Yoga Manila: My Yoga Home

July 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s so funny that I think I have never written about the yoga center that I go to. My “yoga home” is actually at Yoga Manila in Ortigas. I go and practice at least twice to thrice a week. For those who work or live near Ortigas, this is one of the places you should consider trying out if you want to try out yoga. Yoga Manila offers Ahstanga classes. The studio is located inside Chi Spa of the Edsa Shangri-la hotel.

Upon entering the gate of Chi Spa, just follow the stone steps located in the small garden entrance. These are circular steps that will take you to the stone path. Turn left and just take a couple of steps forward. You will then see a hidden elevator. It will take you straight to the fourth floor. I have heard friends say that they never get to see the studio. Don’t panic, guys! Yoga Manila is really in Chi Spa.

When you get to the fourth floor, the elevator door will open, and a really amazing ambiance will greet you. Obviously, Chi Spa is one of the best spas in Asia, so the ambiance is quite a treat. If you brought yoga clothes to change into, just go straight and on to your right, you will see the men’s and the women’s restrooms. They don’t have shower rooms or locker rooms, but the restroom is huge enough for changing.

After getting ready, try to retrace your steps back to the elevator, but before even reaching the elevator, you will find stairs to your right that leads to another floor. Walk up the stair and the studio is right there. It’s the door that you see. There’s no reception area. For the 6:30 pm classes, I think I’m always early, so I’ll be happy to welcome you… :)

The classes start on time, so I advice you to come at least 10 minutes early, so that you can set up your mat (they have available mats). Try to wear clothes that fit snuggly to your body so that the teacher can see your form.

They have very good and trained Ashtanga teachers. The Ortigas studio is managed by Connie Ponce. Teachers in the Ortigas studio are Jon, Michelle and Nature.

The classes start at 6:30 and normally end after 1 and a half hours. You have the option to join the My Sore or the LED classes. Here is the schedule: YOGA MANILA ORTIGAS Schedule My Sore are classes where the teacher asks you to go on your own pace. The poses will be taught but how fast you go through the poses will depend on how long have you been practicing and if you already mastered the poses. LED classes are when the teacher makes the entire class go through the poses all together. Modifications are given for students to follow depending on the level of mastery.

I have tried other kinds of yoga styles before, but I think I’m most “at home” doing Ashtanga yoga. But of course, any yoga style will benefit your body and mind. I’m an advocate of yoga and I know I will continuously be practicing until I grow old.

Have you tried Yoga Manila before? Tell us what you think about it?

Contact Details:
Yoga Manila
Yoga Manila Website: http://www.yogamanila.com/
SMS : +63917.522.YOGA(9642)
info@yogamanila.com

Alabang Studio
405 Bougainvilla corner Sanggumay, Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City

Makati Studio
Greenbelt Mansion, Unit 506, Perea St, Legaspi Village, Makati City

Ortigas Studio
Chi Spa, EDSA Shangri-la, Manila, 01 Gardenway, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Call and/or SMS: +63922.876.6232

Filed Under: Fitness Centers & Gyms, Yoga Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Ashtanga Yoga Chants

May 13, 2011 By 2 Comments

Whenever we begin our practice at Yoga Manila, we have chants that we say. Also, after practicing, we also have a yoga chant that we say as one class. For those that have attended yoga classes in Yoga Manila, you may want to use this as a guide so that when you come to class next time, you know it already by heart.

Yoga Chants for Ashtanga Yoga

Starting chant

OM
VANDE GURUNAM CARANARAVINDE
SANDARSITA SVATMA SUKHAVA BODHE
NIH SREYASE JANGALIKAYAMANE
SAMSARA HALAHALA MOHASANTYAI
ABAHU PURUSAKARAM
SANKHACAKRASI DHARINAM
SAHASRA SIRASAM SVETAM
PRANAMAMI PATANJALIM
OM

Translation in English:

I pray to the Lotus feet of the Supreme Guru who teaches the good knowledge, showing the way to knowing the selfawakening great happiness; who is the doctor of the jungle, able to remove the poison of the ignorance of conditioned existence.

To Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesa, white in color with 1000 radiant heads (in his form as the divine serpent, Ananta), human in form below the shoulders holding a sword (discrimination), a wheel of fire (discus of light, representing infinite time), and a conch (Divine sound) – to him, I prostrate.

Finishing chant

OM
SWASTHI – PRAJA BHYAH – PARI PALA YANTAM
NYA – YENA MARGENA MAHI – MAHISHAHA
GO – BRAHMANEBHYAHA – SHUBHAMASTU – NITYAM
LOKAA – SAMASTHA SUKHINO – BHAVANTHU
OM

Translation in English:
Let Prosperity be Glorified –
Let rulers, (Administrators) Rule the world with law and Justice
Let Divinity and Erudition be protected
Let people of the whole world Be happy and prosperous

Hope this helps! :)

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2010 Philippine Yoga Asana Championship and Manila Fitness Online Promo

September 22, 2010 By 14 Comments

When I first tried doing yoga two years ago, the first style of yoga that I got to try was Bikram Yoga. It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely addicting. I admired the men and women in that class. They exuded a certain calmness in mind, body and spirit, but at the same time, a level of confidence and control was seen. I wanted to be like that. I wanted to feel that way.

There are a lot of men and women out there who have heard and seen the benefits of all styles of yoga, from Bikram, Ashtanga, Iyengar and to Vinyasa Flow, but have not dared to try a single class. I tell you, just by watching these yogi and yoginis go through their poses is quite an amazing sight to behold. Seeing people go through demanding and rigorous yoga poses will inspire you. This coming November 7, 2010, at 2 pm in the afternoon, do try to watch the 2010 Philippine Yoga Asana Championship at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

2010 Philippine Yoga Asana Championship

Of course for the experts in this field, please do join and share your talent with the world. A lot of Filipinos are curious to see what yoga and these yoga poses can do for the body. For those who wish to join, you can contact Bikram Yoga Manila at 889-0126 or email the organizers at bikramyogamanila@yahoo.com to get the forms.

Tickets will be available for sale starting 2nd week of October at any Bikram Yoga Manila studio (www.bikramyogamanila.com).

Bikram Yoga Manila and Manila Fitness Online Promo

Since Bikram Yoga Manila and Manila Fitness’ goal is to help spread the word about yoga and its health benefits, we are giving away 2 raffle tickets each to 10 lucky contestants. In order to qualify for the raffle, all you have to do is:
(1) Like Bikram Yoga Manila’s Facebook Fanpage
(2) Share this post in FB and tag Manila Fitness and Bikram Yoga Manila’s FB fanpages in your post
(3) and comment on this post to tell us why you want to join this promo!

We will announce the winners on October 8, 2010.

Lots of luck to those joining! :)

Filed Under: Featured, Fitness Tips & Features, Promos, Spa and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,