I've been to a few of the yoga places in the area and while most have the same theme; zen and…read moretranquility. Life yoga has put a new and FUN style to Yoga. In the session I went to they used music to really set the mood. The facilities and equipment are clean. They have two rooms for yoga and hot room and a not hot room. You can reserve your classes online! All the staff are friendly and really show special attention to make sure your doing your poses right. -For people who think yoga is just for girls or too easy, im 220 pounds, play basketball, boxing, and used to run marathons. - But these yoga poses really challenge you. I mean who knew attending or moving your leg in different places could hurt and make you sweat. - After the first session I already felt more mobile. My hips, ankles, and knees used to be in pain and click a lot from my many basketball injuries. But after the hour long session. I felt like a new man. Stress free after all this studying. Can't wait to go again. Definitely a must if you're studying or inured or both!

There's a reason why I've already convinced (not coerced, promise!) even the most inflexible…read more(that's what she said) of my friends to turn to yoga for fitness: I just can't stop raving about Yoga Plus Express at at DLSU, with its state-of-the-art facilities and budget friendly rates (Php 3,000 for a monthly subscription). Now on my second month on the mat, my flexibility and strength have considerably improved, based on before-and-after photos! Whether you're looking for a workout or a means to unwind, there's a yoga practice there for you! Hot, Flow, and Warrior will get your sweat flowing, while Yin will rejuvenate your mind and body. There are classes offered daily, on weekdays: 6:30 a.m. (except Fridays), 8:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.; and on weekends: 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. A 20% discount is offered to students. Yoga Plus Express at DLSU is open to the public, even non-Lasallians.

More than five years ago I used to come here about twice a week. I love the group classes and the…read moreteachers, I used to get a great massage in the Fitness First Spa (now gone). Occasionally I'd still come here for special events. I came today because it was the only Fitness First gym I know open on Christmas day. The last time I was here was May 2015 so let's see if anything's changed. AIR-CONDITIONING/VENTILATION I remember writing on the club's complaint form a year ago because air conditioning was very bad. So bad that a lot of people would be leaving group classes especially RPM/cycling because it gets too warm in some parts of the room. But now it's very cold that I was shivering in the locker room. EQUIPMENT The tricep rope thing that attaches to the cable machine smells! Other machines were fine. Glad to see 2 preacher curl benches (gone in FF RCBC). Not all the workout benches used for the BodyStep class have the rubber that grips the floor! While they might be safe to use for BodyPump, be careful not to use them in Step classes. Bikes for RPM/Cycling are new-ish, can't complain about them. Yoga mats didn't smell bad. CLASSES I attended Crunch's BodyAttack and Ahlee's BodyStep class. Love both classes and teachers! It was my first time with Crunch who I think is one of the manager of the club. I kinda like the class atmosphere in this club, everyone's just doing their best to workout plus they seem to be enjoying what they're doing.

Got a 15-day unlimited pass at Urban Ashram Yoga as suggested by my friend. I haven't tried Yoga…read morebefore so their FNR (Flexibility Not Required) classes are ideal for me. Yoga mats are provided but you should bring your own yoga and bath towels. The staff and teachers were quite helpful and approachable. I highly recommend Yanti, Rina, Trisha and Shailoe. I love attending the FNR Athletics and FNR Hour for the more active classes while I prefer Stress-Free Gentle Flow and Restorative for relaxation. Urban Ashram is less expensive than most yoga studios in the metro. If you're a first timer like me, you should try Urban Ashram.

First things first, I am a true blue, 100 percent, legit yogini. For those of you who are…read moreunfamiliar with yoga, that just means that I'm a female yoga practitioner. Yep. A friend invited me here to give yoga a try as she had fallen head over heels (pun intended) for it and testified that it had helped her tremendously both on a physical and mental level. I acquiesced, and off we went on my complimentary trial. Aesthetics-wise, it doesn't get any prettier than Urban Ashram. I mean, it's plain to see that millions of pesos have been invested into the place and to me, that just speaks to how serious the owners are about their business and their mission. Urban Ashram is equipped with lockers so you don't have to worry about your belongings while you shower or practice, the showers and toilets are clean and equipped with hand soap and body wash and shampoo as well (very nice touch). The bathroom is air-conditioned so it's cool. There's even a little couch in the middle of it. Finally, the studio is spacious and suitable for practicing. However, while Urban Ashram doesn't fall short in the least in the aforementioned aspects, I found that their instructors just aren't as skilled as others that I've practiced under in other studios. Classes were sometimes too large that the instructor wasn't able to guide or correct my poses, making it pointless to practice. Additionally, it just didn't feel serious or challenging enough. I don't know. I suppose it all comes down to personal preference but the practice style here just didn't float my boat.

Nowadays, people are very much into achieving a healthy lifestyle by means of working out and…read moreeating healthy. I've tried a lot and would stick to at least two types every now and then just to mix things up. One thing that has stuck with me is yoga. It's a practise that I hold close to my heart for much deeper and valued reasons (other than staying fit and keeping your calm). I learned about Nancy Siy's free-for-all yoga classes from my teacher at a Surf and Yoga retreat in Zambales. Anytime someone says something is free and interesting, it should be worth checking out. I remember on my first session sometime 2013, I was the only student she had. Later on, we would be at least three in class. Today, we were eight! It was also a nice break from being in a studio. We always practise under a tree in the middle of the park and under the bright rays of the sun! We're always sweating buckets during and after each session. Props to us for handling 35 degrees of heat while holding our poses! Would you believe on the first day she already taught me how to do the head stand? I really was proud of my progress with my Jivamukti classes. I know you're wondering what Jivamukti is. It has a strong emphasis on ahimsa, which means non-harming, and compassion for all beings. It's also a vinyasa-based physical style. When I started Jivamukti, our lesson for the month is about letting go. It was so fitting of what's present in my life about two years ago because I had just been broken up with. So when I zone out and reminded that there are things I've to let go, I started feeling really better. I would really think about myself and how else I can challenge myself during and even after practise. The zoning out is really true! And within two month of constant reminders (I remember crying in one of our session because of what Nancy had said and made us listen to), I was feeling okay and have moved on completely with life. Yoga can be a deep and personal experience. The combo with Nancy's free-for-all-yoga class is something worth trying, too! You got the outdoors, the calorie-burning poses to deal with and learning how to challenge yourself. Not a bad way to start your week, right? Free-for-all-yoga classes are held every Sunday at Legazpi Active Park from 9:30am - 11am.

I go here to find peace. Which means a lot. Ananda Marga Yoga Center is a meek place, away from…read moreall the glamour of any yoga studio. Membership is cheap. Surely they will make it free if they can choose to be. Yogis are very helpful and very patient. Amazing people. The palce is calming, spiritual and kind. Never a place of judgment and always a venue to learn and practice Tantra Yoga.

STEPS Dance School is one of the best dance schools in the metro. Headed by Sofia Zobel-Elizalde,…read moreSTEPS is found on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati (oddly enough, right where all the not-so-kid-friendly places are). STEPS is a good place to learn dance whether you're interested in just a class or two, or if you're quite serious about it and thinking professionally. Students are taught by the teachers directly from the professional ballet companies, and may even get to experience international guest teachers if they drop by. A handful of their top students have gone straight to professional companies, both local and international, and have even represented the country in international ballet competitions. Students will get to experience regular shows, along with summer workshops every year and may even get a chance to tour the country with the school's regular performing arm. It might sound like it's all about ballet, but STEPS also offers other classes like modern and contemporary dance, pilates, and jazz. They also have a dance shop where you can buy quality leotards, tights, and all of your dance needs. Their studio is also beautiful! If you want to train with the best and learn from the best, STEPS is the closest thing to a professional dance company!

I discovered this dance studio when I was walking from my place in Salcedo Village to Power Plant…read moreMall. It was rush hour in busy Kalayaan Avenue. Through a window display I saw some ballet dancers rehearsing. Their delicacy contrasted with the chaos of that friday night around P.Burgos Street and its surrounds. I was so beautiful that I got closer to check if it was a dance school or just some professional group gathering. Now I tell you: it's a dance school called Steps Dance Studio. Among all dance schools I've visited, this one seemed to be the most professional one, I mean, they really care about the beauty of dance instead of just using dance as a tool to lose weigh or something like that (unfortunately that's the approach we usually see, since dance classes are commonly offered inside fitness centers). Steps Dance Studio offers Classical Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance!), Modern, Jazz, Street Dance, TAP Dance, Pilates and Zumba. They always organize summer workshops, with a final concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Nice, isn't it? If you want to try your Pina Bausch days, then I recommend taking a look at this studio!