Practice Notes - Ujjayi Breaths

Class started with us sitting and getting our ujjayi breaths started. After a while, led class started. But not before the following words “Remember the sound of the ujjayi breaths. Let that be the background of your practice. When the practice starts, the foreground of dristhis will change, but let the background of the ujjayi breaths be constant”. Ok, I’m paraphrasing a bit. But that’s the gist of Manoj’s wonderful message to us that class last Friday evening.

There were of course countless times when I forget his message as I struggle through the asanas I’m working on (oh, so many that I’m not even going to bother naming them). But at least there was something to hang on to when I do remember it. When I do follow it, the practice seems more meditative and less of a struggle. Most times, though, I have to dial back the depth of the asana in the beginning. But more often than not, by the end of the fifth cycle of breath, the depth of the asana is as deep, if not deeper than when one try to muscle into the asana.

Practice has been good. Apart from Baddha Padmasana, there has been no major breakthrough. But the good thing that is happening lately is the regularity of practice, and the acceptance that some days it’s ok to miss a practice. Baddha Padmasana has been more miss than hit. I’ve only managed one more successful attempt after my last post. This practice does give a good lesson in non-attachment!

First Baddha Padmasana

By the time I’ve reached the end of Surya Namaskara A, my palms are starting to slip towards the front of the mat during downward dog. Kuala Lumpur has been super hot of late. Surprisingly, even with the heat and dripping sweat and considering I missed practice on Tuesday because I was not feeling 100%, today’s practice was full of energy.

I just rode on this unexpected wave. I initially planned a softer practice. I even tried to do some straight leg jump through. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Each time I ended up in a squat and then kind of shuffle my feet through. Heh, it must have looked pretty funny. Good thing I was alone at the Westin this morning. I wonder whether the straight leg jump through requires a good forward bend.

Anyway, I had a good practice. I don’t know if it was the heat or the energetic practice; I managed to bind in Baddha Padmasana on MY own! Happy happy joy joy! After practice, I treated myself to breakfast at Dome at Pavilion at the risk of being late for work. It may be a small breakthrough but these milestones can give so much joy.

Soya Sauce Flavoured Kit Kat

Received this today as a gift from someone back from Tokyo. What will they think of next? I can't wait to try them, though.

Behind The Wheel

Every country has its own driving peculiarities. In India, it is the honking at the slightest thing - change of lanes, car approaching, honk to greet someone, honk at the change of gears and what not. In Malaysia, the horn is used far less often. What will strike someone most when they first drive in Malaysia is tailgating. At times it is quite unnerving. One minute the rear mirror reveals there is no car behind, the next the sight of a car, inches from your back bumper. Apparently, this is a way to tell you to move out of their way.

And sometimes if you indicate your intention to switch into another lane, the car, which is some way behind in that particular lane, will then inexplicably speed up so that you can’t get to its lane.

I heard in some countries the driving schools teach road courtesy as part of its course. Here they teach you the basic skills and if you pay extra, you are guaranteed a pass in your driving test. Hence, the frequency of road rage incidence.

I guess the older you get, or the longer you drive in Malaysia, you will learn the value of patience on the road and defensive driving. Or so I thought. This morning I was rushing to get my kids to the stadium for their school's annual sports day. There was, of course, a queue to get into the car park and into parking spaces. I saw an empty spot next to this car but was waiting for the man to get out of his car as his door was already half open. The man was taking his time coming out; and with the pressure of other cars behind me, I muttered, “can he come out any slower?”. Turned out my window happened to be opened as I had just paid for parking. My daughter admonished me later, saying that the man heard me and threw me a dirty look. “Well, he was dawdling and anyway, let’s rush and get you guys registered, eh?”, was my quick reply in an effort to silence her. In fact, I felt a bit embarrassed. I have just acted like one of those Malaysian drivers that I was writing about above. Just like I’m trying to practise some mindfulness in my yoga practice, perhaps I should also practise mindfulness in these everyday situations. What kind of an example am I giving my kids if I act rude to random strangers over small trivial situations? As I write this, it’s clear now I need to admit to my daughter later that I had acted badly this morning. Though it is not the easiest of task, it is a small step to righting some of my countless flaws. I hope she doesn’t rub my nose in it.

Anyway, here’s a clip of professional stunt drivers. Malaysian tailgaters have nothing on these guys!

Practice This Week & Qing Ming

My practice for the week:
Monday – self practice at the Westin;
Tuesday – moonday, so no practice (so good, yah? – actually, was lazy, so happy to take a break);
Wednesday – no practice as it was Qing Ming for my family (more details below);
Thursday – self practice at Westin;
Friday – instead of my usual evening class at SS2, did morning self practice at the Westin, as it was Good Friday.

So, all in all, a good practice week in terms of frequency. Also, no nude encounters this week, which always set the tone of a calm practice.

So, a little details on Qing Ming, for those who are interested. It’s held once a year, and it is like All Souls’ Day for Chinese. It’s really more like Ancestors Day. Actually, I’m not sure this is a Buddhist festival. I think the Chinese, in particular the Chinese Buddhists, generally practices it. Can anyone clarify on this?


When I was young, it was a big occasion for the family (I mean bigger occasion as it is still a big event now for us; just a much smaller scale compared to the old days). The family, as in my uncles, aunts and their families would all meet up at my grandmother’s house in the early morning, have a breakfast feast before heading off to the cemetery. Then we would trek and navigate through many other tombstones before finding our ancestors’ graves. As this is a once a year event; first things to clear out are the weeds and the leaves on and around the tombstones. Then food is offered to the ancestors. A couple of two sided wooden objects are thrown on the ground. This is done repeatedly until the objects show a particular combination, which seems to signify the ancestors are done eating. Then the food is repacked into smaller bags and each family gets a portion of the food to take to their house.

Nowadays, it is a much simpler affair for us. Our ancestors’ graves have since been exhumed and cremated and all their ashes are kept in urns, which are now located at the temple. So, no need for gardening and all that stuff. Apparently, one can pre-book space in the temple for one’s final resting place.

I fear this is a dying event (sorry for the pun - can't resist) for my family. The family is now all spread out globally, and unless there is one in my generation willing to organise these events, this annual event will eventually fade away.