I’ve watched a lot of people at my office get bitten by the yoga bug. I’ve been tempted to start myself, except I keep telling myself I have no time. I suspect that’s my usual excuse for maintaining my sedentary lifestyle (and apparently, I’m not alone – met Chics who said the very same thing). Heh!
I was intrigued when Ninie emailed me about her new place and asked me to drop by last Sunday. beyoga is located in Metropolitan Square and it’s not too far from where I live. The session was quite early on Sunday (it’s almost illegal to get someone to wake up at that hour on a Sunday) but I said okay coz I’m really interested to know how this yoga thing goes.
beyoga is a really nice place – the interior is very Zen, and despite being the only guy there, I felt very much at ease. The full length mirrors allow me to see Ninie regardless of whether she’s in front or at the back and check if I’m doing it the right way. It’s my first lesson so I was a bit unfamiliar with the asanas and needed a lot of visual reaffirmation.
I think the thing that sold me was Ninie asking the reason we’re all gathered there on that fateful Sunday. What is my purpose of doing yoga? I thought about it for a while and realized there are two reasons – to feel better about myself and to correct my horrible posture. My mom never told me to un-slouch myself when I was a kid and over the years, I’ve developed a bit of a slouch – a problem I have struggled to correct.
I’m hoping that all the bending and twisting involved in yoga, as well as the emphasis on correct posture, will get me to stand (and sit) straight. It is a 28 year habit, but it’s never too late to start taking remedial steps. 🙂
The lesson started with stretching before moving to basic poses like the Downward-Facing Dog. We then proceeded to do the Cobra Pose and more complicated asanas that required feats of dexterity that I didn’t know I possess!
I surprised myself by successfully clasping the small of my back with my hands and pulling my legs straight up. Ninia told me I was pretty good for a first timer, I’m not sure if she was just being kind or it has a grain of truth in it. I’m inclined to believe the latter. 😉
I felt a nice afterglow (endorphins?) for the entire day after the yoga session. Yoga can make you feel better and more confident about yourself too – another plus point. It’s not just for females, contrary to popular belief. Anyone can join yoga (just look at me – I drink and smoke) and I’m STILL going (although I felt really bad about smoking a cigarette after yoga :p).
Lead a healthier lifestyle if you must (no caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, fat etc) but if you’re not willing to make drastic changes to your lifestyle just yet, hold back and get a feel of yoga first.
You might be surprised to find out that you actually enjoy it.
I have bent myself in ways the human body is not meant to be twisted (at least IMHO) and I FELT GOOD after the session.
I’m going to make this a regular thing (including the horribly early Sunday session) coz it seems like the world is brighter, nicer and happier when I do that.
Exhale all your bad feelings, be a better person!
Dude, just look at your red face in the last picture, LOL!
I did yoga a couple of years back but then I stopped when I moved back to Miri.
are you the only guy in that class?
hb you old hound dog.
after staring at the pictures a little longer, i so want to fuck your teacher!
Not bad. Keep it up. Do it on a regular basis n expect to see results
I wonder if it the yoga or the XY that is keeping you there…
I wonder if it the yoga or the XX that is keeping you there…
Arth Akal: Yeah, it was more difficult than I thought, supporting your body weight with your arms. 🙂
Hey, nice. I’m starting to love yoga. Can’t wait for the next lesson. 🙂
WEEN: I am obliged to tell you that my yoga teacher would probably read this. 😉
Yeah, I was the only guy in the class, the place has 2 male and 2 female instructors though.
Bengbeng: Cheers mate! Yeah, I’m going to keep at it, coz of the mind-body integration. I like that. 🙂
Mike: Haha! I’ll love to say that it’s the XY, but it’s the yoga. The calming mind-body exercises are good for me (reduces stress). 🙂
Aiya so fast, pressure pressureeeee 😛
Can I grab our picture together from this blog?
nobody would have ever thought seeing this post if they read your blog from 3-4 years back heh? Good move tho!
Lovessss it! 😀 I’ve been wanting to go back to yoga so badly. My Mom claims I was a better person when I was doing yoga regularly *ouch*
I sprained my back doing yoga a few years back. It was my own fault cos I didn’t do yoga warm ups and went straight into it, but I shied off it since then. =)
I thought yoga is banned for Muslims? How come I saw at least 2 there with you in the picture?
Dude, I know what you are up to, you want to show us a “Look I can lick my own balls” pose.
you’re like the only guy there! TSK
There were 8 of us Muslims in the pic including Ninie. Yoga (or at least Beyoga) does not incorporate any chanting, spiritual elements nor religious activities in all their classes.
HB, u already signed up for which class? Yeah, you really were good for a first-timer….take it from me :).
chics: Sure, feel free to grab it. 🙂
KY: Haha! Yeah, ex drug user turning to a healthier lifestyle. I’m gonna do yoga as an exercise thing, not gonna quit smoking or drinking just yet. 🙂
Mellissa: I think so too! People generally feel an afterglow after yoga (from my informal research), it’s almost like a TINY dose of MDMA (Ecstasy). 😉
Er…perhaps not the best analogy, but still…
I Call I Tart: Sprained your back? Sounds painful. :S
Well, I like the meditative aspects of yoga too. 🙂
Sorry Erin, can’t help the I Call I Tart thing. Hehe!
headsteadi: Yoga is not about religion, it’s a form of exercise. 🙂
I don’t think it’s incompatible with religion. 🙂
e: Haha! I have not acheived that level of skillzor yet. 😉
Debra Fong: Yup, the sole person without boobs. 😉
Sweettooth: Thanks! I’m going for the advanced class that Ninie suggested. I hope I can keep up. 🙂
Sigh… ‘Tis a sad thing, ’tis.
…the world is brighter, nicer and happier when I do that.”
Keep it up HB =)
haha, i used to go for yoga classes, stopped after 3 months…
lazy lar me…
Err.. Isit you the only bee among the flowers? hihi^^ ;p
Gosh. Huai Bin can Yoga! Clap Clap
Michael Jackson should have gone for this too.
Wah, first lesson and you already can go up to Scorpian. Not bad wor. Didn’t know you are staying in KL now. All the while still thought you are in East. Yoga is good la. They are so addictive.
erin: I, Robot. I, Call. I, Tart. The Asimov trilogy that never was. 🙂
Nick Chhan: Cheers! I will, this is going to be a weekly thing. 🙂
JY Shops: I’m thinking it could be a good thing instead of sleeping in Sunday. It’s good to sleep at the same time and wake up at the same time every day. I’m trying to do that. 🙂
Shirley Snow: Yup, I’m the only guy in that class but there are male instructors and probably students in the other classes. 🙂
eiling: Yeah, I was surprised too! 🙂
Anonymous: I’m concerned about his heart. I wonder if he can take it. Yoga can be quite streneous. 😉
Okay, bashing by MJ fans please, just a joke. 🙂
Yogajess: I’m staying and working in PJ now. I came here last year. 🙂
Yup, I agree, yoga is a lot of fun! 🙂
ada sakit badan tak?? so extreme hee…if no warm up then kena kao kao lo
hitomi: Takde! I felt fine after it, except for muscle aches due to lack of exercise. :S