Heart Rate Response to Basic Ashtanga Practice (Part 1)

A few years ago, I wore my Polar F4 heart rate monitor while I did my ashtanga practice just to see how my heart rate responded and how much calories I'd burn.  There was this idea that ashtanga will help you lose weight and has some cardiovascular benefits (In what I've read lately, asana practice should not be like exercise otherwise it defeats its purpose).

My knowledge about the body and how it works is based on my training in sports science.  Conventional knowledge tells us that in order for us to improve our cardiovascular endurance, we have to train the heart to beat up to a certain rate and maintain that for at least 10 minutes at a time.  Below that, the benefits are minimal.

To the Sky

Shipwreck in the sea of faces, There's a dreamy world up there,

Dear friends in higher places, Carry me away from here,

Travel light let the sun eclipse you, 'Cause your flight is about to leave,

And there's more to this brave adventure, Than you'd ever believe,

Shameless plugging...

July issue of [M] Life and Living in Mindanao.

Photos by Bob Mata.

Model: Ehem...

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I haven't read the article though. My friend Fritz mentioned that he was interviewed for this issue. He teaches regularly at South Studio in Davao.

Fritz was a member of the first batch of Team Yoga, a SEA Games medalist for Sport Aerobics, Les Mills certified instructor, and a certified UP Pep Squad alumnus. Trained by Bela Lipat in Ashtanga, taught in Yoga One in Cebu for several years, before deciding to come home to Davao.

Fritz completed his 200-hour yoga teacher training from Fitness First Asia.



More of Bob's photos here.

Alhamdoolillah

Photo by Bob Mata

If there's one Arabic word that I've truly felt connected with... it's Alhamdoolillah, which literally means, Praise be to Allah. It's being grateful to the Divine for all the things that we have... the people we love... the things we possess... the experiences we gain... the journey that we continue to traverse.

Praise be to God... praise be to Allah... praise be to the Divine Hand that guides us to the right path.

Just feeling grateful for the blessings and for being given the opportunity to share the little experience that I've gained in the past few years to everyone. Namaste.

AcroYoga

AcroYoga Fundamentals & 5-Day Immersion Training
with Jason Nemer, co-founder of AcroYoga 10 – 15 April, Tsim Sha Tsui AcroYoga blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the loving kindness of Thai massage, and the dynamic power of Acrobatics. These three ancient lineages form the foundation of a unique new practice that cultivates trust, connection and playfulness. Their highest aim is to bring individuals into a state of union with themselves, with each other, and with the divine. From this place of mutual support the true self can be realised, honoured and shared for the benefit of all.


The AcroYoga Fundamentals is to open your practice with the ease, comfort and support of a partner. This workshop touches upon all the disciplines that AcroYoga offers. The class experience includes: Circle Ceremony, Mirrored Asana, Partner Yoga Flow, Assisted Inversions, Partner Acrobatics, Flying Sequences and Thai Massage. Grounded in the breath, we will draw upon the natural forces of gravity and "metta" loving kindness to encourage the body to let go of fear and tension. Open to all levels of students who have familiarity with yoga.
The AcroYoga immersion is a 5-day in-depth training in the full spectrum practice of AcroYoga in solo, partner and group practices. Come explore giving and receiving, strength and sensitivity, in a safe, supportive, playful atmosphere. Students will learn the revised AcroYoga Asana Sequence, Acrobatic Strength Training Techniques, Inversions, Partner Acrobatics, Acrobatic and Therapeutic Flying, Thai Massage, and Partner Yoga. This course is ideal for experienced yogis wanting to take their practice to the next level. It fulfils the pre-requisite for 2010 Teacher Training with Jason Nemer and Jenny Klein. Recommended for Intermediate yoga practitioners with previous AcroYoga experience. No partner necessary for the full course!

Click here for details.

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I'm actually tempted to go. Just for fun. I think I'll be good at it. ;-)

Photos except the first one are by Bob Mata.

Trees for Mount Apo

A little inspiration to start the year.

Plant more trees.

Protect Mount Apo.

Make it cleaner...

Make it greener.

(I honestly don't have any clue what's the status with Mt. Apo,
I just thought those lines would compliment the photo well.)

Photos by Bob Mata.