"I want to correct the concept that yoga is only about flexibility…’yan ang gusto kong baguhin sa isip ng karamihan," says Pio Baguiran, yoga guru at this year's best yoga center according to the Global Award for Marketing Excellence - Vinyasa Yoga Center.

"There are some people who are not practicing yoga but are flexible. Yung mga nag-aerobics, the gymnasts but the difference is the spiritual foundation," adds Baguiran.

According to related literatures, Yoga is a science that has been in place for thousands of years in the Indian culture. It consists of ancient theories, observations and principles about the mind and body connection. Its aim is to unite the mind, body and spirit and if it is given the right tools and right environment, the body can find harmony and heal itself.

For Baguiran, who has been practicing yoga since 1984, "learning how to connect one's self to the environment, to friends and to love ones in its whollistic approach is Yoga. It is about the art of connection. It is a journey to self discovery."

And since Yoga is a way of life, there are some vows that Baguiran stricly observes. "A bonafide or authentic yoga teacher follow the vows—no meat, fish and eggs, intoxication, gambling and explicit sex, means practicing celibacy. Very rare ang makikita mo na yoga teacher na strict vegetarian." he explains.

Also, he relates that he went to India and became a monk for a year. He explains that in the traditional way, the practice of yoga is handed down from the teacher to the disciple. "It is handed down from oral reception…yogis of the past learn from their masters in the traditional style of teaching."

Before starting a yoga session, according to Baguiran, one must mentally, physically and spiritually prepare. However, if one submit his mind and body to Yoga through meditation, one will become mindful of his body. "You need to listen to your body." he says.

Stressing the importance of meditation, Baguiran relates, "The mind is just like a pond. You can compare the mind to a pond na pag sa umaga…hindi pa nagagalaw kaya clear pa ang water. Yung mga isda representing ang mga desires mo kaya sa tanghali marami ka nang desires thus the water becomes murky."

When asked about the term Vinyasa, he says that it is a sanscrit word which means a method of connecting the breath and movement of the body to create an internal intense heat. "Lahat ng style ng Yoga, apply the Vinyasa which means one breath, one pose."

He stresses that proper breathing is the key to execute a proper Yoga pose. "Para makapag-produce ka nang fire, you need air, so you have to do the breathing. Bring in the oxygen and once mixed with air and fire, it produces water through sweat. The water that your body excretes is toxins." he explains.

Five to a maximum of 15 number of students is ideal per class. He says that in that way, he could monitor and correct every poses of his students. "We do it in a gentle way where everybody could participate," he explains.

After finishing at least 12 sessions, he evaluates if a student is ready to do advance yoga poses. He further explains that there are three levels in yoga, the basic, intermediary and advance.

He adds that the advancement of a student is not measured at the flexibility of one’s body. If you see the importance of life and its purpose, then you reached the advance stage of yoga.

"Yoga is not tension, kailang ma-relax ka after and to raise the level of consciousness ng bawat isa." he explains.

The harmony of the body and mind that Yoga provides yeilds many health benefits. The poses act upon certain parts of the body in an interrelated manner and when done together, they work in harmony. Baguiran says that yoga helps people to become more aware of the body’s posture, alignment, patterns of movement and helps relaxation even in the midst of a stress stricken environment.

According to him, yoga benefits the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, hormonal and digestive ailments of the body. It can normalize blood pressure, tones the muscles of the heart, can help to reduce cardiac disorders and imporves circulation. The musculoskeletal benefits includes the lengthening of the spine and improve its allignment, corrects bad posture, counters the effects of aging on the spine and bones, tones muscles and prevents osteoporosis among others.

The respiratory and hormonal benefits such as: improvement of the breating capacity, asthmatic symptoms, sinus conditions and it increases the elasticity of lung tissue, normalizes the menstrual cycle, checks heavy menstrual flow and increases fertility strengthen the many benefits one can derive from practicing Yoga. Lastly, it also rejuvinates the abdominal organs and improves digestion, it can improve hemorrhoids, constipation and flatulence, relieves stomach ache, reduces gastritis and acidity, helps calm irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and colitis.

Baguiran admits that it is not easy to perform spiritual austerity and follow the no vices rule but it still boils down to one thing—the want and need to feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful. "When you embrace the philospohy of yoga, then it becomes the lifestyle," he concludes.