Life Lately and how do you do this again?

I think I've completely forgotten how to blog about what's up like how I used to. The Sunday Currently format doesn't do well for me right now, there are just so many things that don't fit in the categories anymore, and if I keep on changing them, might as well rename it. Anyway, lets do bullets - for old time's sake (and I meant blockquote headers).

Yoga

I did yoga twice this week. After fighting the urge to just lay down and sleep and dwell in the smell of my Royal Ponciana misted room, I decided to set up my mat and curl into child's pose. It was quite a struggle. My room has become more homey lately thanks for my scented favorites and I didn't want to get off my bed.

Ever since my first formal yoga class, I promised myself to make it a regular thing. So I downloaded a Hot A Yoga video from youtube, took out my rotting yoga mat, and bought a yoga block from Lazada. It was less stressful than the actual class because I don't have a heated room and I kept the windows open to feel the air, but the poses and everything are still a pain to execute. I hope the back bends won't aggravate my back issues though. XO

The background music I'm using for my exercise are all from Daily Yoga app. They have quite a good selection there, the only problem is I couldn't download them as mp3s and couldn't find them anywhere too. I did some research and thought of recording it using an app that captures internal audio but I couldn't find a good app. I tried to use Audacity on my laptop instead so I downloaded  Bluestacks to launch the app, but I couldn't find the right settings to record system audio. FINALLY, I landed on the best and easiest solution, which is to download the apk installer of the plugin containing the music, decompile it online, then extract the files. IT WORKED LIKE MAGIC. I did have to convert the ogg music files to mp3 but that's easy peasy with all the online music converters. YEY.

I need 10 million pesos ($ 200,000.00)

Don't we all? This is just a random thought (no, actually I have a wishlist for it already haha) but if I were to be given 10M right now with the condition that I spend it all and not save in the bank or invest in mutual funds and stocks (so you wouldn't coach me into saving haha), here's what I would buy:

2M goes to a new SUV for my parents. Isuzu MuX, Toyota Fortuner 2016 are my top choices. Our current SUV has been towed twice this month already and that's not good. We've had it checked everywhere, including the casa, but no one seems to be getting it right. It still stops whenever the engine is running and we're not moving, which makes it risky to bring in heavy traffic. It just worries us so much because towing costs ₱4,500 per haul. Grabe no.

5M goes to buying the vacant lot beside our house. I'm also eyeing the lot behind us but hey I only have 10M to spend HAHA. I want it so my parents would stop worrying about our street getting crowded and the trees around us getting pulled out. If granted, we'd most probably turn it into a vegetable yard and garage. Right now it's been a regular source of santol, saging na saba, gabi, kangkong, and tanglad for us. It would be a pain to see it mowed huhu.

2M goes to expanding our apartment house. Also for my parents, I want to fund the expansion of our small apartment in Novaliches to add to their retirement funds; We would build a second and third floor and convert the ground floor to commercial units by putting up a water station and a laundry shop.

1M goes to building a small house for my parents at our vacant lot in Caloocan. It's very very far from the metro but with the hopes of MRT possibly bringing civilization nearer, my parents have been very excited to settle there someday.

There you go! My 10M wishlist. All of them are actually for my parents, but if there's some change I can use for myself I'd buy a:

Printing business - I don't need much. Maybe just a starter equipment for silk screening and offset printing. I can learn to print and I can design things well so I thought this is the perfect business for me. :)

Hay plans! Hi Lord!

Moving on...

Cinderella and the Four Knights

Source: www.soompi.com

My heart has flipped over and over with this drama, I totally didn't expect it! I hated the first episode because I thought the female MC (main character) isn't pretty enough and so is the male MC. Only Ahn Jae Hyun (second male MC) has caught my eye but he still looks far too young for me, and I thought he was trying hard to act like Lee Min Ho -- which he does so well, but you know. I just can't get over the fact that they all looked like highschoolers, and to think they're all over 20 years, with Ahn Jae Hyun being 29 and married! Why. Koreans. Why. Please tell us the secret formula to the elixir of youth.

Doctors has ended (and I haven't finished watching)
W Two Worlds is slightly losing its grip on me right now
Uncontrollable Fond has totally lost its charm

I have nothing to look forward to except Cinderella and sadly it airs Fridays and Saturdays 23:00 Korean Time. The waiting is so agonizing. T__T


How are you?

A few of my favorite scented things

Sharing a couple of things I've grown to love recently because of how they smell. <3 In no particular order:

#1 Messy Bessy's Muscle Relief Rub

I mentioned about it in my previous post. This was the balm the yoga instructor put on our napes after our session which I instantly liked so even though I was trying to be super tipid that day, I bought one at Messy Bessy Glorietta. It sells at ₱300 for 100g. This rub, as I've learned, used to be called Yoga Love until the makers behind it teamed up with Messy Bessy to create a more organic formula, hence the rename.

I super love this product because after the camphor wears off it leaves a very pleasant smell probably due to green tea and certain essential oils. The consistency is a bit thin, but a little goes a long way already. The menthol lasts for around 30 minutes and doesn't wear off easily even after taking a bath. :D

#2 Precious Aroma Fragrance Mist - Royal Ponciana

IT SMELLS LIKE BABY POWDER ARG. It's so relaxing entering a room covered in this scent. <3

#3 Precious Natural Air Purifier

Contains dried bamboo wood and charcoal. Helps purify the air daw lol. Actually I'm just looking to get natural air purifiers cos they're cheaper hehe. This easily became my favorite because I use the fragrance mist on this and it really elevates the feel of my room. Sarap matulog. The design is super cute too! A pack contains four of these things, they're roughly 4x4 inches and yep, it's also from Precious Herbals.

I felt kindof cheated though cos I thought this was something new, but in fact you can find bamboo-charcoal air purifiers in hardware stores for half the price. K. At least cute yung akin lol.

#4 Precious Herbal Pillow

Not really promoting Precious Herbals but my recent haul from them proved to be so sulit! You may have chanced upon this in malls, they have kiosks pretty much at every SM Supermall, and recently I discovered they're also selling at the Kultura section of SM Store.

I would put them under the category of compress pads but this isn't your ordinary one. It's filled with a variety of herbs such as cassia, ginger, cinnamon, lemongrass, lavender, and peppermint AND IT SMELLS REALLY GOOD. Best thing I liked about this (aside from the smell) is that you can microwave it to heat it easily. I've been using it to relieve neck, back, and abdominal pain. What a wonder. Got mine at Lazada :)

#4 Neutrogena Body Oil

Last but not the least. I thought they weren't selling this here but holey moley I found it at Watson. It's among the look-for-assistance products that you can't test or even take off the shelves so I was really bummed about it, how would people know it's a great product? Good thing I've tried this before and I swear by it. It smells really mild, like uhm, a stationery and doesn't dry off sticky. This became my lotion substitute because it works like one, except that it's easier to apply. You can get yours at Lazada

The Yoga+ Makati Experience

If I were to sum up my first formal yoga session in one word, it would be INTENSE. 90 minutes, 50 poses, and a room heated to 37 degrees - that's how Hot A Yoga works. I was very excited to try it, but later on the class I had to recall what kind of evil I did to deserve such punishment. It was a painfully funny exercise for me, and I took consolation at the fact that I stayed at the last row, where I could hide and no one would notice me dying. Kidding, it was really hard, but at the end it's very fulfilling. Will definitely do it again.

Here's a quick tour!

Upon entering the studio you're required to go barefoot by leaving your shoes at the racks in front of the elevators. Shiela, the receptionist, was very nice and helpful and gave me a tour of the place :D

Yoga+ Makati has two yoga rooms, Yin and Yang. The Yang room (below) is the bigger of the two, the ceiling is filled with panels of heaters, and two sides of the room are filled with mirrors. This is where we did Hot Yoga. Students are entitled to use yoga mats and mat towels, as well as posture aides like blocks and belts. Bath towels can be borrowed from the towel room for free but you have to deposit ₱100 along with an ID. Pwede na!

Here's the Yin room,

Both rooms have wide windows and are equipped with Ozein Air Purifiers. Sosyaaaal. Inside the women's changing room are seven shower stalls, one dressing cube, and a clothes rack. They also have shampoo and body wash available, as well as hair dryers. The toilet area is separate. Didn't check the men's haha

Very spacious changing room,

The long hallway leading to the yoga rooms are lined with lockers. They're free for use but you have to bring your own padlocks, otherwise you may put your things on the empty shelves across the lockers. Valuables like wallets and cellphones may be deposited at the counter, they'll give you a number for it. :) Beside the shelves is an alkaline water dispenser, bongga. Bring your own bottle k.

They also sell yoga apparel! 

Love their waiting lounge!

Pa-effect lang,

Hot yoga virgin no more

Eto na, the experience! It was crazy hard for a first timer like me. Like in most sports and fitness activities I'm interested in, I suck big time lol. But that's okay and totally expected. I was actually inspired to get better, especially after seeing how the first rowers could tangle their legs together and plank forever. The goal is to friggin go from figurine left to right in no time! Weeeh!

It helped a lot that our instructor, Chi, gave an orientation for us hot yoga virgins, lelz. These were the tips I got from her, and also from the beginners guide they let me read when I signed the waiver:

1. Hydrate big time the day before a hot yoga session.
2. Do not drink too much before the session because it will be harder for the body to get warmed up
3. Wear less clothing. Most of the students were wearing sports bras, tanks, shorts, cyclings. I was wearing a large drifit shirt and leggings nubayan, also socks but I took them off haha. Note to self: need to get a pedicure
4. Resort to Balasana (Child's pose) to rest if the poses get too intense for you. I personally prefer resorting to Shavasana (Corpse pose) but as I've learned, I have to reward myself with it. What peace it brings to realize that death is a reward. Naks all these yoga terms are elevating my spirituality, charot.
5. Push yourself with the poses. While options are available, try to aim for the advanced versions too
6. Enjoy (the pain and suffering)! 

Because of the hot environment, not 5 minutes into the workout and I was sweating like a pig already. Every asana was a struggle. As the minutes pass by, the poses get harder and harder and it was becoming more difficult to keep my flat foot grounded on the mat. There was a moment I felt really dizzy I wanted to die (Corpse pose) but I fought it out like a true warrior. Char. 

While on our last Shavasana, Chi put some muscle relief cream on the back of our necks and oh my gulay I just found my new favorite thing! After the class I learned where she bought it; it's Muscle Relief Rub from Messy Bessy Glorietta. Got myself one on the way home, you should get yours too, ka-adik.

Try Yoga+ with Fit Access PH

Thanks to Fit Access I was able to try this life changing practice huwaw. After the class I felt so alive and invigorated, who wouldn't after escaping death? No seriously, I wanted to do it again I searched up online for hot yoga videos on youtube and was shocked to see the results. Tip: search for "hot yoga workout" instead of just "hot yoga" and spare yourself from glaring cameltoes and NSFW thumbnails. My goodness.

Sign up with Fit Access for discounted rates and access to different studios! 

Related: Go Gym Hopping with Fit Access

Yoga+ Rates and Classes

Rates
Drop in (1 class/anytime)	₱799
Drop in (1 class/daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱599
2 Weeks Unlimited (First-timer rate)	₱1,499
1 Month Unlimited (First-timer rate)	₱3,399
10 Classes	₱5,999
10 Classes (daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱4,999
50 Classes	₱19,950
50 Classes (daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱17,450
1 Week Unlimited	₱1,699
1 Week Unlimited (daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱999
1 Month Unlimited	₱6,499
1 Month Unlimited (daytime - weekdays before 6pm)	₱3,999
1 Year Unlimited	₱47,988
2 Years Unlimited	₱86,376

For a complete and updated list of prices, check here. Their class schedule is also regularly updated at their website.

Location and Contact

Yoga+ Makati is located at

3/F Cambridge Bldg., Tordesillas cor. Gallardo Streets, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Phone: (02) 847 0697

Hours: 6am - 10pm

Web: www.yogaplus.ph

YogaPlusPH

How to get there? I took a bus labeled LRT Ayala Leveriza and got off at Paseo de Roxas bus stop. Cambridge bldg. is just some 500m walk from there. It's across the side of Makati Sports Club. :)

Namaste.

How to add a 'Back to Top' button on your blog with smooth scrolling (for Blogger)

This isn't something new, I picked this up from here and thought I should make a guide of my own specifically for Blogger users like myself.

Features:

• 'Back to Top' button that fades into view at the bottom right corner of the page as you scroll down
• Fades out when you reach the top
• Smooth scrolling
• HTML, CSS, JQuery, FontAwesome

Code:

Part 1: CSS

On Blogger >> Dashboard >> Template >> Edit HTML
Go to the CSS section of your blog and insert the code below:

.back-to-top {
    display:none;
    position: fixed;
    bottom: 2em;
    right: 10px;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: rgb(207, 72, 94);
    font-size: 12px;
    padding: 1em;
}

.back-to-top:hover {
    text-decoration:none;
    color: rgba(207, 72, 94, 0.8);
}

If you can't find where to put it, search for this ]]></b:skin> and paste the code above it.

You can edit the color and size of the button by changing the values in red and blue respectively. Unless you want a different hover color, keep the two RGB values the same. The alpha value (0.8) tells how transparent the button becomes when you hover on it.
Part 2: JQuery

Still inside the HTML code, paste the code below inside the <head> portion of your template

<script src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.0.0/jquery.min.js"></script>

If it's already existing, no need to do this.

Part 3: HTML

Still inside the editor, paste the code below directly above the </body> tag.

<a href="#" class="back-to-top">Back to Top</a>
<script>
 jQuery(document).ready(function(){
  var offset = 220;
  var duration = 500;
  jQuery(window).scroll(function(){
   if (jQuery(this).scrollTop() > offset) {
    jQuery('.back-to-top').fadeIn(duration);
   } else {
    jQuery('.back-to-top').fadeOut(duration);
   }
  });

  jQuery('.back-to-top').click(function(event){
   event.preventDefault();
   jQuery('html, body').animate({scrollTop: 0}, duration);
   return false;
  })
 });
</script>

You may replace 'Back to Top' with any icon you want. In my case, I used an icon from FontAwesome and replaced the text in purple with this:

<i aria-hidden='true' class='fa fa-arrow-circle-up' style='font-size:50px'/>




Bonus: FontAwesome

It's basically a set of web fonts featuring scalable vector icons. In short, just a bunch of icons turned into fonts so you don't need to use an image every time you need one. Awesome!

To use FontAwesome, you must first install it like you did with JQuery by adding the line below inside the <head> portion of your template

<link href='https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.6.0/css/font-awesome.min.css' rel='stylesheet'/>

 Then choose the icon you want from here and get the corresponding markup in order to display it.

Done!

Save the HTML code of your blog and check to see if it works. :)

Go gym-hopping with Fit Access

Sometimes, a change in environment is all we need. If you could get a subscription than enables you to visit multiple gyms in a month, versus one that locks all your visits in a single gym, what would you choose?

Here's the perfect solution for fitness enthusiasts who easily get tired of routine and want a more customized fitness program, and a variety of studios to visit.

From Unsplash

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Manila-based startup Fit Access launches a booking platform that caters to tech-savvy millennials and on-the-go professionals and encourage them to find their joy and passion in fitness.

Fit Access allows members to enjoy a wide variety of fitness activities every month in all its partner gyms and studios. Members can choose from different workout categories that suit their mood and match their fitness level.

Co-founders Ia Hernandez and Natalie Cruz, are both athletes who want to share their love of fitness and help others find the workout that fits their schedule and taste.

“As athletes, Ia and I know that fitness is more than just a lifestyle but a way of life. With Fit Access we hope that Filipino professionals can incorporate any fitness routine they like into their weekly schedules,” says Natalie Cruz, a Girevoy (Kettlebell) Sport athlete, IKSFA Level 2 Coach, and a current student of ACE Personal Trainer Certification.

Fit Access, a mobile-friendly website, was created for individuals at any age and fitness level. Whether you’re a busy professional planning to start a new fitness regime, a fitness enthusiast wanting to try something new, or an athlete looking to cross train, the platform has all the fitness activities and group classes you can possibly think of. With 30 (and still growing) partner studios, Fit Access is the perfect place to discover new workout options. Members can check class schedules and book a class at their favorite studios with just a few clicks, making it doubly easier to attend a session. Its accessibility and user-friendly interface makes finding a class a breeze. Nobody has to call in and book their workout sessions anymore!

What makes this new platform different from its competition? Fit Access offers the most flexible subscription plans that suit individual needs. Fit Access features three membership options ranging from 6-12 visits per month, all designed to bring you the best service possible. Co-founder Ia Hernandez says, “Our monthly membership plans are perfect for those who might already have an existing gym membership but would like to complement their workouts with new activities. If they’re thinking of picking up a new sport, Fit Access is definitely a great platform for that as well!”

Beyond monthly classes, members will also receive exclusive deals from partner establishments such as discounts on gym membership packages, fitness workshops, and free invites to health and fitness events. Visit www.fitaccess.ph to know more about their partner establishments and subscription plans!

Is #BalikAlindog on your 2016 goals? Are you planning to break the monotony of your fitness routine? Then Fit Access may just be the one you need. What are you waiting for? Join now and be part of a dynamic fitness revolution!

How it works