Yin Yoga Teacher Training March 2014

I simply adore Yin Yoga. It is like no other yoga form because instead of activating the muscles, you work with deeper layers of the body like the fascia tissue, joints and bones by holding the poses in a 'soft surrendering state' for at least 3 minutes and more. I find that it is beginner friendly because we use props like bolsters, blocks and blankets in most poses. It is extremely relaxing once you get the groove of it. And it has a very serene effect on the mind.

I have been practicing this style of yoga since I discovered it through my first ever class under Margo Lao back when Pulse Yoga studio still existed in Greenhills.

Margo Lao was the first ever Filipina certified in Yin Yoga. She also happens to be a strong Ashtanga teacher, certified as well with Antigravity at Beyond Yoga (my batchmate!) and is now a rockin' Raw Food Chef for her brand, Raw Food and Yoga. At 40, she's truly inspirational! I just want to be like her when the time comes :)

My Yin practice continued on with self-study; mostly of articles & videos of Paul Grilley, a book by Bernie Clark and whatever material I could get my hands on. I attended the Asia Yoga Conference to meet Victor Chng and Bernie Clark to attend workshops and until I pursued teacher training myself under Victor Chng in Singapore last year. Since then, I have been leading Yin Yoga classes at Beyond Yoga and at the FLOW Surf Yoga Samba Weekend Retreats.

This coming March - Beyond Yoga will be offering a 50 hours Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Jo Phee, one of the first certified Yin Yoga teachers in Asia. She was also a primary teaching assistant to Paul and Sarah Grilley for many years. She is registered as a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 trainer.

To sign up early (avail of the early bird rate!) or have any questions about the practice or the training, please email me at monica@igobeyondyoga.com

Balik Bukid Year 4

Inviting you all again to the BEST outdoor bazaar in the Philippines- Balik Bukid Year 4! Please bring your family and friends as this event is made for all ages to enjoy!

I will be manning my Crepes booth selling my ultimate dessert - Nutella fruits crepes and some other goodies for your tummies! 

The FLOW Shop will have a pop up booth selling our beach must-haves ad gift items for the Christmas season. We will be sharing booth space with dear friend, Marina Bulaong of Luntian Bags.

Get your babies, nephews, nieces and babies in utero all-natural bath and body products and more from the INDIGOBaby shop!

Celebrate summer all year long with awesome finds from Brown Belly by Noelle Hilario :)

And fill your spiritual tank with books from Kabbalah Philippines!



Look at the line up of activities!

As a mother, I love how the children can roam freely and enjoy the outdoors in their HUGE playgrounds truly meant to exercise their limbs, Waldorf-style :)

Kids Yoga too!

See you all this Sunday!

For more photos of previous Balik Bukid country fairs, please go to https://www.facebook.com/balikbukid

FLOW turns 4!

The FLOW Surf Yoga Samba team celebrated another milestone when we turned another year older in the place where it all began - San Juan Surf Resort in La Union.

Since November 2009, we have been organizing Surf Yoga Samba weekend retreats as an alternative weekend for anyone up for a healthier choice. Not all beach venues in the Philippines are surf spots- some retreats have ventured out into having other interesting and unique activities like crafternoons with cocktails (held last summer in Boracay!), stand up paddle board (happening in the next Moalboal, Cebu retreat!), even adding healing massage options to the package (which we did last June in Negros).

Opening Circle: Participants from all over the world: Russia, Malaysia, USA, Australia and of course Philippines come together to FLOW with us!

Last November 1-3, 2013 was the "classic retreat package " which consists of the our favorite activities: surfing, yoga and samba classes. These are our passions, which is really the seed of FLOW which blossomed to what it is today.

I taught the 2 yoga sunrise classes: Yin Yoga (a very deep, relaxing and healing yoga style which focuses on the joints and fascia tissues of the body) and Partner Yoga which the group enjoyed very much because it is not the usual yoga class you can find in any studio.

Guests try out partner yoga with their new friends from the retreat

Yoga after glow with our Nyogi and Lightwater refreshments

San Juan Surf School's top teachers led the surfing classes. The waves were big and messy in San Juan so everyone took a jeepney ride to bacnotan, another surf spot 30 minutes away. Luke Landrigan taught basics on land such as popping up, balance and surf safety. San Juan surf instructors guided all participants in the water. The current was strong, and waves were big but participants braved the waves and were able to stand despite most of them being first time surfers. They all enjoyed the surfing experience that some even opted for extra lessons.

Walking to Bacnotan shore

Surf's up!

Samba school Imperatriz Filipinense capped off Friday and Saturday's sunset hour with their dance and drum performance/ class sessions. Toni Bernardo, drum director of the school together with sibling, Bogey Bernardo pumped up the people with their mad percussion skills while Denise Gonzales-Bernardo taught the complementing samba dance routine which also happens to be a fun calorie burner!

Strutting their stuff on the beach

All three founders of FLOW are advocates of the green lifestyle and we share our knowledge on how to jumpstart health through the green smoothie and basic raw vegan demo in every retreat. 

Every participant had a chance to try several green smoothies, a raw vegan brekky and also received a handout of easy recipes to follow.

Many thanks to our fab sponsor for making this retreat a memorable milestone to cherish! All of this would not be possible without you - Moringana, Aura Athletica, Havaianas, Bobble, Cutieverse, Beyond Yoga, Lightwater, Lagu, Belo, The Superfood Grocer, Strip, Browhaus, Yamamay, The Juice Barista, Rawlicious Green Smoothies, Nyogi, plus our media partners: When In Manila, Wazzup Pilipinas, Travel Magazine, Lifestyle Network and My Life on Board

Yoga Practice for a Cause

Come to any Beyond Yoga branches for your donations in cash or kind! 

This coming Wednesday, all sales from Beyond Yoga will be donated to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Show up to practice to support those in need. It's a win-win situation! I'll be leading the 9am Yin Yoga class at Beyond Yoga QC branch so see you there!