Three out of ten biggest events in my life happened all last week – I don’t know where to start.

• Starbucks Live & Inspire (Bangsar Village II)

I was really nervous before the event as I felt like a tiny ant compared to their past guests.

I second guessed myself that night, did all this people show up because of me? I was close to turning the hour long talk to a yoga session (well, I partly did) but the crowd was so attentive and supportive that I felt the hour passed by really quickly.

Before I knew it, I made everyone remember

Photos from www.liveandinspire.com

Thank you Live & Inspire team, Starbucks and Bangsar Village II for having thought of me as someone who is actually inspiring in your book.

• adidas Stella McCartney Spring / Summer ‘10 event (rooftop Lot 10)

This is not one of the biggest events in my life (since it is not an event for me / I organize) but any adidas event is a big event for me.

I arrived fashionable late and regretted it as I realised I was the only adidas ambassador having 11 camera crews (thank you Kyanite & Project Alpha) recording my arrival and following me the whole event!

Since I couldn’t spot any adidas male ambassadors with the likes of Jehan Miskin, Henry Golding and Faizal Tahir \o/ around (I only found out later that only female ambassadors were invited!) so I pretzeled the models instead!

My 4-inched heels didn’t even come close to making me half as tall standing beside these superfit models!

Especially when I’m beside Amber Chia who wore flats!

To why I feel like making the next photo my Facebook profile immediately since I am evidently AS TALL AS Amber Chia, Elaine Daly, Yasmin Yusoff and Tengku Azura only in this snap!

Some photos from the event are from Project Alpha Facebook Page

The top I wore is from adidas Stella McCartney Fall / Winter ‘09 collection. Their Summer / Spring ‘10 collection paraded during the event was nothing short from fabulous! I love any adidas by Stella McCartney anything mostly for its vegetarian, no-cruelty-involved and organic principles.

From what I heard, Stella McCartney herself handpicked all the clothes and (vegetarian) food for the event (and all other events involving her line)!

That Friday as I was followed around by 11 camera crews, I got the preview of how ugly reality TV can be. I mean, I am not even a celebrity-celebrity you know what I mean so I thought – I might not be that worthy until..

As I was being interviewed by Jojo Struys alongside the Brand Manager of adidas Malaysia, Jessica Lim, I noticed that my phone rang and it was my ex-boyfriend, the Supertall one.

I hesisantly told her, “It’s my ex-boyfriend” only to be forced psyched into picking up the call and have it put on loudspeaker for the whole Malaysia to hear!

I knew he was somewhere around asking for direction of where the party was as we were supposed to have a meeting together after that so – I picked up the call when they were shooting me as I know I wouldn’t embarrass any of us.

Errr, spoke too soon.

As soon as the camera crews caught his glimpse on Lot 10 rooftop, all 11 of them ran to him to get an interview of “Why did you break up with Ninie Ahmad?”

Poor Supertall!

To know what he had to say (honestly, I am curious too! Can’t you see me eavesdropping?), I guess we all just have to stay tuned and wait for Project Alpha to start showing on hitz.tv (ASTRO Ch705) in April.

Tomorrow I will share the other big event I was telling you about.

Before I get back on my yoga mat in a couple of minutes, if I can bid a special shout and gratitude to Joseph Teoh

who has been my loyal plus one for both events mentioned in this post and hopefully for many more to come.

Love and three-stripes of light.

In 2006, I wrote this on The Yoga Instructor Diaries.

To Whom It May Concern,

It’s been weeks since you left me.

Eversince; I had to manage to do things on my own, lived in total mess, cried over my pillow, blamed everything on everyone around me and when all else failed, I tried to shut my mind and wished that I could fly or just die, leaving all this behind.

Yes, I was in a bad shape.
I was in total mess.
I lost my head.
And I had no one to talk to.

For weeks, I struggled to survive. I forced myself to smile, to stay calm, to act like I’ve got everything under control when I can’t even think of surviving another day, in one piece. It hurts so bad to miss someone who is so important in my life.

That was until yesterday, when there arrived Someone New;

The new person is nothing really, compared to YOU.
You were the best, the very best I’ve ever had in my entire lifetime.
You definitely made my life easier.
You helped me so much, took care of everything I ever needed
that when you left, I can barely stand on my own feet.

Don’t be surprised, the new person is even younger than me, but I can’t ask for too much right now. Yes, that someone new is trying SO hard to please me and my needs, but only You understand that I am one complicated girl and that it takes time to adapt into my lifestyle and to do things for me just the way I want them to be done, but since I can’t do it on my own anymore, I just had to give in.

Thanks for all the kindness, love and help you showered me over the past years. Though now I may already have someone new, I could have never forgotten YOU.

I know you might think I never did appreciate you, maybe I didn’t say enough Thank You’s, maybe I didn’t show how much I cherished having you in my life, but I really do.

I’m sorry that we didn’t have a proper goodbye. I just can’t stand watching you walk out from my door, afraid that I’ll beg you to stay – even the both of us knew, that just can’t happen. I’ve held you for too long. Before I trouble you even more, I know I had to let you go..

Really, my dearest Bibik Nama..
(sorry for I used to make fun of your name too, those “_ _ _ _ _, bibik kau nama apa?“, “Sumpah, nama dia Nama!“)

.. you’ll always be in my mind, heart and prayer.
Thanks again for everything you’ve done to my house and my family.
Everytime the new maid makes my coffee a little too sweet for my liking or uses up my organic carrots to make curry puff filling,
I sure will miss you badly.
And may God bless you, always.

Me (Yes, I know I’m cute),
Eldest Daughter Of This Family,
Lucky Garden, Bangsar.

She came back and work for us in 2008 until she fell sick late last year and requested to be sent home to Jakarta. My parents visited her last month and her family broke the news that she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer Stage IIIB.

In midst of BE Yoga Open Day and Project Alpha shooting yesterday, I received news that Bibik Nama passed away Saturday night after losing the quiet battle with cancer.

Innalillahi-wainnalillahi raji’un.

May God rest her in better place as she is one of the kindest and most caring person I have met in my life.

Hello Thursday!

If you are free tonight and have always wanted to ask me any question regarding yoga or anything about me at all, do meet me in person:

STARBUCKS LIVE & INSPIRE featuring Ninie Ahmad

Date: Thursday, 21 January 2010 (that’s TODAY!)

Time: 8pm to 9pm

Location: Starbucks, Level 2, Bangsar Village II

Entrance is free but first 30 to arrive gets free Starbucks coffee (errr, I did ask Starbucks what time do people usually have to arrive to be ‘the first 30′ and they said, 6pm)!

For more info, Starbucks Live & Inspire Facebook Page otherwise watch the event LIVE at Live & Inspire website!

Previous guests for the past couple Thursdays include CEO of Maybank Dato’s Seri Abdul Wahid (last Thursday), Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and A’ Cut Above’s Dato’ Winnie Loo!

In what world Starbucks & Bangsar Village II see me in the same league with the greatest inspirations of Malaysia, I have no idea but I am in endless gratitude notwithstanding and filled with aspirations to continue inspiring those who think I do.

Lively day and full of inspiration today!

Updates on BE Yoga Open Day this weekend, we are also having

• mini BIJOU BAZAAR on Saturday 9am to 5pm
• special appearance and participation from Season 1 & Season 2 Project Alpha bloggers for YOGA-TA LIMBO contest on Saturday 1.45noon
• registration booth for YOGA FOR SCOLIOSIS (Free Talk) by Viviane DeDoncker on Sunday 2.30 – 5.00pm
• mini DECANTER (one of my favourite hangouts around!) to provide healthy & affordable F&B

I am also really looking forward to the BE HAPPY – RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW talk (it’s FOC but for first 100 RSVP, book now by calling 03 7728 6182 / 03 7729 6182!) by Master Vinay Kumar whom I dub Malaysia’s Deepak Chopra.

We appeared on ntv7’s The Breakfast Show on Monday morning and ASTRO’s Awani Pagi yesterday talking about how to be happy and how to bring our happiness on the yoga mat, outside- no matter what our problems are right now, no matter what problems the world is facing today. He is simply inspiring that all hosts /anchors for both The Breakfast Show & Awani Pagi immediately signed themselves up for the talk after our interview!

Hope to see ALL OF YOU my strangely-positive friends and friendly-happy strangers for the FOC classes and fun-flex activities all weekend. For itinerary, check out BE Yoga Open Day Facebook Page and for any inquiry or booking, call us at 03 7728 6182 / 03 7729 6182 (7am to 9.30pm weekdays).

It is getting too exciting now, I just can’t wait for Saturday!

Be happy – right here, right now everyone!

For those who missed my interview with ntv7’s The Breakfast Show this morning, do not worry as I will be a guest on ASTRO Awani’s Awani Pagi again tomorrow morning from 8.30 to 9am talking about BE Yoga’s Open Day this coming weekend!

So yes, we are having an open day this weekend!

What: BE Yoga Open Day

When: 23 & 24 January 2010, 9am until 5pm

Where: Ground Floor, Metropolitan Square, Damansara Perdana

(find Location Map at http://beyoga.my)

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

• FOC CLASSES ALL WEEKEND!
• membership discounts
• Yoga-ta Limbo competition (Open For All), lowest limbo wins 1-Year Unlimited Membership worth RM1,988
• attempt to create MSIA Book Of Records entry for Most Participants for 1-Minute-Headstand in One Room (Open For All), all successful ‘headstanders’ win 1-Month Unlimited Membership worth RM288
• lucky draws for BE Yoga members and many more!

ITINERARY:

SATURDAY (23 January 2010)

9.30-10.30am: FOC Hot Yoga with NINIE
11.00-12noon: FOC Begin Yoga with AZMI

1-1.30noon: Partner Yoga performance by BE Yoga founders (Azmi Samdjaga & Ninie Ahmad)
1.30noon: Lucky Draw for BE Yoga members (with valid membership)
1.45noon: *’YOGA-TA LIMBO‘ Contest (lowest limbo wins 1-Year Unlimited Membership worth RM1,988)

2.30pm-3.30pm: FOC Yoga Dance with LILA
4.00pm-5.00pm: FOC Kids Yoga with LILA

SUNDAY (24 January 2010)

9.30-11.00am: ‘Be Happy – Right Here, Right Now’ talk with Master Vinay Kumar
11.30-12.30noon: ‘Be Happy – Right, Right Now’ Karma Yoga class with Ninie Ahmad

1-1.30noon: Partner Yoga performance by BE Yoga founders (Azmi Samdjaga & Ninie Ahmad)
1.30noon: Lucky Draw for BE Yoga members (with valid membership)
1.45noon: **’Attempt to Create Malaysia Book Of Records entry for Most Participants on 1-Minute-Headstand In One Room‘ (all successful participants win 1-Month Unlimited Membership worth RM288)

2.30pm-3.30pm: FOC Hatha with AZMI
4.00pm-5.00pm: FOC Yogilates with LILA

NOTES:
1. All FOC classes have to be pre-booked by calling 03 7728 6182 / 03 7729 6182 (weekday business hours 7am to 9.30pm), maximum participants for each class is 25 pax.

2. For *YOGA-TA LIMBO contest:
- for each height / level, each participant is allowed with 3 trials
- lowest record will be determined by ‘last man standing’.

3. For **Attempt to Create Malaysia Book Of Records entry for Most Participants on 1-Minute-Headstand In One Room, ALL / ANY advanced practitioners and yoga teachers around are welcome.
- ‘Successful Headstand’ is verified by successfully executing at least ONE MINUTE of traditional Headstand / Sirshasana (by interlocking the fingers)
- Record is verfied by accumulating successful ‘headstanders’ performing 1-Minute-Headstand at the same time in one room
- Headstand must be performed without the support of wall / mirror / blocks
- Participants must also ‘headstand’ on standard and provided yoga mat

4. For ‘Be Happy – Right Here, Right Now’ talk, maximum participants is 100 pax. Kindly pre-book by calling 03 7728 6182 / 03 7729 6182 (weekday business hours 7am to 9.30pm). Karma Yoga following the talk is optional.

I am also calling upon ALL fellow yoga enthusiasts, practitioners & teachers all over Klang Valley to participate in the ‘Yoga-ta Limbo‘ challenge on Saturday and to join our attempt to create Malaysia Book Of Records entry for Most Participants on 1-Minute-Headstand In One Room on Sunday, there is absolutely no fee to join these healthy and fun activities at all!

Playing limbo with your yoga teachers and standing on our heads (if not witnessing) for a national documentation would be exciting to see, wouldn’t it?

Also watch out for your favourite local celebrities & celebrity bloggers appearance this weekend as Nuffnang’s Project Alpha is shooting me the whole Saturday & Sunday!

So, YOGA-TA BE at BE Yoga Open Day this weekend, all!

Love and open arms.

So it was just a usual Friday.

• Hanging out at ASTRO Awani talking about Yoga & Anger Management

• getting hair styled & make-up done by genius team from A’Cut Above using Rimmel,

• only to stand on my chin and my hands,

• then to play lift-and-catch & hide-and-seek with Jojo Struys,

• checking out photogenic Niki Cheong, kawaii Cheesie, fierce Azwan Ali and supertall (?) Shaolin Tiger,

• visited adidas and brought home pleasant surprise!

Until Monday when you see me LIVE at ntv7 (Astro CH107)’s The Breakfast Show 9 – 10am, have a productive weekend!

After the unforeseen Ek Eleh incident last November, I thought yoga & I would never get a chance to be on TV again.

Little did I know, I have appeared on

• TV3’s Nona

• 8tv Quickie (15 Dec 09)

• 8tv Celebrity Chat (23 Dec 09)

• Awani’s Awani Pagi (29 Dec 09)

• Awani’s Awani Pagi (14 Jan 10)

for the past four weeks. Ahhhh, the beauty of ASTRO Max. If ASTRO B.yond has Max function, I’d get it today. Or after all the TVs in the house get HD-friendly first.

And if you are still not sick of me,

I will be a guest on Awani (ASTRO Ch501)’s Awani Pagi again today (Friday, 15 January 2010) LIVE at 9.30 – 10am talking about Yoga & Anger Management.

And maybe on a couple more breakfast / talk shows next week.

And a big project on ASTRO (Ch705) hitz.tv in April .

Ek eleh.

Love and (lime)light.

Oh hi, welcome back Nuffnang leaderboard. Long time no appear!

I heard Nuffnang’s  Project Alpha is back and it’s Season 2 starts shooting today too!

Hmmm, why am I getting all excited?

While teaching a beginners’ class at BE Yoga last night, I was puzzled to see this one first-timer whose head AND legs were not on the (6-feet wide) mat while I made them lie down on their backs for Jathara Pose during the first five-minutes of the class.

When they first stood up, I asked him how tall he is exactly.

Curiousity killed the cat.

The shortest yoga instructor in town (if not in the world?) beside a 1.97 metre tall 18-year old guy.

Love and light (and height) everyone.

For a country that owns an F1 team + circuit and marks the tallest twin towers in the world,

• its’ Muslims can’t proudly & publicly practice yoga, AND
• its’ non-Muslims can’t say and publish the word Allah

.. so God help me.

Photo by Cris Chen

Lokha samastha sukhino bhavanthu.

Join us for FREE yoga classes at IKANO Power Centre for the next five Sundays!

WHEN: Adults (11 – 12 noon), Kids Yoga (3 – 4pm)

WHERE: Level 2, IKANO Power Centre (in front of Barang-Barang & World Of Cartoons)

WHO: Azmi Samdjaga & Ninie Ahmad from BE Yoga, Damansara Perdana

WHAT: Sports attire, no shoes required. Yoga mats are provided.

THEMES:

• January 10th
  • INTRO (11am): Yoga for Backaches (*with media event)
• January 17th
  • ADULT (11am): Yoga for Stress-Relief
  • KIDS (3pm): Land & Water Animal Yoga Poses
• January 31st
  • ADULT (11am): Yoga to Relieve Migraine, Asthma & Gastric
  • KIDS (3pm): Plants & Flower Yoga Poses
• February 7th
  • ADULT (11am): Yoga to Boost Immune System to Fight Common Cold & Flu
  • KIDS (3pm): Furniture & Solar System Yoga Poses

This is an FOC event somehow minimum donation of RM5 is appreciated. Donation will be forwarded to a chosen charity organisation / orphanage.

Space is limited to 40 pax for adults & 20 for kids yoga so pre-booking at 03 7728 6182 / 03 7729 6182 or http://beyoga.my is highly encouraged.

Hope to see you there with your kids, friends and family!

Love and productive weekend ahead.

I believe that

• it will be hard to love someone else when we don’t love ourselves wholeheartedly
• it will be painful to accept others’ flaws and weaknesses when we don’t acknowledge ours, and
• it is not going to be easy to take care of other living beings (cats included) if we can hardly take care of ourselves and our own health

Speaking of taking care, I was checking this picture captured during my best friend’s wedding last Saturday,

As I tried to protect her and her beautiful dress from being stepped on, I thought I look like I was doing a Chair pose (Utkatasana) with Rihanna singing “you can be under my umbrella, ella, ella..” at the background, ha ha!

Another almost similar photo was this priceless shot captured one Sunday morning in last August during my recreational basketball session,

I should have just sticked to yoga. And futsal. And hockey.

And isn’t my Julie’s Luna Alyssa the cutest baby in the world?

Photos by Anna-Rina

At 13-month old, she is already half our height!

Take care, big love and promising January ahead.