Ninie Ahmad: Off her yoga mat.

Her daily AFFIRMATIONS of staying optimistic especially when she's (upside) down.

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 …’

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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.

Written by Ninie

March 3rd, 2010 at 1:07 pm

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