Sunday, December 2, 2012

Yoga Story 12. She is Madam. Chuah







Yes, she is Madam. Chuah who is in her mid-fifty.  She started yoga less than a year ago.  But it took her more than two years to finally come to yoga class, after she gave me an inquiry call.  Her daughter who is studying journalism in US was my former yoga student.  Her name is Jolyn.  Jolyn recommended her mother to go for yoga classes before she leaves.  As Madam. Chuah became an empty-nest mother after her two children gone for oversea studies, the good daughter Jolie concerned for her mother that she might strain herself with boredom.  But it seems, Madam. Chuah who appears rather shy and reserved and nice lady, apparently not so confident of her own body’s flexibility to bend.  She hesitated for two years before she made up her mind.

When she came to the first class…I became concerned…not because she can’t even sit with simple crossed leg positions from steep ankles, but because, her seemingly reserved and self—conscious outlook… Usually, with such expressions wearing in the face…do not last long in the yoga class.  They soon give up after one or two classes.   Though I was very much attentive in her every move, I hid showing my too-much concern and instead, I just let her be, asking her not to push herself and do what you can, then, it will improve in time…

Boy…how wrong I was… She neither gave up nor missed the classes.  She was a quietly disciplined and inwardly strong lady, and beautiful not only in her appearance but in her heart too… She was the type who ever so respectful to others while hard working to improve herself.

She was improving by the classes, getting younger looking and energy levels also increased.  Her face became more and more glowing with confidence and the body became much more flexible too.  She can do the Boat pose (Navasana) no problem.  It is tremendous improvement compare few months before when she couldn’t even grasp her ankles lifted in the air.  She can do the Forwarded bending (Uttanasana) as in the photo, in almost 180 degree!!!  Her triangle pose is one of the best looking among others.  Every time when I see her quietly working on herself steadily, mindfully, she is reminding me of the typical ‘relentless spirit’ of yogis. 

In the society we are living, everything moves and changes too fast.  Thus, the yogis’ lifestyle in where it is required to work on oneself one step at a time, like how water drops on the stone to finally penetrate into making holes…do not appeal that much to people, especially to youngsters.  Liposuctions and diet pills are preferred over healthy diet, yoga and other exercise regime.  Expensive cosmetic surgeries are preferred over pranayama and meditation practice that brings out not only inner beauty, but also spiritual blossoming.  Everybody is looking for a quick-fix push button, while Madam. Chuah is relentlessly working on herself one day, one class at a time, without realizing how much she is getting younger and more shining by day.  

Whenever I praise her, she gives me this shy smile… I just love to peep at her every now and then during yoga classes and feel proud of her.   So I snapped the pictures to share with you all…!!!