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L!FE (LIFE) Yoga Center

September 15, 2015 Phantasm Darkstar 0 Comment(s)


Last weekend, I was convinced by my sisters (who do yoga) to try it out for the first time. Aside from them, I also have friends who do yoga as their workout but it never crossed my mind that I would try it someday since my workout preference is more on Muay Thai and swimming. In spite of having doubts in my head, I decided to give it a try since I always find it nice to try something new. 

The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as “union” or a method of discipline. A male who practices yoga is called a yogi, a female practitioner, a yogini.

The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practiced today. It also outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment). 

Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the third limb, asana, which is a program of physical postures designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation. (Source: Yoga 101: A Beginner's Guide to Practice, Meditation, and the Sutras)


Located at the Second floor of  Eight Forbestown Road BGC,1634 Taguig, is L!FE Yoga Center. It's a new yoga studio at Fort Bonifacio which just opened a few months ago.


Upon entering, the interiors of the place amazed me. It's a mix of modern architecture and contemporary retro design. It's very welcoming and gives a feel like you are in a youth hangout spot.


They have two studios, separated by floors. The first one that we visited was the one at the second floor since there was an ongoing class at the first floor.


The huge vector art of yoga poses on the walls of the studio is just mesmerizing. 


The second floor studio is really spacious which give the students a good distance among each other and just right for the guru to roam around and guide the students.


They also provide high quality yoga equipment such as mats, straps, and blocks. Just some of the things you need for a good quality yoga experience.


Love the mix of retro, Hindu and Buddhist decorations. The white walls around the room also give a clean and heavenly feel. Makes me enthusiastic to proceed with our yoga class and experience the art of uniting the mind, body, and soul.


Lockers are available so you could keep your valuables safe. The shower and loo are also inside the locker room.


We arrived in class just when it started. The room is aromatic, just like those scents in a spa and plays yoga music. I felt really nervous and shy because I never tried yoga before and I am not that flexible type of girl. I also do not understand all those yoga terms that our guru has been saying but I am really thankful for Ms. Tesa Celdran (our guru at that time) because she guided everyone of us well and demonstrated the poses (of which I had no idea about the terms--but I later understood out of repetition and searching google by the time I got home. hehe). She also assured the beginners in class (like me) that it's okay if we can't do so much bending like the rest, and commended us for trying our best. She also has a calming voice, like the ones which makes you feel like you want to be one with nature.


Photo after the session *pouty lips.* Yay! I survived yoga class. (Photo credit to Ate Jen. Blog: Sand Under my Feet). For a first timer, I definitely had an epic, words-are-not-enough-how-cool-it-is yoga experience. Before trying it out, yoga seemed to be very difficult to me; with all those weird poses and headstands or whatever you call it, it seemed like it was only for those who could balance well and are flexible enough. Well, it really isn't easy, but I realized that you don't need to be flexible to do yoga. It just takes time and constant effort--you'll get there soon.

After all the workout and meditation, I also felt rejuvenated. Yes, it was exhausting and I really sweat a lot during the workout, but at the same time I felt that my mind cleared up and my stress was relieved. For some reason I can't explain, being with the class also made me feel humbled and grateful for everyone's presence. Oh, the magic of yoga! 


A shot of the studio after class. It was a little smaller than the one upstairs. The wall on the left has a huge vector art of an elephant and upon doing my research, I figured out that the elephant is not just a random painting but it actually symbolizes something. The elephant symbolizes Ganesh, one of the best known deities in the Hindu pantheon of gods, the lord good fortune who provides prosperity, fortune and success. Also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride. It could probably explain why I felt that way in class.


We stayed for a while after class, still in awe of how we enjoyed it. I also convinced my ditse (Blog: Hazel Santana) to do a few yoga poses by the window before we leave. She's the one who is really into yoga and also inspires me when it comes to constant discipline and effort. Before she was able to become this good, I remember hearing loud noises coming from her room most of the time. I would check her out and find out that she just fell because she was trying to do poses such as this one; but now I could just see how graceful she could execute such poses. Lesson: You can't instantly be good at yoga; it takes so much practice, effort, and a lot of "accidents." Lol.


What's great about the studio aside from the wonderful interiors, quality equipment, and a great guru is the view. The beautiful view also conditions your mind to relax, unwind, and meditate. Though I got a little distracted when I saw a squirrel on one of the trees during class. So cute!

Vibe Cafe


Located within L!FE is V!be Cafe. Serving healthy drinks and dishes good enough to sate you after having that exhausting yoga workout.


I love the retro design of the cafe; and since I just came out of yoga class, I was walking around the place on my bare feet. I was able to enjoy the soft, green, plastic grass on the cafe floor. Felt like a kid, though.


More of their contemporary retro designs with Hindu and Buddhist touches.


Some of the displays in the cafe were also on sale.


My experience at L!FE was absolutely amazing. Not only that I was able to workout and learned so much about yoga, but it was also a total mind, body, and soul-rejuvenating experience. Special thanks to Aldous (Blog: Aldous Ate the World) for inviting us to try out this perfect yoga spot. Namaste.


Rates and Classes of L!FE. Simply click the image to enlarge.


L!FE Yoga Center
2F Eight Forbestown Road BGC, 1634 Taguig, Philippines
Monday - Friday: 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Contact Info: +639276921199, (02)8867500
www.lifeyogacenter.com

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