(front, left to right): Nadia, Karina, Jasper. (back, left to right): Suesan, Sue and Susanna.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Last batch
The previous batch
(front, left to right): Nadia, Karina, Jasper. (back, left to right): Suesan, Sue and Susanna.
(front, left to right): Nadia, Karina, Jasper. (back, left to right): Suesan, Sue and Susanna.
From the other side of the table
At the grand old age of 43, my yoga trainee teachers are sometimes closer in age to my children than to me, though I often have a large age spread in my groups. One evening, we gathered together to discuss yoga philosophy; there is more to yoga than jumping on the mat.
“You can’t find self-realisation, long lasting happiness and all those goodies from just jumping on the mat,” I often tell people. “There is another little piece of yoga that gives you that. And not many people know about that piece.”
That little piece is found in the 186 lines that the sage Sri Patanjali collated from the collective spiritual teachings of his day.
As an introduction to yoga philosophy, we dissected the main concepts of Sri Patanjali’s work. Central to Sri Patanjali’s writings is using to meditation to find our True Self. This is big deal, as the ‘Seer’ is often confused by what he perceives as True Self because of the distortion of his field of vision by the vortex of his mind. Even in the modern Western world, we talk about ‘finding ourselves’.
This is Patanjali 101: Put a coin in the bottom of a glass. Fill the glass with water. The water in the glass is our individual mind, called citta. Citta, the water in the glass, may be coloured by our perceptions and prejudices; often, this water is churning about in the glass because it is agitated by our mental monkeys. Colouration and swirling both have the effect of distorting the image of the coin, so that the Seer often mistakes the distorted image for the real coin. Hence the path of yoga is stilling the flux through practice and meditation so that the Seer can have a clear view of the True Self.
I urged my trainee teachers to find their True Self and to serve the True Self within (as in my princess-lawyer friend taking the brave path of being a yoga teacher), because that is our mission in life.
“What if being my True Self displeases my parents?” asked one. Three years ago, I was asked the same question by another.
I didn’t answer immediately, because the answer is brutal and I wanted to sleep over it before unleashing it. And here is the answer: you have to be true to your True Self, because it is who you really are. You cannot live your life pretending to be someone else, just to appease your parents. And if you hurt your parents by being your True Self, then it is their karma to be hurt for burdening you with their expectations. Your True Self will never hurt your parents’ True Selves, because their True Selves would not have expectations (unconditional love). It is the miscommunication of the Seer and Seen (going back to the coin in the glass analogy) that is causing the angst.
My eldest son is academically gifted. He has a law degree and a Masters in International Relations. Of course I secretly dream of him joining a humanitarian organisation as a human rights advocate (if anyone can win an unwinnable battle, it is he) and perhaps starting his own movement to address the injustices of this world. Maybe run Amnesty International one day, maybe even the United Nations.
But what is he? A shameless capitalist working for an investment bank, whose Key Target & Objective is to be a millionaire by the age of thirty (and he is right on target). And the second boy? He is a soldier with right-wing views, who is totally absorbed in climbing mountains, drinking and general hell-raising. What can I do but to love them, celebrate them and be proud of them, just the way they are?
And Georgina: “When I am the boss of Sun Yoga, I will sell burgers here.” (What to do lah.)
In time, when the mental monkeys have been silenced, their True Selves will emerge, whatever they may be.
“You can’t find self-realisation, long lasting happiness and all those goodies from just jumping on the mat,” I often tell people. “There is another little piece of yoga that gives you that. And not many people know about that piece.”
That little piece is found in the 186 lines that the sage Sri Patanjali collated from the collective spiritual teachings of his day.
As an introduction to yoga philosophy, we dissected the main concepts of Sri Patanjali’s work. Central to Sri Patanjali’s writings is using to meditation to find our True Self. This is big deal, as the ‘Seer’ is often confused by what he perceives as True Self because of the distortion of his field of vision by the vortex of his mind. Even in the modern Western world, we talk about ‘finding ourselves’.
This is Patanjali 101: Put a coin in the bottom of a glass. Fill the glass with water. The water in the glass is our individual mind, called citta. Citta, the water in the glass, may be coloured by our perceptions and prejudices; often, this water is churning about in the glass because it is agitated by our mental monkeys. Colouration and swirling both have the effect of distorting the image of the coin, so that the Seer often mistakes the distorted image for the real coin. Hence the path of yoga is stilling the flux through practice and meditation so that the Seer can have a clear view of the True Self.
I urged my trainee teachers to find their True Self and to serve the True Self within (as in my princess-lawyer friend taking the brave path of being a yoga teacher), because that is our mission in life.
“What if being my True Self displeases my parents?” asked one. Three years ago, I was asked the same question by another.
I didn’t answer immediately, because the answer is brutal and I wanted to sleep over it before unleashing it. And here is the answer: you have to be true to your True Self, because it is who you really are. You cannot live your life pretending to be someone else, just to appease your parents. And if you hurt your parents by being your True Self, then it is their karma to be hurt for burdening you with their expectations. Your True Self will never hurt your parents’ True Selves, because their True Selves would not have expectations (unconditional love). It is the miscommunication of the Seer and Seen (going back to the coin in the glass analogy) that is causing the angst.
My eldest son is academically gifted. He has a law degree and a Masters in International Relations. Of course I secretly dream of him joining a humanitarian organisation as a human rights advocate (if anyone can win an unwinnable battle, it is he) and perhaps starting his own movement to address the injustices of this world. Maybe run Amnesty International one day, maybe even the United Nations.
But what is he? A shameless capitalist working for an investment bank, whose Key Target & Objective is to be a millionaire by the age of thirty (and he is right on target). And the second boy? He is a soldier with right-wing views, who is totally absorbed in climbing mountains, drinking and general hell-raising. What can I do but to love them, celebrate them and be proud of them, just the way they are?
And Georgina: “When I am the boss of Sun Yoga, I will sell burgers here.” (What to do lah.)
In time, when the mental monkeys have been silenced, their True Selves will emerge, whatever they may be.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Finding A True Self
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who always proud of herself believed that she was the happiest girl in the world. She has great supportive lovely parents who always think monies and social status are everything. She has what she wanted, she travelled frequently with her parents, she stayed in a beautiful house, the richest among her relatives and she loved the feeling of being top of the world. She listened to her parents and thought all pre-arrangements were the best for her. She always wanted to be no 1 for everything just to please her parents and herself, to proof to the world she can do it! However, thing doesn’t work well as she growing up even in her university life. Her circle of friends shrunk! None of her friends willing to talk or listen to her stories when she needed a pair of ears. No one willing to know neither her happiness nor sadness she has gone thru. Her inner world turned into darkness; she couldn’t find light shine on her, no more in her life! She became timid, fear, hesitant, lack of confidence and closed her heart to anyone including her parents. She was living in pain and lost her direction to find her own true self!
***
Yes, I was the little girl and now an “old” lady! (According to young Jasper’s theory! I might be same age as his beloved mum or dad! =.=”””””)
***
Yoga was first introduced by my buddy Paggie. I remembered there was once she brought her yoga mat to my apartment and started practising Surya Namaskara in my living room. I was laughing non-stop! At that time, I was thinking “What the heck are these poses about? Turning a human into animals?” Well, Paggie did an excellent job on brain-washing me about Yoga. Slowly, I changed my perception on Yoga.
I begin my Yoga journey when a tragedy happened many years ago. I told myself no more tears at night, get yourself off and start doing something that could change your life. The stiffness of my body became major barrier of practicing yoga. I was the only one in the class dragged by the instructor to use the wall to align my body! I felt uncontrollable shame, remorse and embarrassment each time I attended the class! But thanks God, I never give up due to my nature attitude strongly planted in my mind, I will get it RIGHT one day! The satisfactions in the latest stage slowly build up my confidence towards Yoga. From Yoga, I branched out to BodyBalance® and Pilates. The greatest surprise gift I get was I met new friends that share the same interest of mine. I met Mei, an inspired Yoga and Pilates instructor who shared a lot of her views not only on Yoga and Pilates but also on religion. Thru Mei, I met Ginny who is now my greatest big sister, an awesome Pilates Instructor Trainer and ex-Yoga instructor who always guided me move towards the correct pathway to be a better person. Her words touched my heart and changed my thoughts. She is the angel God sent helping me to enlighten my life. Since the day I met Sis Ginny, the lights again shine on my head under her supervisions with all the steps I move forward.
Thru Yoga and Pilates, I know my body better. Sad news was, orthopedic surgeon confirmed I have scoliosis after X-ray and assessment which actually limit me from doing certain asana. I discussed with Sis Ginny, how do I become a Yoga instructor where I had limitation in my body movements? I can’t even do headstand and I can’t even do a simple roll up. The answer was, none of the instructor in the world has all the perfect postures. One day, Sis Ginny words again strike my mind, “Kai Li, taking Yoga TTC is not about asana, alignment, how beautiful of your postures, Yoga also teaching you how to control your emotion and find your true self! Take these opportunities and learn as much as you can and see how much Yoga can change you!”
I am now joining Yoga TTC. Soon I hope I could be a qualified Yoga instructor. I always ask myself, what do I really want in the rest of my life? At time being, I am still doing things that please someone surrounding me, my beloved parents and family members who always support me! My mind always telling me, the purpose of my life is just to please people and making them happy! - (Is this a Virtti? How do I kill this virtti?) I asked Jacqueline yesterday, how do you find your true self when you always doing things that please someone? That is not a real you!
One thing for sure is I am joining Yoga TTC not to please anyone! I am doing it for my own self, to find a total brand new Kai Li that could smile truly from her inner heart all the times. J
All the best to the upcoming August 2011 SunYoga teacher trainees!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Hello my Newbies
New batch starts in August, but a few showed up for intro to Patanjali (summer reading assignment before theory classes begins in earnest).
"Waaah, so much to learn!" said Ken with a shake of his head. Actually not, because Patanjali is about the wisdom that is already in you. No need to learn more. It's just the roadmap to tap that internal fountain of knowledge. Unfortunately, the roadmap is in Sanskrit, and not very detailed either. So that's why we 'study' Patanjali (study is such a wrong word when it comes to Patanjali) - to figure out the cryptic clues that Patanjali put together for us all those years ago.
Is it worth it, all this studying, instead of spending time perfecting our postures?
Yes, definitely. My favourite analogy is if you want to be a priest, you must know the Bible. If you want to be an imam, you must know the Koran. If you want to be a yoga teacher, you must know Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. If not, how are you going to guide your students? Jumping on the mat on its own won't get them to the path of enlightenment.
Another of my favourite sayings: some of the most unhappy people are the thin, flexible, successful and rich ones. Just getting them jumping on the mat will not help them find bliss, which is supposed to be the original reason why people do yoga.
Young Afia asked, "Why are so many people so unawake?" (this is the mudah state of mind).
I don't know, but maybe it's because their light has been dimmed with the burden of everyday living. Going to work in a dead-end job, the burden of responsibilities and obligations, stress, looking after kids, trying to compete with neighbours, chasing material goods - Jeez, that's enough to put out any light. You see sleepwalkers everywhere. Even last evening. As I was going to my car, I spotted a dead cat lying on the pavement, not terribly injured but his body was already in rigor mortis (grotesquely twisted). Yet, no more than three feet away were a table of men, eating and drinking, totally oblivious that they were sitting so close to a dead animal. Maybe they just didn't care, but I found it quite perplexing that they were happily tucking into curried meat when there was dead meat just beside them on the road.
So how do we wake people up to start this spiritual revolution? Sun Yoga, of course :-) I shared with the Newbies some of the emails that I regularly received from former graduates telling me that they themselves are now in the position of awakening people. For me, that's justification of doing what I am doing.
Ot course, what I am doing felt a lot better at 9.15pm after class when Sanaz brought some amazing cakes she baked. Err, can't see how cakes fit into the Sutra yet, but bring 'em on, Sanaz!
"Waaah, so much to learn!" said Ken with a shake of his head. Actually not, because Patanjali is about the wisdom that is already in you. No need to learn more. It's just the roadmap to tap that internal fountain of knowledge. Unfortunately, the roadmap is in Sanskrit, and not very detailed either. So that's why we 'study' Patanjali (study is such a wrong word when it comes to Patanjali) - to figure out the cryptic clues that Patanjali put together for us all those years ago.
Is it worth it, all this studying, instead of spending time perfecting our postures?
Yes, definitely. My favourite analogy is if you want to be a priest, you must know the Bible. If you want to be an imam, you must know the Koran. If you want to be a yoga teacher, you must know Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. If not, how are you going to guide your students? Jumping on the mat on its own won't get them to the path of enlightenment.
Another of my favourite sayings: some of the most unhappy people are the thin, flexible, successful and rich ones. Just getting them jumping on the mat will not help them find bliss, which is supposed to be the original reason why people do yoga.
Young Afia asked, "Why are so many people so unawake?" (this is the mudah state of mind).
I don't know, but maybe it's because their light has been dimmed with the burden of everyday living. Going to work in a dead-end job, the burden of responsibilities and obligations, stress, looking after kids, trying to compete with neighbours, chasing material goods - Jeez, that's enough to put out any light. You see sleepwalkers everywhere. Even last evening. As I was going to my car, I spotted a dead cat lying on the pavement, not terribly injured but his body was already in rigor mortis (grotesquely twisted). Yet, no more than three feet away were a table of men, eating and drinking, totally oblivious that they were sitting so close to a dead animal. Maybe they just didn't care, but I found it quite perplexing that they were happily tucking into curried meat when there was dead meat just beside them on the road.
So how do we wake people up to start this spiritual revolution? Sun Yoga, of course :-) I shared with the Newbies some of the emails that I regularly received from former graduates telling me that they themselves are now in the position of awakening people. For me, that's justification of doing what I am doing.
Ot course, what I am doing felt a lot better at 9.15pm after class when Sanaz brought some amazing cakes she baked. Err, can't see how cakes fit into the Sutra yet, but bring 'em on, Sanaz!
New Teachers
Jasper Sim teaching karma yoga in the Park and Suesan Leong doing a class on arm balances.....way to go, yogis!
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