Wellness Coach Viv Kan on Self-Care And What It Means To Be Well
Hong Kong-based wellness coach and yoga instructor Viv Kan unveils her secrets to staying well.
Hong Kong-based wellness coach and yoga instructor Viv Kan unveils her secrets to staying well.
Despite a new normal of working from home and unpredictable closure of studios, the demand for wellness services has only gone up since the pandemic. More people are beginning to pay attention to self-care at home and adding a bit of wellness into their daily routines.
Self-care is a rather new concept to people living in the sleepless city of Hong Kong. Afterall, high stress, little sleep sounds more like a lifestyle than a problem here. It’s not until recently that corporates realised the importance of investing in employee’s well-being. On a mission to help worn-out individuals to feel, sleep and look better inside and outside the office, Hong Kong-based wellness coach and yoga instructor Viv Kan unveils her secrets to staying well.
Have you always wanted to have your own business?
Yes and no. Being in a corporate environment always felt very comfortable and safe. You know you’ll always get a paycheque, health benefits, a bonus, and pension. I didn’t think about having my own business until I became extremely exhausted and started burning-out, when I took some time to envision what my future ideal lifestyle would look like. The key question I asked myself was: Is it sustainable for my wellbeing if I continue to do what I’m doing? And there was a clear answer.
What defines a modern woman in 2021 to you?
A modern woman in 2021 is someone who is self-sufficient, who is clear about what they want, and knows their value. They work efficiently but also take the time to slow down and appreciate everything they have. They connect with like-minded individuals and lift up the people around them. They focus on conquering challenges yet know when to take the time to practice self-care. Most of all, they are mindfully present at all times.
What’s one accessory every woman must have?
An accessory every woman must have is self-respect. A lot of women are empaths and we give a lot of our emotions and energy to others. But it’s equally important to maintain a level of self-respect for our own mental and emotional needs, energy, and values.
What does your self-care routine look like?
8-9 hours of sleep
Warm lemon water & green juice
Time to rest the mind
Mindful movement
Lifting weights
Plant protein & whole foods (and an indulgent piece / slab of dark chocolate)
A good massage
Rosewater toner
At this moment, what does being ‘well’ mean to you?
Being ‘well’ to me means consistently carving out the time to take care of your mental, emotional, physical, spiritual well-being. By doing that, we learn to stay fully present with what we are doing. Especially my friends who are moms, they’re physically and mentally exhausted. It’s difficult for someone who is 24/7 switched-on to be present in conversations, work, with friends, clients, and their own family. Even if you’re physically here, your mind is constantly somewhere else and you miss all the precious moments passing by. So, learn to carve out time to switch off to stay well.
What’s your favourite female-owned brand(s) at the moment?
I have a lot of respect for the two studios I work at, which are both co-founded by females. I see how much work it is to operate studios and sustain a premium brand, especially during a pandemic! Heather Thomas Shalabi from Flex Studio and Brenda Wang from Bird Meditation are both talented individuals with so much drive and passion for what they do. I also need to give a HUGE shout out to Sara Borelli of Dip Collective and Miya Dunets, both incredible female-run brands, for connecting me to these studios.
Who’s your Chika?
There’s honestly too many to name! My girlfriends whom I’ve met between grade 2 to university, my old co-workers whom I’m still in touch with, and the boss babes I’ve met after moving to HK 2.5 years ago—these are ALL my Chikas. Sometimes I wonder: how lucky am I with so many incredibly powerful and influential women in my life?
Viv Kan can be found teaching at Bird Meditation, Flex Studio and Soho House Hong Kong. Follow her @vivkanwellness.
