il Giardino Romantico

 

It has been more than six years since I first started yoga. I have experienced a lot of physical and mental changes since then. While there are still many aspects with vast spaces for improvement, I know I have progressed. Yoga has always been more than just an exercise for me. It's a life style and a philosophy of life, but I have never really made a serious commitment to it. That's why I decided to do a 30-day challenge. What is the 30-day challenge? Well, you set your own span of time, for instance 15 mins, 30 mins, or 1 hour..., and practice yoga every day for at least that set amount of time for 30 consecutive days. The trick to making it possible, is to go a bit beyond your limit, within reason. At first I thought 15 mins was all I was up for. Then, I realised that it was not enough to 'feel' anything. I didn't want to feel too pressured, either, so I extended the time to 30 mins each day. Of course, having classes twice a week helped make it easier, since during those days, I didn't have to wake up half an hour earlier for yoga. These are the bits and pieces of thoughts, reflections, revelations, whatever you'd like to call them, I shared on Facebook as I progressed along the 30 days. I am not trying to show off how determined I am, or promulgate to the world how much I love yoga. It's just that being an ordinary person, we all need a bit of pressure, but not too much, to push ourselves in order to progress. Under the witness of friends, I am more determined to see its completion, than if I were to do it all on my own - because you know at least a few friends are waiting for that progress report!

距離第一次練瑜珈已經超過六年了。這段期間我感受到了瑜珈帶給我身心上的改變。雖然我仍然有很多需要再更加進步的地方，但至少我知道我進步了。瑜珈對我來說不只是運動。他是一種生活習慣，也是一種生活哲學。但至今我卻一直沒有很認真的奉獻什麼。所以我才會想到來讓自己完成一個月的瑜珈挑戰。這挑戰是什麼？其實很簡單。自己訂下一個時間，然後連續三十天每天都要練至少這段時間。無論是十五分鐘、三十分鐘、或一個小時都行。訣竅在於要設立一個高於自己極限的一點點，才能稱得上是挑戰。但又不能太過誇張。因此一開始我設立十五分鐘。但實際練下來我發現十五分鐘根本連暖身都不夠。基於我還是不想讓自己有太多的壓力之下，因此我把時間延長到三十分鐘。當然，一周兩次的上課也讓我可以比較輕鬆地完成這個挑戰。上課的這幾天我就不用提早半小時起床練瑜珈。以下是我這三十天來的感想。原本是全部貼在FB上與親友分享，現在把它整理出來，為了留給自己一個紀錄。這不是在展現我自己有多愛瑜珈，只是我也是一般人。是人都愛面子。所以我給了我自己這樣的面子壓力，因為我知道有幾個朋友會每天等待我發出當天的感想。這也成了我完成挑戰的動力。

Day 1

Still not sure if I'm up for the challenge. Luckily, I had class today. So whether I decide to dedicate 15 mins, or 30 mins, the 1 hour class today made this first step easy. I'll have to see how strong my will is for the next few days! 

第一天：其實我還是不太確定我到底要不要接受挑戰。不過今天算有點作弊，因為有上一小時的課。所以不管我這三十天是要每天十五分鐘還是半小時，今天都輕鬆過關。未來這幾天將會是我到底能不能接受這個挑戰的關鍵～～

Day 2 06:55-07:25 am. 

It was pretty easy to go over the 15 min benchmark, but seeing it's only the second day, I wouldn't want to overestimate myself and say that it's going to be a piece of cake for the next 28 days. I will definitely try at least 15 mins, and if I go over, then hurrah! The point is to commit oneself, but without over-stressing. Yoga is not meant to exert stress. Maybe one day, if I get lazy, I could just say to myself, I did the corpse asana for 15 mins. Ha! Sounds easy, right. But to be in the corpse pose for 15 mins, without falling asleep... You try!

 
After years of practice, this is still all that I can do. But I won't give up now! One day, I will lie flat on the ground!
經過多年的練習，還是只有這樣。不過我不會現在就放棄。總有一天，我的額頭一定可以碰到地面！

Day 12 10:00~10:40 

Today I did a bit of change. Instead of using a timer, limiting my time of practice, I used a stopwatch and timed my session. This change means I am no longer bound by a limited time, and I can go on if I wanted to extend the practice. I found that because of this change, the session went more smoothly. In life, there are many limits and boundaries that stop us from doing things. They form a prison cell around us, and we are bound from growth and development. What we need is to find the balance to discipline ourselves, without limiting ourselves.

This is the first time I felt anything close to wanting to give up. But I'm almost half way through the challenge, it'll be a shame to give up now! I'm going to write less in the FB version of the challenge journal now, be

cause some reflections are becoming more and more personal. But please bare with me with the postings of practice times as I attempt to complete this challenge. 

這是我自開始以來第一次這麼想要放棄。不過都已經快要達成一半了，現在放棄真是太可惜了。我想從現在開始FB上關於每次練習的感想會越寫越少。因為到現在我開始覺得有些感想越來越私密。我需要把這些思緒留給自己。不過還是忍耐一下，我還是會把時間貼上來直到我完成為止。

 

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Day 15. 12:10~13:10 Class.

'The challenge of yoga is to go beyond our limits within reason.'  - B.K.S. Iyengar

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Day 16 09:45~10:20

I was asked the other day what level of yoga I'm in. This is an impossible question, for there are no 'levels'. True masters of yoga wouldn't consider themselves masters. Everyone's equal. But why, then, do yoga? Because it makes you flexible. Not just in terms of your physical body, though, but your mind and spirit. Being flexible allows you to accept and adapt to unexpected changes, instead of generating negative feelings. The goal is to calm yourself, so when you breathe, eat, drink, walk...etc... you do them gently and softly, accepting the world as it is, with an appreciative heart.

前幾天我被問到，現在瑜珈是練到哪個level了。我還真不知道怎麼回答這問題。瑜珈沒有什麼level不level的啊！其實就算真正大師級的都也不太會認為自己是大師。每個人都是平等的。不過為什麼要練瑜珈呢？為了要讓自己更柔軟啊。不過這個柔軟不單只是所謂的身體的柔軟喔。更重要的是內心的「柔軟」。他可以讓你欣然接受並且適應任何突發改變，且可以比免散發負面氣息。最終目的是要平撫自己，讓自己在呼吸、飲食、走路時等...都可以輕柔地做並且用一顆感恩的新去接受這世界原本的樣貌。

 

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Day 17 07:45~08:20

Day 18 08:40~09:20

With limited access to a computer, I only recorded the times of practice, instead of writing a short entry.

這兩天因為不方便用電腦，所以就只有報時。

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Day 19 06:45~07:25

One phrase popped into my mind as I was practicing the balance postures - the Thai phrase ใจเย็นเย็น(jai yen yen), literally translated as cool heart, meaning calm. When you're in class, the teacher would always remind you that in order to keep your balance, you need to concentrate and to calm down your heart. I remember when we first got to Thailand, we would get so annoyed with how slow everything was. Of course, I didn't realise at that time that one day, ใจเย็นเย็น would take on a whole new level of meaning. We, especially city people, are so impatient with everything. We have lost the ability to 'wait'. We are in danger of losing the virtue of patience. Because of this, we are unable to balance, literally and figuratively. That is why I find yoga so intriguing. In practicing the different asanas, you are learning to be a better self. Cool your heart down from the impatience in life, and just enjoy. Enjoy the Now.

今天練習的時候腦袋裡浮現了一句話：ใจเย็นเย็น。這是泰文。直翻就是心涼涼，意思就是冷靜。在教室裡面練習平衡的時候老師一定會常提醒：讓心靜下來，專注！我記得多年前剛到泰國的時候，我們沒有一個人能適應他們慢條斯理的態度。我當時也絕對沒想到多年後，ใจเย็นเย็น對我來說會有完全不一樣的意義。我們，尤其是都市人，都太心急了。根本忘了什麼叫做「等待」，也快忘了「耐心」是一種美德。所以我們才會無法「平衡」（身心都皆是如此）。這也是為什麼瑜珈會這麼有魅力。不過是練個體位法，也可以從中學習如何改善自己。幫助自己從不平靜的生活中冷靜下來。享受。享受當下。

 

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Day 20 12:10~13:10 Class

Only ten more days left, until I complete this challenge. I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand I am looking forward to sleeping till a later time, but on the other, I know the drowsiness will come back. And without the motivation of having to complete a challenge, I know it will be harder to get me arse out of bed to make enough time for yoga in the morning. I think I proved myself right this morning, about how snoozing your alarm can become a vicious cycle. Even though I got up before the second snooze, I felt half-awake until only after yoga class. 

距離完成挑戰只差十天了。其實我也不知道我感覺如何。一方面我很期待可以再次睡到比較晚一點，但我同時又知道這代表早上昏昏沉沉沒睡醒的我又會回來。少了完成挑戰的動力，我知道我應該就很難像這個月一樣，無論當天行程如何，總是有辦法提早半個小時起床練瑜珈達成挑戰。今天早上我想我證實了貪睡會成為一個惡性循環的說法。雖然我還是在第二次貪睡鬧鈴響之前就起床，但我卻是到了上完課後才真正的感覺醒過來～

 

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Day 21 06:40~07:15

Did you know that there are many ways you can practice yoga during your everyday routines? When you are commuting on the bus or one the subway, there are many chances of practicing balance. Be safe, but you can try and keep your balance, especially when there is nothing around to hold on to. When you climb up the stairs, you can try and not stomp, but instead try and tread lightly up them. I walk to work, and on average, only get about twice a week where I get to use public transport. When I do, I either only hold on to the rail ever-so-gently, or I don't hold on at all. And when climbing up the stairs, I try not to take heavy steps and tread lightly instead. I want to be light and quick, but not hasty.

其實日常生活中有很多可以練習瑜珈的機會。當你通勤坐公車或捷運時，這其實是個練平衡感的好機會。一定要注意安全，不過你嘗試再搭車的時候練習站立平衡。尤其是當你身邊都沒有東西可以扶的時候。爬樓梯的時候也可以訓練自己將腳步變輕，而不是砰！砰！砰！的大力踏步。雖然平時都走路上班，平均一周也只有個兩天左右會搭到公車捷運，不過只要有機會，我就會這樣練習。即使有東西扶著，我也只是輕輕地碰，而不出力。爬樓梯的時候盡可能地將腳步訓練的越輕越好。我想讓身體變輕盈、快速，但不急躁～

 

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Day 22 12:10~13:10 Class

Eight more days~ Kids doing yoga, so cute :P

最後八天囉～ 兒童瑜珈還真是給他可愛～=^.^=

 

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Day 23 06:40~07:15 

True story. As some of my friends know, I've recently taken up the piano. In the beginning, it was fun. Because the basics were still pretty easy. Then it began to get harder. And as I got busy and lost the time to practice, I started to feel like maybe I wasn't meant to do this! Then, I thought about the time when I first started doing Yoga. The only thing I could do well was back bends and side bends. I couldn't do a forward bend and touch my toes without slouching or bending my knees. I couldn't do the plow with my toes touching the ground above my head in the first six months. There were so many asanas I couldn't do... and a lot of them have now slowly given in to me. How did I conquer those asanas? By practicing over time! Practice may not make perfect, but it most certainly can make better!

「一開始你不需要是強大的，但想要強大就必須要有開始」這是真的。有些朋友知道我最近開始學鋼琴。剛開始很簡單也很好玩。畢竟基礎會難道哪裡去呀。後來就變得越來越難。當生活開始忙碌，練習時間也變少，我開始覺得或許我根本就不該去碰鋼琴吧！不過我開始想起當初練瑜珈的時候。當時我能做得很好的也只有後彎跟側彎。若沒有弓背＋彎曲膝蓋，前彎我根本無法碰到腳趾頭。犁鋤式也是練了半年後腳才真的碰的到頭上方的地面。好多好多體位法我根本就做的不到位，但它們一個個得漸漸屈服了！我是怎麼征服它們的呢？當然是靠長時間下來的練習啊！英文有句話說Practice makes perfect。或許練習不一定能讓夠達成完美，但不可否認的是，練習絕對可以讓你更好。

Day 24 10:20~10:55

Breathing. It is such a little thing and yet so important that we forget about it. Yoga taught me how to breath. How to be aware of the way I inhale and exhale. The more tense you are (physically or emotionally), the more we need to be aware of how we breath. In the years of my adult life, I lived in places without a lift. I still remember the days when two petty flights of stairs would make me pant like I had just gone out of aerobics class. Now, I live on the fourth floor, and every day when I go home, I never run out of breath. I have Yoga to thank for this. It taught me how to steady my breathing and helped me become aware of how the air comes in and out of my lungs.

呼吸。是一件小事，卻又是非常重要也常被我們遺忘的事情。瑜珈讓我學會呼吸。讓我學會開始注意我的吸氣與吐氣。無論身或心緊張的時候，其實更需要去注意自己的呼吸。成年之後至今，住過許多不少沒有電梯的地方。我記得以前那種區區兩階樓梯就可以把我搞得好像剛從有氧教室訓練出來的喘。不過現在，我住在無電梯的四樓套房。每天回到家我都不會喘。這是瑜珈教我的。教我如何穩定自己的呼吸，也讓我學會要去注意自己吸進以及吐出的空氣。

Day 25 10:25~11:00


The sky, after a successful outdoor yoga session.
今天的戶外瑜珈很成功。這是練完後抬頭看見的天空。

Day 26 06:50~07:20



Almost there!
快了，快了～～！ 

Day 27 12:10~13:10 Class.

I've reached the final fourth day of the challenge. Sometimes I wonder why I have so much to talk about. I appreciate all the 'Like' with which you've indulged me. It's certainly an encouragement. But I hope you realise at the same time that because I talk so much, I don't know anything. Remember the famous Lao-tze saying? 'Those who know, don't talk; those who talk, don't know." I'm learning bit by bit just like you. None of us are perfect, but we can all progress little by little towards it, and get as close to it as possible.

沒想到已經是倒數第四天了。有時候我在想為什麼我能有那麼多廢話好說。其實看到朋友們的「讚」是一種很大的鼓勵，讓我很感動。但我希望大家也要記得老子的話「知者不言，言者不知」。我也跟大家一樣在一步一步的學習。我們並不完美，但我們可以一點一點地朝向完美前進，縮短我們與完美的距離。

Day 28 06:45~07:25

It was so difficult to get out of bed this morning. My duvet was so nice and warm. I am guilty of putting the alarm on for another 10 minutes after it first rang. Thank goodness I'm near the end. This was what pushed me out of bed. I think I've made a right choice to do this at this time of the year. It's not dreadfully cold yet, and you have to work really hard on yourself to sweat. But speaking of cold weather, winter is probably the time that exercise is actually more needed than any other season. It helps blood circulation and warms you up. You won't feel as cold if you keep up a routine to exercise (no matter what kind). And this is me speaking from the experience of having once dreaded the cold.

今天早上真的很捨不得從被子裡爬起來！被被好溫暖啊！所以其實我貪睡了十分鐘。還好因為快要結束了，為了達成挑戰所以才有動力把自己挖起來。我覺得這個時候真的很適合做瑜珈。因為還沒有冷到根本沒辦法動，而且你要很用力很用力才會流汗。不過話說，雖然天氣冷會不想動，但是冬天卻又是更應該動的時候。因為要促進血液循環，就應該動，無論是什麼運動都好。依我這個曾經超怕冷的過來人的經驗而且動一動反而比較不會怕冷。

Day 29! 12:10~13:10 Class.

It's very important to have a good and decent teacher, especially during the beginning of your yoga experience. I have been very lucky to have had met many good yoga instructors up till now. Sure I've met a few who had not been so good, but once in a while, they can offer a different experience as well. Qualifications are obviously important. But what's more important is what they actually give you. They don't need to be world-renowned, or charge you a fortune in order to offer you enlightenment. In the end, however, no matter how much a teacher can offer you, the best teacher, is always you.

有個好的瑜珈老師是非常重要的。尤其是當你還在初階的時候。其實我很幸運一路以來預見的老師都非常地不錯。雖然還是有幾個令我很三條線，但偶爾遇見一次也是一種不一樣的體驗啦。雖然說老師的資歷很重要，但是他們實際上能給你的才是更重要的。不一定要全著名的或是收你高額學費的才算好老師。因為到頭來，無論老師能給你多少，最好的老師終究還是你自己。

Day 30 06:35~07:15

I did it! Thanks, everyone, for putting up with my yoga updates here. It's over now. These 30 days has taught me that we are all very good at finding excuses for ourselves! (Surprise!) It's been a great experience, and I think I will do it again in the spring next year, before it gets too hot. It's been fun and and absolutely enlightening. Thanks for those who's clicked Like on all 30 days of my updates, and those who follow and support in secret. I love you all. Om.

完成囉！謝謝各位容忍我每天更新狀態占版面。完成了就不再有囉！這三十天以來我學到...我們都很會替自己找藉口耶！哈哈。不過說實在的，這個經驗很棒，我想我春天的時候還會再來一次。這三十天以來學到很多其實也蠻好玩的。謝謝你們的支持囉！然後謝謝這三十天從來都不漏按讚的那幾位朋友啊！當然也感謝暗地裡默默支持的囉！愛你們呦！Om.

   

 天仙念：瑜珈真的是我的救命恩人。雖然歷經了那麼多年，我的身體才稍微有些軟下來，但我很難想像還沒接觸瑜珈之前到底硬成什麼樣子。無論是站著或坐著姿勢都很不正確，然後因為骨盆不正，走路五分鐘步道就累了！這幾年瑜珈真的讓我學到怎麼樣才能夠享受人生！除了調整身體之外，心理方面也是一樣改善了不少！雖然耐心跟脾氣還有進步空間，但至少我不會像以前一樣凡事都只往負面的想。希望以後不要再給自己任何中斷練習瑜珈的藉口（畢竟都可以自己連做三十天了，如果哪天沒了教室或沒了老師，也不成藉口了！）