Yoga for Health
By Dr.Aruna Shukla, Indian Cultural Centre, Bali

After you read the yoga practice for beginners in our previous editions, for this edition we will continue into the practice number 6,7 and 8.

9. ARDHASHALABHASANA (LOCUST POSE)
Take a prone lying position, legs together, chin on the ground, hands by the side of the body and fists close under the thighs, raise the right leg without bending at the knee maintain it for some time and come back then repeat the same with the left leg.

10. SHALABHASANA (LOCUST POSE) BOTH LEGS
Lie down in prone position, legs together, chin on the ground hands by the side of the body and fists closed, under the thighs. Raise both legs together without, bending at the knees, and maintain it. Then slowly bring the legs down.
Benefits-this gives strength to the lungs and the muscles of lower abdomen and legs, also beneficial in digestion and remove constipation
Limitations- Those suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease should not practice it.

11. NAUKASANA (PRONE LYING POSITION)
Lie down in prone lying positing with legs together, toes pointing outwards and chin on the ground, hands by the side of the body. Now bring both the hands in the front, stretch them forward, palms facing ground. Now slowly raise both legs together straight, maintain the position for few seconds, Chin should remain on the ground. Slowly come back.
Benefits-it improves the strength of shoulders and flexibility of hip joint.

12. VAKRASANA (TWISTING POSE)
Sit erect, stretching your legs in front together, hands by the side, palm resting on the ground, fingers together pointing forward. Fold you right leg at the knee and place the sole of it near the left knee joint. Point the right knee towards the sky. Take the right hand towards your back, place the palm on the ground at the distance of 9 inches straight from the spine, fingers together pointing backwards. Cross your left hand over the right leg and place your palm on the ground near the right ankle or hold the right ankle joint. Now twist your body and head towards backside and try to look at the shoulder level. In the final position the chin should be in line of the right shoulder. Maintain this position for sometime, then come back and do the same from the other side.
Benefits-This removes constipation, liver weakness and nervous weakness. It reduces the rigidity of the spine and is also useful for kidney and other stomach diseases.

Traditional Regatta
Attractive Spectacle for Tourists

The beach area of Nikko Bali was suddenly bustling and breezy. Long pennants and flag ornaments of various colours embellished the fringe of the white sandy beach. The sea breeze also gladly blows the strains of Balinese traditional music without an end, including okokan (big wooden cow bells) announcing to the ebullience of beach atmosphere then.
Foreign visitors sunbathing on the beach fringe were drawn to take their camera. They were busy recording that auspicious and rare moment. It was the environment of the beach at Nikko Bali on the execution of the Bali Traditional Regatta, Thursday (14/9).
The competition, held in line with the 10th Anniversary of Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, constituted an appreciation to local traditional fishermen. There were hundreds of traditional jukung outriggers. A jukung - outrigger is maximally ridden by two passengers while covering the distance from the middle of the sea to the beach of Nikko Bali.
The area of the beach was carefully arranged in a splendid way. Some tents and an art market were provided to increase the convenience of visitors. More than that, appearances of the troupe of Balinese traditional music and a fashion show highlighting beach fashion entertained the spectators.
According to Fretty W. Zahfithri, the event was the seventh execution of its kind and has been made an annual activity. The competition was a manifestation of appreciation towards the community of local fishermen at its surroundings.
Remarked, Balinese fishermen had an important role in supplying the ingredients of fresh ‘seafood’ for hotels and restaurants in Bali. "They are hard workers who dare face the uncertain weather to catch fish. It’s fair if we show this appreciation," she told Bali Travel News. (BTN/015)

Wismilak International Tennis Tournament

The magical ambience of Bali’s nature along with its unique customs in fact enchanted the tennis elites of the world. The presence of Patty Schnyder and Lindsay Davenport noted as the world’s top ten added up to the exuberance of the exalted Wismilak International Tennis Tournament. This worldwide tennis tournament has been initiated since 1995 and has been held in Bali since 2000.
This Tennis tournament in Bali became the world’s centre of attention, as this event is the most prestigious tennis tournament in Southeast Asia. With 30 participating athletes from several countries and the presence of the former winner of the years 2002 and 2004, Svetlana Kuznetsova, this year tournament definitely became an attractive spectacle to tennis aficionados.
"We are naturally disappointed that some of the players that we expected in Bali suffered injury while playing at the US Open," said Kevin Livesey, the Tournament Director. "But we are delighted to welcome many top stars to the Wismilak International including defending champion, Lindsay Davenport, recent Montreal champion Ana Ivanovic, top Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova as well as Indonesian star Angelique Widjaya".
Although playing with optimism, the Indonesian star Angelique Widjaya was conquered by the tennis player Melinda Czink. The knee injuries, suffered by this young tennis player of Indonesia, resulted in two knee operations. This condition made her performance less optimal so she was defeated in the second round after competing with the Hungarian tennis player.
In the semifinal round, world class competition was exhibited by top players, the first ranked Svetlana Kuznetsova against Lindsay Davenport as third ranked and Marion Bartoli as the sixth ranked against Patty Schnyder as the second ranked player. In this round Svetlana Kuznetsova and Marion Bartoli accomplished to win over their rivals and concurrently led them to head for the final round. Ultimately, Sunday (17/9) the tennis court of Grand Hyatt Bali Nusa Dua once more came in the witness of the triumph of the young tennis player from Russia, Svetlana Kuznetsova after overcoming her rival Marion Bartoli (France) with the score 7-5 and 6-2. Again, Svetlana proved to be the best player and again she succeeded in bringing home the winner trophy of this prestigious tournament, now for the third time. (BTN/Rai)

Aikido, The Path Heading for Harmony

Submit everything to God. Not only when you are attacked but also in your daily life. Remember that I’m amiable does not necessarily mean I’m fearful, I’m bent down does not necessarily mean I’m subject, I learn this martial art to win against myself. Thus, an idea for the sake of human peace on earth is required in aikido, and this exercise is not intended to build up one’s mind or just to win a victory over the opponent."
Such are points of great moments, expressed by the composer of aikido self-defense and martial art, the late Morihei Ueshiba to show the spirit of aikido. According to Ueshiba, this self-defense and martial art is composed by considering the equivalence of ai (harmony) and ai (affection) as well as ki (spirit, breath control) coalescing into a characteristic budo (martial art) called aikido.
In essence, the self-defense and martial art of aikido meant to synchronize the human self with the change and movement of the universe as well as bring him to get united with the nature harmoniously and affectionately. Thus, one that has learned and revealed the secret of aikido will have the universe within himself.
As one of Japanese self-defense and martial arts, aikido has spread and developed all over the world. Moreover, since the Hollywood film star Steven Seagal introduces it through his actions in wide screen film, aikido comes to be celebrated around the globe. Also in Bali, aikido develops and is favoured by young generation, as seen at Dojo Dirgahayu at Jalan Tulip No.15 Denpasar on Mondays and Wednesdays at 18:30 to 20:00. "Originally, I learned it from my friend the late Shihan Ichihashi and then I taught it to my students here. Ultimately, I opened a dojo on 15 March 2000 for them who have great interest to exercise," said I Made Dhama, Managing Director of Dirgahayu Group to Bali Travel News.
At Dojo Dirgahayu, the aikidokas exercise the technique of self-defense and martial arts in attacking, defending, gripping firmly, throwing down forcefully, rolling flexibly and enthusiastically. They are also trained to utilize their ki to absorb and get rid of the power of its opponent. "Do not look at the eyes of your opponent as it can take in your vigor. Exercise of this self-defense and martial art is that of magnetic power. Therefore, by the control of mind and the use of right technique you yourself can absorb the vigor of the opponent," uttered the Dojo Captain I.B. Trijaya on explaining special techniques of aikido.
Specifically, Trijaya also revealed that an aikidoka can defeat its opponent by only a single finger as the human vigor is stated in circular moves where ki comes in its centre. One’s vigor will not be able to pass such circle no matter how strong he is. Once he is trapped within the circular vigor created, he will be powerless. If one has held another entering the vigor of such circle, the one who is held will be powerless and consequently he will be easily defeated just by one single finger.
Also added, another important matter that quarrels is not expected in aikido. By this reason the founder of aikido strictly forbade the competition in aikido. Spirit of aikido is heading for peaceful reconciliation. By this objective, aikido fastens and unites the opponent with the power of affection. On that account, competing in technique, win and defeat are not the real budo. "Within the pure budo, it is only known ‘undefeated’. ‘Undefeated’ means ‘never fighting.’ Win connotes the win against the conflict within the self. Triumph over one’s self will lead him to reach the overwhelming mission," told Trijaya to Bali Travel News.
Should you have any interest and require further information on aikido, you can contact Trijaya via phone: (0361) 7940659 or 081 239 09008 or e-mail: teejay@indo.net.id.