Going Gaga Over Yoga (part 2)

I had a breakfast meeting with the young and energetic yoga trainers of CYWTAC! Its nice to really meet up with friends. While savoring the tasty tapsilog, we talked about our plans of giving yoga workshop for kids---You see, when presented in a child's language, yoga can help counter the stress experienced of living in a hurry-up world...our children live in a hurry-up world of busy parents, school pressures, incessant lessons, video games, malls, and competitive sports. The bustling pace of our children's lives can have a profound effect on their innate joy—and usually not for the better. ..these i believe are current realities we cannot close our eyes as responsible adults. I discussed about dreaming to bring these workshop to both public and private schools in the province---although my trainers gave me a "wide eye reactions"!(as if they want to wake me up from dreaming!:))

I always believe that when children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and peaceful energy burning activity, they can navigate life's challenges with a little more ease. Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that's noncompetitive. Im talking about health yoga here---hatha yoga precisely where children will be taught relaxation techniques and the beauty of breathing in silence. With hatha yoga-- we can teach our so busy kids with--stillness, balance, flexibility, focus, peace, grace, connection, health, and well-being.

Maybe the tapsilog helped us so much because we ended our meeting with the same degree of passion--the fire to be able to wake up and discover that we both lived our dreams!

A Different Heart Beat

I always write about my recent trips and travel with friends--and I think it will not do justice to my most recent trip if I will not write anything about it. My days at Masbate were simply fabulous! Over and above the new places I discovered in that magnificient island (I always discover something new even if it's my 5th time to visit!), its the beautiful oppurtunity to meet new people and to deepen relationships with special friends--those factors made me rich again! (i'm just counting my blessings!)

I visited Masbate for some important matters (related to work) and of course--because of the fact that I will be visiting Angelo with Fr. Matthieu (a dear friend!)....

We visited Fazenda-a special catholic rehab center that is taking care of young drug and alcohol addicts by trying to show them a new way of life simply by living the gospel each day. The farm was nice and really beautiful! More than the place--I was truly happy meeting Angelo...Even if I just met him once--I knew he evolved beautifully as a person with the help of Tulay and Fazenda. With Angelo--I was reminded not to lose hope on people-especially on children and never to underestimate their capability for metamorphosis.

Another milestone was the fact that finally---after so much prodding--Fr. Matthieu came to Bicol and saw the province of culture and beauty. My travel time and experiences with this very nice, appreciative and truly deep man will truly be remembered.

I will always remember my funny experience at the boat (jet ski feeling!), the long walk at fazenda (as in very long walk at the farm!), the walk at the city proper--the lunch date with Wenter (truly nice friend!) and the long wait for the plane (although I lost in the countdown :)--Father Matthieu had the last laugh!:), And wait... can't forget the mega-exercise at Lingon Hill! Oh--I started missing my daily walks! and of course, the company of friends!

"There is an energy field between humans. And, when we reach out in passion, it is met with an answering passion and changes the relationship forever"--Rollo May