The Yogini from Manila

December 7, 2011
by Yogajane
2 Comments

All-natural antibacterial sport sprays

I was at EchoStore Serendra yesterday and spotted the last bottle of this.

Working out in a gym or in a yoga studio, you really don’t know what bacteria lie around. People come and go, step all over the floors, dump their clothes in the lockers and sweat a lot. At my gym, I do see someone going around the machines every now and then with a sprayer to mop down handles and places where the body comes in contact with the machine.

It helps to have an antibacterial spray you can drop into your yoga bag for use anywhere in the gym or yoga studio, including your mat, right before practice. This is a great idea for those days when you have no time to wash your mat or the weather outside is muggy and not conducive to yoga mat cleaning. It’s probably a good idea too to spray the insides of lockers before putting your stuff in.

The label of this one from Island Basics says its ingredients include bioenzymes (looks like these are the ones that eat up the bacteria), tea tree oil (a disinfectant) and peppermint essential oil (for the fragrance). Nothing more. 100% ALL NATURAL!

Sport Spray from Island Basics retails at PhP 160 for a 100ml bottle.

Next time, I will try Messy Bessy‘s version called Sports Spritzer which sells for PhP 130 for a 250ml bottle. They ran out when I was looking for this at EchoStore. Fortunately, MessyBessy people just told me via their Facebook page that they are at Mercato Centrale, Bonifacio Global City every Saturday-Sunday from 7AM-2PM.

Messy Bessy’s ingredients are different from Island Basics. Theirs consist of sugarcane alcohol, lactic acid, sodium lactate, herbal waters, deionized water and naturally-derived scent.

Have you tried any of these two sprays? I’d love it if you could drop me a line here if you have.

October 30, 2011
by Yogajane
0 comments

Reflexology – a great detox therapy

Recently, several bloggers including myself, were treated to the Rwo Shur healing method of reflexology at The Reflex Zone.

Rwo Shur stands for the Chinese name of Fr. Josef, a Swiss Catholic priest who discovered the power of healing by pressing, kneading, pinching and working on the soles of the feet which represent different organs, glands and body systems.

All their male licensed therapists carry certificates from the Rwo Shur Center and they were trained in Malaysia.

Foot chart shows the parts of body represented on the foot

Foot chart legend

The therapist who worked on my feet told me that reflexology has a detoxifying effect. Which is why they strongly recommend to their clients to drink a lot of water after the treatment to flush out the toxins that were loosened by the reflexology.

Read more details about The Reflex Zone and my reflexology experience HERE.

August 25, 2011
by Yogajane
1 Comment

St. Luke’s Global City Introduces Complementary Medicine Therapies

When I got this invitation, I knew I just had to attend. After all, when a leading tertiary hospital like St. Luke’s Global City finally incorporates complementary medicine as part of its healing methods for patients, I know I am seeing a change in the realm of medicine.

Growing up, I always saw that clear dividing line between the Western style of medicine and all others. When you get sick and are brought to a hospital, doctors conduct the kind of medical tests and procedures done in the West like X-rays, blood tests, ultrasound tests, etc. Medicines prescribed to you are also chemical-based Western medicine.

All other other kinds of therapy, including the use of meditation, herbs and esotheric forms of spiritual/physical activity, fell into the realm of Eastern spirituality or alternative/homeopathic medicine.

In recent years, Western medicine-trained doctors are slowly coming to realize that there is a connection among wellness of mind, body and spirit. Years back, I read an article in my subscription copy of Reader’s Digest, written up by a doctor, who observed that prayers and deep spirituality actually helped in the healing of patients. Here is an article I saw online on Reader’s Digest site, The Power of Prayer.

St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City now has a Complementary Medicine Service that offers 3 major services to complement a patient’s Western medical treatment:

1. Massage therapy

2. Yoga therapy

3. Acupuncture

The specialists of these 3 services work closely with a patient’s doctors to map out a complete and holistic treatment.

Continue Reading →

June 13, 2011
by Yogajane
4 Comments

The Elle Workout Yoga Vook

You read it right. It’s VOOK, not book. That’s because it’s an e-book that comes with videos. And it’s now available on your iOS device.

I found this app quite by accident while browsing the iTunes store and to my delight, found out that it was on sale for a few hours – FREE!!!

So never mind that it was 403MB heavy, I downloaded it right away on my iPad.

The vook features model Brooklyn Decker who practices yoga alongside one of my favorite yoginis, Strala Yoga founder Tara Stiles. They feature yoga exercises that can be done at home or on the go. Each yoga routine is roughly about 20 minutes in length, just short enough for people who don’t have much time but long enough for a decent yoga workout.

Every chapter looks just like a book page. The text enumerates all the poses included in this routine. Before watching the video, I suggest you read through the poses and, in your mind, imagine yourself going through them already. It makes following the video easier.

This is how a chapter looks before playing video

...and how it looks with the video playing.

Looking at the app, I’d say it’s good for a first-time practitioner, a newbie yogi/yogini or an advanced one because it shows both the regular and modified (easier) asanas, giving you a choice as to which one to follow. This is one app that is great to bring along when you travel to ensure you still get your yoga workout on the fly.

To get the best experience, I suggest that you first read through the text of a chapter to familiarize yourself with the sequence. Then play the video, just watching Brooklyn and Tara and deciding whether you need to modify some poses (as done by Brooklyn) or go with the regular asanas as done by Tara. Position your iOS device near enough for you to follow the video but not too close that you may accidentally swipe it while you are practicing.

I was lucky to have downloaded the app when they dropped the price to FREE but I just checked last night and it is going for only $2.99. Still a good deal, I think. Just a reminder. Prices of apps do change from time to time and the price I am quoting here could go up or down. If you don’t need this app right away, wait for a big holiday when many apps are discounted and who knows? You may get to download this one free again.

Click HERE to check its description on iTunes.

Released: 04 April 2011
Version: 1.0 (tested for iOS 4.0)
Size: 403 MB
Language: English
Developer: Vook
Compatible with: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

May 16, 2011
by Yogajane
0 comments

Breathing Zone: a FREE iOS app for 24 hours

Those who practice yoga know how important Pranayama (or breathing) is to our practice. And clinical studies do show that by breathing slower and deeper, it has a profound effect on reducing stress levels and ultimately, blood pressure.

For 24 hours today (the app was posted around 4AM Manila Time, May 16), Breathing Zone, a $2.99 app, is FREE!

Here’s what Harvard Medical School’s newsletter says about the app: “When you find yourself under stress, Breathing Zone can help unruffle your feathers. This app employs the phone’s microphone to assess your breathing, then establishes a realistically reduced “target rate.” You can choose an audio accompaniment and set the length of your relaxation session. You then breathe in and out in sync with an image that pulsates at a gradually slower pace.”

I wrote about the app on my other blog, Apps and Gadgets. Do check it out there and if you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, download it now.

April 19, 2011
by Yogajane
6 Comments

Traveling this summer? Do airplane yoga!

Are you leaving on a jet plane this summer?

Which type of traveler are you: the kind who walks up and down the aisles every so often? Or the type who stays seated, strapped to your seat the whole flight?

If you’re the latter, let’s just say that prolonged seating can be bad for your health. It even gets worse when your seat is wedged in between other travelers so you tend to stay put in your seat so as not to bother them with your crossing back and forth.

Whether it is a short trip or a long haul, it is important to keep your blood circulating. Long hours of seating, especially when leg room is very limited and you cannot move around in your chair, can make you feel more tired and fatigued. Studies have shown that long-haul flights can cause tight muscles, blood clots, leg swelling, stiff joints, etc.

Some yoga stretches and exercises can keep you limber during and after a flight.

Tara Stiles did a video on Airplane Yoga which you can do while just in your seat.

Here’s another one by Roni Porter:

And here are some articles I found that may also help you with other exercises:

Airplane Yoga – Ancient Secret to Modern Travel

Airplane Yoga

Airplane Yoga: 5 De-stressing Tips + How-To Video

Enjoy your flight!

April 19, 2011
by Yogajane
1 Comment

Get your Yoga Journal May 2011 digital edition FREE!

Good news! In celebration of Earth Day, the May 2011 digital version of Yoga Journal is being made available for FREE! The last time I was able to download a free digital version was in May 2008. I believe you may still be able to download it now.

For the May 2011 digital edition, there are 3 ways you can get it.

1. View it on your browser – Just go to the Yoga Journal page announcing this free issue, click on the option for viewing on browser.

2. View it on your mobile device, e.g., an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch – You will need to download the free Zinio reader app to your mobile device, create a Zinio account, type ‘Yoga Journal’ in the search bar, and download the free issue.

3. To keep a copy on your hard disk, download Zinio into your Mac or Windows computer, open Zinio, then download the issue.

As a bonus, you can also download for free the May 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times.

I just wish Yoga Journal was made available in digital edition for all its issues. Having to have it shipped from the US to here is so expensive. And so is buying it off a magazine stand here.

February 23, 2011
by Yogajane
0 comments

My Cushe Yoga Flops

The first time I encountered Cushe (pronounced cu-shee) was at my boys’ school fair just the other week. I was going around taking pictures of the boys’ different game booths when I saw a stall selling flip flops. The brand was new so, without knowing why, I took a shot of it.

Who would ever have thought that the very next day, I’d be talking to Cushe’s marketing person who wanted me to try out their product which turned out to be — what else, but YOGA FLOPS!!!

Of course, Cushe (a UK company) is more than yoga flops. I googled the brand and found out that they also carry men’s and women’s rubber shoes, loafers, sandals and even boots.

I was given a choice of two types of yoga flops that they carry: a low or high pair. The high flops were similar to another pair of clogs that I had while the low flops had a slight elevation from the floor, unlike other flops that are thinner and flatter.

Based on materials I saw on the main Cushe website, the yoga flops are made of the following materials:

Strap: Printed canvas

Footbed: “Yoga mat” sponge

Midsole: Moulded EVA with added arch support

Outsole: Blown rubber for added traction and durabiity

I decided to go with the low pair for this review. The low one was plum in color and one that I thought was nice to wear after a yoga session. The gentlest type of footwear for feet is one that is as close to the ground as possible, isn’t tight and allows breathing space for the feet.

I’ve been wearing the Cushe yoga flops around the house for some time now and find them really comfy. Because the part that touches my sole is made of yoga mat material, which is not only soft and cushy but has those round, elevated indentations in the texture that massage your foot’s underside, I feel as though I am walking on my yoga mat as I walk around.

Last night, I took the Cushe flops for a spin at the gym. This particular design I have has the strap wrapping around my big toe so I wanted to check if constant walking would irritate my skin between the big toe and the second toe since that’s where the greatest pressure of the strap was. None at all. The flip flops were comfy to wear, though I did have two occasions when the flops easily slipped off and I had to insert my feet into them again. I’d probably recommend to Cushe also to consider making the outsole more ridged for even greater grip and traction because the current indentations on the outsole will eventually wear down and become flat, making the flip flops a bit slippery.

Here are some closeup pics I took of my flops.

Did you notice the flops' design? Girl doing the lotus pose!

Full front view

The printed canvas strap is very detailed and soft

How Cushe flops look on my foot 🙂

The high yoga flops come in the following colors: purple, raspberry and brown. The low yoga flops come in plum and raspberry. Both the high and low yoga flops retail for P1,190.

You can find Cushe yoga flops at Cushe’s boutique stores at Festival Mall, Trinoma and Newport and at the Hush Puppies/Cushe boutique store at Eastwood. It’s also available in the following shoe outlets: Planet Sports, Royal Sporting House, Islands, SBMA, Olympic Village and Urban Athletics.

February 13, 2011
by Yogajane
3 Comments

Sale: Yoga App for Healthy Backs

Version: 1.0 (iOS 4.0 tested)

Released: Feb. 11, 2011

Price: $6.99; sale now at $0.99

File size: 354 MB

Seller: vook

Ok, I do not know how long this sale will last as I just saw this a couple of hours ago but considering that it’s right about Valentine’s Day where I am, this deeply discounted yoga app could go back to its original price soon. So although I have not tested this one out yet, I’m blogging about it already so I could let you in on it.

Healthy Backs: Deep Flow Yoga is a universal app (meaning, it will work on an iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad). It’s also a Vook (an ebook with videos). It’s still version 1.0, having debuted just today, February 11, 2011 but from an initial listing price of $6.99, it has now been dropped to just an amazing $0.99.

Whether it turns out to be an awesome app or a so-so app, the sale price is still something I can’t resist. Yes, I’ve already downloaded the app and will try it later.

Here’s a short description of the app:

“Want a stronger back and core but don’t know where to start? Download Deep Flow Yoga now, a Vook mixing inspirational videos and step-by-step instructions! World class yoga instructor David Moreno leads an amazing yoga practice to release mental and physical tension, open awareness, and strengthen and toning the oblique abdominals. Deep Flow Lateral Sequence is a profound, visually rich yoga class, set to the hypnotic soundtrack of percussionist/composer Laura Inserra and electronic guitarist, Darren Gibbs. In this Vook, you’ll experience a yoga class and get the benefit of added text filled with powerful insight and additional instruction from this renowned teacher. Healthy Backs: Deep Flow Yoga focuses on poses that will strengthen and stretch your core and back muscles…”

Here are some more screenshots of the app as seen in an iPad (on an iPhone or iPod Touch the layout is slightly different):

February 12, 2011
by Yogajane
7 Comments

A First Encounter with Yin Yoga

Up until the other day, my yoga practice has been one I’d call fairly active. My yoga experience began under a hatha vinyasa teacher. When I had to go to Makati for part-time consultancy in late 2007, I tried ashtanga with Yoga Manila because the shala was just a stone’s throw away from my office building. And now that I’m doing home practice more than attending yoga classes due to my hectic schedule, I’ve reverted back to vinyasa yoga.

A long hiatus from yoga though, during intense months of consultancy, affected my practice significantly. Inflexibility set in once again. And in one of my yoga practices, I pulled my right hamstring.

That was several months ago. You’d think that by now, that hamstring would have healed and stretched. But no. It still feels tight. And I always need to modify my poses when the right leg is outstretched. Sometimes it is a source of frustration that asanas I could do before are once more challenging to me. And I have to keep reminding myself to be patient, patient, patient.

Then a yogini friend Claudine messages me on Facebook that she thinks doing a yin yoga class would do me good. I never heard of yin yoga so I half-absorbed her message. Soon after, a blogger friend Ria messaged me that she had began to take yoga classes after discovering the shala was just minutes from her home. And….it was yin yoga.

The universe does speak and you can hear it if you attune your senses to it.

I became curious and decided that if yin yoga was calling out to me, the least I could do was respond. So I decided to attend a class with Dona Tumacder-Esteban, a certified yin yoga teacher.

Dona began class with a background on the theory of yin yoga. As I listened to her, I began to realize that I only knew the half of what yoga actually was. I began to realize that the yin-yang was not just a Chinese concept but that it is the essence of just about everything that exists in our world.

What are Yin and Yang?

The easiest way to differentiate the two is through adjectives:

Yang is active; yin is passive.

Yang is hard; yin is soft.

Yang is movement; yin is stillness.

Yang is expansion and lengthening; yin is contraction.

Yang is male; yin is female.

Yang is the sun; yin is the moon.

Yang is logical; yin is intuitive.

They co-exist and complement. One is not inferior to the other. They are not opposing facets but partners.

What happens in Yin Yoga?

In yin yoga classes, there are 3 things to remember: