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

What the November challenger has to say about the 30-day challenge

Jassy Cheam:

Whoever came up with this 30-day challenge idea is brilliant!

The demo class by Jacqueline was so fun... bend and kiss your knees muuaks muuaks :).. I knew I would be enhoying the 30 day classes. Not knowing now, I'm actually looking forward to join another 30-day challenge!

The effects I get from the 30-day yoga?.. I attended the morning sessions more than the evening classes. And my routine was waking up at 6.30 am for the 7.30 am yoga session, go to work and go back home only around midnight. Coincidentally this month, i had to work with only a couple of rest days. So, the same cycle repeats daily. What surprises me is, I found I has more energy than ever. And I smile more :), and easily too :). I walk with better posture now, and I can feel the force of energy within. I really didn't expect these. The feeling is just WOW...

Thank you Erin for sharing with us the book by David Byck "It's a LONG way to the Floor". And excellent book.

Thank you Indra for the extra tips and different ways to enhance our flexibility. And of course not forgetting the yummy food and smoothies. Didn't know healthy food can taste so yummy!

Kudos to Erin and Indra. Both are marvelous teachers! Their calm, soothing voice is a magnet!

I can't wait for the next class, and I will definitely return for more!

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Gan Siok San :

1. To complete the 30 days is a challenge. Try not to miss a single day as it is easier to give onself excuses once you start missing a lesson.

2. The combination of 2 instructors makes it interesting as they have their individual style/approach (not so boring).

3. The methodoly and repetitive ways Erin approaches makes it easy to remeber the steps. The holding 1 minutes for a particular pose, I am sure, is very good for some muscles but is very strenuous on my old bones and muscles ha! ha!. Wonder if anybody really holds 1 minute! Thanks for reminding us which part of our body is getting slimmer!!

4. The creative way that Indra approaches make yoga more of an Art. It makes the class interesting as I feel that yoga is like a continuous flow... but when I go back, I realise that hey! I have worked some hidden muscles!

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Wong Ching Yee :

I have enjoyed all the sessions that I've attended (yes.. unfortunately it was not all 30 :)). Each session has kept me 'rejuvenated' throughout the day, and looking forward to the next.

Thank you Erin and Indra! :)

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Zaileen Hashim :

- Good class

- Able to lift legs now without difficulty

- Food is delicious too!

Will definitely come back to do class to lose weight.

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Angie Lim :

These 30 days has "open" my eyes for yoga (one who knows nothing about it).

Enjoy every moment though feeling "tired" the last week of the month (due t0 my hectic working activities).

The last 3 weeks, I am contented that my arms are more toned (even muscles! :)). The waist line not so flabby and so is the area around the underarm.

Enjoyed the smoothies and the healthy food prepared by Indra!!!

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Shahnaz Baharuden :

I feel like the biggest challenge is making time to come everyday, especially since my working schedule is not fixed. However, I've discovered that I am still quite flexible and able to do most of the poses despite not doing yoga for a while. I do see myself improving day by day.

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Foo Kuhan :

- Although I've got the worse truancy record, it's a good workout. Cover all bases.

- Speed in class sometimes slow and when it's a daily occasion tends to get boring ( at the beginning 2 weeks).

- Good to use on away trips like me.

- Not all moves used in classes (seemed to alternate. Maybe I missed something?)

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Jessie Chew :

Joining the 30-day Yoga Challenge helped me "kick-start" yoga back into my life. I stopped yoga 2 years back due to a hectic lifestyle. The instanteneous difference I felt was peaceful & sound sleep.

Indra and Erin are warm and dedicated instructors. They make the sessions relaxed yet effective. I will miss Indra when she takes her 1-year leave of abscence. I intend to resume weekly yoga after the Xmas/New Year hols.

Thank you, Indra & Erin for helping me resume yoga again

Namaste

Jessie

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Vivian Lee :

First would like to say thank you to Indra & Erin at SunYoga. This yoga challenge programme is great for beginner. I has never done yoga prior to my experience with SunYoga. Yoga has changed my life and reduce my health problem on my medication.

My posture has improved a bit and I am getting my shape and waist back. I've lost some weight just a little bit only. I think about 1.5kg because I sweat a lot but my legs still not that strong and muscles not that tone. Maybe coz it is just a 30-day challenge. In the meantime, I will keep up my yoga everyday in the morning and also now. I think I can do it on my own for the next month at home.

I completely enjoyed it. I wish Indra could teach me again but she is away in year 2010.

The teacher teaching is fantastic and it was great to take your class. Than Indra and also thanks for all the vegetarian food and smoothies drinks. It really help on my health problem.

Thank you so much, Indra and Erin. Wish there will be another day in January 2010 but I prefer morning class ya haha.

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Araventh :

I'm really glad that I came for this 30-day challenge, as it has kept me to a habitual programme and made me resist the temptation of taking a break. This programme has made more more disciplined and made me manage time effectively. I came from Subang Jaya so I have to be here by 7am so that i skip the LDP traffic jam, so basically I have to wake up at 6am. After going through this programme also, I have become more flexible, more energetic and enthusiastic as well. I think I have lost a bit of weight, and my body has become more toned and stronger. The instructors, Indra and Erin, are very helpful and has guided me without fail. The whole class have thoroughly enjoyed the teachings and the humour/jokes that comes between teachings. Too bad Miss Indra is leaving and Ms. Erin has be in charge :). If there was a December session, I would have definitely joined, but too bad. Maybe I will join the January session if everything permits. Last but not least, SunYoga rocks!! Keep up the good work!

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Thara Anisha :

It was fun and different learning yoga. Indra and Erin were good instructors, they made the poses feel easier with guidance throughout the weeks. Oh and the food that Indra made were delicious and very mouth watering. Furthermore out of all the sports I have participated in school and etc, not one of them made me sweat as much as yoga. And yoga definitely made me more flexible.

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Farah Hashim :

Wow! Yoga is very interesting! After many years of NO EXERCISE!! This was an amazing choice for a fitness regime.

Initial aches and pains eased into ooh! and aahs!! as the body became more flexible.

Loce the food Indra! Hopefully will be able to purchase future concoctions!! Can't wait for new tasks!!

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Carlmen Then :

- Definitely stronger and leaner arms

- Fun place to work out with a bunch or friendly people and nice 'gung ho' teacher.

Thank you and congrats November challenger

Time flies, seems like it was just just yesterday when we had the demo class for October batch and followed by demo for November batch.

I had an awesome time practicing with you all, the humour, laughter and enjoying every moment of it. The enthusiasm prolonged til the last day, and many making self practice as a must daily from now on, while others making plans to attend regular yoga classes.

Everyone of them who attended the programme had an intention and aim and no two aims are the same. Be it a stepping stone to start your yoga practice, to strengthen and tone, to destress, for peace of mind, joy or love etc, I believe some aim has been met and I am very pleased to know that. You need to start somewhere and I believe the 30-day programme is as effective as it can be, and more.

I will post the November testimonial shortly.

Thank you for taking part and believing in what we are trying to achieve at Sun Yoga.

A little Gathering this sunday 6th Dec

Dear Practitioners and teachers,
after the Nov batch of 30 days yoga challenge, i think its a good time to do some gathering :)

I have organised this sunday 6th dec 10-11am just a little time to meet each other and have a sharing moment. what do you think?

this will be my last chance to catch up with you too, take some pic before leaving on sunday midnite. I hope you can make it.

Im coming back on April for workshop and classes...see you soon!

Sat Nam