July 08

2

Inside 

JULY 2008 

DRISTI FUN 

Importan 

ant t Fun, un, 8 

Life is too important to be taken seriously. 

But how are we to inject fun into our lives, 

and what actually is fun? Frank shares his 

yoga and Buddhist perspectives. 

On a beach, under Wat 

ater er and 

Even en in a Tree 

ee, , 10 

The ever-playful Dylan shares his 

experiences making the most fun of yoga 

asana. 

Yoga and Fun, 12 

Paul explains how fun naturally arises when 

we practice vairagya or non-attachment. 

SPECIAL FEATURES 

KARMA YOGA, 13 Studio in Bali helps fund 

local orphanage. 

INTERVIEW WITH BHAGAVAN DAS, 14 You’ve 

probably heard his devotional chanting on 

yoga CDs in your studio. But who is 

Bhagavan Das and why is is famous? 

YOGA FOR THE HEART, 17 A Hong Kong 

teacher doing his part to introduce Bhakti 

yoga to the community. 

FOR TEACHERS, 19 Sara Avant Stover explains 

why it’s important to look good in the seat 

of the teacher. 

MT KAILASH, 30 First-hand account of a 

pilgrimage to this most sacred of 

mountains. 

REGULAR 

CONTRIBUTIONS 

NEWS, 5 

WORKSHOPS, 6 

TEACHER TRAININGS, 6 

RETREATS, 7 

YOGA 101, 24 

GEAR, 25 

WORKSHOP REVIEW, 27 

TEACHERS VOICE, 33 

BOOK REVIEW, 34 

RECIPES, 35 

AFFIRMATIONS, 37 

KIDS YOGA, 38 

HATHI YOGI, 38 

AYURVEDA, 39 

JUST FOR FUN, 40 

CROSSWORD, 44 

TEACHER & STUDIO LISTINGS, 47 

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 by Yoga Services Ltd, 

quarterly in January, April, July and October. 

We welcome unsolicited submissions, therefore 

the opinions expressed within these pages are 

not necessarily those of Yoga Services Ltd. 

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 Asia. 

For more information, to contribute or to order 

Namaskar, please contact: 

Frances, Editor at fgairns@netvigator.com / 

+ 852 9460 1967 

Jenny, Deputy Editor at 

jenthomas@netvigator.com /+852 9889 2022 

Deadline for October 2008 issue: 

September 15, 2008 

3

namaskar 

At first it sounded like a great idea for a dristi – fun. What could be easier? But when it came 

down to how to make this issue fun, it wasn’t so easy. At first I thought this meant I am 

not a very fun person, but later on I surmised that it’s just that we have fun in different 

ways. Personally it’s been fun seeing if I could get this issue out before our second child. 

(At the time of printing, we’re 12 days from the due date.) 

And after reading the articles by Frank, Dylan and Paul, you might guess what each of them 

thinks is fun would be quite different. But what all three are saying is that their lives are 

better when they inject some fun. Sure can be hard for some of us, but difficult and fun 

aren’t mutually exclusive. I think Pincha Mayurasana is as challenging as it is entertaining. 

But apologies all the same if this issue isn’t as funny as you imagined it’d be. Using 

‘farting’ on the cover was a cheap shot, admittedly, though there really is a short piece from 

Yoganaath Dileep on this important, and often amusing subject, and a long interview with 

Bhagavan Das by Clayton. 

Also in these pages are Charley’s article about taking yoga into the Balinese community, 

Sara’s advice to teachers on why it’s important to dress well, Elise’s journal of her 

pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash and lots more. Thanks, as always, to all the contributors, without 

whom Namaskar would not exist. 

Jon Witt (and his lovely locks) makes Bharadvajasana look easy on the cover. The photo is 

courtesy of Nigel Gregory, a photographer with a pretty funny and quirky sense of 

humour. You can view some of his outstanding work at www.ngstudio.net 

Whether your idea of fun is running barefoot on a beach with your children or attending a 

yoga retreat on your own, I hope this issue will inspire you to inject a bit of brevity into 

your practice and your life. Until October then, have lots of fun! 

FRANCES GAIRNS 

Editor 

SOMETHING TO SHARE? 

IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE YOGA COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG AND 

ELSEWHERE (WE DISTRIBUTE AROUND ASIA AND EVEN FURTHER AFIELD), PLEASE EMAIL 

4 

FGAIRNS@NETVIGATOR.COM

NEWS 

NEW DETOX & YOGA CENTRE 

OPENS IN THAILAND 

The Moroccan themed Absolute 

Sanctuary opened in Koh 

Samui, Thailand recently. The 

resort has 38 rooms, an infinity 

pool, organic vegetarian 

restaurant, comprehensive spa 

and yoga centre. 

Hong Kong’s most well 

established yoga centres. This 

non-profit organisation, Life 

Management Yoga Centre, 

which is run by Sangeeta and her 

husband Ramesh, moved to its 

current location at 35 Kimberley 

Road, Kowloon in 2001 and 

has been introducing yoga to 

students ever since. 

The Yoga Centre will offer Hot, 

Hatha, Yin and Vinyasa yoga 

classes daily and hold regular 

workshops, retreats and teacher 

training programmes. 

The resort is part of the 

Absolute Group, which is based 

in Bangkok, and has eight yoga 

studios in Thailand and two in 

Singapore. For more 

information visit 

www.absolutesanctuary.com 

A TRANQUIL SPACE AT THE YOGA ROOM 

advanced, The Yoga Room is 

proud to offer classes in Hatha, 

Ashtanga, ‘Yoga Kids’ program 

(ages 3-16), Sun Salutations, and 

Meditation, all taught by Yoga 

yoga and exercise facilities 

overlooking Victoria Harbour, 

mYoga’s second studio in Hong 

Kong and third in Asia opened 

in May. 

SANGEETA AHUJA FROM LIFE 

MANAGEMENT YOGA CENTRE 

SPECTACULAR BY NIGHT AND DAY - ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY 

THE YOGA ROOM OPENS IN 

SHEUNG WAN, HONG KONG 

The Yoga Room is a boutique 

yoga studio in the heart of 

Sheung Wan. Focusing on small 

classes & personalized 

instruction, the teachers of The 

Yoga Room radiate with 

warmth. All levels of 

practitioners are welcome. 

Featuring 30-60 minute classes 

designed for the beginner to the 

Alliance certified instructors. 

Private & corporate classes 

available. The Yoga Room also 

hosts a free Karma Meditation 

session every Saturday from 

12:30- 1 pm. One week trial pass 

for 80 HKD (adults only). Visit 

us at www.yogaroomhk.com or 

email info@yogaroomhk.com. 

MYOGA OPENS IN CAUSEWAY BAY, 

HONG KONG 

With over 25,000 square feet of 

The facility has three yoga 

studios in which Hatha, 

Ashtanga, Pilates, meditation, 

mY Hot, mY Stretch and Hot 

Stretch are taught. There is also a 

mY Energy studio for dance, 

cardio, body toning, Bollywood 

Dance, Belly Dance and MTV 

Moves. The fifth studio is for 50 

different stationary cycling 

classes. 

Members can make use 

complimentary Wi-Fi access, 

web surfing at the internet 

kiosks, a cozy members’ lounge 

with newspapers and 

magazines, and steam and sauna 

facilities. The studio is located at 

7 & 8/F World Trade Centre, 

280 Gloucester Road, Causeway 

Bay, Hong Kong. For more 

information, call (852) 2576 

9990. 

LIFE MANAGEMENT YOGA CENTRE 

CELEBRATES 10 YEARS 

What started out as yoga classes 

at Sangeeta Ahuja’s home back 

in 1998 has grown to be one of 

Life Management Yoga Centre 

follows the teachings laid down 

by Patanjali. Their practices teach 

students how to manage their 

minds first, then their bodies, 

after that to strengthen 

concentration and then focus on 

meditation. The Centre is an 

offshoot of The Yoga Institute 

in Mumbai, India, which was 

founded in 1918. For more 

information call (852) 2191 9651 

or visit www.yoga.org.hk 

5

WORKSHOPS 

DHEESAN YOGA STARTS AT PURE 

YOGA, HONG KONG 

Popular yoga teacher Sudhakar 

has started a new practice at Pure 

Yoga called Dheesan yoga. 

Dheesan means granted with 

intelligence, and as such the 

practice, while quite intense, 

focuses on the steps to achieving 

the postures, rather than the 

postures themselves. 

SUDHAKAR TEACHES AT PURE YOGA 

There are two levels, beginner in 

which students learn the 

fundamentals of yoga. Self 

correction and improving 

alignment to avoid injury are 

emphasized throughout. Then 

in the Intermediate class, 

students are led through an 

exhilarating and unusual 

flowing sequence combining 

forward bends, backbends, 

twists and balancing postures. 

The new combination of 

postures are supposed to lead 

students to come face to face 

with the limits of their own 

flexibility, courage and 

endurance. For more 

information, visit www.pureyoga.com 

SOULCENTRE PLANTS TREES FOR 

EARTH DAY 

The founders of SoulCentre in 

Singapore led a celebration of 

Earth Day 22 nd April by inviting 

people to join them to plant 

142 trees at Pasir Ris National 

Park, Singapore. Sally Forrest 

and Vikas Malkani were joined 

by people from Singapore, 

India, England, Germany, 

Malaysia, France, Japan, South 

Africa, Sweden, Philippines, 

America and Spain – making it a 

truly global initiative. 

As well as planting the trees, 

each participant donated S$200 

per tree, with many contributing 

multiple trees. For more 

information or to send your 

congratulation visit 

www.soulcentre.org or call (65) 

6738 4009 

FATHER JOE’S IYENGAR YOGA WORKSHOP, HONG KONG 

Joe Pereira is a Catholic priest and a Senior Iyengar Yoga teacher 

from Mumbai, India. He will be leading several workshops at the 

Iyengar Yoga Centre of Hong Kong 11 th – 15 th July. He is well 

known for his work with the needy. In the 1980’s, he worked in 

Calcutta with Mother Theresa. He began what is now India’s largest 

non-governmental charitable health organization, The Kripa 

Foundation. Although controversial at the time, he blended his 

Catholic faith with the practice of yoga and developed a powerful 

healing tool that he uses to help people of all faiths. 

The weekend workshop, Yoga An Inward Journey of Healing will 

be on Friday, 11 th July – Sunday, 13 th July and consist of 10 am – 1 

pm All Level Yoga Intensive and 4 – 6 pm Pranayama. On Monday, 

14 th July and Tuesday, 15 th July, he’ll lead Rehabilitation and Rescripting 

Broken Lives. Restorative yoga for people with Ailments 

from 10 am – 1 pm, on the Monday evening 7 – 9 pm he’ll talk on 

Yoga for Healing Additions and HIV AIDS, on the Tuesday 

evening at the same time, he’ll lead Yoga and mediation (for all 

faiths). All morning sessions are HK$600 and afternoon/evening 

sessions are HK$500. 

For more information info@iyengaryogahongkong.com, call (852) 

2541 0401or visit www.iyengaryogahongkong.com 

THE FIVE ELEMENTS PROCESS, HONG KONG 

Swathi Maa will be introducing India’s highest self-healing system 

at the New Age Shop, Old Bailey Street 14 th July, 7:15 – 9:45 pm. 

The aim of the system is to purify the body, mind and soul. She 

will also offer tools to release negative energy created in ourselves or 

taken on from others. The cost is HK$650, or HK$500 if paid by 

10 th July. For more information, swathimaa@mailworks.org 

MOTHER-CHILD SOUL CONNECTION, HONG KONG 

How Mothers can Heal, Protect & Enlighten their Children is the 

subtitle of the second workshop led by Swathi Maa this month at 

6 

TEACHER 

TRAININGS 

JAMES BROWN AT MYOGA, HONG 

KONG 

Yoga Works and mYoga teams 

up for a fourth time to offer a 

200-hour teacher training 2 nd 

July – 17 th August at mYoga’s 

Mong Kok studio. Led by Yoga 

Works trainer James Brown, the 

part-time course will cover: 

theory and practice of yoga; yoga 

philosophy and; theory and 

practice of teaching. 

The course costs HK$24,000 

and will take place on 

Wednesday 7 – 9 pm, Thursdays 

& Fridays 7 – 11 pm and 

Saturdays & Sundays 9 am – 6 

pm. For more information 

email jeangoh@myoga.com.hk 

PREPARING TO TEACH WITH 

PATRICK CREELMAN, HONG KONG 

The Foundation, Preparing to 

Teach takes place at Pure Yoga’s 

studio in the Peninsula Office 

Tower, 14 th July – 9 th August. It 

is a four-week, full-time course 

in which students will be 

introduced to the fundamental 

skills necessary to teach. It covers 

yoga asana in the tradition of 

Anusara yoga, philosophy, 

Sanskrit, and Ayurveda and 

meets all Yoga Alliance

RETREATS 

the New Age Shop on Old Bailey Street. This one on 23 rd July, 7:15 

– 9:45 pm, will give mothers an understanding of some ancient 

techniques for making their children powerful, successful and 

capable souls in the world, while being a mother with greater ease 

and wisdom. For more information swathimaa@mailworks.org 

FLOW WITH SEANE CORN, TAIPEI & HONG KONG & SINGAPORE 

US-based Prana vinyasa teacher, Seane Corn will be at Pure Yoga in 

Taipei, Tsim Sha Tsui and Ngee Ann City 24 th – 27 th July, 28 th – 31 st 

July and 1 st – 4 th August respectively. Her dynamic flowing style has 

made her one of the sought-after teachers in the US. She will be 

leading three different classes at each city: Detox Flow Intensives, 

Chakra Flow and The Body and Beyond. For more information, 

www.pure-yoga.com 

ANUSARA YOGA WORKSHOP, JAKARTA 

Kris Nelson is back at Yoga@42 Degrees in Jakarta, Indonesia , 

this time for a workshop and teacher immersion level II called 

Awareness & Bliss. 2 nd – 3 rd August, he’ll be leading a weekend 

workshop including meditation (9 – 10 am for $15) and mixed level 

asana (10 am – noon for $25 and 1 – 4 pm for $35). Students can 

attend the full workshop for $120 if paid before 15 th July or $135 if 

paying thereafter. For more information, www.bikramyogajakarta.com 

FORREST YOGA, HONG KONG 

Jonathan Bowra will lead a one-day continuing education session 

and a weekend workshop in the style of Forrest Yoga at Pure 

Yoga’s Tsim Sha Tsui studio 28 th – 30 th August. For more 

information, www.pure-yoga.com 

FREE WORKSHOPS, HONG KONG 

Hansaji Yogendra, the Director of The Yoga Institute, India will be 

visiting Hong Kong offering a series of free yoga workshops 13 th – 

14 th September from 2 – 6 pm. They will be taking place at the Kai 

Fong Association Hall in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. For more 

information, (852) 2191 9651 or www.yoga.org.hk 

certification requirements. For 

more information visit 

www.pure-yoga.com 

ANUSARA TEACHER IMMERSION II, 

JAKARTA 

From 4 th – 8 th August (9 am – 

noon and 1 – 4 pm), Kris 

Nelson will lead those who have 

(preferably) completed the Level 

I Immersion in a five-day course 

delving deeply into the Universal 

Principles of Alignment, 

Anusara’s Tantric Vision of 

Intrinsic Goodness and the 

major teachings of the Yoga 

Sutras. The course costs $525 (or 

$540 if paying after 15 th July) 

and includes an Anusara 

Teaching Training Manual. For 

more information visit 

www.bikramyogajakarta.com 

MICHAEL BESNARD AT YOGA MALA, 

HONG KONG 

Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga 

ANUSARA RETREAT, INDONESIA 

Just 80 minutes by fast boat 

from Jakarta is Pulau Macan and 

the Tiger Island Village and Eco 

Resort – the venue for a retreat 

8 th – 9 th August hosted by Kris 

Nelson a certified Anusara 

teacher who views the yoga 

studio as a spiritual playground 

that invites exploration. The 

cost is just $50 and includes 

yoga, meals and transportation. 

For more information call (62) 

21 719 7379, email 

hotyogajakarta@yahoo.com or 

www.bikramyogajakarta.com 

VITALITY & FLOW, BALI 

Join Australian teachers Vanessa 

Rudge and Michael Daly for a 

nine-day retreat, 22 nd – 31 st 

August in Ubud. The practice 

will predominantly be vinyasa 

flow mixed with silent 

meditation. Pranayama practice 

will also be offered. For more 

information, 

www.beingyoga.com.au 

SURYA RETREAT, BALI 

Heal, relax and recharge with 

Swathimaa and Raymond Prohs 

in Bali, 1 st – 8 th September at Bali 

Surya, integrated Ayurveda, 

health and nature resort. Retreat 

includes three hours of daily 

teacher Michael Besnard will lead 

at 200-hour teacher training 11 th 

October – 30 th November at 

Yoga Central in Hong Kong. 

This eight-week Yoga Alliance 

certified course is perfect for the 

dedicated student with at least 

two years of experience. For 

more information, call (852) 

2511 8892, visit 

www.yogasana.com.hk or email 

info@yogasana.com.hk 

group meditation, private 

healings, evening satsang, 

Indian fire ceremony, daily yoga 

classes, five Ayurvedic 

treatments, eco-trekking, temple 

and hot springs visits, three 

vegetarian meals daily, morning 

sailing with dolphins. The cost 

is HK$17,800 (US$2,280) for 

single accommodation in private 

bungalow, excluding airfare. For 

more information swathimaa@ 

mailworks.org 

WOMEN’S YOGA AND MEDITATION 

RETREAT, THAILAND 

Planning ahead? Consider Sara 

Avant Stover and Ouyporn 

Kournkaew’s Anusara-Inspired 

Yoga and Insight Meditation 

retreat 17 th – 29 th January 2009 in 

Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

This is the fifth annual yogini 

gathering. The schedule consists 

of two meditations (led by 

Dharma teacher and retreat 

center owner Ouyporn 

Kournkaew), two Anusara- 

Inspired yoga sessions (led by 

Sara Avant Stover), three organic 

vegetarian meals, dharma talks, 

walks in nature, small group 

discussions, some evening films 

and plenty of personal time on 

your own. Located in a rural 

village just 40 minutes outside 

of Chiang Mai, the retreat center 

offers peace, quiet and good 

company. For more 

information, visit website 

www.fourmermaids.com 

7

DRISTI FUN 

Importan 

ant t Fun 

Frank Jude Boccio 

Angels take themselves lightly; 

that’s why they can fly. 

Years ago. Many years ago! I was a music 

critic living and working in New York City, 

covering mainly non-mainstream forms of 

music, from the avant-garde jazz of such 

musicians as The Revolutionary Arts 

Ensemble, Sun Ra and the Cosmic Space 

Arkestra and the Art Ensemble of Chicago 

to the then new music of composers such 

as Philip Glass, Glen Branca and Rhys 

Chatham as well as the burgeoning punk 

Could living mindfully 

be approached in a 

spirit of fun? 

scene and such bands as The Dead Boys, 

Richard Hell and the Voidoids and 

Television. One day I wrote an article that 

attempted to summarize something I felt 

all these different forms of music had in 

common and we called the article 

“Important Fun.” When Frances told me 

the Drishti for this issue of Namaskar was 

going to be “Fun,” I couldn’t resist recycling 

that title! 

Not so long ago, at a family retreat led by 

Thich Nhat Hanh, a young child asked 

Thich Nhat Hanh, “What do you do for 

fun?” Thay looked genuinely puzzled at 

first, and then said, “Everything I do is 

fun.” We all laughed of course, 

but as usual, the Zen Master 

was trying to point out an 

important lesson for those of 

us who could hear it. Is it possible that 

sitting and walking meditation could be 

“fun?” Could living mindfully be 

approached in a spirit of fun? Perhaps even 

more importantly, might Thay be telling us 

that practice should in some way be fun? 

The article I wrote years ago was prompted 

by the release of the first album by The 

Clash, and what I had then attempted to say 

was that what all this non-mainstream “new 

music” had in common was that it had 

something important to say to those with 

the ears to hear. And, that as important as 

its message might be, it didn’t have to be 

taken somberly or overly seriously. We could 

enjoy the music and have fun listening and 

dancing to it, not in spite of it’s importance, 

but as an element of its importance. Like the 

old adage says, “Life is too important to be 

taken seriously.” 

A friend recently wrote me an e-mail, and at 

the bottom was written, “Angels take 

themselves lightly; that’s why they can fly.” 

It reminded me of something I heard Pema 

Chodron say once, that awakening is also 

known as “en-lighten-ment” and that 

means we should “lighten up.” After all, if 

yoga practice is meant to free us from the 

delusion of self: what Patanjali calls asmita, 

(the sense of “I-am-ness”) then taking 

ourselves seriously is a major cause of 

duhkha and perpetuates the false sense of 

separation and alienation. 

I think that there is nothing more 

important than waking up from our 

delusion that we are separate beings, 

existing autonomously like little isolated 

monads living our lives apart from the 

totality. AND, taking ourselves seriously, 

and all that happens to us personally, are 

among the fundamental mistakes that keep 

us in the delusion of bondage! So I have 

found that the ability to laugh at our foibles 

is a very important form of practice. 

Whether I am sitting in formal meditation, 

or simply being mindful of the thoughts 

floating through this mind I call “mine,” I 

am amazed at how crazy the show can be. If 

I don’t resist and attempt to suppress it, 

AND if I don’t grasp and cling to it, it can 

all be fairly entertaining! I find myself 

sometimes wondering, “Where does all this 

stuff come from! I couldn’t make this stuff 

up if I tried!” 

Some dictionary meanings of the word 

“fun,” seem more relevant to practice than 

others. For instance, “enjoyment; 

something that provides amusement; 

whimsical; playfully; play” all seem to point 

to an attitude we can find in practice if we 

don’t take ourselves too seriously. Meanings 

such as “diversion; violent and excited 

activity; tomfoolery; jest” and “nonsense” 

seem less relevant – unless of course one is 

speaking about the contents of one’s mind! 

8

When practicing asana, for instance, I have 

found that maintaining a “lightness of 

mind” around asana – especially the more 

challenging, difficult postures, actually 

allows me to enjoy the process whether I 

“successfully” attain the desired goal or not. 

It’s also true that with that “lightness of 

mind” I often do in fact attain the full 

manifestation of the posture with the ease 

and stability Patanjali encourages whereas if 

I strain or have tension in my mind, I am 

almost guaranteed to “fail.” 

Of course, there is a lot of muscular effort 

in the performance of much asana practice, 

but the release of effort and the sense of 

relaxation that Patanjali speaks about in 

Book Two, Sutra 47 can still be applied to 

our mind and our mental approach to even 

the most challenging and difficult posture. 

As far as I am concerned, this greater 

flexibility and ease of mind is even more 

valuable than any greater flexibility I may 

develop in my body. 

It is with this understanding of practice, 

that I encourage my students to “play” in 

the posture, rather than “work” in it or 

through it. This sense of play can help free 

us from the attachment to the outcome, 

and invites us to pay attention to the 

process. In a challenging and deeply 

thought-provoking book called, Finite and 

Infinite Games, philosopher James P. Carse 

tells us that there are at least two kinds of 

games: “A finite game is played for the 

purpose of winning, an infinite game for 

the purpose of continuing the play.” 

Finite games requires that there be winners 

and losers. In a finite game, the game comes 

to an end when someone wins. Finite 

games require definite boundaries in time 

and space. Infinite games are open-ended. 

Infinite game players may also “win” and 

“lose” but this “winning” and “losing” are 

in the service of continuing the play, not in 

ending it. Infinite games are played for the 

enjoyment of the playing. They are about 

the process. 

Living a yogic life, for me, is playing an 

infinite game (lila or “divine play”) and with 

mindfulness, the dynamic process is itself 

of value. While there may be a “goal,” even 

that goal is not grasped as a final “state” but 

as the continuing process of awakening. It’s 

like the concept of “balance.” If we think 

“balance” is some final state to achieve, we 

are caught in concept and lose the reality. 

Stand in Vrikshasana (Tree) and see for 

yourself. Your standing foot is continually 

making subtle (and sometimes not so 

subtle!) adjustments. There is in fact no 

such thing as “balance,” but there is the 

process of “balancing!” If we “lighten up” 

our approach, and let go of the notion of 

attaining some final state of “balance,” we 

can enjoy the playful process of “balancing.” 

The twin concepts of abhyasa and vairagya are 

pertinent here. All yogic action involves the 

braided actions of continued applied effort 

and the letting go of attachment. In 

meditation, we 

observe the 

object of 

meditation, 

whether it is your 

breath or mantra or 

some other object. When the mind 

wanders, we notice the wandering and 

gently return to the object of meditation. 

And then we repeat these simple steps 

billions of times! If there is irritation and 

frustration, self-judgment and 

recrimination, this makes meditation terribly 

painful. This is all effort (abhyasa) and no 

letting-go (vairagya). This makes a chore of 

meditation – and a painful one at that! With 

vairagya, we cultivate “lightening up” and 

find we can enjoy the process. Freedom is 

not contingent on any conditions. It is here 

and now or nowhere and never! 

If we think “balance” is some final state 

to achieve, we are caught in concept 

and lose the reality. 

Freedom and happiness are not found in 

some future time or other place. They are 

found here/now and here/now is always 

changing. My hope is that you may find real 

pleasure and real fun in this most important 

matter of life and death, the real field of 

yogic action (kriya-yoga). 

Frank is an Interfaith 

Minister, Yoga-Dharma 

teacher and author of 

Mindfulness Yoga: The 

Awakened Union of 

Breath, Body and Mind. 

frankjude@ 

mindfulnessyoga.net 

9

DRISTI FUN 

On a Beach, under Water and Even in a Tree 

Dylan Haddock 

Fun is one of the key aspects of yoga that 

got my interest the first time as a child of 

about six years of age. Then again at 14 and 

until now fun has remained one of the 

things that keeps me at it. I love the fun of 

interacting with other teachers and students. 

AcroYoga and partner yoga are a lot fun. I 

incorporate a little laughter yoga in my 

classes sometimes which gets people to 

enjoy themselves. Yoga poses done in a 

class setting are a great health support and a 

lot of fun. They are also great to take on the 

road. I will share a few of the fun 

experiences I’ve with yoga poses off the 

mat. 

I was hitch-hiking in Hawaii and while I 

was waiting I did a few handstands there 

on the side of the road, as I had only 

recently learned how to stick it for a few 

seconds. Shortly thereafter a man stopped 

and offered me a ride and said it was only 

because I was doing a handstand that he 

stopped. He also hired me a driver for a day 

or two. 

I’ve taken the handstand and learned it on a 

skateboard as well. Skateboarding has been 

a passion since I was about 11. Partly I got 

into yoga to help heal my body from 

imbalances resulting from practicing 

stubbornly on only one side of the 

skateboard. Sometimes to change it up I do 

a few handstands or other hand balances, 

like crow pose on the board and really enjoy 

the fun of moving on the hands. 

DYLAN CATCHES UP ON CURRENT AFFAIRS WHILE IN PADMASANA 

While living on Koh Lanta, Thailand, I 

went out on this great floating dock and 

did a nice back bend into a back dive into 

the ocean. That was a lot of fun. Crow/ 

crane pose is a nice entry pose into bodies 

of water from a ledge. Lotus pose in the 

ocean is fun. Summersaults in the water are 

faster. Apparently fish pose is called the fish 

pose because you can do it in water and 

float. I like that. I’ve tried and if you turn it 

upside down, it’s quite nice for swimming. 

Of course handstands are easier in the 

water, except for the breathing. I also went 

into lotus at the bottom of a pool with 

scuba gear on. 

Sandy beaches are fun, because a) you don’t 

get hurt if you fall and b) you can push the 

10

sand away and/or pile it up on top to add 

support. 

When out dancing, yoga is great with the 

other movement and will always draw forth 

some oohs and aahs. As well it will help 

keep you limber and full of vitality 

throughout the dancing. 

Yoga with partners is great as there are so 

many more possibilities when working 

together. It’s also a great way to have joy in 

headstand there once or twice. 

Adding the fun of creativity might be 

another way to entice yourself to practice. 

The added excitement of being at a little 

more risk might appeal to more of the 

men. Crow on a high ledge is a great 

adrenaline boost and way of building 

confidence! 

By exploring in this way I’ve discovered 

some new pose abilities that I likely 

the fun of creativity might be another way to 

entice yourself to practice 

play reminiscent of childhood. I’ve heard 

actually one of the main reasons adults have 

more disease is due to a lack of play. 

Trees can make good partners too. Yoga in 

trees is fantastic as you can reach out to all 

sorts of new angles. Having good flexibility 

and strength helps a lot when climbing 

trees. 

In Bangkok there is a place where they 

manufacture snow, and it’s fun to go 

tobogganing there. It was fun to sit in lotus 

and slide down the hill in my sled. Lotus is 

also good for sitting atop small platforms 

reminiscent of how the lotus sits on top of 

the long stem. It’s quite comfortable for 

sitting in the crown of trees too. Once I 

entered a contest for the most interesting 

place reading a particular newspaper and I 

hung upside down in a tree with my two 

legs supported by branches. 

wouldn’t have seen otherwise.The extra fun 

and challenge excites and satisfies me in 

ways different to poses on a mat. 

So go out and find yourself a new partner if 

you feel inspired, be it a skateboard, a friend, 

a horse, an elephant, a wall, or tree. Imagine 

the possibilities. 

Dylan is a Canadian, 

living and teaching yoga 

in Koh Lanta, Thailand. 

Airplanes, believe it or not, can be a lot of 

fun. I’ve been in camel and rabbit pose in 

my seat. After that success I had to try at 

two legs behind the head in my seat. I 

started feeling a little self conscious at that 

point. The place by the toilet can be good 

for stretching as well, and I’ve done the 

11

DRISTI FUN 

Yoga and Fun 

Paul Dallaghan 

“Don’t be serious, be sincere” is a comment uttered many times by my teacher, Sri O. P. 

Tiwari. To me this cuts to the heart of the matter! Getting serious darkens the mood and 

heavies the process, but just playing isn’t beneficial. So be light and open, but keep yourself 

fully involved and committed to the process. 

Do we have to create the fun or does it arise spontaneously? To be non-attached yet 

committed can leave you with a feeling of lightness and perhaps joyfulness. Play and have 

fun with what you’re doing but not at the expense of integrity. 

The balance between 

fun and integrity is 

quite tricky. 

Too often we are attached to doing the best pose or achieving a new pose. We want 

something to happen. When it doesn’t, which is inevitable under these circumstances, we 

are disappointed. Suddenly it’s become all too serious. But to be free of the outcome is at 

the heart of yoga. There will be an outcome anyway. We cannot ultimately control it, so we 

should just do our best and surrender to what will be. Stay light, but never stop putting in 

your best effort. 

The balance between fun and integrity is quite tricky. Maturity is required to achieve this. 

Teachers must find the balance to hold a class that is enjoyable and fun, as well as tuned 

into the subtle points, guiding the student internally. One way is to play with or have fun 

with a few of the asanas at a point in class. Everyone laughing and enjoying it. Then let it 

wind down to a more internal practice. 

Free yourself from desiring a specific outcome 

and enjoy what you are doing in the moment. 

I have found yoga help me lose self-consciousness. To be able to laugh at yourself is a 

major step. You just tried an asana and it collapsed, you fell on your face! Have a laugh. 

Who cares? No need for embarrassment or self-scolding, but do get up and try again. 

When you laugh all the muscles of the body lighten up, tension decreases and that will help 

you practice. 

Vairagya, the practice of non-dependence or non-attachment, should automatically result in 

joy and fun in what you are doing. Now that you are not dependent on a specific outcome 

to be happy, the process itself fulfils. The 

more attached you are to an outcome or 

gaining in some way the darker practice 

becomes and the fun disappears. 

Patanjali offers a classic “cure” to such an 

ailment in “pratipaksha bhavanam”. If ever you find yourself getting serious, the mind 

getting dark, then apply the opposite. 

If you notice yourself serious and attached to how you want your practice or something in 

life to turn out, then turn it around and ask, “what’s the worst case scenario? “what would 

happen if it doesn’t work out?” 

Free yourself from desiring a specific outcome and enjoy what you are doing in the 

moment. Laugh at yourself along the way, don’t take yourself too seriously, be light but 

committed. The gift of yoga is that if done properly it ultimately brings a deep lasting 

inner joy, even greater than fun. 

12 

Paul is the director of 

Centered Yoga Institute 

& Yoga Thailand. 

www.centeredyoga.com, 

www.yoga-thailand.com

KARMA YOGA 

The Fun of Giving 

Charley Patton 

Want to experience true joy? Teach “Simon Says” yoga to a group 

of Balinese orphans! Simon says, “Touch your nose!” Simon says, 

“Touch your toes!” 

The Balispirit Yoga Barn in Ubud has teamed up with Yayasan 

Widya Guna (Foundation for Children’s Education); an orphanage 

The Yoga Barn events netted US$2,000 for Ketut, which is going 

towards a $17,000 budgeted project to build the children a new 

shelter, complete with bunk beds, proper mattresses, pillows and 

blankets (currently the children are sleeping on mats on the floor). 

The heart chakras opened, and so did the spirit to give. Yayasan 

Widya Guna & The Yoga Barn will continue to work together until 

his shelter is built, and beyond. Simon says “Touch your heart!” 

NEW YOGA STUDENTS IN BALI 

that houses and educates a group of 68 children, many of them 

formerly homeless, from all over the island. 

The Yayasan is operated by Ketut Sadia, a Hindu priest, and his 

wife, Nyoman. I was introduced to Ketut and together we hoped 

to bridge the divide between the Balinese expat community and the 

needs of his orphanage. 

I was simply overwhelmed with the project he had taken on. When 

I first walked into the orphanage, I was immediately surrounded by 

bright, happy, well-fed faces, all of whom were just so eager for 

learning and attention. I knew we had a match. And these kids just 

love yoga! 

For more information on 

Yayasan Widya Guna: 

www.winsproject.org 

For more information on The 

Yoga Barn: 

www.theyogabarn.com 

For more information on 

Balispirit: www.balispirit.com 

Charley 

lives and 

teaches 

yoga in Bali 

Ketut and I brainstormed about how we could use The Yoga Barn 

to raise awareness and funds to support his cause. The result was 

two fundraising kirtan events, one of which featured Californiabased 

kirtan band Larissa Stow and Shakti Tribe. Both events had 

the children perform an opening dance ceremony in full Balinese 

dress, accompanied by a children’s gamelan orchestra. Shiva Rae, 

who was in town with a Yoga Teacher Training for Balispirit, also 

attended and brought with her 40 students. 

KETUT SADIA OF YAYASAN WIDYA 

GUNA ORPHANAGE 

13

INTERVIEW 

Bhakti yogi, 

Bhagavan Das 

Clayton Horton 

BHAGAVAN DAS 

Celebrated American bhakti yogi, Bhagavan Das gained worldwide attention and fame 

from the publication of “Be Here Now,” the well-known “DIY guide to enlightenment.” 

The book documents Richard Alpert’s transformation into Ram Dass through an initial 

encounter with Bhagavan Das, who ultimately brought him to his guru, Maharaji. 

Bhagavan Das has been a primary figure in the spreading of yoga in the West. He has 

recorded several classic devotional chanting albums. His memoir, “It’s Here Now, Are 

You?” emphasizes the necessity of personal effort to attain spiritual riches. While on tour 

in San Francisco, this interview was held in the library of the Yoga Society of San Francisco 

Brahmananda Ashram, a shrine dedicated to Swami Brahmananda Sarasvati Udanisa. 

14 

BHAGAVAN, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT 

BHAKTI YOGA? 

Bhagavan: Bhakti Yoga is the union with 

God as pure love and devotion. It is 

completely sharing that love in a space of 

suchness of reality through the heart, 

sound, voice and breath. Bhakti Yoga is

emembering the divine 

through chanting the divine 

name, your whole life. It is 

turning everything into pure 

love, letting everything become 

devotion. 

Bhakti Yoga is bowing down at 

the alter of the sincere tear. It 

means really feeling that tear and 

going into the experience of that 

love. It is really going into the 

feeling of the feeling which 

connects us to the heart. 

To practice Bhakti yoga, the first 

step is to turn away from that 

ongoing mantra that everybody 

is chanting called “look at me” 

and turn that to “look at God”. 

When you turn it to “look at 

God”, your attitude is different. 

You are not drawing energy and 

attention to yourself. It is not 

wanting to be seen. It is wanting 

others to See and loving others 

completely. So it’s like letting 

yourself listen to be more 

present with others, rather than 

drawing energy to yourself and 

burning out on the ego. The ego 

trip destroys people, as wee see 

with our celebrities. Once this 

attitude is changed to ‘look at 

God,’ then all of our energy is 

directed to that reality. Then 

everyone we come in contact 

with, we inspire them to connect 

with the divine reality. 

IN YOUR BOOK AND WORKSHOPS, 

YOU STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF 

PUTTING A FACE ON THE VOID. CAN 

YOU EXPLAIN THIS PROCESS? 

Bhagavan: The void is so void 

and so empty, worshipping 

God in the impersonal is a very 

difficult path such as Zen or 

Advaita Vedanta, the path of 

Ramana Maharishi, because the 

path of the impersonal takes a 

tremendous amount of tapasia 

(disciplined, strenuous and 

purifying spiritual practice) to 

achieve. One must be willing to 

go into retreat for years on end. 

Ramana Maharishi sat in a cave 

for years to really be able to 

renounce this world and go 

into that level of sadhana 

(spiritual practice) to worship 

the impersonal and really get 

something out of it spiritually. 

The snake is God, traveling 

across the rock in the sun. 

When the snake stops moving, 

that is the formless, the 

impersonal. That is the stillness 

of Shiva. And when the snake 

starts to wiggle and move, that 

is shakti. That is form. 

While we are in form, we love 

form. We are here in the world. 

If you put a face on the void, 

then you are able to worship 

and find devotion. That’s why 

Krishna and the Divine Mother 

are ideal for the Bhaktas; 

because there is a face we can 

worship. We can see the Mother 

in the tree and rock, mountain, 

sunset and in the beauty of the 

Ganga, right? This type of 

worship is possible for 

everyone. 

What if we are going down to 

get a wonderful cup of coffee 

and we actually worship the cup 

of coffee as Annapurna? 

(Goddess of food and 

sustenance) And if we worship 

our food as Annapurna and if I 

carry that attitude in my 

consciousness, when I eat this 

food, I will receive that shakti 

of Annapurna. See what I’m 

getting at? Rather than, oh, just 

another piece of toast, just 

another cup of tea. Follow? 

Each sip of tea is going to be 

infused with divine shakti 

because of my attitude. 

We come to an alter in this 

ashram, these are just an old 

pair of shoes. Are they really 

just another pair of shoes? Did 

God wear these shoes? Did a 

living Saint wear these shoes? 

Of course, and when we touch 

these shoes with devotion and 

we bow to the guru, its all 

gurus. Follow? This is all the 

swamis, saints and gurus in 

India. We get the full flow of all 

that energy. This is Ananda Mai 

Ma, Sri Ma, this is Neem Karoli 

Baba. Do you get what I’m 

saying? With form, we are really 

able to connect deeply. The 

personal and impersonal are 

one. They are not separate. This 

is the key realization. 

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT 

YOUR GURU NEEM KAROLI BABA? 

Bhagavan: Maharaji Neem 

Karoli Baba was the biggest 

golden ball of love you’d ever 

meet in your life. The energy 

around him was such profound 

love. There was no mind. It was 

as if there was “nobody home.” 

There was no mind like a 

ordinary human being, none. It 

seemed like he was completely 

one with God; and that God 

just shined forth from the pores 

of his skin and light just poured 

off around him. Somehow he 

truly broke through into that 

reality. He was the living Golden 

Ram. 

YOU WERE IN INDIA FROM 1965- 

1971. YOU JUST TRIED TO RETURN 

FOR THE FIRST TIME AND 

IMMIGRATION DID NOT LET YOU 

INTO THE COUNTRY. WAS THIS A 

15

BUMMER? 

Bhagavan: No, it was not a 

bummer, I totally surrendered 

to it. I had my darshan. I went to 

the airport and was greeted by 

the police. They escorted me out 

of India. No problem, I was 

very happy. I surrendered and 

accepted that my work is in 

America. My work is not in 

India. I have already been there. 

I have done it, you know? And 

the India I lived in, the India 

without television, cell phones 

and internet, the portal is closed 

on that time and space and so I 

am very happy be back in 

America and I surrender to my 

country and my people. I want 

to be here now to love you guys 

and be here for you. That’s why 

I am here, not there. 

YOU ARE IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR 

THE BHAKTI YOGA SUNSPLASH, 

CELEBRATING THE 40 TH 

ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUMMER 

OF LOVE IN WHICH GEORGE 

HARRISON CHANTED HARE 

KRISHNA IN GOLDEN GATE PARK. 

ARE YOU PLEASED WITH HOW 

SPIRITUALITY IN THE WEST IS 

EVOLVING? IS THERE ANYTHING 

THAT WE ARE MISSING? 

Bhagavan: Yeah, we’re missing 

more saints. We’re missing 

sadhus and enlightened beings. 

People need to practice more. 

We need more sadhana. We need 

to really get down on it more. 

We need to really work harder 

and get off this money and sex 

trip that is distracting and 

hypnotizing everyone into a 

comfortable slumber. People 

need to step it up and get 

involved in the world. We really 

stopped the Vietnam war with 

activism and involvement. 

People today are too 

complacent. We need GOD: Go 

On Duty. I love America, but 

16 

I’m shocked at how America has 

gone. We have been roaring and 

speeding towards this brick wall 

and it has really come upon us 

with the war in Iraq and with the 

state of the environment. It is 

time for young people to rise up 

and take back what is theirs. 

YOU ARE A DEVOTEE OF THE 

DIVINE MOTHER. WHAT IS YOUR 

TAKE ON GREEN YOGA AND THE 

ECO SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT? 

Bhagavan: The Divine Mother is 

Mother Nature. She is the 

Goddess of form. Honoring 

and respecting all of creation is 

devotion to the Mother. We 

need to start loving and 

respecting women more. We 

need to start playing out our 

individual part in caring for the 

environment by being 

responsible and accountable by 

recycling and consuming less; but 

the bigger thing we can do is to 

see through the nature of our 

minds. We need to work with 

our minds and our negative and 

toxic emotions to purify 

ourselves. This means looking at 

ourselves straight on and dealing 

with our greed, lust, anger, 

jealousy, ignorance and fear. Go 

into these energies and 

transform them. This is the way 

we can really make a difference. 

Jai Ma! 

To learn more about Bhagavan 

Das, www.bhagavandas.com 

Clayton is the director of 

Greenpath Yoga Studio in San 

Francisco. 

www.greenpathyoga.org 

Wikipedia on Bhagavan Das 

Bhagavan Das (born Kermit Michael Riggs in Laguna Beach, 

California on May 17, 1945) and also known by Anagorika Dharma 

Sara within the Buddhist community, is a Western Yogi who lived 

for six years in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. He is a singer and 

teacher. 

Bhagavan Das, or Baba as he is affectionately known by devotees 

and friends, is a Bhakti Yogi, Shakta Tantra adept, and traveling 

teacher of Nada Yoga. As a young man he was the first Western 

initiate/devotee of the late Hindu saint Neem Karoli Baba, as well 

as the first American to meet Kalu Rinpoche of the Shangpa 

Kargyupas lineage. He has received Vajra Yogini initiation from His 

Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje of the 

Karma Kagyu lineage and Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the 11 th 

Trungpa Tulku. 

During the almost seven years he spent years as a wandering ascetic 

in India and Nepal he received numerous intiations and teachings 

from living saints and sages including Swami Chaitanya 

Prakashananda Tirtha, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Sri Anandamoyi 

Ma, and Tarthang Tulku of the Dudjom Rinpoche lineage. 

Bhagavan Das is perhaps most widely known for being the 

individual who guided renowned spiritual teacher Ram Dass, also 

known as Dr. Richard Alpert, throughout India, and introduced 

him to his guru. 

As a young man Bhagavan Das shot to fame in the West after being 

featured in Ram Dass’ spiritual classic “Be Here Now.” Now, at age 

62, he travels widely throughout the world as an ecstatic performer 

of traditional and non-traditional Indian bhajans and kirtans.

BHAKTI YOGA 

Yoga for the Hear 

art 

Yoganaath Dileep 

There are four main paths of yoga. The first is Karma yoga (the yoga 

of action) which purifies the heart by teaching you how to detach 

yourself from the fruits of your action. The second is Bhakti yoga 

(the yoga of devotion) which appeals to those of an emotional 

nature. Those who follow this path sees god as the embodiment 

of love. They are mainly motivated by the power of love. The third, 

Jnana yoga (the yoga of knowledge) is the difficult path. Those who 

follow this path must have thorough knowledge of Vedas, Vedanta 

and many difficult philosophies. And finally Raja yoga, the science 

of physical and mental control. It gives a comprehensive method 

to transform our physical and mental energy into spiritual energy. 

Bhajan purify the emotions, and lead 

to complete surrender to 

cosmic love 

With the second path, Bhakti yoga, is the concept of bhajan. Bhajan 

is the heart of Bhakti yoga. It is a Hindu devotional song which 

expresses love to a god or goddess, usually sung in a group with a 

lead singer. 

The groundwork for bhajans was laid in the hymns found in Sama 

Veda, the third Veda in the Hindu scriptures. These songs are 

normally easy to follow by repetition of words and phrases. There 

are a number of devotees who are famous for their contribution to 

bhajan – Tulsidas, Surdas, Mira Bhai and Kabir. 

Bhajan works as a catharsis to the heart. They purify the emotions, 

and lead to complete surrender to cosmic love. Constant chanting 

of bhajan will lead anahata chakra (the heart chakra at the solar 

plexus) to function properly. In Kundalini yoga anahata chakra is a 

centre of great importance. It is said in this present age, the 

consciousness of mankind is passing through the phase of anahata 

chakra. Anahata is related to the heart, which vibrates or beats to a 

constant unbroken rhythm. 

Many scriptures explain that there is a sound which is non- physical 

and transcendental. This sound is endless and unbroken in the 

exact way that the heart beats. When we chant bhajan with 

dedication and awareness, the heart beat will synchronize with the 

rhythm of the bhajan. Which leads the consciousness to anahata and 

union with the cosmic music of love. 

Yoganaath was born in India into a family yogis. 

He trained at the Vivekananda Yoga University 

and later at the International Sivananda 

Ashram. He teaches at mYoga & California 

Fitness in Hong Kong. dileeptirur@yahoo.com 

17

18 

photo courtesty of Tony Chan

FOR TEACHERS 

Dress for Success 

Sara Avant Stover 

Whether you buy your yoga wardrobe from 

WalMart or Lululemon, you can find just 

the right fashions to suit your size, budget, 

and mood. As a student, you might search 

for styles that show off your body or 

personality, but, as a teacher, there’s more to 

consider. When you step into the seat of 

the teacher you become a role model. Then 

what you wear has a greater impact not only 

on how you feel but also on how others 

feel, too. The task is to dress in a way that 

uplifts your words, actions, and spirit in 

service to your students and your subject 

matter. 

How can what you wear help you embody 

your teachings? How can you use all of who 

you are, inside and out, to inspire your 

students? 

APPEARANCE MATTERS 

Like it or not, what you wear matters. We all 

know that when we look good, we feel 

good; and when we feel good, those around 

us can feel that, too. 

“Our physical and subtle bodies can sense 

so much more than we understand 

intellectually,” says Hari Kaur Khalsa, a 

Kundalini Yoga teacher, author, and director 

of education and training at Golden Bridge 

Yoga NYC. 

“Understanding the impact of our actions 

and presentation is the path of the yogi,” 

she adds. Therefore Khalsa puts a lot of 

attention into what she wears as a teacher, 

and she feels grateful that Kundalini 

founder Yogi Bhajan challenged her to link 

spirituality with fashion. 

As a result, she says, “I have seen the power 

that sacred fashion has to uplift people both 

in yoga classes and on the street.” 

WHAT TO WEAR? 

When choosing what to wear, consider what 

SARA TAKES THE SEAT OF THE TEACHER SERIOUSLY 

colors, styles, and fabrics are comfortable, 

practical, and uplifting for you and your 

students. Dress with the remembrance that 

you are a role model for your students. 

“Yoga teachers would be wise to be dressed 

in a way that looks professional: clean, neat, 

and modest,” advises Desiree Rumbaugh, a 

senior certified Anusara Yoga teacher. “After 

that, creativity and beauty would definitely 

enhance the body of the one who is taking 

the seat of the teacher with Grace.” 

Grace can have many different looks and 

faces. When you step into grace, you 

embrace infinite possibility and the courage 

to radically accept and present yourself, as 

you are, which is always a divinely unique 

being. 

“Grace can be cutting edge!” Khalsa 

exclaims, “it is the coolest and most soughtafter 

quality in the subconscious.” 

Living in New York City, she practices what 

she preaches and enjoys dressing in a way 

that is creative and surprising. As a result, 

Khalsa is constantly stopped, 

photographed, questioned, and 

complimented because of her attire. 

Recently when Khalsa had exited a movie 

theater and was waiting to cross the street, a 

woman beside her leaned over and 

whispered in a thick Brooklyn accent, “I 

don’t know what this is about, but 

whatever it is, I love it and so does my 

husband!” 

Khalsa was wearing a white turban, a white 

silk kurta (long, flowing shirt), a dupata 

(scarf), jeans, and boots. 

Adrian Cox, a vinyasa teacher and owner of 

Yoga Elements in Bangkok, Thailand, has 

only recently started to consider the 

correlation between his wardrobe and his 

teaching. “I’ve discovered rather late that 

19

20

fashion in yoga is part of the image I project 

as a teacher,” he says. “Especially here in 

Asia, appearances are super-important.” 

Cox now puts more thought into what he 

wears when he teaches. He opts for 

cleanliness, modesty, and simplicity by 

dressing in a standard uniform of white 

sweat pants and a T-shirt when teaching. 

MAINTAIN MODESTY 

Even when you get bold with your attire, 

always choose clothing that exudes respect 

for your students and the teachings. 

“Teachers are not meant to wear tight and 

sexy clothing,” says Anna Getty, a Los 

Angeles-based Kundalini Yoga teacher (and 

former fashionista) who specialises in preand 

post-natal yoga. “We are supposed to 

wear clothing that is loose fitting, 

comfortable, clean, and uplifting.” 

In her prenatal classes, Getty makes sure 

that the mothers-to-be feel comfortable. She 

opts to wear something light and feminine, 

such as white cotton pants and a pink 

Indian-inspired shirt. 

“There have been a few times in the past 

when I have worn yoga clothes that may 

have been a little too sexy for a prenatal 

class,” she recalls. “I could feel that some of 

the moms were uncomfortable. I see how I 

made the class more about me than about 

them,” she says. 

CHOOSING YOUR COLORS 

The colors you wear should also reflect 

modesty and enhance the greatness of your 

teachings and your own spirit. 

Yogi Bhajan taught, “a teacher should look 

like a sage and a prince or princess of peace 

and divinity.” To achieve this, he 

recommended teachers wear white or cream 

in cotton or natural fabric. White, he said, 

represents light and magnifies one’s aura ten 

times, while natural fabrics benefit your 

psyche, energy, and nervous system. 

If you wish to be more colorful, play with 

your clothing reflecting your inner state and 

that which you wish to create in your class. 

Twee Merrigan, a Prana Flow teacher, turns 

to Rasa, or color therapy, which teaches that 

earth tones are grounding, blues and whites 

are cooling, and reds are invigorating. 

Whether you choose to dress in white or in 

color, consider the impact that your 

purchases have on the environment and on 

others. Clothing made of natural fibers, like 

organic cotton and bamboo, not only feel 

better on your skin but also make a positive 

impact on the environment. As a role 

model to your students, what you wear can 

inspire others to live and dress more 

consciously. 

Merrigan extends ahimsa (nonharming) to 

her wardrobe by opting to shop from fairtrade 

clothing companies. “I prefer to 

support smaller businesses that are more 

globally conscious of how their actions can 

positively affect peace,” she asserts. 

THE PITFALL OF NARCISSISM 

For men and women alike, opt for 

simplicity. Remember, you want your 

students to focus on the teachings, not your 

outfit. 

Also, when you put too much emphasis on 

your appearance, you risk getting swept up 

in narcissism and materialism. These are the 

very distractions that teachers try to lead 

students away from. 

“Yoga is a science of self-realization, not ego 

aggrandizement,” Cox says. “While saucha 

(cleanliness and purity) is important, 

society’s emphasis on purchasing one’s 

identity through fashion is a dark force that 

holds people’s development down.” 

To stay grounded, Noah Maze, a Los 

Angeles-based, certified Anusara Yoga 

teacher, encourages fellow teachers to focus 

on letting the real power of their message 

be conveyed through what they say and do. 

THE DRESS-FOR-SUCCESS CHECKLIST 

While scouring your wardrobe before your 

next class, consider the following advice: 

Remember your divinity. As a teacher, ask 

yourself what helps you remember your 

highest spiritual nature, Khalsa advises. 

Dress to inspire that highest consciousness 

in yourself and in others. 

Keep it real. “Be truthful,” Merrigan says. 

Avoid putting on another layer or costume. 

Let your clothing liberate rather than bind 

you. 

Consider comfort and practicality. “If you 

are comfortable, that will be what is 

conveyed, regardless of what you wear,” 

Maze says. Remember that if you can’t 

move and demonstrate easily, then what 

you are wearing is a hindrance rather than an 

enhancement. 

Celebrate beauty. Enjoy, enhance, and adorn 

your beauty. Show up to each class fresh, 

clean, and polished like a beautiful piece of 

art. 

Be creative and have fun! When we adorn 

ourselves to honor our own divinity and to 

uplift others, yoga and fashion become 

sacred allies. “We can inspire our students 

with our words and our presence,” 

Rumbaugh says, “and our presence is 

certainly enhanced by how we dress.” 

Sara is an Anusarainspired 

yoga teacher 

and freelance writer who 

recently relocated to 

Boulder, Colorado and 

leads workshops, 

retreats, and teacher 

trainings locally and 

internationally. 

www.fourmermaids.com. 

21

22

23

YOGA 101 

Injury Free Yoga 

Allen Fu 

24 

When practicing asana or 

meditation, most people will 

experience pain of some sort. 

But pain does not necessarily 

mean injury, nor is it all bad. In 

fact pain has its benefits as a 

warning mechanism, helping to 

protect an organism from a 

potentially harmful situation. 

And while pain can be an 

unpleasant physiological or 

emotional sensation, it is 

nevertheless subjective. What 

one person finds painful may 

not be painful to another. 

When you experience 

physiological pain in your 

practice, notice what emotions it 

brings up, such as anger, despair, 

depression, loss, helplessness. 

listen to your body’s cues when 

practicing yoga and stay injury free 

Then try to separate these 

emotions from the pain so you 

can decide whether the pain is a 

healthy one or one which may 

lead to an injury. 

A healthy pain will be felt in a 

progressive lengthening of the 

fibers. When we hold a pose 

and consciously quieten the 

breath and mind, our muscles 

and fibers release, and the 

intensity of the discomfort 

becomes manageable. 

In contrast an unhealthy pain 

can lead to a an injury. It is a 

sharp, abrupt or pinching feeling 

which persists or deepens. It can 

direct us to what is wrong with 

our alignment or movement. 

When we feel an unhealthy pain, 

we should use our common 

sense and release from the pose 

for a while. Check what is wrong 

and try again with proper 

alignment. When the pose is 

correctly performed, this type of 

pain and thus injuries will be absent. 

Here are some suggestions for avoiding injuries in your yoga 

practice: 

• Try different styles of yoga and learn which type best suits your 

body and needs 

• Consult your doctor before starting yoga if you have any 

existing or past injuries 

• Find a qualified and experienced yoga teacher to reduce the 

chance of pushed to do something you’re not ready for or getting a 

bad adjustment 

• Make sure your practice includes a warm up to increase your core 

temperature and lubricates your joints before moving into the 

tougher stuff 

• Wear clothing which allows your body to move freely 

• Ask your yoga teacher or stop practicing if you are unsure about 

a pose 

• Be aware of your limits and do not feel pressured to go too far 

beyond your ability 

• Do not compete with others, but rather go on your own pace 

• Do not compete with yourself. Your practice may be different 

everyday 

• Be careful of high risk body parts like the neck, lower back, 

knees and hamstrings 

• Don’t hold your breath when practicing asana unless directed to 

by a trained yoga teacher 

• If you feel pain or are exhausted, take a break or savasana 

• Learn to work your mind and body together, especially when 

facing discomfort 

We have to bear in mind that if we injure our body through yoga, 

we may have to live with it for the rest of our lives. So listen to 

your body’s cues when practicing yoga and stay injury free. The 

twentieth century exercise motto: “No pain, no gain” does not 

apply to yoga. As BKS Iyengar wrote in Light on the Yoga Sutras 

of Patanjali (II.46, page149) “sthira sukham asanam” and (II.47, 

page150) “prayatna saithiya ananta samapattibhyam”. Asana should be 

done with a feeling of firmness, steadiness and endurance in the 

body to release from the dualities of pleasure and pain, heat and 

cold, contraction and extension, honour and dishonour. Relaxation, 

happiness and blissful is then attained. 

Allen is a certified personal 

fitness trainer and did his yoga 

teacher training in Hong Kong 

and India.

GEAR 

Yoga Mantra 

You practice yoga almost every day and it’s creeping into your everyday life. Chanting may have replaced 

rap in your car and flip flops replaced stilettos in your wardrobe. Nevertheless you still want to express 

your sense of style before you give everything up for saffron robes. Why not check out Mantra’s line of 

luxury yoga-complementary products. 

Mantra was founded in 2004 by Jill Hui, a dedicated yoga practitioner who’d long been enraptured with 

India. Making good use of their exquiste taste, she and a friend, based in India, started creating unique 

gold and silver belt buckles. Today the range of Mantra products has expanded, but all are made with 

the same commitment to luxury. Here are a few of the their products. To view the complete range or to 

order, www.mantraluxury.com 

FLIP FLOPS 

Rubber flip flops beautifully 

finished with satin ribbon 

thongs and a hand painted 

Mantra logo on a real shell. 

Presented in a black organza gift 

bag. HK$120 

CANDLE 

The beautifully fragrant white 

tuberose flowers are known in 

India as the “King of 

Fragrance”. This delicately 

scented Tuberose candle has an 

exotic, sultry floral fragrance. 

HK$120 

BRACELET 

Easy to wear these stunning 

bracelets on elasticized string can 

be worn singularly or grouped 

together for a bolder style 

statement. Mantra Charm in 

18ct yellow gold on a turquoise 

beaded bracelet. HK$1,600 

25

26

WORKSHOP REVIEW 

Starting a Personal Practice 

Karen Lam 

The more regularly we practice, the more we 

feel that spiritual lift after class. We may start 

to think about practicing on our own, after 

all we can memorise the sequence taught in 

class. But when we come to try, it always 

seems much harder, sometimes even fear 

kicks in when our mind feels disoriented or 

body parts feel strained. We start to 

question ourselves: Am I doing the pose 

correctly? 

Back in May, Peter Scott a Senior 

Intermediate II-certified Iyengar teacher who 

is based in Melbourne, Australia, was in 

Hong Kong leading a series of workshops 

at Yoga Central. One of these was a 

personal practice programme for students 

with a regular practice. Peter designed a 

personal practice for each student with 

personalized practice notes and sequences 

appropriate to their level and time available. 

The practice ranged between one and two 

hours. Here is some general advice for 

students considering starting a personal 

yoga practice: 

WHO CAN START A PERSONAL PRACTICE? 

In general anyone with a year or two of class 

practice who wants to practice on their own. 

HOW SHOULD I START A PERSONAL PRACTICE? 

The best way to start is to get on the mat, 

and then start with standing poses. 

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR A PERSONAL 

PRACTICE? 

Keep things simple, don’t do too much 

and keep your expectations real. Allot 

yourself a time and use the time completely, 

without any anxiety about finishing. 

HOW SHOULD I ADVANCE IN MY PERSONAL 

PRACTICE? 

Build your capacity slowly, for example 

increase the length of time in headstand 

gradually. Work with an easy version of a 

pose (i.e. Virabhadrasana 1) and then build 

your strength and understanding before you 

PETER SCOTT MAKES A POINT 

move to the more complex pose (i.e. 

Virabhadrasana 3). 

WHAT CAN I REFER TO IF I’M NOT SURE ABOUT 

A POSE? 

Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar 

Yoga The Iyengar Way, S., M. & S. Mehta 

Moving into Stillness, Eric Schiffman 

Dona Holleman’s books on yoga 

Karen’s been practicing 

since 1999 and manages 

Yoga Central. She enjoys 

working with teachers 

from different yoga 

lineages. For more 

information, 

www.yogacentral.com.hk 

Keep things simple, 

don’t do too much 

27

28

29

MY STORY 

Wher 

here e Every 

Breath is a 

Prayer 

Elise Everarda 

Mount Kailash, the earthly abode of Lord 

Shiva, and revered by the Hindus, Jains, 

Buddhists and Bonpos, or pre-Buddhist 

shamanic Tibetans, stands out in solitary, 

west of the Tibetan inhospitable Himalayan 

high-plateau . 

The narrow precarious passage, known as 

the ‘Friendship Highway’ between 

Kathmandu and Lhasa winds through steep 

After having crossed the border with Tibet, 

my driver leaves the highway behind and 

turns west. The following days of torturous 

jeep driving are about navigating a way out 

of rugged roads and dirt tracks full of 

potholes and slippery wet from streams 

coming down from the almighty 

mountains. Yet I am mesmerized by the 

infinite horizons, the dry and arid 

landscapes where lived no trees, no bushes, 

MT KAILASH’S PYRAMID-LIKE PEAK 

lush green Himal land where danger lurks 

everywhere, from falling rocks, cascading ice, 

sudden landslides or a slight miscalculation 

of the driver. That too can plunge me more 

than a 1000ft to some grounds below. 

these people will not control their environment, 

they will adjust, they will flourish one year and 

fail another 

Yet, I need not to worry. Before setting out 

on this pilgrimage I had received the 

blessings from Lord Buddha. I had stayed 

the night at a guesthouse in Kathmandu 

close to the Swayambunath. From the 

rooftop of the guesthouse I had, at sunrise, 

been almost eye to eye with the big almondshaped 

peering eyes in Buddha’s golden face 

on top of the Stupa and I had received his 

blessings. 

no birds, no butterflies, just isolation – 

nomad’s land. 

From a distance I watched in awe one of the 

last examples of a nomad pastoral life. 

Glimpses impress upon me a deep 

awareness that they live truly a serene life, 

undisturbed surrounded by the vast pool 

of Shiva’s consciousness and the five 

elements in its true purity; space, air, fire, 

water and earth; the elements of which we 

are made off. My guide explains that this 

year the summer has been too dry – yet 

these people will not control their 

environment, they will not irrigate the 

pastures to enhance the fields, they will 

adjust, they will flourish one year and fail 

another as the natural ways of the godly 

forces dictate. 

My thoughts also drift off to the Aryans. 

These men were not from the high 

mountains like the nomads are. They came 

30

from the lower lands of upper Sindh. They 

were amongst the first to see the source of 

the mighty river Sindhu and the solitary 

Mount Kailash, when they wandered this 

region in the dawn of mankind. They 

experienced distress and anguish as they 

struggled against the harsh climate and its 

forces of cold, heat and winds. But they 

must have felt a sense of protection, 

imperiously sweeping away their fear and 

standing proof of the mystical almighty 

power of Lord Shiva abiding here. 

The Aryans spread the Sanathana Dharma, 

the ancient ageless ideals that men must live 

by right action, right duty and non-violence 

and must live by truth and truth alone. 

5000 years later, what have we learned? What 

have we learned from the Pandavas 

brothers, who, under the guidance of 

Yudhishthira walked up to heaven (since 

they passed Bradinath, heaven might have 

been Mount Kailash) and only 

Yudhishthira himself, the most righteous 

one reached the destination. All others fell 

along the path, thus establishing the belief 

that only the purest of heart can reach Lord 

Shiva. 

On the fifth day of journeying, close to 

sunset, I reach the base camp located 

between the twin lakes at the foot of 

Mount Kailash. Suddenly, a most blissful 

moment falls upon the pilgrims. The 

overcast sky opens just enough to clearly see 

the holy mountain far off, albeit its peak 

covered by a pelerine of bright white snow. 

This moment brings tears of joy to the eyes 

of many. A wink from Mount Kailash stirs 

the human soul. It is love at first sight. 

At the base-camp, every morning begins for 

every pilgrim with an homa, a fire offering, a 

consecration, a thanks giving to the gods. 

Numerous sweet spices are bit by bit 

thrown in the fire and a sweet fragrance fills 

MOTHER & SON PROSTRATING WHILE ENCIRCLING 

MT KAILASH 

the air. While chanting specific mantras, 

pilgrims invoke the presence of deities 

through the eternal clear current. My spirit 

31

too begins to feel light and pure with joy. I 

am ready for the pilgrimage, to encircle the 

ridge that encircles the rounded peak. This 

unique encircling ridge around the peak, it’s 

architecture is that of a pyramid, fences off 

an all encompassing sacred space 

surrounding the peak, making it stand 

solitary. This space is the playground of 

Lord Shiva, the unchanging one, and of his 

consort Shakti, the ever changing one. The 

sacred space pulsates with awareness and its 

I pass pilgrims prostrating at every step. 

Their spirit must draw energy from their 

devotional heart alone. Their breathing is 

not even heard. Slowly too I let every breath 

become a silent prayer, a divine moment, a 

moment of being connected with a divine 

force, the living force, the gift to mankind, 

not only to recharge, strengthen and purify 

the body on a physical level, but on a 

spiritual level. I begin to experience truly 

that the breath is the power of spirit and 

breath is the power of 

spirit and heals the 

heart when breath 

becomes a prayer 

RUGGED & OFTEN SLIPPERY WET TRACKS OF THE HIGH PLATEAU 

magnetic field keeps its pilgrims under 

divine surveillance. 

The circumambulation by the pilgrims is 

done below the ridge. Every pilgrim will 

leave the other pilgrim alone to the greatest 

extent possible. His journey is an inner one, 

albeit in the highest mountains in the world 

with its spell bound ambience. 

The first day the sky is cloudy, it drizzles and 

the afternoon weather has become bonechilling 

cold. That night a warm sleeping 

bag hugs my body as an anti-dote. I pray for 

better weather. My prayers are heard; the 

next two days the weather is absolutely 

fabulous. 

heals the heart when breath becomes a 

prayer. 

By the time I traverse the Dolma pass at 

5600 meter, I feel safe in its inhospitable 

ambience, in its mystery and its magic. 

I will not know what effects the pilgrimage 

will have upon the rest of my life or what 

karma has been dispelled. The ways of 

karma are too complex for the human 

mind. What I know is that my individual 

consciousness bonded with the infinite 

consciousness on deep felt levels and 

inspired me to share my knowledge of yoga 

wisdom. 

Lord Shiva has certainly chosen his earthy 

abode at a location difficult to access. Yet to 

destroy binding karma, we have to brave the 

hardship. 

Elise lives in Singapore. After this journey 

she went on to write her recently published 

book YOGA, A Many Splendourous Path. www. 

yoga2live4.com 

32

TEACHER’S VOICE 

WHAT’S YOUR MOST CHALLENGING ASANA AND WHY? 

Supta Kurmasana. Where other poses come easily, this one 

constantly touches all my weakest points at the same time, both 

physically and mentally. To truthfully acknowledge the physical 

limitations or challenges my body is communicating and respond 

accordingly requires continuous practice. Supta Kurmasana 

challenges me to release my ego and be focused in my approach to 

maintain the observance of non-violence (ahimsa), non-greed 

(aparigraha), and find contentment (santosha) in the final pose. 

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS ASANA? 

That the understanding and application of yama and niyama evolves 

just as the asana does, over time and with practice and experience. 

As a teacher, it also helps to refresh my memory of what a 

beginning student feels like in most poses! 

WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF YOUR PRACTICE? 

Consistency and frequency, due to my roles as studio owner, teacher, 

student, mother, and wife. 

Dominica Serigano of Tokyo is 

owner and director of Shizen 

Yoga Studio, head instructor of 

Furla Yoga, and co-director of 

Eco Nikko. 

33

BOOK REVIEW 

The Story 

of Tibet 

by Thomas Laird 

Reviewed by Tia Sinha 

Penned by an American writer 

and photographer and not by a 

historian, The Story of Tibet is 

an easy to read, popular history 

of Tibet. The book draws on 

several decades of research using 

primary sources and 50 hours of 

recorded conversation with His 

Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai 

Lama from eighteen personal 

audiences with His Holiness 

over three years. This rich and 

complex tale is also culled from 

Buddhist paintings, myths, 

namtars or the lives of Tibetan 

lamas and from folklore, 

including sweepers’ tales that the 

Dalai Lama was exposed to as a 

child growing up at the Potala. 

Tia is a student of Sanskrit, Yoga 

and Buddhism. When in Delhi she 

teachers at the 

Sivananda Yoga Centre. 

34 

Laird presents the history of 

Tibet using two approaches, the 

conventional approach laying 

down apparent causes for 

events, and a non-conventional 

or spiritual approach, through 

which events and causes not 

perceived by the common mind 

are discussed, a level that exists 

for those who have trained their 

minds. To the Dalai Lama, both 

levels were true. An example of 

the latter approach is Chenrezi’s 

master plan for Tibet. Tibetans 

believe that Shakyamuni 

Buddha, on his death-bed, 

extracted a promise from his 

disciple Avalokiteshvara 

(Chenrezi in Tibetan) to protect 

and guide the people of Tibet 

who would preserve the 

Buddhist tradition. The Dalai 

Lamas or religious and political 

heads in Tibet from the 14 th 

century onwards are considered 

reincarnations of Chenrezi. 

With considerable detail, Laird 

traces the lives of the First Dalai 

Lama to the Great Fifth who 

unified all of Tibet. The period 

of strife and regent rule from 

the Sixth to the Twelfth Dalai 

Lama, each of whom died very 

young, is touched upon briefly. 

The vivid accounts of the 

Thirteenth and Fourteenth Dalai 

Lamas’ lives are rich with 

anecdotes such as the 

Thirteenth’s glee when using the 

‘novel’ telephone. 

The book also touches upon the 

lives of great Tibetan lamas like 

Milarepa and Tsongkhapa who 

were epitomes of two spiritual 

traditions in Tibetan Buddhism, 

meditation and study, both 

means to the same goal. 

Difference and reasons for strife 

among the Nyingmapa, 

Kadampa, Shakya and Gelugpa 

lineages are looked into. Laird 

was impressed by the Dalai 

Lama’s tendency to look first for 

his own faults before he would 

look for faults in others, to look 

first for the faults of Buddhism 

before he looked for the faults 

of other religions. In the Dalai 

Lama’s words, “The tendency to 

look at external forces first is 

deeply rooted in the human 

mind and difficult to eliminate”. 

From the first tiny bands of 

humans to arrive in Tibet more 

than 20,000 years ago, to the 

reign of Tibetan emperors from 

the 7 th to the 14 th centuries, the 

lives and times of the Dalai 

Lamas from the 14 th century 

onwards, Thomas Laird covers a 

huge span of time. His story 

will go a long way in increasing 

one’s awareness of Tibetan 

history and the issues 

confronting this land today.

RECIPE 

Fresh & Light for Summer from Life Cafe 

Summer is about eating fresh, light, cool and simple dishes. Here are two dishes that are ideal choices 

for any health conscious yogi. 

Dhal is easy to prepare and a wonderful summer meal when served with organic grains, salads and 

freshly squeezed vegetable juices. Lentils are a good source of protein and an excellent source of dietary 

fiber and minerals. This is a great dish for yogis looking to sustain their daily practice. Serve with a 

hunk of wholesome bread or chapattis yogi style. 

The beet and chickpea salad; with its crunchy chickpeas, sweet beets, and fragrant herbs is a delicious 

dish. The chick peas are a good source of vegetable protein and the beets, with their high vitamin C 

and antioxidant content, help to strengthen the body. This salad is perfect on its own, or served with a 

slice of organic bread and a bowl of soup. 

Organic Dhal with Lemon and Coriander 

INGREDIENTS 

2 cups Organic green lentils 

1 medium Onion sliced 

1Fresh green chili minced 

½ cup Fresh coriander chopped 

1 ½ tbsp Garam masala 

6 cups Water or vegetable stock 

½ cup Lemon juice 

zest of 2 lemons 

4 tbsp Olive oil 

2 tbsp Ginger 

METHOD 

1. Fry the onions and chili with oil till the onions brown slightly 

2. Add the garam masala, lemon zest and ginger and continue to 

fry for one minute 

3. Add the lentils and water or stock and bring to a boil 

4. Lower heat to medium and cook for 45 minutes 

5. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice, coriander, and salt 

and pepper to taste. Serve 

Chickpea and Beet Salad with Mint 

INGREDIENTS 

2 lbs Beets 

2 cups Chickpeas 

1 cups Red Onion 

¼ cup Lemon Juice 

¼ cup Orange Juice 

3 tbsp Agave Syrup 

½ cup Fresh Coriander 

¼ cup Fresh Mint 

½ cup Extra virgin olive oil 

Sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste 

METHOD 

1. Boil or steam the beets till tender. Cool to room temperature 

2. Boil the chickpeas till tender. Cool to room temperature 

3. Cut beets into 1 cm squares 

4. Dice the onion 

5. Coarsely chop mint and coriander 

6. Mince or grate the ginger 

7. Mix the salt, pepper, agave syrup, lemon juice, orange juice and 

olive oil to make vinaigrette 

8. Combine all other ingredients with the vinaigrette in a large 

bowl, refrigerate for 1 hour and serve 

Moosa is the 

Executive 

Chef at Life 

Cafe. 

35

36

AFFIRMATIONS 

The Language of f Fun 

Dylan Haddock 

Using language to create more fun is a great aspect of yoga. 

Traditional mantras and kirtan can be used in this way. Similarly it is 

possible to create fun by paying attention to the language we use 

internally and with others, the way in which we unite (yoga) with 

the spoken, thought, and written word. Affirmations are a great 

way to do this. Here are some: 

Life is supposed to be fun 

Life is fun everyday 

I, (Your Name Here), am now enjoying having lots of fun all the 

time 

Fun is something I now happily take responsibility to create 

Other people like to be around me because I am fun 

I always enjoy sharing fun with others 

Everyday in everyway I see new ways of having fun 

I have fun with every person I meet 

Fun is my destiny 

Yoga is fun 

Breathing deeply is fun 

Having fun comes easily and effortlessly to me, in its own perfect 

time, for the highest good of all 

I always have lots of time for fun 

I now have fun at work every day 

Creating abundance is easy and fun 

My fun comes from an infinitely supply, I can always come back for 

more 

Freedom and fun are my birthright 

All my fun comes from love and gratitude 

It’s fun to manifest miracles 

The Universe is fun to play with 

Fun is always a good choice 

Dylan is a fun-loving Canadian living and 

teaching in Koh Lanta, Thailand 

37

KIDS YOGA 

Grow, , Teach, Laugh, Love 

Grace Hetherington 

“Learning is the greatest game in life and the most fun. All children are born believing this 

and will continue to believe this until we convince them that learning is very hard work and 

unpleasant. Some kids never really learn this lesson and go through life believing that 

learning is fun and the only game worth playing. We have a name for such people. We call 

them geniuses” -Glenn Doman 

A pioneer in the field of child brain 

development, Glenn Doman has worked 

with brain-injured and well children since the 

1950s. His research has resulted in six books, 

among them “How to teach your Baby to 

Read” and “How Smart is your Baby.” 

I am not here to 

instruct her, but 

to lead by example 

As a mother of two and a YogaKids teacher / trainer, I see the wisdom and importance of 

Glenn’s words everyday through my children and students. 

Parents are children’s most important teachers. We strive to provide them with experiences 

that will give them the foundation to develop beautiful minds and healthy bodies and 

through this to become responsible and compassionate beings. 

try living your yoga 

with your children 

In the process of teaching, we must 

treasure the moments of learning with our 

students/children, whether through 

language, music or yoga. It’s a give-and-take 

relationship through which their brilliant 

young minds are awakened and the passion 

of our mature minds are rekindled. 

When my seven-year-old daughter says to me “please Mum, you need to listen to what I 

have to say,” I am reminded that I am not here to instruct her, but to lead by example. (As 

a yoga teacher, I use the yamas and niyamas as my guide to being a better person.) Children 

are great imitators after all. 

In “Living your Yoga” Judith Lasater prompts us to think about taking our yoga off the 

mat. So why not try living your yoga with your children? By doing so, you will grow with 

your children, teach them by your example, laugh together and experience the deepest and 

most fulfilling love imaginable. 

Grace is a certified 

Yogakids teacher/trainer. 

Based in Hong Kong she 

teaches at Yoga Central, 

Goldcoast Yacht & 

Country Club, and New 

World Apartments in Tsim 

Sha Tsui. For more 

information 

www.yogakids-asia.com 

38

AYURVEDA 

Ayurv 

yurvedic approach ach to treating Diseas 

ase 

Mahesh Sabade 

Disease is formed, when some kind of imbalance is created in the 

ecosystem that exists within the human body. This imbalance could 

be caused by external factors, or some inner reasons that are 

generated by overlooking the laws of nature. 

The body constituents are constantly asked to perform various 

functions of the body. Food, seasons, age, mental conditions, 

behavioral patterns, occupational habits etc. have an impact on the 

equilibrium of our body. As per the season and time, ones lifestyle 

needs to be modified. This includes eating habits as well as 

behavioral patterns; failure to do so can lead to imbalance. 

The modern system of medicine describes various microbes and 

parasites as the causative factors for different ailments. It has also 

developed an extensive range of medicines to counteract these 

harmful organisms. These medicines, including antibiotics, attack 

bacteria, microbes, viruses and parasites and free the body from 

these disease-causing factors. This is a remarkable discovery and has 

helped mankind extensively. 

You will not find any description about such organisms, viruses etc. 

in Ayurvedic texts, just as in the Allopathic system of medicine. The 

reason, is not the unavailability of modern techniques, but the 

philosophy in treating disease. 

Ayurved strongly believes that disease is the result of imbalance 

that has been created in the body. Moreover Ayurvedic treatment 

entirely focuses on correcting the imbalance and re-establishing the 

equilibrium. 

Conditions for disease are created when the equilibrium is disturbed 

i.e. there are some pathological changes in the levels of Vata, Pitta 

and Kapha (3 dosha- the basic components of the body) 

Under these conditions it is a possibility that some microorganisms 

may attack or colonize the body. The disease is thus formed and 

shows its symptoms. 

Ayurved believes that pathogenesis starts from imbalance, whereas 

modern pathology focuses on these organisms. That is why 

modern pathology is constantly inventing new medicines and 

discovering new organisms. 

A lot of the time, the removal or killing of such organisms in the 

body, with the help of antibiotics and other such medicines may 

not be a complete. In such conditions, the environment favorable 

for such organisms (internal imbalance) remains the same; this in 

turn leaves room for the recurrence of the disease. This is 

commonly observed in conditions where two or three courses of 

antibiotics are given. 

Ayurved treats all pathological conditions by altering levels of dosha, 

with the help of Agni (the digestive fire) and thus it clears the 

environment favorable for the organisms and parasites. Lowered 

Agni leads to Aam formation, which is responsible for most of the 

ailments. This unnatural metabolite is properly metabolized and 

simultaneously dosha levels are maintained. Thus in the line of 

treatment no organism is considered and still the best results are 

achieved. 

In Auryved the body constituents viz. dosha, dhatu and mala with 

their predominance of elements are all considered and equilibrium 

in the body is achieved through making changes where necessary. 

Mahesh Sabade is an MD 

Ayurved based in India. 

www.Ayurved.Net.In 

39

JUST FOR FUN 

Ever had a burning question about some aspect of yoga but were 

too afraid or embarassed to ask your teacher? Next time something 

comes up, just drop us an email and we’ll put your question to one 

of our teacher friends. Our email is fgairns@netvigator.com 

WITH ALL THE TWISTING AND BENDING POSES, MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 

GETS A GOOD MASSAGE. BUT WHAT SHOULD I DO IF FEEL LIKE PASSING 

WIND? 

Yoganaath Dileep, who teaches mYoga & California Fitness in 

Hong Kong answers: There is no need to hold the wind. Let it go! 

Back bending asanas will stretch and tone abdominal muscles and 

spine. These asanas will create pressure in the abdomen and pelvis. 

This will help stretching the muscles in this area especially rectus 

abdominus. Twisting asanas tone the pancreas, kidneys, stomach, 

small intestines, liver and gall bladder. 

If you feel like passing wind when you do these asanas, it indicates 

that your bowel movements might not be healthy. To improve that 

you should do some kriyas like Varisara dhouti (washing of 

intestine) under expert guidance. You should also practise leg 

raising (Meru dantasana) and leg lock pose (Pawan Muktasana). 

40 

Yoganaath (and his undoubtedly healthy digestive system) was born 

in India into a family yogis. His expertise is in Hatha yoga, Prenatal 

yoga, Kundalini, Tantra yoga and Transcendental meditation. 

dileeptirur@yahoo.com

Only when our minds become calm and clear 

Are we able to reflect the beauty that surrounds us 

Mt Cook, New Zealand 

Photo courtesy of Philippe Guillo 

41

42

43

TIA’S CROSSWORD 

This crossword contains terms in 

Sanskrit from the first of the four 

chapters of Patanjali’s Yoga 

Sutras. 

The clues are based on Swami 

Vishnudevananda’s commentary 

on the Yoga Sutras, contained in 

his book, Meditation and 

Mantras. 

The answers can be found on 

page 46. 

ACROSS 

1. Jumble ‘Adam has paid’ to 

get the first chapter of Patanjali’s 

Yoga Sutras, dealing with the 

general theory of yoga, how the 

mind functions and the various 

levels of samadhi. (7, 4) 

4. Jumble ‘Indra’ to give deep 

sleep, the third of the four types 

of painful mental 

modifications. A state where the 

mind is blank, without 

thoughts, but different from 

Samadhi where there is full 

concentration. (5) 

6. He manifests in ‘pranavah’, 

i.e., in the word … (3) 

8. Jumble ‘a map ran’ to give 

correct knowledge, the only 

mental modification or 10 

DOWN that is beneficial and 

not painful. (7) 

9, 15, 10 DOWN & 4 DOWN. 

The second sutra that defines 

yoga as restraining the activities 

of the mind. (4, 6, 6, 8) 

11. Jumble ‘pay aviary’ to give 

erroneous understanding, the 

first of four types of painful 

mental modifications. 

Erroneous understanding is a 

false perception of an idea or 

object. It may be based on direct 

perception of an external object 

but this understanding comes 

from a faulty perception, an 

incorrect analysis of perceptions 

or distortion of perceptions by 

the ego. (9) 

15. See 9 ACROSS. 

17. Four of the five mental 

modifications (or 10 DOWN) 

are painful, i.e., they are ….. . 

Hint: jumble ‘silk hat’. (7) 

18. Obstacles to realization, 

including disease, mental torpor, 

doubt, indifference, laziness, 

craving for pleasure, delusion, 

inability to concentrate and 

mental restlessness from 

distractions. (8) 

19. …. Pranidhana or devotion 

to God, the highest ideal a 

human being can aspire to, leads 

to swift success for those on the 

path of yoga. (7) 

DOWN 

1. Jumble ‘a Spartan jam’ to give 

a kind of Samadhi where an 

awareness of individuality is 

retained. (11) 

2. Knowledge that comes from 

a person of unimpeachable 

character, based on the person’s 

own experiences and not 

contradicting the scriptures. This 

is the third of the three proofs 

of correct knowledge or 8 

ACROSS. (5) 

3. Jumble ‘Uma Anna’ to give 

inference of correct knowledge 

through reasoning, using logic 

and past experience. This is the 

second of the three proofs of 

correct knowledge or 8 

ACROSS. (7) 

4. See 9 ACROSS 

5. Jumble ‘panama jar sat’ to 

give a kind of Samadhi where 

one merges with the Absolute 

and no seeds are left to manifest 

in the form of desires or 

tendencies. (12) 

7. Jumble ‘vary Gaia’ to give 

non-attachment, one of the 

twin means of achieving control 

of mental modifications. Nonattachment 

comes about when 

one realizes the worthlessness 

of the external world. (8) 

10. See 9 ACROSS. 

11. Jumble ‘lava kip’ to give 

verbal delusion, the second of 

the four types of painful mental 

modifications. Verbal delusion 

is caused when one identifies 

with words that have no basis in 

reality. Overreacting to words, 

jumping to conclusions, feeling 

elated at praise or disheartened 

by criticism are examples of 

verbal delusion. (7) 

12. Jumble ‘a shaky part’ to give 

direct perception of knowledge 

through the senses, the first of 

the 3 proofs of correct 

knowledge or 8 ACROSS. (10) 

13. Jumble ‘is trim’ to give 

memory, the last of the four 

types of painful mental 

modifications. Memory, the 

retention of past experiences, 

exists when latent past 

impressions, existing in the 

mind from previous lifetimes as 

well, surface in the conscious 

awareness. (6) 

14. Jumble ‘has a bay’ to give 

practice, one of the twin means 

of achieving control of mental 

modifications. Practice has to be 

regular and prolonged. (7) 

16. Intense in Sanskrit. The 

more intense the desire for 

liberation, the sooner it is 

achieved. (5) 

44

NAMASKAR LISTING AND DISPLAY ADVERTISING RATES FOR 2008 

Namaskar prints approximately 5,000 copies per issue and is distributed free of charge at 

most yoga studios in Hong Kong. There is limited distribution to yoga studios and 

individuals in Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, 

Thailand and the US. 

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(92 mm x 265 mm vertical) 

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Advertisements should be submitted as high resolution .tiff or .jpg format(no .ai files 

please). Advertising fees are payable in Hong Kong dollars to: 

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Overseas advertisers may pay by telegraphic transfer or MoneyGram / Western Union. 

For more information call (852) 9460 1967 or email: fgairns@netvigator.com 

Crossword Solution 

from page 41 

ACROSS 

1. Samadhi Pada 

4. Nidra 

6. Aum 

8. Pramana 

9. Yoga 

11. Viparyaya 

15. Chitta 

17. Klishta 

18. Vikshepa 

19. Ishvara 

DOWN 

1. Samprajnata 

2. Agama 

3. Anumana 

4. Nirodhah 

5. Asamprajnata 

7. Vairagya 

10. Vritti 

11. Vikalpa 

12. Pratyaksha 

13. Smriti 

14. Abhyasa 

16. Tivra 

45

Fun is fundamental. There is no way around it. 

You absolutely must have fun. 

Without fun, there is no enthusiasm. 

Without enthusiasm, there is no energy. 

Without energy, there are only shades of gray. 

Doug Hall, U.S. inventor 

Photo courtesy of Philippe Guillo 

46

YOGA TEACHERS & STUDIOS 

Sangeeta Ahuja 

Life Management Yoga Centre 

Non-profit Classical Yoga School 

d: TST 

s: Patanjali yoga, Kids yoga, 

Seniors yoga, Corporates 

l: English, Cantonese 

t: (852) 2191 9651 

e: life@yoga.org.hk 

w: www.yoga.org.hk 

Michel Besnard 

Yogasana 

s: Ashtanga 

l: English 

t: (852)2511 8892 / 9527 6691 

e: info@yogasana.com.hk 

Kathy Cook 

Kathy Cook 

The Iyengar Yoga Centre of 

Hong Kong, LRC, Privates, 

workshops 

d: Hong Kong 

s: Iyengar (certified) 

l: English 

t: (852) 6292 5440 

e: kcinasia@netvigator.com 

w: www.yogawithkathy.com 

FLEX 

1/F Woodleigh House 

80 Stanley Village Road 

Stanley, Hong Kong 

s: Iyengar, Hatha Vinyasa Flow, 

Ashtanga, Children’s yoga 

t: (852) 2813 2212 

f: (852) 2813 2281 

e: info@flexhk.com 

w: www.flexhk.com 

FURLA YOGA 

FURLA Aoyama Boutique 4F, 

Kita-Aoyama 3-5-20, Minato-ku, 

Tokyo, Japan 107-0061 

s: Hatha, Anusara-Inspired, 

Prenatal & Postnatal, Meditation 

e: yoga@furlajapan.com 

w: www.furla.co.jp/yoga 

Ann Gowing 

Holistic practices 

s: Yoga, Pilates 

t: (65) 9777 6632 

e: agowing@mac.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@iyengaryogahongkong.com 

w: iyengaryogahongkong.com 

Ming Lee 

Privates, workshops 

s: Iyengar Certified teacher 

l: English, Cantonese, Putonghua 

t: (852) 9188 1277 

e: minglee@yogawithming.com 

Ursula Moser 


Hong Kong 

d: Central 

s: Iyengar certified 

l: English, German 

t: (852) 2918 1798 

e: umoser@netvigator.com 

MYOGETSU-BO YOGA 

STUDIO 

2381 Sannai, Nikko-City, Tochigi, 

Japan 321-1431 

s: Hatha classes, retreats, weekend 

packages 

t: (81) 02 8853 1541 

t: (81) 03 3452 0334 

f: (81) 03 5730 8452 

e: info@econikko.com 

w: www.econikko.com/e/ 

Anna Ng 

Privates 

d: Hong Kong 

s: Hatha yoga 

l: Cantonese 

t: (852) 9483 1167 

e: gazebofl@netvigator.com 

PURE YOGA 

16/F The Centrium, 60 

Wyndham Street, Central, Hong 

Kong 

t: (852) 2971 0055 

25/F Soundwill Plaza, 38 Russell 

Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong 

t: (852) 2970 2299 

14/F The Peninsula Office Tower 

18 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 

Kowloon, Hong Kong 

t: (852) 8129 8800 

9/F Langham Place Office Tower, 

8 Argyle Street, Kowloon, Hong 

Kong 

t: (852) 3691 3691 

9/F Langham Place Office Tower, 

8 Argyle Street, Kowloon, Hong 

Kong 

t: (852) 3691 3691 

4/F Lincoln House, TaiKoo 

Place, 

979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, 

Hong Kong 

t: (852) 8129 1188 

391A Orchard Road, #18-00 

Ngee Ann City Tower A, 

Singapore 

t: (65) 6733 8863 

30 Raffles Place, 04-00 Chevron 

House, Singapore 

t: (65) 6304 2257 

151 Chung Hsiao East Road, Sec 

4, Taipei, Taiwan 

t: (886) 02 8161 7888 

s: Hot, Power, Hatha, Yin, 

Ashtanga, Dance, Kids 

l: English, Cantonese 

e: info@pure-yoga.com 

Linda Shevloff 


Hong Kong 

d: Sheung Wan 

s: Iyengar Certified (Senior 

Intermediate I) 

t: (852) 2541 0401 

e: linda@ 

iyengaryogahongkong.com 

YOGA CENTRAL 

4/F Kai Kwong House, 13 

Wyndham Street, Central, Hong 

Kong 

s: AcroYoga, Ashtanga, Hatha, 

Iyengar, KidsYoga, Pre-Natal & 

Mat-based Pilates 

t: (852) 2982 4308 

e: yogacentralhk@yahoo.com 

w: yogacentral.com.hk 

THE YOGA ROOM 

3/F Xiu Ping Building, 104 

Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, 

Hong Kong 

s:Hatha, Ashtanga, Kids yoga, 

Meditation 

t: (852) 2544 8398 

e: info@yogaroomhk.com 

w: www.yogaroomhk.com 

YOGA YOGA 

35/F World Trade Centre, 280 

Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 

Hong Kong 

s: Ashtanga, Hatha, Kundalini, 

Yoga Therapy, Raja, Pranayama 

& Meditation, Yin, Kaya 

Shuddhi and others 

t: (852) 2866 8168 

www.yogayoga.com.hk 

47

48

July 08

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