May 30 Day Challenge "Post Mortem"

As morbid as the title may seem, it is THE exact opposite. There were tons of sweat, playful banter of laughter and fruitful time spent all mixed into the May 30 Day Challenge and it turned out GREAT!

I would first of all like to congratulate each and everyone of the participants and hope they will carry on each of their individual Yoga journey.

The beautiful thing about Yoga is that it is for everyone and it can be learnt from any teacher anywhere in the world. Unlike other activities that may confined you to learn from the best of the best.

I would now like to present to you the May 30 Day Challenge Participants Feedback

*Note: They are in no specific order or preference.

Karen Leu: I think my body's flexibility has increased and my pimples and acne on my face has gotten lesser too!! :)

Liza: Overall, a good program. I never expect that I can really sweat that much just by doing Yoga. Lily is a good instructor, very systematic approach towards the sequence and stretching thereafter. Looking forward to the next challenge.

Jayne Lee: Although this time, the routine is not as fun and "flowy" as the previous 30 Day Challenge, I still enjoyed myself. Lily has amazing abilities to pace the routine within the hour to make it enjoyable. I look forward to the next challenge. :)

Alice Er: This month's sequence made me feel fitter and relaxed after the exercise. As I changed to the morning regime from my usual evening regime, I have had a deeper sleep. Body feels much toner especially the arms and thighs.

Dhamiri: The 30 Day Yoga Challenge has improved my body strength tremendously. My arms, shoulders, abs, thighs, lower back have become lean and firm and it helps me in my capoeira training. My balancing has also improved. The food diet has benefited me as it is so delicious and yummy. When I first started the challenge, I found it difficult but after a while I got used to the "flow". I regularly do Yoga at Celebrity Fitness and I also found it easier to do the poses after attending the workouts at Sun Yoga. Finally, the teachers were great too and cheers to them all.

Jassy: This is my 3rd 30 Day Challenge. This round we have a new sequence, which focused a lot on hip opening, forward bend and chest opening. At the beginning, the sequence seemed not in syn as there are sit down postures followed by standing postures and then sit down postures again. But as we moved into the 2nd week, the postures seem to complement each other. By the 3rd week, some of the balancing postures that I was struggling in the beginning, such as the half moon, I could do it quite effortlessly now. All I can say is, overall the new sequences are remarkable. The saying "Never judge the book by its cover" is just so true here. The 30 Day Challenge is a good way to ensure we get the daily exercise dosage, and I enjoyed every minute of the 1hr yoga practice. As usual Lily & Erin are still at the best. Keep up the good work! Will miss Erin's healthy meals until next 30 Day Challenge, which I hope we don't have to wait too long. Namaste, till the next 30 Day Challenge =)

Shashi: Found classes to be good. I think my stamina has increased. Felt good after classes. Would have preferred to have fully trained instructors for all classes, though some of the trainers were okay but they did not help us in our moves step by step. Otherwise it was a good 30 Days Challenge.

Chris Chey: I am so glad that I enrolled myself into this 30 Days Challenge. My initial thought at the start of the challenge of was to get slimmer but what I actually achieved at the end of the challenge was definitely beyond my expectations. I can feel my body is much slimmer and firmer. Generally, I have much more strength and of course, flexible now. You should see how I struggled on my first day. Mentally, I am more confident in myself and feel more motivated not only in my fitness but also my day-to-day life. What I have learnt: There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it. "If you can't balance today like others, it doesn't mean you can never do it. It might take more effort and a longer time; eventually you'll still get there. Erin is a great Yoga teacher as well as a friend (she cooks really well too). I did not attend all the 30 classes (which I should have) but yet I can feel a great change in my physical self and mentally. I am definitely looking forward for my next 30 Day Challenge! Do keep the night classes, ya?

May 2010 challenge is here

May 2010 challenge is here. There are some changes to the new challenge. First of all is the sequence. This sequence is put together by Teddy, who is physiotherapy at SunYoga USA. The new sequence is direct and focused, and and just as challenging as the 1st sequence. Within 15 minutes, everyone is drenched in sweat.

I will be making salads and smoothies as part of the programme starting this Sunday! I am excited and apprehensive, as the last challenge. Excited to be exploring further than my limit and apprehensive coz not sure of the response. :)

Dr.Jacqueline Koay has been training her trainee for this May 2010 challenge and they have practised really hard since they were told that they have to teach. They have gotten their first round of feedback. We learn from feed backs. They are really passionate and eager to share.

I shall end this post with pictures of the coming menu :

Smoothies

Assorted Salads

Feedback from January 2010 challenger

Preet Kaur :

1. Very good programme
2. Challenging and easy at different angles
3. Build my personal practice
4. Build my stamina
5. Open my pores, so now I tend to swear more as I move the right muscles
6. Good Fun! Well done to Erin and Lily
7. Yummy food
8. Perhaps another set if asanas for this programme so repeat practitioners do not get bored and can join again and again.

Ee Lin :

This is my 2nd 30-day challenge. I've noticed improvement in terms of strengths and endurance at my abdomen area although I do not think I have dropped a waist size. I'm somewhat thrilled that the abdominal exercises that seemed near impossible at first is now about holding it longer. Although physically spent, I feel well-stretched and relaxed after each class. What makes it encouraging is that you'll notice that your body will eventually adjust and a few difficult poses that seemed so hard just to get into will become a challenge of endurance. Having said that, CNY is just around the corner, it doesn't help that people keep plying us with pineapple tarts and dinner invitations one after another. Sunyoga should organise a post CNY 30-day challenge.

Tan Pei Ling :

1. Good workout especially the 'leg raise'
2. Continue to have 7.30am class
3. Future 30-day challenge - different asanas but with similar aims/targets

Teoh Choi Yian :

Overall I have improved my stamina but unfortunately I did not go through the 30-day challenge which I regretted. Slight improvement on body tone. I believe if I have completed the 30 days, my body tone should have improved more.

Tan Saw Bee (Mrs. Sia) :

Before I took up yoga, I thought it was a very slow exercise and I prefer to go to gym for workout.
However, after this 30-day challenge programme, I have had an entire new perspective on yoga. My back pain and shoulder pain had gone. I find myself a little fitter (more tone up).

The trainers Lily and Erin are very dedicated.

Overall I am happy with the result and thanks to both Lily and Erin. I will definitely like to carry on yoga practise.

Jayne Lee :

Although I signed up 30-day challenge last minute (I was the last to sign up) and what I considered a rash decision, I'm so grateful I did. I was feeling very lethargic from all the eating in the month of December and lack of consistent yoga exercise due to my travelling and public holidays (fridays :(). I wanted to grow in my level of fitness, to build stronger muscles as I felt I could not do some of the yoga poses due to my lack of strength and lastly as a personal challenge - to persevere through the aches and be disciplined in my routine.

I had so much fun despite all the struggles (feeling breathless, shaking legs and core muscles and aches from all over my body). I felt my stamina improved after the 1st week and then of course, 3rd week and 4th week with longer holding time (a killer!). I felt stringer and more energetic throughout the day. The challenge to hold on longer made me want to push myself a little more and I'm glad Lily did it gradually. Overall, it was a really great experience for me, as a 1st timer - I will definitely join again and will certainly miss my morning routine!

Nicky Zammit :

I have lover the challenge, it has been a great beginning on the journey of yoga, although I have been practising for several years. coming to class everyday has made a massive difference in several ways. Firstly from a discipline point of view. I am not stretching at home as well as in class, so the prospect of self practise is looking brighter!

Flexibilty has improved and definitely strengthen.

Keeping to the routine of the sequence ad postures has been helpful, in the respect of gaining focus and concentration, but also in noticing small improvements.

I would like to incorporate one inversion at the end of the sequence though, headstand or shoulder stand, just for calming down before relaxation.

The handout with the names in sanskrit was great and very helpful.

I have really enjoyed every minute, it has been an extremely positive experience that has bought many benefits.

Thank you so much to all involved - OM Shanti

Alice Er :

1. Improved in flexibilty
2. Increase in stamina
3. Better awareness in body posture
4. Built muscles and thus feel fitter

Jassy Cheam :

This is my 2nd time taking up the 30-day yoga challenge, and it still feels great.

Both teachers, Lily and Erin are just marvelous. Lily leading the morning classes invigorates you with a faster pace, while Erin in the evening classes moving on slower pace helps you to slow down and let go of all the stress during the day. They just complement each other.

What do I feel/experience in the 2nd 30-day challenge? Well, doing it the 2nd time gives me more awareness of my yoga movements. With the familiarity gained, I could have the time to think and correct my yoga postures at each movement, unlike in the 1st challenge; I was struggling just to keep up with each posture. Also, with the awareness to my body, sub-consciously, I tend to prefer fruits and vegetables in my meal. I can't explain why this is happening. Could it be perhaps, after all the hard work, I feel guilty putting meat into my mouth or could it be that now I appreciate my body more and opt for healthier food? Well, i don't think I will become a vegan but I'm sure have been eating more greens and fruits now than what i had previously. So, it's a good thing, I guess.

With all these changes, now I am looking forward to what I will experience in my next 30-day challenge! So, Erin - when is the next 30-day challenge? Help, I'm hooked... :)

Yummy food for the soul

SunYoga Soul Not Bucks Cafe Menu

No, we are no chef. But we put in the effort and create the menu for this 30-day challenge with a variety of salads, smoothies and soup. They are healthy food for the soul.

Monday : Couscous salad

Tuesday : Smoothies

Wednesday : Hummus and Salsa wrap

Thurday : Fruits Salad

Friday : Hearty Jackfruit Salad

Saturday : Fruitti Smoothies

Sunday : Minestrone soup

So while you put in the effort and commit to this challenge, we contribute by making you healthy meals that will make it more worthwhile. Some recipes are found, some borrowed, some are from friends. They are the favourites so we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Namaste

A New Challenge Has Dawn

Jan 9th, the magical day where our participants appeared at Sunyoga. The sun was shinning brightly into the studio, the birds were singing their song, rustling of the tree leaves as the wind gently caressing them. Our participants starting to stream in packed with enthusiasm and energy to begin what would be a transformation, not only for their bodies but their mind and soul as well. Measurements were taken, laughter and giggles were shared, questions were answered and shortly after it all began with a sense of euphoria. Well for me that is. *winks*

With this I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our participants to the new 30 Day Challenge in this beautiful year 2010. The year of the tiger, may we attack opportunities with strength and vigor yet navigate the year's troubles away with stealth and precision.

Let everyone be Deeply Love, Truly Blessed and Highly Favoured,

Love,

Erin