SINGAPORE (Nov 5): In the first half of the 20th century, a German named Joseph Pilates developed an exercise regime to strengthen the mind and body. He called it contrology, as it centred on controlled movements, but the regime is better known today as Pilates.
Acupuncture is a far older practice, believed to have originated around 100 BC in China. It is most often used for pain relief, but is also a popular form of therapy for various physical ailments.
SINGAPORE (Nov 5): It isnot uncommon to chance upon giant billboards, TV and radio commercials and sponsored events with hair treatment clinics promising a lustrous head of hair, with their “fastest results guaranteed” and “multiple award-winning” treatments.
SINGAPORE (Oct 19): Longevity is seen as an enormous business opportunity, especially in rapidly ageing economies countries such as Singapore, where people aged 65 and above are the fastest-growing demographic segment.
Kanwaljit Soin, a former nominated member of parliament and founding president of non-profit centre Women’s Initiative for Ageing Successfully, believes this presents an opportunity that is “as momentous as climate change”.
SINGAPORE (Oct 19): For many Singaporeans, longevity can be scary without adequate finances or good health.
A recent study commissioned by Prudential and conducted by The Economist Intelligence Unit suggests that there is anxiety on the prospect of living up to 100. Some 55% of more than 1,200 respondents said they were not ready to live to 100, from a health or financial standpoint.
SINGAPORE (Sept 25): Singapore has risen 30 places over the last quarter-century to rank 13th among its global peers investing in education and healthcare in 2016, improving majorly from its 1990 ranking of 43rd.
This is according to the first internationally-comparable index of human capital by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, which offers a measure of expected human capital incorporating educational attainment, education quality/learning, functional health status, and survival for 195 countries from 1990-2016.
SINGAPORE (Sept 17): The next time you walk down the grocery aisle, be sure to think twice before you reach out for products simply because they are labelled “fat free”, “high protein” or even “organic”.
SINGAPORE (Sept 17): Charlie Temple and Max Johnson, the Hong Kong-based owners of newly minted fitness brand Platinum Fitness are not daunted by the staggering number of gyms in Singapore. From ActiveSG gyms in the heartlands to mega chains such as Fitness First to boutique yoga studios, there are no less than 320 gyms and health clubs in the city state. That is almost on par with the tally in Hong Kong and just under half the number in Malaysia, says market data firm Statista.
SINGAPORE (Sept 10): The floating board onto which I’m gingerly creeping suddenly lurches away from the side of the pool, and I slide helplessly into the chilly water. After several seconds of flailing about, I manage to clamber back on, only to realise that I’m facing the wrong way. Several more seconds go by as I struggle to turn myself around without falling into the water again. Then, I’m finally ready for my first ever yoga experience — with a twist.
If you are unable to touch your toes or cross your legs, you’re in dire need of rehabilitation, according to professional fitness coaches Twain Teo and Tan Chee Chong.
The two not only founded Singapore Powerlifting Alliance (SPA) in 2014 with an aim to encourage and facilitate the growth of the local powerlifting community, but also co-own and run Elevate Gym – a training, nutrition and rehabilitation facility located along Upper Thomson Road. Its branch outlet, Elevate 360, launched last year at Serangoon Gardens in September 2017.
SINGAPORE (Nov 15): The majority of Singapore’s workforce is less than satisfied with their workplace benefits, contrary to what employers might think.
This is according to advisory and broking firm Willis Towers Watson, who says that 63% of local employers believe their staff highly value their benefits packages – while in reality, only 45% of employees would agree.
Findings from the 2017 Willis Towers Watson Asia Pacific Benefit Trends Survey reveal what the firm calls a “serious disconnect” on the perceived value of these packages.
