In the blink of an eye, BE Yoga turns ONE this week!

It is not a secret that I founded BE Yoga with my ex-boyfriend, the Supertall one.

Someone pointed to me earlier this morning before I left to BE Yoga’s 1st Anniversary Celebration, “Wow, it’s almost like you have a 1-year-old BABY. With your ex-boyfriend..”

Oh well..

(as quoted in Sex And The City The Movie)

Be calm,

only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together.

Be calm – love me – today – yesterday

what tearful longings for you – you – you – my life – my all

farewell.

Oh continue to love me – never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours..

BEETHOVEN from Love Letters of Great Men

Happy birthday, my love.

And farewell, baby..

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.

And so I had the busiest week (if not – I was the busiest person) at BE Yoga the other Saturday and Sunday.

(Photo thanks to Jojo Struys)

Imagine this, from 18th to 24th January, in a week I participated / organized

Monday : ntv’s The Breakfast Show interview + FIVE yoga classes to teach

Tuesday : ASTRO’s AWANI Pagi interview

Wednesday : Two yoga classes to teach

Thursday : STARBUCKS’ Live & Inspire featuring Ninie Ahmad

Friday : adidas Stella McCartney event

Saturday & Sunday : BE Yoga Open Day

all in between of running a yoga centre and I had 11 camera crews and make-up team following me around the whole week for Project Alpha Season 2.

• BE Yoga Open Day

Saturday, 23 January 2010 (coincidentally, 23 January is World Yoga Day, y’all!)

For the first time, I was made-up to teach a Hot Yoga class!

This is how I look without eyebrows..

Partner Yoga performance by my BE Yoga partner and I

Full classes of beloved members and newbies

The much anticipated Yoga-ta Limbo contest whom lowest record could win 1-Year Unlimited BE Yoga Membership worth RM1,988. We had phenomenal fun limbo-rocking yoga style (drop backs and all!) especially when BE Yoga teachers (Yours Truly included) joined in the challenge!

Initially, I wanted to organize a Limbo Rock session to break the lowest Limbo Rock record in Malaysia until I found out how low the record is – 20cm! Madness. Yet, interesting

Jojo Struys also tried albeit with her own style..

Other Project Alpha Season 2 bloggers (Niki Cheong & KY) also dropped by BE Yoga to support and break a spine(?).

Limbo Rock is one of my favourite sports (?). When I was in Sekolah Tun Fatimah (STF) from 1995 to 1999, I remember winning annual Limbo Rock competition during Sumbangsih year 1998. Before yoga at that time,  think I did very well so I really anticipated this Yoga-ta Limbo during BE Yoga Open Day to validate how much my strength and flexibility had improved with yoga.

Seeing other BE Yoga teachers dropped / disqualified earlier did scare me in the midst of competing. And beyond anyone’s expectation, this boy from A’ Cut Above hair & make-up team was my biggest competition!

Until he succumbed at 0.51metre..

Check out his washboard abs! He promised me a free haircut at A’ Cut Above if I defeated him. Well..

For an A’ Cut Above haircut, I didn’t mind splitting..

Going low..

And lower..

And even lower..

And even lower..

Until my thighs (contrary to popular belief, Limbo Rock requires exceptional thighs strength instead of openness in the spine. It ain’t easy walking and supporting your whole body weight on your thights! Although of course, having an open back helps a lot too) gave in at 0.48metre low.

If you asked me, what was my secret weapon, I think it’s my shiny adidas Techfit Powerweb pants that helped snug my quads muscle tight. Really!

Sunday, 24 January 2010

The highlight for Sunday if not the Open Day was BE Yoga’s attempt to get the most people in a room standing, or Headstanding for one full minute. At first I planned for it to set an entry for Malaysia Book Of Records but their impossible minimum number of getting at least 1000 people for a record put me off.

First and foremost, I honestly think there are less than 100 people that can even stand of their heads (even for a couple of seconds) in KL let alone 1000 people for ONE MINUTE!

So we decided that the show must go on and let it be a BE Yoga record that we are going to keep breaking every year. So yes, a record was set. Out of 21 participants, 18 successfully stood on their heads for at least 60 seconds and won 1-Month Unlimited Membership at BE Yoga worth RM288 each.

For those who missed this and would like to help us break our own record, you have exactly one year to practice!

After a full weekend of shooting me at adidas Stella McCartney event and BE Yoga Open Day, Jojo Struys and Project Alpha camera crews followed me home and I showed them where I always do my Ashtanga practice every morning.

Beside my swimming pool..

They even followed me to my bathroom (door) as they refused to believe in the beginning that – not only I have a wardrobe and three shoeracks full of adidas clothes & shoes, I also have shower with adidas in my bathroom!

They even interviewed my former housemate, Henry Golding (it’s his birthday today, say Happy Birthday Henry!).

Twitter had it (yes, my housemates and I communicate via Twitter), he’s flying to Madrid this Monday to interview Cristiano Ronaldo. I pray he’d bring home Ronaldo for me and Anna

(Most photos are from Huey Yoong and Jojo Struys)

So that was the busiest week in my life so far.

For more updates of Project Alpha Season 2, be a fan of Project Alpha Facebook Page and follow Project Alpha at @ProjectAlphaMY. Project Alpha is a reality TV show that uncovers the life of Malaysia’s Top 7 Bloggers. Project Alpha is scheduled to be aired at Hitz. tv (ASTRO CH705) in April 2010.

Can’t wait for what else 2010 has in store for me, although I know in my guts – I have everything I ever wished for in life lined up for me this year . I keep writing, saying and repeating what I want in my life as my affirmations of doing so are my own calling to my own destiny. You should (believe you deserve what you get, change instead of complain) too.

To an anticipated holiday this coming Chinese New Year so that I can recharge and execute my year, in full gear..

Love, light and prosperity.

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.

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.

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.

My Yogilates class at BE Yoga was recorded and featured in 8tv Quickie last week!

Julie Woon of 8tv’s Blogger Boy fame and the latest addition to 8tv Quickie family did join the class as well.

For those who missed it (and my Minnie Mouse voice on tv), I will be a guest on 8tv again today but with Celebrity Chat this time around.

Celebrity Chat is aired LIVE on 8tv from 2 to 3pm and my slot is at 2.30 – 3.00pm today (Wednesday, 23 December).

See me today(?)!