Warm current pass through my body when I see you have a such a lovely smile. Your blood is flowing in my body. You open your arms even when I lost my temper. You ignore every impatience I have had.

Happy birthday Mama-Tong.

I was teaching at Mongkok yesterday, arrived the studio before 9am I knew nothing about the fire until 1pm. While I walked pass the reception counter, I over-heard the breaking news. When I made my way to lunch, Nathan Road was blocked. Many stayed on the road and watched. A stab felt into my heart. After I finished my day, I noticed 2 firemen died fighting in this alarm 5 fire.

For some particular jobs, you know dead is so close every time when you are on duty. This is the path one chosen. I am very sad.

Salute to all firefighters who chose to take up this role.

Shanti ...

If you only see one movie in the coming few months, Wall E should be on the top of your list.

The most touching is the message we human beings live on the earth should stop abusing it. It's time to think about whether the advance technology really enhance our daily lives or, the consequence to develop a big belly. No, we are far from developing with bigger and smarter brain. General public would only result with big belly, short legs and arms. You might think it's only some wild thought. No, it's not. When I teach, I see a lot of people who could not synchronize the action with the extremities. It may because of lack of body awareness or malfunction between the mind and body. In any case, let's live our lives simple and respect other creatures who share this same piece of land.

Even though I always tell my students the most important is to stay healthy and care not about being slim, it stretch my nerve when someone told me I have gain weight! Precisely, a student comments me look slightly (only slightly) rounder. This really scratch me. I know that I often have a kilo or two up and down. It normally happens when season change or friends' visit. OK, I am not fancy with being boney. It's not my body type. Just that I don't want any rounder ;)

Last week, my best friend was in town. No surprise we spent most of the time together. Eat, drink, hang-out, and Ocean Park! In summer time, my appetite naturally go with the hot weather. Not eating much generally. Yet, due to teaching, I will down with two bowls of multi grain rice easily. Basically I love carbohydrate, vegetable, fruit and cheese. I am yet a pure vegetarian. Together with her in town, I eat more often than usual. I think this is the cheque!

Indeed I found it very hard to eat 'healthy' as a yoga teacher. Sometimes we teach during the lunch and dinner break. We don't eat at regular time. I don't do late supper now it's like impossible. You feel hungry after teaching 2 or 3 classes, particular if it's hot class.

It's about time to plan how to live healthier and shred off the extra excess!

Summer evening, clear sky, deep blue. Took ferry ride to Central. My heart is light lifted. Warm air softly touch my skin. I have a moment of bliss. I think, if you are content, you are bliss. I recall a song I heard "bountiful, beautiful, blissful". This moment, I am blissful.

Shanti.

A yogi friend told me that she grows taller! At her 40+, she gains 1/2 inch in her height after practicing yoga. Think about it, if you practice right, you create space within your body and expand beyond the limit or boundary. It's not the boundary of your body frame. It's the boundary that your mind has pre-set you in.

Maybe I am taller as well :)

What's a yogi do in his/her 'normal' life other than practice, study (read), and teach (work)?

If those have spouse and children, I believe the priority will be given to family. If those have a yoga studio to run, their time probably will have a cut for the 'business'. For someone single independent no family obligation (me), I quite enjoy my 'anti-social' routine. I go for the morning show. Grab a bit after 'normal' lunch time. Sip the coffee and browse the net at cafe booth. Read. Letting the sun kiss on my skin and take few deep breath by the sea. How nice to be still alive and breath in the even polluted air!!

I went for the Dark Knight this morning. Salute to every person in his/ her professions. We make the world a wonderful place to live.

The new interior design creates a lot of space at my place. I love being home. Even the flat is tiny it offers a strong feeling of "home sweet home". My cat shares the same feeling. She is much at ease in her fluffy bed. Mom loves the hot shower also her bedroom. Overall, I give a big thumb up for the renovation project. The process is big headache yet the outcome is incredible.

Teaching wise, I got more classes scheduled since late November. The most rewarding is students' acceptance and their compliment. They come back the same class; they ask questions after class, the interaction is most encouraging. I love teaching! I enjoy every sharing moment.

Often I feel, the more I teach, the bigger urge for more knowledge. Therefore I have committed myself to a 3-year* (minimum!!) Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training. After I have done the training with Karin last year in Rishikesh, I have lifetime goal to become a certified Iyengar Teacher. When I learnt that Peter Scott offers  "progressive learning"program here, I jumped in front of him asked him to accept my application. After almost 2 weeks intensive with him, I am glad that he takes me as his student. He has all good qualities as a teacher. More to that, he's not a "shouting" Iyengar Teacher ;) Here I am, taking him my teacher, guide me on the yoga journey.

One thing I am 'under-estimated' the intensity of the IYTT program. This commitment requires a lot of self discipline also the burning desire to learn, and progress and patience. I am adapting / adjusting / working around with the teaching schedule also my daily pattern. Yet, regardless how intensive it is, I know I made the rigjht decision.

I am blessed. A new year, a new beginning.