Anna Agawa is one of Flex’s two aerial instructors. She recently took some time out of her FlexKids and Teens aerial class to find out exactly what it was that the kids loved about playing around in silks. Apart from how much fun they have, it’s the swinging and the flipping they love. And most of them find it helps with their flexibility, strength and other sports, plus adds to their confidence too.
Kids can fly at Flex! And they love it… Read More »
Most people associate Pilates with the core, and they’re not wrong. However, Joseph Pilates’ Contrology movements all initiate from what he called the Pilates Powerhouse, and the powerhouse is so much more than the core. Comprising the abdominals, the buttocks and the inner thighs, when these multiple layers of muscles are powered up, along with the pelvic floor, they create a column of strength for the spine.
Defying Gravity with the Pilates Powerhouse Read More »
Nail the Hundred once and for all – originally Joseph Pilates’ first exercise in the Classical Pilates mat work sequence.
Why You Don’t Love The Hundred (And How to Make Sure You Do!) Read More »
Katie Duff was a professional dancer and aerial performer at Disney parks in Japan and Hong Kong. To the observer, she was at her physical peak.
But something wasn’t right with her body. She was bulky in some areas and not feeling particularly fit.
“I was doing the same thing every day (as a performer) but not doing enough cardiovascular (work),” says the Flex instructor, who adds that parts of her body were weaker than others due to the repetitive nature of her routines.
The One Thing That Changed This Dancer’s Body – For The Better Read More »
Who better to ask about pre-natal wellness than a healthy pregnant woman? Victoria Tang – co-founder of creative agency Thirty30 Creative and the daughter of prominent businessman David Tang – says her pregnancy has not stopped her from enjoying an active lifestyle. We asked Victoria, now 35 weeks pregnant, to share her journey from working-out
What does a Healthy Pregnant Woman do? She Gets Moving! Read More »
You’re feeling good, your body’s warmed up – and then the class moves on to a pose you find deeply challenging. But instead of gritting your teeth and clenching your jaw (yoga is not meant to be stressful!), pause and change the way you think about your least favourite pose. You might find this is
How To Love The Yoga Poses You Hate Read More »
Did you ever wonder why a Pilates class always follows the same sequence of moves? Back in the 20s, 30s and 40s when Pilates was creating his Contrology, he designed it to counter the inactivity of modern life. Therefore his exercises worked, in a brilliantly intricate and biologically logical way, to restore our natural rhythm and coordination. Following the physical development of humans, he started with the 100s, where you are prone like a baby and breathing to the fullest extent, gradually moving the body to its upright position, with each exercise preparing for the next. Flex founder Heather Thomas-Shalabi explains how it works.
Order does matter – in Pilates Read More »
To excel at dragon boating, you need endurance, strength and coordination. Here are four Pilates exercises for enhancing your performance on the water.
The 4 Best Pilates Exercises For Dragon Boaters Read More »
Petrina Steains is a long-time runner and brought Pilates in to her exercise routines after she gave birth to her third child in order to help prevent injury and condition her body. She loves the connection to and understanding of her body that Pilates gives her physically, while mentally the focus Pilates has taught her is a great boost to her confidence and stamina.
Pilates for Runners Read More »
Anna Agawa was born and raised in the Philippines, and has lived in Hong Kong for five years. Katie Duff grew up in Victoria, Australia and having lived in Hong Kong previously for seven years she returned again this year. Both dancers have incorporated all kinds of fitness into their lives to complement their stage
Passionate about XB – introducing dancers turned Flex instructors Anna and Katie Read More »
