mOmentOm yOga. . . steady, cOmfy, happy, yOga. . .

Dear yogis,

For refunds of unused classes from valid class passes, please email to momentomyoga@gmail.com by 31 May 2007, stating your full name (as in bank account), your bank account number or your mailing address. All requested refunds will be sent by June 2007. As we are closing accounts, we regret that we will be unable to process any requests for refunds after 31 May 2007. Thank you for your kindness and patience.

Namaste.

We are closed. Please email momentomyoga@gmail.com for more information.
Thank you.

Please be informed that tomorrow's (Thursday, 7 Dec) 7.15-8.15pm FUN class is cancelled. There will be no yoga classes tomorrow. Classes from Fri-Sun will take place as per schedule posted. Do check the website regularly for updates.

Our fellow yogi, Herman, who also goes by the moniker, Heage, is sharing his art with us this Christmas season! Check out Herman's gorgeous designs at Heage. Email him to receive a limited edition Christmas card featuring his design. Two years ago, I received one of Herman's cards in a form of a bookmark and I have cherished it till now. His generosity and love for art should inspire us to extend personal and creative presents during this holiday season, which can sometimes landslide into consuming, mindless shopping.

On behalf of a friend or family member, donate to their favourite charity. Hand out personalised "coupons" and "vouchers" which your friends can redeem. Buy a vintage dress from Granny's Day Out, a vintage clothing store owned by another fellow yogi. Check out this article for healthy holiday gifts and a friend of mine who maintains an eco blog has fantastic and original ideas on giving "waste-free, non-consumerist gifts that were not only carefully chosen with the giftee in mind, but also reflected [their] values".

Be happy with less. Happy holidays!

Namaste,
Michele

We are very happy to welcome Jancy Yeo to mOmentOm yOga. Jancy will be taking some of the regular classes from today. Some of you have met her as early as in 12 October when she generously stepped in to teach a yoga class when Michele and I were not available. Call it fate or karma or what you will but Jancy and I were once yoga classmates when we were new to yoga AND Jancy was in the same class as Michele at one point too! Are we surprised to see her with us again? Some things are meant to be. . . so welcome home, Jancy!

Here's an little introduction to our new family member:

Jancy first took up yoga as she was curious to find out more about this age-old discipline, which everyone told her is relaxing and beneficial to the physical and mental health. “When I first started yoga, I was only interested in being challenged to do the various poses. However, through the years as I continued to attend classes, I learnt to focus my mind and in the process, experience calm and serenity which I am not able to get from the other physical exercises that I do regularly.”

Yoga, to Jancy, is a continual and life-long journey, one of self-discovery and realization. She considers each student a blessing as often times, it is through teaching that she discovers about herself more, allowing her to deepen her understanding of the subject. Jancy hopes that she will be able to share her enthusiasm of this age-old discipline and influence her students in appreciating the fact that it is an individual unique path for each one and thus discovering their personal journey with yoga.

She is grateful to her teacher and mentor, Jacqueline Ospovat, her first yoga teacher and whom she is still studying with, for her guidance and generosity in sharing her yoga knowledge.

Jancy received her yoga instructor training from Vivekananda Yoga Centre, Singapore. She is also a trained teacher with a Postgraduate Diploma in Physical Education from the National Institute of Education, Singapore and a certified aerobics instructor. In her free time, she enjoys running and playing peek-a-boo with her 6-month-old daughter.

We will be uploading the December class schedule tomorrow.

In the meantime, some updates for classes the rest of the week (no change to other regular timeslots unless stated below):

30 Nov, Thursday
7:15pm FUNdamental class cancelled (all the regulars can't make the class)
8:30pm MOMentum class cancelled as per previous announcement

1 Dec, Friday
12pm FUNdamental class will be conducted by Jancy
7:15pm INtensity class will be conducted by Michele

As mOmentOm yOga and I go into our transitions now and into December, many realisations are ripening. I come to experience many things that I thought I understood but really grasped only intellectually before. . . like what it really means to take on the challenge of life without turning away and what it means to truly let go of expectations of desired outcomes of our strife -- what it means is that we live realistically and we live in genuine freedom. I am grateful for the experience and to all of you who have made it possible, and thankful for your continued support so that mOmentOm yOga can continue to bring such realisations into others' lives. From what I've seen -- from the touching emails I've received, and yogis who are continuing to renew your class packages and sign up new friends even in the recent weeks which is going into the festive period low season -- I believe this is already happening more and more.

Today I read again Master Sheng Yen's (a modern Zen Master) "108 Paths to Liberation" (available as a free distribution leaflet at mOmentOm yOga) and his words nicely sum up what I realised:

To take on anything, one must first be able to let go. One is truly free who can take on and let go of anything in peace.

Know yourself and others, and the ways of the world, so as to have a peaceful body and mind. Recognize, cherish, and nurture your blessings, and seize every chance to be of service.

For those who can take things on and let them go in peace, every year is an auspicious year. For those who can sow with wisdom the seeds of blessings, every day is a good day.