How to be best friends.

One of my bestests from university days came to visit me in Dubai. I've had many visitors in the past, but this is the first real one for me.

Dubai is so appealing to the untrained eye. I can easily see me frolicking here until I see Carlyn get approached by a man in a white kandoora at the end of the night. It's all fun and games until someone takes you seriously.

On top of going down the tourist route, I gave Car a trip to the yoga room. Joumana led a level 1 class and Carlyn tried yoga for the first time ever. As a dancer and an athlete,  she found the ashtanga sequence challenging in a good way. I hope she gets into ashtanga when she gets back home! It was great to have her energy around me for a week.

And for me? Back to meditating about life, some serious prayer and a 60 day yoga challenge. Considering that I'm feeling super alone at home after my brother and bestie gone within a day of each other,  I neeeeed some self love.

Next post will give deeeeets. Ashtanga to a new level. It's on.

How to never give up but always let go.

Prarista Pachottanasana A or Wide legged forward bend. One of my favourite poses. This is not one of those things that just happen one day. I am just plain grateful for what I CAN do rather than where I want to be. Today, I slept in and skipped morning Mysore practice to make up for a shitty night and a weird weekend. Sometimes having a "life" is overrated. Everytime I feel like I don't go out enough or party or "relax" with a drink or two, I need to remind myself that it is so superficial. This weekend was one of those reminders. And I love my no-life life. 

Give and give and expect nothing back. Practice non-attachment. 

 "abhyasa vairagyabhyam tat nirodhah"

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras 1.12

How to Mysore

Started a new Mysore practice at Yoga Room. They say "a lazy practice is better than none at all".

It's been phenomenal!  Nea is absolutely amazing and she completely makes you feel at ease. The goal is to get to practice 6 days a week.

If you have never done a mysore style class: It's basically the ashtanga sequence done at your own pace alongside several others on their mats. A self practice on steroids. The energy is amaze.

I have a very cool new project coming up and I just wrapped up my first ever student piano recital. March has been good so far!

My friend Aya captured this in my favourite vintage denim shorts. 

how to OMMMMM

I bought a Groupon deal for 20 hot yoga sessions with a friend of mine. She has been on a quest to lose weight / get fit even though she is probably less than 90pounds (40kgs). Though I've dabbled in hot yoga before and not really loved it, I took this as a challenge to add to my Ashtanga practice and support a friend.

Yesterday was our first session at Fitness 4 Life in Dubai Silicon Oasis. I got through the 90 minutes session in a 40 degree room with ease. I even surprised myself when I wished it was a little more challenging.

This, my friends, is what Ashtanga does to you. This was my defining moment realizing that the Ashtanga practice is one of the most challenging and energized of them all. Hot yoga, Power yoga, Vinyasa flow, 90 minutes, nothing can wear me out like the primary series with all those vinyasas.

This past weekend, I was surrounded by fellow fit Ashtangis at a workshop at Yoga Room Dubai. The bodies that have been trained by this practice are truly refined and I can't wait to get older for this one reason. You see Mark Darby (probably in his early 70s) bringing his elbows to the floor in Uttanasana and it's so exciting!

When Darby lets out his "ommmm" at the beginning and end of a led class, the deepness of the sound resonates through your entire body and mind. I challenge you not to love Ashtanga.

Darby and his wife Joanne examine our Urdhva Dhanurasanas after giving us some helpful adjustments/ tips.

Like, Really. "How to hinge at your hips"

All of us AFTER the last day of back-bending. Spot me :)

 You can find more photos here.

A HUGE thank you to Joumana. She flew in the Darbys from Montreal for us!! Founder of Yoga Room, my light into Ashtanga and a good friend. Love you! 

xoxo

How to mula bandha

It's in your core. Everything you need is there. Mula Bandha is essential especially for arm balances... Once you find it, you will never lose it. You just have to practice enough to know how to engage it.

This week has been phenomenal. Back to being vegetarian, practicing every day and noticing the changes with every passing moment. Now I have to shift my energy to focus on my 10k coming up in November. It's just 6weeks away! This will be my third 10k this year and I know I have it within me. I just have to practice enough to engage.

Love this time of the year. Libra love and perfect weather.

How to "talk like a vegan"

Every now and then, I have moments of incredible gratefulness and grounded-ness. Recently been accused - "you're talking like a vegan" ..lol truth.

First of all, I need to man up and accept the fact that being an accountant and making the dough means i've got to sit on my ass for about 12 hrs a day. I need a job that is resume/CV-worthy asap. But until then, #gamefacetroll.

On the other hand, I have a constant need for passion and love...so, it's time to take my art to the next level too. I'm so excited to start teaching piano this summer! And I'll be stepping up the yoga practice with a goal to get my handstand perfected before heading to our family vacation in August. Serengeti handstand pic is goal one.

The ultimate goal is to be awesome at Kathryn Budig's workshop in November. I will eventually start sharing the yoga love more and more. Teaching is the best way to do this.
Working on my halasana and chakrasana now..

myfeet are ALLwrong. better pic next time :)

Now I just need a plan for all this drawing and painting I crave to create .... Any Suggestions? Hold up. Biz School Brain working. 

How to YOLO

You only live once. So, when your friend offers to make you some fun art, you say okay and pose! Thanks L xo

How to be inspired. Part 2

I just went for a long, slow, mind numbing run this morning. While I reaped every last benefit of each drop of sweat, I couldn't help but miss my yoga mat. Is there a defining moment when yoga stops being a way of fitness and takes over your entire lifestyle? It's happening to me.

When I say yoga is taking over my lifestyle, I mean it happened (is happening) very unconsciously. Everything I eat, say, do, relates to how it affects my practice and ultimately; life. This is hard for others to understand. Especially my parents, and possibly a lot of you. But then again, if you have found a comparable passion, maybe you do understand.

Generally speaking, I come from a carnivorous, booze guzzling, dancing, Bible quoting, over-educated bunch. You think I'm joking but my next post is about to explain. I hope they, and you, can remotely understand the necessity to break the pattern.

In other news, my yoga teacher is back from Mysore looking like a lean, mean teacup-size version of herself. Happier than ever and sharing with us all the love and light straight from the source of Ashtanga. And I've already caught the India bug. Okay, see? I already sound full-hippie. The fact that she lost 4kgs (10lbs) in a month is just a footnote at this point. How beautiful is this....

This is a photo shot by Christine Hewitt. She is an AMAZING photographer and I'm so inspired by her art. Check out her tumblr.
I can't wait to get my camera out and do this shit around Dubai. Get ready for some yogi-art coming your way :)

How to backbend

Happy Thursday DXB!

I'll keep this short.
This week has been a whirlwind.. with an ever expanding to-do list and a messy bed. I just want to vent on the topic of health and wellness considering the amount of dumb conversations I've heard this week.
"Are you an a diet?"
NO. I just eat healthy.

"You are young, this is when your body is strong and you should eat everything and enjoy your life"

Oh really? How did that work out for you dear 30year old beluga with arthritis? - I'm not blessed with the strongest metabolism of asian women or the muscle definition of black women. I am willing to work for it and I'll do the best I can to prevent looking like death at 30.

"You should try taking XY vitamins and Blabla supplements"

Don't mess with me unless your a certified nutritionist or a doctor. Nothing works unless you get your ass off your couch.

"Yoga is a hindu practice, I am Christian/Muslim"

Read a book. I can't help you with your ignorant statement. And don't talk to me about Jesus with that KFC in yo mouth.

I'm DONE.

And for those who care - this is what I've been working on perfecting. Eventually I wanna be able to drop back without support and get into a handstand without breaking in half lol. I love inversions! can you tell?? Namaste!

Lifting one leg straight up while in upward bow/full wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana) will help you work on your core strength! Sorry I had to crop the pics - I didn't realize how short my shorts were lol

xo

How to stop "traffick"

Happy Sunday everyone!


While your probably inspired and riled up (rightfully so) about the KONY2012 campaign - just get off the bandwagon for a quick sec to check this out. It's a one day event - but a lifelong campaign and cause. There are many ways to help, and this is one way I did and you can too. So maybe one day when it goes viral; you can say you were there all along.

Here in Dubai, charitable events like this are not easily accessible or organized. Laura Farrier, uber Ashtangi and teacher at Zen Yoga, explained this to me as I met her for the first time last night. As human "trafficking" is such a sensitive issue in this region, it's not easy to legally slap it around the media. Secondly, dealing with money in the free zone area - whether charitable or not - is not an easy task either. The authorities here are unfamiliar with us and the goal is to make them familiar next year - eventually getting a bigger event going to get Dubai on the map. Laura's intention along with the rest of ours was clear on this issue as we took off into our practice.

Anyways, after 10 minutes of mindful silence, she graciously took us through our asanas and let us challenge ourselves comfortably.We may have not done the traditional 108 sun salutations, but the energy in the room was an A+ for a whole 2 hours. Thanks Laura! xo

http://www.facebook.com/YogaStopsTraffick

Check out more pics here!

Love, light and all things bright xo

How to Manduka.

It's been a Bob Marley kinda yoga morning. Usually, practice is done sans music - but when you're in the comfort of your own home and a new sexy Manduka soulmat. Why the heck not?

The goal is to make my toes touch my head in this pose. I'm clearly not there yet! But I was told by several yogis that taking pics of ur posture and progress during self practice will let you bring more awareness to your posture. So here we go.

This is called "Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana" -  or Standing Big Toe pose. and it WILL give you sexy legs.

Now playing; Lauryn Hill & Ziggy Marley - Redemption Song


Happy weeekend xo

How to experiment.

I'll be using the next few weeks to experiment with my yoga. My favourite Dubai yogini @Jogini_ is off to India to practice Ashtanga with the prestigious Mysore yogis (follow her blog!).  Sending her so much love, light and safe travels today and hoping she doesnt get attacked on her way to morning yoga lol. *knockonwood.

I've been working on my headstands at home, and I'm always up and balanced in a few breaths. But omg, at the end of an ashtanga practice - I don't have enough banda to get my bum off the wall! Jo - when you get back, I WILL do this.

Please don't question the wardrobe choice here - I was just experimenting with the cam. Expect more pics and reviews of classes around Dubai in the next few weeks. And follow my journey on how vegeterianism is affecting my life and practice. xoxo

How to shake it off

Hello beauties, can you all just let out a HUGE sigh of relief with me? It's December!! FINALLY.

Happy Sunday after a super long weekend (in Dubai). It's that time of the year when cars go crazy and the parties go all night long to celebrate National Day. Last year, this weekend brought me some fun Rugby Sevens partying and an Akon concert. But this year, post-exam, sleep took first place. Yeah.

Well, to be fair, I did party for one night, but it was all very tame. The rest of the time, I thoroughly enjoyed having my place to myself (parents on vacay) and catching up on all my TV and movies, celeb gossip, friend gossip (being honest here) and naps. I guess i'll work on my social life next weekend -_-

Now it's time to officially add to the unemployment stats as I start job searching. Taking this real slow haha. Meanwhile, I'm going to be stepping up the yoga practice and running more. Get ready for a whole bunch of fitness junkie and "zen" blog posts.





Looking out the window this weekend - the sky was littered with hot air balloons, I'm guessing it was part of the UAE B'day celebrations. Can I celebrate 40 like this when i get there? - this was my view from my balcony in Al Barsha.



This balloon was shaped like a bday cake, cute right?

Only from the heart can you touch the sky.  ~Rumi

xoxo

How to SUP (Stand-up Paddle)

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadians (belated, i guess). I hope the turkey leftovers are keeping you happy and healthy through the week. Especially if your suffering from bbm withdrawal like me...

This past week has been crazy..

-I found out I passed 2 out of my 4 cpa exams... (2 more in November)
-I played squash in the tallest building in the world

-I got asked at the salon; "how would you like your fart ma'am?" (filipino accent; she meant my part, how I would like my hair parted). Which was the highlight of my week until...
- I swam with jellies and learnt how to paddle board!!

Finally got around to Stand-up Paddling this morning. I've been wanting to try it for a while and also since I read this article by @lululemon. Basically, it's a watersport (think surfing mixed with kayaking/canoeing) that requires the MOST amount of balance you can ever conjure up from within. I guess it's a fitness geek thing to do, because you definitely do not look as cool as the surfers. But the core workout is amazing! And if you are a yogi, you can definitely show off with your balancing skills. I had a very graceful fall once for the entire hour and a half that I was out there; not bad for a first timer I hear. Can you believe you can even do yoga on a paddleboard?!?! Hello core strength!.. We need this in Dubai!

I later saw some jelly fish swimming around... and was told that small sharks, big turtles and huge king fish are also super popular here. No more falling for me. We paddled out a little longer and swam for a while in the deep blue sea before heading back to reality... Thanks to Duco & Thomas at DucoMaritime for this awesome morning of sun and surf! I love the sea!! Who knows, maybe i'll get to do Paddle for the Planet next year.

Lmao at this pic though! Don't worry, I was in nothing more than a bikini... pics next time! xo

Disclaimer; i did NOT take my lesson with surf dubai.

How to stay hydrated #fail.

Two weeks is WAY too short for visiting home. And I'm sure I would be saying the same thing even if I was home for a whole month. I tried my best to see all my besties and I think I did a decent job, even though it was often just for one dinner or lunch. I can't believe how much I missed everyone!

All the sappiness aside, I did manage to get some lululemon shopping done. It's the only exclusively Canadian brand that I could bring back without feeling guilty because I'm going to put it to good use (yoga gear). I also signed up for a 10 day unlimited yoga deal at @onesparetreat in Mississauga and kept myself busy in the mornings with amazing runs in the crisp fall weather followed by an hour of hatha yoga. Which was a refreshing change from the unstoppable-sweat-in-my-eye-runs in Dubai.

This is the reason why I was trying to keep myself hydrated with my 3 litres of waters a day when the following incident occured:
I always park by Sears at any mall, its just habit. It's the least crowded area and you'll never forget where you parked. So this time as soon as I got out of the car at Square One (@shopsquareone).. I felt like my bladder was going to explode as I started a steady jog into Sears; darted to customer service, got directions to the washroom and with my eyes darting back and forth; slowly begun to unbutton my pants as I approached the sears washroom. 3 stalls, one is wide open, clean and has toilet paper - deal! My pants were off before I turned around to shut the stall door. OH wait, NO DOOR. too late; i'm already peeing..in a wide open washroom and OBVIOUSLY it had to be one of those long, never-ending ones too.

too effing late. Thank goodness my relationship with God was good enough for my instant prayers to be heard so fast. Nobody walked into the washroom for what felt like the LONGEST whiz of life.. how do things like this happen to me? WHY?

If I ever had any thrill-seeking issues, this definitely satisfied all of them.

Thanks Canada.xo

How to celebrate the full moon.

I don't think I'm hippy enough to completely embrace yogi culture- c'mon, let's just admit that it's a huge commitment to make. And what's the point in doing a half-assed job of it? I mean, chanting "om shanti shanti shanti om" just makes me feel like I'm calling out to my mom..(Her name is Shanthi).

But, that being said, I never fail to feel the positive effects of practicing yoga on my body. So, I indulge once in a while. And if your going to indulge in yoga, this has to be the BEST way to do it.

on the beach

with warm ocean breeze
at sunset

as the full moon rises.

(Actually, anything "on the beach" tingles my Canadian senses)

Al Qasr hotel's spa (Talise Spa) offers an amazing deal to practice your "downward dog" and "full cobra" on every full moon. For 200aed (96aed with cobone.com), you get valet parking, a bottle of cold water, a cold towel and a yoga mat on the beach. The amazing view of the Burj is just a bonus.

After sunset, we did moon salutations, various warrior poses and breathing exercises for 90 minutes. My favourite is and always will be the bridge!  After working up a good sweat, we turn to the dark ocean, focus our minds and listen to the waves breaking at shore. I left my mat feeling so energized and blissful under the bright full moon.

 

 My view for most of the class (before we turned to the sea). The three guys on stage led us through the practice.

 

.



Pretty, eh?