A CEBU-led team will proudly carry the Philippine flag to Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, for the 6th Asian Yogasana Championship on Aug. 9 to 11, 2025.
This marks a historic first for the Philippines, as it joins for the very first time, the event that is expected to gather competitors from over 25 nations from all over Asia.
Leading the Philippine delegation is Chriz Nouelle Nebril, a Cebu-based yoga teacher, alongside Regine Anne Rago, a health and wellness instructor based in Ormoc. They will be joined by head coach Yves Lorraine Fernandez and assistant coach Rodfhel “Lucky” Torrefiel. Nebril and Rago will be taking part in the individual events of the traditional and artistic disciplines.
The team is organized by the newly formed Philippine Yogasana Sports Association Inc. (PYSAI), which seeks to professionalize Yogasana as a competitive sport in the country.
Nebril, who has a strong foundation in ballet, holds an RYT-200 certification under Yoga Alliance and is trained in various yoga styles, including Vinyasa, Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, Aerial, Inside Flow and Rocket I.
Rago, a professional aerial artist, is a certified yoga teacher specializing in Ashtanga Vinyasa and Aerial Yoga.
She also enjoys exploring aerial hoop and pole fitness, blending strength, grace and mindful movement in her practice.
“We’re thrilled to have this team represent the Philippines on the Asian stage,” said PYSAI president Mary Glo Villacastin. “We have a thriving yoga community, and we believe Filipino athletes can truly excel in this sport.”
Several Cebu-based yoga studios—including Dawata Wellness, Unfold Yoga, Mindful Yoga, Bliss Yoga and Bambusa—have shown their full support for the team, with Dawata, Unfold and Mindful generously providing their spaces as training venues.
“The support that we received is overwhelming as it sets us up in preparation for the tournament. Being a new organization with very limited resources, the community’s help has boosted our morale and given us the motivation we need for this endeavor.”
Villacastin added that Yogasana is set to debut as a demonstration sport in the 2026 Asian Games, marking a major step forward for the discipline in the region.
“Our vision is to bring Yogasana to the grassroots, to identify and train future athletes, and to establish a strong Philippine presence in international competitions,” Villacastin added.
Rahul Bisht, an Indian yoga teacher, PYSAI consultant & Asian Yogasana Sports Federation’s Philippines coordinator, acknowledged that yoga is often viewed as a fitness activity, but to many serious practitioners, it holds much deeper meaning. Yogasana, he explained, focuses specifically on one aspect of yoga—the poses or asanas.
Participating in the championship, Villacastin added, is not just about competition. “It’s also an opportunity to learn from international best practices,” Villacastin noted.
“We hope to bring home valuable insights and apply them to our local program.”
To help grow the sport, PYSAI also plans to bring in an expert from the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation to conduct a coaching seminar for yoga instructors, studio owners, and practitioners in the Philippines. / RSC
