No breath, no life. Be with it.

Where's the God in yoga?
Somebody asked me.

When i just started my practice years back, i would be constantly searching for the God.
Its must be hiding somewhere, and when i find God, i'll be in peace forever.
Thinking back today, i guess i've a better personal understanding about such a big word.

I'm not really keen to use the word "God", because its very much misleading; given how loosely it has been interpreted in books. While some may be sensitive towards seeing it as religious practice-- and creating unnecessary misunderstanding.

As my practice goes along, i could be less bothered of how the 'God' should look like, how i should keep it in my mind or even seeing it as a separate body.

Slowly, i find myself integrating such universal energy, just by being with my breaths. That's all.
I don't know if there's "god", what i can see now is breath is everything--- its practically life.
Being more patient now, standing on my mat, observing my own practice in action--- i'm willing to appreciate my breaths more.

Experiencing the flow of the breaths, is experiencing the reality of life.
All those debating on where's "god"...... just breathe.

In Ashtanga world, we often hear " Practice, and all is coming"
I totally agree so. 
As action speaks louder than words; many abstract forms can be understand only at different stage of our personal practice. 
Without going through those inner- experiences, the knowledge will never be understand completely.

Just by showing up in life.

As the Yoga Conference had just come to an end, i've been sorting out information in the little space of my hemispheres. Getting in touch with the other practitioners and teachers, has definitely open up my perspective of approach towards life with the supporting system of the yoga practice.

In the opening speech from first day of the conference, Prem voiced out his appreciation for his understanding how " not easy" and effort for everyone to actually appear for this event. Be it financial, making free time off from work & family and environmental condition--- there's a common reason that we ( different people) made our way to that huge pavilion.

We can always give as much reasons for not doing, but we just need one reason of conviction for doing . Seeing how the Filipinos group fought their way through the bad weather in their hometown; and the delayed operation from the airport, they still made it to the conference.

Along the conference as each teacher got the chance to share with us their stories that makes them who they are today--- i see one thing in common--- While each individual path is different, and challenging in their own way, the teachers never bother much about the many obstacles ( expectation from financial stability, time, work, friends and families).

Just by bringing focus on one thing, just one thought--- that guided them through all the so- called obstacles--- and today.. pretty much unemployed and happy.

And those knowledge and wisdom that appeared during the practice, has somehow taken care of their whole life. Faith (shraddha), falling into something, surrendering totally into it without knowing what it has to offer.

While in Singapore, i'm pretty much exposed to the yoga scene of commercial and physically focused on the postures. Sometimes, i do get lost into the delusions of having to keep up with all the others. That the more physically advanced postures we can do, the more "advanced" we will be.

Among the many Ashtangi teachers with full- bodied practice over the decades; here they emphasized never on the postures besides proper alignment of the physical practice. That reminded me that foundation work and a grounded practice is utmost essential.

What i received, is the importance of breath work during such dynamic practice, so we can access to the healing elements from the practice.

Healing, its a healing process; not a competition.
This happens over time of committed practice; not a problem solver in a snap of fingers.
We change for a better; not necessarily comfortable during the evolution.

As practice goes by, our priorities change. Clarity in mind and making better choices and decisions in life.

~ Mark Darby 

Conference by Danny Paradise: The yogi that teaches by invitations

I've never know who's Danny Paradise, if not for this conference-- or maybe i've heard his name somewhere, but not really read much about it.

Seen his photo somewhere, just one impression--- the man with a fluffy curly hair with the hair band ringing around his head. Colorful & fanciful.
Very quiet person, at least among the many teachers in this event.

In one of the morning practice, he was the first teacher that asked permission to adjust me--- which i rejected him due to my leg is still in the process of recovering ( its going well:) ).

Today in the 3rd day of the conference, Danny Paradise shared his story the whole of afternoon, that caught the audience's attention. I was pleasantly surprised by his great sense of humor, that lightens such heavy topics we were in.

" The more yoga you do, the more unemployed you'll be"... pretty true. Not because you'll become a yoga teacher, just that we begin to realized what we love to do, get into it--- and not a day we're working ( any type of engagement).

What really got him into this practice--- the method for healing. He later explained how the brain frequency behaves when we do yoga. Savasana ( corpse pose, the last resting pose in every practice) is utmost important -- not advisable to skip it, because that's when all the magic happens.

During the resting pose ( about 15mins)  after the vigorous practice, in the deeper level of relaxation, the brain waves slowly moves into teta state-- that's when the healing process starts--- and this increases our perceptions and creativity seeps in.


While the mind likes to follow rule---runs in linear;  but life follows the flow of nature in fluidity.

Sharing that his practice wasn't as rigid it " should" be, rather " approach the practice appropriately on that day, because everyday is different, endless changes. Be very aware of what's going on each day--- that's how we learn to be in present."

Many ashtangis enter the practice as if wanting to complete levels and level of challenges, by fighting through poses by poses, series by series. We can unconsciously forget the whole idea of the practice is not a competition--- its to experience the essence of healing; that hold the vitality throughout our life gracefully.

" I've woken up numerous time feeling old, i've honored that!"
~ D.P
* if you practice yoga, you'll get the humor :)

After the afternoon talk by him, i was so drawn to his humbleness. I had a sudden urge, and went up to him. Stood in front of him and asked " Can i hug you?". Very generously, he gave me a big hug:)
I didn't think too much about it, i just wanted to..!

Conference by David Williams-- the man who brought the torch from East to West.

Selamat pagi peeps!

I've finally gotten some time after my practice to doing some writing today.

Its the 3rd day of the Ashtanga Yoga Conference in Ubud, its has been really a good eye-opener for me. Meeting the groups of hippies teachers who rocks on since the 70s till today--- meeting the pioneer batch of students of Sri K Pattabhi Jois was just like a dream came true--- and of course Manju Jois ( son of guruji); who i thought i could only watch them through the Youtube.

" i want to be healthy and happy, but when i looked at the people around me.. they are getting sick and senile. Oh, i don't want to be like this.!"

Yesterday, David Williams had a great talk in the long afternoon, inspiring indeed!
This man, i swear to god, can't believe my eyes that he's already 68-- he must be lying-- those smooth skin, strong & loud voice and those vibrancy in his eyes.

The westerners have to thank him for introducing such ancient practice all the way from India. What really touches me is his constant integrity for living a life he wants to-- that one quest when he was a boy, that sets him up in a adventure, even until today!

He once came to a cross- road, the options to return to the city or to travel into the unknown.
" Once i stepped into the city of London, i said--- oh my god! Let's turned back and go India. I rather die in India than going back to a structure and squarish city life."

There's this magic bus he hoped on--- journey to the East!
And so, he did... way out in search of what this whole practice is all about.

I've never really read up about David Williams before-- after listening to his long long life stories--
how many people can invest whole life long of commitment, and goes on to expand the benefits of it to the rest of the community. Not many.

Whoever that is still practicing on the mat, i'm sure they had experience the " ah- ha" moment-- and we want to dig the well of nectar more and more. David Williams showed us, not only we want to taste the sweetness of the nectar-- we want to dig it more to share it with the others too.

" Yoga is a life long practice, you want to keep it happy and simple. Not hard and tough. So that you can always want to return to your mat everyday, for your whole life. Let's practice, and hold that little smile in your heart, and smile."

This morning practice was funny, Annie Pace was say loudly " in the practice, even Man will become Boy!"  True to that, no matter how tough or brute strong or hard we thought we should be or are, yoga just has the ability bring the gentleness within us.