Flexibility not Required.

I always invite people to join me in yoga... Whether to practice and or take my classes. Seems that people are so afraid to take it because number 1 reason : "Ay, Hindi ako Flexible, Baka di ko magawa.. Wag na lang.." Or "Pang Girls lang yan eh!" That's why they don't want to try it anymore... Let me tell you that Yoga is not just about standing on our head or bending in all sorts of contorted positions. It is the uniting of body, mind, and spirit. Ultimately, yoga is about self-realization, true freedom, where the individual self merges into the universal self. (This can be deep as of now - if you're just trying yoga for your first week or month but eventually you will understand....) As long as you are breathing.... You are practicing Yoga. 

So Try it. Just show up. Whenever you're ready. Don't hesitate. I promise you... There are a lot of things to discover who you are inside and outside of your mat. Something Magical!

Here are my tips for my first timers in yoga :

1. Come to class 30 minutes before the schedule. You have to be oriented by your teacher. Know that it's not really nice to be late during your first time. 
2. Don't be scared... We all have our "first times" in life. 
3. Dress comfortably. 
4. Once you are inside the yoga room - let go of your day, stresses, worries etc.. it will not serve you inside.
5. Hydrate. Before class but no water intake 30 mins before class. Whether a hot class or a flow class or whatever style you will be attending. Drinking water during the class will not really help you at all. But still bring your water bottle inside. 
6. Rehydrate after class. Your body will need it. 
7. Don't base your opinion about your first class, second class, third... just keep on coming back and you will find the beauty of yoga. take your time.
8. Breathe.
9. Don't push yourself too hard. Yoga is not about winning... There is no competition here. Remember this is just your first time, so just start where you are and be gentle to yourself.
10. Have Fun!

It doesn't matter what you wear, what's your age, what is your gender, what's your height, what's your weight.. Or if you can touch your toes or not and all of the reasons in the world that can stop you doing / trying out yoga. For me, Yoga is an amazing gift. There's a lot of magic in it! Yoga is for everyone. Yoga is for everybody... Know that Yoga has no judgements and expectations... 

I'll see you soon. Namaste! ;)

Xo,
Carz

You can go to a studio or have a home practice.
Of course if in a studio I recommend where I teach and learned what is yoga.
YOGA+  
For class schedules and rates please visit-
www.yogaplus.ph
@yogaplusph on IG, Twitter and FB.

If you want a home practice or privates and it will be led by yours truly.
Please contact me through email carinasilerio@gmail.com

Grounding down.

In many ways, the world seems to be spinning out of control.. For the past week I had an infection and I just had to go to the doctor to have it removed.. I am posting this cause I want to share how important we need to ground ourselves down in order to survive every situation.. Others may have experiences of - broken relationships, personal problems, work problems and the list goes on.. Life is a cycle.. It's just how you manage things.. And how you handle these difficult situations in life.. Yoga has been a big factor for me when it comes to dealing with these "problems" And we have to practice "some things" for us to survive.. And we can ground down.. 

1. Breathe into it.... 

2. acknowledge the problem.. See what it is.. Be calm (how? Again breathe!) .. 

3. be present at the situation.. See it.. Even if it's painful.. 

4. Support.. Find your own support group.. Parental Units, Friends.. From God.. A song maybe.. It comes in forms.. Find it.. 

5. ACCEPTANCE. With support, I can come to a place of acceptance.  This is the way it is:  good, bad, or ugly... Acceptance does not mean resignation; it simply means looking unflinchingly at the way things are right now instead of trying to wish them away or fight against them....

6. Gratitude. Be grateful to everyone, to yourself, you're still blessed.. Be thankful that you're able to feel this way.. See things.. And eventually things on your mind will be clear.. Smooth sailing.. 

7. CONNECT. Connect yourself to yourself. Find your own positive energy... Start to be aware of your feelings... Shifting your feelings of pain, fear, anxiety into something positive - love.. Peace.. And Joy.. 

8. ACTION. Grounding yourself down. Rooting yourself down to the earth. With every storm that passes you. Stand up tall. Breathe deeply... And eventually healing comes along. 

9. Let it go. Release (the negative vibes)... Let go what you are holding on.. My teacher said, avoid attachments.. Avoiding attachments to any result.. In anyway you will be successful. Mind over matter.. Everything will be okay. And lastly, 

10. Surrender to Him. Find your freedom....  I've read this it says - "Sometimes we just need to wash ourselves clean of everything we have ever learned or think we know, and just surrender to the guidance of a power greater than ourselves. Surrender to your higher knowing within."

All is well. Namaste. 

Teaching Log # 6 : Mission Accomplised... I hope it will be like this forever....

May 25, 2014

Delayed blog as my macbook was broken... and my heart is sad. But anyway... I had the chance to borrow my brother's macbook.


Here we go. I just needed to blog this.

It was a sunday! a happy happy sunday. I was tasked to cover for Chi as she's out of town. I arrived at the studio an hour early. I was expecting 10+ number of students as it is a sunday.... Since it was early I read through my dialogue... prayed.. became still. power pose. I was nervous yes but i really had the feeling that that day was really for me. 8:50am students were coming in... I was so excited to teach at makati.. I felt different, I felt awesome, I felt happy about the environment... and seeing the students (Oh! there was this one student that was my hire at work! - How cool was that?!)

So i started on time... everything went well. I really felt I glued everything in between.. Of course i had my weaknesses too but this class was the best class from all of the classes I taught. Not to compare the crowd at the other studio but this was more welcoming, this crowd was like "please teach me more... i'd like to know better about the poses..." I liked the people around.. they make me feel "you're okay... you will be okay.." its like everyone was really listening to me. awesomeeeee! even if there were people doing auto pilots - they stop and do it again....

I was standing at the back, going around the room to feel the temperature... and I know my left and rights still sucks but this time i didnt messed up.. I was grounding myself that this will be okay, I can finish the class... I felt i was teaching with my heart, my soul was alive.....


Savasana came and i was like - wow that was fast.. and i didnt want to end the class. I just want to hug everybody for the energy they shared... I was roaming around to fix everyone's savasana....  and they were all relaxed.... I went out.. and 5 mins they are all still resting... How beautiful to see that all of them are restoring and taking full benefits of the asanas.

Class ended... and students came to me, waiting for me to finish talking to another student... and personally they went to me to say thank you... How wonderful to hear those words from your students... THANK YOU FOR CLASS. YOU WERE GREAT. ID LOVE TO TAKE AGAIN YOUR CLASS......  my heart was crying with joy... I was like. Thank you Lord... I hope this I can keep this up.

Grounding myself.. and accepting that there will be good days and rough days too...

I will be forever grateful to teach... I have a lot to learn, a lot to hear and a lot to see.

Namaste!

Teaching Log #4 Self-Confidence... Acceptance... Moving Forward...

I am going to express myself into writing… Things has been tough. Work itself and now teaching career is adding on… Work itself mainly is really hard. 1. Roles that im handling are really technical roles that no all recruiters are doing. 2. Some personal issues at work, HR to HR related issues which I am not allowed to disclose for some personal reasons.. 3. I have tasted some feedback from my students…. Some good and some bad….. What I’ve learned today requires an open mind and feel like crying while writing this… Or should I say I am crying now. This week has been crazy – I have 17 open roles and how do I close this? 4 Japanese open roles. Wow. And Finding Yoga in it is the restoring plan….

I taught today and for some reason I was nervous again… Maybe it was really normal to feel that way… I did power poses that can help me ease all of the nerves. I am glad that my co-teachers supports even on facebook messaging… So I started the class and I was really taking it slow as there was a first timer… I felt calm and just doing my thing… In the middle of the class 2 walked out. This is my first time to encounter it I don’t know why but my first time seemed okay and never left the room. Was it because of the heat? I stayed with 36 degrees… But anyway I was focusing on who I have inside the hot room.. I gave them long savasanas to rest… And after class a student spoke to me giving a feedback – well I was hoping for a positive one but I got a negative one the student said I was too slow and the momentum was on and off….  The student also mentioned about he was expecting a lot of me because I was better last week… Tough thing…. Setting expectations.. I am truly sorry about not meeting your expectations. I really feel bad.. But I did my best. It’s so hard to speak infront and show poses while you are talking.. And all I wanted to do is to help these people through yoga… I am sorry if you guys didn’t like today ‘s class but I know I was doing my thing…. Yes, thank you for the comments… It is just my 3^rd time teaching in public… Maybe I need more practice… Okay – Thankful for the feedback at least I know where my students are coming from.. And 2 students spoke to me – saying Thank you, I did well. And another came – Was it your first time ? You still sound nervous…….. Thank you again.. Ill make it up to you next week.

Real world is really tough. I spoke to a lot of people just to let me understand the other side. I feel like – Was I the worse teacher today? But I am thankful for my Co-Teachers for helping me uplift my spirit. A friend also treated me for café and cake as work and this feeling is not a good combination today.

My family asked me How was my class and I said…. It went okay but I think I was not my day… I told them about  students giving feedback and it’s a good thing to hear their side – I realize I need to stay open with these and accept criticisms… These things are the things that I need to show the world that I can do it.. That I deserve this, to serve and share yoga.…. My dad said – “Find your way… Show them what you have… SELF CONFIDENCE is the key, you know this. You’ve been doing this.”

These mistakes will be a mark for improvement… One day I will do better. I will prove you wrong…. And I will survive this. Claiming that everything will be okay next week.

Thanking all the people who I spoke to today that I needed comfort. We have rough days, bad days…. And eventually good days to come--- This is part of life… Up and downs…. Embracing it… Living with it and NOT ALLOWING IT get into me. Another Day is ANOTHER CHANCE TO PROVE THEM WRONG.

You can do this Yogi.

You can nail this next time!

Thank you Lord for friends, co-teachers which I can talk to easily.

Thank you for the gift of Family….

And Thank you Universe for listening….

Namaste.

Teaching Log #1

4/13/14

The urge of teaching.... and sharing the gift of yoga is there. The fire... the excitement!!! I just cant wait to teach! 

My teachers say - practice, practice and practice teaching! It will come. And Patthabi Jois said Do your practice and all is coming.

And the motto is : Keep teaching, Don't stop teaching!!!

The feeling of a newly graduate teacher is really amazing. You have this gift that you give to all without selfishness. Just for them to feel what does yoga do and yoga will do to their lives.

I taught my highschool friends saturday morning.... a new experience. 3 of them. one did yoga before but not a serious practitioner and one just tried but no consistent practice and one is really a first timer. 

Amazing when you hear them say thank you to you and the feeling when you help them in some ways. 

Seeing them sweat and really doing the poses makes my heart big and smile! The effort of knowing what yoga does for them and the excitement that will take yoga really seriously. That's a nice feeling!

Also, i thought of... that yoga is a wonderful aspect of my life. It's not really about the poses... It's how you change their lives.



I will see you soon on the mat!

Namaste,
Carz

Certified Hot Yoga Teacher !!!

Jumping to Week 9 and 10. It has been really busy. Work was really crazy and I have to work on with my tasks at work and Teacher Training Tasks double time!

Grounding myself and going back to the motto: 

TTFP.... TTP...... TRUST THE PROCESS!!

Week 9 - One on one teaching with a teacher observing and Ryan was my observer! Nervous! I was really. But I was really faking it! I learned how to get out of my comfort zone and being really positive about it. #PowerPose. I was scheduled to teach 11:00 am and my student was Rosan. Ryan was really strict and I knew I will have my own difficulties for this one. But I surrendered, and It will be okay. I believed that I can do it. I was nervous yes but I have to let it go...... One important thing I learned about this Yoga Teacher Training journey is - Acknowledge the feeling (of being nervous)  and let it go...... its like sighing it all out. :) This journey was like knowing more about myself. Knowing about what is really my purpose and what can I help the people with their lives.

Every time I do practice teach - I always go back to the goal, offering all of these to the people who inspired me to be a teacher.

One on one was done I had one week to study again for my dialogue... I realized that words was really coming out if you really let it go and trust everything.

One week to study....... and work was really on my way..... how can i study with my new roles in line....... new roles to fill. It was never easyyyyy but Yes, I can do this!!

To cut the story short...... I was scheduled to teach the Peer Class 7 AM Saturday. One of the first to teach the class. This was the Final weekend.

Week 10. Day 19/20.

I was really serious about being a yoga teacher...... I always wanted this when I found out that I was really passionate about yoga. This is it. The weekend to prove and show myself who I was to the universe and to have fun. Teaching is all about love, fun, being happy, sharing what you know and grounding myself. It is not about being nervous, not about fear, not about just being stuck in one situation. Teaching is growing...... Teaching is expressing who you are....... inspiring.... helping others....

During my peer class - I was really thinking of my loved ones.... I really offered everything to them and of course to the Lord and to the Saints who helped me out.. I may not be the Best Teacher now But I will soon. :) To share yoga to the world. I am really excited about teaching yoga to others.

The dialogue came out, words were really coming out.... I was just trusting the process. Thinking of happy thoughts on how will i serve others through yoga. An amazing feeling that I cannot explain..... yes i was nervous but I was really getting out of my way just to show I am really worth of this...Not just showing off who I was but I really want this. This is my dream and I am making this dream now! Thinking that I am going to be perfectly fine with my peer class.. Claiming and being positive really helps! I swear! It all starts from you and everything will follow. Since from day one of my yoga journey not just day one of teacher training I was really being positive and I am glad that my foundation of my yoga practice helped me a lot. Yoga is not just perfecting and having awesome poses...... It's not being sexy or skinny.... It's a work-in... Working in within yourself. As i read this - 

“True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied.” — Aadil Palkhivala

The feeling that you are done with your Peer Class and the feeling that you did it! I realized how colorful my yoga teacher training was. It was really a bumpy road. I really started low and eventually aimed high. I remembered how every weekend I feel down and crying and how I picked up myself through my co-teacher trainees, family and friends. I was a tough ride but really worth it. I felt that I now eager to learn more - both as a student and as a teacher. This journey never stops. I also realized that without those challenges and difficulties I have encountered through my teacher training I will never who I am today. 

I am really grateful for this experience. To my parents, Papa and Mama who has supported me all the way since I found yoga... for patiently waiting for me every after yoga class. Thank you for the patience, understanding, support and love that you showed......... :) And to my Brother, Rafi - Thank you for the support brother and joining me with my personal practice at home! - I love you three! :*

Thanking also Rey Family for letting me stay at their place for 10 long weekends! Chi, Thank you friend! ;*

To my friends who believed and inspired me that I can, To my teacher trainees (Now Teachers) that helped, supported me and uplifted my spirited every weekend that I can do it and  to my mentors - Dinah, Aisa and Ryan - I will never be who I am today without your help. Thank you for inspiring me that I can be a yoga teacher, thank you for being such wonderful mentors and you guys will be my lifetime mentors! I love you all!!! It was an awesome journey!!!

Of course - Thank you also to Teacher Pio Baquiran for sharing his knowledge in Philosophy of Yoga and History. I really loved the 8 limbs of yoga. Do's and don't s and what to practice as a yogi! Dr. Jp Prado for teaching us Anatomy! Awesome experience to study our own bodies and what our bodies can do! - Namaste!

Mentioning my Teachers in Yoga : Mae Evangelista, Neil Salang, Will Tan, Chris Ekelund, Lisa Nilsson, Emma Sheridan, Nancy Siy, Marc Carlos et al. I may not mention all but Thank you Teachers- Thank you very much for being an inspiration!! 

To my yogi friends who were always there for me and cheering for me that I can do it- Ruth Reyes, Ais Simbulan, Kat Gonida, Anna Hernandez, Anna Suntay, Amber Leigh Cabuay, Svet Lagman, et al. I may not mention all but Thank you yogis!!!

To the people at work who supported my dream to be a yoga teacher - Miko Tan, Radley Barco, Miguel Perlada, Nina Telan, Julia Soriano, Jonald Bulanadi et al. Thanks guys.

To Chi Rey and to the Rey Family - Thank you friend for the support system. Thank you to your family for adopting me for the 10 weekends at your place!

To the wonderful Yoga Plus team and staff of Yoga Plus Ates and Kuyas - Thank you very much!

To Lucas Rockwood and Absolute Yoga Team - Thank you mucho!!! This HOT A series is superb! And thank you for making it possible in Manila!!!!!!

If ever i forgot to mention your name here - it doesnt matter...... but Thank you for showing love and support to me!

AGAIN, Thank you Miss Dinah, Aisa and Ryan - Superb! Power hug!!!!! :)

I recommend this to all of the yoga practitioners - if you have a chance please grab it. It comes once in your life and who knows if it will come again or not. This experience was rewarding and never regretted taking this decision. At the end, before you know it - you are a teacher and you will be fine....

Thank You Lord for being there by my side. I felt You. I was never easy but you let me feel that It was FOR ME. It was meant for me! Thank you for the gift of yoga!!

The Universe made me feel ----- one baby yogi cooking up to be an awesome yoga teacher to serve the world.

Thank you again to my teacher trainees (NOW TEACHERS!!!) - grateful to know you guys! :)

12 new yoga teachers ready to serve the world!

All for Yoga to the world, to everyone I know or not. To inspire, to heal and to show the universe my dreams, I will be the change that I wish the world can see. 

Yes, One happy yogi here, ready to serve the world.

Graduation came. Lunch at Gino's. Rewarding lunch with these wonderful people!!!

Dinner at Azu Thai.

My ever parents were there. I was feeling loved, blessed, grateful that I was born in this world.

I love you both :*

And a class picture with our certificates!

Congratulations to the new hot absolute yoga teachers!  Yay!

My teachers and mentors: Ryan, Dinah and Aisa <3

“Your life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path… exactly where you are meant to be right now… And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love.” ~ by Caroline Adams

“Yoga does not remove us from the reality or responsibilities of everyday life but rather places our feet firmly and resolutely in the practical ground of experience. We don’t transcend our lives; we return to the life we left behind in the hopes of something better.” ~ Donna Farhi 

I will see you soon on the mat.

Cheers to happy hips, strong shoulders, healthy spine and a free soul!! Namaste!!! 

Meditate. It helps to have balance from our busy worlds. 

Love and Light,

Carina

Week 5. Day 9 and 10.

HALF WAY THROUGH THE COURSE!!!! Time flies, REALLY!

One goal: IS TO INSPIRE OTHERS THROUGH YOGA and of course to be an awesome teachaaaaaa!

Day 9.

I just came back from being ill. Energy is still low but really catching up. So first practice in the morning i tasted the hot seat. I was called Standing bow pose left stand. I wasnt able to say the lines " your fingertips, noes, shoulders and toes should be in one straight line." I was just saying keep stretching, keep keeping.... and I forgot to say.... Last 10 seconds.... Roar when you're really there the words and letters fall apart... I should really learn how to find the right words! It was intense but it was a new experience... I felt i did okay, and that was nice and my classmates said I did great. Wow. I think I am really pushing too hard.

So break. I wasnt really studying that much because I really studied the whole week because I had a rest period. 

And when it was my turn......... I forgot all of the words, letter, exact set up, words again and exit. It was nothing at all!

It wasnt easy. Feeling down because I need this "needs improvement" mark after practice teach. It's a crazy feeling. So was really finding the right feeling how to divert. divert. divert that it will be okay... but in one second... tears came out..... And was crying to Chi that I cant handle it anymore.... how can I learn, how can i perform well? I studied, really but my performance says - you didnt made any effort at all! :( 

Okay so my classmates, Chi, Sheila, Rosan and Michelle saw me crying.... and Rosan and Michelle invited us out to have lunch at Gino's just to divert the stress and pressure.... I thank them because of the support they gave and also the time they shared. Thank you Lord for these people!

Lab in the afternoon and then some lectures - we should memorize the whole series. Yikes! But okay gooooo. :)

I still thank these bumpy ride... learning will never stop.... my Yoga Teacher Training Journey is really colorful and not BORING!!!!

Day 10.

Brand new day. Brand new start. We were asked not to memorize for our practice teach.... I think i like this style.

I reviewed with Sheila and she was really helping me..... Focus. Look at your students they can help you with the dialogue!!!! I need to get the confidence...... I know these poses. Ive been doing this for almost two years now. I know and it will be okay.

Practice teach... Group 1. Go! 

My classmates were saying - This is your day, Carina. Go Carina!

3rd person to teach - Before I did the PT... Rosan gave me a massage and she said "tell it to yourself that you can do!"

PT - Was really nervous and yes I was doing it great...... I can feel it that I was really my day! I felt angels and saints were helping me out.. But yes it wasnt perfect but it was a good start!!! Thank you Lord! I found the way to light for this.

My take away - God will never leave you, He will really help you... Very rough journey but be thankful of the good days!

Visuals are really helpful for me. Imaging the pose is the key. Understanding the pose. Memorizing is not really my thing so I had to find a way on how to get out of the box.

It will be okay! I will teach yoga and help others through yoga!

Namaste!