Moving to a new country can be a life-changing experience. It involves not only adapting to a different place but also redefining our sense of self. Along the way, we may face challenges such as culture shock, family conflicts, financial difficulties, and other stresses. These can affect our well-being, causing various aches and pains.
Ancient wisdom for holistic health
Mastering the art of maintaining balance and happiness in a new environment is essential. Both yoga and traditional Chinese medicine are ancient wisdom from the East. They focus on holistic health, emphasizing the close connection between body, mind, and energy. Achieving harmony among these three aspects ensures genuine health. Through yoga stretches, meditation, and breathing, we can release physical tension, calm mental fluctuations, and regulate energy flow. Coupled with TCM natural remedies, such as acupressure and dietary adjustments, we can further enhance our body's self-healing capabilities.
According to a 2016 survey by The Education University of Hong Kong, nearly 35% of Hong Kong residents suffer from chronic pain. To allow more people to understand and experience the power of both yoga and TCM, Harbour Sports Club recently hosted an event "Chinese Medicine Seminar x Yoga Stretching". We invited Dr Ka Yeung LAI, a Chinese medicine practitioner, to share how to use natural therapy and acupressure to deal with common pain, and we also invited Bronte MOK, a professional yoga instructor, to teach participants some yoga techniques and share tips to help them relax their body and mind and boost their confidence.
Enhance Well-being with Yoga & Traditional Chinese medicine
Dr Lai highlighted that pain, in TCM, falls under the category of "Bi Syndrome." Its causes include external (climate factors), internal (diet, emotions, etc factors), and neither purely internal nor external factors (trauma, strain, etc factors). Given the cold and rainy winters in the UK, it's easy for the body to be invaded by "Cold" and "Damp" pathogenic factors. Although locals may shy away from using umbrellas, he recommends that Hong Kong people use them or at least wear windproof and waterproof jackets. He also advised to consume less cold foods, like ice cream, to prevent the accumulation of "Coldness" and "Dampness" in the body, which may trigger pain. During the seminar, Dr Lai also introduced acupressure techniques for pain relief, which participants found highly beneficial. Register as a free member to watch the seminar replay.
In our new lives, we need stability and rejuvenation, and yoga offers an effective means. Harbour Sports Club plans to conduct more yoga classes in London and Reading, supporting the Hong Kong community. Our yoga courses are suitable for participants of all levels, and we'll be offering community runs, health talks, and sports days in the near future. Join our family and stay updated on our Facebook and Instagram to maintain your well-being in this new environment. Namaste…
Speakers:
Dr Ka Yeung LAI
Lai is a registered Chinese medicine practitioner in Hong Kong and currently practices in London. He graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University with a Bachelor of Chinese Medicine and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science. He has worked at Pok Oi Hospital - The Chinese University of Hong Kong Clinical Centre for Teaching and Research in Chinese Medicine (Yuen Long). Dr Lai is a caring and patient practitioner who is willing to carefully understand the symptoms and lifestyle habits of each patient. He hopes to utilise his expertise in serving the Hong Kong community even while in the UK.
Bronte MOK
Bronte is an RYT200 Yoga Alliance certified Hatha Yoga and Singing Bowl Therapy instructor who has dedicated the past nine years to the practice and study of yoga. She hopes to enhance her students' physical, mental and spiritual well-being through yoga and singing bowl therapy, guiding them towards a balanced, healthy, healing, and mindful lifestyle. Bronte's teachings are rooted in traditional Hatha Yoga, focusing on proper alignment, breathing techniques, and meditation.
* The views and opinions expressed by the speakers and guests are their own and do not represent the position of Harbour Sports Club.
從傳統智慧出發：瑜伽與中醫共促生活品質
移民是一個人生的轉折點，不僅要適應新的居住環境，還要面對自我身份的調整。在陌生的國度，我們可能會遇到文化衝突、家庭問題、財務困難等壓力，這些都會影響我們的身心健康，甚至產生各種痛症和不適。
身心平衡之道
如何在新的環境中保持平衡和快樂，是我們需要學習的一門藝術。瑜伽和傳統中醫都是源自東方的古老智慧，它們從根本上關注人的整體健康，認為身體、心靈和能量之間有著密切的聯繫，只有當這三者達到和諧，才能真正地健康。通過瑜伽的伸展、冥想和呼吸，我們可以釋放身體的緊張，平靜心靈的波動，調節能量的流動。配合中醫的自然療法，如穴位按摩、飲食調理等，我們可以進一步促進身體的自愈能力。
根據香港教育大學於2016年的調查，發現近三成半港人長期有痛症困擾。為了讓更多人認識與體驗瑜伽及中醫這兩種傳統力量，Harbour Sports Club 最近舉辦了「中醫痛症講座 x 瑜伽伸展」活動，邀請了黎家揚中醫師講解如何用自然療法及穴位按摩處理常見的痛症，並找來專業瑜伽導師 Bronte Mok 教授參加者一些瑜伽動作和技巧，幫助我們放鬆身心，增強自信。
穴位按摩舒緩痛症
黎醫師指出，痛症對於中醫來說是「痹證」範疇，病因主要有外因（氣候因素）、內因（飲食、情志等因素）及不內外因（外傷、勞損等因素）等三大方面。由於英國冬天比較寒冷及多雨，很容易有寒、濕邪氣入侵我們身體，雖然本地人不太喜歡用雨傘，但建議港人不要怕醜，下雨時還是用雨傘比較好，最少也要穿上可擋風擋雨的外套。飲食方面也要注意一下，如雪糕等生冷食物要適可而止，不要食太多，否則會令寒濕之邪在體內積聚，容易誘發身體痛症。講座上，黎醫師還介紹了針對痛症的穴位按摩，參加者都表示受益匪淺，對自己的身心狀況有了更深入的了解。登記成為免費會員足本重溫。
在新生活中，我們需要有一種穩定和恢復的力量，而瑜伽就是一種有效的方法。Harbour Sports Club 計劃在倫敦和雷丁舉辦更多的瑜伽課程，致力支持港人社群。我們的瑜伽課程適合各種程度的學員，未來還有社區跑、健康講座及運動日等活動，歡迎您加入我們的大家庭。同時也請關注我們 Facebook 及 Instagram，一起在這個新的環境保持身心健康。
講者：
黎家揚中醫師
黎家揚醫師是香港註冊中醫師，現於倫敦執業。他畢業於香港浸會大學，擁有中醫學學士及生物醫學理學士(榮譽)學位，曾於博愛醫院－香港中文大學中醫臨床教研中心（元朗）工作。黎醫師診症時會詳細了解每位病人生活習慣，從此查找出的症狀的根源。
Bronte MOK
Bronte 是 RYT200 瑜伽聯盟認證的哈達瑜伽和頌缽療法老師，過去9年專注於瑜伽練習及研究，希望透過瑜伽和頌缽療法改善學員的身心靈建康，讓大家走向平衡、健康、療癒及正念的生活。Bronte 的教學植根於傳統的哈達瑜伽基礎上，著重式子的運用、呼吸技巧和冥想。
* 講者及嘉賓的言論純屬個人意見，並不代表本會立場。
文：i.c.
Harbour Sports Club recently organized two community runs in Ealing and Reading, with the aim of giving new Hong Kong immigrants a chance to explore their new surroundings, learn about the local culture and history, and make new friends. The runs were led by running guides who shared interesting facts and stories along the way.
為幫助新移英港人融入生活、結識新朋友，Harbour Sports Club 早前在倫敦伊靈和雷丁舉辦了兩場社區跑活動。參加者在領跑員的帶領下，一邊跑步一邊聽故事，了解社區的風土人情和歷史文化。
* The above activities were being supported through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities regional VCSE grant for the Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme. The responsibility and ownership for any products or materials developed through the project for the event belong to Harbour Sports Club.