Pass the Hemp Rub, Please!

What does a Yoga teacher keep in his/her bag everyday?

A muscle rub, of course! Practicing and teaching yoga daily can definitely make your whole body sore. This is everyday salvation, if you ask me (and almost all the yogis of the world!) Aside from lathering onto my own aching body parts like my neck, shoulders and lower back, I also apply it on my students and treat them to a short massage at the very end of the class during Savasana...if they're lucky enough to be in a manageable class size, time-wise!

Enter the Merry Hempsters. These two little fellas as currently a craze among my co-teachers and students at the studio!

So, what's so the big fuss about these Merry Hempsters Muscle Rub Tubes?

- Size is super handy, they fit in my make up kit
- Because of its unique packaging (like a bigger lipbalm), hygiene is no longer an issue

- Made from Organic Hemp Seed Oil with is high in essential fatty acids and contains anti-inflammatory properties  

- It's all natural, containing organic ingredients and vegan as well!

The Merry Hempsters website recommends that you use the organic tube as a therapeutic rub for sore muscles, overexertion, inflamed joints and congestion. I like the minty sensation from this tube. The cooling effect is definitely soothing after a work out!

INGREDIENTS
Apis mellifera (Bees) Wax, Organic Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Oil), Mentha arvensis (Menthol) Crystals ,(Essential Oils of: Eucalyptus globules (Eucalyptus), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Leaf, Mentha viridis (Spearmint), , Mentha piperita (Peppermint), Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen), Eugenia caryophyllus (Clove), and Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Non-GMO d-alpha Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract

The Merry Hempsters have a special HOT blend which combines organic hemp seed oil with the heating agent cassia for an analgesic effect. Camphor and organic menthol crystals offer immediate relief for aching muscles and joints. May also be used for reducing pain and inflammation associated with sore muscles, strains, overexertion, inflamed joints, and congestion. I would use this  after a more serious work out... like a powerful Vinyasa class or Beyond Sculpt!

INGREDIENTS
Organic Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Euphorbia cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Organic Olea europaea (Olive) or Organic Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Oil), (Essential Oils of : Melaleuca minor (Cajeput), Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia), Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus), Mentha piperita (Peppermint), Betula nigra (Sweet Birch), Eugenia caryophyllus (Clove ), Thymus vulgaris (Thyme), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)), Mentha arvensis (Menthol) Crystals, Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor) Crystals, Non-GMO d-alpha Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract

Both available at Beyond Yoga Bonifacio High Street or online at www.cutieverse.com

FLOW Luxe Yoga Escape in Negros

Announcing FLOW's next destination... Negros Occidental! Pegged as a private island paradise sanctuary, Punta Bulata White Beach Resort and Spa is well suited as FLOW’s next venue for this June's Luxe Yoga Escape weekend.

I will be leading 2 yoga classes- a sunrise Vinyasa class to wake and shake things up and another sunset Yin Yoga session to relax and heal from within. These yoga sessions will most likely be outdoors (unless it will be raining) facing the ocean. Lovely set up, right?

 

My FLOW partner, Noelle Hilario (vegetarian advocate, surfer and artist) will teach participants how to make Green Smoothies and simple but nourishing live food snacks at a health workshop hosted by Moringana and Breville.

We will all be exposed to the raw beauty of nature at the Danjugan Island Tour. Danjugan Island is a marine reserve and wildlife island sanctuary home to 55 different bird species, 6 different bat species and is also a nesting site for sea turtles.

Our guests may snorkel at one of the 5 lagoons with diverse coral reefs (as diverse as the Great Barrier reef of Australia -imagine that!).

We're all in for a lovely treat as we cap off the perfect weekend with a relaxing massage at the Ayu Spa of Punta Bulata. Yes, this is included with your package!

Save the date and book your airline tickets early for June 28-30.  A fun-filled island weekend await those who wander with FLOW.

Retreat Package Inclusions
3D2N Quad accommodations
Roundtrip transfers: Airport to Resort
Meals
2 Yoga classes (Vinyasa and Yin)
1 hour massage (oh yeaaahhh!!)
Green Smoothie and Live Food snacks workshop
Danjugan Island Tour

Flow shirt Goodie Bag with treats from sponsors: Moringana, Belo Essentials Sun Expert, STRIP, Browhaus, Rawlicious, The Juice Barista, Breville, Team Manila, Cutieverse

Email flowsurfyogasamba@gmail.com or fill up registration form at www.flowsurfyogasamba.com to sign up! Retreat package rate is P8,860.

Flow Luxe Yoga Escape Weekend Retreat is sponsored by Moringana, Belo Essentials Sun Expert, Strip, Browhaus, Rawlicious, Nyogi Coconut Water, The Juice Barista, Breville, Lagu, Team Manila, Cutieverse and Travel Magazine.

Seek The Uniq

Borba Orange Cover Up w/ my FLOW eco tote 

Summer is obviously my favorite season and I thank God for my country, the Philippine Islands. I am to embrace this season almost all-year by geographical default. What a gift!

Another divine intervention is the arrival of Seek The Uniq, "an online destination for chic, unique, and carefully edited pieces produced in small quantities. While we have nothing against run-of-the-mill, here we seek and present alternatives: beautiful products that are made even more so because of the stories behind it."

To me, STU is an online boutique of all things beautiful (accessories, home, bags and fashion) perfectly paired with our tropical climate! On this blog post are some their most coveted pieces which I used in the recent FLOW Surf Yoga Samba Weeked Retreat in Boracay.

Cruz Alta Orange Cover Up

Their mantra, "Live Like You're Always on Vacation", reminds me of....me! Seriously, I've moved to Palawan once-upon-a-time, teach yoga and organize weekend retreats. Who knows what tomorrow brings?!

In my Panda shades and Cruz Torres Chevron Cover Up

Cruz Alta Orange cover up w/ repurposed t-shirt cloth necklace by Candy Reyes

Parana White Cover Up

Oh, and because packaging ALWAYS matters, look at the personalized, handmade and creative loot you receive for your orders. Don't you just adore anything DIY-ed!




Seek The Uniq
www.seektheuniq.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Seek-The-Uniq
Twitter @SeekTheUniq
Instagram @ShopSeekTheUniq

Feel Good Flow Boracay 2013

One thing I love about my job is that I help inspire people towards a healthier lifestyle. Being a yoga teacher and retreat organizer empowers myself and others I meet to make cleaner and greener choices. It's inevitable. When you become mindful of your physical body, thoughts and emotions, you will naturally gravitate towards people/things/experiences that will heighten your 'feel good moments'. Nodding now, ya?

Here are photos from a 'feel-good' FLOW retreat by Fil-Am, Stephanie Torres of Infinite Satori who came along the FLOW bandwagon while she was traveling all over the Philippines.

Rocket Yogi and PSA Surfer, Bri Manglapus sporting a Zobha bra top from Aura Athletica, teaches a challenging Vinyasa Flow class facing the ocean.

Triangle Pose or Trikonasana against Coconut Trees. Aaah such is life in an island paradise....

Cheers! After yoga flow drinking our Nyogi coconut water with high spirits yogis and yoginis. 

Yoga + Surf = Crazy awesomeness! We teamed up with PSA's Paolo Soler for a surf sesh on the wave pool of Crowne Regency.

A family that surfs together, stays together! Flow's Noelle Hilario with beau and pro-surfer Luke Landrigan and their son, Kai who looks like he'll be a pro too pretty soon!

The FLOW Team joined Lifestyle Network's Summer Soul Bohemian Fair for a full afternoon of music performances, workshops, activities and games!

 Flow girls being silly on the sand with much laughter and love all around.

Happy Havaianas feet! All participants received a pair of flipflops which we all used during the event.

Sexy Sambista, Denise Bernardo shows off her baby bump as she leads the group into some booty-shakin' moves at Epic beach front.

The FLOW trio on-stage for a green smoothie and live foods demo at the fair. Green smoothies are made from local fresh (preferably organic) greens blended by Breville with fruits and other superfoods (like chia) for an instant boost of energy and nutrients!

We love our Moringana in our green smoothies!

Alessa Lanot, of Life After Breakfast led the Rubber Stamping crafternoon at Two Seasons. I tell you, this is quite addicting once you get the hang of it. After a few mojitos to go with the class, we didn't want it to end!

Finished products!

Toni Bernardo takes centerstage serenading folks with Brasilian music

We surely know how to have fun! I was just telling Noe and Dee that this retreat was by far the most exciting because of all the happy hour afternoons and cocktails at night thanks to Summer Soul sponsors!

Fun FLOW group!

After a night of partying (however you define that!) ... time to relax our frazzled nerves through Yin Yoga on the white beachfront of Discovery Suites. Here I am leading the focused group into pyramid, a pose highly recommended for detoxification through the meridians of the stomach.

Thanks to Aura Athletica for my printed Zobha top

"Just Go With The Flow" - a reminder on our tees on how to live our lives. Never get too attached to anything and trust in what life brings you :)

Aaaand a FLOW retreat is never complete without an eco-lootbag from our sponsors!

Life's a B-E-A-C-H!

Check out the rest of the photos from FLOW's Facebook fanpage album here.

Interested to join our next retreat? We are flowin' to Punta Bulata in Negros! Another island hoppin' adventure for us sun lovers. Registration here. Early bird rate until May 28! Secure your slot now :)

A Beatles-Inspired Yellow Submarine Party

In the recent months, we have been attending many themed and stylized or DIY birthday parties that Santi would enjoy. And so, it was inevitable for him to request his own party "with a theme". We considered a few themes (which I won't mention because we just might use it another time) until we figured the perfect one would be The Yellow Submarine by The Beatles. 

The story behind this is that this is the only app in my Ipad which I encourage Santi to view because it's a storybook with songs from The Beatles and has good life lessons which I'm all for. So, he's taken a liking to the Beatles since then and would sing the songs with us whenever we would play it. Hippie parenting - check!

So, I had a concept and needed a venue (with ample parking!) where food is mostly liked/loved, and where they will allow me to put together a dessert buffet. I actually argued with Montri on this one because he insisted we do it in a restaurant when I wanted to do it in a home-setting so I can have full control of every little detail which he thought was insane because then we'd have to hire waiters, chairs, etc. He just didn't want an event nightmare. He wanted to enjoy our son's birthday celebration. In the end, I'm glad I listened to him.

Kaye Garcia to the rescue! Kaye is my supermama friend. Three kids, multi-businesses, cooks & bakes very well, does floral arrangements and styles parties now. This woman can really achieve anything she sets her mind onto. So, fab that she owns Army Navy at the Fort because it meets all the requirements above PLUS I get to borrow all of the things needed to set up. Thank You, Kaye!

Check out some photos from the party...

Right after setting up, Kaye joins me for a photo <3 br="">

Yellow Submarine Vegan Chocolate cake by Pipino, Yellow Submarine Eclairs by Gourmandise Pattiserie

All in the little details: Homemade Calalmansi Juice for the kids, DIY Moustache on straws, Marshmallows on small yellow cups, pre-ordered cupcakes on display

The Beatles eclairs by Gourmandise Pattiserie, DIY Beatles invite, DIY Lootbags with Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band stickers

Keep Calm and Carry On Washi tape on wooden forks

My happy family :)

Happy Birthday,Santi!

Natural Skincare Loot for a Weekend Away

Last weekend's new loot for the farm trip to Quezon was composed of Brown Belly's all natural coconut shampoo, Alba Botanica's natural very emollient facial sunscreen SPF 30, Dr. Woods Pure Black Soap, Neolia's Body Soap and Ilog Maria's feminine soap. Read my reviews per product below.

Brown Belly's island coconut shampoo (P150) feels like coconuts were personally bottled for your hair. Lathers quite well and the scent is just marvelous for anyone that loves the beach as much as I do! I even tried using this as a body wash and for emergency purposes (let's say you forget your liquid soap), you can definitely use this as well! To order, email brownbelly@gmail.com

Alba Botanica's natural very emollient facial sunscreen SPF 30 (P300+) is 100% vegetarian, has "powerful antioxidant rich Green Tea, Grape Seed Oil and Vitamin E nourish skin while Aloe Vera, Lavender and Chamomile moisturize and smooth" I've been an Alba Botanicals fan since I've used their Lavender Sunscreen for the body. Available at Healthy Options Bonifacio High Street branch.

Dr. Woods Shea Vision Pure Black Soap (P200+) is 100% natural and vegan. "The Black Soap formula is a gentle, daily exfoliant for all skin types. It contain gamma tocopherol, botanical extracts and organic shea butter to neutralize free radicals, heal blemishes and regenerate skin cells." I rarely wash my face because I feel it dries my skin BUT after a full day of errands, teaching yoga, being out in the polluted city - I feel that my face deserves some cleansing. So, here is my addition to my skincare ritual. The Shea Butter is what drawn me to buy it because it has moisturizing powers. I wash my face before/after hitting the shower with this product and moisturize with cold-pressed VCO (virgin coconut oil) at night or facial sunscreen above if during the day. Available at Healthy Options Bonifacio High Street branch.

Neolia's Body Soap (P120)  is made from Organic Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil and Aloe Vera. I like how the bar lathers on my skin and gives that soft sheath after bathing. And who doesn't love the smell of olive on the body? Just not too sure if this is 100% natural because it doesn't list ALL ingredients in the box nor in their website. Available at Rustan's or Shopwise groceries.

Ilog Maria's Feminine Soap (P49.50) is a must have for every woman! It has peppermint oil for a cooling effect but the key ingredient here is the bee propolis extract which has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Pure sampaguita oil is also added as a natural fragance. It is recommended for women to use if they want to feel clean and fresh all day long, naturally :)\

When I got home from the trip, I was pleased to see these Hurraw lipbalms (P250 - P350 each) come in from the mail. The Washington post calls them the holy trinity of lip balm!

Plus points for being all natural, organic, raw and vegan! For someone like me who's constantly under the sun, I need extra sun protection (I can already hear my mother's voice nagging me for it) and it's so awesome that Hurraw has a lipbalm with SPF15

"Non-nano zinc oxide that lends a broad spectrum, clear, completely natural sunscreen base to Hurraw! Antioxidant busters pomegranate seed and sea buckthorn oils protect and nourish. Red raspberry seed oil gives an even more protective punch! Juicy Tangerine and calming Roman Chamomile extract make it delish for your lips! " 

And yes it does taste good enough to eat! I'm going to have to stop myself from licking my own lips...

Too bad these lipbalms didn't make it before I left but can't wait to start using them especially during my FLOW weekend retreats! Oh my! I just checked their international website and saw that they have Ayurveda-inspired: Pitta, Kapha and Vata lipbalms! The yogini in me wants these too!

All Hurraw lipbalms with assorted flavors are locally available at Cutieverse.