New Place to Flex in Hong Kong

Save the Date!

Flex Studio is celebrating the opening of its brand new studio in Central, Hong Kong!

Their second location will be fully equipped for Pilates Allegro classes, as well as TRX Training, Flying Pilates, Aerial Hammock, and Xtend Barre. Fret not if you prefer Private Training as this studio on Wyndham Street will also have its own Private Studio, for your Personal Training needs. You may also follow them on Facebook for frequent updates.

I will be teaching the first class on opening day 18th August at 7:30am – “Sculpt & Burn Tabata Style”. This 50 minutes class consist of high intensity interval training (also known as HIIT) used variantly with selected exercises and designed to rev up your calorie-burning machine through EPOC.

WHAT is EPOC?

Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption, or informally known as the “afterburn”

I will talk more about HIIT in my upcoming posts, stay tuned 😉

In the mean time, classes at Flex require booking so email info@flexhk.com or register for online booking at www.flexhk.com

Pole Dance Airwalk Challenge

You must have heard Jenyne Butterfly somewhere, somehow by now.

The former US Pole Champion & Cirque artist who made this airwalk popular in the world of movers.

It has been 2 years since I last attempted with 1 year taken off pole training, so this is me being decently pleased that I did not fall on my face.

Location: Reebok CrossFit Asphodel, Hong Kong

It’s Only the Beginning

This post is dedicated to my youngest brother, who had just moved back to Tennessee, back home to Mother who is probably ECSTATIC to have her baby back after almost 10 years of living apart. I hardly post anything personal on this blog but Adam has been a part of my professional journey as much as he has been the little brother I can boss around….until he wised up 😛 Now I could EASILY be soppy about this post … (I also wonder how I will ever handle kids if experiencing this baby-grows-up-and-moving-on thing with baby brother is already so hard) BUT I shall share instead, the few significant moments of growth.

Adam Tan’s Signature Pole & Hip Hop

The things I put my boys up to - Penang Marathon — The things I put my boys up to – Penang Marathon

Performing together at a Halloween Recital

Taking care of the boys for a show - Genting — Taking care of the boys for a show – Genting

Tried feeding him veggies as a kid, still the story of my life - Green Smoothies — Tried feeding him veggies as a kid, still the story of my life – Green Smoothies

One of our early performances together, telling stories of Shakespeare

So used to assist me in coaching, he could easily be a coach himself now

Dancing really does bring people together - at United We Boogie Singapore — Dancing really does bring people together – at United We Boogie Singapore

Had access to clubs since the boys were 15......sssssshhhhhhhh — Had access to clubs since the boys were 15……sssssshhhhhhhh

One of his early opportunities as Choreographer, thanks to Shan - at Short & Sweet Festival Dance — One of his early opportunities as Choreographer, thanks to Shan – at Short & Sweet Festival Dance

He....MIGHT...had mentioned he wanted LOTS of kids.... — He….MIGHT…had mentioned he wanted LOTS of kids….

From dance to pole to being involved with Viva Circus Collision Arts Asia

First trip in Japan together, him being my rock at this trip

Probably the most harmonious brothers anyone can get to know

A family affair for my TV show, Adam officially had his first TV stunt as a TV show talent

It pretty much started with the four of us....and LOTS of heavy equipment....and a Kangoo — It pretty much started with the four of us….and LOTS of heavy equipment….and a Kangoo

Always encouraged me to dance for myself and no one else

A boy becomes a man when he recognizes strong women in his family

They also don't think I am crazy doing what I am doing — They also don’t think I am crazy doing what I am doing

It's always easy hanging — It’s always easy hanging

Before embarking on my Hong Kong journey

The Three Tans in Dance Magazine Malaysia

Humble Champion after winning Malaysia Pole Championship

Birthdays are truly meant for your family and friends to embarrass you

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM TAN!

It’s only the beginning for you now. Take over USA!

Remembering the Burn

Anyone who has ever trained pole before would know what I am referring to.

That whiplash memory of the inner thighs sparkling with electrifying pinches of burning sensation…

It has been WELL OVER a year and a half (might be even two…SHAME) since I have done any pole training for myself. Most people don’t get it though, since they think I train when I teach.

“Don’t you workout when you teach?”

– The answer is NO, leading and training require two different type of mental prep. Simple as that.

So here it is, my end to a ridiculous procrastination of training myself by putting myself out there.

Finding myself again through pole doesn’t come easy, it had been a long time of passion battling confidence, especially since a lower back injury has been haunting me for over a year now.

Oddly enough, I feel less obligated to make pole very fitness focused in Hong Kong compared to Malaysia and I’m quite pleased to explore and express moves sensually.

…perhaps not THAT odd…this IS Hong Kong…

Vlog Returns

Team ShootOut 2014 Hong Kong

EPICALLY MOTIVATED #teamshootout2014

CrossFit CSTL "Coastal Fitness Hong Kong" — CrossFit CSTL “Coastal Fitness Hong Kong”

More to come…

Making the Call: CrossFit

Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Pole Dance, Pole Acrobatics, Aerial Silk, Aerial Hoop, Trapeze, Aerial Rope, Muay Thai, MMA, Boxing, Flying Pilates, TRX Training, CrossFit, Teaching, Learning, Training, Performing, Presenting, Filming, Editing, Managing…is there such thing as doing too much? (and how did Holiday-ing escape from that list???)

Despite several breakdowns in 12 years of multi-tasking multiple roles, I still believe we have the capacity to enjoy doing all that we want.

The real question is – is there such thing as COMMITTING too much.

The lessons I have learned in the past few years can contribute to that “YES” I am going to answer with. At some point in those chaotic experiences you start questioning your own sanity and wonder if you’re a sadist to your soul – yup, THOSE experiences.

Lesson learned – it is only wise for this Panda to keep my plate simple, fuel efficient, and refreshed for my next plate of adventure.

I made the decision to enroll myself in the CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course this weekend, hosted by CrossFit CSTL, knowing very well that preparation and follow through pre/post course must not be taken lightly….which means I won’t have time to do EVERYTHING I want to do.

Something’s Gotta Give…

*if you are subconsciously obsessed about experiencing living through movement, you’ll know how this feels

Anyway, you’ll hear more of CrossFit here (can’t say I didn’t warn ya!)

Post Detox Week

First day after the 7 Day Detox should have been like Thanksgiving.

Instead I celebrated the first meal post detox with a McDonald’s brewed coffee and Salmon with veggies at 8am on a Sunday morning *fist pump*

Adrenaline kicked in as the usual pre-course psych up as I prepared to power through a 9 hour day at Optimum Performance Studio in Central, Hong Kong. The biggest group for a TRX GSTC so far, participants showed up bright and early with some feeling nervous about never using a TRX before in group setting.

trx gstc emily tan hong kong — Photo Courtesy of Optimum Performance Studio

trx training hong kong — Photo courtesy of Optimum Performance Studio

emily tan trainer hong kong — Photo courtesy of Optimum Performance Studio

This is probably the only group I’ve taught so far with so many Pilates trained instructors attending too (Note to self – practice the TRX Sit Up MORE). OPS team members Wayne, Phoebe and Kevin were absolutely rock stars having provided fantastic support throughout the day, coming in on their days off too! Gotta love the passion people have in the TRX Hong Kong community! I had an amazing day with the new people I met, pretty much made up for the week of detox 🙂

For TRX training kits, gear and TRX courses in Hong Kong China, click www.trx-hk.com !

emily tan trx trainer hong kong — Photo courtesy of Optimum Performance Studio

Monday and Tuesday were planned out as cautious as possible, still keeping to veggies as much as I can. Learning that I might not tolerate eggs the same way I had before the detox though was a bit of a let down…bye bye Sunday brunch Eggs Benedict *sob… hello brunch pancakes? I’ll only know for sure when I do another week of this cautious feeding and get to know my gut better.

Energy levels on Monday and Tuesday were completely out of whack. I don’t blame it 100% on the meatless week though it definitely had some effect.

Despite not having a good night sleep last night, I felt SO much better on the fourth day today. Stuck to fish again today and going to try some chicken feeding tomorrow! Held off meat until the fifth day, eh, not bad 🙂

Looking ahead, I am PSYCHED (and scared) (and nervous) about the CrossFit Level 1 Certification Course happening at Coastal Fitness Hong Kong this weekend!

Day 7 of Metabolic Detox

“BE SENSIBLE”

I was in such a dilemma on whether or not I should have gone for a Saturday morning WOD, knowing I would have to teach a class right after in the morning and prepare for a full day of course teaching the next. Ed from Coastal Fitness reminded me of a key point in this detox – STRESS REDUCTION. Sure I would have been OK during the workout, during the WOD and ride off my adrenaline the next day but I know I would’ve been toast by Sunday evening and screw myself possibly for Monday’s work and WOD.

So sensible I opted to be and took day 7 off. The only physical activity done for the day was teaching a TRX Circuit class at Flex and grocery shopping.

Since I had more time to myself on day 7, I was roaming Instagram more though after 5 photos of people’s deliciousyummyscrumptioustastywhymusttheylooksogood food, I gave up…

Rule of thumb – if you’re gonna be on this detox, STAY AWAY from Instagram -_-

Question of the day was how am I going to celebrate my first meal off detox and perhaps it was a good thing my course was scheduled on Day 8 because I might have had lots of crazy visuals of pancakes dancing in chocolate rain on creamy gelato with a band of fried chicken drumsticks. Going through a week of this and just to throw it away for seconds of weakness? NOT HAPPENING! So sensible Emily let professionalism take over and planned to avoid a chance of food coma while teaching an eight hour course.

So it turns out I was just looking forward to having garlic in my veggies and the texture of salmon on day 8, more than anything else.

Simplicity

…and coffee

Day 6 of Metabolic Detox

This is it…

…this is where I know that seductive white light of TASTE is getting close and it is only a matter of days (or hours) before the willpower starves and dies

I DREAMT OF TERIYAKI CHICKEN AND SALMON DON

WTF?

I have NEVER in my life remember dreaming of food, EVER.

Needless to say that my first two veggie meals were pretty difficult to get in, more like chasing spinach with ice cold water! Energy level pretty much revolved around physical activities for the day. If I wasn’t moving much at Flex or at CFPC, I was pretty tired and sleepy.

All I wanted to do was be like Daisy.

Being the one who usually charges up and down the escalators in Hong Kong, I succumbed to waiting in that tuna pack of a line just to be on the standing side of the escalators *shame*

Now when I DO feel pumped during the CFPC’s workouts, it feels PHENOMENAL 😀 Sure there are moments when I thought the coaches were being over ambitious with my ability (still feel that way) and I would just bomb it, like when Brats threw on 90kg for my last set of deadlifts and gave me a you’re-gonna-do-it look…

I felt like this…

3 rep max

BOOM

Git’er Done

A great week it has been at Coastal Fitness 🙂

Let your body surprise your mind!

Day 5 of Metabolic Detox

HUNGRY

SORE

Missing Princess Mononoke

No training on Day 5, so skipped my last meal since the hunger pangs wore off at the end of the day but as Ed reminded, no skipping the 4 meals on training days!

Now…

TGIF!!!

Probably my favorite dancer/choreographer in Hong Kong – Rock Fang from Studiodanz

Work hard, PLAY HARD!