Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Yoga in Iloilo



Welcome to Yoga in Iloilo.

This blog will feature entries about yoga asanas, breathing techniques, meditation, raw food recipes and lifestyle, creating a sacred space and eco-friendly living. This will be a diary of sorts for me as well and a record of my experimentation in holistic living.


About me: Born and raised as an "angelena" (woman from Los Angeles), I made the move to live abroad in the Philippines to experience living here and attend school. I'm looking forward to island hopping and being close to the beauty of the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia, as well as getting to know my extended family.

Practicing yoga and eating a pescetarian diet of mostly raw fruits and vegetables aka Raw food lifestyle has helped me to lose close to a hundred pounds over the course of a year and half. At present, I feel so full of elan vitae or simply a zest for life. I continue to eat healthy and exercise and am about 2/3 of the way towards a healthy weight.

Diet and health are very sacred topics. Personally, I don't think there is one diet or lifestyle for all the 6 billion plus people in the world but I do know that when we can include green vegetables or eat food high in fiber, that is minimally processed or unaltered by chemicals, preservatives, dyes, etc. we are doing our bodies a favor. Most of the reason behind this has to do with overtaxing our liver with a mirage of chemicals. We are what we eat, so why not eat the best available food possible!

Not only are the physical changes after weight loss a blessing, but the feeling of vitality and health have enormously transformed my life. Eating from the earth, surrounded by the natural beauty, can allow a person to really appreciate the resources the earth can provide and inspires a person to treat the holiest temple, the body, well.

Perhaps you may be thinking you don't like vegetables or greens and I appreciate that kind of candid honesty. I was never a picky eater but I do know that in my experience after a few days of little vegetables or fruit, my body craves the delicious and alkanizing effects of deep, leafy greens and "superfood" refueling.

While in Los Angeles, I first trained in yoga in high school, through a local yogi at our YMCA. I took a long hiatus while in College but began my practice again in 2006. Until my move to Iloilo, I practiced with Bryan Kest and his affiliated yogis at his Power Yoga Studios in Santa Monica. (It is a must-do for any Angeleno or any visitor in LA if you have any interests in yoga). His donation based model has inspired me to do the same here. I hope I can do a small part to awaken even just one person's inner teacher and yogi.

I would consider myself an infant in my yoga training at this point. Whether 18 or 81, yoga can be for every BODY with some adjustments. Know your body and do what you can. Breath is of paramount importance and should not be compromised for a pose. It's not worth any pose or contortion to lose your ability to detoxify, to destress and to breathe.

Please write or comment with any questions you have.

I will start a donation based yoga class and a series of wellness/raw food lectures and meals here in Pavia, Iloilo. My uncle has a fantastic garden here that I hope to use for yoga classes. I practice daily and am readily available until May. Once classes start here in June, I will mostly like lead at least a weekly class depending on the demand.

Every and Any One is welcomed to attend and times are flexible for larger groups. There is also an indoor space available and well as my personal space for one on one training. Because the garden is secured however, an RSVP would be appreciated and required for first time visitors.

Peace to you on your Journeys!

5 comments:

  1. I plan to come to Iloilo this July for vacation and to see if I like the area for future retirement. While I'm there, I would like to attend your yoga class. I'd also like to know what are your recommendations about a safe and quiet place where I can rent a house - within 20 minutes walk or bicycle to a clean beach for swimming.

    Rick Glaser, an American in Riyadh
    E-mail: rickglaser@hotmail.com

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  2. How can we reach you Miss Angelena?

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  3. hi! do you still offer yoga classes?

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  4. I want to join your classes. How can I contact you?

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  5. Hi Angelena! do you still offer yoga classes? hope to hear you soon!

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