Inspiring Women of Singapore | Rie Komiya (Yoga Instructor)
This time round, "Inspiring Women of Singapore" introduces you to Rie Komiya, a Yoga Instructor as well as a mother of one! Rie is a KRI certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher and also a Usui Reiki Therapist and Teacher. Rie is passionate about achieving the ultimate conscious lifestyle and she attains it by infusing Kundalini practices in her daily lives. Through the practice of Yoga, Rie hopes to impart to her students essential knowledge that can help them improve their well-being.
Rie is currently teaching in The Yoga School and SAYA Yoga. She conducts Kundalini and Meditation classes at The Yoga School. At SAYA Yoga, she conducts her classes in Japanese and she is currently teaching Chakra Balance and Meditation classes there.
In addition, this April, we have specially invited Rie to be our instructor for the Mindfulness Meditation Workshop that Yin Yang is holding with Mahota Commune, in conjunction with the Fashion Revolution Week.
Please give us an introduction of yourself.
I was originally from Japan but I moved to Singapore 17 years ago. I am also a mother of a teenage boy. Discovering the world of yoga and Reiki healing has added so much value to my life and I feel happier, healthier and more aligned to what I truly want to do in my life.
What motivated you to become a full-time Yoga instructor?
My passion is to share with people what they can do to improve health, wellness and manage stress. My goal is to help people achieve their highest potentials in different aspects of their life.
Many years back, I had the opportunity to try out Kundalini Yoga taught by Yogi Bhajan. Immediately, I was amazed by how much fun I had, and how effective the practice was. Through Kundalini Yoga, I gained strength and clarity. In addition, physicality wise, it helped me in reducing my long-term lower back pain. Having benefited tremendously from my own Kundalini Yoga practices, I really want to share it with everyone else, through my Yoga classes. Kundalini is based on science theories of the human anatomy that can help you relax and relieve stress.
In the midst of the fast pace and stressful modern lifestyle, Kundalini can really help you cope with your daily lives. I also like the fact that Kundalini yoga is designed for career ladies who have both a job and a family to look after. Kundalini allows you to experience the true essence of yoga without having to detach yourself from reality.
Apart from Yoga, we understand that you do a lot of meditational workshops / classes as well. Yoga and meditation are complimentary but in Singapore, we tend to do more of Yoga than meditation. What are your thoughts on this? Also, could you please tell us more about meditation and it’s relationship with Yoga?
I think that majority of the the yoga population in Singapore still does not know that meditation is a part of yoga practice. In fact, it is the most vital aspect of Yoga. Nowadays, people tend to associate Yoga with merely Asana (Yoga poses). Asana is an essential part of Yoga but Yoga is not purely about Asana. Yoga means union. Yoga is curated for the experience of oneness and/or bliss. The essence of Yoga can thereby only be experienced through the incorporation of meditation in Yoga practices.
Initially, Yogis practiced asanas to improve bodily awareness as well as to train up their body postures so that you are able to sit still comfortably during meditation while keeping a good posture. Without sufficient flexibility and strength, our body will definitely cry for pain during meditation! I understand there is a whole array of benefits of asana. However, it is also important for people to know the exact purpose of asanas.
Apart from Yoga and Meditation, what do you like to do in your free time?
I like to spend time with my family and friends. Walking in nature, dancing and travelling are things that I really love doing! Also, I like striking up meaningful conversations with people and learn from their wisdoms. I am also constantly on a quest of self-discovery.
What do you think of organic products? I do know that you are into mindfulness eating and is probably already familiar with organic food. How about organic apparels like Yin Yang? What are your thoughts on the topic?
Organic food delivers nutrients directly from the Earth to our bodies, without being polluted by artificial substances or harmful chemicals. In the current market, organic products are still less common and in general, they are more costly than non-organic products. This situation often result in people choosing non-organic products despite being aware of the benefits of organic products. I hope that one day, we would all be able to gain access to fresh organic products at an affordable price at the supermarkets, so that we can all be ensured that whatever we consume is safe and healthy.
Organic apparels, such as Yin Yang, are definitely a conscious choice. It is much more than a consumerist choice. What it really mean is that you are taking care of our planet, the producers, our own body, mind and soul. This kind of conscious choice is essentially part of yoga practice known as Yama. Practicing non-hurting and ethical action is a part of Yama. It advocates for the display of kindness towards oneself as well as every other being on this earth. It’s a win-win situation for consumer, producer as well as environment. I am really grateful to see that there are more and more conscious brands in the market nowadays.
Anything else you would like to share with Yin Yang readers?
We are here on the Earth for limited time, however there are many more generations to come. Creating a better world starts from each and every one of us. Let us start contributing by first making small changes within our own daily lives. Accumulatively, it is definitely going to impact the world in one way or another. Even if a small change, it is sufficient to make a change. It could be merely a choice to use organic products, practice yoga and meditation, doing little favour of others, having more sleep etc.
What is your choice today?
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Rie would be the instructor of our Mindfulness Meditation Workshop.
