Monique Borja: The business of yoga

Some careers develop by chance. For Monique Borja, attending a workshop opened the path that led her to become a teacher and franchise owner of Bliss Yoga studio in Greenhills.

Our bachelorette loved her childhood days growing up in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro and would spend time with her parents at their family’s ranch in Bukidnon. There, surrounded by cows, Monique, 32, would wake up early in the morning to the peaceful sounds of Bukidnon’s open spaces. Today, she shares a way to this tranquility through her yoga classes.

In the two years since she advanced as a yoga teacher, Monique has expanded her teaching venues to include classes in the Bliss studio of Makati, private lessons in homes and sessions at ADB. A venture in Makati Shangri-La will feature her sharing the breathing techniques and Vinyasa flow that she continues to learn.

One fear of mine is that I will not have enough time to do everything that I would like to do. 

What helped me to conquer fear is knowing not to feel rushed.

I start my day usually with yoga at 6:30. I love practicing in the mornings. It sets the pace of my day. Through the years I’ve seen development in my endurance, strength and flexibility. There is so much more I can do.

My challenges include running a studio as a business and keeping the essence of yoga. Together with the other teachers, we want to build a community rather than just accumulate clientele.

Best quality about me… Very nurturing to my friends and to my classes. My friends call me “mama.” It’s innate.

If I had to limit my travels to one city, I would very much want to go to Tokyo. I love everything Japanese because they are very particular about their products and their lifestyle.

How I got started… Been working on my yoga since 2004 and just started to teach two years ago.

My next step…  It’s always difficult answering this with 100-percent certainty because life is just full of surprises. I know for sure that there will be continued growth paving the way and clearing the path to more fulfilling experiences. I’m just beginning to carve out the trail that will create the ultimate life I can live. 

My personal style signifier is my outfits, very casual jeans and T-shirts. I often wear whites and cannot leave the house without a watch.

My work is about running the studio, helping in the admin, staff and marketing. I don’t even feel it is work. I feel grateful, finding and embracing teaching. So much exchange and reward.

Our employees are four admins, three receptionists, an accountant and eight teachers.

My role in the company is to have a nice relationship with my partners, Roland de la Cruz and Glenn. Roland is our head teacher and guru. He takes care of the financials. I do the marketing. I like the dynamics of our partnership.

What we do for others… On a physical aspect, yes, my students stretch out and develop their naturally lean and long postures. Regular practice makes them eat better, choices are healthier and sleep better.

What they do for us… The biggest joys are when they feel the benefits working inside them. After a class there is a predominant lightness and they keep coming back and we see improvements in their deeper, calmer breaths.

One breath, one movement: Students practice the downward-facing dog as Monique leads them into the Vinyasa flow.

My proudest moment is when people who believe they can never do a pose like a headstand, which most people fear, do it on their own.

For grooming and style, I rely on Elevation salon on Pasong Tamo. Their Keratin hair treatment smoothes my wavy hair and makes it easy to wash and wear.  Erna Fonda cuts my hair.

I am happy when students start to laugh, especially when it is hard work like core … there is a sense of community and togetherness with them sharing the same energy.

The last meal that truly impressed me was the wonderful tapas selections in Besos on Bonifacio High Street. I’m easy to please when it comes to food.

The last thing I bought and loved was a gold anklet from my student who is a jeweler in Bacolod.  

The thing I’m hoping to buy next is the Nikon 14-24mm wide-angle zoom lens.

The books I am reading now are Isabel Allende’s Portrait in Sepia and The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian.

My favorite websites are Elephantjournal.com, Livestrong.com, and Imdb.com.

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E-mail: Babycamp2@gmail.com.