Making It Count: Embracing the Onelife Mentality

These moms share what it means to embrace the “Onelife” mentality and how it helps them become better parents for their kids.

In a world where juggling multiple roles often leaves little room for personal care, these mothers have embarked on a transformative journey. Their stories exemplify the essence of the “Onelife” mentality, where the pursuit of self-improvement isn’t just for themselves, but also for their children and community.

Meet Onelife founder, Tanya Aguila, and loyal Onelife clients Patti Grandidge Herrera, Fel Sison Garcia, Celline Bautista, and Casey Erum Sunico—women who have embraced the power of self-care through different paths, all converging at Onelife Studio. Through Pilates and mindful practices, they’ve discovered a holistic approach to parenthood and personal growth.

Tanya Aguila, Founder of Onelife

Sometimes, the realization that there’s only one life only comes when the damage is already done. When Onelife founder Tanya Aguila clearly saw the destructive aftermath of her corporate life, she decided that a sabbatical leave was long overdue.

“I first started off teaching yoga on the side and when I realized that I was creating an impact—one that I can really see in my students’ lives—that made me realize that maybe it is indeed time for me to make a career shift. At the time, my then boyfriend and now husband, Ferds, wanted to make his longtime dream with his mom to put up a different kind of ‘gym’ and convinced me that we can create something together,” Tanya shares.

Thus, the Onelife Studio was born, becoming a safe space for women to further explore the complexities of their bodies and minds without the fear of repercussions, intimidation, and overwhelm.

“Becoming a mother pushed me to grow even more outside my comfort zone,” she continues. “To learn new things, and to find a clearer purpose and vision for my life as well as Onelife. What they say is absolutely true—a child changes you, that a child is a great teacher, and if you are open to it, every moment has a lesson to offer.”

She takes these lessons in great stride, applying them to helping moms and women find strategies to become the ladies that life calls them to be. “Onelife aspires to be a company of women for women: by strengthening, empowering, and emboldening them to face the different seasons of their life with specialized care.”

Celline Bautista

When a particular workout rings true, it remains a part of the seasons—even in the face of something new. Celline Bautista, a mompreneur with three kids swears by Pilates. She cherishes the one-hour, twice-to-thrice-a-week commitment to Pilates, taking to heart its emphasis on self-dedication and how taking Pilates in Onelife Studio brought her back to life.

“The sense of community, seeing friends in the studio, and even bringing my family with me to work out has made me better in every aspect. More than the physical, it’s the mental aspect that comes with it,” Celline shares. “I really believe that taking care of myself is the best way to take care of my loved ones. It’s not selfish; it’s a selfless act you can gift your loved ones by giving them the best version of yourself.”

Celline even makes sure her business schedule works around her Onelife time—not the other way around. With that, she shares that handling Celline Bautista Atelier, Asakusa: Home of Tempura, the soon-to-open Wadashi, and being a mom of three becomes easier to deal with.

“I know I get to do it all and achieve what I can because exercise releases endorphins that naturally make you a happier person,” she admits.

The many changes Pilates has made her aware of as her body has and is undergoing as she enters her 40s next year is something she welcomes and faces head-on to become a better version of herself. “Of all my ‘body seasons,’ this season is my strongest ever. I can definitely say that I am a better wife, mother, friend, and boss because of the 3 hours a week I dedicate to Pilates.”

Patti Grandidge Herrera

Having one life means there’s only one body to work with. However, accepting the drastic physical changes motherhood brings can be difficult.

But Patti Grandidge Herrera offers a valuable insight: hating your body doesn’t help you get the body you want. “I’m thankful I had a healthy relationship with my body pre-baby, it helped tremendously to prime myself mentally for all that was to come. As mothers, we have to honor and recognize everything our bodies went through to bring our babies into this world,” she shares.

“I know it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. But going through those myself, I know that [your mind] plays tricks on you,” she adds. “This is a reminder that we are enough, getting to a place of loving ourselves as we are is where and when the shift takes place. Pilates gave me such an effective reset that when things got overwhelming, it allowed things to move through and out of me.”

When finding a way to make the most out of her body, Patti finds comfort in the environment Onelife offers. Confiding in the coaches as they slowly helped her back into a fitness routine, the support they offer fills her with the determination to stay strong and have the stamina to keep up with her two boys and their boundless energy.

She adds, “Pilates makes everyday life easier! Motherhood is a lot of squatting, bending, twisting, lifting. You’ll be doing these things regardless, so it helps to be pre-conditioned by exercise.”

Fel Sison Garcia

Pre-conditioning does more than strengthen but also supports even through the life-changing journey of pregnancy and childbirth. Two Caesarean sections with two completely different recovery journeys humbled Fel Garcia when she found that there were more ways to deeply connect and communicate with her body as it transitioned into motherhood through Pilates.

She recalls, “After giving birth to my firstborn, the experience sort of left me with a trauma. It was the peak of the pandemic and my recovery was very long and hard. For a time, I was scared to be pregnant and give birth again.”

“I was so happy I discovered the pre-natal program at Onelife because it prepared me and helped me be stronger not only physically but also affected me mentally. I was able to stand, walk, and do things right away after giving birth! My body was ready,” she adds.

It was a journey of accepting that there is another kind of strength. Fel found herself more mentally prepared than the first time, even discovering how she now had the strength to care for her family despite recently giving birth—unlike the first time. But it’s a process she knows takes time, which was a crucial lesson she learned from Onelife Studio.

“They also made me realize that taking care of oneself really helped me take care of my family better,” she shares. “Before having my family, I was all about looking good and being strong for myself, and now? There’s a deeper meaning and reason for that. I strive to be strong and healthy for my family, most especially for my kids. I want to be there for them as long as I can.”

Casey Erum Sunico

Pregnancy comes with a lot of preparations, besides the nesting phase. There are also physical preparations to make sure both childbirth and recovery are smooth. Casey Erum Sunico had explored various workout programs before finally transitioning fully to Pilates when she became pregnant.

“This decision was driven by my desire to better prepare myself for pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postnatal recovery,” Casey explains. “When I find myself in a fitness plateau, I first evaluate if the lack of progress is due to the workout itself or if it’s influenced by my lifestyle choices, such as sleep patterns and diet. I’ve learned that consistent results come from dedication, patience, and of course, self-love.”

But Pilates wasn’t new to her; she had occasionally tried out some Pilates mat work but found more comfort in the progress of going one-on-one in Onelife Studio. “It provides me with a more secure and guided environment. It’s so gratifying to witness my pregnant body adapt with increased strength and flexibility.”

“I wholeheartedly recommend prenatal Pilates due to the numerous benefits it offers both for the mom and the baby’s well-being,” she continues. “My postpartum goal is to regain my strength and bounce back quickly after my baby’s delivery, enabling me to be present and attentive to my child.”

“Exercising postpartum will also play a vital role in maintaining the endorphin levels I need to stay energized and balanced for the demands of motherhood,” she ends.

More About Working Out?

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Cha Cruz Behag: How Working Out Helped Her Pregnancy

Nicole dela Cruz On Why Staying Active Through Pregnancy Is A Must

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