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Oct 21, 2016
Yoga Beyond the Mat
GPS waypoint: 7°03'51.7"N 125°36'27.8"E
Location: Davao City, Philippines
Day-to-Day Application
How do you apply yoga to someone who cuts you off the street? How can yoga help you if you are constantly plagued by painful thoughts from the past that leave you agitated and angry? What do you do in a pose to help you boost your immune system and add vitality to your life? The lessons learned in Bali together with my background in pranayama and meditation are now evident in my yoga teaching. I would underscore the translation of yoga on-the-mat to yoga off-the-mat. My teaching style has changed from asana-centric to purpose-centric. Of course, the asanas remain the cornerstone of the practice but they are just a means towards an expressed end. It could be a sequence about non-reaction. It could be about digestive optimization. It could be a sequence for the fountain of youth. I offer direct translation of yoga - as you drive the car, as you sit 9-5 behind the desk, as you are confronted by worries about the future or anger from the past. While yoga by itself already addresses those issues, I connect the dots and pull everything into a seamless singularity.
 conducting a class at Holiday Gym and Spa
Anger From the Past
Many times during the day, painful episodes from the past invade our here-and-now. This episode could have been an asshole from 20 years ago who said something nasty. Or, it could have been you being right but the other person had the last word - so you replay this episode over and over again in your head, this time with you having the last say. It's all too familiar. Without even being aware of it, we react to it. Our breathing gets faster and more blood is pumped into our system. Before we know it, we are already agitated and angry. We redirect this anger to our colleagues, our family and friends. Sometimes, it takes hours before this anger simmers down and disappear. In all this time, we are not even aware of what took place - we have given this thought from the past, permission to rob us of our precious bliss.
Worry About the Future
If it's not the past sneaking on our here-and-now, it's the future. We worry about things in the future we cannot change now. Pressing deadlines? Perhaps it's something in the distant future. Who takes care of me when I get old? Is my money enough to sustain my retirement days? Who will take care of my loved ones when I'm gone?
Adhitthana
I use principles of Adhitthana (strong determination) in a yoga asana to observe this nasty thought without reacting to it. By doing this, the bitterness of the past and the worries about the future lose its stranglehold. You unshackle yourself from the bondage and regain control, keeping the balance of the mind.
Fountain of Youth
The story goes that in the 1930s, a British army colonel was taught the 5 Tibetan Rites by Buddhist monks. The sequence is designed to delay the ageing process and render a much younger look to the practitioner. Although the asanas are similar, the way it's done and its sequencing produce the anti-ageing effect. On one particular class I conducted at Plana Forma, the entire one-hour sequence was the 5 Tibetan Rites.
Building Strength
Between 2 opposing forces, the stronger force wins. You get sick because the germs, bacteria and viruses have become stronger than your immune system. What if you boost the immune system? The germs will still be there, but with a stronger immune system, they cannot prevail - you don't get sick. At least, not that easily. I cannot remember the last time I got sick or the last time I saw a doctor. I don't take any medication or maintenance pill. At times, I can even feel the surge of my strength. Yoga makes you strong. But yoga + pranayama + meditation make you stronger. When I conduct a class, even a short 1-hour class, I make sure pranayama and meditation are included.
Homework
Sometimes, at the end of the class, I give the students a homework using their smart phone - something that would force a habit to take them to the here-and-now and restore equanimity in their demeanor. I learned this from the practices of the Thich Nhat Nhan monastics in Thailand.
Integration
My practice incorporates lessons from Vipassana Meditation in the Goenka tradition, Mindfulness Meditation of Thich Nhat Nhan at the Plum Village, text from ancient Indian treatises, lessons from my teachers, point-of-failure asana and lessons learned on the open road. I only teach what I practice on an experiential basis. It's still in compliance to a conventional studio offering but with sharper focus on non-reaction, breathing and staying present. My yoga continues to evolve and consequently, my teaching.
Nauli
Finally, after stopping on the Uddiyanda Bandha (pulling-in the belly) for a long time after doing my failed Nauli, I decided to really devote my time perfecting Nauli (stomach churning) - I got as far as Madya Nauli (center abdominals popping in front while the belly is pulled-in). I stayed inside my hotel room for 3 days practicing in front of the mirror. Nauli is said to put fire in the digestion for increased metabolism and eradicate all digestive problems. I validate this. My digestion is optimized to say the least - I go to the washroom as often as I have my meals.
Ending Thoughts
The theory goes that there is no illness yoga cannot cure. Illness is said to be caused by energy (prana) blockage. If prana cannot flow through the kidney, then you suffer from kidney failure. But with kidney-specific asanas, the blockages are cleared restoring the kidney back to health. This concept resonates. Perhaps this is where I take my practice - yoga as an off-the-mat cure.
-- TheLoneRider
ps - If you want me to participate and write about your yoga studio or your yoga practice, email me. For my complete yoga profile, you can visit this page: YOGA by Gigit
 Bryan Tenorio
(Oct 23, 2016) Gigit, i should have attended your classes.
 Millet Acsavan
(Oct 22, 2016) I love this class...Thanks teacher Gigit
 Ivy May Akiangan
(Oct 22, 2016) I LOVE YOUR CLASS sir!!!! Been in Bali too...
Oct 21, 2016
 Davao City, Philippines
 tourist attractions
 - hotel
 Bahay ni Tuding - central Poblacion location, wifi, hands-on owner
160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites - central location, new management, newly renovated
Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines
(+63) 932-8708621 | 906-3185885 | 7°04'34.2"N 125°36'54.2"E The Apo View Hotel - Davao's iconic hotel, old world charm, casino
150 J. Camus Street, Davao City Philippines 8000
+63 (82) 221-6430 to 40 | 7°04'09.2"N 125°36'27.4"E North Zen Basic Spaces - great rooms at affordable prices
Sobrecarey St. (corner Lapu-Lapu St.), Davao City, 8000
(082) 295.3997 | 7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"E Urban Living Zen Hotel - newly opened - all NEW!
F.s. Dizon Bacaca, 8000 Davao City
(082) 287 3133 | 7°05'28.4"N 125°36'22.3"E The Royal Mandaya Hotel - heart of downtown Davao City
J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City, 8000
(+63 82) 225.8888 | 7°04'09.4"N 125°36'36.8"E Alu Hotel Davao - central downtown location
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Davao
+63 82 227 5232 | 7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"E One Oasis Davao - hotel accommodation in a condo unit
Eco-west Drive, Ecoland, Davao City
suki_tac@yahoo.com | 0925.500.3211 | 7°02'49.2"N 125°35'19.1"E
 van rental
 Apollo Van Rental - Davao City tour, Samal Island tour, airport transfer
0925.500.3211 | suki_tac@yahoo.com
 yoga | health | fitness
 tour
 resto |  cafe
 advocacy
- one of the cleanest potable water in the country
- smoking is banned from commercial establishments
- pineapple samurais are endemic here and nowhere else in the country (pineapple vendors who cut-up whole pineapples into chunks with just a few strokes of their carving knives)
- public utility drivers conspicuously display their IDs
- durian Mecca of the Philippines (not to mention Marang, Mangosteen and Sweet Pomelo)
- you want to add some more? please submit on the form below
- the weighing scale of fruit vendors specially the durian push cart vendors are a blatant cheat - showing almost twice the actual weight
- Revisiting Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- A Roof Over my Head in Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- Davao Yoga Scene Oct 31, 2016
- Pranayama Oct 24, 2016
- Yoga Beyond the Mat Oct 21, 2016
- Grilled Tuna Overload in Davao Oct 13, 2016
- Duterte Mania in Davao Oct 12, 2016
- Sirsasana, Sarvangasana - Yoga Makaranda II Oct 7, 2016
- Tirumalai Krishnamacharya Oct 5, 2016
- Ashtanga Yoga with James Fritz Freire at Holiday Gym and Spa Oct 1, 2016
- There was a Bomb Explosion? Sep 30, 2016
- Jin in Davao Sep 29, 2016
- Scrubs and Hilot at Holiday Gym and Spa Sep 22-29, 2016
- The Fabulous Dabawenyos Aug 22-Sep 26, 2016
- Nirvana Breathing Fitness with Lita C. Quisumbing Sep 21, 2016
- Massage, Sauna and Ear Candling at Holiday Spa and Gym Sep 17-19, 2016
- Downpour in Davao Sep 18, 2016
- Lounge One Yoga Sequence by May Bel Le at North Zen Hotel Sep 16, 2016
- Celebrating Davao's King of Fruits - Durian! Sep 11, 2016
- The Blast that Rocked Davao Sep 2, 2016
- Hatha Flow Yoga with Joanna Lizares Co at Holiday Spa and Gym Aug. 31, 2016
- Conducting a Power Yoga Class at Yoga Davao Aug 29, 2016
- Good Eats with Mel Pangan's Davao Food Tour Aug 26, 2016
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Aug 25, 2016
- A Gifted Dell Laptop from the Usual Suspect Aug. 24, 2016
- The Duterte Phenomenon Oct 21, 2015
- 20 Days in Davao City July 4- 24, 2014
- Goodbye Davao...Again! Sep 28, 2013
- Wine and Cheese at Malagos Farm House Sep 27, 2013
- Custom-made Peanut Butter at Davao City's Bankerohan Market Sep 27, 2013
- Yoga in Davao Sep 26, 2013
- Celebrating 25 Years of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Sep 18, 2013
- Clobbered in a Vicious Karate Match Sep 17, 2013
- Back Into the Black Sep 1, 2013
- No Reply Aug 30, 2013
- Full Body-Cavity Search without the Latex Aug 25, 2013
- Fun Day with Crocodile Sonny and Sports Unlimited Dynamic Duo, Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson Aug 15, 2013
- Fun! Fun! at Maxima AquaFun, Samal Island Aug 11, 2013
- Goodbye Davao Jan 22, 2013
- Davao City's Peace and Order Jan 21, 2013
- Holiday Spa Yoga, Davao City Jan 20, 2013
- Free Yoga at People's Park Jan 12, 2013
- Davao City: Family Ties Dec 15-22, 2012
- Breakup Diaries: Chance Encounter in Davao City Dec 19, 2012
- Davao City June 20-23, 2009
- Davao City March 18-20, 2008
- Mount Apo March 15-18, 2008
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