Atha Yoganusashanam - Part 1 of 2

Now, the journey to yoga begins...

The burning incense masked the smelly aikido mat in the 4th floor of a dilapidated building in the heart of Cubao.  New age spiritual music was playing softly in the background.  I lay down on the mat with my eyes closed as I followed the voice of the red-haired lady who would later become my teacher and guide in this path.  One and a half hours later, I was drenched in sweat.  Lying back down in the relaxation pose called savasana,  peacefulness filled my being.  That was my first yoga class experience.  No marble floors, no fancy lounge areas, and no trained staff to welcome you with tea, lemon water, or hot towel.  That was yoga almost 10 years ago.

Yoga has now become a popular form of physical activity that most fitness and wellness centers offer it as part of their group exercise programs.  Fitness First, for example, has flow-based classes that focus more on increasing strength, flexibility, and balance. 

Specialized yoga studios have also sprouted throughout Metro Manila in the last 5 years making yoga accessible to most Filipinos, or at least to those who live in the area.  Some of these studios are dedicated only to one particular style of yoga while some are multi-styles offering most of the popular forms being practiced in the West.  Most of the popular studios are located in Makati and Ortigas but there are also several small and less popular places where one can start to learn this mind-body discipline.

Here is a list of places where you can study yoga.  I listed them according to the year of operation.

1. Ananda Marga Yoga Center (www.yogainmanila.org) - 1967
• Ananda Marga is probably the oldest organization in the Philippines to offer hatha yoga classes which are open to public.  I believe that in the beginning, only those who are spiritually-inclined joined their classes because of the philosophical and wholistic focus of the organization.  Yoga was not a mainstream activity until the early 2000. 
2. Iyengar Yoga Center Manila (www.iyengaryogamanila.com) – 2004
• This is the only authorized center to teach the Iyengar method in the Philippines.  Iyengar yoga, named after its developer, BKS Iyengar, focuses on precise anatomical alignment and uses props such as belts, ropes, blankets, blocks, and chairs, to assist the practitioner in performing the yoga asanas safely and for a longer period of time in order to increase body awareness.  All IYCM teachers received their certification to teach the method from the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Institute in Pune, India.
3. Bikram Yoga Manila (www.bikramyogamanila.com) – 2006
• Owned by businessman-turned yogi Tristan Choa, Bikram Yoga Manila, was the first officially sanctioned Bikram Yoga studio in the Philippines.  Bikram Yoga, developed and popularized by Mr. Bikram Choudhury, is a method consisting of 26 postures performed in a 105 degrees Farenheit (40 degrees Celsius) room.  It is currently the most popular form of yoga being practiced in the country based on the number of classes being offered per week.  Bikram Yoga Manila has branches in Makati and Quezon City.  Two other studios received authorization to teach the method: Sundar Bikram Greenhills (http://bikramyogagreenhills.com/) and Bikram Yoga Eastwood (http://www.bikramyogaeastwood.com/).
4. Yoga Manila (www.yogamanila.com) – 2006
• Yoga Manila was formed by 15 dedicated men and women who wanted a space where they can deepen and continue their practice together.  Most of them studied with Bela Lipat and Hoze Arando in the early 2000.   While Hoze, together with my first teacher Sandy Carmona, introduced ashtanga yoga to the Philippines in 2000, it was Bela who brought Paul Dallaghan to the Philippines in 2003 and stoke the ashtanga fire in most dedicated ashtangis during first half of last decade.  YM offers mainly led and mysore-style ashtanga classes.  Slow flow, pre-natal, kids yoga, and meditation classes are also offered in different YM locations.
5. Vinyasa Yoga Center (http://vinyasayogacenter.com/vinyasawebsite/) - 2006
• Vinyasa Yoga Center opened its door in the heart of the Ortigas business district in 2006.  It offered mainly hatha vinyasa classes with long-time practitioner and ISKON monk, Pio Baquiran as its primary teacher.  Hatha vinyasa yoga basically derived inspiration from Krishnamacharya’s teaching of linking 2-3 postures in one fluid sequence.  The intensity of each class varies from gentle to vigorous which makes hatha vinyasa yoga an interesting style for anyone regardless of age and fitness level.  The focus of each class also varies depending on what the students need.

To be continued...