One of my career dreams came true this month, when I got a phone call from my alma mater, asking me to conduct classes on our open field on Sunday mornings. I quickly said YES. Pilates classes, at 8am on Sundays, surrounded by fresh air, sunshine, clouds, and foliage... DEFINITELY. Open to alumni, family, friends, anyone... OF COURSE.
I've long wanted to pay it forward by serving my schools in some way and reaching out to the huge percentage of the population that has never enjoyed the benefits of exercise, moreso the importance of it everyone. Considering that Pilates is one of the expensive exercise endeavors today, particularly here in the Philippines, I often wondered HOW I can share my expertise and passion to more people who had no access to gyms or pilates studios. And I also wished to someday give class bounded by earth, sea, and sky, and not by walls, mirrors, and ceilings. And the opportunity just came.
The organizers were also thrilled because I accepted quickly and was indeed available for the task on short notice. They exclaimed that I was hulog ng langit ("heaven sent"), to which I said, wow, you're making my dream come true. Ain't that grand?
So there we were, on a fresh Sunday morning, a mix of alumni, friends, family, and strangers, doing Standing Pilates like synchronized swimming on land. It was a fun and refreshing event, fostering camaraderie, with health information provided by a global wellness company that I patronize, as their products have sustained me in this exhausting profession.
I'm just elated that this one dream came true-- I did name it so I could claim it!
And surely this is one way for people to gather for good, clean, HEALTHY fun; one good reason to wake up early on a Sunday, and do something absolutely good for yourself and others.
My congratulations and gratitude to ALL the organizers and participants of the Ateneo Wellness Weekends!!! Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!!!
