Health Bits: Going Back to Yoga

I told you about the Urban Ashram Deal Grocer Coupon I bought last January, and now here's how my sessions went. 

I knew I had my work cut out for me because I haven't had proper exercise in years. Sure, I join fun runs, but I do it to be with friends and for the meal we share after the event. The last serious class I joined was Pilates with my former office maters. That was three years ago. I also did yoga when I was with the UP Pep Squad, but I wouldn't call myself a yogini. I just knew the basics. 

The hardest part for me was waking up before the sunrise. The comfort of my bed and the cool weather we had were real temptations to just skip the class. But I forced myself and thought that just showing up for the first day of class was already a big accomplishment. I warmed up by walking the two blocks from my building to the yoga studio. 

Entering the Urban Ashram studio, you'd know that they're one of the legit ones, and not one of those just riding on the hype. They have ample-sized rooms depending on the number of students, and they provide yoga mats, blocks, straps, and other materials which are sanitized after every class. The Kenneth Cobonpue-designed lobby is just a bonus.

The reception area at Urban Ashram Manila Brixton Branch

They offer different classes depending on your level/skill. I chose the Flexibility Not Required classes, which are great for beginners. But don't think that the class is easy. There are different teachers for each day of the week, but all of them are observant of the students' pace, and they make sure the beginners modify their poses to avoid injuries. They also encourage you to move at your own pace, and improve your poses to make you stronger. But they are also there to push you when they know you can still give more (especially when they see you resting during poses!). 

Even on my first day, I already noticed a difference. Sure, my body was sore, but my breathing improved and I became aware of my posture. I also made sure to drink more water throughout the day. 

I attended nine classes for the duration of my 15-day unlimited pass. I'd say it was a great deal. They only offer it to first time attendees though. After that, you have the option to get flexi pass cards which are good for 12 classes a month, or the monthly unlimited passes. You can also go big and get the annual pass which comes with additional perks. 

Budget permitting, I would've gotten the unlimited pass, because I know it would be good for me. But as much as I want to be fit for this year, one of my 2013 goals is to also manage my finances and curb my spending. And even if Urban Ashram offers great deals and quality experience, the amount is still way over my budget. If you have the budget and live near Kapitolyo or the Bonifacio Global City area, go visit their site and see the best option for you. 

 As if knowing my dilemma, Deal Grocer has another great offer from Urban Ashram! This time, it's a 40-Day Unlimited Pass for all their Daytime Classes (from 6:30-4:40pm). From it's original price of P5000, it's now P2500. What's great is this deal is applicable to first-time and previous practitioners of the Ashram. I'm still on the fence whether I'd get this deal or not. But like I said, if you have the budget, then grab this deal now!

Urban Ashram Manila

High Street Branch
Bonifacio Global City
3rd Floor, Active Fun Building
9th corner 28th Avenue
Bonifacio Global City
(02) 869 YOGA (9642)
(02) 856 0130

Brixton Branch
Suite 302, 3 Brixton Street,
Kapitolyo, Pasig City
(02) 661 YOGA (9642)
(02) 377 YOGA (9642)
0917 881 YOGA (9642)

P.S. Have you noticed the different fonts in my blog entries? Yeah I'm trying to figure it out. Blogger is kind of weird. What appears on my dashboard isn't the same as the one that's being published. If you know what I should do, please hit up the comments. Thanks!

Health Bits: Getting Fit

Every new year, most of us are excited with the prospect of a clean slate, a new start. Some people like making new year's resolutions. And almost always, one of the items on their list is to exercise/lose weight/go to the gym. So the fitness centers see an increase in enrollments. Gyms are packed during the first two weeks of the new year. But how many of these people actually follow through with their resolution?

I never make new year's resolutions. I believe that if you want to change something, you can do it anytime, not just at the start of the year. But I admit, I am also excited with the possibilities and changes a new year promises. So instead of NYR's, I make a list of goals. Things I want to accomplish, versus things I want to change.

And Top 2 on my 2013 list is to find an exercise regimen that works for me. I have gained a lot of weight and haven't had exercise in years. I noticed that I get exhausted easily, and I have to catch my breath after just climbing a flight of stairs. So I knew I really needed to do something about it. 

I was choosing between two options: Zumba and Yoga. I used to be a member of the UP Pep Squad, so it goes without saying that I love to dance. :) We also had yoga classes as part of our training then. 

There's a dance studio a couple of blocks from my place and late last year, they finally offered Zumba classes. I also found out that there's a yoga studio on the same street: Urban Ashram Manila. 

One of the studios at Urban Ashram Manila (Brixton Branch)

What sealed the deal for me was the promo I saw on Deal Grocer last January. They offered a 15-Day Unlimited Pass to their studios in Pasig and Bonifacio High Street, for only P1000.00! That is a steal, because their regular rate for the 15-Day Unli Pass is P1500, and that is only exclusive for one branch. Walk-in classes are P600. The catch is you have to use the pass in a span of 15 consecutive days. And the classes convenient for me were all early in the mornings. As in 6:30am early. Talk about commitment!

I decided to go for it, and bought the coupon. I'll tell you all about my yoga homecoming in one of my next entries! :)

Do you have a goal for 2013? How are you doing so far? :)