I have never tried yoga before, and my hesitation to sign up for classes comes from sheer…read moreintimidation. I have always coursed through life with minimal exercise, and I have never found any flexibility or strength in myself. I guess I just didn't need it as much. I have always lived a pretty sedentary lifestyle, and most of the things that I loved doing didn't really require a lot of strength or endurance. However, I have heard of the many benefits of yoga, though I have always let the intimidation get ahead of actually trying it out. Also, the price tag of yoga classes was another barrier to entry, and that has stopped me from signing up for classes, no matter how much my friends urged me to try it out (it will help you calm down, it's good exercise, etc.). It wasn't until my friend Dustin gave me a pass for their Share Your Yoga promo at the Ayala Branch. Naturally, I felt really awkward and shy because I didn't know what to expect, but the instructor (Lasse) during their Global Mala Day Session was a soothing presence during the class. He walked us through the basics of pranayama and back bends, and from then on, I was instantly hooked. I didn't find the lessons that challenging (everyone else in the class was groaning and struggling) and I actually didn't struggle with most of the poses, unlike what I expected. What surprised me is that my forgotten upper body strength from my gym-workout years was still there, and I could do the planks and chaturangas with relative ease. It was like being unraveled and exposed, but in a good way. I now know how people say its a very relaxing experience. I fell in love with Urban Ashram's branch in 6780, not only because of the welcoming staff, but the cool interiors. I love the zen minimalist interiors of the place. Everything was spotless and squeaky clean, and I just love how everything was conducive and evocative of calm and serenity. I will be back.

Wonderful, spacious, clean and definitely puts you into "yoga" mood! Do not get intimidated by the…read moreoffice-look of the building located right on Ayala Avenue. Urban Ashram is a new venue with basic classes for everyone. I have been practicing yoga for a few years and I love how these classes walk me through all the basic positions step by step to perfect my movements. They often partner up with different people to organize yoga retreats or meditation weekends and host guest teachers... Namaste!

Beyond Yoga offers different kinds of yoga classes such as Ashtanga, Hatha, Hot Yoga, Power Yoga,…read moreVinyasa and Yin Yoga. They also offer Zumba and Anti-Gravity Yoga. Classes are usually for an hour. Most of the teachers are trained very well. Teachers Iya and Anna are my favorites, they guide students really well, are patient and attentive. Attend their classes if you can. Anti-Gravity Yoga is what is unique about this studio. However, it is not for the motion sick. AGY involves a lot of inversions and it can really give you a headache if you have a sensitive inner ear. You can always get a free first class to see if this something that you would like to do. My favorite class here is Yin Yoga led by Teacher Kit. It's not intensive at all. It's to de-stress, be mindful and to learn how to center yourself. I thought I'd be bored but I wasn't. At all. And I left the class feeling very light and free.

Where do I begin? I fell in love with yoga this year and it's all because of this place. Beyond…read moreYoga is a fitness center whose humble beginnings can be traced all the way back to 2012. Founded as a result of the passion, skill and ingenuity of six friends, the franchise now has nine branches across the metro and I wouldn't be surprised if there are several more underway considering the success it has had in such a short span of time. Late last year, I made the decision to get more fit after having successfully but painfully ridden out a bout with illness for two weeks. In retrospect, I'm grateful because it led me to the life-changing form of exercise -- or what some would even call a way of life -- yoga! I chose Beyond Yoga because of the proximity of its Wilson branch to where I live (Ortigas Area) plus I have a friend who practices there as well. The studio isn't particularly large, but that doesn't really matter because it's comfortable, homey, clean and not constricting in any way. But the best part is that this fact is overshadowed by the killer prowess of the teachers. I've visited other yoga studios in the past so I would say that this is a fair assessment. I was a beginner to yoga when I first started in December of 2014, but three months later, I would say that my progress has gone quicker than expected and I can only attribute this to the patience and capabilities of my teachers. I'm truly so grateful. Yoga has made me happier and healthier. The bathroom is quite clean as well. Bottled water, energy drinks, and even organic milk are available for purchase at the front desk. The two receptionists (Shane and Khim) along with their supervisor (Kate) are extremely friendly and it's always a pleasure for me to encounter them whenever I come in. Beyond Yoga also offers zumba and anti-gravity yoga classes apart from vinyasa yoga, power yoga, yin yoga, and hot yoga. Take your pick as you won't regret it no matter what choice you make. My favorite teachers are Anna M., Rianna, Roanna and Kristine. Try to catch their classes if you get the chance!

I've tried all kinds of yoga. Some were painless, utterly relaxing and serene, while others felt…read morelike being a piece of meat in a piping bowl of ramen. And then there's anti-gravity yoga. Anti-gravity yoga or AYG is nothing like any yoga class I've tried before. First of all, how could it resemble Hatha, Vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga when you're suspended in the air almost the entire duration of the class? No corpse poses or ohms for this one. If you've ever had aerial dreams, I'd say sign up for a class now at I go Beyond Yoga. It's a 90-minute long class that would have you sitting, stretching and bending on a very soft fabric. It's wonderfully relaxing and at the end of the class, your usually ungainly body will feel light and serene. You'd actually wonder for a half-second if perhaps, you've missed your calling as a gymnast.

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!

I am a 110lb, thin-framed girl but I know how to (and have successfully done so) make a guy with…read morethe heft of a Philippine Volcano team member fall. I've also kicked an ex-US Marine in the face (during practice). Now that I've got your attention, I'd like to tell you about this self-defense school that teaches a practical way of defending yourself in the streets. I am an entry-level practitioner because I've been on and off in my lessons, but apart from truly enjoyable and fun sessions, Krav Maga has taught me how to be alert wherever I go, how to choose the safest spot in restaurants so you can exit fast during an emergency, and how to use regular objects as weapons. It traces its roots to Israel and is used by the Israeli Defense Forces. It teaches proper technique so that smaller built people like women can have a level playing field and defend themselves against bigger attackers who are usually men. Most satisfying is you can expend your pent-up energies and relieve stress by being a "basag-ulero" in a controlled setting. Meaning it teaches you to manage violence - to run away from and deflect conflict, but be able to apply just the right maneuver when the situation calls for it.

Took an introductory class and walked away feeling like I learned a lot about krav maga. It wasn't…read moretoo much of a workout since as a beginner, we had to learn basic stances & positions first, though I'm sure once you progress it gets more intense. My instructor was very helpful and pointed out different & harder variations of movements that were appropriate for my skill & fitness level. I was the only woman in the class, but felt comfortable throughout the hour and a half long session. We started with a fun warm up, then learning & practicing the attacks/counterattacks, and ended with a conditioning portion before cooling down. The instructor gave a good amount of water breaks and seemed very knowledgable about krav maga. I'm definitely planning on taking more classes from Krav Maga Philippines!

Urban Ashram paved way to my Introduction to Yoga 101 classes. It just opened when they handed me…read moreand encouraged me to try their classes with a 15-day pass. It was enough to convince me to keep going to my classes (mostly just FNR or Flexibilty Not Required). Though I don't go as often as I used to, it's the only studio in BGC that I would come back to. I've not stepped foot in a yoga studio before trying Urban Ashram but it was exactly what I expected it to be. Clean and vibrant with their trademark colours of violet and green. Their staff are very friendly, too! I just finished an FNR class today with them and it was my first time meeting my teacher for that class. Mj was really nice and though some people think of yoga as a serious workout, she made it relatable for everyone. We were all girls in class today and she didn't want to stress us out with the poses and didn't do chaturanga poses. It was mostly due to how insane the heat was today! Walk-in students pay P500 for each class. And they last at least an hour. They have various programs and packages for you to try. You should head out and know for sure what you're in for! Their teachers are highly trained and certified. So you're in good hands when you do your hand stands, crow poses or what have you. You're guaranteed the attention you deserve!

My first time at Urban Ashram BHS was for a trial yoga class for kids! I took my 3YO to check out…read morethe program and it was absolutely fun. My daughter loves almost anything that requires physical activity and seeing the yoga instructors don some fun "costumes," she was definitely ready to play! She even got to stand on the "sand castle" made of other instructors and kids. It was super fun and I will definitely enroll her for yoga kids classes once I start practicing yoga myself. I'm a yoga noob. I've never done yoga in a studio with other people. I am generally unhealthy in the sense that I smoke, drink, sleep late, and well, just eat anything. I know yoga can be purist so I've always been intimidated to practice around the people it's labeled to produce. But I believe yoga has a lot of benefits and I definitely will give it a try. The visit to Urban Ashram has kept this desire alive in me and it is the first studio I will probably enroll in when I get my butt out of the Starbucks smoking area. Urban Ashram is clean, and there's a lot of positive energy in its place. The facilities look great, the instructors helpful, and the prices all reasonable after you see the standards of the studio. I spend a lot of time on the website of Urban Ashram too, looking at the different classes and schedules available at the BHS branch. Whenever my daughter is at Active Fun, I also drop by to see the yoga boutique and just pretty much scout the place to make myself more familiar. (I have so many friends who practice yoga and they're all right, so I do believe my apprehensions are misrepresentations from social media.) It looks like I'm getting there and I can't wait to start!

Everyone seems to be getting fit nowadays and I believe that there is no better way of doing it…read moreother than eating right and getting proper exercise. I was an active member of Elorde Boxing Gym in Don Antonio back in 2010 to 2013 and of all the sports that I've been involved to, Boxing and Muay Thai training is by far the most strenuous and most calorie-burning physical exercise for me. Elorde has definitely sweated a hell lot of fat from me! The biggest weight loss I had was with their Muay Thai and Boxing programs. For sure, you've seen a lot of Elorde branches around the metro. I've tried Lagro, Katipunan and Don Antonio branches and I can tell that all maintains quality services and facilities. All of the branches were accessible to me but I find it more comfortable and at home with the trainers in Don Antonio because they train beginners and advanced students better than the others that I've worked with. They know how to engage and motivate their students one step at a time with proper combat and martial arts discipline and eventually hardcore training! Also, the best part about Elorde training is the mandatory post work-out massage that's surely gonna pass you out. If you're looking for an indoor activity to sweat you out this coming rainy season, I suggest you try Elorde Gym. To me, it's better to be fit with skill training than weights and other gym machines. You can check out www.elordeboxinggym.com for rates and details.

My friends and I had a phase where we just bought whatever we found on Groupon and other sites and…read morejust did it. On this particular episode, we decided to take Krav Maga lessons. Because, why not right? None of us had ever been in a real fist fight before, but it looked like a good form of exercise, or at the very least an interesting experience. Turns out it was a little bit of both. The small exercise room at Asuncion Badminton Center was the perfect play to practice, since the mirrors allowed you to see all angles and the padded floors provided some cushioning from falls. The participants came from all sorts of backgrounds, and everyone seemed apprehensive to tangle with each other at first. Going with a friend definitely hurts, but make sure it's someone who won't bruise easily. It's even a great exercise for girls, since many of the defensive maneuvers involve leverage and speed. There's a lot fo common sense involved, and the teachers make sure you understand why certain things work and why others don't. But in case of emergency, no truer words have ever been spoken: "In case of panic, kick groin."