We sang and danced – and laughed a lot along the way. Some of our stories got really funny. Some of the billboards were funny. Melaka was lovely. We found a pretty little home in Malacca Straits Hotel.

This was my favourite wall in the room – i’ve always loved this shade of pistachio – and who embroiders anymore? My mom, aunts, grandaunts.  I remember cross-stitch chairbacks of 20 years ago – of a couple dancing – a different dance on each chair.

My favourite corner in the room – who bothers to decorate with dainty carpets these days - if not to line the whole room in blue/grey? There’s a corner just like this back at mom’s and dad’s – where they’d watch the grandchildren play – and a special place where the landphone is – where they’d sit and take time to talk to us – and ask how we’ve been. 

These would just be another batik material and another plain lounger – but someone felt the need to brighten up our stay here and put them together. Thank u.   

These floors were scratched and walked on many, many times – but they kept us warm when we walk at night for a drink of water.  The colour made me feel welcome – and sheltered. The furniture weren’t new – they came from way back – they dont make them like these for hotels anymore.

** I remember a dark wooden house in Kuang - close to 40 years ago - it stood regally in the middle of a large grass compound.  I remember a black & white photograph of our family in front of it. I’d play with my little brother underneath it – there was a swing of a wooden plank that my late grandfather put up for us. A pond with lotus flowers was to the right of the house where my dad would swim – with me on his back. There were fruits trees everywhere. We’d collect the fruits from the ground – and fish the ones high above us. I remember these – it’s like im watching a movie. **

This was the view that made the 3 of us went ”aaawwww…..” upon entering. It was so pretty – we all thought so – at the same time. The batik duvet was cute. The tree – we figured – was for hanging clothes and towels – and we had our fun with it   Great for some kung-fu practice too!  

The motif curtains and songket touch to the blackout layer were adorable – i couldnt have enough of them – how it all came together. i extended my stay for another 2 hours after checkout time – to laze around a little more – watch a local movie – have my practice and catch up on facebook. I loved the quiet afternoons here.

What:         3 days 2 nights Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga Breakaway

When:        6 – 8 August 2010

Where:       Miami Beach, Batu Ferringhi, PENANG

Why:          Because you owe yourself one

Details – uploading in process -

I studied and practiced many yoga ethics, philosophies and styles over the years to prepare me as a teacher. Suffice to say, i  know now what yoga means to who and who – and why they teach them, and im grateful to them for sharing their knowledge and wisdom.

Nevertheless, to teach Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga, my teacher asked: what’s YOUR yoga? What does yoga mean to YOU? and i need to prove that my answer is worthy of her allowing me to teach it.

 This was my take:

 Yoga to me is “Action with Awareness” and it happens to me on 2 levels:

ME 1: The union of my physical (alignment, muscles, bones), my emotional (feelings and gut instincts) and my mental/psychological (thoughts and higher intelligence) bodies. The first step towards this union is simply to bring attention to my breath during my asana practice.

ME 2: The union of ME 1 with the environment around me

• on the personal level ie my child, my family and the people i care about

• on the level of the community and society at large ie my students, my colleagues at the workplace, my neighbourhood.

• the world beyond which is affected by my teachings (directly and online) and my contribution at work ie the books and events that i produce.

My yoga principles and practice help me stay healthy and connected to my inner quiet, a strength that i draw from, and it has enabled me to be aware of what’s happening within myself. ie when my right SI joint felt out of place and i needed to ease up on the deep twists, when i noticed that i hunched at the computer and sat back up to re-align, when i felt i shouldn’t walk that certain alley and took another route instead, when i allowed some quiet to pass before making that important decision and knowing somehow that it was the right one, and making changes and renewing my goal if it wasn’t.

My yoga is also about ME 1 making a positive and meaningful impact on ME 2. I aspire to share my knowledge with as many people as possible so they could be empowered to realize their potentials and lead meaningful lives.

If my teaching could make a student achieve his goal in a pose, and as an outcome of his accomplishment, he is empowered to do something positive that day or in any day of the year, and then further proceed to transfer that positive energy to a troubled teen to empower him and enhance his life, i would have performed my yoga for that day. This is my practice that i hope to extend to my students and the people i know.

This was one of the MANY questions and tests that i have to fulfill to teach CSV – but I’m certified now – YES!! and i find joy in sharing my knowledge wt those who seek it.

TQ Sadie xox

Forgo the sofa for a day, and find your seat in your own support.

There are many things u can do in your own body, and a sofa wld just limit that chance.

Some tips:

1. Lean back holding the back of your thighs.

2. Lengthen the tailbone down and then zip it up towards the navel, and keep that navel drawn in ie bellybutton drawn in to lower spine.

3.  Lift the heart, without squeezing the upper back and locking your breath in the back body. Instead, soften your ribs down, in, and THEN lift them up from the center of the ribs towards the crown of the head. Do this breath by breath, inhale and lift and keep to this rhythm until the front body opens and allows the shoulder blades to retract back and into the spine, all the while drawing in at the navel. Enjoy the expansion of the ribcage and the full breaths that accompany this action.

4.  ONLY when the u’re stable and the spine is aligned from an engaged core, push thru the heels to slowly lengthen your legs, maybe even releasing your hands. Take your time to get here.

Have fun!! xox

I used to be love drunk!

Now im hung over!

I’ll love u forever

Forever is OVER!!!

We used to kiss all nite

Now it’s just a bar fight

So dont call me cryin

Say hello and Goodbye!

Cause just one siiiiipp

Will make me siiiickk

I used to be love drunk

Now im hung over

I’ll love u forever

But now im soberrrrr!!!!

Na na na na na na na na naaa! 

Na na na na na na na na naaa!!!

In movement – i find stillness.

In music – i hear quiet.

In light – i see colours.

Stir things up by switching to the ball. Rock and roll – stretch – and release pent up energy and creativity back into your system where they belong.

Afraid u’ll be labelled ‘strange’?

Michael Jackson was strange – and he changed the world.

(In memory of a beautiful being).

It’s not - about (touching) the toes.

It’s about releasing, falling, letting go.

Breathe. Feel your burdens melt away. Forget the world for a moment.

Snakes don’t have arms – rite..?