Throwback Thursday: New Year - new habits

Throwback Thursday is when we dig through the That's archives for a work of extraordinary genius, or timely relevance, written at some point in our past. We then republish it - on a Thursday.

​This week, since everyone is likely trying to work-off several additional pounds of turkey from their waistline, we decided to take a slightly health oriented angle. 

"Yoga is not just an exercise, but a lifestyle,"the Futian Shangri-La’s yoga teacher, Mike Fan, tells that’s PRD while sipping flower tea in his studio classroom. Being the time of the year where extra kilograms are acquired as easily as one of those little red envelopes, those of us living in the Delta should consider Mike´s words.

This year, instead of making a New Year's resolution and dropping it a month later, why not actually try to get into shape in the Year of the Snake? Yoga provides a sustainable path to fitness while being a successful microcosm of a New Year's resolution. Meaning, in yogic practice, yogis commonly set an intention at the start of each session. That intention can be honesty, peace, thankfulness or any range of aspirations for self-care. Rather than having just one resolution for the year, namely to get in shape, now you can have a plethora that will focus on a more holistic approach to caring for yourself.

Like any goal though, it needs accountability to be attained. Joining a yoga studio is one way to do this and Mike's classes in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Astanga yoga are an excellent platform to meet and challenge your-self.

Coming from Sichuan where he started studying yoga in 2005, Mike learned "yoga is about persistence in doing things, not necessarily difficult exercise." He contends that yoga can be for anyone, young or old, as long as they have the determination to maintain a daily practice.

Glancing around the Futian Shangri-La´s yoga studio, it seems the ideal place to start anew, rebirth oneself so to speak. The whole front wall of the room is a glass enclosed waterfall through which can be seen the adjacent hallway's warm glow of soft orange lights. Downstairs, a mobile of golden butterflies hangs by a peaceful indoor lap pool. Finally, wander into the bathroom after your practice to sweat out the rest of your bodily toxins in the sauna or aroma salt and chamomile steam room.

Even though the intention, teacher, and facilities have appeared, it is up to the individual to start the journey. With that, here is some final advice from the Hindu text, The Upanishads, to inspire a New Year's change: "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character."

1. Trikonasana – Triangle Pose

Triangle pose opens the chest and helps to strengthen abs and legs.

2. Marichyasana III – Sage Twist III

An excellent shoulder opening pose, Sage Twist III also tones the abs and massages the intestines.

3. Janu Sirsana - Head Beyond the Knee Pose

Janu Sirsana can act as a counter stretch pose, helping to release the lower back and stretch the hamstrings and groin.

4. Vrikshasana - Tree Pose

By achieving balance in Tree Pose, the tendons and ligaments of the feet become toned as well as the hamstrings and buttocks.

// This article first appeared in the January 2014 edition of That's PRD. For more Throwback Thursdays click here.