ECHOyoga's November Workshops

I've done time at the gym in my past life doing aerobics, cardio workouts and some weight lifting but I have never tried Yoga ever. Since I've been hearing a lot of good things that one can benefit from it, I might just give it a try one of these days.

Yoga is a practice that can promote wellness when done regularly. However, even non-yoga practitioners can learn new therapies for the body from ECHOyoga’s November therapy workshops, all run by certified teachers, focus on relieving pain. Yoga Therapy for Low Back Pain, a one-off workshop on November 19 for those suffering from lower-back stiffness and pain, will be taught by Avril Rodriquez. This workshop will introduce a sequence of poses to slowly and gently relax sore back muscles and strengthen them, to decompress and improve the flexibility of the spine, and promote better posture.

Yoga Therapy For Athletes on November 12 focuses on the rehabilitation of sports injuries. A series of therapeutic yoga sequences will be taught for athletes, trainers and physical therapists by Sen Sanchez to address sore muscles, hip pain, knee injuries, low back strain, and ankle sprains.

For the elderly, Yoga's restorative poses will likewise help for strengthening bones and balance. Marilen Elizalde leads a three session workshop as a Senior’s Introduction to Yoga on November 7, 14 and 21. This will allow golden oldies to do simple yoga sequences daily for better health and mobility. I'm thinking of enrolling my mom here, who at just 64 years old, finds it painful to take long walks and has difficulty in getting up from a chair after a long period of sitting.

ECHOyoga balances all physical movement workshops with inner work through two offerings this November: Past Life Group Regression facilitated by Jeannie Javelosa on November 5. This one is interesting to me since I did a thesis back in high school about past lives and reincarnation. I wonder what my other past lives were? I only know of one that came up during a past life reading for the thesis and it revealed that I was an Italian ballerina back in 1874 which explains my fascination for ballerina figurines and my love for dancing. A reflective inner awareness workshop using creativity techniques to make sense of life pointers and clues to direct you to your life’s work is entitled At a Crossroad: Making Sense of Your Life Journey. This will be facilitated by Vicky Ortega on November 26.

For more information please visit the website http://echoyoga.echostore.ph, text 0906-5063958, or e-mail echoyogaworkshop@gmail.com. . ECHOyoga Community Center is located at the Penthouse of Century Plaza, 120 Perea Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Filed under EVENTS

Rizal @150: RIZALizing the Future

This June 19 marks Jose Rizal's 150 birthday and as the Philippines' national hero, it is but fitting that tributes be done for him. One such tribute is the Yuchengco Museum's RIZALizing the Future exhibition which aims to make Rizal "young" and relevant to the new generation.

This can be found inside the elevator.

Most of us may know of Jose Rizal through the social studies and history classes in school; have seen him in monuments, stamps and currency; and have read his books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo but having gone through the Rizal exhibit made me realize that I still have a lot to learn about him and his life.

Me with a Team Manila graphic art of our national hero in the background.

Yuchengco Museum Curator Jeannie Javelosa gathered bloggers and people from media for a guided tour to preview the exhibit the night before it officially opened. She shared with us the dynamics of being a curator -- how she and her group would think of what to showcase next in the museum, how and where to gather the items for exhibit (artifacts and paintings), and how to market it to attract audience.

Curator Jeannie Javelosa dishes out about the exhibit story-telling style.

A special guided tour pre-opening night.

Ms. Javelosa excitedly told us that Rizal family members have collaborated with the museum to bring to the public Rizaliana memorabilia never exhibited before while some paintings and sculptures were from famous Filipino artists. Notable objects on display include sketches by Jose Rizal, jewelry worn by Rizal's childhood sweetheart Leonor Rivera, art by Team Manila, and banknotes and coins bearing Rizal's image.

Rizal on old Philippine money.

An old photo of the Rizal (back row, second from left) among family and friends.

Leonor Rivera's locket necklace.

Team Manila merchandise depicting the modern Rizal.

Visitors are encouraged to walk and meditate around a floating garden (and even lie on the abaca rug under it) and ponder on excerpts from Rizal's letters, novels, and poems reflecting his values.

Ponder on Rizal's works and values.

Lie beneath the floating garden while listening and meditating.

The special exhibit also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, highlighting YGC's root of inspiration: Rizal the Great Malayan, as seen through the naming of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and the Malayan Insurance. Yuchengco patriach Alfonso Yuchengco, is a great fan of Jose Rizal.

I wanted to post more photos from the exhibit but I'm afraid it would be a spoiler to what could be your wonderful learning experience. Curious much? Go and visit soon.

RIZALizing the Future is on view until October 29 at the Yuchengco Museum at the ground floor of RCBC Plaza, Ayala corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues, Makati City. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. For more information on the exhibit and to know about the schedule of other Rizal-related events, call (632) 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org.