Tag: Dec-Jan 19

Standing on the shore of the sea of life, its easy to wonder ‘what if’. And shrink back.

Or – like Howard Martenstyn you can muse that life is an ocean of experience and dive right in!

For the better part of the year, this wild about whales’ enthusiast has been immersed in realms of research, an overload of photographs, and never ending facts and figures all which translated into a sublime collection of awe inspiring marine pictures, meticulous up-to-date data – captured in a long awaited revised edition, launched just last week.

To understand his desire to open his world out to us again, one must start by trying to appreciate his world.

Who doesn’t love whales? Along with dolphins these majestic marine mammals are revered the world over. Watching the way, they move, hearing the sounds they make is both hypnotic and calming. These intelligent, mysterious and resilient animals are an evolutionary marvel and key players in the marine eco system. The mystery and grandeur of the ocean that accounts for 90% of the biosphere is graced with thousands of dolphins and whales.

Sadly, whales were pushed into near extinction through whaling in the last century. Thankfully the numbers have rebounded tremendously thanks to awareness and their growing protected status.

While most of us are content to watch these animals from relatively close by Howard has taken his passion to another dimension, he has spent so many hours in research that he has literally travelled more than halfway around the world in Sri Lankan waters. He has written, re-written & re re written and with the help of his brilliant editor Richard Simon, brought this book to a whole new level.

His love affair with the ocean and fascination of the oceans biodiversity started way back in his childhood when his brother, Cedric threw him over board a boat & simply said ‘swim to the other boat!’. Howard literary works are dedicated to his brother Commander Cedric Martenstyn who served in the Sri Lanka Navy. Spending much time operating from his other brother Dallas’s hotels in Kalpitiya, his knowledge grew in bounds.

The more time Howard spent gleaning information on these majestic creatures, the more his desire to inspire and instill this appreciation and respect in the next generation grew. And to this end he will next year donate 4000 Sinhala books of an edited & translated copy of his new book to coastal schools, hopefully giving the students a new appreciation of the marine world at their doorstep, and promote best practices while watching marine life.

Howard particularly dislikes marine life in captivity because, no tank, no aquarium however large, however decorated can ever replicate the conditions of the rivers and seas.

A past pupil of the famed St. Thomas College Mt Lavinia and a corporate success in the field of engineering, Howard feels that in retirement he has finally found his calling.

Howard has been a recipient of the coveted top award for Best Sri Lankan website in the Travel and Tourism category having designed the website himself.

He was a director of CRIOMM (Centre of Research for Indian Ocean Marine Mammals) and a part time educator on marine life to the navy.

His launch was widely attended by enthusiasts and well-wishers alike.

There is a little bit of the ocean in everyone of us but more so in Howard Martenstyn. We eagerly await to see what he will come up with next.

Correct me if I am wrong, but Yasodhara Pathanjali reminds me of Nelly Furtado. What could possibly be the similarities, you’d ask. And I suppose the same face cut and an almost gypsy-like adoration of colour and a few things folksy would be it.

We met at KIKU — a workshop studio and eatery — above Shirohana on Dr. Lester James Peiris Mawatha. It proved to be the perfect setting for an interesting chat on her life, and her pursuit of honing her skills when it comes to art. I must mention the fact that she spoke rather openly, and this is because she firmly does believe in having an open dialogue whatever the situation — since this is the starting point in helping resolve issues.

KIKU is art. It’s eclectic presentation of Japanese cuisine with a minimalistic fervor was homely and warm. Yasodhara was bursting with color just like her art pieces, and her infectious laugh was a brush stroke of sheer personality. We spoke about everything BUT art. I will tell you this, though — she is reluctant to define her pieces of art stating that they are all open to interpretation with each piece offering an explanation that is personal and private.

Admirably she is self-taught and has spent most of her life in London. With a penchant for sarees and intrinsic detail, she elaborated on a host of topics from the need to create more awareness on mental illness to culture and how it evolves to expressing oneself through art.

Like any artist worth her salt, Yasodhara’s art takes on different forms. She’s been passionate about embroidery, wood working, painting, stone carving, paper arts, pottery, creative writing and a myriad of other forms. With a fashion label in its infancy, her clothes are her own creation, which boasts a colorful myriad of flowery prints.

As a mother of two children, she does an exemplary balancing act handling multiple roles while also being an accomplished cook. (Cheese, she says, is what she loves.) With a desire to bring her art to the rest of the world, she believes that art has the capacity to heal and craft out new beginnings. Believing in homeschooling her children, it is heartening to see how she entertains a proclivity to lend her knowledge to the new generation.

Forward thinking and progressive in her beliefs, Yasodhara, proves to be a breath of fresh air in an island that is still very much stuck in an environment of orthodoxy and conventional thinking. And it is this train of thought that has led her to pursue some unconventional endeavors like painting what is probably the largest mural in Sri Lanka.

It was a great initiative since it does showcase an exceptional will to succeed, and it is also testament to an ambitious generation that artistic creativity does pay dividends. From a business-oriented perspective, Yasodhara has converted her artistic prowess into something that is adored and that has led to a great many commissioned projects.

With color forming the basis to her personality and life, Yasodhara, has used her knowledge, which is largely self-taught, to expand her horizons and become a creative and inspirational person. Personally, I think her persistence and desire to use her talents to express and ultimately teach others her passion is noteworthy. The fact that she is a personality who desires to succeed no matter what is inspirational.

Moreover, her socially-conscious initiatives — empowering women, helping children find expression, drawing awareness to societal issues etc. — proves that art can create a better world for all.

Written by Rohitha Perera | Photography by Sampath Munaweera

I first met Gaia Kodithuwakku many years ago during my stint on radio. Even then she was the hot girl on the radio jockey side of the fence, and I was the nerdy news presenter. Fast forward to at least 5 years later and here we are, Gaia being one of the Top 10 social media influencers in the country and me writing her story.

From what I know of this wonderful young woman, fitness expert recognized around the world is not something she had in mind growing up. Having imagined herself a doctor, married with kids by this age, and of course acquiring financial wealth, life has taken her on a completely different journey. “I am thankful that I have aligned myself with the journey life decided to take me on because I honestly believe that this the best life for me. I get to work from home, lying down on my bean bag, with my feet up on a footrest and a warm cuppa almond milk coffee in my hand. I honestly believe I am living the dream. I get to do what I love, get to have TIME for myself, a few very special people in my life and also to get to travel, explore, learn and experience life, while running a super lucrative business”, she says.

So much confidence is what was required for Gaia to initially make the switch from radio to her current occupation. She tells me that the transition took place both very intuitively and fluidly, over time. “Just identifying what really brought me joy and directing a lot of pure positive focus towards it is what has gotten me so far. The process of training and eating within strict perimeters always gave me a natural high that empowered me. It came with the discipline you learn throughout the process of becoming better. I loved it so I did more of it, until it was all I could think about. It consumed me, and I had no choice to commit to it full time”, she adds. 

Her physical and mental transformation is what first catapulted Gaia in to becoming somewhat of a fitness icon inspiring not just women but also men to be the best version of themselves. Having recently been included in the Top 10 Instagram Influencers in Sri Lanka listing however is something Gaia is proud of and thankful for, but says she prefers to grow herself as a brand with more face-to-face interaction with people. “This type of thing is great, so you take a moment, be grateful and continue having eyes on the prize, your work”, she quips.

Humility has always been a trait to be admired in this woman of many talents and it is this same characteristic that never lets her refer to herself as a celebrity. “Again like I said earlier I’d rather be an influencer who is more relatable, almost like a middle man (or woman in this case!) between the people and the stars. So I prefer to share my life and experiences so that someone out there can be motivated to become better or live a better life”.

Living a better life is a art that Gaia has mastered and taking one look at her schedule makes me want to do with mine. Instead of writing a whole paragraph on her daily routine, I’m going to list it out with the hope that you are inspired too.

5:30 – 6:00am             Wake up

6:00am – 6:30am         Coffee on my terrace with a view of the greenery and waterfront. This is my morning ritual when I just sit there, breathe and soak up the sun.

7:30am                        Morning cardio which is usually a slow walk for an hour or so

9:00am                        Breakfast

11:00am                      Sit with my laptop, reply emails, follow up with clients and create new programmes etc.

12noon                        2^nd meal of the day

1:00pm – 2:00pm        Meetings, chores and responsibilities

2:00pm                        3^rd meal of the day

4:00pm – 5:00pm        Gym

9:00pm                        Dinner followed by 250g of Pineapple for digestive enzymes, drink my Vitamins and Creatin

11:45pm                      Hit the sack

Seems too good to be true? But it isn’t and Gaia says it all comes down to discipline. It’s the same message she has for anyone willing and wanting to stay healthy. “For me this journey has been intended from the very start to be one that I draw energy from. I never trained to just lose weight. I trained to feel better, stronger, more powerful, and more confident. To become more of who I truly am. What we need to change is the way we perceive this whole journey. Training doesn’t have to be this horrible, torturous experience. If you knew how training makes me feel like a million bucks every day, if you could just tap into two seconds of that feeling, you’ll never skip it ever again. It’s this amazing feeling of connection with my body. It is the greatest therapy, greatest satisfaction and the happiest place I go back to every day. You shouldn’t do it because you hate your body, but because you love it and you know its full potential”.

After those wise words here’s a bit more of what makes Gaia an extraordinary woman…

Not So Simple

Describe Gaia in one word: Alchemist 

Must haves in your handbag at all times: Wallet, Ray Bans, Deodorant, Perfume and a travel-size pack of Body Butter

One thing you hate that people say about you: If someone were to ever question my work. I’m very open to criticism and I’m always learning and getting the best in the world to mentor me. I am very blessed to have the support of some of these giants. And because of this constant growth my work too improves rapidly and I have produced supernatural results with clients in Sri Lanka and all over the world. So if someone were to ever come at me in the effort to call out the work I produce, then you better come with a lot of background information because a lot of time, research and experience has been put into what I do, and I WOULD take it personally if you were to question it without basis!

One person you absolutely cannot live without: No chance I could pick one person. Mom, grandparents, my man and Jazz my Rottweiler 

One fitness hack that works for you: Zero hacks. Hard work discipline and commitment, through and through. There is no hack that will reverse the effects of years of abuse we put our bodies through.

Favourites

Food: Anything Salmon 

Song: Shine on You Crazy Diamond – Pink Floyd 

Clothing Brand: I couldn’t care less, unless it’s Sportswear. 

Perfume: Issey Miyake 

Movie: Before Sunrise 

Quote: “Speak the Truth Even When Your Voice Shakes”

Profile

Full Name: Gaia Kodithuwakku 

DOB: 02/05/87

Alma Mater: RMIT Australia

Current Occupation: Fitness ProfessionalBy Nishu Gunawardana