Eka Pada Rajakapotasana

Also known as 'One-Legged King Pigeon Pose'. It is a deep backbend that puffs the chest, making a yogi resemble a pigeon... It might sounds easy but hell, after performing this pose on Sunday, I have been having this constant ache on my lower back. Not a serious one mind you, but still it bugs me a little. Therefore, I have gone on the internet to learn more about this 'King pigeon'.

The benefits of this pose:
- Stretches the thighs, groins and psoas, abdomen, chest and shoulders, and neck
- Stimulates the abdominal organs
- Opens the shoulders and chest
- Contraindications
- Sacroiliac injury
- Ankle injury
- Knee injury
- Tight hips or thighs

This is how we do it:
- Begin on all fours, with your knees directly below your hips, and your hands slightly ahead of your shoulders. Slide your right knee forward to the back of your right wrist; at the same time angle your right shin under your torso and bring your right foot to the front of your left knee.

- The outside of your right shin will now rest on the floor. Slowly slide your left leg back, straightening the knee and descending the front of the thigh to the floor. Lower the outside of your right buttock to the floor.

- Position the right heel just in front of the left hip. The right knee can angle slightly to the right, outside the line of the hip. Look back at your left leg. It should extend straight out of the hip (and not be angled off to the left), and rotated slightly inwardly, so its midline presses against the floor.

- Exhale and lay your torso down on the inner right thigh for a few breaths. Stretch your arms forward.

- Then slide your hands back toward the front shin and push your fingertips firmly to the floor. Lift your torso away from the thigh. Lengthen the lower back by pressing your tailbone down and forward; at the same time, and lift your pubis toward the navel. Roll your left hip point toward the right heel, and lengthen the left front groin.

- If you can maintain the upright position of your pelvis without the support of your hands on the floor, bring your hands to the top rim of your pelvis. Push heavily down. Against this pressure, lift the lower rim of your rib cage. The back ribs should lift a little faster than the front.

- Without shortening the back of your neck, drop your head back. To lift your chest, push the top of your sternum (at the manubrium) straight up toward the ceiling. Stay in this position for a minute.

- Then, with your hands back on the floor, carefully slide the left knee forward, then exhale and lift up and back into Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose). Take a few breaths, drop the knees to all-fours on another exhalations, and repeat with the legs reversed for the same length of time.

- For the full pose, first perform the preliminary leg position. Then with your hands braced on the floor, bend the back knee and bring the foot as close to the top of your head as possible.

- Inhale, stretch the right arm upward; then exhale, bend the elbow, and reach back and grasp the inside of the left foot. After a few breaths, reach back with the left hand and grasp the outside of the foot. Draw the sole of the foot as close as possible to the crown of your head. Hold this position for 30 seconds.

- Then release the foot, lower the leg, perform step 5 to change the position of the legs and repeat on the second side for the same length of time.

Alright, there you go. Give it a try, will ya?
Source: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses

How Malaysian are you??

Take the quiz on http://allmalaysia.info/merdeka49/quiz.asp and we shall find out...

My score : 31 out of 45
You’re there, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. To start off your journey to becoming a true red-yellow-and-blue Malaysian, make sure you don't forget those little Malaysian flags that purebreds stick on their cars on Merdeka day... (I doubt it, no way on earth those flags are going on my car)

Have a nice Merdaka Day.

Hen's night out idea, anyone?

Definition:
A hen party (or bachelorette party) is a party held for a woman who is about to be married. The term "hen party" is more common in the UK and Ireland, while the term "bachelorette party" is more common in the United States. It may also be referred to as a "hen's night" in other English-speaking countries. Those attending the party are usually all female, although gay male friends of the bride-to-be may also be included. Events such as the The Girlie Show in the UK add comedy to the male strip club. If held at home, it may be an occasion to hold a pamper party or compare products like lingerie or women's sex toys or to play games like "Truth or Dare" and "Pass the Balloon". Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hen_party

Saturday, 2nd of September 06 is the big day for Cheng Mun and her soon-to-be husband Andrew. So, we are thinking of making it a special day to remember for Mun and friends...

The gals talked about a pampering day out, ie spa, massage, mani and pedicure and the whole lot (thought this is most sensible coz none of us are really party animals and we can beautify ourselves at the same time). However, I am thinking of something different instead of just spa, dinner and chit chat. Hence this blog and to pick everyone's brain...

Its Mun's last night of FREEDOM, so suggestions please anyone!


PS: Mun, please forward this blog to those who you want to be included in your hen's night.

Bali, May 2006

Aaahhh Bali... One of our favorite destinations of all time.

PS: Since I don't really have much to blog lately, thought of just going thru all the picture folders in my hard-drive and dig out some which taken during our trips recently and post them instead.

Bird's Eye View of Cape Town

The Fabulous Cape Town, March 2006

The Fabulous Cape Town (cont.)

The Care Bears

HBO was showing the animated Care Bears movie today and I happened to catch the second half of it. It brought back so much memories... I used to love The Care Bears to bits, never miss an episode (the cartoon was shown on one of the TV stations back in the 80's).

I am sure some of you must still remember The Care Bears, right? They lived in a magical kingdom called Care-A-Lot. The Care Bears family consists of Bedtime Bear, Birthday Bear, Cheer Bear, Friend Bear, Funshine Bear, Goodluck Bear, Tenderheart Bear, Wish Bear and big Grumpy Bear. Their secret weapon is the Care Bear Stare (wink, wink, wink), whose hypnotic focus melted the sadness out of the saddest child. They were simply awesome. I felt good every time after watching the cartoon. My all time favorite are Friend Bear and Goodluck Bear.

There were lots of Care Bears merchandise that I have collected over the years and wish that I still have them now, hoping that one day I can show to my kids the things that I grew up with... Alright now, enough of reminisce of the old times.

Kid Jokes

A policeman brought four boys before a judge. "They were causing an awful lot of commotion at the zoo, your Honor," he said.

"Boys," said the judge sternly, "I never like to hear reports of juvenile delinquency. Now I want each of you to tell me your name and what you were doing wrong."

"My name is George," said the first boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Pete," said the second boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Mike," said the third boy, "and I threw peanuts into the elephant pen."
"My name is Peanuts," said the fourth boy.

Source - http://www.ajokeaday.com

All Rusty

Went for my first yoga lesson after a gap of 10 months... Feeling good afterwards but not during the lesson though. I was all stiff throughout due to lack of practice and few of the poses which I used to perform effortlessly were really challenging.

However, I did managed a good workout and am definitely going back for more. Hey, no pain, no gain, that's what they say...