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Stretch City

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 07 Oct 2013   Posted by Cheryl Tay


If you have a keen interest in yoga, you can now take it further with the help of Stretch City. Stretch City is a yoga-inspired website that has an online directory of yoga studios, shops, organic restaurants, events, and promotions related to wellness and eco-living in Singapore.

The brain behind Stretch City is international model and artiste Liv Lo, who came up with this idea to have one place online for the yoga community to gather. Together with yoga instructor Yun Ng, they listed 59 restaurants, 45 shops, 57 studios (and counting).

Easyoga2013-9 copy (600x399)

Stretch City will also organise yoga events and retreats monthly, with special pop-up concepts will be held all over the city exclusively for its members. The aim for Stretch City is to make it the preferred yoga portal where members will be the first to receive exciting details on all upcoming events and promotions through its mailing list.

Here’s an interview with Liv Lo, to find out more about her personal yoga journey and the motivation behind Stretch City:

Q: When did you first get the idea to set up Stretch City?
A: When I moved to Singapore last August and took my yoga teacher training, I learned that yoga encompasses more than just the physical exercise. Yoga includes the way we eat, what we buy, and how we treat our self and others. I discovered that yoga is a healthy lifestyle that everyone can enjoy.

Stretch City is of a yogi traveling through a city and mapping out the journey online. She shares the places she loves, what she buys, and writes about who she meets. You can say that Stretchcity.com is a health map of the city or a yoga-based wellness guide with a yogic voice.

Q: How long did it take to set up Stretch City from the point where you first got the idea to the launch of the portal?
A: It took about six months to start. It started as an idea, but after wire framing my mind map I realised that I had to create a team to make this work. I sourced and found a wonderful team of designers, programmers, and partners to work with. I really knew that the site would work when the blueprint attracted large health industry players to contribute to our site. We have monthly interviews with persons of interest such as Denise Keller, Emmanuel Stroobant and partnerships with some of the biggest yoga institutions like Hom Yoga, Updog Studio, The Living Café, Canvass, Touch the Toes and more. Our aim is to join the community and create a voice or forum on the best and healthiest location in Singapore.

Q: What are your goals for Stretch City? How far and where do you want to take it to?
A: Wow, this is a big question. My goals for Stretch City are to provide great content for our community of members, affectionately called Stretchies, of regular SC events and sales. Our promotions section offers yoga apparel sales, restaurant and class pack discounts while our events section gives Stretchies opportunities to meet, eat, and practice yoga together.

Easyoga2013-7 copy (600x399)

Q: When did you first discover yoga? 
A: I first discovered Yoga in Taipei, Taiwan in 2005. I was 20 at the time and had been interested in it for awhile; however, it wasn’t until a friend dragged me to a 7:00 am class at John’s Yoga Living in Taipei city that I started on my eight-year long journey.

Q: What was it about yoga that kept you practising?
A: It is no doubt that yoga is tough even for a long time practitioner like myself. Yoga is always different every time I practice. Different times of the day, different temperature, different teacher…it’s never the same. Even finding time to get on the mat can be tough. But, when you do, you get time to zone out. A blissful 60 minutes all to yourself with no phone or cares. It’s just you, your breath, and sweat. Unification of your mind, body, and breath. That is what I love about yoga.

Q: Why did you decide to get a certification in teaching? 
A: I decided to get certified during my move from Tokyo to Singapore in August 2012. It was during this transitional period that I took 30 days to complete this 200-hour Hot Yoga teaching programme. It was definitely grueling as we practised two sets of 90-minute Bikram-based yoga classes per day for 30 days.

I am so happy I got this certified back then as my current filming schedule for Point of Entry Season 4 requires me to be on call everyday for three months. Now as an actress, host, entrepreneur and model, I do not have the luxury of having a set schedule. Stretch City is my creation and the way I teach about yoga and it’s benefits to a wider audience.

Q: How often do you practise yoga?
A: I practice as often as possible. Usually twice a week or more at Pure Yoga or at home. If it is at Pure I will take a 60-90 minute class. If it is at home I will mix yoga in with a 40-minute cardio regime.

Q: What types of yoga do you like best?
A: My favorite has to be, both hot or cold, Hatha or Hatha-Vinyasa. Knowing that there are different styles of yoga that people like. I developed a ‘filter’ function for people to find which studios offer the style of yoga they like. We also list upcoming trainings and workshops all with early-bird discounts. The events section holds various yogic activities such as juice cleanses, raw food classes, retreats, and more!

PureYoga-2 (600x600)

Q: Tell us more about the health benefits of yoga.
A: I could go on for days about the health benefits. I am not a doctor, expert, or coach, so I can only speak from my personal experience. The health benefits are innumerable and immeasurable as yoga benefits the mind, body, and soul. We are so busy everyday thinking about what we need to do that we forget about the basic elements of life like breath. Listening and following your breath during your practice calms the mind and syncs us with our energy. We are constantly bombarded by outside elements that are harmful to our body. The physical practice of yoga realigns, strengthens, and keeps our systems healthy. Nurturing the mind and the body keeps the soul happy and at peace.

Q: How does yoga fit into your fitness regime? 
A: Yoga complements any other regime. I do simple stretches, twists, and handstands against the wall to complete my cardio workout. I am a very active person (even on holiday) and love to swim, bicycle, motorcycle, jog, hike, kayak, and water ski.

Q: How big a part of your life is yoga? 
A: Yoga has influenced the way I eat by teaching me through my body. After a practice I do not crave for fried chicken, but clean wholesome fruits and vegetables. I stopped eating fast-food and limit my meat intake to one meal a day. I do believe we are what we eat and that food, good or bad, affects what we do, think, and how we look. You can find me regularly eating or hanging out at any of our restaurant listings. Don’t be shy and say ‘hi’ if you do!

Luxe Nomad in Amana Villa-2 (600x450)

Q: What are some of the misconceptions about yoga?
A: That you have to be flexible to practise yoga and that everyone is naturally bendy as they are to being naturally skinny. Impossible! You will not touch your toes just because you command yourself to ‘touch your toes’. It takes years of practice and every posture is different. You will be good at some and not as good at others. Like everything in life, work at it and you will achieve it.

Q: How would you convince a non-yoga practitioner to try yoga?
A: Yoga is 5,000 year-old practice that has been tried, tested, and has lived through the ages. Yoga is suitable for everyone no matter the age, height, or body type. In fact, as long as you are breathing, you are able to practice. If you give yourself a chance and stick to the practice, then you will be able to experience what everyone is raving about.

Q: Many people often find yoga more suited for females than males, how would you tell others that yoga is actually for everyone?
A: Women often find yoga easier because of their flexibility; however, men are often stronger physically so they find strengthening poses and arm balances easier. Yoga is a balanced exercise and will challenge each student in different ways. Yoga is not a competition and if you are busy looking at how other students are practising then you are doing it wrong. Listen to the teacher and let them guide you through your practice and experience it for yourself.

*This interview was made possible by Zareena, an independent publicist for ‘Stretch in the City’, the official launch event for Stretch City last week.

Media Registration with Zareena The Publicist (right) and Liv Lo (left) - Credit to Pang Wai Leng (630x420)

Liv Lo hosted ‘Stretch in the City’ for media and guests, treating them to an afternoon of yoga performances and firsthand experiences on healthy living through interactive health and beauty workshops at Upside Motion’s new City Hall studio. The day began with a beginner YogaFly trial class led by Upside Motion yoga instructors, followed by two sets of yoga demonstrations and an interactive session of sponsored health and beauty mini workshops. Shortly after the YogaFly demonstration,a 20-minute outdoor Acro Yoga performance was led by Stretch City director and professional yoga instructor Yun Ng.

Guests were served healthy detox drinks by Sana Cleanse and treats in eco-friendly cornware lunchboxes by VeganBurg. Representatives from Mekhela also walked around with tea and rice paper rolls for guests to sample. LINS Smoodees gave ‘live’ demonstrations to show guests how to make their own fuss-free green smoothies, Militza Maury showed how to make translucent facial powders and The Rawyal Kitchen held a Raw Foods Talk with specially prepared raw dessert served to guests. There was also free consultation with Sara Varela, a wellness coach, trainer and speaker from Positive Living.

 

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    First establishing herself in the world of cars and motorsports, Cheryl Tay is a sports and fitness blogger who advocates living an active and healthy lifestyle. Founder of body image movement Rock The Naked Truth, Cheryl overcame over a decade of eating disorders and is now passionate about helping people with similar struggles. She also has a running club ROCKrunners and a tri-enthusiast club ROCKtri.

    Rock The Naked Truth encourages others to be comfortable in their own skin and to learn that there is more to life than just being a slave to the numbers on your scale. Truly, life has more meaning than just forcing yourself to look good - it's most important to be happy and feel good about yourself!

    Previously...
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    > Business development for Kartright Speedway
    > F1 youth speaker for Singapore GP
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  • cheryltaysg

    Work hard but remember to set aside time for leisu Work hard but remember to set aside time for leisure too! It has taken me 35 years to find a decent work-life balance, between work, play, fitness and personal.

I used to be a full-on workaholic, working every day till late, eating rubbish and not exercising. And then I was trying not to eat so I could be skinny. And then I would fall very ill when my body snaps because I wasn't resting enough.

I've since learnt that we need to take care of ourselves properly, because work is important yes, but the effects of overworking and too much stress are very detrimental, especially in the long term.

Quality of life, always remember to enjoy quality of life!

P.S. Little Oli's face is everything!

#beachday #bikiniempire
    Been a while since I’ve gone on the ground to sh Been a while since I’ve gone on the ground to shoot and report on sports! I love watching sports and this has been such an amazing experience.

I can't help tearing up when I see dreams being made and broken. These SEA Games athletes are fighting so hard and leaving nothing behind. You can see the highs, the lows and the unexpected.

The emotions in sports are so raw and pure, and that's why I love sports. You can't cheat the feelings.

Go Team Singapore!!!

#sportplussg #seagames2021 #seagames #sportphotography #teamsingapore
    TOP 5 TIPS TO SAVE WATER! Tip #1: Cut your shower TOP 5 TIPS TO SAVE WATER!

Tip #1: Cut your shower time by 1 minute and save 9 litres of water.

Tip #2: Save 11 litres of water when you rinse your teeth with a mug instead of using a running tap.

Tip #3: Use reduced flush for liquid waste and save 1.5 litres per flush. 

Tip #4: Save 14 litres when you wash vegetables and dishes in a filled sink instead of under a running tap.

Tip #5: Do not use the washing machine for just a few pieces of clothing.

Did you know that the BMW Group powers production of two of their electric vehicles, the BMW iX and BMW i4, entirely with regional green hydroelectricity?

We recently went down to the NEWater Visitor Centre and learnt a lot about water conservation. There are also a lot of mind-blowing facts - pre-COVID, we use 145 litres of water per person per day (as seen in this photo), but during the pandemic when everyone was home, that number went up to 158 litres 😱😱😱.

Watch the video to learn more mind-blowing facts!
    Got to hang with @sweetvarnvarn this week! She is Got to hang with @sweetvarnvarn this week! She is really fun, friendly and I wish we had more time to go out and play. Next time! Perhaps I need to go to Thailand hmmm...
    WE FINALLY HAVE A DATE FOR OUR WEDDING! This is s WE FINALLY HAVE A DATE FOR OUR WEDDING!

This is super exciting, after all the hurdles we have had to overcome. From being turned away by venues, to not being able to do a wedding because it has to be ROM registered due to COVID-19 restrictions, to finally, finally being able to hold our wedding because private events are now allowed.

YAYYYYYY!!!

Our union may not be legally recognised in Singapore, but we still want to get our nearest and dearest together in the name of love. Can't wait to celebrate our love and share this special occasion with y'all!

P.S. for those asking, we will get our paperwork done somewhere overseas at some point.

#TaykeMeHuangMoreTime

Gown: @thegownwarehouse
Suit: @stitchedsg
Makeup: @clarasongmakeup
    What a wet weekend! Got drenched while riding yest What a wet weekend! Got drenched while riding yesterday and then ran in the light rain today.

But I didn't mind today's run at all because it was a bagel run! That is, we ran from home to CBD to get breakfast. Today we got bagels!

And then cabbed home, not run home, in case you're wondering lol.

#RoadToBerlinMarathon #wetweather #runintherain #runtobreakfast #iloverunning
    Bikini Empire beach day, extended pack! Thank good Bikini Empire beach day, extended pack! Thank goodness we had such good weather yesterday and also happy that we don't have group size limits anymore!

I love that we can bring our dogs to @olabeachclubsg so that they can hang with us, nawwwwww.

Swipe to see all the nonsense we were up to!
    If you know me, I love my snacks - A LOT. And some If you know me, I love my snacks - A LOT. And sometimes the guilt does get to me. So I'm glad that I have found plant-based snacks, without the guilt, with the same pleasure. This really helps as I'm trying to cut down on the bad stuff as my training picks up. These Nuggets, Bites and Strips are from FIRST PRIDE and are entirely made of plants. Best part, they taste like the real thing. Whuuuttttttt!

These have a three-step coating so it has maximum crispiness, meat-like texture made from plants so they feel like your usual nuggets and they have 0% trans fat. You won't even realise they are made from plants honestly. In addition, they make for a good source of protein and fibre.

Available at FairPrice, CS Fresh, Giant and RedMart, these are going at a promo price of $6.95 per packet (from 12 – 25 May). More details at @firstpridesg!

#FIRSTPRIDESG #SOOOGOOD
    New HM PB!! Put on a little bib for the first time New HM PB!! Put on a little bib for the first time in over two years for the Shufflers invitational half-marathon event and omg I was feeling a bit nervous, so silly.

It was more of a time trial than a race for me (because I wasn't gonna win) so I just focused on pacing and running my best.

Man, it really hurt! I haven't been running this distance much, so by the 18km mark my legs started to fade and I could see my pace dropping.

But I've already come so far, so I just sucked it up and somehow managed to make it to the end.

Really happy with my time - my fastest HM ever I think. Woohoo! Thank you to the organisers for the effort and to the volunteers who made this event run so smoothly.

Woke up this morning with sore legs but with a silly grin on my face, because I've missed this feeling!

144 days to Berlin Marathon.

#roadtoberlinmarathon #bmwxcheryltay #halfmarathon
    It costs $0.00 to be grateful for what you already It costs $0.00 to be grateful for what you already have. Stop looking for greener grass - the grass is only green where you water it!

#showgratitude #beachday
    You probably have seen this photoshoot that I rece You probably have seen this photoshoot that I recently did for @shiseidopro_official, where I was very fortunate to have had a team of professionals glam me up for this.

1 hair stylist, 2 make up artists, 2 stylists, 1 photographer + assistant, and of course the client team and the agency team. Totally made me feel like a superstar for a day!

You know what? The younger me would have killed for this opportunity.  I suffered from various eating disorders so I could become skinny and I really, really wanted to become a model.

Swipe to see my journal entry where I talked about how badly I wanted to be one and get in print ads and do TVCs, how I still felt I wasn't skinny enough, and how insecure I felt about myself. It's crazy!

Oh if I could talk to my 21-year-old self I would tell her how amazing she is and how she doesn't have to be skinny and become a model to prove her self-worth. Somehow I kept thinking that if I became thin, I would be better accepted and being a model would validate my existence. No gurlllll you already are enough!

BONUS - swipe to see some of my photos from my modelling days back then. WHO IS DIZ?! I did get some jobs here and there, but they weren't big jobs. @thehuangergames had a good laugh at these pics, but hey we were all young once ok!

#rockthenakedtruth #loveyourself #bodypositivity #selfworth #theyoungerme #throwback
    I used to hate my legs, thinking they were thick a I used to hate my legs, thinking they were thick and huge and ugly. I hated how my shorts would keep riding up between my legs because I have no thigh gap. I hated how I looked terrible in short shorts because my legs just looked fat.

But now I'm proud of these legs. They can do so many things and right now they are training for a marathon, on top of achieving many other things that I like to do like cycling and swimming and wakesurfing and taking long walks.

So don't hate your legs or any part of your body. It's yours!! It doesn't have to look a certain way because who gets to decide how it should look?!

#thiccplease #rockthenakedtruth #nothighgap
    This is probably the best and only proper photo we This is probably the best and only proper photo we got that day, because with @jyanyoga and @constancelaujm always goofing around, it's hard to get a decent pic.

Swipe to see what I'm talking about.

Still, always happy for time spent with these siao zhabors!

#beachday #bikinigirls #sunsandsea #blueskies #fitgirls #bikinitime
    I'm always up for anything interesting so when @sh I'm always up for anything interesting so when @shiseidopro_singapore gave me this opportunity to get creative with my hair, I was like, BRING IT! Totally loving this split-coloured hair with the magenta shade that is new to their ULTIST by PRIMIENCE range.

This hair colour formula is developed for Asian hair and has COLOR-in-CORE Technology that locks the colour into the core, so it really brings out the shade you want. I also like how my hair does not feel dry at all, which is a big thing for me when I colour my hair.

I get that some people cannot be too wild with their hair because of work, but a shade like that is not too loud and probably more palatable for the office? So, go on and get creative with the new trend shades from ULTIST - and ask for a split colour like mine!

#ShiseidoProfessionalSG #PRIMIENCE #ULTIST #BeautyStreamSS2022 #SpectralAllure 
#TogetherWithBeautyCreators #BeautyCreators
    The latest Honda Civic, which is in its 11th gener The latest Honda Civic, which is in its 11th generation now, is something I was curious to try as this is the successor to the Civic that I currently own.

For starters, the new Civic has a cleaner look but the interior is where the difference is greater. The cabin ambience feels more upmarket now, with premium features like wireless charging, a bigger 9” screen that sits atop the dashboard and a honeycomb mesh that runs through the dashboard and conceals the aircon vents.

One thing that stood out is its 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that is now the only engine variant that the Civic is available in, in Singapore. Mine is the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine, so I’ve really missed driving a turbo with its quick pick-up.

But I feel the biggest thing to note about this 11th-gen Civic is the range of safety tech features. It has adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist to prevent you from veering out of your lane, collision mitigation braking that alerts when you get too close to the vehicle ahead, and something called the LaneWatch system which essentially is a camera under the mirror of the passenger door that shows you what is in your blind spot when you are turning left. With all of these, you have less excuse for bad driving behaviour.

I definitely enjoyed this zippy drive and I had a lot of fun!

Engine: 1,498cc turbocharged inline 4
Power: 129PS at 5500-6000rpm
Torque: 180Nm at 1700-4500rpm
Transmission: Continuously Variable
0-100km/h: 10.5 seconds
Price: S$143,999 with COE*

*A low downpayment option is available, starting from only S$14,400. You may leave your details at https://bit.ly/11-CivicSG to find out more.

#HondaCivic #Civic #Builtaroundyou #KahMotor @honda_sg
    Rented a motorbike for a week just for fun, before Rented a motorbike for a week just for fun, before I start my Class 2 lessons next month. Oh how I've missed the feeling of the wind on my face! And of course it has to be a sports bike. Can't afford a sports car so sports bike it is!

Taking my motorbike licence at such a late age in life feels like some kind of mid-life crisis for a need for speed you know hahaha. I first took 2B lessons in 2010 but gave up then, which I regretted, but it's ok NEVER TOO LATE!!

#motorbike #bikergirl #yahamaR3 #sportsbike #class2a
    We finally got blue skies for wakesurfing! OK in t We finally got blue skies for wakesurfing! OK in this photo the cloud cover came but I swear there were blue skies, just swipe to see the rest of the photos haha.

I am really grateful for my life, that I get to do this; for my friends, whom I can do this with; and for my body, that allows me to do what I want.

🙌🙌🙌

#wakesurfing #blueskies #watersports #dreamwakeacademy #fitgirls
    Saturday night boxing! Was wondering if I would r Saturday night boxing!

Was wondering if I would run into any friends there and I'm glad I did yayyyyyyy.

#boxing #superdrysg #fjbenjaminsg #fitnessclass #workoutime #fitpeeps
    After two rained-out Saturday mornings, we finally After two rained-out Saturday mornings, we finally made it out to ride with @teamfugu!

It's been a full Saturday for me from 4am to 10pm and I'm ready for a good sleep. Tell you more tomorrow!

📷: @tubberchubbs
    Excited to announce that I'll be racing the BMW Be Excited to announce that I'll be racing the BMW Berlin Marathon this year!

2022 is the year I'm on a mission to do better - for myself, the environment and those in need.

I'll be representing BMW Group Asia in the BMW Berlin Marathon, which is a World Marathon Major and the exclusive slots are usually via ballot. It will be my first WMM and I'll also be raising funds for the National Cancer Centre Singapore.

I recognise that environmental and social sustainability are essential for our future, so to do better for the environment, I'll be embarking on beach clean-ups and other conservation activities with BMW Group Asia and you can join us too. Stay tuned for more updates on how you can do your part.

It's gonna be an exciting year, I can feel it!!

Come on, do it with me and make this year YOUR year as well. Time to set some goals!

Shot by @jerrytangcl
Edited by @thehuangergames

#berlinmarathon #bmwgroupasia
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