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HEALTH AND FITNESS: I have recently joined a gym. It has just been over a week. What are the biggest mistakes that people make at the gym? What should I eat before going to the gym? And how should I prepare physically before going to the gym? 

Tashi, Thimphu

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO: Tendrel literally means ‘dependent and connected’. It refers to Buddha’s theory of interdependence or dependent origination or law of causation. The Buddha explained that our life and existence are results of causes and conditions.

COVER STORY: The fields were vast and fertile, land was plenty, so was water, and farmers cultivated both paddy and winter crops.  They owned much of what today is Changzamtog.

At a time when the Thimphu valley is witnessing rapid urbanisation, with huge concrete buildings coming up everywhere, four traditional houses just above the expressway in Babesa stand as heritage sites.

YOUTH IN FOCUS:  I graduated college last year, and I am wondering whether to keep looking for work in Bhutan or to go overseas. What is your advice?

Zangpo, Thimphu

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO: Phowa literally means transference. In phowa practice, the consciousness of a person is transferred to enlightenment or a higher state of being. It is often practiced or applied by spiritual people at the time of death. Phowa is generally associated with the transfer of consciousness to Sukhavati or Dewachen, the happy and peaceful realm of Buddha Amitabha or Yoepame, where it is believed to be easy to reach enlightenment.

COVER STORY: Since the day television came to the country in 1999, parents and teachers have voiced their concerns over its impact on viewers, especially young people.  Since then, the media landscape in the country has widened by much with the coming of smart phones and the Internet, among others.  But television, by far, has been found to have strong links to children’s learning and cognitive skills.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO: Cham is a type of sacred dance unique to the Indo-Himalayan Buddhist culture. It is an extension of the Buddhist practice of visual offering of aesthetic movement, the mudra expression of enlightened spirit and of the artistic and entertaining expedience of passing a spiritual message.

HEALTH AND FITNESS: Dear Sir, 

I’ve recently joined a gym in Thimphu. I figured out that I loved doing squats. I would be grateful if you can tell me what are the benefits and drawbacks of doing squats. How can one do it safely without hurting one’s back?