Victor Chng: Yin + Yang Yoga

Victor Chng giving out Yin Yoga Teacher Training handouts in 2012

Having completed my Yin Yoga teacher training under Victor Chng last December in Singapore, I was somewhat more prepared physically and mentally for the advanced series of workshops offered at Beyond Yoga last weekend.

Competed 100-hours Yin Yoga Teacher Training

His workshop topics were: The Fundamentals of Yin-Yang Balance & Longevity, The Key Instruments Working in Our Body (Yand Instruments of Separation, Yin Instruments of Unification), Tao of Yoga- The Path of Intergration, Arising the Yang in The Body.

I have so many notes but here are some key insights I'd like to share with you-

- I learned about preservation of life from the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, how we can enhance the capabilities of our body to extend our life forces, almost tap into immortality. Check out this article on a herbalist from China who died way past 100 years old!

- To look at the body at a wholistic perspective, that everything is connected within. In the East, when someone is ill, they support your whole immune system vs in the West, when someone is ill, they operate on just the organ which is malfunctioning.

- There is a time for everything! Timing is crucial. This is why we wake up at a certain time, eat at a certain time, sleep at a certain time. Respect your body's natural cycle and expect to live longer lives. Whenever we fight to stay awake (drinking caffeine, even) to work.. then we disrupt our natural cycle. See chart below and click on the website for interesting facts about each organ associated to emotions in the body.

To learn more visit http://www.astrodreamadvisor.com/Qi-Cycle.html

- Victor spoke a lot, too, on Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Chi. To summarize, here's an explanation below:

"It is said Chi applies to the human body in 2 ways; inherit Chi and acquired Chi. Inherit Chi is the energy we receive from our parents at the time of conception. Acquired Chi is the energy accumulated by the quality of life we choose to lead, the food we ingest, and the quality of air that we breathe. It is believed  the major cause of all disease stems from a blockage of Chi circulation. People become ill when either they cannot absorb enough Chi or the circulation in their body becomes blocked. Human beings cannot sustain a high quality of life by food and breathing alone. It is important to have a strong flow of Chi energy, as the most nutritious food would be of no use if our inner constitution were weak. In order to absorb and integrate the external universal energy we must learn to integrate and strengthen the fundamental life force within." -http://blog.universalhealingsystems.com/chi-energy/

- On trying to conceive (for couples who have fertility issues), ovulation happens when unification of body chi is strong. So, eating and sleeping on time is crucial for the body to pull in nutrients, hold energy within to sustain a seed and nourish a growing child within. IF, you persist...go to a fertility center and become successful on getting pregnant, make sure that you have changed your lifestyle or the quality of the seed will perish. Ex. the life span of the child will not be long or your child's health may not be as good.

- If an ill person is in a coma, NEVER ask that person to fight its natural state (for your own egoic reasons). Learn to respect the body's state of preservation.

I'll need to attend Dr. Kit's TCM classes to be able to explain further some of the concepts introduced and reminded during the workshops. For now, that's a lot to chew on!

Feijoada: The Ultimate Samba Experience

Either you join us for #FlowNegros this weekend or attend this Samba event by Imperatriz Filipinense!

Healing Salves and Balms

One thing that I collect (more like hoard, really) other than organic lip balms are all-natural healing balms and salves. 

I've been using the INDIGOBaby Jar of Love peppermint balm for my son since he was a baby and for myself too whenever we catch a cold, fever, flu. I'm a huge fan of peppermint pure essential oil because it helps me breathe deeply (good for pranayama) and perks me up whenever I need an energy boost. So, the Jar of Love is definitely one of my essentials in my natural apothecary at home.

Ingredients: Peppermint Pure Essential Oil, Apricot Kernel, Jojoba Oil, Pure Beeswax, Vitamin E, Triple Distilled Water 1.0 oz

To Use: Rub onto temples, chest or back body.

P415 for 1.0 oz pot, available at www.indigobabyshop.com

Not too long ago, I blogged about the Merry Hempsters muscle rubs here which I use almost on a daily basis now for body soreness. I am certain all my other colleagues and students at Beyond Yoga and FLOW will follow suit. Really, what's not to love? They got me at hemp!

Made from hemp with other natural and organic ingredients.

Ranges from P400-P500 available at www.cutieverse.com or Beyond Yoga Bonifacio High Street branch

These assorted mini pots from Sani Bear are cute, affordable and so handy! Only 5 grams each, they are lightweight and so easy to slip into your purse for travels. These are ideal for gift stuffers! Of course, I am drawn to the Peppermint Balm which reminds me of Giga's No Pain Peppermint-Ginger massage balm.

Herbal Rub ingredients: Eucalyptus essential oil in a beeswax base
Peppermint Balm ingredients: Peppermint essential oil in beeswax
Citrus All Around Salve: Lemon essential oil in beeswax

Only P65 each available at www.cutieverse.com

A friend recently sent me different glass pots of salves from MJ's Herbals to try out.

I am pleased to know that these are certified organic and handmade with love by the creator, MJ herself, a botanist/herbalist/healer from Brooklyn. And to me, that single fact makes all the difference because I know she has infused her energy into these products.

MJ is hands on! Photo from MJ's Herbal facebook page

Lavender E Salve: Since my family trip to Australia many years ago (where I was introduced to the Lavender plant by my aunt who keeps it in her home), I've been hooked on Lavender- it's aroma and healing benefits for the skin and nerves are enough to put it on top of my must have list! Because fresh lavender is not available in our country, I'll do with natural products infused with it instead. MJ's Herbal Lavender E Salve is used for healing burns and relieving headaches, stress and anxiety (very important for days when you feel like you are burning out! I use this for my restorative yoga practice). It also helps heal cuts, scrapes, rashes, irritations and blemishes while Vitamin E aids in tissue repair and helps reduce scarring.

Ingredients: Lavender flowers, vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol), Lavender essential oil in a base of olive oil and unrefined propolis beeswax.

To Use: Apply lavender E salve freely to affected area. For headaches, stress and anxiety massage into head and temples. 

Arnica is famous within the homeopathy circles. Santi's pediatrician, Dr. Cricket Palanca-Chen highly recommends Arnica in the home since children always get into mini accidents (eg. falling off the bed or bumping their head on counters). Arnica is considered a super herb for bruises, overworked, sore muscles, tendon injuries and sprains. MJ's Herbals Arnica Salve quickly brings relief, promotes circulation and hastens the disappearance of discoloration from bruising while the potent clove oil helps relieve pain. Good thing Santi is a gentle little one, or else I'd probably stock up on this! Best for me to keep this at the yoga studio for over exertion of muscles like during Beyond Sculpt by Pau or Flying Fitness class by Niknok!

To Use: Massage the salve gently into sore areas.  Caution: Do not use on broken skin.

Ingredients: Arnica Flowers and essential oil of clove in a base of olive oil and unrefined propolis beeswax.

Calendula or Marigold flowers is something I used to grow in Palawan. Just outside my kitchen window, we scattered dried buds to grow for bug repellent purposes. I knew that you could make a healing salve out of the flowers but just never had the chance to. MJ's Herbals Calendula Salve is an effective remedy for inflamed skin, slow healing wounds, dry skin, and irritations. Safe to use for pregnant mamas or baby skin care needs. I love it's versatility: gentle moisturizer for the face, lips, under eye area, nails, etc. They say that a small dab on cotton is a non irritating, soothing and safe eye makeup remover which moisturizes the delicate under eye area and eyelids. Will do this when I travel or I run out of VCO (virgin coconut oil)

Ingredients: Calendula Blossoms, vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) in a base of olive oil and unrefined propolis beeswax.

To Use: Apply calendula salve freely to affected area.

MJ’s Herbals First Aid Salve is a potent and powerful blend of antiseptic, antibacterial and wound healing herbs that help speed healing and prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, cuticles, cracked lips, cracked heels, blemishes and rashes, eczema and psoriasis. Been using this to combat all the bites I've been getting and yes, it seems to be working quite well!

Ingredients: Comfrey root, Oregon grape root, calendula blossoms, white oak bark, marshmallow root, vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) and tea tree oil in a base of olive oil and unrefined propolis beeswax.

Directions: Apply freely to affected area. Clean wound first if possible. Caution: not for deep or puncture wounds.

MJ's Herbals Salves are P650 and available at Beyond Yoga Bonifacio High Street. 

Sadie Nardini + Tyler Mccoy Immersion at Beyond Yoga

photo by Dexter Tan

Honestly, I never took a Core Strength Vinyasa class prior to attending the workshops by Sadie at Beyond at Bonifacio High Street. The words "Core Strength" pushed me away because it felt like the class focused on the physicality of yoga, getting fit, rather than its more spiritual essence. BOY was that a major assumption, a wrong one at that!

So I'm glad that I took time to attend because Sadie and Tyler blew my mind away. I love how deep their appreciation is for their evolving yoga practice. 

photo by Dexter Tan

Sadie explained how she trains students, from Foundation - Core - Expression. Which makes real good sense.

Here are some notes I picked up from their lectures:

- You need to understand the body from a 2D and 3D perspective; our body functions as a movement

- When in class, always check on the breath. If you are no longer breathing smoothly, forget about how the body looks. Ask yourself: Am I feeling centered? Balanced? This is your self-sensitivity training. Keep it wholistic!

- In yoga, we acquire unconscious (negative) patterns...be aware of this.
- Are you conscious of how your yoga practice is affecting you, your body? How do you transform your body?
- Repetitive practices sometimes constrict and shorten the front or back body - how do you remedy this or change your practice?
- "If you want it out there, Be it in here"

photo by Dexter Tan

I have to thank my co-teacher at Beyond, Roanna for helping in facilitating Sadie's workshops at the studio. Without her influence, I would have never been able to meet and learn from such an inspiring couple! My deepest gratitude, OM!

Will Lau for Jivamukti and Universal Yoga

Will Lau has been back to Beyond twice for master classes and workshops. I regret not being able to catch his last series of workshops on Universal Yoga but was able to attend some of his Jivamukti classes when he first visited the studio. 

Naturally, I'm psyched to know that he is coming back to the Beyond studio again for a 3rd time this coming Friday.. teaching both Jivamukti AND Universal Yoga! I'll certainly make sure to be there yang yoginis!

Check out his schedule:

More information per master class and workshop:

click to enlarge

And some photos from when I met him!

Yep, that's me bring adjusted by his strong and yet gentle hands. Can't wait to learn more! A really good teacher is coming our way so let's take this opportunity. See you all this weekend!

DIY: Healthy Cacao Butter & Peanut Hemp Milk Shake

Sharing with you an easy, healthier peanut butter and banana hemp milk shake I prepare myself whenever I crave something sweet.

Ingredients:

1 Banana
1 Cup Hemp Milk from Healthy Options
1 Tbsp Cacao Butter & Chocnut Spread from Ritual
Chia seeds (optional)

Blend everything, mix chia seeds in your drink after and enjoy! Simple and sweet!

Did you know that Cacao Butter is a superfood?
"Cacao Butter is a good source of Vitamin E (beta- and gamma- tocopherols) and has a unique composition including the essential fatty acids Omega-6 and monounsaturated Omega-9 (oleic acid, like olive oil) as well as stearic acid - an unusual fat in that it neither increases nor decreases blood cholesterol" 
-http://www.powersuperfoods.com.au/cacao-butter.html

Hemp Milk, a superfood too!
"Hemp Milk is a great source of nutritious protein and is capable of delivering the tough-to-find amino acid, GLA. Hemp milk is rich in protein and contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, E, B-12 and folic acid, and is rich in magnesium, potassium, iron and magnesium. All essential nutrients for a healthy diet and immune system."
http://www.activistpost.com/2013/05/got-hemp-milk-benefits-of-hemp-milk.html