While we have chronicled the benefits of yoga (The physical harmony! The mental peace! The calm it brings!) quite extensively, we’re still a little unconvinced. However, to convince us to adopt adho mukha svanasana or baksana, here we have Julien Bera (the country director of Virgin Active) to tell us what yoga can really do for you. As it turns out, you’re going to want to do the SkyPark Yoga by Virgin Active at Marina Bay Sands programme.
Even if you’re just going to shavasana for the entirety of it, it’s still an experience.
—
Hi Julian, for the non-believers, what does yoga really do for you?
We at Virgin Active love our yoga. It offers a nice mental break, allowing us to be more mindful of our actions and our breath even if it’s for 45 mins every day.
At the same time, it offers a real workout so much that you can be perspiring through it, while still being low-impact enough that anyone who wants to ease into exercise can easily pick this up.
—
View this post on Instagram
Is there a specific reason why the yoga sessions for SkyPark Yoga are timed at sunrise and sunset? That takes real dedication.
We want SkyPark Yoga by Virgin Active at Marina Bay Sands to be a nice start and end to a person’s day. The idea is to allow attendees the space to either energise or reflect and wind down, whatever suits their mood. The view’s also amazing to complete the whole experience.
Additionally, there are practical considerations to this. The SkyPark at any other times of the day is too hot and too intense for exercise!
—
How did the collaboration come about with Sands Skypark then? Besides the fact that the view is pretty damn sweet.
Virgin Active has an initiative globally — to enable fitness enthusiasts to work out at some of the world’s most iconic locations. It all started in Sydney where members and the public were treated to yoga experiences against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House.
The Virgin Active DNA has always been to push boundaries and provide new health and wellness experiences. We also wanted to showcase our belief to “Live Happily Ever Active”. This is regardless of whether one is in our club, at home or in a park streaming our live and on-demand workouts, or on the top of Marina Bay Sands getting into Savasana.
—
How are the sessions different from that of other studios?
Other studios have their own offerings but I think ours is the most unique. You are outdoors, close to the heavens, 57 stories in the air and enjoying the thoroughly immersive yoga class lead by experienced yoga teachers while looking out over the Singapore skyline.
—
View this post on Instagram
Has there been any interesting feedback so far on the SkyPark Yoga sessions?
Everyone who has attended has really loved it. Our first few sessions were fully booked from the moment of launch.
—
Come to think of it, do you personally do yoga?
I was more focusing on high intensity in the past to fuel my fitness as I play competitive tennis. However, I started Yoga during the Circuit Breaker in 2020 as it was the easiest workout to do from home. It really helped me ease my stress level at this time.
Since then, I am having occasional practice for greater flexibility and relaxation.
—
View this post on Instagram
Could this be the start of something new — like Virgin Active yoga sessions in the most scenic spots in Singapore?
Why not? And it wouldn’t just be for yoga as well, so definitely watch this space!
—
Lastly, out of curiosity, what is the #1 song on your Spotify this year so far?
“You’re Not Real You’re Just a Ghost” from Sophia Bel.
Once you’re done with this story about the benefits of SkyPark Yoga, click here to catch up with our August 2021 issue.
RELATED ARTICLES
The AI-fication Of Facial Treatments
Fashion Is Yearning for More
