Yoga Challenge

I have been so fortunate upon returning to Australia. I have been able to reconnect with my first ever yoga teacher, Maurie. Maurie connected me to Megan who has an awesome new Yoga studio in seaside Kiama. Now, I teach 2 classes per week and the occasional Saturday morning class too.

Devinely Fit Yoga, Manning St, Kiama

I am also lucky to be invited to participate as a teacher in YogaAid Kiama. YogaAid began in 2006 and allows local teachers to get together, raise money for charities and spread the love of Yoga. I am looking forward to the challenge! We will practice Yoga for 2 hours in the outdoors, next to the sea.

You can donate to my nominated charity, Barnados, and support me by clicking on this link.

Below are some pictures of my amazing Yoga team at Devinely Fit Yoga in Kiama.

Myself, Megan (studio owner) and Ginnie

Making Connections in Unfortunate Circumstances

Our little car did not meet the same fate

I wish I had taken photos. Even got a number, an email. Perhaps even a name. But sometimes it doesn't fit.

We traveled over 7000 kilometers in 12 days, in a 1989 Honda Integra, bought for $200 by my car enthusiast dad, who repaired it to a safe standard. Jeff and I aren't likely to sit around and let a holiday get away from us. We tend to push the limits. We cram too much in. We book flights that on more than one occasion have had us in a sweat getting to before check in closes. We want to do it all.

We drove from Shellharbour, NSW, to Alice Springs, Northern Territory and back. We know we are different. Our little car was dwarfed by mammoth Land Cruisers, Range Rovers and Defenders. Our borrowed two-man Kathmandu tent was overshadowed by motor homes, caravans and purpose built trailers. But we didn't care.

Enjoying Uluru

We met Alex, a Polish born middle aged Australian while hiking King's Canyon, Northern Territory. He kindly took our picture. We chatted, we shared stories. He and his wife were hosting 2 couples visiting from Poland, friends since Alex and his wife left for Melbourne 30 years ago. We parted, continuing our hike, only to be reunited on returning to our car to realise we (Jeff) had left the headlights on and drained the car's battery. Alex didn't have jumper cables, but he had a caring side. He drove us back to the King's Canyon resort, where we borrowed jumpers. He then drove us back to the car and gave us a jump. He then drove with us in the dark to make sure the battery worked and we were ok. Alex even checked up on us in the morning at the campsite to make sure everything was in working order.

Feeling the burn of the Oodnadatta Track

We met Ann and Paul on the Oodnadatta track in South Australia. Our little car was front-end wedged on a dirt and rock bank on the side of the track. We (I) hadn't anticipated the curve in the road, braked too hard and spun out of control. Ann and Paul, retired, occasional teachers, stopped their caravan towing Land Cruiser to give us a hand. With some shoveling, lifting and pushing, the car became unstuck. Paul gave us some rope to keep the bumper on, while Ann assured us that we would be laughing about the incident in time to come.

Unsealed roads abound in the Outback

We met the famillies, and kept on meeting them throughout South Australia. We thought we were the only ones at an old school in Paranchilla, until three 4x4's drove in and set up camp too. Talking about our car (mis)adventures in the rugged camp kitchen, we were told they had some sturdy duct tape that might be of use to us. As it happened, in their group was a dirt bike mechanic. So with tools in hand, after the sun had risen he tightened the loose bolts and connected what had become unconnected on the bumper. One of the four high school aged children even took a sneaky photograph of us and our car. We ran into the families on the road and in a pub and cafe during the remainder of our trip.

Having a rest

Last but not least was Shaun. A motor mechanic recommended to us in Blaxland, New South Wales by the local Post Office. Our little car finally ran out of juice. Shaun installed a new battery while telling us some tales of his recent flight to Broome and the bushfires he could see from the plane, roaring in the NT - which we had managed to avoid. He taught us how to tap the alternator with our tent-pole mallet to keep the connection going and avoid the turmoil of the red battery light on the dash appearing. He gave us some magnets, wished us well and then we were on our way.

Animals of the Outback

I kept missing them. 

I wasn't camera ready.

We were driving too fast.

It wasn't until we slowed down that we could really look. 

And be looked at. 

The brumby was magnificent. We kept seeing the signs. The silhouette of a strong, burly brumby on a reflective yellow roadside sign. Would we be so lucky? He stood strong in the middle of the dirt Mereenie Loop road in the Northern Territory. By the time I was ready he had moved to the brush. Keeping a watchful eye on us as we slowed to a stop, taken by its presence. My favorite.

Penghu - Before the rains came...

So we decided it was time to check out Penghu, aka Pescadores, off the west coast of Taiwan. Like all of our travel adventures, we arrived and wondered why it had taken us so long to get here...

With islands and places named Husband Islet, Wife Islet, Incense Burners Islet, Chicken Head Islet, Ox-Hearted Hill and Goddess Mercy Hill to name a few, the islands were sure to have lots of charm, or at least character.

We eventually made our way from Magong Harbour after the puke-worthy ferry ride, to our homestay Sunrise B&B on the eastern side of Magong, in Hu-hsi township.

We braved the cool light rain on our scooter ride over.

Then the rains disappeared and the sun came out. We made our way to the closest beach to our B&B. 



The beautiful beach



View of the town from the beach



The shower/ toilet block and, yes, it looks like an army tank




Coral shore, blue skies and a big fat cloud rolling in



Now all we can do, after stopping in at 7-11 for some supplies of Smirnoff, Asahi and pea crackers, is sit back and wait for the rains to ease.

The view from the B&B - rain!

Overcast sky, miserable drizzle

Chillin' and waitin'

Mmm, I'm in love with Taiwan's LYCHEES 荔枝

How do you like your lychee's? Out of a can? Perhaps with ice cream? Only in a martini? Never had one before?

I like my lychee's fresh. Fresh from a tree. Green bug bitten leaves intact. Stems and all. Smelling sweet and fresh.

We have been fortunate in Taiwan, having access to 'exotic' fruits such as guava, pineapple, papaya, various melons, mangoes and the sort. I love seeing my fruit growing in the roadside fields and then being sold at a roadside stand. I love knowing that the fruit was picked from the tree, stem and all to secure freshness, right before I bought it.

Lychee's just taste better that way.

To be brutally honest, I had no idea how lychee's grew until I came to Taiwan. I also had never seen rows of spiky pineapples shooting up out of the ground. And in Taiwan is where I spied green mangoes hanging from a branch, on random roadside trees. I will miss the ease, organic nature and family run businesses which supply us with our delicious  fruit here in Kaohsiung. I will also be missing the price on return to Australia...

My Ex-pat Dilemma: Friends

Travelling and living abroad has endless ups. New countries to explore, new places to find, new food to try, new people to get to know, new thoughts to have. BUT, it also has its drawbacks. When away from home there are some things which will be missed, and cannot be easily replaced. Some things last only for a little while - a mirage - and then the reality sets in.

The truth is, I miss my friends. We have now been apart for 4 years. Small visits within that time bring comfort back, but after the week, after the plane ride home, its gone. I think I have taken those friendships for granted. I assumed they would be easy to come by. Wonderful people like them can be found anywhere right? I was wrong.

Of course I have created relationships; colleagues and acquaintances, friends and foes. But nothing compares to that of real friends. Nothing comes close.

I feel comfortable being alone. Me and my thoughts, my meditation and projects. But sometimes, you just need it. You just need a friend to pop over, to watch a movie, to cheer you up, to take you shopping, to go for a run, to go for a drive, to cook dinner, to reminisce...

To be fair, this is the first time in four years that it has hit me this hard. I have met wonderful people, but I am sadly still not satisfied. I am not greedy. I am not selfish. I just miss my friends. That group of girls who will do something with you because you want to, not because they want to. Those girls who are up for a laugh and some fun any time, and if they aren't can be easily persuaded. Those girls who can read your mind. Unfortunately oceans have separated those minds and the girls do not know. It's too far away. I'm too far away. I'm too far away for them to know.

They can't be replicated and can't be replaced. They're one of a kind. Really. Years of getting-to-know-you are precious. Those awkward teenage years would bond anyone. Now, in a different phase, out of partying and into partners, weddings and babies, it's still the same. But it's different. I am out here and they are still there.

Perhaps it's time to bridge that gap.

Taiwan Traffic: A Graze with Death

Well, it very well could have been. I could have been. Dead. Too close for my liking. Way too close.

It went down something like this.

I was heading off to an 8pm Yoga class at Our Yoga House, which is very conveniently located at the end of my street, past the Husia intersection. I usually wear my black zip-up jacket to Yoga, but since it was raining, and getting dark, I decided to wear my white rain jacket. I distinctly thought it would make me safer against – scooters riding on sidewalks, cars running reds, the usual Taiwanese traffic terrors.

I waited for the light to turn green, and then cautiously crossed the road, making sure not to skid on the slippery white paint on the crossing. I was halfway across when I froze. Well, I didn’t really freeze. I don’t remember. From the corner of my eyes, on my right I saw a gold coloured 4WD coming towards me. I instinctively swung my upper body to my right, grazed my right hand on the grill and thumped my palms on the hood of the car.

I can’t remember what went through my mind. I remember looking at the middle aged male driver, anger screaming through my eyes, terror on my face, head shaking slowly from side to side at the imbecile behind the wheel.

He looked fearful. Perhaps because he was almost a murderer, sentenced to a life of guilt and prison, or perhaps because he thought in rage I might damage his expensive car, or perhaps he wasn’t paying attention and this was a close call. Perhaps he ‘lost face’ – a term thrown around here in Taiwan too much for my liking.

I regained my composure, although I felt like I hadn’t lost it too much. I slowly walked to the end of the crossing, left hip a little jarred from the quick turn, right knuckles slightly scratched from the connection to the grill, head spinning, breath unlikely slow and deep.

People stared at me as I turned around, got my little notebook out of my bag and wrote down the license plate of the almost death -car. ZL-3616. I really didn’t need to write it down as I kept repeating to myself to the short walk to the Yoga House.

Taiwan traffic is dangerous. A well-known hierarchy exists here. Trucks and buses rule supreme. They are the bullies of the road, followed by large, medium and small cars, then scooters, bicycles and finally the lowly pedestrian. Just because the green man says ‘go’ and there are no cars in sight, does not mean you are safe. 

Lesson learned.

My very own handmade Hakka Oil Paper Umbrella

So pretty, so strong, so unique.

I wanted one.

I chose my favorite.

How could I resist?

I asked the young female cashier about it's history.

My father made it from bamboo. My grandmother painted it. The Chinese words wish you luck and happiness. It takes a month to make one. These umbrellas are special and will bring you good luck.

The family run business is quite famous in Taiwan. It is one of the only remaining paper oil umbrella workshops in Taiwan, and perhaps the world. The Hakka people used the umbrellas in their everyday life. They are also used as wedding presents with parents giving them to their children on their special day.

In 1989, after watching his skilled parents make umbrellas, Lee Ming-Hsiang decided to open a business of his own. I am glad he did. You can visit the family run business's website here.

Meinong is about a 50 minute drive from downtown Kaohsiung.

You can buy your own oil paper umbrella from the Lee family store. Directions below. 

View Larger Map

Mmm, I'm in love with MANGOES 芒果

Mmm, mangoes of all shapes and sizes

I loved Morocco for the fresh fruit and vegetables, namely the mandarins and strawberries. Now, my favorite fruit, well, one of my favourites, is now in season.

I have wonderful memories of Christmas time in Australia. Buying mangoes by the boxful from the vans that stop on the side of the main roads. Mangoes with ice cream, mango smoothies, mangoes in salads, or just mango is it is, dripping down my chin and off my elbows. Yum!

Now I am so happy it is mango season in Taiwan. Mangoes are cheapest bought from the back of the small trucks, or 'moving markets. Otherwise, a grocery store or fruit store is the other option. 'There are so many types of mangoes here. Big ones, small ones, medium ones... I have tried them all and they are all delicious. They are juicy and sweet and ready to eat.

I am not sizest

In Taiwan I have had mango tea, mango juice and mango with frozen ice 雪花冰; a very popular dessert here in Taiwan. 

Delish!

Of course, I love mangoes a la Mark Darcy, just as they are. 

Reflections: Yoga Teacher Training Completion

Read about my reflections of my Yoga Teaching Practice here at the Yoga House Blog.

Yoga House Director and Teacher Sucharita and me

Graduation with a Difference

The past 2 weeks of Yoga Teacher Training have been very awesome. We hiked to the second highest peak of Shoushan Monkey Mountain, meditated amongst a maze of tree trunks, roots and branches, each student taught an hour and a half class - which included us taking 12 classes over 3 days, and today was the culmination with our RYT 200 Yoga House Institute Graduation and party.

Monkey Mountain

Monkey Mountain

Enjoying the view

It is difficult to imagine that 10 weeks, that's 200 hours of Yoga Training spread over 10 weekends, has come to an end. I feel that the Teacher Training has given me a purpose to being in Taiwan. I have met some truly wonderful, inspiring and knowledgeable people who have enhanced my experience in ways I only know. To be around such positive, kind-hearted souls, weekend after weekend, meant as much to myself as the Course.

I don't care what people say - tree huggers, vegis, hare krishnas, hippies, whatever. Who can possibly say that feeling and being healthy, happy, energised and strong is bad? Take it in. Try it. What do you have to lose?

Today's class, the last one of the course, was amazing. First, a student taught the class a variety of poses, calling from each of the groups - core, balance, twists, forward bends and backward bends. My flexibility and balance was challenged, even though I am mush stronger than I was at the beginning. Yoga is a continual practice with improvements being able to be made during every practice.

Secondly, another student-teacher taught an emotion filled class. She has recently learned that her father will be passing away in the USA in a few days time, while she is here in Taiwan. She was fortunate to be able to visit him last week and share with him some Ujjayi Pranyama. Her lesson was centered on opening the heart, spreading peace, love and compassion - and accepting them as well. Her poses called for strength and opening of the heart, connected to the breath.

Lastly, a very spiritual student-teacher taught the class heart opening chakras. We attempted to engage our Kundalini often referred to as the dormant serpent at the sacrum. We visualised different images as our chakras were engaged, seen and opened. Restorative postures ensured we remained relaxed and calm.

After a delicious pot-luck it was paparazzi time.

Yoga House Graduates and Friends

We then moved on to the emotional Graduation. Candles were lit amongst bright hibiscus bringing calmness and light to our ceremony. We were issued with a framed, signed and stamped certificate - the first of many for many of us, I am certain. Then came the emotionally awakening part of the ceremony. Chanting has been a part of our practice. It is a form of meditation - something to concentrate on and visualise. However, this chanting was different. We sang to each other All I ask of you is forever to remember me, by loving you. Oh, Kylie we love you, oh Kylie we love you. How powerful. How beautiful. How amazing.

Michael and Sucharita 

I hope it is not the last time I will see my classmates from Yoga House. With so many experiences shared, it would be a shame to let friendships fall away. Through the natural course of life, I am sure some friendships will cease. However, I know that what I have gained will remain. For me and for them.

Namaste

Reflections: Yoga Teacher Training Day 12

Energy

I sit here at my desk, typing this on my large, blue inflated fit ball. Learning more about yoga has made me more aware of my body; my limitations and extensions. Sometimes I am at my desk for hours – hunched over a keyboard, marking student work – and I feel my neck and back muscles tightening and aching. Of course, Yoga asanas help to relieve this tension. However, I am now thinking beyond that at what I can do to prevent muscle aching and enjoy my yoga practice for what it is, and not for what it can fix.

Reflecting on the Yoga Teaching Training so far, I have learnt so much! I have become more open in my thoughts, my instruction is more knowledgeable and my outlook is more positive. I have always been a positive person, but Yoga Training has allowed me to tap into my positive side even more, and become aware of it.

An interesting workshop that we shared was ‘Energy Healing’. When I was younger I suffered from painful headaches. My mother and I tried numerous remedies; yoga, massage, balm… It was during one of my numerous massage sessions that I think I encountered energy healing of some kind. I was about 16 and my mum had driven me to a massage practitioner of some kind in farming town, Jamberoo. At the end of the remedial massage, lying on my back, the aging male masseuse cradled my skull in his hands. I was a little freaked out. What was this guy doing? What happened to the rest of my massage? It is only now that I look back and understand. I was receiving a Cranial Sacral Therapy. The masseuse was giving me energy and was lightly massaging the nerves and joints in my neck to relieve my headaches. I was a little nervous at the time, and this alternative treatment was not explained to me.

Now I am aware of energy healing and its power. I used to not be so open, perhaps even a disbeliever. Although I do not understand the physics behind the thermodynamics, I understand to transfer of heat as energy. All 13 students as well as our two teachers participated in Energy Healing. We each took turns to lay in Savasana and receive the energy that was being given by the others, by way of placing hands on the recipient and giving positive energy for around 5 minutes.

The effects were amazing. Different people felt different emotions when giving and receiving. Tears were shed, for no reason and for many reasons. Happiness, anger and sadness was shed and shared. Upon completion everyone felt grateful, energized and calm. It was an amazing, experience that really can’t be described.

The energy workshop also taught me how the universe is good at balancing energy. We learnt to think that there is no bad energy. There is positive energy and no energy. Just like people may have positive energy or no energy at all. I already believe that certain people need more positive energy, and are able to ‘zap’ that energy out of people with lots of positive energy. I am one of those people with good energy. On many occasions, I feel that my energy has been depleted when I am around no energy people. After listening to a colleague or friend unload their problems, I often feel both mentally and emotionally fatigued, and then person sharing their problems or feeling negative feels better and energized. I understand now that I have been giving my positive energy, and not receiving any in return. I have to make my own energy in order to feel revived.

When I read what I have written it sounds a little weird. But it is the truth and it is how it works. Perhaps it has happened to you. After being around optimistic, life loving, energetic, high-spirited people do you yourself feel motivated, active and positive, even though you may have done nothing but listened and talked? And when you are around negative, gloomy, miserable people do you feel weak and exhausted, even though you only spoke or listened? 

It is the transfer of energy that you feel. It exists. It’s there. Do you feel it? 

Very cheesy, I know. But also very true.

Reflections: Yoga Teacher Training Day 10

Halfway There Already?

Yesterday I completed my 10^th day of Yoga Teaching Training. Halfway there. Yoga Training at Our Yoga House is more like a Yoga retreat, or camp, than a course. We are greeted warmly each Saturday and Sunday morning, are fed healthy and delicious snacks, lunches and desserts (most recently – red bean cheesecake- yum!). We have access to organic teas, plum juice and coffee, of which Teacher Sucharita’s family grows right here in Taiwan’s mountains. Students mix, mingle, converse and learn together, breaking down language and cultural barriers, forming friendships and spreading good energy.

As cliché as it may appear, we are a big happy Yoga family. We care for each other, learn from each other, even upset each other. But we are all there for each other. I am a little sad that it is already week 5. Only 5 more weeks to go! 

This really got me thinking - What will I do with my free weekends? Who will I share my leftist ideologies with? Who will inspire me to try advanced postures? Where will I get my cooking inspiration from? Where will I be able to talk about chakras and pulling in my ‘shining diamond’ or mudra bunda? Who will be the recipient of my unprofessional yoga massage?

My partner Jeff. Of course.

We will rekindle our free weekends with winding car drives and hikes; he will pretend to be sympathetic to my views on the environment and animals; he will un-yogi-like boost my ego as I demonstrate the difficult crane pose and wheel; he will be my cooking inspiration as I attempt to win over his stomach with delicious vegetarian meals; he will try to lend an ear without rolling his eyes as I teach him about energy flows and chanting; and finally, after learning asanas from me, he will gladly be the receiver of a neck lengthening, full body sprawling back compression massage. 

Let's face it, whether he likes it or not really  ;o)

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
(Pigeon Pose) variation 1

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
(Pigeon Pose) variation 2

Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance)
modified with a Yoga strap