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From Running to Stay-At-Home wear, lululemon's Festive Selection offers something for everyone PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE 18 November 2021, Singapore - With just six weeks left to Christmas, lululemon has decided to help friends and families celebrate the festive season with gifting and a sprinkle of creativity - by styling four personas inspired by classic Christmas carols decked in a full line-up of lululemon offerings. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE To be honest, after the tumultuous year everyone has had, Christmas does feel more special than ever, so why not? PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE 1. Santa Claus is Coming to Town For Santa's Runners Channel your inner Father Christmas as you zip across the country picking up the best gifts and visiting or mailing to your pals, decked in lululemon's finest reds. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE 2. I'll be Home for Christmas For the Cozy Homebody I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me ~ Lounge in style and comfort as you celebrate togetherness, create lasting memories, and show your loved ones how much they mean to you. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE 3. I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas For the Christmas Angels It might not snow in Singapore, but you can still dream of a white Christmas with lululemon’s selection of white apparel. Especially cool for yoga lovers and those seeking a space to declutter your mind – let this be your canvas. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE 4. The 12 Days of Christmas – For the Gifts that Keep On Giving On the 12th day of Christmas, someone sent to me – all the things I need to take on 2022! Whether you’re planning to get back in the game, push yourself further, or give your body the R&R it deserves, we’ve got you. 12 special gifts, one for each day of Christmas: 1. Sleek and Strong Hair Ties (3 pack) @ SGD $25 Tame your pony with these stretchy reflective hair ties. Designed for On the Move. 2. Fast and Free Run Hat @ SGD $62 Keep sun and sweat out of your eyes with this lightweight, quick-drying run hat; designed for running. 3. Everywhere Belt Bag @ SGD $72 Phone, keys, wallet. Keep them close in this versatile belt bag that helps you get out the door and on to your next adventure. 4. Back to Life Sport Bottle 24oz @ SGD $72 This insulated water bottle features a leak-proof lid and slip-free texture, so no matter how adventurous the adventure gets, your drink is safe. 5. The Towel @ SGD $72 Whether soaking up sweat during hot yoga classes or drying off post-shower, this absorbent microfibre towel handles it all. 6. lululemon Ear Loop Face Mask @ SGD $45 This face mask is for easy and comfortable everyday wear. Soft ear loops are a cinch to put on and take off, while cord locks let you customize your fit. 7. Loop It Up Mat Strap @ SGD $30 A no-fuss mat strap perfect for carrying, well, your mat. It doubles as a strap to help you stretch. How about that? 8. The Reversible Mat 3mm @ SGD $95 onwards From hot to hatha, this natural rubber mat has a grippy top layer that helps you find balance. 9. Fast and Free Arm Band @ SGD $68 Go the distance while staying connected. This low-profile armband is lightweight and breathable, making it perfect for long runs. 10. Never Lost Keychain @ SGD $30 Keep your keys close at hand by clipping them to your favourite bag. 11. Roll-up Travel Toiletries Kit @ SGD $78 (available online only) Designed to adapt to your needs, this kit has an adjustable strap that cinches when packed minimally or expands when filled to the brim. Unroll and lay it flat or hang it up. 12. Power Stride Tab Sock @ SGD $25 With all the features you need to work, sweat, and rest, these socks will get you through your whole day (and then some more). #Activewear #lululemonSG

Under Armour's latest multi-purpose running shoe allows you to transition seamlessly from running to the gym and even to casual wear PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Having a real knack for experimentation and style, Under Armour has revealed its latest set of multi-purpose footwear. The UA Phantom 2 IntelliKnit running shoes. Soft, stretchy and breathable, the shoes are also contoured to move with your foot, to allow for maximum comfort wherever you go - be it when you head out for a run, or if you are simply chilling out at a cafe with friends. While it may not be quite as water proof as the UA HOVR Phantom 2 Storm running shoes, it is still quick-drying and supposed to be grippier than earlier iterations of the Phantom series running shoes. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Wrapped in light, breathable UA IntelliKnit fabric, the innovative soft midsole HOVR™ foam has been kept intact from earlier editions of the shoe. The combination of the new knit upper and the soft HOVR™ foam offers you the perfect fit, regardless of movement. Similar to other shoes from Under Armour's HOVR cushioning family performance running range, the Phantom 2 IntelliKnit uses the same HOVR™ technology to maintain zero-gravity and eliminate impact for better energy return. This means that runners can expect to feel less fatigued while running over extended periods of time. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG A Better Fit Shoe Design Shoe's Upper Designed with a flat knit upper, the shoes provide zonal stretch and support where you need it, with a better anatomical fit and easier entry. The design of the Intelliknit is also a lot more stylish than earlier editions of the Phantom and Phantom 2, making it a suitable choice for casual wear. The new design also offers much better comfort around the ankles, while having a stretchy upper and the fact that it is true to size means the shoes are also suitable for runners who have wider feet. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Intelliknit Vamp UA INTELLIKNIT is basically a stretchy, soft material that maps to your foot for improved flex and breathability, the total opposite of the kind of shoes that pinch on your feet. Also, according to some running shoe reviews, as the IntelliKnit is thicker in material, it can even be used for cooler and more temperate climates, while remaining lightweight, breathable, and warm without feeling heavy. This makes it a great pair and natural choice for when you start travelling again. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The UA HOVR™ Phantom 2 IntelliKnit is now available for purchase at all Under Armour Brand Houses and online at $229 retail price. #UnderArmour #UnderArmourSG #IntelliKnit #Phantom2

Training Programme Celebrates Spirit of Camaraderie, and allows Fitness First Members to train with buddies at no additional cost PHOTO: FITNESS FIRST A study by researchers at the University of Aberdeen showed that finding a new exercise companion increases the amount of exercise that people do. Furthermore, the amount of exercise increased further when the new partner offered emotional support and encouragement, as opposed to providing practical support (for example, never missing a session or doing the actual activity together). PHOTO: FITNESS FIRST Backed by the data of this study, Fitness First Singapore has launched 'Results First', a unique personal training programme, unlike any other. Designed to push individuals to their full potential, and tailored to suit their goals and timeline, arguably the most enticing perk of 'Results First', is that it allows members to train with their buddies at no additional cost! PHOTO: FITNESS FIRST Firm believers that fitness is not a solo journey, Fitness First designed 'Results First' as a programme that celebrates the spirit of camaraderie, thus allowing up to four (4) complimentary buddy trainings per month. Under this program, Fitness First members can hit the gym with a buddy and stay motivated during their workout, boost their overall performance and have more fun. PHOTO: FITNESS FIRST Registrants can choose between any of 10 sessions (S$1,378), 30 sessions (S$3,936), 50 sessions (S$6,249) or 100 sessions (S$9,999), available across all 18 Fitness First clubs islandwide in Singapore, to get started with their personal training. PHOTO: FITNESS FIRST Each personal training plan includes: - Bespoke training programme by Certified Fitness Coaches - 60 minutes duration per session (or customisable to an individual’s needs i.e. 30/60/90/120 minutes) - Train with up to 3 fitness coaches (from 3 club locations) - Up to 12 months complimentary gym membership, with unlimited access to all 18 Fitness - First clubs islandwide - Complimentary buddy training up to 4 x per month - Access to Online Personal Training PHOTO: FITNESS FIRST For more information, please visit the Fitness First website or join the conversation on Fitness First Instagram and Fitness First Facebook. #SportPlusSG #FitnessFirstSG #ResultsFirst #PersonalTraining

With over 200,000 downloads since its launch in October 2020, Health Promotion Board's program designed in conjunction with Apple has increased daily exercise minutes by over 39 percent PHOTO: APPLE SINGAPORE 15 October 2021, Singapore - Technology does have a part to play in enhancing and improving lifestyle habits. Or at least that is what the data appears to show from the latest media release by Singapore's Health Promotion Board and Apple. As part of Singapore's Smart Nation initiative to leverage on technology to deliver benefits to its citizens and businesses, LumiHealth is a first-of-its-kind program designed in conjunction with Apple was created in collaboration with a team of physicians, public health experts, and is powered by Apple Watch. PHOTO: APPLE SINGAPORE LumiHealth encourages healthy lifestyle changes through a customised and personalised program for each individual, designed with privacy and data security in mind. It is also a holistic and well-balanced program that goes beyond just physical activity, to include mental well-being, sleep, nutrition, preventive screening, and vaccinations, and useful updates on how one can manage through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. PHOTO: APPLE SINGAPORE According to reports released by Apple's News Room, LumiHealth has served over 7 million challenges focused on health and wellness to help Singaporeans become more attuned to taking control of their health. This has resulted in users having increased their daily exercise minutes by over 39 percent when compared to the month before they started the program, which encourages users to be more active across their move, exercise, and stand goals, commonly found on the Apple Watch. PHOTO: APPLE SINGAPORE Of the various groups that have reaped the benefits of LumiHealth, those categorised as "Low Activity" have seen the greatest benefits in their results, increasing their exercise minutes by over 88 percent after nine months of participation. PHOTO: APPLE SINGAPORE #SportPlusSG #LumiHealth #AppleWatch

Under Armour combines UA HOVR Technology with UA Storm Technology for its latest weather proof running shoes PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The rainy season may be upon us, but that's not any reason for you to give up on your outdoor activities just yet. Not especially when you have weather proof shoes that you can wear for your runs or walks even in the rain. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG That's right, in line with using the latest technology to bring the best out of every athlete, Under Armour has launched the HOVR Phantom 2 STORM. A uniquely designed, futuristic looking pair of footwear, the HOVR Phantom 2 STORM combines the UA HOVR Phantom 2 with UA's Storm technology. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Utilising the same UA HOVR Technology to provide runners with the zero gravity feel to maintain energy return and help eliminate impact, the HOVR Phantom 2 STORM is also water resistant. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Boasting a dual-layer upper that keeps your feet dry and has a sock-like fit and feel, the shoe is a nice fusion of running shoe, trekking shoe, and versatile everyday wear - making it a perfect choice for those rainy day runs amongst the puddles or walking down Orchard Road for shopping. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The UA HOVR Phantom 2 STORM retails for SGD $239 and is now available in Singapore, but only at Under Armour Orchard Central and Under Armour Funan Brand House outlets. #SportPlusSG #ActiveWear #UnderAmourSG #UAHOVR #Phantom2Storm

In a battle of endurance, power and grit who will emerge victorious? Actor host Paul Foster or hawker hunk Walter Tay? PHOTO: CHERYL TAY Did you know? Getting a good workout does not always mean hitting the gym. There are many convenient playgrounds and fitness corners right at your doorstep that could be used for your next workout! Having journeyed with us for the first three episodes of Worth The Fit Season 5 where Jia En, Cenna Chen and Claire Jedrek shared the various exercises and workouts that you can do at various fitness corners, it is now time for a challenge! For this much anticipated challenge, Singaporean host and actor Paul Foster will face off against hawker entrepreneur and fitness model Walter Tay to a challenge in the neighbourhood or Rivervale, Singapore. They will both visit the three spots in Rivervale of our previous episodes where workout stations and exercises have been laid out. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY If you have forgotten what the workouts and stations from the previous episodes were, here is a quick recap: 10 Exercises You Can Do At Your Neighbourhood Fitness Corner feat. Cenna Chen 10 Exercises You Can Do At Your Neighbourhood Fitness Corner feat. Jia En Sprinting and Running Drills You Can Do At Your Neighbourhood feat. Claire Jedrek PHOTO: CHERYL TAY The three fitness challenges for the day are as follows. Challenge 1: Complete as many reps as possible in 1 minute for 5 exercises Both Paul Foster and Walter Tay will need to complete as many reps as possible (AMRAP) within 60 seconds for all 5 exercises at the first location. They will however have to watch their form, or it would be a no count. 1. Sit-up Twist 2. Pistol Squat 3. Tricep Dips 4. Inclined Push-up and Chest Tap 5. Box Jumps PHOTO: CHERYL TAY Challenge 2: Complete 15 reps as quickly as possible for 5 exercises For the second challenge, both Walter and Paul will have to finish the fixed number of reps as quickly as possible as it is a time based challenge. 1. Knee-ups 2. Ab Runners 3. Bunny Hops 4. Lateral Jump Burpees 5. Toe Touches PHOTO: CHERYL TAY Challenge 3: Complete the sprint set as fast as possible With host Cheryl Tay as the umpire, who will emerge victorious? Watch till the end to find out! Don't forget, you can do the same challenge yourself, or find a buddy to challenge for the same workouts! PHOTO: CHERYL TAY Worth The Fit season 3 features your favourite trainers who will each design a workout for you in your very own neighbourhood fitness corner. You may do 3 rounds of the 10 exercises at 30 seconds work with 15 seconds rest or 3 rounds of 10 reps per exercise, with a minute's rest in between each round. Give it a try! #SportPlusSG #Fitness #FitnessTips #FitnessChallenge #PaulFoster #WalterTay

Looking to grow its community in Asia, lululemon has expanded its store fleet to five since its first outlet in ION Orchard in 2014 PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE 9 September 2021, Singapore – Having opened its first outlet in ION Orchard, Singapore in December 2014, lululemon athletica has grown its community across Asia, and recently expanded its local fleet of stores to five, with the latest outlet located at Vivo City. Founded in 1998 in Vancouver, Canada, the yoga-inspired, technical athletic apparel company's popularity has climbed steadily in Singapore, and its latest addition looks to tap onto the growing number of hikers and active lifestylists across the south side of Singapore, in what it deemed as "weaving its southern tip into a tapestry of sweaty pursuits within a cradle of nature". PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE Light-Display Wall Designed to reflect the community where it's situated, a key highlight of the new 3,100 square feet lululemon Vivo City store is the light-display wall of the iconic Sentosa Gateaway arch. The store will also feature a community board with the latest Ambassador-led classes and events, aimed at connecting members, promoting well-being, and providing support as they live and breathe the sweat life. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE lululemon FEEL campaign lululemon's opening of its Vivo City outlet is done in conjunction with the recently launched lululemon FEEL campaign, which spotlights innovative products that have the buttery softness of cult favourite Aligns but also providing the smoothing support that helps individuals feel their practice better. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE Available on lululemon.com and in stores, including the new lululemon VivoCity store, these include signature products such as the ABC Pant in Utilitech™ Fabric and new Instill Tights. FEEL SPACE: ABC Pant in Utilitech™ Fabric, Modern Menswear that Works The ABC Pant made with the Utilitech™ Fabric underscores the brand's design philosophy. An alternative to denim, this casual pant has all the comforts a modern man needs complimented by performance features that will take him through the day with ease. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE Utilitech™ is an abrasion-resistant fabric with incredible stretch. This mid-weight, four-way stretch performance fabric offers a more structured and tailored look while having a natural hand-feel on the outside for greater comfort and range of motion. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE FEEL EMBRACE: A New High Performance Yoga Franchise, Instill Tight Guided by lululemon’s Science of Feel™, every aspect of the Instill Tight has been meticulously engineered. The hero is lululemon’s proprietary fabric, SmoothCover™, a breakthrough technical fabric that Is not only supportive but also delivers a luxuriously soft next-to-skin feel and smoothing coverage. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE The Instill Tight is designed to fit like a second skin, following every curve with the utmost precision. The waistband is constructed with a high-rise in the front and a super-high rise in the back, with back drop-in pocket to keep cards and keys secure. Support from Asia Pacific Community Speaking on lululemon's opening of its fifth store in Singapore, Ken Lee, Senior Vice President at lululemon Asia Pacific is grateful for the support that has come from the community across Asia. PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE He said: "We're very thankful for the support of our community in the past six years, since lululemon made its first step into Asia. This year, we’re excited to continue to extend our store fleet with new store openings including one at VivoCity, Singapore." "Our expansion in the region is testament to our commitment to supporting our communities in their sweaty pursuits and wellbeing journeys." PHOTO: LULULEMON SINGAPORE With community at the heart of lululemon's endeavours, the new store will offer a full range of high-performing, technical women’s and men’s products, which are created to support their every workout from yoga to running, water sports to training, and everything in-between. lululemon Stores in Singapore lululemon, Duxton Road 79 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089538 lululemon, ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, ION Orchard, # B1-11, ION, Singapore 238801 lululemon,Marina Bay Sands 10 Bayfront Ave, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, # B2-42, Singapore 018956 lululemon, Takashimaya Ngee Ann 391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City, #03-12B/13, Singapore 238873 luluemon, VivoCity 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-131/132/133, Singapore 098585 To find out more about lululemon's new High Performance Yoga Franchise, visit here. To locate lululemon's new store at Vivo City, visit here. #SportPlusSG #ActiveWear #lululemon #lululemonsg

Local sports and fitness website signs affiliate partnership agreement with Soccer Girl Goals to amplify Keeping:Score campaign PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 31 August 2021 - SportPlus.sg announced today that it has signed a Memorandom of Understanding (MOU) with Soccer Girl Goals to come on board as an affiliate partner for its Keeping Score campaign. As part of the agreement, the Singapore based sports and fitness platform has committed to equal media coverage for women in sport across all the content carried on its website. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Education on Gender Discrimination It is also dedicating a section under Women 's section on its website to highlight the issues of existing gender discrimination in sports as part of continuous education for the general public, in a year-long collaboration with Soccer Girl Goals . John Yeong , founder and editor-in-chief, Sport+ Media said: "It is a known fact that gender inequality exist in sports, not just in the international arena, but right here in Singapore as well." PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG "We are happy to play a small part in elevating women in sports and fitness, and to bring greater visibility as part of overall efforts to help level the playing field for women," he added. "We are fully behind the Keeping Score campaign, to create a safe space for women in sports and fitness, in the hope that more of the next generation will fall in love with the beauty of sports and its enduring values by doing so. " Yeong shared that SportPlus.sg has also voluntarily extended its commitment to giving equal opportunities for women when it comes to recruitment of its staff as well in the near future. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG A Safe Space and Equal Playing Field Keeping Score is a campaign that aims to create a safe and equal playing field for women in sports by empowering women in sports with the knowledge and resources to be able to stand up for themselves against discrimination. It has recorded a reach of over 100,000 within the first 4 months of its launch in April this year, and is a campaign backed by the National Youth Council and Young ChangeMakers . #SportPlusSG #SoccerGirlGoals #KeepingScore

New sports show to document journeys of five Singaporeans across four months PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Local sports events organiser D2D Sports are producing a new sports reality show that will document the journeys of five average Singaporeans across 5 sports for a period of four months. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The series will see the five aspiring athletes given access to professional coaching in their respective sports, as well as fitness training, and guidance from sports psychology and nutrition experts to pursue a path they are most passionate about but previously had no support to go beyond what they have previously attained. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The Dare To Dream series is part of a set of content grants being distributed by Sport Singapore from the Sports Resilience Package, as part of the government's efforts to support the industry and soften the overall impact of COVID-19. To canvas for the right candidates, D2D Sports put up a notice two months ago in an open call for participants to register for an audition. The reception for the call to register was better than expected, with some 150 participants signing up for the auditions. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG As part of the selection process, D2D Sports interviewed over 50 applicants via Zoom, before the top 3 of each sport for running, Ju-jitsu, badminton, football and tennis were chosen to commence the series with the opening episode starting with the final 15. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The top 15 finalists met their coaches this week for the first time, with a final round of elimination taking place that would see just one participant stay for the course of the next four months in what is a fully sponsored journey by D2D Sports and their partners for the show. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG The series will feature familiar household names from the sporting fraternity, including former Singapore footballer Indra Sahdan Daud, who will be coaching the football journey of the series. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG While the series will only be released in full from January 2022 on ActiveSG Circle (for the first six months), before it is made public on other platforms, you can catch some exclusive behind-the-scenes and interviews right here on SportPlus.sg PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG #SportPlusSG #DareToDream #RealityShow

This Yoga teacher says finding the right style of yoga that suits your body, your phase of life and your mental state is key PHOTO: KATE PORTER YOGA While the Yoga industry in Singapore has blossomed over the past 10 years, the core essence of what yoga really stands for may have been watered down through the rise of social media. Those are the thoughts of Soon Liling, who owns Kate Porter Yoga today with her husband today. At 12 years old in 2021, Kate Porter Yoga is one of the older standing boutique yoga studios in Singapore. Soon's own yoga journey has also come a long way compared to when she first started over 20 years ago. She went through the phase of idolising Instagram teachers as well and now find herself drawn more to people who are real to her, practise what they preach, and who walk the ‘yoga’ in their everyday lives. She said: "Media today has perpetuated the idea that yoga must be performed with fancy activewear and photo-worthy asanas and this puts some people off. It is important to go back to the basics and remind ourselves why yoga existed in the first place." PHOTO: KATE PORTER YOGA "The landscape has become very competitive and marketing becomes very convoluted. It takes a lot of courage for a studio to not bow to the pressures of social media and how it presents yoga for the normal person." Yoga a Great Complement to Sports Recalling the time when she was first introduced to Yoga, Soon says it was a great complement to other activities for her in her twenties when she was doing sports such as competitive netball, running, swimming and hiking. She joined a ladies-only club where she experienced the class led by a hunky teacher who stretched her out so much that the sore after effects after that first class lasted a week, and she had to go back to get her fix after that because of how good it felt. PHOTO: KATE PORTER YOGA As fate would have it, Soon was later connected to Kate Porter, who founded Kate Porter Yoga studio in the East Coast over 12 years ago. After taking on a teaching position initially, she took over the business from Porter when she returned to South Africa with her family in 2015, especially as Soon was very familiar with it and strongly believed in the ethos of the brand - Yoga for Normal People. And what about Soon's own yoga practise? "Being a yogi is a lifelong process. Ego was my biggest obstacle when I first started. I wanted to fold and bend deeper, counted my chaturangas instead of my breaths and my attention was more outward than inward," she shared. PHOTO: KATE PORTER YOGA "Today, it is the simplest things that makes my practice that day worth it — breathe well, move well and enjoy a break during the day to take care of myself." Pointing out the modern day challenges of time limitations and changing perceptions, Soon believes that a yoga practice need not be made up of complicated asanas (poses) or take many hours. For the average person, time is a luxury so if one can afford to put aside 10 minutes of a day to breathe and be with oneself, it’s yoga too. Yoga is also an activity that is considerably low impact and can stay with a physically active person till a ripe old age. PHOTO: KATE PORTER YOGA Soon shared: "As I have always had a very active lifestyle, my body’s wear and tear and injuries is a combination of everything that I do. My lower back has always been tender because of the high impact nature of netball." "As I get older, I can feel more wear and tear in my joints in general," she added. "Yoga is low impact in general so even if I cannot run or play netball when I’m 80, I think yoga is something I can stick with." Soon loves the type of yoga that emphasises breathing well, moving well and allows her to feel good at the end of the day, regardless of the style. Today, many of the teachers in Soon's team inspires her and keep her going through challenging times. She said: "Many of the teachers in my team inspire me. They demonstrate professionalism and passion when they teach what they love. They provide a strong driving force for me to keep going. Another person who has influenced me a lot is Kate Porter herself." PHOTO: KATE PORTER YOGA When asked what words of advice she has for yoga beginners, Soon shared that she believes finding the right style of yoga that suits each person's body, phase in life and mental state is crucial. Given the variety of options available today, regardless of which yoga style one likes, you can probably find one in Singapore. "Explore and discover different styles of yoga, but be safe. What feels good for someone else may not feel good in your body. Ultimately yoga is a journey towards self-awareness," Soon reflected. "Weed out the noises, know who you are deep down and enjoy the process of self-discovery." Kate Porter Yoga has two studios in East Coast and River Valley. To find out more about the studios you may visit their official website. #SportPlusSG #Yoga #SoonLiling #KatePorterYoga

This father of one overcame a broken wrist and lack of flexibility to become a full-time Yoga Teacher PHOTO: YOGA MOVEMENT When Bruce Tan mentioned that he was planning to get certified as a yoga teacher, his friend remarked: "But you can't even touch your toes!" So how did Tan, who started off as a casual practitioner doing the sporadic class here and there, overcome his perceived lack of flexibility to now become a full-time yoga instructor at the Yoga Movement? For one, he listened to great advice from his trainer who allayed his concerns early on, telling him his lack of flexibility could actually work in his favour. This has proven to be true, and helped him become a more effective teacher today, as he is better able to identify with how students feel in certain postures and help them to modify and improve accordingly. Persistence Pays His persistence and courage to take a leap of faith has also paid off, and having once broken his right wrist in a bike accident in 2010, regular yoga and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu has helped him to regain almost full range of motion and strength in his wrist. Making a career switch was not the only time Tan had to step out of his comfort zone either, as his journey towards becoming a full-time yoga teacher saw him needing to overcome his initial fears of doing inversions and arm balances. These are now some of the favourite aspects of his physical practice. PHOTO: YOGA MOVEMENT Yoga and Flexibility Tan believes one does not need to be strong or flexible to begin yoga; it is more the other way around where yoga helps you to improve your strength and flexibility. "The way that yoga is portrayed across various media channels reinforces the notion that yoga is all about being flexible and getting into fancy postures," he said. "In my opinion this is not an accurate depiction of the yoga practice and can actually be a deterrent to people who may be interested to try yoga but feel they 'don't have the flexibility' to do it." That said, Tan believes there is some truth that women are generally more flexible than men due to differences in genetic makeup and anatomical structures. Having more flexibility also means a greater range of movement in the joints which allows them to get into certain yoga postures easier. Yoga as "just a gentle workout" This however should not be a deterrent to males picking up yoga, which is also an activity that is often perceived as "just stretching" or a "slow and gentle workout" which might not appeal to the average male who believes in 'tougher and more challenging' types of workouts. In truth, yoga offers quite a physically and mentally challenging exercise, and is a great cross-training option even for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Outside of work, the father of one also takes every opportunity to teach his 4-year old daughter some techniques from the yoga practice which he feels would be beneficial for her whenever he gets the chance. From teaching her breathing techniques to alleviate the cold when just getting into a pool, or to calming down after a fall and hurting herself. His daughter has also learnt certain postures such as downdog and tree pose as part of father-daughter play time. PHOTO: BRUCE TAN Online Classes vs Physical Classes Having hopefully ridden out of the COVID-19 storm, Tan who has taught for 5 years as a yoga instructor, shares that most students still prefer a physical class to an online class, but there is a place for both in the new norm. "I think online classes have their place and are a great channel to reach a wider audience locally and overseas, and are a great supplement to physical classes for our local clientele especially during this past year," he shared. "Some students like it for its convenience while others still prefer the experience of physical in-studio classes, so I guess there's something for everyone." Judging by the fully booked schedules across most classes at the Yoga Movement, Tan may just be right. To catch Bruce Tan's classes or to book a class at Yoga Movement, you can visit their official website here. #SportPlusSG #Yoga #BruceTan #YogaMovement

This fresh faced F45 and Grityard gym trainer may be new to the Singapore fitness scene, but is already starting to make waves PHOTO VIA GINGER LAM She was never an active person growing up, and did not participate in any competitive school sport. In fact, her only taste of competition as a student was being in the Singapore Youth Festival Chinese Orchestra for 10 years. So what made Ginger Lam, a fitness trainer at F45 Boat Quay and Grityard today, switch gears from being less physically active to taking a leap of faith into the world of fitness instruction since early 2020? PHOTO: GRITYARD Effectiveness of a Structured Program Lam shared: "I’ve been going to the gym since 2013, and tried many ways to keep fit and of course I’ve never been consistent." "My fitness goals have always been the same; to be lean and fit. Unfortunately, my training methods never got me close to my goals," she added. "A friend of mine introduced F45 training to me and I saw some results and I believe that the structured programs are effective to achieving my fitness goals." Having struggled in her own fitness journey, Lam wishes to help other people achieve their fitness goals by becoming a fitness trainer. PHOTO VIA GINGER LAM Biggest Challenges Being really new to the industry, she feels that one of her biggest challenges is to be able to curate a workout that is challenging enough for her clients and members, as everyone's fitness levels vary - something which she is still learning and understanding a bit more of each day. Though her time in the industry has been brief, Lam has been exposed to an array of fitness training methods, which has benefited her own education in her journey as a fitness trainer. While coaching at F45 Boat Quay in the evenings on a weekly basis, she gets to teach cardio on odd weekdays, strength and resistance on even weekdays, while Saturdays are a combination of cardio and strength workouts. Her time at Grityard has also seen her learn much from the co-founders Lim Yaoxiang and Lim Yao Peng, across the five pillars of strength, power, agility, core and endurance, of which she rotates on each of the Fridays when she teaches. Image credit: Grityard Gym Greatest Influences So who would she credit as having the greatest influence on her fitness journey? "I have so many to list, it's difficult for me to pick one, every trainer and even each member that I’ve met have rubbed off a little influence on me. Every class is a learning session for me," she reflected. Teaching during Covid-19 times has also meant that Lam has had to pivot between teaching just physical classes in studios, to straddling across both physical and the online world of Zoom classes as well, which comes with its own set of challenges. "It's a little tough when members turn off their camera, you’re unable to check their form or to challenge them further. On the other hand, face-to-face coaching, I feel there's this personal touch, you’re able to ensure their form is correct and you can push them a little further," she quipped. "There are also equipment available to increase the intensity or to assist with regressions." Image credit: Ginger Lam Favourite Workout Lam shared with SportPlus.sg that her own personal favourite workout would comprise 50 per cent cardio, 50 per cent resistance training - a good balance between exercises that she feels would bring her heart rate high up and exercises that help her in training her strength through slow controlled movements and resistance. Patience with Progress Regardless of where you are in your fitness journey, Lam believes that being patient with your own progress, and not comparing yourself with others are important things to remember. "If you find yourself giving up, get a friend to workout with you," she said. "Embark on your fitness journey knowing that it is a change of your lifestyle and don’t be impatient when you don’t see results, don’t compare with yourself with anyone but yourself. Compare your own’s progress yesterday with today’s. Everyone’s body is different." #SportPlusSG #Fitness #GingerLam #F45BoatQuay #GrityardSG