GRAB YOUR STICKY MAT AND JOIN YOGA TEACHER RICHARD BAIMBRIDGE ON A TOUR OF THE BEST YOGA STUDIOS IN ASIA
It’s no coincidence that the rises of eco-consciousness and yoga have coincided. Yoga teaches a simple, pure lifestyle of treating your body and the earth as sacred temples. Ahimsa, one of yoga’s main principles, is an ethos of non-violence that covers everything from vegetarianism to protecting the environment, as well as treating others (and ourselves) with kindness and love. Yoga’s history dates back at least 5,000 years and, according to Hindu mythology, it was a gift from the god Shiva, given to mankind to help humans progress faster in their spiritual evolution.
Once practised in caves and temples by long-haired saddhus, yoga found a totally new audience in the West – and a very new look that included Evian water, Lulu Lemon designer yoga outfits, posh studios, more emphasis on the body with less on the spiritual and, in defiance of tradition, a following that’s predominantly female. The fact that many of the world’s top celebrities, including Madonna, Sting and Cameron Diaz, have extolled the virtues of yoga – including its ability to prolong a youthful look and a sexy body – has brought it into the mainstream spotlight. Having been transformed in the West, it’s come back to the East, where, over the past five years, it’s finally been embraced.
Although some people may decry the commercialization and secularization that yoga has experienced since leaving India, I tend to see it differently. I see the way yoga touches the lives of my students – some of whom just want a better figure, while others are on a far deeper spiritual path – and I respect the amazing power that yoga has to transform people’s lives. With all the stress of fast-paced modern living, yoga often does seem to me to be a gift from God. Unlike working out in a gym, yoga is equal parts body, mind and spirit.
Any true yogi or yogini always takes their yoga mat with them when traveling. Often, however, the problem is where to find a teacher and a studio that’s right for you. Despite being the birthplace of yoga, Asia has been behind the West both in terms of teachers and yoga studios, until fairly recently. Now that’s changed drastically and, in some ways, Asia now surpasses the West. These days, top yoga instructors and beautiful retreats are all within your reach.
So whether you’re on the beaches of Boracay or the streets of Shanghai, sit back, relax, inhale, exhale… and read on!
BORACAY, PHILIPPINES
MANDALA SPA
If there’s one word to describe
Boracay’s Mandala Spa and Resort,
it’s ‘magical’. And co-founder
Dieter Schrottmann uses the word
a lot. Walking through the resort
is like strolling through the Garden
of Eden and it’s clear that nature
comes before man here, with
trees springing up in the middle of
walkways. Guests enjoy free morning
Sivananda-style yoga classes, which
the staff are also encouraged to
attend. The restaurant features
delicious vegetarian food, and the
spa is renowned for innovative
treatments using ingredients made
fresh from local fruits, herbs, and
seaweed. A weekly Ashtanga yoga
class, by Filipina yoga instructor
Mo-Ching Yip, in a teak-wood floor
yoga studio surrounded by beautiful
jungle scenery, is open to all.
Mandala has 12 private villas, each
with Italian bathtubs, luxurious beds,
private balconies and glass-walled
bathrooms leading to outdoor
showers. The aesthetics are simple,
elegant, and harmonious with nature.
Mandala Spa & Villas, Boracay Island, Malay Aklan. Tel: (+36) 288 5858/228, www.mandalaspa.com
MANILA, PHILIPPINES
YOGA MANILA/BIKRAM YOGA
Yoga Manila opened in August 2006
- the love child of a dedicated group
of 15 Ashtanga yoga pioneers from the
Philippines, most of whom completed
a teacher training program together in
Thailand with renowned Ashtanga yoga
teacher Paul Dallaghan. Ashtanga is
considered one of the most challenging
styles of yoga, requiring far more
physical stamina than the softer forms
of gentle stretches that many today call
Hatha yoga. Yoga Manila’s instructors
include Jose ‘Hoze’ Arando, respected
as one of the best teachers in the Philippines, and Roberta Feliciano, who is a teacher and co-owner. “Yoga is still relatively new here in the Philippines,” Roberta says, estimating that they have a core group of about 50 students, including a few celebrities such as Christine Sandejas and singer/actress Soraya. “But the Philippines is a hotbed of spirituality. The native traditions are older even than Catholicism.” Yet she notes that one of the biggest boosts to yoga’s popularity in the Philippines came when Bikram opened the first hot yoga studio in Manila. For those looking for the benefits of yoga, minus the philosophy, Bikram’s 40 degree sweat sessions are the perfect answer. Bikram Manila also has its share of big-name celebrities as students, and a strong following of dedicated weight watchers. Spirituality, however, is optional.
Yoga Manila has three locations.
¦ Makati: Century Plaza Penthouse, 120 Perea St, Legaspi Village, Makati. Tel: (+63) 917 522; www.yogamanila.com
¦ Bikram Yoga Manila: 15/F, 88 Corporate Center, 141 Valero Street corner, Sedeño Streets Salcedo Village, Makati. Tel: (+63) 889 1011
¦ 5/F CKB Centre 203 Tomas Morato Ave. Quezon City. Tel: (+63) 376 4632; www.bikramyogamanila.com
SHANGHAI, CHINA
NAMASTE YOGA SHALA
It’s hard to pinpoint when yoga first came to China. Some say it dates all the way back to the arrival of Boddhidharma, the Indian monk who is credited with the creation of kung fu. Today, Shanghai has literally dozens of studios, as well as some first-rate teachers and a thriving yoga community composed of locals and expats, alike. Namaste Yoga Shala was co-founded by Duncan Wong, who has taught celebrities including Madonna and Sting. It offers private instruction in a historic lane house in the city center, near Jing An Temple. There are classes in Bikram-style hot yoga, Ashtanga self-practice, soft Yin yoga, and Vinyasa flow, which is geared to all levels. An added bonus is that I teach here, too!
Namaste Yoga Shala: 1400 Beijing West Road (at Tong Ren Road), House #29. Tel: (+86) 21 6247 2488, www.namasteyoga.com.cn
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
PURE SEOUL
Though it shares the same name as Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore’s Pure Yoga Empire, this Pure has its own brand of yoga magnificence – a gorgeous boutique studio with full spa treatment facilities, owned by yogini, actress and former Miss Korea, Christina Choe. This two-floor chic center has beautiful views, excellent teachers and a good roster of visiting yoga masters who are known internationally. There’s a strong emphasis on holistic wellness: newcomers consult a staff nutritionist, who prescribes an overall heath plan. The spa also offers facials and Thai massage.
HONG KONG
PURE YOGA
Aside from India, Hong Kong has one of the oldest and most developed yoga communities in Asia, with over 60 yoga studios. It’s also home to the annual Evolution Asian Yoga Conference, sponsored by Pure Yoga, which runs a chain of studios throughout Asia. Pure has five studios in Hong Kong, but my favorite location is at Tsim Sha Tsui, just beside the Peninsula Hotel, with beautiful decor and views over the harbor. Pure also has some first-rate teachers. Classes are challenging, yet accessible for all levels of students.
The Tsim Sha Tsui studio is at 14/F Peninsula Office Tower, 18 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Tel: (+852) 8129 8800, www.pure-yoga.com
TAIPEI, TAIWAN
SPACE YOGA
Located in the trendy downtown area of Tienmu, with gorgeous views overlooking Taipei, Space Yoga is an urban yoga sanctuary. It’s one of the best boutique yoga studios in Asia, featuring some of the finest feng shui you’ll ever see. There are over 15 classes daily, including Hot, Flow, Restorative, Anusara and Ashtanga – all led by internationally-accredited instructors, plus regular workshops and retreats.
Yoga is good for core strength and flexibility (below). It’s also good for blood pressure as its meditation aspects are relaxing, as are the serene yoga spaces
Space Yoga Tienmu Studio: #5, Sec 1, Lane 43, Tienmu E Road. Tel: (+886) 22773 8108; www.withinspace.com
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
YSNERGY
YSynergy was established in 2005 by Jaque Ho and a small following of yoga teachers who got together to form an informal yoga teachers’ association. The center has now grown to encompass yoga, pilates, massage, aromatherapy and relaxation, and prenatal yoga for mothers – touching nearly all the spots on the holistic living map. One of their more interesting classes is “partner yoga” – the poses are as beautiful to watch as they are relaxing for the body. This fantastic yoga studio is located in Dataran Ara Damansara, in central KL, so it’s convenient to get to. The teachers are helpful, classes are relatively small so you get individual attention, the studio is beautifully designed with lots of natural sunlight, and they regularly host yoga teachers who are internationally known, including Shiva Rea and Simon Borg.
YSynergy: D-3A-23, Block D, Dataran Ara Damansara, Jalan PJU 1A/20B Tel: (+60) 1633-399 933, www.ysynergy.com
HERE COMES THE YOGINI
Swimming champ, TV host and super mom Christine J Sandejas explains how an hour a day of yoga keeps her at her best
If you take up yoga in Manila, you might be surprised at who’s on the next mat. Christine J Sandejas, former Olympic swimmer and host of the top-rated reality show Here Comes the Bride, is a dedicated yogini, attending regular Ashtanga classes at Yoga Manila, where she practises three or four times a week.
“I started practising yoga in 2004 at my friend’s house in Alabang,” recalls Christine. Ironically, though, it wasn’t spirituality or even the quest for a “yoga body” that inspired her to begin – but tennis.
“I was playing a lot of tennis and my team mates were practising yoga, so they asked me to try it. At first, it was more to complement my tennis,” she admits. However, when she injured her knee on the tennis court she discovered the healing powers of yoga, and has been hooked ever since.
“The more I practised, the more improvement I saw,” Christine says. “I signed up for special classes – anything that would help me to improve.” Yoga, she says, has transformed her. “It’s a lifestyle change and worth it. I feel and look younger. I’m healthier and stronger.” She’s also changed her diet to mostly vegetarian foods, with lots of fresh fruit, veg and soya milk, and says she’s become more health conscious.
“When I first started yoga my whole body would ache,” she says, advising beginners to take it slowly and give it some time. “It was more painful than a workout at the gym because I was using so many muscles I never knew I had! It was difficult teaching my body to twist, stretch and relax at the same time.” Though she claims she’s not an expert yet, she’s making good progress in her asana practice and says, “Yoga is relaxed, but it can be difficult and challenging. There are many poses I still can’t do. I need to work on my flexibility and core strength.”
How can a mother of four with a busy work schedule find time to practise yoga almost every day? “If I can’t make it to a class, I do yoga in my room where I have a big balcony and I can see the trees,” she says. “It helps when you can see nature. It’s more relaxing.”
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