There is no life without breath. Therefore, the quality of air that we breathe in is crucial in determining the state of our health and since health is wealth, there is nothing that can ever replace the priority of ensuring that the air we breathe in is safe for all. This is however challenging in recent years due to rapid development around the world. 

While we seem to enjoy the perks of technological advancement and connectiveness with each other in our world today, all these came at a cost. Our climate and atmosphere are threatened through the consequences of Man’s many selfish actions. Dangerous pollutants are constantly emitted into the air, our forests are constantly cleared to make way for high rise buildings, and dangerous chemicals used in factories and households keep polluting our grounds and waters, which threaten the lives of animals and marine creatures. With such imbalances in the ecosystem, it would be strange if people’s health is not directly affected.

(hla) I ALWAYS thought essential oils were for the ladies but little did I expect that I would become a hardcore fan after discovering first hand what they can do for the gents.

Our earth is a beautiful and amazing place. It is rich with all forms of natural resources. One of its natural resources is herbs that benefited mankind for thousands of years in the field of natural healing. Herbs have been used in different parts of the world since ancient time.

According to Archaeologists, archaeological evidence suggests that the use of herbs dates back as far as 60,000 years ago.  This is potentially the earliest evidence of human beings using herbs in our history.

In Mesopotamia, the written study of herbs dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians, who created clay tablets with lists of hundreds of medicinal plants (such as myrrh and opium).

In India, it is common in the practice of Ayurveda to use different types of herbs such as turmeric, triphala, trikatu etc. and such usage started possibly as early as 4,000 B.C.

In China, the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" lists 365 herbs and their uses - including Ephedra (the shrub that introduced the drug ephedrine to modern medicine), hemp, and chaulmoogra (one of the first effective treatments for leprosy). Frankincense has been a staple ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine since at least 500 B.C.

In the Middle East and North Africa, both frankincense and myrrh have been traded for over 5,000 years.  It is believed that the Babylonians and Assyrians burnt them during religious ceremonies. The ancient Egyptians purchased plenty of resins from the Phoenicians to use them in incense, insect repellent, perfume and salves for wounds and sores. These were also used as key ingredients in the embalming process. Myrrh oil is an ideal ingredient for rejuvenating facial treatments. Frankincense on the other hand was charred and ground into a powder to produce the kohl eyeliner that Egyptian women commonly put on.

The walls of the temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for around 2 decades until her death around 480 B.C., are also decorated with murals depicting sacks of frankincense and potted saplings of myrrh-producing trees.

According to the Hebrew Bible, Frankincense and Myrrh were components of the holy incense ritually burned in Jerusalem’s sacred temples during ancient times. The ancient Greeks and Romans also imported massive amounts of the resins, which they burned as incense, to use them during cremations and in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments.

By then, medical practitioners had already recognised and documented the properties of these substances as being antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, and hence, prescribed them for a variety of health conditions and diseases. These ranged from indigestion and chronic coughs to haemorrhoids and halitosis.

According to Touwaide (a historian of medicine at the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions and the Smithsonian Institution), myrrh appears with more frequency than any other plant substance in the writings of the Greek physician Hippocrates, commonly called the "father of medicine" practised fumigation for both aromatic and medicinal benefit. He revolutionised the field of medicine in the 3rd and 4th centuries B.C.

The Roman Empire built upon the knowledge of the Egyptians and Greeks. Discorides wrote a book called 'De Materia Medica' that described the properties of approximately 500 plants. 'De Materia Medica' was one of the most important botanical books ever published in history, and was taken as the cornerstone of botanical medicine throughout Europe for 1,500 years.  Discorides also studied distillation, which at that time, only focused on extracting aromatic floral waters and not essential oils.

A huge turning point for the distillation of essentials came about with the invention of a coiled cooling pipe in the 11th century. Persian by birth, Ibn Sina, known throughout Europe as Avicenna (980-1037) invented a coiled pipe that allowed the plant vapour and steam to cool down more effectively than previous distillers that employed a straight cooling pipe. Avicenna's contribution led the way in the discovery of essential oils and their benefits. His contribution earned him the title, the "Prince of Physicians". Throughout his life, he had also written 20 books covering theology, metaphysics, astronomy, philology, philosophy and poetry, and most influentially, 20 books and 100 treatises on medicine.

In the 12th century, an Abbess of Germany named Hildegard grew and distilled Lavender for its medicinal properties. In the 13th century, the pharmaceutical industry was born. This encouraged the major distillation of essential oils.

During the 14th century, the Black Death hit and killed millions of people. Herbal preparations were used extensively to help fight this terrible phenomenon that struck many. It is even believed that some perfumers successfully avoided the plague from their constant contact with natural aromatics.

More plants were distilled to create essential oils in the 15th century. This included Frankincense, Juniper, Rose, Sage and Rosemary. The world also saw an increase in the number of books written on herbs and their properties later in that century.

By the 16th century, it was possible for one to purchase oils at an "apothecary" (modern pharmacy), and many more essential oils were introduced. During the 16th and 17th centuries, perfumery became a form of art and it became more clearly defined as a distinctive field.

During the 19th century, perfumery remained a prosperous industry. Women would have their jeweller create a special bottle to hold their treasured perfume. The 19th century was also important scientifically as major constituents of essential oils became isolated.

The knowledge to separate the constituents of essential oils to create synthetic chemicals and drugs began in the 20th century. It is now widely believed that by separating the major constituents and then using the separate constituents alone or in a synthetic form will not only be therapeutically beneficial but also economical. These discoveries had contributed a lot to 'modern medicine' and resulted in the production of synthetic fragrances. Natural therapists however strongly believe that such separation actually weakens the properties of essential oils that are important in conferring one with the therapeutic benefits.

Famous French chemist and scholar René-Maurice Gattefossé had accidentally discovered in 1910 that Lavender essential oil can heal burns very quickly with very little scarring. What happened was Gattefossé was working in the laboratory when he burned his hand during his experiment. He immediately dipped his hand into the nearest tub of liquid, which happened to be the Lavender essential oil. Gattefossé was amazed at how quickly his burn was relieved with very little scarring. This incident led to his fascination of the healing properties of essential oils and inspired him to experiment them on soldiers during World War 1. He experimented with oils such as Lavender, Thyme, Lemon and Clove that had antiseptic properties. He noted an increase in the rate of healing for wounds treated with essential oils.

Gattefossé coined the term "Aromatherapy" in 1928 in an article where he supported the use of using essential oils without breaking them down into their primary constituents. In 1937, he wrote a book called 'Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones végétales' that was later translated into English and named 'Gattefossé's Aromatherapy'. This book is still in print and is widely read all around the world.

Other highly respected 20th century aromatherapists include (but not limited to) Jean Valnet, Madam Marguerite Maury, and Robert B. Tisserand.

Jean Valnet also used essential oils to treat injured soldiers during the war. He is also remembered for his book, 'The Practice of Aromatherapy', originally entitled 'Aromathérapie' in French.

Austrian Madam Marguerite Maury was a biochemist who avidly studied, practised and taught the use of Aromatherapy for cosmetic benefit. She was also the one who incorporated the practice of massage in the art of Aromatherapy in the 1930s.

Robert B. Tisserand, who is still alive and well today, is an English aromatherapist who was responsible for being one of the first individuals to bring the knowledge and education of Aromatherapy to English-speaking nations. He has written books and articles including the highly respected 1977 publication 'The Art of Aromatherapy'. This was probably the first Aromatherapy book published in English.

Up to around 30 years ago, while Aromatherapy existed, it was not commonly heard of in our families. As people's search for alternative therapies increased, the availability of information on essential oils and Aromatherapy also grew. The rich resources of books and researches done throughout the centuries enlighten us and the field of Aromatherapy is definitely flourishing. This is evident with the emergence of many different types of essential oils brand, perfumery etc.

(hla) DID you know that the Circadian Rhythm is a crucial aspect of our physiological processes that can affect your health?  The Circadian Rhythm is the physical, mental and behavioural changes that follow the 24 hours cycle and is found in most living things including animals, plants, and many tiny microbes .It responds to light and darkness in the environment around an organism.

(hla) THE human body is made up of 70% water. Water is what keeps our blood flowing, helping to deliver nutrients to all cells and remove waste. We may survive for some time without food but not without water.

(hla) PEOPLE these days spend so much time choosing the right outfit for specific occasions. Why should choosing the right exercise outfit be any different? Many assume that as long as the working out gear is comfortable, it is sufficient, but is it?

There are different attires to wear in different situations. When you visit any fitness centre, you will notice different people with a different attire. There are those who specifically wear sports wear and adhere to a certain outfit protocol. Maybe, for some, wearing those branded exercise wear gives them a boost of confidence or a feeling of belonging to a fitness centre / gym while for others, it may just simply be because they were designed for such workouts that the clients actually feel comfortable putting them on for exercise.

It has become a trend today to be 'trendy' or fashionable at fitness centres. Remember, a place where you work out is not a catwalk. Believe it or not, do not be surprised to hear fitness instructors telling you that clients have actually turned up for their workout programme in high heels! It is not so much about the brand of the exercise gear that you put on during your workout but the purpose of which it serves for your programme.

There are various factors that many fail to understand how important wearing a proper outfit for exercise actually is. Here are some of the many reasons:


1) The Right Workout Gear Adds Protection and Prevents Injuries
Wearing the right workout gear will add protection to our body. Thick clothing can lead to excessive sweating and causes the body to lose heat more rapidly and may increase the risk of hypothermia. Therefore, porous clothing is recommended during workout. Wearing the right workout gear also helps to prevent injuries. For instance, wearing gloves can protect the hands from developing calluses when weight lifting.

It is also possible for excessively baggy clothing to get trapped in heavy equipment that may result in injuries.


2) Well-fitted Clothing Improves Freedom of Movement
Focusing on movement is important when exercising. If the clothing doesn’t offer the right support or if it restricts the movement, it may affect the workout regime. For instance, when doing yoga, the pants that you are wearing must provide you with the flexibility to stretch. While baggy outfits may be comfortable, practising inverted Yoga postures in them may be a huge inconvenience there may be body exposure when the clothes 'fall back'. Baggy shirt and tight pants will therefore restrict your freedom of movement and is therefore not recommended for Yoga practitioners.


3) Compression Clothing Can Aid In Recovery After Exercise
Compression clothing provides graduated compression to stimulate circulation. It is like a massaging effect which stimulates blood flow. The increased blood flowing through muscles removes the lactic acid produced during exercise. Recovery is boosted as a result. Muscles are less sore and stiff as the direct pressure applied to muscle can reduce soreness and inflammation.


4) The Correct Sports Clothing Improves Performance
A good and correct sports attire will help to improve performance. For instance, a top that is made of non-breathable material can stop the release of heat from the body. Shirts made of 100% cotton absorbs sweat and hold it against the body. All these will result in excessive heating and discomfort, which will cut short your exercise time. Therefore, choose workout clothing that wicks perspiration away from your body. This will help to improve performance during workout.


5) The Right Sports Clothing Boosts Confidence
When you are wearing well-fitted workout clothing, you will feel more confident. This confidence translates into better performance. When you are wearing right and feel confident about it, you will want to spend longer time in the fitness centre. So, what you wear will make a difference if you believe it will help you perform better.


To enhance your workout regime, choose the right workout gear and you are sure to enjoy your experience and optimise your workout potential.



Stay tune for our future article on why choosing the correct sports shoe is just as important as choosing your workout clothing! There are tons to choose from. Which one is best for you?

(hla) Fainting while exercising can be dangerous. However, according to the National Institutes of Health Medline Plus, the underlying cause of fainting may not always be caused by a serious condition. The cause of fainting can be due to malnutrition, overheating, dehydration and stress, though in serious cases, an underlying heart disease may also be the cause. It is therefore important for both the instructor and client to fully understand his/her body condition before conducting any exercise.

According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, fainting is resulted when the brain is starving from blood or oxygen: “During exercise, as much as 80% of blood is shunted away from vital organs and directed to skeletal, thus reducing blood flow to the brain.”

Having improper breathing during exercise will also decrease blood flow to the brain. Clients who exercise at the gym should be properly advised as to the importance of maintaining a healthy breathing pattern so as to avoid fainting.

Apart from the possibility of indicating a serious underlying health issue, fainting can be dangerous to the victim especially when s/he is using equipment at any fitness centre as this may lead to injury. When the client is unaware of his/her surrounding, s/he may hit his/her head on the wall or any other hard objects, which can lead to the loss of consciousness.
• Make sure body is properly hydrated by drinking enough water.
• Ensure sufficient warm-up before beginning any form of exercise to avoid sudden shock to the body.
• Ensure that you are not overheated; do not exercise in an overheated environment.
• Seek for professional help if you are under stress. Do not keep it to yourself.
• Avoid sudden stop while exercising because the blood pressure can fall and cause fainting. You should slowly cease working out before you stopping entirely so that the heart rate and blood circulation can properly adapt.
• If you are not feeling well while exercising, inform your instructor about it. S/he should be able to provide you with proper guidance and keep a good watch if s/he decides you are fit to continue working out.


As an instructor, here is what you should and should not do when facing such a situation:
• Educate the client on how to prevent fainting during and after exercise. Do not presume that the client already has such knowledge.
• Be alert and keep watch to determine if your client is under stress or not feeling well.
• Make sure the environment is not too hot. Ensure that the air is properly circulated throughout the centre/studio.
• Avoid giving client vigorous workout without proper preparation. Make sure they are physically ready for any vigorous workout.
• Ensure that your client has done sufficient warm-up before the exercise and allow him/her to cool down after exercise. Supervise them and ensure that they do not stop suddenly while exercising.


The best thing to do to manage 'fainting' is to let the victim lie on their back and elevate both legs with pillows or anything else that will bring both legs above the heart. Ensure that other clients / students do not surround the victim so that there is proper air circulation to allow easier breathing.

The risk of fainting does not happen only during exercise. Fainting can take place after exercise as well. According to Dr. Grant Cooper, MD, in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, if there is no proper cool down after exercise, you will also face risk of fainting. Hence, it is important to take all the necessary precautions before and after exercise. The task lies in both the hands of the instructor and the client to maintain a safe environment for working out.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was inspired by the image of smartly-attired gentlemen upon a classic motorcycle. The first ride, in 2012, was all about having a bit of fun with like-minded dapper folk. It captured the imaginations of custom classic motorcycle riders globally, and was held in 64 cities around the world. The massive success of that first event inspired the organizers to use that goodwill to raise money for research into men’s health.

"What comes around, goes around.". When people destroy Nature, let's just say that Nature has a way of getting revenge.

Haze, one of Malaysia's biggest threats to health and the environment originates from the founding member of ASEAN, Indonesia. The threat of the unhealthy white-like mist that causes emphysema that clouds the whole nation towards the end of the year stems from Indonesia's need for fertiliser and to clear the land.

Sandhya Maarga Yoga on NTV7 "Good Morning Tai Tai (活力早晨)" TV Show (April 3, 2015)

Having hormone-related problems? Try these asanas. Sandhya Maarga Yoga instructor Wong Eileen demonstrated a few basic asanas that will help regulate one's endocrine system.

For more health tips, don't forget to follow our FB Page: www.facebook.com/sandhyamaargainstitute

Sandhya Maarga Yoga on NTV7 "Good Morning Tai Tai" TV Show (March 20, 2015)

Are your kids at home hyperactive? Do they find it difficult to concentrate at school? Do they fall sick often as our Air Pollution Index (API) deteriorates day after day? Watch this. Master Genevieve Tan Shu Thung demonstrated some simple and relevant asanas that your kids can practice at home to strengthen their immune system and tone down their hyperactivity. It will make them calmer and concentrate better at whatever they do. These asanas will also boost their memory capabilities so that they retain what they study.

It is always better for an experienced Yoga instructor to monitor your children perform other various Yogasanas. Join our Yoga for Kidz programme. More information on the course can be found here: http://www.sandhyamaargainstitute.org/2013/04/yoga-for-kids.html

For more health tips, don't forget to follow our FB Page: www.facebook.com/sandhyamaargainstitute

Sandhya Maarga Yoga on NTV7 "Good Morning Tai Tai (活力早晨)" TV Show (March 13, 2015)

Feeling stressed? Whether you are facing pressure from work or at school, this week's Yoga aired on NTV7 is perfect for you. Sandhya Maarga Yoga instructor Wong Eileen demonstrated a few basic asanas that will help balance one's nervous system.

The asanas can calm your mind, release tensed nerves and muscles, and allow yourself to rejuvenate as you allow the blood to flow to your head.

For more health tips, don't forget to follow our FB Page: www.facebook.com/sandhyamaargainstitute

Sandhya Maarga Yoga on NTV7 "Good Morning Tai Tai" TV Show (March 6, 2015)

Master Genevieve Tan Shu Thung taught 5 asanas from the Sandhya Maarga Yoga system that will help strengthen your immune system.

Join us every Friday on NTV7's show "Good Morning Tai Tai" to get acquainted with the Sandhya Maarga Yoga system. - (Visit http://www.sandhyamaargainstitute.org for more information about the Yoga courses)

Spiritual Master for the Sandhya Maarga Mission and the founder of the Sandhya Maarga Yoga system, e-magazine Holistic Living Annex, Sandhya Maarga Holistic Living Academy, and international speaker and author Genevieve Tan Shu Thung was invited to the Philippines to provide several lectures in conjunction with this year's annual conference organised by the Philippines College of the Advancement in Medicine.

When one hears the word "Yoga", one's mind automatically flashes the image of a person who bends his/her body in a certain way. Performing Yogasanas (yoga postures) is no doubt an important element in maintaining optimum health, which will also help calm and relax the mind. However, performing Yogasanas alone does not reflect the entirety of Yoga practice. So, what is Yoga actually?