Oh, Yoga

Sometimes, yoga makes me feel like I have the weakest body in the world. I guess that IS one purpose of being introduced to it -- to be humbled, to have patience, and to never stop trying.

In the meantime, I will have to keep myself motivated with these photos. Not that it's difficult to be inspired by these girls -- quite the opposite, in fact -- not only because of the lovely poses they can do, but because of what they've gone through individually in their own practices to get to where they are now.

My fellow climber and ashtanga teacher KQ in her firefly pose. Lower photo taken at one of the studios where she teaches, Yogiyoga Greenhills (http://www.yogiyogamanila.com/)

Another fellow climber turned yogi. Isla is with Certified Calm Store and teaches private yoga classes when not taking care of her favorite niece.

You can check out both ladies' Instagram accounts if you want to see just how far you can push yourself if you put your mind, body and heart into it. :)

Hmmm...I wonder of getting a funky attire, body tats, and my own Instagram account will help improve my practice? Haha!

Music From My Past: Part 1

Last weekend, I was lucky to find time to go out of town, and spend the weekend at Tali Beach. Aside from reliving the sweetness of college weekender getaways, one of the things I got reacquainted with was roadtrip music.

This roadtrip music was different though, because Miel and I carpooled with his Ninong's family, and the playlist wasn't are own selection. I was amused, however, to find myself singing to many of the songs, realizing that they were music I grew up hearing my sister listen to. Take note that Ate is ten years my senior, so if it wasn't for her ultimate reign over the cassette player during her high school days (panganay siya, okey?), I might not have EVER known this music existed, much less have lyrics tucked deep in my memory to this very day!

So as I sang along while our Ninong drove, visualizing the mixed tapes she used to pop into the car radio while I read the handwritten song titles on the jacket, I pressed my brain for song titles, band names and lyrics, and managed to come up with a list of artists and songs that I learned to love:

1. Robbie Dupree - Hot Rod Hearts, Steal Away
2. Kalapana - The Hurt, Nightbird, Naturally
3. Toto - Africa, Rosanna, I'll Be Over You, I Won't Hold You Back
4. Hall & Oates - Private Eyes, Kiss On My List, One On One, Rich Girl
5. Little River Band - Cool Change, Reminiscing
6. Gary V - Eto Na Naman, Narito, Each Passing Night, Letting Go
7. Neocolours - Tuloy Pa Rin, Say You'll Never Go, Hold On
8. Ambrosia - How Much I Feel, You're The Only Woman

Saving for last one my favorites. Sing with me if you know "Biggest Part of Me" by Ambrosia! Here's a link to a live version I found on YouTube.

Yeah
(Sunrise)

There's a new sun arisin'
(In your eyes) I can see a new horizon
(Realize) That will keep me realizin'
You're the biggest part of me

(Stay the night) Need your lovin' here beside me
(Shine the light) Need you close enough to guide me
(For all my life) I've been hopin' you would find me
You're the biggest part of me

Well, Make a wish, baby
Well, and I will make it come true
Make a list, baby
Of the things I'll do for you
Ain't no risk, now,
In lettin' my love rain down on you,
So we could wash away the past,
So that we may start anew

(Rainbow) Risin' over my shoulder;
(Love flows) Gettin' better as we're older
(All I know) All I want to do is hold her
She's the life that breathes in me
(Forever) Got a feelin' that forever
(Together) We are gonna stay together
(For better) For me, there's nothin' better
You're biggest part of me

Well, Make a wish, baby
Well, and I will make it come true
Make a list, baby
Of the things I'll do for you
Ain't no risk, now,
In lettin' my love rain down on you,
So we could wash away the past,
So that we may start anew

Oh, More than an easy feelin',
She brings joy to me
How can I tell you
What it means to me?
Flow like a lazy river
For an eternity
I've finally found someone
Who believes in me,
And I'll never leave

Oh, Oh, not to doubt now
Mmmm, make life grand

Well, Make a wish, baby
Well, and I will make it come true
Make a list, baby
Of the things I'll do for you
Ain't no risk, now,
In lettin' my love rain down on you,
So we could wash away the past,
So that we may start anew

(Beside me) Need your lovin' here beside me
(To guide me) Keep it close enough to guide me
(Inside of me) From the fears that are inside of me
You're the biggest part of me

(Forever) Got a feelin' that forever
(Together) We are gonna stay together
(Forever) From now until forever
You're the biggest part of me
You're the life that breathes in me
You're the biggest part of me

Mmmmm, You changed my life
You made it right
And I'll be a servant to you
For the rest of my life
You're the biggest part of me....

***
Phew, ang haba pala ng lyrics nito!

Destiny

Do you believe in destiny?

In the idea that nothing happens by chance; that every interaction is part of some colossal but minutely-calculated plan on how each person's life will pan out?

In the idea that you were born here, grew up there, studied in this school, took that first job, and met all those people, because Someone out there knows that's exactly the kind of background and experience you need for the kind of future you will live?

In the idea that people -- me, you, ALL of us -- in all our glorious complexity, intricacy, and uniqueness -- were individually designed, and custom-made in the way we are, to perfectly complement (or conflict with) another hand-crafted person on this earth?

In the idea that I'm right here, right now, the person that I am, because that's just how it is meant to be?

There's truly something tingly, romantic, and awesome in the idea of fate. Yet it can also sound dead-end and tragic, like navigating a car with no control of the steering wheel.