​As part of the i Light Marina Bay 2016, Outta Hatha presents the "Shine Your Light" Pop Up Yoga series over two Saturday nights in March. ***We will be donating 50% of all proceeds to Gyanada Foundation, to support their efforts to give access to quality education for underprivileged girls in India.***

Shine Your Light I: Spice Yoga (12 March 6:30pm-8pm)

On 12th March, join Spice Sadhaka (Ling), founder of Outta Hatha, Sattva Retreats facilitator and yoga teacher mentor, as she returns from New York to lead another special yoga event for i Light Marina Bay (iLMB). In this Spice Yoga practice, you will be guided to surrender the mind to the heart, originating your breath and movement from a seat of pure love.

The session will start with purification and a brief introduction to the heart chakra and the concept of non-violence (Ahimsa) in our actions and the importance of integrating compassion into our yoga practice. The heart is also intimately linked to the sense of touch. 

As the sun sets, the physical practice (Asana) will begin with a spice aroma massage, to stimulate and awaken our subtle energy channels. The practice will include fresh interpretations of many classic yoga poses, guiding the practitioner to focus on mindful expansion of our inner space and light, opening of the heart, and making a connection to our secret relationship with our higher self.  Let the heart shine in this evening yoga session filled with balance, serenity, love and light.

Shine Your Light II: Dharma Yoga - Maha Sadhana (19 March 6:30pm-8pm)

On 19th March,  Sherri, Certified Dharma Yoga Teacher, will lead a special 90-minute Dharma Yoga: Maha Sadhana practice, inspired by her guru Sri Dharma Mittra. Invite your inner light to shine to its fullest by this holistic practice. To awaken this light journey, we begin with purification practices (including kriya yoga and mantra meditation) followed by brief introduction of yoga as the 8-Limbed Path. The majority of the session will focus on the 3rd Limb (asana/physical practice).

You will be guided through the challenging yet accessible “Dharma Yoga Shiva Namaskara” practice, emphasizing spiritual intent and proper alignment, followed by a deep healing relaxation technique called Yoga Nidra. The session will conclude with pranayama (breathing) and a guided meditation. This holistic and well-rounded experience brightens our awareness of our fullest potential. When you realize your light already blazes within your own heart, you can share that light with others. Be receptive. You are limitless. This celebration is not to be missed!

What you need
Walk-in rate is $20 for each class. Please bring cash in exact change. You can also use the Outta Hatha class card. Participants can also purchase the Outta Hatha class card on the spot or online. Feel free to bring along any cash donation to Gyanada Foundation, on top of the class fees, in support of our fundraising efforts - to share the light of knowledge and education for underprivileged girls in India. 

As these are pop-up sessions, please bring your mat, towel and water bottle! Event is on, rain or shine. Arrive early to grab the best spots!

Registration: Click here to register before coming to your first Outta Hatha event. Bookings are not required.  

Venue: Customs House Terrace. 70 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049323.  Please note that the venue is sheltered so classes do carry on in rainy weather.  

 Who is Sri Dharma Mittra? 
Originally from Brazil, legendary yoga teacher Sri Dharma Mittra has been teaching Classical Yoga in New York City, for nearly 50 years. He founded one of the first independent schools of yoga and has taught traditional yoga to hundreds of thousands. At 76 years young, he is still standing on his head and teaching lots of tricks for asana ;) as well as sharing the theory and spiritual philosophy of yoga. He continues to disseminate the complete science of yoga including how to lead a content, simple and happy life and encourages compassion for all. He is filled with love and gentleness and all who have met him can attest to his great sense of humor. As one of the first yogis who took selfies (no small task in the pre-digital world!), he is well-known for his Master Chart of 908 Asanas Poster which hangs in many studios and homes all over the world. He is also a Karma Yogi, having dedicated so much of his life to selfless service. 

What is Dharma Yoga? 
First of all, yoga is a system of divinely-realized techniques which when practiced correctly can lead to radiant health, mental powers and psychic powers. As Dharma often says, Yoga is more than all these fancy poses and breathing exercises---these are just preparations or techniques that will settle the mind into silence. Healthy body=healthy mind. When we are calm and quiet, we can realize our true divine self. 

Dharma Yoga is from the Hatha-Raja lineage. It is a holistic and complete practice based on the traditional science of yoga. One of the main characteristics of Dharma Yoga is the focus on the 8 limbed path, which is how yoga was originally taught and practiced in the beginning, thousands of years ago. This means that in addition to the yoga postures (the 3rd limb), there is a strong focus on the other limbs also, especially the first and second limbs, Yama (ethical precepts) and Niyama (self-disciplines) which purify the mind and heart preparing the practioner for deeper and more subtle practices (The Yamas will be discussed in my post next week). 

Dharma Yoga uses asana as a spiritual practice. Sri Dharma encourages us to practice the physical postures with devotion and grace. Each pose can be like an offering to the supreme self. This way, asana becomes a deeply inward and spiritual practice and not only a tool for strengthening, toning and stretching but a gateway to super - consciousness. Even the most challenging of poses can be like a meditation. Sri Dharma will frequently get everyone into a pose and then once he is satisfied with the alignment, he will say "now bury your mind in your heart" or "close your eyes and stop all mental activities...focus on your 3rd eye". This is when the Raja (or highest) yoga/union can occur. Ultimately the goal of yoga after we practice all these yogic techniques is Self-Realization. With lots of repetition and practice, we eventually realize that we are more than the body and mind. We are not the doer. We are the witness. 

In loving service to Sri Dharma Mittra. 
Om Shanti

DHARMA YOGA Under the Stars with Sherri 
Every Tuesday evening @ 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Outta Hatha Yoga @ Customs House Terrace
See our class schedule here and keep updated on our announcements on Facebook. 

Sherri will be leading her first class for Outta Hatha next Wednesday and we are making it extra special by fundraising for Gyanada Foundation. Sherri will be leading a 75-minute Dharma Yoga class on 22nd July Wednesday from 7pm to 8:15pm.  Participants pay by donations only, and 100% of funds raised will be given to Gyanada Foundation in support of their work to give disadvantaged girls across India better access to quality education. 

Dharma Yoga, created by Sri Dharma Mittra, is a graceful yet challenging form of Hatha-Raja yoga. The practice is appropriate for students of all levels. This is a holistic practice combining energising vinyasa flows with classical poses to give a well-balanced and invigorating experience. Afterwards, you'll be guided through deep healing relaxation, pranayama (breathing exercises) and a short meditation. 

The event is also supported by The Botanical Plate, whose founder Ruth Schooling is kindly donating all proceeds from sales of her Daily Cleansing Herb Scrub (60ml • SGD 15 via online or email order) till 22nd July.  Ruth will also be selling her Yoga Mat Sprays at the event, with $5 being donated to Gyanada Foundation from every purchase.  

Important things to note:
As this is a pop-up yoga event, please bring along your own yoga mat, towel, water bottle and cash (for your donations and purchases).  For those of you who are joining an Outta Hatha class/event for the first time, please complete one-time registration here before the event. 

Check out our official Facebook event page for more details and updates!  

From 20th July, all Outta Hatha evening classes will start at 7:00pm. We are standardising the class timings based on your feedback, to make it easier for everyone to remember. Note that Johanna will be on leave from 15 July to 22 August. Her classes will be covered by Amanda, Sherri and Shu Ting.

Here's our class schedule for July:

13th Monday 6:30pm-7:30pm Power Vinyasa (Johanna)
15th Wednesday 7:30-8:30pm Yin Yang Flow (Shu Ting)
16th Thursday 7:00pm - 8:00pm Twist & Open (Shu Ting)

20th Monday 7:00pm - 8:00pm Power Vinyasa (Amanda)
22nd Wednesday 7:00pm - 8:15pm Dharma Karma For Gyanada (Sherri) - Special fundraising event*
23rd Thursday 7:00pm - 8:00pm Twist & Open (Shu Ting)

27th Monday 7:00pm - 8:00pm Power Vinyasa (Amanda)
29th Wednesday 7:00pm - 8:00pm Yin Yang Flow (Sherri)
30th Thursday 7:00pm - 8:00pm Twist & Open (Sherri)

See you on the mat!

Check out the action at our first Saturday Pop-Up Yoga session, led by Henry.  We truly had a rousing and super fun start to our weekend!  Special thanks to Vita Coco Singapore for providing free delicious coconut water for all our participants!  For more event pictures, check out our Facebook page!