Health is wealth. You probably hear this all the time, but what does it really mean? First, you must invest in health, time and resources. There are no shortcuts – the toughest part is getting started. Once you show up for yourself, it gets easier. Thankfully, there are dedicated destinations in Hong Kong and Asia to kickstart a healthier and more well-balanced lifestyle.
In a fast-paced city like Hong Kong, one can easily feel burnt-out with constant fatigue. Therapists explain this state as mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. 89% of Americans suffered from burnout within the past year. This calls for some “me” time to look introspectively – I’ve discovered several places that have improved my own inner growth.
SAMADHI Training Centre for the Soul, Hong Kong
One treatment I opt for when I am experiencing low energy or feeling unmotivated is Ada’s divine energy healing session at SAMADHI Training Centre. It is a transformative healing journey designed to deepen your connection with your soul. It enhances clarity, joy and inner peace. You lie down during the session and Ada works with singing bowls and opens her field to purify your heart and body. Ada is a student of Ocean WhiteHawk who is a leader and innovator in the evolution of human consciousness. The session rebalance my chakra and I always feel so much lighter emotionally when I leave. I also sleep particularly well that night too. It is a great re-start when you are feeling stuck. Ada also communicates with pets too, if you feel your pet is distressed.
Connecting To Nature
Other than indoor gyms and centres, connecting to nature is the best natural remedy. Evidence shows nature generates many positive emotions, such as calmness, joy and creativity. It tweaks our brain chemistry and releases serotonin and dopamine, helping concentration, anxiety and depression. I usually go swimming in Repulse Bay or go hiking every week. We are blessed in Hong Kong with accessible trails. My favourites would be Violet Hill and Twin Peaks. There are many trails such as Mount Butler Trail, Dragon’s Back, and the infamous 100km Maclehose trail broken up into sections. Lantau also offers stunning sunrises and sunsets at Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak.
All About You Centre by SONIA SAMTANI, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Sonia Samtani is the founder of All About You Centre and is a licensed Clinical Hypnotherapist, qualified Life Coach and certified Corporate Trainer that I have been seeing for over two years. During sessions, she has allowed me to see how beliefs are constructed, and how they affect our perceptions in life. Understanding how these patterns are created have led me to break toxic patterns and to end unhealthy cycles. Sonia also helped me release some unprocessed emotions during our hypnotherapy sessions and has taught me how to navigate negative situations. Through wisdom learnt over the years, I am feeling more aligned with wholesome intentions and can set healthy boundaries with myself and others. I would recommend hypnotherapy to people who find themselves trapped in situations and want to gain wisdom from their experiences. You gain the power to reinvent yourself constantly over time. All About You Centre also has public speaking courses to gain confidence and self-esteem and “Be Your Own Master” classes to help you learn how your mind works and to reinvent your beliefs.
XYZ Studio, Hong Kong
XYZ Studio has been around for ten years in Hong Kong, even surviving COVID, a particularly unforgiving time for businesses. The studio is known for their spin classes in dark rooms with booming music, resembling a lively nightclub. The new XYZ, reinvented by founder Belinda Koo, embraces all aspects of wellness and has transformed into an all-rounded fitness and wellness studio with high-quality instructors from all over the world. Instead of only spinning classes, known as the “yang” based activities. The studio has added a lot more “yin” based activities like meditation, yoga, stretching, as well as, body-sculpting classes for your booty, core and even active inversions for yoga fanatics! As an active swimmer and triathlete, I was told to take part more in “yin” based activities, which slows the body down, opposite to “yang” based activities that gives you more adrenaline. Finding the harmonious balance between the two is a healthy combination advised by health experts. XYZ is a yin and yang studio where one can easily spend the whole day doing different classes.
RAKxa Integrated Wellness Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
RAKxa Integrated Wellness is a medical and wellness retreat less than an hour from Bangkok. One can choose programmes focusing on detox, destress, weight management, immunity boost, gut health or personalised programmes suited for your needs. Their hydrotherapy facilities are top notch worldwide with herbal steam rooms, infrared saunas and experiential showers. Their rebalancing treatments include chakra balancing, traditional Thai and Chinese medicine and healing massages. Other medical facilities include hyperbaric oxygen chambers, IV drips, rejuvenation and more. Unlike many wellness retreats on the market, RAKxa is a subsidiary of award-winning Bumrungrad International Hospital and offers medical treatments and medical scans in a tranquil environment. They also offer stem cell treatments (pre and post procedure) that optimise the process and recovery, along with cosmetic procedures such as filler and Botox.
Amanyangyun, Shanghai
Situated 45 minutes away from the bustling Shanghai city district, Amanyangyun boasts a 70 hectare land with a relocated forest with numerous trees including a 1600 year old King Camphor Tree that anchors the spiritual energy of the hotel. The stunning architecture of Amanyangyun embodies bricks and nanmu wood from the Ming Dynasty from more than 500 years ago is juxtaposed against Kerry Hill Architect’s minimalist design. Amanyangyun has a larger than Olympic-sized pool of 57 metres long situated outdoors as well as a 25 metre indoor pool.
You may enjoy biking or running around the idyllic bamboo forest which spans 10 kilometres in a loop. Other than the Aman Spa, one of the highlights is the authentic Russian Banya Experience. Two specialists assisted us for 4 hours through a 55-75 degrees wooden sauna. Our specialists were remarkable at giving us reassurance in excruciating heat. They were waving and pressing ice cold eucalyptus leaves on to our bodies and feeding us sips of cold water the whole time. After the sauna, they led us to a 10 degree cold plunge pool, followed by the hot pool to relax. Interestingly, we were told that it is a-must to wear a warm hat in the sauna as it prevents overheating. It surprisingly calmed our nerves down and worked like magic. After the sauna and pool experience, we enjoyed a 45 minute Nourishing Body Scrub, which encourages the body to enter a phase of deep rest with this nutrient-rich ritual including jade powder – known to hydrate and purify. The Russian Banya Experience helps circulation immensely and is perfect for strengthening your immune system.
Editor
Antonia Li
