What is Ghee?

The milk of cows is considered to possess the essence or sap of all plants and Ghee is the essence of milk. In India, Ghee has been praised ad-nauseum and ergo has found its place in every home. Scientifically, it is now proven that Ghee is one of the best cooking mediums simply because it is stable at high temperatures unlike other oils. It has a very high smoke point (~485°F) and its chemical structure does not change at high heat. When you cook with ghee, there is no hissing, popping or splattering. It produces a sweet aroma when heated. You use less than half of other oils and it enhances the flavor of food.

Those of you who are worried about lactose intolerance, the method of preparation eliminates lactose. The best part though is that unlike other mediums it is alkaline and not acidic and hence anti-ageing. On the other hand, vegetable oils burn when cooked and lead to free radicals which are terrible for the body. That is why it is recommended that oils like olive oil not be used for cooking as they are very unstable at high temperatures and are best consumed with salads.
There is now developing controversy in medical science about which oils are better for us. Traditional cooking oils in all cultures have been ghee, coconut oil, or lard. The saturated fats hold up under heating, and ghee has been used for thousands of years. Proper use of food is a cultural achievement that takes thousands of years to perfect, whereas medical science changes its ideas of what is important every couple of decades.

The ingestion of Ghee is like offering the finest of fuels into the fires of digestion but surprisingly Ghee cools the body, essential in much of today’s world in which everything is overheating. Ghee builds the aura, makes all the organs soft, builds up the internal juices of the body (Rasa), which are destroyed by aging and increases the most refined element of digestion- Shukra or Ojas, the underlying basis of all immunity and the “essence of all bodily tissues”. Ghee is known to increase intelligence and improve the memory (Smrti).

Ghee causes secretions and liquification in the bodily tissues that dissolve wastes allowing for detoxification and elimination of wastes. That’s like free detox on a daily basis!

It is traditionally considered, that the older Ghee, the better its healing qualities. 100-year-old Ghee is highly valued in India and fetches a very high price.

Qualities of Ghee

Ghee is known as a substance that gives longevity. This is because it has opposite qualities (heavy, slow, oily, liquid, dense, soft), and thus pacifying effects, to the light, dry and rough qualities. Ghee, in a very sure and steady way, slows the aging process by balancing the living one. Sounds like Yoga?

Ghee has the quality of oiliness, and unctuousness. It is smooth, lubricated and nurturing. Ghee is thought to make the voice soft and melodious. Sounds calming and relaxing?

Healing Properties of Ghee

In India, when a person has a chronic peptic ulcer or gastritis, Ghee is used to heal that ulcer inside the intestinal tract. Ghee works wondrously on bedsores for the elderly or debilitated. It can be applied for broken bones and bruises. It is highly effective for all sorts of skin rashes. It is also used on burns of both fire and chemicals. We recommend you try it on mouth ulcers the next time someone in the family complains of them.

Those with obesity should be very frugal in their use of Ghee. Unless ofcourse you join our weight-loss program and are taught how to consume Ghee to burn off that excess fat.

Ghee increases the overall strength, luster and beauty of the the body. Let us look at the variety of ways it does so:

Many Uses of Ghee

1. For Body Massage. Apply ghee all over the body, rubbing into head, chest, limbs, joints and orifices. This will bypass the digestive system and allow the qualities of Ghee to penetrate directly into the deeper tissues. It is said that 60% of what is placed on the skin is absorbed into the body. We literally “eat” what we put on our skin (food for thought). Western science has discovered that massaging the skin creates endorphins or peptides, which enhance the body’s immune system. Peptides are thought to be the vehicle that the mind and body use to communicate with each other, a literal chemistry of emotion. Regular massaging slows the aging process. For those of you with new babies, a daily massage with Ghee will work wonders !
2. If recommended at MYS, a small amount of Ghee is taken first thing in the morning by the practitioner to oleate the internal organs and “dissolve” the toxic wastes in the tissues,allowing them to be carried to the digestive tract for elimination.
3. One or two teaspoons first thing in the morning followed immediately with hot water will promptly produce a bowel movement. It will also warm the body quickly. Two spoonfuls of Ghee in warm (non-homogenized) milk before bedtime is soothing to the nerves and lubricates the intestines and facilitates bowel movement in the morning.
4. Ghee is excellent for cooking and sautéing or stir-frying. Ghee has one of the highest flash points of all oils and is very difficult to burn.
5. Ghee is excellent for a gargle (gandush), to improve the health of the teeth and gums.
6. Ghee can be used as a bath oil. Take two tablespoons of Ghee and mix with several drops of an essential oil of your choice.
7. Ghee is excellent for scrapes and both chemical and heat or fire burns. Ghee can be used in the eyes for tiredness or fatigue.
8. Ghee is an exquisite facial moisturizer.
9. In India it is said that if a few drops of ghee are placed in the nostrils then nosebleed can be checked. If this is done twice in a day, then headache can be relieved.

For those of you who can’t wait to get your hands on Ghee, it is available on shelves in Indian stores at Brickfileds. The best way to consume it though, is when you prepare it at home with love! If you want to learn how to make Ghee, feel free to contact us and we will schedule a workshop at RM50.00 for interested students.

Enjoy this wonderful nectar with gratitude!

If paradise is a state of mind, then being in the right environment will definitely help you get to that state. This is my account of paradise found, and it was not in a tangible location, but a collective experience involving the perfect group of people, amazing yoga sessions, a serene lake spanning an area larger than Kuala Lumpur city, a full itinerary, an exemplary tour guide, and a local population of gracious hosts. Over 5 days, this was pure alchemy culminating in a heavenly experience.

This account would not be complete without introducing you to the 18 people (excluding me) who tagged along.

We had Sue, the Principal of Maya Yoga Samudraa, the doting mother, and overwhelming guru who guided us through our yoga retreat. Sue was a symbol of knowledge and blessings for us through the whole retreat. Her laughter was pervasive and her teachings sound. She spoke from the heart and it was felt.

Sue filling us with knowledge

Aman, Vice-Principal of Maya Yoga Samudraa, was our yoga instructor for all the Hatha yoga sessions. He proved to be an exceptional instructor with plenty of humor in his sessions. He was also the recipient of many public displays of motherly affection from Sue. Contrary to what you may think, he was very proud of this.

Aman the hilarious yoga instructor

Kamala, Sue’s longest student in the group, was as happy-go-lucky as they come. Aloof and rarely taking anything to heart, she conversed easily with everyone. She took great delight in the company of others, and I think that most of us felt the same way in her company.

My first impression of Nalini was that she had walked straight out of a glamorous Hollywood movie. Tall, suave, and talented, I don’t think anyone would fault me for thinking so. However, she had none of the hang-ups of a diva. She was warm, and treated everyone with an equal kindness.

Janaga was the group jester. A stocky man in his 50’s, he made everyone laugh with wit and humor that seemed almost accidental. He had a tendency to encourage conversations in Tamil, which excluded some of the non-Tamil speaking people in the group, but if that was a shortcoming, he made it up with a good heart and affable nature.

Komal and Vinny joined us all the way from India. As a couple, they complemented each other perfectly and were very generous. Both rarely wasted time, which meant they were punctual and very focused on the lessons that Sue gave. They were both intellectually conversant and entertained us with many a good conversation.

Sharina had all the characteristics of a well-groomed, well-educated individual. She spoke eloquently and communicated with ease, which was an absolute delight. She had plenty of stories from her travels around the world and loved taking pictures. One could not help but like her immediately.

Siva and Priya were the poster-couple. They got along very well, always emanating warmth for each other that was felt by others in the group. Siva was the quiet one but a deep thinker who contemplates life and the self very often. Priya on the other hand was very outgoing and seemed comfortable to let Siva do the thinking. Both got along very well with everyone.

Christine and Shaun, the mother and son duo, were surprisingly adventurous. On the 3^rd day of the retreat, Shaun decided to swim in the lake and Christine also jumped in… literally from a platform 10 feet high! Christine was quite the spirited woman. Shaun fell sick on the 4^th day of the retreat but never complained, or displayed any irritation. Instead, both Shaun and Christine participated in as much of the activities as possible. True team players.

Mother and son duo, Christine and Shaun. Shaun was the youngest of the group.

Sumi was also equally adventurous. Despite not knowing how to swim, she joined Christine, Shaun, and I in the lake which was neck-deep for her. She also jumped into the lake with Christine from the 10 feet high platform and loved it. She was very honest with her feelings, often not afraid to share them. She brought zest into the group.

Lakshmi and Dr. Ana, old friends from their pre-university days, were gracious and pleasant. Although the oldest in terms of age, they were young at heart. Both Lakshmi and Dr. Ana had a personality consistent with having lived a fulfilling life with no complaints. Whatever hardship they may have endured has disappeared in their gratitude and appreciation for life.

Fariba, who hails from Iran, was chirpy and happy all the time. Despite feeling that her English was limited, she made strong connections with many in the group. She took to Sharina (who was her roommate) like fish to water. She spoke like a harp, gentle and melodious. I suspect it took some time for her to get used to the food in Myanmar, but she ate nevertheless, with gratitude.

Mathi, petite and reserved, spoke very little not out of contempt but by nature. She was the model student for meditation and breathing having practiced everything she learned from Sue diligently. She was forthcoming in sharing her amazing experiences with meditation and was always helpful.

Finally, we had Ling Ling, the lady who wove the whole trip together, accommodating all our requests and travel arrangements locally. Polite, soft-spoken, and always ready to serve, her contribution to the retreat was immense as I saw her work behind the scenes to make everything as perfect as possible. Perfection is a human paradox but if one is to be measured by effort, Ling Ling scores very high on the scale.

L-R: Ling Ling, Janaga, Christine, Shaun, Fariba, Priya (partly hidden), Siva, Sharina, Kamala, Komal, Vinny, Nalini, Sue, Sumi, Dr. Ana, Lakshmi, Aman, Mathi

Over 5 days in Myanmar, I forged a strong bond with this ragtag group of 18 people. We shared beautiful moments, woke up early for yoga together, discussed the mind, exchanged ideas, laughed over silly jokes and looked out for each other.

On impulse, Ling Ling would rush to assist Lakshmi when she found it difficult to climb a flight of stairs. Everyone showed deep concern for Shaun when he fell ill on the 4^th day. Some took the cue from Sue and began to mother Aman. Janaga was perpetually making one person or the other laugh. Inevitably, I felt like I was part of a large family.

The yoga sessions were deep. We delved into many breathing exercises and meditation techniques. Although, I have grown up in a family rich with yogic tradition, I was doing a lot of these exercises for the first time. It was uplifting. Doing sun salutation in the morning with the sun rising over the horizon, and no skyscrapers or urban pollution to hide the skyline is priceless.

Sharina, Sue, Fariba, and Mathi arriving for a morning yoga session

Meditating at dusk in cool pristine air, followed by Yoga Nidra under the moonlight is worth a thousand yoga classes under a concrete ceiling. Performing lobular cleansing and nasal cleansing over a huge body of water with no obstruction for as far as the eye can see is just incomparable. I looked forward to every yoga session in this retreat. I was hungry for the serenity it provided. I now try very hard to recreate that feeling when practicing yoga in my urban home. It helps but what I would give to be there again, with the same people.

There was a good balance of yoga and sight-seeing in this retreat. Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is a majestic monument that stands as testament of the devotion of the Myanmar people to Buddha. We had our ice-breaking session here at sunset. As the final rays of the sun released its warm embrace over the golden stupa, we did some breathing exercises.

The golden Shwedagon stupa at sunset

In Inle Lake, we visited the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda by boat. This was the most sacred place for the people around the lake. Janaga warmed up to some of the children here while the ladies enjoyed a bout of shopping at the bazaar below the pagoda.

We visited the famous weaving village of Inle Lake where we were treated to a display of traditional silk manufacturing and weaving processes. I was seeing many of the contraptions that were effortlessly manned by women here for the first time in my life. I had seen the illustration of a traditional spinning machine in the story of Rumpelstiltskin as a child and seeing it in real life was nostalgic.

A spinning machine

We were vegetarian for most of the 5 days here and enjoyed a variety of dishes. Some of the dishes were very good and others were mediocre. One restaurant, Htun Htun, in Inle Lake was a novelty as it stood on stills over the lake and overlooked the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. Here, I think we bought most of their supply of peanut biscuits.

Our final night at Inle Lake was a grand finale. Everyone was dressed in their best. The men looked dashing and the women ravishing. Sue presented certificates to everyone and Aman received his Level 2 Instructor Certificate. I cheekily refer to him as “Level 2” now. We were served our first non-vegetarian meal on this night. It was a cool night with the moon hiding behind the clouds. The silver-lined sky was beautiful.

Ravishing ladies and dashing men. L-R: Dr. Ana, Siva, Priya, Lakshmi, Fariba, Janaga, Sharina

For a brief moment, there was a blackout and we looked up to a brilliant star-filled sky. It was as if nature turned off the artificial lights that she may direct our attention to the beauty above. We had games, we danced, and we sang until nearly midnight. It was a wonderful night of rejoice.

It was a bittersweet moment for me when we parted ways at the airport in Sepang. I take solace in the fact that most of us would be meeting again during yoga classes at Maya Yoga Samudraa. I’ve certainly returned from this retreat with a more tranquil mind and as the saying goes a tranquil mind is paradise found.

(Do you want to see more photos? Visit our Facebook page here)

This week, we’d like to introduce you to Jenny and Yale. This lovely couple’s relationship is a reflection of yoga. Yoga is the union of body, mind, and spirit. Jenny and Yale embody this concept by living it.

Both have been regular members at Maya Yoga Samudraa for just over 6 months now and always practice together. Meeting them for the first time, you will be drawn by the harmony they exude. They seem made for each other in the most natural way. We caught up with them on Sunday to find out their secret and hopefully provide you with some insight.

MY: How long have you both been married?

Y: Going to be 31 years.

J: We just passed 30 years.

MY: How do you stay so loving after being married for so long?

J: I always give in to him. I don’t argue…well I do argue but in the end I always give in.

Y: I like to think I never grow old. I’m like Peter Pan, happy-go-lucky. Yes, Jenny does give in a lot though. It’s a case of heads I win, tails you lose.

MY: You run a business together. What is that like?

Y: We’ve been in business together for 12 years now. We started it together after I stepped down from a glamorous job as regional manager for John Lang. We don’t step on each others’ toes.

J: Yes, I handle admin and Yale does the operations. We clash sometimes but I respect him as the boss.

Y: We have very clear roles and structures to manage what we do. Jenny is the cautious one while I’m more ambitious. It’s a good complement.

MY: What brought you two to yoga?

J: Health reasons.

Y: Your location is convenient for us and we wanted something that we could do together.

J: Yale likes swimming but I don’t. With yoga we found something that we can do together.

Y: Yes, yoga is our common ground.

MY: Do you feel that yoga has improved your relationship? Tell us how?

J: Yes it has. We have something common to talk about and do.

Y: Yoga is a good way to recharge. It allows us to focus on something away from work.

MY: What is your favorite posture?

J: I like all the postures that give me a good stretch. It takes away all the stiffness.

Y: Relaxation! (laughs)

MY: Do you both practice together?

Y: Yeah, occasionally.

J: Not always. We don’t do much yoga at home but if we do it, we do it together. Yale is a follower. He follows me if I do it. (chuckling)

MY: What did you do for Valentine’s?

J: We went for a beautiful dinner.

Y: Her birthday is close to Valentine’s day, so we normally celebrate it together. We went to Sepang Gold Cost and had candle light dinner by the sea. We enjoyed the sunset and before dinner we went to the Spa at the resort.

MY: What advice to you have for other couples who would like to stay as happy as the two of you?

J: You must understand each other.

Y: Understand each others’ strengths and weaknesses. Focus on the strengths. Then you have synergy. 1 + 1 should equal 11 (chuckling).

Note: This post is part of a series of articles to introduce you to Maya Yoga Samudraa’s mentor, Yogacharya H.A Rao, and our yogic heritage.

(reproduced from the Sunday Mail, November 4 1984, by Ng Peng Seng)

Guru H.A Rao warns of the misuse of yoga meditation (Raja Yoga), the stage after physical yoga (Hatha Yoga).

He says yoga aims for both a healthy body and a healthy mind, but should one delve deeply into Raja Yoga, he should seek a competent instructor to guide.

Raja Yoga is so potent that should one deviate from its benign and noble aim, it could prove futile and even disastrous.

Disappear

However, he says, if Raja Yoga is done in the right way, one can have a healthy and fulfilling life without illnesses and hang-ups.

He concedes that there have been reports of paranormal occurrences, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition in certain states of meditation.

There have also been cases of the student who told his master that deep in meditation, he saw a great white light.

Guru Rao says when the meditator falls into the trap of  sidetracks such as the search for visions of flashing lights or for extra-sensory phenomena, or for high ecstatic states, he should ignore them and get on with the process of producing inner development by concentrating on the breathing.

He spoke of how certain deviants meditated and perfected the art of levitation.

“It is  of no use and is just a side effect of the process to enlightenment. If a person dwells on such side effects, he will not be able to progress further in his mental development. Eventually, he may end up at the side show to make money and finally the special powers will disappear altogether.

“Anyway, such cases are rare and on the whole, Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga together will certainly lead one to a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.”

Last week I was introduced to a very interesting article in the New York Times (thank you Wei Ming) titled “How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body.” If you’ve not read it, you should. It addresses a very relevant issue that does not get much limelight – injury from yoga. Enough people are getting injured from yoga to warrant some inquiry and the article by the New York Times is timely indeed.

Just a few months ago, Shahrean, one of our vice-principals, was introduced to 2 young ladies who stopped yoga due to injuries and don’t intend to do it anymore. They complained of very bad neck pains that took quite some time to heal. I personally suffered a minor sprain in my neck while doing Halasana or the Plough Pose a few years ago. It healed very fast though. 4 days to be exact and here’s the clincher – I did yoga to recover.

I attribute my injury to the fact that I tried to “throw” myself into the posture instead of gently going into it. Fortunately, I was learning under the tutelage of my mother, Sue, who is an excellent guru. She was very quick to prescribe remedial yoga techniques and a lot of the pain was gone by the second day. The point I’m trying to make here is 3 fold:

• Injury in yoga can occur with bad practice or improper guidance
• Yoga has remedial procedures
• A good instructor is of utmost importance

While I am admitting that injuries can (and do) occur while performing yoga postures, I disagree with Glenn Black that yoga can do more harm than good to “the vast majority of people”. Not only is this counter-intuitive to yogic science, it is also a gross generalization that has no factual basis.  In fact, the New York Times article I refer to is peppered with many instances of assumed causality.

For instance, the author tells the story of a male college student who decided to intensify his practice by performing Vajrasana for hours a day, chanting for world peace. This student soon experienced difficulties walking and doctors found that a peripheral branch of his sciatic nerve had become dead. The author makes no inquiry as to whether the student learned from a qualified instructor or was self-taught. Was he guided when he decided to intensify his practice? Did he do the Vajrasana correctly? These questions are left unanswered.

In another example, the author writes about a 25-year old man who had difficulty swallowing and controlling the left side of his body. There were signs of neck trauma and doctors found blockages in his left vertebral artery which prevented blood from going to the brain. This was attributed to his practice of the shoulder stand for over a year.  Whether this was the real cause is left glaringly unanswered. Was bad practice ruled out? Improper guidance?

Learn from a good guru and you’ll find that most yoga postures have counter-postures to balance and negate any untoward stress that the posture may cause on your body. The counter-posture to the shoulder stand is Mastyendrasana or the Fish Pose. Not everyone is taught this.

If you put anything under the spotlight and look hard enough for reasons to vilify it, you will find those reasons. Misinterpret cause and effect and you can easily come to wrong conclusions. Often even experts makes these mistakes. One can even conclude that walking is extremely dangerous in this way. After all, people have literally walked to their deaths in the past.

The health benefits of yoga is too great to be cast away by wrong conclusions. I have seen many, many people recover from illness through diligent practice of yoga. I’ve seen people cure themselves of asthma, sinus, and migraines. I’ve seen people suffering from arthritis live better lives through yoga. I know people who have rid themselves of back problems by practicing yoga regularly. Yoga has the potential to help people live better lives, free from pain and disease. A blanket statement that yoga will wreck your body is an oversimplification of a problem.

The proliferation of yoga has brought about much good as well as problems. It is important to remember though, that historically yoga was always taught in this context: A qualified guru would teach a group of disciples.

Yoga gurus would spend years learning under the tutelage of other gurus as disciples. A guru would decide when a disciple was ready to teach based on individual abilities and aptitudes. It was a process that could take years. It was not a 200-hour or 500-hour training program that was concluded in a few months. It was also never designed to be self-learned or taught in a jam-packed class of 100 people.

Yoga injury is a problem that must be addressed but this must be done objectively. Would you dispose all the knives in your kitchen because knives have caused tremendous amount of injury and deaths in the last 100 years? Reason and common sense must prevail when studying causality. I believe that we need to look into the actual causes of yoga related injuries and address them appropriately if we are to arrive at any real solution.

If you’re sitting on the fence because you want more information, here is a detailed itinerary of the retreat…

What You’ll Be Doing In This Retreat

Day 01:

You will arrive at the Yangon International Airport via Malaysian Airlines flight MH 740 at around 11:15 am. You’ll be welcomed by a local tour guide and brought to Hotel Sedona, an award winning hotel in Yangon.

After checking in and lunch, there will be an ice-breaking session and a lecture. You’ll then be taken to visit  the 2500 year old Shwedagon Pagoda – a world famous Golden Stupa that rises 98 meters above its base. This beautiful Stupa has a richly layered exterior covered with 60 tons of pure gold.

There will be a Tranquil yoga session in the evening ambiance of this site followed by dinner at local restaurant.

Day 02:

You’ll begin the day early with group Sun Salutation practice outdoors. After breakfast at the hotel, we check out of Hotel Sedona and you’ll be taken with the rest of the group to the airport for your flight to Heho. Transfer from Heho airport to Inle Lake is by coach.

You’ll be taken on a 1 hour scenic drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to the magical Inle Lake, 1,328 meters above sea level. The Lake itself is about 22KM by 11KM in size. Upon arrival at Inle Lake, you’ll be taken to your accommodations at Golden Island Cottage, by boat. Lunch is at hotel restaurant.

The rest of the day will be a series of informative and refreshing yoga lectures and practical outdoor sessions. You will be well fed with refreshments and dinner at the hotel.

Day 03:

The 3rd day is an intense day of outdoor yoga practices, yoga lectures, and more outdoor yoga sessions. Sessions will be lively and fun. As usual, we will see to it that you are well fed throughout the day. Be prepared for a load of insight and perspective into yoga and yourself. Contemplation and introspect is the theme of the day.

Day 04:

Wake up feeling rejuvenated, and brand new. You’ll start the morning early with Sun Salutation in the serenity of the beautiful lake.

After breakfast, you’ll tour the famous Inle Lake by boat on Lake Inle. This half-day tour includes visits to the Phaungdawoo Pagoda and the weaving village of Inpawkhon. Lunch is at the hotel followed by more mind-blowing yoga presentations.

Dinner in the evening is followed by Yoga Nidra at night. Yoga Nidra is a powerful method of affirmations.

Day 05:

Welcome sunrise with the morning yoga and the sun salutation. After breakfast, you’ll check out and leave Inle Lake for Heho by coach and then transfer to Yangon by flight.

Lunch is at a local restaurant in Yangon. Then tour Bogyoke Market (also known as Scott Market) to browse and bargain freely among the hundreds of stalls for great souvenirs. Savor bargain delights and the thrill of shopping among the many stalls.

You’ll then be taken to the Yangong airport to return to Kuala Lumpur LCCT via Air Asia flight AK 851 departing at 5:15 pm and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 9:30 pm.

The Retreat Summary

Awakening The Mind’s Eye Retreat is  a contemplative and introspective retreat that aims to connect you with yourself. The serene natural setting, next to a large body of fresh water, and high above sea-level is very conducive for this purpose.

The daily motion of responsibilities, work, and stress, compounded by an increasingly demanding urban lifestyle, very often creates a disconnect within. This disconnect results in mood swings, depression, anxiety, and a general feeling of hollowness. Awakening the Mind’s Eye Retreat will reset this disharmony within.

The retreat is spread over 5 days and promises a good mix of yoga, presentations, lectures, discourses, sight-seeing, and shopping. All of this promises to be restorative, informative, and therapeutic (including the shopping!).

Still Can’t Make Up Your Mind?

Benjamin Franklin had a very useful method for making decisions. The founding father of the U.S would draw 2 columns on a piece of paper. He would label one side “For” and the other side “Against” and list as many reasons as he could in each column. He would decide with whichever column had the most reasons.

It is an excellent decision making tool. One that you could apply right now. Go ahead and draw 2 columns on a piece of paper. On one side, list all your reasons for going on this retreat…

*I’ll unlock the potential within my mind
*I will learn the healing and restorative practice of contemplation
*I will fill myself with positive affirmations in  a guided setting
*I will learn how to change the way I think and react, thereby drastically changing outcomes
*I will learn to be in harmony with myself and as a result achieve more
*I will also learn to be in harmony with my partner and enjoy a more satisfying relationship

Now list your reasons against. What do you think the wise Benjamin Franklin would do?

We’re taking bookings now.

Awakening The Mind’s Eye is priced at:

• RM 3139.00 (USD 951.00) per person for Twin Sharing accomodation
• RM 3599.00 (USD 1,090.00) per person for Single accomodation

An RM 1,000 deposit is required when you book your place and the balance will have to be paid by 29th February 2012.

Call us at +60 3 7713 3797 to book your place now or speak to us when you come in for your next class.

Whatever you do, decide fast if you want to take advantage of cheaper air fares. More details on the retreat can be read in this post.

Membership, Registration, Class Packages & Rates

1. Only members are entitled to all class packages and therapies at the rates listed below.
2. A RM 70.00 registration fee is applicable to all first-time registrations which includes lifetime membership.
3. All available class packages are listed below and must be redeemed within the stipulated validity period from commencement of the 1st class. Payments are non-refundable and classes are non-transferable.
• Single Class / Drop-In: RM 50.00 Validity: 1-Day
• 4 Class Pass: RM 170.00 Validity: 1-Month (RM 42.50/class)
• 10 Class Pass: RM 290.00 Validity: 1-Month (RM 29.00/class)
• 20 Class Pass: RM 490.00 Validity: 2-Month (RM 24.50/class)
• Family Unlimited: RM 261.00 per person (Minimum 2 adults + 1 child over 12) Validity: 1-Month
• Partner Class (4 Passes): RM 250.00 Validity: 1-Month
• Private Class (4 Passes): RM 300.00 Validity 1-Month
• Kids Learn For Free – Children below 12 learn for free! Child must be accompanied by 1 parent in the class and this is not applicable to Private or Partner sessions.

Validity Periods, Cancellations, & Extensions

1. Validity periods for all packages will be strictly enforced.
2. It is your responsibility, as a member, to redeem all your classes and therapy session withing the stipulated validity periods.
3. A member may temporarily suspend his/her account for a maximum period of 2 weeks in the event that he/she cannot come for classes and reschedule those classes within the validity period.
4. A temporary suspension will “freeze” the validity of the package and resume again after the period of suspension.
5. Only ONE (1) temporary suspension is allowed per package.
6. Temporary suspensions must be given in writing (email, letter, SMS) or verbally (during operating hours) at least 24-hours before your next scheduled class.
7. Cancellation of any class or therapy session must be done 24-hours before your next scheduled class. Late cancellations will be charged as if you did attend the class.
8. Classes will not be replaced or refunded if sufficient notice is not provided.
9. Maya Yoga Samudraa reserves the right to cancel classes due to events beyond our control. Every effort will be made to provide sufficient notice where possible.

Online Class Bookings

1. The preferred booking method for classes, appointments, and therapies is via our online booking system at https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/adm/home.asp?studioid=23319.
2. All class bookings will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is your responsibility to plan your schedule and book your classes early to ensure you get your preferred slot.
3. Payments need to be updated and current to book classes online.
4. All group classes have a wait-list of up to 3 people. If you are wait-listed for a class due to full booking, you will be notified and automatically reserved into the slot if it becomes available.

Instructors

1. Only Instructors certified by Maya Yoga Samudraa are allowed to teach yoga classes. Yoga therapists will be additionally certified.
2. Maya Yoga Samudraa will not be responsible for any injuries suffered by a 3rd party or parties as a result of unsanctioned yoga training by unauthorized person or persons.
3. In the event a yoga instructor is unable to teach, a replacement yoga instructor may be provided without prior notice.

Information and Privacy

1. Information provided during registration and in the online profile are considered true with regards to current personal information and medical history. Based on the information provided, Maya Yoga Samudraa may require that you obtain a medical clearance from a doctor prior to commencement of classes or therapies.
2. At any time, if you have concerns about your health or injuries, you should seek medical clearance before attending classes. Any relevant findings must be communicated to Maya Yoga Samudraa.
3. Maya Yoga Samudraa respects your privacy and will never sell or share any of your information to 3rd parties.

Disclaimers

1. Maya Yoga Samudraa will not be held responsible for any injury sustained through practice of yoga outside the supervision of its instructors and premises.
2. Maya Yoga Samudraa will not be held responsible for injuries sustained during classes as a result of withholding or providing false information.
3. Maya Yoga Samudraa will not be held responsible for any injury or grievance that may occur from yoga classes that are conducted outside of its premises.

Note: This post is part of a series of articles to introduce you to Maya Yoga Samudraa’s mentor, Yogacharya H.A Rao, and our yogic heritage.

(reproduced from the Sunday Mail, November 4 1984, by Ng Peng Seng)

Veteran yoga Guru H.A Rao, 74, says smokers should get a closer look at yoga which has several exercises that can cleanse the lungs and body system.

A smoker can benefit through bastrika, says Guru Rao from Mysore, India, who has practiced yoga for more than 60 years, including having spent a long period in the Himalayas.

His recommendation consists of a yoga posture where the left hand is raised and the right nostril is covered. Fast rhythmic inhaling and exhaling then follows for about 12 repetitions, this being sufficient to flush out the left lung.

The same can be repeated on the right side with the right arm raised and left nostril closed.

The guru says a smoker should practice this every morning, afternoon, and evening to get the best effect.

“This procedure of internal flushing will keep his lungs fresh and lessen the chances of cancer or other diseases developing.”

There is another yoga posture called asana that should be practiced by the heavy smoker, says the guru. It consists of a slightly couched position with the hands on the thighs and rolling the stomach muscles.

It will result in the cleansing of whatever nicotine or other substances that cigarette smoking may introduce into the body system.

There are about 120 postures in yoga and doing a few everyday will keep a smoker from getting sick if he just cannot give up smoking, says the guru.

He, however, cautions that to do this in the right way, it is best to seek the help of a qualified yoga instructor.

“In fact, if a smoker takes up yoga on a long-term basis, he will find that his urge to smoke gradually reduces until he considers smoking an interference to his goal of pursuing inner peace and tranquility through Raja Yoga, the meditation stage of yoga.”

Yoga is broken down into 2 steps, he explains. The first being “Hatha” yoga, or physical, and the second step is “Raja” or mental yoga.

Even at the stage of “Hatha” yoga, apart from cigarette smoking, certain chronic diseases can be cured, he claims.

Healing

“Through practicing selected postures, diabetes, for example, can be cured without the use of drugs, but through the natural bodily processes,” he says.

“By flushing the internal system with regulated intake of water, and practicing the postures for some months, a cure can be effected.”

He is said to have cured many people of diabetes, asthma, rheumatism, and other ailments, including smoking and drug taking.

Another simple posture of sitting cross-legged and binding the stomach with one’s hands and concentrating the energy there will cure constipation and diarrhea, says the guru.

Over the period of 60 years in practicing yoga, he has acquired a method of healing called “pranic healing.”

He explained that prana is the life force which is dormant in our bodies but experienced yogis are able to control this force for healing by transferring it to a sick person.

He started to practice yoga at age 12. When he was 37, he went to study under a renowned teacher, Mahesh Raja Yogi, in the Himalayan mountains for five years and found a wealth of techniques, many of which he would not reveal as they could cause serious harm should they be misused.

Sponsored

Guru Rao was here visiting his daughter while enroute to Australia where a group has sponsored him to teach them the finer art and techniques of yoga.

When asked about the possibility of being sponsored by Pemadam or other authorities to train yoga teachers to rehabilitate drug addicts, he says he will welcome it and happily put his life-long experience to good use.

His daughter, Mrs Suleiha Merican, can be contacted at 03-443181.

This retreat is called Awakening The Mind’s Eye because it focuses on opening your mind and strengthening your powers of perception through:

• The practice of gratitude,
• pranayama,
• yoga postures, and
• awareness

But our retreats always promise more than just introspect.

So, your senses will also be assailed with beautiful sights, historical monuments, and a unique shopping experience.

If you work hard, get little rest, and have a mountain of pressure to cope with, life can be a roller-coaster ride; ups that are wasted anticipating the downs, and downs that have 2 times the impact of the ups.

It’s not hard to notice that nearly everyone these days are on a roller-coaster ride. You see the pent-up frustrations, you hear the constant complaints, you feel the animosity, and sometimes you can almost smell and taste the bitter sweet flavor of urban life. Thank god for retreats!

Yes, sometimes the solution is as simple as unplugging and changing environments for a brief period.

It works wonders and if you do this purposefully, miracles happen.

He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left – Chinese Proverb

Let’s give you a brief outline of what’s in store for you in the Awakening The Mind’s Eye Retreat.

• The retreat is a 5 day, 4 night getaway (9th March 2012 – 13th March 2012).
• You will arrive in Yangon on Day 1 and after checking into your hotel, go on a historical tour.
• Day 2 starts with morning yoga and then a short flight to Heho and coach transfer to Inle Lake.
• Day 2 to Day 4 will be full of yoga philosophy lectures, yoga practice, and fun.
• On Day 5, you’ll be brought back to Yangon and taken to the Bogyoke Market (a shopping delight).

You will have to arrange your flight to Yangon on your own. Once you’re there, we’ll take care of almost everything including:

• Hotel accommodation
• Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Refreshments
• Tours and entrance fees where applicable
• Domestic air travel in Myanmar
• Awakening your mind’s eye

We strongly suggest that you book your flights via MAS & Air Asia as follows:

• 9th March 2012 – Flight MH 740 departing from KLIA at 10.05am and arriving in Yangon at 11.15am
• 13th March 2012 – Flight AK 851 departing from Yangon at 5.15pm and arriving in KL LCCT at 9.30pm

Air Asia’s ticket prices are tier based and you are adviced to book early to get the cheapest rates.

The value you’ll get from this retreat is disproportionate to how much we’re charging.

For the entire 5 days and 4 nights of this retreat we’re going to provide you with almost everything you need and that includes accommodation at an award-winning hotel in Yangon and at a beautiful floating hotel in Inle, coach transfers, meals, refreshments, domestic (Myanmar) air travel and airport taxes, tour guides, tips, entrance fees, boat rides, and awesome yoga sessions. We can’t cover your shopping but we’re sure you understand.

What’s the cost of this retreat?

Awakening The Mind’s Eye is priced at:

• RM 3139.00 (USD 951.00) per person for Twin Sharing accomodation
• RM 3599.00 (USD 1,090.00) per person for Single accomodation

An RM 1,000 deposit is required when you book your place and the balance will have to be paid by 29th February 2012.

Call us at +60 3 7713 3797 to book your place now or speak to us when you come in for your next class.

More information will be provided in the coming weeks. If you would like to be the first to know all the updates for this retreat, you may visit the retreat page here and register your interest.

Here’s a clip from that scene:

In this triumphant display of man over machine, the upgrades are no match for Neo.

In 2012, you’ll notice something different about us too. We’re upgrading our services, and fortunately these upgrades (unlike the upgrades in the Matrix) will make a difference. If you are a member of Maya Yoga Samudraa, you will now receive an even higher level of service. We’re integrating our operations with MindBody, a top notch system that takes customer relationship management to new levels.

In 2012, you’ll be able to:

• Book yourself into classes online or via your mobile phone
• View all our class schedules on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
• Receive SMS reminders of your classes
• Join any Energize, Intense, or Tranquil class according to your busy schedule
• Enjoy more fluid private and therapy class schedules

In 2012, we’re taking personalization up one notch. We’ll be able to track your birthdays, special needs, likes & dislikes, and a host of other personalized information to serve you better. Don’t worry, none of this is intended to infringe on your privacy and we’ll only ever have information that you allow us to have. We have the highest respect for your privacy.

In 2012, you’ll be part of an entity with a renewed commitment to the community. We’re going to drastically reduce paper usage. Registration forms will be electronic and receipts will be emailed. There will be more free outdoor yoga sessions and stronger community work to spread health and wellness. Your continued support will help us to build more momentum in this area.

In 2012, there will be some changes to our fees and packages. We’ll explain the changes below but first, why are we upgrading?

The simple answer: to serve you better.

We’ve been listening to our loyal members. We understand that many of you have very busy schedules and cannot always come to classes at fixed monthly time slots. We’ve put a lot of thought between balancing your schedule and ensuring that you are always in a class that is the right fit. You will find this provided to you from 2012 onwards in just the right mix.

We also understand that you can achieve more consistency in your practice if you can schedule your classes around your work. You can do this easily now.

We’ve always been zealous about personalized attention. With our upgrades, you’ll receive even more attention from us.

The Class Scheduling Change

Effective 1st of January 2012, these are the classes that we’ll be offering:

• Samudraa Energize – if you want to learn and understand the foundations of hatha yoga
• Samudraa Intense – if you want a more advance and intense hatha yoga workout
• Samudraa Tranquil – if you would like to focus on your inner well-being
• Advanced Athletic Conditioning – if you want to go beyond intense and really tone-up

Each of these classes will be offered a few times a week. You can choose the type of classes that you would like to attend and book yourself into them online according to the schedule that suits you best.

For example, if you would like to do some serious toning-up, you could fix a schedule like this:

• Mon 6:30pm – 7:30pm: Intense Class
• Wed 8:00pm – 9:00pm: Energize
• Sat 11:00am – 12 noon: Advanced Athletic Conditioning

The above is just an example.

You can also make recurring appointments i.e every Saturday 10:00am. For private classes, you can change your appointments online and choose any available time slot or have a recurring time slot.

There will be a 24-hour cancellation policy. The class schedules will be online by 30th December 2011.

If all this is too confusing for you, don’t worry, we’ll do recurring bookings for you and you can still make or cancel appointments by phone. We’ll make this awfully simple for you

Package and Fee Changes

Effective from 1st January 2012, our package and fees will be as follows:

1. Single Class / Drop-In: RM 50.00 Validity: 1-Day
2. 4 Class Pass: RM 170.00 Validity: 1-Month (RM 42.50/class)
3. 10 Class Pass: RM 290.00 Validity: 1-Month (RM 29.00/class)
4. 20 Class Pass: RM 490.00 Validity: 2-Month (RM 24.50/class)
5. Family Unlimited: RM 261.00 per person (Minimum 2 adults + 1 child over 12) Validity: 1-Month
6. Partner Class (4 Passes): RM 250.00 Validity: 1-Month
7. Private Class (4 Passes): RM 300.00 Validity 1-Month
8. Kids Learn For Free – Children below 12 learn for free! Child must be accompanied by 1 parent in the class and this is not applicable to Private or Partner sessions.

Note: All current packages and classes that have been paid for will be honored even if it extends into the early part of 2012.

One thing does not change. We’re still keeping to a maximum of 7 people per class.

We’re dedicated to providing you with a premium that few other studios can compare with including:

• highly personalized attention
• authentic yoga solutions
• real dedication to your health
• preventive and corrective remedies

Our upgrades will only continue to ensure that your experience with us is priceless.

Some of you may find all these changes very confusing. Again, don’t worry. We’re here to help you and clarify any questions you may have. Call us, speak to your instructor, or drop your questions in the comments section below.