TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs

Siquijor
Yoga classes in Siquijor

Country > Philippines > Siquijor Island > Lazi
Date > 2023 > Jan
Activity > Yoga

Yoga
1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana Jan 26, 2023

1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana

Location Google Map: Lazi, Siquijor Island, Philippines

Pushing the Breath Boundary
As I go deeper into my study of Hatha Yoga Pradipika, I learn about the importance of breathing ratios in pranayama. Before, I would simply hold my breath as long as I could while doing bandhas - to me, breath-hold is only a means to be established in bandhas. But now, I wanted to know if I was missing something by not strictly adhering to the ratios.

Metronome
First, I downloaded a metronome app, then I pushed my Nadi Shodhana limit to a 1:4:2:3 ratio with 5 seconds as one count, with maha bandha mudra engaged - this is as much as I can push it, still maintaining that I don't strain. This means I'm holding one breath for 45 seconds while engaging all the locks before the next breath. I would set my timer to 30 minutes.

1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana
Pranayama on my balcony in the morning

Capping at 15 Minutes
When I begin my first round, I'm already on my limit. The more rounds, the more I struggle, keeping in mind that straining means I'm pushing it too far. At 15 minutes, I can't continue anymore. I can't help but gasp for the next breath. Should I shorten my count to 4 seconds instead? Should I simply remove the exhale-hold so that it's only 1:4:2 ratio? Hmmm. I have to find a way to keep the 5-sec count.

1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana
Pranayama on the sea wall after sunset

Pre/Post Nadi Shodhana
To prolong my sustenance, I resorted to 2 rounds of Wim Hof breathing - 30 full breaths/round. Then I began my Nadi Shodhana. Still, at 15 minutes, I'm gasping for air. Instead of stopping, I simply transitioned the pranayama to a Kapalabhati. Interestingly, when I usually do Kapalabhati, I feel pain before the 1-minute threshold, causing me to stop. However, after doing the Nadi Shodhana, I could almost do Kapalabhati indefinitely. Still, I didn't push my limit.

Meditation
After all that breathing, especially after the last exhale, I immediately transition into meditation. This is perhaps the best way to commence a meditation practice. I find myself going into emptiness much quicker, as though I'm slipping fast into a drop-off. My meditation isn't very deep or long. It's enough that I can sink into awareness and reboot my system.

Ending Thoughts
The addition of the metronome to my pranayama makes my practice a lot more controlled, disciplined and challenging. There is no room for negotiating. I'm enslaved (in a good way) by the beat, in the same way a musician is enslaved by his beat. If I can uphold the suggested frequency of a pranayama practice (4x/day, 4am, noon, sunset and midnight), I could just imagine my nadis purified in a compressed time frame. Next after that? Hopefully, siddhis! I know, siddhi should never be the goal. But like a child burned by his own curiosity, I'm willing to take the risk.

Furthermore, by reading Hatha Yoga Pradipika, integrating, immersing and internalizing, I get to know and remain aware of yoga's many nuances...little details I didn't know exist, and answers to some sought-after questions. I started reading this book in Sep 2022 and it's already Jan 2023. I don't rush it. I want to make sure I know every chapter and that I've practiced it.

--- Gigit (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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More on Lazi:

Lazi Info
  1. Resorts - Lazi has some beach resorts on its west coast but the popular area for tourist resorts are in San Juan
  2. Transport - Lazi is the junction where the jeeps begin their clockwise route (Lazi-San Juan-Siquijor Port) or the counter clockwise route (Lazi-Maria-Larena Port). Even though Lazi has a port, it's not used for passengers. Because the jeeps are rare with about 2 to 3 trips/day, it's practical to just have a motorcycle here in Siquijor. With its affordability (a brand new Rusi motorbike is as low as P45k), people just buy motorcycles...especially those who live up in the mountains.
  3. The Boulevard - Lazi's main draw is its seaside cobblestone promenade. When the sun sets, people gather here for eats, drinks, open-air, harbor view and the sunset

More on Siquijor Island:

Siquijor Island Local Info

Jeeps - there are only 2 routes for jeeps within Siquijor Island - and they are rare. Most people have their own motorcycle transport.

  1. Siquijor Port to Lazi - last trip leaves at 3pm from station near market
  2. Lazi to Siquijor Port - jeeps depart from the Lazi Port area. 5 jeeps, the last trip at 12:30 pm. Lazi to San Juan, P50.
  3. Larena Port to Lazi - jeeps are unpredictable. As of this writing, there is only 1 jeep plying the Larena-Lazi route. This jeep leaves Larena for Lazi at 9:50am. After that, no more jeep. You'll have to take a tricycle to Siquijor Pob for jeeps going to Lazi
  4. Lazi to Larena Port - 6am (daily) and 9 am (M-Th)

Food - these were suggested by a local to me

  1. Lechon manok & liempo - roasted pork belly and chicken at Joel's in Siquijor Poblacion. I've tried this myself...yummy, even if the chicken was no longer hot
  2. Bibingka - sweetened rice cake by Fidy's Bibingka (P30) in Sawang, Maria. I've come back for this and I buy for other people as well as 'pasalubong' - they love this
  3. Siopao - at the Rosita store near Thrifty (P25) in Siquijor Poblacion
  4. Peanut butter - by Rene. Just ask around in Siquijor Poblacion. It's popular
  5. Torta - sweet cakish bread at the Thrifty story in Siquijor Poblacion
Siquijor Island Map
Siquijor
Siquijor - Dumaguete Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)
  1. Montenegro Lines - at Siquijor Port, P234.00/pax, P169/bicycle, 7:30am/10:00am/2:00pm/4:30pm/7:30? or 9:00? pm
  2. Ocean Jet - 40 mins,at Siquijor Port, 0919.066.5964, www.oceanjet.net, marketing@ocenajet.net, 6:00am/6:00pm, P350/pax (tourist/open air), P580/pax (business class)

    Ocean Jet
  3. Atlantis Yohan Express - Siquijor Port or Larena Port?

    Atlantis Yohan Express

    Atlantis Yohan Express
  4. Aleson Shipping Lines - Siquijor Port, P200/reg, P250/a-c, 6:00 am daily, 1:30 pm & 6:30pm M-Sat

    Aleson Shipping Lines

    Aleson Shipping Lines

    Aleson Shipping Lines


Siquijor - Tagbilaran - Cebu City Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)

En route to Cebu City, the ferries usually make a stop-over to Tagbilaran (Bohol) to pick-up more passengers or unload.

  1. Ocean Jet - 2 hours, 8:20am, at Siquijor Port
    To Tagbilaran: P800/tourist & open air, P1200/business class
    To Cebu: ?
  2. Lite Ferries - at Larena Port,
    To Tagbilaran: T-Th-Sun, P475/standard, 7pm, 3 hours, PHP?
    To Cebu: T-Th-Sun, 7pm, 7 hours, PHP 650

Siquijor - Plaridel Boat Trips (as of Jan 2023)
  1. Lite Ferries - at Larena Port, T-Th-Sun, 2:00 am, 5 hours, PHP?

Siquijor - Cebu (Liloan) - Cebu City BUS Trip (as of Jan 2023)

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. Larena Port 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 (Sundays at 3 pm) for Liloan, Cebu and resumes its land route. Arrives Cebu City (South Bus Terminal) 10 pm.

Sugbo Urban is the cheapest and most convenient way because it goes around the island (clockwise) along the circumferential road, passing through - Enrique Villanueva, Maria, Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor...and back to Larena where it takes the ferry at 1 pm. This saves you the hassle and high transport cost of a tricycle. Besides, it's a long trip from the other side of the island to be taking by tricycle.


Sugbo Urban

Sugbo Urban

Suggested Destinations After Siquijor Island

These are the nearest popular destinations from Siquijor by boat

  1. Bohol - Bohol is an island northeast Siquijor. Tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Monkey, Loboc River Cruise, Beaches of Panglao, whale sharks (recent offering), freediving (recent offering)
  2. Cebu - Cebu City is the usual gateway into the Visayas. But in Cebu Island itself, there are many offerings - Whale Sharks of Oslob, sardine run at Moalboal,Thresher Shark of Malapascua
  3. Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.
  4. Dumaguete - Dumaguete is a small charming progressive coastal town in Negros Oriental. Cafe and restaurants line the famous Boulevard Boardwalk. Tourist attractions include Japanese Shrine, Casaroro Falls, snorkeling along the southern coastline (Dauin, Masaplod Norte, etc), Balinsasayao Twin Lakes
  5. Plaridel (Misamis Occidental, Mindanao) - I haven't been there but a lot of island ferries ply this port. There must be something here.

Blogs

Siquijor Blogs
Siquijor Island
  1. Mar Snapshots Mar 28, 2023
  2. My Mar Yoga Practice: a Journal Mar 21-28, 2023
  3. The Thief, the Shaman, the Elves and the Police Mar 20-, 2023
  4. Finally Acquiring the Motorbike Mar 18, 2023
  5. Bitcoin Blunder Mar 15, 2023
  6. Maria's Unsung Beaches Mar 11, 2023
  7. Lagaan Falls Mar 9, 2023
  8. Tibhong Spring Water Source Mar 8, 2023
  9. Bolo-Bolo Natural Spring Mar 2, 2023
  10. Feb Snapshots Feb 28, 2023
  11. My Feb Yoga Practice: a Journal Feb 21-28, 2023
  12. Camagung-Ong Natural Spring Feb 28, 2023
  13. Heeeere's Johnnie! Feb 26, 2023
  14. Manifesting a Motorbike from Thin Air? Feb 18, 2023
  15. The 'Bad Guy' of Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
  16. Amazement from Drivers License Renewal in Siquijor Feb 15, 2023
  17. Locong Falls Feb 9, 2023
  18. A Case of Inguinal Hernia? Feb 4, 2023
  19. Jan Snapshots Dec 31, 2022
  20. In Search of Tubod Cold Spring Jan 27, 2023
  21. 1:4:2:3 Nadi Shodana Jan 26, 2023
  22. Lazi's Boulevard Jan 22, 2023
  23. Lazi: A Monthly Stay Jan 21, 2023
  24. 7 Days in Maria, Siquijor Jan 14-21, 2023
  25. Capilay Spring Jan 17, 2023
  26. Siquijor: In Search of Resonance Jan 9-14, 2023
  27. Riding Around Siquijor's 86km Coastal Road Apr 3, 2012
  28. Exploring the Cantabon Cave of Siquijor Feb 23, 2012
  29. Jovee and Missy's Excellent Adventure Nov 6-7, 2010
  30. Freediving in Siquijor's Marine Sancturaries Apr 23-24, 2010
  31. Island Tour of Siquijor Apr 22, 2010
  32. Kram's Siquijor Wedding Apr 21, 2010

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