When fitness instructor Estherlyn Geronimo-Labuca introduced Nirvana Fitness to her class, nobody knew about the new workout routine. “They were naturally curious about it. I said it’s similar to yoga, and they said ‘ahh, it’s boring.” I also said that it has Pilates exercises, they whined about body aches. The movements are slow and flowing, I explained, just like in tai chi, that’s when they said, ‘oh, okay.’ Then, I showed them a demo.”

Labuca has been teaching Zumba for 10 years, and the strenuous workout has started to take a toll on her body. While teaching fitness classes remains her passion, she needed to slow down. “So, I was encouraged to take up Nirvana Fitness, so I signed up for the lessons and I’d say I’m happy with the results. Personally, I also benefitted from Nirvana Fitness.

“Unlike in Zumba, participants are not pressured to copy the movements as you follow the fast beats. It is a strenuous workout so you at least a day to recover. In Nirvana Fitness, everything is done in moderation with very careful movements, so you can do it seven days a week. And the more you do it, the more benefits you have.”

According to Labuca, regular practice of this fitness routine delivers these physical benefits:

It increases and regulates oxygen in the body. “During the session, we first measure the length of time you can hold your breath as an indication of the oxygen level in your body. After a Nirvana Fitness class, the desired result would be an increased length of time that you can hold your breath. When your body gets enough oxygen, our blood circulation improves and you don’t feel out of breath.”

It improves flexibility and mobility. “When you stretch and you hear popping of the joints, it means you not fully greased up, it’s still tight. In Nirvana Fitness, we do stretching and bending while focusing on our breathing. We stretch your neck, arms, back, legs and the abdominals. There is no pressure or urgency when the following the movements.”

It calms and relaxes your inner being. “The background music itself is very relaxing. There’s choreography so every movement goes with the beat of the music. After the session, you have a good flow of oxygen so you can think clearly. Four to five hours after class, you can still feel relaxed and have a peace of mind. You don’t get flustered easily. Instead, you’re more focused as you go about your daily tasks.”

“In Nirvana Fitness, everything is done in moderation with very careful movements, so you can do it seven days a week. And the more you do it, the more benefits you have.”

While Zumba is widely favored by fitness aficionados, Lacuba strongly recommends Nirvana Fitness to all ages: young; middle-aged; seniors. “Unlike in Zumba, participants are not pressured to copy the movements as you follow the fast beats. It is a strenuous workout so you at least a day to recover. In Nirvana Fitness, everything is done in moderation with very careful movements, so you can do it seven days a week. And the more you do it, the more benefits you have.”

To get started, Nirvana Fitness participants are recommended to wear light, well-fitted workout clothes, bring their own yoga mats, and a water bottle. It is also important to inform the fitness instructor of any existing injury or other health conditions before starting any fitness routine.

As a certified Fitness Nirvana instructor Lacuba also encourages her students to check if their fitness instructors carry a license to teach classes. “Don’t be shy because you’re paying for their services to become healthy; you’re not paying to get injured. Unlicensed instructors are not aware of the nuances that can lead to injuries. A simple movement can twist your ankle, your arms. A licensed instructor knows how to teach the proper breathing technique, the proper forms, and the cues when to increase the intensity of the workout, or when to rest and recover. There is a system we must follow because safety is the utmost concern of any licensed practitioner. We make sure you’re taken care of.”

Now that Fitness Nirvana is slowly gaining popularity around gym clubs, Lacuba is happy with the reception and hopes more people will be interested to try it out. “I pioneered it here in AnytimeFitness Tagaytay and I also have workout classes in Alabang and Cavite,” say Lacuba. “I have seen Fitness Nirvana becoming a part of the lifestyle of several regular students I know. They like it so much sometimes they do it twice a day.”

On Aug. 19, Sandari Batulao, in partnership with Anytime Fitness Tagaytay, hosted Lacuba and her class for a Nirvana Fitness session as one of the activities during the Wellness Weekend. Together with the healthy cooking demo conducted by Marianne Samonte of Salad Master, the event showcased Sandari Batulao’s vision of building a wellness community in its project development sites such as Nale and Dima. Its three core principles of wellness, Eat, Move and Sleep, encourage lot owners to lead holistic healthy living within the confines of a village surrounded by nature’s bounty and beauty.