Reviews

TEST-DRIVE Liv checks out the newest workouts and wellness trends

YOGA

Ayurvedic Yoga with Vata Yoga

The Buzz: Ayurveda has existed for thousands of years as an ancient form of medicine, with its roots in the Indian subcontinent. Much like TCM, Ayurveda focuses on restoring harmony between the mind, body, and environment. Ayurvedic yoga therapy uses the practice of physical yoga poses, breathwork, and meditation to treat any energetic excesses before a sense of balance can be achieved. We head to Lamma Island for a Saturday morning Ayurvedic yoga class with Vata Yoga. The Class: We arrive on Lamma at 8am and head to the sprawling organic farm where the class is held, about 15 minutes from the ferry pier. Surrounded by nothing but nature and birdsong, this is a serious departure from the cramped yoga classes we’re used to on a weekend morning. Instructor April takes a few minutes to explain the Ayurvedic philosophy and its shared history with yoga (both are Vedic sciences), then outlines the hour-long class which is a mixture of hatha, breathwork, meditation and (to our surprise) qigong! Afterwards, the farm’s proprietor William serves up an organic vegetarian breakfast prepared with produce right off the farm. The Verdict: Amazing! While it’s a bit of an early start if you don’t already live on Lamma, the payoff is worth it, with clean air and plenty of nature for your morning practice. We didn’t know much about Ayurveda beforehand, but it was interesting to learn how it complements a yogic lifestyle and we’re always up for learning new things! Breakfast was delicious and nourishing, and we took thirds and fourths of the steamed pumpkin before calling it a day and heading to the nearby beach. Costs: $250, vatayogaretreat.com

SPONSORED

Organic Lyocell Bed Sheets from Okooko by European Bedding

The Buzz: As we all look to make better choices for the planet, one easy way to sleep and live greener is to swap conventional cotton sheets for bamboo. Unlike farming-intensive cotton, bamboo is a sustainable resource that grows quickly and easily, absorbs five times more carbon than other plants and requires 1/3 less water. Silky soft and breathable, Okooko by European Bedding sets the gold standard for bamboo textile bedding. The Sheets: Okooko uses Bamboo Lyocell for its sheets. Lyocell is made in a closed-loop manufacturing system that means there’s almost zero wastage as the bamboo pulp is recaptured and reused. Fewer chemicals are applied, and these are never released into the soil. The bamboo is also harvested from FSC certified forests, and the manufacturer is WRAPcertified as an ethical workplace for its labourers. Verdict: We are obsessed! The sheets are silky soft and almost slippery - the manufacturers say that they’re comparable to 1,000-thread count cotton. They’re breathable and wick sweat on hot summer nights and are a dream to maintain - just throw in the washing machine, no ironing required as creases drop out within a day! The best part? We sleep soundly at night knowing that our sheets have been ethically and sustainably produced from start to finish. Price: Prices for a Dream Package, which includes a duvet cover, fitted sheet and four pillowcases (two for a Single) range from $1,988 to $2,588, depending on size.

Okooko by European Bedding, 13/F, The Plaza LKF, 21 D’Aguilar St., Central, 6286-1132, europeanbedding.hk

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Tarot Card Reading at the Healing Kingdom

The Buzz: Tarot readings are nothing new, but as times feel more turbulent and uncertain, many of us may be looking for a different kind of guidance. Tarot cards can’t predict the future, but they do offer an opportunity for self-reflection, often imbuing a sense of clarity and understanding. We visited Letao of The Healing Kingdom, an experienced spiritual guide in tarot, astrology and numerology, for a private tarot reading. Here’s what the cards told us. The Reading: Tucked away in a cute Tai Hang walk-up, The Healing Kingdom is a den of pure calm. Letao explains that we can focus on a particular area of life to explore, like love & relationships, career, finances or personal development. He explains that this reading can be used to guide us over the next six months, and with that we select several cards from a few different decks. As Letao turns them over and reads, he reveals how the Moon goddess Artemis in the first position symbolises that we are not ones to conform. He notes certain pen-like features that appear on the cards, such as spears and wands, which indicate that we’re strong written communicators, as well as observing that we’re strongest when working in a large team of women. Right on all counts! The Verdict: Initially perplexed that we’d experience some dark foreboding, we couldn’t have been more wrong! We actually left the reading feeling excited for what the future six months would bring and more centered in our present selves. A tarot reading opens you up to new connections and possibilities by letting a spiritual professional guide you through your thoughts, preoccupations and feelings. It’s surprisingly reassuring to take time to ask some of the big questions in life, and hopefully gain clarity on where you’re headed. We found the experience inspiring and enlightening and something we’ll carry with us in the months to come. Cost: $700 for a 40-minute reading.

6/F, 64 Tung Lo Wan Rd, Tai Hang, 9136-0453, thehealingkingdom.com.

WHAT’S IN OUR CARDS?

Three Goddesses:

strongest when surrounded by women

Arrows pointing away:

goal-orientedness and tenacity

Man holding a globe: a love of travel and avid curiosity in discovering the unknown