beijingkids Sep 2014

September 2014

Fighting Fit Stay active with sports and fitness programs for the entire family

SEPTEMBER 2014 CONTENTS

50

42

FeatureS 50

We Are the Champions

Health 22

Movers, shakers, ballers, and shot-callers

56

Team Players

23

Crunch Time

The Natural Path Melissa Rodriguez ex-sprains how to unwind

Fun fitness for the whole family

60

The Doc Is In Dr. Richard Saint Cyr milks the topic of UHT

24

Parents, shape up!

On the Bench Sports injuries as explained by western medicine and TCM

Living 15

From the Blog

Dining 28

Cramtastic tutoring services in Shunyi

16

Noticeboard Talking Shop

19

Birthday Bash

Dining Out Power up at Moka Bros Solana

30

Community news and announcements

18

Food for Thought Billings-Bathgate family makes a vanilla ice, ice sundae

Koala Mini Storage keeps things under lock and key Sail away with Aofan Sailing Club

20

32

Indulge Amy Qu is ku as a cucumber

Playing 32

What’s Fun In

36

Family Travels

Our picks for orchards around Beijing The Maanum family checks out Hong Kong

SEPTEMBER 2014 CONTENTS

14

26

20 Learning

38

The Roundtable CISB students wrestle with bullying

40

Hit the Road, Bullies Standing up to intimidation at school and on the web

44

Blank Canvas Art from students at UCCA Creative Studio

Directories 74 74 75 75 75 78 79

Family Dining Family Health Family Life Family Travel Schools Shopping Sports

Parenting 46

Beijing Baba

47

The Echo Chamber

For Christopher Lay parenting is an endurance event Ember Swift throws like a human

Essentials 9 10 14

Editor’s Note September Events New Arrivals

66

The Circuit

80

Family Favorites

Say hello to Beijing’s smallest Happenings in Beijing’s family scene The Trillenberg family

ON THE COVER: Three years ago, Lauren Ambraz (age 10) moved to Beijing with her family from Tampa, Florida for her dad’s job. This super-sporty WAB student does boxing, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, mountain biking, and hiking.

Her favorite sports are fighting and swimming. Lauren and her brother Logan (age 11) are both students at Black Tiger’s Shunyi gym. Photography by Dave PiXSTUDIO

《中国妇女》英文刊

WOMEN OF CHINA English Monthly Sponsored and administrated by ALL-CHINA WOMEN’S FEDERATION Published by WOMEN’S FOREIGN LANGUAGE PUBLICATIONS OF CHINA Publishing Date: September 1, 2014

Adviser 顾 问

2014 年 9 月（下半月）

WOMEN OF CHINA English Monthly 中华全国妇女联合会主管/主办 中国妇女外文期刊社出版 本期出版时间: 2014年9月1日

彭 云 PENG PEIYUN 全国人大常委会前副委员长 Former Vice-Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee

Adviser 顾 问

顾秀莲 GU XIULIAN 全国人大常委会前副委员长 Former Vice-Chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee

Director and Editor-in-Chief 社长 · 总编辑 Chief Editor 主编 Managing Editor Deputy Managing Editor

Yun Pengju 恽鹏举 Wei Liang 位亮 Sijia Chen Aisling O’Brien

School Editor

Yvette Ferrari

Web Editor

Nimo Wanjau

Shunyi Correspondent Intern Contributors

Editorial Consultant 编辑顾问 Director of Sales Department 广告发行经营部主任 Tel 电话 Legal Adviser 法律顾问 Advertising Agency 广告代理 Advertising Hotlines 广告热线 Printing 印刷 Address 本刊地址

Sally Wilson Heather Budimulia Christopher Lay, Melissa Rodriguez, Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, Ember Swift

ROBERT MILLER (Canadian) 罗伯特 · 米勒 (加拿大) XIA WEI 夏巍 5779 8877 LI XUESEN 李雪森 Immersion International Advertising (Beijing) Co., Limited 深度体验国际广告(北京)有限公司 5941 0368/69/72/77/78/79 C&C JOINT PRINTING CO., (BEIJING) LTD. 北京华联印刷有限公司 WOMEN OF CHINA English Monthly 《中国妇女》英文月刊 15 Jianguomennei Dajie, Beijing 100730, China 中国北京建国门内大街15号 邮编:100730

国际标准刊号

ISSN1000 9388

国内统一刊号

CN11-1704/C

The beijingkids Board Jennifer Parrott

A Publication of

True Run Media 出版制作

The proud mother of a daughter who attends WAB, Jennifer hails from Boston. She loves shopping and discovering great new restaurants. Jennifer is involved with the International Newcomers’ Network (INN) and leads the Chaoyang Park Coffee Mornings on the third Wednesday of every month. She can be reached at jparrott@me.com.

Advertising Agency

Immersion International Advertising (Beijing) Co., Limited 广告代理

深度体验国际广告（北京）有限公司

Danna Mattas-Applerot

Danna Mattas-Applerot is the mother of four kids (at BSB Sanlitun and YCIS), a Parent Effectiveness Training instructor, and an advisory board member of IsCham. Originally from Israel, she has lived in Beijing for eight years and now has a relocation consultancy, though her true passion is art. Contact her at dannama@gmail.com.

Telephone/电话: 5779 8877 Advertising Hotlines/广告热线： 5941 0368/69/72/77/78/79

General Manager Michael Wester Operations Manager Toni Ma

AJ Warner

AJ Warner is a busy dad. When not with his two awesome sons, he’s coaching Chinese students on how to get admitted to the top 30 US universities (undergraduate and graduate). He also guides Chinese families through the process of sending their child to the US for high school and related homestays. Contact him at ajwarner@ touchdown.org.cn.

Managing Editor Sijia Chen Deputy Managing Editor Aisling O’Brien School Editor Yvette Ferrari Web Editor Nimo Wanjau Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson Intern Heather Budimulia Marketing Manager Shana Zhang

Yanhong Wheeler

Yanhong is a mother of two, a La Leche League leader, a Parent Effectiveness Training (PET) instructor, and the author of ten Chinese books on breastfeeding, parenting, and education (under the pen name Xiao Wu, or Wee Witch). Visit her blog at blog.sina. com.cn/weewitch.

beijingkids Brand Manager Victoria Yang Art Director Susu Luo Production Manager Joey Guo Principal Designer and Illustrator Liu Chang Advertising Designer Yuki Jia Photographers Mitchell Pe Masilun, Sui, Ken

Liu Nan

Liu Nan, also known as Chu Chu, is a native Chinese mother.

When she is not out with her baby girl in search of food and fun, she sells imported baby products on Taobao. Check out aibaimm. taobao.com.

Sales Manager Ivy Wang Sales Team Coordinator Luo Yi Sales Team Sheena Hu, Winter Liu, Amy Sun, Maggie Zhang, Sasha Zhang Sales Assistant Gladys Tang IT Team Yan Wen, Arvi Lefevre Finance Judy Zhao, Liu Mengya

Christopher Lay

Christopher Lay hails from scenic Ashland, Oregon and has lived in Beijing for six years. When not chasing after Reina (age 7) and twins Bryson and Ryder (2), he does freelance architectural and portrait photography. View his work at chrislay.com

HR & Admin Tobal Loyola, Siyu He, Zhao Fengjuan Distribution Cao Zheng General Inquiries 5779 8877 Editorial 5779 5389/90 Distribution 5941 5387

Michelle Liu

After living in the US for 15 years, native Beijinger Michelle is happy to be living in her hometown again, where she works at an architecture firm. As a pwarent, she embraces both the Chinese and western perspectives on culture and education. Contact her at mtliu123@yahoo.com.

Contact: Eyee Hsu

General information: info@beijing-kids.com Editorial: editor@beijing-kids.com Sales: sales@truerun.com Marketing: marketing@truerun.com Distribution: distribution@truerun.com Directories: listings@beijing-kids.com

www.beijing-kids.com weibo.com/beijingkids @beijingkids www.facebook.com/beijingkids www.pinterest.com/beijingkids WeChat: beijingkids

CCTV talk show host and mom-preneur Eyee Hsu is looking for more time in the day. When she’s not chasing after her two kids or the family dog, you might catch her at a Pilates studio, one of the Counting Sheep boutiques, or on TV. She hopes to save you time by bringing the most trusted baby brands to Beijing. Find out more at www.countingsheepboutique.com.

Want to Join?

If you think you’d make a valuable contribution to the beijingkids board, email editor@beijing-kids.com.

PSB Crackdown on Dual Citizenships: Will Families Be Affected? (goo.gl/WPqoTi) According to a recent Sina News report, the PSB is cracking down on Chinese nationals with local hukou and foreign passports. Will mixednationality families be affected?

Check out our blog for more.

WEB ROUNDUP For more, visit the beijingkids blog at www.beijing-kids.com

y

Enjo ts: 5 Ways to Seasonal Ea l/YplUzt) Sigua (goo.g

) is a common own as loofah Sigua (also kn in season from table that is Chinese vege light five easy ber. We spot em ov N thy to July is light, heal s featuring th pe ci re e m ho ingredient.

Seen and Heard: The Latest Openings and Closings in Shunyi (goo.gl/i57PDN) The high turnover of businesses in Beijing affects the suburbs as well. Shunyi says hello and goodbye to several shops and restaurants at Cathay View Plaza and Riviera Plaza.

Terra Forma : Karst Hills , Silver Caves and R iver Cruises Down in Yangshuo (goo.gl/igxthx)

Jerry Chan, lo ngtime Beijing er and dad-of two, recently traveled to Ya ngshuo in Gu Province with ilin his family. Re ad his take on the popular to urist destinat ion.

EDITOR'S NOTE

childhood my many with one of Me (age 7)

bikes

Fishing in sty le (age 9)

Princess Buttercup

Startng early in Yunnan (a ge 2)

The Bicycle Diaries

M

y first bicycle was a garish pink contraption my dad had picked off someone’s curb, with colored spoke beads that went “plink, plink, plink” as he wheeled it towards me. “It doesn’t have training wheels,” I said. “I’ll hold you,” he assured me.

I should’ve known better. He wheeled me forward, broke into a run while still grasping the back of my bike, and suddenly let go. “Pedal!

Pedal as hard as you can or you’ll fall over!” he shouted.

I frantically pumped my stubby 5-year-old legs, shrieking down the street. Three doors away, I flopped over unceremoniously and sucked in as much oxygen as my lungs would take. Dad ran over, beaming: “Wasn’t that fun?” I scowled at him, but I was hooked.

Over twenty years later, my latest bike is a cheap single-speed from Taobao. My colleague and I had to assemble the front wheel and handlebars ourselves; the latter ended up backwards on the first try. The bike was a demure minty color in the seller’s pictures, but in reality it was closer to puke green – the kind you might find on hospital robes. When I rode it for the first time that night, I overheard some guy declare it was “too green.”

Though “Princess Buttercup” – as the same colleague promptly dubbed her – had more style than substance, it wasn’t long before I fell in love with “her” speed and weightlessness. I went everywhere with her, including far-flung locales like Xiangshan, Wudaokou, and Hegezhuang.

I can’t count the number of times Princess Buttercup has broken down or lost parts – barely any of the original components remain – but I can’t bear to get rid of her. I bought her three years into my time in Beijing, at a time when I’d largely lost interest in exploring the city.

True to character, Princess Buttercup got a flat tire barely an hour into a 50km ride last summer. Luckily, there was a bike repairman just around the corner and I was back on track within 30 minutes. Over the next few hours, I rode around winding mountain roads. A farmer

invited me into his house and offered me cigarettes, which I declined – but I did buy a jar of organic honey. At one point, I stopped to let a flock of sheep pass and struck up a conversation with the shepherd, who asked me about the price of milk and livestock in Canada.

I realized on these bike excursions that I enjoy physical activities that bring me closer to nature and my immediate surroundings, like hiking, practicing yoga in the park, running outside, and scuba diving.

Living in Beijing allows me to pursue all of these and more. It’s also the city where I first tried Heyrobics, rock climbing, Muay Thai, and Pilates, meeting many people in the process (for more on where to do these, turn to p50).

Pretty soon I’ll be shopping for a “real” bike, but I’ll always remember Princess Buttercup as my “gateway bike” – not the first one I ever owned, but the one that reminded me cycling can be more than just a mode of transportation. In fact, I’m mulling over a bicycle trip along the east coast of Taiwan based on a friend’s recommendation. I hear you can rent a touring bike at any of the Giant shops, ride it up the coast, and return it to any other Giant shop; I’ll let you know in six months or so.

Sijia Chen Managing Editor

September 2014 beijingkids

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SEPTEMBER 12-21 1

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Sat, Sep 13 Family Barbecue and Ceilidh All ages. The Beijing Caledonian Society hosts a family barbecue and ceilidh at BSB Sanlitun with Scottish dancing, food, Pimm’s, beer, and soft drinks. Spirits, and wine available for purchase at the cash bar. Ticket reservations recommended. RMB 120 (adults), RMB 80 (kids). 3.30-8pm. British School of Beijing, Sanlitun (beijingcaledoniansociety@gmail.com) 3

Fri, Sep 12 Community Blood Drive at BJU For adults. BJU holds a community blood drive in cooperation with the Tongzhou Blood Bank. Free. 10am-3pm. Beijing United Family Hospital (400 891 9191)

Sat, Sep 13 Slow Food Saturday All ages. The Schoolhouse hosts the fifth annual Slow Food Saturday with proceeds going to the Slow Food Great Wall fund.

Slow Food Saturday brings together vendor stalls with lunches made from local produce and events focusing on sustainability.

Sponsored by beijingkids. RMB 176-276 (adults), RMB 126-220 (kids and students with ID cards). 9.30am-4pm. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu (www.slowfoodsaturday.org) 4

Sat, Sep 13 The Great Aussie Barbecue All ages. AustCham throws a family-friendly outdoor party with a barbecue, fun games, a Britain versus Australia cricket match, the final China Cup Australian Football League (AFL) rugby grand final, and a bazaar. Members: RMB 180 (adults), RMB 90 (under 12 years), free (under 4 years), non-members: RMB 230 (adult), RMB 120 (under 12 years), free (under 4 years). 1-6pm. Dulwich College Beijing (tash.jamieson@austcham.org) 2

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beijingkids 2014 September

Sun, Sep 14 2014 Family Health Fair All ages. beijingkids and JingKids present the first-ever 2014 Family Health Fair, bringing together businesses and organizations related to health and wellness in Beijing. Find in-

photos: jeffery turner, eddd7, chris robert shaw (all flickr), courtesy of the schoolhouse photos: jeffery turner, edd07, chris robertshaw (flickr), courtesy of the schoolhuse

Fri, Sep 12 Zhuangdaokou Great Wall Hike Age 7+. This 10km hike starts from Chestnut Orchards in Zhuangdaokou Village, goes to the Great Wall, then descends to the lakes of the Water Great Wall. Lunch is included before the hike. Registration required. RMB 450, 10% off for students and half price for kids under 7. 9.30am-6pm. China Hiking (buqunzi@gmail.com) 1

events ESSENTIALS Editor’s Pick

Dining

Playing

Learning

Community

Living

Health

Parenting

5

6

Tue, Sep 16 Managing Relationships While Living Abroad For adults. Dr. Stephen-Claude Hyatt, clinical psychologist and head of the International SOS Mental Health Department, talks about overcoming the challenges of managing a relationship overseas. Registration required. Free. 10-11.30am. International SOS Beijing Clinic (seminar@internationalsos.com) photos: wikimedia commons

photos: wikimedia commons and 401(K)2013 (flickr)

formation about air and water filters, organic goods, TCM, NGOs, charities, international hospitals, natural health and beauty products, sustainable handicrafts, and more. There will also be healthy foods for sale. Free. 9.30am-4.30pm. Swissôtel Beijing Hong Kong Macau Center (5779 8877, marketing@truerun.com) 5

Sat, Sep 20 Kids Cooking Chaos Ages 6-12. Factory Executive Chef Camila Betin leads aspiring young bakers in a fun and interactive cupcake class. The price includes all ingredients, recipes, and aprons. Registration required. RMB 250 per child, free for chaperones. 10am-1pm.

Factory (5762 6451, 156 1108 0348) 6

September 2014 beijingkids

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ONGOING 1

3

2

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Sun, Sep 21 Eunuch Tombs, Mural and Temple Tour Ages 6+. CCC leads a day trip to the mountains in west Beijing, the Eunuch Tombs, museum, and temple. Highlights include a 565-year-old mural and a visit to an open-air market. Registration required. RMB 350 (adults), RMB 280 (kids under 12).

9.30am-3.30pm. China Culture Center (6432 9341/1041, info@ chinaculturecenter.org) 1

Tue, Sep 23 Beijing Oldest Temple Hike Ages 6+. Participants will visit Guishan Valley to see Beijing’s oldest temple, which has been around for 1,300 years. RMB 360 (lunch included), 10% discount for students and 50% discount for kids under 7. 9.30am-5pm. China Hiking (buqunzi@gmail.com) Ongoing Original Munich Oktoberfest All ages. Crowne Plaza’s Red Orange hosts a week-long Munich Ok-

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beijingkids 2014 September

Parentcraft: Newborn Care For adults. International SOS’ Parentcraft series is back from September 11 to November 6 (every Wednesday. New topics range from common conditions in newborns to staying fit during pregnancy. Dr. Thi Lan Fellay and Dr. Stephanie Teoh will lead the talks. Registration required. Free (members), RMB 100 per class (non-members), RMB 700 (ten classes for non-members). 10am-noon. International SOS Beijing Clinic (seminar@ internationalsos.com) 3 Creative Photography Seminars For teens and adults. Starting this fall, Atelier introduces a series of photography seminars conducted by Shannon Fagan. Every weekend from September 20-October 25, Fagan will introduce new techniques at Atelier, a professional studio, or outdoors depending on the topic. Registration required. RMB 600 per seminar, RMB 500 per seminar for three or more. 2.30-6.30pm. Atelier (atelier@ atelier.cn.com) 4 Bookworm Writers’ Group For teens and adults. The Bookworm Writers’ Group meets twice

photos: wiki commons, elvis sa, lillian (flickr)

Tue, Sep 23 Taking Care of Your Health in Beijing For adults. BJU’s Dr. Howard Bernstein, an emergency medicine physician, and Dr. Richard Saint Cyr, a family medicine physician, lead a talk on what to do in an emergency. Free. 9-10.30am.

Beijing United Family Hospital (400 891 9191)

toberfest (September 10-16). Activities include fun games, music performances, and German dishes such as frankfurter, bratwurst, weisswurst, and sauerkraut. RMB 398. 6-11pm. Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace (6429 8888 ext 6668, mina.bi@ihg.com) 2

events

ESSENTIALS

Want your family-friendly event to appear in our next issue?

Upload it at www.beijing-kids.com/events by September 12.

a month (September 13 and 27) for members to read, think about, and discuss personal projects.

Members may share short stories or novel chapters for in-depth feedback. Free. 11am-1pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507, books@ beijingbookworm.com, kidsclub@ beijingbookworm.com Trash Bash After School Ages 7-16. O’le Music offers the weekly Trash Bash, where kids use everyday objects in loud, fun music explorations. Sessions will be held at Beijing Riviera every Thursday starting September 11.

Registration required. RMB 150.

4.30-5.30pm. Beijing Riviera (186 1045 3101, peter@ole-music. com) 5

photos: worldlittoday (flickr), ken

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September 2014 beijingkids

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ESSENTIALS NEW ARRIVALS

SAY HELLO TO BEIJING’S SMALLEST Want to share your new arrival with our readers? Email a photo (at least 1MB in size) of your little one with their full name, nationality, birth date, hospital, and parents’ names to editor@beijing-kids.com. Due to space constraints, we will only publish photos of babies born in Beijing after March 1, 2014.

Owen Elliot Mower

r

Orion Van Dorn Spille

Australian. Born on Apr 13 to Alyson and James Mower at Oasis International Hospital.

r 16 to American. Born on Ap ller at Spi n mo Am Lindzie and tal. spi Ho nal atio ern Int Oasis

Wang Xinyi

to Cao Lin and Chinese. Born on Jul 8 Century Women’s Wang Dayong at New s and Children’ Hospital.

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beijingkids 2014 September

Wang Sumo

Chinese. Born on Jul 22 to Annabel Zhang and Da vid Wang at Peking University First Hospital.

Yuan Hanchu

Chinese. Born on Jul 9 to Zhang Chen and Yuan Zibing at Ne w Century Women’s and Children’ s Hospital.

FROM THE BLOG LIVING

Student Tutoring Services in Shunyi This article was modified from a post on www.beijing-kids.com by Sally Wilson.

W

hether to get private tutoring is a question that many parents face with at least one of their children during their academic lives. Private tutoring can be expensive, but most parents are willing to invest if it means their child will get the extra little bit of help they need. But the first question is: “How do I know if my child needs extra tutoring?”

Your child’s teacher should be able to tell you if your child could benefit from tutoring. If they’re about to start an important year where they will sit SATs, IGCSEs, or A-levels, this may be the time to seek extra tutoring in exam techniques and processes. If you feel that your

The Learning Center (TLC) The Learning Center (TLC) is an Americanoperated tutoring center that has run group workshops and one-on-one tutoring programs in Beijing since 2004. TLC aims to bridge the gap between eastern and western educational systems.

Their native English-speaking instructors are certified teachers and/or qualified TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) instructors from the UK, the US, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. All of TLC’s programs are tailored to the specific needs of the students and combine resources from different educational content providers. Visit www.thelearningcenter.cn.

Halida’s Cultural Center (HLCC) Halida’s Cultural Center (HLCC) has served as a community center for foreigners living in Shunyi since 2005. The center offers private Chinese tutoring for students tailored to their school and educational program they are following. HLCC has tutored students from ISB, WAB, and other international schools. The center has a good understanding of these schools’ programs and expectations. Visit www.hlcc.asia.

child lacks confidence or independence, tutoring may help them reach their full potential.

The advantage with private tutoring is that it gives your child oneon-one attention, though it is important to ensure extra tutoring won’t put them under too much pressure. Tutoring often works best when it complements what the teacher is doing and has their full support. Some children benefit more from group tutoring, so it’s important to look at the options available and decide which one best suits their learning needs.

Here are a few options for tutoring services in the Shunyi area to get you started on your search:

Neighborhood Talent International Education Center (NTEC) Neighborhood Talent International Education Center (NTEC) specializes in providing tutoring for English, math, science, Chinese, and IB/SAT preparation in international curricula. Their English and math teachers include native English speakers from North America, and their Chinese teachers hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in language or education. NTEC provides customized classes. Visit www.chineseneighbor.com.

ISA’S Chinese Classroom ISA’S Chinese Classroom has been running since 2004. The center helps students develop their spoken and written Chinese language skills, complete their homework, and prepare for exams. Lessons are tailor-made to meet individual language levels, demands, and goals. The center doesn’t have a website; email easywaychinese@aliyun.com.

September 2014 beijingkids

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN BEIJING BIBS Opens New Pre-K to Grade 12 Campus in Shunyi Beanstalk International Bilingual School (BIBS) has just opened a new Shunyi campus for students in pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, both expat and local. To find out more or to schedule a visit, contact the BIBS Admissions team. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. 15 Liyuan Jie, Tianzhu, Shunyi District (6456 0610) www.bibs. com.cn 顺义区天竺开发 区丽苑街15号

New Co-Principal at YCIS Beijing Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) has a new co-principal, Noel Thomas, for the new academic year. Prior to YCIS Beijing, Thomas was the academic director of the Cambridge International Curriculum Centre of Beijing Normal University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jurisprudence, a Diploma of Education from Monash University, and has done postgraduate studies in Educational Administration at the University of New England. Thomas will work alongside Chinese Co-Principal Christine Xu.

HoK Shunyi Gets New Grade 1 Teacher House of Knowledge’s (HoK) Shunyi campus recently welcomed Kelly Ambraz as its Englishspeaking Grade 1 teacher. She has lived in Beijing for the last three years and has over ten years’ experience working at international and American schools (her daughter, Lauren, is on our cover this month and her son Logan talks scuba diving on p58).

Keystone Teachers Arrive for Training In preparation for its first-ever school year, Keystone Academy’s new team of 61 teachers underwent an intensive four-week orientation at the Shunyi campus and planned out the elementary curriculum for the coming year. Keystone started school on August 25.

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beijingkids 2014 September

Amber Johnston joins 3e International School as a teaching and learning consultant. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a PhD in Early Childhood Education. Johnston has worked with young children and families in recreational, educational, and social work programs for almost 25 years.

photos: Courtesy of BIBS, Hok, keystone, YCIS Beijing and 3e

3e Welcomes Teaching and Learning Consultant

NOTICEBOARD LIVING Want your news to appear in our next issue? Email it along with a high-res photo (at least 1MB) to webeditor@beijing-kids.com by September 12.

Black Tiger Fight Club Introduces Kids MMA Program Starting from September 1, Black Tiger Fight Club will offer a new Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) program for kids (ages 8-12) at its Liangmaqiao gym. Classes will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5.30pm. Free trial classes are available and there’s a 50 percent discount for new enrollments throughout September. For more information, call 139 1071 2576 or email info@blacktigerclub.com.

BCIS Unveils New Early Childhood Center

photos: Courtesy of black tiger, bcis and wab

At the end of August, Beijing City International School (BCIS) completed its Early Childhood Center, the first building to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard certification. The new center can accommodate 300-400 children from toddler to kindergarten and is located 1km from the main BCIS campus in Shuangjing.

WAB Celebrates 20 Years The Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with special events to take place throughout the year and limited-edition merchandise available for purchase.

September 2014 beijingkids

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LIVING TALKING SHOP

A Room of One’s Own De-clutter your home or office with Koala Mini Storage

by Sijia Chen

A

Koala Mini Storage 考拉迷你仓 Daily 24hrs. 1) Bldg 10, 3 Qingnian Lu Xili, Chaoyang District (5206 2431) 朝阳区青年路西里3号院10号楼; 2) B1-B2, 28 Dongzhimen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (6415 8622) 朝阳区东 直门外大街B1-B2; 3) B2/F, Huayuan Shiji Commercial Building, 88 Shuangqing Lu, Haidian District (6257 7946) 海淀区双清路 88号华源世纪商务楼B2层; 4) Rm A101, B1/F, Unit 2, Bldg 1, 3 Xiadian, Chaoyang District (400 017 8889) 朝阳区下甸甲3号院 1号楼2单元B1-A101 www.koalaministorage.com

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beijingkids 2014 September

photos: Courtesy of koala mini storage

new school year, a fresh start – over the summer, the newest wave of families arrived in Beijing and many expats decided to move house. Either change can mean a considerable downsize in living space.

Take for instance Eric Williams. Originally from New Jersey, Williams moved to Beijing in March for work. He’s currently the vice president of operations for an American multinational technology company, and lived in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Barbados, and Bangkok before coming to Beijing.

“While living around the world, I managed to accumulate a lot of stuff – not the things that you give or throw away,” he says. “Although I live in a great place now, it is about half the size of what I have grown accustomed to.”

He sought the services of Koala Mini Storage, a self-storage company that rents out containers ranging from 1m3 to 30m3. Williams is currently using the large storage locker (9m3), which according to Koala’s website is spacious enough to fit enough furniture and appliances for a one- to two-bedroom apartment.

When asked why he chose Koala over its competitors, Williams says service was the deciding factor. “I am just learning putonghua and sometimes have trouble telling the taxi driver how to get to the facility.

Whenever this happens, I just call them and they are always helpful in getting me there,” he says. In addition, the staff assisted with the logistics of moving his belongings to the storage site.

Security is paramount. Only the customer holds a key to the storage locker and each of Koala’s four locations in Beijing is tightly-guarded, with security cameras, electronic gates, smoke detectors, and fire alarms.

Currently, the company has branches in Sanlitun, the CBD, Ciyunsi, and Wudaokou, with plans for rapid expansion. Lockers can be rented weekly or monthly, with prices ranging from approximately RMB 100 to RMB 1,500 per month depending on storage size and needs.

If you’re unsure which size you need, contact Koala to speak to a storage consultant. The company also offers moving assistance at special prices through local relocation partners.

BIRTHDAY BASH LIVING

Buoyant Adventures Beijing Aofan Sailing Club takes kids treasure hunting

by Nimo Wanjau

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Beijing Aofan Sailing Club 北京奥帆俱乐部 Olympic Water Park, 19 Baima Lu, Shunyi District (5949 4599, 139 1046 5950, mail@aofansailing.com) www.aofansail.com 顺义区白马路19号奥林匹克公园内

photos: Courtesy of aofan

eijing Aofan Sailing Club was founded by sailing aficionados Haiying Meng and her husband Lixing Yang in 2010 after Meng noticed a lack of accessibility to the sport in Beijing. The club offers group and private sailing lessons in English and Chinese for children and adults from the end of March to mid-November at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

Aofan also hosts summer camps, academic and corporate outings, and birthday events. The birthday packages are best-suited to kids and teens between the ages of 6 to 16 of all skill levels. Attendees can sail the easy-to-navigate Topper Omega dingy, which can seat a crew of four to five people, or the Weta Trimaran, which holds a crew of five.

The club has a standard pirate-themed package. It includes a onehour party with pirate accessories such as eye patches, bandanas, and treasure maps, and brightly-colored life jackets. There is a sailing coach assigned to each group.

The standard package costs RMB 3,000 for a party of eight to ten. The group is broken down into teams in order to have “enemy” sailboats that battle using water cannonballs. Participants must follow the provided treasure maps to dig up presents.

After the battle, kids can relax on the lawn for a picnic and activities such as soccer; entrance fees for the park are included in the package.

For an extra RMB 1,000, the club can also organize kayaking, paddle boating, and games. Aofan Sailing Club members are eligible for a 15 percent discount.

The package can also be customized to include sailing activities.

Prices vary depending on the type of sailboats chosen, number of attendees, and duration of the party.

It’s best to get a Chinese speaker to book the venue, as the reception desk staff speaks limited English.

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Nice to Meet Qu Amy Qu glams it up text by Aisling O’Brien photos by Moxue Zhang Photography

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beijingkids 2014 September

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Amy Qu, before

Get the Look:

Indulge LIVING

tay-at-home mom and Nu Skin Representative Amy Qu hasn’t had her hair cut in 18 months. Her only request is that we not shorten her hair too much “because my husband won’t talk to me!” She and her English husband Stephen, a teacher at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), met and fell in love as students at the University of Sunderland seven years ago. Their daughter Molly (age 2) will begin attending DCB after the next Spring Festival.

On the day of the makeover, Qu and Malaysian-born Stylist Tom Yuen of Hair and Beauty by Hummingbird form an instant rapport.

Yuen thoroughly explains all aspects of the process, not only walking Qu through the hair design but also teaching her how to properly wash, blow-dry, style, and brush her hair. It’s an approach that makeup artist Howard repeats, explaining the theory and techniques behind applying cosmetics as he works on Qu. At one point during the process, there are four people simultaneously collaborating on her transformation. Yuen gives Qu a total of six separate treatments; as well as cut, color, and makeup, she also receives a brow reshaping, a hair mask, and a face mask. “I really wanted a makeover,” says Qu, “But I didn’t know where to go. I’ve never been treated like this before. I wish I knew Tom before my wedding day!”

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Yuen first changed the parting of Qu’s hair; a side part would give more lift and volume to her hair, he explained. He then added layers, removing four inches from the front and three from the back, and feathering the ends for texture.

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Yuen dried and styled Qu’s hair before colorist Tim Chen got to work.

Yuen and Chen believe in applying “designer-highlights,” matching highlight application to the natural wave of their clients’ hair. Chen applied a mix of bright and deep chestnut highlights using foils, after which Yuen finished the color with balayage highlights. After the color developed, Qu’s hair was again washed and dried before being slathered in KeraStraight, a protein mask to make her curls more manageable for up to six weeks.

Makeup List • RMK Liquid Foundation • Helena Rubenstein Liquid Foundation • Shu Uemura Matte Translu cent Loose Face Powder • Bobbi Brown pink blush quartet in pink

• Shu Uemura brow pencil in Hard 9 • Dior eyeshadow in Bronze • MAC eyeshadow in dark brown • Nars eyeshadow in black • MAC False Lashes Mascara • Revlon lipstick in Carnation

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Makeup Artist Howard first reshaped Qu’s brows, then applied a face mask to prepare her skin for makeup. “Beijing is so dry,” Yuen explained. “If you don’t properly prepare the face, your makeup wears off so much more quickly and doesn’t sit on the skin well.” Howard applied tape to Qu’s right eye to mirror her double-lidded left eye. He then applied a light liquid foundation along Qu’s T-zone and underneath her eyes, blending it into a darker liquid foundation along her jaw, cheekbones and brow bones. He finished the base with loose translucent powder.

He then rubbed a dark kohl pencil into Qu’s eyelashes, followed by a dark brown powder along the lash line. He blended a taupe shade along the crease and over the lid, wetting the same taupe powder with water and applying a second wash of pigment along the outer lid and crease. He applied with a bright matte cream shade along the top of the lid and under Qu’s brows. He finished the eyes with a black liquid liner, and applied individual false eyelashes. He ran a brow pencil and brow gel over Qu’s reshaped eyebrows. Qu’s cheekbones received a touch of pink blush, and Howard finished her lips with a flattering candy pink hue.

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Tom Yuen Hair and Beauty by Hummingbird Daily 10am-8pm. Unit 103, Bldg 3, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6597 9119) www.hummingbird.net.cn 朝阳区朝阳门外大街6号新城国际3号楼103

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HEALTH THE NATURAL PATH Got a question?

Dr. Melissa Rodriguez is a mom of two and a wellness consultant. She also works as a naturopath at International Medical Center.

To find out more, check out her website at www.drmelissarodriguez.com.

Sprain or Shine

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ilder weather and better air quality make September ideal for family outings, but being active comes with the risk of injury. Since prevention is a key component of naturopathic medicine, here are some steps to avoid and treat a common injury: the sprained ankle.

Before physical activity, it’s essential to warm up appropriately. Get your heart rate up and work the muscles you will be using during the intended sport or exercise. For ankles, flex and extend your toes and rotate your ankles in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction.

It’s easier to sprain an ankle if you’re not wearing proper shoes.

Always wear well-fitting footwear appropriate to the type of exercise you’re doing, and be cautious when running or playing on uneven ground.

What should you do if you twist your ankle? The first step is to put ice on it in order to decrease pain and inflammation. Stop exercising and elevate the foot. If walking is difficult or painful, consult a professional. Treatment may include therapeutic ultrasounds, massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic adjustment.

Homeopathic arnica can help bring the swelling down, relieve pain, and decrease bruising. A product called Traumeel is especially effective.

It can be used for new or old injuries, and can be applied topically or taken internally.

“Keep in mind that inflammation is needed for healing so it’s best not to halt the process completely” However, it’s only available overseas; in China I recommend Yunnan Baiyao (云南白药), a well-known medicine that has been used for over 100 years. It’s available in many forms at drugstores throughout Beijing, but the spray is easiest to use and carry. For best results, apply it as soon as the injury happens.

However, keep in mind that inflammation is needed for healing so it’s best not to halt the process completely. On day two of the sprain, alternate hot and cold water baths. This form of hydrotherapy improves circulation and speeds up healing. Place the injured foot in a bucket of hot water for three minutes, then immerse it in a bucket of cold water for one minute. Repeat the cycle three times and end with a cold water bath.

When immersed in warm water, move your ankle around as much as you can in as many directions as comfortable. In the cold bath, just rest and relax your foot. Repeat this process three to four times a day.

As soon as possible, begin walking on your injured foot while making sure to not put too much weight on it. Rest and elevate it a few times a day. Don’t push yourself and stop immediately if you feel pain. Massaging with castor oil is also helpful for breaking down scar tissue; do this every evening before bed for at least six weeks. Keep safe and have fun!

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beijingkids 2014 September

THE DOC IS IN HEALTH Need more info?

Dr. Richard Saint Cyr is a family doctor at Beijing United Family Hospital, and the director of clinical marketing and communications. He runs the blog www.myhealthbeijing.com.

Greener Pasteurs

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hen I moved to China eight years ago, I was shocked to see milk piled high on store shelves at room temperature, with expiration dates lasting longer than six months. How could this be safe or nutritious?

After milk is extracted from the cow (or sheep or goat), it is pasteurized to kill dangerous bacteria and spores that can otherwise seriously harm or even kill people. In the process, milk is exposed to high heat for specific lengths of time.

Named after the famous 19th century French scientist Louis Pasteur, pasteurization also slows down the spoilage triggered by a different set of bacteria. However, this sterilization doesn’t kill all bacteria; that’s why milk must be kept cool and used within a couple of days after opening.

Regular pasteurization heats milk to around 70-75°C for 15 seconds, but newer techniques heat it up to 150°C for five seconds.

This is called ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk. At 150°C, all harmful pathogens – including spores – are killed as well as the enzymes that can spoil milk, which is why UHT milk keeps for months. The milk also goes directly into the container after heating, eliminating contamination.

But what about nutrition? While there are some very minor changes, all of the major governmental and nutritional sites I’ve read – including the American Center for Disease Control (CDC), the European Union, and New Zealand – come to the same conclusion.

“UHT milk is a great choice, especially when it’s imported and organic” As summed up by the CDC, “all of the nutritional benefits of drinking milk are available from pasteurized milk without the risk of disease that comes with drinking raw milk.” While some reports say that milk enzymes are damaged even more with UHT processing, the CDC says that “the enzymes in raw animal milk are not thought to be important in human health.”

Most Europeans will find my initial hesitancy amusing, as UHT milk has been the most popular choice in most EU countries for many years.

In China, it is available mostly imported in foreign and upscale supermarkets. Fortunately, it can be found on all major shopping sites in China.

Many of my patients and online readers have been desperate to find quality milk sources since the melamine scandal of 2008. UHT milk is a great choice, especially when it’s imported and organic; it’s a far better choice for toddlers than toddler formula, which no pediatric groups have endorsed over milk.

I buy imported organic UHT milk mostly as a safety precaution, but I am reassured by the fact that my family is drinking milk from grassfed cows raised on farms that is 100 percent free of pesticides, heavy metals, and growth hormones. Given the uncertainty over food safety here, why not have peace of mind with your milk?

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West: Physiotherapy encompasses massages, manipulation, and rehabilitation exercises

On the Bench

Western and TCM approaches to treating sports injuries

by Sally Wilson

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beijingkids 2014 September

P - Protect from further injury using a splint, pad, or crutch R - Restrict activity and rest to prevent worsening of the injury I - Apply ice, which works as an anti-inflammatory and helps reduce swelling C - Apply compression with an elastic bandage to help reduce swelling E - Elevate the injured area above the heart to help reduce swelling.

Professional help is needed for more severe sprains or strains, especially if it’s a first-time injury. When left untreated, the soft tissue remains weak and unstable so there’s a higher risk of re-injury, which can lead to chronic instability. Once you get to that stage, it’s hard to recover 100 percent use of the injured area without surgery.

PHOTO: PROMOTION PHYSIO (FLICKR)

ports injuries are common but preventable. Risk can be minimized by warming up before any physical activity; this increases blood flow to the muscles and loosens up the body. It’s also important to stop an activity when you reach the point of fatigue; muscle fatigue takes away the body’s protective mechanisms and increases the risk of injury.

Overuse injuries are common when you throw yourself into an activity you haven’t done in a while. Get the relevant muscles used to working again by doing lighter exercises for the first few weeks. For instance, if you’re training for the Beijing Marathon, it’s advisable to increase your mileage by no more than 10 percent per week.

Usually, sports injuries are mild or moderate, and can be treated at home for the most part. The PRICE method is a self-help method recommended by many doctors:

HEALTH When left untreated, the soft tissue remains weak and unstable so there’s a higher risk of re-injury, which can lead to chronic instability joints, and sites of pain. The practitioner uses palms, thumbs, fingers, and elbows to apply gentle to firm pressure, and may incorporate stretches. TCM massage can also work the same meridians and points used in acupuncture. TCM stresses the view that most sports injuries are the result of misplacements of bones and soft tissues, and these misplacements should be corrected through manipulation.

For both western medicine and TCM diagnoses, injuries are classified as acute or chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing sport or exercising, whilst chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time. This diagnosis will impact recommended treatment options and determine what type of injury was sustained.

Treatment depends on whether the injury is “direct” (caused by the impact of an external force, resulting in bruising, internal bleeding, muscle strain, or ligament sprain) or “indirect” (caused by excessive twisting, bending, or overstraining).

We speak to two Beijing-based practitioners, Dr. Derric Wang from Horizon Sports Medicine Clinic and Dr. Zhang Muchuan from Beijing Dongwen TCM Clinic, about how they would treat four common types of sports injuries.

Dr. Wang has a degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Alabama. An orthopedic certified specialist and athlete trainer, he has practiced at sports medicine clinics in the US working with colleges and semi-professional athletes. Dr. Zhang mainly treats soft tissue injuries caused by sports, incorrect postures caused by everyday life, and internal diseases. In the table on the next page, Dr. Wang represents western medicine views while Dr. Zhang represents TCM views.

PHOTO: courtesy of dongwen

East Vs. West Conventional western medicine treatments include ultrasound therapy, in which high-frequency ultrasonic waves are moved over the skin in the region of the injury, transmitting the energy into the tissues.

Interferential electro-therapy uses a form of electrical current administered at the site of a soft tissue injury, simulating the body’s natural healing process by helping it to produce pain-killing endorphins.

Electro-therapy also helps release of strains, spasms, and issues with soft tissue.

Physiotherapy uses massage, manipulation, and special exercises to improve range of motion, regain strength and flexibility, and return normal function to the injured area. Massage involves the repetitive rubbing, stripping, or kneading of muscles and other soft tissues, whereas manipulation involves manual pressure or force being move muscles and tissues. Once clinical treatment is over, the patient must continue with special exercises at home to prevent further damage and reduce the risk of re-injury.

Alternatively, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – particularly acupuncture – is routinely used to treat sports injuries. There’s usually some form of qi and blood stagnation (manifested as pain or bruising), possibly complicated by dampness (manifested as fluid retention) in a localized area and in the affected channels and collaterals. In TCM, the channels refer to the pathways of qi and blood. These pathways are interconnected with each other via collaterals, forming a network that unites the body as a whole.

Treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage each have a role to play in healing sports injuries. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific pressure points along the body through penetration of the skin by thin needles or the application of heat or pressure.

Moxibustion is the burning of mugwort – a small, spongy herb – to facilitate healing. In direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped amount of moxa is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned over the skin. Indirect moxibustion uses both acupuncture needles and moxa.

TCM massage, such as tuina, can work directly on muscle groups,

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East: Moxibustion involves the burning September of mugwort over the skin to facilitate healing 2014 beijingkids

Type of Injury

Western Medicine Treatment Methods

TCM Treatment Methods

• Full assessment to determine the severity of the injury • Immobilizing or taping of the ankle to decrease swelling • Ultrasounds for pain manament • Basic physiotherapy exercises to regain flexibility and range of motion • Functional exercises for strengthening muscles • Observation of knees and hips to ensure that the entire muscle chain is working correctly, and that the patient maintains good posture • Re-introduce physical activity towards the end of the treatment to ensure a safe return to the sport

Acute period (within three hours of injury): • Acupuncture or acupressure on the opposing ankle • Acupuncture on the tibialis anterior muscle (located near the shin) • Herbs to prevent blood stagnation, such as anti-bruising powder 七厘散 (qili san).

Contains Daemonorops draco (a type of rattan palm), frankincense, myrrh, black catechu (extracted from Acacia), and borneol.

After acute period: • Acupuncture on the tibialis anterior muscle • Acupuncture or bone setting manipulation on the ankle • Massage and moxibustion on the calf • Herbal drinks to improve blood circulation, such as a circulation decoction 血府逐瘀汤 (xuefu zhuyi tang) containing Chinese thorax root, immature orange fruit, white peony root, licorice, Angelica sinensis, and chuan xiong (a herb commonly used to relieve pain and improve circulation).

Pulled Hamstring Three muscles in the back of the thigh form the hamstring; injuries happen when these muscles are stretched too far. Sprinting and other sports that put a lot of stress on the legs increase the risk of pulled hamstrings. Running, jumping, and kicking sports cause the most hamstring injuries.

This injury is difficult to treat, as the hamstring is a muscle that powers your legs to run and provides flexibility for kicking. The treatment plan must ensure that both strength and flexibility are regained.

It’s vital to treat first-time injuries properly or future pulls could lead to calcification of the hamstring muscle or tendon. Treatment methods include:

Acute period (within three hours of injury): • Put ice on the injury in the first 30 minutes and stop moving • Massage the calf and buttocks • Herbs to prevent further blood stagnation

Pulled hamstrings can vary greatly in severity, from muscle pulls (Grade 1 injuries) to complete hamstring tears (Grade 3).

• Compression bandages to keep swelling under control • Ultrasounds for managing pain • Stretching exercises once the pain has subsided • Regaining strength through appropriate exercises • Checking flexibility and ensuring that everything is balanced with the hip flex and quads (this trio is referred to as the “powerhouse”) • Taping to decrease swelling • Basic exercises to regain flexibility and range of motion

Ankle Sprain An ankle sprain refers to an injury of the soft tissues – usually the ligaments of the ankle – that typically occurs when the foot is accidentally turned inwards, stretching or tearing the relatively weak ligaments on the outside of the ankle.

Ankle sprains are almost inevitable in sports that involve jumping, running and turning quickly – all movements that can easily lead to ankle sprains. These movements are common in soccer, hockey, basketball, and volleyball.

beijingkids 2014 September

PHOTOs: courtesy of dongwen

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After acute period: • Acupuncture on the buttocks and pressure points near the injury • Massage, manipulation, and moxibustion on the hamstring • Herbal drinks to improve blood circulation

Type of Injury

Knee Injury Many knee problems are grouped into the category of “runner’s knee,” which includes a variety of aches and pains related to the kneecap. Runner’s knee (patella tendonitis) is often caused by increasing your running speed or the distance you run too quickly and not allowing your body to get used to the change.

Severe knee injuries can involve damage or bruising to cartilage or ligaments. The four major ligaments in the knee that are most frequently injured are the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

Western Medicine Treatment Methods

TCM Treatment Methods

Tight quads can occur as the body reacts to injured knees. The physician will observe your running pattern to see whether this is causing undue stress on your kneecaps and tendons.

Heel striking puts stress on the knee, so it’s important to try striking with the ball of the foot.

Acute period (within three hours of the injury): • Put ice on the injury in the first 30 minutes and stop moving • Acupuncture on the opposite knee • Soft massage on the thigh • Herbs to prevent further blood stagnation

If ligaments such as the ACL are damaged, the injury typically requires surgery and it can take 9-12 months for the patient to return to sports.

After acute period: • Deep massage and acupuncture on the thigh • Herbal drinks to improve blood circulation

With injuries such as shoulder impingement syndrome and tendonitis, it’s important to stop playing the sport immediately to avoid further damage to the rotator cuff.

Acute period (within three hours of injury): • Put ice on the injury within 30 minutes or less • Acupuncture on the arm and the neck • Massage along the upper spine • Herbs to prevent further blood stagnation

Runners are not the only victims of knee injuries, however; they also commonly strike cyclists, basketball players, and soccer players.

Shoulder Injury Shoulder injuries include dislocations, sprains, and strains.

These problems are generally caused by overuse, which loosens the rotator cuff – the group of tendons and muscles surrounding the shoulder. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, weakness, and slipping in the shoulder.

PHOTO: courtesy of dongwen

Shoulder injuries are most common in tennis, swimming, badminton, and volleyball – any sport that involves a lot of overhead movement.

• Ultrasounds on the small stabilizer muscles • Sports massages to relax the associated muscles • Exercises to strengthen the upper back muscles and pull the shoulders back • Exercises to stretch the chest muscles in order to open up the shoulder and create space so tendons aren’t rubbing on bone • Rehabilitation program to address any muscle imbalances and issues with posture

Resources Horizon Sports Medicine Clinic 北京弘道运动医学诊所 Horizon Sports Medicine Clinic provides outpatient physical therapy, sports medicine, pediatric sports related injuries, and post-operative rehabilitation.

Mon-Fri 9.30am-6.30pm. 4/F, Bldg A, 40 Xingfu Er Cun, Chaoyang District (8438 9966, clinic@winbright.cc) www.horizon-clinic.cc 朝阳区幸福二村40号A座4层

After acute period: • Acupuncture on the shoulder and the arm • Massage and moxibustion on the shoulder • Chiropractic adjustments • Herbal drinks to improve blood circulation

Beijing Dongwen TCM Clinic 北京东文中医诊所 Beijing Dongwen TCM Clinic takes a holistic approach to health.

They offer TCM procedures like acupuncture, massage, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, bagua, and more.

Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-8pm. Rm 107, 8 Xiaoyunli, Chaoyang District (5613 7619, dywjmedical@gmail.com) www. dywjmed.com 朝阳区霄云里8号107室

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Kid Pro Quo Moka Bros’ newest branch targets families text by Yvette Ferrari, photos by Dave PiXSTUDIO

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Sreena (age 9) and Jai Rajitha (6) about to tuck in at Moka Bros Solana beijingkids 2014 September

Dining Out DINING

Kids’ power bowl with “berry smooth” smoothie

Fusilli pesto pasta with chicken and watermelon juice

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iblings Sreena (age 9) and Jai (6) have lived in Beijing for most of their lives. Their dad, Suresh Rajitha, says their mom cooks during the week but the family likes to eat out on weekends.

“The kids love pizza, especially Papa John’s and Annie’s,” he says. “We try to give them salads and tell them vegetables are good for their eyes.”

Fortunately for our two young models, Moka Bros is one restaurant that balances taste and nutrition. The restaurant’s slogan, “Eat well.

Feel good.” is borne out by their menu of dishes made from scratch using fresh, local ingredients.

The new Moka Bros branch in Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park is designed with families in mind and is equipped with colorful kids’ menus. Scribbling on the menus is encouraged; kids can circle their own “power meals” (all RMB 48) and “power drink,” either a smoothie or a fresh juice. Meals are served on brightly-colored plastic bowls and plates, and come with kid-friendly utensils. Highchairs are available for families with smaller children.

Once the food arrives, Sreena immediately zones in on the chicken breast sandwich with tomato and cheese on a French roll. Our photographer keeps the kids smiling while they enjoy their lunch. “Do you know why your pasta is green?” he asks Jai. “Because they had to kill like ten monsters to make your food!”

Though initially a little self-conscious about his newly toothless smile, Jai warms up for the camera and digs into the fusilli pasta with pesto and chicken (extra RMB 10 to add chicken).

Sreena also digs into the kid-sized version of one of a signature “power bowls” with red rice, red beans, avocado, yellow corn, red onion, cilantro lime sauce, and steak. Sreena says she loves her chicken

Chicken breast sandwich with tomato and cheese

sandwich and that the red beans and rice are “really yummy.”

The kids guzzle their watermelon juice and two smoothies; one is a mango, pineapple, and banana mix and the other contains berries and banana.

A kid-sized power bowl is large enough for grown-ups with smaller appetites. We were also big fans of the goat cheese sandwich – a creamy concoction of basil, mushroom, and sundried tomatoes on walnut bread.

The design of the new Moka Bros branch is similar to the Sanlitun location, with high ceilings, an open kitchen, and a large outdoor terrace. The overall feeling is industrial yet comfortable; muted walls and visible pipes are balanced with cozy chairs, low wooden tables of varying sizes, and a raised platform with smaller stools and bean bags. There’s also a large blue bean bag on the terrace – sure to be a hit with kids.

There isn’t a bathroom on the premises, so customers will have to make a short trek to the mall. Though there isn’t toilet paper, the bathrooms are very clean and include changing tables. After you’re done eating, you can do some shopping at Solana or head to Chaoyang Park to play.

Moka Bros Solana Daily 10.30am-10.30pm. Lakeside Dining Street (east of Element Fresh), Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District (5905 6259, nihao@mokabros.com) www.mokabros.com 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾商业区湖 边美食街

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Sundae Best The Billings-Bathgate family gives us the scoop text by Aisling O’Brien, translation by Jingbo Wu

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he Billings-Bathgate family has longevity in Beijing – and it shows. Kiwi dad Reuben Bathgate teaches kindergarten and Grade 1 Physical Education at the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), while American mom Kristen Billings is the Junior School teacher librarian at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB). Billings has been living in Beijing for 14 years while Bathgate has been here for 11. In their time here, they’ve accumulated two kids (both born and raised in Beijing) and a menagerie of animals. Henry (age 7) goes to WAB with Dad and 2-year-old daughter Esme attends DCB’s Riviera campus; at home, cats Mooncake and Mifan and dogs Lulu and Spencer hold down the fort. Just back from an epic 6-week US road trip through Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, Las Vegas, and more, Billings and co. whipped up a quick and delicious vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce for beijingkids. “What I love about both of these recipes is that they’re fast, simple, and ultimately much healthier than a commercially-produced ice cream sundae,” says Billings. “I use top-quality organic ingredients, and because the end result is richer and more flavorsome, the kids are happy with a much smaller amount.”

photos: sui

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Organic vanilla ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce beijingkids 2014 September

Food for Thought DINING Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream 自制香草冰淇淋 Makes 1 quart 做1夸脱 Estimated time: 20 minutes (not including freezer) 时间：20分钟（不包含冰冻时间） Ingredients 成分 2 cups heavy cream 2杯鲜浓奶油 1 cup whole milk 1杯全脂牛奶 cup sugar 杯糖 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1茶匙香草精

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Chocolate Sauce 巧克力酱 Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. 冰箱里能保存两周。 Estimated time: 15 minutes 时间：15分钟 Ingredients 成分 ¾ cup white sugar ¾杯白砂糖 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour 1个半汤匙多用途面粉 ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder半杯无糖可可粉 1 ¼ cups milk 1¼杯牛奶 2 tablespoons butter 2汤匙黄油 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, or more to taste 半茶匙香 草精 1 tiny pinch salt 1微小少许盐

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Steps 做法 1. Combine cream, milk, sugar and vanilla in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. 把奶油，牛奶，糖和香草在锅里搅拌在一起，加热至 糖完全融化。 2. Pour the mixture into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator or in an ice bath until completely cool, around 10 minutes. 倒入碗里，盖上 保鲜膜。放入冰箱冷藏室或在放入冰水中，直到完全冷却，10分钟左右。 3. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 根据制造商的说明，放入冰激淋机冷冻。 4. Store in an airtight container and freeze for an additional two hours. 装入 保鲜盒里，密闭，再多冷冻两小时。

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Steps 做法 1. Pour sugar, flour, and cocoa powder into a bowl. Whisk together to remove lumps. 将糖，面粉和可可粉放入碗中，搅拌均匀，把硬块打散。 2. Heat milk, butter, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted. 把牛奶，黄油和香草精放入锅里，用中火加热至黄油融化。 3. Whisk dry ingredients into the milk mixture a little at a time. Increase heat to medium-high until mixture comes to a simmer. Cook, stirring constantly, for six minutes. Turn off heat and whisk in a pinch of salt. 用打蛋器将1.干配料一 点点地打入2.牛奶混合液，拌匀。调到中大火，加热至近于沸腾，慢慢炖。不 断搅拌，持续六分钟。 熄火，加入盐少许拌匀。 4. Pour while hot over ice cream or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 趁热倒在冰淇淋上，或储存在保鲜盒，密闭，放在冰箱里。

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Take a fruitful trip to Beijing’s hinterlands

by Heather Budimulia

“Not only is fruit picking a great day trip and way to get the family outdoors, but the fruit is also often cheaper and fresher than at the grocery store”

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2014 September Duran Qiri beijingkids Former Government Buildings

What’s Fun In PLAYING

September 2014 beijingkids

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Apples Located 70km north of Beijing, Huairou Dashuiyu Fruit Picking Garden is best known

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for its apples. Bookmark this trip for October or November to catch the annual Apple Festival, where you can pick your own fruit and browse a selection of apple-based treats sold by local growers. Expect apple salads, fresh apple juice, and other apple-based treats. After sampling and picking apples, take them home and bake your own desserts like apple muffins or apple pies. Best time to go: September to early November Grapes Caiyu Vineyard has over 1,300 hectares of grapes and is located in Caiyu County, one of the biggest grape growing regions in Beijing.

The region has been likened to Bordeaux in France, since both boast the climate and geography best suited to growing grapes.

At Caiyu, over six hectares are open to visitors, who can sample more than 70 varieties of grapes ranging from domestic brands to smaller, more exotic clusters. Grape picking season lasts until late October.

However, a visit to Caiyu shouldn’t be a pickand-run. Most of the county’s residents are involved to some degree in the grape ecosystem, resulting in a strong sense of community.

Adults can attend wine-tasting parties in the evening; be sure to try a few sips of locallymade Harvest or Fengshou wine. Best time to go: September to late October

Peaches Harvest Garden, made up of group of small peach farmers, is located in Pinggu. The orchard claims its peaches aren’t exposed to pesticides or preservatives, ensuring quality and freshness. The farmers get up at dawn to pick their fruit, but you don’t have to wake up that early to enjoy the activity.

Visitors can also opt to stay the night at the orchard to experience rural country life.

We recommend this for visitors who opted to drive themselves up the orchard, as it allows them to get some well-deserved rest. Best time to go: August to September Pears The Red Sun Fruit Picking Garden is located in Huairou. The area is best known for its tasty pears, but also grows grapes and watermelons available for picking. If you want to pick something other than pears, just mention it to the locals and they’ll direct you to another orchard just down the street.

If you aren’t full of fruit yet, the orchard has its own restaurant serving up simple local foods and a barbeque with all kinds of chuan’r.

If what you’re hungry for is adventure, then head to the nearby Qinglongxia to check out the Black Dragon Waterfall or cool off by paddle boating down the river. Best time to go: Mid-August to September

photos: (previous spread) debbir r, (this page) eawortmann and raul lieberwirth (flickr)

elcome the fall by spending the day in an orchard. September and October are the best months to do this, as many fruits will be in season. Not only is fruit picking a great day trip and way to get the family outdoors, but the products are also cheaper and fresher than at the grocery store.

Most orchards are located on the outskirts of Beijing, with many in Changping, Huairou, and Daxing. Some charge an all-inclusive flat fee that covers admission and the fruit you pick, but most have an entry fee and charge for the fruit separately by weight.

Though it’s possible to take public transportation to the orchards, lugging a bunch of fruit back home while dealing with kids is probably the last thing you want to do. It’s best to drive, arrange a car, or organize several families to pitch in for a minibus.

While navigating unfamiliar country roads may be daunting, farm owners are happy to provide directions or even drive out to get you if you’re lost. Most orchards are located close to each other, so don’t worry if you can’t find a specific one; you won’t walk away empty-handed.

What’s Fun In PLAYING

Watermelons Watermelons are the perfect thirst-quenching fruit and it never hurts to have a supply on hand to juice or eat by the slice. Luckily, there are two opportunities a year to get your watermelon fix; the first round of harvesting runs from mid-May to the end of July, and the second runs from mid-September to mid-October.

Laosong Melon Garden in Daxing District is known for growing watermelons, so head there if you’re looking for a taste of summer.

If watermelons get boring, there’s a greenhouse especially designed for children that features more exotic fruits like passion fruit and dragon fruit. Best time to go: MidSeptember to mid-October

Dashuiyu Fruit Picking Garden 大水峪采摘观光园 Red Sun Fruit Picking Garden 红日采摘园 Harvest Garden 夏各庄镇魏太务村

Laosong Melon Garden 老宋瓜园

Caiyu Vineyard 采育镇采育万亩观光园

photos: harsha kr (flickr)

Resources Dashuiyu Fruit Picking Garden 大水峪采摘观光园 Dashuiyu Village, Huaibei Town, Huairou District (400 631 7160) 怀柔区怀北镇大水峪村

Harvest Garden 北京丰和谷果品产销专业合作社 Weitaiwu Village, Xiagezhuang Town, Pinggu District (135 8157 7247) www.bjfhg.com.cn 平谷区夏各庄镇魏太务村

Caiyu Vineyard 采育镇采育万亩观光园 Caiyu Town, Daxing District (8027 2793) 大兴区采育镇

Laosong Melon Garden 大兴区老宋瓜园 Panggezhuang Town, Daxing District (8928 2866) 大兴区庞各庄镇

Red Sun Fruit Picking Garden 北京怀柔红日采摘园 Dashuiyu Village, Huaibei Town, Huairou District (137 1659 1895) www.hrhongtaiyang.com 怀柔区怀北镇大水峪村

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The view from the Peak

Three-year-old Bennett on Mui Wo Beach

Isle Be Back The Maanum boys on top of the world

The Maanums island hop in Hong Kong

by Julie Maanum

Riding the cable car to visit the Giant Buddha

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photos: courtesy of julie maanum

Travelers: Julie Maanum, her husband Thore, and their sons Bennett (age 3),and Liam (age 1).

Destination: Hong Kong Travel dates: July 2014 Travel plans: The Maanum family took a quick weekend trip to Hong Kong, flying with Hong Kong Air and staying at the Airport Sky Marriott on Lantau Island.

Cost: The trip cost RMB 15,000 in total. Flights were RMB 1,500 for Julie, Thore, and Bennett; the infant ticket was RMB 1,000.

The hotel cost RMB 1,400 per night, and included one breakfast buffet each morning. Tickets to Disneyland were RMB 1,000 for the whole family (Liam got in for free). Entertainment and transportation came to RMB 4,900.

FAMILY TRAVELS PLAYING

Riding Dumbo (from left to right): Thore, Bennett (age 3), Liam (1), and Julie

T

he direct flight took just under three hours and Hong Kong Air was very hospitable, with impressive food for an airline. On first sight, we could tell Hong Kong would be beautiful. From the plane, we spotted the green islands and amazing blue water surrounding them. We all squealed at the welcome prospect of palm trees and clear skies.

Both Thore and I have brothers who have visited Hong Kong previously, so we consulted them on what to take in. They both recommended Victoria Peak and the downtown area on Hong Kong Island, but since we were traveling with kids and had limited time, we skipped downtown this trip.

On Lantau Island, we traveled over winding roads across the island to Mui Wo Beach on the eastern shore. Though a popular beach, it felt like a secret hideaway. With a store and restaurant-lined boardwalk, it’s a great choice for families. It was low tide when we arrived, but it was still fun to play in the sand and ocean with the boys. It was both of their first times in the ocean. The cable ride up to the Giant Buddha on Lantau was also really fun.

My favorite excursion was going into Hong Kong and riding the tram up to Victoria Peak. It was raining when we started out, but by the time we reached the top the weather had cleared. The view of Hong Kong and the surrounding islands is awesome. We didn’t get to see much of the city up close and personal, but I was amazed by how different it is than Beijing, with high-rise buildings packed so close together. If we had more time, it would have been fun to explore Hong Kong a little more.

Disneyland was the number one priority attraction for us, but we were a little disappointed that, though he enjoyed himself, 3-year-old Bennett was still too young to really appreciate it. Even though the tickets were relatively cheap, I feel as though we didn’t get our money’s worth. There were long lines and it was very hot. We couldn’t spend as much time there as we would have liked. Bennett was more interested in the toy stores than the rides, which was actually a relief since all the stores were air-conditioned.

I was most impressed with how polite and accommodating everyone was. Granted, we were at major tourist attractions and our hotel, but everyone we came into contact with was extremely kind; it made a hectic trip much more enjoyable and relaxing. Hong Kong is definitely a great short-break destination for families.

Travel Tips • Almost everyone spoke English, so it was much easier to get around for me. (Unlike Thore, I don’t speak Mandarin). We had no problem accessing ATMs or the Internet, asking for directions, or finding someone to answer any questions we had.

• We used the Disney website and the Sky Marriott website for reference information.

• We were very lucky on our trip, in that it only rained a total of 30 minutes the entire time we were there, but the heat and humidity were rough going. It wore us all out faster than we expected.

• It typically rains briefly most days during the summer months. I am sure we will go back again, but in the fall or spring.

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A Fighting Chance Canadian International School of Beijing students tackle bullying

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photo: ken

Clockwise from back left: Matthew Lukacs, 15, Hungary, has lived in Beijing for three years John Wang, 16, Canada, has lived in Beijing for one year Rebecca Xiao (visiting student), 16, China, has lived in Beijing for 12 years Anna Fawei He, 16, Canada, has lived in Beijing for seven years

the roundtable LEARNING

“Without specific rules and consequences outlined on social media sites, people think it’s OK to post someone’s picture with insulting words online” Do you think there’s been more cyberbullying in the last few years?

Matthew: Yes, because of the development of the Internet. People are less shy online, so they will say anything. The sad thing about cyberbullying is that no one can stop it. Even if it’s deleted, it’ll stay in that person’s memory.

Anna: There are websites for teens and kids that warn you before you open a message with bad words. As technology advances, we could develop something similar for bullying; it could detect if a message is insulting and just delete it automatically.

John: But people have the right to express what they want to say and it’s not right to control them. In a way, that’s kind of bullying too; it’s abusing others’ rights.

Rebecca: Without specific rules and consequences outlined on social media sites, people think it’s OK to post someone’s picture with insulting words online. There should be more information sessions in school so students know what the negative consequences are.

Do schools have the right to get involved with incidents of cyberbullying?

Mathew: No, because if the school isn’t aware when it starts, there isn’t much they can do. The later the school gets involved, the worse the situation can become.

Rebecca: It’s a school’s responsibility to get involved and their duty to educate students. We have guest speakers who come each year, but we don’t get education on how to treat and communicate with others.

If a student behaves badly outside of school, the school should reflect on that and think about what it can do differently.

How should schools deal with children who bully?

Anna: One thing our student council does during Bully Awareness Week is send out pink papers to every homeroom so people can write to someone they once bullied and apologize.

Rebecca: We also have a school counselor who can offer ways to solve the problem and talk to the people involved.

How can bullying be stopped?

Rebecca: Schools need to protect their students. They can put up more posters, and give us weekly speeches and lessons. Everyone should take [bullying] very seriously.

Anna: We can’t really put it on the teachers; we have to make sure the students actually feel for themselves that bullying is wrong.

Mathew: More rules won’t help if teachers don’t see [bullying] happen.

Education should start young, because younger kids can learn more effectively than middle and high school-aged kids.

John: Posters and presentations only work if people actually connect with them. It’s important to educate everyone about how bullying starts so we can prevent it, including the bully.

Is it OK to “fight back” if you are bullied?

Anna: If the person being bullied wants to be the better person, they

shouldn’t fight back. If you do, you’re basically bullying too.

Mathew: People should get help from someone else to fight against bullying.

John: Kids who are bullied should first let the other person know what’s happening. You shouldn’t literally fight back, but stand up for yourself and let that person know that what is happening is cruel.

Rebecca: It’s OK to ask for help, but the problem is that some kids are scared to ask for help.

Are bullies bad people?

Matthew: If they do it on purpose, they’re bad people. People who bully others don’t usually feel guilty because they think they have the power to rule over someone, and that’s kind of evil.

Rebecca: Bullies don’t always know that what they are doing is bad.

Their intention is to make fun of someone because they think it’s funny, but maybe they’re hurting others in a way they aren’t aware of.

John: It’s based on the intention. If it starts off as a joke, then they just made the wrong choice. In the end, bullies are humans too.

What would you do if someone you know is being bullied?

Mathew: If someone is being bullied, they should go to a teacher or to a parent for support.

Rebecca: I would tell him or her that it isn’t their fault and they don’t need to be scared.

What causes children to bully?

Anna: Kids are very easily influenced by media like movies and TV shows; they tell us what is cool and what isn’t, so things and people that fall outside of the box are not really considered “cool.”

Mathew: If the punishment isn’t harsh enough, the bully won’t care and will keep doing it. Other kids are scared to get involved because they’re afraid the bully will turn on them next.

John: Perhaps bullies don’t always know they’re wrong; you can’t really judge the difference between right and wrong if you weren’t taught.

Who is responsible for preventing bullying?

Anna: Parents. They should teach their children starting from a really young age that people are different. If kids should know they’re loved, they won’t have thoughts of hurting others in any way.

John: Everyone. We’re just talking about bullying in school but as we inevitably grow up, it’s important that everyone try to help out each other in moments of crisis.

How can children learn to resolve differences peacefully?

John: Talking to the bully directly and telling them how you feel.

Educating people so they understand that everyone is different and those differences don’t make a person some kind of outlier.

Rebecca: If someone sees someone else being bullied, they should stand up for that person, because then the bully will know that they’re not doing the right thing.

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Hit the Road, Bullies

by Yvette Ferrari

According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, about half of all youth have experienced some form of cyberbullying

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photo: wen tong neo (flickr)

What students, parents, and schools can do to fight back against bullying

schooled LEARNING

“Can you imagine how gutsy you have to be to stand in front of the bully and report it? It must be like going to court and having your perpetrator standing right there”

I

n an era where hurtful messages can be sent with a few strokes of a keyboard, it’s no wonder that bullying is on the rise. But how do you tell the difference between petty schoolyard taunts and real bullying? Just how harmful is bullying in the bigger picture? According to a study recently published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, bullying has health, social, and economic consequences that last into adulthood.

The study followed 18,000 people in the UK, Wales, and Scotland born in a single week in 1958. Researchers interviewed parents in the 1960s to find out if children were never, sometimes, or frequently bullied. They were assessed again at age 45 for depression and anxiety. When participants reached 50, those still in the study were asked to fill out a questionnaire measuring psychological distress.

Researchers found that subjects who were bullied occasionally or frequently had generally poorer physical health, were at greater risk for anxiety disorders and suicide, made less money, and were more socially-isolated compared to the peer group that wasn’t bullied.

In late May, we visited Art Bug and spoke with Australian clinical psychologist Dr. Kristie Craigen following a series of talks she gave in Beijing. Based in Hong Kong, Craigen is the Director of Assessments at the Jadis Blurton Family Development Center and a consultant for the KELY Support Group, an acronym for Kids Everywhere Like You. Supporting youth between the ages of 14-24 in Hong Kong, the NGO aims to better understand adolescent issues by addressing their underlying psychological causes. We spoke about the reasons why children bully and what students, parents, and schools can do to help.

Bullies: Menaces or Victims?

So why do kids bully? The reason has to do with power and imbalance of power, explains Dr. Craigen. Two examples that come to mind are the characters Biff from the popular 80s classic Back to the Future and Regina from Mean Girls. Dr. Craigen says there are generally two types of people that bully, and these two characters accurately represent each one: • The “Biff”: In Back to the Future, Marty (played by Michael J. Fox) travels back in time to the 1950s, where he meets his dad’s high school bully, Biff. Biff verbally harasses Marty’s Dad, McFly, forces him to do his homework, and physically threatens him. “This type of bully actually has low self-esteem, poor relational skills, and they use bullying as a form of power,” says Dr. Craigen. “Often, they see it demonstrated in their own family, and it’s something that gets passed down.”

• The “Regina”: Though this infamous mean girl is conniving and cruel to her friends, she still manages to amass a flock of followers who give her the power she thrives on. “This type of bully is the opposite,” says Dr. Craigen. “This is the one that is really popular, is really concerned with maintaining that popularity, and would do that by any means.”

Though it can be easy to think the worst of bullies, it’s important to realize a person who bullies is often having problems of their own and can be seen as victims in their own way.

“It’s advisable to have methods that incorporate intervention and therapy for both the

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person who bullies and the person being bullied,” says Dr. Craigen.

The rise of cyber bullying is fuelled in part by “Internet courage,” or the type of boldness that a person may exhibit while shielded by their computer screen. The same person may respond completely differently when physically confronted.

Coupled with Internet courage, Dr. Craigen thinks that cyberbullying is largely fuelled by entertainment value. “I saw some research that said 40 percent of Internet bullying occurs just because [the perpetrators] think it’s funny,” she explains. “People say things they probably wouldn’t in a social situation.”

In South Korea, a new rule was recently implemented requiring members to log in to websites using their government-issued ID numbers. “Something interesting occurred. Instances of bullying dropped significantly because people just don’t want to be identified,” says Dr. Craigen.

Responding to Bullies What can a young person do if they or someone they know is confronted by a bully? In cases of cyberbullying, Dr. Craigen advises kids and teens not to engage or respond in kind with negative messages.

“Don’t participate, don’t send on messages, and understand how doing so would affect somebody else.”

On the other hand, in instances where bullying is taking place in person, it’s helpful to be aware of the bystander effect, also known as the third party effect. The idea is that people standing by and watching are actually egging on the instances of bullying because they’re giving the bully, who is seeking power, an audience. In these instances, it can help if someone says something.

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The School’s Responsibility From a student’s perspective, confronting a bully can be quite intimidating. In some situations, the school getting involved could make the situation worse. “A lot of times, what [the schools] do is put the kids together and make them talk about it in front of each other. Can you imagine how gutsy you have to be to stand in front of the bully and report it? It must be like going to court and having your perpetrator standing right there.”

So how can schools handle bullying incidents? They can start by developing a comprehensive anti-bullying program and policy that involves education on the topic. Having given talks on bullying in schools and with parents, however, Dr. Craigen says these programs can be hindered by a lack of follow-up. “It’s ineffective unless it’s systematic across the board – the teachers and parents have to be involved,” she says.

Getting everyone on the same page is what the International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) aims to do with the MSB Bullying Prevention Program for students in Grades 1-6.

“We implemented it by preparing the staff and the parents with workshops. They included teacher-parent specific information so everyone would be prepared to deal with questions from students,” says Learning Support Specialist and School Counselor Alexandra Schuur, who leads the program.

The MSB Bullying and Prevention Program includes elements from two other programs. First, it includes lessons based on Australian Education Consultant and Author Robert Pereira’s bullying workshops, which focus on the reasons why children bully. The second part of the program functions as a follow-up to check student understanding and is based on an Irish safety awareness program called Stay Safe.

“Lessons are split up into three sections and last an hour. The first ten minutes are set aside for discussing the meaning of friendship and bullying,” explains Schuur. “Students offer their knowledge and are allowed the opportunity to share personal experiences. The next 40 minutes revolve around a drawing on the board, which the children play out an age/ gender specific scenario while I write out the character’s thought bubbles and verbal responses. Throughout the conversation, I ask the children guiding questions to keep them thinking about the next step.”

Through this exercise, students explore the situation from each character’s perspective as well as an outsider’s perspective. “They are effectively teaching each other what positive and negative communication looks like. At the same time they are, without realizing it, making agreements regarding what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior,” says Schuur. After each lesson, the classroom teachers are brought up to speed so that they can follow up with students.

With enough cooperation and education, the effects of bullying don’t have to last a lifetime. Dr. Craigen is hopeful that awareness for teachers, parents, and youth is the answer to decreasing incidences of bullying. “Naming it and creating preventative measures in schools is really going to help,” she says. “Maybe not all the time, but if you’ve got consequences and a policy around it, then people know that it’s taken seriously. It will have a positive impact.”

photo: suzanne goodwin photography

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kristie Craigen

“There’s a lot of research that says as soon as soon someone speaks up, the incident will stop within ten seconds,” says Dr. Craigen. “It’s the same idea with internet bullying: someone saying something positive changes the theme. It just takes one person having the courage to show support. If they don’t, just choosing not to participate and perhaps even blocking the person who is doing it.”

Parents can also be more aware what their kids are up to online.

Dr. Craigen suggests setting rules and monitoring online activity so that kids know what they can and can’t do. ”I know it gets difficult but there are ways, and you need to have some initiative in how you go about doing that. It also involves restriction if they have violated trust in some way.”

schooled LEARNING

The worst thing bystanders can do is give bullies an audience, says Dr. Craigen

photo: thomas ricker (flickr)

What to Do in Case of Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is when a child, preteen, or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen, or teen using the Internet, digital devices, or mobile phones.

The incident must involve a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor to be considered cyberbullying. For adults, the same acts are referred to as cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. If a child or teen becomes a victim of cyberbullying, parents should encourage their children to “stop, block, and tell” as detailed below: Stop!

Don’t do anything. Take five minutes to calm down.

Block!

Block the cyberbully or limit all communications to those on your buddy list.

Tell!

Tell a trusted adult.

Source: Stop Cyberbullying (see Resources box on the right)

Resources The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) Bldg 8, 2 Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District (6432 8228, admissions@msb.edu.cn) www.msb.edu.cn 朝阳区香江北路2号院8号楼 The American Psychological Association (APA) The APA provides comprehensive information on its website about measures that parents, teachers, and kids can take to prevent bullying. Visit www.apa.org/helpcenter/bullying.aspx.

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) Also offers bullying prevention resources, including articles about teaching kids about bullying, girls and bullying, and strategies for parents and schools to reduce bullying. Visit www.ncpc.org/ topics/bullying.

Stop Cyberbullying A website dedicated to preventing and raising awareness about cyberbullying. Visit cyberbullying.org.

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Students from

UCCA Creative Studio fill September’s Blank Canvas

Sihan, 3, China I’m a camel walking in the desert on a sunny day.

Dandan, 3, China This is a monster fish in the sea.

Minting, 3, China The hedgehog is talking to the bird.

Ziyu, 4, China A giraffe wants to get a suntan.

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BLANK CANVAS LEARNING

Leanor, 4, Belgium The goldfish and the lamb are best friends.

Meitong, 4, China A cat is taking a holiday on the beach.

Aiyang, 2, China It’s an elephant.

Xuanzhu, 3, China It’s a colorful octopus.

Caixuan, 3, US The little cheetah is waiting for her mom.

Mingqian, 3, China A snake is playing with a red-headed bird.

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PARENTING BEIJING BABA

I’m all in as a parent, athlete, and brain-dead driver on autopilot

Victory Lap Resistance is futile when your kids are your personal trainers

by Christopher Lay

O

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With all the demands placed upon us, I sometimes feel like throwing up my hands and quitting the team. But then, I am reminded of the determination of the riders in the Tour de France and how easy the team captains really have it. After all, eight out of the nine members on each team are riding just to put their leader in the best position to win; it’s like having eight very fit ayis on your side.

On our Tour de Oregon, we have three leaders (the kids) and only two support staff (us). If either of us stops in the middle of the trip, the rest of the team will likely abandon the tour and seek refuge at the nearest five-star resort with babysitting services. So I soldier on, one misguided step after another.

All of this means that I am worn to a nub by the end of the day and can only choose between exciting activities like taking a shower, eating, doing laundry, or maybe grocery shopping before collapsing into bed.

This year, there is no time for reflection, introspection, or even Facebook postification. I’m all in as a parent, athlete, and brain-dead driver on autopilot. Do me a favor and pass the triple espresso; I’m almost at the finish line, but I just need a little pick-me-up to get me there.

Christopher Lay hails from scenic Ashland, Oregon and has lived in Beijing for six years. When not chasing after Reina (age 7) and twins Bryson and Ryder (2), he does freelance architectural and portrait photography. View his work at chrislay.com.

illustration: crystal liu

ne of the things I love about July is watching the Tour de France. The cycling extravaganza lasts three weeks, with riders in the saddle for up to five hours a day. With so much coverage to watch, I don’t follow any other sporting events throughout the year. I enjoy the beauty of the race, but I also admire the endurance, strength, and determination of the riders.

Unfortunately, the Tour coincides this year with the Lay family “Tour de Oregon”: six weeks, four cities, three kids, and no domestiques.

To complicate matters, Savvy has to work part-time during most of our trip.

The Tour de France is challenging – riding a bike for 200km in one day would kill most people – but our three little trainers have tailored a grueling workout for us, too. The twins specialize in a type of resistance training that cannot be found in any gym.

First, they pretend they are dead whenever we want them to do something they do not like. Then, they transform their bodies into jelly and melt onto the floor like 12kg lead weights. Once I hoist one toddler off the floor, he immediately changes into a writhing, stiff-limbed Tasmanian Devil whom I struggle to contain. You wouldn’t know it by looking at me, but I’m the strongest I’ve ever been.

In addition, all three kids enjoy testing our endurance. This starts around 8am and frequently does not end until 11pm, when they are all finally asleep. Feeding the twins every two hours is daunting enough on its own, but dressing them, loading them into the car, playing with them, exploring with them, bathing them, and getting them to bed also take its toll on us.

To keep up, like many professional athletes, I’ve resorted to doping by consuming copious amounts of caffeinated beverages. Savvy, the natural that she is, somehow manages with only water.

THE ECHO CHAMBER PARENTING I remember wondering why he got off the hook as a role model just because we were girls

Throw like a Girl Unzipping gender roles, one generation at a time

by Ember Swift

illustration: crystal liu

M

y grandmother was the one who taught my uncle to throw a football. This is a recycled story; it’s been told far too many times in my family – especially by my grandmother herself, who started repeating her stories many years ago.

This story is of the single-line variety, but it acts like a zipper opening onto a larger scene. Picture a woman in the late 1950s with a tight sweater, conical breasts, perhaps a silk scarf tied loosely over her curler-fixed hairdo, slim-fitting pants, and a football poised perfectly atop a crooked arm. A little boy waits across the yard, legs apart, knees bent. He is grounded and ready, eyes dancing.

I once asked, “Where was Grandpa?”

“He was gardening,” my grandmother answered. A twisted mouth of distaste.

And so I knew. Teaching a child to throw a ball was supposed to be a father’s job, but the mother had to do it. This was somehow distasteful, inappropriate, wrong.

The notion of appropriate gender roles sneaks into us, even through the closed teeth of these zippered histories, long before we can analyze the merit in these lessons.

My parents had two daughters. My dad admits that this relieved

him. He says, “I didn’t want to be a role model for how to be a man.”

When I first heard him say this, I remember wondering why he got off the hook as a role model just because we were girls.

Even as a child, I knew that there was a greater role to model: the human one. And why shouldn’t any human learn to throw a football?

My husband is not a sports fan. Anyone who knows me knows that, if a man is to be in my life at all, he is very unlikely to be a stereotypical one.

The fact that my husband is Chinese might be part of this equation.

He’s more interested in the quiet martial arts, viewing taichi as spiritual practice rather than physical exercise.

But it took a few years of marriage for me to realize that he was not into sports at all. The man doesn’t even like to walk. Cycling, hiking, casual ball sports with friends in the park – none of it interests him unless he’s cajoled or coerced, which ultimately takes the fun out of it. The only exercise he does is in an obligatory context: strapped to a running machine in an air-conditioned gym in pursuit of vanity’s approval.

I’ve given up on him. In any outdoorsy pursuits, I seek my friends or go solo. Somewhere along the way, I learned to throw a football and enjoy it.

Now, we have two children. Our second child is a boy and, lo and behold, the old story was unzipped recently when my mother reminded me that my grandmother taught my uncle how to throw a football.

“But who taught you, Mom?” I asked.

“Nobody. I still don’t know how!” She was flippant; athleticism isn’t her thing.

“Both my kids will have to learn,” I said, setting my jaw against lessons separated by gender. I’d already argued this point with my mother-in-law, who regularly flaunts my daughter’s future prowess in the kitchen under her culinary tutelage.

“Well, your husband’s not likely to teach either of them that!” My mother smirked, gesturing in his direction as his head bobbed up and down in a silent, headphone-clad groove session with his computer.

I don’t doubt my husband will be a good role model to both of our children in many ways, but teaching them how to throw a football is definitely not going to be one of them.

I guess some traditions skip a generation.

Ember Swift is a Canadian musician and writer who has been living in Beijing since late 2008. She and her husband Guo Jian (国囝), who is also a musician, have a daughter called Echo (国如一) and a newborn son called Topaz.

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photo by Dave PiXSTUDIO

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fter the back-to-school excitement has subsided, many families will be looking to arrange their children’s extracurricular sports.

But why should these be confined to kids? There are tons of physical pursuits to try in Beijing. This month, we interview kids, parents, and coaches about their sport or physical activity of choice, and our editors try out a variety of fitness options around town. Get moving; autumn is the best time to live in Beijing and the worst season to be sitting around indoors.

Lauren Ambraz (age 10, left) and Hailey Penna (9) duke it out at Black Tiger Fight Club beijingkids 2014 September 48

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beijingkids 2014 September

Coach Gary Saunders (blue shirt) and team celebrate a league title at DCB

Photo: Courtesy of beijing kickers

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ooking for a sport that focuses on teamwork? Soccer offers just that. Through drills and league matches, kids will learn how to respond to fast-paced situations by communicating with their team members and working together to achieve a common goal.

As Beijing’s first German soccer club, Beijing Kickers distinguishes itself from the growing number of youth clubs in the city. Year-round sessions cater to different skill levels and age groups at several international schools in Beijing, with lessons also offered in English and Chinese. Beijing Kickers use age-appropriate training methods tailored to the skill level of each child, allowing kids to learn and play in a relaxed and friendly environment.

All three of Beijing Kickers’ foreign founders are long-term Beijing residents. We speak to Gary Saunders, co-owner of Beijing Kickers and director of football development. He also is the head coach for the club’s English program and works part-time as a PE teacher at Dulwich College Beijing’s Legend Garden campus.

Saunders has been coaching in Beijing since he moved here in 2003, earning him the title as one of the longest-serving – if not the longest-serving – expat coaches in Beijing. He obtained his coaching certification from the UK’s Football Association, which trains coaches to meet English soccer standards.

He describes his experience with soccer as “a way of life.”

“I grew up in a community where football was a big sport. I was also lucky to have had opportunities to coach in my teens. It drew me in immediately,” he says.

The Chinese word for coach is jiao lian (教练), meaning “to teach”

and “to develop.” These are what Saunders strives to achieve in his coaching. “I’m a teacher helping my student improve their feet skills and football ability,” he says. “On the other hand, I’m there to help my students develop knowledge for the game, understanding of their opponents, and sportsmanship.”

Advice for parents: “Make sure the child is having fun. Most importantly, make sure your child has a coach who they can build a rapport with. Continuity is important, as it can be tough for a child to work with a new coach every other session.”

Peak season(s): Spring and autumn Ages: 4-18

Beijing Kickers Mon-Fri 9am-7pm. Rm 3053, Bldg 1, 5 Liufang Nanli, Chaoyang District (info@beijingkickers.com) www.beijingkickers.com 朝阳区 柳芳南里甲5号1号楼3053 ClubFootball 万国群星足球俱乐部 Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Rm A316, Door 3, Area A1, Zhaowei Huadeng Plaza, 14 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (5130 6893/4/5/6, coaching@wanguoqunxing.com) www.clubfootball.com.cn 朝阳区酒仙桥路14号兆维华灯大厦A1区3门A212

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Coach Connie Sun guides Jingxin Ren (almost 3) in an underwater exercise

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Advice for parents: Novak says, “Find a coach or club that you can trust, with certifications and actual experience of working with children. Don’t be afraid to demand recommendations and proof of their background.” Wang says, “Regular exercise improves a child’s flexibility, relieves stress, and improves the bones. The other benefit is that children can [expand their] social interactions.”

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Peak season(s): Year-round Ages: 4-18

Mookey Swim Club 1) Tue-Sun 9am-6pm. Rm H101, Chateau Regency, 1 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District (next to Beijing United Family Hospital) (400 879 9086, 158 1009 8275) www.mookeyswim.com 朝阳 区朝阳区芳园西路和乔丽晶H101室; 2) Tue-Sun 9am-6pm. 1/F, Crowne Plaza Beijing Airport West Wing, 60 Fuqian Yijie, Shunyi District (5810 1887) 顺义区临空皇冠假日酒店西翼1层; 3) Tue-Sun 9am-6pm. Rm 309, Bldg 4, Qiangyou Metro, Qinghe Zhongjie, Haidian District (6961 4441) 海淀区清河中街强佑新城4号商业楼 309室; 4) Tue-Sun 9am-6pm. Rm A108, 1/F, Bldg 2, Chenjia Lin, Balizhuang, Chaoyang District (6510 4034) 朝阳区八里庄陈家林 2号尚8文化区1楼A108 Aqua Warriors Swimming Club 勇者体育俱乐部 Zhong Jia Hot Spring Hotel Swimming Pool, 200m East of Village Committee, Gucheng Village, Houshayu Town, Shunyi District (aquawarriorsbj@gmail.com) 顺义区后沙峪谷城村委会东200米, 中家鑫园温泉酒店 Dragon Fire 龙火 Classes held at WAB, CISB, BSB, and DCB. Contact Dragon Fire to find out about age ranges, detailed schedules, and program fees.

(8263 2789, Kevin Hua: 136 0106 4534, beijing@dragonfire.com. cn) www.dragonfire.com.cn

PHOTOS:Courtesy of Mookey Swim Club

wimming is a versatile sport that children can learn from an early age. Not only is it a life-saving skill, it also offers an outlet for healthy competition. The sport combines strength and endurance, working the whole body and helping to develop motor skills. Just like riding a bicycle, once you learn how to swim you’ll never forget.

There are more and more clubs in Beijing with programs available in English and certified international coaches. However, clubs may have a different focus, whether it’s competitive, social, or developmental.

For instance, Mookey Swim Club aims to foster motor skills in young children while Aqua Warriors trains swimmers for competition.

Mookey Swim Club was founded in 2010 by husband-and-wife team Shane and Sunny Novak. We speak to Sunny Novak as well as Arthur Wang, co-founder of Aqua Warriors. Novak and Wang are both parents and coach their own children.

Novak, a mother of two, was a competitive swimmer before becoming a coach and has been teaching for four years in Beijing. Mookey Swim Club was first established as an infant and toddler swimming center, but has grown to accommodate children over the age of 4. To Novak, swimming goes beyond awards and winning. She believes it can be an important bonding time between children and parents.

Wang, who has been coaching for 12 years and has one child, says that swimming as an after-school activity is a good way for children to make friends with common interests. As he puts it, Aqua Warriors’ objective is to build swimmers’ interest in the sport, provide individualized training, and promote wellness in the international school community.

FEATURES

Photo: sally wilson

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espite government restrictions on the development of golf course in China, the number of fairways and players has increased significantly in recent years. Beijing currently counts at least 60 golf courses. To average people, golf used to be seen as a recreational sport reserved for business people and officials, but this perception is changing.

China already hosts a number of major golf tournaments, including the Volvo China Open and the BMW Asian Open. Next year, the PGA Tour will partner with China Golf Association for a new tour. The fact that the sport is being added to the Olympic program in 2016 – signaling its return to the Olympics for the first time in more than a century – will only fuel further growth in China.

One golf club in Beijing is Citee Golf Performance Centre, which offers golf clinics, a driving range, and PGA coaching. Following a large-scale renovation, the center re-opened in July 2014 with two levels, 38 bays on the range, private coaching rooms, a cafe, and a meeting room. As a performance center, it has the technology to support advanced players and provides a platform for coaches to improve their skills. Citee also runs ASAs through the International School of Beijing and Western Academy of Beijing.

There are three main coaches: Jasmine Wilson (NZPGA AA Professional), Steve Cowan (NZPGA AAA Professional) – both from New Zealand – and David Jiang (CGA Professional) from China. There are currently 100 students in one-on-one coaching sessions and 90 in group sessions.

Junior groups are divided into ages 5-6, 7-10, and 11 and over.

Within these age brackets, there are tiers grouped by ability and experience. For the youngest players, training focuses on getting used to the golf clubs, grip, hand-eye coordination, and balance. The center uses simulators and Wii Balance to help students feel comfortable before they go on the range or the green.

Jasmine Wilson is the general manager of Citee. She has been a New Zealand Professional Golfers’ Association (NZPGA) coach since 1998 and moved to Beijing two years ago. As a child, Wilson used to caddy for her father and it wasn’t long before she started hitting some balls herself.

“For me, coaching is about supporting your students,” she says.

“It’s not instructional; it’s about helping them become independent and take responsibility for their own learning.”

“It’s no use teaching a performance program if [the student] just wants to play for fun,” she explains. “Golf is a great sport for overall health and fitness, but it also builds confidence, and teaches self-discipline and respect. Whichever path they follow, I’m there to support them.”

How does Wilson keep her students motivated? “Keep showing them the progress they’ve made. This keeps them motivated and gives them a real boost, which will then be reflected in their performance.”

I asked Wilson what has been the highlight of her career so far as a coach. “There’s no one thing,” she says. “Every day is so rewarding, from the kid who hits the ball the furthest they’ve ever hit to the one who had problems with their grip and [for whom] it suddenly just falls into place. This is why I love coaching!”

Advice for parents: Take the kids to a clinic and just let them try it out. Nine times out of ten, they’ll want to sign up and start having coaching.

Jasmine Wilson (left) teaching BSB Shunyi students Maddison (age 11) and Erin Cooper (8)

Peak season(s): March-May, August-November Ages: 5-18

Citee Golf Performance Centre RMB 200 per hour (junior golf clinic, 4-6 students max), RMB 300400 per hour (adult golf clinic, 4 students max), RMB 1,400 per hour (PGA coaching, discounts available for multiple sessions). 1 Xiang Jiang Beilu, Chaoyang District (8430 8226, info@citeegolf.com, WeChat ID: citeegolf) www.citeegolf.com 朝阳区香江北路1号 Direct Link Golf 89 Capital Airport Expressway, Shunyi District (8238 8688, serve@ golfdl.com) www.golfdl.com 顺义区首都机场路89号北京德霖高尔 夫旗舰店

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by Sally Wilson

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Advice for parents: Parents thinking about tennis coaching for their kids must consider their child’s personality. Do they prefer to play individual sports or as part of a team? A one-on-one trial lesson would allow the coach to assess their coordination and fitness level, putting them in a better position to advise parents. If your child decides to pursue tennis, a combination of group and private coaching works best.

Peak season(s): Year-round Ages: 5-18

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Coach Adam Malarski

Rising Stars Academy RMB 170-450 per hour (not including court fees) depending on coach level; private, semi-private, or group lessons; and player experience. Coaching takes place at private tennis courts in and around Shunyi, including WAB and Zhongjia Palace Hot Spring Hotel. Rm 305, Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu, Shunyi District (5717 1567, adam@rsabj.com, bruce@rsabj.com) www.rsabj.com 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场305室 Central Forest Tennis Academy 中央林间网球学校 1) Huosha Lu (50m from the west side of Wu Mart) Houshayu, Shunyi District (5619 5856, cftabeijing@gmail.com) www.etennis.cn/information_en 顺义区后沙峪火沙路（物美5西侧50米); 2) Tianbei Lu (100m north of the Roma Roundabout), Houshayu, Shunyi District 顺义区后沙峪天北路（罗马环岛往北走100米） GS Academy 1) Crab Island Indoor Tennis Center, 1 Xiedao Lu, Chaoyang District (8478 6866, info@gs-academy.coms) 朝阳区蟹岛室内网球中 心蟹岛路1号; 2) Golden Luck Age Tennis Center, 2 Dongwei Xilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区金运时代网球中心东苇西路2号

PHOTOS:Courtesy of Rising Stars Academy

i Na’s Grand Slam win in the 2011 French Open made her the first and only singles champion from an Asian country, sparking interest in tennis across China. For kids looking to study abroad, tennis can be a good route to sports scholarship programs in overseas institutions.

In Beijing, Rising Stars Academy is a bilingual tennis academy that prides itself on a personal approach between the coaches and students.

Adam Malarski, the academy’s director, has been coaching in Beijing for three years. He previously worked as the head coach for GS Academy, another tennis academy in Beijing. Malarski holds a Master’s degree in Physical Education from his native Poland. He has also coached in the US, Greece, and in the UK. “My approach to coaching is holistic,” he says. “You need to be able to teach the basic skills and techniques, but for a good player to become a great player, it requires a lifestyle commitment from your diet to your training regime.”

In addition to the physical dimension, tennis requires mental toughness. “It takes a certain type of personality. It’s very competitive, and not everyone has that drive.”

That said, he recognizes that not everyone wants to go professional.

“Many of our students want to play for fun, for the social aspects, or for general fitness,” he says. “Tennis is a lifelong sport and one that will continue to challenge you.”

Keeping students motivated can be a challenge. Most of them know how far they’ve progressed, but it’s good to keep reminding them.

“There’s always a breakthrough lesson,” relates Malarski. “It might come early in, it might come after weeks of coaching, and it could be a shot, skill, or even a mental breakthrough. Knowing that this will come acts as a good motivator.”

“For me, there are highs in every lesson I coach,” he says. “[There are] mini-motivators, like when a student improves on their backhand or we reach double figures in a volley. Then there are the bigger motivators, like when I coached a student through to Division One – a goal we both set and achieved together.”

What about the lows? “I had one student who was an excellent football player. When it came to him deciding which sport he wanted to pursue on a more professional level, he chose football. Of course I was disappointed, but I fully understood his reasons and respected his decision. It’s what coaching’s all about.”

A street dance class in session at Sunshine Studios Beijing

Photo: courtesy of sunshine studios beijing

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eam sports are a great way for kids to socialize and stay active, but they don’t necessarily appeal to all temperaments. If your kids are music lovers, dance classes could be just the thing to get them moving and unlocking their creative expression.

Dancing is an intensely aerobic activity, and has positive impacts on coordination, flexibility, and endurance. As well as being fun, it can help kids develop self-confidence, discipline, and focus.

Jerry Tse is the founder of Sunshine Studios, an international dance studio based in the UK and China. He has been teaching in Beijing for two years.

Tse has danced in and choreographed music videos, TV shows, events, and concerts for artists such as Busta Rhymes, Omarion, and Mario. He has trained all over the world for the past 12 years, from Los Angeles to London and Tokyo.

“I wasn’t always a dancer,” he says. “I also have a degree in Robotic Engineering and a Master’s in Manufacturing. Once I started dancing and performing, I was hooked. I knew instantly from there that engineering wasn’t for me.”

“I have seen dance change people’s lives,” he continues. “I have taken some kids with very little self-esteem and motivation and completely turned them around into confident people.”

One of Sunshine Studio’s success stories is breakdancer George Sampson, who trained at the Manchester branch and went on to win Britain’s Got Talent and become an international star.

“Few things can top watching a young kid with little skill grow into a strong, confident and happy dancer. When dancers you trained accomplish great things, the feeling is overwhelming,” says Tse. “When you see these kinds of results, you can’t not be proud and love teaching.”

Advice for parents: “Kids respond differently to different people; finding a teacher who they can relate to and get on with is essential,” says Tse. “In dance, the teacher-student relationship is very different when compared to other educational areas. A student can sit in a class and ignore a math teacher all lesson, but you can’t zone out in a dance class.

Find a good teacher whose passion and drive motivates your child.”

Peak season(s): Year-round Ages: 3-18

Sunshine Studios Beijing Tue 5pm-5.45pm, Sat 10.30am-noon, 12.30pm-2.30pm. Room 5-120 Sanlitun SOHO, Chaoyang District (182 0157 3533, enquiries @sunshine-studios.cn) www.sunshine-studios.cn 朝阳区5-120室 三里屯SOHO Children’s Academy of Artistic Dance (CAAD) 似翼儿童舞蹈 Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Office Bldg 1, 10/F, Greenlake Place, Chaoyang District (5928 2170, info@caadance.com.cn) www.caadance.com. cn 朝阳区观湖国际公寓1号办公楼10层 Danz Center 1) Mon-Fri 4.15pm-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm. Shunyi Center: Rm 2011, Yosemite Clubhouse, 4 Yuyang Lu, Shunyi District (8041 7745, danzcentre@gmail.com) www.danzcentre.com 顺义区后沙峪榆阳路 4号优山美地俱乐部2011; 2) Sun 9.30am-6pm. 7 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District 朝阳区三里屯北小街7号

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Team Players

The family that sports together, stays together

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hen you get some rare free time with your family, you don’t necessarily want to spend it sitting around indoors.

Luckily, there are tons of activities in Beijing that can be enjoyed as a family. Whether you choose to pursue them

as one-off activities or serious sports, the sports presented here are just a cross-section of what’s available. But don’t take it from us; we interview expert kids about their respective pursuits and what they like best about them.

Rock Climbing

by Yvette Ferrari

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Has anything scary ever happened to you?

When I just started, I kind of had a fear of heights – which I’ve since gotten over – but at the beginning it was a little scary to be at the top because it’s really high.

What made you want to try rock climbing?

I wanted to do a [new] sport for the time I’m in China, and rock climbing sounded interesting because I had never tried it before.

Do you think you’ll continue doing rock climbing when you grow up?

I’d like to because it’s challenging and I’m constantly learning new things. One day, I want to try climbing at the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park.

hough 10-year-old Soren Frederiksen (US) only began rock climbing in January, he can already reach the top of the 12.5m-tall wall at O’le Climbing in 45 seconds. Soren, who is home-schooled by his mom, chats with us about the challenges of the sport and his quest to become a better climber.

What’s the hardest part?

If you walk or run a long way, your legs are shaking; that’s what happens to your muscles when you first try rock climbing. You also need strong finger muscles for gripping because there are times when your hands get sweaty and the wall can be slippery. The overhang wall is difficult because you have to use your arm and stomach muscles to stay on, otherwise you’ll slip off.

Soren Frederiksen (age 10) lets September it all hang out beijingkids 2014 56

Do you have a favorite rock climber?

I look up my teacher, Miss Katie because she explains things well and she’s an experienced climber.

O’le Climbing 奥莱攀岩 Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-8pm. 5 Shimencun Lu, Baiziwan Qiao Dong, Dongsihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (186 1846 1002, oleclimbing@gmail.com) www.oleclimbing.com 朝阳区朝阳 区东四环中路百子湾桥东石门村路5号

PHOTO: Courtesy of Melissa Frederiksen

What do you like about rock climbing?

Rock climbing takes a lot of strength. When I wake up most mornings, I’ll do sit ups and push-ups to get stronger. I also like the tall wall because you can go higher and it’s a bit more difficult than the small wall. Sometimes I like to time myself and see how fast I can get to the top.

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he Trabulsi family (UK and Saudi Arabia) has been living in Beijing for just over a year. Ten-year-old Muhammad Trabulsi (or Moja as he’s known to friends), a student at Dulwich College Beijing, skateboards daily around Park Avenue, where he lives with his mom Lana, dad Rakkan, and little sister Maria (age 2). He usually boards around the neighborhood, Sanlitun, Chaoyang Park, and Woodward Beijing, a skateboarding and action sports facility in the south of the city.

What made you want to try skateboarding?

I got seriously into skateboarding while hanging out with my two good friends, Eli and Fin. They no longer live in Beijing because they moved back to Seattle. The three of us used to skateboard together all the time both at Park Avenue and Woodward Beijing.

What do you like about skateboarding?

I like speed, action, and danger; skateboarding offers me all three. I love doing tricks, riding ramps, and sliding on rails.

What’s the hardest part?

For beginners, the hardest part is usually just balancing on the board.

FEATURES Has anything scary ever happened to you?

Falling down is a big part of skateboarding. Luckily, nothing serious has happened to me but it’s quite normal to get bruises, scratches and minor cuts. That’s why wearing a helmet is must!

Do you think you’ll continue skateboarding?

I started skateboarding when I was 6 back in Saudi Arabia, and I have been properly skateboarding for over a year now. I definitely want to skateboard for life. I love the adventurousness of it.

Do you have a favorite professional skateboarder?

Tony Hawk! He’s a legend in the sport. He does amazing tricks and moves that I hope to master one day.

Woodward Beijing RMB 68 per day. Wed-Sun 10am-6pm (last entry at 5pm). Within Xingming Lake Resort, Weishanzhuang, Daxing District (8923 2289, woodwardbeijing@hotmail.com) www.woodwardbeijing.com 大兴 区魏善庄星明湖度假村内

Skateboarding

by Aisling O’Brien

photo by Moxue Zhang Photography

Moja Trabulsi (age 10) flips out at 798 Art District

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Scuba Diving

by Aisling O’Brien photo by Dave PiXSTUDIO

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ogan Ambraz (age 11) is from Tampa, Florida and has been living in Beijing for the last four years. His father, Paul, works for IBM and his mother, Kelly, is a teacher at House of Knowledge.

He and his sister Lauren both attend the Western Academy of Beijing. Logan learned to dive here last year with Steven Schwankert of SinoScuba at Blue Zoo Beijing, where he did his confined water dives. Since then, he has completed his open water dives in Sipadan, Malaysia and gone diving in Australia.

Has anything scary ever happened to you while underwater?

Nothing scary, but I had a weird encounter with a fish when I was in Malaysia. When I went up close to it, it pooped in my face and my dad laughed. It was really weird.

What made you want to try scuba diving?

My dad does scuba diving. Scuba diving is a family sport; my sister also scuba dives and my mom snorkels.

What do you like about diving?

I get a whole new perspective on the ocean and sea creatures.

Do you have a favorite professional diver or other marine adventurer?

I don’t really know many people that scuba dive for a living. I admire my dad because he is a really good scuba diver and he has taught me a lot about the ocean. I also respect and admire my instructor, Steven Schwankert of SinoScuba.

What’s the hardest part about diving?

The studying. There’s a lot of information to remember. It’s very important to not make any mistakes underwater; it can mean life or death.

Steven, my instructor, spent a lot of time with me teaching me not only how to use the dive tables, but also to scuba dive safely.

SinoScuba Dives take place at Blue Zoo Beijing, Workers’ Stadium South Gate, Chaoyang District (186 1113 3629, steven@sinoscuba.com) www.sinoscuba.com朝阳区工人体育场南门富国海底世界

Logan Ambraz (age 11) swims with the fishes at Blue Zoo Beijing

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Do you think you’ll continue scuba diving?

Yes, I will continue to scuba dive because it is fun. You see a lot of things that you don’t get to see often or otherwise couldn’t see.

Ultimate Frisbee

by Heather Budimulia

Valarie Reed (age 11) passes with flying colors

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hough 11-year-old Valarie Reed (US) only recently started playing Ultimate Frisbee with Sports Beijing, she picked up the game quickly. In Ultimate Frisbee, each side tries to catch the disk in the other’s end zone. Possession changes very quickly, and good communication and teamwork are key. Valarie is no stranger to team sports, having played baseball since kindergarten.

The International School of Beijing student explains how Frisbee fits into her baseball-heavy schedule and shares her experience learning a new sport.

Photo: Courtesy of Joseph Reed

How long you’ve been playing Ultimate Frisbee?

I just started playing this winter [January 2014].

What made you want to try Ultimate Frisbee?

At first I didn’t really want to do it, and then I realized it’s really fun.

I’ll probably do it again next year.

What do you like about Ultimate Frisbee?

The games we play at the end. You have two teams, and one person throws the Frisbee to the other side of the court and you have to try to get the Frisbee back. It’s sort of like [American] football, but with a Frisbee; you can’t tackle and you can hit the Frisbee down. I like to

play team sports; a lot of the people I played with didn’t go to ISB, so I got to meet some new people from other schools.

What’s the hardest part about Ultimate Frisbee?

I think I was one of the youngest players and a lot of the other kids had played before. But it was still pretty fun. They teach you the throws and other skills through drills, just like in football.

Do you think you’ll continue doing Ultimate Frisbee when you grow up?

Maybe as a side sport because I focus on baseball. I really enjoy playing [Frisbee] and there are not that many sports in the winter.

Beijing Ultimate Besides Sports Beijing, you can also check out this officiallyrecognized Ultimate Frisbee organization consisting of six teams.

Each team is geared towards players of different levels and backgrounds, but they all come together for pickup games, summer league and social events. Check their website (beijingultimate. com) to learn more, participate in pickup games, and find contact information for specific teams.

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e get it – life can get in the way of fitness, especially when you have kids. Luckily, Beijing has a plethora of sports and activities available. Some, like Heyrobics, encourage people to drop in whenever they want while others, like

CrossFit, require a level of commitment but offer personalized attention.

Whatever your needs, there are classes to suit any schedule, interest, and fitness level. The following are but a fraction of what’s available out there, so have fun exploring!

oga and Pilates are often classified together, but the two are very different – if complimentary – exercises. I’ve done yoga on-and-off for a couple of years, but I’d never tried Pilates before stepping into Alona Pilates Studio on a Thursday afternoon.

Founded in 2005 by Russian-born Alona Vostrikova, the studio specializes in mat Pilates that uses key pieces of equipment to create long, lean muscles. Today, there are only three other students in the class. Our teacher is Eleonora Angelopoulos, who has taught at Alona Pilates for three years. She cheerfully announces that we’ll be focusing on core exercises – lucky me.

The core is easily the weakest part of my body, so I have trouble keeping up with the others as Angelopoulos instructs us to “roll down slowly onto the mat, vertebra by vertebra.” I unceremoniously fall back onto the mat and have trouble resisting the urge to rock myself back up, muscles straining with the effort to maintain balance and control over my movements.

Over the course of the 60-minute session, we use Thera-Bands (as in “therapy”), fit balls, and magic circles. Made of flexible metal or rubber with small pads for cushioning on either side, the latter are rings that offer moderate resistance. We hold the magic circle between various limbs – inside our ankles, outside our ankles, between our hands – and squeeze or press outwards while doing various exercises.

For the last portion of the class, we use Thera-Bands – essentially flat resistance bands – in a series of arm exercises, performing bicep curls and lateral raises in front of the mirror. A couple of us groan from the exertion (OK, it was mostly me), shoulders and arms burning. But by the end, I feel pretty good, with the same loosening of muscles and awareness of breath that I get from yoga. “You looked strong in there,” says Vostrikova as I step out of the studio for our interview.

Vostrikova stresses the benefit of Pilates for people of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels – even children. “If you haven’t done exercise for a long time, the best is to start with Pilates because it prepares your joints,” she says. “If you go to the gym and start running [without any preparation], what happens? Problems with your knees, your joints, your hips – injury.”

In fact, Vostrikova first took up Pilates after two decades of teaching yoga had started to aggravate her naturally-loose joints. “Yoga softens your muscles,” she explains. “If you don’t do any strength exercises, you’ll end up like Jell-O.” Vostrikova makes a point of texting reminders to each of her students when she has a spare moment. “I prefer this way because it’s like a personal touch. I can see who’s on a business trip, who’s lazy, who’s had surgery, whose kids got sick,” she says. In addition to sweetly guilt-tripping her students into coming to class, this also allows her to understand their individual fitness goals and challenges.

“In Pilates, in class number three I usually ask my students ‘Do you feel a difference?’ They often say, ‘I feel the difference but my husband can see the difference.’ After five classes, you get really addicted.”

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PHOTO: Ken

Instructor Eleonora Angelopoulos demonstrates a Pilates exercise with the magic circle

Venue: Alona Pilates Studio Cost: RMB 250 per class. There are several discount packages ranging from five to 200 classes that bring the price down to RMB 80-200 per class. Check Alona’s website for details.

Contact: Daily 7.30am-9.30pm. Heavenly Spa by Westin, 5/F, Westin Beijing Chaoyang, 1 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (139 1029 0260, alona@alonapilates.com) www.alonastudiobeijing. com 朝阳区新源南路1号金茂北京威斯汀大饭店5层威斯汀天梦水 疗中心

FEATURES

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and balance, sprinting, and stretching or cooling down. By the end, I was pouring sweat but my interest was piqued.

One of Heyrobics’ hallmarks is the music. Playlists are highly idiosyncratic to each instructor, with songs tailored to the different workout segments. Over the past few months, I’ve sweated to everything from ABBA to Nicki Minaj, French rap, and obscure German rock.

The social aspect is also essential. Frequent Social Workouts allow members to bring an unlimited number of friends for free as long as they pre-register on the website. In addition, kids under 10 can work out with their parents gratis; I regularly see at least one mother-anddaughter pair at BSB Sanlitun.

Besides Heyrobics, participants can also check out Core (core exercises), Circuit (circuit training), and HeyRunning (running camps).

Regular prices and memberships apply to Core and Circuit sessions, but HeyRunning camps cost extra (see website for details).

Venues: Various locations in Shunyi, Liangmaqiao, Sanlitun, and the CBD. The schedule changes weekly; consult the website for the most up-to-date information.

Cost: RMB 40 per session (members), RMB 50 per session (nonmembers), RMB 400 for 12-times card (members), RMB 500 for 12-times card (non-members), RMB 200 per month for unlimited sessions (members only). A membership card costs RMB 100 and entitles the bearer to a free drawstring bag or reusable water bottle.

Contact: info@heyrobics.com, www.heyrobics.com

Photo: Courtesy of Heyrobics

ven if you’ve never been to a session, you’ve almost certainly heard of the happy sport of Heyrobics. One of the cheapest fitness options around, Heyrobics is spearheaded by its perennially-cheerful founder, Linus Holmsater.

Based on a Swedish exercise movement called Jympa started by Holmsater’s father in the 1970s, Heyrobics combines strength, sprinting, agility, and cardio in a sweaty one-hour session.

I started going to Heyrobics with my former roommate around a year ago. Many will tell you that their first time was pretty awkward, and I was no exception.

It was at the British School of Beijing (BSB), Sanlitun; there were 25 to 30 people standing around a single pink-shorted instructor. “Is anyone here doing Heyrobics for the first time?” she asked.

When I sheepishly raised my hand, she ran over to give me a resounding high five. “Welcome! Just try to keep up and rest when you need to.” Little did I know, my roommate had taken me to an intensive session – the hardest class.

A cheesy pop song started blaring from the speakers. The instructor launched into a warm-up routine and everyone followed. I imitated her as best as I could, haphazardly swinging my arms and legs – sometimes into other people. Thankfully, regular participants gave me a knowing look. “We’ve all been there,” they seemed to be saying.

Over the session, we moved into strength exercises, including push-ups, crunches, and the infamous burpees – whole-body exercises where participants start in a standing position, drop into a squat with their hands on the ground, kick back into a plank, return to a squat, jump up to standing, then repeat. Other segments focused on agility

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A rooftop Heyrobics session at Nali Patio

September 2014 beijingkids

A group class at Human in Motion

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lenging class. There were seven of us in the group of mixed fitness levels. The session would incorporate six rounds of exercise with 30 seconds spent on each. Each station focused on a different pillar for all-over workout.

The functional exercises included rage ball slams, punching with resistance bands, alternating hops over a Bosu ball, anterior reaches with a dumbbell, dumbbell presses, TRX rows, alternating side lunges with a dumbbell, and rage ball over shoulder throws. I did OK with most of the upper body exercises, but lifting a 20lb sack over my shoulder was a challenge – especially by the time we got to the fourth round.

My balance wasn’t perfect either – a sign of how much I needed to work my core – so anterior reaches and Bosu balls were tough. But as Marc kept reminding us, exercise is supposed to be hard work.

For cardio, we ran at a pace of 11km/h on an incline of 6, we cycled to reach 90 rpm, and we ran up and down a set of stairs. The incline on the treadmill really worked my legs and glutes, and boy I felt it the next day. I could only reach 85rpm on the bike, so clearly I need to sign up for some spin classes. It was challenging, but it was a whole lot of fun and we knew we’d all be coming back for more.

Venue: Human in Motion (HIM) Cost: RMB 150 per drop-in group session, RMB 800 for eightsession punch card (can be used for Cardio Circuit, spin, Pilates, and yoga), RMB 700 per private training session, RMB 2,500 for five-session private training (prices may vary).

Contact: 2A Cathay View Plaza, Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District (8470 3616, 136 7129 4008, humaninmotion@yahoo.com) www.humaninmotion.com.cn 朝阳区香江北路观塘广场2A

PHOTO:Courtesy of Him

ounded by Ruben Payan, Human in Motion (HIM) fitness studio in Shunyi is in the business of personal transformation. Their group classes and personal training employ “functional” training methods, which focuses on developing movement systems instead of individual muscles.

Although HIM was the first organization to bring a Crossfit certification to China, classes are modeled after a system called Fit Moves developed by Juan Carlos Santana, founder of the Institute of Human Performance (IHP) in Florida. According to this system, four pillars of human movement form the foundation of how the body moves in everyday life: locomotion, level change, push/pull, and rotation.

“Movements such as rotation are an important part of human movement. Just pick a sport and you will see rotation as a vital component to improve one’s performance,” says Payan.

With so many people remaining in a seated or flexed position for over 14 hours a day, the ability to rotate effectively is lost. “When I selected the IHP system for the HIM studio, I [took] into consideration our everyday client, someone who is over the age of 40 and just looking to regain their fitness,” he explains.

“Functional training isn’t about lifting 90kg weights or doing 100 burpees in a row. It’s about first assessing your ability to move in a 360-degree environment and safely moving up the performance continuum by using movements that are specific to your everyday activities,” continues Payan.

Classes are designed to accommodate all fitness levels and instructors are trained to teach a circuit-style class while respecting each person’s needs. In a sense, you’re getting your own class within a class.

I knew that my technique in some areas wasn’t up to scratch, but I was in good hands with trainer Marc, who promised a fun but chal-

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By this point I was more than hot and about ready to give up. But I was spurred on by the thought of the next stage of the class: the punching bag. We did rounds of front punches, uppercuts, and kicking with the feet, knees, and shins. It was hard work, but there’s something great about punching or kicking a bag for minutes at a time!

The class was rounded off with some stretching exercises. It was fast, it was tough, but it was exhilarating too. The variety of exercises keeps you engaged and focused. With a larger group, I can imagine this class being a lot of fun, with some healthy competition thrown in for good measure.

The next day, my shins were a bit bruised, so I would suggest shin pads if you want to avoid that particular look. Martial Fit workouts are challenging and a lot of fun, and I can see why the converted say martial arts keep you coming back for more.

Venue: Black Tiger Fight Club Cost: RMB 200 per day (drop-in), RMB 1,200 for monthly membership (group classes), RMB 1,500 for ten-class punch card, RMB 3,000 for three-month membership (group classes) or five-session personal training package, RMB 5,000 for ten-session personal training package.

Contact: 1) 2/F, 5 Laiguanying Donglu (across from WAB, west of Lane Bridge Villa), Chaoyang District (139 1071 2576, info@ blacktigerclub.com) 朝阳区莱广营东路5号2层（京西学校对 面，长岛澜桥西侧）; 2) Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Center Gymnasium, 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区亮马 桥路40号

photo: courtesy of Black Tiger Club

ounded in 2006 by Vince Soberano, Black Tiger Fight Club is the only Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) studio that caters primarily to expats. With two locations in Beijing and a third due to open later this year in Gongti, Black Tiger Fight Club offers martial arts and fitness classes for women, kids, teens, and adults in Muay Thai, kickboxing, Brazilian jiujitsu, wrestling, and Martial Fit – their newest program.

“Martial Fit is Black Tiger’s own brand of integrated martial fitness and functional training,” says Soberano. “We took out all the fluff and eliminated harmful training methods. We re-wrote the book on Muay Thai training, integrated MMA, and re-defined fitness.”

This hybrid system is less about fighting and more about fitness, yet still combines striking, wrestling, and grappling. Martial Fit uses little equipment but every muscle in the body; it’s designed to improve cardio, agility, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination.

Black Tiger’s group classes and personal training sessions share English-speaking, internationally-certified coaches. Most students train at least three times a week, with group classes typically attracting 8-12 students.

Despite the fact Soberano is a world champion Muay Thai fighter, author of 50: Fit and Fighting, and frequently in demand for talks and tours, he still leads many of the club’s classes. “Teaching is where I started, and it still gives me so much satisfaction seeing my student’s progress,” he says.

Soberano says anyone can give Martial Fit a try, so that’s what I did. The class was much smaller than usual, as it was the tail-end of the summer break. It was incredibly hot, so light clothing and plenty of water was needed. We started by warming up, which involved jogging on the spot combined with front punches, hill climbs, squats combined with abdominal twists, push-ups, and jumping jacks.

Fully warmed-up (and then some), we were ready for some cardio sets, followed by three sets of 10-20 reps for several exercises. The latter included dumbbell presses (while jogging on the spot), overhead weighted ball lifts, kettle bell passes between the legs, dumbbell upper cuts, ball burpees, and kettle bell squats combined with abdominal twists.

Martial Fit offers a full-body workout based

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y yoga class at Prana Vikasa Yoga Shala takes place in a glass-walled studio, overlooking a terrace and gardens on top of SOHO Shangdu. The space is restful, the teacher’s raised plinth surrounded by purple yoga mats, and portraits of and quotations by a pantheon of spiritual teachers on the walls.

The studio covers two floors with two large exercise rooms, changing facilities, lockers, and showers.

Most of the classes are lead by Founder Hemanth Venkataram from Mysore, India, who opened the school in 2010. His philosophy of yoga is rooted in its ability to heal and harmonize the human body. “Traditional yoga heals the body,” he says. “Commercial yoga tempts people with losing weight or looking good. But I don’t teach trendy yoga – neither flow nor hot yoga.

I don’t think it’s beneficial for people to try to use yoga to focus on the external. Yoga is about developing your focus inwards, and then deepening that focus.”

I join Venkataram’s beginner class for opening the spinal cord, which is especially popular with deskbound office workers like me.

Because we are hunched over our keyboards all day long, the class is designed to correct and bring balance to the spine.

Although I am the only non-Chinese participant in a class of 20 people, 90 percent of Venkataram’s instruction is delivered in English.

I check with him afterward; this is not for my benefit, as he tends more toward English instruction.

The class begins and ends with a meditation and chanting. I can’t join in because I don’t know the words, but I enjoy the bookending of the physical practice the singing provides.

Venkataram leads us

through a series of poses designed to lengthen and loosen our backs.

The class begins simply enough, but gradually progresses to more challenging asanas (or poses).

Venkataram walks between the rows of students, checking on their progress, making adjustments, and giving detailed directions for every pose. He peppers his descriptions with medical and physical information, explaining how to avoid injury in every asana.

After class, I ask for Venkataram’s take on adjustments. “I give a lot of adjustments,” he says.

“I may even jump on or sit on my students, but I never force anyone to make progress so I never hurt anybody.”

“The purpose of my adjustments is to assist poses or help people’s bodies into alignment, all the time watching their face, breath, and body,” he continues. “People get hurt when their body tenses up and their teacher continues pushing against their breath.”

He particularly emphasizes relaxing the face, breathing naturally, and doing only what your body can achieve without pain or struggle.

“People who can’t achieve full movement should just do as much as they can,” he says. “Be relaxed and comfortable. Never hold your breath. It hurts your body. As you practice more, your function cannot remain limited and your flexibility and form will improve naturally.”

Venue: Prana Vikasa Yoga Shala (also known as PV Yoga) Cost: RMB 198 per drop-in session. Thirty-class, 50-class, and yearly cards available; prices provided upon application.

Contact: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am6.30pm. Rm 2409, 4/F, North Tower, SOHO Shangdu, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (5869 6438, info@pranavikasa.com) www.pranavikasa.com 朝阳区东大桥路8号SOHO 北塔尚都4层2409

PHOTO: sui

Hemanth Venkataram displays effortless control

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FEATURES

Tim Hill hangs around Middle Kingdom Fitness

Photo: sui

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escending the steps to the basement of Guanghua Lu SOHO, I hear dirty, high-energy dubstep, brisk instructions in a British accent, and the whir of jump ropes rapidly hitting the ground.

Middle Kingdom Fitness looks hardcore, gritty, and basic – the kind of place where Rocky Balboa might train. There are ring pulls and swathes of red and blue silks hanging from the ceiling, and weight plates and kettle bells around the walls. In the center is Englishman Tim Hill, founder of Middle Kingdom Fitness, and my trainer for my first-ever Crossfit session, breaking down the Workout of the Day (WOD) for a class of eager devotees.

Hill initially came to China to study putonghua, but quickly saw an opportunity in the fitness market here. “I began Middle Kingdom Fitness because there were no gyms where I could train like I wanted to,” he says. His high-intensity cocktail of aerobic, anaerobic, and flexibility work focuses on developing all aspects of physical fitness.

The environment might be intimidating, but Hill is anything but.

He’s not the kind of trainer who gets in your face and screams, but he exudes a kind of no-nonsense can-do attitude that quickly has me attempting and mastering things I was frankly frightened of before.

“It needn’t be intimidating,” says Hill. “We start with what people can do and move on from there. There are a lot of underlying principles, but they can be applied to any age or ability.”

The RMB 800 six-session Elements course I signed up for is designed to teach everything necessary to participate in the regular Fitness classes. These workouts vary, challenging participants with an everchanging mix of cardio, calisthenics, gymnastics, and weight lifting.

With the daily Fitness class running at the same time; Hill switches focus back and forth between the group and our one-to-one Elements

session. After a jump-rope warm up, Hill assesses my form while squatting and then takes me over to the barbell rack. He notices one of the Fitness class participants exhibiting poor form on her squats and pulls her over to demonstrate safe technique to both of us. Although the gym is a hive of activity, Hill intentionally keeps the numbers low; he wants his clients to get the most out of their workouts, and he knows he has to keep a close eye on them to accomplish this.

The friendly group dynamic, thrill of working out with barbells, and sheer goofiness of many of the exercises create an addictively fun atmosphere. My first workout has me walking like John Wayne on day two, and wincing as I gingerly ease myself out of my swivel chair on day three. But I feel macho like Arnie, so I know I’ll be back.

In addition to daily Fitness classes (morning and evening), Middle Kingdom also offers yoga, Olympic weightlifting, and aerial silks.

Venue: Middle Kingdom Fitness Cost: RMB 100 per drop-in class, and RMB 400 for private training sessions. There are several discount packages ranging from ten-session passes to yearly memberships that bring the price down to RMB 30-80 per class. Check the Middle Kingdom Fitness website for details. The six-session Element class for beginners is RMB 800.

Contact: Mon-Fri 6am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-noon. 129B, Guanghua Lu SOHO, Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (156 5232 6889, tim@ middlekingdomfitness.com) middlekingdomfitness.frontdeskhq.com 朝阳区光华路光华路SOHO129B

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The Circuit is a chance to check out what’s happening on the Beijing family scene. Want to see your event on these pages?

Midi Kids Summer Party On August 2, beijingkids sponsored the Midi Kids Summer Party in Yizhuang, an outdoor music festival featuring kid bands. The event featured live performances, graffiti, swimming, and sports activities.

photos: Ken

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THE CIRCUIT Send an email with the date of your event, a brief description, and high-resolution photos (at least 1MB each) to webeditor@beijing-kids.com by September 12.

Inside the Minds of Children On August 7 at AmCham China, the topic of Keystone Academy’s latest education salon was “Inside the Minds of Children: What Chinese and Western Learning Models Tell Us.” Dr Jin Li, an education and human development scholar from Brown University, explored how children learn differently in the East and West and understanding these cultural differences. About 130 students, parents, and educators attended the talk.

photos: courtesy of keystone and cisb

CISB Holds Eighth Annual Summer Camp Over the summer, the Canadian International School of Beijing held its annual summer camp with kung fu, music, Beijing opera, Lego, and sports activities.

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Beijing Kickers Catches World Cup Fever Throughout June, July, and August, Beijing Kickers brought a bit of Brazil to Beijing with its World Cup Summer Camps. Every day, the coaching team hosted World Cup-inspired competitions in which the kids battled it out to become Beijing Kickers world champions.

Dracula Kids Theater Camp From July 14-26, Beijing Playhouse held a Kids Theater Camp culminating in a presentation of Dracula in front of 140 family and friends. Starring 30 student actors, the cast also made their own costumes and painted their own sets.

photos: courtesy of beijing kickers and beijing playhouse

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THE CIRCUIT TLC Summer Camp Over the summer, students from The Learning Center’s Summer Camp practiced their oral communication skills and worked in teams to create tasty snacks.

photos: courtesy of tlc and etonkids

Get to Know Etonkids Recently, the Etonkids Datun Campus hosted a “Get to Know Etonkids” event, introducing children to the school’s English and art programs as well as fun activities.

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Eduwings Sleepaway Camp From June 17-18, Eduwings pre-school students participated in a sleepover at Tasmania Farm. For most of the kids, it was their first night away for their parents. All of them slept in tents and enjoyed nature, grilling over a camp fire, and playing outside.

HoK End of Year Party On June 14, House of Knowledge hosted an End of Year Party at its Chaoyang West Gate Campus for families and friends. The party was done in the style of a British summer fair.

photos: courtesy of eduwings and hok

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THE CIRCUIT Art Lab Outdoor Tour Camp In July, about 15 families with kids age 5 and up joined an art tour lead by Blue Bridge (with instructors from Art Lab) to Cuandixia Village. For two days and one night, participants visited the countryside for travel and landscape painting.

photos: courtesy of art bug and ccmk

Children’s Day Performance On June 20, students from Champagne Cove Montessori Kindergarten sang and danced through a two-hour performance for a full audience of family and friends.

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YSA Summer Camps This summer, Young Starters Academy held two camps with the themes of Land of the Dragon and School of Rock. The first week, kids made dumplings, tried calligraphy, and built lanterns. During the second camp, they engaged in pan drumming and performed in a rock concert.

DCB Rugby, Netball, and Tennis Tournament In August, 900 students visited Dulwich College Beijing to take part in the annual Rugby, Netball, and Tennis tournament held over a sweltering Beijing weekend.

photos: courtesy of ysa and dcb

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THE CIRCUIT YCIS Beijing Class of 2014 On June 4, Yew Chung International School of Beijing’s class of 2014 had an emotional graduation ceremony with speeches and performances from the graduates and teachers. Highlights included an energetic dance from the Jazz Band Dancers, a rendition of the popular song Forever Young, and the alumni and valedictorian speeches.

photos: courtesy of ycis and daystar

Water Fun at Daystar On June 23, Daystar Academy kindergarten students, family members, and staff celebrated the end of the school year with an afternoon of water-soaked fun and games.

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Family Dining Cafes & Sandwiches Moka Bros Restaurant entrepreneurs Chef Daniel Urdaneta and Alex Molina are now expanding the MOKA Bro’s brand in their quest to make healthy fast-casual food and beverages a viable option for everybody MOKA Bro’s has opened in Solana lifestyle Shopping Park. The new location makes it a convenient stop for a shopping break, a family lunch or a dinner date after the movies. Solana is particularly popular with families, who love MOKA’s use of fresh produce to make carefully crafted superfood-packed power bowls, nutritional smoothies, fresh wraps and artisan sweets.

The Solana house differs from the Sanlitun Original with a more family-friendly energy with a kid’s menu (signature power bowls, mild sandwiches or creamy crepes matched with a small smoothie for 48 Rmb), an art wall just for the young’uns and a supersized beanbag for lounging on the terrace while parents kick back on the wooden staircase seating.Filled with comfortable sofa chairs, high-speed Internet and invigorating coffee concoctions, MOKA Bro’s Solana also makes for an ideal office-awayfrom-office. 1) Sun-Thu 11am-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11.30pm. 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (5208 6079, nihao@ mokabros.com) 2) Daily 10.30am-10.30pm.

Lakeside Dining Street (East of Element Fresh), Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District (5905 6259, nihao@mokabros.com) www.mokabros.com1) 朝阳区, 三里屯路81号 那里花园1层 2) 朝阳区, 朝阳公园路6号蓝色港 湾商业区湖边美食街

European Schoolhouse Canteen The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu Great Wall serves casual Western food and affords great views of the Great Wall from its outdoor terrace. The menu focuses on lite Italian fare and kid-friendly options, as well as homemade ice cream and desserts. Available for overnight stays, parties and events. On-site activities include glass blowing and art classes for kids. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-8pm.

12 Mutianyu Village, Huairou District (6162 6506/6287) www.schoolhousecanteen.com小园 怀柔区, 慕田峪村12号

Russian

Dacha Located near Ritan Park, Dacha serves features truly global cuisine, from sushi to pizza. Try Russian classics like borscht and traditional beet salad, or opt for European standards such as pasta Carbonara and rack of lamb. Also provided is Chinese cuisine. Most entrees range from RMB 45100, while appetizers and salads are in the RMB 20-60 range. The restaurant caters to families with a smoke-free environment and kids’ playroom with toys. Every Sunday, there’s a drawing master-class for kids.

Functions such as family holidays, kids parties and holidays with prizes are held at the restaurant. Shisha is also available. Daily 10am-3am. 1 Ritan Lu (on the north side of Ritan Hotel), Chaoyang District (8563 5765, dacha.asia@mail.ru) www.dacha.asia 别墅西 餐厅朝阳区, 日坛路1号（日坛宾馆北侧）

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Japanese Haru Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar Watch and listen to your food as it sizzles and cooks to your preference. Haru impresses with sleek decor and the quality of the food. Kids will be entertained by the chefs flaming hot plates, and the large portion servings mean this is a great place to spend a few extra kuai on a family night out. 1) Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30pm10pm. 902 Pinnacle Plaza, Jingshun Lu, Shunyi District (8046 5112) 2) Unit N4-30, 3/F, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District (6415 2112)尚水长廊铁板烧 餐厅 1) 顺义区, 天竺镇开发区荣祥广场902 2) 朝阳区, 三里屯路11号院（Village北区）能号楼 三层N4-30单元 Hatsune Reservations recommended at this American-style Japanese joint with a hip, minimalist decor. Standouts include the multitextured butterfly roll, as well as the popular “Motorola,” drizzled with wasabi mayonnaise.

Weekday lunch bento box set meals are a fine deal at RMB 75. Voted “Best Japanese” in the Beijinger’s 2011 Reader Restaurant Awards.

1) Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm. 2/F, Heqiao Bldg C, 8A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (6581 3939) 2) Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm. S8-30 (opposite Element Fresh), Bldg 8, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6415 3939) 3) Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm. B31, Kerry Center Shopping Mall, Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (6591 3939)隐泉日本料理 1) 朝阳区, 光华路 甲8号和乔大厦C座2层 2) 朝阳区, 三里屯路19 号三里屯Village南区8号楼S8-30 3) 朝阳区, 光 华路一号嘉里中心商场地下一 B31

Family Health Clinics & Hospitals Beijing New Century Harmony Pediatric Clinic As a satellite clinic of renowned Beijing New Century International Children’s Hospital, Beijing New Century Harmony Pediatric Clinic has a strong team of experienced pediatricians and nurses from China and overseas. Multilingual services are offered on a 24hr basis, consultations 9am-9pm. Harmony Business Center, Liyuan Street, Tianzhu Zhen, Shunyi District. (6456 2599) www.ncich.com.cn 北京新世纪荣和儿科门诊部, 顺义区天竺镇丽苑 街荣和商业中心 Beijing New Century International Children’s Hospital (NCICH) This hospital provides affordable pediatric care at international standards: qualified doctors and nurses, private and safe family rooms and imported equipment. English speaking staff offers a full range of children’s health care services on a 7/24 basis. Mon-Sun 8am-5pm.

56 Nanlishi Lu (next to the East Gate of the Beijing Children’s Hospital), Xicheng District.

(6802 5588) www.ncich.com.cn北京新世纪国 际儿童医院, 西城区南礼士路56号 (北京儿童医 院东门南侧) Beijing New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NCWCH) With state-ofthe-art park side facility, New Century Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NCWCH) is established to operate with international standards. Backed by strong ties to Beijing Children’s Hospital and Beijing Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, the experienced and friendly medical staff of NCWCH provide fi¬rst-class gynecology, obstetrics, pediatric, NICU and urgent care services for women and children (0-18 years old). 51 Wangjing Beilu (Wanghu Park south gate), Chaoyang District. (5178 3366) www. ncich.com.cn北京新世纪妇儿医院, 朝阳区朝阳 区望京北路51号院（望湖公园东门南） Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU) Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU) offers international-standard care to thousands of Beijing’s expatriate and Chinese families. BJU features an international team of doctors from more than 20 countries and since 2005, it has been consistently re-accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Since

beijingkids 2014 September

1997, BJU’s multilingual staff has provided professional expertise with heartfelt care. The hospital and clinics offer a full range of medical services. In addition to departments of family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and dentistry, BJU has attracted top medical professionals in cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, dermatology, psychological health, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, integrative medicine, ophthalmology and ENT. Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm. 24-hour emergency care. 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (4008919191 (24hr Service Center)) www.ufh.com.cn 北京和睦家医院, 朝阳区将台路2号

full-service private hospital. Their international medical team provides patient-centered care in a modern facility designed for comfort, safety and privacy. OASIS offers attentive service in a soothing environment and expert medicine backed by leading technology, including the most advanced MRI and CT scans available from a private hospital in China. The hospital currently provides services in family medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, general surgery, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and dentistry. Direct billing is available for many insurance providers. Daily 24hrs (emergency care), Mon-Fri 9am- 6pm, Sun 8.30-12.30am. 9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District. (400 UR OASIS (876 2747)) www. oasishealth.cn明德医院, 朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号 ParkwayHealth Medical and Rehabilitation Center Parkway Health provides a wide range of medical services: family medicine, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and pain care management services with a bilingual staff. 24 Hours. 1 and 2/F, Vantone Center, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (4000-662-882 (24-hour), karen. zhang@parkwayhealth.cn) http://www. parkwayhealth.cn/百汇医疗, 朝阳区朝阳门外大 街甲六号万桶中心ＡＢ座一层和二层

Hong Kong International Medical Clinic, Beijing Beijing’s first joint-venture medical organization operates according to international standards, has a high-quality international administration system, high-level medical staff, and warm service. A 24hr helpline offers medical support in English, Chinese and Japanese, and other languages on request.

A basic consultation costs RMB 680. Direct billing with over 50 international insurers. Daily 9am-9pm (after 9pm nurse on duty). 9/F, office tower of the Swissôtel, 2 Chaoyangmen Beidajie, Dongcheng District. (65532288 ext 2345/6/7, 6553 9752) www.hkclinic.com北京 港澳国际医务诊所, 东城区北京港澳国际医务 诊所，朝阳门北大街2号港澳中心瑞士酒店办 公楼9层 International Medical Center (IMC) IMC was the first expatriate medical institution in Beijing. A multilingual clinic with a full range of medical services including Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Endoscopy and Surgery & Orthopedics. Other services include Dental Services, TCM & Acupuncture, Physiotherapy and Psychological services. The department of Emergency Care at IMC is open 24/7 with all board certified foreign doctors on site.

Daily 24hrs. S106, S111 Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmahe Lu, Chaoyang District. (6465 1561/2/3, 6465 1384/28, marketing@imcclinics. com) http://www.imcclinics.com/北京国际医 疗中心, 朝阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎中心写字楼 1层S106 International SOS One of the world’s leading international healthcare, medical and security assistance company with 66% of the world’s Fortune 500 companies choosing International SOS. Since 1989, International SOS has led international-standard medical care in China, with a 24/7 alarm center hotline, a dedicated air ambulance, four international quality clinics staffed with expat and foreign doctors and 200+ network of medical service partners.

International SOS Beijing clinic is the city’s leading family practice and specialist services clinic, represented by 15 nationalities, including English, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Korean and Chinese-speaking doctors. Offers 24/7 Emergency Services, GP, Pediatrics, Gynecology, specialists, Pharmacy, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Dentistry and Orthodontics, Optometry. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am6pm. Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District. (Clinic: 6462 9112, 24hr hotline 6462 9100, china.inquiries@ internationalsos.com) www.internationalsos. com, www.clinicsinchina.com北京国际救援中心, 朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心一座105室 OASIS International Hospital OASIS is a

Vista Medical Center Medical services including family and internal medicine, OB/ GYN, pediatrics, dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, ENT, TCM, physiotherapy, psychiatry, imaging laboratory and pharmacy service. Also offers pre- and postnatal care and infant health check-ups. English-speaking staff onsite 24hrs a day. A consultation with a GP costs RMB 660. Direct billing with more than 40 international insurance providers. Daily 24hrs.

3/F, Kerry Centre, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (8529 6618, fax 8529 6615, vista@ vista-china.net) www.vista-china.net维世达诊 所, 朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心3层

Dentists Beijing United Family Hospital Dental Clinic Provides comprehensive dental services for families, including cleaning, crown and bridges, dental implants, fillings, tooth whitening and more. 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (4008-919191 (24hr Service Center)) www.ufh.com.cn北京和睦家医院牙科, 朝阳区 将台路2号 Beijing Vista Dental Clinic Provides comprehensive dental services including teeth cleaning, whitening, gum treatment, white filling, crowns and bridges, root canal treatment, wisdom tooth extraction, orthodontics and implants. Daily 8.30am6pm. Level 3, Kerry Centre, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (vista@vista-china.net) www.vista-china.net朝阳区光华路1号北京嘉 里中心三层 GlobalCare Dental Clinic Located in the left wing of GlobalCare Women and Children’s Hospital, this dental clinic provides a wide range of dental, orthodontic, and cosmetic dental services. The clinic is certified to provide both local and imported dental and orthodontic solutions. Service available in English and Chinese. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. 24 Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District. (6770 5558 (English hotline)) http://www.globalcarecn. com/朝阳区西大望路24号

DIRECTORIES IDC Dental Standing for International Standards, Dedicated Professionals and Compassionate Care, IDC is a multi-specialty clinic offering a broad spectrum of family and restorative dental care. Experts in cosmetic makeovers and CT-guided implant surgeries.

A certified clinic with Progressive Orthodontics and Beijing’s only Western-trained root canal specialist. Multi-tier pricing. IDC is a Preferred Provider with CIGNA, Allianz, and MediLink. Daily 9am-6pm. Rm 209, Bldg 7, Yard 9, Richmond Park Clubhouse, Fangyuan Nanli, Chaoyang District. (6538 8111, info@ idcdentalbj.com) www.idcdentalbj.comIDC国际 齿科中心, 朝阳区芳园南里9号院7号楼209室 IMC Dental Clinic IMC-Beijing has the longest history of expatriate dental service in Beijing, state of the art equipment, and certified well-trained dentists. Services include: cleaning, filling, fluoride treatment, implants, canal therapy, orthodontics, crowns and bridges, tooth extraction, Invisalign, periodontics, space maintainers, and X-ray.

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. S111, Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmahe Lu, Chaoyang District. (6465 1384, 6465 1328, marketing@imcclinics. com) http://www.imcclinics.com, http://www. imcclinics.com北京国际医疗中心牙科诊所, 朝 阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎中心写字楼1层S111 International SOS Dental, Orthodontics Clinic Provides comprehensive dental services for the whole family, including routine cleaning, X-rays, fillings, whitening, crowns, bridges and cosmetic makeovers.

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District. (6462 0333) www.clinicsinchina.com 国际SOS齿科,畸齿矫正诊所, 朝阳区新源里16号 琨莎中心一座105室 OASIS Dental Clinic OASIS Dental provides complete dental care for families through internationally-trained dentists. Services include routine cleaning, fillings, root canals, crowns and bridges, veneers, whitening, orthodontics, prevention orthodontics, periodontics, and implants. Mon-Sat 6am9pm. 9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu, Chaoyang District.

(5985 0305) 朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号

Support Groups Beijing Mamas Yahoo Group Yahoo support group where you can “share resources, ask questions and grow as women and moms ...

It does not matter what age your children are, if you are a mama who wants a safe place to ask parenting questions, make other mama friends, hang out, start playgroup meetings or mama nights out, ask for gear recommendations, sell your used gear, etc.... come and join.” http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Beijing_Mamas/ La Leche League Information and support for breastfeeding mothers. Chinese-language meetings held the second Saturday of each month at 10.30am. (LLLinQingdao@gmail. com) www.llli.org, http://muruhui.org/ Special Child Support Group This Yahoo group offers a meeting place for Beijing parents with special-needs children. Call 5130 3931 for info. (special_child_beijingsubscribe@yahoogroups.com) http://groups. yahoo.com/group/special_child_beijing/

Family Life Organic Farms TooToo Organic Farm TooToo encompasses a farm in Pinggu and an online organic food delivery service established in 2008. Certified by both China’s COFCC and Europe’s ECOCERT, TooToo has a 70-acre organic farm near Pinggu open to visitors. Hotline: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun and holidays 9am-7pm. Ma Changying Village, Ma Changying Town, Pinggu District (400 898 9797) shop.tootoo.cn沱沱工社平谷区, 马昌营镇马昌营

Family Travel

Hotels, Hostels and Resorts Sofitel Wanda Beijing Despite an ominous exterior, Sofitel’s new Asia flagship hotel is sure to dazzle with its sophisticated blend of modern comfort and classical Chinese elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows profit iconic CBD skyline views from west side rooms, specially designed feather beds, WiFi, broadband and flat screen TVs complete a high-tech vision of luxury. The hotel’s F&B outlets include Le Pré Lenôtre and Farm House (see Restaurants). Rooms RMB 1,0884,986.Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (8599 6666)北京万达索菲特 大饭店朝阳区, 建国路93号万达广场C座 Swissotel Beijing Though the rooms are fairly small, the large swimming pool, the diverse dining options and central location of this five-star hotel appeal to both leisure and business travelers. RMB 2,755-7,180.2 Chaoyangmen Beidajie, Dongcheng District (6553 2288) www.swissotel.com北京港澳中心 瑞 士酒店东城区, 朝阳门北大街2号 The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu This renovated elementary school proves there is more to Mutianyu than just the Great Wall. Located 90mins northeast of Beijing (via Jingcheng expressway) and offering a restaurant with fresh local ingredients, art glass studio and art room and is a creative way for the family to escape the city. Daily 9am-9pm. Mutianyu Village (for detailed directions, see website), Huairou District.

(6162 6506) www.theschoolhouseatmutianyu. com慕田峪小园餐厅, 怀柔区慕田峪 (具体路线 请查看网站信息) The Westin Beijing Chaoyang Fantastic location and first class amenities make the Westin Chaoyang one of Beijing’s premiere luxury hotels. All 550 guest rooms and suites are oversized and feature quality contemporary furnishings including the signature Heavenly Bed® and rainforest shower as well as wireless High Speed Internet Access. The Westin Executive Club Floor guest rooms and suites provide the ultimate comfort and convenience.The Heavenly Spa by Westin™ offers a range of treatments for the renewal of the body, soul, and mind. Facilities include an indoor pool, hydrotherapy centre, and WestinWORKOUT® gym. The business centre, located on Level 3, provides secretarial and business support while the gift shop features a selection of premium souvenirs and gift items.Find a journey of culinary delights and moments to savor in our restaurants, bars, and lounges as you enjoy offerings from China, Europe, and Asia. With a total of 1,100 square meters of function space, our hotel has the capacity to accommodate events of various sizes. The Jinmao Ballroom and seven meeting rooms feature the latest in audiovisual technology and five-star service. 7 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5922 8888) 金茂北京威斯 汀大饭店, 朝阳区东三环北路7号

Travel Agencies Country Holidays Travel English-speaking tour consultants specializing in travel to China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, India, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan and other areas of Asia. Also specialize in providing tours suitable for families with children.

Mon-Fri 9.30am-6.30pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm.

Unit 1003, Tower 3, Beijing International Center, 38 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (5869 1781/82, 5869 1769, beijing@countryholidays.com.cn) www. countryholidays.com.cn朝阳区, 东三环北路38 号院北京国际中心3号楼（安联大厦）1003室

Schools Educational Services Eliott’s Corner A therapy center, offering speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy for children from 0-12

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years of age. Experienced therapists work with children, helping a wide range ofissues - from communication and articulation to handwriting to balance and coordination.

Eliott’s Corner is a division of Olivia’s Place, Shanghai’s premier pediatric therapy clinic.

Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Rm 19-05, Block 2, Condo 360, 10 Dongsihuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (6461 6283, jac@oliviasplace.org) www. oliviasplace.org胡宝小屋朝阳区, 东四环北路10 号瞰都国际2号楼19－05室 (东风北桥东北角）

Schools School fees listed are for one academic year unless otherwise. Specified.Abbreviations: IB = International Baccalaureate; ESOL = English as a Second or Other Language 3e International School Founded in 2005, 3e International School has grown into an institution of over 200 studentsfrom Nursery to Grade 4. The school aims to develop critical thinkers through a speciallydeveloped, research-based curriculum.

Classes are taught inEnglish and Chinese with half of the day devoted to each language.

Within this inquiry-based program, a balance of child-initiated and teacher-directed activity is provided to supportchildren’s development across the entire curriculum. Age range: 2-10. Tuition fees (2014-2015 academic year): RMB 108,300 (Half-day Nursery); RMB 113,300 (Full-day Nursery); RMB 149,400 (Pre-K); RMB 153,500 (Kindergarten); RMB 164,500 (Grades 1-4)9-1 Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang District (6437 3344 ext 100, a dmissions@3einternationalschool.org) www.3einternationalschool.org3e国际学校朝阳 区, 将台西路9-1号

AnRic Little Montessori Room (AnRic LMR) AnRic LMR is a full international member school of the American Montessori Society. The multicultural classroom aims to help children develop into self-directed learners, flexible thinkers, creative problem solvers, empathetic citizens and resilient individuals. The school offers a fully bilingual curriculum so that children are immersed in an environment where both English and Chinese are consistently used all day. Children learn in a warm, close-knit environment maintained by a low student to teacher ratio. Special needs children are welcome and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Age range: 1.5–6 years 2014-2015 Tuition Fees: RMB78,800/year (half-day), RMB 92,800/ year (full day)Global Trade Mansion, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (6591 8169, admissions@anricedu.com) www.anricedu. com安杨蒙台梭利小屋朝阳区, 光华路9号安杨 蒙台梭利小屋 Beijing BISS International School (BISS) With a diverse student body, Beijing BISS International School’s mission is to foster international relationships to educate and empower students to attain personal excellence and positively impact the world.

BISS offers the IB Diploma Program, serves as an SAT Test Center, caters to children with learning needs, and offers counseling, student enrichment programs, university searches, and transitional education services to third-culture kids and their

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parents. Age range: 3-17. Tuition fees (2012-2013 Academic Year): RMB 18,00023,000 (refundable deposit); RMB 3,800 (registration); RMB 99,000 (Kindergarten); RMB 146,400-177,500 (Grades 1-12); RMB 20,000 (ESOL) Bldg 17, Area 4, Anzhen Xili, Chaoyang District. (6443 3151, admissions@ biss.com.cn) www.biss.com.cn北京BISS国际学 校, 朝阳区安贞西里四区17号楼 Beijing City International School (BCIS) The school motto of BCIS is “Empowering and inspiring throughchallenge and compassion.”

This non-profit, independent co-educational day school is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Associationof Schools and Colleges (WASC).

BCIS offers an international curriculum for Nursery through Grade 12 students under the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School system and isauthorized to teach all three IB programs (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma). The campus culture is characterized by a warm and inclusive nature and an emphasis on personalized rigorousacademic inquiry through the extensive use of information technology in the classroom. Age range: 3-18. Tuition fees (2012-2013 Academic Year): RMB 2,000 (registration fee); RMB 5,000 (new student fee); RMB 132,600 (Nursery); RMB 144,500 (Pre-K); RMB 154,000 (Kindergarten); RMB 186,300 (Grade 1-2); RMB 188,700 (Grade 3-5); RMB 195,300 (Grade 6-8); RMB 199,100 (Grade 9-10); RMB 206,600 (Grade 11-12) 77 Baiziwan Nan Er Lu, Chaoyang District. (8771 7171, admissions@bcis.cn) www.bcis.cn北京乐成国际学校, 朝阳区百子湾 南二路77号 Beijing Huijia Private (IB) School Beijing Huijia Private (IB) School is comprised of a kindergarten, primary school, junior high school and senior high school. It is a day and boarding school where Chinese and foreign students study together, and it is the first member school of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in China that admits Chinese students. With a mix of Chinese and foreign students (from 15 countries) and more than 500 Chinese and foreign teachers and staff, it is one of the largest private schools in Beijing. Age range: 3-18. Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB 1,000 (application fee); RMB 20,000 (deposit); RMB 146,600/year (Grade 1-2); RMB 148,200/year (Grade 3-4); RMB 152,500/year (Grade 5-6) 157 Changping Lu, Changping District. (400 889 1993, admissions@huijiaedu.org) www.huijiaedu. org北京汇佳私立学校, 昌平区昌平路157号 Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) Opened in September 2006, CISB offers a Montessori Nursery and PreKindergarten program, as well as a Canadianstyle curriculum for K-12 students. CISB is a three-program IB World School: IB Primary Years Program, IB Middle Years Program and the IB Diploma Program. The student body currently represents over 60 nationalities and has the capacity for 1400 students.

Age range: 18 months to 18 years. Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB1,800 (Application Fee); RMB76,600 (Half-Day Montessori Nursery); RMB121,800 (PreKindergarten & Kindergarten); RMB158,800 (Grade 1-5); RMB160,400 (Grade 6-8); RMB179,800 (Grade 9-12) 38 Liangma Qiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6465 7788, admissions@cis-beijing.com) www.cisb.com. cn北京加拿大国际学校, 朝阳区亮马桥路38号 Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) 1) Legend Garden Campus and Legend Early Years Campus: Legend Garden Villas, 89 Capital Airport Road, Shunyi District (6454 9000, info@dulwich-beijing.cn) 2) Beijing Riviera Campus: 1 Xiangjiang Beilu, Jingshun Lu, Chaoyang District (8450 7676, info@dulwichbeijing.cn) www.dulwich-beijing.cn北京德威英 国国际学校 1) 顺义区, 机场路89号丽京花园 2) 朝阳区, 京顺路香江北路1号香江花园 Eduwings Kindergarten The culmination of two former schools, Der Kingergarten and

beijingkids 2014 September

Jin Yi Kingergarten, Eduwings Kindergarten is divided into English/Chinese and German departments that are each split into three age groups (2-3, 3-4, 5-6 years) and one infant group (2 years and under). All of the lead and language teachers are native-speakers and educate children individually following the school’s philosophy: “Every child needs to have roots and wings – roots to know where they are from and wings to explore the world.” Age range: 2-6 (infant group for under 2 years old). Tuition fees (2010-2011 Academic Year): RMB 52,000 for half day program; RMB 72,000 for full day program (afternoon activities and lunch included in the tuition fee). Merlin Champagne Town Clubhouse, 6 Liyuan Jie, Tianzhu, Shunyi District. (6450 8384, mariaseemel.eduwings@ gmail.com) www.eduwingskids.com金翼德 懿幼儿园, 顺义区天竺镇丽苑街6号美林香槟小 镇俱乐部 Etonkids Bilingual Kindergartens Tuition fees (2010-2011 Academic Year):Monthly payment plan - Morning session (8.3011.30am) RMB 6,250; Full-day session (8.30am-4.30pm) RMB 8,500; Yearly payment plan - Morning session (8.30-11.30am) RMB 62,500; Full-day session (8.30am-4.30pm) RMB 85,000 1) Central Park Campus: Bldg 19, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6533 6995, Peking House Campus: xuyan@etonkids.com or zhoudan@ etonkids.com, Central Park Campus: cpadmin@etonkids.com, Palm Springs Campus: psadmin@etonkids.com, Midtown Campus: gcadmin@etonkids.com); 2) Midtown Campus: Bldg 21, Guangqujia Yuan, Guangqumen Waidajie, Chongwen District.

(6749 5008, Peking House Campus: xuyan@ etonkids.com or zhoudan@etonkids.com, Central Park Campus: cpadmin@etonkids. com, Palm Springs Campus: psadmin@ etonkids.com, Midtown Campus: gcadmin@ etonkids.com); 3) Palm Springs Campus: Palm Springs International Apartments, 8 Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6539 5967, Peking House Campus: xuyan@etonkids.com or zhoudan@etonkids. com, Central Park Campus: cpadmin@ etonkids.com, Palm Springs Campus: psadmin@etonkids.com, Midtown Campus: gcadmin@etonkids.com); 4) Peking House Campus: 20 Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District.

(5870 6778/9, Peking House Campus: xuyan@etonkids.com or zhoudan@etonkids. com, Central Park Campus: cpadmin@ etonkids.com, Palm Springs Campus: psadmin@etonkids.com, Midtown Campus: gcadmin@etonkids.com) www.etonkids.com 伊顿双语幼儿园, 1) 朝阳区朝阳门外大街6号新 城国际19号楼; 2) 崇文区广渠门外大街广渠家园 21号楼; 3) 朝阳区朝阳公园南路8号棕榈泉国际 公寓; 4) 朝阳区西大望路20号 Etonkids International Kindergarten Age range: 1.5-6 years old. Tuition fees (20102011 Academic Year): Annual Registration fee RMB 2,000 Yuan (inclusive the materials and uniforms) RMB71,800-112,000/year 1) CBD Campus: 3/F, Block D, Global Trade Mansion, Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6506 4805, Lido Campus: lidoadmin@etonkids.com, CBD Campus: gtmadmin@etonkids.com); 2) Lido Campus: Rm C103, Lido Country Club, Lido Place, Jichang Lu, Chaoyang District. (6436 7368, Lido Campus: lidoadmin@etonkids. com, CBD Campus: gtmadmin@etonkids. com) www.etonkids.com伊顿国际幼儿园, 1) 朝阳区光华路世贸国际公寓D座3层; 2) 朝阳区机 场路丽都广场C103室 Harrow International School Beijing Harrow International School Beijing prides itself on high academic standards that are maintained within a close-knit school community. All students are assigned a personal tutor who looks after their overall welfare and serves as a liaison between school and home. High academic standards and leadership skills are promoted schoolwide, with a range of enrichment activities to help students develop teamwork and creative thinking skills, as well as independence and responsibility. Age Range: 9 weeks-18.

Tuition Fees (2012-2013 Academic Year): Nursery: RMB 119,800; Reception: RMB 149,300; Years 1-2: RMB 177,700; Years 3-6: RMB 189,100; Years 7-9: RMB 207,600; Years 10-11: RMB 217,600; Years 12-13: RMB 231,700. 287 Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezhuang County, Chaoyang District.

(6444 8900, enquiries@harrowbeijing.cn) www.harrowbeijing.cn北京哈罗英国学校, 朝阳 区崔各庄乡何各庄村287号 The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China (RDFZ) Founded in 1950, the education philosophy of RDFZ is to respect individuality and develop the students’ personal development. Led by Liu Pengzhi, RDFZ boasts more than 50 international faculty members and over 200 international students. Students can choose to study Mandarin as part of the Chinese language program or take classes with regular middle and high school students.

Department of International Students, The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, 37 Zhongguancun Dajie, Haidian District. (6251 3962, guojibu3962@sina.com) www.rdfz.cn中国人民大学附属中学（简称人大 附中）, 海淀区中关村 大街37号人大附中国际部 Hope International School Hope International School is a faith based school that was founded in 2012. Hope uses American Curriculum and offers over 7 Advanced Placement courses that can be used for University credit. Hope strives to inspire, excel and equip their students to be noble leaders. Hope not only cares about their students academically but nurtures their whole being as they discover that sky’s the limit. Hope is a testing center for the PSAT, ACT and AP exams. When students graduate from Hope International they receive an American (US) Diploma. All graduates have been accepted into University and most on scholarships. 8am-5pm. Crab Island, Exhibition Hall 4, 1, Xiedao Road, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District (156 1102 0229, admissions@hopeintlschool.org) www. hopeintlschool.org朝阳区, 朝阳区蟹岛路蟹 岛4号展馆 House of Knowledge International Kindergarten (HoK) House of Knowledge (HoK) boasts a unique curriculum that includes aspects of Montessori and Reggio Emilia, with special emphasis placed on the latter approach. Students are treated as competent learners with boundless potential.

With this in mind, the curriculum helps kids acquire critical thinking and collaboration skills by teaching them how to “learn to learn” in a multilingual environment (English, German, Chinese). Age range: 10 months to 6 years. Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year): RMB 2,000 (registration fee); RMB 5,000-15,000 (refundable deposit based on withdrawal policy); RMB 66,780-136,680 (school fees based on choice of program).

1) Quanfa Campus: North gate of Quanfa compound, 15 Maquanying, Chaoyang District. (6431 8452, info@hokschools. com); 2) Victoria Gardens Campus: 15 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District.

(6538 2624, info@hokschools.com) www. hokschools.com好思之家国际幼儿园, 1) 朝阳 区马泉营15号泉发花园北门; 2) 朝阳区朝阳公园 西路15号维多利亚花园公寓 The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) As the first and only fullyregistered international Montessori school in Beijing, MSB has been serving the city’s expatriate children since 1990. During that time, it has earned a glowing reputation for its steady commitment to the growth, education, and well-being of its pupils. The school is both an affiliate member of the American Montessori Society(AMS), which upholds the MACTE Montessori education standards on an international level, and the International Montessori Teaching Institute, which provides ongoing training to all of MSB’s lead teachers and teaching assistants.

Age range: 1-12. Tuition fees (2012 Academic Year): 3 Day Toddler (Age 1): RMB 41,000; 5

DIRECTORIES Day Toddler (Age 1): RMB 65,000; Morning Nursery (Age 2): RMB91,000; Full-day Nursery (Age 2): RMB 135,000; Morning Kindergarten (Ages 3-4): RMB 95,000; Fullday Kindergarten (Ages 3-4): RMB 140,000; Reception (Age 5): RMB 157,000; Elementary (Ages 6-12): RMB 163,000. Bldg 8, 2 Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6432 8228, admissions@msb.edu.cn) www.msb. edu.cn北京蒙台梭利国际学校, 朝阳区朝阳区香 江北路2号院8号楼 International School of Beijing (ISB) Building on its 33-year tradition of academic excellence, ISB is embracing the challenges and rewards of the future of education.

Through a tailored, connected, real-world curriculum known as Learning21@ISB, the experienced and passionate teachers provide students with opportunities to grow as individuals, scholars, and contributing members of the community. The school’s curriculum and culture are grounded in the core values of global-mindedness, integrity, respect, balance, creativity, and service. ISB has superior facilities and offers opportunities in sports, service, and the arts. In the school’s welcoming community, students find a balance of rigorous academics and enriching personal growth.Tuition fees (20132014 academic year): RMB 75,860 (EC3 half day); RMB 138,710 (EC4 full day); RMB 162,560 (K-Grade 5); RMB 174,430 (Grade 6-8); RMB 191,840 (Grade 9-12). Application fees and capital levy fees also apply.10 Anhua Jie, Shunyi District (5149 2345, admission@ isb.bj.edu.cn) www.isb.bj.edu.cn北京顺义国际 学校顺义区, 安华街10号 Ivy Academy Ivy Academy is a pre-school and kindergarten created in collaboration with the Harvard Graduate School of Education Researchers that accepts students of ages two through six. The school offers an English speaking environment taught by a team of highly qualified early childhood educators who customizes the Multiple Intelligences theory influenced curriculum according to the children’s interests. Age range: 2-6 years old. Website: www.ivyschools.com. 1) East Lake Villas Campus: Rm C101, East Lake Villas, 35 Dongzhimen Waidajie, Dongcheng District (8451 1380, East Lake Villas Campus: Info-el@ivyschools.com, Central Park Campus: Info-CP@ivyschools.com) 2) Central Park Campus: Bldg 24, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (5738 4599, East Lake Villas Campus: Infoel@ivyschools.com, Central Park Campus: Info-CP@ivyschools.com) www.ivyschools. com艾毅国际幼儿园 1) 东城区, 东湖校园：东 直门外大街35号东湖别墅C座101室 2) 朝阳区, 新城国际校园：大街6号新城国际公寓24号楼 Ivy Bilingual School (IBS) Ivy Bilingual School offers a curriculum based on the Multiple Intelligences theory and provides an immersion bilingual program in which both Chinese and Western teachers interact with children throughout the day. IBS’ goal is to provide children with the most current research-based practices coupled with knowledge of Chinese culture. Upon graduation, children will be comfortable speaking in both English and Chinese. Age range: 2-6. Tuition fees for Orchid Garden Campus (2013-2014 Academic Year): Deposit is one month tuition (non-refundable, to be credited toward tuition); Material fee RMB 1,500; Half-day RMB 5,810/month; Full day RMB 7,750/month. Tuition fees for Ocean Express Campus (2013-2014 Academic Year): Deposit is one month tuition (nonrefundable, to be credited toward tuition); Material fee RMB 1,500; Half-day RMB 6,080/ month; Full day RMB 8,100/month. 1) Ocean Express Campus: Bldg E, Ocean Express, 2 Dongsanhuan Beilu (north of Kempinski), Chaoyang District (8446 7287/6, Ocean Garden Campus: info-og@ivyschool.com, Ocean Express Campus: info-OE@ivyschools. com) 2) Orchid Garden Campus: 18 Xinjin Lu, Cuigexiang (Airport Expressway, Beigao Exit), Chaoyang District (8439 7080, Ocean Garden Campus: info-og@ivyschool.com, Ocean

Express Campus: info-OE@ivyschools.com) www.ivyschools.com艾毅双语幼儿园 1) 朝阳 区, 远洋校园：东三环北路2号远洋新干线E座 2) 朝阳区, 卓锦校园：崔各乡新锦路18号卓锦万代 Ivy MI Kindergarten Ivy MI Kindergarten offers a quality Chinese-focused program designed to meet the needs of children who will attend Chinese elementary schools.

It is designed for Chinese families who would like their children to experience a curriculum inspired by the Harvard-based Multiple Intelligences theory. This program offers a top-notch education for children with an international bent. RMB 33,600 per year (Lijing Campus), RMB 36,998 per year (Tianshi Campus) 1) Lijing Campus, 28 Shilipu Beilu, Chaoyang District (8446 4189, Info-LJ@ivyschools.com, Info-TS@ivyschools. com) 2) Tianshi Campus, 52 Beiyuan Lu, Tongzhou District (8159 6406/7, Info-LJ@ ivyschools.com, Info-TS@ivyschools.com) http://www.ivyschools.com艾毅多元智能幼儿 园 1) 朝阳区, 十里堡北路28号 2) 通州区, 北 苑路52号 Keystone Academy Opening in September 2014, Keystone Academy offers a new schooling option for families in China, with Chinese and American instructional techniques of inquiry-based learning, criticalthinking, and creative problem solving in a rigorous intellectual environment. The academic program will be international in scope, with a central curriculum thread that focuses on Chinese identity, language, culture, and history. Keystone will serve students grades 1 through 12, with a bilingual curriculum in the primary years and more intensive instruction in English as students progress through the program. There will be a boarding school option for Grades 7 and 8, and mandatory boarding in Grades 9-12.10 Anfu Jie, Houshayu, Shunyi District (8049 6008, admission@keystoneacademy.cn) www. keystoneacademy.cn 北京鼎石国际学校顺义区, 后沙峪镇安富街10号 The British School of Beijing (BSB) The British School of Beijing, established in 2003, has campuses in Shunyi (primary & secondary) and Sanlitun (primary). It is the only school in Beijing approved by the UK’s Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). BSB offers an enhanced English National Curriculum to 1,500 expatriate students from more than 60 countries. Our Shunyi campus currently offers IGCSE and A-level examination programmes and from August 2014 will offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme.

Families are eligible for a 5% discount by paying yearly tuition fees in full. Age range: 2-18. Tuition fees 2013-2014 Academic Year: RMB 1,600 (Application fee); RMB 16,000 (Security deposit, payable upon acceptance); RMB 107,286 (Pre-Nursery & Nursery mornings); RMB 160,944 (Pre-Nursery & Nursery full day); RMB 173,600 (Reception); RMB 193,217 (Year 1-2); RMB 206,273 (Year 3); RMB 209,339 (Year 4-6); RMB 227,796 (Year 7-9); RMB 234,734 (Year 1011); RMB 246,057 (Year 12-13). 1) Sanlitun Foundation Stage: 7 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District. (8532 5320, admissions@ britishschool.org.cn); 2) Sanlitun Primary: No.5 XiLiuJie Sanlitun, Chaoyang District.

(8532 3088, admissions@britishschool. org.cn); 3) Shunyi Campus: 9 Anhua Lu (south side), Shunyi District. (8047 3558, admissions@britishschool.org.cn) www. britishschool.org.cn北京英国学校, 1) 朝阳区三 里屯北小街7号; 2) 朝阳区三里屯西六街5号; 3) 顺义区安华路9号南院 Western Academy of Beijing The Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) is a leading international International Baccalaureate (IB) World school. Founded in 1994, WAB prides itself on its world-class facilities, highly qualified teachers, global curriculum, diverse community members, warm and supportive environment and service-oriented culture.

WAB provides a learner-centered atmosphere that nurtures a strong sense of community

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among its 1,500 students with the mission to “Connect, Inspire, Challenge: Make a Difference.” WAB students are encouraged to take their place as responsible citizens of the world who can influence their surroundings through careful reflection and positive action. Tuition fees (2014/15 Academic Year, combined total includes capital levy and tuition; includes bus and after school activities fees): Early Years Program - Half Day (3 yrs old) RMB98,000; Early Years Program - Full Day (3 & 4 yrs old) RMB165,000; Kindergarten to Grade 5 RMB210,000; Grades 6-8 RMB223,000; Grades 9-10 RMB245,000; Grades 11-12 RMB 252,00010 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District (5986 5588, wabinfo@wab.edu) www.wab.edu北京京西学 校朝阳区, 来广营东路10号

Tsinghua International School (THIS) Tsinghua International School students follow an American Curriculum program in a nurturing atmosphere. Tsinghua International School located on Tsinghua University campus, allowing students access to the university’s extensive resources and facilities, including libraries, computer labs, gymnasiums, sports fields, dance and art studios, a swimming pool, fitness center and outdoor experiential education center.

Accepts students Grades 1 to 12 (ages 6-18).

Grades 1-5: 89,000 RMB per year, Grades 6-12: 99,000 RMB per yearInside Tsinghua High School Campus, Zhongguancun Beilu (northwest of Tsinghua University), Haidian District (6279 7000, 6277 1477, this@mail. tsinghua.edu.cn) www.this.edu.cn清华大学附 属中学国际部海淀区, 中关村北路清华大学西北 侧清华中学校园之内

The Desktop requires no cleaning and maintenance. It consumes no more than 10W and operates with low-pressure drop.

This provides a great way to save energy for building operators and home owners. F11, North Tower, Daheng Technology Towers, 3 Suzhou Street, Haidian District. (400 818 6660, www.dahengit.com) 美国艾洁弗主动 式空气净化器, 海淀区苏州街大恒科技大厦 北座11层

Vogmask® China Vogmask is the leading anti-pollution mask available in China. Using a revolutionary microfiber filtration fabric, it filters an average of 99.978% of particulate matter (PM) – including tiny PM2.5 particles.

Vogmask meets US FDA requirements for N99 rating, meaning it outperforms standard N95 masks. Vogmask comes in sizes suitable for babies, young children, teens and adults. They require no filter changes and can be used for hundreds of hours without replacement. Vogmask designs can also be customized for businesses and schools. Rm 1801, Air China Plaza, No.36 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District. (400 650 1253, info@ vogmask.cn) www.vogmask.cn威隔口罩, 朝 阳区霄云路36号国航大厦1801室

Shopping Hair & Beauty Salons Hair & Beauty by Hummingbird Formerly Hummingbird spa, this revamped boutique hair salon will continue to provide beauty and spa treatments, but now also specializes in haircuts and styling, with celebrity stylist Tom Yuen at the helm. Daily 10am-8pm. Unit 103, Bldg 3, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6597 9119) www. hummingbird.net.cn朝阳区, 朝阳门外大街6号 新城国际3号楼103

Home Accessories and Gear RGF Pro-active Air Purification System The RGF-DESKTOP system is small, compact, lightweight, easy to install and use in any place. PHI Cell reduces not only germs, viruses. And bacteria but also harmful gases, VOCs, odors, tobacco smoke, suspended airborne particulates as small as 0.01 mm, which are common indoor air pollutants in modern buildings and home. Many air purifiers only purify the air that passes through the device. This results in a large percentage of the room left untreated and unprotected. PHI Cell not only treats the air that passes through the device, but it also sends the friendly oxidizers into the entire room for a complete coverage. Traditional air purifiers often require regular maintenance, which results in high operational cost.

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HealthPro® Swiss Made by IQAir AG With record levels of air pollution, families need an air purifier now more than ever. Protect your health with one of HealthPro®’s top-rated air cleaning systems. HealthPro® Swiss Made

by IQAir AG promises near-perfect levels of clean air with zero loss of efficiency between filter changes. The type HyperHEPA filter technology is certified to capture 99.97% on particles down 0.3 microns, and 99.5% on particles down to 0.003 microns – 800 times smaller than PM2.5. 1) B1/F, 03A Europlaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu, Shunyi District.

(6457 1922, info@iqair-china.com); 2) Daily 10am-10pm. 5/F, Household Appliance Area, Youyi Shopping City, 52 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (158 0136 1601, info@iqair-china.com); 3) 10am-8pm. 6/F, Parkson Plaza, 101 Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District. (157 1286 8485, info@ iqair-china.com); 4) Daily 10am-10pm. B1/F, Parkson Plaza Taiyanggong, Bldg 1, 12 Qi Sheng Zhongjie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Chaoyang District. (157 1286 8454, info@ iqair-china.com); 5) Daily 10am-10pm. 5/F, Shin Kong Place, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (5738 2401, info@iqair-china.com); 6) Daily 9am-6pm. Rm 1801-03, Air China Plaza, 36 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District.

(8447 5800, info@iqair-china.com); 7) Daily 10am-9pm. 4/F, 417 Seasons Place,

2 Jinchengfang Jie, Xicheng District. (6622 0179, info@iqair-china.com); 8) Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sun 10am-10pm. B1/F, Golden Resources New Yansha Mall, 1 Yuanda Lu, Haidian District. (157 1286 9044, info@iqairchina.com); 9) 10am-10pm. B2/F, Scitech Plaza, 22 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Beijing, Chaoyang District. (188 1020 5987, info@ iqair-china.com) www.iqair-china.com1) 顺义 区天竺镇裕翔路99号欧陆广场地下一层03A; 2) 朝阳区亮马桥路52号燕莎友谊商城5层; 3) 西 城区复兴门内大街101号6层百盛复兴门店家电 部; 4) 朝阳区七圣中街12号院1号楼B1百盛太阳 宫店生活家电区; 5) 朝阳区建国路87号新光天 地5层生活家电区; 6) 朝阳区霄云路36号国航大 厦1801-03室; 7) 西城区金城坊街金融街417号 四层; 8) 海淀区远大路1号金源新燕莎商城地 下1层; 9) 朝阳区建国门外大街22号赛特购物 中心地下二层 Beijing Torana Clean Air Center Air purifiers from Blueair and Alen Air, pollution masks from Totobobo. Free home assessments and delivery. 1) Daily 10am8.30pm. Unit LB09, 1/F, Europlaza Mall, Shunyi District. (8459 0785); 2) 10.30am6.30pm. Unit 308, Pinnacle Plaza, Shunyi District. (8046 1091) www.toranacleanair. com/index.html1) 顺义区天竺镇裕翔路99号欧 陆广场LB09; 2) 顺义区天竺镇花梨坎村南“荣 祥广场308室

Photography Studios & Services ELF kids Photography Daily 9.30am5.30pm. 5-2-101, 33 Shiyun Haoting, Guangqu Lu, Chaoyang District. (8776 9877, 152 0110 0176, 1824019404@qq.com) www. ielf.cn爱儿菲亲子摄影工作室, 朝阳区广渠路33 号石韵浩庭5-2-101 Littleones Kids & Family Portrait Studio This Western photography studio specializes in newborn, children, family, and maternity photos. Photo shoots are tailored to each family. Daily 9am-6pm. Swan Bay Building 16, suite 2203, Chao Yang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District. (8577-9987, service@littleones.com. cn) www.littleones.com.cn美国乐童万色儿童摄 影机构, 朝阳区朝阳北路天鹅湾南区16号楼2203 Mishka Family PhotographyThis husband and wife team speak Russian, English and Chinese. Offers professional portraits, actions shots, and specializes in photographing children. 1) C3, Fuli City, Shuangjing Qiao, Chaoyang District. (maxim@mishka.pro); 2) Rm 1910, CAMEO Center, Guangshunnan Dajie, Chaoyang District. (maxim@mishka. pro) www.mishka.pro, www.mishka.cn1) 朝 阳区双井桥富力城C3; 2) 朝阳区广顺南大街嘉 美中心1910 Moxue Zhang Photography Trained at the Hallmark Institute of Photography in the US, Moxue Zhang is a portrait photographer with a studio in Central Park. While her focus lies on children and female solo portraits, Moxue has experience with a wide range of subjects – from weddings to executive portraits – and welcomes challenging assignments. Rather than mass production, the outcome of each shoot is an individual piece of art. For onlocation shoots, Moxue is relatively flexible within or around Beijing. Appointments are best booked one month in advance to guarantee availability; walk-in clients are not accepted. (156 0056 6329, moxue@ moxuezhang.com) www.moxuezhang.com 默雪映像 Dave PiXSTUDIO Beijing’s premier creative fine art portrait studio specializing in 100-day portraits, kids, and commercial photography.

(6500 1663) www.pixstudio.com.cn美国大 卫儿童摄影

Sports Football (Soccer)

year round Junior Coaching program is intended for boys and girls aged 3-11 years and they offer regular lessons in German and English language. By using modern and age-appropriate training methods, their experienced coaches will enhance the football skills of your child. Moreover, they focus on moral values, education through sports, communication, enthusiasm and passion. Room 3053, Building no. 1,No. 5 Liu Fang Nan Li, Chaoyang District (, info@ beijingkickers.com) www.beijingkickers.com 朝阳区, 北京市朝阳区柳芳南里甲5号1号楼3053

Climbing O’le Climbing O’le Climbing is the city’s premier indoor climbing gym, as well as the meeting place and events center for the Beijing climbing community. Opened in 2008, they are one of China’s longest-running climbing centers. Whether it’s your family’s first time or not, O’le’s friendly, nationallycertified, and bilingual staff will “show you the ropes.”O’le’s top-roping and lead climbing wall is 12.5m high and features 7 roped climbing stations with numerous professionally-set routes suitable for novices and experts alike. Staff members frequently change the holids and routes, so there’s something new every time. The center also has one of the best indoor bouldering rooms in China, with 150sqm of verticals, slabs, bulges, and a 45° overhanging wall.O’le Climbing offers private lessons for children or groups and has an O’le Kids Climbing Club that meets every Saturday morning to train and have fun.O’le Climbing also hosts birthday parties, offering climbing and other activities for kids, like box climbing, slacklining, and indoor soccer.Directions: If you’re coming from Baiziwan Lu, turn south on Shimencun Lu and walk around 200m until you see a hotel on your right. There will be a toll booth with a traffic gate; walk around the gate and head down the small road behind it. After about 100m, take the first left; O’le Sports will be on the right-hand side. Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-8pm. 5 Shimencun Lu, Baiziwan Qiao Dong, Dongsihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (186 1846 1002, oleclimbing@gmail.com) www.oleclimbing. com奥莱攀岩, 朝阳区朝阳区东四环中路百子湾 桥东石门村路5号

Sailing Beijing Aofan Sailing Club Located in Beijing Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, this exclusive sailing club in Beijing offers two-day and five-day training courses throughout the season with a wide range of sailing boats for both kids and for adults. Regular events are held for members (for free) and visitors.

Discounted packages including courses and membership are available. Interested parties can attend one of their bi-monthly open sessions before signing up.Inside Beijing Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, Shunyi District (5949 4599) www.aofansail.com北京奥帆帆船 俱乐部顺义区, 白马路19号奥林匹克水上公园内

Swimming Mookey Swim Club Tue-Sun, 9am-6pm.

Rm H101, Chateau Regency, Chaoyang District (next to Beijing United Family Hospital), Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District (400 879 9086 / 158 1009 8275, sunny_mookey@foxmail.com) www. mookeyswim.com朝阳区, 朝阳区芳园西路和 乔丽晶H101室

Scuba Diving SinoScuba Offers safe, family scuba diving services! Kids aged 10 and up Underwater activities, including swimming with dolphins and full certification courses for ages 10 and up. Classes available in Chinese and English.

(186 1113 3629, steven@sinoscuba.com) www.sinoscuba.com

Beijing Kickers German Football Club The Beijing Kickers are the first German Youth Football Club in Beijing. Their all

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Favorite Family Restaurant Mosto in Sanlitun. It’s perfect for the whole family.

Favorite Dessert Belgian chocolate and cookies and cream ice cream from Haagen Dazs.

Favorite Day Trip Longqing Gorge about an hour and a half from Beijing. We hike there and visit historical sites.

New Discoveries Wudaoying Hutong – there’s a bike store we really like there called Natooke.

Nina has tailor-made her own bike there.

Best Place to Shop Solana, Indigo, Sanlitun, The Place, Parkview Green – we go everywhere.

Favorite Neighborhood It’s a tie between Lido and Sanlitun.

Weekend Activities Apart from cycling and discovering the city, we enjoy playing, swimming, and just relaxing. The kids really love riding their Micro Scooters right now too.

Favorite Summer Activity Picnicking and playing at Chaoyang Park, and going to the climbing wall in Ritan Park.

The Trillenberg Family photo by Dave PiXSTUDIO

H

ailing from Germany, the Trillenberg family moved to Beijing about a year ago when dad Kai-Uwe took a position as senior manager for an automobile company. Mom Nina once worked in events management and branded entertainment, and is now a full-time parent. Their two children, Henri (age 6) and Sophie (3), both attend the kindergarten of the German Embassy School. The family was very excited about the recent German victory in the World Cup; they landed back home for their first visit since moving here just hours before the final game. Yvette Ferrari

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From left: Henri (age 6), 2014 Nina, Kai-Uwe, beijingkids Augustand Sophie Trillenberg (3) in front of Parkview Green

Best Places to Play Outdoors The new playground at Indigo Mall.

Family Rituals At the moment, we’re trying many different restaurants, especially Chinese ones.

Date Night Definitely Temple Restaurant Beijing.