Archive for March, 2010
I am a hot yoga teacher Hot Yoga teacher
Hot Yoga is a yoga class inspired by Bikram Yoga incorporating a series of postures and 2 breathing exercises, and is ideally practiced in a room heated to 115°F (46.1°C) with a humidity of 40%.
Watch me (and my new hair colour 
) representing adidas Action-3 pretzeling Akademi Fantasia 8 kids in a Hot class in Diari AF, 7.30 – 8pm tonight (Friday, 26 March). Reruns at 11.30pm – 12am and 6am – 6.30am tomorrow.
Love and excitement.
‘I believe that my life’s gonna see, the love I give return to me..’ ~John Mayer
I have so many updates, so many news, so many opportunities, unexpected possibilities
.. and I am feeling so much right now – I don’t know how to begin sharing.
Or if I should even share anything at all..
‘I feel my time, my time has come..’
‘As if we don’t have enough problems’ (Carrie Bradshaw, ‘Models & Mortals’ SATC Season 1 Epi 02), after 11 years of yoga and knowing I have invested this much effort, THIS MUCH I KNOW – I won’t be able to enjoy the company of men that take pride in killing themselves and not understanding my quest of simply wanting to maintain 13% body fat percentage live longer.
I thought I will never experience the day where I’d finally meet another someone who is not intimidated of what I seem to be made of and who shares almost the very same values in life.
Until recently..
I think I might have just found my very version of Chris Martin.
And it makes me nervous.
‘Let me in, unlock the door.. I’ve never felt this way before..’
Interview: ‘I describe myself as ‘The small girl with a little yoga centre and a big dream to share her gift & love of yoga to more Malaysians and mankind online’ but I know many describe me as ‘The small yoga instructor with a big car and bigger pair of …’
OUR VALLEY HAS POTHOLES OF GOODIES AND NINIE AHMAD TELLS US WHERE SHE DIGS.
TEXT LEE YANG CHING PHOTO SHERMEN MOKHTAR
Ninie Ahmad, yoga instructor and founder of BE Yoga at Metropolitan Square, has a larger-than-life personality.
NAME THE FIVE THINGS YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT KL.
I am annoyingly optimistic, and see the positive side of everything which most people hate! The unpredictable weather humbles me, the unpredictable traffic trains me to be patient, the unreliable Internet connection allows me to read book when Twitter is not loading, the unpredictable Muftis that let CNN air ‘Malaysia bans exercise for Muslims’ on its primetime news in late 2008!
HOW DO YOU START YOUR MORNINGS AND HOW DO YOU END YOUR DAY?
I wake up every morning about 5am to practice 90 minutes of Ashtanga yoga Primary & Second Series if I have to teach seven in the morning. On days I don’t have to teach (yoga) that early, I wake up at 7am to my Ashtanga routine before I start my day. Before I sleep, I put myself into the ‘Corpse Pose’ which is aimed at clearing my mind of everything.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF HAPPINESS?
When I no longer have to judge how I look in the mirror and what others wear. When I can still smile and be grateful for the sun and rain, while everyone around me blames the weather for ruining their day.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO YOGA?
The curiosity of how most yoga masters in their 90s look like my father when he was 45 and still stand on their heads. I hope when I turn 50, I will stay looking 25 and still be able to stand on my hands!
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS?
My wisdom of knowing that I don’t have to kill another living being as food for my survival (I have been a vegetarian for four years for health & ethical reasons) and knowing yoga will make me live longer, looking good, if not look good longer.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF.
I describe myself in www.ninieahmad.com as ‘The small girl with a little yoga centre and a big dream to share her gift & love of yoga to more Malaysians and mankind online’ but I know many describe me as ‘The small yoga instructor with a big car and bigger pair of jugs’. Ha haa!
WHAT ABOUT KL INSPIRES YOU?
Having been sent to Asia-Pacific countries for the past couple of years as Official Yoga Ambassador for adidas Malaysia, I know KL is the city I want to grow old and die in – despite the traffic, public transport and parking problems – its people, food and buildings have the most soul, heart and kindness.
IF YOU COULD TELL PEOPLE ONE THING ABOUT YOGA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Yoga is the only workout that heals illnesses and prevents injuries, the only game we don’t have to compete with someone else, the only physical activity that lets us be our own judge and cheerleader at the same time – and the only sports that lets us break our own record everytime we try!
WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM?
I was born in Johor and I spent five years of my teens in a boarding school in JB but my family have been residing in Bangsar for the past 20 years. You don’t get more Bangsar when your parents’ house is exactly in front of Bangsar Village entrance!
DO YOU THINK MALAYSIANS EXERCISE ENOUGH?
Based on most Malaysians (if not Malaysian Muftis) judgment that yoga HAS to be banned as it involves chanting & meditation all the time, of course they don’t exercise, read and have common sense – enough!
Visit her site at www.ninieahmad.com to be inspired by all things Yoga!
For full interview, get your copy of KLue March 2010 out in newsstands today.
I choose to make full use, to explore every muscle, to take best care and to extend my lifetime – in this body.
(continued from I tell people I do yoga to be.. and I maintain my health in this body as it is THE vehicle that contains my spirit, soul and wisdom to experience the wonderful short journey in this lifetime, on this earth – before I meet my Maker)
..while I DO YOGA everyday (among other activities) as it is the only sports / workout that:
- works every muscle in my body
- makes me discover new sensations, feelings and awareness
- heals my existing illness / prevents new injury
- does not make me compete with others
- lets me break my record everytime I stretch / stand on my head or hands
- lets me be my own judge & cheerleader at the same time
- I don’t need any other gear ( racket / shoes / machine / gloves / Olympic size swimming pool / precision timer / etc) but my breath and willpower
- makes me more energized after I finish (practicing / teaching)
- I know I can still do when I turn 50, 70 or even 90 years old
If you have been to a (good) yoga class, you would know that you are in a cult – to look, to live and to know better.
Some day you will die.
Lying on your sick bed
about to breathe your last,
you will be assailed by every kind of pain.
Your mind will be filled with fears and anxieties
and you will not know what to do or where to go.
Only then you realise you have NOT practised well.
The skhandas / aggreagates (matters, sensations, conceptions, impulses and conciousness)
and the four elements in you will quickly disintegrate,
your conciousness will be pulled wheever your ancient,
twisted karma leads it.
Impermanence – does not hesitate.
Death – does not wait.
You will not be able to extend your life by even a second.
How many thousand more times
will you have to pass through
the gates of birth and death.
If these words are challenging,
even insulting,
let them be an encouragement for you to change.
Practice heroically.
Do not accumulate unnecessary possesions.
Don’t give up.
Still your mind,
end wrong perceptions,
concentrate and
- do not run after the object of your senses.
Practice diligently.
Be determined not to let your days and months pass by wastefully.
~ Zen Master GUISHAN
Love, encouragement and enlightenment.
