A Taste of Surfcuit

If you have read some of my previews posts, you must have read about Surfcuit. Well, last Saturday PSA held a Surfcuit sampler at CME for those students who enrolled in the program but have missed or will miss a session or two. The session was also open to those who wanted to have a feel of what the program was all about.

Lecture by Coach Paolo on surf etiquette and basic surfing maneuvers

Like the actual Surfcuit classes, the session started with poi. Though poi is usually considered as a performance art, poi in Surfcuit is done as a warm up prior to yoga. The dynamic stretches of poi help the body in preparing for the deeper stretches of yoga and the intense paddling training during surfing. The 15-minute poi drills were followed by 30 minutes of yoga.

Poi as dynamic stretch

Jiggy (from Surfcuit Batch1) rocking the sock poi

The yoga class was led by soon-to-be teacher, Rozie. It started with a few basic stretches such as uttanasana, adho mukha svanasana (downward facing dog), and balasana (child's pose) and progressed into a sequence of sun salutations and moon salutations (Jivamukti style). The 30 minute yoga session ended in savasana to let the body relax and feel the benefits of the morning's practice.

Rozie, leading the class on that deep lunge

The class in Savasana

What followed were non-stop paddling, eskimo rolls, push-ups, pop-ups -- the trademarks of a hard-core Surfcuit session. Nobody stops until the youngest Surfcuit participant (Euan, an 8 year old kid who never gets tired) doesn't give up. The wave pool was filled with "paddling robots" who were popping up, making turns on their boards, and even cross-stepping.

PSA's softboards (Sorry, no surfing pics. I was out surfing with everybody :))

 Since Surfcuit is held in a controlled environment, it provides the safest venue for first time surfers to learn the very basics of surfing and to have the closest to how-it-is-in-the-ocean experience without having to travel for hours to an actual surf spot.

Somewhere in Mindoro

About a month ago, I made myself a promise that I should be able to surf at least head high waves in two years time. Well, two weeks ago I attempted to do just that.

I went with Philippine Surfing Academy, together with some of my fellow Surfcuit classmates, to... let's just say "somewhere in Mindoro" to score some surf time in the ocean. On our way there, we can already see the peeling waves from afar. Excitement kicked in.

When we reached the beach, Coach Paolo gave us a quick lecture on safety and awareness when surfing the ocean. We also had the chance to assemble the fins and put the leashes on the boards. After the preparations, off to the water we went.

Pre-surf lecture by Coach Paolo

Hmm... Surf coach or basketball coach? You decide. :)

The waves were bigger than we expected and they peeled pretty nicely (except for the occasional backwash). What's better is that there were only around 6-8 of us in the lineup at a time. So we pretty much had the waves all to ourselves.

Since we were at a beach break, I was more confident and less scared (as compared to when we were in Anawangin) to attempt to catch bigger waves. When I saw a set coming, I hastily pivoted my board (1st stroke, 2nd stroke, 3rd stroke... gosh! I should practice the one stroke pivot!) and paddled slowly while waiting for the wave to come nearer. Then I paddled harder when it was just right behind me. I felt the push of the ocean telling me to pop up; and so I did. And... I did it!!! I really could not believe it! I caught my very first ocean wave! I rode it all the way to the end on the 8 ft softboard that I was using. It was exhilarating, adrenalin-pumping, happy, and all positive things rolled into one. I was stoked!

After that, the sets just became bigger and bigger. Overhead sets came. Turtle rolls were my best friend. I caught more waves and still wiped out a few more times. Each time I catch one, I feel stronger and more able. Each time I wipe out, I am reminded to stay humble and grounded for there certainly is a force greater than me.

Me, trying not to be eaten by the whitewater. Thank you, PSA, for this photo.

It was a perfect day for my birthday surf. We went home exhausted but with smiles on our faces. :)

Anawangin: My Very First Reef Surf

I had the chance to surf my very first reef break last May 26 in Anawangin.

To go there, we had to travel by land to Zambales and take a pumpboat to go to beach where the surf spot is then paddle our way out to the point. Knowing that the spot is a reef break, I was so nervous that my entire body was trembling while observing the waves that were coming. I planned to just be a spectator at least for a good 30 minutes but then coach Paolo calls me to go nearer the peak and try to catch some waves. As an obedient newbie, I paddled towards the peak.

Kuya Danny, Coach Alvin, Kage, and Gill preparing the boards

I let a few sets pass before I decided to give it a go. Next set, about waist-high waves, I pivoted to face the beach, paddled slowly until the waves were about 2 meters behind me, then cranked it up with deep and hard strokes to catch the wave. Paddle! Paddle! Paddle! Kuha ko na ba (Did I catch it?)? It felt like it so I decided to pop up -- What did Surfcuit teach me? Back foot first then front foot. So I popped up... but the wave just left me. It just felt like I caught the wave but, in fact, I didn't. What's worse was that there were 2 or 3 more bigger sized waves which wanted to crush me towards the reef that I have to paddle against. (Thanks to my Vibrams I had no fear of getting reef cuts on the soles of my feet.) Again, What did Surfcuit teach me? Eskimo roll! I executed my very first eskimo roll in the ocean. Once... twice... and several more times.  I then paddled hard towards the channel to avoid the crashing waves and to go back to the lineup.

L to R: A, Bri, JM, Paolo, Jiggy, and me posing for the camera

Jill, Kage, coach Alvin and Jeff just hanging out at the beach after the morning's sesh (and waiting for the boat)

I had several more attempts and did more eskimo rolls.(I think I kind of overused the Eskimo roll.) Did I ever catch and ride my own wave in this trip? Almost! But, no, I didn't. I'm still proud, though, that I practiced the proper surf etiquette (as the spot was quite crowded that day) and survived my very first reef surf unscathed. Well, yes, except for the happy sunburn and some rashes from the softboard. :)

The Six Pack Recipe (TSPR) Interviews: Clint Cation

I had a chance to interview not just an officemate but also a friend, Clint Cation. Just like any regular employee, Clint has a day job at Smart Communications Inc. and is one of the key technical people in the Solutions Center team. What is so extraordinary about Clint, though, is his consistency in maintaining his fit physique and his enthusiastic drive towards achieving his goals in life.

Let's meet Clint.

Name: Clint Paul Cation
Age: 38
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 145 lbs

Nena: What's a normal day for you like?
Clint: On a normal day, I wake up at 5am and go to Makati, where I work, but before that I go to the gym. I always bring my sandwich so that I can have something to eat before I start working out. Breakfast first because if you try to workout on an empty stomach you might not have the energy to finish all your routines. I also have a schedule for my routines: MWF I do weight training, Tuesdays I attend a gym class, Body Pump, which is a combination of cardio and weight training, and on Thursdays I attend cycling class. I usually spend my weekends at home with my family to simply relax or sometimes my friends and I go somewhere to hang out.

N: Aside from going to the gym, what other activities do you do to keep your body fit?
C: I used to join marathons but due to my busy schedule I had to stop. I would really like to go back (to joining marathons). I'm a runner and when I run it's always 21k. I also do yoga. But since I'm a bit busy, I only practice yoga at least one Sunday a month.

N: What got you into fitness? And how long have you been working out?
C: I decided to start working out at the age of 30 and for multiple reasons: One is the fear of aging bad physically. I'm a vain person. As I grow old, I still want to look presentable. Second is, of course, to still be healthy as I go through my 30s. And another is to have an outlet where I can release stress from work and from other aspects of life.

N: What's your inspiration or motivation to stay fit?
C: Most of my friends are also gym buffs. So we motivate each other to continue on going to the gym. Also, when I Iook at the mirror and see the progress that I'm doing, I feel a sense of motivation to continue working out.

N: Is there a special diet that you follow?
C: The beauty of going to the gym everyday is that I don't have to be that conscious with what I eat. But, as much as possible, I still try to keep a low sugar diet. Yet, I don't deprive myself of eating anything. I can even drink or smoke occasionally. Drinking or smoking aren't an addiction to me, though.

Clint Cation -- engineer, gym buff, pet lover. Who said 38 can't look as hot as this?

N: Aside from keeping fit, what are your other interests?
C: I love pets. I once had a Siberian Husky but, sadly, he passed away. Now, I have a one year old Akita and his name is Shintaro. I'm also a "gaming" person. I like playing video games in PS3, Wii, Kinect, or other game consoles. In one way or another, I'm still physically active whether I'm playing with my dogs or with computer games.

N: Tell me something unexpected about yourself.
C: I'm an emotional person, though my friends know this already. I usually empathize with my family or friends when something causes some emotional stress. They (my family and friends) know that I can put their welfare before my own.

N: Many say that they don't have the time to exercise. What is your advice to them?
C: If I could do it, so can they. You have to set your goal and strive hard for it. Once you see that you are getting nearer and nearer to your goal you will realize that your hard work is paying off.

N: How can you relate being fit with achieving your career and other personal goals in life?
C: In our daily life, we are faced with so much stress -- stress at work, financial stress, or even stress at home. To be able to cope with these stresses, one must be healthy enough so that we can surpass whatever obstacles which may get in the way of achieving one's goals.

N: Give me one word that you would use to describe yourself.
C: EXPLOSIVE. I want others to remember me as an explosive person. Think of fireworks. Fireworks explode to make something beautiful. When I do something, I give it all I have, I explode to produce something awesome!

Clint also told me that he was once very skinny (" sobrang tikling") and used to weigh only 130 lbs at his height. His consistency together with the very visible results of his hard work surely makes him one of my fitness idols here in my workplace.

The Jivamukti Yoga Experience

Yesterday, I decided to return to my yoga home, Bliss Yoga, to realign my body in another Yoga Fundamentals class of Corey Wills. Unfortunately, teacher Corey wasn't able to make it to the studio. So Jivamukti yoga teacher Nacy Siy had to sub for him.

It was my first time attending a Jivamukti class and teacher Nancy was very kind to give us a brief background of the practice and what to expect during the class.

Jivamukti came from two Sanskrit words -- jiva which means soul, and mukti which means freedom or liberation. Jivamukti, the freedom of one's soul.

We started out with a chant of "ohm" then gently flowed into a series of Jivamukti Surya Namaskar. There were a few differences as to how the sun salutations were executed. For example, from tadasana, while lifting our arms up, we were told to hook our thumbs together with hands facing front doing a slight backbend at the peak before swan-diving into uttanasana.

Teacher Nancy also went around and applied a kind of balm (which felt like Vicks :) ) at the back of each of our necks. I'm not quite sure what it was really for but it somehow helped me regulate my breathing. When I forget to breath, my mind looks for the scent of the balm then I remember to inhale deeply.

Towards the end of the class I almost did my first unsupported headstand. Well, almost.
 
After a good 1 hour and 15 minutes and after liters of sweat exited my body, we were ready to rest in savasana. While in savasana, teacher Nancy again applied another kind of balm (this time it reminded me of the balm which the priest applies on your forehead during confirmation) on my nape, forehead, shoulders and gave us a slight head massage. It felt really good after a pretty intense (maybe for me) workout.

We ended the class in a seated pose and chanted a few Sanskrit lines before ending the class.

I loved the Jivamukti experience and I shall be looking forward to taking teacher Nancy's classes again.

Mission: Accomplished (in the Future)

Ok, so... June 8 just passed by. I am now 30. Still no abs... I guess I didn't accomplish the mission... on time. Or maybe I won't look good in abs? haha!! Alibis alibis.

Maybe what is important is that one should continue to do what one feels is doing him/her good.

For me, it's yoga, surfing, rip:60, poi, fly yoga, and many more new things to try out in this life. Who knows? Maybe without me knowing it, I'd still be building abs while having a lot of fun!

Pardon the very long flash back stories which led to a failed mission (which I still think isn't a failure :) ).

From here on, I will be writing about my life's adventures, my opinions on different workouts, diets, and anything which, in one way or another, will have contributed to my future abs. :)

Spinning Circles

One of the freebies of the Surfcuit program is a one-month unlimited poi classes from Planet Zips.

Poi, or fire dancing as they most often call it, is a flow art which involves spinning weights in circular patterns. There are several different kinds of poi, most of it I'm not yet even familiar with. What I have now is just a set of practice poi (tennis balls inside a long sock-like cloth).

I have already attended 3 poi sessions with PZ and I'm enjoying it so far. I am amazed at how many different ways you can spin and how graceful it looks when I watch Master Ramir and Dash do simple turn combinations. Aside from the performance aspect of poi, it is also a great workout! 2 hours of poi practice and my arms and even my core is burning!

I am now assigned to study how to do the "fountain" and I still haven't done my homework yet. :) Gotta practice tomorrow!

Surfs Up: SURFCUIT 1.0

I have tried taking surf lessons before, both in the wave pool and in the ocean. But nothing ever comes close to this... Philippine Surfing Academy's SURFCUIT 1.0.

Surfcuit is a one of a kind progressive surf training which focuses on the basics of surfing. Each session has the combination of poi, yoga, surf lectures, paddling drills, and lots of wave pool surfing action. Its objective is to have the students catch their own waves without the surf coaches' assistance by the end of the program and for them to be educated about the proper surf etiquette that should be practiced when in the ocean.

This is the per-session summarized lesson plan of Surfcuit 1.0:

• Session 1: Surfvivor Skills: Maneuvering Around the Surf & Safety
• Session 2: Surf Culture: Surf Etiquette & Paddle Strengthening
• Session 3: Surf Consistent: Wave Reading, Timing & Take-offs
• Session 4: Turn it Up: Basic & Advanced Turns
• Session 5: Step It Up: Longboard Cross Stepping & Nose Riding
• Session 6: Go Shorter: Basic Short Board & Duck Diving

The sessions happen every other week which is such a bummer because you would want to be surfing EVERY WEEK after your first session!

Coach Paolo Soler heads this program and, together with PSA's team of coaches, they assist each and every one of the Surfcuit participants to achieve their fullest surfing potential.

I belong to the first batch of Surfcuit graduates and it was a happy-sad moment when we ended the last session. Happy because I can now catch my own waves in the wave pool (and I also learned how to cross step). Sad because the program had to end. But, hey! I heard there's a Surfcuit 2.0 coming up! When the official announcement is out, I will be the first one to register! :)

Fly Yoga and Rip:60

I saw this promo in a deal site about FLY yoga late last year. It was in FTX Gym in Tordesillas, about 15 minutes by foot from our office. I decided to try it out and hoped it can somehow fill my need for yoga.

Fly yoga is basically yoga with a hammock. So you'll be doing traditional yoga poses with a twist because of the hammock. There's the flying downard dog, flying shoulder stand, and lots of flying inversions. It was really a lot of fun. I did around 10 sessions of Fly until my discount vouchers expired. The regular price per session is at 900+ so it's really too expensive for me to continue with it.

Then there's Rip:60. Rip:60 is a kind of suspension training wherein you use your own body weight as resistance. No, it doesn't mean that you have to lift your entire body weight in the exercises. You can control the weight that you carry by angling your body in such a way that provides just the right amount of resistance. This is one of the killer workouts which actually works for me. I quickly gained muscle by practicing it 4-5 times a week. This got me closest to the abs goal. I was almost there... until I had to stop to make way for another workout which will definitely have me stoked for the rest of my life...

When Bliss Transferred

What would you do if your favorite candy was taken away from you? You either get it back or buy a new one, right?

My yoga home, which used to be just behind my office, transferred to Jupiter early 2011. Now it was really hard to go to especially with the traffic situation going to their new location. Until now, I am really doing my best to still visit as often as I could but it just seems too expensive to take a cab everyday just to go there. Their transfer was a really sad thing for me since the nearest Yoga studio to me now is Bikram... and I'm not a big fan of hot yoga. :(

2011 wasn't quite a good Yoga year for me.

Yoga Addiction

After that first yoga session, i continued going to classes 4-5 times a week. I was so hooked that I even had to go out of the office for practice and just go back after.

After a few weeks, I noticed how my arms became stronger and my hamstrings, firmer. I became less flabbier and more flexible in so many ways. Aside from the physical benefits, I also felt less stressed and learned how to manage my temper. Another thing that I noticed, I learned how to appreciate and love things I didn't quite like before. I even believe I became a dog lover because of yoga. :)

It isn't only about abs now, but overall health -- in mind, body, and spirit. :)

When I Fall in Love, It Will be With Yoga

When I transferred to Makati, in the office where I work now, I saw the opportunity to try out different gyms around the area. When my membership in Gold's Gym expired. I decided to invest in Yoga classes in a REAL Yoga studio. Fortunately, I learned that there was one just behind my office! It was named BLISS YOGA.

Bliss was formerly located at Trident Towers along Buendia. The first class that I attended was that of Corey Wills -- Yoga Fundamentals. In that class, I did my very first Uttanasana (I couldn't reach my toes at that time!) and my very first "corrected" downward facing dog whcih felt like "aarrrrghhhh!!!". Towards the end of the class (just an hour after), I was already able to reach my toes during uttanasana! It was magical! The best part was doing Savasana where we just laid flat on the floor and felt all the benefits we gained from the morning's practice.

Bliss just became my "Yoga Home".

After Taiwan

I was "obliged" to work for a company in Calamba after my 3-year stay in Taiwan. It was because of some stupid contract which we signed with the company when we were too young to understand what was actually written in it. In fairness to the unmentioned company, they gave us a pretty good scholarship program, an opportunity to work abroad, and a guaranteed post graduate employment. It's just that we were made to believe that our tenure in Taiwan will be counted as part of the required service years stated in our contract. One day before we went to Taiwan, they retracted and said that the Taiwan tenure wouldn't count. :(

Going back to fitness, I still regularly went to the gym when I was in Calamba to quench my thirst for physical activity. I ran the treadmill for a few minutes, did some weights, and joined yoga, pilates, and cycling classes.

Yoga in that gym was the "gayest" yoga I have ever tried. The movements were not flowing and the transition between asanas are too abrupt that I was afraid that I was gonna injure my spine!

Pilates, though, was really challenging. It squeezed all the core strength out of me. I actually enjoyed the classes.

The cycling classes were hard core cardio... and I despise cardio exercises!!! Needless to say, I spin that often. :)

3 months on, 3 months off the gym. Did this for two years... still no abs. Sigh...

Welcome to Pinas!

I decided to finally come home to the Phlippines on November 2007. I came home because of all the reasons that I can think of. All reasons except money.

This was definitely a new chapter in my life. New job, new environment, new opportunities to learn new skills. Oh! And, yes, new adventures to look forward to.

Hello Pinas!

Then There was Yoga

I first discovered Yoga last 2007. I had been curious about the practice since forever but it was in 2007 that I decided to give it a try.

At this time, I was still in Taiwan and there were no yoga studios around the area where I lived in, or not that I know of. So I downloaded some yoga videos from the internet. I came across Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies by Sara Ivanhoe. It teaches the most basic yoga must-knows -- from the breathing to the basic yoga poses and to doing vinyasa (moving with ones breath). I was immediately hooked. I bought my very first yoga mat from Nike. I practiced around twice a week at home with Sara. :)

I knew yoga was THE workout for me.