Do not fall asleep

I always play a soothing music in class for Shavasana. It's a piece of music Azmi used to play during Shavasana in his class. I love it because it calms me and I can relax myself by listening to it.

There was once I'm not sure whether it was the CD or the player, the CD got "stuck" and couldn't play. So I tried to relax the class verbally with "release any tension at your joints", "do not hold any part of your muscles", "listen to the rhythm of your breathe" kind of words. Lastly I reminded them "but, do not fall asleep". Someone raised and looked at me "Do not fall alseep?"

All of us love Shavasana, but it's not easy to lie down on the mat comfortably with eyes closed but do not fall asleep (especially after a workout). I've noticed people dozed off during Shavasana, and I used to have wandering mind during Shavasana. But the correct thing to do during this 3-10 minutes is to relax the body and mind. It's hard but it's what we're trying to achieve, for at least a few minutes.

What I do is I (really) listen to my own breathe. I keep myself conscious by feeling my abdomen raising and flattening, feeling the air flowing to every part of my body nourishing every cell. I feel relax as I have no time to think of anything other than my breathe, just enjoy the feeling of letting go.

Keeping our mind empty once in a while helps bringing in new thoughts.

Open your heart

Backbends open the heart, energize the body, invigorate the mind.

Ichiban Boshi

I was previously surprised by the vegetarian sushi menu introduced by Kinsahi, then I found another japanese restaurant that provide quite a variety of vegetarian choices - Ichiban Boshi in Pavilion KL.







Besides the usual Egg Mayo, Inari, Cucumber/Radish Maki and corn Sushi, Ichiban Boshi has something more interesting.


Vegetables Roll (Maki).


Vegetables Handroll (Temaki).


Forgotten the name, something with Inari and pickled radish.


Cold beancurb.

The thing I like about them is that these are not vegetarian as in they are 'fake' seafood/meat, but they are all vegetables - fresh and colorful vegetables, to be eaten in a creative way.

Another plus point is, the price here is like Sushi King, with better customer service, environment and food.

Extended Side Angle

I was sitting at my desk for hours reviewing abundant requests (extra requests during QA stage!) from a client. Just before my get-off-work time, I felt a mild lower back ache, felt like getting a back massage but too bad I don't have the time for this luxury.

Soon it was class time. After a couple for hip-opening and twisting poses, I felt much better, so much relief for the lower back.


Parsvakonasana.

I love Yoga, for its self-therapeutic effect.

Stuffed cucumber

It was one of the main dish of my lunch today. I wanted to follow the recipe but failed because of laziness :p I just took the rough idea of this dish and made it my own version (I didn't even follow the measurement, I just estimated based on my own liking). Looked nice, tasted not bad too. I think I shall follow the full recipe another time and it will be much nicer.

Original recipe:

Ingredients
Cucumber 1, large
Corn flour (cornstarch) 1 Tbsp
Soft bean curb 300g, mashed
Dried Chinese mushrooms 6, soaked to soften, stems discarded and minced
Water chestnuts 45g, peeled and minced (I couldn't get this so I replaced with potato)
Carrot 1, small, peeled and minced
Salted vegetable 30g, soaked in water for 30 minutes, washed and minced (I skipped this as I try to cut down on preserved food, but definitely will taste nicer with this in it)
Cooking oil 75ml
Vegetable stock 180ml (Didn't make this, I replace with some 'mushroom water' - the water I used to soak the mushrooms + soy sauce + sesame oil + salt)
Sesame oil 1 1/2 tsp

Seasoning A
Salt 2/3 tsp
Dry mustard 1/2 tsp (I skipped this)
Corn flour (cornstarch) 1 Tbsp
Egg white 1

Seasoning B
Salt 1 tsp
Ground white pepper 1/2 tsp

Method
-Peel cucumber and trim off ends. Cut into 2.5cm thick rounds and use a small round cutter to cut out the soft centres (I don't have small round cutter so I used butter knife to cut manually, not smooth edges but it won't be seen). Wash cucumber rings and pat dry with paper towel, Dust inside of tings with corn flour.

-Mix mashed bean curb with all minced ingredients and seasoning A. Mix well. Heat 2 Tbsp oil and stir-fry mixture for 2 minutes (I skipped this step). Pack into cucumber ring.

- Heat remaining oil in a frying pan and lightly cook stuffed cucumber rings over medium heat until just browned.

-Pour vegetable stock over cucumber rings and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer very gently for 20 minutes until cucumber are tender. Add seasoning B and sesame oil. Transfer to a deep serving dish and serve hot.

Quoted from Chinese Vegetarian mini cookbook.

I skipped the whole last 2 steps. I poured the stock + seasoning into the plate with stuffed cucumber rings and steamed it for 10 mins or so. Haha, much easier!

Eagle

It looks very much entangled, but it helps me loosen the knots in my body.

My private Yoga corner

Finally I've cleared up the space and claimed this corner of the house as my private Yoga corner. A place for my home practice. A place to seek quiet and peace.

Since I've not joined any Yoga center for my practice, Yoga Today is now my guidance and companion.



My next target: fixing a big mirror here.