Yoga_Journal_Singapore_FebruaryMarch_2017

72

february / march 2017

yogajournal.com.sg

Lisa Low

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DETAILS Some of her favorite things...

Fav mantra in life

When it’s time for

change, let go.

Fav Pastime

Self myofascial release, meditation, reading up on

human anatomy (not necessarily in that order)

Fav Pose

Mandukasana or

frog pose.

Fav Yoga Teacher

Tiffany Cruikshank, without

a doubt.

YJSG meets Lisa Low, a young and fit grandma at 45, and a teacher-cum-healer for

the elderly and rehab patients, with a deep seeded passion for yoga and pilates.

Fav Restaurant

Basilico at The

Regent Singapore!

What kind of training do you provide and

to who?

My classes are mostly anatomy focused. I am continuously learning under

the direct tutelage of Tiffany Cruikshank (Founder, Yoga Medicine & Former

YJ Cover Model). I typically work with the special population and the elderly

in a one-on-one setting—a large percentage of them are undergoing post-

surgery rehabilitation. I apply therapeutic yoga poses, pilates (on the mat

or on a reformer) and also myofascial release techniques. My sessions

include pranayama and meditation. I have personally witnessed my clients

coming off antidepressants and insomnia after prolonged sessions. I have

also seen improved posture, especially in the elderly. I work closely with

healthcare practitioners in rehab programs, and often get clients referred by

physiotherapists and traditional chinese medicine (TCM) doctors, as well as

orthopaedics.

How has a combination of Pilates and

Yoga helped you with your fitness?

I have been practicing yoga for over 24 years. I chanced upon

pilates while living in Shanghai, at a point when I was starting to feel

that my daily yoga practice had hit a plateau. A yogi friend invited

me to a reformer pilates class, and I remember thinking during the

hour-long class that ‘this is my next level!’ I had thought I had good

strength control, but pilates showed me otherwise. Pilates gradually

began to change and mould the way I practiced yoga. I love how

in yoga, one is constantly encouraged to ‘open’ the body, whereas

in pilates, one has to focus on the ‘inner body core.’ I maintain

an equal dose of yoga and pilates daily as my practice. In the last

couple of years, during my yoga teachings, I have included cues

that I picked up during my pilates training to my yoga classes.

How do you bring mindfulness into

your rehab sessions?

I am a big fan and firm believer of pranayama. The breath is our life

force, and without it, everything comes to a standstill. Even if I have

only have 5 minutes to spare, I urge my students to quieten their

minds and meditate: it can be as simple as observing your breath,

its quality, the length and depth of each inhalation and exhalation. I

love to teach visualization meditation technique as well, and if time

permits, at least one myofascial release (MFR) technique that is easy

to follow and replicate at home.

What do you think of the yoga scene in

Singapore?

Yogis in Singapore are spoilt for choice in selecting their yoga

practice either in the comfort of their homes or attending classes in

boutique studios or big chain studios. The yoga scene has become

very competitive as various styles of yoga catch on here very

quickly. Personally, I would love a space where Reiki, meditation,

yoga and pilates are available under one roof.

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT

nn t

Lisa can be reached at [email protected]

ART DIRECTION: ANUJA BAGADE, PHOTO CREDIT : DANIEL TAN AT D STUDIO LAB