Me doing the Warrior II pose
Remember the weekend I got spammed? While you readers were struggling with an evil spammer pretending to be me, I was blissfully unaware, away at a three-day BodyBalance instructor training. It’s been almost a month now, and I have yet to talk about my glorious experience.
First of all, you may ask, what in heaven’s name is BodyBalance? There is no better description than one from the creators themselves:
A unique blend of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi exercises to build flexibility and develop core muscle strength. Controlled breathing, concentration and a carefully structured series of stretches and postural moves to music create a workout that brings the body into a state of harmony.
Sounds good? It’s even more amazing when you experience it for yourself firsthand…
Me & Derek doing Tai Chi Warm-up; Azlan looks cool
I won’t ever forget my first time. I had been going to the gym for several months then, and had lost quite a bit of weight via one-on-one sessions with Jonathan, my personal trainer. But frankly, I was getting quite bored of all the resistance training and push-ups. There’s gotta be something better than getting up before dawn to hit the treadmill at 6:30am every other day, I thought.
Enter: Les Mills classes. Nearly every major gym franchise in Malaysia runs them — different programmes for different needs and tastes. They have BodyCombat for the martial arts-inclined, BodyJam for the bootylicious, even BodyPump for those who can’t get enough of them weights. Yet the programme that caught my eye was BodyBalance. Why?
Cos that was one thing I sure didn’t have in my life at the time: Balance. Not in my body or any other part of my life. Time to get centred again.
Perfect Balance: Me, Amy, Derek, Azlan & Rachel
My first class was conducted by an instructor named Klevin (no, that ain’t a typo). He was friendly, charming and incredibly graceful at executing the moves, putting most of the ladies in the class to shame! The best part was how calming it was, his voice, the music, the tempo of the entire class, culminating in relaxation and meditation (meaning we got to lie down at last after an hour of bending and stretching).
What a rush!
Of course, I was terribly inflexible and some of the poses seem near impossible to achieve. But there’s nothing I like better than a challenge, and nothing I hate worse than getting bored. There was no fear of that with this.
Fast forward half a year, and I had signed up to audition for the BodyBalance instructor training. I must be mad, I told myself, to do this — humiliate myself in front of a studio full of people when I am barely broken in yet. But miracles never cease, and I passed. I was going for the training! Only those around me did not seem surprised; I guess it’s always good to surround yourself with friends with more faith in you than you do.
Class of 2007: Rachel, me, Azlan, Ben, Derek, Cheryl (behind),
Riyo (in front), Kylie, Amy, Kelvan, Ezura
BodyBalance training is like a 3-day endurance bootcamp but with yoga poses held for what seemed like hours sometimes. It ain’t easy; it ain’t for the faint-hearted. But surely I have found my fitness soulmates: eight other trainees from diverse backgrounds (my BFF Rachel’s a project manager; super-fit Amy and charming Azlan are personal trainers, extraordinary Derek a university lecturer and theatre maestro; cool guy Kelvan a consultant; Cheryl’s the bubbliest fitness instructor I know; chilled out Ben teaches piano; and lovely Ezura a lawyer by profession and one classy lady by nature).
The trainers were fabulous: Riyo and Kylie, both foreigners (Japan & Australia, respectively) transplanted here for their passion to spread the joy of fitness to other. Rarely are there trainings with such an intimate number of trainees and TWO trainers! We were very lucky and very spoiled indeed. What followed was pure fitness magic, but I think I’ll leave that for another post.
For now, I’ll just say that BodyBalance and these brilliant friends I’ve made has made a tremendous, positive change to my life. I feel truly blessed, and if I sound like I’m gushing here, well, then I guess I am.
Love you guys! 
Photo credits: Rachel and Riyo.
55 Comments
you people look sooo cool in your poses, make me wanna take up yoga. but me think my ol’ joints here might not be so agreable…
Wooo…so nice. I want to do that too. I will. For now I will run on the treadmill. At least I am moving and burning too..he he. Keep it up.
Me too, am voting for Ninie. Fingers crossed.
3 days and that’s it? you’re an instructor? that’s pretty easy isnt it?
i tot the warrior post is solely for yoga… i guess there’re a lot of sub sub work out nowadays huh…
any free lessons kenny?
Cutebanana,
Eh, hello, brother, your joints same age as mine, right? If ol’ fatty me can do it, surely you can too! (Disclaimer: I did too was a fatty and Cutebanana can verify this, being my high school classmate.)
Kak Ruby,
Yes, it all starts with moving and burning. Seriously, the first thing I did was just the treadmill. Then another thing, and another…
Ninie is just so nice, she deserves all the votes we can give her!
Zewt,
Not so fast lah, that’s just Stage One. Les Mills is very strict on passing instructors actually. I have miles to go…
Warrior pose is from Yoga; BodyBalance incorporates exercises from Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. But I like the way you see it — sub sub work as it were.
Free lessons? When I finally get a class of my own, of course free. You just have to be a member of the club, hee hee…
Confirmed….all slim slim one. LOL….
Yoga and Pilates are quite popular here. My good friend that has 2 young ones at home takes Yoga lessons, once a week. My other friend does Pilates at home using video tape. My husband and I had a chance to try out Yoga last year at a park. After that, we have deeper appreciation for people that does Yoga. It is not as easy as you think. There was one guy who raised his whole body using just his 2 palms. Amazing!
wmw,
Yes, but almost half of us used to be the other way round — that’s why we are such fitness fanatics now! Hahaha…
mrshbt,
No, it’s not as easy as one may think, but nor is it that difficult. All it takes is a lot of practice and determination. I always say if inflexible ol’ me can do it, anyone can!
Kenny - it looks good fun and must do wonders for the body. Anything that exercises the body is great. The world has a real obesity problem.
Personally, I like to stick to the old stuff. I do 5 to 10 mins of Yoga every morning. I go to Karate twice a week. Through kata or forms as in Tai Chi there is physical exercise but also moving meditation. So there’s something for the mind, for the spirit too.
Tunku,
I couldn’t agree more. Obesity is a growing problem and I know I used to be part of the statistics myself.
Any form of exercise is better than none. My Dad used to teach Tai Chi and he still coaches kids in badminton sometimes, but these days, post-retirement, he spends most of his free time line-dancing or ballroom dancing with my Mom. They probably have better stamina than me!
—
I wont lie.
(sigh) - but I liked looking at some of the instructors in your photos.
Wait, I’m not being honest.
ONE of the instructors.
I should be blunt.
I liked ‘Checking out’ one of you instructors in you photos.
Kill me now, I’m vapid …
*cries*
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Ps: Youre a pretty picture too
pps: yes, I’m tryign to control any lascivious postings, but its hard, I’m sorry 
What was that Calvin & Hobbes strip about vapidity? Something about it being a damn good thing if you like it. Or did I just make this up? Whatever. Still.
P.S. What till my BodyBalance buddies get a load of this: they’ll all try and figure out if they are the one being lusted over, haha. You’re doing magic to their egos, G. (Don’t worry, I’ll deflate ‘em every time, haha.)
P.P.S. Was that pun intentional or…? It’s hard, huh?
—
(tee hee and all that)
Oh dear, I made a pun
I do magic to more than just ego’s.
The fine print never lies.
And you can tell them that :p
Then again. it is fun playing bad cop, good cop - on in this case, ego-infleter & ego-deflater.
And yes, I lub Calven & Hobbes!
But more so, I love my men! - in more than one way! I’m versatile that way!
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Versatile, eh? You’d be perfect for yoga then! (Actually, anyone is perfect for yoga and BodyBalance — the less flexible you are, the better! Take the challenge!)
what a pose man ..
by the way, are u still with the previous company? how to put it .. my previous company ..
Nope, I’m a consultant with an executive search firm now. People are real happy when I call them up and tell them I just might have a fantastic job for them…
ha ha ha .. good. no stress
I wouldn’t say no stress, just much, much, MUCH LESS STRESS, hahaha. Anyway, always have BodyBalance to de-stress with.
P.S. One of my BodyBalance instructors just left our company too. We should form a club of former disgruntled employees, haha.
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oh yes, I’d like to balance some bodies alright ….
Yikes! Not even going there, not even going there, hahaha…
kenny, i’d give anything to be able to do that but at the moment my body is so tak balance I even have a hard time keeping myself on both feet! Keep it up!
wah kenny, jack of all trades eh? :p going to be trainer somemore *salute* put chubby people like me to shame..hehe
Kak Teh,
The body can always be trained to be more balanced; the mind is a tougher cookie to crack. And you, my dear, have one of the most balanced personalities — mentally and spiritually — of anyone I’ve the pleasure of knowing.
sc,
Jack of all Trades, Master of None?
And hey, I used to be more than chubby — obese, even! Anything is possible if we want it badly enough, right? And I want this so badly I can taste it, haha…
cool post dude! it’s nice to finally see the faces behind the names u always mention. hahah… ;o)
p/s: i meant cool *pose*…silly me…
Well, I had hoped that it was both a cool pose and a cool post!
hahha…it is, it is..coming from you..the most boring post can be turn into an interesting one. ;o)
p/s: psst…can u teach me how to make the words italic, bold etc..in the comments box?
Ah, spiffy… the things you say to get me teach you HTML. You mean like this, and this? Heh heh heh…
(Will email you the instructions later. Now got to prep. I’m interviewing a candidate soon…)
what things?? eh eh..dun ejek pulak..=P
(hahah..someone’s been extremely bz ever since started work..)
Busy? Who, me?
yeah, you…who else? =P
Congrats, Kenny, on making it. Admire your dedication.
Am a gym dropout, and I’d like to say distance (from gym) plus family commitments but that’s no excuse still. Thanks for the update on BodyBalance - always wanted to try it but very shy-lah to be in co-ed class. Actually - correction: too embarassing to be in co-ed class and to be a beginner. Do tell us more about the other Les Mills classes, Kenny.
Nice pics and great to share your experience! It’s good to sometimes find balance in the body, very concrete and grounding, especially if you are of a habit of existing very mentally. I find this in my work (it’s very physical rather than completely with my brain, thankfully) - it centres me to this universe so I am not so airy fairy all the time
Wah, Kenny, you should write a book on body balance lah. You even can photograph yourself in all the poses.
Kenny,
I already lau yee liao. Body off balance, got bruises from knocking here and there. Envy you all. All you fit youngsters, keep it up!
Eliza,
Thanks, but there’s a long way more to go for me before I get cleared as a full-fledged instructor, but I relish the challenge! Everything that makes me stronger, makes me better, right?
I believe there aren’t any gym dropouts; see yourself as taking a hiatus so that you can one day return to fitness with more determination than before. And I always tell my friends, you don’t have to join a gym to get some exercise, you just need to exercise.
Instructors are very friendly and particularly kind to beginners, watching out for them to make sure they feel comfortable and don’t injure themselves while having a good time. That’s the main thing — make sure you relax and have some fun! That’s certainly why I joined the classes in the first place!
As for co-ed classes, no worries, I know plenty of Muslim ladies who join and work out just as hard, so long as they wear comfortable (not tight) clothing. No one’s scantily clad and there’s no body contact lah…
And other Les Mills classes? Maybe another post by itself?
Msiagirl,
I am very intrigued by your work in aromatherapy actually; I was quite fascinated by the properties of essential oils at one time. Maybe you can reinvigorate my interest (and those of others) by blogging more about it?
Grounding is a good word to apply here, very true. It’s strange that I had wanted balance in my life the whole time but never really allowed myself the opportunity to even experience till now.
And it flows to all other parts of my life. I still face all the daily stresses and challenges that Life throws at me, but I can handle them better now, knowing there will be a time for me to feel calm and centred later, out of the nasty but temporary zone we sometimes find ourselves in.
In fact, why not choose to feel calm and centred even when facing the mad minutes themselves, eh?
Xeus,
I know of no one else with quite the same faith as you in my abilities, and that from the very first time you met me! My turn to feel pai seh only. Aiyo, my poses not up to par yet; still must improve my technique a lot lah…
Alice,
Age is just an excuse, as my dear parents always tell their line-dancing students, most of them in their 60s and 70s. Mom and Dad are in their mid-60s themselves and woe betide anyone who calls them old!
One of the regular gym kakis is a 50 plus lady who owns a workshop nearby. Her enthusiasm for fitness is astounding! And no, she’s not a stick-thin auntie; just a regular middle-age woman who decided to feel better about herself, both physically and mentally. Kudos to her!
Now, if your body is off-balance, what better time than to start now to put it into balance! Any form of exercise or activity that improves your fitness is good! Try something you enjoy to start with.
(Disclaimer for the rest of you folks: “Swimming” does not mean mahjong, okay?)
Exactly! Feeling calm and centred at a lovely retreat with tibetan bells isn’t the test - it’s probably about being calm when driving in KL traffic (eek-terrified-will never do this).
Haha! Really laughed about the swimming is not mahjong comment. I want a T-Shirt!
Hmm. Would love to blog more about essential oils, they are one of my passions after all, thanks for reminding me!
You go on being that Warrior in your pose…
I could never do the Warrior pose, dunno why somehow my body just refused to position itself in that way, sigh.
Hi Kenny!
I’ve been looking for your e-mail link since weeks ago but to no avail. Want to thank you personally for your support, kindness and generosity of having said and promoted good words about me. And I still owe you a HatiYoga! Do send me a line to my e-mail and I’ll get in touch with you ya?
On another note, I love BodyBalance! The combination of all possible balancing workouts is simply mindblowing! Would love to try your class, come laa teach at True Fitness, he hee..
Thanks again for everything and more. Keep the votes sending in ya? I’ll pay you with free yoga class, maybe? Thanks Kenny..
Msiagirl,
KL traffic? Was just in yesterday. Let me tell you all those breathing and calming exercises came in handy…
Looking forward to more essential oil posts!
Firehorse,
Sure, you can! Just need patience and practice. Rome (and a flexible body) wasn’t built in a day, no?
Ninie!
So happy to have you drop by!! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you! You so deserve to win with all your hard work and determination.
Will get in touch with you, but so embarrassing, I’m such a beginner in yoga. But as I’ve told others, we all have to start somewhere. What better way than to learn from the best, right?
I’ll be your first trainee
And what a sexy student you’d be too…
what about me, Kenny? Won’t I be a sexy student too?
hehe, i’m such a teaser.
—
occasionally oogling …
How do all my entries end up with comments about the sexy? I’m to blame, I know… Hahaha…
You look so balanced, so harmonious, so happy! Good on you, Kenny, for doing something you love and sharing your passion about it with us. And I think it has contributed to your Mind Balance as well, considering the dignity and calm you showed when your blog was spammed.
Dear Yang-May,
I do feel more balanced, but I also understand it isn’t something permanent. Call it what we may — happiness, contentment, balance — it’s a slippery thing, ready to escape our fingers at a moment’s notice.
Which is why, I guess, I’m learning to enjoy whatever it is, however it comes and goes, while I still have it. And I believe more will come, the more I share.
In Life, we are all beginners — there’s always learning to be had, no matter how many years or university degrees we collect, and this is the best part of it for me: I’ll never get bored!
WachaaaaAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
Okay, so I’m not in an articulate mode today, obviously.
pizzofmine,
WachaaaaAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!? Eh, itu BodyCombat lah… martial arts. We do BodyBalance… peace of mind, calm & centred. No WachaaaaAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
Articulation is overrated anyway.
Oh, so then its a toned-down, mellow, almost whispering monologue sort of wachaaaaaaaaaaaaa (minus the exclamation).
and what do you mean WachaaaaAAAAAAA!!!!! is not centered? One can have cross eye screaming it. hahaha
pizzofmine,
Ah so, if Master-san says centred, then centered it is. Ah so. So. So.
And just read via Sharon’s blog — congratulations on getting your short story into Nanotales! Well done!
Thank you.
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