Family

from Liv Magazine February 2020

Travel

with Zoe Belhomme FIT FAM

Crafty

Little Things R esearch shows that a creative environment not only foster development and new skills in children, it also improves socialization and reduces stress and anxiety. If you don’t fancy letting your little one loose with a paint brush at home, here are clubs and classes that provide the perfect platform for creativity.

46 Whisked

Messy Jam

The Pottery Workshop Yarn in the Works

THE POTTERY WORKSHOP For an alternative to paint, let your kid get their hands dirty with clay. Designed for kids aged 6-14, sessions at The Pottery Workshop in SoHo teaches the basics of ceramic-making in a fun and relaxed environment. Classes are two hours long and are held on Saturday and Sunday mornings. $1,800 for seven sessions. 305, 3/F Lyndhurst Building, 29 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, potteryworkshop.com.cn WHISKED Do you have a budding chef on your hands? Channel their culinary talents with a class at Whisked in Sheung Wan. The studio offers various baking and cooking classes depending on your child’s age - Baby Whisks, Little Whisks and Junior Whisks - and sessions in both Putonghua and English. On weekends the space hosts private parties and workshops. Kids classes cost between $350-$420 per session. 104 Jervois St., Sheung Wan. whiskedbaking.com

MESSY JAM Messiness and artistic licence are standard at Messy Jam. Hosting workshops, private parties and sessions over school breaks, this converted flat is a safe place for kids to explore through the medium of art. With no set class structure, the owner encourages budding artists to play freely and make art in any way - or anywhere - they like; even the walls of the studio aren’t off limits! Sessions cost $280 for 60 minutes or $320 for 90 minutes. Flat D, 2/F, Tai Fat Building, 37 Ko Shing St., Sheung Wan. messy-jam.com

YARN IN THE WORKS Knitting is having a moment. What was once a pastime for your grandma is now being enjoyed by all ages! Yarn in the Works introduces knitting, crochet and needlework to young fingers by teaching them the basics and helping them start their very own project. Private classes cost $395 for 1.5 hours (excluding material) while workshops are around $350 per person inclusive of materials. 20 Tai Ping Shan St., Sheung Wan. yarnintheworks.com

CRAFTING KITS FROM BIZZIE BEE For something to keep them entertained at home, try crafting kits from local social enterprise, Bizzie Bee. Kits come complete with everything needed to create - from DIY decorations and stamp moulding, to Chinese lanterns and tote bags. Money raised from Bizzie Bee kits goes directly to arts projects for the underprivileged in Hong Kong. Most kits cost $199. bizziebee.org

CLASS REVIEW

JINGLE JANGLE PARENT & BABY CLASS, SAI KUNG Like many families, we recently left our shoebox MidLevels apartment for a larger home in Sai Kung. I soon heard that Jingle Jangle was the class to get into. With sessions for tots from six months through to three years, each 45-minute class aims to stimulate a child's senses through music, dance and sensory props. Classes are run by an energetic local mama who puts her own spin on every song and nursery rhyme so that sessions never get dull. I’ve been taking my 15-month-old once a week for three months and have really noticed a difference in how she follows simple instructions from the teacher and interacts with other children. At $170 per class, Jingle Jangle is a cost-effective option in the Sai Kung or Clearwater Bay area. Classes take place daily at Tina's Dance Studio, 2/F, 15 Man Nin St., Sai Kung Town. facebook.com/pg/jinglejanglemusic

THE ANGEL BABYBOX Did you know that all new Finnish mothers are given a box by the Finnish government that’s filled with newborn essentials, and which can double as a baby’s crib? The Angel Babybox is an evolution of this simple concept. This multifunctional sleep pod is perfect for newborn sleeping babes, and through some clever folding design tricks, you can transform the crib into a playing and changing mat, a travel cot, a storage box for your house, or just flat pack it away when not in use. It also wins points for being super cute as well as its non-toxic, natural materials. Available online for $2,452, including delivery. angel-babybox.com

Zoe Belhomme is our resident fitness writer and new mum. She loves working out, eco-friendly parenting, and partnering with her husband to produce some of the region’s biggest sports events at MBS Concepts. Reach out to her directly with your healthy family news at zoe@liv.media.

GYMS CROSSFIT ASPHODEL Ccomes equipped with the latest Rogue equipment, four lifting platforms, an ice bath and spacious changing facilities. There’s also a healthy cafe for some post-workout grub. G/F, 22 Praya, Kennedy Town, 3568-7719, crossfitasphodel.com.

FLEX Flex is a high-end studio popular with the city’s fitness fans. With a full menu of group disciplines including classic Pilates and yoga, as well as classes for kids and teens, the schedule is packed with options. 3/F, Man Cheung Building, 15-17 Wyndham St., Central, 2813- 2399; 308-310, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Rd., Wong Chuk Hang, 2813-2212, flexhk.com.

GOJI ELITE Focuses on strength & conditioning training and martial arts but also offers more specialised classes including Olympic lifting, yoga and pre- and post-natal fitness. First timers visitors enjoy a free trial class. 1/F, Hong Kong Plaza, 188 Connaught Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, 2838-3878, Gojistudios.com.hk

HAPPY KID-ULT YOGA With two premium locations in Kowloon, Happy Kid-ult Yoga provides a relaxing and welcoming environment to practice yoga and Pilates. Aside from traditional Hatha classes, the studios also run Yoga Basics classes, mellow Yin Yang, and family-friendly sessions. 19A, The Lamma City, 761 Nathan Rd., Prince Edward; Room 1018, 10/F, Hollywood Plaza, 610 Nathan Rd., Mongkok, 9765-3592, happykidultyoga.com.

HYBRID MMA & FITNESS Hybrid’s facility in the heart of Central is a cut above lots of other MMA gyms out there, offering skills training and sport-specific conditioning, DNA-testing and tailored nutrition planning that uses the latest data-driven technology. 13/F, Entertainment Building, 30 Queens Road Central, 3468-7702, hybridmmafot.com.

MADERA Opened just two months ago, the sparkling new studio is bright and airy, specialising in a wide range of relaxation practices, from yoga to singing bowls. $200 drop-in. 1F, Madera Residences, 19 Cheong Lok St., Jordan, 3190-9988, yoga. maderagroup.com

OPTIONS PILATES With over 30 classes per week, it’s no surprise where Options Pilates gets its name from. Classes are smaller and more personalised, easily adapted to suit the needs of each guest. The studio also offers preand post-natal classes for new and expecting mothers to stay active. 12/F, 16 Wyndham St., 3188-8112, optionspilatesstudio.com.

O:RIN Located in Quarry Bay, right near the TaiKoo office complex, this relaxed and spacious studio is kitted out with a huge range of equipment. And at a stone’s throw from TaiKoo Place, it’s a perfect lunchtime or post-work pitstop to squeeze in a workout. Unit 6, 19F Westlands Centre, 20 Westlands Rd., Quarry Bay, 5726-1669, orin.com.hk.

W E L L N E S S CENTRES

BYRNE, HICKMAN & PARTNERS One of Hong Kong’s longestestablished physiotherapy practices. Offers treatment for sports injuries, post-operative rehabilitation and clinical Pilates, and can also help to treat chronic and posture-related pain. Room 201, Dina House, Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell St., Central, 2526-7533. Also has clinics in TST, Repulse Bay, Yuen Long and Sha Tin. www.byrne-hickman.com.

FIVELEMENTS This 15,000-square-foot wellness haven brings the spirit of Fivelements Retreat in Bali to support wellness seekers of all stripes. There’s a wide variety of programmes available, including yoga, movement, martial arts and dance but the urban retreat is best known for its mindfulness and holistic wellbeing sessions. L13A, Times Square, 1 Matheson St., Causeway Bay, habitat.fivelements. com.

OZONE This premium gym takes a hybrid approach to PT within its open plan space, so even when you work out on your own, trainers are on hand to advise on techniques and training methods without paying for a oneon-one session. UG/F, Hang Tak Building, 1 Electric St., Wan Chai, ozone.fitness.

SANTI SPACE A friendly boutique yoga studio with a relaxed and earthy vibe. Disciplines such as flow, yin, alignment and aerial are practiced in front of the studio’s vertical garden for added serenity. 5A, Lockhart Centre, 301-307 Lockhart Rd., Wan Chai, 9602-8864, santispacehk.com.

SHAN STUDIOS Shan Studios is a yoga and meditation studio in Wong Chuk Hang. They offer yoga and meditation classes for all levels, as well as workshops to deepen your practice. 902 Sun Hing Industrial Building, 46 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Wong Chuk Hang, 9306-6788, shanstudios.com. LIFEHUB Through diagnostic tests that explore areas like your gut biome analysis, heavy metals and food intolerances, practitioners at LifeHub gain a better understanding of your overall health to treat potential problems before they arise. 1/F, The Loop, 33 Wellington St., Central, 3622-3452, thelifehub.com.

UP!HEALTH This friendly multidisciplinary clinic offers a variety of health services including chiropractic, sports massage therapy, clinical Pilates, TCM herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, kinesiology and counselling in a fun, bright and welcoming space that is miles away from a stuffy doctor’s office.

WESTRETCH Specialising in the art of stretch therapy, the clinic’s signature 50-minute session works through the front and back of the body, as well as the limbs, to ease tightness, release localised tension and increase range of motion in the body. Wong Chung Ming Commercial House, 13/F, 16 Wyndham St., 2328-7000, we-stretch.com. 11/F, Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington St., Central, uphealth.com.hk. THE BODY GROUP This physiotherapy clinic also has a huge range of complementary therapies to help you take charge of your health. Offers several disciplines of bodywork, including fascia release, cranio-sacral therapy, Chi Nei Tseng, sports rehab and relaxation massage. 14/F, Prosperous Building, 48-52 Des Voeux Road Central, 2167-7305, thebodygroup.com.

P A M P E R

ARMARA GLOW Naturally grown and produced in Morocco, all of Armara Glow’s products are certified organic. Rather than containing a complex blends of ingredients, this beauty brand extracts the purest prickly pear oil ($330) and argan oil ($120) to moisturise and soothe your face in the most natural way possible - and the price is unbeatable too! We love the organic rose water ($140) for its cooling and face-toning properties. armaraimports.com DOLMA WAXING BOUTIQUE Quick and efficient, this clean, waxingonly salon is conveniently located in Central, and the quickest route to your hair removal needs. With over a decade of experience in high-end salons, the eponymous Dolma treats every client herself, with a strict, no double-dipping spatula policy. Yu To Sang Building, Unit 303, 3/F, 37 Queen’s Road Central, Central; brazilianwaxing.com.hk.

EMMANUEL F In addition to its full organic salon with natural hair dye services, emmanuel f has a whole spa area dedicated to delivering natural face, body, hand, foot and waxing treatments - all using certified organic products from French brand Phyt’s. U/G, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, 2167-8280, emmanuelf.com.

FLAWLESS This stylish urban day spa has been specialising in manicures, facials and makeup for eons, much to the delight of HK’s beauty fanatics. For facial treatments, the spa uses celeb fav cosmeceutical line Ultraceuticals, as well as botanical brand Aromatherapy Associates. 4/F, Seabird House, 22-28 Wyndham St., Central, 2869-5868, flawless. hk.com.

CAUSEWAY BAY

10/10 Space Asia Yogies Bodywize Coffee Academics Commons Workshop Dr. Reborn Fivelements Goji Studios Causeway Bay Medi Spa Sci-Fit Company Limited SharedSpace Strokes The Work Project Yoga Aloha CENTRAL

12NOON Alive Wellness Annerley Asia Medical Specialists Atria Properties Aumnie Austy Lee Baby Basics Barre 2 Barre Be-Juiced Bear’s Lab Byrne Hickman Caffe Habitu Central Health City Osteopathy Classified CranioSacral Therapy HK Crossfit 852 Defin8 Dolma Waxing Boutique Dr Jamieson Dr Lauren Bramley Elevate Elu Spa Essensuals Toni & Guy Feather & Bone Feel Good Factor Fitness Compass Flawless Flex Central Fresca Glow H-Kore Health Concept Healthy Chicken HIT45 Hybrid I-Detox IMC Hong Kong Immortal Fitness Impakt MMA Infiniti Fit Intelligent Fitness Iyara Cochrane Street Iyara Hair Spa Iyara Mid-Levels JAB Studio Joint Dynamics Just Green Levo Spa LifeHub Mandarin Oriental Hotel Mindful WIng Chun Moksa Slow Beauty Nature’s Village OnTheList Optimum Performance Studio Options Studio Pilates Ovolo Group Paul Gerrard Pherform Pololi Posto Pubblico Posture Plus Queen’s Garden R&R Bagels R3 Personal Training Renewed Edge Sense of Touch Shama Serviced Apartments Sohofama SOL Wellness Soul Feet Sparadise Strength Culture Strip The Body Group The Executive Centre The Firm the practice The Right Spot The Store Topfit Torq Ultimate Performance UP! Health Urban Bakery van der Bloom Vitality Centre Wagyu Waveworks weStretch XP Fitness Hub HAPPY VALLEY

Classified Eric Kayser Feather & Bone Hong Kong Football Club Jaspas Organic Plus Resiglow Utime KENNEDY TOWN

Club 9 Crossfit Asphodel Foodcraft Infiniti C Jaspas Kennedy Town Just Green Little Creatures Maison Eric Kayer Makerhive Spicebox Organics Utime Kennedy Town Waffling Beans SAI YING PUN

Cafe Polygon F45 Feather & Bone Garage Collective High Street Bar & Grill infiniti C Jaspa’s Locofama Opendoor Cafe Organic Oasis Organic Plus Spicebox Organics The Winery Ursus Fitness Utime Warrior Academy SHEUNG WAN/MIDLEVELS Anhao Wellness Blend & Grind BounceLimit Chicken on the Run Classified Confusion Corner Kitchen Cafe Dandy Cafe Elephant Grounds Caine Road Emmanuel F Eric Kayser Fete Up Goji Studio House of FItness Kita Yoga Knead MANA! Cafe Maximus Studio Motion Dynamics Naked Hub Oolaa Organic Plus OVO Cafe Poke World Spicebox Organics Sweetpea Patisserie The Hive Sheung Wan Versus Performance Vulkano Fit Yoga Bam Bam Yoga Room

ISLAND SOUTH

Beef & Liberty Byrne Hickman Classified Classified, The Pulse Flex Island Wake Just Green Le Meridien Cyberport Limewood MuLan Spa Mum Veggie+Coffee+Sweet Quofeteria @ Trybe Sense of Touch Shan Studio Stanley Wellness The Executive Center The Round Clinic Thrive Health TREE Cafe ISLAND EAST

Total Loyalty Company Treats KOWLOON/NEW TERRITORIES

Barre Formula Base Camp Kerry Sports Chuan Spa Crown Relocations Dr. Reborn Feather & Bone Clearwater Bay Goji Studios Megabox Goji Studios Mong Kok Goji Studios Tsim Sha Tsui Goji Studios Whampoa Happy Kidult Yoga Just Green Sai Kung K11 GO NATURAL Kowloon Cricket Club Little Cove Espresso Optiumum Peformance Studio Shama Serviced Apartments United Services Recreation Club WAN CHAI/ ADMIRALTY

12NOON Wan Chai Athletic Juice Bar Bite Unite Classified Eric Kayser Eric Kayser Food for Life Honbo Iyara Wan Chai Le Pain Quotidien MANA! Star Street OVO Cafe Ozone Fitness Santi Space

Classified Tai Hang Food for Life Taikoo Shing Joint Dynamics O:RIN Ryze Shama Serviced Apartments Three Keys Craft Space