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New Decade!

“Wow, I’m with you for 30 years. I’m so thankful. Thank you, my body”.

That’s what I felt when I turned 30. I was meditating in the morning before heading to the training. I felt my cells were vibrating for celebration.

My 30th birthday was a special one. I decided to fly to Boulder Colorado for a training with my teacher Amy Ippoliti. It was a birthday gift from my parents and husband.

I remember it was so sunny and warm (20 degrees!), I felt so much joy and happiness inside of my heart and body on Day 3 of the training. We practiced deep backbends and assists. I was stoked how much I went deeper into each pose with her instructions and help of my new 90 monkey friends until Amy said “let’s practice drop backs!”.

I injured myself 8 years ago when I did so much flexion like Pachimotonasana without engagement of my core. My lumber disc popped. I was in bed rest for few days but I gradually got better, as you can see I can do most of Asanas without pain free but backbends were the scary thing to me.

I always dreamed of doing drop backs. It looked fancy also I couldn’t believe that human body bends that much! 5 years ago in Bali, I felt ready. Ready to practice a drop back and my teacher at the time saw that I was ready too. As she assisted me, I lost my strength in my legs. I couldn’t stand up from Urdhva D to Tadasana. It wasn’t her fault, it’s mine. My fear of backbend won over my excitement. Since then, whenever I tried to do a deep backbend, I told myself - I’m injured. I can’t do it. If I do, I will break my body AGAIN.

When Amy called out for a dropback, my heart sank. I felt my heart racing and tears began to rose. But this time, I didn’t want my fear to win. I wanted to conquer my fear and rise above. I wanted to try despite of my past injury and mental limitation.

I told about my experience to her and my new friends. Amy asked if I could give it a try. I was already crying because I was so so so scared but I stood up. I was shaking then she looked me in my eyes and said

“Do you trust me right? I won’t let you go”

So I did it. Despite of the fear I was feeling, I listened to her instruction and I trusted myself that I can do it. From standing, I dropped into wheel. From wheel, I stood up, with her help. I couldn’t believe that I can do that. But it wasn’t only my power or strength it got me through, it’s because I trusted Amy also there were 26 of my monkey friends that they were cheering me on and knowing that I can go through. After I succeeded to standup, I got hugged by friends, got kissed, got passed tissue box and everyone’s eyes were filled with such kindness. I was blown away of their sweetness.

This was my entry to 30s. Doesn’t it empowering? Yes it was. And what I wished for my new decade is to empower for myself. I have doubts creep up to my heart every now and then. But every year goes by and I feel more assured to be me as an authentic self. I want to be receptive to infinite possibilities. Possibilities of what my body and mind can do so that I can show up to the world everyday as the best version of me.

I received so many birthday wishes. I spoke to my husband on the phone in the morning. I went for breakfast with my friends before the training. I had an amazing weekend at 90 monkeys. I had fun dinner with my friends. What can I ask for more? Nothing. I’m filled with gratitude.

I feel incredibly lucky to be born in my body with my spirit.

Hello 30s. I can’t wait for more adventure.

First, Nicaragua in a month. Second, Toronto in a month.

Third, most likely another training with my teacher Amy in later this year!

Listen.

Am I listening to my heart’s longing?

What can I hear? What is my heart whispering to me?

The end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 had been incredibly challenging. Things are changing inside of me. I’m stepping into my thirties in a month. As I get excited to my new adventure of the new age, I needed to make certain decisions in my life. I wasn’t ready to listen to the whisper of my heart for few weeks even the heart was speaking to me. Changes are scary. But I finally did it, I made my decisions and I feel amazing.

Teaching Yoga has been really great. It’s been 8 years since I became a teacher. It’s been 6 years since I’ve been a freelance full-time teacher. It brought so much joy and fulfillments in my life. As I look back this 8 years of my journey as a role of teacher, I accomplished a lot of things. But to tell you the truth, I feel burnt out. Running from one studio to another, teaching over 10 classes a week, often seeing 150+ people a day, trying to sustain my own business, taking care of emails, coming up with events, preparing it, and marketing strategies. On top of that trying to fit my own spiritual journey, my own Yoga practice, and dealing with health issues. After many years of repetitive motions, my life became unsustainable.

How can I live with the speed of this life? I can’t. I struggle to practice. Believe it or not, I struggle to teach. Once this job was the one thing it excited me to get up in the morning, once this practice was the one thing I relied to keep my healthy heart, but now, I struggled to stand up in front of students. I’m teaching but I feel preaching.

I listened to students who recently graduated from teacher trainings and started teaching. They have such sparks in their eyes when they speak about their passion. They are so excited about this new adventure as a role of teacher. I used to be like them. I used to have that shine and sparks. But now, I feel I’m a dusty lady. Maybe it’s a process to be an experienced seasoned teacher. But for me, this is painful. It hurts so much that I started to feel I want to quite. I wanted to quite completely that I can just be a student again.

Maybe I just love Yoga too much. My spiritual growth is so important than my career itself. My passion became my job and I don’t know anymore to coexists these two.

So I listened. I listened to my heart so deeply. I had help from friends and my spiritual guides. And I finally heard the voice of my heart.

Soon or later, you will see me teaching less. I will cherish our time together more than ever, because it’s important and precious. You might see me in different occasions though but not in teaching. I’ve decided this year to be my nourishment year. I’m going to take time to study with teachers I respect. Read books. Establish routines. And practice. Practice like a student rather than “I have to practice” mentality. I want to be a student again. I want to fall in love with Yoga. I want to reconnect what Yoga had offered me once before. I’m not sure I will lead a workshop, another retreat... or a training. Things are unknown. I can’t answer that right now. I’m going to take time off for my selfish reasons. Because I need to. If I don’t, I will hate my passion. And I know it. That’s the last thing I want.

Throughout this decision making, I told myself many time “if I say no to this person, I will make him/her very upset”. Listening to my own truth is so important than pleasing others. Trusting to my inner voice and being able to make decisions because of my heart’s longing is golden. If I tell my truth from my heart, they will understand, like this blog post.

2017, you did it. You helped me to make decisions.

I’m proud of myself. This is my honesty.

This photo was taken in 2009 few days before the graduation ceremony for my first 200h training.

Intentions, Goals, and Treats.

I’m sitting on the couch, looking out the window as the snow falls beautifully, I’m wondering how could 2016 passed so quickly. I felt like from September onwards, the time flu so rapidly, I lost the count of days and months. I didn’t even have my Christmas spirit on until the 24th! (And Christmas is already over!)

Whenever the new year is starting, I always get my hopes up for improvements in my health, relationships, work and travel. It has a sense of I can start everything fresh when the clock hits January 1st. Everything feels brand new and beautiful. It feels like I am a super woman that I can accomplished whatever I have my eyes on. As you might know, I’m a goal crusher and intention setter. Although I already sat down and reviewed my year 2016 and have a broader vision for the near year to come, I begin to tackle the bigger picture - my BRAIN.

How can I stay motivated and inspired even though I fall off from the intentions and plans?

Setting intentions are easier and follow throughs the promises I made for myself. I realized as I created my favourite Vision Flow Workshops, I’ve noticed that visualizing realistic goals are much more important than just saying ‘get up early’, for example. I need to ask myself: why I need to get up early, what’s the benefits, what can I accomplish by doing so, and what do I get as a treat?And I find accomplishing goals are far easier than changing habits. Habits are so ingrained in my daily life, once I fall off from the track, it gets a lot harder to get back on. (I made an intention early this month to go to the gym at least twice a week. Then I got sick, then Christmas came, then work got busy. Blah blah blah. Excuses. I’m being super honest here. No judgment, please)

I was listening to a podcast called New Belief New Brain by Lisa Wimberger, and she talks about the pleasure hormone - dopamine. She gives an example about opening a gift. Our brain gets high dose of dopamine right before opening a gift, not when we opened the gift. She explains that we need to keep stimulating our brain and release dopamine as often as we can, in order for us to achieving our goals and changing habits. Let’s say if I want to change my way of thinking about my body image, which I have difficulty accepting, instead of setting an intention to lose 5kg by the end of March, making weekly goal like go to the gym twice a week and eat healthy breakfast at least three times a week. And if I achieve these weekly goals, I can have a treat - a cup of coffee at my favourite cafe. My brain has something to look forward to, rather than wanting to achieve a goal in 3 months.

I have a project coming up from the day before the New Year’s Eve. I recently got gifted a book called “The Life-Chaning Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo. I looked around my house and said ‘God! How did all these thing accumulated!’. I moved back to Montreal with a suitcase and a 40L backpack but now I have probably more than 5 suitcase of belongings. I blindly purchased many material and digital objects. So I have 2 days long decluttering journey from the 30th. I wonder how my house looks like after the cleaning up.

I’m going to sit with my Passion Planner, favourite pens and questions. I’m going to think what kind of habits and goals I want to create in 2017, small steps I can take, and what are weekly treats I as a rewards.

Please let me know your thoughts about this subjects, I’m always looking forward to share ideas with everyone :) Happy New Year everyone.

Asami

Successful Yoga Career

Over a year, I’ve taken Yoga business courses, read books about how to be a successful and well-established Yoga teacher. We often treat teaching Yoga as a hobby than a profession. Maybe it’s because we can easily become a Yoga teacher taking a 200 hour teacher training. To live in this competitive world of Yoga teachers and industry, we need strategies and commitment to our path.

I did my first training in 2009. Yoga was already popular by then but it wasn’t like this. There were few big studios here and there. Training was popular but I only had to choose from two instead of hundreds. Although it was hard to find a teaching job right away after graduating from it, but there weren’t many competition. It didn’t matter how many Instagram followers you had back then.

Fast forward 2016, I’m not sure how many Yoga studios had opened within these years and I’m not sure how many Yoga teachers I would encounter if I go to a coffee shop. Montreal isn’t a big city but I feel like I would bump into someone who have taken a Yoga class, training or doing Yoga regularly is so common. It’s a good thing, right? Yoga is for everyone and I strongly believe everyone can benefit from this practice. If more people are practicing Yoga, the world will become a better place. (I’m writing this on election day in the States)

But I see the struggles. Recent graduates want to become full-time Yoga teachers but having hard time to find jobs. If they find jobs, the pay starts from $20-$35 per class. Many teachers I know, they travel across the city to teach in multiple places. We learn in Yoga that to take care of ourselves but often we are the one who are struggling with burnout.

Defining successful is difficult. Because if you believe teaching one class per week, because you have your full-time job, but giving your 100% to teach and be there for your students means success to you is gold. But some teachers have to teach 12-20 classes per week so that they can make their ends meets to pay rent, credit card payment and continue to study with a teacher. Life can be expensive! On top of it, they need to practice to keep inspiring themselves so that they can teach from our experience.

Is this kind of life style sustainable? Short term, yes. Long term, no.

If you are young and have lots of energy to travel around the city, you could survive like this for few years. But if you continue to teach like that, I believe you will burnout. Love for Yoga is still there but you probably feel tired everyday and sleep instead of practice. Believe me, I went through burnout 3 years ago. I know how it feels.

So then, how can you be economically sustainable and fill yourself with vibrant energy? Here are my suggestions and things I applied this year to make shifts. First, if you have a full time job, don’t quite just yet.

Vision. Define success in your own words. What do you mean to be successful? How many classes do you want to teach? What kind of clients do you want to attract? Events? Workshops? Retreats? What’s your income stream? What kind of Yoga teacher do you want to be? Be specific with your goals.

Calculate. Given the salary you get, what’s your spending? Is there anything you can cut? Can you save? As freelance Yoga teachers, we don’t have insurance or sick leaves. Can you commit to yourself to save 5-10% of your income for emergency or continuing education? If you need to teach x amount of number of classes, where do you want to teach?

Practice and educate yourself. Practice with your favourite teachers. It could be attending a studio class at places you teach. Or subscribe to online platform of Yoga classes. I personally love Yogaglo. And read. Read books that you are passionate about. Attend workshops, festivals, and organize a practice with fellow teachers.

Walk the talk. Speak your authentic truth! With all the things you wrote down about your Vision. What can you do to take actions? In order for you to be the person and teacher you want to become, what can you do? Can you be the person you want to become? Be authentic, be vulnerable.. BE YOU! This is the key to attract like minded people around you!

Do what you love once a day! If you can, do something non-Yoga related. We identify ourselves with Yoga too much and too often. Yes Yoga becomes our life and that’s how we live, but sometimes we gotta have fun and enjoy. Do you like being the nature? Go outside and smell trees. You love cooking? Bake something. If you have only 10 minutes a day, then cuddle your partner, pet or yourself. Dedicate your time completely to unplug unwind when you are not working.

I did these steps early this year in April, and wow. Really wow. I did see a huge shift in my career. First, I left a studio where it wasn’t serving me. I couldn’t spread my energy too thin because my body needed to spend time in rest. Even though I did leave the studio, my income didn’t go down because I hosted events, workshops, and retreats. Also I asked to increase my number of classes at a certain studio so that I can be at one place without traveling. I spent over $600 worth of online continuing education this year. It wasn’t only about learning Asanas but it was more about enhancing my career. And I paid everything off with my salary. My second retreat is sold out after launching it in 10 days because I spoke what my value is as a person and a Yoga practitioner. And I really do what I love everyday. Simplest thing as walking or grabbing a coffee at a favourite cafe. Cuddling with my hubby. Hitting the gym. Whatever I do, it helps me to shift my prospectives when I’m at my desk writing, preparing, and doing my computer work!

If you are a new teacher, don’t rush. I see many teachers wanting to do everything like workshops and retreats. I’m a slow bloomer but it took some time to build my cliental but first of all, knowing myself as a teacher! When you know what you can offer, these events will unfold naturally. Your students will ask you, when is your next retreat? That’s a sign!

I hope this helps you to thrive!

Asami

Sources:

90 monkeys - 90 minutes to change the world or Teaching Yoga in Digital Age

The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga by Amy Ippoliti

Creative Visualization

Hidden Emotion

One thing it changed the most in 2016 is that I now have steady meditation practice. I said it to myself over and over that I wanted to sit daily. But I failed to do so because of the lack of commitment. Sitting in meditation was so necessary to deepen my spiritual practice and understand my deep hidden emotions.

I’ve tried different techniques over the year. Visualization, Vipassana style, chanting, affirmations, goddess meditation... each technique helped me in a different way. I changed how I want to practice according to my mood and intention.

Few weeks ago, I had a minor argument with my husband. It was close to the full moon and my emotion was up and down. My usual reaction towards arguments is raging and crying. I was desperate for him to understand me through yelling at him but I couldn’t use proper words to explain my emotion because I was angry. So I went. I went to my cushion despite of my anger. I sat down to meditate.

As I sat to meditate, my breath started to soften. My anger began to dissolve as I chanted “I forgive you” repeatedly. I wasn’t chanting towards my husband to forgive. I was chanting for myself and my emotion as the way to accept what was happening inside.

I asked myself “what’s going on? What kind of emotion is resting inside of me beneath this anger?”. Interestingly enough the answer began to reveal itself. I wasn’t angry. I was sad. I felt rejected and dismissed. That was my hidden emotion under the anger. Again I spoke to myself kindly and told “I accept my emotion as it is”.

After few minutes of accepting my emotions, I felt ready to spoke to my husband and tell him how I felt. Not angry but felt rejected. The discussion went smoother than I thought because I knew what my emotion was. I felt there was a step forward in my relationship with meditation. Now I know how to guide myself to know my hidden emotion, motivation and desire.

Meditation isn’t only about relaxing your nervous system, it’s to understand your mind to know why you do what you do!

Happy meditation xoxo

Asami

Disconnect to Connect.

It’s been 2 months since I took Notifications off from my phone. I kept saying to myself this Yoga industry is competitive. During my vacation in Japan, I wanted to disconnect as much as I can to be in the present moment to spend time with my hubby, family and friends.

I’m not going to lie, I was a major addict to my phone especially Facebook and Instagram. Whenever I felt bored, I just tapped the icons to browse what’s going in my friends’ life and the world. Although for someone like me who have lived in different parts of the world, these social media are great to connect. But something was so off. I felt disconnected from my soul more than ever, even though I was connected to my devices.

Interestingly enough, when I don’t see the red round notification hovering on my Facebook or Instagram icons, I’m not interested to open the apps. I know if friends want to reach me, they will email me or send me a text. I find myself I have control over my time. I look outside of windows enjoy the seasonal changes on the bus, listening to educational podcasts, or just to organize my thoughts when I’m commuting instead of diving head first to my iPhone.

Scientific studies are showing humans have less attention span than goldfish. Internet and smartphone is reshaping how we can think deeply and making us less empathetic. Yeah, it’s wow. (Click here to read the article)

Isn’t Yoga about being in the present moment? When was the last time we took our books and dove into the stories? Can we just stay with each others’ conversations without checking our phones constantly?

I’m not saying I’m better now, I actually catch myself browsing Internet without any purpose even though I could be studying, writing, meditating, yoga-ing, walking in the woods... I can now pull myself out of the this habit and say “okay, time to move on”.

So here are some suggestions if you want to change your habits with social media and your phone/Internet.

Uninstall unnecessary social media apps. (I uninstalled Snapchat and What’sUp)

Take off notifications from apps you feel addicted too. (I did for Facebook and Instagram. I still have Messenger App running but I don’t know who sent me a message. No buzz or sound)

Turn on Do Not Disturb mode when you are working or having a date night with friends and family.

Turn on Airplane mode when you go to bed! (Leaking electromagnetic wave can cause muscle tension, sleep interruptions, and more. Read this article and search!)

If you want to browse through social media, set a timer so that you can track how many minutes you are on.

These are new habits I implemented. And I TELL YOU, I’m really changing. I have more time to cook, clean, read, write, meditate, Yoga, meaningful conversations... name it. I don’t feel that Yoga industry is competitive anymore. I don’t feel depressed about comparing myself to others. BECAUSE I DON’T LOOK AT IT. As a freelance Yoga teacher, I know social media is a big thing now. But before promoting myself, I wanted to connect with myself more authentically and use social media wisely.

I hope this blog helps you to disconnect to connect.

Love,

Asami

How to Practice Mantra Meditation

I’ve been practicing Mantra meditation since I return home from Japan. I find it’s easy and powerful way to quite the mind and empower ourselves. Reciting mantra has beautiful vibrational effect also it helps me to shift my prospectives especially when I’m using a powerful statement.

Here is the step by step instruction to practice.

Come to a comfortable seat, your spine is uplifted. Make sure you can sit here for good 5-10 minutes during the meditation. Take few exhales out through your mouth to center yourself. Close your eyes.

Hold your mala bead with your right hand. Drape your mala between your right middle and index finger. Start counting the bead from the guru bead (the biggest one at the bottom) and counting the smaller bead with your thumb while reciting your mantra. Pull the bead towards you. Repeat this 108 times until you return to the guru bead. You can recite the mantra quietly or out loud.

If you want to continue the meditation, skip the guru bead and reverse the mala to start over again.

The question is how do you pick your mantra? You can pick whatever the mantra you want to use. You can use Om or Om Nama Shivaya or you can create your own. Currently I’m using “I AM WORTHY” and “I AM LIGHT” during my meditation. I love the pulsing energy I receive from reciting. It’s warm and fuzzy! I feel calm but energized and settled after this meditation.

Where do you get Mala? I personally like getting my Malas from my friend Tara who is the founder of Samastah Mala. Not only her creations are beautiful, she pours her heart and soul into her Malas. When you are practicing meditation, your heart and conscious is open, you want to use a mala which has good energy.

I hope you enjoy practicing.

Love x

Asami

Who Are You?

10 years ago when I fell in love with Yoga, the practice was my refuge. It was the time I could escape from my busy student’s life, also the time I felt I was accepted by others and myself. Fast forward 10 years later, Yoga became everything I identified. It’s the way of my life. My profession, my business, my eating habits, things I talked with my friends... my life is revolved around Yoga.

During the month of August, my hubby and I went on a trip to Japan. I was desperately in need of vacation as I felt I was burning both side of candles. I needed to travel and be away from the city but at the same time, I needed a break from my Yoga.

As a Yogi, we ask ourselves ‘who am I?’ or ‘what’s my life’s purpose?’ continuously as we evolve. Yoga shines a light in our mind and heart what are the most important things in our lives.

However when the ancient tradition get mixed with multibillion industry and thousands of Yoga teachers wanting to be “successful”, it becomes interesting.

As much as I love Yoga, as much as I wanted to practice and become a better person, I was tired and I needed to disconnect from my job. I was tired to be a Yoga teacher.

I enjoyed being nobody while traveling. Nobody knew I practiced Yoga or taught Yoga. I walked in the nature, ate delicious food, and had beautiful heart felt conversations with my hubby. I didn’t bring my mat. I had no intention to step into a Yoga studio. I had a book to read but I ended up reading 2 pages of it. I questioned myself why did I make myself available in public, why did I pressure myself to be “successful” or well-known, and first of all... why did I decide to practice and teach this practice? I remembered that moment in my life, I saw myself in the mirror into my eyes, I just wanted to heal and be accepted. I remembered the time during the teacher training, Yoga revealed so much to me that I have love inside of me.

I’m writing this so this can be my reminder to stay true to myself. It doesn’t matter how many Yoga teachers are in the city or in the world, everyone has a place to shine. If I become caught into the rat race of being a “successful” Yoga teacher, I want to remind myself to step back and stop comparing myself to others. And just be me.

Who I am?

I’m me. I’m a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, friend, wife and a partner.

What’s my life’s purpose?

To become a better person and to be the service for others.

As I visited numbers of shines and temples in Japan, I prayed. I prayed for my family’s health and for our future family. Never in my prayer, to be successful in my career didn’t cross my mind because that isn’t the fruit of my actions and purpose of my life.

Over identifying ourselves with something or someone causes suffering. During the trip, I questioned my identity and realized what’s important to me in my life. The answer was so simple yet profound.

It was/is/will be always inside of my heart. I just needed to remember.

Dear Yoga.

Hey Yoga, we’ve been in relationship for 10 years now. Time flies, isn’t it? Thank you for being there for me during my ups and downs. I don’t know what I do without you.

I’m celebrating my 10th year of consistent practice and 7th years of teaching during the month of July. I get slightly sentimental during this time of the year, it’s the perfect time for me to contemplate how far I’ve come.

For some of your eyes, I look innocent and humble, but this journey of Yoga is constant ego crushing path. Often painful, slap in the face, like... “Asami, learn from your mistakes, let me beat up your ego”. kinda thing. Although I entered this practice to heal from a breakup, as I progressed in my practice, I felt confident in my Asanas. My first ego slap was the first day of my teacher training 7 years ago, my teacher told me to micro bend my elbows, micro bend my knees... I thought I was good at Yoga, but I wasn’t. My Down Dog needed a lot of work.

When I decided that I want to teach in Australia, nobody wanted to hire me because I had zero experience. I was finally be able to get on a sub list but it took some time. Even I was already teaching for few months, when I did an audition for a studio, the owner said I needed to train more to teach. I thought I was getting the hang of it, but I wasn’t good enough.

The first few weeks of my teaching experience in Singapore was a nightmare. One student came up to me and she said: ‘Your class is boring!’. Some students asked why I read a quote from an inspirational book in a fitness class. I felt I didn’t fit in, I couldn’t shine my heart. After moving back to Montreal, no body wanted to hire me again. I thought having an international experience helps to get a job, but it didn’t. Even though I had 3 years under my belt, the process was simple: Get in the line, get on the sublist and if we like you, you get on a regular schedule after 6 months later. I got treated badly that I have an accent when I teach. I got fooled by a studio owner for a low paid job with a huge responsibility as a studio manager. But I believed, and I still do, Yoga can transform people’s life, heal their hearts and see their own worth. These experiences made me stronger, I didn’t give up.

I don’t have thousand followers on social media. Once I thought I want to be ‘well known’ and travel around the world to teach Yoga. Social media made Yoga accessible to mass population but it gave perceptions that Yoga teachers need to be a celeb. I got caught into the rat race wanting to become the next big Yoga teacher. But the Universe always made me realize to become a community oriented teacher, speak about feelings rather than thinking, and show up consistently as an authentic person who people can relate.

I am here, 10 years later in my practice, 7 years later in my teaching, I am here as a full-time Yoga teacher with struggles here and there. I have an amazing tribe, students who smile during classes while facing their doubts and fears, speak heart-to-heart about our passion for Yoga, and my colleagues who also have deep love towards Yoga. The people I have in my circle are finding their truth, living courageously, and shining their authenticity.

I’m not going to lie, often I got jealous (I still do) when a teacher gets their wants and needs very quickly, having opportunities to present at conferences, interviewed by big companies, selected to be an ambassador for a brand... you name it, the lists could go on. But I’ve decided, if I trust my heart, move forward with the flow of life, and keep working on it... whatever my goal is, I will get there. The things I listed above might not be my destiny or might not be my job. I know deep inside of me, whatever it comes towards me is the path I take.

All I need to do is, practice Yoga, show up to students and teach, and be authentic so that people in front of me can smile or cry through the words I receive from the divine.

Hey Yoga, it’s been 10 years but I don’t want to let you go. I want to keep walking this path with you many years to come. You showed me that I’m worthy, you showed me to be the service to others, and you showed me to be authentic so that I can speak the truth of my heart.

Yoga, thank you for this journey. Thank you for the wealth of knowledge. And thank you for giving me chance to shine and send amazing people to my life.

Asami

To My Courageous Loving Chicas

“Ignore the story and see the soul, you’ll never regret it” - Seane Corn

We all have different stories. We all have different motivations to step on our mats. We all have different intentions to attend a retreat. Regardless of our differences, love and bonds we created was a lifetime treasure. Here is our story of Blissful Yoga Retreat. I’m dedicating this blog post to my 10 chicas who showed up each moment to be courageous and loving towards each others.

Leading up to my first ever retreat, especially one week prior, I had sleepless nights. I was extremely nervous and scared. I had never done this before, I didn’t know how it would turn out. But I guess I knew everything was going to be okay, when I sent a group message to everyone that I missed my flight in Montreal.

Day 1

Although Kim and I were at the airport 2 hours ahead of our scheduled flight, due to the long wait line at YUL airport, we missed our flight by 10 minutes. I remember when my Delta app said “The aircraft has departed from the gate”, I said a huge “F” word. I sent everyone a quick message to notify to leave without us at San Jose Airport. I felt ashamed for a moment that the teacher was missing on her retreat, but I trusted the Universe. I knew everything will be okay.

The 8 chicas met at the airport without me, introduced themselves to each other, began their journey. On their way to Vida Asana, the gorgeous jungle Yoga retreat centre, they visited a national park where crocodiles live. I saw the video of those swimming crocodiles... (I guess my dots confirms how scary it looked!) They settled themselves into their cabins, ate delicious organic dinner, and went to bed. 2 chicas and myself arrived slightly after 11pm. Everything was so dark, all I could smell was the burnt trees and the ocean air. It reminded me of my trips to Bali. I knew in that moment, Costa Rica is a magical place where piece of my heart will always remain.

Day 2

Each morning, we started our practice at 6:30am. It seems early but the sunrise in Costa Rica is around 5:45am. The temperature rises very quickly so by the end of our practice, we were so ready to jump into the pool to cool ourselves down.

I structured the classes according to each Chakras. Our first practice began with Muladhara Chakra. As ladies, we all have insecurities about our body. Through the Yoga practice, I asked them if they can accept their bodies as it is, also to trust our body. We did a partner work to trust our relationships to each other as well. As chicas laid down in Savasana, I had the moment of bliss. The sound of nature was our soundtrack, chicas looked so peaceful. What can I ask more about this retreat? My answer was nothing. I noticed tears were running on my cheeks while I had a big smile on. I felt deeply in my heart, I’m living my dream. And these chicas made my dream into reality. I already had so much love towards them.

On Day 2, we lounged by the pool, some of them rode bikes to Playa Hermosa beach, and one got a sweat massage on site. Not only Vida Asana was a comfortable place to stay, but the most important thing caught my eyes, there was always a place for all of us to gather. I thought chicas would go off to their adventures. Instead, we were all together eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. If majority of us were sitting by the pool, everyone began to settle around the pool. They were curious about each other, individual stories, where they come from and what they do. I could see in just one day, their friendship was developing.

I remember that night for dinner, 11 of us sat down together to eat. There were so much laughters. There was no single complain. I couldn’t believe we were all strangers until yesterday. We finished our day with a grounding Yin practice.

Day 3

Another day began at Vida Asana, today was our feeling the movement day, tapping into Svadhistana Chakra. It was about allowing the emotions to rise, feeling pleasures, and opening our hips. We also scheduled Stand Up Puddle boarding session for this day. And I believe Day 3 was the beginning of unleashing emotions for some of us.

Removing ourselves from our daily life and seeing the life from different prospectives, allow us to face our fears and patterns of thoughts. I saw tears on that day, some chicas were facing their anxieties and sadness. See? This is what Yoga is all about. It’s not how long you can hold your handstand or master a cool pose. It’s allowing ourselves to feel joy and wounds. To witness the raw beauty of emotions and grow from it. I felt horned to be in their presence.

Some of us ventured into the ocean for SUP while others waited at the beach. I have to tell you, again this was my dream. The instructors were helpful and supportive, we all stood and puddled. We practiced Yoga on the board while smiling to each other. I did Savasana on the board. I was floating on the water, seeing the limitless sky. I felt free.

I wish I could have recorded our conversations at the dinner table. I wish I could remember each conversation we had. You all chicas bring so much joy to my life. (And it was only Day 3. Can you imagine what is going to happen when we say goodbye?)

Day 4

Another adventure day began. We visited National Park Manuel Antonio. We left Vida Asana at 7:30am in the morning with some snack and lunch in our backpacks. The conversations never stopped with these chicas, especially about boys. I remember I just kept laughing and laughing as we shared stories. The 2 hours shuttle ride to the park wasn’t bad at all with you all. You make everything so easy.

Manuel Antonio is the most visited national park in Costa Rica. We hired a private tour guide. As we entered the park, we saw sloths right away! The guide Ceaser was amazing. He spotted the tiniest insects and little lizards. He knew everything about the insects to monkeys. After an hour and half of walking in the park, we finally arrived to the beach. It was a really hot day. Ticos (Costa Rican locals) were sweating. You can probably imagine how excited we were to be in the water. We ran to the beach, we soaked up the saltwater and the sun.

Day 4 was about Manipura Chakra where we hold our willpower and self-esteem. After coming back from the day trip, we started our Vinyasa practice. It was already dark in the Shala (practice space) so we lit the fire to illuminate the space. It was more than perfect because it was about the element of fire. As we took pause in meditation during the practice, we offered doubts and fear into the fire to transform into courage. Tears were running some cheeks. Some felt powerful and courageous. There was a firefly circling around us as if he was cheering our practice. After the vinyasa practice, we did a partner meditation. We asked each other the question “who are you?” for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes of answering the question, they told each other their impressions of each other. It took such a short time to get to know one another. They were seeing each other’s soul with love and compassion. What we think of ourselves are often different from what people think of us.

As I saw them share their love towards each other, words can’t explain how beautiful it was to witness the vastness of their hearts. I couldn’t hold myself anymore. I actually turned my back from them to hide my tears but it was too late. My voice was shaking as I cried. Yoga was serving them. It was beautiful. So so beautiful. As I cried in that moment, chicas ran to me and gave me hugs.

Day 5

This day was the last day to spend time as 11 of us. And I believe everyone had the moment of ‘I wish we could continue this journey forever’. We began our day wth Vinyasa practice. Anahata and Vishudhi chakra. It was all about opening our heart to love ourselves, forgive ourselves and others, also expressing the truth with our voice. Our heart was already full of love and we felt safe to free our emotions.

This day was another day for activity for some chicas as we rode waves with our surf boards. We head to Playa Jaco where the waves are perfect for beginners’ surfing. We encouraged each other to conquer our fear of water as others watched us surf on the beach. We all stood up on the boards right away. Experienced Yoga (being in the moment) while we surfed. I remember the smiles we all had.

After the surfing lesson, we did tree planting organized by a local non-profit organization Costas Verdes. Because of the climate change and the early development in Costa Rica, the population of turtles is decreasing. The sex of turtles is determined by the temperature of the sand. By planting trees and creating more shades, it will allow the mama turtles to nest and even out both baby chicos and chicas turtles’ populations. It was especially emotional for me since I dedicated my tree to my family member who past away last year. It felt very symbolic. We all enjoyed watching the sunset on Playa Hermosa before we began our closing ceremony.

The closing ceremony was so emotional because it was our final night to spend with each other. I began my sentence of gratitude and of course I cried. I tried to keep it straight but I could’t hold it. The Blissful Yoga Retreat was a success and this experience was more than words can explain. Each of us shared their moments, how grateful to build lasting relationships with each other, and how they felt rejuvenated and replenished after the retreat. They faced their fear, sadness, doubts and insecurities. They over came those tough moments in their life, retouch their inner lights they have, and found themselves once again. We finished our closing ceremony with Loving Kindness meditation. We looked each other’s in the eyes and held hands and said “May you be happy. May you be free from suffering. May you be at easy and peace. May you be loved. You are enough. You can always count on me when in doubt. You are my friend and I love you.” to each other.

Since I was leaving Vida Asana early in the morning and one more practice to teach, I should have gone to the room after dinner to pack, but I couldn’t help myself to sit at the dinner table with my chicas. I wished the moment last forever. I looked around their tender smiles and hearts. My dream came true, my retreat was success, but most importantly I have these chicas in my life who are ray of lights.

Day 6

As I waited my chicas to arrive at the Shala. I saw them walking from their cabins for the last time. I looked around the beauty of their hearts as I guided the last practice. We held hands during Savasana while taking in each moment we shared.

We departed that day to another journey. Some traveled back home and some were heading to another adventure. We hugged and we cried.

Blissful Yoga Retreat will always have a special place in my heart. This 6 days were perfection.

To my courageous loving chicas,

Thank you for traveling with me to Costa Rica. Thank you for choosing Blissful Yoga Retreat. Thank you for trusting me. But most importantly, thank you for showing up every moment with open hearts and minds. When I saw Yoga in each of you, Yoga is serving within you, it melted my heart and gave me hope that the world can be a better place because of your existence.

Costa Ricans says “Pura Vida” which means pure life. I saw your pure light, you touched my heart. You are all Pura Vida.

Words can’t explain how grateful I am to know you and you are part of my life now. I can’t ask more, this trip was one of the best trip I ever taken.

The divine light in me honors the divine light in you, I bow to you.

Namaste.

Asami

Tender Heart

‘Ignorance is bliss’. Some people might say. But Yoga taught me to face difficulties in my life. Hey, Tender Heart. I feel you. I feel your pain.

I have three fathers. One, who created me and stayed in my life until I was 8. Two, who adapted me when I was 12 and he continues to be the best father I could imagine. Three, my uncle who raised me and saw me grow up all the way up to now. I lost one of my father last year. I lost my uncle. The stomach cancer took him away from this world.

I was able to go back to Japan twice during the year so that I could see him, talk to him and say my last words. I’ve learned important lessons. Family is gold, and our life is so fragile. Don’t ever take life for granted.

I knew he was going. I knew his physical body wouldn’t last long because the doctor told us so, also because I saw him with my eyes. I could tell his body was becoming only skin and bone. But I knew, he wanted to stay with us.

The day he passed away, I woke with a message from my mother. I had to teach in the morning so I held my tears and taught a class. I couldn’t say anything special. I had difficulties adjusting students. But it took my mind away from feeling the pain of loss. I ignored and buried my emotions because I had to. I took a half-day off to grieve but I went back to work the next day. Strangely I could feel him closer than ever. If I close my eyes, I could feel him.

For about two months, I avoided my ‘spiritual’ Yoga practice because I just couldn’t bare the pain of the loss. Whenever I stepped on my mat, I felt agitated. Whenever I tried to meditate, I saw his face. The reality was just so hard for me to accept, so I went on. I ran, I lifted weights, occasionally I practiced but I pushed myself hard to numb my sensations.

Few months later, I was in a class taught by my friend Chloe, and I allowed myself to trust her guidance and let my heart be free. My tears ran my cheeks, it was as if my heart untangled. During my Savasana, I felt my tender heart and I cried.

Yoga allows us to feel our tender heart.The loss, sadness, love, joy or happiness, but often it could be too intense for us to feel those emotions time to time. And it’s okay. It’s a natural process and when you are ready to feel, you will feel it. All we need to do is to trust, and remember. Remember, we can always take refuge in Yoga.

Do I miss my uncle? Yes, I do. Do I cry? Yes, I do. But I know he is watching me from the above how I’m doing like the time when he was alive. Nonetheless, he is always living in my heart.

Hello 2016!

Hi, my name is fear. I met you before but I’m here again. Do you remember me?

it’s been already 8 days since 2016 has started. I’m off to a great start of the year. I’m following my planner as much as I can. Meditating every day, Yoga-ing or exercising and eating healthy meal. Yes, I have set my vision for the year and I wrote it down in a notebook. I know how I want to spend this year in terms of work, personal life, and self-development but in collective vision of my desires or dreams, one word came to my heart: self-love.

I was talking to Kimiko, the director of Studio Breathe, and she told me she chose one word which she picked as her theme of the year. She can visit the word again and again, also she can apply in different situations. She suggested me to do the same. Here it is: self-love.

I often feel selfish to think or treat myself. In my head, there is always a chatter of ‘I should be doing more’. Taking time off for myself, turning down a job offer is a big no-no for me. I tend to overwork and deplete myself and forget to take care of my mind, body, heart or the house. What makes me feel joyful? What makes me feel loved? Simple things like taking a walk in the nature, having a cup of coffee with a friend, taking a yoga class for myself. Things like these simply makes me happy but I don’t do it enough. This can be my self-love project.

Yes, fear. I wrote in previous blog that fear is the greatest obstacle also a best motivator to step forward. When we start to dive into our heart and listen to the deepest heart’s desire, joy and happiness comes up. But in a few second, we admit, there is fear. Fear of failing or unworthiness, and we get pulled back from the state of joy. I’ve been teaching Hanuman sequence this week, I’m telling the story Hanuman is the spirit of faith and devotion. The fear comes up because we feel we need to please someone or something, fear comes up because we are afraid to disappoint someone or ourselves, and fear comes up because we have expectations for the results.

Can we drop these mentality? Can we take each step with love? Can we trust whatever the new year is bringing to us is the life lesson we are suppose to learn? When we feel fearful, it’s a reminder how much we care. We just remember that there is faith. We can devote ourselves to love and our projects.

This year there are many projects I want to work on including professional and personal life. But my main goal is to dive into ‘self-love’. When I’m taking care of myself, no more guilt. When I’m working on my professional life, no more fear telling me ‘I can’t do it’ because I know I’m worthy of my dreams but I need to remember, drop the expectations. Universe will take me to the place where I should be.

I was having a special time with a friend in the snow. But few second before this picture was taken, fear came in. ‘I’m gonna fall! I might hit my body and it might hurt!’ Nonetheless I did it. I did a handstand in the snow and I fell on my back. Did it hurt? Not at all. Was it scary the first time? Yes it was. Was it worth? So worth it.

Fear is Your Motivator!

Wow. What a success! On December 19th, I guided a workshop Vision Flow at Studio Breathe. There were 23 students showed up from various studios I teach/taught. I had the greatest experience!

The workshop was about reflecting and sending gratitude to 2015, followed by heart opening practice with affirmations, forgiveness and letting go visualization meditation, and finishing with intention setting for the new year to come. It was a power house 2 hours. We shared laughs, tears and hugs. It was an amazing experience to see students grow. Needless to say, it was a transformational experience.

Through out my Yoga study and self-development experiments, I’ve learned ‘fear’ is our greatest obstacle but also it pushes us to move forward as a motivator. When we feel fearful to achieve certain goals, most likely we need take the chance to get out from the comfort zone and go for your dreams. We tend to settle with our comfortable life even though we dream of different situations or circumstances. If we can see fear in a different way, we can shift our life for the direction where it want to take us.

The year is finishing in few days, I would like to share with you the materials I shared during the practice. Here are 12 questions you can use to reflect on your 2015.

Which moment from this year was the most memorable and why?

What was your greatest accomplishment over the year?

Who and what are you grateful for?

What did you struggle with this year?

What was the toughest moment and why?

What did you learn this year?

Did you take good care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually?

Did you use your time wisely?

How was your financial situation this year?

Is there anything you want to let go of this year?

Are you living true to yourself?

Is there anything you wish to change/improve?

8 minutes Forgiveness and Letting Go meditation. Click HERE!

Intention Setting.

Open a blank page in a notebook. In the centre of the page, write Intention. Put today’s date.

On the bottom right, put 3 months.

On the bottom left, put 6 months.

On the top, put 1 year.

Start to write your intention within these time frame. If there are necessary steps you can take, write down the steps.

Reflect once in a while, make modifications :)

These are the books which helped me to discover my true desire!

You Can Heal Your Life - Louise Hay

Adventure for Your Soul - Shannon Kaiser

E Squared - Pam Grout

Planning a workshop and guiding it was my greatest fear. I thought who would come to my workshop? Is this material enough and worth the time and money for students? I’m very passionate about this topic, I worked until 30 minutes before the workshop started. For me, Yoga is to implement shift in my life where it needs reevaluation. In order to do so, I have to step put from my comfy couch and get my a** moving. Changes and shifts are scary but it’s worth it.

Let me know how you go about reflections and please share your experience with me.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Hugs,

Asami

We meet again, Kundalini.

Yoga has taken me to a different places. I discovered myself, I touched love and reconnected with my deep inner sorrows. The past Thursday, I went to a Kundalini Yoga special class with Michelle Lipper. She is a LA based Yoga teacher from Montreal. I was fortunate to take her class while she was visiting her home city.

I had been going through rough patches with people around me. I found myself angry, disappointed, and disconnected from certain people in my life. It felt like the Universe was telling me to sit down and evaluate what’s important in my relationships. A dear friend of mine suggested to attend the Kundalini class especially the theme was to strengthen our inner light to balance the darkness of the shadows around us. It was a perfect timing. I shed layers and layers of sadness. I have a clear vision of what is important and who is important. It was time for me to let go.

Kundalini Yoga came into my life when I was living in Sydney. I can’t remember what event was, but I tried 30 minutes of free Kundalini. My first impression, I hated it. I got scared, even though it was only 30 minutes of breath work and Asanas, I could feel my Ajna Chakara and back of my heart burning. I didn’t know what was going on. I said no for 4 years. My second time when I stepped into Kundalin was this past May. I decided to go to a class because it was at Studio Breathe, where I teach, and right before the class. I don’t know what happened. At the end of the class, I couldn’t hold my tears. I cried and cried. The teacher told me that we were working on our root to solar plexus Chakras. It made sense to me that I cried.

At Hanuman Festival, I took classes with Kia Miller where I truly touched my joy and love. I cried with joy, I cried with love exists inside of me, and I cried of sorrows. And all Kundalini teachers, they have the glow. They are so radiant. We recognize when they walk into the classroom. Something about them, something about their practice, something about.... Kundalini Yoga.... they make their existence shine.

This past Thursday, nearly 2 hours of practice, I found myself crying once again. I cried because there is still hate towards my father. I cried because sadness rest inside of me because of my family member being ill. I cried despite of the sadness my family holds right now, I touched love, I felt love, and recognized he is/will be always inside of my heart. My hate and sadness was transformed into love. The full circle of transformation was beautiful even it was painful to watch and feel.

I believe when you are ready to dive into a practice, it appears to you and you dive in. For me, after 10 years of practicing Yoga, Kundalini Yoga is showing up to me. I’ve never done breath of fire this much before. I’ve never thought I could hold my arms up right in the sky for 5 minutes while I’m doing breath of fire. But I know, slowly and surely, it is changing me from inside.

It is beautiful to witness. Oh Kundalini Yoga, you show up to me again. And I tell you, I’m starting to like you more and more.

#yoga #yogalove #yogajourney #kundaliniyoga #yogamtl

New You - Blissful Retreat

I had an opportunity to sit and meditate about what I want to pass to YOU during my retreat. It’s nice to say that the retreat will be transformational, but you want to know ‘HOW’. Please allow me to explain.

Whenever I attend a training, workshop, festival or weekend retreat, there is always something amazing happen during the intense practice. When I take myself out from the daily life, and focus on well-being of myself… things started to unfold and reveal.

You become naked. You start to untangle the not in your heart.

Our body is the container for our emotions. When we start to move and open our body through Asana practice, whatever it was stuck unconsciously started to raise. We have a choice to ignore and suppress. Or we have a choice to acknowledge and let go. When we are in unordinary situation, we are more likely to let go. Let go of our pain, sorrow, anxiety, doubts, anger, resentment… when I list of these ‘dark’ emotions, my heart sinks. Can you imagine we carry these emotions everyday and every minute of our life? But we have a choice to let go. Isn’t is amazing?

If you have attended my classes in the past, you know how I teach. I don’t only teach postures. Because my teachers taught me to be true to myself, including speaking my truth and stories. I incorporate storytelling or sharing during my teachings so that people can relate to ourselves and feel we are not alone. What happens when we feel we are not alone, connections happens. If my words touched your heart, I feel I meant to be doing what I should be doing. I’m speaking my truth and being raw and authentic self. I don’t pretend to be someone else anymore (I tried, trust me). I rather show you my naked heart.

Can you imagine when you are in secluded place for 6 days, practicing Yoga and indulging the beauty of nature in Costa Rica? Listening to the birds chipping, the sound of waves, trees dancing with winds… watching sunset and sunrise. Practicing Yoga and diving into yourself, recognizing YOUR true beauty. We share. We speak our beautiful feelings including dark parts. We heal each other and accept. We might shed tears but it is supposed to be. We hug, we dance, we meditate, we breathe and we chant. There is no judgement. We know we are whole.

Can you imagine how it will be transformational experience for you? Can you imagine you will discover yourself that you never met before? Can you imagine the friendship that you make with yourself and others will be so precious that you will cherish forever?

If you are hungry for these experience, don’t wait until the last minute. I’m sure I’m going to sell out my retreat. Book your spot now. If something happens, you can cancel your trip 6 months prior to the trip and you will get full refund. I just don’t want you to miss your spot.

Ask me questions if you need assistant. I’m here to help you. I want you to have a great time. I know… you will and I will too!

Much love xx

Asami

The Spirit of Hanuman

I returned from Hanuman Festival in Boulder Colorado last Saturday. I have been following the festival for the past 4 years. It was truly my dream come true. What an eye opening experience I had at Hanuman Festival. I practiced 6 hours a day with amazing teachers from the States. I met and hugged wonderful spirits. I danced, I chanted, I cried and I laughed. It was an amazing 4 days of my life especially I had my mom with me to practice and indulge our mother and daughter time.

I told the story of Hanuman few weeks back when I themed the practice with Hanumanasana. Hanuman is a monkey and he loves his friend Ram and Sita. Hanuman devoted his life to serve Ram. When Sita (Ram’s wife) was abudocted, he goes on a mission to search for her. He had to cross the ocean in order to rescue Sita from the island of Lanka, he kneed down and prayed to God. He prayed to have faith within himself.

Not only the message of Hanuman is to have faith within ourselves but I’ve learned at the festival, Hanuman represents courage, love, devotion... also he united the truth and love right at the heart center. Ram represents the sky and truth. Sita represents the earth and love. And Hanuman holds them in his heart and unites them. Also Hanuman had the quality of divine wind (he is partly wind god) but he fogets that he is also divine. It gives us the message that we are also divine as well but we forget. What we need to do is reunite with our divine self which waits us to be awake and aware.

During the festival, many teachers brought us back to the message of Hanuman also how can we deepen our Yoga practice in more of phychologial and spiritual level rather just Asanas. Yes, I do believe Yoga can change our life for the best. I did practice advance Asanas during the festival, but I know that every aspect of my practice leads me to tap into my true divine self.

I had those moments, I judged myself or others and comparing myself who is more advanced in their practice. In the end, these thoughts were gone. I was simply happy. I didn’t think I can be in a relationship with myself being free at the same time grounded. My tears were over flowing because of joy. The raw emotion was present but it was the time to release and let go. I felt deep love towards myself and people around me. I’ve learned to forgive. I chanted and I cried. The sound of Kirtan was amazingly beautiful and it touched my heart. When we dig deep inside of ourselves, what we recognize is love and light.

After coming back from the trip and started to teach classes, I see students in front of me with more respect and love. Also I feel how can I guide them in ways so that they recognize their beauty within themselves and touch their source of divine. I think of my retreat coming in March. How can I guide them into their practice and make this experience as transformational. It’s not only about Asana but more for the experience of growth and shifting our awareness. How can I guide a class to cultivate more love towards ourselves.

The spirit of Hanuman rests in each one of us. Let’s unite truth and love right at our energetic heart center. Let’s connect with divine self.

Because ultimately what we want in our life... is to shine.

Let’s shine toghether.

Q and A

The booking for my retreat started this Monday and I’m getting emails from many who are interested in. Here are some questions I’ve got, and these are my answers :) I hope it will help you to make decisions!

Q: What is included in this trip?

EVERYTHING expect your flight and travel insurance. 3 meals a day, your accommodation, Yoga, Standup Puddle Boarding lesson, bike rental, access to beach, pool, airport transportation and a visit to a national park. If you want to do more activities, you can such as mountain bike riding and sweat lodge.

Q: How can I book a spot? Is it CAD or USD?

Go to: https://triptribe.com/trips/blissful-yoga-retreat

and pay your deposit. You can pay in one payment or installments. The deposit is $250 USD. The cost of the trip is in USD. I recommend you to save your spot (it might sell out if you wait too long) with your deposit and monitor the rate of USD. The payment is accepted with Visa or Mastercard.

Q: I really want to come but March seems bit too far away. When is the last day to book?

Yes, March seems far away but do you remember March this year? Do you remember how you were feeling and wishing you could go somewhere warmer? I do! If so, make a commitment, you will never regret it. Do something you always dreamed of! The last day to book is February 13th, 2016. But remember, the space might not be there for you. Reserve your spot ASAP!

Q: How many people are you expecting to attend? Can I come alone?

The minimum number is 10. I can have maximum of 20 people but I hope to have 10-15 since it’s only me who will be teaching. I would like to give you maximum attention during the practice to assist and adjust. Of course, you can come alone! You can take a single room for yourself or you can pick shared accommodations. You will be matched with a same gender attendee. I’m assuming I will know most of the attendees, so I can match you up with someone who has similar personality.

Q: What is the schedule like?

7:00 am Morning Vinaysa practice and meditation

9:00 am Breakfast

10:00 am Free time

12:30 pm Lunch

1:30 pm Free time

5:00 pm Afternoon Yin practice

7:00 pm Dinner

The schedule is not fixed. During the free time, you can enjoy relaxing at the beach or pool, trekking in the jungle, bike ride, visiting near by towns and more!

Q: What is the cancellation policy?

I’m collaborating with a company in the States and we will be following Trip Tribe’s cancellation policy. Visit the link: https://triptribe.com/legal

If you have more questions, please shoot me emails at [email protected]. This is my pleasure to assist you and love answering questions. I can’t wait to see you all in the paradise!

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