“Do you feel lucky?
Believe it or not, the way that you answer that question is a predictor of your level of success and joy in life. Dr. Richard Wiseman, head of psychology research at the University of Hertfordshire in England, was curious about people who are consistently blessed with good fortune. For eight years he studied 400 people who considered themselves either particularly lucky or unlucky. As a result, he has proved scientifically that luck isn’t a coincidence. Lucky people think and act with specific behaviors that open the way for good things to happen. They expected success, moving beyond the “glass-half-full” power of positive thinking. They are skilled at noticing and more open to new possibilities.
Fortune often emerges from the ashes of a problem. During the acceptance speech for his first of thirteen Grammy awards, Duke Ellington said “I merely took the energy it takes to pout, and wrote some blues.” Wiseman’s findings agree. Lucky people have automatic psychological techniques to cope and thrive in unfavorable situations. Besides openness to external cues, lucky people also listen and act upon their gut instincts.”
Again, an old article I found in my previous blog.
Nowadays, there are lots of self-improvement books such as Secrets and Law of Attraction to stress on the advantages of positive thinking. Somehow, to practice staying optimistic in real life is always easier to be say than done.
“Just put yourself in my shoes, can you still keep yourself staying optimistic when you are having a hard times and feeling stuck in your life?” was a frequently asked question by most people.
When we feel stuck in our life, it’s important to take stock of what is going on and find out the causes that keeping us stuck. Sometimes the situation is out of our control, and we need to look within to find the patience required to wait with equanimity until things move forward again. Very often, we will find the source of our stagnation in our own minds and hearts. The fear of changes is always the reason that keeping us stuck as humans always prefer to stay in their own comfort zones and always afraid of changes.
We just have to think out of the box, think of it as part of the process, a necessary step on our lives journey, rather than as a problem that shouldn’t be happening in our life when we feel stuck. This will give us the space we need to take a deep breath and figure out what’s going on. Hence, our minds will be more open to new possibilities to happen.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is often referred to as a ‘small lion’. Originated in Tibet but are most associated with China where they were highly revered as a palace pet and prized companion. The Shih Tzu is well-known as an active, happy and affectionate breed. They are stubborn and clever. This affectionate little dog needs to be with people and are generally good with other pets. They make excellent watchdogs. However, they expected to be treated as royalty and are easily spoiled.
As I missed my cute little doggy, Mikey, I browsed the webs and googled about Shih Tzu. Looking at the photos and descriptions, the memory of my precious moments with Mikey keeps playing in my mind like a movie clips that never end.
As I missed my cute little doggy, Mikey, I browsed the webs and googled about Shih Tzu. Looking at the photos and descriptions, the memory of my precious moments with Mikey keeps playing in my mind like a movie clips that never end.
I want fruits,please........
Mikey is a 5 years old Shih Tzu. He had been following me since he was 2 months old. He is a cute little doggy that had been spoiled and pampered all the time. Love to be around people and love to play with soft toys. Just like the owner, he loves to eat fruits and bread. He is a very smart doggy who will always cheer up people around him but will be naughty if he was left alone.
Me and my favourite soft toy!
With Mikey around, I’ve never felt lonely. He will always be there to greet me when I’m home, sitting by my side when I’m watching TV, sharing my fruits when I can’t finish, cheering me up when I was down and licking my tears away when I cry. He had been a very good companion to me and I can say that dogs are not men’s best friend; it should be human’s best friend.
I'm too tired playing with my toys...Zzzz
Been three months since the last time I saw Mikey. He knew I’m going to leave him again during the time when I was still in KL. Everyday, Mikey will try to stick by my side as much as he can. His behavior is much more like a human being, a baby that never grown up.
I’m looking forward on the day that I’ll be seeing him again. Hope it will be very soon…
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Ups and Downs in Life
It’s been two days since I was back to teach at Yfitness. The feelings I had were totally different. I can truly felt the warmness welcomes by the members. Although this were a times when Yfitness are having a serious downfalls, it was my pleasures to have come back and helps around by replacing some classes.
During this bad time, you can really see the true colours of the people. Some members will chose to appreciated the innocent staffs for still working and keeping the club operates but some, will chose to scold, made complaints and spread out more rumours about the innocent staffs. Seriously speaking, it got nothing to do with the staffs, they are just working.
I did learn a lot by observing the downfalls in Yogazone as well as Yfitness. I’ve been working for them since the beginning of their glory times until the downfalls came. The experiences I had, have really open up my mind.
For people who were affected by Yogazone or Yfitness downfalls, I hope this simple article I wrote in my previous blog will cheer you up.
“Every aspects of life are a series of ups and downs. You have summer and winter, day and night, work and play.
You might feel sad at this moment and feel happy at the other moment. You get a job and you may lose it. You fall in love and then back out of love. One day maybe full with energy, the other day maybe full of challenge just to get out from your bed.
Life has never been stagnant. It’s contained a mixture of ups and downs and we learn from both perspectives. It is in experiencing the downs of life that we gained greater enjoyment from the ups of life.
During the challenging times, just bear in mind “This too shall pass.” Well this is as appropriate when the wonderful things of life come as I believed that everything goes ups must comes downs. Life has ebb and flow with it. It is never static.
If you are in one of the up times, enjoy it, absorb it and learn from it. It is never too good to be true as you truly deserve it. Definitely be aware of the surroundings but looking for demons when they are not around are a waste of time and energy.
Remember that experiencing a down time in your life does in no way mean that you are living in a bad life. You are not a victim nor do you have a black cloud over your head. Just take a deep breath, cheer up and move on…as good time is just waiting for u ahead.”
Namaste.
During this bad time, you can really see the true colours of the people. Some members will chose to appreciated the innocent staffs for still working and keeping the club operates but some, will chose to scold, made complaints and spread out more rumours about the innocent staffs. Seriously speaking, it got nothing to do with the staffs, they are just working.
I did learn a lot by observing the downfalls in Yogazone as well as Yfitness. I’ve been working for them since the beginning of their glory times until the downfalls came. The experiences I had, have really open up my mind.
For people who were affected by Yogazone or Yfitness downfalls, I hope this simple article I wrote in my previous blog will cheer you up.
“Every aspects of life are a series of ups and downs. You have summer and winter, day and night, work and play.
You might feel sad at this moment and feel happy at the other moment. You get a job and you may lose it. You fall in love and then back out of love. One day maybe full with energy, the other day maybe full of challenge just to get out from your bed.
Life has never been stagnant. It’s contained a mixture of ups and downs and we learn from both perspectives. It is in experiencing the downs of life that we gained greater enjoyment from the ups of life.
During the challenging times, just bear in mind “This too shall pass.” Well this is as appropriate when the wonderful things of life come as I believed that everything goes ups must comes downs. Life has ebb and flow with it. It is never static.
If you are in one of the up times, enjoy it, absorb it and learn from it. It is never too good to be true as you truly deserve it. Definitely be aware of the surroundings but looking for demons when they are not around are a waste of time and energy.
Remember that experiencing a down time in your life does in no way mean that you are living in a bad life. You are not a victim nor do you have a black cloud over your head. Just take a deep breath, cheer up and move on…as good time is just waiting for u ahead.”
Namaste.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Kids Yoga
Childhood is a vibrant time when natural energy and creativity are high, also when minds are open and learning is fun. This makes it the perfect time for children to explore and enjoy their bodies, be active physically and mentally.
However, nowadays, kids are always busy with school works, extra co-curriculums activities, tuition classes or other self-improvement classes. Their schedule is always packed with activities. During their free times, they will rather sit on a sofa watching TV, playing video games or online. Their minds are always bombarded with so much information which makes them hard to focus. Also due to their inactive lifestyles, many of them have developed a bad body postures (e.g. hunchback).
However, nowadays, kids are always busy with school works, extra co-curriculums activities, tuition classes or other self-improvement classes. Their schedule is always packed with activities. During their free times, they will rather sit on a sofa watching TV, playing video games or online. Their minds are always bombarded with so much information which makes them hard to focus. Also due to their inactive lifestyles, many of them have developed a bad body postures (e.g. hunchback).
Kids imitating elephants walking
As a yoga teacher for kids, I always love to see the natural expressions of the kids. Yoga is expressive, and this makes it so appealing to kids. The kids will have chance to bring out their own creativity during the practice by imitating an animal or object. This may help them to develop their inner self and it also gave me a great satisfaction to see the creativities of the kids and the great smile on their faces.
Butterfly pose to stretchs
Actually, there are countless benefits of practicing kids yoga such as building up a better body postures while enhancing their growing up process, getting a calm and contented mind and a sense of inner peace. After a period of times, I’ll always notice an improvement in the kids as their mind and body are strengthen. They grow in self esteem as well as muscle development.
Imitating a cobra
My greatest joy of teaching kids yoga was during the demonstration of the postures. When I demonstrate the yoga postures to kids, I’ll be rekindling my own sense of fun and this will put me in touch with my inner child. This was the most enjoying parts. Its always reminds me of my childhood and its keep my mind refreshed with the old memories.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Perfect Partner
Often in our life we dream about the perfect partner. Some says God created humans in a pair, therefore, in order to complete our life, we have to find our significant others (Mr. / Mrs. Right).
Throughout the process of looking for our Mr. / Mrs. Right, we will always set-up a checklist of expectations. Some will go for the looks, some will go for the internal beauty and some will go for both. If we are lucky enough, we’ll have found our Mr. / Mrs. Right, if we are the unlucky ones, maybe we’ll have to work harder and keep searching.
Do I have a checklist? Hmmm…I think I have a checklist too…6Cs…No, no…you’re wrong. I’m not talking about cash, career, car, credit card and condo. These are my 6Cs:
Caring – someone who really care about me.
Comfortable – someone who can let me be myself.
Compatible – someone whom I can really talk to.
Career – someone who will strive hard for success.
Cash – someone who can provide me a simple life.
Condo – someone who can let me feel secure.
I guess it is not too much to ask, though. I only wish to have a simple life. Nothing much, but it’s always easier to be said than done. ‘What about looks?’, one of my friends asked. In my point of view, only people who had great personalities will seem attractive. It’s always our inner beauty that makes us glow. To me, beauty seems to be fragile, it’s just like a beautiful wrappers, what’s really counts is still the fillings. A beautiful girl or a handsome guy perhaps, will only catch our eyes at the first sight. For this, I’ve to admit that humans are always attracted to beautiful things. However, after some times, the speciality on their look will be gone, what’s keep them shining is still their inner beauty.
My conclusion:
Just be thankful if you are born with a decent looks but don’t be sad if you are not because the inner beauty you have will always makes you glow and overcome others. It’s not how you look that counts but is how you bring yourself. A person may not be beautiful/handsome but if they carried themselves with confident, they may catch your eyes too.
"BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT LIES IN YOU…"
Throughout the process of looking for our Mr. / Mrs. Right, we will always set-up a checklist of expectations. Some will go for the looks, some will go for the internal beauty and some will go for both. If we are lucky enough, we’ll have found our Mr. / Mrs. Right, if we are the unlucky ones, maybe we’ll have to work harder and keep searching.
Do I have a checklist? Hmmm…I think I have a checklist too…6Cs…No, no…you’re wrong. I’m not talking about cash, career, car, credit card and condo. These are my 6Cs:
Caring – someone who really care about me.
Comfortable – someone who can let me be myself.
Compatible – someone whom I can really talk to.
Career – someone who will strive hard for success.
Cash – someone who can provide me a simple life.
Condo – someone who can let me feel secure.
I guess it is not too much to ask, though. I only wish to have a simple life. Nothing much, but it’s always easier to be said than done. ‘What about looks?’, one of my friends asked. In my point of view, only people who had great personalities will seem attractive. It’s always our inner beauty that makes us glow. To me, beauty seems to be fragile, it’s just like a beautiful wrappers, what’s really counts is still the fillings. A beautiful girl or a handsome guy perhaps, will only catch our eyes at the first sight. For this, I’ve to admit that humans are always attracted to beautiful things. However, after some times, the speciality on their look will be gone, what’s keep them shining is still their inner beauty.
My conclusion:
Just be thankful if you are born with a decent looks but don’t be sad if you are not because the inner beauty you have will always makes you glow and overcome others. It’s not how you look that counts but is how you bring yourself. A person may not be beautiful/handsome but if they carried themselves with confident, they may catch your eyes too.
"BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT LIES IN YOU…"
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Fate or Faith…
Definition of:
Fate - something that unavoidably befalls a person; fortune
Faith - confidence or trust in a person or thing
To believes in fates and let the fates control you or to believes in faiths and overcome the fates? A very confusing yet complicated question… I always believed in fate but I’ll never let fate control me. That’s my answer.
Fifty percents in our life are depends on the fates but the remaining fifty percents are still in our hands. Sounds interesting now! Let me show you an example here:
Fates say, ‘You are going to be a millionaire’. There is a math here:
a) Lazy + Wait for the money to fall from the skies = Penniless
b) Hard work + Strive for success = Millionaire
Fates say, ‘You are not going to be successful’.
a) No contribution + Lack of confident = Not Successful
b) Hard work + Confident = Successful
By now, you should have seen a clearer picture. If we believe in fates, but we never work hard for it, our fate will change. If we have faith in ourselves and work hard to overcome the fate, again, our fate will change.
Everything seems to have pros and cons in our life. Nothing is perfect. Quote for today, “Never regret for what you’ve done, only regret for what you’ve not done”. Our future is still in our hands.
Fate - something that unavoidably befalls a person; fortune
Faith - confidence or trust in a person or thing
To believes in fates and let the fates control you or to believes in faiths and overcome the fates? A very confusing yet complicated question… I always believed in fate but I’ll never let fate control me. That’s my answer.
Fifty percents in our life are depends on the fates but the remaining fifty percents are still in our hands. Sounds interesting now! Let me show you an example here:
Fates say, ‘You are going to be a millionaire’. There is a math here:
a) Lazy + Wait for the money to fall from the skies = Penniless
b) Hard work + Strive for success = Millionaire
Fates say, ‘You are not going to be successful’.
a) No contribution + Lack of confident = Not Successful
b) Hard work + Confident = Successful
By now, you should have seen a clearer picture. If we believe in fates, but we never work hard for it, our fate will change. If we have faith in ourselves and work hard to overcome the fate, again, our fate will change.
Everything seems to have pros and cons in our life. Nothing is perfect. Quote for today, “Never regret for what you’ve done, only regret for what you’ve not done”. Our future is still in our hands.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A smile a day will keep the doctor away…
“As I walk along the street, I saw a kid smiling happily holding her mum’s hand, walking passed a candy shop. The smile on her face was as sweet as a lollipop. I was smitten by the smile and so, I smiled.”
Have you ever counts how many times you smile a day? Is it a hard thing for you to smile? Do you know what’s the benefits of smiling? If your answer is ‘NO’, I’ve found 10 reasons for you to start smiling today.
Smiling makes us attractive.
There is an attraction factor when you smile. We are drawn to people who smile because when ones smile, its give a warm welcome to everyone.
Smiling changes our mood.
By putting on a smile, there’s a good chance to change for a better mood. Smiling can trick your body by sending a signal to your brain telling yourself that you are happy.
Smiling is contagious.
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them.
Smiling relieves stress.
Stress can really show up in our faces. Simply by smiling, it prevents us from looking tired, worn down and overwhelmed. Put a smile on your face and the stress will goes away.
Smiling boost your immune system.
When you smile, your immune system improves because you are more relaxed. Its help prevents the flu and cold.
Smiling lowers your blood pressure.
When you smile, there is a measureable reduction in your blood pressure. This is simply because you are more relaxed and the bloods are flowing smoothly in your body.
Smiling releases endorphins and serotonins.
Study shown that smiling releases endorphins and serotonins which is a hormones that makes us feel happy. Hence, smiling is a natural drug.
Smiling lift the faces and makes us feel younger.
The muscles we use to smile lift the face and make us appear younger. Smiling is the natural botox to our faces!
Smiling makes us seems successful.
Smiling people appear more confident and more approachable. Therefore, they tend to get more chances of being promoted or getting successful.
Smiling helps us to stay positive.
When we smile, a message of ‘life is good’ will be send to our body.
Have you ever counts how many times you smile a day? Is it a hard thing for you to smile? Do you know what’s the benefits of smiling? If your answer is ‘NO’, I’ve found 10 reasons for you to start smiling today.
Smiling makes us attractive.
There is an attraction factor when you smile. We are drawn to people who smile because when ones smile, its give a warm welcome to everyone.
Smiling changes our mood.
By putting on a smile, there’s a good chance to change for a better mood. Smiling can trick your body by sending a signal to your brain telling yourself that you are happy.
Smiling is contagious.
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them.
Smiling relieves stress.
Stress can really show up in our faces. Simply by smiling, it prevents us from looking tired, worn down and overwhelmed. Put a smile on your face and the stress will goes away.
Smiling boost your immune system.
When you smile, your immune system improves because you are more relaxed. Its help prevents the flu and cold.
Smiling lowers your blood pressure.
When you smile, there is a measureable reduction in your blood pressure. This is simply because you are more relaxed and the bloods are flowing smoothly in your body.
Smiling releases endorphins and serotonins.
Study shown that smiling releases endorphins and serotonins which is a hormones that makes us feel happy. Hence, smiling is a natural drug.
Smiling lift the faces and makes us feel younger.
The muscles we use to smile lift the face and make us appear younger. Smiling is the natural botox to our faces!
Smiling makes us seems successful.
Smiling people appear more confident and more approachable. Therefore, they tend to get more chances of being promoted or getting successful.
Smiling helps us to stay positive.
When we smile, a message of ‘life is good’ will be send to our body.
Put a SMILE on your face today, and make the world looks HAPPIER.
Suddenly, a song keep humming in my mind...and I smiled..you'll know this song if you had watched Hellboy II..this is the song lyrics.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
As a yoga teacher,I always come across a question from my beginner practitioners,very often they asked me 'What kind of yoga should I start with if my aim is so...,so...,and so...'.Continued with, ‘I saw the magazines or I heard from my friends that yoga will help me lose weights,tone-up and bla..bla..bla..’ and end with ‘I’m just a beginner and I’m not flexible,I’m worried that I can’t twist and bend like the poses I saw in the medias’.
Actually,practicing yoga is all about the feeling of serenity,harmony and a quiet state of mind.Yoga will not only beneficial to your physical body but also mentally.A good practice will give you a feeling of the unity of the mind and body through out the flowing from asanas(pose) to asanas in a yoga practice while a 'not so good' practice which I used to described,will make you feel short of breathes as well as having discomfort on your body.
After a period of times practicing yoga,normally ones will start to notices the changes physically.An obvious changes will be a more tone-up body,better posture,better stamina and a healthier skin tones.As for the problematic practitioners (e.g.:those who have backpains,kneepains,high blood pressures,low blood pressures,constipations and indigestions problems) will realizes that their conditions is slowly improving.
With the yoga posters and photos seen in the medias,yoga always give people a wrong impression that we have to twist and turn ourselves like a pretzel.As I always mentioned to my practitioners,those photos are for promotional purposes and to create awareness from publics,hence,a more advance poses were used for the photo shootings.During a yoga session,options will always be given to the practitioners based on their flexibility to ensures everyone getting the same benefits.Therefore,it shouldn’t be a barrier for anyone to start practicing yoga.
Focusing on alignment in a yoga pratice are important,however,forcing yourself to get the best alignment was a TOTALLY WRONG PERCEPTION as it will not only make you feel terrible but also harm your body.Always bear in mind,be patient,when the right time comes,you'll be able to reach the perfect poses.
Few years back,when I first started my yoga practice,chasing for advance poses and getting the best alignment was my first priority.I’m a great fans of vigorous yoga practices as it gave me a greater sense of achievement and egoism.I felt proud of myself showing off the advance poses and perfect alignments.I’m in love with yoga simply because I was amazed with the poses.
During my teacher training course,I begin to realize the true meaning of yoga.I begin to see and understand the body structural limitations.Yoga practice can always be mild.With the great co-ordination between our breaths and movements which can easily be obtain by just doing some basic asanas,we’ll find a peace of mind,we will find a calmness in our body and we will find the true beauty of yoga.This will not only beneficial to your body but also to your mind.This experience had really change my mind.
If you ever ask me to tell you the best styles of yoga,I’ll have said the answer lies in you,YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND.Every single days our body and mind changes,we need to find a balance in our life.When you find the equilibrium in your life,you will find yourself living life to the fullest…
Friday, August 8, 2008
Another Day...
A day full with inspirations,
A day full with challenges,
And a day full with memories.
Just be grateful that we are still here,breathing silently in this space.
A day full with challenges,
And a day full with memories.
Just be grateful that we are still here,breathing silently in this space.
Wake up early in the morning,in a beautiful day,
As usual going to my studio and have a coffee break in the office while checking on my mails and facebook.Sounds relaxing,huh…I used to be feeling insecure when I was in the Zone.Wondering when my next payment coming,wondering when I’ll be kick out because someone backstabbed me,wondering who is the potential backstabbers and wondering when the company will ever collapse because of the mismanagement.
Couldn’t be deny that I’m still feeling insecure.It’s just a new beginning of my studio,still I’ve to worry about my current sales,cash flows and plans but I’m just glad that everything are still in control.
Like everyone else,I’m still a human who have to face the obstacles.Yet,I try to keep myself calm everyday because I always bear in mind what’s my Mum reminds me ‘when the right time comes,problems will be solve’,so,it’ll just be a matter of times.As long as we are still breathing here and our body are still moving,we will find a way to overcome every obstacles that arrives.
I don’t know what will happen next but I’ll just be thankful because YOU are here.Because of you,I no longer feel lonely,I no longer feel tired and I no longer feel scare.You give me strength to move on and you make me felt that I’m the luckiest person in the world.All I can say to you is just a simple ‘Thank you’ that truly comes from my heart.
Thanks GOD for sending me a guardian angel,
Thanks GOD for always fulfilling my dreams,
Thanks GOD for always listening to my whispers,
Thanks GOD for always showing me the right path to go,
Thanks GOD for guiding me to become a person,
And a millions more thank you for just being here when I need you.
No matter we are experiencing a good or a bad times now,life still goes on.
Life has ebb and flow with it.It is never static.
Everything that appears in our life has a lesson to teach us.Enjoy it,absorb it,and learn from it.There is nothing called an accident in this intelligent universe.
And this is what I learned today.
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