Lifestyle

Yoga has come a long way from when it was first introduced in the West in the 19th century, becoming the worldwide phenomenon it is today. Although its origins are hard to find, an article by Rappler notes that yoga made its way to a broader population after Hindu teacher Swami Vivekananda developed the practice based on the Yoga Sutras, a collection of aphorisms on the structures and practice of yoga written by Patanjali.

Healthline.com states that the word “yoga” comes from the ancient Sanskrit word “yuji”, which means to yoke or a union. This union highlights the importance of the mind-body connection in any yoga practice, referring to the surrender of one’s self to the body’s physical abilities and the present environment.

Plenty of people around the world practice yoga not only because of its physical benefits, but also because of the opportunities in spirituality it provides. Here are some ways in which yoga not only makes you stronger and fitter, but also helps you find yourself despite the hustle and bustle of your modern lifestyle.

Almost all cultures around the world, at some point, developed systems involving  medicinal and healing practices before modern medicine was accessible. In the Philippines, ‘hilot is an ancient Filipino art of healing’, and has long been considered a traditional counterpart for Western medicine. Hilot is systematic and comes from a long tradition, and the practitioners who meticulously study it are called manghihilot. Many Filipinos still turn to it to relieve discomfort and other aches and pains, and its popularity until the present day shows that local manghihilot must be doing something right.

CrossFit is taking the world by storm. An article on Health.com notes that CrossFit is often touted as one of the best and fastest routes to a healthy body. With the whole workout program based on the fundamentals of functional fitness, CrossFit focuses on using movements that reflect things you do in daily life— like picking things up from the floor, climbing stairs, and carrying heavy bags, among other things.

Apart from it being a good workout for both fitness enthusiasts, CrossFit also builds a community by fostering a safe space for anyone with a passion or interest for the sport.

If you still find yourself intimidated by the sport, here are some reasons why you might 

With the Philippines officially having kicked off Nutrition Month 2019 this past July, people are again reminded of how important exercise is. Paired with proper nutrition and eating habits, not only does exercise ensure that your body is in tip-top condition, but it also acts as a daily stress reliever.

If you’re finding it quite the challenge to fit a work-out into your daily routine, an article by Manila Bulletin notes that scheduling your work-outs might be your key to self-discipline, as treating it like a commitment guarantees that it will happen, compared to just working out when you feel like it. It also gives you a space away from your office and your home to forget about your worries for the day and focus on getting a good sweat going with the proper ambiance and equipment.

Almost every new piece of research on fitness and health agrees on one thing: exercise is a necessity if you want a healthy lifestyle. Apart from functioning as a way for you to relieve stress, regular exercise provides you with benefits that affect both your mind and your body. An article by Time Magazine reports that exercise regulates blood flow to the brain and improves mental performance, as well as causes overall happiness and wellbeing from after-workout endorphins.

With the benefits of an exercise habit remaining unquestionable, we’ve compiled a list of gyms in Metro Manila— some with branches anywhere in the Philippines— where you can be motivated to break a sweat and push your body to be as fit as it can be.

Dogs are a man’s best friend, and in a country famous for its family ties, that adage is true tenfold. The Philippines is home to several dog breeds, many of them imported from other countries, and the tropical climate means that there are some breeds that are more popular than others. Currently, the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI) lists over 85,000 purebred dogs in its studbook. If you’re curious as to which kinds of dogs are common in the country, here’s a list of the top ten most popular dog breeds in the Philippines.

Thanks to the advent of social media, art in the Philippines is now no longer confined to the dry galleries of yesteryears. Instead, you can take a look at some of the best contemporary art in the Philippines by simply opening an app on your phone, or by hopping over to your nearest art fair. Philippine arts and culture are more accessible now than ever, and there’s never been a more exciting time to be an art enthusiast in this country.

The public has long had a fascination with artistic works, and you can see that art is now moving beyond the standard museum fare. In the Philippine art history timeline, no other era has had as much variety, both in medium and in the artists themselves, as this one. Whether you look at visual art, video art, performance art, or any other style in the Philippines, you’ll more likely than not find a Filipino artist making waves. To familiarize yourself with the modern art scene in the country, here’s a list of Philippine artists and their works below.

While our concept of theater might be the traditional plays and musicals, the reality is that the performing arts are constantly evolving. Technology is one aspect, with productions continually pushing the envelope when it comes to the technical aspects of the staging. However, much of that development also has to do with performances and direction. Immersive theater is a currently expanding frontier in the local theater scene, and it’s something for both longtime fans and new enthusiasts to take note of. Here’s a look at what exactly immersive theater means, and where you can try it out in the Metro.