Yoga: one man’s path to health, another woman’s path to a green life

Finally after months of sedentary living, I took the plunge and enrolled in yoga for 6 months!  I figured this kind of commitment will keep me committed as well.  You know how it is, it’s soooo easy to just sleep in, especially on weekends!

There are a lot of yoga classes in the Metro but I was drawn only to Ananda Marga (Ananda Marga Pracharaka Samgha (AMPS) meaning “the organization for the propagation of the path of bliss”).

Most of you have already heard about yoga, but what about yoga that can contribute to a green life.

So why yoga? and why Ananda Marga?

At the start of the year I made a list of resolutions that was inspired the month to keep me really interested and reminded of it.

For February, I decided to concentrate on the heart.

Yes, I am a florist and it is one of the busiest months to celebrate love.  And, for the past 10 years, February has been more about romantic love.

This year, for me, it would be more than that.  It will also be about love of self, of mind, body, spirit and country all the while being true to my advocacy of a “Green Philippines” being crucial to a “Green Earth” and while still staying true to living that life in my own Quaint way.

Here’s why:

1. Low maintenance.  I don’t have to invest in too many fancy contraptions.  Just 1 mat, the cheapest I’ve seen is Php450, if that is an issue even a towel would do.  Believe it or not there was a time where mats didn’t even exist! hahahaha of course!

2. Low Fees. Walk-in per Session fees is just P350, they also have a per 10-session program at P2,500, unlimited 3 month program P4,000, and an unlimited 6 month program of P6,000.  Then you get a free CD and Yoga for Health book with the 10-session and unlimited programs.  Here’s the best part… students get 50% discount!

3. Yoga goes beyond physical exercise.  In Ananda Marga, I learned yoga is not just a means to exercise, though you’ll get the benefit of that of course.  It is also about total well-being, body, mind and spirit.  When the three are aligned and taken cared of, you will get the most benefit in your life.

I don’t think I’m ready to don the vestments of the monks, but I do appreciate their light and serene aura.  I do get the sense of how the practice along with meditation and vegetarianism can bring a person more peace.

4. Gentle life lessons. What I appreciate is the monks doesn’t force us to learn the ways but will give us some short teachings during the sessions in a very subtle way and not in the least bit forceful or hardsell us the lifestyle.

5. Science and mysticism of Yoga in simple terms.  They gave me a book and CD so I would really appreciate what and how yoga can be for me. I found out what no other yoga book I’ve come across discussed.  It explained in simple terms why (pranayama or diaphragmatic) breathing  is so important, what exactly is prana, and why peace and love is the ultimate goal of yoga.  It explained “aura” in a way that it made sense for me, why certain people emit a certain aura and why we respond a certain way to certain people.  It is with the regular practice of yoga and meditation that peace can also be attained.

6. Regular classes.  They have classes the whole week now, morning and evening classes with various levels of fitness from beginner, intermediate to advanced.  So anyone can start at their own pace, though I started with the advance class and so far so good.

7. Any fitness level.   I didn’t have to be superfit to join in the class.  The instructor is always ready to adjust the poses for the student depending on level of fitness.

8. Personalizable yoga program.  The instructor is so approachable and consultations are welcome especially to personalize a yoga program, for some it may be to help for fertility, heart, or lungs, etc.

9. Therapy without drugs.  It helped me manage my “frozen shoulder” (yup I know, I’m getting old!) without pain relievers and without even going to therapy

10. Exercise with relaxation.  I feel so relaxed after the sessions, I imagine its how getting a good massage should feel like I’m probably the only one who doesn’t really enjoy massages.

11. Low-impact activity / hi-impact benefits.  It’s very low-impact but you will still sweat like crazy and you’ll feel you are using all your muscles just the same.  What I love about yoga, among others, is that the poses are supposed to be done with a little stretch of my limits without being too uncomfortable.  Yes, my body is as imperfect as anybody else, but now, my body is my ally not something to conquer.

12. Massage/ Detox/ Heal.  I found out that doing the asanas has deeper benefits than just flexibility and strength.  Done with regularity and proper postures, one can help heal one’s ailments.  Each asana is designed to detox, massage, regulate hormones and heal the body’s organs.

There are some poses that the yogi would warn for those with heart ailments not to do.  Or he would stress how one pose can help particular sicknesses.  I remember on session when I was feeling I was going with something, I can already feel it in my throat, then we did the shoulder stand, which according to the instructor is very good for the throat.  Can you believe it, that after 2 repetitions, the pesky ahem was gone!  Well, let’s just say I became a convert.

So with that positive note comes a note of warning as well, if each pose can help certain ailments, it can also produce counterproductive effects if done incorrectly, so expert advice from the yogi is strongly advised.

There goes my unused books and CDs I guess…

Ananda Marga
46 Maamo St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
Maamo St. is the corner of the back of Save More Supermarket in Anonas
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Be happy.  Be Healthy.  Be Whole.

Make the Quaint things count,

Theresa

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Email me at myquaintlife@yahoo.com

edit:  First published in February, but due to hosting problems, I lost all posts coming after February, so I’ll be reposting all the lost posts during the week.