Yoga Arts Association

Anusara inspired yoga workshop

2009-08-14T08:24:00.004+08:00

OMPlace Studio presents

Anusara-inspired Workshop

with
Vincent Tam

( all levels welcome )

Anusara is heart oriented, inspiring and yet grounded in the Universal Principles of Alignment for both inner and outer body. Vinyasa is a flow class that integrates fluidity and strength, alignment and inner awareness, movement and stillness.

Saturday date Oct 10^th :1.30pm – 4.30pm

Get into the Groove — Flow Practice: Challenge yourself in Vinyasa flow practice. Build heat, strength and flexibility in this well sequenced class. We will focus on a combination of alignment and movement as we move through sun salutations and fun flow sequences. The whole class will be set to great music.

Saturday date Oct 10^th : 5.30pm – 8:30pm

Find Your Way : Through a sequence of progressively deeper backbends, this heart opening class will energize and uplift you, countering the effects of daily living on our bodies and minds. This class will leave you energised!

Sunday date Oct 11^{th :} 9.30am – 12.30pm

Get Hip :Hip openers allow us to penetrate deeply into the emotional and physical body. In this strong asana practice we will use standing and seated poses to move through layers of resistance, opening the hips so we can experience greater freedom in the rest of the body.

Sunday date Oct 11^th : 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Flying High Flow: Arm balance within vinyasa requires focus, creates graceful strength, and builds confidence. We will explore alignment of upper body in beginner and advanced versions of arm poses and learn to “fly” while staying connected to breath and spirit.

Venue : OMPlace Studio

Address :A9 ,First Floor , Block A , Bangunan Habza , Simpang 150

Kampong Kuilap , Mukim Gadong ,BSB , Brunei Darussalam BE1518

Date : 10^th ( Saturday ) and 11^th ( Sunday ) ,October 2009

INVESTMENT : : BND $340 for the entire workshop. BND $ 95 per workshop.

EARLY BIRD : BND $ 280 for 4 workshops.

BND $ 75 for per workshop

(Payment before 21^st September 2009)

Certificate of Attendance will be issued to participants who attend the entire workshop.

Places are strictly limited, early payment (non-refundable) will secure a place. Please visit our blog http://omplacestudio.blogspot.com/

or contact William - 8767019 / 8168930

Jacky – 8734425 / 8118930

Brief Profile:

Vincent Tam has been studying yoga and qi gong since 1992. He started teaching yoga in 1995 while he was still studying Tibetan Buddhist meditation at the Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Vincent’s early success inspired him to further his yoga practice at the Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania, USA immersing him fully in yoga and the yogic way of living.

Vincent, who is a graduate from the Yoga Arts of Australia, has studied under some of the world’s most respected yogis and qi gong masters, including Simon Borg-Olivier, Louisa Sear, Edward Clark, Richard Freeman, Chang Yun Fang and Mantak Chia. He is also an Anusara-inspired yoga teacher after having studied under the founder, John Friend, Desiree Rumbaugh and Amy Ippoliti. Vincent’s own teachings are distilled from his vast experience of the different yoga schools and qi gong traditions he has studied over the years. His teachings harmonize the flowing movement-based practice (vinyasa) with postures (asana) that are held for extended periods.

Vincent is currently the Regional Yoga Trainer for Fitness First Asia and has conducted many teacher trainings, workshops and retreats in Asia. For more information, visit www.vincenttamyoga.com

In association with

Yoga for charity 9/8/09

2009-08-10T10:31:00.002+08:00

The latest from us!

A date with us

2009-07-21T11:16:00.002+08:00

Take your yoga mat and join us for an uplifting, invigorating and relaxing practice on Sunday 9th August 2009.

Yoga Arts Association invites students of all level to bring their own insights of yogasanas to the event. Our aim in this event is to illustrate and enhance an absolute awareness when practicing from the heart and mind.

We, as teachers from Yoga Arts will lead you into a spirited vinyasa practice of sun salutations, leg and arm strengthening poses to a few tease and twists accompanied by soulful music.

So, if you're interested, don't wait! Just book your mat with us and be there on the 9th August(Sunday) at 4.30pm! See you soon!

**Venue:- TBA**

**Please be reminded students should at least have some experience of sun salutations. For other enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Jac at 8930886, William 8767019, or Nora 8800010**

An invite!

2009-01-30T08:26:00.004+08:00

would like to invite you to their opening
on the 2nd February 2009. 10am-6pm
@

No.9, 1st flr, Blk A
Bangunan Habza, Spg 150
Kg Kiulap
Contact number: 8767019 / 8168930

Omplace Studio

2009-01-16T10:15:00.003+08:00

A preview of

OMPlace Studio

which will be opening much to the delight of yoga enthusiasts in Brunei!

Details soon!

Islam & Yoga

2008-11-24T18:09:00.002+08:00

A reflection taken from ISLAM:BODY & MIND by Soumy Ana.

Allah does not like extremism: "Thus have We made of you an ummah justly balanced" (Al baqara 2:143)

“Yoga, according to the World Book lexicon is, 'A system of Hindu
religious philosophy that requires intense mental and physical discipline as
a means of attaining union with the universal spirit.' (World Book p. 2421).

Hence even though Yoga is used only as a fitness programme, it is not
permissible due to its close links with the Hindu religion.”

In the second case, Yoga is halal or allowed; it is just another way to
feel good and the teacher is not instructing his students about any of the
Hindu doctrine. It is reduced to a series of physical activities without
special meaning. This series of exercises resemble stretching techniques,
relaxing and massaging techniques. As long as the postures are not extreme
and are not harming the body of the person who practices it, it is safe to use it.

But Muslims should consider only as a hobby to feel better, something that
they do for pleasure, not by conviction. Yoga can thus help them to sleep
better, to feel more in tune with their body, to relax, etc.
In the same spirit, Muslim Chinese as a means of finding balance and
defending themselves use martial arts.

There is no proof in Islam that it is forbidden.

Our prophet (saas) would ask the help of people from other religions to
educate Muslims in writing, or to master a skill. In Islam, we are allowed to
learn from the non-Muslims as long as we do not imitate them and do not
follow them and as long as the teaching is not in contradiction in any way
with the Muslim creed.

Chanting in Yoga is therefore prohibited.

We do not
want to imitate the Kufar,
but incorporate what is good from their teachings
into our daily practices. Hatha Yoga is a combination of traditional
teachings into a modern setting.

It is a mild form of Yoga that is completely
reduced to purely physical poses.

Fatwa from: http://islamhelpline.com/

Updates from yoga weekend workshops 25-27th July

2008-07-27T12:13:00.007+08:00

Fine-Tuning The Art Of Yoga With The Help Of Two Masters
By Amin Hosni

Bandar Seri Begawan - The three-day yoga workshop conducted by yoga masters —Paalu Ramasamy and Chong Wei Ling —held at Seraphina Studio was deemed a success.

The two yoga gurus were specially invited to Brunei from Singapore by Brunei's own yoga teachers — Jac Fang and Nora Rahman — to help students understand and practice yoga safely.

The work hops were categorised into 'sun salutation variations', 'twisting your way to health', 'inversions' and ‘power one yoga’. The workshops were organised to help students fine-tune their practice as well as concentrating on students' body alignment and breathing techniques. Yoga students from all ages with different backgrounds and nationalities gathered at Seraphina studio to learn more about yoga.

Paalu Ramasamy and Chong Wei Ling were well received by the local students. Yoga master Chong Wei Ling has an International Diploma in Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga, having trained in Chennai and Rishikesh in India.

She has taught more than 500 students internationally. She upgrades herself annually in India, learning from fammis gurus namely Usha Devi and Bramacharya Rudra Dev.

Her partner yoga master Paalu Ramasamy is an experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT), E500 T500 under the yoga alliance, USA classification of yoga teachers around the world. To date, Master Paalu has trained more than 500 yoga teachers and his classes are very witty as Well as enjoyable, fun and life-transforming.

Both yoga masters incorporated in-depth learning on yoga philosophy and understanding the full benefits of yoga. In today's age and society, people are facing an increased amount of stress, less exercise and endless health problems.

Yoga has been scientifically shown to rejuvenate, increase stamina, give vitality, improve suppleness in joints and muscles and help create a leaner looking body. --

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Yoga workshops in July!

2008-06-29T14:42:00.004+08:00

Please click for larger image

Early birds extended to 18th July 2008!

Fellowship with a purpose

2007-08-10T21:24:00.000+08:00

August 10, 2007
Fellowship With A Purpose
Starting A Group

Human beings, by their very nature, love to gather. Yet as much as we crave community, the rigors of real life frequently interfere with our efforts to come together with likeminded individuals. For this reason, fellowship is crucial to humanity's wellbeing now more than ever. Most towns and cities play host to a variety of small groups that allow people to congregate purposefully, but that does not mean we should not consider founding our own. When people with similar interests, ideals, or aspirations come together as a group, a community is built that provides a new dimensionality to our earthly experiences.

The formation of a group is like an invitation welcoming all those desiring companionship and camaraderie into a circle of support. You may feel driven to found a group for women, healers, knitters, readers, writers, or political activists. Rules need only be a part of your communal experience if you find that level of organization appealing, and it matters little whether your group is large, goal-oriented, or structured. When you have a firm vision of the group you wish to bring into being, hang posters, reach out to acquaintances, and get in touch with similar groups to attract participants. Groups of likeminded individuals are to some extent inherently exclusionary, being that they serve as a supportive environment in which people who have something in common can gather. Yet such groups can also transcend the boundaries that might otherwise keep people apart, The group you create will likely attract people from many different ethnic, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds, and if you make these individuals feel equally welcome, your group will grow and thrive as a result.

Try to ward off any discouragement you feel when those intrigued by your group's purpose are not ready to contribute actively. They are likely waiting to see how it evolves and whether you are truly committed to serving as its heart and soul. If the group you have founded is a positive influence in the life of even a single individual, it is well worth it. Your intention to bring people together will be the seed that develops into a source of nurturance and community that stays true to its purpose long after its initial inception.

Why can't you eat before a yoga class?

2007-08-10T21:11:00.000+08:00

In yoga practice we twist from side to side, turn upside down, and bend forward and backward. If you have not fully digested your last meal, it will make itself known to you in ways that are not comfortable. If you are a person with a fast-acting digestive system and are afraid you might get hungry or feel weak during yoga class, experiment with a light snack such as yogurt, a few nuts, or juice about 30 minutes to an hour before class.

What do i need to begin?

2007-08-10T21:10:00.002+08:00

All you really need to begin practicing yoga is your body, your mind, and a bit of curiosity. But it is also helpful to have a pair of sweat pants, leggings, or shorts, and a t-shirt that's not too baggy. No special footgear is required because you will be barefoot. It's nice to bring a towel to class with you. As your practice develops you might want to buy your own yoga mat, but most studios will have mats and other props available for you.

Im not flexible-can I do yoga?

2007-08-10T21:10:00.001+08:00

Yes! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga, but that's a little bit like thinking that you need to be able to play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will find that yoga practice will help you become more flexible.

This newfound agility will be balanced by strength, coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of physical confidence and overall well-being.

Is yoga a religion?

2007-08-10T21:09:00.001+08:00

Yoga is not a religion. It is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. The father of classical ashtanga yoga (the eight-limbed path, not to be confused with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga yoga) is said to be Patanjali, who wrote the Yoga Sutra. These scriptures provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body. Yoga sometimes interweaves other philosophies such as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to study those paths in order to practice or study yoga.

It is also not necessary to surrender your own religious beliefs to practice yoga.

How is yoga different ?

2007-08-10T21:08:00.000+08:00

How is yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?

Unlike stretching or fitness, yoga is more than just physical postures. Patanjali's eight-fold path illustrates how the physical practice is just one aspect of yoga. Even within the physical practice, yoga is unique because we connect the movement of the body and the fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of our breath. Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us to direct our attention inward. Through this process of inward attention, we learn to recognize our habitual thought patterns without labeling them, judging them, or trying to change them. We become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.

How many times per week should I practice?

2007-08-10T21:07:00.000+08:00

Yoga is amazing–even if you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of the practice. If you can do more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits. I suggest starting with two or three times a week, for an hour or an hour and a half each time. If you can only do 20 minutes per session, that's fine too. Don't let time constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle–do what you can and don't worry about it. You will likely find that after awhile your desire to practice expands naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more.

Do I have to be a vegetarian to practice yoga?

2007-08-10T21:06:00.000+08:00

The first principle of yoga philosophy is ahimsa, which means nonharming to self and others. Some people interpret this to include not eating animal products. There is debate about this in the yoga community–I believe that it is a personal decision that everyone has to make for themselves. If you are considering becoming a vegetarian, be sure to take into account your personal health issues as well how your choices will affect those with whom you live. Being a vegetarian should not be something that you impose on others–that kind of aggressive action in itself is not an expression of ahimsa.

What does hatha mean?

2007-08-10T21:04:00.001+08:00

What does Hatha mean?

The word hatha means willful or forceful. Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical exercises (known as asanas or postures), and sequences of asanas, designed to align your skin, muscles, and bones. The postures are also designed to open the many channels of the body–especially the main channel, the spine–so that energy can flow freely.

Hatha is also translated as ha meaning "sun" and tha meaning "moon." This refers to the balance of masculine aspects–active, hot, sun–and feminine aspects–receptive, cool, moon–within all of us. Hatha yoga is a path toward creating balance and uniting opposites. In our physical bodies we develop a balance of strength and flexibility. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each pose.

Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.

What is Yoga?

2007-08-10T21:01:00.000+08:00

FAQ

Yoga teacher and studio owner Cyndi Lee answers your frequently asked questions.

By Cyndi Lee

1. What is yoga?

The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as "union" or a method of discipline. A male who practices yoga is called a yogi, a female practitioner, a yogini.

The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practiced today. It also outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).

Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the third limb, asana, which is a program of physical postures designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation.

Bhakti charity sunday

2007-08-10T15:56:00.001+08:00

Using our own yoga practice to reach out.

Bhakti charity for SMARTER.

Around 40 yogis and yoginis turned up that sunday August 5th, for this charitable cause. The proposed venue was at Shahbandar park, but the encouraging response made for another bigger venue, at the Heng Thai association building (Tai chi association building).

This gentle yoga flow session was led by Nora & William.
The feedback? Looking forward to more good causes such as this.

Nora Rahman - teacher profile

2007-08-07T17:51:00.001+08:00

My “Yoga affair”

Started to become curious about Yoga in 2005 when i was a very active in other sports and fitness activities that were strenuous. Began to slowly learn Yoga through books (first book was Yoga for Idiots!), then attended my first class in Gaia Yoga Singapore which then prompted months after, to attend the Yoga in Asia Conference that same year.

In June 2005, took up the Radiant Yoga child program and learnt the benefits of Yoga to children under the guidance of Dr Jacqueline Koay of Sun Yoga who was a direct student of Shakta Kaur Khalsa.

In early 2006, underwent an intensive 2 month Yoga teacher’s training again under the same guidance in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and was exposed to different schools of Yoga : Ashtanga, Kundalini, Iyengar and other ‘freestyle’ yoga from various teachers namely, Ann Barros (Iyengar), Kundalini (Sirri Datta), Ashtanga (Adrian Cox & James Figueira).

Following my teacher training, then began actively teaching Yoga (vinyasa forms). From then, have attended various workshops and classes outside of Brunei namely the Ashtanga Bali in Feb 2007, The Asia Yoga Conference in HongKong, June 2007, then exploring poses through Anusara Yoga in Singapore with Desiree Rumbaugh later that year. 2007 was the ‘height’ of my Yoga journey as it was during this year that i was blessed to have met other extraordinary teachers: David Swenson, Shiva Rea, Seane Corn and Michel Besnard.

Among the classes and workshops that I have helped conducted in spreading the benefits of Yoga to the public are: Yoga Buzz weekend with Adeline Tien in August 2006, conducting on-off Shahbandar Yoga sessions in the evenings and Yoga for charity August 2007 with fellow teacher William Chong. Towards the end of 2007, I helped create the Yoga Arts Association with the hopes of attracting Yoga teachers (aspiring and established) to share knowledge and teachings and in the effort to share the wholesome health benefits of Yoga.

My favourite Yoga styles are combining Vinyasa (flow), Yin yoga, and injecting the ‘unseriousness’ of yoga and life through humour (i try anyway!). My yoga practise has helped me conquer alot of fears – on and off the mat aside from the health benefits that are countless.

At present, I teach 3 times weekly to a cosy group at home in the evenings, aside from holding a day job as a Language teacher and a mother to 3 little elves who are seven, six and 4 months J

www.stillpractising.net

Teacher profile

2007-08-05T08:48:00.000+08:00

William Chong

Brief Bio:

1998-1999 : Hatha Yoga Course, beginner-intermediate level.

2005 : Yoga Teacher Training @ Nasik, India (Ashtanga & Hatha Yoga)

2006: Yoga Therapy Course & Reiki (1st grade) @ Nasik, India

2007: Vippasana meditation technique, Thailand.
: Yoga tour to Dharamsala & Rishikesh India.
Hatha yoga classes at Yoga Niketan.
Iyengar style by yogini Usha Devi at Omkarananda Gamga Sadan.
Hatha yoga class at Yoga center by Yogi Paveen
Ashtanga Vinyasa Class by Yogi Kurma
Iyengar class by Rouis from South Africa at the LHA center in Dharamsala.

2008: Yoga workshop by Aadil at True Yoga, Singapore.

Objectives of Yoga Arts Association

2007-07-16T08:55:00.000+08:00

The Yoga Arts Association's objectives:

1. To promote Yoga as a lifestyle by educating the public by conducting talks, presentations, yoga classes to the public.

2. To create Yoga teachers in Brunei Darussalam. Learning yoga teachers are supported through supervision or guidance of a registered yoga teacher registered under the Yoga Alliance, through continuing practice, workshops and other higher forms of learning.

3. To help and organise in community charity events. Yoga extends out to community/ties in need. Practice should not be confined to personal or studio practice alone but as means to reach out to others as well.

4. Help to protect Yoga teachings, diversity and integrity. Yoga Arts Association is not conformed to a single school of Yoga but embraces all kinds of Yoga that is deemed acceptable. B Yoga Arts Association will also hope to ensure that all teachers of Yoga will at least have a diploma or have graduated or registered by an organisation or is under the guidance of a registered teacher and that the learnings are set according to the standards of the teachings of the Yoga Alliance.