Yoga for Life

I am thankful for today's practice. 

Thank you for allowing me to share my effort and energy. 

This practice is my reward to myself for all the energy I gave during the entire week.

Yoga for life.

Achieve Efficient Results at OptionsStudio

I must admit that I was not interested at doing Pilates at first because for me it was an exercise mostly done by girls.

But since there is no harm in trying I decided later on to also try it because I think it's cool. So there, I tried it for five sessions and I am greatly satisfied with the results.

I undergone a private class at OptionsStudio RCBC in Makati with certified Pilates instructor Joella Bustamante, she is a sister of my friend JR Bustamante who suggested me to try this out.

I never thought I'd discover many important information about my body's behavior and how it is going to react on a certain movement.

For example if I'd step on Bosu. I'm gonna fall if I'm not going to balance. For me to be able to balance I must contract my abs and thigh muscles to gain a better stability. The more I practice this the more I become aware of how I maximize my movements in every activity that I do. More awareness easily distinguishes what body part to use.

It's hard at first but it becomes easy later on.

So here's what I did in one of my sessions. I showed photos of the following equipment and exercise to better explain how it is being done. The exercise usually last for an hour and I am really sweating a lot after. It's really good for burning fats.

Equipment 1. Bosu 2. Reformer, Long Box 3. Cadillac 4. Jungle Sports or Suspend

Exercise 1. Squats on the bosu, balances, Tree pose 2. Feet on straps on Suspend 3. Back rowing preps, airplane 4. Mermaid on the Cadillac 5. Suspended ab curl

Targeted muscles: Warming up joints, inner thighs at the same time Third layer muscles pelvic floor Back muscles to pull up, open up the chest Triceps Extension, belly on the long-box Plough and airplane Long box feet pulling straps single line

Reformer, Long Box for Back muscles to pull up, open up the chest and Triceps

Mermaid on the Cadillac

Suspended ab curl

I have the privilege to complete a package of Pilates session at the OptionsStudio RCBC in Makati City under the class of certified instructor Ms. Joella Bustamante. I asked a few questions I would like to know about this Exercise.

Is there a need for a Doctor's consent when doing Pilates?

Yes.

When doing Pilates, If you have injuries you have to make sure your doctor says you are safe to pursue a Pilates class.

Otherwise we can modify the exercises for you that's why we need to know if you have any injuries.

What should I tell my instructor if I am a newbie?

For first timers you need to be honest to your instructor tell that "I'm a first timer I've never done this"

And if you feel any pain you have to say it right away. There has to be constant communication before and during the exercise.

Pilates is not only for beginners. How about athletic people?

There's a challenging approach for athletes. We will start on targeting muscles one muscle at a time and then I will modify.

Obviously if you do Yoga or running you're into an athletic level na. So we give more challenging exercise.

Unless they say they have injuries that's when we target muscles.

How about those people who does not exercise at all and wanted to try Pilates?

For those naman who does not have any exercise in their life medyo mas mabait ang approach.

What is Pilates' role to our bones?

Not to bones but it's related to Skeletal.

Let's say you go to a chiropractor kasi he will align your bones para maging derecho sya. What we can work on is on the muscles which holds the bone. SO you can lessen your visits to your chiropractor.

Pero pag mga scoliosis na case wala na kaming magagawa. But we can modify the exercise for them.

Is Pilates a Foundation for all types of sport?

Yes.

Example Tennis, Soccer or Golf

When you do rotation movement, if you're beginner you will use your arms right?

So we are getting you aware of what are the muscles should be involved in a swing (rotation Movement)

Weather in Tennis, Basketball or whatever sports what you involve in are the muscles.

Same goes with Yoga. you have to be aware of what muscles are working in each pose to benefit more on the poses.

Effects? and how long will it last?

Lifetime, kasi once you know how to use your pelv floor you will find it easier. that's why I say its foundation...its life changing!

Why Pilates is Expensive?

That's why we are expensive because what we are imparting is knowledge on how your body is working, it's getting awareness, its educating people how to use your body...safely!

Experience is the best teacher

Learning Pilates is not achievable by just watching videos or researching how to do it, it's really the personal experience of doing it.

Iba yung one-on-one training, where the instructor sees how you are doing it.

Recommendations:

For Faster results make it 2-3x a week while for maintenance once a week is enough.

For beginners it is recommended that they do it more often so they can see faster development. Sayang yung pera nila kung once a week lang.

Rates:

You wont know until you try it yourself! Sign up and come in for a trial.

It's hard to explain kung anong ginagawa namin, kahit i-explian ko ng i-explain hindi nya pa rin ma a appreciate. One must try it!

Location: 

OptionsStudio is at RCBC Plaza (15th Floor Tower 2) on Ayala Avenue, Powerplant Mall (Level R2), Rockwell Center, Makati City and Podium Mall in Ortigas. Soon to have in The Fort area.

Visit their website:

http://www.options-studio.com/

Like on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilatesManila

I am satisfied with the results. I may not gained weight (my goal) but I became physically strong. I learned how to contract my abs now and when is the right time I should be aware of doing it. I am going to apply my new knowledge to the existing exercises that I do such as Yoga, Swimming and Running to avoid injuries.

Cheers!

Simple Tips for a Healthier Weekend

I work hard on weekdays. So I must reward myself on weekends. This is how I do it.

1. Fun run

Finished 10K run on Saturday. It was slowly but surely...enjoying the very good weather.

2. Cook simple vegetable dish

Simple sauteed string beans and minced potatoes. A good source of Potassium and Vitamin C

3. Swimming

Did a 1000 meters of swim on Sunday. A good way to improve cardiovascular fitness with less injuries. If you're asthmatic like me, it's a good therapy.

4. Soft gym workout

It does not need to be a hard core program. Just a few minutes of toning muscles. A simple one will do.

5. Cleaning a room

It's a cool exercise plus you get a great fulfillment. A must try!

Other activities that I do on weekends:

• Yoga
• Getting a massage
• Watching Movies
• Sunday Mass

Mushroom Burger West Avenue

Website:

mushroomburger.com.ph

Location:

West Avenue. 91 West Ave. Brgy. Bungad Quezon City Metro Manila, Philippines Monday-Sunday – 7:30 am to 11:00 pm

St. Lukes Run for Wellness

St. Luke's Run for Wellness at BGC

Distance:10 K

Time: 1:20

Tips for Healthy Holidays

“No matter where you are on your personal wellness journey, think twice before over-indulging during the next few weeks. My advice is to, at the very least, try to break even and maintain your weight this holiday season. It’s amazing how easy it is to gain weight in such a short amount of time, and although weight gain is an easy as eating a few too many pieces of pie, taking off those pounds come January is a much harder tasks.” - Samantha Clayton, Herbalife’s director of worldwide fitness and education.

Tip 1 – No savings: Don’t cut down or starve all day to enjoy the party at night. Skipping your breakfast and lunch is a not a good way to avoid weight gain. There are many reasons why this is a good tactic; a drop in sugar level, lack of energy and lack of concentration are just a few of the down galls of the “starve and binge” technique. Chances are, if you wait all day to enjoy the party food, you will consume twice the amount because you will be so hungry.

Tip 2 – Snacks: Have a healthy protein rich snack before you head out to a holiday party. Filling yourself up on healthy snacks that contain protein will keep you full and stop you from having that extra cup cake.

Tip 3 – Move around: Use holiday parties as an opportunity to socialize with your friends. Keep walking around and don’t park yourself next to chips and dips. Walking counts as exercise so the more you move the better.

Tip 4 – Dance: Let loose and dance off the party calories; the extra bonus is that the more time you spend dancing the less time you will spend eating.

Tip 5 – Routing: Don’t skip your work-outs. The best thing you can do is keep your exercise routine intact. We all know holiday diets can go awry, but if you can at least keep your workouts going it will help.

Tip 6 – Watch your drinks: Try to avoid drinking too many sweet drinks. It’s amazing how many calories can be hiding in a simple holiday punch. Stay hydrated with water helps.

Tip 7 – Maximize your time with quick fix workouts: If time is tight try to do a quick 10-minute routine in the morning and another 10 minutes before you go to bed. Simple exercises performed in an interval style will help burn some calories and keep you toed over the holidays.

Tip 8 – Step away from the computer: Sitting in front of your computer screen looking for that bargain may cost you in the long run. Stay active this holiday season by walking around the shops and carrying bags or boxes doubles up as a workout.

Tip 9 – Make every minute count: Think active all holiday season. Take the stairs. Park in the furthest spot from the store. Get outside and go for a walk. The more active you are the fewer points you will gain.

Tip 10 – Routine: Don’t wait until January 1st to start you exercise plan, start today. The sooner you get your body into a positive active and healthy routine the better chance you have of reaching your personal health goals.

Yoga Pilates for Runners

To avoid injuries when running I took a Yoga Pilates class at Options Studio in RCBC Plaza. Thank you to my awesome teacher Ms. Joella Bustamante.

I started to appreciate the importance of stretching because of Pilates. I am always looking forward to seeing you all this weekend at our Running, Pilates and Yoga activities.

Things that I learned in doing Pilates:

• It takes a great preparation for you to condition yourself to run. 
• Pilates can develop not just the physical strength but inner muscle strength. 
• It builds endurance. 
• My teacher said it is a great way to recover from injury.

Yoga Pilates at Options Studio Day 1

(Thank you Diadora for my jersey)

I have never thought that I would still need to do Yoga Pilates because I am already doing Vinyasa and Yin Yoga as an alternative exercise when I'm not into running.

But when I tried doing Pilates at Options Studio in RCBC I said to myself:

"Mukhang masarap din itong gawin pang balance sa running"

Yoga For Life : Promoting Health and Dignity Together

First posted May 22, 2012

05.20.2012 Quezon City : “With 10 HIV cases now being reported every day, there is a pressing need to strengthen our efforts to combat the disease and support those affected by the virus,” notes Charmaine Cu-Unjieng, one of Yoga For Life’s founders. “Yoga For Life has passionately committed to accomplish both through the practice of yoga.”



In promoting Health and Dignity together, Yoga For Life spearhead it's 2nd annual open-for-all yoga event themed “Oneness Through Wellness”, which aims to enlighten people about HIV and AIDS, stop stigma and discrimination, and realize a healthy and happy community for all.