

Location : Cebu City, Philippines
Fork on the Road
It's a common adage that when the student is ready, the teacher will come. Such is the case with Veer. I came to a point in my yoga practice where the road forked in many different directions.
To this day, I find a strong appeal in pursuing all of the above. I'm sure Veer's teaching takes me closer to the third, but at this point, the rest don't even matter. What he puts on the table is plenty on my plate.
Yoga Workshops and Programs
Veer conducts many programs in his classes - yoga for strength, playshop, fly-days, kriya yoga, krama yoga, etc. Each program is designed to develop technique, strength, power, balance, mobility and/or flexibility.
Donkey or Tiger?
Even though I train 4x/week with him, I still can't get enough, often doing my own private training to augment his lessons. I actually injured myself while pushing it too hard. I got reprimanded. He was shaking his head, saying, "I don't know why you continue to overtrain. Do you want to train like a donkey? or train like a tiger?" He is keen on rest being an integral part of the training process.
The Usual Suspects
As I mentioned in my previous blog, with Veer, it's take it or leave it. There is no middle ground. The ones who decide to take it, stay and remain hardcore. As for the others, you don't see them anymore after the first few sessions. Not surprisingly, you see the same handful of people who push their limits on every practice - the usual suspects, as I fondly refer to them. They're all strong - you stick around long enough, there is no other outcome but to be strong. It doesn't mean he only accepts advanced students. On the contrary, he welcomes first timers. According to him, they have nothing to unlearn.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
This is the only class where if you come on time, you're already late. -- Veer (Vaibhav Rana) *** referring to his MWF Master Class where students usually come an hour early to start warming up |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Find Your Teacher
When I attend led-classes in yoga centers (which is the conventional way of practicing yoga), I go through the flow with a sense of duty in keeping faith with the practice. Fortunately, there are many competent teachers in Cebu - I always maintain that a student tries many different classes with many different teachers. And then follow the teacher that resonates with him - the one who'll look after his/her continued growth. Until when? You'll know when it's time to move on.
Learning
Attending Veer's class extends beyond a call of duty. It's exciting. I'm always in eager anticipation of what could be learned for that day. Yes, every session is golden. There is something that puts an added notch to the practice. With no ego, I don't mind looking stupid as I fumble and stumble with the difficult challenges. But I learn. Of course, every teacher can make the session hard and challenging - increase the pace, do the difficult asanas or hold the asanas longer. With Veer though, he explains what the asana is for, why it's important, the intricate techniques to enter into the pose, the common mistakes, the human anatomy, etc. In doing one pose, you learn so much already.
Sunday Mudra Pranayama
This is the part where I don't know if I'm already trespassing. Sunday is his private family practice at home with pranayama and mudra - him and his lovely wife, Claire (who is also a yoga teacher). I somehow squeezed myself into that equation. So him, Claire and their little bundle of joy, Mahi would be there in an intimate family gathering - and I'm there. They take a family walk in the park - and I'm there. I somehow feel I'm an itch he can't scratch! LOL. Seriously though, I hope I'm still within normal bounds (as I tend to be clueless).
Yoga Philosophy
From a philosphical perspective, he echoes a lot of my own thinking about yoga
With my forever questioning mind and critical thinking, they all make sense.
Ending Thoughts
People read my blog and come to me in private saying they'd like to join Veer's class too, but feel intimidated. They say they'll attend other classes first to get established and then, they'll attend Veer's. Since his classes differ from the conventional approach, I tell them what Veer told me - it's best to get started with him at the outset than get started somewhere else - there'd be less to unlearn.
I recently had a conversation with a devout Ashtanga teacher who even went all the way to Manila to attend Ashtanga guru, Richard Freeman's workshop. Apart from the workshop itself, she was seeking counsel. With her practice in Cebu, she does not have a senior teacher to provide the much-needed guidance to direct her practice. Then I began to appreciate my blessing even more. I have one - Veer.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit
|
Learn English
|
Travel like a Nomad
|
Donation Bank
The following people like this:
Reader Comments:
Next story:
Test Driving the 420D BMW Coupe
(Mar 6, 2014) While savouring crepe and wine at the recently opened La Creperie Paris, I met a stunning lady who sells BMWs. A few days later, I was already at the BMW dealership for a test drive!..more »»
SUP Yoga with Jeanne Torrefranca at Plantation Bay
(Mar 23, 2014) Jeanne Torrefranca gave us a treat by inviting us to join her Standup Paddleboard Yoga class (stand-up paddle yoga) at Plantation Bay...more »»
More on Cebu City:
Cebu City to Camotes Islands
Camotes Islands to Cebu City
Cebu City to Dumaguete by Boat
Cebu City to Dumaguete via Liloan (bus, boat, jeep, tricycle)
Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol
Cebu City to Siquijor, via Tagbilaran
Sugbo Urban
There is only one bus plying this route - Sugbo Urban. Tourist class coach, a/c, comfortable, Sun-Fri (these dates keep changing). P420 for bus, P275 for ferry to Liloan. Leaves Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) at 8 pm (Sundays 1 am), heads south to Liloan (Santander), takes the ferry to Larena Port, Siquijor, docks around 5 am, makes a clockwise roundtrip around Siquijor Island - Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi (stops at Lazi market for breakfast and leaves 6:50 am), San Juan, Siquijor (arrives 8am, P50 from Lazi to Siquijor Poblacion) and catches the 1pm ferry at Larena Port for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City 10 pm.
Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because when it reaches Larena Port (Siquijor), it continues its trip around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena. It spares you the cost of hiring a tricycle or habal-habal which charges exhorbitant fares. Besides, it's a long trip to the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.
More on Cebu Province:
»» back to Yoga
»» back to Homepage
ARCHIVE:
2023 |
JAN |
FEB |
MAR |
1970 |
1973 |
1975 |
1976 |
1979 |
1981 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
ALL BLOGS