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!