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Archive for the ‘Living a Life Off-Center’ Category

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Mid-week energy boost with a scrub made from dead sea salt and aromatic oils :-)

In Living a Life Off-Center on November 21, 2012 at 3:49 am

Scrub the stress away with these energizing salts.

Wednesday is also known as humpday and I’m wondering if that’s because people actually experience a figurative speedbump in their energy levels mid-week. It seems that you’ve just gotten revved up workwise Monday and Tuesday but Wednesday starts to bring thoughts of end of workweek deadlines and the much needed rest you are looking forward to over the weekend. It seems uncanny but are there days when you feel that you take work home with you a little too much? Not just files or research material but even the issues of other people from colleagues and whatnots that seem to way heavily on your body and skin? If you’ve ever felt that way  then I would highly recommend investing in a kickass body scrub that can make you feel like literally peeling off the negativity when you bathe.

The Dead Sea has been known for its healing properties, with many a pilgrim going there for a soak in order to cleanse. Salt, when non-iodized and its purest form is considered a purifier, so you can imagine what kind of benefits one gets when using a scrub which incorporates dead sea salt. Jericho Energizing Salt Scrub with Dead Sea Salt and Aromatic Oil  (from Php 2,200-3,600 depending on the size) is a great product to have as part of your in-home spa. (If you haven’t started your in-home spa yet, you should-for a quick fix when you don’t have time to go to a real spa). If you’ve never tried a scrub this would be a good one to begin with, although I recommend you use it in the morning or mid-day rather than before going to sleep.

The consistency may feel a little sticky but the scrub itself is great for hard to reach places and make sure focus on skin areas that receive the most impact like the soles and heels of your feet, knees and elbows. It’s also a good idea to get your lymphatic system a charge my concentrating on areas that are prone to sweat like your armpits and inner thigh (groin region).  A good ‘ol srub once a week (max of 2x a week) is good overall to exfoliate deadskin cells, giving you brighter more illuminated skin as well as improving your circulation. Plus, you can mentally imagine that you are scrubbing away bad juju (from nega vibes and nega people) that sometimes feel like they’ve gotten stuck on you. Wash all that anxiety go down the drain and enjoy the feeling of coming out of your bathing ritual in a brand new “skin”.

Jericho Cosmetics are found in kiosks in SM Megamall, Mall of Asia, Eastwood Mall, Alabang Town Center, Marquee Mall, SM Pampanga and SM North Edsa.

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Smooth operator-my model moment with a wrinkle reducer :-)

In Living a Life Off-Center on November 10, 2012 at 12:44 am

Let your skin look hassle-free for the holidays.

Holidays can be glorious respites from anyone’s day to day but they are not without their stresses. A three-week vacay had me across the globe immersed in different climates and timezones. Jetlag is nobody’s friend and I’ve contented myself with working when I can’t sleep. So, lack of adequate shut eye, added to squinted eyes working late nights have not done my skin any favors. Not to mention hopping from one plane to another (freezing) then out into the searing heat of the summer sun can really let the sins of the skin out. Having normal/oily combination skin has pretty much saved me throughout my youth, but in the twilight of my thirties, I have noticed that there are some expression lines, ok, wrinkles that are here to stay. Having just gotten back and still battling with a messed-up bodyclock, I’ve had to soldier through meetings and even two shoots (close-ups at that) and realized that my simple routine of cleanse, tone and moisturize is no longer enough. Based on a friend’s recommendation I gave the very straightforwardly-named “Restorative Instant Wrinkle Smoothing Cream” from  Céleteque DermoScience a whirl.

I smoothed on the cream right after my moisturizer and was pleased to see that even if it felt rich it wasn’t greasy and heavy on my skin. I focused on two areas of my face, the frown line between by eyebrows and another prominent line above my left eyebrow. I guess my years of squinting at my laptop screen had finally caught up.  The product (Php 699 suggested retail price) comes in a  15mL travel friendly size tube and is tested to be non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. I put on my make-up and went through my day. That same night, I decided to put it over my entire face and neck since I liked its texture anyway. Over the weekend this Instant Wrinkle Smoothing Cream was part of my vanity routine and I did notice that the two areas I had focused on had indeed reduced, quite rapidly in appearance. They didn’t seem to be as deep as before (especially the one in between my eyebrows which can be quite pronounced) and even the one above my left eyebrow was barely visible. Suffice to say when I showed up at my shoot several days later I was told I looked “fresh” even without make-up on, and having come from a late night from work, that was a truly ego-boosting compliment!

This is a cream I’m definitely going to stock up on, keeping one at home, and one in the office, in case I need to go from a convention to cocktail and works really well with my concealer. Since it contains PhytocelltecTM-which helps the longevity of skin cells to combat skin aging, and Collaxyl, a collagen peptide ingredient, I am confident that I can keep my skin looking as youthful as possible, in spite of my rather hectic lifestyle for years to come!

And yes, they actually took my picture and quoted me :-) Everyone has a model moment, and hopefully more than just one!

Instant and long term effect on wrinkle reduction in a tube from Celeteque!

 

 

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Panda Sunglasses-sunnies for the green-minded fashionista comes to town

In Living a Life Off-Center on November 1, 2012 at 3:18 am

I am so enthused that an eco-friendly line of sunnies has finally landed on our shores. I go through scores of sunnies every year since I get tired of the look or, I lose them, or, much worse, they suffer through the wear and tear of my many travels. Since I’m such a beach bunny it’s important I bring with me a sturdy pair whenever I’m out in the sand or the surf and because of the metal components of some of them there is a danger of them rusting out on me. Worse, I have had the experience of losing a favorite pair that fell off my head during a boat ride and took less than a splt second to sink down into the deep blue never to be found again. Not these babies, though. Made from high-grade, ethically produced bamboo they actually float on water, so, no sinking here!

Best selling Kennedy in brown. Happy birthday Mr. President?

Another component is that they incorporate TAC polarized lenses are made from recycled polycarbonate materials, making them lightweight and yes, also environ-friendly all around.

Natural bamboo colors make a fine statement. Martin in Natural shade.

There are several styles and shades that still highlight the fine wood detail. Giving them a design edge that plastic or metal cannot compare with. Mother Nature certainly knows best!

Black beauty. Nelson black shades still show of fine wood detail.

Price-wise, all models are at a pocket friendly Php 6,000 a pop, almost half of what more commercial brands cost. Plus, Panda is a company with a conscience; every purchase provides the Gift of Vision through the TOMA Foundation, an international non-profit organization that donates glasses to people in need.

Crusoe would have needed these. Robinson in brown.

The basics are certainly covered for those concerned that although they are for the green-minded (and hearted) fashionista, as these lightweight frames have  100% UVA/UVB Protected lenses, are water resistant and yes, as I said before, they float in water :-) so great for clumsy adventurers like myself!

Channel your screen siren, with an eco-friendly edge. Monroe in Natural.

So, as we have to now live with global warming, wouldn’t it make sense to use accessories that protect your peepers from the sun yet that are Mother Earth considerate at the same time? Shades of glory for sure!

Panda Sunglasses are available exclusively online and can be delivered right to your door from http://www.ava.ph

 

 

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Treasure throw-aways. This estate sale give valuable goods a second chance.

In Living a Life Off-Center on October 22, 2012 at 2:13 pm

Sterling silver medallion. My precious!

When I lived in the UK I enjoyed watching a TV show entitled Antique Roadshow which followed a host (can’t even remember his name anymore) going from town to town in England looking at what seemed like group “garage sale”. I use the word “garage” loosely because most of these lawn-based sales comprised mostly of antiques. Antiques that to the untrained eye, could just be a piece of junk. Yet, with the expertise of the host and a little clever salestalk from the seller, the value of each piece started to shine. Sure, there were things there that you’d never spend a sterling on but it was wonderful to see an ugly duckling of a thing leave with an incredible pricetag after it was appraised. Truly, one man’s junk can be one man’s treasure.

Come sail away with me. Get shipwrecked while searching for something special.

Locally, there is the Estate Sale Philippines that has taken upon itself to be the curator for other people’s no longer wanted pieces, these pieces range from small knick-knacks to full on dining tables and chairs. For someone furnishing their house or apartment this is a great opportunity to have dibs on quality furniture and home accessories rather than going through more generic pieces found at local malls and retail shops. A lot of the pieces are one-of-a-kind, since some are custom-made or no longer found in the market.

All kinds of classy glasses. Entertaining gets easier.

Aside from a whole range of things to choose from, one can walk away with something for every budget. You can pick up a full-on tea set for about 500pesos, gem-encrusted pillboxes for 20,000, wine glasses, decanters, utensils. and the list goes on. Best to trot on over to see what you can discover for yourself or even gifts for those on your Christmas list.You might even pick up a fashion accessory too such as these vintage-fully beaded clutches that go for less than P1000 each!

Full beaded bags. A steal for less than a thousand bucks each!

Find something fabulous in a unique shopping venue this October. :-) I’ve got my eye on a sterling silver tambourine medallion for my holiday bling!

Check out this special sale on:  124 Malvar Street Ayala Alabang on October 24, Wednesday until October 27, Saturday from 9:00 a.m -7:00p.m.   

View the link for a sneak peek at the items that will be on sale: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.475501835804705.106297.158312950856930&type=1

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An all-around beauty oil for any skin emergency VNM Naturals Rosehip Oil

In Living a Life Off-Center on October 21, 2012 at 3:40 am

Skin-irritants are always around, and often you’re not quite sure what they are exactly you just end up being the unsuspecting victim of a sudden, ugly, and angry rash (sometimes worse). My skin has thankfully been pretty resilient to most fabrics and fragrances that are placed close to it, but one thing I do experience once in a while is a rash from sweating it out. Perhaps it was the lingerie I used at that particular time but I end up with almost a milky way of angry red (and very itchy) bumps along the lines where my intimates border. And I do have to say they are terribly uncomfortable when they are at their worst. You definitely do not want to scratch in those areas in public even if your body is screaming for it.

Trying to stay on the path of all things natural I’ve tried some homeopathic remedies (ingested) to calm down the burning and itching and they would work for a time, but when they would wear off the itching would start again. Plus, the inflamed areas of my body were in no way diminishing, I would then slather on the richest moisturizers I had on before dressing up just to make sure I would soften the area as much as possible, preventing me from wanting to scratch. When I was younger I would even scratch til it would bleed (I know, TMI at this point but I’m sure some of you can relate.). I was very close to asking for something more industry standard (read, enough chemicals to build a bomb with) when I took one last look at my beauty stash in my bathroom. Throughout the years I have been fortunate enough to have been gifted with product upon product to try and test. So much so, that many have remained unopened (once I found something that worked, I pretty much stuck to it) or have been passed on as gifts to very appreciative girlfriends.

One oil to rule them all. 100%.

Among the many product lines I have received the gifts from VNM Naturals were standouts. Their emu oil ingredient which was infused in most of their products had already been many a testimonials subject, plus, I was a fan of their Smooch Lip Detox balm. Something I would put on and actually enjoy before my favorite lipstick because I felt like a massage on my lips each time. This time though, a small unused bottle of their Rosehip Oil caught my attention. I flipped it around to read what it was for and it said it could cure dermatitis and eczema as well as diminish the appearance of scars (even surgical ones) and age spots. I thought, why not? I wasn’t sure what my rash fell under but it wouldn’t hurt to try. I rubbed some on and hoped for the best.

I’m not quite sure exactly what happened and in the time that it happened but it seemed within 48 hours I noticed I wasn’t feeling the itching burning sensation as I did several days before. When I checked in the mirror, I literally had to take a step back as the rashes had turned from bright red to a light pink and the bumps had almost flattened out. I guess the product worked really fast because I had almost forgotten about the rash! I am going to estimate that it took less than a week for the rash, the bumps and even the discoloration to be completely gone. I was floored. I was also ecstatic that I had uncannily found a product that I could use for my skin emergencies. At Php 800 for 20ml it was certainly a worthy investment, that was small enough to carry with me especially when I traveled.

Hats off to this particular product, if you’ve got a first-aid kit at home, consider putting this little gem of an oil in your permanent beauty emergency one!

To get more information or order contact:

V&M Naturals
Skin and Hair Nourishment From Nature
The First True Emu Oil Skin Care Line in the Philippines
0927-895-7685
0933-390-0609

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Flexibility Not Required (FNR)-a new approach to life-balancing yoga

In Living a Life Off-Center on October 18, 2012 at 1:47 am

Flexibility is not required for an FNR class but you will get it nevertheless with practice!

The benefits of a regular yoga practice are often repeated in my posts, and if you will indulge me I will repeat them again now. Yoga is one of the easiest (yes, easiest) ways to get yourself balanced both inside and out. It is still physical, meaning it incorporates movement so your heart and lungs get to work and at the same time it requires gentle focus, letting you work on one “asana” (pose) at a time. Well, ideally that is how it’s supposed to be. Nowadays, there are many forms of yoga, the most commercial of which promise you a fat burning, cardio increasing workout. Those are great for those who are at that level, and yes, you can have that “yoga butt” if you really want to and feel the burn. I’ve found though that many who have practiced with speed and almost acrobatic like moves end up (through time) getting injured because they haven’t built their pose foundations properly. Instead of correctly using their muscles and their breath (or at times even using the correct muscles and the breath) they just switch on to auto pilot and use strength and momentum to go from one pose to another. Improperly done this leads to muscle wear and tear, and even worse, pain that may turn them off yoga forever. Which for me, is a royal shame. Yoga can be a firm, yet gentle practice, one that allows adjustment; you are not trying to look exactly like your instructor or your mat-mate during your asanas, you are trying to feel the best you can whenever you are in a sitting, standing, lying or inverted position. And, on top of that you are trying to get maximum benefit for YOU.

Everybody and every body is different. And yoga should be a celebration of that.

This is one of the reasons why I fell in love with Urban Ashram Manila’s FNR (Flexibility Not Required) classes. I have been a rather inconsistent yoga practitioner for about 6 years now, getting into it, then getting out of it. I’m relatively flexible but my upper body strength is something that has always been a challenge for me. Oh, and of course, my core, which I never use (or at least it doesn’t feel like I use it). When I was younger, doing astanga yoga, jumping through poses was like an exercise for me, it was “easy” because I was strong enough and fit enough to just go from one to another with an athlete’s ability. Thing was, I wasn’t really building strength I was just just finishing the class as best as I could. So, when I was invited to what was considered a beginners class for vinyasa about three months ago I felt so let down when I was losing my breath and falling all over the place when I couldn’t hold my poses. Or, I was literally collapsing into them. Suffice to say I never went back to that particular class.

Yoga allows you to be expressive of you. Through every pose.

Anusara, a heart opening practice became my next choice and I enjoyed its gentleness and meditative benefits, it certainly gave me a lot more openness in my postures and made me more conscious of the way I stood and sat. I did feel that I wanted more though after a year of practicing it, so I decided to try out a class of FNR in Urban Ashram’s newly opened quarters in the Fort (their first one is in Brixton St., Kapitolyo). Our teacher for that day, Marc, was the one who thought of and put into action this particular practice. It really felt like I was re-learning all my basics, in a good way. I had not really been taught what was the right way to go from pose to pose and what to “feel” . That was the most important aspect as you need to feel your muscles work (this is partly muscle memory anyway right?) and if you weren’t using the right ones, or knowing how to use them you could end up straining your knees, your ankles your neck and shoulders. He also showed me that for my body type that I had to make minute adjustments to get into and keep a pose with more strength and less effort. It was pretty amazing. Tiring at first, but I could feel the change right away. Within a month of regular practice in this 75 min class (it’s great to begin your mornings with it) I was doing poses that I had long struggled with, and I’m talking years of not being able to do them with confidence.

Know your limits and strengths and learn how to improve!

What can I say? Get on that mat, and do it the right way with FNR. You can be any level in your practice, from zero to yoga hero and still benefit from loving corrections to your body and soul.

Namaste!

For more information go to: www.urbanashrammanila.com Or call (02) 661 YOGA / 0917 881 YOGA

info@urbanashrammanila.com

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Make a green statement with a bamboo bowtie this Holiday season!

In Living a Life Off-Center on October 3, 2012 at 2:27 am

Bond, Bamboo bond…

Tis the season to roll out the formal wear it seems. Week after week I’ve been happily receiving invites for celebrations with the common theme of attire:formal or even black tie. As much as I love to see men in monkey suits, a great suit and even make a so-so looking guy gorgeous to be honest, I’m also enjoying certain “twists” in style. Not everyone goes for the standard black and white (unless it’s prescribed) but even if it is, I find my attention being turned to those who rock up with a certain fashion statement, one that purrs “I wear the clothes, not the other way around”.

One accessory that I’ve seen on men (and some women) is the bamboo bowtie, cleverly named the Bambowtie.There are versions for men and for women. I hope they make one for kids one day!

Even ladies can tie this on with a cool outfit :-)

I’ve seen several of my friends who struggle when putting on the traditional bow-tie so if they’re stylishly bold enough they can just hook this on to their penguin suit. Other clever dressers have latched this on to a polo shirt, while some women have opted to turn this into a makeshift neckpiece or choker. I must say it is a standout, you just need the eco-friendly energy to carry it off for total cool-ness factor.

Added bonus? Bambowties are made by Bamb EcoLogical Technology Inc. which was founded by Bryan Maclelland (you may have seen his gorgeous mug in many TVCs and in the pages of several glossies) is a socio-ecological enterprise that hand-makes bamboo bow ties with fair-trade labor and sustainable building practices. Their Bambowtie builders come from Gawad Kalinga, a Philippine-based community development organization for the poor, working to bring an end to poverty. We put 10% of our profits toward a sustainable development fund, which is working on a bamboo nursery for reforestation and a playground for the children.

So, not only do you have a statement piece to wear out, you also contribute to aiding our countrymen. At Php 650 per tie, that’s a pretty good deal. Hope to see more bamboo wearing men and women out soon!

Bambowties for men and women are available online from AVA.ph check them out at Bambowties

 

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Bacolod Beauties-the 2012 Negros Trade Fair

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 30, 2012 at 12:48 am

I love fairs, well, I generally love organized events where one can shop in relative comfort without being hounded by salespeople or merchants as you take your time browsing through booth after booth.

Throw pillows as great accents from My Domesticity

This year’s Negros Trade Fair (yes, I’m sure that doesn’t sound quite right to some of you non-Filipino readers)  is a much awaited sale event for merchants from the areas of Bacolod, Silay and other towns from the Negros Occidental area of the Philippines. I remember going last year and heading straight to the food and wasn’t disappointed this time around with the very enticing aroma emanating from The Freakin Chicken booth:

Bacolod’s famous chicken inasal-fried.

Food lovers are familiar with “Chicken inasal” which has a rather addictive vinegar-tang to it, this is that, plus the flavor of being fried. Yes, it’s over-indulgent, and you need to be ready for it.

Freakin’ Chicken’s Christine Coro preparing me some chorizo to sample

If you’re not a fan of chicken, there were other viands on offer. Still looking a tad on the oily side in my opinion but they smelled wonderful. I think this would be great for an earlier meal or something to share with the whole family at the very least. Of course in terms of one’s sweet tooth there were jars, bottles and other plastic (I do hope they can be recycled) containers full of Negrense sweets:

C-is for cookies

Sweet offerings galore…

So eat, then move again. I love these kinds of fairs indeed! I went over to Mariel San Agustin’s My Domesticity Booth and oooh’d and aaah’d at the bright colors she used for her kitchen and dining accessories:

Turquoise topped rice bowls and other storage items from My Domesticity

Lime green trays plus containers for your condiments

I felt these would be perfect gifts for a housewarming even a wedding. If you’re not sure of color preferences or even color schemes of someone’s home then sticking to the darker, wood-y shades is safe:

These are still some of the best-sellers if you want to buy on the “safe” side as the go with everything

This fair was a haven for me for all things home. Truth be told I wasn’t too impressed with the fashion accessories, and kept to the home accessory booths for my own purchases, whether for myself or to give away. Some standouts were:

Lovely placemats and runners at Php 400 a set!

Beautiful light frames

Unusual lamp shades and shapes

A huge hardwood (re-purposed) chair

Today (September 30) is the last day of the 2012 Negros Trade Fair (it’s been running since Wednesday) so get your Sunday shopping on, grab your Christmas list and head on over to the Rockwell Tent in Makati for lots of great finds and food!

The Negros Trade Fair is open til 9pm tonight and there is an entrance fee of Php40 at the door.

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Food, fun and fabulous finds at EarthDance Manila 2012

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 23, 2012 at 8:31 am

I love new discoveries and this rather sunny Sunday conspired with me to try something new. EarthDance Manila has been an ongoing event for several years and normally held in Quezon City. Today though, September 23, you can find it open til midnight right in the heart of Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. I was told that this “small” event started out with only fifteen participants and now the community has truly grown into a much awaited event with thousands of attendees and close to a 100 vendors and workshop-givers.

EarthDance Manila’s centerpiece art installation of a Mandala.

Getting there in time for a late breakfast I treated myself to agedashi tofu with oyster mushroom sauce from Ministry of Mushrooms’s booth and a cold drink of fresh, organic dalandan juice from Holy Carabao.

Human(e) Nature is what we need to support nowadays.

Sweet-ly tempting farmfresh products from Holy Carabao

Holy Carabao had one of the more wholistic booths, selling drinks, cooking ingredients, accessories and beauty products. I regretted not having brought more cash to this event! I even sampled their stil-hot-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies made out of coconut nectar and whined when they said they weren’t for sale (only the coco nectar was).

From foodie to beauty junkie…

Aside from foodie finds, I reconnected with some old friends who had set up their own handcrafted natural soap business called Lotus Blooms.

Ground lavender, olive oil, sea kelp, and other natural goodies inside every bar of Lotus Bloom soaps.

Each soap was beautifully presented in a little box and named after a mythical Goddess. Plus, it had a positive affirmation placed on every label which I thought was a very clever touch.

Handcrafted “Soul- soaps” that are gentle enough for the body and your face.

I walked away with a Vanilla and Orange blend and vowed to get the newest creation made from French Lavender. Reasonably priced at Php 150 each, they would make great giveaways for Christmas or even pasalubongs. If you’ve got a beauty counter brimming with soaps then a massage balm might be a good addition to your wellness arsenal. They’re small enough to keep in your purse or have in your office desk when you need a pick me up or a cooling calm down.

Balm-y love in the palm of your hand.

By the time I had done my shopping rounds it was time to eat again. The workshops were about to start (it’s a whole day of meditation, yoga, talks, and other activities) so I had to decide what lunch would be. There were of course healthy snacks made out of either fruit or vegetable:

Savory malunggay chips in different flavors.

Fruit-y chip chakras.

Having snacking options was great but I really wanted a full meal so I had a bit of a carb fix at Edgy Veggy. At least their rice is organic and their tofu is GMO-free.

There was also hearty Japanese rice from Edgy Veggy

Tofu teriyaki mushrooms to top off your rice from Edgy Veggy

The vegetarian bibimbap of Edgy Veggy sold out by lunchtime so while they were re-stocking (and I’m always ordering their Japanese Teriyaki Tofu Steak) I went with their Moroccan Chickpea Soup with pita. Solidly flavor-ful-I wish it had been served with more bread though.

Glorious chickpeas for lunch!

Heading out, I made a mental note of some souvenirs I’d like to come back for. (EarthDance Manila 2012 will keep its doors open until midnight today). I’m hoping they will still be around when I come back after my Sunday errands.

There were pouches and bags made out of everyday packaging (recycled of course) that I’m sure would be a conversation piece-both a bad one and a good one.

Pitaka  passport holders and pouches made out of all kinds of re-purposed materials.

More Pitaka products on display

and, only because the vendor was nowhere to be found as I was window-less shopping, a Pinoy-pride T-shirt. Hopefully the style and size I want is still there tonight.

Say it on a t-shirt and wear it well.

On a final note, let’s all start the week ahead remembering that we need to separate, segregate and recreate. That goes for every aspect of your life though, and not just your trash ;-) Discuss.

What is your next step?

EarthDance Manila 2012 is open to the public (Php 200 entrance fee for adults, kids get in for free) until 12 midnight of Sept 23, 2012. Check their Facebook page for the schedule of their activities, many of which are family friendly! https://www.facebook.com/events/412019685501776/

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Restorative yoga. A gentle way to end a week and welcome the weekend

In Living a Life Off-Center on September 21, 2012 at 5:28 am

Tried my first ever class of restorative yoga at Urban Ashram Manila’s Fort Bonifacio branch last night. I’m quite happy to have reconnected (once again) with an old love, which is yoga. Aside from dedicating myself to the mat three times a week with thier FNR (Flexibility Not Required) classes I decided to try another new form which was there once a week Restorative Yoga class in the evening.

Total (sweet) surrender in Restorative Yoga

Walking into class with my friends was a bit confusing ass we saw a room full of mats, pillows (called bolsters), straps, blocks, and nice, thick blankets. I was told earlier on that this was a class of passive stretching, but it looked more like some draconian slumber party themed class. As the class began we were told about what to expect, which was simply, surrendering to gravity and giving our bodies (and minds) complete and utter rest.

The benefits of this practice (to which I am now a happy convert) are many. If you are regularly active, or even a competing athlete, this kind of yoga allows you (after all the trauma from let’s say, running on pavement) to find alignment again since you’re holding a fully stretch out pose for five to ten minutes at a time.  This allows for an opening of the muscles, where there is tightness and tension from having been compressed-it also allows for a deeper breath, think of more oxygenation as well.

Health is dramatically improved with passive poses.

What else can one expect after regular classes of Restorative Yoga? An improved metabolic rate, reduced stress and deeper sleep. Everything from the blankets (rolled up), straps etc are tools that will help deepen your stretch and bring you to total relaxation. All this is achievable by committing oneself to total surrender once a week. We spend the majority of our waking hours running around and getting drowned in everyday drama, forgetting to let them “go” and detach at the end of the day. This ninety minute class should be compulsory in my humble opinion, for everyone-whether you’re working in an office or working from home. Give yourself the opportunity to detach and rejuvenate. Seriously, some people just sleep in class, and that’s probably what they need most at that point in time.

Twists are great for internal organs, this one in particular helps heal the kidneys and digestive system.

Grab a little downtime with restorative yoga :-) Maybe with more participants there will be more classes, more days of the week. Trust me, we all really need this :-)

For more information on Restorative Yoga classes at Urban Ashram Manila (Kapitolyo and Fort Bonifacio branches) contact:

(02) 661 YOGA / 0917 881 YOGA

info@urbanashrammanila.com or http://www.urbanashrammanila.com

*photos gathered from several sites on the Internet

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