Country > Philippines > Bohol > Loboc
Date > 2024 > May
Activity > Yoga | Learning

May 24, 2024

Yoga for Plus-sized Women

Location : Fox & The Firefly Cottages, Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

Plus-sized Bodies
When Joan asked if I would teach a class at Fox and Firefly, I said ok if it's a big group - going there and back was an arduous 56km trip. For a group of 12, I said Yes. But there was one consideration - they were beginners with plus-sized bodies. I've never conducted a class specific to such body size. What to do? Youtube and ChatGPT!

ChatGPT
My first recourse was ChatGPT. I threw basic questions about special needs, dos and don'ts, other considerations, etc. What I got was more than I bargained for - inclusive languages ('fat overweight, obese' are no-nos, instead, use 'large-bodied'), self-identification, self-conscious (about wearing tight or revealing clothing), Health at Every Size (HAES), fear of body shaming, fitness misconception (that large bodies cannot do yoga), lack of representation (only sexy women are advertised in yoga making large people feel out of place), creating a safe space, etc.

Youtube
There were a few yoga videos done by large women for large women. I learned things I could not have just conceptualized - like where to put a bulging belly on certain poses, having a wider-than-standard stance for Mountain Pose, Warrior poses, etc.

Gentle Handling
Before even starting the class, I was already prepared psychologically and technically. It was beginner as beginner gets - starting from proper breathing, introducing the '3 best friends', and progressing into the Surya Namaskars first with only movement, then movement + breath, then movement + breath + awareness. I made it clear that my verbal cueing was just a guideline and that ultimately, they should listen to their bodies and give themselves full liberty to tweak a pose in compliance with their unique anatomy, skill and abilities. It was as 'no pressure' as it got.

class picture

A One-on-One Private Class
As a validation of how I taught the class, immediately after, one participant, Niki, asked if I could do a one-on-one private class with her. I thought she had a pressing health or psychological issue and saw yoga as a means to resolve them, but no. She just wanted to learn more from me, whatever I felt like teaching her for that session. Unprepared for this, I winged the class based on what she saying. When she mentioned having scarpal tunnel syndrome, we went into a full wrist mobility workout. When she wondered what it was like to handstand but expressed fear of crashing down and hitting her head, I assured her that with strong shoulders and arms, that wouldn't happen. We went into a few routines to open up her shoulders and build muscle mass around it. Altogether, she was happy about the class. We even had lunch together with her traveling group.

Ending Thoughts
I'm glad I took the time to learn more about conducting a yoga class for people who don't have my body and who cannot do what I can do. This pointed out some misplaced assumptions I had. Because of large people's increased sensitivity about words being used, about how they look compared to someone beside them who is slim and sexy, and about past trauma they might have suffered from, I had to be aware of the poses I asked them to do, I chose my words carefully and overall made them feel comfortable about their own bodies. I stressed that they didn't have to fit themselves uncomfortably within a rigid yoga framework, but instead, have yoga comply with their unique abilities and anatomy (I didn't even mention 'size') by giving themselves full liberties to modify poses according to their comfort and stability. This could mean wider stances on Mountain Pose and Warrior Poses.

This put the class in a whole new perspective. It also shifted my headspace realizing that my perception of the world is very different from those who have different needs and have to constantly face difficult challenges.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

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Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

Cruz Daku - 80-foot white cross erected in 1986 on top of Loboc's highest mountain
Virgen de Guadalupe - giant statue of the Black Madonna perched on a Loboc summit
River Cruise - river cruise on a floating restaurant serving lunch with cultural presentation
Busay Falls - accessible only through the river cruise
Loktob Spring - cold water spring, free admission, huts for rent
Zipline and Cable Car Ride - at the Eco-Tourism Adventure Park

hotel

Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
Lyn's Backpackers Inn - family-run guesthouse in the heart of Loboc

Loboc Local Info

Tourist Attraction

Cruz Daku - 80-foot white cross erected in 1986 on top of Loboc's highest mountain
Virgen de Guadalupe - giant statue of the Black Madonna perched on a Loboc summit
River Cruise - river cruise on a floating restaurant serving lunch with cultural presentation
Busay Falls - accessible only through the river cruise
Loktob Spring - cold water spring, free admission, huts for rent
Zipline and Cable Car Ride - at the Eco-Tourism Adventure Park

*** entries below were submitted by Dodette Bernaldez

Chilling at the Hanging Garden
Watch the Loboc Children's Choir practice at Loboc Central Elementary School, 5pm daily
Watch the music classes of the Loboc Youth Ambassador Band on Saturdays
Attend Masses at St. Peter Parish and Quinoguitan Parish. We have a very rich culture here
Swim in the river at the same time talk to the ladies doing their laundry
Spend at least 2 hours (suggested time: 11:30-1:30pm) observing how Loboc Tourism Complex is operated and hopefully give your feedback to the Chief Tourism Operations Officer with the help of Jeffrey
Go to Loboc River Resort and Basak View in Camayaan
Visit the blacksmiths in Agape
Go to the hills and mountains of Gon-ob, Calunasan and Cambance areas. In Calunasan, visit Balai Silangan
Visit the caves of Guimba, Buenavista and Tigbao but don't expect too much, the caves are not that marvellous but the journey in going there are awesome, that if u like to be with nature
Visit the woodcarvers of Alegria and Tigbao
Visit the home-based weavers of Tigbao, Oy and Calunasan
Visit the rice fields of Basak Daku, Jimilian ...almost all barangays have patches of rice fields
Boating at Loboc River downstream on a late afternoon
Firefly tour
Salabat Centre in Candabong
Taste our delicacy at Tres Hermanas

Loboc Blogs

Loboc

Yoga for Plus-sized Women May 24, 2024
Bohol Yoga Festival April 20/21, 2024
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-Mar 14, 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 13-17, 2017
37 Days in Loboc - Thank You and Goodbye Oct 8-Nov 14, 2017
Exploring Busay Falls, Loktob Spring And Jimili-An Spring Nov 11, 2017
Stand-Up Paddle Yoga with Joan Christine Nov 3, 2017
SUP (Stand Up Paddle) Bohol 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 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

Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions

Danao Adventure Park - zip lining, cable car ride, caving, river rides/trekking, off-road buggy ride, root climbing, rappelling and ultra-glide rides
Alona Beach - hub for tourists with hotels, resorts, restos, bars and dive shops
Chocolate Hills - hills side-by-side shaped like giant Kisses chocolate
Tarsier - pocket-sized marsupia looking like a monkey
Balicasag Island - one of the best dive spots in the Philippines
Loboc River - river cruise on a boat
Anda Beach - fine white sand beach with resorts, restos and cottages, 3 hours by bus from Tagbilaran
Cabagnow Cave Pool - brackish water pool about 5ft deep inside a limestone opening on the ground, 8 feet deep, P50
Lamanok Island - walk on a 100m bamboo bridge on stilts to a resto area to take a boat tour to caves and nearly attractions, P300
Combento Cave Pool - cave pool with underwater cave system, P20
Can-umantad Falls - long narrow drop until it hits a bulbous mound spreading it into a a curtain-like water canopy and down into a splash pool
Canawa Cold Spring - deep refreshing cold spring with developed pool area
Firefly Tour - evening boat ride into the river to watch fireflies

hotel

Fox & The Firefly Cottages - SUP paddle boarding, luxury riverside native cottages, mountain bike tours, SUP yoga
Baranggay Valladolid, Loboc, Bohol
Bohol Tropics Resort - seafront location, manicured surroundings, swimming pool, resto/bar
0133 Graham Avenue, Brgy. Cogon, Tagbilaran, Bohol 6300
Oasis Resort - Alona Beach location, dive center, resto / bar
Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

yoga

Jing Yoga - health & well being through yoga
The Courtyard - Airport Road fronting the church
Bohol Meditation and Yoga Center - 2nd Floor Lim Magtajas Bldg. CPG Avenue

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,

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)
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

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
Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-10:40-11:40AM, 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
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

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.
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.
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.
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 Blogs

Bohol blogs