Hot Right Now

FREE FOR ALL

The latest round of social restrictions have seen us all locked out of our gyms and yoga studios for the time being - not such a happy start to the new year! Stepping up to the plate in these dire times is PURE, who have extended universal free access to all their online fitness and yoga classes! All Hongkongers are welcome to limitless complimentary online classes via the group’s PURECAST platform, which offers over 120 live-streamed classes every week. All you need to do is register for free access, download the PURECAST 360 app, and book your spot in upcoming classes! If you can’t make it for some reason, you can also make use of a five-day replay feature, ensuring that gym bunnies and yogis alike can get their fitness fix any time of day. Stay strong by keeping strong over the lockdown!

Register at shop.purecast360.com/hk/en/3weeks.

MIND MATTERS

Hong Kong is an expensive place to live, and sadly, many people struggling with their mental health don’t have the money to afford the help they need. Local charity ReSource, a counselling service that offers subsidised therapy to those on fixed incomes, wants to help. Right now, the nonprofit is offering anyone their first two sessions for $60, to encourage people to relieve emotional distress through supportive counselling. Subsequent session fees are determined based on the individual’s household income, ensuring as many people can benefit from the services as possible. To learn more about it, call 2523-8979 or visit their website to arrange an appointment.

701, China Hong Kong Tower, 8-12 Hennessy Rd., Wan Chai, 2523-8979, resourcecounselling.org

WHEEL DEAL

Did you know that you can take fitness classes for free at Central Harbourfront? The AIA Vitality Hub at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel opened last month, and it’s making health and wellbeing accessible to the city’s residents through free community classes for all. Before the recent lockdown, there were several classes scheduled each day, from yoga and taichi to salsa, capoeira, HIIT, and Brazilian drumming, plus several kid-focused classes for sports like rugby, soccer, and dancing. Once restrictions are done, all you have to do is go online, book your spot, turn up and sweat it out! Did we mention it’s totally free?!

33 Man Kwong St, Central. Book classes at zicket.co/aia-vitality-hub-venue

GOING UP

Catsuits

Just in time for the Year of the Tiger, this feline-inspired fashion trend looks surprisingly good on most body types.

Vegan desserts

So many dairy-free dessert joints these days! Our latest go-to is Essentia, a new plant-based patisserie pop-up in Pacific

Place (read more about it on p.14).

Body neutrality

What do we think about this one? A much-needed check on toxic body positivity culture, or just the latest buzzword that tells women how they should feel about their bodies?

Return of low-rise jeans

Give us high-waisted bottoms or give us death! (Or just give us sweatpants, in the gluttonous aftermath of the festive feasting period…)

GOING DOWN

#SUPPORTLOCAL Festive Market

... AND FOOD DRIVE!

DECEMBER 13-19, 2021

Ahuge thank you to all our readers who swung by Central Market just before Christmas to visit the #SupportLocal Festive Market! Located on the ground floor of Central’s buzziest lifestyle destination, more than 20 vendors offered all kinds of unique and sustainable gifts, from skincare and snacks to kids’ gifts, CBD, crystals and so much more.

In addition to browsing and picking up lastminute gifts, visitors were also able to enrol in a chakra workshop hosted by FLO JEWELLERY, a flower art therapy class with Mohlia, and kids’ sports activities with Island Sports.

The event was also all about giving back: vendors and visitors alike were invited to donate canned food to Feeding Hong Kong as part of a food drive to secure donations for Hongkongers facing food scarcity over the festive period. Happy New Year to all our vendors and readers, and see you at the next event!

PARTICIPATING VENDORS

SEMPIMIMI customisable statement jewellery Suwimol Jaroensri handmade natural soaps Soapnut Republic natural cleaning supplies ISHA LIFE Ayurvedic wellness products BestBev Hong Kong-brewed beer and cider Coconut Matter coconut-based sustainable skincare Kibo sustainable sneakers and sunglasses FLO JEWELLERY mindful, intentional accessories

IGETU Botanicals Australian skincare for sensitive skin ConceptU minimalist homewares and candles Bamboa bamboo accessories and homewares Berry Buzz high-efficacy CBD Cteagallery wellness-inspired Chinese tea The Fidgets Store fidget gifts for kids Momo artisanal nut butter and almond milk Adkidz tween accessories CamyCares beyond organic skincare krizto lab ethically sourced crystals Mohlia naturally preserved infinity flowers The Moral Foods nut butters from India Conspiracy Chocolate artisanal vegan chocolate Rebounce CBD CBD gummies, teas and tinctures