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.