Yogas citta vritti nirodhah - Part 2 of 2

continued...

Yoga is control of the energies of the mind

Yogas citta vritti nirodhah...

Yogas citta vritti nirodhah...

Yoga citta vritti nirodhah...

Done.  One hundred and eight repetitions.

“So, what is yoga?”  While traditional practitioners understand that itself is not limited only to the physical practice that most people do nowadays, a study done in Australia reported that at present, yoga is understood as a form of physical activity which people engage in to increase health and fitness, improve flexibility and muscle tone, and reduce stress.  Before yoga hit mainstream, yoga was practiced as a spiritual disclipine.  However, at present, practicing yoga for spiritual reasons only come in the picture after the practitioner has been doing for a long time.  But still, that reason only comes in 5th of all the reasons mentioned in the study.

“You still haven’t answered the question.  Again, what is yoga?”

Yogascittavritti nirodhah.  Yoga is the control of the energies of the mind.  That's how Patanjali defined yoga in the Yoga Sutras.  However, as I mentioned in the previous article, yoga has now become a popular form of physical activity all throughout the world and people have come to equate yoga only with asana practice.  Studies have been conducted and have showed promising results in yoga's ability to improve health, fitness, and well-being, that even physicians are recommending it to their patients.  I leave the discussion on yoga as a spiritual discipline next time.

There are many styles of yoga and most of the popular styles which are practiced in the West are now here in the Philippines.  I did some data-mining a few months ago and here’s a list of the styles that now being taught in the country.  They are listed according to the total number of available classes per week.

• Bikram Yoga - the original hot yoga.  
• Hatha Yoga - the generic term for all asana-based classes which cannot be classified elsewhere (of course, all of these are really just forms of hatha yoga but for some reasons, when you go to yoga facilities, hatha yoga is used to classify generic classes.)
• Ashtanga Yoga - the traditional method taught by Sri Pattabhi Jois
• Vinyasa/Flow - all other methods which uses breath-movement synchronization technique.  
• Hot Yoga - generic term used for any class done in a heated room.
• Gentle Yoga - a more restorative and relaxing style of class.
• Power Yoga - almost similar to vinyasa/flow but inspired more by the ashtanga yoga tradition.
• Iyengar Yoga - created by BKS Iyengar, a contemporary of Sri Pattabhi Jois.  Uses props like blocks, belts, blankets, ropes, and chairs to help the practitioner sustain the pose longer.

Which style is the best?  My suggestion is to try each style for at least 10 sessions before deciding on which style to focus on.  I have tried most of these styles and I will share with you my experience next time, inshallah.

Om.

***

The author is a faculty in UP Diliman where he teaches yoga as part of the general service physical education program and as a mind-body training for the UP Pep Squad. 

He has long retired his cheer uniform but still cheers for the UP Fighting Maroons every UAAP basketball season... (but really, that's only because I want to see the Pep Squad perform live). He is contemplating on teaching them the yogic technique of levitation thinking maybe that will help them win the next championship title.

Yogas citta vritti nirodhah - Part 1 of 2

Yoga is control of the energies of the mind

It was in November 2001.  We won the UAAP cheerleading championship for the third straight year a couple of months back and were still high with cheer spirit when my teammates  and I found this poster announcing free yoga classes every Sunday at the COD Shopping Center in Cubao.

“That’s cool, maybe we can learn some new moves and use that for next year’s routine,” we thought.

A year back, I was already reading this Sivananda Yoga book that I found at the library and sporadically tried to practice the asanas in the living room of a 2-storey-2-bedroom apartment in Katipunan that I shared with six other friends.  Three of us shared one tiny room and I could only have my privacy in the toilet.  For a state university instructor who earned less than USD300 per month, the privacy of my own room was beyond reach.

Fritz and Jill went one Sunday to the free yoga class.  Both said the class was awesome so I joined them the next week to experience my very first yoga class.  The class was taught by this hippy-looking-red-haired mestiza.  Her name was Sandy Carmona, one of the frontrunners of mainstream yoga in the country, who later became an influential person in my own journey.  She instructed us to lie down in a pose called, savasana which means corpse pose.  You were not suppose to move any muscle in the body until the end of that segment because it was in itself is an asana, or yogic posture.  The idea is to remain motionless and as still and steady as possible observing each sensation that one feels in the body.  You’re not suppose to scratch your nose or your butt, nor slap that mosquito that’s enjoying your Type AB blood.  Sandy then led us through a 90-minute long of moving meditation that made me sweat like I never had even in my years of movement and sports training.

“Whoa!!! So this is yoga.” (If there was already Facebook, I would be “like-ing” this status many times over.)

I would later learn from Sandy that yoga is much more than what we were doing on the mat.  Yoga is a way of life, a discipline, and a holistic approach to health and wellness.  Oh, and did I tell you that you couldn’t buy sticky yoga mats from Toby’s back then?  You have to order it from the US.  I’m not even sure if Lululemon had already reached the Philippine shore.

“What’s a Lululemon?”

You don’t know “Lulu?”  Hmnn... let me put it this way.  If you think Nike is expensive, then you’ll think that Lulu is beyond expensive.  One Lululemon top is already worth 1/3 of my salary in UP when I was still an instructor.  Of course now that I’ve been promoted to assistant instructor level, that’s equivalent to ¼ of my current salary.  We’ll discuss this whole Lululemon-thing in another post.

For now, let’s go back to yoga and I will let you ponder upon the meaning of yoga according to Patanjali.

“Who the hell is Patanjali?”

Dude, do  your research.  You can check him out on wikipedia later.  Just sit, close your eyes, and repeat this 108 times.

Yogas citta vritti nirodhah...

Yogas citta vritti nirodhah...

Yoga citta vritti nirodhah...

To be continued...

Atha Yoganusashanam - Part 2 of 2

Part II...

6. Pulse Yoga (www.pulse-yoga.com) - 2007

• 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.

7. Fitness First Philippines (www.fitnessfirst.com.ph) - 2006

• • 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.

8. Prana Yoga (www.pranayoga.com.ph) - 2008

• 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.

9. Bliss Yoga Manila (www.blissyogamanila.com) - 2009

• 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.

10. Echo Yoga (http://echoyoga.echostore.ph/) - 2010

• • 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.

***

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. 

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...

Honda Bay

Last day in Puerto Princesa.  Mia had been telling me to visit the Underground River National Park but it's a whole day event and I only had Saturday to visit interesting places around the city aside from restaurants and dessert places.  After the lunch at Saigon, Hudson, another colleague from the psych dept, informed us of their plans of going to Honda Bay and asked if we'd like to tag along.  And so we did.

First stop, snorkeling.

Passed by Starfish Island.  Got its name because of the abundance of sea stars.

 Second stop, the Snake Island.  

"If the Starfish Island is full of sea stars, does it mean the Snake Island is full of snakes?"

"Then why are we stopping here and staying for more than one hour?"

Apparently, it got its name not because slithering snakes rule the island but because of its shape.

Took a walk and explored the island.

On our way back, we passed by another island.  Wasn't paying attention to the names as I was exhausted from the sun, sand, and swimming... I happily dozed off.

For yoga, healing, detox retreat in Palawan, visit Bahay Kalipay.

OM

Govinda's Workshop Details

The Practice of Ashtanga

A 6-Day Workshop and 4-Day Retreat with

Ashtanga Yoga Certified Teacher

Govinda Kai

August 21-26, 2010 Workshop (Bliss Yoga Manila)

August 28-31, 2010 Retreat (Tali Beach, Nasugbu)

WORKSHOP

August 21    Saturday Workshop Day 1
7-9    AM    Mysore Style Practice
9-10  AM    Break
10-12 NN    Technical and Philosophical Elements of Forward Bending

The forward bend is the most common element in yoga practice, particularly in the primary series of the Ashtanga system. In this session we will explore the more technical and subtle aspects that make forward bends deep and transformative. We will also explore the symbolic and emotional implications of the forward bending position. Understanding the forward bend is one of the main keys to creating a truly powerful practice and is also a way to ground an understanding of how to live a more fulfilling life.


August 22    Sunday Workshop Day 2
7-9    AM    Mysore Style Practice
9-10  AM    Break
10-12 NN    Emotions: The Hidden Door To The Human Soul

Most people are confused by the emotions that they feel and are left to deal with in their lives. Emotions feel to be so mysterious and so uncontrollable. We often feel helpless to navigate through all the consequences that result from the emotions that we and those close to us feel. In this session, we will explore a way to understand your emotions so that they serve to enhance the quality of your life and not the other way around. A deeper and clearer understanding of the area of emotions is a major key to creating a powerful spiritual life and is absolutely necessary for the achievement of any kind of lasting happiness.


August 23    Monday Workshop Day 3
7-9    AM    Mysore Style Practice
9-10  AM    Break
10-12 NN    The Art Of Back Bending

The back is the most mysterious and complicated area of the body. More nerve ending exist along the spinal column than in any other area of the body. Even the most knowledgeable experts in the area of back medicine have declared that they still don't truly understand the subtleties of the back. In this session, we will explore the more detailed elements of the bending of the back and all the aspects that go into a deep and powerful back bend. Back bending also holds the key to many of the emotional and psychic obstacles that we encounter in our personal lives. By understanding back bending, we can begin to seriously overcome that which holds us back in life.


August 24    Tuesday Workshop Day 4
7-9    AM    Mysore Style Practice
9-10  AM    Break
10-12 NN    Sex: A Deeper Perspective

Sex is certainly one of the most essential of human activities. Sexual activity, whether with others or by ourselves and the thoughts that accompany our feelings about sex dominate much of our time. Yet, for the most part, we are confused and befuddled by this area of life, perhaps more than any other. Many people have experienced some form of trauma in this area of their lives and very few people have the courage to talk openly about this area of life. In this session, we will begin with a yogic perspective on sex and begin to explore just what sex is and how we can begin to understand it in a way that it actually becomes an empowering part of life and not one that only causes us frustration and trouble.


August 25    Wednesday Workshop Day 5
7-9    AM    Mysore Style Practice
9-10  AM    Break
10-12 NN    The Secrets Of Arm Balances

In the Ashtanga Yoga sequence, we perform arm balances in every single vinyasa or transition. Every time we jump back or jump forward, we perform an arm balance. For many practitioners, at best, arm balances are something we "try hard" to do. Most people do not have the understanding of the details that go into creating a powerful arm balance. The secrets to arm balances are not as mysterious and as difficult as most people think. In this session, we will cover the most basic elements of an arm balance which will give you a whole new perspective on a part of practice that is often misunderstood.


August 26    Thursday Workshop Day 6
7-9    AM    Led Class
9-10  AM    Break
10-12 NN    Love And Friendship

The quality of our friendships and love relationships is truly what defines the difference between a life well lived and a life that is dominated by boredom and desperation The quality of our relationships also is reflective of the quality and depth of our spiritual practice. The keys to understanding our own selves are also the same keys that lead to fulfilling and lasting relationships in our lives. Let us dive deep into a discussion in which we can better understand what is the difference between a human relationship that is filled with deep love, trust, honesty and loyalty and a relationship that is merely superficial or even downright destructive.


To Register:
Fee is Php 24,000.00 for 6 days
Early Bird Discount (Register by August 5) is Php 21,600.00
Sign Up for Asana Practice is Php 1,500.00
Sign Up for Workshop is Php 2,500.00
Required Reservation fee is Php 7,200.00, non-refundable

Workshop Venue is Bliss Yoga Manila, 28/F, Trident Tower Penthouse, 312 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue (corner HV Dela Costa St), Makati, Manila.


For Details and Inquiries please email tesa.celdran@gmail.com or call/sms to +639178300293

Govinda is back!

Tesa's teacher Govinda Kai is back in town to do a series of workshop and a week-long retreat.

***

The Practice of Ashtanga

A 6-Day Workshop and 4-Day Retreat with

Ashtanga Yoga Certified Teacher

Govinda Kai

August 21-26, 2010 Workshop (Bliss Yoga Manila)

August 28-31, 2010 Retreat (Tali Beach, Nasugbu)

RETREAT

August 28 Saturday Retreat Day 1 – Morning Mysore style practice followed by Unlocking The Secrets Of The Mind -- Our understanding and awareness of, or lack thereof, our own minds holds the power to radically affect the quality of our lives. During this session, we will talk at length about this mysterious part of ourselves, including questions such as "What is the mind?", "Where exactly is the mind located", "How does the mind work?", "How can I improve the quality of my mind?" and other relevant topics related to the mind. Perhaps one of the biggest first steps to a much deeper and more powerful yoga practice and life is to begin to understand the mind. This session will be a first step to move your understanding in the right direction.


August 29 Sunday Retreat Day 2 – Morning Mysore style practice followed by
The True Role Of The Guru Or Teacher -- In this modern age of yoga practice, the role of the teacher or Guru is often misunderstood or under appreciated. Yet, in traditional yoga practice in India, the role of the teacher or Guru is given the greatest importance. In this session, we will delve into why the role of the teacher or Guru is given such great importance. There is a hidden key to the more profound depths of practice that is held within the kind of relationship that we build with our teacher or teachers. What we will discuss will shed much light on your understanding of yourself, your practice and of life. Both teachers and students alike, will learn how to build a much more powerful practice through the relationships that we form with both our students and our teachers.


August 30 Monday Retreat Day 3 – Morning Mysore style practice followed by Making Magic And Real Love Through Family And Community -- There are few other places in life where we express our highest aspirations and deepest fears than in the way that move within our families and communities. More emotionally and spiritually evolved people almost always express themselves through building and facilitating strong, honest and loving families and communities around themselves. In this session, we will explore some of the elements that can help us to reflect ourselves more clearly through our relationships with our families and communities. United we rise, divided, we fall. Let us all begin the process of being agents of unification and empowerment. By transforming your relationships with your family and community, you transform your relationship to yourself and to God above.


August 31 Tuesday Retreat Day 4 – Morning Mysore Style practice, followed by Who Or What Is God? -- This question is perhaps one of, if not the most, asked questions on the planet. Why do we have such an enduring hunger in our hearts to know the answer to this question? We will watch a film on this subject together and then engage in some lively conversation to explore the deeper meanings of this search of ours.

To Register:
Fee is Php 30,000.00 for 4 days inclusive of room (twin sharing) and 2 vegetarian meals.
Early Bird Discount (Register by August 5) is Php 27,000.00
Required Reservation fee is Php 9000.00, non-refundable.

Retreat will be held at 58 Outlook Drive, Tali Beach Resort, Nasugbu, Batangas.

For Details and Inquiries please email tesa.celdran@gmail.com or call/sms to +639178300293.