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Flex instructor Elvin Beh has taught Pilates and Gyrotonic for some time, but earlier this year he fell in love with Xtend Barre. Originally from Malaysia, he moved to Hong Kong 22 years ago. He had taken up ballet as a hobby at age five, and it became his career despite an early ambition to be a business administrator or economist. A professional dancer with the Hong Kong Ballet Company for seven years, in 2004 he certified in Pilates BASI method and in 2006 the Gyrotonic Expansion® System. Now a teacher of XB too, he brings his multiple talents to Flex’s team.

Everyone has their own favorite way of spending the turn from an old year to a new one, whether it is about hibernating with family or painting the town red with friends. Here, some of the instructors from our Flex family share their plans and also give some valuable advice on how to start the new year in fine fitness style.

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.

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.