Author Archives: Melanie

Uttanasana…

Posted on by Melanie
15 Apr

When I practice at home, I will start with Surya Namaskara – 2 sets a least with a few variations. It stretches the entire body especially when comes to lunge pose, I will stay for a few extra breath. I like it because it helps focus on the groin to open up the entire pelvis & hips.

I am back for classes now. I feel blessed that I don’t feel the intense pull when my legs are stretched wide open. Need to build up my strength back again. And I still need to keep doing the exercises from Mrs. Bains. So I decided to do Uttanasana for my lower back, calves and hamstring.

  1. Stand in TADASANA (Mountain Pose). Place your hands on your hips.
  2. Draw your knees and thighs up, lock your kneecaps, exhale – lengthen the spine out as you bend forward from the hips.
  3. Reach down with your back straight, and place your hands on the floor beside your feet and look up. Take one or two breaths.
  4. With an exhalation, extend your trunk down completely and allow your head to release toward the floor. To release further forward, lift your inner thighs up into the pelvis and lift your sit bones. Allow your breath to become quiet and even. Hold for 20-30 seconds.

    Variation: If you can’t reach your hand on the floor, place your hands on the block infront your feet and look up. Lengthening your spine to the crown of your head. Legs are straight. From here you can feel the excellent stretch on your legs.

I hope you enjoy the practice.

Namaste~ Melle

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Hello Saturday…

Posted on by Melanie
12 Apr

I am going to continue with my experiment today.

Did you know? Headstand works on your upper body, but when you lower your legs parallel with the floor in half-headstand, you’ll work on your arms and core immensely.

I wish you all a happy and lovely Saturday. Happy practicing. Namaste, Melle.

Experiment in progress…

Posted on by Melanie
10 Apr

Mmm… mm… wrong fabric picked. I can’t make a Boho pants with polyester. No, it’s not cotton either. It doesn’t drape beautifully. I went check out with some aunties/uncles in a few shops. Span? Sponge? I didn’t get it clearly although I pasang telinga (pay attention) but I don’t find it nice to ask for a repeat. Back home, I googled it. It’s span. Hmm… by the look of the images none looks like it. I am gonna check it out again with few more shops.

Fortunately, I managed to get a piece of ‘span’ for my next attempt. Fingers crossed that I got the correct fabric. Then I will have new products in store. 🙂

Have a nice day, everyone.
Luv, Melle.

I got a pull…

Posted on by Melanie
08 Apr

I got a pull on my left thigh, suspected from running or maybe my spine. Geez, not that I am any good at running. But well, I got a pull. It has been for 4 to 5 months if I have not mistaken. There’s no pain during normal activities except stretching the legs wide. The pull is from my groin all the way to the back of the knee. It can be felt in Trikoasana. Man, I can hardly stretch my legs in Upavistha. Should I be sad?

So I went to Bains Physiotherapy. I secretly kinda like it because I get to learn from the doctors. The unstoppable questions asked were answered. Like the muscles movement, the gravity and what kind of support for the body to reduce pains. Interesting isn’t it? There was a moment while laying on the bed thinking how nice it would be if I am physiotherapist. It’s gonna help me a lot in my practice. Blerk.

There are few exercises that I have to do. One of it is calves stretching.

Mrs. Bains: Did you do it at home?
Me: Doc, I don’t have a slant board at home and I don’t feel comfortable stepping on the block, so I did downward dog. Does it help?.
Mrs. Bains: Yes, dear. It helps. You are smart.

Hehe… Feeling proud to be a yoga practitioner.

Thank God it’s my last treatment today. Ka-ching! Ka-ching! The pain is way much lesser now. Mr. Richardo advised to do a restorative pose to loosen up my thighs. Supta Baddha Konasana with sand bag that it is. 🙂

I wish everyone on earth good health and do take care. Have a lovely day.

Love and peace,
Melle

Good food day…

Posted on by Melanie

… I often experience good hair day or bad hair day. Today, I tasted “good food day” in Publika.

Me love dessert. Oh yes… women love desserts and we always, always have a room for dessert even after a heavy meal. Admit it. 😀 Me love coffee. Me love salad. Me love pizza. Me love sandwiches… and so many, many, many more. 😀 And guess what, I don’t need to order them individually anymore. I can have them in a perfect combination.

Example #01.
Me super love creme brulee. Of course, if I can have a nice cup of latte?

Voilà!!

Menu_files/menu-uptown-sept2012_1.jpg" target="_blank">+Wondermilk has this in the house. Creme Brulatte. Awesome. Love it. Erm… I can’t recall the name of the cupcake. I know that there’s one called Very Very Very Chocolate that I would like to try one day. With Creme Brulatte for sure.

Creme Brulatte

Example #02.
Ceasar salad is my all time favourite. What about a pizza that you could sometimes crave for. Ceasar Pizza!! Get it in Ben’s Genereal Food Store.

Ceasar Pizza

So delicious it puts me on cloud nine. Thank you for all the good food in the world.

Love and peace,
Melle

Tofu

Posted on by Melanie
04 Apr

Did you know?
• Tofu is extremely easy to digest – this is because it is a plant protein.
• Tofu is very low in sodium.
• Tofu is made from natural ingredients.
• Tofu is free from preservatives.
• Tofu is cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat.
• Tofu is known to be a culinary chameleon and it can be a great substitution in your diet.

Steamed tofu is one of my favorite dishes. It is easy and fast to prepare. This is the dish when you want it light yet appetizing.

What do you need?

  • 1 packet soft tofu
  • 2 shallots, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oil

How to do it?

  1. Drain the water from the package of tofu and place it on a plate.
  2. Prepare a steamer and steam for 5 minutes and set aside.
  3. In a cooking pan/wok, heat the oil. Combine garlic and shallot and fry for 3 minutes, or until it turns golden brown. Remove from pan/wok.
  4. Mix sesame oil, soy sauce and dark soy sauce in a bowl. Pour over steamed tofu.
  5. Garnish with fried shallots and garlic. Serve immediately.

Hope you enjoy the recipe.

Do check out Sunrise Soya Foods for more tofu recipes. It is one of my favorites!!