Yoga & Pilates

Yoga has been a part of my life since 2005 when I interviewed a yogi who was so into yoga and its benefits that soon after the interview, I asked my mom for money to buy my 1st yoga CD and a copy of the book Hope for the Flowers. I started reading books and reading online and practicing from a book that I borrowed from a cousin. A friend also guided me with some poses which I practiced for years. It wasn’t until 2010 when I joined my 1st class but by then I was already saving money for the teacher’s training.

Since I started teaching, I knew I love teaching more than I love practicing. A bad day at work will be forgotten in minutes as soon as I start a class. But in 2014, in one of those daily morning yoga during my raw food chef training, I suddenly felt so much love for the practice and it was genuine love. I love yoga because I love yoga not because it makes me look and feel good. I just love yoga. And it’s the kind of love that doesn’t ask anything in return (just like the kind of love I want to share with someone <3)

Pilates, is a different story. I’d been attending yoga classes with my teacher and I knew that my core wasn’t that strong yet to do some poses. My teacher encouraged me to join her pilates classes. Later, she needed someone to substitute for her class and asked if I would do it. Being so in love with teaching, I said yes and has since been teaching that class.

Read more on the different yoga classes that I teach. But please remember, it’s not the type of yoga that you do, it’s you and your connection to yourself that matters.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois synchronises the breath with a series of poses that progresses as the students improves on the practice. A pose is held for five breaths and vinyasa, a series of movements, are done between each pose.

Class includes initial relaxation, breathing exercises, sun salutation, the poses, and a closing relaxation. Expect to sweat in this class.

Nanay Yogis: Prenatal Yoga

The term Nanay Yogis is coined by a student for a group of five soon-to-be mommy artists while discussing their shared interest to attend a prenatal yoga class. From that name came a Facebook community under the same name and a continuing love for yoga from moms, dads, siblings, and parents-at-heart. The class includes safe and gentle exercise for both the mother and the baby. It includes relaxation, stretching, focus breathing, and gentle poses that help moms-to-be prepare for the big day. During the practice, the mother gets to connect with her body and the baby in the womb and makes her more attuned to her and her baby’s needs.

Moms in their second trimester onwards are encouraged to try this class.

Sivananda Yoga

Based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda, Sivananda Yoga emphasised the 5-points of yoga: Proper exercise (asana), Proper breathing (pranayama), Proper relaxation (savasana), Proper diet (vegetarian), and Positive thinking and meditation (vedanta and dhyana).

Sivananda yoga studies the 12 basic poses: Sirshasana (headstand), Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), Halasana (plough), Matyasana (fish), Paschimotanasana (forward bend), Bhujangasana (cobra), Salabhasana (locust), Dhanurasana (bow), Ardha Matsyendrasana (half spinal twist), Kakasana (crow), Pada Hasthasana (standing forward bend), and Trikonasana (triangle).

The class includes an initial relaxation, opening prayer (in Sanskrit), preparatory exercises, breathing exercises, the 12 poses, final relaxation, and closing prayer (in Sanskrit) and the Universal prayer.

Relaxation in between poses creates a calm and non-competitive atmosphere throughout the practice.

Pilates

Pilates includes a series of exercises targeting and strenghtening the core. Practice of pilates in combination with yoga is recommended.