5 More Things Your Teacher Wants You to Know

Image: www.discoveryyoga.com

1. When your teacher says it's OK to take care of yourself--rest in Child's Pose, modify a difficult pose to make it better suit your body's needs for the day, etc.--she actually means it!

2. While it might be somewhat rude to come into class a few minutes late, it's preferable to not coming at all. You have to practice to get the benefits of yoga and your teacher knows sometimes the traffic doesn't cooperate.

3. It's the ultimate compliment to your teacher when you have an emotional break-through and shed a tear during class. It's OK! It means you released some emotion you were holding in your body!

4. Your teacher is probably not a mind reader. If he does something that makes you feel bad--whether it's an adjustment that pushes you too far or a comment that embarrasses you in front of the class--tell him! He really wants to give you the best experience possible!

5. You know how the perfect yoga class for your mood and energy level makes your entire day? Hearing that the class she led made her students day better will make your yoga teacher's day better. Just as you like to hear positive feedback when your poses are improving, your teacher would probably like to hear feedback about her teaching. (BTW, showing up to class regularly is an excellent way to give this feedback!)

Note: Many of the items on this list came from reader suggestions from an earlier post! For more read, 5 Things Your Yoga Teacher Wants You to Know.

Interview with 27 Things to Know About Yoga Author Victoria Klein

1. Tell me what inspires your yoga practice? Why did you take your first yoga class?

I took my first yoga class when I was still in high school – either in 2000 or 2001. My mum was actually the one who suggested I try it; she had taken a class at the new local fitness center and thought it was really fun. The class was an Anusara/Iyengar-style that focused on alignment and the room wasn’t heated. After just one class, I was hooked. My mind was quiet, my body felt strong and capable; my posture had never been so straight!

Since then, my yoga practice has been a bit inconsistent, but I restarted my regular (at-home) practice a few years after my first class. At the time, I was suffering from crippling depression and anxiety – I was so nervous that I couldn’t leave the house to check the mailbox. My yoga practice helped me to gain inner confidence and overall mental clarity. Over time, my practice has helped me grow in ways I never could have imagined, including moving across the country twice, ceasing my psychological medication, and getting married.

2. What inspired your book? Who did you write it for?

27 Things to Know About Yoga is inspired by all the basic questions that I’ve been asked about yoga. The minute that someone knows that I practice yoga, the questions begin. Don’t get me wrong – I am delighted to talk about yoga, but folks usually ask about things that I thought were common knowledge. After working at a San Francisco yoga studio for a year, it quickly became clear that yoga knowledge is not common. My goal is to change that.

The book is for anyone and everyone. I know that sounds a bit hokey, but it’s true. It's for men, women, young, old, tall, short, heavy, skinny, or anywhere in between--yoga can help us all in ways we can’t foresee. The key is to get people to just try yoga. I wrote this book to help regular people get an honest, easy-to-understand look at the basics of yoga, including the often-misunderstood spiritual principles.

3. The first sentence of your book says: "Yoga is not a cult, a religion, an overnight sensation, hedonism, self-torture, or magic." To me, sometimes it does feel like self-torture (and sometimes it feels like magic, too). Which pose feels most like torture for you, and what do you do to help yourself through it? What's your favorite pose?

I’m right there with you! Nothing worth doing is easy and pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones is a key part of a happy life. A few poses that really tax my body: Revolved Triangle Pose (will my back leg ever be straight!?), Plank Pose (tell my arms to stop shaking), and Crane Pose (face, meet the floor). To get through these poses, I focus on my breath. Yes, they are difficult and I can’t perform them with technical accuracy, but I try – and I keep on trying because I won’t get better without practice.

My all-time favorite pose is Tree Pose, closely followed by Triangle Pose and Half Lord of the Fishes Pose. My personality is naturally a bit flighty, and Tree Pose helps me calm my mind and stay focused, grounded. Triangle Pose and Half Lord of the Fishes Pose both feature a personal favorite: twisting! Nothing makes my back feel happier.

4. What's the most important thing you want people who read your book to learn?

Ninety-nine percent of what you’ve heard about yoga is bull crap. Approach yoga with an open mind and willingness to experiment until you find what style and teacher is just right for you.

5. What's next for you? Are you going to write another book?

I already did! :) My second book, 48 Things to Know About Sustainable Living, will be released at the end of October 2010. I’m also in my second year of college, working towards an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. My husband is heading for Marines Corps boot camp on September 13th, so I see a lot of moving in our future.

Sunday

Xuan came to church with me today. I know 4 people who go by the name "Sean"(well different spellings).

Um. I think this is one of those things which will bring a chain reaction. Xuan will be coming to church with me next week too. :)

Went to eat dim sum at Mandarin Oriental.

Muahahahahaha.

I almost forgot how the toilet looks like.

I think it holds the record for most mirrors in a toilet. All four walls, boom. I like it. I can see so many of me. Though it was creepy to be there alone. Eh, it's also creepy to blog about toilets...

The main point of going to Mandarin Oriental was for the mooncakes really. They're the best, darnest best that I've ever tasted in my mouth. Snow skin pandan om nom nom nom!

Pondered on what book to buy for a long long time. Goodreads.com is good for finding book reviews.

I am sleepy. Ho. Xuan slept around 3 last night, too.

On the way home Mei Yen asked me if I wanted to go Genting. Ooooh, sleepy. Too sleepy to have any more fun.

tata, :)

3

sonnybunny aka chiefcommander, the first day at home

so fellas, here we go.

we did it.
kiddo came nearly on point on 0707.
the first weeks i was swept away as white holes dry swallowed us just to spit us straight into the epicenter of good old n trusty insanity.
and back.
and now dolls, imagine all of that back and forth.
yeah, because this is how we rrroll.
back and forth.
back and forth.
back and forth.
.....ok, i guess you get it from here.
lemme tell you, i wouldnt exactly call it a glitterylalalaponyride but we all did a pretty good job and we feel absolutely fab now!
what shall i say dolls, he is the best thing that ever happened to me.
cant top that feeling.
ever.
now tell me what i ve missed in your lifes, how was your summer so far?
oww and thanks for your support.again.
and never forget i love u.
so take care, okay?
kisss
yrs
eszter

wearing: trench, shirt, belt, sunnies: h&m, cropped pants/shorts: american apparel, shoesies: melissa joy + a.h. via asos

Rewards program

Today was spent rewarding myself for working... well, maybe not so much working hard as working smart ;) First stop was the Suntec Convention Centre for a sale event by an online shopping site I'm subscribed to. I arrived at 11 a.m., an hour before the event was scheduled to start and was welcomed by this monstrous queue.

While waiting for our turn to enter, Marlon got a crash course in women's designer handbags (he can now tell a Miu Miu from a Balenciaga, which is all that matters to me), a briefing on my color preferences (classic/subdued or bold/striking), and an assignment in my plan of attack.

We finally got to enter the event at 1:30 p.m., not a moment too soon. Let me tell you, things can get ugly when dozens of bag-crazed women are made to wait. Inside, the atmosphere was buzzing but civil—no shoving, grabbing or arguing, thank goodness. The strategy of choice seemed to be grabbing three or four bags, walking around with them while trying to decide on one, and making multiple return trips to a shelf to see if any women had discarded a bag that you were looking out for.

In the end, I narrowed it down to Subdued & Classic vs Bold & Striking. While I was vacillating in front of the mirror, a very fasyon Chinese woman ran up to me and grabbed my arm. She whispered urgently, with eyes wide open,"You HAVE to get the orange one. You have to. It's DIVINE!" and ran off.

It was in this fashion that Bold & Striking won! And so I am now the proud owner of a brand new Balenciaga Arena Covered City bag in the happy, juicy hue of orange!

Thank you, my clients! Thank you!

After a recharging lunch of kinilaw na tanigue and salpicao at 7107 Flavours in Marina Square, we headed off to Orchard Central for Fash Bash, a thrice-yearly bazaar. I miss market and bazaar shopping scene back home, so I check these things out whenever I can. I was curious about the local designers advertised, but when I got there it was really the young Thai jewelry designers who made me drool!

After much going back and forth between stalls, I chose this pair of delicate, handmade gold-plated earrings from Thai designer Fontips Tangviriyamate. I fell in love with the delicate workmanship of the intricate but organic-looking pattern, and the curved wire extending way below the earlobes was a unique touch that I really liked. (One woman asked the designer if she could cut the wire short. Anobuh! Kasama yun sa concept no!)

And with that, my personal "rewards points" are fully redeemed! My shopping moratorium starts now!

Puppy Pose

This is what my home practice looks like.

Enjoy!

On Everton Road

Over the last two weeks, I've been working at a production house that's situated in one of the nicest neighborhoods I've seen in Singapore. And by nice, I don't mean affluent. There are no jaw-dropping paeans to modern architecture, no Porsches or Beemers parked in the driveways—no driveways, in fact. I've seen quite a few of those here (and it always amazes me how these types of houses aren't locked away behind village gates) and they didn't charm me as much as this neighborhood did.

Tucked away in a cluster of streets near Chinatown and the central business district of Tanjong Pagar, these old shophouses on Everton Road aren't rented out to businesses as many of their kin are. They are purely residential, as far as I can see; the production house is there only because the owners live in the attic.

The first time I came here to edit, I saw elderly residents gathered together, sitting on ancient wicker chairs on a doorstep, chuckling among themselves and trading some afternoon gossip. And seeing that was nice.

Fueled by my love for old places, I made a point of coming early for one edit session so I could walk around the narrow streets and take photos of the charming details. Of which there were many.

From old, earth-hued tiles, to walls awash in delicate pastels faded and chipped by time and neglect...

To surprising pops of colour...

An assortment of gates, grills and guardians...

And even the luckiest fire hydrant in all of Singapore! The Chinese would disagree with me, though, since 8 is their thing. With the little bag of java hanging from its arm, it could even be someone's favorite coffee corner.

"Everton Road, please," I told the friendly auntie who was driving my taxi the other day. (Yes, there seem to be an increasing number of female cabbies here!)

"Ah! Going to the shophouses there, is it?" she asked, smiling. "I like that place, you know. It's a souvenir. It reminds me of the old days. It is a memory of how Singapore used to be."

Affordable Wedding Dresses

Little Known Ways to Find an Affordable Wedding Dress

Finding a beautiful yet affordable wedding dress can take time and effort. Many wedding gowns are too expensive for the average bride's wedding budget. Here's some tips to help you save money on your wedding dress.


Don't buy from the bridal department. There is usually a surcharge for dresses in the bridal section of a store. Instead, go to the formal evening wear section or even the prom dress section.

If you've got a lot of time before the wedding, look for sales at wedding salons. After the month of June, many bridal gowns go on sale. Also, check out sample or floor model gowns. Many of them still look fantastic. Some discontinued bridal dress models are very inexpensive compared to most other bridal gowns. And sadly some bridal gowns are paid for but not picked up. These can be bought at a low price.


Don't forget that wedding veils are cheaper than wedding gowns. Spend more on a great veil while saving money on the gown.

eBay and the local newspaper are good places to find inexpensive gowns. Also, use Google search by searching these terms: "wedding dress +discount", "wedding dress +cheap", and "wedding dress +bargain".

As you're on the internet, search for wedding outlet stores. You may find a great deal at these internet bridal stores. Make sure to find out the manufacturer and style of the dress you're interested in. Bridal outlet stores will ask for this information. Also, give them your measurements to see if they have a dress that will fit you. If you do buy a dress from a wedding outlet store, the dress will be sent in a box. However, a trip to the dry cleaners will make the dress look great.

Think about renting your wedding dress. The guys get to rent tuxedos, so why can't you rent your bridal clothes? Renting will save you much money. You can expect a 90% discount on your bridal gown. This means you can wear a $1000 gown for $100!

Scout out the dresses at consignment shops or high fashion/couture wear second hand shops. You can find these shops at every major city.

Ask your relatives and friends. They may have a dress you can borrow.

Think about having your dress made. This is a great alternative if you want the elegant, sleek dress. Plus, designer dresses use the same silk found in fabric stores.

Finally, you can use these tips to find affordable dresses for your bridesmaids.

From:Dee Bovis

Wedding Dresses Clearance

Wedding Bands Rings

Competition

I'm pissed so this is a rant to whatever made me pissed in the first place.

Some days are up, some just down. Bear with me. :(

I seldom stay angry. I'm genuinely angry when it happens, though mostly angry on someone's actions rather than the person as whole.

Bad words are the norm for expressing pent-up frustrations. My blog, my space, I'll do what I like, you don't have to like what I do. Unless I'm commiting libel to someone, in which case they probably deserve it. It's easy to misuse blogging, it's like writing to the public with seemingly zero consequences.

My day was pretty fine and it was funny watching my classmates dance for the academic week competition.

And then came Commerce. I got the highest marks. I'd never want to be one who cries when they get "low" marks, but it's really exhilarating to be on top. Humans love power. It's part of why money is the root of all evils. It grants you power to obtain what you want and make others do your bidding.

Deep down, we all love to accomplish something and leave our mark in this world. Remember the quote, "We don't live forever, but our goal is to make something that will."? Some shit like that. We'll clamber up the ladder for success and fame, we're hungry for recognition. Heck, it's even included in Maslow's pyramid of human needs.

However, I am just plain pissed even though I've clambered to the top. I went up to get my paper. Students start clapping. Teacher asked them to stop and say that there's nothing great about me to clap about. That even though I was the highest it was too low. Tell that to those who failed.

Crap, I know you've got surgery but there wasn't shit of a lesson a month right before test so what do you expect? The duty of a teacher is to teach and you relinquished the right to demand when you've stopped giving. That's the best your student can give.

You can at least ask me to work harder instead of criticizing me for getting the highest marks in class which apparently wasn't high enough. That's the best you've got, sucker. I used to like her teaching, but after surgery she's just plain antagonizing like it's everyone's fault she has to undergo a surgery.

OK I'm exaggerating. But I can't help feeling victimized, YOU KNOW?

Next. During the dance routine rehearsal people kept correcting Mei Yen. Ding scolded her. Of course Mei Yen didn't like it. Jin Fye thought she was pissed at him or whatever and so asked her to switch places with Kwok Shien and stop dancing.

And then Mei Yen cried, and I skipped the lunch break to comfort her. But after the art competition when I needed her to listen me whine for a while, all she said was, "What?" after I finished ranting. I can spend the whole 40 minutes listening her rant and she can't even spare me 2 minutes? I hate it when I call her and she turns a blind ear. Am I that invisible?

I'm angry, but no I don't like shedding tears. They're too precious and it becomes shameful when you cry on something not worth your tears. I prefer verbal outlet, which is what I'm doing. My words cry for me. No just kidding. Or maybe try the physical outlet. Throwing pillow and ice cubes can be satisfying at times.

Art competition was pressuring and wore me down just before school ended. I don't think we're going to win. It's my thinking that if you don't have a fair chance of winning in a competition, the efforts are wasted. Simone was good with planning but she had a meeting and arrived late. I drew a lot because I draw the people and Fikri was just relaxed and criticizing shit I draw.

Fuck it all, fuck it all.

Um. OK. I'm not angry now. :)

Rant done.

I got highest for E.S.T, which was sweet. Was tied with a few other people but changed shortly after teacher corrected her marking. Muahahaha. Um. I think because she corrects a lot of student she often misses out on things. Like not looking into wrong spellings. "Satisfide" and "glomal warming" and "mischeif" went unnoticed. I think it's important to correct their mistakes. I mean what if they're stuck with the wrong spelling FOREVER?

Well. This marks today. It's holiday tomorrow. I want to try custard puff. Might be going 1U. Hmn. Probably not. Lots of people going there tomo.

I am really annoyed and feel like strangling all the antagonizing people in this world. Sometimes I turn into them, so absorbed in my own anger resulted from others that I spread this disease to others as well.

It's a vicious, vicious cycle that creeps up to us insidiously. And over time we just become inured to it, like growing thicker skins.

And my goodness. I cannot stand Dylan. Overbearingly cynical with a penchant for putting down others. He's witty, but it looks insecure when all his joke involves putting down others. Or maybe just me. Everytime, a rude remark. I cannot remember a conversation with him which doesn't have a part where he insults me. Nope, none at all.

I wish to go in peace now. I wish to forget about all this people who got me pissed. I wish to go to a deep deep well. I wish to feel weightless and floating, a part of my burden released.

What a matyr post. Will return to normal self soon. Well. Sorry if I've said something offensive involving you. But then again, if I did that, you probably did something offensive to me in the first place.

Is Yoga Bringing Sexy Back?

Image: www.Yoga.lv

Oh me, oh my... There have been a lot of discussions in yoga blogland lately about sex. Why do businesses use sexy advertising to sell yoga products? Why are most of the images we see of yoga practitioners in the media all people with hot bodies? Why are we so worried about sex, anyway? Isn't one of the Eight Limbs of yoga about NOT having sex (or at least exercising mindfulness about who you have sex with)?

I have a theory. Yoga is incredibly, amazingly, deliciously sexy. How can it not be? Deep audible breathing.. sweaty bodies contorting into all sorts of fascinating positions... hip openers... Ahem... cultivating the strength and control to hoist your entire body weight up on one hand.. Forget it! And that's just the physical part of the practice. How sexy is it to take care of yourself, be healthy, gain confidence, find balance, listen to your intuition, learn discipline, believe in something bigger—heck, believe in anything at all?!? Frankly, I'm getting a little hot and bothered just thinking about it.

I don't care if you're a size 2 or a 22, male or female, black or white--you could be an alien from outer space, for crying out loud, and it wouldn't change a thing. In my book, if you do yoga, you are sexy. You just are.

Is it right to use sexy images to sell yoga stuff? I don't know. I'm not the judge of what's right and wrong. But I certainly understand why advertisers make that connection. Personally, I'm glad people think yoga is kinda sexy. Things we associate with yoga (health, strength, discipline, etc.) is a much more positive view of what sexy is than a lot of other "sexy" things in the media--drinking, drugs, eating disorders, promiscuity, one-night stands... Sheesh.

I also see how sexy yoga advertising could be sending a less-than-positive message about what yoga is. I understand that. Call me an optimist, but maybe (just maybe) these ads will get more people interested enough to try yoga for themselves so they can determine what yoga is for them. Now, that's a radical idea! (And by radical, I mean totally rad!)

What do you think?

Disappointment & pride

The events of Monday filled me with disappointment and shame. I became glued to my Twitter feed after sundown, becoming more and more disappointed, angry and incredulous with each 140-character assessment of our media and police's antics. Yes, I use the word "antics," because nothing really sums up ludicrous actions like sledgehammering a bus door for 45 minutes, or televising the SWAT team's movements for the hostage-taker to see, than the same word that is used to describe what clowns do in a circus ring.

I was particularly disturbed by the media's relentless pursuit of the scoop and how it contributed to the downward spiral of events. I didn't follow any of the live streams, so I don't know really how the network I came from handled its coverage; I read a lot of criticism against its rival network, though. I was also horrified at how many members of the news media shrugged off responsibility later on, justifying their actions and claiming to be "just doing their jobs." It leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth; after all, we are human beings before we are whatever we do for a living, and "professionalism" is not the only thing we can and should exercise in the pursuit of our work.

As a Filipino working overseas, I am a relentless cheerleader for our country, often replying to questions like "Are you from the Philippines?" from foreigners with "Yes! Have you been? You should visit!" I take the pains to send detailed emails full of suggestions and advice to acquaintances who tell me they are considering a visit, and I often tell coworkers about life back home, not just all its absurdities, but all the things I love about it.

Sinisikap kong maging magaling sa trabaho para makilala tayong mga Pinoy bilang magaling, masayahin, mabait at mapagkakatiwalaang mga empleyado at katrabaho. And all it takes is one rotten egg to ruin all the efforts I, and many overseas Filipinos like me, have made.

I went to sleep horrified, angry and disappointed, and hoped that when I woke up the next morning I would have reason to be proud. I did, and even if I was disappointed — if we were all disappointed — I still find many reasons to be proud.

I won't go all becky on you (these sisters have the market cornered on that!) but I was proud of our girl Venus and thought that she did the best that she could under the circumstances. Her answer doesn't change the fact that she's a beautiful woman and a spirited fighter, and gives us much to think about in the way we Filipinos view language, intelligence and class. The decades-old argument about allowing our beauty queens to use their native language resurfaces with new strength, and I hope it's something the powers-that-be will consider and embrace.

With both of these vastly different events, disappointment has been bitter, and strong. But it has not had, and will never have, the strength to overpower my pride in being Filipino.

Wedding Formal Dresses

Cheap Formal Dress - Good Enough For a Wedding?

Now that he's finally popped the question your thoughts wander to your wedding dress. Will a cheap formal dress be good enough for a wedding? It's your very special day and you want it to be perfect, but you're also stuck with a budget, and so are your bridesmaids-to-be and your mother. How can you have elegant dresses and not go broke over them?

You will find many places, especially on the Internet where you find wedding gowns and bridesmaid's dresses in all kinds of styles. When you shop around a little you will see a wide array of options; beautiful dresses where no-one would guess at their price tag.

You'd be amazed how much elegance you can achieve for comparatively very little money. A cheap formal dress or wedding dress can start as low as US $80.00, with not a frumpy thread in it. Also look for clearances at stores. You might be able to get great bargains if you manage to coincide with a clearance. Sometimes you can also garner decent discounts if the whole wedding party shops at the same place.


The times that cheap equaled bad style and quality are a thing of the past. You don't have to endanger your life's savings anymore to look absolutely gorgeous on your wedding day in a cheap formal dress.

The same is true for bridesmaid's dresses. Gone are the times when bridesmaid's dresses had a style that you would definitely never wear again, ever, after the wedding was over. Nowadays most bridesmaids' dresses look like made for models and most cheap formal dresses fall into that category. They are beautiful and you can use them for all kinds of different events after the wedding is a fond memory. Most of the time they are even advertised as Bridesmaid's/Prom/Wedding Party/Homecoming/Party dress, so one can use them for all types of occasions.

Even the mother of the bride (and the mother of the groom too, for that matter) doesn't have to stay behind. Beautiful cheap formal dresses in every style and for every type of body are available at this price range. And what's also nice, many of these stores, brick-and-mortar or online, have tailoring services available, in case a dress needs any adjustments.

A cheap formal dress is also a great option for the junior bridesmaids and the flower girls. They start as low as US $50.00 and many also combine with the bride's wedding dress. Most of these dresses are so cute and pretty, you'd think they must cost a fortune, when in reality they are very affordable.


While we are dressing the whole female part of the wedding party, let's not forget the groom, the best man and the groom's men. What about them? Well, how about tuxedos that make you look smashing for under US $200.00? That way one wouldn't have to deal with a rental (always keeping the budget in mind), but the gentlemen could all look very handsome in their own tuxedos.

So, back to the question if a cheap formal dress would be good enough for a wedding? The answer is most definitely yes. The whole wedding party can dress to the nines even on a limited budget. That way you'll have more left for your flowers, decoration and the wedding cake and even a honey moon.

From: Christina Meier

Plus Size Evening Dress

Women Plus Size Clothing

Womens Plus Size Clothing - Wholesale Prices

One of the best ways to make money online is to find a product that is in need and that many people want. Plus size clothing is one of those items that sells very well online and you can make a lot of money when you purchase this item wholesale. eBay is a great place to build a business with a womens plus size clothing. Around the country it is very difficult to find clothing that fits well and also is fashionable. Because of this fact there is a great need for women to be a full to find a source online that offers them fashionable clothing at a cheap price.

Using eBay to sell your merchandise is a great way for you to build a business and make a lot of money. You can build a large customer base around the country who will continue to buy your plus size clothing. This secret to making money is finding a wholesale supplier will give you a low price and great designer merchandise. Because manufacturers of plus size clothing have so much inventory they will mark down their extra goods and offer them an pennies on the dollar. This gives you the opportunity to buy great clothes at a fantastic price so you can make money.


Remember the key to making Money online is finding a niche such as plus size clothing for women and being able to offer it at a good price. You will be surprised that people will pay for items that they cannot get anywhere so make sure you have a great supplier. It may take you a little time to find a supplier that you trust but once you do the sky is the limit to how much money you can make.

From:Bryan Burbank

Women Plus Size Clothing

Pageants Dresses