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Feb 10, 2014
Shifting Yoga Paradigm
Location: Cebu City, Cebu (province), Philippines
A Questioning Mind
As I sink deeper into my yoga, I am increasingly drawn to a philosphical perspective where I question long-standing tenets about this practice in validating a lot of my own convictions.
My personal take on yoga, as I continue to question existing conventions, is oftentimes unwelcome to those who find it too radical or even outright blasphemous. But even I, if I continue to stay true, cannot rethink otherwise even for the sake of peer compliance. A spade is a spade - even if I see it through my colored lenses (my unique life experience, whatever information is stored in my knowledge-base, the way logic stacks up, etc.). Without a questioning mind, without critical thinking, if I should just subscribe without question to what has been written by wise men without addressing issues that don't seem to fit, then I reduce the practice to blind devotion. And that is a dis-service to the practice. Yoga has survived thousands of years because it works...because it survives on its own merits.
Relevance to Present Times
What has been written about yoga by the ancients is a by product of their life and times. These writings were done by evolved men....but they are still of flesh and bones who put their pants on one leg at a time - just like you and me. To better appreciate their writings, wouldn't it be best to take it along its historical backdrop?
- Perhaps they were written during times of upheaval and war. Do we live in such times now? Would all of those teachings continue to be relevant now?
- Perhaps they were written by priests who led sedentary lives and meditated 20 hours a day. Are we priests in pursuit of a spiritual life? Or do we have to balance a life of work, family and pressing deadlines?
- Perhaps they were written when there was no other source of information but a few adepts and sages? But in the here-and-now, we have the internet providing information from a global source - websites, e-books, YouTube videos, etc. So how much theory should we now pursue relative to our practice?
- Our knowledge of human anatomy has gone leaps and bounds from the ancient times. How do we mindfully incorporate that into our asanas?
Continuing Evolution
Yoga is not static. Just like evolution, it is a continuing process. It's a living entity with its own vibrant life-force. To put it in a non-compliant rigid structure is to put it inside a small box - a coffin in my parlance. This is not to say you go out and invent your own yoga. What I'm saying is that you get established in the practice and then listen to your body. Yoga should be made to adapt to your uniqueness. If you follow your yogic bliss, at some point, you should be practicing your own yoga - a yoga that is unique to your needs, demeanor and biology, and a yoga whose sense of purpose is consistent with what you want to make out of life.
Yoga Teachers
Through the guidance of my teacher now and of my teachers of the past, I continue my yogic evolution. And to my teachers in the future whom I have yet to meet, I open myself to new knowledge, new lessons and new ways of thinking.
--- TheLoneRider
 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
Currency Converter
- Camotes Islands - caves, beaches
- Cebu City - rich in culture and history, 2nd largest city in the Philippines
- Moalboal - amazing coral reef system, sardine bowl, deep drop-off for freediving
- Oslob - Butanding (whale shark) watching
- Bantayan Island - long stretch of fine white sand beach, Virgin Island for snorkeling
- Malapascua Island - divers' paradise for seeing the rare Thresher Shark
- Cantabaco Cave - Toledo
- Barile Waterfalls - Barile
- Whale Shark Tour - Oslob
- Carcar - chicharon and lechon in public market
Feb 10, 2014
»» next story: Abundance in Cebu (Part 2)
»» next Yoga story: Demystefying Ashtanga Yoga
»» back to Yoga
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