Monday, July 24, 2006
away in bali 29 july-2 august
Dear yogis, if you’re wondering what happened to our plans for our 2nd Yoga Escape! we are happy to say that we’re now in the process of making the arrangements for our next yoga retreat. We hope to have the details confirmed by next week.
So here are several announcements for all our yogis:
1. . . We had earlier planned to have the retreat around National Day but seeing how it’s hard to make a booking during the peak season, now we are looking at having the yoga retreat during 23-27 August 2006 (Wednesday to Sunday). So quick chope your leave from your workplace! We will confirm the exact dates next week. We have VERY limited places so please let us know if you are interested to come for the retreat.
2. . . We are looking at holding the retreat in Bali. I would be going to Bali this Saturday (29 July) to next Wednesday (2 August) to discuss the arrangements with the retreat venues there and also to check out the variety of activities that can be arranged for our yogis during the retreat.
3. . . As a result, there will be some changes to our yOga class schedule during the period when I’m away (see next post for timetables):
Saturday 29 July:
8am class by Dr Kajal: no change
10am class by Sau Fen: no change
6pm class by Sau Fen will be held at 1:30-3:00pm. There will be no class at 6pm.
(my flight is at 5pm+ so I have to leave for airport immediately after 3pm)
Sunday 30 July:
10am-12pm gOngfu+yOga class will be conducted at the same time by Master Chua and Michele.
Monday 31 July:
7pm FUN class is cancelled.
Tuesday 1 August:
12pm class is cancelled.
6pm FUN class will be postponed to Friday, 4 August, 6-7pm.
7pm class is cancelled.
8:30pm class is cancelled.
Wednesday 2 August:
7pm class will be combined with 7:15pm class.
One MOM class will be held at 7:15pm-8:45pm and conducted by Dr. Kajal.
(my flight is scheduled to land at Changi Airport at 4:40pm but knowing it’s Garuda, we are not expecting it to be on time. . . so I doubt I’ll be back in time for class.)
Classes resume as per our normal schedule from 3 August Thursday onwards (see the next post for the August timetable). The timetables below summarises the changes for next week.
4. . . I’ll be on autoroaming when I’m away in Bali. So for non-urgent matters, please email me. For urgent matters, you can sms me: 97631374. Note: if you call the studio number 63344100, you also connect to my handphone. So sms is the best.
Y A BIG THANK YOU to all yogis for accommodating the changes!
Y And THANKS to Dr. Kajal and Michele for covering the classes.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
So here are several announcements for all our yogis:
1. . . We had earlier planned to have the retreat around National Day but seeing how it’s hard to make a booking during the peak season, now we are looking at having the yoga retreat during 23-27 August 2006 (Wednesday to Sunday). So quick chope your leave from your workplace! We will confirm the exact dates next week. We have VERY limited places so please let us know if you are interested to come for the retreat.
2. . . We are looking at holding the retreat in Bali. I would be going to Bali this Saturday (29 July) to next Wednesday (2 August) to discuss the arrangements with the retreat venues there and also to check out the variety of activities that can be arranged for our yogis during the retreat.
3. . . As a result, there will be some changes to our yOga class schedule during the period when I’m away (see next post for timetables):
Saturday 29 July:
8am class by Dr Kajal: no change
10am class by Sau Fen: no change
6pm class by Sau Fen will be held at 1:30-3:00pm. There will be no class at 6pm.
(my flight is at 5pm+ so I have to leave for airport immediately after 3pm)
Sunday 30 July:
10am-12pm gOngfu+yOga class will be conducted at the same time by Master Chua and Michele.
Monday 31 July:
7pm FUN class is cancelled.
Tuesday 1 August:
12pm class is cancelled.
6pm FUN class will be postponed to Friday, 4 August, 6-7pm.
7pm class is cancelled.
8:30pm class is cancelled.
Wednesday 2 August:
7pm class will be combined with 7:15pm class.
One MOM class will be held at 7:15pm-8:45pm and conducted by Dr. Kajal.
(my flight is scheduled to land at Changi Airport at 4:40pm but knowing it’s Garuda, we are not expecting it to be on time. . . so I doubt I’ll be back in time for class.)
Classes resume as per our normal schedule from 3 August Thursday onwards (see the next post for the August timetable). The timetables below summarises the changes for next week.
4. . . I’ll be on autoroaming when I’m away in Bali. So for non-urgent matters, please email me. For urgent matters, you can sms me: 97631374. Note: if you call the studio number 63344100, you also connect to my handphone. So sms is the best.
Y A BIG THANK YOU to all yogis for accommodating the changes!
Y And THANKS to Dr. Kajal and Michele for covering the classes.
yOga schedules frOm this week On
Here are the timetables for this week and the next weeks.
Click on the timetable images for larger views.
Changes due to my Bali trip (see details above) are highlighted in light blue.
Scroll down for index of abbreviations used in timetable and for further notes on classes.
24 July-30 July:
31 July-6 August:
August is nearly upon us. So here is the August timetable:
Note:
. . . No classes on public holidays. In this month, no classes on National Day, 9 August.
. . . Please note that we have adjusted the Wednesday and Friday class types. This is in response to feedback from our yogis that they would prefer Tuesday and Wednesday’s classes to be different types and also Friday and Saturday’s evening classes to be different types. So let’s try this schedule and see how it works out for us. Do continue to give us your feedback as the class schedule only makes sense if it helps us all to practice yoga better!
. . . Master Chua’s new gongfu class has started on Fridays at 7:45pm-8:45pm. This is on a package of 10 classes for $200. This is an ongoing class, so new students can join in any week.
Instructors:
C: Master Chua Kah Joo
K: Dr Kajal Pandit
SF: Chee Sau Fen
M: Michele Thompson
FUNdamentals (1 hour): for newbie yogis. . .
yoga basics for people who are entire new to yoga & beginners
-introduction to the practices of yoga pranayama, asana, relaxation techniques
MOMentum (1hour 30 minutes): for regular yogis. . .
regular yoga classes for those who are already familiar with basic poses, techniques
-development of basic skills. Introduction to variations of practice, eg. yoga flows.-help to develop basis for a home practice-introduciton to meditation
INtensity (1hour 30 minutes): for seasoned yogis. . .
to develop deeper understanding of individual and the yoga practices, pranayama, asana, etc.
-emphasis on meditative approach, eg. Yin Yoga, as a foundation for meditation practice.
PRANayama/DHYANa (1 hour): for all yogis. . .
breathing techniques for engergisation and relaxation leading to meditative techniques for mental strength and health
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Click on the timetable images for larger views.
Changes due to my Bali trip (see details above) are highlighted in light blue.
Scroll down for index of abbreviations used in timetable and for further notes on classes.
24 July-30 July:
31 July-6 August:
August is nearly upon us. So here is the August timetable:
Note:
. . . No classes on public holidays. In this month, no classes on National Day, 9 August.
. . . Please note that we have adjusted the Wednesday and Friday class types. This is in response to feedback from our yogis that they would prefer Tuesday and Wednesday’s classes to be different types and also Friday and Saturday’s evening classes to be different types. So let’s try this schedule and see how it works out for us. Do continue to give us your feedback as the class schedule only makes sense if it helps us all to practice yoga better!
. . . Master Chua’s new gongfu class has started on Fridays at 7:45pm-8:45pm. This is on a package of 10 classes for $200. This is an ongoing class, so new students can join in any week.
Instructors:
C: Master Chua Kah Joo
K: Dr Kajal Pandit
SF: Chee Sau Fen
M: Michele Thompson
FUNdamentals (1 hour): for newbie yogis. . .
yoga basics for people who are entire new to yoga & beginners
-introduction to the practices of yoga pranayama, asana, relaxation techniques
MOMentum (1hour 30 minutes): for regular yogis. . .
regular yoga classes for those who are already familiar with basic poses, techniques
-development of basic skills. Introduction to variations of practice, eg. yoga flows.-help to develop basis for a home practice-introduciton to meditation
INtensity (1hour 30 minutes): for seasoned yogis. . .
to develop deeper understanding of individual and the yoga practices, pranayama, asana, etc.
-emphasis on meditative approach, eg. Yin Yoga, as a foundation for meditation practice.
PRANayama/DHYANa (1 hour): for all yogis. . .
breathing techniques for engergisation and relaxation leading to meditative techniques for mental strength and health
2nd pran vidya wOrkshOp 20 aug
For those yogis who missed the Pran Vidya Workshop conducted by Dr Kajal on 2 July (see previous post here), we are happy to announce that there will be another breathing techniques session on Sunday, 20 August at 8am-10am. So don’t miss it this time! Book now! For yogis who have attended the first session, you can attend the 20 Aug session for a refresher.
Please reserve your place by making payment in cash or cheque (payable to “Chee Sau Fen”). $48 for mOmentOm yOgis, $58 for public. Because we want to have the time to ensure that each yogi practises the techniques correctly, there will be limited places in the session, so book today if you are interested.
The above session and the one held on 2 July are a basic introduction to pranayama. Thank you for your feedback, yogis who attended the first session. We are happy to hear that you found the session helpful and enlightening. In response to your feedback for further instruction in pranayama, we are planning a series of workshops soon on advancing the pranayama practice. Keep a look out on our website for the announcement.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Please reserve your place by making payment in cash or cheque (payable to “Chee Sau Fen”). $48 for mOmentOm yOgis, $58 for public. Because we want to have the time to ensure that each yogi practises the techniques correctly, there will be limited places in the session, so book today if you are interested.
The above session and the one held on 2 July are a basic introduction to pranayama. Thank you for your feedback, yogis who attended the first session. We are happy to hear that you found the session helpful and enlightening. In response to your feedback for further instruction in pranayama, we are planning a series of workshops soon on advancing the pranayama practice. Keep a look out on our website for the announcement.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
key tO happiness at wOrk: strive and let gO
As we progress in our yoga, we are often nice and steady and comfy when we're in yoga class. We may even practice the openness and even-mindedness by extending the yoga practices into our home life. Yet, the instant we enter into our office the next day, we're back where we started: angry, stressed out, unhappy and lost souls. "Is there a yoga for happiness at work?" our yogis often ask me in the studio.
I understand the desperation, the exasperation in that plea. I, too, was a part-time blissed out yogi and a full-time stressed out executive. Perhaps it is even worse for the yoga?! Because we encounter an episode of peace in our yoga class, our daily chaos at our workplace feels even more chaotic for the contrast.
This, you will be happy to learn, has been explored by the ancient yogis. In fact, they wanted more than anything to develop a complete coherence between our inner peace and divinity and our outer unrefinement and profanity. The sages came out with something called the "yoga of actions" or Karma Yoga. "Karma" means "action". They were interested, not just in how to make our daily actions happier and freed from stress, but they were also interested in how we can transform ourselves by making each and every action the realm of our yoga practice. Remember they were striving for unity (yoga): a coherence between our internal and external worlds. This means the yoga practice is all pervasive, all encompassing.
So what does Karma Yoga involve? There are a series of guidelines on how to purify our actions. The purpose of the practice is to bring about coherence and its resultant peace and happiness. The central idea of Karma Yoga is that the key to happiness in the present is through purifying our daily actions: each act becomes full of passion and empty of selfish expectations. We become mindful of the fact that while we can set our intentions, plan our actions, execute our every step meticulously, we can never, never shape the ultimate outcome of our strife. There is an emptiness inherent in our actions and it is a delusion to think otherwise: we think we can affect changes in a situation or in the world. The reality is that the world is made up of a whole lot of folks, thinking the same thing! So how could each instance possibly become true? What results from a heck of a lot of individuals thinking this way and acting from it is that almost all people end up disappointed that things do not work out the way they wanted. Taking the wider perspective, we see the need to let go of the strings we have attached to our actions and their outcomes. We simply act with the best intentions and are happy simply with the fact that we do.
In doing this, we are, in fact, liberated by freeing our actions from self-interest. In turn, we are freed from the tyranny of expectations which can never logically be met. When we work, we offer up each fruit of our labour to the larger good, without any expectation of any returns to ourselves, except the satisfaction of having put in your all into the work and having done so with the interest of all. We strive and then we let go. Each task is never too mundane, never too distasteful because it fits into a larger purpose: to contribute your daily toil to something greater than yourself. Never disappointed with outcomes. . . . Then when you do get rewarded, that's like a special job bonus!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I understand the desperation, the exasperation in that plea. I, too, was a part-time blissed out yogi and a full-time stressed out executive. Perhaps it is even worse for the yoga?! Because we encounter an episode of peace in our yoga class, our daily chaos at our workplace feels even more chaotic for the contrast.
This, you will be happy to learn, has been explored by the ancient yogis. In fact, they wanted more than anything to develop a complete coherence between our inner peace and divinity and our outer unrefinement and profanity. The sages came out with something called the "yoga of actions" or Karma Yoga. "Karma" means "action". They were interested, not just in how to make our daily actions happier and freed from stress, but they were also interested in how we can transform ourselves by making each and every action the realm of our yoga practice. Remember they were striving for unity (yoga): a coherence between our internal and external worlds. This means the yoga practice is all pervasive, all encompassing.
So what does Karma Yoga involve? There are a series of guidelines on how to purify our actions. The purpose of the practice is to bring about coherence and its resultant peace and happiness. The central idea of Karma Yoga is that the key to happiness in the present is through purifying our daily actions: each act becomes full of passion and empty of selfish expectations. We become mindful of the fact that while we can set our intentions, plan our actions, execute our every step meticulously, we can never, never shape the ultimate outcome of our strife. There is an emptiness inherent in our actions and it is a delusion to think otherwise: we think we can affect changes in a situation or in the world. The reality is that the world is made up of a whole lot of folks, thinking the same thing! So how could each instance possibly become true? What results from a heck of a lot of individuals thinking this way and acting from it is that almost all people end up disappointed that things do not work out the way they wanted. Taking the wider perspective, we see the need to let go of the strings we have attached to our actions and their outcomes. We simply act with the best intentions and are happy simply with the fact that we do.
In doing this, we are, in fact, liberated by freeing our actions from self-interest. In turn, we are freed from the tyranny of expectations which can never logically be met. When we work, we offer up each fruit of our labour to the larger good, without any expectation of any returns to ourselves, except the satisfaction of having put in your all into the work and having done so with the interest of all. We strive and then we let go. Each task is never too mundane, never too distasteful because it fits into a larger purpose: to contribute your daily toil to something greater than yourself. Never disappointed with outcomes. . . . Then when you do get rewarded, that's like a special job bonus!
Monday, July 17, 2006
backgrOund On backgrOund
The new website revamp is complete. Thank you yogis, for bearing with us.
Some words on the new page:
. . . A new link to "Latest News!" has been added to the links menu on our site. This takes you to the latest important announcement, including urgent class schedule updates. So do check this frequently so that you won't miss out on new developments for our yogis at mOmentOm.
. . . "How to find us in Bugis Village" link is something you can point out to your friends attending yoga class at mOmentOm for the first time. It has pictures illustrating how to get to the studio.
. . . "How to get started in yoga" link was the former "Yoga FAQs" link.
. . . the wallpaper or background of our new site is a photograph of the shadows cast by Michele and our tour guide on one of the giant astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, India, an extraodinary observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II, built between 1728 and 1734. He believed that the bigger the instruments the more accurate the measurements. . . hence this collection of momumental astronomical instruments. To me, the whole place looked more like a sculpture park. This attempt to understand our place in the cosmos really moved me: we are so small in the cosmos, seemingly insignificant, yet we are an inseparable part of the whole scheme of things. A fact, long understoond by yogis of old, a fact that is at the same time, humbling and grand. Our gentlemanly guide was a retired professor and was something like 80 years old. In robust health, he credits his wellbeing to years of yoga practice. He was amused and visibly pleased to hear that we are yoga instructors in Singapore.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Some words on the new page:
. . . A new link to "Latest News!" has been added to the links menu on our site. This takes you to the latest important announcement, including urgent class schedule updates. So do check this frequently so that you won't miss out on new developments for our yogis at mOmentOm.
. . . "How to find us in Bugis Village" link is something you can point out to your friends attending yoga class at mOmentOm for the first time. It has pictures illustrating how to get to the studio.
. . . "How to get started in yoga" link was the former "Yoga FAQs" link.
. . . the wallpaper or background of our new site is a photograph of the shadows cast by Michele and our tour guide on one of the giant astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, India, an extraodinary observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II, built between 1728 and 1734. He believed that the bigger the instruments the more accurate the measurements. . . hence this collection of momumental astronomical instruments. To me, the whole place looked more like a sculpture park. This attempt to understand our place in the cosmos really moved me: we are so small in the cosmos, seemingly insignificant, yet we are an inseparable part of the whole scheme of things. A fact, long understoond by yogis of old, a fact that is at the same time, humbling and grand. Our gentlemanly guide was a retired professor and was something like 80 years old. In robust health, he credits his wellbeing to years of yoga practice. He was amused and visibly pleased to hear that we are yoga instructors in Singapore.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
new lOOk website
mOmentOm yOga is happy to present a fresh new look for our website. Enjoy!
Please bear with us as we are still in the process of upgrading the links and tweaking everything into place.
Latest updates (5pm 13 July 2006):
Y Thanks to Eng Kiat for the feedback on the fonts. Yes, I agree that the font on the Om Improvement site is easier on the eyes. So now I've adotped the same fonts now for the new website. Do continue to give your feebback yogis!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Please bear with us as we are still in the process of upgrading the links and tweaking everything into place.
Latest updates (5pm 13 July 2006):
Y Thanks to Eng Kiat for the feedback on the fonts. Yes, I agree that the font on the Om Improvement site is easier on the eyes. So now I've adotped the same fonts now for the new website. Do continue to give your feebback yogis!
Monday, July 10, 2006
new friday gOngfu class starting 21 july
Those of you who were interested to learn gongfu but could not make the Sunday yOga+gOngfu classes would be happy to know that Master Chua Kah Joo would be starting a purely gongfu class on Fridays at 7:45-8:45pm from 21 July 2006. So sign up for the package and learn some skills!
To register, please call Desmond 97631900 by 15 Jul 2006.
Details:
WING CHUN KUNG FU Class (for anyone from 10 yrs old to Adults)
New class on 21 July 06.
Price : S$200 per pax for 10 lessons (1 hr per lesson)
Every Friday, 7.45pm to 8.45pm
Venue mOmentOm yOga. . . 241B Victoria Street, Singapore 188030
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To register, please call Desmond 97631900 by 15 Jul 2006.
Details:
WING CHUN KUNG FU Class (for anyone from 10 yrs old to Adults)
New class on 21 July 06.
Price : S$200 per pax for 10 lessons (1 hr per lesson)
Every Friday, 7.45pm to 8.45pm
Venue mOmentOm yOga. . . 241B Victoria Street, Singapore 188030
Monday, July 03, 2006
yOga class schedule update
Yogis, please note that Tuesday 12-1pm yoga class for 4 & 11 July has been temporarily put on hold. Class should resume at this timeslot from 18 July 2006.
If you are unsure if any class is on or not, do give us a call to check: 63344100
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If you are unsure if any class is on or not, do give us a call to check: 63344100
breath by breath
A big thank you to all yogis who woke up early to come for the Pran Vidya workshop yesterday morning! We hope you found the workshop helpful for developing your practice.
We received some post-workshop feedback on Sunday and there are some yogis interested in further pranayama workshops. Also some yogis who could not make it for the workshop yesterday have requested for another session. Please continue to give us your feedback (mOmentOmyOga@gmail.com) and let us know if you are interested in future pranayama workshops. Some yogis also mentioned that they could not remember all the practices taught. Not to worry! As for all yoga practice, you will become familiar with the techniques through regular practice. So if we have enough people, we will conduct anther session similar to yesterday's which was really an introductory workshop to the pranayama practices. And if there is interest, we can look into organising regular practice sessions for our yogis to keep up their practice.
Pranayama is an important component of your yoga practice. A mastery of your life force leads to a balanced physical, emotional, mental life. . . in other words, more health & happiness! Let this workshop be the start to your exploration of your inner life.
If you missed the session yesterday, here are some scenes of serenity from the workshop:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
We received some post-workshop feedback on Sunday and there are some yogis interested in further pranayama workshops. Also some yogis who could not make it for the workshop yesterday have requested for another session. Please continue to give us your feedback (mOmentOmyOga@gmail.com) and let us know if you are interested in future pranayama workshops. Some yogis also mentioned that they could not remember all the practices taught. Not to worry! As for all yoga practice, you will become familiar with the techniques through regular practice. So if we have enough people, we will conduct anther session similar to yesterday's which was really an introductory workshop to the pranayama practices. And if there is interest, we can look into organising regular practice sessions for our yogis to keep up their practice.
Pranayama is an important component of your yoga practice. A mastery of your life force leads to a balanced physical, emotional, mental life. . . in other words, more health & happiness! Let this workshop be the start to your exploration of your inner life.
If you missed the session yesterday, here are some scenes of serenity from the workshop:
Dr Kajal giving an introduction to pranayama to our participating yogis.
Yogis practising nadisuddhi pranayama to balance the breath. 
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Yogis getting one-to-one attention from Dr Kajal.
Yogis using sound resonance to bring about mental serenity.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
pran vidya wOrkshOp tOmOrrOw, 2 july 8am
Breathe in a better way tomorrow! Just a reminder that the pranayama (breathing techniques) workshop (see earlier post for details: click here) conducted by Dr Kajal is on tomorrow at 8-10am.
To all yogis attending:
. . . you are kindly reminded to please be punctual. If you need to settle payment for the workshop, please come at least 15 minutes before class. . . and bring exact change.
. . . Also, please do not to have too heavy a breakfast.
. . . following the pranayama workshop you can attend a trial of the yOga+gOngfu class which happens at its regular timeslot 10am-12pm on Sundays. mOmentOm yOgis who are attending the pranayama workshop simply pay an additional $10 for the yOga+gOngfu trial.
See you all bright & early tomorrow!! mOmentOm yOga studio will be open by 7am tomorrow.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To all yogis attending:
. . . you are kindly reminded to please be punctual. If you need to settle payment for the workshop, please come at least 15 minutes before class. . . and bring exact change.
. . . Also, please do not to have too heavy a breakfast.
. . . following the pranayama workshop you can attend a trial of the yOga+gOngfu class which happens at its regular timeslot 10am-12pm on Sundays. mOmentOm yOgis who are attending the pranayama workshop simply pay an additional $10 for the yOga+gOngfu trial.
See you all bright & early tomorrow!! mOmentOm yOga studio will be open by 7am tomorrow.