Namaste: Global Mala Project 2015

Meditate...Om

It was my first time to attend Global Mala. But I've been doing yoga ever since the Global Mala started in the Philippines. I was really lazy that I still could not do headstand but I will - I just have to be patient. Something that yoga taught me - It will come to you in your own time. I was asked questions before of why I love yoga? And here is my answer: There is something in yoga that I understand more. You know, I learn to love myself even if I am at my 200 lbs self. I was able to reach for my feet without any pressure and it became deeper and deeper everytime. I became stronger, more flexible. Then, it became clear to me that doing yoga means knowing yourself more. I became aware of who I am and I continue to improve myself by doing the poses.  It is more than the simplicity of appreciating your breath and more than perfecting your Asanas. Yoga is my kind of travel, of getting deeper into knowing. It is like going to another place by not just going but knowing that place more. It is an awakening of who you are more than of who you will become. Yoga is me and through that I became whole.

I've been attending different classes from different centers and I even attended the International Yoga Day held in SM Aura Premier SMX. I learned more. I've been preparing to attend the Global Mala and it was this 2015 that I became ready for it. Global Mala is a yoga event from all over the world. It's the time that all yogis and yoginis do all types of yoga in one day. And all people who practice yoga came from different yoga centers. Isn't it great? And because I came all the way from work. I went directly to Whitespace in Makati which is 15 mins away from my office. I got to attend only 3 yoga sessions. 108 Sun Salutations, Kundalini and Yin Yoga.

The first class that I've attended was 108 Sun Salutations. It was led by Chi Malasarte (Evolve), Margaux Lim (Urban Ashram), Missy Castro (Yoga+) and Brian Joanna Reyes (Beyond Yoga). I've been doing Sun Salutations before but I never thought that it's specifically 108 salutations. The poses were easy but doing 108 maybe taught me to do the folds and shaturangas perfectly. I should say that my shaturanga should be perfect the next time I do yoga. Haha! Will see then. The second class is the Kundalini Yoga with the theme of from Fear to Love led by Marisa HarNadh (Sat Nam Shala) and Madonna English (Sat Nam Shala) I've always been interested in Kundalini since I read it before in Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It was the type of yoga she did when she went one time at the rooftop in an ashram in India and where she also meditate. Kundalini will help you activate your solar plexus. You should know what the chakras are to better understand. I am still trying to understand the chakras though but for my understanding my solar plexus is something that I need to focus on. So I've learned that Kundalini consists of chants and more of meditation and I would really love to do Kundalini again. The last class I've attended to was Yin Yoga handled by Dona Esteban (Yin Yoga Philippines) Yin Yoga came from Yin and Yang. The main focus with this type of yoga is your yin so that the yang will be aligned. It is a slow pace movement that you will have to count every breath every pose. I was really looking forward to attend classes I haven't attended before and these classes are new to me and as much as I wanted to attend the Vinyasa class, which is my practice, and to see Janaka of Urban Ashram (which is my friend, Jett's crush) I was so tired. People continue to  come and the last class that I've attended was jam packed. Hopefully by next year they will have bigger rooms. Hopefully I could stay longer too. Kudos to Teresa Herrera and all the people of yoga community. Until Global Mala 2016. See you all!

*100% of the proceeds will go to Childrens Foundation Philippines.