Yoga Panorama in Oman by Tomoko Kojima

by TOMOKO KOJIMA owner of a wellness company ” Purewells LLC”

Oman, a connection hub in the Arabian Peninsula between the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), about 45 minutes flight distance from the famous Dubai. A country that is fond for neutral diplomacy so to be called the Switzerland of the Middle East, is where you can feel the real spirit of yoga.

A country overflowing with warm hospitality and generous people with good manners based on seniority respect and family care. Beautiful and expressive mountains, coastline of shallow water, colorful garden of flowers blue like a clear sky, and the capital of Oman, Muscat, where you can feel the balance between the new and the old culture all around the city.

I have had the opportunity to teach yoga for 7 years in Muscat with the exquisite balance. I have noticed change in people’s consciousness toward yoga in the last seven years and more are accepting the concept of yoga. Due to development of technology such as social media, people have greater access and understanding the benefits of yoga. In addition, it has become trendy, health conscious and more acceptable by people to practice the Western style of yoga.

I would like to share the three things that I am most careful about teaching yoga in the Omani market that is still expanding.

– It is said that the class composition of a mix gender is not preferred. However, some women who live overseas don’t mind such class, but the majority are not open for such class.
– It is important to get approval if all pictures taken with women in yoga before sharing on SNS.

– Since there is a possibility that yoga may be interpreted as a religion, chanting is best avoided unless it is for advanced practitioners

Along with the growth of yoga populations and the SNS, Oman’s yoga situation changes year by year. I am looking forward to the maturity of the yoga market in Oman.

 

TOMOKO KOJIMA

Tomoko is a RYT, registered Yoga alliance teacher, from Japan.

She is based in Oman for last 10 years and is an experienced yoga instructor with 7 years teaching and conducts open classes. In addition, she teaches private sessions that are custom designed for her clients to meet their different needs by using various yoga techniques and methodologies that she learned from around the world. Her main focus is mental wellbeing, physical strength and detoxification in an effective manner.

Yoga Theatre – play your life” | A step from the yoga mat to real life!

Yoga Theatre – play your life” By Francesco Zinnamosca and Jessica Ugatti

Sito web: www.yogatheatre.com E-mail: info@yogatheatre.com

Instagram: @yogatheatre Facebook Page: Yoga Theatre – Play your life @yogatheatre.yogatheater

In this times of chaos by rediscovering our true nature we can help the World change, starting from ourselves

It’s time to come out of the closet and live life to the fullest.

How many limitations do we discover and recognize practicing on the mat which are really hard to overcome in daily life?

How often is our communication and expression turn out not to be as we would love them to be?

How often do we feel judged and limited? How can we believe in our intuitions and potentiality?

There are so many things we can struggle with during our yoga practice and there are so many mind tendencies that appear when we meditate.

Everything we recognize on the mat could be a step forward to get in touch with our best self. But how to use this observations to create a stable change and remain centered in our daily lives?

Theatre, as a metaphor of life, gives us a valid aid to get rid of the boundaries dictated by our mind beliefs. It improves our communication and creative skills helping us contacting our true nature and free expression.

Infact, when we identify ourselves with our own tendencies we become a character, forgetting who we truly are and living our role without enjoying it.

The fusion of Francesco Zinnamosca and Jessica Ugatti’s researches has given birth to a method created to experience practically and concretely many of those mechanisms that interfere with the evolution process, rediscovery and self-knowledge.

From the urge of helping others understand in a simple and straight way how to live a lighter life without fear and anxiety is born “Yoga Theatre – play your life”, which merges the yoga philosophy and practice of Odaka Yoga® with acting techniques and actor training giving useful tools to support, deepen or complete artistic, personal or spiritual studies.

Before stepping on stage, the actor training allows to set the human being free from unwieldy layers collected throughout the every-day behavior, facilitating an open and genuine expression and providing fundamental instruments to thoroughly understand the creative process.

We can find an interesting link in the ancient Indian text Natya Shastra which tells us the origin and purpose of performance arts.

The myth says that in the days of yore people became addicted to sensual pleasure, under the sway of desire and greed, they became infatuated with jealousy and anger and found their happiness mixed with sorrow.

So the Gods asked Brahman for a diversion and he created a fifth Veda which could conduce to duty and wealth and give guidance to the people of the future as well in all their actions through theatre, dance and music.

Furthermore, the spiritual path of yoga, through the observation of the mind-body dialog, helps understand our true nature and be aware of the infinite possibilities we have to experience life for a fluid and graceful state of living.

Ancient mystics’ journey is for everyone and “Yoga Theatre – play your life” translates it for the modern times creating a bridge between two complementary arts that have always been devoted to ennoble the human spirit.

The World, as a huge stage, sees us as actors of the greatest play: life!

 

About the founders

Jessica Ugatti

Her acting experience started at the age of four and, from then, theatre has always been her travel mate, making her feel alive, free and fearless. Graduated at the National Academy of Dramatic Art Silvio d’Amico in Rome, she is Acting Master, actress, performer, pedagogue and Odaka Yoga® teacher. Right after the academic studies she has debuted on both small and big screen, working with renowned Italian and international actors and directors. At the same time she has started teaching acting applied to different disciplines and age ranges. Live performance and improvisation have always played a central role in her artistic evolution and in the understanding of the use of different expressive languages. After having deepened her studies in several fields such as character development, comedy and clown, she has given birth to her most beloved character, Vibrissa: a multifaceted host, singer and one-woman show artist.

As a funambulist-like dreamer she bounces from stage to reality devoting her life to the research of the tools we all need to facilitate free expression for a happier life. Along with Francesco, she’s undertaken a marvellous journey discovering spirituality and yoga. Swinging from the ostensible fiction of theatre to the path of truth and deepening the understanding of her inner abilities, she has committed to the creation of Yoga Theatre. Thanks to her sri-lankan origin she has grown up surrounded by rituality and sense of community. She has always loved to valorize the capabilities of every person and believed in team work as a means to create a reality based on integration to exploit the human potential and its multiforme expression to a fuller extent. She is co-founder of the “Fools” theatre company, a platform dedicated to exploration and theatrical innovation and founder and art director of Burlesque & Cabaret Verona and Vibrissa Academy of Performing Arts, projects which promotes individual improvement through theatre teaching applied to performance art.

“Yoga helps me in the research and discovering of life with endless passion. Theatre reminds me that even as a “grown up” it is possible to continue playing and living every experience with curiosity and wonder.”

Francesco Zinnamosca

Yogi and Odaka Yoga® teacher, he has always been fascinated by eastern philosophy and the several facets of the human mind. In the practice of yoga he’s found a path of personal growth which helps him comprehend how the abilities acquired during his life could be used to serve others’ evolution and spiritual development.

His family’s research brought him to his first trip to India at the age of twelve to Swami Sai Baba. From the vision of Integral Yoga of  Sri Swami Satchidananda and from Kadampa buddhism, he has and still receives excellent teachings on how to accept and overcome daily difficulties through a deeper comprehension of the basic life dynamics. In 2004 he has met Jessica Ugatti, who has been his life partner since, who introduced him to the world of theatre by which he remained truly fascinated. He has cooperated with the Fools theatre company and various productions as Opera tech director, light designer, stage director, scenographer and actor. Founder, manager and tech director of Burlesque & Cabaret Verona and Vibrissa Academy of Performing Arts, he has produced and organized shows and big events since 2012. These experiences allowed him to develop tech and creative resourcefulness and to learn how to use his communication, teaching and acting skills in a more conscious way. He has worked as head bartender and manager in hospitality for more than fifteen years within Verona, Rome, London and Brisbane (Australia). These experiences have given him the chance to get in contact with different customs and traditions and learn the art of adaptability which have helped him keep a free and open mind.

“Past experiences help me keep an open vision over the World and remain curious about events in life. Yoga helps me everyday use my abilities in the best way possible for a shared growth.”

Three reasons why Pilates can help your yoga practice

By Enzo Ventimiglia & Clelia Coppone

www.enzoventimiglia.com

Perhaps someone among those who never practiced them, may misunderstand Pilates and Yoga. Many people tend to associate these two disciplines. After all it’s true that Joseph Pilates (the man who created this world-known method) studied yoga and borrowed a great deal of hints from this millennial science, although there is more than one aspect that set them apart. First of all, the mood that inspires them: whereas Pilates is a method that privilege strength and control, Yoga is based on creativity and freedom to express through the body, focusing on spiritual issues. Whereas many yoga asanas improve flexibility,  Pilates focus is on the stability in the joints and the strength in the muscles.

If you are a Yoga enthusiast as we are, perhaps you should know that you can benefit a lot from the practice of Pilates (as well as the opposite).  Matching  these two practices is a good idea to prevent injury and to feel a greater sense of well-being!

So let’s see how Pilates can enrich our yoga practice.

  1. Pilates strengthen our core

One of the greatest Pilates’ insight is about the core, more exactly what mr. Pilates called powerhouse, the place from where all the strength derives,the body’s center of gravity. The abs, sure, but not only abs: the powerhouse includeslower back, buttocks and pelvic floor. Some muscles help us to stabilize our posture, others concur to most of the movements we do every day, giving them strenght and dynamism. Pilates gave a so great importance to powerhouse that he based on it the second of his method’s principles: all the Pilates exercises start with the activation of the powerhouse. A powerful core gives a greater control over movements,helps to hold balance with more ease, and prevents unnecessary strain on the joints. In yoga a well-engaged core helps in keeping with ease some trickier poses and can also give us a better stretch for our muscles.

  1. Breathe properly

Yoga was a source of inspiration for Joseph Pilates. As an asthmatic child he had to struggle all his youth to overcome his disease. It’s said that he approached yoga to learn more about breathwork and, later, developed a theory of his own: he believed that the bottom of the lungs was a repository for infection and germs, and that a deep exhalation could help to cleanse toxins. So, what to do to empty our lungs?  The concept of core turns to be useful even in this case: engaging abdominal muscles, it’s easier to exhale all the remaining air from the lungs and purify them.

  1. Alignment, alignment, alignment

There is no Pilates without alignement. What does it mean? It means that our body is built in such a way that every bone and every joint should connect to the others just in one way. When we move we should respect what Mother Nature created in so a perfect way and that’s what Pilates teaches to its practicioners to develop a balance all along the body and the muscles. In yoga, alignment happens to be misunderstood to the detriment of bones and joints health. So what we achieve with Pilates is very useful to trasform our yoga practice

ENZO VENTIMIGLIA

 

Enzo has a degree in Sciences of physical activities and sports with honors with a thesis on Pilates and Yoga in the treatment of low back pain. Since adolescent has begun to explore the infinite potential of yoga, then as now fascinated by those activities that go beyond the physical effort to intrude into the pleasure of a mind centered and a spirit satisfied. These were the years when his journey began training in ju-jitsu, rules in master 2* Dan and with whom he won the most coveted national and international titles in the specialty randori couples. This specialty has enabled him to perform all over Italy and in much of Europe coming in contact with world-renowned masters: It ranked in first place at the World Championships UNJJ. of 1998 in Spain, He got the third place at the World Championships WKF. of 1999 Austria and did an encore in France 2000.

Over the years, Enzo has expanded his knowledge by practicing karate, aikido, and shiatsu, after, with Pilates becoming certified teacher Polestar Pilates, international school based in the United States recognized by the PMA. (Pilates Method Alliance). During several trips to California he has experienced different styles of yoga that have guided his practice until the meeting with dazzling Sensei Roberto Milletti,,it,ore e membro dell’Education team,,en,”Odaka Yoga – says Enzo – is a style that suits the practitioner and not vice versa,,it,After working as a technical director in various fitness centers,,it,Yoga and is dedicated to the training of teachers in the field mindbody,,it,founder,,it,Mat You Can,,en,a,,es,online lessons platform of yoga and Pilates,,it,that allows you to practice from home in comfort,,it,choosing the duration and objectives of the lesson and is a great tool for teachers who want to keep constantly updated,,it, founder of Odaka Yoga, where he became a certified teacher 500 ore e membro dell’Education team. “Odaka Yoga – dice Enzo – è uno stile che si adatta al praticante e non viceversa: as the water conforms to the shape of its container, Odaka Yoga suits mode of expression of those who practice. Odaka consider a synthesis of my past experiences to the deep connection between that recreates the yogic philosophy and that of the warrior, typical of martial arts “.

Aware of the importance of a proper balance between mind and body Enzo practice for years with regular meditation alternating with severe physical practice daily Pilates and Yoga, reference point of his studies expanded through participation in master and conferences around the world. Dopo aver lavorato come direttore tecnico in vari centri fitness, October 2007 inaugurates the study Pilates Fusion & Yoga e si dedica alla formazione di insegnanti nel settore mindbody. E’ il fondatore di Mat You Can, una piattaforma di lezioni online di yoga e Pilates che consente di praticare da casa in tutta comodità, scegliendo la durata e gli obiettivi della lezione ed è un ottimo strumento anche per gli insegnanti che vogliono mantenersi costantemente aggiornati.

 

 

 

AWARENESS, HARMONY AND FLUIDITY

Maintaining fluidity in the flow of life.

by Odaka Yoga Francesca Cassia & Roberto MIlletti www.odakayoga.com

Yoga and osteopathy derive from a homeopathic vision of the human being: both are seeking fluidity. A fluid body, drained, with ” working lympathic system brings upon wellness and a prefect synchronicity of mind and body.

To move with awareness and presence allows for the fluidity of the organism that is always moving and changing, increasing our vital energy (prana) that is essential to our physical and meant a wellbeing. Every human being is created to maintain a natural state of balance (health), but this notion is usually difficult to apply due to various factors tied to our lifestyle, physical trauma and our emotions.

MANIPULATION

The osteop”thic techniques of manipulation, which are integrated in a yoga practice, with conscious movements of the body that are founded on breathing, create harmony and allow for our system to remove blocks from emotional or physical tension, in order to be able to easily reach homeostasis and the eventual pre-existing dysfunction leaves space for a “physiologic” l self-healing.” The potential self-healing may be reawakened from specific actions that act upon our muscular, internal, cranial, hormonal and emotional system.

The tissue system (complex system of tissue connection) and the bodyʼs meridian system (chAnnels of energetic connection coincide with A yogic and osteopathic practice, which favor the attainment and the maintenance of a global state of balance and physical and mental vitality.

THE POINT OF CONTACT

In OdAka” Yoga, by using a certain rhythm and inflection in the sequence, there comes forth a certain peculiar flow of internal energy (prana); it is possible to experiment and point out the theoretical principles and the existing connections between the two philosophies through the following:

___ the shaking of the tailbone

this reawakens the prana and allows the kundalini energy to spread throughout the body while ascending to the cranium as explained by William Garner Sutherland;

___ the movement of the waves

that deeply connects the cranial area and the tailbone area, combined with listening to the natural breath, goes to determine the right fluidity in terms of

energy, fluctuation mechanisms that in osteopathy is defined as “tide”, meaning the back and forth fluid motion;

____ liquify your limits

flowing like water in its multiple forms, allows for the understanding of how to be in the “flow.” A state in which one becomes aligned with his/her most genuine self, our intentions and the environment that surrounds us. In doing so it is possible to experience a sense of freedom that transforms every obstacle and limitation to discover new “forms” within ourselves.

IN DEPTH ANALYSIS

William Garner Sutherland defines “the Breath of Life” the Mechanism of Primordial Breathing with microfluctuations of the cranium that spreads throughout the body through the cerebrospinal fluid, through the membranes that envelop the brain and the bone marrow of the spine or rather the crani”l system.

“A true and sincere act that belongs to me is one that, when finished, makes me happy. I see myself, I feel comfortable regardless of my insecurities.”

In osteopathy, fluidity is understood as elimination of the cornerstone derived from tension in order to reactivate the normal physiologic”l state of the various apparatus.

______ spiral concept:

the concept of a spiral is the idea of a  never-ending movement; an open and unlimited movement. The spiral is energy and produces energy; in breathing, energy and movement move in unison in a type of vortex following the same form in nature and that of the human body. The spiral in osteopathy has beginnings in the axial strip that encircles the dura mater that then extends into the other strips that unifies the muscles, joints and gut.

________ the Ultimate Warrior movements:

the combination of personal defence techniques, functional movements and yoga poses allow the body to move slowly and smoothly during the transition from one position to the next involving, simultaneously, the entire kinetic chain of movement. The poses are done safely and the practice also has an effect on an emotional level.

In osteopathy, the connection between the body and emotions happens through the dural tube that is itself activated by the PNEI System (Psycho Neuro Endocrine Immune).

“Do not resist; do not create suffering. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forw:rd; in some way this is what it likes.”

L:o Tzu

The balance of the PNEI System guarantees psycho-physic”l wellbeing, understood as our minds, our neurological system, endocrine system and immune system all working well.

Two Precious Tools

It is important to have energy move freely and consciously. To know how to distribute oneʼs emotional flow inside and outside oneself. Flexibility and flowing allow individuals to build relationships that are soft and elastic in order to become better at growth and transformation. Transform and let go…. Maintain the flow in the ebb and flow of life. One must keep the mind in a continuous state of fluidity, slightly meditative, characterised by calm movements, slow and centered and by a general sense of joy and satisfaction when confronted with life, the present moment, since the mind can become fixated on something means that the flow has been interrupted and there is no free behaviour.

Evolving

This involves  new format, a fascinating project that allows for a journey mainly of experience and geared toward the understanding of Yoga and Osteopathic techniques. The intention is to bring back the old tradition of communication and expression of body language where the body is lived as a result of an evolving process in flux: live the moment with trust in the bodyʼs intelligence and the listening to oneself (and of the other). This generates empathy and frees all creative resources. The sharing and the transmission of knowledge accompanies people to enter into a space of listening openly and to reconnect with the bodyʼs needs. To express and affirm oneʼs originality, one must start with unique movements because they have origins in experience and individual awareness.

“Flow with whatever is happening and free your mind. Be centered accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.”

Chuang Tzu

Experience :as a Base
Practical experiences stimulate our bodiesʼ emotions during movement making us aware of our internal and external world.

The temporal dimension that has been slowed down allows one to find a functional and organic movement that respects the bodily structure and the intimate relationship with the earth, space, others, allowing to revive our motor

skills, which is a part of human evolution.

This technique allows for a lesson in listening to messages from the body, “a place of resources and potential, experimenting with the birth of movement beginning with basic elements of openness to bring oneself into the space. The psychomotor benefit are many and very well valued. But, the heart of the method beats around the body. Mannerisms are listened to, “along with posture and immobility in order to stimulate the forgotten parts, starting with movement, can create a positive change in psychophysical wellbeing.

While practicing one can experiment with the fact that change is at hand: the body is key to this journey and the road to a life full of marvellous encounters. The proposal is simple for everyone and the experience happens exclusively through action not words because the body does not know how to lie. The finding is geared towards the discovery of honest movement and so extremely unique. During the course of an encounter, music and movement serve as a guide to support the union of Yoga and Osteop”thy. A synergetic union, when intermixed, that mutually enriches.

“If you are compassionate with your body, this will repay you with moments of happiness.”

by Francesca Cassia And Roberto MIlletti  www.odakayoga.com

Let’s repeat as our mantra: “Happiness is a state of the soul. A state of innate joy in living the present moment.”

Happiness is not an uninterrupted sequence of pleasures. Happiness cannot depend on external factors that consume it and make it vulnerable. Happiness does not become agitated, does not adapt to tricks nor does it logically make sense or does it need cooling off. Happiness is a mental state that enables one to handle joyful and painful emotional states in the same way. Just like the ocean floor, which remains still even when there are ripples at the surface.

“Happiness is not in acquiring and enjoying [what we purchased], but in the not desiring anything, which is the only way to feel free.” – Epictetus

In primordial yoga there existed developmental spiritual practices that would train the body and mind to observe oneself to become more aware of one’s nature. The original purpose of yoga was to cultivate discernment, understanding and one’s superior conscience. Within the course of time, there was a split between those who searched for physical development and those who searched for spiritual development. The lack of consciousness and attention for an internal experience, gradually disconnected the student from his/her body. Instead, the intrinsic meaning of yoga remains to expand one’s level of consciousness.

Happiness is a quality of the soul – as Patanjali teaches – the more we are “connected” to ourselves, therefore, to our soul (or Superior Self), the more we are happy. Yoga has had the high regard of imposing on the Western world a modern tool capable of reducing stress, improving well-being and increasing flexibility. [Yoga] in its expansion has highlighted the great work it does on a muscular level and, at times, forgetting the importance of its main objective: one’s consciousness that differentiates and elevates it with respect towards other sports. Narcissism, that is often seen in many sports, is the result of excessive embellishment that focuses on the actual pose and alignment. However, this places a conceptual distance from the true practice of yoga. Improving one’s flexibility is something that one gains over time. But, this is not the aim. This is an example that certain sports are transfixed on asanas that they forget the entire meaning of yoga.

Gurdjeff always said that only one thing is necessary: do not identify with what comes and what goes. “The morning comes, then the afternoon, then the evening. Night comes and then again the morning. But, you remain. If you identify yourself, you become the mind; if you identify yourself, you become your body; if you identify yourself, you become your name and your form; and the owner of the house is lost.”

The essence of an Odaka Yoga practice coincides with this thought; yoga is a means to an end and not the end. Extraordinary power is enclosed in the present moment; one needs to transform “doing yoga” into “being yoga.” Only in this way, can yoga become an instrument that sharpens the mind and allows one to see reality clearly. On the mat we must answer the question: “what defines the present moment?” By grounding our consciousness directly into action, completely in the present, at every point of existence, we can prepare ourselves until no problem and no suffering can settle within us. If through yoga we are able to find our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social balance, then body, mind, heart and spirit will establish a complete, profound and lavish happiness on every level. Obstacles, challenges and difficulties do not appear as negative events, but simply as experiences for our growth and evolution.

It is not easy being in the present moment. It is easier to set objectives and direct ourselves towards the future of our dreams….but this behaviour can create the mind to be trapped in the future.

The yoga mat is a microcosm. Every action and intention “affects” our nervous system and is copied in daily life. When we practice we must pay attention to the messages our bodies send and focus on its physical and emotional intelligence. Presence in yoga is centered in the reality of our bodies because our bodies do not “lie.” If one notes physical stress, the mind might deny it. But, not the body. Yoga uses the simple transparency of our bodies as a means to guide our minds to the here and now. If we tune our minds towards completely listening to the totality of every single instant, we can give ourselves magnificent feelings of happiness. A happiness that insists on our journey of discovery.

The mind considerably influences our wellbeing; even science is gradually recognizing the importance of mental behaviour and how it is tightly bound to our health. Our mind is an extraordinary instrument. We need only to learn how to use it wisely. Even though an asana is important, we must understand that it is only an instrument not the goal. We have to count on a peaceful mind, an open heart and kind and compassionate behaviour – not on perfect alignment! Where our thoughts go, our energy follows! Let’s not forget that.

“If you are compassionate with your body, this will repay you with moments of happiness.”