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HEALTH&FITNESS
February15
Everything you need to feel good
WHAT’S NEW
New Workout
Pilat s, physiotherapy and rehabilitation studio, Breathe
Pilates, has introduced
ZEN.GA
to its range of classes,
giving clients a new method for sculpting both the body
and the mind. ZEN.GA, which combines elements of
yoga flow movements, tai chi and Pilates, uses strategic
breathing techniques, movements and props on the
reformer machine to challenge the body from within
and create a self-healing effect that improves the fascia
(the connective muscle tissue that holds muscles, blood
vessels and nerves together). Other advertised benefits
include calming effects, relief of muscular tension and
improved posture. One-on-one sessions start at $130,
while group classes start at $55 per person. For more
information on ZEN.GA, and Breathe’s new East Coast
location, visit
breathepilates.com.sg.
20-MINUTE
BODY COMBAT
If you’re looking to shed those extra
kilos gained over Christmas, but you
don’t have much time to spare,
Bodytec
Studio
might be a solution. Bodytec
provides personal training using
revolutionary German EMS (electro
muscular stimulation) machines that deliver electrical
impulse currents to specific muscle groups – and problem
areas like arms, back, butt and thighs – through specially
designed workout attire. The simple 20-minute workout is
said to be as effective as three 90-minute sweat sessions in
the gym, with benefits including weight loss, toning without
bulking up, and body-contouring effects. There are three
Bodytec locations, at The Grandstand, Stanley Street and
Siglap, where you can give this training system a go.
During the month of February, Bodytec is giving free
trials to the first 30
Expat Living
readers who email info@
bodytec.com.sg (don’t forget to include your contact number
and studio of choice). Also, you can sign up for a package
this month and get 15 percent off by quoting “Expat Living
February Promo”. For more details, visit
bodytec.com.sg
.
DID YOU KNOW
You don’t have to be a novice swimmer to experience a
shallow water blackout
(SWB) – a loss of consciousness
in the water due to a lack of oxygen to the brain caused
by competitive or continuous breath-holding, or by taking
several deep breaths or hyperventilating just before diving
underwater.
SWB can happen to anyone, regardless of age or
swimming ability; in fact, blackouts most commonly affect
physically fit swimmers, who don’t necessarily experience an
urgent need to breathe, no matter the depth of water they’re
in. This lack of oxygen makes the swimmer pass out, causing
death to occur much faster than the usual form of drowning.
So how does the body get tricked into thinking it
has enough oxygen? Here’s what the UK’s Shallow
Water Blackout organisation says on the matter: “If we
hyperventilate, or possibly if we breath-hold after prolonged
vigorous exercise, our oxygen levels can go critically low
whilst our carbon dioxide level isn’t high enough to make us
uncomfortable. By doing these things – breath-holding and
hyperventilation – we are going outside the body’s ‘design
limits’, which is hazardous. It is worth remembering that
hyperventilating won’t actually get any more oxygen into your
body – it just gets rid of carbon dioxide.”
TIPS FOR PREVENTING SWB
• Never hyperventilate before going underwater.
• Never ignore the urge to breathe.
• Never swim alone – supervision is key, no matter your
age or how physically fit you are. It’s important that
someone else is there in case of an emergency.
• Never play breath-holding games – this is especially
important to teach kids, who often try to play these types
of games in the pool.