Having struggles with getting or staying fit?
Everyone is given various options to get back on the fitness track, but here is a suggestion that not only makes you fit but also presents you with a different perspective on how to live your life.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the chance to talk to Bubbles Paraiso late last year, at Tweetie de Leon's celebrity squash tournament event, about the benefits of yoga.
Many celebrities have been doing yoga to keep fit: Iya Villania-Arellano, Bianca King, and Solenn Heussaff.
Yoga has been keeping Bubbles busy, too.
She first taught yoga to kids before becoming a certified yoga instructor last year at a yoga teacher training in Bali, Indonesia.
She told PEP, "When I partnered up, I decided to be a partner in Beyond Yoga.
"I thought, 'Hey, if I'm gonna be a part owner of a yoga studio, I don't want to be just a kids yoga teacher.'
"Because kids yoga is so different, e.
"It's not like, it's not really yoga because it's parang pa-cute.
"So I said, 'Maybe, yeah, maybe I should be serious about this.'
"And then, um, at some point this summer, I just wanted to go away.
"I just wanted to find myself or whatever and said, 'Okay, I'm going to go to Bali, and then I decided, since I'm going to be in Bali anyway, why not take teacher training?'
"I signed up for teacher training."
This determination got her more into a healthier lifestyle.
She continued, "When I got in, I decided nakakahiya naman if I go there and I'm so stiff.
"So, I went to yoga class everyday just to, you know, start the fire.
"And yeah, then after that, after learning the philosophies of yoga and everything about it, I just fell in love."
On how her love for yoga began, Bubbles saw it as a way to improve her first love which was Muay Thai.
"The thing is I really do, Muay Thai, then I used to do yoga on and off."
Muay Thai originated in Thailand. It involves a lot of kicks and punches that work out abs, arms, legs, butt, back, and the entire body!
Bubbles resumed, "Of course, yoga is very beneficial because it kind of counters every thing that I do na that one [muay thai] is really strong, you hit everything.
"And then, this one [yoga] it's more of, it's not really calming, but it's more of body weight and strength, of carrying yourself, arm balances...
"Because my arms get stronger from balancing my whole body and the poses, so it makes my punches stronger."
YOGA LIFESTYLE. There is a specific lifestyle that yoga imbibes and encourages.
As much as it is a physical activity that shapes the body and enhances flexibility, it also shapes the mind and nurtures the being.
Bubbles mused on its philosophies, "I'm slowly doing that [the simple living]. I've been trying to let go a lot of my material possessions.
"Do'n muna tayo sa forgiveness and, like, don't hurt others, mga gano'n.
"I like how the forgiveness aspect, the one where you're not supposed to resent people.
"You know like, people are what they are and who they are.
"You're not supposed to do anything about [it], all you have to do is accept it, and it's up to you if you want them in your life or not.
"So it's totally your choice.
"If you feel like you're going to resent this person, just accept them as what they are and then, just accept.
"It's all about acceptance and, parang no judgement, no hatred.
"You just accept and once you accept the person as what they are, then you will be happier also."
Her advice for those who want to become fit, "The hardest step is the first step. But once you're in it, you're going to get so hooked because, for me, that's what happened."