Ninie Ahmad: Off her yoga mat.

I wish I have the answer to this..

I also know

• half a dozen female Malaysian celebrities in their mid-30s who chain smoke, drink Coke like water and party everyday like it’s Saturday, yet they still look younger than me
• my mom at 54 (and with seven children and does not exercise) looks younger than some of my seniors who were former athletes from my boarding school
• my dad at 57 (and only eats free-range eggs and has not eaten chicken or anything canned for as long as I could remember) looks younger than Rosyam Nor who is only 45. And errr, in fact I think my dad actually looks a lot like Rosyam Nor Rosyam Nor looks like my dad, a lot..

The Ahmads

I don’t know about looking younger but I do know that the oldest Malaysian is a vegetarian (and THAT I don’t want to look like Nigella Lawson in her swimming suit).

.  .  .  .  .

I can only speak for myself and look up to vegetarian yoga teachers being masters to their own body at their 70’s and 90’s with no health issues and rocking arm balancing like there’s no tomorrow.

93-years-old Tao Porchon-Lynch

73-years-old Dharma Mittra

I keep doing what I have been doing and I keep eating (or not) what I have (and not) been eating as
when I grow up, I want to be and look just like them.

Love and long life (to all humans and animals).

Headstand (Sirsasana) is not dubbed the ‘King of Yoga Poses’ for nothing.

Its benefits include

• • restoring postion of vital organs by reversing gravity
  • puts spine into correct alignment
  • promotes hair growth by increasing circulating to scalp
  • improves quality of sleep and
  • improves brain function (intelligence & memory)
  • improves many ailments namely nervousness, tension, fatigue, sleeplessness, dullness, fear, poor blood circulation, bad memory, asthma, headaches, constipation, congested throat, liver or spleen or female disorders, the initial stages of eye and nose troubles – and general lack of energy, vitality or self confidence

Yes – your doctor might not be happy and hey, no magic wrist bands needed

And believe it or not, headstand is not even half as hard as it seems.

Photo by Cris Chen, special appearance Atilia

Contrary to people’s misconceptions, headstand does not require flexibility and years of practice at all – just confidence mostly. Really.

If you think and can visualize you are going to stand on your head upside down – you will.

If you second guess yourself and think you are going to fall before you even try – you will fall, guaranteed.

Yes, there are hundred other yoga poses that are impossible-looking yet I used to always wonder how in this world can Sri Dharma Mittra, stand on his head like this..

Times Square, NYC

Westminster, London

Location unknown

YOGA (Yoga Journal publication)

Dharma Mittra images are from Google Image search

With constant (if not daily!) Ashtanga Second Series practice that requires Seven Headstands Of Ashtanga,
I figured impossible is nothing, really..

Here is how I did the Unsupported Headstand or I’d like to call it – Headstand Dharma Mittra Style.

Step 1 - Tuck in your shirt to avoid shirt-in-your-face situation.
But in my case, more of to avoid unsightly boobs-to-my-chin photo moment.

Step 2 – Yes, stand on your head (maybe I’ll come back with another entry on how)
with Mukta Hasta Sirsasana C from Ashtanga Second Series variation

Step 3 - Get your photographer ready (with super fast shutter speed)
and VOILA – look ma, no hands!

But of course to try to Headstand Dharma Mittra style,
yoga-ta be really comfortable and confident standing on your head first.
How to start?

Just get on the mat – visualize, be optimistic, practice and you’ll stand on your head + look 10 years younger before you even know it.

And don’t forget to invest some time in Child Pose (Balasana) with the same amount of time you spent upside down just so that our inversions come with benefits – not injury nor arrogance.

Photo by Cris Chen

Love and heads up.