ADELENE CHEONG - Blog

My Self Practice (sadhana)

10/9/2018

As I was preparing the content for my workshop 'Guide to Self-practice', I sat and reflected upon my personal practice over the past 20 years. It has been a humbling journey. I have experienced moments of pain and joy, disappointment and celebration, self-limiting beliefs and self-sovereignty, vulnerability and stability. It is a learning which keeps me curious and interested... the effort and sweetness of growth.

Developing a self-practice is a gradual establishing of TRUST and ACCEPTANCE. It is most satisfying and joyful to feel empowered to choose from moment to moment, to know that I could nurture me through self practice.

It has been, and still is a rich and humbling experience. It is often not the victory and triumph in achieving ten minutes headstand, or being able to sit an hour for meditation, rather it is the feeling of high and low, ebbs and flows, that supported my learning and resilience. At ease and balance, the middle path, the 'Dao' of practising, living and being. Balance in the online dictionary states 'a situation in which different elementsare equal or in the correct proportions'. Balance is not a static, rigid form or state of being. It is not only about the high and the winnings.

This is a work in progress, and we all at some point, start somewhere. I started to learn more intimately about myself on the mat some years ago, I started with a focused determination (Abhyasa), and sustained perseverance on my sadhana(practice). I am happy to share in honesty what has worked for me, which has allowed me to begin trusting myself day by day.

Reliable and consistent self-practice
Deep self-inquiry with interest and curiosity
Responding to the messages of my body through sensing and feeling attentively, objectively, compassionately
Learn from mistakes and pitfalls, to practice self-empathy. No to blame, guilt or shame
Balance between sustained determination and surrender (Abhyasa Vairagya)
Allowing space and pace for my exploration, and not to be affected by competition and judgements (from self and others)

It is my intention to continue sharing and inspiring our practice and living. See you on the mat soon!

"How do I know...?"

7/2/2018

Some years ago, this has been one of the most frequent thought I had in my practice (or possibly in life). 'How do I know if I am doing this pose correctly?', 'How do I know that this movement is healthy for my scoliosis?', 'How do I know if I should work through this pain?', 'How do I know if this is enough?'... and it goes on.

I soon realised this occurrence is very much a mental narration when there is a lack of TRUST, and that this inability to Trust comes from a place of disbelief, of fear, of insecurity. When this is present in one's practice, it may likely be reflected in one's life. It is very disconcerting at times, and diminishes one from experiencing what truly is in the moment. There is so much information gathered from our sensory perception every minute every second every breath.

The truth is we don't know, and I don't have a conclusive answer when a student approached me with these questions either. What I do know from my experience is that we can learn through exploration without prejudice or judgement, realise that there are always choices in every situation, curiously asking questions without criticism... and with persistence will lead us back to confidence and gaining Trust.

This is the basis of my practice and my teaching since.

To listen attentively from moment to moment in my body
To be honest, and not be consumed by EGO
To allow for possibilities, and be willing to change course
To explore without prejudice, preconception or expectation
To study, be inspired and hang around people who share these values and qualities, and in turn share with others who may benefit from our presence

'How do I know...?' I suppose I don't need to know everything, I just need to have a little faith and a lot of passion. When I arrive on my yoga mat every day, I just need to listen attentively with honesty, and invite EGO to take a back seat.

Jai!

Welcome 2018!

2/1/2018

Happy New Year!
My New Year resolution is... to serve!

Teaching and sharing yoga is an act of service. I continue to practice, to study, to train and self-develop in yoga, to live yoga, and to serve all sentient beings (me included).

In supporting you on and off the mat, we'll start the year with a series of Back Care workshops in London, from Upper Back, Neck and Shoulder, to Lower Back Care, and a day long Yoga for Scoliosis Introductory workshop.

Happy to be returning in February to support the sangha in Belgium in offering a weekend of workshops, themes include scoliosis, tension release, rest and sleep, followed by the Relax and Restore Immersion (30 hrs). London Relax and Restore Immersion in June.

For those awaiting the Yoga for Scoliosis Fundamentals, which is designed to support those living with scoliosis, come and explore first hand a 30 hours intensive study and practice this March.

learn to practice safely and respectfully
Musculoskeletal Re-education Model (MRM)
Intelligent Movement Principles
understand the complexity of the condition
experience this non-invasive sustainable approach

(Teachers, therapists and professionals who are interested in working with this condition are also welcome.)

Finally, it is my believe that only we ourselves are responsible to make a commitment and take action! I have booked my retreat months ago. Don't wait. Plan your annual yoga retreat, an important and essential me-time, to be extracted from our daily responsibilities and commitments for a week. Lizzie Lasater and I welcome you to join us on our annual Moving Into Stillness Retreat this Spring May in magical Santillan, Andalusia Spain.

See you on the mat!

Gratitude, Celebration, Anew

14/12/2017

It's December! 2018 officially arrives in less than three weeks.

As the festivity draws near, Christmas round the corner, I reminded myself and my students to keep up the practice, be it attending classes or home practice, to finish strong!

During this time, I sat and reflected upon my yoga over the passed years. It has been a humbling journey, a deep dive and reconnection to 'home'. A lot of times, I learned the hard way. There was pain and joy, there was disappointment and celebration, there was self-limiting beliefs and great sense of empowerment, there was vulnerability and stability.

Reminiscing on my practice journey, there were choices that have supported my growth, and some less so. I would love to share some of my learnings, experiences and pitfalls.

Develop and sustain a reliable consistent self-practice
Practice with deep self-inquiry (not acquisition) with interest and curiosity
Learning from mistakes and pitfalls, to practice self-empathy instead of blame and shame
Responding to the messages of my body through sensing and feeling attentively... honestly
Allowing space and pace in my practice and teaching, and not be demotivated by competition and judgements (from self and others)
Ample rest... I mean a lot of rest! I often failed to offer my best self when there is a rest-deficit
Reflection and integration through meditation and journalling
Support from my sangha (my teachers, mentors, peers, students, family and friends)
Away on retreat at least once a year to reset my rhythm, with 100% immersion on self-care
Svadhyaya (self-study)

By sharing this, my wish is to first connect with you, and for you to know that you are not alone on the mat. I am on the mat with you right now. A world of yoga practitioners are on the journey with you today. Secondly, I hope this may inspire and reignite the fire in your yoga and self-care. Finally, by sharing this openly and honestly, I allow myself to express my truth and vulnerability. With Gratitude.

Questions for reflection:
How and what is your support structure for your yoga? Do share by replying.

India... Journey to the East

27/11/2017

My visit to India is life affirming.

I am most attracted to the culture and spirituality as I travelled from one town to another village, by road, train, tuk tuk and boat. These 15 days in the land of India, I visited Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, met people from all walks of life, tasted the local cuisine (spicy, very spicy, too spicy for me!), took pilgrimage to over a dozen temples, witnessed celebrations, grievances, good fortune, deprivation, luxury and hardship. Much of life's experiences unfolded in front of my eyes in a flash.

The undertone of the caste system is very much alive in India. Where in the west, equal opportunities and human rights are respected. Children as young as age 6 touting in tourist areas and on streets. Thousands from all parts of India make their pilgrimage to various temples each day. Spirituality is respected, practised and very much alive in every person I met. Everyday I would witness wedding celebration, grief and bereavement. Observing rituals performed by Brahmins by the river for the death in a family, to rituals for those hoping to bear a child in the temple. Over 74,000 birth and under 28,000 death per day on average. A meal would cost as little as 30 pence, and as much as over £40 shows the vast inequality in the distribution of wealth. There are those who never work a day in their lives, and those working few jobs to support and sustain another day.

Yoga as expressed and taught is very much a spiritual practice, which involves the discipline of physical practices. All yoga is therapeutic by nature, with very little importance placed on defining styles. It was an experience to have taken a yoga session at the KYM (Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram), where much emphasis is on the therapeutic relationship and one-to-one focused-practice for the individual. Many in India has not heard of the various styles of yoga as introduced internationally by the west, and that there is no interest in the distinction of YOGA. Having visited Sri Aurobindo Ashram, I felt humbled and inspired by his work, wisdom and courage. I am very touched by my journey to the east. I am grateful to have made this journey, and felt much more connected to myself now than ever.

I am writing this as a reflection of life as it is. Each of us are here on our own journey, not one person has the exact same conditions for living. Competition or comparison is a self-limiting belief with an external reference. I am learning to trust more of my internal references, living through self-reflection, using peace and joy as a measurement for each present moment.

Namaste

Vulnerability - Fear vs Courage

9/10/2017

In my recent retreat in the US, the theme we were discussing and practising was Vulnerability. Many online literature and books reference vulnerability as a feeling or emotion, eg. feel vulnerable. What is your relationship with the word Vulnerability? What experience do you have when you hear this word? [Pause for contemplation]

I have taken much time to contemplate, research, meditate on Vulnerability. My understanding and experience on this big word over years has taken its time to mature. It is my believe that Vulnerability refers to a situation where there is varying level of threat or danger present, where one may often react by raising their guard, being defensive or aggressive, possibly a feeling of aversion and disempowerment in an instant. These experiences may either be met by an emotional reaction of Fear and defeat, or an opportunity to learn and grow, eventually gaining confidence and Courage.

In my opinion, Vulnerability is not a feeling, it is when we attach an emotional reaction towards vulnerability that it brings about feeling of Fear or Courage. Now, whether this is the experience of everyone, maybe or maybe not, but I like how I feel when I conceptualise it this way. There is such fulfilment and empowerment in simply having the choice when faced with uncertainty, changes in life, and vulnerability.

When we take Savasana, it is with courage that we allow for vulnerability. In this moment, we consciously choose to trust, and to be open to possibilities. Savasana is embodied empathy. Thank you for hearing my thoughts, would love to hear yours.

Finally, may I share the story / metaphor presented in the below Huffingtonpost article. Enjoy the read!
The Relationship between Fear, Vulnerability and Courage

Why do we practice yoga?

25/7/2017

Do we practice to eradicate pain and discomfort?
Do we practice for health and optimal living?
Do we practice for liberation and to reduce sufferings?

For now, in reflection of my asana and meditation practice, as I observe more attentively, the body response through sensation from moment to moment. When there is absence of unconscious reactiveness to these sensations, the most unpredictable experience often prevail. In each asana and movement exploration, if I sense and feel from dense to sparse, from rigid to malleable, from tight to spacious, from solid to fluid, etc. the vast spectrum of experience was telling of my life, expressed through sensation in my physical body. It's all connected, as we called it, a psychosomatic experience. If this is true, that sensation is impermanent and therefore changes from moment to moment, then how and why does pain becomes 'chronic'. Does it not go away after some time? There maybe a clue to the nature and story of Chronic symptoms.

Let's make this more concrete, when I sense into the skin boundary and the contents of my body, the fluids and blood circulation, the musculature and soft tissues, the bones and organs, part by part, cluster by cluster, I often notice sensation changing and shifting in response to each inhalation or exhalation. Where there is pre-existing distortion and imbalance tension held due to experiences in the past, the body takes account of the slightest disharmony. And where visceral organs are concerned, they may be over-toned or under-toned, tight or flaccid, therefore inhibit optimal function and support for a healthy lifestyle. What and how do we take a more organic approach to practice? (Organic Asana)

This practice and approach requires radical humility, the willingness to step forth into the unknown territory. Are you willing and ready?

Questions for reflection / practice:
Why, when or how does pain becomes 'chronic'? What is the underlying story?
What would your asana practice look like to move through the fluids in the body, and to move from the organs? Try lying down in a comfortable position, and bring your awareness to each organ in your body.

'What we spend most of our time doing, is what we commit to in life.'

26/4/2017

'What we spend most of our time doing, is what we commit to in life.'

I have been reflecting on my time and energy spent in the past few years, which has been a satisfying and rewarding one. It has been over 10 years journey to develop and integrate this body of work, to offer Yoga for Scoliosis Fundamentals. Years of dedicated study, training, research, self-inquiry and investigation, support from family and friends, this intensive has finally matured. When I teach this body of work, I am sharing myself, sharing my whole being and living. The time and energy committed reflects my passion, nourishes my soul, and adds meaning to my life.

Questions for reflection:
What would you choose or do to add meaning to your life? What or how do you spend most of your time / energy? How is this supporting your life's intention or purpose?

2017 has arrived!

5/1/2017

Well wishes to you and your loved ones,
for those around us and those who have moved on from our lives...
Happy Yogi New Year!

During the last two weeks, I have showered myself with space and time to rest and relax. I found nuggets of gratitude, contentment and instantaneous happiness, which I celebrated with joy... There were moments of sadness as I learned of those who have moved on, where I empathised with my heart...
I am grateful for those who supported me in my journey, inspired me in my living. I am blessed to be where I am. I love you, I love the world, and I love me. I continue to learn and grow through my travels and teaching.

Whether you have set a resolution, or in the process of solidifying your commitment for the year, I hope these letters from me continue to inspire and support your journey. Most of all, I would love to hear from you, and to connect. I am looking forward to sharing some exciting events and adventures with you this year. May we continue to grow, to heal, and continue inspire ourselves as students of yoga. There is no time to waste, let's transition fully into 2017!

Stillness and centeredness...

3/11/2016

Sharing a gift with you... something that has taken me years of trial, dedicated practice experience and trust. Enjoy!

Peace...

10/10/2016

' Peace.
It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. '
~ (unknown)

Some of you may know that I have been away over summer, I have enjoyed my travels and teaching away from home during this time. I am grateful for the connections I made along the way, from southern coast of England to north Scotland, from US to Beijing. Upon return, I took some time settling back into my London schedule. To me, settling means to allow for space to pace my rhythm, to sync to the frequency of this moment.
Despite building in lots of rest over this summer travels, on few occasions, I found myself feeling emotionally challenged. With many changes around me, meeting different people and cultures across the continents, taking on multiple roles as a student, teacher, daughter, wife, friend, the list goes on. Ease and peace was stirred!
I realised that life is as such. With the kindest intention, we put in our best efforts, with trust, we then let go and flow with life. The repulsion (dvesha) of the outcome, or the attachment (raga) to the speed of events happening, is suffering. Such is life. My meditation and stillness practice has supported me during these times as I allow space to rekindle peace. From my iRest Sankalpa, I reach out for my inner resource time and again.
The above quote was from a card I received from a group of wonderful students on a recent retreat. Peace... in the midst of chaos, and still allow for calmness in my heart. Thank you for the reminder.

Questions for reflection:
What is your strategy to rekindle peace, to re-establish your ease and centredness?
Practice: to re-establish ease and centredness at least once a day, as often as you remember.

Fear…

13/6/2016

' Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice. ' ~ Will Smith

In the past week, I experienced 'fear'. It was unpleasant. It was uncomfortable. I decided to sit with it for some moment. I then became curious how, what, when and why 'fear'. The experience sprung from a place of unknowing, the unknowing of the future that has yet arrived. It was attachment to the past, to status quo. Could it be the resistance to change or the speed of change? In yoga philosophy, this status or quality of being may be expressed as tamasic, meaning inertia or doubt, an imbalance of the Gunas.
Changes happen from moment to moment, and at times one may not feel comfortable with changes, or the speed of change itself. I recalled the quote from the movie After Earth (2013), and in my head I realise at that moment that fear is not real. It is my mind's anticipation and projection of the undesirable. Changes is imminent, but fear is a choice.
My reflection... most people project possible outcomes based on past experiences. I did. At that moment, I felt afraid of the speed of change. I stayed present, and rooted to the present moment, the present experience, and realise that 'fear' does not exist, it was 'changes' that is present. My choice now is the reaction to this 'change' in my life.

Questions for reflection:
Observe the next time you experience 'fear', are your thoughts in the past, present or future?
What is your strategy to root yourself to the present moment?

Me-time…

29/2/2016

' Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again. '
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Friends and family often asked how I maintain my sanity and calm living in the midst of busy London, how I keep up my energy and inspiration teaching year after year. I rest... a lot! Over time (with pitfalls every now and then), I learned to recognise when I am short, when people around me begin to feel uneasy, that's where I would double check on my 'rest' barometer. Equally during those times when I hear myself 'This is not the best of me, I am not being myself.'.
So in organising my calendar for the year in the last few weeks, I set aside periodic 'me-time' for personal retreat, for rest, for deep reflection and extended meditation. We all need regular scheduled 'me-time', to extract ourselves from the rat race momentarily, to being away from daily commitments, duties and responsibilities, to reset and reflect before resuming the multiple roles we take on.

Questions for reflection:
Would you consider scheduling 'me-time', to invest in your well being and sanity?
What would be your plan to achieve this? Know that it is a choice... yours.

2016...

26/1/2016

Reflecting on my new year...
This year, this day, this moment is very special and it will not repeat itself in this life time.
Having just watched the movie 'Jupiter Ascending', a quote strike my heart...
'Time is the single most precious commodity in the universe.'
Therefore choose to live with awareness, to consciously make choices in life that support life's purpose. For me, appreciating and committing time on the mat, time serving yoga, time for loved ones and my sangha, time to forgive myself and others, time to rekindle broken relationships. A resolution to choose wisely where and how I invest my time and energy today. We all have this innate strength and capacity, only if we are willing and open to it.

Questions for reflection:
How / what do you spend most of your time? Would you like to have more or less of this in your life?
Is there anything you would like to invest more time / energy moving forward?

Autumn has arrived... Winter soon to follow

30/10/2015

Autumn, my favourite season... the season of letting go, and trust... trust that things will be ok. Allowing nature, allowing life to take its course. Gathering courage to move on without attachment to the warmth of summer. Dare the darkness and set foot into the unknown, just because it is yet to be known which keeps life interesting. As I settle into quietness, darkness and stillness, I surrender to the beauty and colour of autumn.

Winter in a few months, honouring hibernation and rest, reflecting and diving deeper into solitude. Season to celebrate the passing of 2015. Deepest gratitude for another year gone by, which offers a spectrum of experiences that has enriched my life. I take refuge in spending extended period on my meditation seat.

Reflection:
What does autumn / winter mean to you? What does spring / summer mean to you? How could you embrace the seasons as a complete cycle of continuous transitions?

Jump...

1/8/2015

Now... this is completely new to me. Not written a blog in my life. I am attempting... I am jumping off the cliff, to try something out of my comfort zone. At least I have an intention, to share, to be honest, to trust, and most importantly to connect with you through conversation and comments here.

It is often our preference to stay where we are, to be within familiar grounds, which provides consistency, security and comfort. I am curious. I open my heart and mind this morning, and find myself wondering how could I connect with a wider community, to share yoga and life, to offer my little self and SELF.

Today's lesson: Jump... jump off the cliff, try something new, break out of your comfort zone, open your heart and trust. Taste that purple drink from the smoothie bar, offer a hot drink to the homeless on the street instead of money, prepare your favourite dish and offer it to your neighbour, send your mum a gratitude card on your birthday, write a blog if you have not given it a try, give your mother-in-law a heart warming big hug and kiss... ok let's leave it at that. Let's jump, let's do this together!