Yoga Workshop by Vincent Tam

Day one: Get into the groove with Flow Practice.

We begin with breathing exercises and discussing its benefits.Though some of the poses have been repeated by my previous workshop with a different master, i noticed each master has their own way of doing it. Different techniques have been shared which is very useful.


Far end is Master Vincent giving tips and instructions.






Lunges:

I like this one, it looks so easy, but if you do it incorrectly, you will get injured.You must imagine someone will sit on your back leg hamstring while you resist your leg to push upward and keep front knee perpendicular to big toe. In this pose you must also imagine,as if you stretch the mat apart while using finger tips, fully activated pressing against the mat,to give that uplifting feeling and reap all the benefits.




This was fun. Hand to big toe, standing balancing pose, while holding on to the shoulder of a partner for support.



Photo with Master William in pink shirt, organizer and owner of Om Place studio.

Day Two: Flying High Flow..

This includes various arm balances, headstands and handstands. Techniques on how to do it and how to spot. Fast paced flow interesting series of movement also been performed.









Reclining Hero. This is only applicable for those who are comfortable with the pose, fun too..



Master Vincent explaining, how to prevent wrist injury. One must focus on each finger path. A properly and evenly spread fingers on the mat is a must, while palms fully activated and put the weight on it. A nice soothing massage in partnering for the wrist to relax, after heavy arm practice is also been demonstrated.




Photo with Master Vincent in stripe(sitting) and Master Jac Fang my ex employer and Yoga mentor in long sleeve white. There is one thing i also enjoyed most in the workshop like this, its the chance to meet highly educated and good people around you. Meeting old friends and found new one.

So far, the workshop was a success and a very wholesome environment. Just like my other previous workshop, you are always been surrounded by friendly- low profile fellows. Stress free indeed. As what Yoga masters said, "A True Yogi, Never Show Arrogance In The face"..

My heartfelt gratitude, to first and foremost, Master William who organised the workshop. To Master Vincent who spend his time to fly Brunei, all the way from Kuala Lumpur just to share his knowledge and expertise..To Mr. Wu Chun, Fitness Zone director, my present employer who fully supported and sponsored us(together with co instructors) to attend to this event, thank you so much..

For more info about Master Vincent profile just click www.vincenttamyoga.com

Yoga Workshop July 2008

Yoga workshop for three days in Brunei organized by Jack Fang(RYT200) and Nora Rhaman (RYT200). Invited trainers is based from Singapore Tirisula Yoga Center. Master Paalu (RYT500) and Master Weiling (RYT500)..
I miss some of the workshop due to some class conflict, but at least i able to get two of it.

DAY ONE:
"The Arts and Science of Inversions". Its a four hours of non stop theory and practical exercises, which i end up really sore the next day.The more i attended workshops in Yoga the more i realized, how little knowledge i got. Yoga indeed a very broad subject. You will never learn it overnight. True benefits of inversions has been discussed, that made us all eager to do all headstand. A smile on the face of Master Paalu when one of us do headstand for the first time in her life..



This are some headstand variation, i lost some of the pics, camera memory was corrupted again..

Luckily i still have this, a group photo after the workshop with Master Paalu center in white and Master Jack in light blue sleeveless, end corner..

Group Photo with Master Weiling in Pink Center..

DAY TWO:
Power Yoga (Ashtanga) for another four hours theory and practical exercises. Hmmm Ive never been stretch that much for my entire life..Intense flow series of challenging poses lead by Master Weiling, she was really good.

This include an 8minutes group headstand which I'm not allowed to do it. Too bad my first day period came..i only stayed a second...

And spend time taking pictures only, thats a very sweet smile with Master Paalu, he is very charming and always put humor on his teaching..

OTHER DAYS:
Am not around with the Partner Yoga and twisting for ultimate health, I just stole some pics from Amani the "Lazy Turle"..



Really learn a lot from the workshop. That includes variations of arm balancers which i lost some pics, sun salutations and Pranayama really very interesting and lots of laughter too from Master Paalu's additional jokes.
My heartfelt gratitude for the organizers and Master trainers. We will be expecting another one perhaps on October. I will be pursuing my certificates in Yoga sooner with them. For further info or if you are interested to get your certificates just click www.tirisulayoga.com

NAMASTE..

My Yoga Workshop Moment

It was Sunday on the 4rth of November. I'm so excited preparing for my outfit, mat and a bottle of water. Wake up at 7a.m., still feeling drowsy from the midnight party, i really push myself thinking that aside from Danura's killer class, its my second Yoga workshop to attend with.
Dr. Yogitonmoy from India was invited by Zunic Wellness center to conduct a different types of Yoga workshop. Due to a hectic schedule, i was only able to attend one workshop, "A Journey from Pranayama to Dhayana through the Loknath Yogic System". Rushing to catch up the class, i arrived at sharp 8:00a.m.in Zunic and still able to get my spot on the 2nd row. He is already there waiting for some clients to come. I can easily recognize him, i saw his website.
Crossed-legged i sit on my mat and look around, saw some familiar faces, some are not and if I'm not mistake some are instructors. Before we start i was asked by Dr. Tonmoy , if I'm an instructor. I was tongue -tied for a seconds, considering I'm not alone in the room. Suddenly my voice echoed"Yes", but I'm more on Yogalates. Just new learner. And he asked again where did you learned it? Hesitated but with confident i answered" My boss Danurasana certified in Singapore". He nodded and proceed to asked again another guy from the last row. Only then i realized only me and that Chinese guy are new to his class.
He has this kind of look that seldom smile, more eye to eye contact and very observant. Clueless on what happens next, i saw everybody seemed very much ready for action, i became so conscious and a bit scared, that Yoga student was stronger, balanced and flexible than me. I wish i Just say I'm just a student. But at the back of my mind told me to "shut up Raquel"always remember Yogi is always positive, no insecurities or any other form of negative energies. So i stayed focus,calm and i smiled to the guy who sit next to me.
The workshop begins with a demonstration on Nostril cleansing or known as Sahajaa Jala Neti in Sanskrit. We are given a small plastic pot each, to experience on how to do it. Each pot will be filled with a warm salted water and we must insert the nozzle of the pot to one of our nostril to let the water pass from right nostril to the other. The procedure must be followed correctly and will repeat it to the next nostril. Its very refreshing afterward. According to him,it will help to manage body's natural mechanism against nasal infections such as, allergies, sinusitis and various upper respiratory complains like, sore throats, cough, inflammation of tonsils and it also helps relieve disorder related to eyes and ears. I think the idea is to prepare us to undergo Pranayama or known as breathing exercises.
After a long nonstop lecture about Pranayama, he told us that we are not actually doing any practical exercise. Well for me its okay but how i also wish we have one that day. But at least i don't have to be scared who among us are very good performer, it seemed some of the client as well are as surprised like me. Though the class was more on demonstration and learning unfamiliar words and terms its indeed very educational.
Its equivalent to 6hours lectures that i realize how little knowledge that i have about Yoga. Its very useful i learned that as Yogi, to master different poses on Yoga alone is not enough, one must also know the other side of it, the benefits, meaning of different terms, meaning of hand gestures,etc, and even meditation that we sometimes thought is useless, even to the different images and colors that we have seen it during and after meditation it has all meanings.Its too broad that i cant hardly summarize it. He gave us pamphlets for us to study on our own.
The class covers from the different techniques of Pranayama which includes, Surya Bheda, sitkari,Bhastrika, Bhramari and Ujjayi breathing to the different types of Meditation like concrete and abstract meditation. But there's only one thing that i never seen before, he called it, Uddiyana Bandha known as "abdominal Lock, where you pull the whole abdominal region towards the spine. Its like somewhat you will see a cave right at the center of your stomach. Amazing abdominal muscle contraction. Dr. Tonmoy demonstrate it with ease and confident like nothing for him, no wonder, he started Yoga at age 7, gosh thats really young. He said, it strengthen all abdominal organs, removes constipation, indigestion, diabetes, enlarge liver,depression and dullness.
I also like the candle gazing or known as Trataka in Sanskrit or known as the third eye meditation, where we need to close our eyes for 2 to 3 minutes, the place should not be very airy as the blow of air wont let the candle flame steady and night time is very ideal or any dark room will do. Sitting in meditative pose comfortably you should be at least 2to 3ft away from the candle. Then after 2Min's you will open your eyes and your gaze should go directly towards the candle, you can't blink until tears come out then you will close your eyes again.This time you are suppose to see different abstract images and colors. What you see will reflect on whats going on to your current life, whether you are stress or not or you are very focus type of person or not and many things.

After the workshop i feel fresh physically, mentally and spiritually. I therefore conclude that its TRUE, Yoga is a union of body, mind and soul. Namaste to Dr.Tonmoy for giving us that wonderful time, and thanks to Ikram for letting me copy of your notes.

Our Group photo, Dr. Tonmoy is on my left, visit www.yogitonmoy.page.tl for info