Basketball Fenomenal Player: YOGA

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

Journey of discovery

MY PAPER THURSDAY DECEMBER 30, 2010 PAGE A18, MY LIFESTYLE (My Lifestyle Moment) From http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/mya301210cnd_opf_files/mya301210cnd.js&ver=GenSource Website: http://www.divaasia.com/article/11933 By ESTHER AU YONG, myp@sph.com.sg, Thu, Dec 30, 2010, mypPublish Post PHOTO: POISED: Ms Gloria Suen (centre

Journey of discovery

MY PAPER THURSDAY DECEMBER 30, 2010 PAGE A18, MY LIFESTYLE (My Lifestyle Moment)
From http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/mya301210cnd_opf_files/mya301210cnd.js&ver=Gen
Source Website: http://www.divaasia.com/article/11933
By ESTHER AU YONG, myp@sph.com.sg, Thu, Dec 30, 2010, myp

Publish Post

PHOTO: POISED: Ms Gloria Suen (centre), who attends yoga classes almost daily, strikes a toe-standpose with Bikram Yoga City Hall teachers Teri Wing (left) and Christina Mead.
(PHOTO: JAMIE KOH)
MY PAPER THURSDAY DECEMBER 30, 2010 PAGE A18, MY LIFESTYLE

MOST busy professionals work first and play later, after the sun sets.

But for Ms Gloria Suen, a banking executive, her day starts with play, then work. A Bikram Yoga practitioner, Ms Suen wakes up at 5.30am almost daily to attend classes at Bikram Yoga City Hall, Singapore's first authorised Bikram Yoga studio.

Ms Suen is also a respected competitor in the yoga championship circuit, being a top three-placed competitor.

The type of yoga that the 34-year-old practises is a system of yoga created by Indian yoga guru Bikram Choudhury from traditional yoga techniques and popularised in the early 1970s.

PHOTO: http://www.bodylanguageabq.com/yoga.jpg
http://www.bodylanguageabq.com/yoga.htm

The classes run for 90 minutes and consist of a set series of 26 postures and two pranayamas, or breathing exercises. It is practised in a heated room of about 40°C.

"If I can't make it in the morning, I attend class after work at 7pm or 8pm, if I can get out of the office on time," said Ms Suen.

"Someone once asked me if yoga keeps me sane from work, or work keeps me sane from yoga. I think it goes both ways!" she added with a laugh.

Ms Suen works in the consumer- banking strategy department of Standard Chartered Bank. The Hawaiian native, who has been living in Singapore for close to three years, said that her career is "very important to me from an intellectual standpoint".

As for her yoga journey, which is an ever-evolving one, Ms Suen explained that what started as a way to keep fit and to get in touch with her quieter side has now become something more meaningful.

She has represented Singapore in the annual Bishnu Charan Ghosh International Yoga Asana Championship, held in Los Angeles in the United States, for the past two years. She looks forward to representing Singapore again next year.

She said: "Being able to share my practice with people around the world in such a venue is an honour, although juggling training and work is quite challenging, especially right before the championships.

"I think my role in yoga, especially since placing third in the international championship this year, is to promote yoga and inspire people. Now, when I visit studios around the world where my friends are teaching, I'm often asked to demonstrate postures on the spot."

She added: "I don't look for the spotlight, but I suppose it is something that comes with being a champion (of the sport). "Oftentimes after class, if one person is inspired, it makes me feel like I've done my duty."

However, Ms Suen feels that one does not need to be a champion to make a difference. "I don't think one needs to be a yoga champion to inspire others. I've met so many people who have rehabilitated themselves, and improved themselves in one way or another through yoga. They inspire me," she said.

"This year, I helped to train some of the competitors in this year's Singapore championship. It was very fulfilling to see the women work so hard, improve their postures tremendously, and complete their journey on stage," she recalled.

While yoga has helped her spiritually, emotionally and mentally, Ms Suen feels that she still needs to slow down in life, whenever and wherever she can. "I think it's important to listen to your heart. I don't do it nearly enough. It's one of the reasons why I would like to start doing more meditation in the new year,"she shared.

"It will take discipline. Usually, when I find a free moment, my 'me' time is (spent) unwinding by listening to music or catching an episode of Grey's Anatomy."

Besides practising more meditation, Ms Suen is also looking forward to continuing her yoga journey.

"I want to continue to deepen my yoga practice. It amazes me every year how my practice changes in ways I don't even expect or can't comprehend yet," she said.

"Also, I would like to travel, especially to one or two countries I've never been to."

And her one constant companion on this journey will be chocolate, Ms Suen confessed. Like yoga, the delicacy has been a "constant companion in my life", said the choc-lover. "Chocolate bars and nuggets can get me going through a tough day. Chocolate souffles (A light, airy mixture that usually begins with a thick egg yolk-based sauce or puree that is lightened by stiffly beaten egg whites.) are decadent, for celebration." She added:

"When I'm travelling for longer periods, particularly in developing countries where I don't have access to Western food, it becomes a lifeline to the familiar."

One of her favourite types of chocolate is dark chocolate with no nuts - its smooth and intense flavour "represents a kind of sophistication", she said.

"Champagne truffles make me feel like there's a party in my mouth. And milk chocolate with crispy puffed rice is a traditional option, but with a pop," she said.

Well, just like her yoga journey, Ms Suen's chocolate choices are ever-evolving and the luxury of variety definitely adds spice to life.

By ESTHER AU YONG, myp@sph.com.sg, Thu, Dec 30, 2010, myp

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HELPDESK
我的字典: Wǒ de zì diǎn

Yoga: 瑜珈 - yú jiā
Juggling: 同时应付 - tóng shí yìng fu
Meditation: 坐禅 - zuò chán
Chocolate souffles: 巧克力蛋白乃酥 - qiăo kè lì dàn bái năi sū

Reference

MY PAPER THURSDAY DECEMBER 30, 2010 PAGE A18, MY LIFESTYLE (My Lifestyle Moment)
http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ebook/web_php/fvbrowserjs.php?urljs=http://myepaper.mypaper.sg/ecreator/sphopf/mya301210cnd_opf_files/mya301210cnd.js&ver=Gen
http://www.divaasia.com/article/11933
http://www.bodylanguageabq.com/yoga.jpg
http://www.bodylanguageabq.com/yoga.htm

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Asian Youth Games - UNITED IN RELAY

Singaporeans gather in support as AYG flame is paraded to all corners of island
From MY PAPER MONDAY JUNE 29, 2009, MY SPORT, A11
By DAWN TAY & DARYLL NANAYAKARA
dawnt@sph.com.sg, darylldj@sph.com.sg

GAMES ALIGHT: National athletes (from left) Jasmine Ser, Remy Ong and Tao Li lit the AYG cauldron. (PHOTOS: JAMIE KOH)

ONE by one, they held out their torches to be lit amid loud cheers, then held the Asian Youth Games (AYG) flame aloft as they ran their designated routes.

Picture is obtained from MY PAPER MONDAY JUNE 29, 2009, MY SPORT, A11
One of the Torches

Ministers, athletes and Games sponsors were united as one yesterday, as the first day of the AYG torch relay saw the flame reach all corners of Singapore – from Woodlands to Jurong, from Pasir Ris to East Coast Park, from Ang Mo Kio to Orchard Road.

Picture is obtained from MY PAPER MONDAY JUNE 29, 2009, MY SPORT, A11
Passing One of the Torches

Three torches – representing Friendship, Respect and Excellence – were lit at the Kallang Waterfront early yesterday morning, and were sent out to community celebrations around the island.

National thrower James Wong took the torch into the Yio Chu Kang Stadium, where he passed the flame on to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. PM Lee then kicked off Central Singapore District’s Community Sports Festival, with a torch relay around the vicinity of the stadium.

There were similar scenes played out yesterday morning at

Republic Polytechnic
Jurong Point
East Coast Park
Pasir Ris Elias Community Club

Said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who witnessed the light-up at Kallang Waterfront: “The flame symbolises the endeavour for perfection, the struggle for victory, peace and friendship that transcends countries and boundaries.”

Picture is obtained from MY PAPER TUESDAY JUNE 30, 2009, MY LIFESTYLE, A15 (Sexy Athelete)
THE ACTIVITIES: A 90-minute session of Bikram yoga (hot yoga), followed by a five-hour shopping trip

In the afternoon, the relay reached the heart of the city at Orchard Road. Shoppers and tourists looked on with interest as the torch bearers ran past them.

The torch relay reached the Suntec City fountain before turning towards Marina Square, where Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth And Sports, was ready to run the final leg.

Picture is obtained from http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3597043975_9efd19ea3f.jpg
Asian Youth Games Opening Ceremony at the Singapore Indoor Stadium

He carried the torch for an eight-minute run before reaching the Games Village in Swissotel the Stamford, amid boisterous cheers from the 300-strong crowd of dignitaries and athletes.

Picture is obtained from http://farm3.static.flickr.com
Asian Youth Games Opening Ceremony at the Singapore Indoor Stadium

Together with the chairman of the AYG’s steering committee, Mr Ng Ser Miang, he lit the Games’ safety lantern amid a spray of confetti and loud music.

Picture is obtained from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/3597042959_e0b4c72b6c.jpg
Asian Youth Games Opening Ceremony at the Singapore Indoor Stadium

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, a delighted Dr Balakrishnan said that it was important for Singaporeans to be part of the Games, and he was glad that yesterday’s “community leg” had been incorporated into the torch relay.