(Mostly from Wikipedia), a Sarong Party Girl is stereotyped as:

• a local, solely Asian woman (e.g., a Chinese or Malay girl)
• who usually dresses and behaves in a provocative manner
• who exclusively dates and prefers white men
• has extremely tanned skin
• a false foreign accent
• has long black hair and always smells of shampoo

Ha haaa!

Image from Google image

When I started dating my husband early last year, I told him how I feel as if people looking at me now like I am an SPG.

Downright he said, “What is an SPG?”

I went, “COME ON.. You’ve been in KL for ten years!”

He replied, “Seriously, Selayang. I have never heard of it. What is it?”

Then I dragged him to his PC and Googled it for him (that was when I came to know about the Wikipedia page LOL, I swear).

And he laughed out loud before he consoled me, “But you are not SPG enough, you don’t have long nor black hair and you don’t fake a foreign accent!”

Errr, OK..

Both of us were not charged guilty of either being or dating an SPG then.

That was until..

we traveled to Canada for Christmas recently and he asked me to hold his passport wallet.

Imagine how I felt when I accidentally found this in his wallet..

Petrovsky has been a preferred guest with SPG.com all along?

Yoga-ta be kidding me!

Lighten up all and happy weekend!

Photo by Napie Moksin

When a Malaysian friend told me that Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council had declared that “yoga is forbidden for Muslims”, I honestly thought he was joking. It was, therefore, surreal for me to see this topic being discussed in the editorial section of this paper.

However, I then began to question whether I and many of my Muslims friend had become closeted Hindus after practicing yoga for years.

As an enthusiast of Ashtanga Yoga, I wondered which part of it has caused some kind of irritation to these ulemas.

If we translate plainly, Surya Namaskara, which is central to the practice of ashtanga yoga, means Sun Salutation. To claim that performing this movement indicates that a Muslim yoga practitioner worships Surya/Ravi (the Sun God), instead of Allah is an insult to our intelligence.

While performing this movement, practitioners concentrate on their bodily movements and breathing. No yoga instructor is trying to corrupt the Muslim practitioner’s mind by suggesting we chant something like “let us pray to the Sun God, and may He give us health and wealth” or something similar.

The very reason why many have argued that yoga is an exercise, which can give us peace of mind, is not because the Sun God plays its trick (or responds), but because during the whole process we concentrate solely on our breathing and the flexibility of our body.

Unlike many competitive sports in which we have to focus not only on ourselves, but also on how to defeat our opponents, yoga is extremely noncompetitive. Practitioners only have to pose and move according to their own bodily ability and flexibility. They do not need to worry whether someone next to them is fitter and suppler.

In a life where most of us are conditioned that it is important to be number one and to be the best whether we admit it or not (i.e. being the best student, having the best job, adhering to the best religion on earth, living in the best country of the world or whatever), practicing yoga is a kind of bliss.

At least for a while, yoga practitioners only focus on how precious their body, mind and breathing are. There is no need to feel that we have to win, to defeat or to be much better than everybody around us.

It is true that there is a part in the exercise in which practitioners chant a mantra. For example, in the yoga class that I sometimes attend, we chant Mantra Mangala.

However, it is wrong to simply translate the Mantra Mangala as a chant directed to Mangala (Mars/the God of War). Instead of throwing accusations that this sort of chanting could potentially make Muslims question their faith, we should actually focus on the content of the chanting itself.

More or less, the chanting includes words such as “may there be peace on earth; may all human beings be prosperous and live in harmony; may the welfare of all people be protected” and so on.

This is a universal message that I believe people from all religions — be they Muslims, Hindus, Christians or Buddhists — are familiar with. If one refuses to see this chanting as something which has a universal value, at least chanting that is better than rehearsing words which would potentially lead people to attack others who do not share their beliefs.

The universality of yoga can also be seen by the variety of participants who join the classes. In my own experience, it is hardly that yoga classes are dominated by Hindus as some rather foolishly think. In fact, there are always people from widely different cultural and religious backgrounds in these classes.

The funny thing is that yoga is actually a heritage of our ancestors. It has gained a remarkable international reputation due to its universal appeal and message. Indonesians should actually feel closer to it, instead of treating it as some kind of alien exercise that can corrupt our minds.

It is not my place to criticize the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for debating the practice of yoga. However, it is appropriate to question whether this move will even further distance many Muslims from others. Another question is of course whether some actually regard the essence of universality itself a threat against the exclusivity of their faith.

(En)lighten up.

With all these world record yoga events and baited sun breaths waiting for the Eat, Pray, Love merchandising avalanche, have we really forgotten about the Fatwa?

The wha? Hey, watch your language! No, really, at the end of 2008 and early ‘09 we had fatwas flying out from every direction. OK, mostly the east. To be specific, the Muslim regions of Indonesia and Malaysia. Just to bring us all up to speed, a Fatwa is otherwise recognized as a religious edict, a kibosh, or ban on things that are deemed ‘haram’ or harmful.

The Fatwa Councils of both Indonesia and Malaysia made news by slapping one of these fatwas on our beloved yoga, inciting outrage by practicing yogis who also practice Islam. In short, both cases saw retractions on the ban so that asana was eventually permitted so long as the freaky chanting and “mind body connection” remained absent. Turns out Indonesians didn’t care anyway. (Note the Bali Spirit Fest, formerly Yoga Fest, 2010 went off without a hitch).

We’d all but forgotten about the yoga ban in Malaysia until we heard from Ninie.

Ninie Ahmad is as close to a Malaysian yogi rock star as they come, her image gracing oodles of magazine covers, appearances on numerous TV shows and a role as an official Adidas ambassador. So why was her most recent moment in the spotlight cruelly edited in accordance with the F-word?

Via FreeMalaysia:

“(On Sunday, July 4) I was informed that Astro [Malaysian Satellite TV] will not air my episode of Project Alpha that is scheduled tonight because the Quality Control (QC) department said that under Fatwa law, they could not air a Malay person teaching yoga.”

For your reference, ‘Project Alpha’ is a reality show like ‘Top Chef’, but about bloggers! Sadly Ninie was denied her time to shine, because of yoga.

That’s ridic! some of you say. Is it yoga censorship?? But Malaysia isn’t devoid of yoga naysayers. So, fairly miffed and confused, Ninie has taken to twitter to defend herself from detractors in 140 characters or less:

We’re no scholars, but we are pretty sure yoga can be practiced in tandem with most religions, or with none at all. (though, due to the sensitivity of the matter might we suggest in our best publicist tone that Ms. Ninie reconsider her ‘about’ section where she mentions attending yoga “religiously” and her decision to “join the cult”… just sayin’)

Anyway, the physical practice is supposedly allowed, so why was yoga cut from programming? We think Astro at least owes an explanation! Dang it, anyhow. Besides, if the country of Malaysia is going to ban public displays of yoga,  how’re they going to make bank off this EPL-crazed tourism wave?

Stay strong Ninie. One love.

Earlier…

• Fatwa News: Yoga Ban Reversed! Malaysian Muslims Free to Practice Yoga, without Chant
• Malaysian King Not Cool with Ban; Still Hope for Muslim Yogis?
• Indonesian Muslims to Yoga Fatwa: Who Cares?
• Bikram Responds to Fatwa, ‘Yoga has absolutely nothing to do with religion’

.   .   .   .   .   .

Special thanks to Yoga Dork for the mention and online hugs from yogis all across the map.

The universe is working its magic, I can feel it!

By Ken Vin Lek and G Vinod, photo by Ted Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR: Astro had pulled the plug on an episode called Project Alpha which was to feature Yoga instructor Ninie Ahmad.

The episode, which was supposed to be aired on the HITZ.TV channel on July 4, was supposedly scrapped because of the Fatwa Council’s prohibition on Muslims practicing Yoga.

In her blog posting, Ninie said: “(On Sunday, July 4) I was informed that Astro will not air my episode of Project Alpha that is scheduled tonight because the Quality Control (QC) department said that under Fatwa law, they could not air a Malay person teaching yoga.”

This is not the first time that she has faced such problems with regards to Astro.

Back in June 2008, Ninie was invited to be a guest on the talk show called Ek Eleh hosted by comedian Afdlin Shauki, but Astro did not screen the recording.

“To my utmost surprise and biggest horror, they replaced my (almost 20 minutes of full-on) interview with ‘the best footage’ out of all 26 episodes…

“They could have had the courtesy to at least call and inform me in advance. I feel sorry for them for they feel the need to do this and for the Malaysian media which still feel reluctant to feature me and help promote yoga even though it’s not banned in Malaysia,” she said in a blog posting then.

Despite numerous attempts, FMT could not contact Astro’s officials for comments.

In November 2008, the Fatwa Council declared that Muslims are prohibited from practicing Yoga because of its Hindu roots.

The move drew flak from several quarters, including the royalty, with Negeri Sembilan’s Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Jaffar asking, “Where do we draw the line?”

“Islam is a progressive religion and the ulama (scholars) should be confident of the followers’ faith rather than micro-managing their way of life.

“If I go to a church or a Buddhist temple, is there any fear of me converting?” he said.

On Nov 26 that year, former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Muslims could continue practicing Yoga, minus the chanting of mantras.

Fatwas or religious edicts are not legally binding, but they are highly influential in Malaysia, where Malay-Muslims form just over half of the country’s 27 million people.

Music Credit: Swallowed In The Sea (X&Y) & Life In Technicolor II (Viva La Vida) – COLDPLAY

I promise I’ll come back

•  a Fourth Series Ashtanga practitioner
•  and speak fluent Mandarin (and maybe French)
•  with my Moleskine Watercolor filled with beautiful watercolor drawings from locations all around the globe
•  when hybrid cars are not taxed 300% here
•  when veggie burgers & organic everything become more accessible & affordable here
•  when Malaysia’s idiot box stops implying the ban on ‘a Malay person teaching Yoga‘
•  when I’m offered a Datuk-ship for appearing on yoga TV show in LA
•  when I won’t be sent to jail for PDA act above again.

‘Til kingdom come, tell my mom I love her so & start taking up yoga, guys! You don’t know what sex life you are missing.

Photo by Anna-Rina

When I told people that I am taking a year of break from KL to see the world, many raised eyebrows and concerns. Among the reactions that I received were,

“Why? You have everything going for you here!”

“You must be one of the participants for The Amazing Race Asia 4!”

“Are you pregnant?”

.   .   .   .   .   .

You want the truth?

Photo by Joe Low

I am tired of KL.

Forget about the system that doesn’t work and the embarassing political nuisance – I am mostly sick of people’s ignorance.

I kept fighting for the yoga I believe in as I know that when MORE PEOPLE DO YOGA + PEOPLE DO MORE YOGA  – they will take care of their health & environment more & this country will be a better place for us all to live in.

And just so when I repetitively asked myself one last time “Am I making the right decision?” and “Am I ready?” – this morning I was informed that ASTRO will NOT air my episode of Project Alpha that is scheduled on HITZ.tv (Astro Ch 705) tonight because ‘QC dept said that under the Fatwa law, they couldn’t air a Malay person teaching Yoga’.

Of course this is not unfamiliar for me.

[ Read THIS ]

WHAT, I can’t play here?

.. I know I am making the right decision here.

.   .   .   .   .

God knows I have done almost everything I can to change what I thought could be changed.

God knows my faith is far from shaken or stirred.

God knows the more Yoga Sutra I read, the more translation of Holy Qur’an I get.

God knows how I feel closer to Him the closer I get to know every fibre in my being.

God knows that by every breath I inhale when I’m on my mat, the more I realize that it is MY responsibility to extend this life and this health I am given.

God knows that the more flexible I get & the longer I can stand on my two hands, the more patient & humbled I become.

God knows how yoga has changed me from a girl who had low self-esteem for always having been the shortest everything in her life – to a person that sees everything positive, that thinks impossible really IS nothing.

My impossible behind one of the world’s seven wonders

I have set my foot in Amsterdam, New York, Toronto for the past month and the further I go, all the more I know my calling is not here.

I have China, India and LA on my itinerary next and I don’t plan to come home anytime soon although a big part of my heart is here.

I’ll come back when you are ready for me.

But as for now, let me go..

..outside of a coffee shop,

.. and everything around me screams orange,

With tulips and..

funny-looking chocolate everywhere,

and asked myself, how in the world did I end up in..

Amsterdam today!

• 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.

When I got the call, I was thrilled and over-the-top excited knowing that other guests every week have included a string of most familiar faces on Malaysia entertainment industry to name a few – Siti Nurhaliza, Mawi, Estranged, Nabil, YASMIN AHMAD, Atilia, Mila paired with selected personalities from interesting fields. I was paired with one of Malaysia’s beloved film director, Aziz M. Osman (from XX-Ray, Puteri Impian, Idola and Seri Dewi Malam success) during that particular episode of Ek Eleh.

As usual, every Friday night exactly at 10pm, I will switch the Astro channel to CH132 only to see Afdlin NOT in the attire I remember him wearing during that shoot in June (mind you – I have been subscribing and paying additional RM12.95 on top of my RM165.++ Astro bill monthly for the past five months just for a glimpse of myself in this show) UNTIL TONIGHT.

I started calling my mom, my baby sister and texting my close friends to tune in as I will finally be on tonight. I wanted them to see that I pretzeled Afdlin himself to a Parivarta Anjali Mudra (Inverted Prayer Position) on national TV!

To my utmost surprise and biggest horror, they replaced my (almost 20-minutes of full-on) interview with ‘the best footage’ out of all 26 episodes as this would be their last episode ever.

I can’t say I am not furious because I am.

They (Ek Eleh production team? ASTRO? Afdlin himself?) could have had the courtesy to AT LEAST call and inform me in advance and saved me the RM12.95 X 5 (months to strictly watching Ek Eleh hoping it was my episode aired every week) I have been paying plus the embarrassing Friday nights I did not go out just to not miss my (only?) TV appearance.

And to do this on the very last time it is aired?

I feel sorry FOR THEM for they feel the need to do this.

I feel sorry for all Malay media that still feel reluctant to feature me and help promote BE Yoga as to they thought yoga is banned in Malaysia.

I feel sorry for all of you that still think yoga is banned in Malaysia.

SAYS WHO?

READ THIS

excerpt from The Star, 2 December 2008:

Sultan: Don’t harp on trivial issues

By WONG CHUN WAI

The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, known as a person who speaks his mind, gives his views on several current issues – from the changing political scenario after March 8 to the recent fatwa on yoga.

ON YOGA AND FATWAS

Could Tuanku comment on the controversy surrounding the fatwa prohibiting Muslims from practising yoga?

State religious matters come under the jurisdiction of the Rulers. It is a state matter. In states with no Sultans, it is the King who decides. It is not the prerogative of the Mentri Besar or Chief Minister, let’s be clear.

In the case of a fatwa, there are many steps to be taken before it can be gazetted. The state Fatwa Council, chaired by the Datuk Mufti, has to deliberate on such matters. Anyone can make proposals but finally, it is the Ruler who has the final say.

Islam is a beautiful religion. It is a practical religion. It must be known for its values and compassion. It is not about punishments or banning this or that. This has unfortunately happened. Islam is not about force. Substance is more important, let’s not forget.

I noticed that in the case of the yoga issue, some people seemed eager to jump the gun by making announcements to show their authority when they have none. The result is confusion. Muslims and non-Muslims are confused.

An indepth and thorough study by the state Fatwa Council must be conducted before any decision is sent to me for approval.

Our beloved Sultan of Selangor who is the Ruler of Islam in Selangor and all other Sultans & Kings in all states in Malaysia DID NOT EVEN APPROVE of this ‘Yoga Ban’ fatwa – so who are you to assume otherwise?

Wake up, Malaysia (and Malaysian media)!

I have had enough of:

SCENE A

CUSTOMER A: Can I just sign-up for Pilates classes at BE Yoga?

ME: May I know why?”

CUSTOMER A: My husband does not allow me to join yoga classes.

ME: Have you or your husband been to a yoga class personally?

CUSTOMER A: Errr, no.

SCENE B

CUSTOMER B: Do you offer other classes like Belly Dance or Aerobics class?

ME: No, we don’t. We are a yoga centre.

CUSTOMER B: Oh, that’s too bad. My church does not encourage yoga as a workout. They say it is an evil movement.

Please put a stop to embarrassing ourselves, other Malaysian Malays, other Malaysian Muslims after that headlines of ‘MALAYSIA BANS EXERCISE FOR MUSLIMS’ on CNN, BBC and the world already!

Yoga is NOT a religion and if you really did follow the final ruling last year, you would acknowledge that yoga is NOT banned after all.

Peace, light and plenty of common sense.