Oct 3-7, 2018

Abs-Yoga with BeautyLand Hotel II Staff

Location: BeautyLand Hotel II, Yangon, Myanmar

Abs-Yoga with BeautyLand Hotel II Staff
At the onset, I already advised the owner that I'm willing to conduct a free yoga class for him, his family and his staff. He finally took me up on my offer. A space was cleared to make room for everyone. With no yoga mats, we were limited to standing poses - but that was plenty. With everyone being a first-timer, conceptual cornerstone was the order of the day - safety edge, breath, mindfulness and non-reaction. This was a class attended by staff who could make it for the daily 11am slot.

Abs
On one session, it would have been another regular yoga class until one said he wanted abs. Abs is an interesting thing. Personal trainers know for a fact that their clients want to develop abs more than any other part of the body. It looks pretty, yes, but beyond that, it's also extremely functional. Nearly every movement or exertion we do stems or cross through the abs. It's a load-bearing structure that benefits the body if well developed. Having explained that for a fact, and also to keep them interested in the practice, I dropped whatever asana sequence I had in mind and shifted gears to an abs-yoga class.

Abs Yoga
Sure, nearly all the asana were focused on the abs, but it was first and foremost, a yoga class. Priority was still on breath and mental focus. To manage their expectation, I was clear that having good abs didn't only mean mega crunches. I explained how a cardio workout and good diet come hand-in-hand to shed the fat and reveal those washboards!

post abs-yoga class picture

Last Class
On my last class, I played a Bryan Kest video and conducted it. I didn't want them to stop the practice simply because I'm gone. Now that they have an experience on Bryan Kest, I left them the video file so they can conduct their own practice using the video. Hopefully, they keep up to it.

Staff Donation
Shortly before my departure, the staff handed me a surprise donation which they all contributed to. I was moved. I initially refused saying the yoga lessons were my gift and that I did not want anything in return. But they insisted saying it's in their tradition. I gratefully accepted.

Ending Thoughts
I hope that aside from teaching, I was also able to inspire them. In pursuing the practice when there is no teacher, inspiration is key. The staff and Tin and his family were all wonderful people who looked after me. I'm just thankful I have yoga as currency to say thank you.

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

demonstrating a wall-supported handstand

Reader Comments:

Leonid Marapao

Bohol Touristas Transport Services
(Oct 8, 2018) Ikaw pinaka fit dto sir G!

Lovorn

Theosophical Society in the Philippines
(Oct 8, 2018) Idol!

Chomkaew Kanharchai
(Oct 8, 2018) Oh waw waw superman

Yangon (city), Myanmar

IMPORTANT PLACES

Yangon International Airport

HOTEL

Beautyland Hotel II - central location, backpacker friendly, affordable, breakfast & laundry included

RESTAURANT

The Social House - Kitchen & Tap - international food, cold beer, chill vibe, fun crowd

CONDO RENTAL-SALE

2 Ward, Mayangone Township - REDUCED !!!, 1950 ft², 2 master bedrooms, full kitchen

USEFUL INFORMATION

How to Get to Downtown Yangon from the Yangon International Airport (RGN)

take the shuttle bus from Airport to Downtown Yangon, it costs MMK 500. It passes through the main artery of Yangon.

Yangon Travel Tips

useful site: Wiki Travel Yangon

USEFUL INFORMATION

(as of Jan 2020)

Myanmar FYI / Travel Tips

accommodation - not all destinations in Myanmar can accommodate foreign travelers. Walk-in hotel guests could be refused. Better make an online booking, or make sure the hotel you wish to stay, at is listed in the online booking sites (Agoda, Booking.com, etc.)
local time - adjust time 30 mins behind from Thailand (if arriving from Thailand)
Burmese people - Burmese people are new to what's happening to Myanmar - being opened-up to the rest of the world. They remain friendly, helpful and curious. Tourism being new, the culture is not yet corrupted by it.

General Travel Tips

arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!

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