The Cross and the Moon

As the communion song is sung by the choir, the booming call of prayer over the neighboring mosques' speakers also fires up, paving way to the contrast of 2 faiths being practiced right at the very same moment. This irony comes from practing Christianity in a Muslim nation governed and ruled by Islamic people. We Christians, particulary Catholics here in Qatar are thankful that the government allows us along with other several religion to legally practice the faith within their walls. It is alright to go to mass and pray and to bring bibles and other sacramentlals through the airport. But even if with permission, praying should be done discreetly or else deportation will be imposed on the offending individual. We should remember that this place is owned by the Muslims afterall. It is their land, their faith and their government. These were the thoughts that came into my mind as the priest raised the host to my lips and I said Amen.

Practice, Community, Fun

I was doing Yoga for quiet sometime although not as much as a regular thing. Way back when I was still in Manila, I've joined Fitness First's program for body balance. It was a workout combination of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi. It was then that I was initiated to Yoga. I particularly like Yoga because for me, it is a combination of the mind and body working. I don't have a very good background of Yoga but somehow I am drawn to it and would like to explore the other benefits it'll give me. Yoga has been passed down from centuries and across the globe from India. I suppose it would not stand the test of time if it is just a fad or a regular form of exercise and relaxation. The testimonies of the people practicing it is another aspect to look at. They claim that Yoga in many ways improve the quality of life. Boy, how would I like that! In our times today, we should be aware of the ways on how we should be able to improve the mental and physical state of our bodies. And that was how the decision of hooking myself with yoga was born.

A couple of months back, I decided that I will do Yoga and practice on my own. I bought a Yoga DVD and a mat to practice in our room. I got many smirks and indignation from Mars because of this but nonetheless he was supporting me and hopefully I can influence him in doing Yoga as well. I religiously immitated the instructions on the video. But afte sometime, I got used to the routine playing just the same over and over again. I felt something is missing. Then suddenly after a few months, I got engaged with the first ever Yoga studio here in Qatar. Maybe this is the answer to that thing which is missing. I was browsing the website Qatar Living one lazy Friday morning and I saw one upcoming event, the opening of Pepka Yoga studio. Since the studio was just a couple of blocks away from our place (another blessing indeed), I went there to join the free class for the day and see how do they conduct the class. It was basically an expat crowd, no locals. It was a great experience and immediately I signed up for the pass which will entitle me to have 10 sessions to be consumed within 3 months. Entire the week, there is a schedule of the different levels and types of Yoga they teach. There is Astanga Yoga, Morning and meditation yoga and lastly the Moksha yoga which is a hot yoga....this I've got to try. I went in to join the Astanga Yoga this morning. I tried the Level 2 astanga which I think will be a little difficult than the first one I tried the other week. The basic class was done on the other room adjacent to the main studio. I was so sweaty throughtout the workout. I was here in Qatar for over a year now but never did I sweat as much as I did this morning. It was a great experience to feel my lazy muscles stretched, to feel the air as I breath and to relax with each exhalation. If I keep doing my yoga, maybe the benefits will start to show. Practice, community, fun....that is the motto of Pepka Yoga.