ORMOC CITY – In order to bring together the yoga communities in Leyte with a whole day of fun and wellness, the 2nd Leyte Yoga Festival had to happen, rain or shine, on October 29, 2022 at the beautiful Sabin Resort Hotel.
The event is once again organized by Soulful.Nest Yoga and was joined by 60 registered participants from Southern Leyte, Hilongos, Leyte, Baybay City, and this city.
Yoga teachers at the event included Ayn Latonio, Teodie Salas of Cebu City, Maribeth Kangleon of Southern Leyte, and Teresa Köyka, Melissa Monasterio, and Annie Aniel of Ormoc City. They discussed topics pertaining to the philosophies of yoga, misconceptions, gentle flow, power yoga, reiki healing workshop, acroyoga, and yin yoga, among others.
According to the said event’s managing head, Apple Alagon, “yoga is not about the pose, not about looking perfect on your mat, it’s about coming to the realization that you can be yourself no matter what your form is, accepting yourself as you are when you go on the mat and practice yoga.”
Accordingly, yoga improves strength, balance, and flexibility. Further, slow movements and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm up muscles, while holding a pose can build strength.
Moreover, Apple shared, the top 10 benefits of practicing yoga include increasing your flexibility, helping you to build strength, improving your posture, helping to keep your joints healthy, is a powerful mindfulness practice, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, helps one to make healthier life choices, improves breathing, and encourages the body’s natural healing process.
According to 25-year-old Lianza Perez of District 8, Ormoc City, practicing yoga has helped her expand her mind and release stress since she began doing so early last year.
“Nakatabang ang yoga ma-expand sa mind, ma-release ang stress kay mag meditate, and peace of mind kay stressful sa work,” she said. Soulful.Nest Yoga is a community in Ormoc City geared towards promoting health and wellness through the soul and mind. It is composed of a group of friends and entrepreneurs who started practicing yoga together in 2019. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail October 24-30, 2022 issue)
