Sylvia: Sep 26-27 Weekend – Universal Truth
Effort + Time = Progress. This is true for our physical, mental and emotional well-being. Whilst there may be many things during the day, that happens in our lives which are out of our control, our practice is completely within our control – of course, provided that we are able to accept the strengths and shortcomings of each of our unique bodies. But how we step onto the mat, that's the point where we can really exercise this control with full awareness. Leave your troubles. Leave your sadness. Leave your worries. Leave your anxieties. Leave your negativity. Focus on the here and now, be present, in this moment. There is no one else but you. Over time and through consistent effort, I promise you that you will be surprised how much you can grow, improve and progress. My batchmates have been my inspiration – their dedication and progress are proof of this equation as a universal truth. Your practice can be everything you want it to be, and all that you have to do is to be true to yourself, be honest and patient. Sylvia RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Sylvia: Sep 19-20 Weekend – For the long-haul
I signed up for YTT for 2 main things; 1) to further my self-practice, and 2) to explore what I potentially wanted to do with my practice. My character is impatient, to the extent that I am embarrassed to say I do not incorporate Shavasana during my home practice because I can use that 5-10 minutes to do something else. To do what? I have no idea. I get bored quickly, am afraid of commitment, whatever you want to call it – but before I’ve even settled down, I’ll want to move on. I think the YTT journey has helped my practice so much, to encourage safety above all else, but also to understand my strengths, accept my weaknesses and to also practice with greater awareness. I look forward to continue to develop my practice – and that right there, that’s the thing – I am looking ahead, what the future holds for Yoga and I. I know what you must be thinking -I’ve heard this somewhere before… isn’t this what people say about relationships, about partners? That you can imagine how it would be like to have kids, grow old etc. Genuinely, that is what it feels like for me now – I can see me doing yoga 20, 30 years down the line – and that is a wonderful gift and realisation to have had during this YTT. Whilst it’s not clear to me what exactly I want to do with my practice, I know that I am in it for the long-haul. Sylvia RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Sylvia: Sep 12-13 Weekend – More than just the physical
More than halfway into YTT, I wanted to reflect on this journey so far, before these fleeting thoughts and emotions escape me. Motivation to do physical activity has never been a problem for me – I try to maintain a daily practice; I challenge myself to learn new things; I push myself enough, but not too much. Asana has saved my sanity – a 'moving meditation' could not be a more accurate way to describe the physical practice of Yoga. But, that’s just it – I've only been looking at the physical practice. But is it Is it because the society we live in today applauds, first and foremost, tangible results? Perhaps; but I think we resort to physical things because they are easy (or easier). Inner-growth, emotional and mental health kicked to the curb because they are hard, they bring out things we don't want to confront, to accept or admit. Self-love is not a value that is deep-rooted in Asian culture. YTT has forced me to look at the non-physical aspects of not just Yoga, but of life. I've learnt that the physical Asana practice is only 1/8 of Yoga; the rest of the 7/8 focus on non-physical practice, and how to be a good, decent, and compassionate human being; to love others as you love yourself. Whilst the commercial world has packaged and presented Yoga to the world in a very limited light – either zenning in Padmasana or to the other extreme of near- contortionist backbending – I would like to make a promise to the Yoga community that I will do my best to spread the word of all that Yoga embodies. Sylvia RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Carmen: Will I switch careers to teaching Yoga?
I found out that Yoga is my passion and it’s a lifestyle for me. Plus, it gives me an good excuse to keep shopping and wearing gym wear! Haha! Plus, to be able to earn a living for what I love to do will be a blessing, so if there’s an opportunity, I will seriously consider. I can improve mine and other people’s lives while earning a living. Why not? In the meantime, I will continue to use my family as my guinea pigs and practice together. Carmen RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Carmen: YTT exams Yoga Mandala
I never had so much fun doing exams in my life! At Mandala, it’s rigorous and tiring but it is most enjoyable and eye opening! Before the classes start, I knew about the exam format which was to teach real classes of students. I was honestly a little worried about it. I was real bad with directions and teaching techniques plus I know nuts about Yoga though I can do most of the poses. When the time came for the exams and the students taking their positions, I wasn’t worried at all. In fact, I was looking forward to it. I feel it was the training which had given me the required confidence and skills to manage a Yoga class. I could coach beginners and they understood what I said! It was an achievement unlocked. Carmen RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Carmen: Yoga is a Lifestyle
After going through Yoga Mandala YTT, I realised I see Yoga in a different perspective. Before I used to think Yoga is an exercise, hobby or a trend that people pick up. Or an excuse to buy pretty gym wear. The more difficult the poses you can do, the higher the level one is. So if you can do difficult poses, you are good at Yoga. I even know a friend who cry at Yoga because of pain but she bear thru it just to get the YTT certification. Another one told me Yoga was painful. That was my shallow perspective of Yoga – difficult and stunning poses equals to Yoga mastery. After Now after proper guidance and training, I see Yoga as a lifestyle. It is something that you have to embrace and believe in it. It does not involve complex poses or pain. In fact, practicing Yoga will improve quality of life, both physically and mentally. For every sequence or pose, there is much to understand about the intention and effects. It is suitable for all ages and conditions. There is no such thing as cannot improve. Carmen RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Carmen: Do I like going to Yoga Mandala?
Every weekend for two months, I have to wake up at 6am to make it for class at 8am at Yoga Mandala. Tiring yes but I look forward to it every week. I never been so happy waking so early on weekends. I asked myself why is it so? I realised besides the place has a good vibe, Jessica is an excellent instructor with a big heart and personality. And my classmates are all nice and now we are all friends. It’s the people who makes the place great in the end. I love going to class at 8am at Yoga Mandala every weekend. Carmen RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Carmen: How did I end up at Yoga Mandala for YTT?
Covid was devastating, especially to the aviation industry I am working in for the past 7 years. It was the worst event ever in aviation history. I was shocked when the airline informed us that we can expect certain drastic actions in the coming days. I concluded that: 1. There is nothing I can do about the crisis. 2. So l move on, use the opportunity to explore things that I wanted to do. 3. Yoga was one of them. So I went Yoga school hunting. To be honest, my boyfriend did the work ?. He shared that based on his conversations with the schools, photos, locations and vibes, he suggested that we should pay Yoga Mandala a visit first although they are charging a premium. When we entered the school, meeting Alexis and observing an ongoing class, we both knew that this is definitely the right place to do YTT. Never looked back. Carmen RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Carmen: How I see Yoga before my YTT at Yoga Mandala
Confession. I came from a competitive gymnastic background, so I had no problems with most of the Yoga poses and sequences. I thought that was all Yoga was – Doing beautiful and stunning poses and sequences while the Yoga story and theories were just selling points. After I started the class, I realised my perspective of Yoga cannot be more wrong. 1. My gymnastic background is actually a disadvantage. My body is not listening to me or doing the small things right such as micro bending my knees instead of hyper extending. Later I realise that this poor habit of mine is the cause of my knee aches. I am only in my early twenties. 2. The Yoga theories and stories are most essential. They provide the reasons and explanations for the sequences and flows. And it requires a real Yoga guru to impart such knowledge. 3. Doing Yoga is not just an exercise. It is a lifestyle which I now embrace. Carmen RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
Simran: 13 Things I’ve Learned in 13 Weekends of YTT
We’re approaching the 13th weekend (!!!) of our YTT and what better way to wrap up my slew of blog posts with a summary of what I’ve learnt 😉 So, here’s 13 Things I’ve Learned in 13 Weekends of YTT. 1. Yoga seems peaceful and calm but it may very easily lead to injury so maintain your awareness and form in every pose. 2. The aim is never to just get into a pose; it’s always to manage to do a pose and maintain it with strength and not just momentum. 3. With regular and safe practice, even someone with scoliosis may be able to do the Wheel pose!! (shoutout to Xiao Hui!) 4. Inversions are likely to make you feel deliriously happy. 5. Your body is like your moods – everyday can be different, which means that one day you’d be able to do a challenging pose effortlessly and the next day it could be a huge struggle. 6. Some bodies are just not built to do certain poses, and that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It means you’re respecting your natural limits. 7. ‘Hands to heart centre’ may mean verrry different things to some people. 8. If you feel like tadasana (Mountain pose) is super easy to do, then you’re probably doing it wrong 😉 9. Yoga gives you dem gainzzz – I mean, yoga really strengthens your body and gives you defined muscles in places you’d never considered. 10. The trick to walking soundlessly in a silent yoga studio is to squeeze like you’re trying to control your pee. It works. 11. ‘Tuck’, ‘Depress’ and ‘Engage’ will become forever ingrained in your mind and soul. (Honorary mention for ‘externally rotate’) 12. Teaching a yoga class will surprisingly be one of the most fulfilling things you’ll ever get to experience. Just witnessing your students progressing so much in 1 short hour will be a beautiful memory. 13. Suddenly deciding to sign up for your YTT at The Yoga Mandala will be one of the best life decisions you’ll ever make. I know it’s mine. Thanks Jessica and Alexis, with all my heart and soul 🙂 I’ll miss the studio and my weekends with these 9 wonderful ladies (Nia the Graceful yet Sassy M***** M***** and my ultimate lunch buddy, Carmen with the bangin’ body and the most generous heart, Xiao Hui my fave impossible-achieving cutie with a hidden ~VuLgAr~ side, Preeti our resident fortune teller who loves all of our astrological signs, CP who’s one of the most giving and caring people I’ve ever met, Sylvia our handstand superstar whose RBF belies an unbelievably kind soul, Tinapabana my Russian sista from another mutha, Rachelle my bounce-loving walking yoga Google, Felicious the most accident-prone yet most-resilient) so much. I’m not crying, I just live in an Indian household where truckloads of onions are being peeled. *sob* Simran RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
