AsiaSpa - July-August 2017

12

Keep it Moving

Stephanie Shiu

Editor-in-Chief

[email protected]

AsiaSpa July/August 2017

Editor’sNote

" All creative activity begins with movement”

~ Joseph Zinker

Moving is the best part of my day. After hours spent desk-bound at the office, even walking

to lunch offers respite, as I hold out for the reward of some form of fitness after work. I

didn’t always feel that way, but as anyone who makes time to move knows, the rush of

endorphins and mental clarity post-workout are completely addictive.

Referring to it as ‘movement’ is deliberate, as labels like ‘exercise’ can feel overly regimented,

consequently sucking the fun out of the whole thing. While a conventional gym can be

perfect if you’re in the mood for it, simply walking around discovering a new destination

counts too, and you may find, infinitely more satisfying.

Travel is certainly a domain in which movement has become increasingly prevalent. Having

visited my fair share of wellness retreats, it’s almost a compulsory part of any credible

programme, and understandably so. Waking up to sunrise yoga on the beach in Da Nang,

or a qigong session before trekking through Queensland’s hinterlands are moments I’ll

always be thankful for.

Being surrounded by lapping waves or rolling hills tranformed the experiences into moving

meditations, quieting the mind by turning the focus inwards, to the breath, the gratitude

of having use of the physical body and savouring being present. It’s no wonder so many

consider movement to be nature’s therapy.

This action-packed issue provides pointers on how the type of workout can affect well-

being (p.76), training tips for Spartans in the making (p.64) as well as how to fuel a session

effectively (p.52). If classes aren’t your thing, put on a pair of trainers and explore Luang

Prabang (p.102) or dive into the watery paradise that is the Maldives (p.120).

Let’s get physical!