Words by Aude Camus
I'm not particularly good at slowing down. Between a full-time job, running Hong Kong Madame in every spare moment, adjusting to life as a family of four, navigating the French International School's admission mayhem (I have a lot to say about that system, and none of it is particularly flattering) and keeping on top of life's endless admin, the past few months have felt like a never-ending marathon. The kind where your shoulders slowly creep towards your ears, your jaw is permanently clenched, and your body starts sending little signals that perhaps it's time to take a break.
So, when I was invited to enjoy an insider look at YUN WELLNESS’ – the wellness centre at Island Shangri-La – new Traditional Chinese Medicine-oriented philosophy principles, I was intrigued. I’m the wellness-curious type, and while I’m not a specialist, I’m no TCM rookie either. From cupping and acupuncture to custom-made herbal remedies prescribed by a TCM practitioner, I've tried my fair share of treatments over the years. There was even a Royal Meridian Adjustment session in Beijing back in 2019 that remains one of the most memorable wellness experiences I've ever had. While I'm certainly no expert, I've come to see Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern medicine not as competing philosophies, but as complementary approaches that can work remarkably well side by side.
I'm not particularly good at slowing down. Between a full-time job, running Hong Kong Madame in every spare moment, adjusting to life as a family of four, navigating the French International School's admission mayhem (I have a lot to say about that system, and none of it is particularly flattering) and keeping on top of life's endless admin, the past few months have felt like a never-ending marathon. The kind where your shoulders slowly creep towards your ears, your jaw is permanently clenched, and your body starts sending little signals that perhaps it's time to take a break.
So, when I was invited to enjoy an insider look at YUN WELLNESS’ – the wellness centre at Island Shangri-La – new Traditional Chinese Medicine-oriented philosophy principles, I was intrigued. I’m the wellness-curious type, and while I’m not a specialist, I’m no TCM rookie either. From cupping and acupuncture to custom-made herbal remedies prescribed by a TCM practitioner, I've tried my fair share of treatments over the years. There was even a Royal Meridian Adjustment session in Beijing back in 2019 that remains one of the most memorable wellness experiences I've ever had. While I'm certainly no expert, I've come to see Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern medicine not as competing philosophies, but as complementary approaches that can work remarkably well side by side.
So, after weeks of running on adrenaline, the promise of Meridian & Fascia Therapy with Master Eric Lee – one of YUN WELLNESS's signature experiences – sounded exactly like what my body had been asking for: a chance to release some tension, restore balance and finally slow down for an hour.
A different kind of wellness
For those unfamiliar with the concept, YUN WELLNESS isn't your typical hotel spa. Recently reimagined around Traditional Chinese Medicine, the wellness sanctuary takes a more holistic approach to wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on relaxation, treatments are designed around the idea that physical discomfort, fatigue and emotional stress are often interconnected.
The philosophy is simple: when Qi – the body's vital energy – flows freely, we feel balanced, resilient and energised. When that flow becomes blocked, tension, exhaustion and discomfort often follow.
Whether you're a devoted believer in TCM or simply someone carrying the weight of a demanding schedule, it's an approach that feels surprisingly relevant to modern life.
The treatment
Meridian Fascia Therapy combines traditional meridian (in TCM, meridians are the channels through which your qi, or vital energy, flows) work with fascia (thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place) release techniques, targeting areas where stress and tension tend to accumulate.
Some movements felt deep and targeted, working through stubborn knots and areas of restriction. Others focused on stimulating meridian pathways, encouraging circulation and energy flow throughout the body.
There were moments of discomfort (even pain) – particularly around my shoulders and upper back, where months of desk work and stress had clearly left their mark – but they were followed by an unmistakable sense of release.
What struck me most was how intuitive the experience felt. Rather than following a standard sequence, Master Eric seemed to focus on the areas that needed the most attention, adapting the treatment to what my body appeared to be telling him.
The results
I'm always cautious when it comes to wellness claims. No treatment is going to magically erase stress, solve your problems or transform your life in an hour.
But I did walk out feeling genuinely lighter. As though my body had finally stopped bracing itself for a moment.
My shoulders definitely felt looser. My posture felt different. Even mentally, there was a sense of rest that had been missing for weeks. It also helped that the treatment conclude with as much downtime as you need in The Sanctuary – a resting room which, as suggested by its name, is an invitation to linger a little longer, enjoy the peace and quiet, sip a cup of tea and savour a rare moment entirely for yourself.
Perhaps that's what I appreciated most. Rather than chasing a quick fix, the treatment felt like a gentle reminder to pay attention to my body before it starts shouting for help.
Why it stands out
What makes YUN WELLNESS interesting isn't just the treatment itself but the broader vision behind it.
In a world where wellness trends come and go, there's something refreshing about seeing a luxury wellness space embrace a practice so deeply rooted in Asian culture and everyday life. Traditional Chinese Medicine has been part of Hong Kong's fabric for generations, yet YUN presents it in a way that feels modern, approachable and relevant.
Beyond treatments, the wellness centre hosts visiting masters and practitioners specialising in areas such as energy healing, Tai Chi, meridian therapy and Qi cultivation, creating a wellness programme that extends far beyond the treatment room.
The verdict
If you've been feeling run down, overstimulated or simply disconnected from your body, Meridian Fascia Therapy is worth exploring.
Whether you believe in the concept of Qi or simply appreciate an exceptionally targeted body treatment, the experience offers something many of us desperately need: permission to pause.
After months of pushing through deadlines, responsibilities and endless to-do lists, that alone felt incredibly valuable.
YUN WELLNESS at Island Shangri-La
Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central
The Meridian & Fascia Therapy with Master Lee is available every Friday and Saturday (until 31 January 2027) and priced at HKD 2,980 per 90-minute session.
A different kind of wellness
For those unfamiliar with the concept, YUN WELLNESS isn't your typical hotel spa. Recently reimagined around Traditional Chinese Medicine, the wellness sanctuary takes a more holistic approach to wellbeing. Rather than focusing solely on relaxation, treatments are designed around the idea that physical discomfort, fatigue and emotional stress are often interconnected.
The philosophy is simple: when Qi – the body's vital energy – flows freely, we feel balanced, resilient and energised. When that flow becomes blocked, tension, exhaustion and discomfort often follow.
Whether you're a devoted believer in TCM or simply someone carrying the weight of a demanding schedule, it's an approach that feels surprisingly relevant to modern life.
The treatment
Meridian Fascia Therapy combines traditional meridian (in TCM, meridians are the channels through which your qi, or vital energy, flows) work with fascia (thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place) release techniques, targeting areas where stress and tension tend to accumulate.
Some movements felt deep and targeted, working through stubborn knots and areas of restriction. Others focused on stimulating meridian pathways, encouraging circulation and energy flow throughout the body.
There were moments of discomfort (even pain) – particularly around my shoulders and upper back, where months of desk work and stress had clearly left their mark – but they were followed by an unmistakable sense of release.
What struck me most was how intuitive the experience felt. Rather than following a standard sequence, Master Eric seemed to focus on the areas that needed the most attention, adapting the treatment to what my body appeared to be telling him.
The results
I'm always cautious when it comes to wellness claims. No treatment is going to magically erase stress, solve your problems or transform your life in an hour.
But I did walk out feeling genuinely lighter. As though my body had finally stopped bracing itself for a moment.
My shoulders definitely felt looser. My posture felt different. Even mentally, there was a sense of rest that had been missing for weeks. It also helped that the treatment conclude with as much downtime as you need in The Sanctuary – a resting room which, as suggested by its name, is an invitation to linger a little longer, enjoy the peace and quiet, sip a cup of tea and savour a rare moment entirely for yourself.
Perhaps that's what I appreciated most. Rather than chasing a quick fix, the treatment felt like a gentle reminder to pay attention to my body before it starts shouting for help.
Why it stands out
What makes YUN WELLNESS interesting isn't just the treatment itself but the broader vision behind it.
In a world where wellness trends come and go, there's something refreshing about seeing a luxury wellness space embrace a practice so deeply rooted in Asian culture and everyday life. Traditional Chinese Medicine has been part of Hong Kong's fabric for generations, yet YUN presents it in a way that feels modern, approachable and relevant.
Beyond treatments, the wellness centre hosts visiting masters and practitioners specialising in areas such as energy healing, Tai Chi, meridian therapy and Qi cultivation, creating a wellness programme that extends far beyond the treatment room.
The verdict
If you've been feeling run down, overstimulated or simply disconnected from your body, Meridian Fascia Therapy is worth exploring.
Whether you believe in the concept of Qi or simply appreciate an exceptionally targeted body treatment, the experience offers something many of us desperately need: permission to pause.
After months of pushing through deadlines, responsibilities and endless to-do lists, that alone felt incredibly valuable.
YUN WELLNESS at Island Shangri-La
Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central
The Meridian & Fascia Therapy with Master Lee is available every Friday and Saturday (until 31 January 2027) and priced at HKD 2,980 per 90-minute session.
This article is based on a complimentary Meridian & Fascia Therapy arranged by YUN WELLNESS. No money has been paid to publish this review which is entirely based on the genuine opinion of its author.
