Hi
Anthony,
I enjoy attending the classes that is organized by Yoga Connections at Mangala Vihara Buddhist Temple . I have joined the classes for almost 2 years and have experienced great improvement in flexibility and strength. In addition, the yoga sessions have also help to tone up my muscles.
I would like to thanks Anthony and Rena for imparting the yoga techniques to us.
Regards,
Lay Kuan
Nov 2007
Hi
Anthony. A quote for you" We have found our weekly seesions with Anthony transformative. They are progressively physically demanding and spiritual. We feel healthier, more flexible and more erect in our postures. The teaching is systemantic and thoughtful and the execises are well designed. We know that unlike other many other forms of exercises, yoga reaches parts of our muscles which we do not normally use."
Hwee Hwee and Suee Chieh
Best regards,
Tan Suee Chieh
President Asia Pacific Region
Aug 2006
Hi
Anthony,
I have enjoyed the lessons at Yoga Connections tremendously since joining
them about 10 months ago, a sentiment very much shared by both my mum and
sister. Our instructor, Anthony, has been sincere, patient and encouraging,
and has managed to strike a balance between pushing us harder to attain the
correct poses and leaving us to our pace. We were pleasantly surprised to
find ourselves improving in our flexibility and strength over this short
period of time. Most importantly, we have learnt that the teachings of yoga
help to purify both body and mind, an aspect that is easily neglected
nowadays in light of our hectic lifestyles.
Sheri
Peh
Aug 2006
Hi
Anthony,
Here you have my comments about the course:
One of the good things about yoga connections is that, since the groups are
small, you get personal attention, and Anthony and Michelle always take care
of you, correcting your positions, and pushing you to do better and better.
You can feel that the instructors follow traditional yoga, and you also get
recommendations on how to live a healthier and more wholesome life.
But the most impressive thing is that you reap the benefits from the first
day, you flexibility starts improving right away, and everyone leaves the
lessons with a smile in their face.
All the best!
Diego
Aug 2006
Hari
Om!
The first time I heard that greeting I could not understand what it meant. Now I look forward to meeting my yoga teachers' coursemates so I can enjoy the warm feelings of hearing and saying it to others. For someone who no longer follows the faith she was born into (I'm from a Catholic background), yoga offers me the precious path to explore my spiritual life and growth. The principles are clear and simple but having said that, they are not that easy to follow either. I only learnt all these important aspects of yoga when I joined Anthony's classes and took up the teachers' course. I am very glad he invited me to take up the course as it has given me the understanding I needed. Of course, this training is only a beginning to lifelong pursuit of yoga and it gives me great joy and contentment to look forward to it. Before I joined Anthony, yoga to me was all about donning stylish yoga togs from Nike that I can only afford on sale! Now I see that for myself, yoga is all about personal development. I never could understand how yoga can be both exercise and spirituality. Thanks to Anthony, Guruji and Swami-ji, I know that yoga is beyond race, creed or religion. I feel that the greatest thing I've gained from joining Yoga Connections is the understanding that comes from learning and exploring yoga on a far deeper level than going to a gym. The yoga books Anthony has recommended us, the classes we've had the opportunity to take from our teachers from India, have really inspired me to be a lifelong student and practitioner of yoga. I used to find it hard to do the camel, after 4 months of joining Yoga Connections, I'm able to enjoy the posture. I've been doing Dhanurasana for almost 4 years but could never 'take off and fly' like how I've seen others do. Recently during class, I finally found myself doing the posture with the feeling of flight as I was able to pull my thighs off the ground and experience a sense of lightness. One of the things I appreciate most about Anthony as a teacher is his fatherly way of teaching. He is both strict and nurturing. In the beginning I found it like yoga boot camp! Now I enjoy the feeling of being a yoga 'recruit' in boot camp but also find the classes highly relaxing with its therapeutic qualities and shavansana. Last but not least, I'll like to thank Rina for her wonderfully gentle and motherly presence as well as Michelle our other instructor for her enjoyable classes as well. And not to mention, thank you for the friendship and fun of meeting and practising with my fellow 'yoga freaks' (people who really love yoga!), to all my coursemates and classmates at Yoga Connections!
Hari Om!
Michelle
Chua
Jul 2006
YOGA
- A GREAT FAMILY ACTIVITY
Earlier this year, as our
children began returning home after the completion of their tertiary
education abroad, we were once again looking for an activity whereby we
could all spend time together. A few years back we had taken up Boating and
had many hours of fun together.
However, Ponggol Marina had since closed down and we wanted something more
grounded for a change this time.
By chance we came across Yoga Connections and decided to give it a try. My
personal impression of Yoga was that it was about twisting the body into all
kind of funny shapes and was not quite sure whether I, in my mid fifties,
could actually do it. But to my surprise I not only could manage quite a
few asanas comfortably and enjoyed it, but also began to feel the benefits
of it. We also started having a good time together at home teasing each
other during our practices which was my ultimate purpose anyway - to be
bonded together as a family.
Surprisingly, both my wife, Saryu, and daughter, Poorvi, decided to
seriously go further and take up the Teaching course. And with this, once
again, our Dinner table is full of the Yoga discussion and all the funny
things that happen in class!
To anybody who is looking for a healthy, fun and non-impact activity,
suitable at any age, I would personally recommend that they not only try
Yoga but try it out at Yoga Connection because Anthony, you are not only a
very good instructor but really inspirational. Your enthusiasm and
encouragement to all young and old is truly putting fun into an activity who
many may feel could be tough, boring and dry.
Once again we having been having a good time not only during the course but
at home also. To both of you, Anthony and your lovely wife, Rina, many
thanks for the wonderful work that you are doing so well - and for the many
hours of a lovely time we are having as a family.
With sincere best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Satish P. Doshi and Family
Jul 2006
Hi
Just want to say that I really enjoy Anthony's classes at the Mangala Vihara.
I just started the Intermediate class after a hiatus, and rediscovered how
calming and peaceful 1.5hrs can be. Best of all, my shoulders and back ached
the next day, just as though I'd done heavy training with weights - only I
hadn't! Thanks for the great workouts
Po Chin
Jul 2006
Dear
Yoga Connections, Eversince I left school years ago, I have never exercised,
unless you consider vacuuming a form of exercise. I told myself I was too
busy with my children or work to bother. I was used to getting headaches at
night or this bloating below my chest which can be really uncomfortable. I
was told about your class through a friend of mine and decided to take it up
for fun, not really thinking that I will benefit from it. That was six
months ago and truthfully, I am hooked. There are asanas that can help
alleviate my headaches or indigestion. I feel better about myself and less
sluggish. I have been enjoying every class I attended and am always sorry
when I had to miss any. I especially liked it that your classes are yoga
lessons and not yoga sessions. You taught us to include yoga in our daily
life and not just once a week for an hour and a half. I have been practising
at home and my kids, who would watch me, would sometimes join in. I think
they are better than I am now. As a Muslim, I had worries that your class
may be more spiritual and thus cause conflict with my faith. It was soon
very obvious that I had nothing to worry about. My instructor, Anthony is
professional and always respectful of the different faiths of his students.
What struck me from the very first is that your company is far different
from True Yoga or other big and commercialised yoga centres. It is very
clear that you are serious and passionate about teaching yoga to your
students. Every asana is introduced carefully and specifically. I realised
that I can learn proper yoga asanas simply without the superficial frills
that other yoga centres include to attract their students and profit from
them. So, thank you Yoga Connections for all that I had learnt amidst
laughter and pain.
Warmest regards,
Hawa Ahamad
Jul 2006
I
have attended the yoga class for the passed 6 months conducted by Sri
Anthony Arjun Loy . Initially, I'm very skeptical of what the course could
offer but as I progress I felt an inner calm and look forward to the weekly
class. Anthony conducts his lessons professionally and systematically.
He encourages us to progress but never pushes us beyond our limits.
Recently I introduced my cousin for the beginner class and she shares the
same opinion. We are thankful to him and his assistant for imparting
the yoga techniques and making the class so interesting.
Regards
Mary Wong
Jul 2006
Hi
Anthony,
I’d like to
say thank you for begin a great instructor in class. Your instructions and
demonstrations are clear and the pace is just right. This is perfect for
people like me who just want to stretch and relax.
I was totally new to YOGA six months ago before started lesson with Yoga
Connection at the Mangala Vihara Temple.
I have realized that practicing yoga not only helps me to slow down, feeling
less tension and sleep better. It also helps with my flexibility and I am
really glad I did.
The breathing exercises and the series of Asanas are great especially the
Surya Namaskar. I’ll continue practice and master yoga as much as I can, to
become more toned, feeling less tension and more Energetic!
From: Michelle Wong
Jul 2006
Years
ago I registered with a few yoga centres, keen and enthusiastic to learn and
enjoy the many benefits of yoga. Unfortunately I was never able to complete
any of my classes. At most, I attended only a couple of lessons and with
unclear instructions, incomplete background information, etc etc my interest
started waning and I stopped. From then on, it was a long search. The
journey finally ended at the Mangala Vihara Buddhist Temple where Anthony
Arjun Loy was teaching. I started with the Beginners class and found
myself thoroughly enjoying the first session. It was hard (there were many
poses I couldn't conquer ....due to stiffness) but it was fun. Anthony's
sense of humour, unassuming personality and knowledge made it a holistic
learning experience. Till today, I am still with Yoga Connections, and
proudly in Intermediate ??. I attempt all the positions as best as I am
able to and it helps that Anthony comes around to perfect all the wrongs.
What is most satisfying is that I can see tremendous improvements in my
flexibility. I have a long way to go but hope one day to be able to do the
asanas as well as Anthony! Some of the stretches are amazingly difficult
but I enjoy the challenge. Yoga is a long and deep subject and I am glad
that I persevered in my search and found what I was looking for. Thank you
Yoga Connections."
From: Subathra
Jul 2006
It has been one year since I started yoga lesson with Yoga
Connection @ the Mangala Vihara Temple , following are my feedback on the
benefits I have gained during this one year: *Cleansing - After practising the cleansing of the eyes for the past few months, I can feel that my eyes look cleaner & brighter. After trying the cleansing of the body system for the past few months, it tends to shrink my stomach as I cannot each too big a helping at one go now, will feel like throwing out if I have too heavy a meal (so don't enjoy buffet like I used to be before). But not very sure is it because of the system cleansing, only suspect it could be due to that. *Overall - I think it has been a year of great experience learning yoga from Anthony , he has imparted invaluable knowledge to all of us that really benefited each and everyone of us in one way or another. Anthony , you have been a great yoga instructor, I would recommend your service to anyone who are interested in picking up yoga. Anthony, I thought it might be easier if you can design a feedback form with all the relevant benefits that yoga can contribute, in this way the students can just tick the relevant benefits that they have gain. Some students may have gained the benefits but don't know how to express it or may have missed out on certain benefits when writing the feedback to you. You may want to think about it for your next feedback session or have a copy posted on your website for students to give their feedback. Warmest Regards from Your Student Catherine Chiu |
| For many years I was suffering from backache (around the waistline area). It was so bad that I had to go for weekly acupuncture changing and switching from one sinseh to another for the past 4 years. Everyone in the clinic knows me and my name very well. All the sinseh that I had consulted put the blame on me for "carrying too heavy things" and that I have to stop doing housework like sweeping/vacumn the floor and avoid carrying things like 1 bag of 3 oranges is considered heavy for me. At one stage it was so bad that I could not even bend my head completely touching the ground while paying respect to Lord Buddha. I joined YOGA class at Mangala Vihara Buddhist Temple conducted by our Master Anthony Loy in March 2004 on every Friday and attended the class faithfully once a week then and now twice a week. The pain had simply disappeared and I had not been going to the sinseh for the same ailment for the past 8 months. This is miracle! I do my daily eye washing upon waking, and "SUN SALUTATION" exercise in the morning before 6 a.m and "Tratak" (staring at the candlelight) before retiring. The next thing I want to master is the "BREATHING" exercise. I take this opportunity to thank our YOGI Master Anthony Loy for his passion in teaching us with patience and care during the whole duration of the course. Nancy Teo |
| In December 2004, I realised that most of my blouses were about to burst at the seams and I was putting on weight, so I made up my mind to sign up for your yoga class as it is very near to my home. I joined your class in Jan 2005. It was only after 4 months and I have lost 5-6 kg which was never possible if I did not attend your yoga class. I also realised that my belly fats were gone and my arm muscles have toned quite significantly. Yoga has also helped me to be more flexible than I was before. I was not able to do the "Lotus" pose when I first joined the class but now I am able to do this pose and am more flexible than before. All the above have been made possible because of yoga and also for the fact that you have been a very understanding and patient teacher. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being so understanding and helpful and that you have made the class interesting and enjoyable. I now made it a point to attend all classes and have been practising it regularly in the morning. Once again, a very big "THANK YOU". Best regards |
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The sincerity and caring nature of the instructor played a major role in my current passion for yoga. That is why when the class ended at the hotel, I decided to join Yoga Connections' other classes at another location. Not simply any yoga class will do, as I believe the people play an essential part of the overall experience. I feel fabulous after each session; my mind as well as body are relaxed, energized and totally rejuvenated! Even my mum notices that my body is now much fitter, and she is the one constantly encouraging (or rather, nagging) me to practice yoga everyday! Annabel Loh |
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I was a total beginner when I joined your yoga class in Mangala Vihara three months ago. I was impressed with your teaching during the first few lessons and am glad to be able to practise some Asanas which were difficult for me . Credit must be given to Agnes,without her help and encouragement, I would not be able to practise Halasana. Appropriate class size and better defined class standard allow us to learn better. Few of us are quite happy with your recent decision to split the class. Best regards, |
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I started Yoga lessons with you in February. When I first came I couldn't even bend, touch my knees or was even flexible. I was overweight, had a vertigo problem, and knee joint pains. Now I can do most exercises without pains and aches and enjoy it. I have lost weight especially on my upper torso. I have learnt to become more flexible physically and mentally! And I have gain more knowledge on the exercises and how they can help me. i.e like the breathing and cleansing techniques. Anthony , you and your team as yoga teachers are very patient, helpful and kind and I hope to continue to be your student for a very long time. Thank you. |
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Kathryn Lim |
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That is the reason why till now I am still looking forward to the next lesson as I know that I will gain new knowledge (both physically and mentally) from the teachers and the class is not bored at all. I would like to take this opportunely to express my thanks to all my teachers for their patience and guidance. Penny Koh |
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In the past, I used to associate Yoga with stiff lotus postures and slow moving stretches meant for older people. I do not think that I would benefit from it. For a healthy lifestyle, I would usually opt for vigorous form of exercises, like aerobics etc. Having joined Yoga Connections after my trial session has proven me wrong… Experience with Yoga Your friendly and structured approach to the teachings of asanas allows us to gain greater flexibility, strength and stamina over time. It gives a wonderful stretch to the entire body. Unlike most high-impact exercises, it not only helps tone our physical body but it also has an energizing effect on our mind with the element of relaxation through deep breathing and meditation exercises. These exercises after the asanas are so calming and healing that I have adopted it in my daily life. It relaxes me when I feel stressed and this has enabled me to sleep better too. My favorite part of the yoga class is performing the asanas. I look forward to my weekly yoga classes and have also started practicing it at home. Under the patience guidance of the instructors, I am able to perform most of the yoga postures taught. YOGA definitely has a positive impact on me - It has decreased my stress level, body weight and increased my agility and self confidence. The Q & A session allows us to learn freely about YOGA concepts/principles such as how common ailments can be cured through consistent practices of certain asanas. Combining these yoga practices with the cleansing and dieting methods helps me achieve my optimal health and radiant well-being. Yoga Connections has indeed fulfilled my expectations of a healthy lifestyle. Realization after Yoga People often have the misconception about yoga being a religion — I firmly believe that it is a personal choice. One can still practice yoga for its health and spiritual benefits while maintaining one’s religious values and beliefs. It has been such a rewarding experience for me during the past 8 months with Yoga Connections. I would like to thank the charismatic instructors for their dedicated coaching as well as their willingness to share their immense knowledge and enthusiasm in yoga to all. With your selfless teachings, I have developed an unfaltering interest in yoga and strive to excel in it. Thanks again for this positive change in my life… Lim Ai Ling |