health & wellness
Flex Studio Keen to combine yoga practice with Pilates and barre? Flex Studio offers a mix of yoga classes, including vinyasa, hatha and ashtanga, along with Pilates and barre sessions sure to keep the heart pumping. Despite the fitness focus, director Heather Thomas Shalabi says the studio offers a balanced approach to yoga. “We encourage everyone to practice yoga that suits their mind and body’s needs and allows for growth in their practice without feeling pressure to push past their limits,” she says. Aromatherapy Associates sponsor three yoga classes each week. Instructors use specially chosen oils to improve breathing, rejuvenate the body and de-stress muscles. “I believe this is the first time aromatherapy has been combined with yoga, and the synergy is proving wonderfully effective,” says Shalabi. Rates: Drop-in classes start at $255 and packages are also available for regulars. 3/F Man Cheung Building, 15-17 Wyndham Street, Central, www.flexhk.com Combine aromatherapy with yoga at Flex Studio
Inspire Yoga Too busy, lazy or self-conscious to attend group yoga classes? Enter Inspire Yoga, which offers private classes for up to four people in the comfort of home or work. Yogis can choose from 10 specialised programs, including beginner, back care and preand post-natal, or work with an instructor to create a customised programme that combines techniques from various schools of yoga. “People that can benefit most from yoga are not always suited to a group class, especially if they’re dealing with pain or deep rooted tension, physically, mentally or emotionally,” says founder Neelam Harjani. “Our programmes evolve from basic postures to more intermediate poses as our clients feel more confident and comfortable on the yoga mat. This way they are always learning and being challenged. There aren’t any standardised class sequences as we understand each client’s needs vary from class to class and we can tailor to their energy levels on each day.” Rates: Private classes start at $800 per hour and for small groups of four prices start at $300 per person per hour. Yogis can choose from 60, 75 or 90-minute classes. Packs of five, 10 and 20 classes are also available. www.inspire-yoga.com
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Anahata Yoga At Anahata Yoga – named after the fourth primary chakra that represents love, compassion, charity, humour and courage – many of the instructors come from a lineage of yogis and have been practicing since childhood. “We believe yoga is not just another form of exercise but a lifestyle and that is how we embrace yoga and share its philosophy with all our students,” says director Anna Hsu. Yogis with specific needs are catered to with de-stress, back care, slimming, core and pre- and post-natal classes. Anahata also offers more traditional forms of yoga such as kundalini, andiappan and patanjali along with modern favourites like power flow, yin yang and kids yoga. Rates: Drop-in classes are $300 and a package of 10 classes from $2,000. Monthly memberships start at $888. 18/F, One Lyndhurst Tower, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, www.anahatayoga.com.hk
Iyengar Central Iyengar Central opened its doors in 1999 as Hong Kong’s first custom-built yoga studio. More than 15 years later, studio manager Karen Lam says the Iyengar classes are as popular as ever. “We encourage students to gain self-knowledge and sustainable yoga practice while studying with us,” she says. “In other words, we would be happy to see our students graduate from our classes instead of being bound by our classes.” Classes cater to beginners and experienced yogis, and the studio is fully equipped with Iyengar essentials like mats, blocks, blankets, wall ropes and chairs. Rates: Individual classes start at $180, four-class packs at $650 and 10-class packs at $1,400. 2C Welley Building, 97 Wellington Street, Central, www.yogacentral.com.hk