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 be cliché

Sometimes, when your not even looking, life gives you an opportunity you can't refuse. Mine came in the form of a music institute called The Music Box led by Yousef Khan.

I will be starting out my teaching career here as a junior teacher amongst three other accomplished pianistas and vocalists. I'm basically a blank slate right now. This summer is going to be dedicated to perfecting my approach to teaching the basics of the piano and sharing my passion with others. I can't wait to get started!!! and I'm pretty sure Yousef's an angel in disguise.

Check out the bio he wrote for me (after I gave him a really lame one lol).






and if you didn't know before, yes.. I play the piano. I've been learning since I was 7 and it has always been a place of solace through all the changes in life. Just like in yoga, I will always be a student to the art. But teaching the art deepens understanding like none other.

This is me playing "Postcards from far away" by Coldplay. A good friend, Warren Garth left this sheet music at my place some time in the summer of 2009 and I am not planning to return it.... Listen and Just love that awkward ending.

 

Now follow me and the music box on twitterrr!! @themusicbox_dxb and @sharonya

How to push.

Okay this has to be the worse studying EVER. Not only is the material super boring (internal control theory and info systems, blah); I feel like I actually have the attention span of a squirrel on shrooms. And I STILL can't get over the fact that I had zero birthday celebrations this year. And then I read this tweet from @CPAwannabePrblm 

Suddenly my attention span has become longer.
Can't wait for this BOSS feeling.
T minus 15 days.

And then CHRISTMAS?!! No, not before Rugby Sevens and Creamfields. Waddup December?