Faith and Service

My mother was a bit worried that Johann won't be able to continue his education in a normal school because of his disability.  Some schools didn't even bother to check his mental abilities when they saw him on the wheelchair which got my mother really upset.  


Johann is a bright kid and even speaks English better than some of his teachers.


A couple of weeks ago, my sister informed me that Mama was really happy that Johann got accepted at the Brokenshire High School in Davao.  An exciting high school life awaits Johann this June.  

Sometimes, all we need to do is have a little more faith in the universe.

***

Kino left right after the morning led class.  I feel really blessed for the opportunity to assist her.  It's like assisting Freddie Roach as he trains Manny Pacquaio for his next fight (Ok, I'm not really a boxing fan but you get my point.)  Assisting Kino Macgregor!  Shut up!  Struck by the brightness of her star, hehehe.

"Have faith in the method," she said to the group yesterday.

***

Fides et sevitum.  That is the motto of Brokenshire College.  Isn't it very yogic?

***

It's pizza day!  Had 4 slices and a bowl of stir-fried noodles topped with stir-fried asparagus. 

Now off to take a nap by the beach and under the coconut trees.

Not!  I'm just making you envious.  I'm actually at home and will take a nap on the sofa bed with the fan on.  This photo was taken a couple of days ago when the sky wasn't that clear.  I have to make sure that I'm properly dressed as my housemate arrived yesterday with me flat dead on the sofa bed with my running shorts only.  I was too tired to even notice her coming in.  Another embarrassing experience to be added on the list, hehehe.

Zzzzzzz...

Full Moon in Samui

Only if I had a better camera.

The moon was beautiful last night.  

It's been a busy but wonderful week at YT.  

I actually have to be sleeping now as I will need to open the shala for the 6am led class.

Om.

Ashtanga Yoga: Love it and grow

Be inspired.



Read about Kino's retreat at Yoga Thailand here.

Unlimited Classes at Yoga Manila

Photo by Chona Sebastian

LIMITED Offer for the Summer!

Alabang, Makati & Ortigas Studios

If you've never done a yoga class with us before, the time is ripe! For those who think that they should be "good" before attempting their first yoga class - take advantage of this Summer Special studio card that won't break the bank. For only P1000, you get to take as many classes over a period of 2 weeks.

Certain restrictions apply - this is a one-time purchase only, card must be presented to avail of classes, non-transferrable, non-refundable, valid only at the studio it was purchased from and the 2 week period begins from the date of purchase.

You have from May 1 till June 30, 2010 to avail of this Summer Special!

Blue

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

***

The lady said, "I feel a strong power in you."

"Huh?"

"Have you ever used it?"

"Uh..."

***

"As for me, all I know is that I know 
nothing." - Socrates

What have I been eating in Samui?

Breakfast (standard)

Muesli or granola with fresh fruits and home-made yoghurt

2 toasted brown bread with home-made peanut butter and banana, 

drizzled with honey (ok, sometimes I have 3 pcs)

Fresh fruit juice

Coffee with brown sugar

Lunch (today)

Taboule

Organic mixed green salad

Felafel with tahini dressing

Grilled veggies (yellow capsicum and asparagus)

Chapati

Dinner (last night)

Lentil soup

Vegetable casserole

Rice pilaf

Steamed veggies with spicy carrot dip

***

Om.

Strength is made perfect in weakness

Watch the story of Rick and Dick Hoyt here.

Thai Coconut Soup: Gourmet Version

I love tom kha but I couldn't find a vegetarian version on youtube.  This video came close.  Enjoyed vegetarian tom kha with brown rice at dinner.  Shared dessert with YT colleague and friend.  Nice.

Yoga Asana and Physical Exercise: What's the Difference?

Originally uploaded by Satyam at the Yoga Journal Community Page.

Read more about the difference between asanas and physical exercise here.

Will share my thoughts next time.

Om.

Forsake the Ego

Forsake the ego and humble thyself before God 

then thy ship shall sail safe in the ocean of life.

Johann's Journey to Disney

It was Johann's first time to travel by plane and he was such a sweet kid.  He didn't give us a hard time by complaining about the chair or the long wait at the airport.

Mama and Johann on the plane to Manila.  Photo taken by the blog admin.

On our way to Hongkong, Johann was very excited because it was his first plane ride, first time to go abroad, and first time to go to Disneyland.  There were a lot of "firsts" in that experience.

The standard airline procedure for people who needs special assistance is to wheel them to the plane door, transfer them to the aisle wheelchair, and then to their assigned seat.  Johann's spine has to be supported well and it is difficult for those who do not know his structural condition to just carry him.  So, to make things easier and faster, Kuya ("big brother") simply carried Johann from the door to his assigned seat.  

Johann with Kuya.

When it was time to deplane, we did the same.  

The only thing that was difficult was when Johann had to use the airline wheelchair.  He has a specialized wheelchair with high back support.  The back rest of standard wheelchairs can only support the back but not the head.  Also, there's the foot rest which cannot really support Johann's legs as he has fused knee joints, meaning, he can't bend from the knees.  His wheelchair looks similar to the photo below but with high back rest, high seat, and no foot rest.

Photo from www.libertylive.org.  Used here for non-commercial purposes.

When we arrived in Manila, we immediately transfered to the international terminal and again, the transition was smooth.  We already had our boarding passes so we just had to go through the immigration formalities.  The television at the pre-departure area kept Johann entertained as we waited for our flight to Hongkong. 

It was another 1 hour and 45 minute plane ride from Manila to Hongkong.  When we got off the plane, there was already someone waiting to assist us.  Again, everything was smooth.  We went through a special lane at the immigration area and the lady assisted us until we got a cab.  Hongkong taxis are wide so it wasn't difficult to transfer Johann from his wheelchair to the backseat.  

 In short, the journey was smooth and Johann was all smiles when we finally got in our room.

***

JG posted this on her facebook and I reposted it.

"People need to understand that special needs children don't have an illness; they are not looking for a cure... only acceptance."

Thanks to Chin for this link.

Songkran Festival... Sawatdee pee mai

The Songkran festival (Thai: สงกรานต์, from Sanskrit saṅkrānti, "astrological passage") is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. Read more from Wikepedia here.

***

Just came back to the house from the center and I've been blessed.  It's new year in Thailand and everyone is throwing water at anyone they see on the street.  At the center, the staff are pouring water with flower petals on guests' shoulders and applying baby powder (I think mentholated powder as I can feel the heat on my face and arms).

Here are the lovely staff of Yoga Thailand in their traditional costume.

with Rung (on pink) and Taan (on green).  Sorry didn't get the names of the other two. :-(

with Thre the HR manager.

The Buddha at the reception.  We had to pour water on the Buddha for good luck and blessings.

***

New year... new life.  The future shines brightly.  But for the meantime, the sky is clear.

***
Also, Govinda is in Manila.

Isang Hamon (Challenge not ham... you meat-eaters!)

Isang hamon sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong nagtuturo ng yoga (A Challenge to All Filipino Yoga Instructors).

Ituro ang Pagsaludo sa Araw sa wikang Pilipino (Teach the sun salutation in Filipino).

"Huminga ng malalim at itaas ang mga kamay, ipagtapat ang mga palad, at tumingin sa mga hinlalaki"

"Huminga nang palabas, yumuko at iliyad ang katawan mula sa balakang, ilapat ang mga palad sa sahig ng bahagyang nasa harapan ng mga paa"

"Huminga paloob, iangat ang ulo, tingin sa ilong, at palaparin ang likod"

"Huminga palabas, iyuko ang mga tuhod, at tumalon patalikod tungo sa tikas apat na tungkod"

"Huminga paloob, iangat ang katawan at ihiyad ang likod, at nakaturo sa likod ang mga daliri ng mga paa"

"Huminga palabas, itulak ang katawan palikod, lumiyad mula sa balakang, at itaas ang mga ito patungong kisame, ilapat ang mga paa na may isang talampakan ang lapad mula sa isa't-isa.  Manatili dito ng limang paghinga"

"Pagkatapos ng limang paghinga, humingan palabas, iyuko ang mga tuhod, tumingin paharap at tumalon pabalik sa harap, at ilapag ang mga paa na malapit sa mga kamay"

"Huminga paloob, iangat ang ulo, tingin sa ilong, at palaparin ang likod"

"Huminga nang palabas, yumuko at iliyad ang katawan mula sa balakang, ilapat ang mga palad sa sahig ng bahagyang nasa harapan ng mga  paa"

"Huminga ng malalim at itaas ang mga kamay, ipagtapat ang mga palad, at tumingin sa mga hinlalaki"

"Huminga palabas, pantay na tikas."

"Ulitin ng limang beses"

Smile... the sun is shining brightly.  Don't be too serious with your practice... be sincere... as Tiwariji would always remind us.

Focus on the task and not the goal

"As the cognitive, intellectual and the ego-based analytical processes of the mind are minimal or even absent, the mind becomes more balanced which enables us to experience higher levels of conscousness or to get into the state of meditation as the power of concentration increases" - Gore, 2008, p.181.

At some point, one has to stop analysing the asanas and just do the practice.

Focus on the task and not the goal.

One of the photos I took in NZ.

Gratitude...

Photo from Yoga Thailand website.

Opening the day with gratefulness...

Thankful for the opportunity to be here...

Spending a moment to contemplate on healing and forgiveness...

Asking for guidance...

Clarity of mind...

And peace within.

Om.

Embrace the moment...

By Astronomy Records

Via Mare Summer Shooters

Photo by Leira. 

Had these and puto bumbong at Trinoma Cafe Via Mare.  Didn't know there's one in Trinoma until Dave invited me today.  It was good to catch up with him and his wife Ginger.  Dave was my graduate thesis adviser and a mentor.  It's good to have him back at CHK. 

Had the summer shooters twice already in the past 2 weeks.  Before we went to HK, I met up with Becky and had shooters at Via Mare Shangri La, and then today.  I should have more before I leave on Tuesday.  It might not be available when I get back in June.  I miss ice kachang though but will have some towards the end of May.  

Now, all yoga becomes hot yoga in this part of the world unless you practice in an air-conditioned room. Maybe someone should invent Cold Yoga... although Iced Yoga would be a catchier name.

From gettyimages.com

Black Friday

Tomorrow... the sun will shine again.