Our journey....

I discovered yoga when I was recuperating from severe leg injuries sustained in a traffic accident in 1999. Back then, my life was devastated but yoga's therapeutic nature helped me to keep fit in all aspects of physicality and spirituality despite the physical limitations during this healing period. After my recovery, I continued yoga practice and incorporated it into my daily regime to seek a more holistic form of lifestyle. Yoga has not only helped me to recover from my injuries, it has provided me with more peace and inner sanctity.

Having graduated from Queensland University of Technology in Australia, I have an extensive background in arts and began my career as an arts educator and planner. In 2002, I gave up my job to seek my calling. My immense passion and interest for yoga also drove me to further explore and enrich my yoga knowledge in Mysore, to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the eminent Ashtanga guru and his grandson, Sharath Rangaswamy. It has been then become a yearly ritual to return to the source for self-improvement and inspiration. I have also received blessing(authorized) from guruji to be the first son of Singapore to teach the Ashtanga system.

I also find myself blessed with the privilege of having studied with world renowned teachers like Shiva Rea(pranic Flow), Addil B.Palkhivala (therapy yoga), Tias Little, Anna Forrest, Matthew Sweeney and my mentor and guide Ashtanga certified teacher Eileen Hall. I used to own a yoga studio in Singapore where I shared my passion and the benefits of yoga system with others for 5 years.

As of now, I would like to seek and deepen my knowledge in all aspect of yoga including the knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine that landed me in Shanghai and hopefully to spread the wealth of ashtanga yoga to many as instructed by my teacher Sharath. To me Ashtanga is not about pushing one's physical boundaries but rather about self-discovery into one's heart spiritually which surpasses the common misconception that Ashtanga Yoga is purely physical.

Hehan

Before embarking into yoga, I was an avid sports lover, particularly basketball. Ever since I had my first yoga class in 2005, I finally understood my true calling in life. After a few years of yoga practice, not only did yoga change my physique, it has also enhanced my mental state of thinking and maturity toward others.

At the beginning of my yoga journey, practice was tough as I had to juggle both the practice and my studies. Back then, I could only find time to practice over the weekend. Because of my love for basketball, I had a very stiff body. At that stage of my practice, I still could not comprehend that yoga is not just about thriving towards getting into a new or advance posture, rather it is about listening to the inner voice of your individual body. After graduation, I practiced for 2 more years in a yoga studio where I would practice twice daily. As with the tradition of ashtanga yoga practice, once a day is sufficient for each individual's need and benefit. As of now, I just practice once a day and strictly follow the tradition of taking rest on Moon days and Saturday. Like what guruji mentioned before if we practice twice a day, it means we did not practice hard enough in our first practice!

After 2 years of practice as a student, I underwent teacher training in Fine Yoga, Beijing. The training made me find deeply about yoga and myself. I got to take Ashtanga certified teacher John Scott’s workshop and training. It felt somewhat surreal to be able to attend the class, and I completely immersed myself in the classes. I managed several postures which seemed impossible before, especially that of jumping back through. It was like flying through the air.

Finally, I participated an Ashtanga workshop conducted by teacher Stanley Alim, which made my Ashtanga journey even more fulfilling and enriching. I regard it as a big transformation in my quality of practice. I was very impressed by teacher’s bilingualism as well.