- This studio is probably the ultimate destination for the urban yogins as it offers a wide range of classes that suits one’s schedule and preference. It became the first Yoga Alliance-registered school in the Philippines in 2007 and commissioned AYRI (now KPJAYI)-certified ashtanga teacher Alex Medin to conduct its teacher training for two years. Pulse Yoga now has three studios – Makati, Greenhills, and New Manila.
- If you’re only interested in yoga as a form of physical activity and want value for money, then Fitness First is probably your best choice. Aside from its regular fitness programs, FF also offers flow-based yoga classes in most of its branches. Their instructors have 200-hour credentials and are trained in creating mind-body workouts that can range from gentle to challenging. If possible, choose a branch that has a separate mind-body studio. You wouldn’t want to come into a group exercise studio that still has that sweaty atmosphere from the previous Body Combat class. Fitness First has started its operations in the country in the early 2000 but it was only in 2006 that it started to offer yoga as part of its regular program.
- Prana Yoga offers three types of vinyasa- or flow-based classes: dynamic flow, gentle flow, and hot flow. At present, classes are being offered at the Metropolitan Club in Mandaluyong.
- This eco-friendly studio uses only recycled, non-toxic, and biodegradable materials in constructing the practice place. Located in the heart of Makati, Bliss Yoga offers mostly power and vinyasa flow classes, but has recently added ashtanga vinyasa into their program.
- EchoYoga is Echostore Sustainable Lifestyle’s yoga wellness program aimed mostly for beginners. The program offers a variety of classes and creative workshops that focus on building home practice. Classes are offered at two venues in Makati: Salcedo Village and Legaspi Village.
These studios are the more popular places to go to for yoga classes. I will write about other less fancy and not-so-popular yoga studios in my next post . These places may not offer you herbal tea or hot towel upon your arrival but for sure, the teachers offer the same genuine teachings based on many years of personal practice and/or professional training.
Om. Om. Om.
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The author is a faculty member in one of the state universities in Quezon City where he teaches yoga as part of the general service physical education program and as a mind-body training for the university cheerleading squad.
On weekdays, the author teaches yoga in a small makeshift yoga shala with floor covered with not-so-smelly old judo mats, but on weekends, he gets upgraded and teaches in the yoga studio of a high end spa in Mandaluyong complete with aromatherapy and tranquil spa music where one can request for lemon water before and after practice.
2 comments:
I like this very informative! Is this published somewhere else?
Thanks Mia. I was planning to get it published in a local magazine or newspaper but it never happened so I'm sharing it here.
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