​A 2-week holiday is very luxurious to me when I have a start-up business and also start a new life in Australia. I haven’t been back to Hong Kong for 2 years. It doesn’t sound long but I feel like ages. It has been harsh to myself not to visit my family and long time friends earlier.
 
The humidity and the over crowd are so familiar. It’s amazing there are still a few new railway lines coming up in this highly developed railway system. Every train arrives in 2 minutes in peak hours. Everyone is in a hurry.
 
“Hurry up” is built in our body system. We are worried about missing the boat. We are trained to cope well with a face-paced society in the 21st century. However, how do we cope with our body? Many of us, not until the body gives us many signals overtime, we do not slow down, cut down and calm down. I am grateful I find yoga, and I turn this hobby into my passion for setting up a yoga business to help people restore health.
 
How lovely to have my nephew and cousin to direct this photo shooting! Both of them work in advertising field. They are so professional. I had so much fun but I would say being a model is a challenging job! I was also happy to come back to this iconic landmark, Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui. 
 
If we give ourselves 10 mins a day to go inward, our body will appreciate what we do for it. You can feel the mind-body connections. Enjoy your 10-min personal time.
 Warrior II

Directions:
Step one leg length apart. Turn left toes out, right toes in. Align with the heels in one straight line. Press fours corners of the feet on the ground.
Bend the left knee just above heel. Knee aligns with the 2nd toe so our left thigh muscle is rotating outward.
Raise the arms up at shoulder height. Draw the shoulder blades together and pull the arms away from each other.
 
Benefits:
Warrior II activates many parts of the body. We can strengthen legs and arms, stretch hips and chest, and also lengthen the spine. As you work on many parts of the body at once, it brings a powerful mental focus.
 
Dancing Warrior

Directions:
Spread the fingers and place the palms just below shoulders. In downward facing dog position, turn elbows in so arms are not hyperextending. Keep lifting upward towards the sky. Bring one leg up to the wall to parallel to the floor. Then bring another leg up towards the sky. Keep breathing.
 
Benefits:
Build arms and upper body strength. As we do an anti-gravity pose, it allows our internal organs to rest and reduces the compression of vertebra.

Do you feel like you are in a hurry all the time? How do you manage it? Please leave me comments below. 
​Thanks for reading. 

Photo: Timothy Ko
​Yoga Gear: lululemon, Cotton On
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Yoga is an ancient Sanskrit practice that emphasizes connecting the mind and body to the world around it. It’s a way to calm the mind while keeping muscles flexible and the cardiovascular system in top shape. It’s a gentle form of exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Those who are 55 and up can see significant benefits by practicing yoga two or three times each week. With age, muscles begin to stiffen and range of motion wanes. The body becomes more susceptible to disease, and the brain may suffer the consequences of five or more decades of personal health neglect. Yoga can help slow down many of the effects of aging by increasing muscle flexibility and offering seniors the opportunity to relax their entire self.
The benefits of yoga for seniors include:

• Lowered risk of anxiety and depression
• Aiding in the recovery process after surgery
• Improved mood
• More efficient blood flow
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved rest and uninterrupted sleep
• Enhanced balance and coordination
• Improved digestive processes
• Increased strength and joint mobility
• Reduction of systemic inflammation

​The American Orthopedic Association also reports that yoga has a positive effect on chronic pain and may provide protection from injury.
Seniors who’ve have experienced drug or alcohol addiction may benefit even further from yoga and meditation. The Treehouse Rehab explains that taking control of physical health is one of the first steps in a successful recovery. Self-awareness, one of the main focuses of yoga, can help you or your loved one learn how to focus thoughts and emotions as to best avoid negative behaviors. Substance abuse has a significant impact on the body and mind; yoga can help rebuild those aspects of self that were destroyed.
Where to start
It’s not difficult to find a yoga class, even for an older adult who may have difficulty with other forms of exercise. Currently, there are more than 14 million seniors in the United States that actively participate in yoga programs. If you’re looking for an entry-level class, start with your neighborhood gym. Many senior centers also have a full schedule of activities geared toward the mature members of the community. For inspiration, check out these flexibility in these yoga-loving seniors.
‘Gentle’ yoga
While yoga is typically considered a non-strenuous activity, different styles may be more intense than others. Seniors with limited mobility are encouraged to start off with one of the “gentler” forms of yoga. These include Iyengar, Kripalu and Hatha. According to Vive Health, each of these may be tailored to an individual’s physical abilities and poses modified as such.
In addition to the traditional floor-and-mat yoga, seniors may also wish to consider an adaptive version of the exercise. Seniors who have trouble getting up and down or may wish to include a chair in their poses. Many fitness centers also offer water-based yoga classes, which can be combined with aquarobics for a comprehensive workout that’s gentle on the muscles and joints. The Australian Seniors Insurance Agency explains that water yoga has been adapted for aged participants and may include breathing exercises to relieve aches and pains.
It’s important to note that senior should talk to their doctor before beginning any type of exercise regimen. Yoga is typically considered safe, but it is not without its risk. The Huffington Post explains that the most common injuries associated with yoga involve the shoulders, knees, neck and back. Overexertion and undiagnosed musculoskeletal conditions may also result in herniated discs or torn muscles. Common sense is the key to avoiding injuries.
Yoga, especially for seniors, is a viable alternative to high-impact exercise programs. It can help heal the mind, body, and soul in a safe, healthy and social environment.

The above article is created by a guest blogger:
​Harry Cline is creator of NewCaregiver.org and author of the upcoming book, The A-Z Home Care Handbook: Health Management How-Tos for Senior Caregivers. As a retired nursing home administrator, father of three, and caregiver to his ninety-year-old uncle, Harry knows how challenging and rewarding caregiving can be. He also understands that caregiving is often overwhelming for those just starting out. He created his website and is writing his new book to offer new caregivers everywhere help and support.
​

When I was born, my head couldn’t turn. When I was young, this had been one of the most interesting life stories about myself. It’s so weird yet didn't cause too much trouble. When I am getting older, it’s not an interesting story at all. This is a physical condition I have to care about in life.
 
I had no memory about pain and physiotherapy treatment as an infant. My mum and dad told me I was screaming and crying in every physiotherapy treatment. I could imagine. The physiotherapist forcibly turned my head while my neck was completely stiff. Apparently 97% of babies turned automatically into a head-down position to get ready for birth, but I was one of the 3 % that I made a U turn just before birth. It’s been unknown why babies got torticollis (twisted neck). Doctors believed it could be related to abnormal positioning (being in the breech position, where the baby's buttocks face the birth canal). That’s what I did. Luckily my dad discovered my head couldn’t turn after a few months and it's almost healable.
 
It was just a story in my childhood and teenage hood. It didn’t bother my lifestyle at all. However, the issue exists. My neck has a range of motions but right side of the neck’s muscle is very tight. This muscle is called sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). This large, rope-like muscle runs on both sides of the neck from the back of the ears to the collarbone.
 
In my late 20s, I started realizing there were some issues. My neck, shoulder and back of my right side was stiff, sore and tiring very easily. It also went down to my right elbow. I lost so much flexibility and I couldn’t tilt my head back. I was worried my neck couldn’t move one day. I also discovered my right shoulder is higher than my left. My right arm is longer than my left. My right side of my back is tighter than the left. It’s totally imbalance. I know it can cause big problems in the long run.
 
I am lucky to meet Maria Kirsten in my yoga teacher training in Byron Yoga Centre. Her yoga session is anatomically and functionally based, and she advised that as my right arm/shoulder is longer/higher, I had to focus on the left side when I practice yoga to bring back the balance. When I do plank pose, my right arm is working harder than the left. I had to put some more body weight to my left side consciously. So, my left side of the body is working. This helps loosen tense neck muscles and tighten the loose ones.
 
I notice that it’s so important to listen to my body, understand my limits and accept whatever it is but still work on it to get better.  There are hundreds of yoga poses. The government of India formed a team to collect yoga poses from 35 ancient texts, and identified 900 yoga poses. There are also many inventions of yoga poses/ variations as it evolves. I like the idea that yoga is the journey of the self. We do what we feel good. For me, yoga practice is a self-healing process, both body and mind. I stretch every part of the body yet focus on my neck, shoulder and back.
 
There are many types of yoga that suit different people needs. I must admit it takes a while to find what suits you best. I love the idea of yoga that is a journey rather than a destination. When I roll out the yoga mat, it’s a time for me to travel to my heart, understand what I need, what I don’t need and take good care of myself. At the end of the day, I gradually build my inner strength and physical strength to face the practical aspects of life.
 
If you have any physical conditions, you are not alone. In my group class, everyone has some sort of issues. However, we feel better and we are stronger after yoga practice. If you want a private yoga session to follow your own pace, please contact me. 
 
Thanks for reading.
 
Reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/torticollis.html
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​In 2014 winter, I quitted my banking job in Hong Kong and opened to all possibilities. I did google search with keywords ‘Yoga teacher training’, ‘Asia’, ‘Pacific’ (I liked summer) and found out one of the highest qualifications of yoga teacher training course at that time. It was a Certificate IV in Byron Bay. I didn’t know what Byron Bay was about but I decided to go. In the first day, I was amazed by no traffic lights in town. It solely relies on roundabout to manage traffic, cars and pedestrians. In the entire 7 weeks, I couldn’t imagine how much I changed.
 
I become vegetarian/ pescatarian
My 7 weeks training course only served vegetarian meals. I thought I would be hungry all the time then. Surprisingly, I feel energised. I met an amazing vegetarian chef wongyogafood and discovered benefits, flavours, subtle flavours and international gourmet food of plant-based diet. The first question was ‘Will I get enough nutrition?' I basically eat what my family eats in my whole life and don't think about alternative diet too much. Not until I had this offer, I learned to eat a rainbow. Find Nutrition Australia for more details. We had Mexican Tacos, Malaysian Laksa, Japanese sushi and many more. It’s amazing. I felt my tongue has been more sensitive to taste the subtle flavours of food. After 7 weeks, I thought it’s great that I could eat meat again. However, I found out my digestive system had been changed gradually. My stomach was bloated after eating my first teriyaki chicken sushi roll after 7 weeks. 
I then read more about plant-based diet articles/books. We spend lots of energy to pass the nutrient and waste from the mouth to anus. Our ancestors only ate meat whenever they hunted an animal successfully. They occasionally had meat so our bodies didn’t adapt to eat lots of meat.
 
Deep release and relaxation
I had never done so much yoga in a day. Everyday we woke up at 5am for 6am class, either teaching as a trainee or participating classes so other classmates practiced their teaching skills. After breakfast, we learned how to teach every pose, how to organise sequences and apply basic anatomy. After lunch, we learned different styles of yoga, Hatha, Yin, prenatal, yoga for special needs, chair yoga for seniors and kids yoga. After dinner, it was self-study for online test and teaching. From 5am to 9pm, it’s all about yoga! In the first week, some classmates could not bear and quitted the course. I stayed in but I threw up after a week. Not sure if I had a deep detox by non-stop yoga practice and vegetarian food. A few other classmates started having different sorts of symptoms, dizziness, headache, etc. I didn’t take any medication. After a couple of hours, I was ok and started practicing yoga again.
Apart from throwing up, I cried. During some of the sessions I couldn’t stop crying. What’s going on? I realised as we age, we accumulated not only stress but also grief and frustration beyond control. I felt restless. I thought when I reached to the point I felt released and liberating, I cried.
 
I didn’t expect the yoga teacher training made a U turn in my life. It’s not just about the beginning of mastering a craft as a Yoga Teacher. However, this is a great way for me to connect to inner self, people and nature. I am conscious about how I spend my time and energy, setting boundaries for myself. What is important? What isn’t? It really helps direct my mind to what truly matters. 
​
Have you brought into tears in yoga class? Do you feel emotional in some yoga poses? 

Today is my birthday and I am 38 years old (already!). Time goes so quickly that I don’t want to waste time anymore. I used to do things what I felt like but after living 38 years on earth, I truly understand I have limited resources, i.e. time, money and energy. I need to structure my day so as to keep me well. This may be a moment of mid-life crisis. Anyway, here it is my lessons at 38.

Enjoy awkward conversations
After I left Hong Kong, almost all friendships started with awkward conversations. I have an urge to fit into a new community but I think this is really good for everyone. Start talking with people with different cultural backgrounds, professions, anything different from your life. They will open your eyes and take you to different perspectives that you could ever imagine. While I was in Fiji, I met a lady who worked in Afghanistan for United Nations. She said all UN staff worked in a compound. If they have to leave the compound for a meeting, they must go with a police officer. Their stress is not about workload but the risk of kidnapping. While driving in the desert, you could never stop the car for whatever reasons. Small terrorists want to sell you to big terrorist groups to earn lots of money. My jaw was dropping! When she could manage this stress level, I don't want to complain anything, I know I have to keep my chin up. While I am in Perth, I meet a young lady who has 2 horses. From my point of view, having a horse in the backyard is as special as having an orangutan. She was a vaulting championship. She can do a headstand on a horse’s back and she can stand on the horse’s back while the
horse is galloping!!!
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Spend wisely
I couldn’t count how much money I spent that was a waste of money. I guess it is a learning process to figure out what you really pay for when you decide to buy something. While I still worked in a bank, I travelled to Europe for a holiday and bought a handbag, costing $5,000. I bought this because I would have to pay $7,000 for the same bag if I bought it in Hong Kong. I thought I saved $2,000. I forgot $5,000 dollar can be spent for another exotic experience that I can learn and explore. Then,... I hardly use it. After using it, I had to massage the surface of the bag with a special leather cloth so it keeps shiny. What a burden! I still like this beautiful handbag, but I’d rather just stare at it for a few minutes when I read fashion magazine.
 
Sometimes I still pay extra for convenience or what I love but most of the time I  assess how I can better use of the money. It’s all about balance. I learn to be a rational buyer and know what I pay for. Is that what I need, or what I want? How am I going to use it or  will it be just sitting in the house forever? Do I pay for a symbolic image, and its operating cost? Just need cool down and analyse, rather than impulse purchase and let the emotions run over my head. 

Health is wealth
Everyone wants a healthy life. Who is looking for pain? Nobody.
Not until I lost a range of motions and had serious neck and back pain, I realized it has to take an effort consistently for a vibrant health and being able to age gracefully. I forgot about keeping myself well by a balanced diet and workout, but I reached out to gain something else. When I focused on something then I neglected some other things. One day, my muscles and joints just stopped working properly. It’s so important to step back and review how I spend my day. Did I earn money for paying medical bills? Yes. Did I feel unfulfilled and emptiness? Yes. I knew that I had to make a change in my lifestyle. I still enjoy working very hard. I run my yoga business, and it is interesting and challenging. However, I do take good care of my body and mind for a sustainable living.  

Today I am blessed. I am grateful I’ve met many interesting people, stay-at-home mum with a PHD., a paediatrician who can swim from Cottesloe to Rottnest, a diplomat who is a good cook, and many others who are committed to be a better version of themselves. I am grateful I live in a country that I can enjoy liberty rights of having all the access to gain wisdom around the world and not being brainwashed. 

Have you learned something interesting that you want to share with me? Leave me a comment below.
 
By the way, thank you for all the Birthday wishes.