It started out as a random thought in one of our many conversations, but I'd like to thank my best…read morefriend for actually getting me to do Pilates this summer at White Space, because there's just so much to love about it. We were total beginners with no clue what was in store when we signed up for a trial. Now four regular sessions in, Mondays and Wednesdays have become our favorite days of the week because of them. Our wonderful instructor, Rissah, has a meditative approach to teaching the class. I love how we do warm-up and cool-down centering to send our daily worries away as we slowly melt into our mats. I love how some workflows are intense and others are more relaxed as she adjusts the main exercises for the night depending on the general mood of her students. I love how, even if I'm sore from all my muscles being stretched out to the max, I still have a fulfilled smile on my face when the hour's up. This beautiful space is more than just a weekly reminder to stay healthy, inspired, strong, focused, and mindful about myself and everything around me. I guess I've found my happy place.

I've been to a few of the yoga places in the area and while most have the same theme; zen and…read moretranquility. Life yoga has put a new and FUN style to Yoga. In the session I went to they used music to really set the mood. The facilities and equipment are clean. They have two rooms for yoga and hot room and a not hot room. You can reserve your classes online! All the staff are friendly and really show special attention to make sure your doing your poses right. -For people who think yoga is just for girls or too easy, im 220 pounds, play basketball, boxing, and used to run marathons. - But these yoga poses really challenge you. I mean who knew attending or moving your leg in different places could hurt and make you sweat. - After the first session I already felt more mobile. My hips, ankles, and knees used to be in pain and click a lot from my many basketball injuries. But after the hour long session. I felt like a new man. Stress free after all this studying. Can't wait to go again. Definitely a must if you're studying or inured or both!

During my 25th birthday, my mom treated me to a yummy, vegan meal at Greens Cafe, proceeded by a…read morecoffee date at Cool Beans, and ended with a yoga class at Centro Maginhawa. Centro Maginhawa is a small, discreet establishment that houses an acupuncture clinic, a yoga studio, and a small health food/organic stall by its entrance. The yoga classes are held deep inside the establishment (you'd have to pass the acupuncture place and some sort of massage place, I think), in a quiet, covered, outdoor garden area decorated with beach-themed decor. It's a relaxing space away from all the noise in Maginhawa Street, perfect for a small yoga class. PinoYoga organizes the yoga classes being held here. We signed up for a small group yoga class. No one showed up for our class so it became a private class instead, which is PERFECT because my mom and I had never had proper yoga classes. I just search tutorials on Youtube and try to follow along, aaaand I'm pretty sure I'm not doing the poses properly. Our instructor was this very nice lady who was VERY patient with us and thoroughly guided us along the way. The class lasted for an hour, and my body felt so amazing (and painful for like 4 days). Yoga can definitely stretch your back like no one can! She even read our auras after! She said mine "brightened up" after the class as it cleared some of my chakras. Oooh la la... I really enjoyed this PinoYoga class and I'm really looking into taking up yoga regularly if I find one in the South area.

As I've mentioned in a previous review, I was looking for a place to have some exercises after work…read morelast year, so I went "gym hunting." I ended up checking out Namaste Yoga and Danz Studio. I squinted my eyes a little and wondered why they'd spell "dance" like that. Maybe it has some special meaning. PROS: There's no other place in the area that offers yoga classes, and Namaste gives legit and certified ones for newbies and pros alike; The place itself is quaint and peaceful, with calming music and the scent of incense wafting in the air; They have small class sizes to make it easier for instructors to focus on the students. It's quite intimate, really. CONS: The reason for the small class size was the place was really small, like bedroom or studio apartment small. It makes me feel like I might kick someone on the face if I attend classes there. I don't think the attendants nor the instructors would have a problem with that though, they're all so beautifully waif-like; They offer lots of classes, but unfortunately my schedule doesn't coincide with the ones that I needed to attend since I was a noob. TL;DR: Because of schedule conflicts and my fear of occupying the whole studio because of my frame, I didn't get to enroll at Namaste. But I would still want to if given the chance. Now Playing: Janelle Monae's Yoga. "Baby bend over/Baby bend over/Baby bend over/Let me see you do that yoga"

Surfing, yoga and samba are three activities that go together well. Surfing gives you that…read morewonderful adrenaline rush. Yoga keeps you centered, and also gives you the core and body strength to keep you balanced on a surfboard. Samba, on the other hand, celebrates the flow of the two other activities. Tie them all together in a weekend full of fun and new friends, and you have FLOW SurfYogaSamba, a brilliant weekend retreat that lets you lose yourself in the beauty of mindful relaxation. I went to a FLOW weekend in Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel in La Union, and I seriously believe that everyone should do this if only to recharge, rejuvenate and relax. The FLOW retreat started with a circle where everyone shared their stories and their intentions for the weekend. I was able to make a lot of new friends just from that opening circle. It was a great crowd of professionals, sports enthusiasts, yogini and surfers. The retreat organizers really put a lot of thought into the activities, and the lineup of classes and workshops complement each other. They had yoga and surfing classes assisted by top trainers from the country. The samba part was taught by Samba School Imperatriz Filipinense, the top escola de samba (samba school) in the Philippines. On top of the surf, yoga and samba classes, they also had a very informative juicing and healthy food seminar where I learned new things that can help me have a healthier diet. FLOW SurfYogaSamba also has retreats in other beaches and surfing locations in the world. They have local retreats in Palawan and La Union, and they also now have international retreats in Bali, Lombok and in Thailand. Monica, Denise and Noelle will help you with everything - transpo, logistics, organization, etc. All you need to do is pay the fee and show up. As they say, it's all about energizing the mind, body and soul. I went back home from the retreat feeling like a new person.

I'm all for body positivity and all, and I actually need it. But sometimes, you just don't feel…read morethat #dadbod or #mombod on yourself, amirite? I mean losing that belly would make me feel great and make me look better naked. Or maybe, you just want to start a path of fitness, health, wellness, and strength with the weight and aesthetics as a secondary concern. Hence, we look for a gym perfect for us and our needs. Alpha Strike may be just the one you're looking for. It offers CrossFit in their Maginhawa-located "box." That's what they call their actual gym or place where the sessions are held, although sometimes they utilize the surrounding outside areas too. PROS: A variety of programs for newbies, pros, and everyone in between; Their classes offer High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for an hour that gives you a great endorphin high; Cheaper compared to other CrossFit places; Staff are accommodating and workout buddies are really friendly! There's a sense of belongingness and community; No "gym-timidation" - they help you at your own pace and positively reinforce your fitness. CONS: More expensive than the typical gym; Near a lot of restaurants (it's a challenge for me every time I end a session and get a whiff of yummy food once I step outside). TL;DR: CrossFit by Alpha Strike is definitely an experience that everyone should do at least once in their life