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 Vanessa, our Fitness Editor

Odinson is located at the Pemberton Building, multi-floor wellness hub in Sheung Wan. Their motto: a perfect balance for mind and body. To reach it, a lovely and peaceful boutique fitness studio on two floors, where they mix yoga, personal training and wellness with a juice and salad bar.
 
So why such a mix? For the crossed benefits.
Personal training and yoga are often perceived as very different activities and not for the same kind of exercisers. But in fact they totally benefit to each other. While personal training builds strength and achieves physical results, yoga simultaneously conditions the body and mind for overall personal wellness. Then regarding nutrition, I don’t think I have to explain why and how it helps your overall wellness anyway…
That being said, don’t panic, if you prefer yoga over personal training or the contrary, of course you have the choice!
 
So what can you do there?
Experienced yoga teachers lead intimate 90 min group classes including Acrovinyasa, Ashtanga, Fly (hammock) yoga, Forrest Inspired Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and more. They also offer meditation sessions and workshops outside of their practice.
Dedicated trainers lead small group high-intensity classes including the female only Wonder Woman class and Total Body Conditioning class (mix of weight training, circuit and strongman training).
 
I tried for you the “Happy hips and hamstrings” yoga by Charlotte Johnson. Charlotte being an experienced and patient yoga teacher, no surprise, the class was great. It really helped my sore lower body and we’ve been given many options during the class to adapt the poses to our own flexibility and stretching needs. The studio is very Zen and bright thanks to big windows, so you can enjoy the daylight or beautiful view during your practice.
 
I couldn’t write about Odinson without telling you about their amazing yoga mats… The grip and cushioning is just perfect, giving you comfort and the best conditions, no matter what’s your level. But above all, some lines and designs, harmoniously decorating it are a precious guide. It’s sometimes hard to be sure your feet, hands are in the right position, both sides at the same level. You can now forget that problem with those Liforme mats. Addicted? Don’t worry, you can get one at Odinson, the exclusive retailer in Hong Kong.
 
I moved then to the floor above to discover a bright open training space complemented by colorful murals designed by a graffiti artist. I enjoyed there a juice after my class at Mr. Green Juice organic juicery and eatery. Cold-pressed juices, nut milks, soups and salads (raw and vegan friendly), but also some protein shakes exclusive to Odinson: in a word everything you need after your workout! 
 
Private sessions
Monthly subscription of 4 / 8 / 12 or unlimited private 60 min training or yoga sessions: HK$ 3,600 / HK$ 6,800 / HK$ 9,600 / HK$ 12,000 (all packages include unlimited group yoga and fitness classes)
Drop-in 60 min private sessions: HK$ 1,000
 
Group sessions
Group classes packs of 10 / 20 / 30 sessions: HK$ 2,750 / 5,000 / 6,750.
Special price for a limited time and new clients, unlimited group classes: HK$ 2,000 per month
Drop-in single session group classes: HK$ 300
 
Odinson, 11F The Pemberton, 22 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan
odinson.asia  
 

There's an exciting buzz going around sunny Lombok these days, and for good reason: the first yoga resort south of the island is due to open in June, marking the region as a new holistic destination for yogis and globe-trotters alike. Dedicated to providing an authentic retreat experience within a luxuriously modern compound, Origin Resort Lombok (http://originresorts.com/) is making waves in this surfer's haven. In addition to finding their Zen in the spacious yoga shala, guests can also indulge in private spa treatments, satisfy their appetites with globally-inspired cuisine at the restaurant and chill out with friends over refreshing aperitifs at the lounge. The resort's architecturally stunning design features lofty interiors that expand and blend into outdoor living spaces with a minimalist approach integrating durable construction and local materials. In a land where limited natural resources need to be conserved, Origin Resort was built with eco-friendly principles as a top priority. Energy-efficient systems have been installed throughout the hotel, food waste will be composted and gardens are abundant with homegrown produce for a true farm-to-table dining experience.
 
Those of you looking to own a piece of paradise and embody a similar lifestyle are in luck – Origin Resorts Group, the team behind the yoga resort, have another project embracing the same eco-initiatives and set in another amazing location in Lombok: SelongOne80. We had already told about these dream residences as you can see it here. The first villas will be available this November 2016 – make your dream a reality to welcome an early Christmas!  
 

By Vanessa, our Fitness editor

Tania Cheung launched Miss Runner a year ago. With a fashion designer and ballet teacher background, always active and creative, the idea just came naturally when she came back to Hong Kong 2 years ago after graduating from the London College of Fashion.
Her idea was to create a brand of fitness clothes and accessories with a real touch of creativity and art, flattering cuts (especially on the waistline) and that you could adopt in any situation, just like she would need it, being a genuine fitness enthusiast, practicing all kinds of sports from basketball to dance or Muay Thai.
 
Miss Runner offers a wide collection of leggings, shorts, sports bras (coming in three impact levels), tees, sweaters and yoga mats, all in limited edition prints. The prints are designed with artists and photographers. No mass production, only 100 pieces are available per design and they change every 3 months maximum.
Artists and their work are an endless source of inspiration for the brand, highlighted on Miss Runner’s blog too (a fitness info goldmine!).
 
All cuts have been thought to make movements easy, with the right support. Leggings have been designed with a very special care, to be comfortable but also flattering (bye bye muffin top). Yoga mats are made of 100% tree rubber, covered by a microfiber top layer, making them hot yoga proof and easy-care.
 
Putting the Secret Garden Yoga Mat to an intensive yoga test, I have been amazed by the grip it offers and how easy it is to wash it: you can even put it in the washing machine! Warmer days and higher humidity coming, that’s a huge plus for some of us taking their yoga practice outdoor.
 
When you ask Tania how she chose the brand’s name, she explains that “Miss” was for the feminine touch, but the word “Runner” was important to her as she likes what it stands for: “Being a runner, you may not be the champion but you’re there, running for your life and that’s in that mindset that I created the brand”. No doubt that the passion is there.
 
Miss Runner collections are sold online and in some multi-brand stores in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Clothes range from HK$ 365 (sports bras) to HK$ 465 (sweaters) and yoga mats price at HK$ 570.
 
Website: www.missrunner.com