What's Your Yoga Story?

A timeline of my yoga journey:

2008
- My first encounter with yoga was with Bikram Yoga Manila in Makati. I did it for two months. The classes were intensive and I liked the experience. It was also nice to practice with some local celebs like Dr. Vicki Belo, Ms. Tessa Valdes, Dr. Pie Calayan to name a few. Although the heat stretched my flexibility more than what I can already do, (I did gymnastics when I was young and I used to be a cheerleader in high school and college) I decided it was really not for me.

2009
- I discovered Vinyasa Flow Yoga at Pulse Yoga Greenhills. This was the style of yoga I got drawn to and still practice today. That time, I couldn't commit to a regular practice because the classes offered conflicted with my schedule at work.

2011 - 2012
- The urge to go back to practice became stronger probably due to the demands of my previous career in the oil industry and the stress it brought me. So, I found myself at the doors of Bliss Yoga. When I resigned and took a break from the corporate world, I traveled for almost three months when I returned, I looked for a yoga studio close to home.

2012
-  After arriving from the States, the first thing I did was to sign up for yoga class. My regular practice started with White Space Wellness. Their studio in Katipunan Avenue felt like my second home. I was very happy to finally find time to practice and was able to do it for six straight months.

2013  
- I signed up for the 15 day trial at Urban Ashram Manila - High Street when I started juggling appointments, running errands near the area. As I have said in a previous post, their studio is one of the most beautiful and creative yoga spaces I have ever seen! I admire their conscious effort in preserving the environment.

Then I came back to the corporate world plus two businesses on the side. I continued my practice through YouTube videos in the confines of our bedroom and attended free classes sponsored by the company I worked for taught by Louie Pilapil.

2014
So, here I am today practicing at Urban Ashram and plan to consistently do so until I am ready for teacher training.

Yoga has transformed me in many positive ways. Maybe not yet physically (lol) but I came to know myself better, deeper. I became calmer, saner, centered and stronger. I have been blessed with excellent teachers along the way. I am very thankful for that. Soon, I wish to share this passion with you.

Namaste!

How about you? What's your yoga story?

Photo taken using iPhone5