Category: Health

The empowering effect of yoga

Published by Ellen on June 8, 2014

By Ellen T. Tordesillas, VERA Files
Photos and Video by Mario Ignacio IV and Mario I. Espinosa

The amazing thing about yoga is that you are empowering yourself without being conscious that that is what you are doing.

Yoga instructor Jasper Colina, who just opened OM Yoga Studio in Parañaque (he also teaches yoga at Fitness First), shares the experience of a female student who had fear of crossing the street. After several yoga sessions, she experienced changes within herself. She became confident with every pose she was able to accomplish and later on mustered enough courage to cross the street by herself.

Colina said most people initially go into yoga for physical fitness. In the process, however, they undergo not only physical change but also inner transformation which usually leads to a change in lifestyle—one that is gentler and more meaningful.

Gym safety

Published by Ellen on March 25, 2014

Lance Raymundo. Photo from ABS-CBN online.

One goes to the gym to become fit and healthy and it’s distressing if one ends up in a hospital like actor-singer Lance Raymundo.

The unfortunate incident with Raymundo last week should be a reminder to gym goers to always be careful.

In Cecile Van Straten’s blog, Lance related what happened Wednesday last week: “There was an 80-lb. barbell on top of me because the workout was a ‘superset’, meaning, right after I do 10 reps with the barbell with the help of my trainer, I rest it back in place and proceed to do the dumbbell fly workout.

“After completing 10 reps of the dumbbell flies, the trainer leaned forward to assist me in lowering the dumbbells, but his body weight accidentally dislodged the barbell, which fell on my face and smashed it.

“This kind of superset workout has been done in many gyms for over 30 years, so it’s not a new workout. But I guess talking to other people while assisting someone can prove to be dangerous.”

Preparing for the great summer exposure

Published by Ellen on February 28, 2014

We are reprinting this article,first published last year,as we prepare to have the most fun this summer.

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files

Video by Mario Ignacio IV

The heat tells us summer is almost here. Time to prepare our bodies for the summer exposure.

Three physical fitness personal trainers – Angie M. Miranda and Jensen G. Centeno of Fitness First, Mall of Asia, and Christian S. Cerezo, formerly of Fitness First Southmall and now a freelance PT, share tips, that coupled with proper diet, will help you achieve the body worth a second glance when on the beach. In the video, they show several variations to the basic exercises like lunge or squat in order to give options, depending on one’s capability to perform the activity.

Sleep expert’s testimony in Jackson case should alarm call center workers

Published by Ellen on June 25, 2013

Lessons from Michael Jackson as we remember his death four years ago.

The testimony of a sleep expert in the Michael Jackson case about the importance of sleeping at night and the danger of altering that pattern should alarm call center workers and employers and the Department of Labor and Employment.

The hearing on Jackson’s death last week revealed that two months before he died, he was without sleep.

Sixty days without sleep! How can one do that? And how can one survive that!

The information on Jackson being sleepless for 60 days came out because Jackson’s mother and children sued AEG Live, the concert promoter, which hired Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering Jackson’s Propofol treatments, which was blamed for the singer’s death four years ago, June 25, 2009.

12 steps to a fantastic beach body

Published by Ellen on March 24, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files
Video by Mario Ignacio

You have your plane tickets. You have made the hotel reservations.

You are all set for fun in the beach. But, is your body ready for it?

Six ways to keep fit during election campaign

Published by Ellen on February 17, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files

Photos and video by Mario Ignacio and Mario Espinosa

More important than winning the election, candidates should make sure they are able to survive the grueling 90-day campaign.

The same reminder applies to the staff of political parties and members of media who are covering the campaign.

An election campaign is exciting and exhausting. Candidates try to maximize their provincial trips by meeting as many groups as they can squeeze in their waking hours. Rallies last up to midnight even early morning.The next day, members of the campaign caravan rush to the airport for the next destination.

Almost always after election, many of those involved in the campaign end up overweight due to irregular and unhealthy meals and lack of exercise.

Friendships and keeping fit continue after Fitness First Southmall

Published by Ellen on November 1, 2012

Fitness First Southmall was part of my three to four times a week routine the past 14 months. I became fit and healthy . From a size that bordered to extra-large, I’m down to medium. Thank you very much, Christian S. Cerezo, my very competent and kind personal trainer.

As a bonus, I gained friends.

That’s why, borrowing a quote from Shakespeare, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

Hindi yata tama gawing legal ang pagpuputa

Published by Ellen on October 21, 2012

From dipity.com. Scene from the red light district of Amsterdam

Inirekomenda ng United Nations Development Program (UNDP) na gawing legal ang prostitution o pagpu-puta para daw maproteksyunan ang mga kawawang puta.

Hindi yata tama.

Naawa ako sa mga puta dahil hindi talaga kanais-nais na trabaho ang kanilang ginagawa at marami sa kanila ay napipilitan lang para mabuhay ngunit mali yata ang solusyun na paggawa nito na legal. Para naman kinukunsinti ang ganung gawain.

Sinabi sa report na huwag daw gawing krimen ang pagpuputa para kapag legal ang kanilang trabaho, makakuha sila ng benepisyo katulad ng pagpapaeksamin sa doktor, insurance at pension.

Ways and Means committee:pitfall for two Batangueño legislators

Published by Ellen on October 16, 2012

In a period of one year, the Ways and Means committees of both legislative chambers claimed two Batangueños.

Last Monday, Sen. Ralph Recto resigned as chair of the Senate Ways and Means committee after he found himself a target of criticisms for his committee report and his own version of the Sin Tax bill which groups pushing for higher taxes say is Philip Morris-friendly.

December last year, Batangas Rep. (2nd district) Hermilando Mandanas, a member of the Liberal party just like Recto, was removed as chairman of the ways and means committee. He was replaced by another LP member, Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab.

The Ways and Means committees are most coveted and are given to senior legislators. The committees have jurisdiction on all matters relating to revenue which include taxes and fees, tariffs, loans and other
sources and forms of revenue.

I know of a legislator who had held that position for many years he became so rich that last election, money flowed like water in his province. He won, of course, together with his son who also ran for another elective post.

Recto’s equilibrium and erectile dysfunction

Published by Ellen on October 15, 2012

Update: Recto quits as ways and means chair: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/10/15/12/recto-quits-ways-and-means-chair

Studies have shown that the ill-effects of smoking coupled with poor diet and lack of exercise are not limited to cardiovascular, respiratory disease, diabetes and cancer, which are afflicting Filipinos at their most productive age, 40’s and early 50’s.

In one of the lectures,Dr. Anthony Leachon, cardiologist and consultant on non-communicable diseases of the Department of Health, said recent studies have shown that smoking causes erectile dysfunction.

Privilege Speech delivered by Sen Recto Oct 15,2012

“You may not die of erectile dysfunction but some men die for it,” quipped Leachon, who is leading the campaign for the passage of the Sin Tax, not the Recto-fied version but the one that the authored by Sen. Miriam Santiago. He also supports the version passed by the House of Representatives authored by then Cavite Representative (now Secretary of Transportation and Communication) Joseph Abaya.