Getting Deeper into Yoga

3 Weeks and Counting
It has been over 3 weeks since I arrived Cebu with a lot of things happening one after the other, defining the yogascape, peoplescape and even the foodscape up ahead. The abundance overflows and the energy resonates. There is no other destination that excites me at this point. Cebu beckons to be explored and experienced. With chock-full-of-yoga on the table, I belong here...for now.

Dragonfly Yoga Studio
Jeanne has given me an address in Cebu - Dragonfly Yoga Studio. With my own room, access to the yoga studio and the swimming pool, and of course its exclusive location in Beverly Hills, it's quite a luxury given my Spartan ways (I've slept on my hammock along a sidewalk). I offered, but she won't take my rent money - I am grateful.

Jeanne
I don't have too many friends (and I don't need too many either), but Jeanne is definitely a good friend, if not my best. Our friendship continues to morph as we engage ourselves in our never-ending discussion of yoga (and all its related topics). We are both impassioned in our belief system, and inevitably, we clash on a few points, leading to heated debates (that was during my last stay in Cebu). Sometimes, I wonder if I am already being rude to my hostess by being too rigid, too insensitive, even too forceful in my discourse. Jeanne is so well-loved in Cebu by everyone that if I find myself at odds with her, I will automatically concede that there must be something wrong with me. I enjoy our conversations and I am more sensitive now on how my argument can come across. There is always something engaging to talk about, with Jeanne. In Cebu, I am lucky to have someone I can be comfortable with, speak my mind, be able to say "yes" or "no" to, and just 'be' under my skin. Thank you, Jeanne!

Personal Yoga
I teach yoga in 3 studios now and subb for some teachers - this is perhaps the most I would like to devote to teaching. For the most part, I'd like to allocate more of my yoga time deepening my practice - digging deeper into the philosophy, knowing more about the founding fathers and the wise sages (Krishnamacharya, BKS Iyengar, Maty Ezrati, etc.), looking at synergies between different disciplines (yoga, Vipassana, nomadic travels, etc.)...and finally, develop an intelligent sequencing that weaves all of that into a flowing vinyasa, each asana, a extension of the previous and a conduit to the next. And that would be the theme of my teaching classes. It will be new, perhaps even radical. But that is my evolving yoga. Every practitioner who deepens the practice, will, at some point, listen to what the body says to accommodate the uniqueness in their body anatomy, their life experience, their philosophy...down to their DNA, into their very own yoga practice that is unique to them. Having said all that, it is still essential to get grounding on the traditions of yoga to get established (Sivananda, Ashtanga, Iyengar, etc.).

Yoga and Financial Pressures
I would consider myself privileged in my yoga practice because I can pursue it with the sole purpose of perfecting my game without any financial pressure whatsoever. It makes no difference to me if I have one student or 10. I'm not saying I'm rich - I'm not. Neither am I saying I don't need money - I do. But I'm a renunciate, practically hovering above poverty level - by choice. As such, my needs are down to the basic core. With no home to maintain, no property to look after, no attachment to anything that may burden my psychological well-being, no dependency on anyone for my emotional solace, I don't need much to sustain me. I am able to bridge that great divide between being a householder and that of a monk - call that, Cyber Monk. With the little I make on the web, I get by. This frees my yoga to remain pure, fueled only by my burning passion to know more and do more - and figure out how I can integrate all that into the big picture.

The Big Picture
The amalgamation of life experience, knowledge base, childlike curiosity about the world we live in, into a practical singularity is what life is all about - not intellectual adventurism, but simply an art of living. Sadly though, not too many people enjoy that privilege - a lot of their time and effort are eaten up by livelihood, sustaining dependents (of course!) and other burdens brought about by ownership (or media hype). Whatever time is left, is mostly used for rest, recovery and a much-needed recreation.

Pursuit of truth? Unlayering the dimensions of life? It seems a privilege of those who have less. But yogis do what they can - some on the mat, some extend it beyond the mat. I am curious where this pursuit takes me. Cebu gives me a sense of urgency to do now instead of tomorrow. When the wind blows me out of Cebu, yoga may no longer be on the table.

p.s. - the above article is pretty loaded and may rub other people's belief system the wrong way. That is not the intention and I apologize if that is the case. I'm simply thinking aloud - it's my opinion (and resolve). Peace!

Cebu City, Philippines

tourist attractions

Tops - hilltop offering panoramic view of the city
Taoist Temple - temple on a hillslope in Lahug with panoramic view of the city

hotel

Hostel Seven Cebu - newly opened, resto/bar, central location, solo/group travellers
Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City
S Hotel & Residences - new hotel, luxury rooms, central location
827 M. Velez corner Andres Abellana St.

resto / cafe / bar

Fujinoya - new and refreshing twists to Western style desserts using Japanese techniques
Wilson St., Lahug, Cebu City - tel. 888.6075
Bad Boys Wingz - Buffalo Wings, unique versions of sauces! Great service, accommodating staff, bad boys vibe
Kasambagan, Cebu City | (032) 415 4811

yoga

Love Yoga World - yoga studio
11/fl, Skyrise 2 Tower, IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City
Yoga Now - first Yoga and Wellness studio in Mactan offering daily Yoga Classes
at The Yacht Club Mactan

mountain biking

Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure - MTB tours, bike sales and repairs. Bed and Breakfast + Resto Cafe + wifi
1298-b V.Rama Ave, Guadalupe, Cebu City | 0942.959.7451