International Yoga Day with Certified Calm

For nearly 8 years, I’ve been practicing yoga asanas (or postures) as part of a general fitness regimen, and I credit the strength and flexibility I gain from yoga for how I’ve remained generally injury-free even through heavy training.

Last Sunday was International Yoga Day, and many yoga studios celebrated it with events and promos. Certified Calm, the country’s first and leading lifestyle store for yoga apparel and accessories, held “There’s Something About Yoga” at their Two Parkade Bonifacio Global City store.

While I’ve been inside the store a few times previously, I’d never known it could convert into a small practice space by rolling away the floor displays!

There were two yoga classes held that morning: a beginner’s class with Teacher Anna Manalastas, and a Power Yoga class with Teacher Anne Margaret Lim. I came for Power Yoga, which is based on Ashtanga yoga principles. These days I do hot yoga (Hot Primary class) at Beyond Yoga Rockwell, so it was good to do a different practice.

In attendance were the following fitness enthusiasts: SEATED- fellow blogger (and marketing maven) Kassy Pajarillo, celeb nutritionist Nadine Tengco, actresses Agot Isidro and Mylene Dizon;STANDING- yours truly, TV Patrol personality Gretchen Fullido, and TV and radio host Sam Oh.

also with the Certified Calm chicas, Teacher Anne Margaret, and Certified Calm head honcho Darcy Ong

Check out the cool merch behind us!

The teacher took us through half of the Ashtanga primary series to build flexibility, strength, and endurance. It was only half of a whole sequence but in itself was already pretty demanding — countless chaturanga (low plank) repetitions, strong and lengthy hamstring stretches, and core exercises. I managed to get through all of the poses in one piece, although I don’t share Ashtanga’s love for inversions (head stands! ay yi yi) and just stayed in the preparatory pose.

boat pose

plow pose

There are seven different kinds of headstands.

I worked up a good sweat! Normally I bring my own full-length yoga towel for use over a yoga mat, but Certified Calm provided Toe Sox and a Manduka towel to help keep me slip-free.

All that exertion left me thirsty and hungry, so I was grateful for our post-session banquet from V Kitchen, Detoxify Bar, Vita Coco, and Nestle. Then we got to take home the Toe Sox and Manduka towel, as well as a goodie bag from Dove. Now that’s a great workout 🙂

check me out chowing down on vegetarian fare from V Kitchen

While we were at the store, I check out all the cool stuff available at Certified Calm from brands such as Manduka, Beyond Yoga, Easyoga, Lorna Jane, Onzie, Toesox, Yogitoes, Liquido, Body Language Sportswear, Kira Grace, and Klean Kanteen. These days the trend is to use active wear as leisure and lifestyle wear, and we were spoilt for choice especially since the store was on sale!

I definitely think that athletes should add yoga to their regimen as part of crosstraining. Keep yourself supple, avoid overtraining, and develop mental strength and patience.

Want to get into yoga? Now’s your chance! I have GC’s for trial classes to give away.

• Third prize: drop-in class at Bliss Yoga
• Second prize: drop-in class at Onelife Studio
• First prize: one week unlimited package at Yoga+

Yoga GC Contest Mechanics

1. Leave a comment below telling me about your cross-training regimen (or lack thereof). Tell me why you think you can benefit from yoga.
2. I will select the top 3 best answers from all comments made between June 23 to June 30. UPDATE: This contest has been extended ’til July 20!
3. Winners will receive an email notification and instructions on claiming their prize.
4. Contest is open only to people residing in the Philippines.

Again, thanks to Certified Calm for the wonderful Sunday morning yoga experience!