RESIDENT yogini Xenia Momongan
KEEPING a wellness mindset isn’t that simple because there will be all sorts of obstacles challenging your resolve. Sure, we all want to be healthier, look better and live well both physically and spiritually. But we need to commit, ease into the habit and stick to it.
Every year, on the second Saturday of June, we mark Global Wellness Day. It was on June 11 when Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu hosted us for a day in celebration of living well.
Driven by this year’s slogan “One day can change your whole life” we got up early for a morning yoga at the Chi Spa. Although it rained, we didn’t let the weather dampen our spirit. Our Sunrise Yoga supposed to be held at the resort’s boat was transferred to an indoor venue, surrounded by a lush garden with the sound of running water from a nearby fountain at Chi Spa. In the 45-minute session, resident yogini Xenia Momongan very patiently guided us, mostly yoga first-timers, through breath awareness and basic poses like the Mountain Pose, Tree Pose, Simple Seated Twist, and the Chaturanga or the yoga push-up/low plank, which was a difficult pose to hold.
But fitness does not mean just lifting weights at the gym or balancing on the yoga mat. You must follow through with the proper diet.
Philippine National Triathlon Team Nikko Huelgas (5th from left) and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu General Manager Rene D. Egle (right) with triathletes
So from the Chi Spa we walked to the Ocean Pavilion where the perfect setting greeted us— low tables, throw pillows and a great view of the sea. Our delicious healthy breakfast was composed of egg white omelette, boiled asparagus, boiled tomatoes with cheese, croissants wheat bread and wheat grass smoothies. We enjoyed the meal with the resort’s triathletes, captain of the Philippine National Triathlon Team Nikko Huelgas and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu General Manager Rene D. Egle.
Celebrating Global Wellness Day, I realize that all of us can aspire to lead healthy lives.
