pure Yoga Hong Kong - Tsim
Sha Tsui - 5-8 May
Pure Yoga Singapore - Ngee
Ann City - 12-15 May
This practice will take you to a
new level where you learn how
to move from your centre! Core
Vinyasa Intensives combine
breathing techniques, specific
Core exercises, and a vinyasa
flow that will allow you to gain
a feeling of movement that
starts from your core.
A Wild Lotus Event: Anusara
Immersion III with Patrick
Creelman - Time to Grow
Pure Yoga Singapore - Ngee
Ann City - 18-22 May
Patrick Creelman, a certified
Anusara yoga teacher and yoga
programme director for Pure
Yoga across Asia, is currently
offering a 108-hour, three-part
immersion into Anusara yoga,
an in-depth journey into the
study of Anusara yoga
intended to help students reach
new heights in their own
practice. All dedicated and
deeply curious yoga students,
teachers, and aspiring yoga
teachers are welcome!
For more information,
www.pure-yoga.com /
events@pure-yoga.com
AGAMAYOGA WORKSHOPS
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Tantra 2
24-28 April
Follow-up to their popular
Tantra 1 workshop.
Complete Femininity/Vira
Training
16-20 May
You want to explore your
femininity? (Shaktis only) Or
become a spiritual hero?
(Shivas only)
Intro to Tantric Rituals
9-11 June
Go deeper into the amazing
subject of Tantric Rituals.
Art of Dying
13-17 June
One of their most popular
workshops, the Yogic approach
towards death and dying.
Kashmiri Shaivism
5-9 July
Explore the depths of this
almost extinct philosophy.
Yogic Healing
11-15 July
A Yogic approach to the vast
topic of Healing
8

Govinda Kai will be at Yoga Thailand
For more information
www.agamayoga.com /
info@agamayoga.com / +66
892 330 217
YOGA THERAPY AND AYURVEDA
WORKSHOP WITH DR VISHNU
KUMAR
Anahata Yoga, Hong Kong
7-15 May
Basic Ayurveda principles,
diet and simple ayurvedic
massage techniques will be
taught in this workshop.
For more information
www.anahatayoga.com.hk /
+852 2905 1822
WORKSHOPS AT YOGA MALA,
HONG KONG
Tripura Rahasya Workshop
with Carlos Pomeda
3-5 June
This workshop will be based
on a profound and insightful
scripture of the yoga tradition,
the Tripura Rahasya. This text
forms a beautiful bridge
between Advaita Vedanta and
Tantra, which makes it
tremendously relevant in
contemporary life. Most
importantly, the Tripura
Rahasya offers what is perhaps
the deepest and most
transformative method of
meditation found anywhere.
Ashtanga Workshops with
Kino Macgregor
14-18 September
Kino MacGregor is one of a
select group of people to
receive the certification to teach
Ashtanga Yoga by its founder
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore,
India. Kino is the youngest
woman to hold this title, she
has completed the challenging
Third Series and is now
learning the Fourth Series.
She will conduct workshops on
meditation and chanting; asana
demo; guided full Primary
Series; inversions, hand
standing and Art of Balance
and introduction to the Second
Series as well as Mysore practise
and seminar.
For more information +852
2116 0894 /
www.yogamala.com.hk
RADIANT HEART LIVING: 4 DAY
MASTER IMMERSION INTO THE
ASANA AND BEYOND
WITH STEPHEN THOMAS
SPACE YOGA, Taipei
9-12 June
When we approach Yoga as a
holistic practice and see it in the
context of our whole life, we
begin to experience how radiant
life can become. This program
is an intensive immersion,
intended to help people work
towards deepening their
personal practice in four key
aspects of Yoga: Asana,
Pranayama, Meditation, and the
Applied “life skills” of Yoga
(lifestyle, diet, ethics).
For more information
www.withinspace.com
MICHEL BESNARD RETURNS TO
HAMBURG
Breathe Yoga, Hamburg,
Germany
25 June-1 July
Breathe Yoga Hamburg hosts
Michel Besnard for a week-long
workshop. Michel will be
sharing his deep knowledge
and experience of the various
practices of yoga, in sessions
that include Kriyas, Satsang, a
Backbending Intensive and
Ashtanga Vinyasa (Mysore-style
practice plus Led Primary Series
classes).
Saturday and Sunday:
A.M.: Kriyas - Traditional Yogic
Cleansing: Ujjayi breathing ,
Nadhi Shodana, Kapalabhati,
Agnisara Dhauti and Ashvini
Mudra.
Satsang: Advaita Vedanta -
How to Inform Your Daily
Life with Yoga Philosophy
P.M.: Deep Flow, Lateral
Motion - Increase Your Spine’s
Range of Motion. Explore
your individual edge in these
workshops that are designed to
increase the spine’s range of
motion by delving into
postures that involve both
flexion and extension.
Monday - Thursday: Mysorestyle
practice; Friday: Led
Primary Series
For more information Julie
Choi Trepkau
yoga.breathe@gmail.com
WORKSHOPS AT SAMAHITA YOGA
THAILAND
Yoga from the Tradition:
Asana, Pranayama,
Meditation, Chanting and
Philosophy with Elonne
Stockton
28 May-4 June
Elonne will help students
develop and/or deepen their
self-practice of yoga asana and
breath-work - pranayama while
they gain a clear idea of what
yoga is in its entirety, where the
practice of yoga comes from,
and why we practice yoga to
begin with. This retreat is open
to all levels of practitioners.
Yoga Detox: A Complete and
Supported Naturopathic
Detox Program with
Graeme & Carole Bradshaw
4-11 June
Designed for practitioners of
all approaches to yoga, this
retreat offers a highly effective
detox program that not only
targets physical blockages but
also mental and emotional
obstacles, allowing for
spiritually transformative
experiences. The Yoga Detox is
based on Graeme’s 25 years of
experience as a respected
naturopath specializing in
detoxification programs and
Carole’s background as an
Ashtanga teacher and holistic
wellness coach. In addition to
morning Mysore-style yoga
practices, there are daily
educational health and
nutrition classes and a
comprehensive mind-body
program to access deeper layers
of personal healing. This retreat
is open to all levels of
practitioners.
Taking Our Practice To The
Next Level with Govinda Kai
11-18 June
In this weeklong retreat we will
focus on dynamic discussion
and reflection on the deeper
meaning of yoga practice.
This course is open to all levels
of students.
9

RETREATS
Jessica Blanchard will be teaching Ayurveda at Yoga Thailand
Anatomist David Keil will be at
Yoga Thailand
Evolving with Ayurveda:
Radiant Health with Jessica
Blanchard and Paul
Dallaghan
16-30 July
This course qualifies for 100
hours of continuing-education
credit toward Yoga Alliance
500- and Centered Yoga 1100-
hour training certification.
Life around us changes at each
moment, whether we like it or
not, our bodies also change on
a daily basis. You have a choice:
embrace and welcome the
change or resist and
struggle.Your daily routine can
support or hinder your health.
You can achieve excellent health
with simple measures if you
10
are ready to become aware of
your own habits and patterns,
then implement wisdom from
nature’s intelligence (which you
already possess). We will learn
how to merge ancient wisdom
with the latest modern research
on the optimum diet. Each day
will include a theory lecture and
practical exercises, sometimes in
the form of observation
exercises, recognizing herbs and
spices, modifying a diet,
exercise and yoga program.
Yoga Anatomy - Understand
and Adjust with David Keil
30 July-13 August
This course qualifies for 100
hours continuing-education
credit toward Yoga Alliance
500- and Centered Yoga 1100-
hour training certification.
David Keil returns to Samahita
Yoga Thailand to teach his
highly respected Yoga Anatomy
series. David teaches these
programs worldwide and is
internationally acclaimed as one
of the experts in anatomy for
yoga.
The Continuing Education
Anatomy course combines
three basic workshops. By
understanding the information
from, and combining these
three workshops, there is a
synergistic quality that deepens
ones understanding of
anatomy. First is to know the
anatomy, then be able to see
the anatomy and finally, adjust
the anatomy. Over the course
of two weeks, there will be an
anatomy class each day,
detailing and understanding
how the body functions as well
as how it can dysfunction. All
the anatomy classes will play
off of and relate to the
Ashtanga asana. Through the
course David will be leading a
combination of Mysore and
Led classes that will bring the
three components together in
the practice.
For more information
www.yoga-thailand.com
Natural Therapies and Yoga
with Claudia Jones
6-13 August
This retreat educates you in
how to take care of yourself
and your wellbeing in a natural
and holistic way. By exploring a
variety of complementary
therapies and re-evaluating our
approach to how illness and
wellness are created, we can
become empowered to take
control of our own health.
You will learn practical tools
and techniques that can
transform your inner and outer
health. This retreat is open to
all levels of practitioners.
Claudia is the Director of
Samahita Wellness at Yoga
Thailand. Claudia expertly
guides and supports our guests
through detox and wellness
programs.
For more information
www.wellness-thailand.com/
yoga-retreat-therapy.html
CHANGE YOUR MIND: YOGA AND
MEDITATION RETREATS IN BHUTAN
WITH KIM ROBERTS
20-26 April; 1-7 May
Inspired by the natural beauty
and spiritual heritage of
Bhutan, this retreat will explore
how training the mind to be
present is not a chore or
something that requires
superhuman discipline: it is
simply to appreciate what is
right in front of us.
Mornings will be reserved for
more invigorating yoga practice,
while evening practice will
consist of restorative poses and
sitting meditation. During the
day, various excursions to local
cultural and religious sites will
be arranged.
For more information
papayayoga@gmail.com /
www.papayayoga.com
HRIDAYA RETREAT
Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan,
Thailand
29 April-8 May; 27 May-5 June;
24 June-3 July; 22-31 July
10-Day-Silent Meditation
Retreat with Sahajananda.
For more information
www.agamayoga.com /
info@agamayoga.com / +66
892 330 217.
THE SPRING STILLNESS AND
MOVEMENT MOUNTAIN RETREAT
YangMing Mountain, Taipei,
Taiwan
29 April-1 May
The Taipei-based East West
Culture Project) is hosting an
exclusive weekend Meditation
and Mindfulness Retreat,
dedicated to the expat
community in Taiwan and
greater Asia, and offering
participants of all levels of
experience a chance to immerse
themselves in relaxation and
rejuvenation practices
(including qigong, yoga and
meditation), while steeping

TEACHER TRAININGS
their minds in the awareness of
the present. Highlights will be a
special lecture and Q&A session
with the Venerable Khenchen
Rinpoche.
The retreat will be held at a
luxurious hot-spring resort
nestled in one of YangMing
Mountain’s gorgeous valleys, all
abloom with Spring blossom,
just over an hour’s drive from
downtown Taipei. Prices begin
at NT$10,000 (approximately
HK$2,600).
For more information
info@eastwestcultureproject.org
YOGA AND AYURVEDA TREATMENT
RETREAT WITH WENDY WYVILL
Weligama, Sri Lanka
16-23 May
A journey into the sacred. This
week of yoga and ayurveda
treatment at the Barberyn Beach
Ayurveda Resort will be an
adventure of healing and selfpurification
in Sri Lanka.
For more information
www.pure-yoga.com /
retreat@pure-yoga.com
GREENPATH YOGA RETREAT WITH
CLAYTON HORTON
Palawan, Philippines
3-5 June
Join Clayton at Bahay Kalipay
Retreat Center. Incorporating
Ashtanga Yoga, sacred music,
raw foods, inner dance,
introduction to organic farming
and Yin.
For more information
monica.eleazar@gmail.com /
www.bahaykalipay.com /
www.greenpathyoga.org
ASHTANGA TRAINING WITH DAVID
SWENSON
Pure Yoga Singapore - Ngee
Ann City
25-30 April
There are sure to be plenty of
laughs as well as an incredible
depth of knowledge shared by
David Swenson. Participants are
certain to learn more than they
imagined possible in a
weeklong course and have a
great time as well.
For more information
www.pure-yoga.com /
events@pure-yoga.com
TEACHER TRAINING WITH CLAYTON
HORTON
Boracay, Philippines 1-28 May
San Francisco, 24 July-26
August
Greenpath Yoga teacher
trainings with Clayton deepen
your practice, reconnect with
nature and your life’s purpose.
200-hour, Yoga Alliance
Ashtanga based training. Meals
included. Residential and nonresidential
options available.
For more information
info@greenpathyoga.org /
www.greenpathyoga.org
YIN YOGA MERIDIAN TRAINING
Hong Kong
11-15 May
If you are keen to know about
Traditional Chinese Medicine
based on Yellow Emperor
Inner Classics, what are
meridians, how they differ from
Nadis, how it works in the
body and how to tap into these
energy lines with Yin Yoga; be
sure to attend this training with
Victor Chng in Hong Kong.
This is a training only for
people who have completed yin
yoga teacher training with Victor
Chng or any training
(workshops will not be
considered) with Paul Grilley or
Sarah Powers.
For more information
www.yinyogainasia.com
THE ART AND CELEBRATION OF
YOGA WITH JULIA MCCABE
Cape Tribulation, Australia
5-25 May
A 200-hour Yoga Alliance
teacher training and immersion
option (for non-teachers). This
foundation training will anchor
your confidence as a student
and teacher after 200 hours of
asana (based on the methods
of varying vinyasa methods, a
fusion of Ashtanga, Anusara,
Forrest Yoga and more)
meditation, pranayama,
chanting/mantra, kriyas,
history, anatomy (yogic and
structural) and the elements of
what makes a solid teacher.
For more information
julesmccabe@yahoo.com /
www.juliamccabe.com
AGAMA YOGA SUMMER TTC
Koh Phangan, Thailand
23 May-13 August
Learn how to teach yoga in the
‘Agama Style’.
For more information
www.agamayoga.com /
info@agamayoga.com / +66
892 330 217.
TRAININGS AT ABSOLUTE YOGA,
THAILAND
Hot Yoga Teacher Training
1-29 June & 2-30 October
Join Absolute Yoga’s senior
teaching team for this 200-hour
Yoga Alliance course with their
dedicated training faculty.
For more information
www.TeachHotYoga.com
Hot Yoga Immersion
29 June-4 July
Beyond the 26 classic Hot Yoga
poses... explore the bigger
world of Hot Yoga, deepen
your practice, and have fun
getting fit.
For more information
www.HotYogaImmersion.com
500-Hour Advanced Yoga
Certification
13 Nov-17 Dec
Yoga teachers can learn how to
teach workshops, advanced
anatomy, public speaking and
business skills to take their
career to the next level.
For more information visit
www.500HourYogaTraining.com
THE ART OF TEACHING WITH
SUDHAKAR DHEESAN
Pure Yoga Hong Kong - Tsim
Sha Tsui 11-30 July
Pure Yoga Taipei - Urban One
6-29 August
The Art of Teaching is an 18-
day foundation in Hatha Yogainspired
(Dheesan Yoga)
training. This course is the first
step in equipping yourself with
the essential knowledge of
yogic traditions, the history of
yoga and the how to design a
class and a sequence.
For more information,
www.pure-yoga.com /
teachertraining@pureyoga.com
TEACHER TRAININGS AT ANAHATA
YOGA, HONG KONG
Advanced Hatha Yoga
3-12 June Level 1
1-10 July Level 2
3-11 September Level 3
This intensive training with
Yogananth Andiappan takes
teaching yoga postures to new
limits and let students set new
heights in the advanced Hatha
Yoga practice. Students will
practice, explore and learn to
teach some of the most
advanced Hatha Yoga postures.
200-Hour Yoga Therapy &
Ayurveda
This training teaches the
principles of yoga therapy and
ayurveda. In-depth exploration
of the energy body, including
the pranavayus, chakras, nadis
11

and marmas as well as
ayurvedic massage techniques
will be taught. Accredited by
Tamil Nadu Physical Education
& Sports University, India and
Yoga Alliance, USA.
For more information
www.anahatayoga.com.hk /
+852 2905 1822
TEACHER TRAININGS AT SPACE
YOGA, TAIPEI
Anusara Teacher training
with Desiree Rumbaugh
28 April-3 May (Part II)
Specially designed for those
wanting to teach in the Anusara
tradition, this is Desiree’s only
full Anusara teacher training
offered in Asia. Together with
the 100-hour Anusara
Immersion Course, this 100-
hour training is Anusara
Inspired teacher requirement
and is registered with the Yoga
Alliance under its 200-hour
level. The training is offered in
two 50-hour sessions.
The Teacher’s Seat with
Stephen Thomas
3-5 June
Propel your practice and
teaching forward with this level
2, 45-hour teacher training. The
second session of a two-part
training, this course builds on
the foundation developed in a
200-hour training. Covering
topics of therapeutic
applications, hands-on
adjustments, sequencing, and
presenting the essence of yoga,
this 3-day workshop will allow
teachers to deepen and refine
the art of teaching.
For more information
www.withinspace.com
SAMADHI FAMILY YOGA TEACHER
TRAINING
Amico Studio, Hong Kong
23 May-23 June
If you’ve thought about
becoming a yoga teacher or
adding another specialty to
your Yoga Alliance accreditation
(RCYT - children’s specialty)
then this course may be just
what you are looking for!
Gecko Yoga is hosting
Amanda Reid from Samadhi
Family Yoga to teach the
RYT200 Samadhi Family Yoga
Course. This is the first time
the full 200-hour training will
be available in Asia. Early bird
rate available before 22 April.
For more information
www.geckoyoga.com /
jenny@geckoyoga.com
ASHTANGA TEACHER TRAINING
WITH PAUL DALLAGHAN
Yoga Thailand, Koh Samui
5 November-3 December
Led by Paul since 2000,
Centered Yoga is Asia’s most
respected and longest running
Yoga Alliance Registered
Program, offering 200 and 500-
hour levels. Now accepting
applications for the foundation
level.
For more information
www.centeredyoga.com
INTRODUCING
Wai-Ling Tse edits this section
of yoga news, workshops,
retreats & teacher trainings.
Please email her directly on
wailing.tse@gmail.com with
your or your studio’s news.
Teacher’s Voice
12
Hema Mirpuri
WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING YOGA
ASANA AND WHY?
I have had chronic knee pain in both knees
for more then 15 years, so by far the most
challenging poses are those that aggravate
the knee. Asanas that put direct pressure on
the knees and those that stretch the knee
joint in certain ways cause pain.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THIS ASANA?
I have now learned not to push myself in
many postures and accept my limitation.
Even by following all the recommended
advice from strengthening and stretching
the surrounding muscles and joints I have
to accept that I will always have this issue.
Fortunately my yoga practice still allows me
to work with my issue by focusing on
other asanas which provide the same
functional use and help to deepen my
practice. It has also taught me to be more
mindful of students with injuries in my
class by suggesting other options and
advice to minimize their discomfort.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART
OF YOUR YOGA PRACTICE?
In Hong Kong we all experience very fast
lifestyles and for me to try to juggle many
responsibilities with my kids, family,
teaching, running a business makes it
sometimes difficult to stay present in my
practice. Letting go of the outside
environment and stilling the mind is
something I always need to remind myself
to do.
Hema is a registered yoga teacher and
the owner of The Yoga Room in Sheung
Wan, Hong Kong. She teaches adults
and Yogakids classes at the studio.

Dristi Asteya
What about Asteya?
Clayton Horton
WHEN I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD I USED TO STEAL FISHING EQUIPMENT
from our neighborhood department store. It was exciting. As I got older, I realized such
activity was dangerous, not smart, and not nice.
Even though someone may have told you previously stealing is bad behavior and bad
karma, there comes a time when an individual “sees the light” and begins to understand
the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have others do unto you”.
In the development of a yogic practitioner, there comes a time when the decision is made
to begin to untie knots instead of create them. The practice of yoga is very much the
untying of knots in the body and mind. This untying is a way of living in which we let go
of attachments, our suffering and unhealthy habits.
I will never forget the time when a woman I knew was in a teacher training program in San
Francisco. The students were beginning to study the Yamas and Niyamas. When learning
these ethical “do’s and don’t’s”, I remember her getting upset when she realized to pursue
her future in yoga, she was going to have to let go of her shoplifting habit.
individuals can steal energy by creating a
melodrama to draw attention to themselves
Okay so you are a good boy or girl now and you have learned not to steal. Very good. But
watch yourself because there are a plethora of ways we steal from others - often in an
unconscious way.
Have you heard the phrase, “don’t let them steal your smile”? Sometimes someone makes
a negative comment or uses a tone of voice towards another person to put them down
because they are suffering or jealous of the elation, success or well being of the other.
Often needy individuals can steal energy by creating a melodrama to draw attention and
energy to themselves. Another way this occurs is when someone acts aloof, goes into
hiding or withholds information to attract more energy and attention. This subtle form
of stealing can be exhausting, especially if both parties are not aware of the energy game
that is being played.
Asteya pratishthayam sarvaratna upasthanam, Patanjalim sutra ii: 37, states upon being well
established in non-stealing, there occurs the attainment of all prosperity.
Often commentaries will say when Asteya is well practiced, heaps of
gems will fall before the yogi. The point to be made is there is
enough for everyone if we all share. Don’t take what is not yours,
and you will get all you deserve and require. Asteya, as well as many
other Patanjalim yamas, resonates with the simple rule, which I call
yoga’s number one rule, “be nice”.
Clayton is director of Greepath Yoga www.greenpathyoga.org
13

Dristi Asteya
Taking more than the
fair share which can be
categorized as stealing
14
ASTEYA & OUR
MOTHER EARTH
Inge Santoso
THE THIRD YAMA IS ASTEYA,
meaning controlling desires to procure and
to live within the means. Not to borrow
resources for unintended purposes or to
keep them past due, by fraudulent way
including (Matt Mc Dermott, New York).
In this article I propose the principle of
asteya applies to ecological issues.
Our environmental problems such as
global warming, climate change, air and
water pollution stem from not living
within our ecological limits. Taking more
than the fair share is creating pollution or
ecological disorder/imbalance, which
philosophically speaking, can be
categorized as stealing. (Matt McDermot,
New York)
Here along the tropical equator, which was
used to be called “The Emerald of the
Equator”, much green nature has been
destroyed due to overconsumption in the
name of modernization. Just ponder on
the recent eruption of the volcano Merapi
in Middle Java. One alleged cause was the
overconsumption of its volcanic stones for
construction projects.
The explosion left the mountain burnt
which may result in flood landslides. High
rises are built in crowded cities, making the
ground concrete and causing flood carrying
all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
Factories unable to process wastage, dump
pollution into the sea around crowded
islands causing marine habitat poisoning.
Traffic jams in busy cities are almost to
breaking point, causing a film of smoggy
grey air hazardous to health.
All of the above examples are the result of
overconsumption, taking more than ability
to process. Broadly speaking, we have
taken far too much from this beautiful
earth. Isn’t this steya in itself? We must ask
whether the modernization can be done to
the point of stealing from the earth and
the sea.
Using natural resources beyond the rate at
which they can be replenished, is taking
away from other humans and animals.
Future generations will be left with fewer
resources to support their lives. (Matt
McDermott, New York). Massive mining
projects, have caused internal conflicts
between foreign investors and locals.
Tropical forests burned for one reason or
another causing the disappearance of wild
animals, such as Sumatra Tigers,
Elephants, Gorilla and Orang Utan, not to
mention smaller species.
Life now is already hard enough for many
people in the green belt and globally. How
can future generations live a wholesome
healthy life with less resources? There must
be a global and more concerted action to
awaken and to educate the mass
population for mindful awareness in the
consumption of natural resources.
Stop and smell a beautiful flower. “This
Earth is a paradise, we just need to make
up our mind.” (Paraphrasing Lao Tse)
How can one destroy such a beautiful
Mother Earth who silently always gives and
nurtures. Just look at the mango tree which
bears sweet fruits. Hopefully, the fruits of
our mindful consumption (sadhana) would
be so sweet with such love.
My objective in writing this article is to
awaken readers to the dire need to find
ecological balance for the healthy and
wholesome living of future generations.
Powder blue sky
Crimson sun light.
Water birds passing by.
By the seashore in Namaha !
Look, there is so much beauty on this Earth, the
Paradise.
Father Sky. Mother Earth.
May we be awakened in the Sacredness that is the
Earth.
Om Tara Tuttare Ture Svaha !
Father sky. Mother earth.
May all beings be awakened in the Sacredness
that is Lady Tara.
—Our Mother Earth —
Om Tara Tuttare Ture Svaha !
Inge is a long-time
practitioner of Yoga
and Meditation. She
has compiled a
collection of spiritual
poetry and writings
She also designs
unique spiritual
jewelry and yoga &
casual wear.
inge_kunarsih@yahoo.com

Be a Messenger not a Thief
Cassandra Kish
ASTEYA MEANS NON-STEALING. BUT WHAT IS STEALING? TAKING
something which is not ours; taking something we didn’t pay for; what about accepting an
extravagant gift? How do you feel accepting a big gift you will never be able match? For
many of us the inability to rendre la pareille (make an equal offering in return), puts us in a
state of discomfort.
In the context of yoga, what is ours? What do we own? What have we created without
outside influence? Is there anything original? Probably not.
Is yoga the big extravagant gift we accept with a smile and pass on to others, knowing the
information didn’t originate from us? Or do we take the gift and sneak away, showing
yoga postures in inappropriate situations, like dazzling our mates at a party with Bakasana,
or placating a friend who needs support by explaining yogic concepts as our own? The
difference between stealing and asteya (non-stealing) is all in your attitude. Are you truly
trying to help the friend who needs a few kind words or are you trying to impress them
with your wise view of the world?
It is thievery when you use the information for
self fulfilling purposes.
whole and repackaged the line of thinking
to fit the current day problem. Truly great
thinkers did what they had to, to make a
change in the way people think and behave
- Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Jesus,
Rosa Parks, Mohammad.
One more plagarism on my part: “The
road to contentment requires a bit of
excruciating self examination.” That was
Baron again, maybe he should have written
the article!
Born in an orphanage
in the US to an Italian
mother, Cassandra was
adopted two years
later by an American
family. She currently
teaches in France,
where she and her
daughter live.
miisasmom@yahoo.com
So is everything stolen? I think the difference between stealing and asteya is the state of our
ego when we pass the information along. Are we really the creator of a posture, a phrase or
a sequence? There is a difference between someone who is passing on the information they
have received and integrated and someone who believes they are the creator, the inventor
of a thing.
I think our egos push us into believing we are different, and consequently our dialogue
becomes one of establishing our uniqueness.
I listen to students talk about their injuries, which incredibly enough has become a viable
subject to assert uniqueness. Everyone who had knee surgery has had the most severe and
intricate knee reconstruction of all time! They spend 20 minutes trying to convince those
within an earshot that the doctor confirmed their knee injury is the worst the world has
ever seen. “Arguing to maintain our limitations is a bit, um, stupid” (I stole that line from
my teacher. Thanks Baron).
We become yoga students, diligently attending class, feeling more comfortable on the mat
and in our skin. As time passes we make little adjustments to the breathing sequence or to
the way we transition from Up dog to Down dog and we begin to believe something
exists because of our brilliant mind and sense of creation. Our egos feel strong because we
believe we have revolutionized this 5,000-year-old practice.
When we forget the
origins of something
we take it as our own,
we are stealing
As teachers we find phrases and sequencing we saw or learned from a workshop or video
and over time we forget the origins of “be the eye of the storm, perfectly calm while the
craziness spins around you” (Baron, again). When we forget the origins of something we
take it on as our own, we are stealing.
Every student who has been practicing for two years makes the same mistakes as every
other student who has practiced for two years. Same with 10 years, well, hopefully after 10
years of solid practice we can walk into a class, without ego, without running to the teacher
and telling them every big name yoga teacher we have done a three-hour workshop with.
The great people in the world are great because they tap into the consciousness of the
15

Dristi Asteya
Earn It,
Respect It
Paul Dallaghan
16
THERE’S A THREAD THAT RUNS
through all these values and practices (of
yoga and life) that could be summed up in
one word – integrity. You can feel it run
inside you, you can see it pass through your
thoughts. It informs the breath and the
posture.
The complete practice of external yoga –
yama, niyama, asana, pranayama (and
pratyahara) – is a cultivation of this inner
principle which the Buddha called the
middle path, which we see as virtue,
integrity. Its cultivation and maturing
develops a greater awareness through a
clearer consciousness. The questions of “is
it right or wrong?” or “should I or
shouldn’t I?” gradually disappear as the
answer is clear within. The “line” is strong.
One with such integrity (the yogi) literally
embodies “asteya” and as a result receives
benefits from all sides. Asteya has been
included as a Yama in many yogic texts,
foremost among them the Yoga Sutras of
Patanjali. Though no definition is given,
an outcome on its establishment is offered;
Asteya pratishthayam sarva ratnopasthanam
(PYS II.37)
When the yogi has established (in him/
herself) the principle of non-theft, all
treasures attend upon him/her.
“Taking a thing not given by its owner or
to which one is not entitled, is steya or
stealing. To forsake such a thing and not to
have even a desire to possess it is Asteya,”
according to Swami Hariharananda Aranya.
One of the challenges of humanity is the
inborn capacity to cause harm, be
dishonest, steal, greedy, jealous. “A-steya” is
a negation of a built-in tendency, in this
case “steya” or stealing. Call it inappropriate
possession, as it covers subtle to gross
things, ideas to material objects.
The purpose of all these values and
practices of yoga is to act as a remover of
impurities (see PYS II.28) thereby changing
the context of our heart so negative
elements are weak to non-existent with
integrity strong in their place.
Again it comes back to practice and how
you work on yourself. Inner development
does not come overnight nor is it cheap. It
is a true value and can only be earned. In
that sense it is completely in line with the
meaning of asteya, both possessions and
merits come to us rightfully, earned and
handled with respect. To overcome the
tendency to take what is not mine is real
practice, to be established in it is to be
living it, rich in integrity with all the
“treasure” in the world, that inner virtue.
This is Patanjali’s meaning.
Asteya has been called non-stealing, noncovetousness,
non-desirousness. It covers
action, word and thought. Purify your
action and intention. Direct your thought
away from even the wish that what belongs
to another person should be yours.
According to the Darshopanishad, “asteya
consists in complete indifference towards
the property belonging to another, whether
it is straw, money or gold.” Even if a jewel
or treasure is found it is not to be taken
because it belongs to somebody else.
Swami Hariharananda Aranya advises “not
to take a thing which is not one’s own and
the effort to give up even the desire for
such things is the practice” of noncovetousness.
Asteya definitely stands on the firm legs of
ahimsa and satya. Whatever comes into your
possession should not involve any force,
harm, dishonesty or manipulation. Simply
put, earn it! Ask yourself, “how have I
come by this, has it been by just means,
have I earned it, put in the effort?”
Very common in our language is “This is
mine”. But there is a wonderful phrase in
Sanskrit “Idam na mam”, “this is not mine”,
and is included in all types of offerings,
ceremonies and rituals, a sense of giving
back what you have taken, correcting the
mental confusion over what is mine. In
reality we are given temporary use of all
these possessions we call mine. The point
is to be aware of this, make an offering
back to nature, back to the giver, still
benefiting by the possession but clear in
the desire and coveting of things.
Whether we call things mine or not, we
really just have temporary possession over
them. So included in asteya is the value of
respect. When you rent a car, do you treat it
differently than your own car? Similarly
with the possessions we have earned in life.
Respect the property. One day it must be
returned anyway. Such respect requires care
and awareness which overrides greed and

jealousy. It will also be passed on to the
next generation, so pass on a clean slate.
Passing on an inheritance to the next
generation built on steya just perpetuates
the problem. All things must be returned
to nature and the creative force eventually.
As such, what comes into your possession
can be both shared and used to help others.
If it is covered in selfishness then the gift or
ability is really abused. This brings it back to
the intention and action being refined along
the lines of true asteya.
A few practical questions arise – “what do I
do if I find a possession? I get that it is not
mine but do I just walk away or do
something about it?” The intention can
drive this. Your level of indifference will
also help decide. You may see a sparkly
jewel in the earth and have no desire to
possess it. At another time you may see it
as nature’s bounty and to make productive
use of it will help society, feed your family
and so on.
Or it may be obvious what is laying there is
somebody else’s and so, depending on the
circumstance, may be left there, as they will
come back, or you use intelligence and bring
it to an appropriate authority or make an
announcement. “But what if I find just
plain cash?” Well lucky you. Here it is harder
to see the line but still you can see it is not
“yours”. So give it back to the greater good,
donate it, offer it to some collection box or
an entire staff ’s tip.
Following from the point above where we
possess things in this world, whether
material goods or knowledge, and then we
make use of them, what then is considered
“fair use and fair charge”? Again apply
ahimsa and satya. Did you use unreasonable
force, were you dishonest, did you
manipulate? This includes trying to get
more from it than is appropriate, which
implies excessive force and even
manipulation, such as pushy sales to
market making. What can you do to deal
with this tendency to “steya”?
bothered by the thought down to the
actual doing of it, apply the opposite.
Change your thinking, catch your action.
Understand the consequences by looking
down the line. Due to the level of impurity
within this still might not be clear so
practice is utmost.
Really, the means must justify the end. You
can’t build a church on stolen money. It all
comes back to your intention, followed by
your action along the same “line” I
mentioned at the start of this article.
Ultimately, asteya benefits society and
humankind.
When the yogi has established the principle of
non-theft, all treasures attend upon him.
When looked at in detail you can see it is a
very personal teaching and the growth is
personal. Each person has the choice to
cultivate it or not. And as Patanjali points
out (PYS II.37), in so doing such
indifference radiates from you, people see
you as completely trustworthy, and you
find all that is necessary, all good things,
come to you, all good qualities and virtues
become part of your character.
It comes down to you. It can only be
earned through awareness and wisdom.
Each day you are given an opportunity with
this. How do you respond?
Paul is the director of
Yoga Thailand and
Centered Yoga.
www.yoga-thailand.com
www.centered-yoga.com
Vitarka-badhane prati-paksa-bhavanam
(PYS II.33)
If there are negative thoughts against yamas
and niyamas, one should contemplate on the
opposite, positive thought. This is
pratipaksha bhavanam.
Patanjali gives the greatest solution. If
17

Bhakti Yoga
Personal Growth through
Travel and Seva
Angela Pashayan
WE OFTEN THINK OF PERSONAL GROWTH BEGINNING
on the mat, in reading spiritual material, or in meditating. These
are true and very important, however I find the biggest leap in
personal growth from traveling outside my comfort zone.
It is easy to read about compassion, feel it in meditation or need a
little compassion for yourself on the mat, but what about giving
compassion to others in need in real-life situations? Most yoga
retreats serve the Self which is a good start. Yoga of Devotion
retreats serve the Soul, taking personal growth to a new level.
Through international travel, your soul is nourished with the
realities of others who share the planet with you. These realities
include the joys and pleasures of a different culture, as well as the
needs of the poor in that culture. Let me tell you about my recent
personal growth experience in Nepal.
My yoga trip to Nepal began in Bhaktapur—City of Devotees!
After a 40-minuest ride outside of Kathmandu, we arrived at this
incredible place. The town was built in the 1100’s and holds the
same feeling of that time. With terracotta brick streets, buildings,
temples, local shops and inns….it’s like a dream.
above: The largest Stupa in the world is here at Boudanath in Nepal
below: view of the Nyatapola Temple in Bhaktapur from a nearby
restaurant
For me being a Bhakti yogi it’s even more of a dream because this
is the home of Bhakti, the yoga of surrender to love and selfless
giving. In the center of town where the Nyatapola Temple is, we ate
at Café Nyatapola set up high looking over the Taumadhi Square.
Food was delicious, view even more. My personal growth here was
felt in understanding that time changes not the heart. This is one
of the oldest cities in Nepal and was named in the honor of
selfless giving and surrender to the divine.
We visited Boudanath which boasts the largest Stupa in the world.
A Stupa is like a temple where people come to pray, but instead of
kneeling they walk counterclockwise around the Stupa and spin
prayers wheels that are affixed to the Stupa sides.
Boudanath is very close to a Monastery, so you often see monks
shopping around the Stupa. Local vendors sell tourist items,
cashmere, Tibetan prayer flags, incense, spies, rugs, and more.
Restaurants atop the roofs of buildings house restaurants with
spectacular views of the area and the Himalayan Mountains. Seeing
monks in a daily setting was personally moving. I spoke them
about their day-to-day life. They explained about the prayer wheels
and their choice of lifestyle. To interact directly with monks is
growth you cannot get on the mat!
Then there was the visit to Changu Narayan, the oldest structure in
the Bhaktapur District. Set atop a hill, the location is very quiet and
secluded. You are greeted by a stone walkway that are staggered
along the way up to the Narayan Temple. This path takes you
through the Changu Village full of shops. There are some local
flats above the shops and a few local coffee shops. Goats share the
path with you as they wander around the village. Behind the shops
18

on either side the backdrop is of rice fields expanding as far as the
eye can see. The path ends at the Narayan Temple, circa 350AD.
The practice of making intricate Mandala’s is a special art here,
completed by Monks only who have been blessed by the Dalai
Lama. I sat with ‘Mr. Ram’ as he worked on a beautiful piece which
I purchased. My purchase will not only help Mr. Ram, but also the
monastery which he belongs. Mr. Ram explained to me the
meaning behind each ring of the mandala he created…beautiful
Through travel, your soul is
nourished with the realities of
others
Buddhist inspired guidelines for higher living and thinking. It was
a small amount to pay to sit with him and take home a gift so
profound to remind me of my path to enlightenment.
The countryside of Nepal is equally as amazing as the bustling city
of Kathmandu. This is where I experienced hands-on Seva (selfless
service). We visited the site of a hospital in a town called Itahari. It
was the ground-breaking of the hospital and Yoga of Devotion
donated a portion of the trip proceeds to help build the hospital.
Children and villagers came out to greet us. We talked to the
children, learned about their daily lives and struggles, did some fun
yoga with them and just spent time being with them. We also
brought small gifts for the children to remember us by. There was
no rush, just a relaxing time sharing our love with the children. The
statement, “we are all in this together” takes on a new meaning
when you are in the middle of rice fields with few homes around.
Visiting these “soul stirring” places creates a contemplation within
that you can bring back home with you to the mat at yoga practice.
The scenery and experiences of the tour will stay with you, like an
experience that has lodged itself into the body. On the mat you
find yourself thinking of the greater purposes of life….the bigger
picture. And you begin to feel the power and meaning of ‘Seva and
Personal Growth’.
This was my experience and I hope sharing it with you will
broaden your horizons of how to enhance your yoga experiences.
Since 2003, Angela emerges daily from her
yoga mat ready to co-create the best
experiences in her life. Yoga of Devotion is her
unique brand of practice enjoyed by yogi’s of
all levels, including beginners. All proceeds
from Angela’s Yoga of Devotion go to her
Children’s Charity: www.tfwchildrensfund.org
ap@yogaofdevotion.org
19

Perspective
This Never er Ending Story
Yogesvara Sarasvati
YESTERDAY I HAD A MINI INTERNAL
freak out. I was exercising, doing some
abdominal work and I realized, “Holy crap!
I will never not have to work at feeling well
in my body, mind and spirit.”
What was frightening was it made me see
that subtly, subconsciously, I had been
holding on to some fantasy there would be
some moment, some perfect precipice,
wherein afterward I would just
permanently feel okay. This is a serious yet
very common delusion. Though my
intellect clearly understands the
I will never not have to work at feeling well
in my body, mind and spirit
ridiculousness of it, there was still a major
yearning in my energy-body for a salvation
moment. Despite active engagement for 10
years in a yogic lineage with a totally
different view, I discovered yesterday this
cultural conditioning of banking on
salvation runs deep.
It ain’t going to happen folks. The work is
never finished. Even death is not final.
Growth and change is constant. Sounds
clichéd, right? But, most of us
subconsciously hope the next donut we eat
will actually make us happy; let alone the
unconscious sentiments we have about
hoping and wishing heaven is real. But,
truly, nothing is permanent and if we aren’t
riding the waves of the ever-present
simultaneity of living and dying then we
are clinging to an illusion.
On an immediate level if we don’t actively
engage with the present freshness of what
is (rather than our projections based on
what was or what will be) then we are
selling ourselves so short. We can forget
the high folutin’ philosophy. Practically
speaking, if we don’t exercise we will get
tight in the muscles, we’ll have problems
with our joints and organs, we won’t
digest our food well, etc. Eventually, we’ll
get sick and we may even die unnaturally
from disease, full of fear. In the meantime,
we won’t be as happy as we could be, and
we may not be very happy at all.
And, if we don’t meditate and pray in
some fashion then we will get tight in the
mind and spirit and we will suffer in
untold ways. Eventually, we will just be
living in a dream world of our own
creations. Actually, we already are doing
that. But, sooner or later, the more tight we
get on the inside the more our dream will
become a living hell. If we don’t pay
enough attention to our “inner world” it
will fade to black. But, it will never die.
Rather, our unconscious will send us
messages to wake up! Usually these
messages come in the form of anxiety,
depression, anger, etc. If we continue to
ignore, numb out, or deny these issues
they will give way to nature’s louder wake
up calls: disease, trauma, crises and tragedy.
This is not a fire and brimstone
admonishment. The news is good. If we
accept the adventure of the ever-unfolding
reality of life and learn to live with an
attitude of growth every moment then we
will be okay with the bumps and bruises.
Growing always has pains. But, as we
continue to step into new horizons won’t
life be worth living? Isn’t it beautiful that
we can grow to see everything fresh and
new… like, through the eyes of a child…
Though we may wish to see through childlike
eyes, we need not entertain childish
notions. It is well worth examining
whether or not you, also, have a
conditioned belief that someday, some
mysterious agent is going to make all of
your problems go away. If you have such a
belief, even if deeply unconscious, it is also
likely that you are ignoring lots of “stuff ”
you think will just disappear if left alone
long enough. Believing thusly is hardwired
into a culture inundated with salvationbased
faiths.
Such a belief takes the responsibility for
our own wellness out of our hands. Like
modern medicine that lets us believe we can
just “cut it out”, the idea of permanent
salvation has weakened our will to be our
own doctors. The “savior” in its various
forms has dis-empowered us, also, from
being our own ministers. We no longer
have the wisdom to heal ourselves with
diet, herbs, meditations and even spells
and prayers. Intellectuals say, “That’s all
ridiculous and silly. Prayer is just mental
trickery at best.” Their naivete has
unfortunate consequences.
Isn’t it possible the salvation model is not
20

true and that maybe we aren’t going to be saved? Mustn’t we
entertain this possibility? To me, believing in salvation is like taking
pepto bismol for eating too many hot dogs. It may make us feel
better now. But, it is not going to save us from the fact that having
heartburn means we have ACID MELTING AWAY OUR FLESH.
If we die angry or filled with regret why do we think the magic
moment of death will erase a lifetime’s worth of habits? Each one
of us is 100% responsible for our own wellbeing – body, mind
and spirit.
My view, though not salvific [pertaining to the power of salvation
or redemption], is entirely spiritual. If we do little to cultivate a
deeper experience of body, mind and spirit at the very least we will
not realize the full potential of life. At the very worst, we suffer
tremendously and burden others with our misfortune, sickness,
depression, anger, anxiety and all the other ailments that arise from
our overall selfishness.
Someone once told me it seemed selfish to spend so much time
“working on one’s self ” – taking time to do yoga, meditate, etc. I
see it differently. We all have a responsibility to each other to do
everything we can to be healthy and happy. If we are happy and
healthy we will be better friends, family members, workers, and
citizens of humanity. Real health and happiness makes us more
We have a responsibility to each
other to do everything we can to
be healthy and happy
willing to engage, more eager to connect, more wise in our choices,
more willing and more able to care for others. Generosity is a
natural quality for a healthy human being. It is when we are sickly,
depressed, anxious, jealous and angry that we are selfish and others
must care for us. Our energy is so constricted and deplete in these
states we can’t afford to share it with others, and mostly, we don’t
want to.
Natural Wisdom for Optimal Health and Happiness is our motto.
We see it as a duty and a privilege to live according to these
principles, not only for our own benefit… but, always and only for
the benefit of all. Benefiting all, or at least actively intending to
benefit the most possible, is the driving force of Energy of Mind:
A Sauhu Therapy. Of course, it doesn’t mean pleasing everyone.
Sometimes what is best for many may upset more than a few. But,
we must each look at the expanse of our lives and assess: how can
I be the best I can be? It starts with a healthy body, which is to say,
a happy mind.
Yogi is the co-founder of Energy of Mind
Therapy (www.energyofmindtherapy.com) He
works with clients online and at Kailash
Akhara, Adi Yoga’s (www.adiyoga.com)
residential retreat in Northeast Thailand.
21

22

Kids Yoga
Teaching Yoga to
Kids – Child’s Play?
Amanda Reid
AS ADULTS, WE VIEW YOGA IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. SOME SEE IT AS A
set of challenging poses done in a hot room to get fit or lose weight. Some see it as
movements done in co-ordination with breathing patterns for relaxation. Some see it as
part of a holistic lifestyle and still others see yoga as a way to find inner peace through
meditating on sound. Yoga is all of these things, none of these things and more than
these things.
Children don’t analyse, define and categorise things like adults do, and not surprisingly,
they are naturals at yoga. Not just at asana, although watching babies in cobra, toddlers in
downward dog and school children in handstands, it is clear that this is surely the case too.
What is natural for children is their ability to be incredibly focused and present to what they
are doing in the moment. We see this when a child is building a tower of blocks, or
drawing a picture, or climbing a tree. This ability is something we often lose as adults and
to nurture it in a child as we help build a strong body is a gift they can take into their grown
up years.
There is no specific set of techniques called Children’s Yoga – it is more how we apply what
we already know about yoga to what we know about children. What we know about yoga
is it is a way of explaining a wonderful set of practices, including ways of breathing,
moving and being that have evolved over thousands of years due to direct experience and
the beneficial results of said practices. What we know about children is breathing, moving
and being are second nature to them. Not all children express in the same way, but the
impetus, the spark within them, is to express through breath and movement.
Knowing this, how do we apply the practices of yoga to children? Children of different
ages are receptive to different ways of sharing yoga. Toddlers are very instinctual – they’ve
just learned to function mechanically in their bodies and they don’t weigh up the pros and
23

cons of their actions. Playing is how they learn and they need lots of repetition. Toddlers
enjoy participating in yoga with their parents, crawling through the tunnel of their
mother’s downward dog, or relaxing in the lap of their father’s meditation. Preschoolers
are in the height of their imagination. They are very social and like to play at yoga with their
friends. An adventure, story or song with lots of animals is a perfect way of engaging
them. School-aged children like a little more sophistication and complexity in their yoga.
They like to move their bodies in order to feel confident and strong, and they enjoy a few
minutes of guided relaxation. They may like being challenged with a complicated asana, are
enthusiastic about yoga games, and show great perception into the relationship between
their thoughts, their emotions and their breath. Pre-teens want to be taken seriously so
songs and adventures do not hold great appeal. They love partner yoga, and are very
receptive to understanding themselves a little more through meditation. Teenagers are
open to the same practices we would see within a regular yoga class, but even though they
may have well-developed bodies, they are still developing emotionally and hormonally, and
require consideration and sensitivity in their yoga teaching.
This great umbrella of children’s yoga is complex indeed. There are many resources
available such as books, CDs and DVDs. It is wise to research carefully to ensure you are
getting more than entertainment value, as yoga has great potential to become a set of tools
to deal with the demands of school and home, and shared with children from a young
age, they will carry those tools with them for life.
Warrior - School-age children like to feel
confident and strong in their bodies
As a children’s yoga teacher, I’ve shared yoga with hundreds of children in a variety of
circumstances. From schools to yoga studios, kindergartens to after-school and holiday
programmes, and from individual therapy with children with special needs to groups of 40
24

or more Girl Guides, all of these children have taught me about being present and
focused. Being present comes from stopping what I am doing so I can fully hear when a
child shares their day with me, respecting their courage in trying a challenging asana and
admiring their unique expression of a tree or a downward dog without looking for perfect
alignment, and being flexible about my teaching plans when it’s clear they don’t match the
needs or abilities of the children in front of me – nothing like chucking it all out the
window and starting again!
These learnings have come together in the Samadhi Family Yoga 200-hour teacher training
which starts right from the beginning of a child’s life. It includes training on how to teach
pre- and post-natal yoga to the women who have nurtured their child from the womb to
infancy, and how to teach yoga to children from toddlers to teens. This training is unique
in its approach to yoga and the only children’s yoga course accredited by the Yoga Alliance.
Amanda is an RYT-500/E-RYT200, RYCT (children’s yoga speciality)
and RYPT (prenatal yoga speciality) Yoga Alliance registered
teacher and member of the International Association of Yoga
Therapists. Amanda teaches Radiant Child Yoga Programme
workshops and Samadhi Yoga teacher trainings, and leads Yoga and
Ayurveda retreats in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Asia.
www.samadhi.co.nz
Steve Merkley
25

26

27

Asia Yoga Conference
Like-minded
People
eople,
Friendly Fac
aces
Amber Price
FOR A CERTAIN SECTION OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION, A TYPICAL
Saturday morning is relatively quiet, riddled with cigarette butts and empty beer cans. These
mornings are typically greeted with a Pocari Sweat and foggy memories. So imagining a
group of energetic lively yogis seems scarily healthy and intimidating. But let me give my
insider feedback on the famous Asia Yoga Conference.
secretly wish I was still in bed.
RE-CAP AYC 2010
I started yoga for stress relief and
continued because it relaxed my unsettled
mind. The more I do yoga, the better I feel,
mentally and physically. For a long time my
main relaxation was a bottle of vino and a
pack of Marlboro lights. So the idea of
doing yoga on my day off, on a Saturday
morning, was a clear change. Devoting 3-4
days to the Asia Yoga Conference seemed
to threaten my social life. But I wanted to
deepen my practice and make positive
changes in my life, and there was the outlet.
All I had to do was show up. So I did.
I put my insecurity to the back of my mind
thinking, “Well, if I look like an idiot, then
it’s the same as any other day.” The two
hour practice with Sean Corne was lovely. I
felt like I had a new lease on life. There were
teachers to help and assist. It was fantastic.
I can’t rave enough. Just like a typical class
in a studio, no other students are watching
you. You focus on yourself. It wasn’t
harder or more difficult, it was just a
different voice in a different location
It was exactly how I had imagined. Fit,
good-looking people everywhere. They
were sober and so was I. My only thought
was, ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ I
groggily made my way through registration
where I was met with some friendly, and
surprised, faces that I had arrived so early.
Before class even started I congratulated
myself on just arriving, much less
attending the two-hour long session.
In theory, yoga is an inexpensive practice of
self-expression and devotion. But we live
in Hong Kong. So add some crystals,
anything Gucci and something more swish
than that, rounded off with an elitist
attitude and there we have more of what I
call yoga in Hong Kong. Already I knew I
might not fit in. I literally can not afford to
If you like music, listen to it on your ipod or at
parties, would you still go see that performer
in concert?
wear the most expensive gear, with the
most expensive mat and I am stretching
myself to pay my yoga bill.
I was also nervous about a two-hour
practice, all the, lack of my regular faces and
new surroundings. “What if I fall? What if
I am not as good as everyone else?” It
didn’t really matter as I ran in, put down
my mat with around 100 others and waited
for my fate to either have a great time or
Spanish Meditation teacher Carlos Pomeda
will be at AYC again this year
guiding you through your practice. There
was a reason she had been flown over to
teach, she was a good teacher. Well worth
my early wake up and morning confusion.
Later, I also attended lectures, which gave
me a warm fuzzy memory of going to
university again. I attended Carlos
Pomeda’s meditation class. It was life
changing. I had never gone that far with
myself before or realized I was able to do it
alone. Again, I liked to think of the theory
but never practiced solo. It was eye opening
and enlightening.
Then there were two other seminars that
dealt with food and sex, separately (not
together!). I had more anticipation for
28

those two than the rest of the classes
combined but was disappointed. The two
topics must be my two favorite things on
the planet, yet I left with a strong distaste
and genuine frustration.
Like any event, some things are great,
others are not. But overall, it was time well
spent. It was nice to see a community of
like-minded people and a gathering of
friendly faces. The judgmental attitude and
intimidation was more of my mind than
anyone else’s. Nobody judged me in my
non-showered, inexpensive kit or how my
hair looked like I put my finger into an
electric socket after my practice. They were
genuinely kind and happy to be there. It
was good, clean, wholesome fun. I don’t
Patrick Creelman, one of the founding
teachers at AYC
get that regularly and I wish more people
were addicted to it.
ANTICIPATING AYC 2011
I met Patrick Creelman, one of the
founders of AYC. I had seen pictures of
Patrick and knew him from the studio
where I practice. I was super anxious to sit
down with him because of the relationship
students seem to have with their yoga
teachers. I believe we all secretly have the
idea they’re our friends, even if they have
no clue who we are.
He was relaxed, easy to talk to, and highly
engaging. We had an enlightening talk
about the conference, expectations and yoga
in Hong Kong. He had a hundred great
things to say about the conference but did
understand some reservations people have
about attending. One thing I mentioned
was about the type of students who attend
yoga, which range from the crazed
enthusiast to the banker looking to meet
scantily dressed, flexible women. In reality,
who is the ideal attendee for the AYC?
Patrick’s answer was anyone! He made the
wonderful comparison of yoga to music.
If you like music, listen to it on your ipod
or at parties, would you go see that
performer in concert? Of course you would
try. Why not do the same with yoga? We
practice with our regular teachers for fun,
for flexibility and if we enjoy it, why not
take it to a conference? There are people
from all over the world coming to
enlighten and enhance our practice, so why
not try. We have all been to a concert where
we had high expectations and it was awful.
And we have all been to a concert where we
had nothing better to do and been blown
away. It’s live. It’s live yoga with more
people who also like yoga. Just like a
concert, music with other people who also
like music! What simple ideas are better in
practice than theory.
This year’s conference, 9 - 12 June at Hong
Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
features headliners such as Rodney Yee,
Ashtangis Sharath Ranganswamy & Paul
Dallaghan, Jivamuktis Sharon Gannon &
Davie Life, Yoga Journal poster boy Jason
Crandell, and of course my life changer,
Carlos Pomeda. But there’s also some
Frank Jude Boc
occio
cio
First time teacher at AYC
lesser known teachers well worth attending.
Amongst others Frank Jude Boccio has
written many an insightful article in
Namaskar over the years; I’ve heard
amazing things about the other Patrick of
Asian yoga, Patrick Oancia and; considering
the recent tragedy in Japan, it seems fitting
to support Hikaru Hashimoto’s Chanting
& Chakra Awakening: A Healing Journey.
Conferences remind me of suits,
speakerphones and papers with numbers.
The Asia Yoga Conference is not that at all.
It’s like-minded, kind people looking to
practice something they love, discuss
improvements on life and do yoga.
Considering the money people spend on
happiness, try taking one afternoon or
morning and devoting it to your practice.
Don’t spend your happiness, practice it.
And if it’s not for you, there’s always a
Happy Hour somewhere in Hong Kong!
Amber is a freelance
writer and yoga
enthusiast. She
currently lives in Hong
Kong and travels
frequently around
Asia.
It was good, clean,
wholesome fun
Frank, who has been invited to join in yoga
conferences for over a decade, is enthusiastic
to join the faculty of this AYC. “It’s an
opportunity to re-connect with old friends
in Hong Kong and Asia whom I’ve not
seen in several years. My impression is AYC
seems less commercial than some other
conferences, and attempts to offer
programs from a very wide, and deep,
diverse spectrum.” Frank usually prefers
smaller conferences that have a cozier feel
than the corporate product pushing yoga
events.
He will be teaching six sessions, three on
aspects of Ayurveda and its general
principles. The other three will be on
Mindfulness yoga and the cultivation of
mindfulness through the movements.
29

30

Fitness
So You Want to Lose
Weight
Samrat Dasgupta
You become more
efficient at burning
calories if you eat five
or six small meals a day
instead of one or two
A FEW PEOPLE PRACTICE YOGA TO
achieve enlightenment, lots of people
practice yoga to maintain good health and
reduce stress. And let’s face it a few practice
to lose weight. In this article, I explain the
principle of weight loss, how our bodies
react to different types of exercise, with the
aim of helping you find the best yoga
practice for your needs.
THREE TYPES OF ENERGY
When we exercise, whether it’s yoga,
running or swimming, our body uses three
different energy sources: carbohydrates, fat
and protein. Different exercises make our
energy system shift towards the most
appropriate fuel source, depending on the
level of effort.
There are two main types of exercise -
anaerobic and aerobic exercises. Anaerobic
exercises includes weight training, sprinting,
basketball which requires short spurts of
energy. This type of exercise predominantly
burns sugar which is more quickly
converted to energy the body can use.
Aerobic exercises such yoga, swimming and
jogging, which are performed at a slower
pace and with less effort usually burn fat,
which takes longer to convert to a fuel the
body can use. Proteins are the third energy
source, and are used after our bodies have
used up all the carbs and fats in store.
Usually we burn proteins during very high
intensity training. And so this type of
training can not be maintained for as long a
time as the other two.
TARGET HEART RATE
So if we want to lose fat, we need to do
more aerobic exercises or cardio workouts.
To effectively do this, we need to find out
what our target heart rate is and work
within this zone to achieve the maximum
results. The Karvonen Formula is a
mathematical formula that helps you
determine your target heart rate zone. The
formula involves using your maximum
heart rate (MHR) minus your age to come
up with a target heart rate range (which is a
percentage of your MHR). Staying within
this range will help you burn fat most
effectively during your cardio workouts.
Below is an example of the Karvonen
formula for a 30-year-old with a resting
heart rate of 65 beats per minute (to get
your resting heart rate, take your pulse for
one minute when you wake up in the
morning.):
220 - 30 (age) = 190 (maximum heart rate)
190 - 65 (resting heart rate) = 125 (heart rate
reserve)
125 x 65% (low end of heart rate) = 81 OR
125 x 85% (high end) = 106
81 + 65 (resting heart rate) = 146; 106 + 65
(resting heart rate) = 171
The target heart rate zone for this person
would be 146 to 171.
For this person to work in the fat burning
zone, they would need to maintain a heart
rate of between 146 and 171 beat per
minute. At this moderate intensity zone,
the body is able to transport oxygen
throughout the body and condition the
heart. As a rough guide, you should aim to
maintain your heart rate in this fat burning
zone for about 40 minutes. Moreover,
holding asanas during a yoga class helps to
tone muscles, which in turn will make you
more efficient at burning calories.
Above 171 bpm, this person moves out of
the fat burning zone into the anaerobic
zone. This means the person may burn
more carbs than fat, which may not achieve
the fat burning results as desired.
The easiest way to keep track of your heart
rate during exercise is by wearing a heart rate
monitor. Polar is a popular brand.
CALORIES VS EXERCISE
To maximize weight loss, exercise alone is
not enough. An individual burns calories
in three ways - resting metabolic rate
(RMR), lifestyle and exercise. To sustain
long term weight loss, each of these aspects
must be addressed.
Many people complain about a slow
metabolism, but metabolism can be
increased. Your body will become more
efficient at burning calories if you eat five or
six small meals a day instead of one or two
big meals. Eating many times a day causes
the digestive system to expend energy.
Eating few meals causes the body to
conserve energy, bringing metabolism to a
grinding halt.
Exercise increases metabolism in many
ways. The body works hard to cool down
after a workout and this expends energy.
This is known as Excess Post-Exercise
Oxygen Consumption (EPOC). EPOC
keeps the calories burning long after the
workout is complete. Exercise also builds
31

muscle. A pound of muscle burns between
50-70 calories a day while fat burns only 2
or 3 calories per day. It doesn’t seem like a
big difference in one day, but a one-pound
difference in muscle instead of fat can help
someone lose 7 pounds in a year.
with the correct consumption of food high
in proteins and low in fats is important in
anyone’s exercise program.
Many experts say as long as you are burning
more calories than you take in, this will lead
helps people feel more energetic and
motivated to workout again within a day or
two. Hence, a regular aerobic exercise regime
combined with a well balanced diet is
important to lose the desired fat weight
and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
one-pound difference in muscle instead of fat
can help someone lose 7 pounds in a year
In terms of lifestyle, a person who works
inside an office may burn fewer calories
than a construction worker due to the
physical demand of the job. A person
under constant stress may also consume
more calories as they may indulge in food
as a form of release. Doing more gentle
forms of exercises such as yoga and
meditation can release the tension and
stress in the mind, which in turns lead to a
healthier lifestyle. Obviously a healthy diet
to weight loss. But this is not the whole
story. If anaerobic exercise makes up the
majority of exercises in your regime, then
most energy burned will come from
carbohydrates. This will drive appetite and
encourage sugar cravings to replace the
glycogen stores used, forcing the individual
to consume more calories.
On the other hand, aerobic exercise helps
regulate appetite because glycogen stores are
not reduced rapidly. Aerobic exercise often
SUMMARY
Be clear about your goals when you choose
your exercise. If your goal is to lose fat, you
have to exercise with your heart rate
between 65% - 85% for at least half and
hour. When practiced conscientiously Hot,
Ashtanga, Power, Anusara can be effective
ways to elevate heart rate and thus burn fat.
Samrat started yoga
when he was 7 and
teaching when he was
21. He teaches at Pure
Yoga in Hong Kong.
samrat500@yahoo.com
32

Yoga Styles
Going in through Kundalini Yoga
Nina Mongendre
IT WAS WHILE SITTING UNDER THE NEW MEXICO
summer sky, surrounded by over a thousand yogis chanting
together at the end of a Kundalini Yoga class that I had one of the
most profound experiences of my life. I went from a state of
unhappiness to one of complete serenity and bliss within 90
minutes. Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa was teaching. She is my teacher
and a daily source of inspiration. She has taught thousands of
people all over the world including celebrities such as Madonna,
Cindy Crawford and David Duchovny. For countless people, her
classes are the most powerful healing experience of their life.
Kundalini Yoga—also called the Mother of all Yoga—is powerful.
Some say it scientifically elevates the soul. I have seen its healing
effects in my own life.
I will never forget that class and the breakthrough I experienced
that day. We started class like we always do, by tuning in with the
Adi Mantra “Ong Namo, Guru Dev Namo” which means “I bow,
I surrender to the subtle wisdom and creative flow inside of me
and I ask for its guidance.” I feel the sound penetrate my mind and
heart as thousands of people chant it together three times. We start
with a few warm ups and within minutes, we are waving our arms
in the air, shaking our bodies, dancing to the rhythm of music.
Freeing the body and the mind from accumulated stress, from old
patterns and beliefs and making space for the new. The exercises
usually last longer than expected. That is the challenging part with
Kundalini Yoga. It pushes you beyond your limits. It trains you to
conquer your own fears.
I feel compassion for myself and
others. I feel connected to all the
souls that surround me
It’s been over 10 minutes and we are still dancing, eyes closed. My
mind starts to kick in and complain, it wants me to stop, to get
discouraged. I push through. The music helps to let go of the
thoughts, to get lost in the movement. Gurmukh is helping us
along, guiding us and motivating us. “Do it for yourself, let go of
the past, let go of all the people who told you you are not good
enough. Free yourself, find your power. You are peeling away the
layers that hide you from you. Keep up, inspire yourself!”
Some people around me are laughing, crying, screaming, others are
silent and focused. We slow down the dance and stand still,
breathing long and deep. We experience the deep stillness that
comes after intense movement. That is the magic of this yoga, the
play of polarities between action and stillness. Everyone can find
their own space and go at their own rhythm.
We sit down and transition into more postures coordinating the
breath, the movement and mental focus. We work on the navel
point and the spine to clear out sludge in the body and the mind.
And then we lie down and relax. One of my favorite parts of each
Kundalini Yoga class is the long deep healing relaxation at the end.
The body heals and I emerge from with a deep sense of stillness
and peace.
We set ourselves up for meditation (each class includes a
meditation). We begin to chant a healing mantra. As I listen to my
own voice resonating with the voices around me, I can feel the
energy shifting, all the tension has been released and the energy is
now being channeled to the heart. The nagging thoughts and
doubts are gone. The physical movements released the fear and we
are now working on the heart and soul. “Listen to your destiny.
You have created a space where you can sit quietly and be receptive
to the voice of your true self ” Gurmukh tells us. And it works.
For a few minutes, I feel outside of time and space.
I feel a natural high. My mind is clear and my body is light and
relaxed. I feel compassion for myself and for others. I feel
connected to all the souls that surround me. During the class, we
have all exchanged and healed each other on an energetic level. I see
that my destiny is to share these teachings. I see we all have the
right to experience transformation and together we can create a
calmer, happier, more peaceful world.
We ended class, as we do all Kundalini Yoga classes, by singing a
beautiful Irish blessing, sending each other off with the healing
light we had awakened within our hearts.
May the long time sun shine upon you,
All love surround you,
And the pure light within you,
Guide your way on.
Nina is a KRI-certified Kundalini Yoga
teacher at SOL Wellness in Hong Kong. She
has trained and studied with esteemed
masters in Kundalini and Jivamukti Yoga -
Hari Kaur Khalsa, Gurmukh, Harijiwan,
Gurucharan, Sharon Gannon and David Life.
33

Spiritual Research Foundation
Understanding the Spiritual Realm
Sean Clarke
MANY PEOPLE DEBATE THE EXISTENCE OF THE
intangible spiritual realm and its immense influence on our lives. It
is impossible to bring closure to this debate through intellect and
modern research tools. The reason is by definition the spiritual
realm is beyond the understanding of the mind and intellect.
Hence we cannot insist on getting evidence for it through physical
instruments like photographic cameras and other electric and
electronic gadgets. The spiritual realm can only be researched
through spiritual research methodologies, which need a person’s
activated sixth sense (ESP). Unfortunately it is rare for people to
have an activated sixth sense.
So the dilemma whether the spiritual dimension really exists,
remains unanswered in most peoples’ minds.
One way to resolve this dilemma is to inspect the outcome of
applying spiritual remedies on problems in life.
Let us take the example of a person who has eczema on his hand
that does not go away despite various skin specialists treating it for
many years. Modern science views eczema as something that has
happened from some disturbance at the bodily and/or
psychological level and hence directs treatment at resolving the
disturbance.
The fact the hand has been cured is a concrete, tangible event
beyond dispute for all to see. Now comes the next step, how do we
explain the cure?
Since the only new factor is the spiritual treatment, then by means
of one’s intellect one can conclude the cure is due to it. Since the
spiritual remedy will act at a spiritual level, it follows the root cause
of the eczema was beyond the bodily and/or psychological level,
i.e. it was at a spiritual level. Hence only a spiritual remedy could
cure it.
Through examples like this, we can understand the spiritual realm
does definitely exist, even though we cannot see or feel it due to a
lack of sixth sense (ESP) ability.
Having said this it is only prudent to point out that just 2% of the
spiritual realm can be understood by means of one’s intellect. The
remaining 98% can only be experienced by one’s sixth sense.
Sean is Editor of the Spiritual Research
Foundation’s website.
www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org
Now let us suppose this person suffering from eczema was to
undertake a spiritual remedy like chanting the Name of God, and
gets cured immediately.
spiritual realm is beyond the
understanding of the mind
and intellect
34

Diet
Why Food Combining may Improve your
Digestiv
tive Health
Claudia Jones
YOU MAY REMEMBER HEARING
about food combining in the 1980’s when
it came to the fore as a new type of weight
loss diet. I remember my Mother following
this kind of diet when I was growing up,
she would always eat differently to the rest
of the family and I just assumed this was
another weight loss fad. In recent years it
caught my attention again so I decided to
look into it further.
My research found there are many benefits
to be gained from following a proper food
combining diet such as: a reduction in gas
and abdominal bloating after eating;
improved digestion; faster elimination and
even; healthy, balanced weight loss. Having
practiced food combining myself for over a
year now and recommended this way of
eating to many others, I can openly say the
effects are wholly positive.
WHAT IS FOOD COMBINING?
The principles of food combining are to
eat foods only in certain combinations:
• Fruit should always be eaten on its own
and always 20-30 minutes before other
foods. Never eat fruit after a meal.
• Sugary foods should also be eaten alone,
before other foods and never after a meal.
• Protein and starch should not be mixed
together in the same meal
• Protein should only be eaten with nonstarchy
vegetables
• Starch should only be eaten with nonstarchy
vegetables
WHY FOLLOW THESE PRINCIPLES?
The theory of food combining is
essentially this, proteins require
hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin to
break them down in the stomach whereas
starches do not start to metabolize until
they reach the small intestine where they
require different enzymes than protein for
digestion. The environment that starchy
foods require is an alkaline one compared
to a more acidic one required for protein
digestion. The argument goes that
digestion will be a much simpler process if
foods that require different enzymes are
eaten at different meals.
When conflicting foods are eaten in
combination, the result can be slowed
digestion which leads to fermentation of
digestion will be much simpler if foods that
require different enzymes are eaten
at different meals
foods in the gut and even putrefaction.
This in turn feeds the harmful bacteria in
the intestines; the bacteria produce an acidic
environment in which they thrive and this
supports the growth of more harmful
bacteria, hence a vicious cycle begins. The
healthy microflora are compromised and
thus our immunity to disease is lowered.
Tiredness after eating may also be
attributable to poor food combining as the
body pools its energy resources to the
stomach to digest combinations of many
different foods at once. Overeating may
also produce the same result.
The yogic approach to food is similar in
principle; by keeping the diet simple and
light and where possible eating only one
type of food at a time, digestion is eased
and vital energy conserved. Eating in this
way can afford us increased digestive health
and overall vitality.
By eating foods in the combinations
outlined above and taking proteins
separately from starches, we may
inadvertently eat a healthier diet. By eating
protein, for example, an egg, with nonstarchy
vegetables instead of with starchy
foods such as bread, rice or potatoes we are
more likely to increase the amount of
vegetables we eat with the meal. This may
also result in healthy, balanced weight loss
where needed.
TAKING FOOD COMBINING TO ANOTHER LEVEL
I personally like to add to the food
combining principles by ensuring every
meal has a good balance of acid and
alkaline foods. As a general rule, to bring
the body into its optimum pH range,
which is slightly alkaline, a balance of 60-
80% alkaline forming foods and 20-40%
acid forming food (depending on your
needs and body type) should be eaten daily.
Working on the premise that most fruits
and vegetables are alkaline forming and
most proteins and starches are acid
forming, to make an acid-alkaline balanced,
food combined meal, you need to make
sure the protein or starch on your plate
makes up no more than 20-40% of the
meal, leaving the rest to be alkalizing
vegetables.
For example:
Protein meal – meat, fish, egg, soy
comprise 20-40% of the meal and nonstarchy
vegetables comprise 60-80%
Starch meal – rice, bread or pasta comprise
20-40% of the meal and non-starchy
vegetables comprise 60-80%
35

36

Mythology in a Minute
WHAT ABOUT FATS?
Fats combine with all types of foods, just
ensure you do not eat too much fat with a
protein meal as it slows digestion. Also,
ensure you are eating organic, unrefined
cold-pressed oils such as olive, coconut or
flax seed.
Protein fats – such as dairy, nuts, seeds,
avocadoes and olives are a mixture of fats
and proteins and combine well with nonstarchy
vegetables and sour fruits.
BEANS?
Dried beans or legumes present a problem
for some people to digest and one of the
reasons is they are made up of mostly
starch with some protein resulting in gas
and bloating in the digestive process. If
you have no trouble digesting them, then
they should be combined with non-starchy
vegetables.
HELPFUL TIPS
If following the food combining rules do
not ease simple digestive problems such as
gas and bloating, it may be an indication
you are lacking in the enzymes needed to
digest certain foods. By observing which
foods cause you digestive problems you
can seek out an appropriate digestive
enzyme supplement.
Avoid drinking water (or other drinks) with
your meal. This dilutes the digestive juices
and fills the stomach, slowing digestion.
Drink at least 15 minutes before or 1 hour
after a meal. Sipping a warm drink, such as
herbal tea during a meal can be helpful to
digestion.
REMEMBER
Food and eating should never become a
source of anxiety. Try following the food
combining rules 80% of the time and
allow 20% for indulgences. Your food
should be tasty and mealtimes enjoyable!
Claudia is a committed
student of Ashtanga
yoga, Pranayama and
Meditation. She is
Samahita Wellness’
Director at Yoga
Thailand.
Draup
aupadi
adi
Tia Sinha
DRAUPADI, A PRINCESS MARRIED TO
five brothers, the Pandavas, heroes of the
Indian epic, the Mahabharata, was hauled
into the royal court one day. The eldest of
the five brothers, Yudhishthira, had staked
his kingdom, his four brothers, the
beautiful Draupadi and himself in a game
of dice and had lost all to his evil cousins,
the Kauravas. One of these cousins,
Dushasana, having dragged Draupadi by
her hair into court, caught hold of one end
of her sari (a few yards of unstitched cloth
wrapped around the body). He began to
pull, with the intention of stripping her in
front of her five hapless husbands rendered
powerless by their defeat at dice and the
elders at court who sat mute, watching
without a murmur.
Draupadi held on to her sari with one hand, the other raised to the Divine (in this case,
Lord Krishna) in mute appeal. On the verge of being stripped completely, Draupadi lifted
both arms up to the Divine in abject surrender. It was then and only then that Krishna
intervened. Miraculously, her sari grew longer and longer, still hugging her body. The more
Dushasana pulled, the more there was to pull.
Draupadi was protected, not by her five valorous husbands, nor by the elders in the august
assembly, nor by her own shame or effort, but because she surrendered completely to the
Divine.
This incident from Draupadi’s life reveals the power in trusting the Divine, the power of
surrendering to the will of the Divine.
On the journey inwards, our progress is hampered when we continue to hold on to the
familiar as though they were our last pennies, in the mistaken belief that the familiar can
protect us. Our ego driven ways of controlling our lives bind us to misery. Our constant
hankering after wealth, fame, beguiling sense pleasures, seemingly exciting relationships
and blissful spiritual experiences keeps us trapped in samsara, even after we have taken up
spiritual practices. If only we could learn to dance the sky dance of the trapeze artist
without a safety net.
Can there be any protection greater than the Divine? Can there be any lasting protection
other than the Divine?
Tia has just surfaced from two wintry months of silent, solitary retreat at
her home in Dharamshala, her first solo meditation retreat. She continues
to study Buddhist practices, teach Hatha yoga one-on-one and to the nuns
of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s nunnery.
37

Retreat Review
Ringing in the New Year with David Swenson
Inna Constantini
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO SPEND TWO
weeks with one of the world’s most
renowned and experienced Astanga yoga
teacher? An intensive retreat at the Purple
Valley Yoga centre in India led me to find
out more.
THE PLACE
Located in a peaceful area in North Goa,
India, Purple Valley Yoga is one of the
leading Ashtanga Yoga retreat centres in
Asia. Set in lush tropical gardens, with a
swimming pool, massage hut and juice bar,
there are many communal areas for eating
and relaxing as well as private spaces for
contemplation or meditation, so it is quiet
and inspiring- the ideal place for a yoga
holiday. The shala itself is a truly stunning
space with a peaceful energy, making it a
perfect environment to deepen and explore
one’s yoga practice.
THE COURSE
This was David Swenson and his wife
Shelley Washington’s last stop in their
TEACHING
Although cautious and mindful in his
adjustments, David did adjust strongly
where he saw there was space to go further,
while giving the many beginners key tips to
improve their practice. With Shelley at his
side as the perfect assistant (she is also
authorized by Guruji to teach), they made a
good team, correcting when needed and
always with a smile that could melt the
tightest muscles. What they managed to
achieve in such a short time, is a sense of
union and inspiration for the practice. The
energy in the shala was peaceful and yet
dynamic enough to maintain a vibrant
flow, and the striving so often associated
with Ashtanga wasn’t part of this course.
In terms of teaching, their approach is light
and fun, sometimes bordering
entertainment, but this is part of David
Swenson’s persona. He and Shelley form a
cute yogic partnership and feed off each
other when they share tips, stories and
laughs. This is where David’s wealth of
The writer, Inna, enjoys a light moment with
David Swenson
practices sometimes appear in those who
have the most physical limitations… Being
able to get both legs behind your head with
dedicated effort may be a show of a steady
asana practice, but their approach is a softer
one. Being able to roll the mat out each day,
be it just for a few moments –and with the
intention to carry that awareness
throughout the day - is already a huge step
on the path of yoga. Following this line of
thought, all the rest will gradually unfold.
most beautiful practices sometimes appear in
those who have the most physical limitations
teaching tour of Asia before heading back
home to the USA, but there was very little
show of wilting freshness or enthusiasm
during the entire two weeks.
The group was fairly large and the retreat
was at full capacity (with nearly 60 guests)
but at no time did it really feel numbers got
in the way. Smaller social groups formed,
dinners became a busy but enjoyable affair
and on the rare days when the shala was
full, there was always a sense of cohesion
and union. During the self practice and led
classes, David and Shelley worked hard to
give each student one-to-one advice and
help with poses, while their attention to
detail and precision in adjustments was
quite mind blowing. Looking after so many
practioners at one time is a challenge while
providing equal and individual attention, is
a skill they both have.
knowledge really shines through. His
stories stemming from years of practice
with Guruji were beautiful, amusing and
always honest. He reminded us many times
how Ashtanga can be really hard work,
especially in the ‘old days’. David’s uniquely
advanced practice stems from years, even
decades of steady, dedicated, hard (and yet
incredibly rewarding) work – both
physically and mentally.
When Guruji only had a handful of
Western students, they would often practice
the primary and second series in the
morning, third and fourth in the
afternoon, with pranayama in the evenings.
As Guruji would say (and David mimicked
his Indian intonation of voice and head
shake!) “yoga is not easy”.
And with that thought in mind, David
always stressed that the most beautiful
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This retreat proved to be wonderfully
inspiring, David fought off a cold and
remained strong and present at each
session, even staying up until midnight on
New Year’s Eve to tell stories about Guruji,
yoga and his life.
Nevertheless, two weeks is a short time,
and to establish a solid practice, one needs
to soak up this information and actually
put it into action. A steady regular practice
is key, and an intensive retreat such as this
one, works as an inspirational boost. This
is why David and Shelley gave students
many useful tips to keep that energy going
afterwards. For instance the ‘rolling out the
mat practice’ (if you struggle with practice,
roll your mat out daily and see what
happens), or simple pranayama techniques
which are so often overlooked in Ashtanga.
Inna is a freelance writer and yoga teacher.
She shares her passion for yoga and
environmental issues on and off the mat –
and across the globe.
inna@brahmaniyoga.com
www.brahmaniyoga.com
38

Recipe
A Modern Main Course Salad
Moosa Al-Issa
More and more people seem to be looking at salads in a new light.
For all time it seems the humble salad has been relegated to poor
cousin status when compared to the mighty main course.
Well no more. Even big brutish boys are making their way through
hearty salads and enjoying it. Salads are finally starting to be
respected as “real” food. It’s about time! This salad recipe is gluten
free, vegan and stuffed with great textures, tastes and lots of
healthy oils and protein. Enjoy.
Heat a pan to medium heat. Tossing regularly, pan roast the
almond slivers till lightly browned,
Cut the extra firm tofu into ½ inch squares, season with salt and
pepper.
Heat a pan to medium high heat, add olive oil and fry the chunks
till evenly browned. Cool on a plate.
Combine in a large bowl the mixed greens, grated carrot, fried tofu,
black olive and currants.
Add enough dressing to coat the salad, toss with tongs or serving
spoon and fork and serve on four large dinner plates. Evenly top
each salad with the roasted almonds and dry fried onions and
serve.
Moosa is Executive Director of Life Cafe and
Director of Just Green Oraganic
Convenience Stores in Hong Kong.
Sol Salad
INGREDIENTS
½ lbs Mixed baby greens
16 Black olives pitted and halved
½ cup Organic almond slivers, roasted
1 lbs Fried tofu
2 cups Carrot grated
1/3 cup Organic currants or raisins
½ cup Crisp fried onions (purchased in Indian food stores)
DRESSING
1 whole Roasted red pepper skin and seeds removed
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ Fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
¼ cup Garlic, roasted
2 Tbsp Organic Agave syrup
Sea salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste
PREPARATION
Under a broiler or on the flame of a gas burner roast the red
pepper till it is black on all sides. Remove from the heat and when
cool enough, remove the skin, the stem and the seeds.
In a blender combine the red pepper, olive oil, lemon juice, roasted
garlic, sea salt and pepper and blend until smooth.
39

40

Retreat Review
Practicing with
Comp
ompas
assion sion & Humor
Elonne Stockton
RICHARD FREEMAN LEFT YOGA THAILAND NEARLY
two weeks ago, and I am still struggling to write about what
happened. I cannot string a few, measly words that could do justice
to his visit. My efforts are futile; anything I write is insipid
compared to the delightfully eloquent words that flow like amrita
from the back of the man’s palate.
Perhaps there is actually no message to be shared, no major theme
with which I can summarily encapsulate Richard’s visit. My story
may end here with no real catharsis, no grand realization.
However, the fact there is nothing to be taken away from our week
with Richard captures the beauty of his presence. Richard wants
nothing more than to share with us the simple truth of being, to
share the unadorned beauty of Yoga. Through deadpan humor
and metaphors that would melt the heart of any man, woman or
dog alike, he tries to show us that Yoga is more than – and really
nothing – we could ever imagine.
“Practice with compassion and humor,” Richard cautioned.
“Because there is always a lot more to this than you think there is.
If yoga is ‘Chitta Vritti Nirodhah,’ then it cannot be what you think
it is. It has to be a lot more interesting.”
Whatever we think is merely theorizing, hypothesizing. Inevitably,
it falls short of the actual experience of Yoga, which we must go
through ourselves to understand completely. Until we do, we will
continue to talk nonsense and absurdities. And until we do, we will
just have to keep practicing, until the “all” in the “all is coming”
actually arrives.
Richard Freeman teaching at Yoga Thailand
Paradoxically, it is in this not knowing that I find a deep sense of
comfort. In Richard’s presence, I cannot help but smile. Everything
is all right because nothing is actually wrong. Nothing is good or
bad, right or wrong.
It all just is, and we are all helplessly human, working on ourselves,
blundering foolishly: I like it when you make mistakes. I shouldn’t
but I do, because it is funny. And why is that? Because the
endeavor to be perfect is a game. And so it is just a game we are
playing, like cards or chess. But it is a high stakes game we are
playing, this religious game. Or we think it is a high stakes game.
But it is all pretend money. So if you were to blow the ritual, if you
were extremely orthodox you would have to contemplate suicide.
It is like the shesha slides out of the little boundary of the game
and lets you know what is really going on here. And it is kind of
delightful. I think, but I could be in big trouble.
In Richard, I see Voltaire, I see Swift, I see Becket, I see Ionesco,
and I see a host of modern comedians. They have all inspired him
as he inspires me. This time I felt the comedy quite profoundly.
Through their comedy, Voltaire and his contemporaries tried to
explain the great secret of the universe, which, as Richard puts it:
“The great secret of the universe is there is no secret, but nobody
seems to get that there is no secret because they are always looking
for a secret. So it is a paradox. To say the secret is there is no secret
is obviously a self-reference paradox, which is kind of funny.”
And why humor? Laura Linney was on The Daily Show this week
and she said of humor:
41

42

“Humor is a way to survive; it is a way to make sense. There is
something about the voice of comedy that clarifies things. If you
touch truth it will either be so refreshing or astounding that people
will just start to laugh.”
And it is humor that allows us to deal with the truth of existence,
the truth of impermanence. Although the truth is actually quite
liberating, it also terrifies us, so we need the coping mechanism of
comedy and laughter.
I asked Richard about the importance of humor, and he said:
“Why is humor so funny? Humor is so funny because it is so
tragic. Humor reveals the real tragedy of existence, which is that
existence is totally impermanent and there are no absolute reference
points. And actually that is delightful news, but it is such a scary
thing your mind actually knows it, but is too afraid to admit it. “
So humor is there when two things are juxtaposed in such a way
that reveals both of them are not true absolutely, and you get really
nervous and you say ‘hee hee hee.’ And your palate starts to let go,
and that is humor.
Certainly the importance of humor in life, in practice, is a message
of Richard’s. He continues to encourage us to lighten up and let go
of our rigid ways of thinking. But it is not solely what he was
trying to have us take away from our week together.
“So I am not sure what the message is here, or what you will take
from this retreat,” Richard concluded. “But then once the retreat is
over you will see the retreat is just beginning
because you will be walking out of here going
‘What happened?’”
What did happen, anyway? Now Richard’s
retreat begins!
Elonne is a Senior Resident Teacher at Yoga
Thailand. www.yoga-thailand.com
43

44

Book Review
The Wheel of Sharp
Weapons
by Dharmarakshita
Reviewed by Tia Sinha
Our suffering is the wheel of sharp weapons
returning
Full circle upon us from wrongs we have done.
The Wheel of Sharp Weapons is a ‘lojong’
text; a text for training the mind in the
Mahayana Buddhist system. Composed in
Sanskrit by Dharmarakshita, a medieval
Indian yogi, this text was brought to Tibet
by Atisha in the eleventh century A.D. and
translated into Tibetan by Atisha and his
disciple Dromtonpa.
In 119 verses, Dharmarakshita tries to
show us how the pain, whether physical or
mental we experience in our lives is the
result of our own past actions of this life
or previous lives. These wrong actions
result from our selfishness which, in turn,
results from a wrong view of the self.
Frantically running through life’s tangled jungle,
We are chased by sharp weapons of wrongs we
have done
Returning upon us; we are out of control.
This sly deadly villain - this selfishness in us,
Deceiving ourselves and all others as well.
Dharmarakshita sites numerous
uncomfortable situations we face and the
possible reasons for them.
When our mind is untamed though we act with
great virtue,
This is the wheel of sharp weapons returning
Full circle upon us for wrongs we have done.
Till now we have engaged in those worldly
ambitions
That aim at success for ourselves in this life;
Hereafter let’s work with pure one-pointed effort
To nourish the wish to gain freedom’s far shore.
When our minds are unclear and our hearts are
unhappy
We are bored doing virtue but excited by vice,
This is the wheel of sharp weapons returning
Full circle upon us from wrongs we have done.
Till now we have led others to acts of non-virtue
Hereafter let’s never provide conditions
That rouse them to follow their negative traits.
When we hear only language that is foul and
abusive,
This is the wheel of sharp weapons returning
Full circle upon us for wrongs we have done.
Till now we have said many things without
thinking.
We have slandered and caused many friendships to
end.
Hereafter let’s censure all thoughtless remarks.
We always are jealous of those of great status;
We feel holy gurus are threats to avoid.
Overwhelmed by attachment and ruled by our passions
We spend all our time lusting after young loves.
Trample him, trample him, dance on the head
Of this treacherous concept of selfish concern.
Tear out the heart of this self-centered butcher
Who slaughters our chance to gain final release.
More than a millennium after Dharmarakshita penned this lojong text, human nature
does not seem to have changed for the better. Without conscious effort, how can it?
Dharmarakshita adds a positive note.
As it’s true what I have said about self-centered interest,
I recognize clearly my enemy now.
I recognize clearly the bandit who plunders,
The liar who lures by pretending he is part of me.
Oh what a relief that I have conquered this doubt!
In short then, whenever unfortunate sufferings
We haven’t desired crash upon us like thunder,
This is the same as the smith who had taken
His life with a sword he had fashioned himself.
Our suffering is the wheel of sharp weapons returning
Full circle upon us from wrongs we have done.
Hereafter let’s always have care and awareness
Never to act in non-virtuous ways.
Dharmarakshita certainly does not mince words. This great yogi’s words of wisdom can act
as timely reminders to us whenever our deep-rooted tendency to blame others for our
own unhappiness surfaces. In a nutshell, it’s you who ordered the pizza
darling, so why do you yell at the delivery boy when he deposits your
thin-crust with extra cheese hot and fresh on your doorstep, just as you
ordered it?
Tia has just surfaced from two wintry months of silent, solitary retreat at
her home in Dharamshala, her first solo meditation retreat. She
continues to study Buddhist practices, teach Hatha yoga one-on-one and
to the nuns of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s nunnery.
45

Retreat Review
Sacr
acred Wat
ater Yoga Surf Retr
treat
Connected to the rythmns of nature, yoga teacher Wendy in Bali
Wendy Wyvill
I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THE
sacred - Bali, the Ocean and the Desa Seni
have once again touched my soul so deeply
I have no choice but to live differently.
It always amazes me, how changed I feel in
my body and mind, after teaching a Yoga
retreat. Even though I am the one leading
the adventure, I feel so affected by each
retreat on a personal level. Every student
influences, or inspires me towards a lighter
brighter perspective.
I choose to teach Yoga retreats because I
love to go on vacation. I think we all work
too much, think too much, and stress out
too much. Therefore we burn out and need
to leave our daily routine for a while, and
recharge. Ideally this should not be the
case. In my opinion, one should live life as
a daily retreat. Spending a little time alone
in silence and in conversation with God, a
little time laughing and celebrating with
friends, a few moments letting go of the
tears, a little time working and playing
towards the things that inspire one self.
And the rest of the time we should make
every effort to love ourselves and forgive
ourselves, and spread that love around us.
I have lived in Hong Kong almost five
years. I came for one. This seems to be the
story for a lot of the expats I know. We
came looking for change and vibrancy of
life and got much more. The pace we live at
in this intense world is unsustainable, the
expectations of ourselves, and our bodies
is un-realistic. It is this reason I believe the
practice of yoga is the answer, for calming
the chaos that this world seems to be living
with. Yoga will heal our bodies, our minds
and this planet. But we must seriously take
that pause, that vacation, and that retreat
to really receive the gifts of yoga and life!
When I teach retreats I try to create a sacred
space for the students to start to feel again,
to let go of the many stresses they hold in
their bodies and in their lives. For most of
us, we are so stressed we don’t even see the
warning signs that our bodies give us. The
small aches and pains we ignore can turn
into much more serious conditions.
Yoga means to join or reconnect. When
there is disease or sickness, it is because a
cell has gone off and started its own little
life. It has separated from its source. To
heal one must learn to slow down and start
to re-join one’s breath to movement, one’s
thoughts to prayers, and one’s intentions
towards greatness not destruction.
Coming on a yoga retreat is the perfect
opportunity to pause, let go, clean the slate
and take time to truly listen to one’s own
soul. For me, taking this pause, has
become a necessity in life.
We start out every day meeting in silence at
6 am in the outdoor yoga shala. I love the
mornings, the stillness just before the
dawn. It’s such a sacred time where the
possibility of the day just sits waiting.
Then a rooster caws and the many tropical
sounds start to chime in. We silently walk
out to the beach in meditation focusing on
our breath and contemplating the vastness
of the present moment. This is a
wonderful way to cleanse the mind. It’s like
giving the mind a bath. De-cluttering it.
As I watch the students cross the rickety
swinging bamboo bridge to the beach, I
am curious what each is thinking and
feeling. We all gaze out to the ocean, in awe
of the waves and what sits resting behind
them. Our eyes all wonder, as to what is
really out there! I sense a great seeking in all
of us, a longing to find something to
complete us. The first day of a retreat is
always a melting in and a letting go of the
intensity we all live with. To change one’s
46

outine and redirect ones focus is not
always easy. But when you are in a space
that is held and guided it can come quite
naturally. I find this is the most important
shift for me. It’s such a struggle to let go
of the habitual response to always do
more, be more and achieve more. While I
am leading the retreat I am in constant
battle with the old me and the new lighter,
me. I have to continually remind myself,
that it is this new me that can be a greater
inspiration to my students.
For who needs a
stressed out
disconnected yoga
teacher?
The rest of the day is full of asana,
pranayama and meditation, surfing,
swimming, shopping, and spa, eating
healthy and of course relaxing, chilling,
journaling and spending quiet time.
An evening candlelight meditation ends
our day. Bed time is usually around 9 pm,
as we are very connected to the rhythms of
the earth. Up at sunrise, down at sunset.
This rhythm is so healthy for us, but
difficult when we live in a city that seems to
not take savasana. I am exhausted at the
end of the day but in a good way. I never
sleep so deeply as when I teach retreats.
Living in a semi outdoor setting, practicing
and teaching yoga in an outdoor shala and
walking on the earth is a speedy way to
connect to my natural rhythms. There is
something so settled in my heart when I
am doing what feels so right.
My main goal when I leading retreats is to
give students space to let go of the things
that aren’t serving them and use the time
to contemplate the things that are. We
journal and share with the group and
spend quiet times alone contemplating
what it is that they are trying to manifest in
their lives.
I believe what we focus on we strengthen,
and what we turn away from we let go of.
So spending a week focusing on healthy,
healing, positive, loving peaceful playful
activities will carve out a new groove in
one’s life. A groove that has a new rhythm.
As balanced on her hands as she is on a surf board
When the retreat draws to a close there also
needs to be a letting go period. For each
group is unique and bonds in their own
way. But for the week we have become a
family, sharing, playing, praying and
celebrating the magnitude within each of
us. To return back to our lives after a
retreat is really when the real yoga begins. I
have to remember the peace that was found
in Bali and understand it is always within
me even if I am in the hustle of Hong
Kong flow. I try to remember: “Peace is
our only Goal” in yoga and in life!
Wendy hosts yoga surf
retreats as well as
yoga Ayurveda
retreats in Bali and
Sri Lanka. She is
presently working on
yoga, ski, snowboard
retreats as well as
yoga and diving
retreats. For more
information
wendy.wyvill@pureyoga.com
/ www.pure-yoga.com
47

Tia’s Crossword
This crossword is dedicated to mystic poets and poet-saints whose
visionary and beautiful poems and unusual lives, often of humble
origin, continue to inspire us.
ACROSS
1. Born in Aquino, Italy, this
poet and lover of Catholic
scriptures from a young age,
described meditation and
solitude as the greatest
opportunity offered to a
human being. (6, 7)
3 & 16 DOWN. Composer of
the epic poem, the
Mahabharata. (4, 5)
5. Scholar and theologian
turned mystic who spent most
of his life in Konya, Turkey,
best known for the dance of
the Whirling Dervishes and
ecstatic love poems in
Mathnawi. (4)
6. Jumble ‘tack her’ to give the
medieval German mystic,
Meister ........ (7)
10. See 20 ACROSS, 1 DOWN,
13 DOWN & 15 DOWN.
11. Jumble ‘i bark’ to give a
weaver from Varanasi, a
religious reformer whose songs
and dohas (couplets) are still
popular in India. (5)
17. See 18 ACROSS
18 & 17 ACROSS. Persian poet
whose immortal words have
been translated by Fitzgerald -
Here with a Loaf of Bread
beneath the Bough, A Flask of
Wine, a Book of Verse and
Thou Beside me singing in the
Wilderness, And Wilderness is
Paradise enow. (4, 7)
19. ........ of the Cross, a mystic
who composed most of his
greatest poetry in a prison in
Toledo. (4)
21 & 20 DOWN. The 7th .......
........ , a former spiritual and
temporal head of Tibet,
renowned for his poems on
spiritual transformation. (5, 4)
23. See 13 DOWN
24. The young and dashing
Orgyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th
..... , a lover of esoteric
knowledge who began
composing mystic poetry as a
teenager. (7)
25. Jumble ‘Lima pear’ to give
Great Sorceror turned cave
meditator turned poet-saint
whose Hundred Thousand
Songs continue to guide us on
the Tibetan Buddhist path. (8)
DOWN
1 & 10 ACROSS & 4 DOWN.
Founder of 17 Carmelite
convents, a courageous woman
whose near-death experience
changed her life to one of
meditation, religious reform
and composing spiritual
literature and poetry. (6, 2, 5)
2. Jumble ‘satin’ to give a
canonical title given to 19
ACROSS, 1 DOWN, 13 DOWN
& 14 DOWN. (5)
3. Jumble ‘Viki Lam’ to give the
bandit turned poet who
composed the Ramayana in
Sanskrit. (7)
4. See 1 DOWN
7. Called ‘The Tongue of the
Invisible’ this Persian poet sang
wild and beautiful love poems
from God. (5)
8. Marathi poet saint who
composed playful devotional
poems called ‘abahangs’. (7)
9. Born in Basra and as a child,
stolen and forced into slavery
and prostitution, she became
one of the greatest women
poets known to history. (5)
12. See 15 DOWN
13, 10 ACROSS & 23 ACROSS.
Commonly depicted with birds
flocking to him, this saint
penned the lines, Make me a
channel of your peace... (7,2,6)
14. Born in Siena, Italy, she
defied her parents and became a
Dominican nun, devoting her
life to meditation, serving the
poor and healing the ill till her
death at the tender age of 33. (9)
15 & 12 DOWN. Jumble ‘oh
run! u pick hen’ to give an
Indian Lama renowned for his
sweet verses on bodhichitta (the
awakening mind) in a collection
called ‘Vast as the Heavens,
Deep as the Sea’. (5, 8)
16. See 3 ACROSS
20. See 21 ACROSS
22. Medieval Hindu princess
who, believing herself married
to Krishna, became a great
mystic poet, devotional singer
and religious reformer. (4)
The solution to this crossword
can be found on page 50
48

Yoga Teachers & Studios
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
ANAHATA YOGA
18F Lyndhurst Tower, 1
Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong
Kong
t: (852) 2905 1822
e: enquiry@anahatayoga.com.hk
w: www.anahatayoga.com.hk
Michel Besnard
Yogasana
s: Hatha Vinyasa
l: English
t: (852)2511 8892 / 9527 6691
e: info@yogasana.com.hk
Chris Broad
Yo Yoga
s: private, corporate Anusara
influenced, yin & Ubuntu flow
t: (852) 9307 1086
e: yoyoga.mail@gmail.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
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
FLEX
1/F Regency Centre (Phase II),
43 Wong Chuk Hang Road,
Aerdeen, Hong Kong
s: Iyengar, Ashtanga, Hatha
Vinyasa
t: (852) 2813 2212
f: (852) 2813 2281
e: info@flexhk.com
w: www.flexhk.com
Timy Hui
Private & Group Classes
d: Hong Kong, KLN, & NT
s: Hatha, Ashtanga,Yoga
Therapy & Vipassana
Meditation, Yoga Alliance 200hr
Certified
l: English,Cantonese &
Putonghua
t: (852) 9032 3382
e: Timy99@gmail.com
Facebook: Timy Yoga
http://Timy.mfYoga.org
IYENGAR YOGA
CENTRE INDONESIA
Jl. Kemang Raya 18D, Jakarta,
12730, Indonesia
s: Iyengar
t:(62) 21 739 3101
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
l: English, Cantonese
t: (852) 6428 5168
e: kaldora_lee@hotmail.com
w: www.kundaliniyogahk.com
KATE PORTER YOGA
Yoga for normal people
Small public classes & luxury
yoga holidays
5000G Marine Parade Road, 04-
29 Laguna Park, Singapore
s: fusion of Hatha, Vinyasa,
Iyengar and Yin classes
l: English
t: (65) 9781 3403
e: kate@KatePorterYoga.com
w: www.KatePorterYoga.com
Ming Lee
Privates, workshops
s: Iyengar Certified teacher
l: English, Cantonese,
Putonghua
t: (852) 9188 1277
e: minglee@yogawithming.com
Kate Leung
Privates
d:Hong Kong
s:Hatha, Yoga Therapy, Pre-natal
& more
l: Cantonese
t: (852) 6696 1802
e: lmanfaye@yahoo.com
LIFE MANAGEMENT
YOGA CENTRE
Non-profit Classical Yoga School
d: Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
s: Patanjali yoga, Kids, Seniors,
Corporates
l: English, Cantonese
t: (852) 2191 9651
t: (852) 6349 0639 (Chinese)
e: life@yoga.org.hk
w: www.yoga.org.hk
Master Luke
s: yoga therapist for chronic
diseases, M.Sc.(Yoga therapy),
P.T.D.N.Y.S.D.Y.SC.ED.,Y.I.C.,
Experienced Hatha yoga
therapist &instructor in Basics,
Intermediate, Advance, Privates
l: English
t: (852) 9763 4105
e: namaste.yoga@ymail.com
w: www.namaste-yoga.com.hk
Ursula Moser
The Iyengar Yoga Centre of
Hong Kong, LRC
d: Central
s: Iyengar Certified (Junior
Intermediate I)
l: English
t: (852) 2918 1798 / 9456 2149
e: uschi.moser51@gmail.com
NAMASTE YOGA
STUDIO
8A, Minden House, 13 - 15
Minden Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui,
Kowloon, Hong Kong
s: privates, Hatha, Iyengar,
Sivananda, Satyananda, Kriya
yoga
t: (852) 9763 4105
e: namaste.yoga@ymail.com
w: www.namaste-yoga.com.hk
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
176 Orchard Road #06-016/07
The Centrepoint, Singapore
s: Hatha, Power, Ashtanga and
Gentle Yoga
l: English
t: (65) 6734 2853
w: www.realyoga.com.sg
49

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
Crossword Solution
ACROSS
1. Thomas Aquinas, 3. Veda, 5.
Rumi, 6. Eckhart, 10. Of, 11.
Kabir, 17. Khayyam, 18. Omar,
19. John, 21. Dalai, 23. Assisi,
24. Karmapa, 25. Milarepa
DOWN
1. Teresa, 2. Saint, 3. Valmiki, 4.
Avila, 7. Hafiz, 8. Tukaram, 9.
Rabia, 12. Rinpoche, 13.
Francis, 14. Catherine, 15.
Khunu, 16. Vyasa, 20. Lama,
22. Mira
50
KUNDALINI YOGA @
SHAKTI
3/F 34 Wyndham Street, Central,
Hong Kong
s: Kundalini Yoga, Qigong,
Guided Kundalini Meditation,
Pilates (privates), Energy Healing,
Life Coaching. Also Studio &
Healing rooms for rental
t: (852) 2521 5099
e: info@shaktihealingcircle.com
w: www.shaktihealingcircle.com
THE YOGA ROOM
3, 4 & 15/F Xiu Ping
Commercial Bldg, 104 Jervois St,
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
s: Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, Yin
Yang, Hot Yoga, Vinyasa, Asana
& Pranayama, Svastha Yoga,
Pilates, Pre-natal, Mom & Baby,
Yoga kids, Belly dance and more.
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, Power, Hot, Yin,
Pranayama and Meditation
l: English, Cantonese
t: (852) 9465 6461
e: wltse11@yahoo.com
YOGA CENTRAL
4/F Kai Kwong House, 13
Wyndham Street, Central, HK
s: Hatha/Iyengar Yoga classes,
yoga teacher training workshops,
mat-based Pilates; suitable for
private group classes and
corporate health programs
t: (852) 2982 4308
e: yogacentralhk@yahoo.com
w: www.yogacentral.com.hk
YOGA on CAINE ROAD
@ COSMO KIDS
1/F, Jadestone Court, 138 Caine
Road, Mid-Levels, HK
s: Pre-natal, Kids yoga, Family
yoga, Private yoga, Yoga studio
rental
t: (852) 2915-8138
e: ask@cosmokids.net
w: www.cosmokids.net
HK$500 for individual teacher
& HK$1,000 for studio for the
remaining two issues of 2011,
fgairns@netvigator.com for
details.
NAMASKAR DISPLAY & LISTING ADVERTISING RATES FOR 2011
(IN HONG KONG DOLLARS)
Outside back cover (210 mm x 297 mm) $20,000
Inside front cover (210 mm x 297 mm) $2,700
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Advertising fees are payable in Hong Kong dollars only to:
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Bay, Hong Kong
For more information contact:
Carol (852) 9137 9992 /kambotan@netvigator.com or
Frances (852) 9460 1967 / fgairns@netvigator.com

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