Ashtanga Shanghai

Dear Yogis
 
There comes a time, after deep contemplation that we have to follow our heart. For the heart truly speaks what is good for us.
 
Come July 08, I’ll be taking a teaching hiatus (sabbatical), to focus on my family and self-development of my yoga practice. I’ve been contemplating on this for almost a year now and early this year, I’ve finally begun to accept what needs to be done.
 
I’ve been putting off this primarily due my attachment to teaching all of you and a little from fear of losing a great space. But I realized to be a good teacher, I have to be a good student and I haven’t been a student for a long time. I’d also like to explore the study of the other limbs of yoga beyond asana to truly find where my true calling rests.  Most of you know teaching is more a passion than a profession for me. Through the years, especially with teaching and becoming a mother, my practice has evolved tremendously. As I learnt more, I begun to realize I how little I knew. It’s the first job I’ve taken that has constantly humbled and awed me.
 
I will miss teaching all of you tremendously. You have been my greatest motivator. Yet we all know in the pursuit of knowledge the motivation has to burn from within for there to be change.
 
My Singaporean friend and authorized Ashtanga teacher Stanley Alim was planning to succeed me in caring for Ashtanga Shanghai (go to Resident Teacher's Bio) from July. Unfortunately he’s experiencing some Visa issues so may likely join us in October. Stanley managed is own yoga shala and has a very personal approach to his teaching and students. So I truly feel comforted that he comes here at a very opportune time.
 
Administratively, please try to finish your passes by 30 June 08. Those of you who have just paid for new passes (since Mar 08), please contact me directly via e-mail or mobile 135 6413 4003.
 
I will definitely come back to teaching but for now, I’d like an open book and do not want to make promises that I cannot keep. I would still love to keep in touch and maybe will have enough time to finally start a blog! But wherever it takes me, I’m truly glad to have met you in my journey to Self.
 
From my heart, thank you for your trust, patience and willingness to listen, learn and be led. I have learnt immensely from teaching; knowing you as friends and am constantly amazed what the practice has given me.  Should there have been any moments if I have intentionally or unintentionally wronged or hurt you, please accept my humblest apologies.
 
May there be always light, love and happiness in your life. May your heart be always open and beauty a reality that sits within than without.
 
Hugs & much, much love,
Shah

P.S. Schedule is as per normal till 30 June 08. No class on Dragon Boat Festival Holiday Monday 9 June 2008. 
 
SCHEDULE now till 30 June 
 
Monday 7.30-9pm – Ashtanga Led Class
Wednesday 7.30-9pm – Vinyasa Flow Class
Thursday 10-11.30am (morning) – Vinyasa Flow Class
Thursday 7-8.30pm – Mysore (Independent Practice)
 
Saturday 9-10.30am – Mysore & 11am-12.30pm – Ashtanga Led
Sunday 9-10.30am – Mysore & 11am-12.30pm – Vinyasa Flow
 
Pls. msg. me on mobile if you need clarification 1356413 4003.

" Set thy heart upon thy work, but never on its reward.

Work not for a reward; but never cease to do thy work "

Bhagavad Gita

One evening, as I ended my practice, stared out of the huge shala glass window this quote popped in my head. Amid bustle down below at the courtyard & people huddled in front of computers in cubicles at the office block, the sun was setting. We often miss the beauty of the moment in our effort to get somewhere or achieve something.

How often are we engrossed in something that the mind is only preoccupied with the now? Just like a painter absorbed in his creation or a musician in his music. Happiness is about now. Not the future and what it brings.

It’s hard to imagine working not for a reward. Trained by years in school to excel, be rewarded by grades, certs, great jobs or pay. It seems inconceivable when we are constantly reminded of our appraisals & promotions. Yet if we think about it, our most challenging & stressful moments are often caused by fear of what will happen to us. Our attachment to results not only creates unnecessary tension&  stress but sets limits to our abilities. It influences our perception and our interpretation, how we listen to others and formulate our opinions of events and situations and our desire to control them.

Stress is due to letting our sense run away with themselves. Our thoughts re live past failures/ shortcomings and super impose them over future events taking us away from our appointment with life which only exists in the present moment-- the here and now.

Imagine if you planned an event and hoped to get 100 responses, all your efforts are working towards just that. How do you know, that maybe 1000 people might respond? Perhaps by not setting limits and allowing the passion and creativity take charge better results might come about.

A guru of mine once said, sometimes when we focus on the destination we miss the joy of the journey and perhaps the journey is the whole point of it all.

In the asana practice, we often worry about when we will ever get the pose beautifully or as it should be -- comfortably. But I have found that challenges move day to day; second to second. And like Life, the body is a mirror of the universe-- no two moments are alike. So perhaps, good or bad, its time we just sit back and enjoy it--  this moment. And perhaps constant happiness is not as elusive after all.

5/25/2007 10:32 PM

Our hope is to be a sanctuary dedicated to the practice of yoga, managed by yogis for yogis. 

Teaching with passion and compassion. To share the journey with students & assist them to achieve whatever yoga means to them. Our shala is a place..to share, recieve & grow our knowledge of yoga. A haven for those seeking to find "space" for Self.

Our teaching philosophy is to encourage enquiry - give students knowledge and inspiration to take the practice home or where ever they go.

Namaste. We welcome you.