Today we’d like to introduce you to Margrit Erika Tendencia

Hi Margrit Erika, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I started my fitness journey back in 2008. I just resigned from my corporate job and started doing freelance work so I had lots of time to pursue my passion and discover a new skill. I signed up in a gym and tried all their group exercises but the ones which resonated most were yoga and pilates. I did back to back classes for these two exercises until I decided that I would concentrate on yoga since the gym offered different styles. When not at work, I would spend my whole day practicing asanas and diving deep into the other limbs of yoga. In 2013, the former club manager approached me to audition as a yoga instructor in the new gym he was managing. I passed the audition but a few months after I broke my right tibia and fibula in an ice-skating accident and needed to take the time off to recover. I used this opportunity to explore the restorative and yin classes and by the time I was back teaching in the studio, I was surprised that I was more flexible. In the latter part of that year, a friend introduced to me a US-based fitness app called Cody (now popularly known as AloMoves). I created their first-ever yoga video plan entitled The Four-Minute Yoga Treat which was ideal for those who have limited time to practice. In order to properly guide my clients, I took my 200 Hours Ashtanga Vinyasa Teacher Training Course in 2018 and Classical Pilates Teacher Training Course in 2019. Pandemic struck but learning didn’t stop! I was busy the whole time with our Pilates Continuous Education Program for Teachers as well as teaching yoga to an Australian-based Fitness App called ViveLive. After pandemic, I started teaching at Move with Options and recently at Paragon Pilates where I was the Head of Yoga Department.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

It wasn’t a smooth road at all! I had my injury and was diagnosed with Bipolar 1. I gained tons of weight due to my maintenance medication but I was grateful for yoga and pilates. They helped me become flexible and strong in spite of having a full-figured body. After breaking my right tibia and fibula, I had leg length discrepancy which was the cause of developing a mild scoliosis. Thankfully, Pilates has a lot of unilateral exercises and specially designed program for scoliosis. We also have a foot and toe correctors in our studio to address my everted right foot. For yoga, I took my 60 Hours Yin Teacher Training this year and it cured the plantar fasciitis on my right foot. It’s amazing how these exercises can help improve your overall health and wellness!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I’m an International Yoga and Pilates Coach! I’ve been doing yoga and pilates since 2008. I’ve tried both exercises at the same time but concentrated more on yoga a year after. I tried almost all yoga styles but was really hooked in Ashtanga. I love how it taught me self-discipline by practicing almost everyday. I even get to apply the same amount of commitment in my Pilates practice. Seeing my passion at work, a former club member in the gym asked me to audition as a yoga teacher in his new club. Then, I had a chance to for a US-based Fitness App called Cody (now popularly known as AloMoves) to create a video plan for its community.

After ten years of exploring different styles of yoga and teaching in selected gyms, I took my 200 Hours Ashtanga Vinyasa Teacher Training Course in 2018 and a year after I had my Classical Pilates Teacher Training Course at Smart Movement International. Recently, I also completed my 60 Hours Yin Yoga Teacher Training to find balance in all of my yang activities. These trainings had helped me effectively guide my students in class and develop my teaching prowess.

Nowadays, I am the Head of Yoga Department at Paragon Pilates Philippines. I am most proud of my own innovation called Learn English Through Movement. It is a specially designed chair yoga and pilates exercise for ESL and EFL students that they can easily do in between breaks to avoid computer syndrome. This program caters to Microsoft Partner and Showcase Schools in which I am a Microsoft Innovative Certified Educator.

My passion, creativity, commitment to excellence through continuous education and superb customer service sets me apart from others.

What matters most to you? Why?

Pursuing my passion in life and being valued at work! Based on my own observation, I am more productive at work when I’m happy. I have endless creative ideas for my classes specially right after doing a relaxing yin class or a great pilates workout. I also feel good seeing the smiles in my student’s faces after my class. I agree with what most people say that teaching is the most fulfilling job.

Pricing:

• Intro to Ashtanga (Online) USD20/Hour
• Yin Yoga (Online) USD20/Hour
• Pilates Mat Foundation (Online) USD20/Hour
• Intermediate Classical Pilates Mat (Online) USD30/Hour
• Pre and Post Natal Pilates (Online) USD30/Hour

Contact Info:

• Website: https://margriterika.wixsite.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohmieserika?igsh=NXdscXJ2b3A4cmtt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohmieserika/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yogaandpilatescoacherika

Image Credits
Mitch Roperos
Karen Santos and Team
Ole Eugenio