by Aude
 
IRIS: Your Escape is back in Hong Kong this March 3rd and 4th. What is IRIS? A two days Yoga and Wellness Festival at Nursery Park, West Kowloon, gathering people in a mindful environment with the aim of inspiring them through yoga, meditation, music, arts, health and wellness education.
 
Last year, I was too intimidated to join. Why too intimidated? Because I just started my journey toward a more mindful way of life and as a beginner I was afraid of looking silly or of feeling like I should not be here. Are you just like me? Then don’t be afraid! If there is one thing I learnt over the past few months, while getting onto a healthier routine (still addicted to my barre 2 barre studio and cannot recommend it enough), is that you should trust yourself and never be afraid or ashamed of who you are. We are all different and all got a different truth about or body. Do you think I am kinda nut? I just feel kind of great with my body and mind … and believe me that’s a great feeling.  
 
Still intimidated to join? Why don’t you drop me a mail at contact@hongkongmadame.com ? I’ll be there myself and would be happy to meet you … the more the merrier, right?
 
The line-up of the festival is quite impressive and I thought “why not seating with a few of the teachers before the event and ask them what make them want to join this beautiful event”



 

• What is your definition of mindfulness? 

To me, mindfulness is to be fully present in the here and the now. Being able to observe my own breathing, bodily sensations, thoughts and emotions on and off the mats. The consistent practice in daily life is much harder than it seems!
 

• How did you first come to yoga?

I attended my first yoga class in a local gym back in 2005. I just wanted to try out 'something different'. It definitely wasn't 'love at first sight' but somehow, I continued to take classes casually. 
Until around 6 years ago I have become totally addicted to yoga after my first Vinyasa yoga class. I began to take class more frequently and found myself much less prone to sickness and more importantly, at a much more peaceful state than before. 
 

• You will teach Mindfulness Yin Yoga at IRIS– how would you describe it? 

Yoga itself already includes a mindfulness practice as well as the asanas (physical postures).
I coined the term for the sake of the IRIS event so that students will know specifically what to expect: slow practice with breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation and poses are held in a longer period of time.
In this particular class, we will focus especially on the liver meridian and self-massage with aroma oil will be included!  My regular students always love the massage part! It is a really good away to connect to and thank your body for all the hard work it has been doing for you every day!

• Any specific goal you are trying to achieve through teaching Mindfulness Yoga?

My goal is to create a space for students to feel and connect to their bodies, minds and emotions at meditation or different yoga postures. 

• Is it your first time being part of IRIS? 

Indeed.
I decided to join because it is a great event with such rich definition of wellness. I would like to part of this big picture by emphasizing the importance of mind-body-spirit connection. On top of connecting to ourselves within, it would also be a good opportunity to allow participants to connect with nature at this big open space in West Kowloon and each and every participant around us for a balanced, sustainable 'wellness' for all.
 

 

Hong Kong Madame insider tip: I actually had a chance to attend a Full Moon Yoga and mediation session with Rosalie early February and loved her energy. I will definitely be checking her class at IRIS. Meet you there?
 

• What is your definition of mindfulness?

 Mindfulness for me is a way of being. It’s about doing even the most mundane things with awareness and intention. I try to practice mindfulness in those little moments, like washing the dishes or brushing my teeth! It’s about noticing all the details and really paying attention. It’s an incredibly useful tool for bringing you fully back into the present moment.
 

• How did you first come to yoga?

I was introduced to yoga when I was 19. I dipped in and out of lots of different styles of yoga, from Ashtanga to Bikram and Vinyasa, but it was only years later when I started working as a television journalist that I practiced more consistently.
 
I loved how yoga helped me decompress and cope with the pressures of working in live television. I needed it! I started to realise that I could apply the tools and practices I learned during my practice to my everyday life. For instance, I would do 10 full rounds of ujjayi breathing right before going on air.  The difference it made was incredible - it was like a wave of calm washing over me.
 

• You will teach Yoga Nidra at IRIS– how would you describe it? 

Also known as yogic sleep, yoga nidra is one of the deepest forms of meditation. It’s a combination of allowing your body to relax while you keep your mind awake. By doing this, you reach a profound state of relaxation.
 
I like to think of it as a kind of internal yoga. It’s practiced lying on your back with your eyes closed -  and the hardest part is actually staying awake! 
 
But relaxation is just the beginning… yoga nidra can truly transform your life because you’re working with your subconscious mind. It’s like opening a door to your inner world. Your mind in a state of yoga nidra is extremely receptive, so it’s the optimal time to work on manifestation.
 
It’s a very powerful practice and it has truly changed my life. It helped me overcome my debilitating fear of public speaking and go on to become a television journalist.
 

• Any specific goal you are trying to achieve through teaching Yoga? 

I love watching the transformation of my students from when they first walk into a class. Many come in stressed and tense and leave feeling lighter, happier and more relaxed. My goal is always to help this transformation take place - to help students reconnect with that place of stillness within and leave feeling really good.  
 
There are the obvious physical benefits of practicing yoga like increased flexibility and strength. But for me, the real magic of yoga happens on the inside. 
 
It’s the changes that we cannot see that are the most transformative, like increased inner strength, resilience and determination. The ability to focus better and meet challenges with a steady and calm mind. These are some of the lessons that we learn on the mat that start to follow us into our everyday lives. 
 

• Is it your first time being part of IRIS? 

This is the second year I’m teaching at IRIS. I moved to Hong Kong in February 2017 and saw an announcement for the upcoming IRIS. I just knew I had to teach there!
 
I absolutely love the energy that is created when thousands of yogis are gathered together - moving, breathing and flowing as one. It is such an honour to stand alongside some of Hong Kong’s leading teachers and share my love of yoga and yoga nidra with everyone there. It’s so much fun and definitely a highlight of the year!
 
 
 

• What is your definition of mindfulness?

Mindfulness is to be aware of how your body works through the mind and body. Both match together. I always say to my students, a one-hour session is 80% from the mind and 20% from the body. If you get the mind and at the same time you workout you will get 100% result on your physical objective.
 
 

• How did you first come to Pilates?

As a former gymnast and as of now personal trainer I realised adults have got injuries than kids do not have. I started to look for a method to solve those injuries, improve posture and work to get the right alignment. Here I discovered Pilates. It is amazing how a methodology such as Pilates can focus on your strength, core stability and flexibility at the same time. Who doesn’t ask to control his body?
 

• You will teach Mat Core Pilates at IRIS– how would you describe it? 

Mat core Pilates is a workout of 55-min non-stop on a mat focuses on your core. Core is the center of your body and if you feel stable, you will be able to get the best basic skills. A strong core is necessary for your daily life because this is the center of your body, the bottom of the pyramid. Then you will be able to climb to the top of the pyramid.
 

• Any specific goal you are trying to achieve through teaching Pilates?

Help students to reach their goals: to correct postures, to recover from injuries, to work on their alignment, to make them understand how their body work and control their movements. As of now I think nobody were disappointed as many osteopaths and physiotherapists refer students to us and results are achieved if you start to get a routine in your daily life.
 
 

• Is it your first time being part of IRIS? 

No it is not my first time. They call me back because last year was a big success and more than 70 people attended my class. I enjoyed a lot this unique experience because I think it is only in Hong-Kong that you can teach a class with in front of you more than 20 different nationalities at the same time. From all horizons from all different cultures people were all together to share the same activity with smile and happiness. 




 

by Delphine
 

In Hong Kong, we live in the fast lane from dusk till dawn, 24/7. Because we want to get the most out of this lively city, do as much as we can, switch from our job to our kids, from our gym to the parties with friends, and because HK never stops. That is, until those long hours leaves us sleep-denied and coffee-deprived. That’s when you need to press on “Pause” and take a real nice break. Time to dream of a place where you could rest in silence, eat some good healthy meals made for you, exercise on the beach, be pampered, swim in warm water, meditate in peace and UN-PLUG! Let’s say, a place like paradise. That’s why lots of « Wellness Retreats » are blooming everywhere, especially in Thailand. The problem is that zenitude usually stops right away when you receive the bill, or realize that you have to practice 7h of Yoga with just on hour break for lunch, yet very healthy but a bit too light.
 
Only 3 hours away from Hong Kong, Samahita Retreat  is neither a spa resort, nor a spiritual retreat, or a yoga intensive holiday. It’s a mix of those taking only the best of each.

The venue. Hidden at the extreme south of Koh Samui, it’s right on the beach and super quiet. In the rising sun, at sun, the view is always awesome all day long. Made of wood, each space is built for you to feel relax and peaceful. You can eat your meal on the beach, next to the swimming pool, on large tables or sitting on small pillows like Japanese. Or wherever you want, you are 200% free.

What about the program? Actually there’s not, you do your own schedule, just as you want. You can chose to try everything and start at 7am with the first Cycling lesson, looking at the sunrise on the beach. Followed by one hour of Breathing Yoga. Keep moving with 90 mins of more intensive Yoga. The it’s time for brunch. Eggs as you want, cereals, fruits, bread, fresh juice, jam, honey and even chia and several kind of milk. Lots of energy! What about a nice walk on the beach now, or a swim in the sea. Maybe you prefer to relax in a deckchair. Or you have scheduled a massage or sauna before lunch. You can then enjoy a boat trip to a white sand island and do snorkeling, or a temple walk. Back to fitness with a Core lesson followed by Cycling and one hour relaxing Yoga watching the sunset. Dinner time. To end this beautiful day, nothing’s better than 30 mins meditation with a coach or a hammam before scratching in bed.
But if you’d rather spend the day reading a book, eat and relax, feel free. As I said you’re 100% free.

What about the food ? It’s not only super healthy, it’s also really good. Chef prepares something different every day. On the unlimited buffet you can find delicious curries, Thai salads, stir-fried veggies, brown rice, fruits, desserts, we want to try them all, totally guilt-free. Vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, with or without fish, spicy or not, there’s something for everyone.

Besides this Integrated YogaCoreCycle package, you can add one of their 3 special programs: Detox , Weight Loss  or De-Stress . Each of those includes daily massages in their relaxing spa, herbs and oils.

Rooms are simple but comfy, staff is caring and smily, teachers are very professional. All of this at very reasonable cost. What else? Nothing…. a little paradise, I told you..
 
Samahita Retreat
Koh Samui, Thailand

By Aude

Spinning has been part of my weekly workout routine for almost a year know … Nothing like seeing your RPM increase and sweat all those calories out while peddling in the dark following the beats. When I heard about Velocity, Hong Kong’s first solo Aquabiking studio, coming to town, I knew I had to give it a go! And believe me, it definitely takes your RMP workout to another level!

The studio is just incredibly beautiful. First feeling is like getting into a spa. From changing room to Aquabiking solo rooms you can easily forget that you are here to sweat. But make no mistake, as soon as you start you remember what you are here for. No pain, no gain!

Entering the water up to the waist is a little tough, 23-24 degrees is cold after all but no worries, water will warm up as soon as you start peddling. And now let’s set up the bike. Easy peasy, very intuitive. I am going for an interval training, level 2 (3 levels).
Are you ready? Let’s get those 30 min started!

Just like my usual spinning class, I can feel my legs working and calories burning. But the water sensation is just so cool! Cycling against water, I can really feel that I am working! Unlike traditional cycling, no need to change the resistance of the bike, it adapts itself based on the training I choose. Ouch, the interval is a tough one, looking forward for the next one to relax my legs a little! The hydro-massage jets on my back and sides are a great plus also. Can really feel the boost on my blood and lymphatic circulation. And ouch, sometimes it hurts but hey, you got to suffer if you want that dirty cellulite to disappear! I feel like I can conquer the world!
And here I am, done, all happy and sweaty! Those 30 min went so fast. Perfect workout if you do not have a lot of time ahead.

If you got a little extra-time, I definitely recommend going for a 30 min session of Japanese Sauna right after your Aquabike workout. Laying on a bed, an individual dome enveloping your body, you can relax while the purification process starts and removes toxins through sweat, trims the silhouette, improves skin tone and reduces cellulite through drainage.

I did my Aquabike session alone, but if you need a friend to motivate you, you can also go for duo workouts shared with a friend via connected cabins.
 
Swimsuit on, get on your bike girls and get ready to spin those calories out!

Special opening discount until November 30^th:

• first Aquabike session for HKD280
• combo session – Aquabike + Japanese Sauna – for HKD 450.

http://www.velocitystudio.hk/en/
14/F, Oliv
15-21 Sharp Street
Causeway Bay

 

By Aude Mahoudeau-Campoyer

Procrastination, the tendency to postpone for tomorrow, what could be accomplished today. Who hasn’t fallen for it when faced with an extensive to-do list or starting a major project?  The temptation to postpone work has even been written into popular songs, “«Aujourd’hui peut-être... ou alors demain...» (“Today perhaps, or yet perhaps tomorrow…”).

But there is something a lot more mysterious about procrastinating, and it is that the procrastinator is not at all lazy. In fact, a procrastinator is capable of getting up before dawn to get to a meeting on time, only to arrive late, having found all kinds of excuses for distraction.

The reasons for procrastination are numerous, varying from a lack of interest, to dissatisfaction with the task at hand, or that little voice that tells us that we can’t do the task well, or even more likely, the fear of failure which paralyses us to the point that we lose all confidence.

Procrastination doesn’t make us feel good either. Instead, we are left feeling guilty, useless and inept, creating feelings of depression, which could cause us to feel socially insecure.

Here are 10 ways to conquer procrastination:
 
1)  Determine what your priorities are. It’s important to have them clear in your mind
 
2)  Stay away from the laptop, iPad, television...
 
3)  Set your objectives by order of importance and date in a diary where it is clearly visible
 
4)  Divide each task into several small tasks so that it can easily be achieved and provide you with a sense of satisfaction
 
5)  Commit to your tasks to build self confidence
 
6)  Identify any fear of failure and kick it to the curb
 
7)  Be proud of yourself at every stage. Each step is a victory
 
8) Ask for help from friends who have expertise in the area
 
9) Plan ahead to avoid getting burned out with fatigue or life’s uncertainties
 
10)  Develop self-confidence slowly, victory after victory and don’t forget to congratulate yourself once you’ve succeeded!
 
As Jules Renard said, « True courage consists of being brave precisely when we are not. » This is the same for work, the discipline to persevere. It is when all of us divert our attention from our goal that we should in fact strive to prove their worth.  
 
Aude Mahoudeau-Campoyer
Sophrologist, Hypnotherapist, EFT practitioner.
www.sophrologyhk.com
brieftherapyhk@gmail.com
FB: Sophrology and Hypnotherapy by Aude Mahoudeau

The holidays are over, switch the clocks back to Hong Kong time, prepare yourself to plunge back into work and get the kids ready for school. What if we told you we had a miracle solution to make your return to reality as smooth as possible… with our wild card:  essential oils.  When caring for your body, mind and spirit, there’s nothing like this 100% natural little boost. And we chose the best: Pranarôm. It might ring a bell because the brand is one of the leaders in aromatherapy in France, or it could be that you’re already fully versed when it comes to the benefits of aromatherapy. Whatever it is, follow our advice to be at your best after the holidays!
 
September, time to take your body in your own hands
Summer’s over and your feet, hands and face are dehydrated. To help skin tissue retain moisture, give it a massage at night with organic Shea butter that you heat up slightly by rubbing in your hands. For cracks and particularly dry areas, add melted butter and two drops of Labdanum essential oil to the mix before applying to your skin. On top of working wonders it’s also extremely pleasant!
If you’re concerned that Shea butter is too greasy to use on a daily basis alternate with the ADAPTARÔM cream, its wonderfully soft texture will work wonders on even the most sensitive skins.
 
Feel like getting back into exercise? Good for you  - but watch out for those initial aches and pains! Wintergreen and Lemon Eucalyptus mixed with arnica oil for its well-known anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits, will work magic before and after your workout. The Aromalgic range by Pranarôm has a spray and massage oil that are great for workout prep and are precious allies for fighting chronic pains. New – the massage roll on that’s so easy to use and a great quick fix for joints and muscles.
 
 
Bye Bye Stress!
This year stress won’t get you. You’re fully relaxed after your holiday and you’ll stay zen in front of your boss’ tantrums and all those reports due in yesterday. Pranarôm has two essential oil blends that work wonders in stressful times. The first is used for massages. Massage your solar plexus before going to work in the morning with the  « Massage RELAX » blend (2 drops added to 2 drops of vegetable oil) that fight nervous spasms, help  with focus and is all together very comforting. The second option: the Zen blend to diffuse in your home that will give you peace of mind before heading out.
 
Jet lag – what’s that!
You’ve been jet setting across the globe and defying time zones. You’ve been blown away by so much beauty and coming down from cloud nine might take a toll on you. Be proactive and follow this recipe to get over jetlag:
1mL of Roman chamomile essential oil
2ml of Petitgrain essential oil
2ml of exotic basil
 
Apply one drop of this mix in honey or cane sugar to suck on 2 to 3 times a day as soon as you leave.
 
Discover all Pranarôm products on the Aroma Vera e-shop:
www.aromaprana.com.hk
 
Welcome back !