We are One! Om Improvement takes a trip down memory lane with some pictures from last year's Official Opening event. Much thanks to all enthusiastic yogis who participated in the classes and to Victor and Min Chao who helped to conduct free yoga trial classes. See you at our 1st Anniversary workshop this Sunday 31 Oct at 3pm!

Free yoga trials at Om Improvement Opening last year instructed by Min Chao. Thanks, Min Chao!

Free yoga trials at Om Improvement Opening last year

Official Opening of Om Improvement 24 Oct 2003.

Yoga Classes back to normal

Yoga classes have resumed at the usual schedule since yesterday.

For those of you who would like to "make up for classes missed last week" on days other than your usual slot, please call first to check on availability.

The FREE yoga workshop is on this coming Sunday 31 Oct at 3pm-5pm. Please register early!
See earlier post: http://omimprovement.blogspot.com/2004/10/weird-wonderful-world-of-yoga.html

New online poll for yoga retreat & updated links

I'm collecting responses to judge the level of interest for a yoga retreat. If you're interested in the retreat, the polling feature is on the right side bar of this page. Click in your response today!!

I've finally also organised a list of links neatly into the sidebar -- the links are to interesting sites I've mentioned in previous posts. The Yoga FAQs I've posted earlier have been included into this list.

Location Map

Location of Om Improvement at Stamford House, No. 39 Stamford Road

Yoga FAQs

We've put this posting here so that the link to Frequently Asked Questions on yoga appears at the start of this webpage. I've also added a link back to this post on the side bar under "Links" so you can easily click back to this FAQs topics post.

Click on the link to go to our previous postings on the following topics:

• What can I expect in my first yoga class? Are there any do’s and don’t’s for yoga classes?
• What to wear? What to eat? What to inform the teacher before class?
• What do I need to bring for yoga class?
• How do I find a suitable teacher or class? What are the questions I should be asking in my search?
• What are the types of yoga? And how are they different?
• What is yoga? etc

Yoga Class Schedule Updates

Dear yoga fans,

I regret that I've to cancel the yoga classes tonight (21 Oct), this Friday (22 Oct) and this Saturday (23 Oct) as I've a sore throat and I need to let my voice recover fully.

Please note that this Sunday's (24 Oct) workshop will be postponed to next Sunday 31 Oct. Kindly inform your friends of the change. This means, however, that you've another week to come up with your Most Curious Yoga Question(s) and win great prizes at the workshop!

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Thank you for your support through our first year and especially your patience and understanding through this week. I was deeply moved in particular by the yogis who gamely came for last evening's mini meditation retreat in place of asana class and practised a lovely evening of silent meditation. All of you already embody the true spirit of yoga: generosity of spirit, equanimity, relentless self-cultivation. Do refer to the post below for follow on instructions for starting a home meditation practice. Much thanks from all of us to Andrew, Sing Wei and especially Kim for helping with the instruction last evening. After the session, I received an sms from one of the participants who encouraged me to organise a full meditation retreat. I've already had plans for this so look out for more news on this in the near future. You all are welcome to send me your feedback and suggestions on last night's session or the retreat.

It's such a great pleasure and blessing to practise yoga with all of you.

Namaste,
Sau Fen
Om Improvement
Queries please sms: 97631374 (kindly put your name in the sms)

More tips for meditation

Well done! Those of you who came last evening for a "mini silent meditation retreat" -- you practised well.

Here are some additional tips to take your meditation practice further:

• Find a quiet place to practise where you will not be disturbed by phone calls, people wanting to talk to you, etc. As your practice grows, you may want to try meditating in other places like parks. I find it interesting to practise in the MRT train. This hones your concentration skills and make you more tolerant of external stimulants (like irritating chatter or airconditioning that's too cold) that are beyond your control.
• Set a timer so that it can mark the end of your session. If not you will tend to wonder when you should stop when you should be meditating. Watch timers are better than alarm clocks as the latter could present too big a shock to you when you are in deep meditation. Another way is to block all calls from your mobile phone and set the alarm on your mobile -- pre-set the volume to the lowest. If your radio has a alarm function this can be a good choice -- it is nice to hear music from the depths of your consciousness and let it lead you back to "real life".
• For those of you who came last night, we sat for 15-30 minutes per session. I suggest that you sit for 20-30 minutes a session. Don't sit for longer in a single session. At this point in your meditation career, you'll find that if you force yourself to sit for longer than 30 minutes, your attention will probably waver and this ruins your practice. Rather, if you want to do more, complete one session, take a break and then start to practice another session. Or do two sessions a day but at different times. Quite naturally, you will know it when you are able to sit for longer.
• Choose a time of the day to practice and keep to the same time everyday. This presents the body and mind with a sense of regularity and in due course the habit gains momentum and becomes hard to break. Many teachers recommend one session in the evening before you sleep and if you are not rushed, one in the morning just after you wake up (before brushing teeth or breakfast!). The evening session helps to clear out whatever your mind has experienced during the day, it's a chance for the mind to do some spring cleaning before sleep -- preventing chaotic thoughts and impressions from creatng inevitable nightmares. Do short 5 minute meditations whenever you have a break throughout the day. These help to keep the stress from accumulating and keeps you centred.
• When you sit down, make sure you're relaxed. Try to keep your back straight but do not force yourself into a rigid position. It is important that your are alert and relaxed. Too relaxed will drop you into sleep, too rigid will give you back/neck aches.
• It is important to conquer the impulse to fall asleep early in your meditation practice. You will find that once you've steadied yourself up at the point of nodding off a few times, the wave of sleep will pass and you can meditate quite well.
• Try not to fidget or change the position of your body during meditation. If there is pain in the legs or the sensation of limbs falling asleep, simple acknowledge the sensations and they will pass. For me, I just say "Yes, legs, I know you're not feeling too good in this pose but I'm meditating now and I'll deal with you later." This takes tremendous mental strength as our minds are accustomed to responding promptly to all signals of discomfort in our bodies.

I benefitted greatly from the writings of Eknath Easwaran on his meditation practice. Check out his website at: http://www.nilgiri.org/nilgiri.cfm?pageid=1

Tonight's class: Mini Silent Meditation Retreat

Hi yoga fans!

Some of you asked me what the term Ishvara pranidhana means. It is on permenant display on my little blackboard in Om Improvement as part of 10 terms which form the Yamas and Niyamas of Ashtanga Yoga. These are the ethical precepts for yoga practice. Ishvara pranidhana is often translated as "surrender". But I feel there is a sense of weakness in the english word "surrender": like we gave up because we have no fight. However, the term is used in a positive and powerful way in Sanskrit. It calls for a humbling of our ego and an acceptance of those circumstance which are beyond our control which calls for an acknowledgement of larger powers at work shaping our every moment: be the powers God or karma or the Laws of Nature. In this way, we allow ourselves to embrace the larger framework of life and the universe.

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Tonight, we will experience what Ishvara pranidhana really means. As I've a sore throat which has temporarily made it hard for me to talk right now except at a whisper, I've to accept these circumstances which means I'm not going to force my vocal cords to work and aggrevate the condition. Yet, I would like to show you that yoga can AND MUST still be practised within this situation by applying: Ishvara pranidhana.

As opposed to cancelling class, I'm proposing the following for tonight's class, and you have a choice whether you would like to come and attend or not. After you've attended tonight's class, you can choose if you want me to count the class against your class credits or not. It's totally up to you. As there were some interest from you on what a silent meditation retreat feels like, I'm doing a mini silent meditation retreat for tonight's class. Meditation is an essential yoga practice. Most yoga masters will even say that meditation is the goal of all yoga practice. Come with an open mind and let's embrace this chance to experience this together.

Tonight's 7pm-8.30pm class yoga practice:

Breathing awareness, loosening of joints and warmup, stretching: group practice (with demonstration)

Sun Salutations x 10 rounds: individual practice (with demonstration and one-to-one* adjustments)

Sitting Meditation: various methods, individual practice (with read instructions and one-to-one* guidance)

Walking Meditation: group practice if numbers permit (with read instructions)

Sharing of insights: share what you felt in the silent meditation with the rest. Ask questions - whispered answers!

*I'll come next to you and provide guidance


See you in class,
Sau Fen
Om Improvement
Queries pls sms: 97631374

Updates in yoga class schedule

Please note that with effect from TODAY:

the Tuesday 8.30pm-10pm yoga class is put on hold till further notice.

Hence there will be no class this evening at 8.30pm.
(The scheduled 7pm class tonight remains unchanged.)
However, special requests for yoga sessions at this time can be arranged by calling me at 63344100.

Thank you!

Start yoga with us: promos for first-timers at OmIm

In line with our 1st anniversary celebrations, we have lined up the following deals for FIRST-TIMERS at OmIm:

1. FREE Yoga trials: on 30 Oct Saturday -- 10am-11.30am
   Yoga trials are for first-timers only. Dates and time subject to change.
2. If you can't make these dates - do not despair! Bring a friend and come along to any of the open classes this month and enjoy a one-for-one offer: pay $10 for 2 persons attending a trial class together.
   
   Call 63344100 or email omimprovement@gmail.com to reserve your places.

Check out the other 1st anniversary promos below!

“The Weird & Wonderful World of Yoga!”

You are invited to a celebration of YOGA at Om Improvement featuring:

“The Weird & Wonderful World of Yoga!”

a FREE workshoppy-talk
on NEW DATE: 31 October, Sunday, 3pm-5pm
at Om Improvement
Reserve your seats early!
call 63344100 or email omimprovement@gmail.com

Programme:

• How to use all our 8 limbs!
  Get filled in on the full picture of classical Ashtanga Yoga practice with this hands-on exploration session. This is a fun and informative total yoga immersion for newcomers and regulars to experience the whole picture of yoga and how all that you’ve learnt so far fits into this picture. We’ll take a journey through yoga’s development, stopping to sample some strange and cool yoga practices. Come and see yoga stripped of all the hype it has received in the modern age and learn about its true significance. Yogis will see their practice in a new light and newbies will gain an insight into the wide world of yoga.
  
• Everything you ever wanted to know about yoga. . . and then some!
  Not your usual Q & A session! We challenge you to ask your most curious question on yoga and we'll attempt to answer these (gulp) AND reward you for your efforts. You are invited to email omimprovement@gmail.com or scribble down the questions you always wanted to ask about yoga and submit these to OmIm before 29 Oct: the most curious questions will be addressed during the session and the questioner will receive a gift for his/her efforts. Real yoga practice afterall is not complete without a questioning mind!
  
• Yogi Tea: Get to know all your yoga mates over tea.
  In response to requests from many of you, OmIm is happy to organise this occasion for our yogis to bond over tea. Find out who are the people sweating it out beside your mat in yoga classes: you’ll be amazed at the diversity of folks who practice yoga! OmIm -- a place where you practice yoga amongst friends.
  
  
  OMIM BIRTHDAY SPECIALS!!!
  Sign up for yoga class packages on 31 Oct itself and enter a lucky draw! The winner’s ticket will be drawn from all the entries on that day and he/she goes home with a great hamper of Om Improvement yoga goodies including yoga gear, yoga mat, books, yoga magazines and other gifts.
  
  Check out other MONTH LONG promos below!
  

1st Anniversary Month promotions

We are One! In appreciation of all of you who made OmIm possible, we are having these month long promos from now to 24 Nov 2004:

• Enjoy one-for-one yoga class trials all month long. Bring a friend and pay only $10 for the both of you to experience a trial yoga class together at any of the open classes. Valid only for first-timers at Om Improvement. Call 63344100 first to reserve your places in the open classes. (See class schedule below)

• Get a $10 gift voucher for every $100 spent on classes and/or merchandise* in a single purchase. Gift vouchers can be used in the single purchases over $50 of yoga classes and/or shop merchandise *. Multiple gift vouchers cannot be used in a single purchase. *Promotion is not valid for Prana apparel and consignment items

• Renew your yoga practice: purchase a new **class package and re-activate your expired yoga classes. **Valid with purchase of new 20-class packages only. Re-activated expired classes must be used up within the same due date as the new 20-class package purchased.

• Introduce a friend to sign up for 20-class package and receive a $10 gift certificate for yourself. Terms and conditions for gift vouchers as above.

(All previous Om Improvement promotions cease with the start of the above promotions.)

Learn how to breathe in 5 days - in the evenings!

Hi folks, the earlier posting of a breathing practice course by my alma mater now has a evening option.

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Breath the healer
Pranayama is a special training in Breath Control.

Vivekananda Yoga Centre (Bangalore, India) has shown through research that these very simple techniques of breathing when practiced the right way can improve positive health:
For active living
Better Concentration
Better Memory
Better Emotional Stability
Better Sleep

Vivekananda Yoga Centre, Singapore is glad to announce
a 5 session course in Pranayamafrom
Mon 4th October to Fri 8th October 2004
Evening Session:-6.00 pm to 7.00 pm
A senior Trained Yoga Instructor from Bangalore will be conducting the course
at 91A Frankel Avenue.
Fees: S$ 50 for the 5-session course.
Seats limited to 20 per session.
Please register early at Tel: 62441268