STEPS Dance School is one of the best dance schools in the metro. Headed by Sofia Zobel-Elizalde,…read moreSTEPS is found on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati (oddly enough, right where all the not-so-kid-friendly places are). STEPS is a good place to learn dance whether you're interested in just a class or two, or if you're quite serious about it and thinking professionally. Students are taught by the teachers directly from the professional ballet companies, and may even get to experience international guest teachers if they drop by. A handful of their top students have gone straight to professional companies, both local and international, and have even represented the country in international ballet competitions. Students will get to experience regular shows, along with summer workshops every year and may even get a chance to tour the country with the school's regular performing arm. It might sound like it's all about ballet, but STEPS also offers other classes like modern and contemporary dance, pilates, and jazz. They also have a dance shop where you can buy quality leotards, tights, and all of your dance needs. Their studio is also beautiful! If you want to train with the best and learn from the best, STEPS is the closest thing to a professional dance company!

I discovered this dance studio when I was walking from my place in Salcedo Village to Power Plant…read moreMall. It was rush hour in busy Kalayaan Avenue. Through a window display I saw some ballet dancers rehearsing. Their delicacy contrasted with the chaos of that friday night around P.Burgos Street and its surrounds. I was so beautiful that I got closer to check if it was a dance school or just some professional group gathering. Now I tell you: it's a dance school called Steps Dance Studio. Among all dance schools I've visited, this one seemed to be the most professional one, I mean, they really care about the beauty of dance instead of just using dance as a tool to lose weigh or something like that (unfortunately that's the approach we usually see, since dance classes are commonly offered inside fitness centers). Steps Dance Studio offers Classical Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance!), Modern, Jazz, Street Dance, TAP Dance, Pilates and Zumba. They always organize summer workshops, with a final concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Nice, isn't it? If you want to try your Pina Bausch days, then I recommend taking a look at this studio!

Sterling was the first gym that I joined where I had to pay for my own membership (goodbye free…read moreuniversity gym). My aunt, who teaches Zumba there, got me a pretty good deal, and I was very kindly coerced into joining (P12,000 / year). I did not regret my decision, since the facility there is quite new, and there are a lot of patrons that were friendly to newbies (me). I looked online for a few routines to start out with, and the trainers who were there gave me suggestions on how to improve my form and actually hit my goal of losing weight. Sometimes, the gym would get pretty crowded after dinner and you would wait awhile before you could use a certain machine or dumbbell / barbell weight. Despite Sterling being considered a "small" gym, I actually enjoyed going to this gym because they had clean showers and a TV to keep all the patrons updated on the latest news. Now, Sterling has a few more branches open, so I guess their business is doing quite well.

Beyond Yoga offers different kinds of yoga classes such as Ashtanga, Hatha, Hot Yoga, Power Yoga,…read moreVinyasa and Yin Yoga. They also offer Zumba and Anti-Gravity Yoga. Classes are usually for an hour. Most of the teachers are trained very well. Teachers Iya and Anna are my favorites, they guide students really well, are patient and attentive. Attend their classes if you can. Anti-Gravity Yoga is what is unique about this studio. However, it is not for the motion sick. AGY involves a lot of inversions and it can really give you a headache if you have a sensitive inner ear. You can always get a free first class to see if this something that you would like to do. My favorite class here is Yin Yoga led by Teacher Kit. It's not intensive at all. It's to de-stress, be mindful and to learn how to center yourself. I thought I'd be bored but I wasn't. At all. And I left the class feeling very light and free.

Where do I begin? I fell in love with yoga this year and it's all because of this place. Beyond…read moreYoga is a fitness center whose humble beginnings can be traced all the way back to 2012. Founded as a result of the passion, skill and ingenuity of six friends, the franchise now has nine branches across the metro and I wouldn't be surprised if there are several more underway considering the success it has had in such a short span of time. Late last year, I made the decision to get more fit after having successfully but painfully ridden out a bout with illness for two weeks. In retrospect, I'm grateful because it led me to the life-changing form of exercise -- or what some would even call a way of life -- yoga! I chose Beyond Yoga because of the proximity of its Wilson branch to where I live (Ortigas Area) plus I have a friend who practices there as well. The studio isn't particularly large, but that doesn't really matter because it's comfortable, homey, clean and not constricting in any way. But the best part is that this fact is overshadowed by the killer prowess of the teachers. I've visited other yoga studios in the past so I would say that this is a fair assessment. I was a beginner to yoga when I first started in December of 2014, but three months later, I would say that my progress has gone quicker than expected and I can only attribute this to the patience and capabilities of my teachers. I'm truly so grateful. Yoga has made me happier and healthier. The bathroom is quite clean as well. Bottled water, energy drinks, and even organic milk are available for purchase at the front desk. The two receptionists (Shane and Khim) along with their supervisor (Kate) are extremely friendly and it's always a pleasure for me to encounter them whenever I come in. Beyond Yoga also offers zumba and anti-gravity yoga classes apart from vinyasa yoga, power yoga, yin yoga, and hot yoga. Take your pick as you won't regret it no matter what choice you make. My favorite teachers are Anna M., Rianna, Roanna and Kristine. Try to catch their classes if you get the chance!

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!