Jiva Yoga News at The Star Paper

An accidental dream job

Vincent Tam (below) seemed to have it all. An Australian accounting degree, work experience in the United Kingdom, and within a few years of his return to Malaysia, he was made branch manager of a prominent bank. And then he left all of that five years ago to become . . . a yoga teacher! 

“Breathe out . . . relax your shoulders . . . bend forward towards your toes . . .”  

As this writer followed his class, soothingly orchestrated by Tam’s sonorous voice amidst serene background music, it seemed like he had found his true calling in life. 

Yet, he got into it almost by accident.

“I am a free spirit and any desk bound job makes me restless. But I didn’t quit my bank job to be a yoga teacher,” explained Tam, who looked much younger than 39.  

He first tried out Hatha yoga in the early 1990s but found it too slow for his liking, reinforcing his initial belief that yoga was for old people. However, in the years that followed, his interest was piqued by the dynamism of Vinyasa yoga (taught by local instructor Monika Ramasamy) and also qigong classes (conducted in Penang by a master from China). 

Then came his first teaching experience – while attending a 10-day Tibetan Buddhist meditation retreat at the Kopan Monastery in Nepal in November 1997.  

“It was a unique lifestyle, living in a monastery where we chanted mantras with young monks. I stayed in a small, damp room with two bunk beds and for the first time in my life, I had to wash my own clothes,” recalled this genial, modest fellow. 

“One day, a group of participants became interested after seeing me practise yoga and asked me to teach them as they had stiff joints and backaches from hours of sitting in meditation.”  

It took another three years before he made the great leap away from the security of banking. But even then he was not sure of his vocation.  

“After resigning, I left for the Himalayan Institute (in Pennsylvania, US) to learn more yoga and do a bit of soul searching. For me, yoga is a passion, it was never my intention to teach it as an occupation.” 

However, while looking for a new job after his return, he was asked by former colleagues to teach yoga. He began with a few students at his home studio, named Yoga Space, near Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur (KL).  

“Pretty soon, more and more people began to ask me to teach and I discovered that I truly enjoyed sharing this passion with them. And it was quite liberating for me to move from a 9-5 job, no more deadlines, corporate politics and job stress. Now I could basically dictate the number of hours I wished to work. Being paid to do something I really enjoy . . . a dream come true!”  

Against social odds 

What kind of comments did he get from family and friends?  

“The immediate reaction was disbelief,” he recounted. “I was giving up a well-paying corporate job and leaving for America, without a job to come back to. I left immediately after my resignation, so I was spared the lectures. But my friends and family are now very supportive of what I am doing.  

“Basically, I have a non-conformist attitude to life. I think my years of study in Australia have made me more open- minded. Pressure from society requires us to conform but I believe in living my life the way I decide. Being an optimist, I always believed in myself.”  

When most of his uni-mates finished their course in Sydney, they were looking forward to launching their careers in Malaysia.  

“I, on the other hand, took two years off to London to travel and work there. I ended up staying for 2 ½ years, taking the last six months to travel around Europe. This unforgettable experience has enriched my life and broadened my outlook even more.”  

However, friends and family considered these the “lost years”, as he had to start his career from the bottom upon his return. 

“When I resigned from the bank in 2000, the economy was in doldrums. While many were fearful of being retrenched, I was doing the ‘unthinkable’ . . . leaving a well-paying job for the unknown.”  

And what’s his advice for people wanting to make such life changes? 

“Think it through and be practical. Doing something you love may not always pay the bills at the end of the month. I was fortunate that I didn’t have many liabilities and had enough savings,” he said.  

However, while caution over loss of income is always called for, what about the loss of opportunities and dreams through the road not taken?  

“More importantly, we should never ever regret the decision made. Nothing is more damaging to the body and mind than living a life full of regrets. It slowly eats you up, and you end up a bitter person.”  

Including the training he has undergone, he (and some partners) have invested some RM200,000 into a spanking new studio at Sri Hartamas, KL called Jiva Yoga. Would he say that it has been worth it?  

“Although we had a slow start, our student base has been increasing. We recently opened our second branch in Klang. (In monetary terms), we are steadily recouping our investment but in terms of personal achievement, it certainly has paid off. The studio was born from the collective passion of the partners to provide a space for yoga.”  

Indeed, for this writer, there is a sense of peace and intimacy at Jiva Yoga with its cosy reception, convivial wooden floors, orange walls and zen-like paintings of serene Buddhas. Its tall windows bathe the warm, down-to-earth studio in light (and fresh air), a conducive setting for me to dissolve body stiffness.  

Despite stiff competition in the yoga business now, especially in the Sri Hartamas locality, he has his loyal following. Art director Chin Pik Wun, 33, joined classes two years ago and “fell in love instantly” with them.  

“At the end of each class Vincent sounded this bell, and he had this cool farewell for ‘the self, others, and the cosmic consciousness’, accompanied by beautiful hand gestures,” she recounted, adding that classes are punctual and “spirited” while instructions are clear. 

“He keeps things alive with the surprise element. In the past two years, each class has had a different tone in terms of postures, use of props and music.” 

According to her, the only drawback is that Tam can leave his students “stranded” for days and sometimes weeks when he attends yoga courses overseas.  

“But he usually returns with renewed oomph. Vincent is one teacher who keeps growing,” she added.  

Annie Chan, 32, an ex-fashion retailer who has been his student since the very beginning in 2000, commented, “His students stay with him for a long time. He makes the effort to get to know everybody and we have all become friends. It’s nice to go on his overseas yoga retreats too.  

“He has the right balance. Not too gentle but not like a hard gym instructor either. That’s why he appeals to women young and old! I joined for vanity reasons at first but am now discovering more of the spiritual growth aspects of yoga.”  

Yoga plus  

Part of Tam’s development involves value-adding yoga with qigong.  “They really complement each other,” he clarified.  

“I am more aware of how to control the flow and distribution of energy (qi, or prana in Sanskrit) to improve my well-being. At the request of my students, I am planning to do a yoga and qigong retreat in Chiangmai, Thailand late this year.”  

In line with his holistic-spiritual disposition, his reading list includes books such as The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living by Eknath Easwaran and the Tao of Detox by Daniel Reid. What about his music? 

“I listen to all kinds, ranging from classical to new age. I use music in all my classes; lounge music to uplift, and chants to calm. I highly recommend music by Deva Premal, Karunesh and Manish Vyas for yoga.”  

What does he think about the current “boom” in yoga centres and courses in KL? 

“It’s now the ‘in thing’. In the last few years, yoga has skyrocketed all around the world. Malaysians from all walks of life have embraced it as they are increasingly aware of its benefits.” 

And his tips for beginners?  

“Yoga is not a competition. Practise at your own level. Keep exploring your limits but don’t force any posture until it hurts. Yoga should never cause you pain.  

“Turn your senses inwards and focus on the form, energy flow and breath. Breathe deeply and evenly. Always commence practice with a calm mind.  

“It’s important for beginners to do a bit of research as there are so many types of yoga to choose from. Try the different styles available and find one that suits you best.” 

His personal favourite is Vinyasa yoga, as it’s “more dynamic” and can enhance cardiovascular fitness as well as tone and strengthen the body faster than the static forms. It is also like “flowing meditation”, keeping the mind alert, as it uses a special kind of breathing to link one posture with another. 

However, he advised students to take it slowly instead of rushing into the advanced postures.  

“Learn how to walk before running a marathon! Just like forging new friendships, your relationship with yoga will be much stronger if you take your time to cultivate it. Yoga is a lifelong practice.” 

Indeed, this writer tried out his semi-advanced vira class and was immersed in a total body workout (and sweat levels) close to a game of squash. The next time around, I went for his gentler aman class and emerged much more serene.  

“Yoga is really about connecting your body, mind and spirit . . . not about contortions. So what if you can finally put your foot behind your head? It means nothing, except maybe an inflated ego. Yoga is a science of right living, working towards becoming a better person.”  

Which may explain why his website describes Jiva Yoga as “a peaceful, non-competitive sanctuary that welcomes students of all ages, races and religious beliefs.  

“In Sanskrit, Jiva means the individual self or life,” he noted. “On a physical level, yoga is the union of body and mind. It improves blood circulation, flexibility and digestive health. It develops a deeper sense of well-being, balance and relaxed awareness. This purification of body and mind allows us to embrace and celebrate life.  

“On a spiritual level, the practitioner can and will connect with the higher consciousness. That’s the ultimate aim of all yoga practices.”  

Tam’s quest for greater personal fulfilment has led him to shed corporate ties and long-sleeve shirts for cycling shorts and gym vests. He is someone who found his calling, quite accidentally, while in pursuit of his passion.  

Little wonder then, when asked to describe yoga in three words, he chose: Transformational, Empowering and Spiritual.  

And his favourite poem? It’s The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer: 

It doesn’t interest me what you do
for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting
your heart’s longing. 

It doesn’t interest me how old you
are. I want to know if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.  

It could well describe his life’s journey. W 

The public is invited to try out various styles of yoga for free during the Jiva Yoga “open house” on July 2 and July 3. The address is: Block E-3-8, Plaza Damas, 60 Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Kuala Lumpur, (03) 6201 1822, www.jivayogastudio.com