TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Yoga

In-House Yoga Teacher at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Jan 22-Mar 14, 2018

In-House Yoga Teacher at the Fox and Firefly Cottages

Location: Fox and the Firefly Cottages, Loboc (municipality), Bohol (province), Philippines
Class Schedule: daily, 3pm-4pm until Mar 14, 2018
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider

Yoga
From time to time, whenever it feels right or whenever someone books a session, I conduct a yoga class on a donation basis at Fox and Firefly Cottages. It's a one-hour class that starts promptly at 6am but can end as late as 8am (later changed to 3pm-4pm) if the practitioners don't have any tour lined-up after. It doesn't matter if it's a full house or a one-on-one, I do it like I'm doing a class for the Queen of England. The ensuing connection is rewarding on a broad spectrum - from extended sharing, coffee talks or a heartfelt namaste greeting. The 'dana' (donation) comes in all types too - money, compli-meal, a hug or a polite thank you. It's all good - I am reminded of the gift-giving economy at Burningman. What matters is being on the mat, deepening the practice and connecting with kindred souls. I'm just glad I'm not reliant on yoga for my livelihood - this way, I can keep it pure. And as a renunciate, neither do I need much to sustain myself.

In-House Yoga Teacher at the Fox and Firefly Cottages
guest teacher Gabbie leading the class with Jeanne, me and resort guest

Keeping it Challenging
My classes always integrate asana, pranayama and meditation. I explain the theory and methodology first so they can better appreciate what we are doing. My classes leave them kneaded like a bread dough with a smile knowing they were pushed a little off their rut. If the class wasn't challenging, then they really didn't learn anything new or leveled-up - just being on maintenance mode. At least that's how I stay the course about my practice - a little fumbling and stumbling is a good benchmark. Even if they can't totally reach the pose, as long as the honest effort was there, the breathing was synchronized with movement and the mental focus was present, then the purpose is met - that pose is perfect! Equally important, the intention is conveyed to the brain. Before the body can adapt to new things, the mind has to be on board to begin with.

On-the-mat, off-the-mat Yoga
As much as I can, I keep the practice translatable to everyday life - what is learned on the mat is applied outside the mat. Holding an increasingly difficult pose with a non-reactive mind means that outside the mat, they can observe painful thoughts from the past or worries about the future with a calm equanimity.

Ending Thoughts
Conducting yoga classes at Fox and Firefly Cottages for its guests and walk-ins enables me to meet people in the process, deepen my practice and impart whatever I know to those willing to try something different. When I leave this place, I hope I left the guests in a slightly better state-of-being.

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider



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Reader Comments:
Been to my class? Care to post a comment?


Eadaoin McNamaraEadaoin
(Feb 17, 2018) Gigit, so nice meeting you. You really changed our Loboc experience! We loved the classes and your teaching style. Hopefully meet you along the way in the future.

Tina ChenTina Chen
(Feb 11, 2018) You've taught me a lot through your session - thank you for a great class and amazing conversation. I hope one day we can do it again! Wish you the best of luck in your journey.

Marko LncznyMarko & Kata
(Jan 29, 2018) Gigit, thank you again for the yoga sessions. Honestly, these were my 2 best yoga practice in my life (I did a few, even in Kerala, India). You gave us such a wonderful power to see the purpose of doing yoga exercises. And from now on, I have so many things that can motivate me in the future. This really means a lot to me and also for Kata. -- Marko

(Jan 30, 2018) Thank you, Gigit! It was a pleasure to meet you! The yoga with you was an amazing experience! I will never forget it! -- Kata

Shannon AmosShannon Amos
(Jan 25, 2018) I met this beautiful soul Gigit, in Bohol, Philippines. He invited me to attend his sunrise Yoga class the next morning. After class Gigit offered me some fresh tumeric and ginger tea and we shared space. What's sharing space? It's when you bring your entire presence to another without judgment and witness their story and emotional state while simultaneously being present to your own. Gigit shared that he left the corporate world and has been traveling and living a healthy, happy life as a minimalist for the last 8 years. I immediately sensed his inner peace the first time I saw him. He embodied positive energy, possessed a genuinely warm smile and walked lightly like a gentle breeze. I remember thinking to myself, he must be a Yogi or a teacher. He was both.

Marilen SirventMarilen
(Jan 23, 2018) Thank you! I had a great time in your class. Really enjoyed it! 🙂🙂

Alejandra AninatAlejandra
(Jan 23, 2018) 🙂

Tory StolperTory
(Jan 23, 2018) "It doesn't matter if it's a full house or a one-on-one, I do it like I'm doing a class for the Queen of England"

Gabbie SanchezGabbie Sanchez
(Jan 22, 2018) great memories!

Next stop: 5 Weeks at the Fox and Firefly Cottages


Loboc Google Map
Google Map

Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions in Bohol tourist attractions hotels in Bohol hotel
  • 
Fox & The Firefly Cottages Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
    Brgy. Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
restaurant in Loboc restaurant
  • 
Villagio's Pizza Villagio's Pizza - wood burning oven, hand-tossed pizza
    Loboc Town Plaza, Loboc, Bohol
Bohol Travel Info/Tips

Bohol FYI / Tips

  • the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located within the Alona Beach area
  • the tourist attractions in Bohol are far apart and spread-out. It would be difficult to visit them all using public mass transit. Better hire a van (P3500/day) if in a big group, or rent a motorcycle (P400/day + gas)
  • Bohol relies on its tourism for revenue. As expected, everything they can capitalize on from tourism is extensively used and developed

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao

You can charter any tricycle from the port all the way to Panglao (~P300), but if you want to do it on the cheap,
  1. don't take the tricycles lined-up inside the port. Walk past the port gate and immediately outside, you'll see many tricycles. Take one to the bus terminal in Dao (~P15)
  2. in Dao, take the jeep that plies the Panglao route (~P20)

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cebu City by boat

** schedules and rates keep changing, call for latest schedule
  1. Weesam Express - departs 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM
    one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
    round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
    round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
  2. Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-11:40AM, 1-2-3:30-4:20-5:30-6:30PM, 2 hours, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
    +63(32)255 7560 / +63 (32) 255 0115 / 0917 638 0000
  3. SuperCat (2GO) - departs 5:50-11AM, 3:45-5:25-8:15PM, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    P 500.00
    +63 32 233 7000

Things to do, Places to go in Bohol

  1. Chocolate Hills - this is a clustering of more than 1200 hills within a 50km2 area. They range in height from 30-50 meters. What's unusual is their near-perfect conical shape resembling an individual chocolate chip. No one knows how they were formed. Entrance is P50/pax.
  2. Tarsier Conservation Area - located Upper Bonbon, Loboc. The tarsiers are no longer being played at by tourists as circus props, but instead, visitors now view them in cordoned-off areas in their natural 6ha habitat. As they are territorial and nocturnal, they are predictable on where they can be viewed. P50/pax.
  3. Alona Beach (Panglao) - Alona Beach is the tourist hub of Bohol. It has 1.5 kms of white sand beach lined-up by bars, hotels and restos. Alona is also the jump-off point for Balicasag Island, a world class dive destination.
  4. Danao Adventure Park - located in Barangay Magtangtang, 72 kms (2 hours ride) from Tagbilaran. Adventure activities include river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock climbing and ziplining.

Bohol

Anda
  • Exploring Combento Cave Pool June 29, 2017
  • Visiting Cabagnow Cave Pool of Anda Jun 28, 2017
  • Exploring Anda, Bohol June 25-30, 2017

  • Candijay
  • Roadtrip from Candijay to Ubay July 1, 2017
  • Firefly Tour in Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017
  • Freediving Canawa Cold Spring of Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017
  • Splashing at Can-umantad Falls, Candijay, Bohol June 30, 2017

  • Carlos P. Garcia Island
  • Exploring Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) Island by Bike Dec 1, 2017

  • Corella
  • Cycling to the Tarsiers of Corella Oct 26, 2017

  • Dauis
  • Cliff Dive at Molave Cove Feb 11, 2018
  • Freediving at Molave Point, Dauis Nov 6, 2017
  • The Return to Hinagdanan Cave Nov 5, 2017
  • Exploring Hinagdanan Cave Oct 24, 2017

  • Loay
  • The Ride to Morning Hill Oct 22, 2017
  • The Ride to the Old Spanish Tower Oct 21, 2017

  • Loboc
  • Goodbye Loboc, Goodbye Philippines Mar 15, 2018
  • The CubbyHole: Envisioning a Utopian Shangrila Mar 10, 2018
  • Fat Shredder with the Russian Twist Mar 2, 2018
  • No-Dismount Climb to Cruz Daku Mar 1, 2018
  • Jeffrey's Cardio Program Feb 26, 2018
  • SUP Yoga with Lalah de Dios at Fox and the Firefly Feb 25, 2018
  • Bike Ride with Juan Huerte: Loboc, Sikatuna, Corella and Baclayon Feb 25, 2018
  • CT Scan Result Feb 23, 2018
  • The Silent Killer has Arrived Feb 19-22, 2018
  • 24+ Days at Lyn's Backpackers Inn Jan 23 - Feb 16, 2018
  • All Day Fun with the Loboc Crew Feb 11, 2018
  • 20-Minute Rope Skipping w/ Pranayama and Meditation Feb 9, 2018
  • Calisthenics with Jeffrey Feb 7, 2018
  • Abs-Core Workout with Jeffrey Feb 5, 2018
  • High Intensity Cardio Workout Feb 2, 2018
  • Ride to the Landslide with Jeffrey Jan 31, 2018
  • Farm Tour with Mr. Raymond Cal Jan 29, 2018
  • Cacao Drum Roasting Jan 27, 2018
  • Making Sikwate: from cacao fruit to a hot dark chocolate drink Jan 25, 2018
  • 5 Weeks at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Dec 13, 2017 - Jan 23, 2018
  • In-House Yoga Teacher at the Fox and Firefly Cottages Jan 22, 2018
  • Mountain Bike Rides from Tagbilaran to Loboc Jan 18, 2018
  • Firefly Tour on a Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Dec 19, 2017
  • Playing Mountain Bike Tour Optimizer Dec 18, 2017
  • Back to Loboc Dec 13, 2017
  • 37 Days in Loboc - Thank You and Goodbye Oct 8-Nov 14, 2017
  • Exploring Busay Falls, Loktob Spring and Jimili-an Spring...on Foot Nov 11, 2017
  • Stand-Up Paddle Yoga with Joan Christine Nov 3, 2017
  • Loboc River Cruise on a Stand-Up Paddle Oct 29, 2017
  • Exploring Guimba and Sog-ong Caves of Loboc Oct 22, 2017
  • Ziplining and Cable Car Ride at Eco-Tourism Adventure Park Oct 22, 2017
  • Savouring Villagio Pizza Oct 19, 2017
  • Wet and Wild Bonbon-Alegria Downhill Ride Oct 18, 2017
  • River Cruise on Loboc River Oct 17, 2017
  • Back Road Ride from Loboc to Loay Oct 17, 2017
  • Leisurely Ride to Loktob Spring Oct 14, 2017
  • Sweet Ride to Busay Falls Oct 13, 2017
  • Bike Climb to the Virgen de Guadalupe Oct 12, 2017
  • The Ride to Cruz Daku (Big Cross) Oct 11, 2017
  • Exploring Loboc, Bohol Oct 8, 2017

  • Panglao
  • Coastal Cleanup with Plastic Free Bohol Sept 16, 2017
  • Exploring Panglao June 12-18, 2017
  • Yoga with Ging and Rai at Oasis Resort June 18, 2017
  • Freediving with Ben Meerhaeghe at SeaQuest Dive Center June 16, 2017
  • Scuba Diving Balicasag Island with SeaQuest Dive Center June 15, 2017
  • Bohol Revisited June 12, 2017
  • Exploring Bohol Nov 28-30, 2015

  • San Miguel
  • Visiting Bayongan Lake Nov 22, 2017

  • Sevilla
  • Killer MTB Ride from Sevilla Oct 30, 2017

  • Sikatuna
  • Solo Ride to the Sikatuna Tree Park Nov 2, 2017

  • Tagbilaran
  • 30 days in Tagbilaran, Thank You! Oct 8, 2017
  • Breakfast Talk with Tagbilaran's Finest Oct 8, 2017
  • Exploring the Cafe Scene of Tagbilaran Oct 7, 2017
  • Yoga for 60+ Students at the University of Bohol Oct 4, 2017
  • Chocolate Overload at Dalareich Chocolate House October 2, 2017
  • Talk on Philosophy and Spirituality to 12-Graders at the University of Bohol Sep 27, 2017
  • Celebrating the International Day of Peace Sep 23, 2017
  • Judging a Student Debate at the University of Bohol Sept 15, 2017
  • Fitness Workout with Chie at Bohol Tropics Resort Sept 13, 2017
  • Modified Ashtanga Primary Series by Jing Yoga, Tagbilaran Sept 12, 2017
  • Tagbilaran Revisited Sep 7-12, 2017
  • Hello Tagbilaran! June 19-25, 2017

  • Ubay
  • Goodbye and Thank You, Ubay Nov 14-Dec 13, 2017
  • Visiting the Ubay Stock Farm Dec 8, 2017
  • Exploring Cambugsay Healing Hills with Lars Jensen Nov 22, 2017
  • Visiting Ubay Green Park Nov 18, 2017
  • The Ride to Sinandigan Boardwalk and the Yamashita Treasure Hunt Nov 18, 2017
  • Ubay in a Nutshell Nov 17, 2017
  • In Search of the Next Destination Nov 14, 2017
  • 2 Days in Ubay July 1-3, 2017
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