ON HEALTH AND FITNESS: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH THROUGH WOMANHOOD

From mastering various fitness and yoga disciplines, becoming a certified personal trainer to leading Hatha and Vinyasa yoga classes at COMO Shambhala, Roxanne Gan advocates a sustainable approach to achieving health and fitness goals. Meet our yoga programme manager and yoga teacher as she shares her fitness journey through the years.

On the first encounter with fitness and yoga

I have always been active since I was a kid. My dad took me for swimming lessons. I was in track and field in primary school before playing field hockey for six years. When I graduated from junior college, I stopped exercising because I did not know what else I could do. 

It was only later in university I started basic yoga classes. I remember how great it felt to be physically present in a yoga class. It helped me cope with anxiety and stress. Slowly, it became a routine because I felt a huge change in my emotional health. 

At a point in time, I enjoyed hot yoga classes but as my lifestyle changed, I preferred slower-paced yoga classes like Hatha and Yin. I feel grounded and calm after practice and till today, they remain my favourite classes to practise and teach.

On incorporating yoga into women’s wellness routine 

In addition to gym workouts, runs and sports, yoga is a complementary addition to women’s wellness. Yoga can help prevent injuries, create a sustainable active lifestyle and impact longevity. 

It helps strengthen the core, and stretch muscles and connective tissues to promote post-workout recovery. Practising breathing techniques is great for calming our minds and bodies, de-stressing and sleeping better. We know that better sleep makes a huge difference to our mental health.

On sustaining health and fitness through different seasons of life 

For me personally, it is much easier to just jump into a group class because there is more motivation to keep me going. Sometimes I do not know where to start too so getting proper guidance is always important. When I find something that works for me, I commit to a routine and it naturally becomes a habit for me to get my exercise done.

On the discovery of teaching yoga 

When I was in university, I had no interest in what I was studying (business and finance) and in short, had no interest in a corporate job. After picking up yoga and visualising myself as a yoga teacher, I knew this was the path I wanted to take. 

In a Hatha class, I feel in tune and connected with my breath and body. I love long holds when it comes to stretching, especially now that I am a mother, I need it more than before. While in a Vinaysa class, yoga feels more like a moving meditation, synchronising movements with pranayama which means deep conscious breathing. The fun part is creating sequences that eventually lead to a peak pose for my students. 

On memorable experiences with students

Seeing breakthroughs in their practice and how yoga has helped them cope with life’s challenges is a rewarding experience for me. I also love seeing students practise throughout their pregnancy till birth, then working with them on their postpartum journey. It feels great knowing I have been there for them throughout their entire motherhood journey. 

Since becoming a mother and being certified as a pre and postnatal yoga instructor, I have developed a passion to guide new practitioners to kickstart yoga for a healthy pregnancy, and welcome regular practitioners on the mat with no judgement.

On tips for participants to explore Hatha and Vinyasa classes

My classes focus on body alignment and the use of props to support their practice. Classes are usually themed, such as hip openers, hamstrings and backbends. Each week we focus on working different parts of the body. If you are a beginner, there will be personal modifications to make yoga more accessible for your practice.

My students share that they always feel great after a class. They learn and experience new things about their own bodies. They leave feeling strong, energised, yet also relaxed at the same time. I guess this is the beauty of yoga – it is accessible at any season of life.

“On Wellness” is a regular series featuring our renowned team of practitioners. At COMO Shambhala, our focus on holistic wellness blends contemporary science with ancient healing. Book a yoga class with Roxanne Gan and make transformational shifts today.