It’s been scorching hot outside, and even though we all feel like we’ve been melting away in the sweltering heat, it doesn’t mean we have to stay home. There will be enough fun events coming in the next two weeks to keep the whole family cool and entertained:

Hike: Along the White River

Hike down to the White River and head downstream on trails, gravel tracks, and dirt roads by the riverside, passing below tall cliffs.
You’ll see the running river, leafy green trees by the riverside, impressive tall and steep cliffs made from massive slabs of rocks and boulders, and hopefully the local family of herons that nest high up in the cliffs.
It’s possible to hike all the way down without crossing, but it’s also fun to get your feet wet on a few of the crossings – up to you!

Where: Pickup from Liangmaqiao and Lido
When: Jul 6, 7.30am
Price: RMB 420/non-members, RMB 380/members, RMB 220/kids (7+)

AmCham China America’s Backyard BBQ & Family Day Festivities

Join AmCham China on Sat, Jul 6, for a spectacular 4th of July celebration! Bring the entire family to savor a classic American feast and refreshing ice-cold beers. There are numerous activities planned to keep the kids entertained, allowing you to relax and enjoy the live band. Don’t miss the exciting raffle, offering a chance to win fantastic trips and experiences. All of this will take place at the beautiful JW Marriott Hotel Beijing!

Where: JW Marriott Hotel Beijing, 83 Jianguo Lu, China Central Place, Chaoyang District
When: Jul 6, 4pm-8pm
Price: RMB 450/members, RMB 550/non-members, RMB 980/family, RMB 250/kid

Father and Son Boxing Bonding Day

Looking for a unique way to bond with your son? Ready to create unforgettable memories while staying active? Join us for the Father and Son* Boxing Bonding Day!
Spend some time learning the art of boxing together. From basic techniques to fun drills and friendly sparring, this event is designed for all skill levels.
Strengthen your bond, boost your fitness, and have a blast with professional trainers guiding you every step of the way.
Whether you’re a seasoned boxer or just starting out, this is your chance to share an amazing experience with your son.

Where: Soho Shangdu, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
When: Jul 7, 10.30am-11.30am OR 6pm-7pm
Price: Contact organizer for details
*Note: Suitable for kids 6 and up

French Touch Classical Music Concert at JinShang

Step into an evening of elegance and sophistication with French Touch, a classical music concert on Jul 12 at the enchanting Indoor Garden Theatre in JinShang·Yuan.

This exquisite event promises to transport you to the heart of France through the timeless beauty of classical music.

Where: JinShangYuan, 20 Xinyuanli West Street, Chaoyang District
When: Jul 12, 7pm
Price: RMB 98/adults, RMB 128/adults with a drink, RMB 68/kids, RMB 300/VIP

There’s also one Open House happening this week:

AISB-Hope International Open Day

AISB-Hope International is excited to invite prospective students and their families to their upcoming open day events! Join to explore the school’s vibrant campus, meet their dedicated faculty, and learn about the exceptional educational programs they offer for both elementary and secondary students.

What To Expect:
– Campus Tours: Guided tours of the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, including classrooms, science labs, libraries, sports complexes, and art studios.
– Interactive Sessions: Participate in engaging activities and workshops designed to give you a taste of the innovative curriculum and teaching methods.
– Meet The Team: Opportunities to speak with the school’s experienced teachers, administrative staff, and current students. Learn more about their educational philosophy and what makes AISB-Hope International a unique place to learn and grow.
– Information Sessions: Attend presentations on the school’s academic programs, extracurricular activities, and student support services. Discover how they foster a nurturing and challenging environment that encourages personal and academic excellence.
– Q&A Sessions: Get your questions answered by the school’s knowledgeable staff. Learn about the admissions process, scholarship opportunities, and how the school supports students in their academic journey.

And don’t forget about these ongoing regular events:

Infant Care Trial on Thursdays

Families with little ones aged 1-2 years old are invited to join the Free Infant Care Trial sessions on Thursday mornings at YCIS Beijing.

Come and meet the school’s academic team of early childhood education and experience the concept of learning through play!

Where: YCIS Beijing
When: Every Thursday from 9.30am
Price: Free

Mama & Baby Yoga and Kids Yoga at Avisha

Improve your health, your posture and your mood at one of Avisha’s specially designed yoga classes. You can choose Mama & Baby classes, or if you have an older kiddo, you can spend some quality time together doing age-appropriate stretches and activities in kids yoga sessions on Saturdays. Mama & Baby classes are held on Thursdays. Kids Yoga takes place on Saturdays, and the kids get to enjoy the fun and healthy environment with Madeleine. Scan the QR codes on the posters to register.

Where: 1-3-38, Bldg 3, Shoukai Bojun, 8 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
When: Mama & Baby Yoga: Thursdays, 10.45am-noon; Kids Yoga: Saturdays, 10.45am-11.35am
Price: Kids Yoga: RMB 650 (5 classes) or RMB 150 (single class); Mama & Baby Yoga: RMB 900/6 classes or RMB 170/single class

teamLab Massless Beijing

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of teamLab Massless, where art transcends material substances and boundaries blur between the human body and the environment. Explore a complex three-dimensional world and create new experiences with others in this mesmerizing art collective exhibition.

Where: 10/F, Chaoyang Joy City, 101 Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang District
When: Until Dec 31
Price: Starts at RMB 148

Li’l Peaches Kids Yoga

Join for playful and engaging yoga classes designed specifically for young children. Sandra will guide the kids through gentle poses and fun activities that promote flexibility, balance, and mindfulness. It’s the perfect way for your kids to unwind and have fun!

Where: Beijing United Family Rehabilitation Hospital
When: Every Monday and Thursday, 10am
Price: Starts at RMB 398

Images: Pexels, Courtesy of the organizers

At the best of times, running a business is an uphill battle: a struggle to innovate ideas that put you ahead of the competition and turn a profit. In a post-COVID-19 world, however, those challenges have not only grown in scale but morphed into something unrecognizable. In this series, we talk to expat-entrepreneurs and find out what they’re doing to remain both successful in business, and happy at home.

When your business is teaching people how to fight, and remain fit, what happens when you are hammered by an invisible and terrifying enemy? Many fitness facilities throughout Beijing have had to temporarily close due to COVID-19 fears, while others have shut their doors forever. Online classes have helped some such businesses weather the storm, but only barely. For Chris Carline, owner and General Manager of UpperCut Boxing and Muay Thai gym in the Lido area, fighting back has never been more important. And despite how difficult the current period has been, Carline might be down for the count, but he is far from being out.

Chris Carline and his family

How long has the business been in operation?

Uppercut was founded in 2015. We’ll be celebrating our 5^th year anniversary this year!

How long have you and your family been in China and what made you decide to move this far East?

I first came here in 2004 while studying Chinese and met my wife Yvonne. After some time spent in London and Hong Kong, we managed to settle in Beijing in 2010. Our daughter Iona was born in the same year, and we have been here ever since.

For me coming to China was like this huge big adventure – I don’t really know how else to describe it!

Members of the Uppercut gym community

What were you and your family’s initial reactions when COVID-19 first hit the news?

It was sort of like a slow-motion train crash, that has just kept on going ever since! At first, it seemed like it would be just another localized outbreak. Then it morphed into something potentially as bad as SARS, and then it just keeps on going even today, with unknown further consequences.

What were your expectations as far as the virus and its effect on daily life and business in Beijing?

Actually, the change was pretty swift. After the Jan 23 lockdown of Wuhan, we immediately went into survival mode: face masks, social distancing, disinfection. The initial feeling was ‘we’ve entered a real-life zombie movie’, only, fortunately, the disease itself was not as scary as in the movies.

I think initially there was a lot of reference to SARS, many people saw that as the relevant framework. In a way, the recovery in China has been far swifter than expected – even Wuhan re-opened in April – but at the same time, the spread globally has meant the effects are much longer-lasting than we expected.

What has been the reality for you and your family during the peak of the virus?

Without wishing to belittle the very real challenges and costs of this crisis, in many ways the experience has been a blessing in disguise. I personally had the feeling of going back a few decades to a simpler childhood sort of life, spending days around and near home, with family, enjoying simple pleasures like home-cooked food, playing with our cats, and many other things that usually get overlooked because we’re too busy. Luckily for us, we had access to my boxing gym, which was closed, but which still permitted use by staff.

After the first couple of weeks, more pressing concerns about when/if/how the lockdown would come to an end began to emerge, as well as increasing concern for family members living overseas. But throughout, there’s been this feeling that lots of new things and perspectives have been possible, because of all the restrictions on normal life. We tend to think that so much of what we do and what happens is necessary, important, essential and that we don’t have time for all the other stuff. Then this comes along, and bang, your life changes completely from one day to the next, and it’s actually ok as well. That’s pretty eye-opening.

The gym has so far been closed for 3 months

How, if at all, has your business been affected?

The gym has been closed for 3 months – so that is an unprecedented shock and challenge, but we have managed to pull through it. We finally got the good news just this week that Beijing gyms will be permitted to reopen, with restrictions, in early May. So we’re gearing up for reopening and can’t wait to be back in action.

On the plus side, people are now more conscious than ever of the benefits to an active lifestyle. It’s really encouraging that so many of our members can’t wait to restart training and that in places like Shanghai where gyms re-opened in March, they are getting back to normal volumes. We’re not totally out of the woods yet, but things are looking a lot better than just a few weeks ago.

What form of support have you received from the expat community here in Beijing for both your family’s and business’s wellbeing?

Many of our long term members are expats, and they’ve always been an important part of our gym community. They have been really supportive during the crisis also. Unfortunately, some people are currently stuck outside China due to visa issues but we hope to see them again soon!

“Nothing can replace the feeling of training in a gym”

Do you believe the current situation will permanently change the face of business in Beijing? If so, why and how? If not, then why?

Yes and no. Yes in the sense that things are always changing anyway, and with an event like this it only accelerates change. But no in the sense of ‘nothing will be the same again’. People said that after 9.11, but apart from extra security measures at airports, it didn’t affect air travel other than temporarily.

In the gym business, for example, nothing can replace the feeling of training in a gym environment, with all the specialized equipment, the vibe, the other gym members, and professional trainers. I think this is true for most face to face service businesses as well, like restaurants, bars, hair salons, etc. People love those experiences and will jump right back in once they feel it’s safe to do so.

I also think the international community will still find Beijing an attractive place to live, work, and do business. If anything, this crisis has raised the relative standing of China in terms of stability and security.

That’s not to say we’re out of the woods yet, and I’m a bit more cautious in the medium term. But I don’t think the long term changes will be so dramatic.

As the city continues to return to business as normal, what are some of the plans you have set in place for your business to ensure it is not adversely affected by such an unexpected situation in the future?

The reality is there is not that much we can do in the face of a lockdown. It’s not possible to replicate the boxing training experience through online classes. With yoga or general fitness it’s easier, but still tough as there are established, online players. So although there can be a lot of talk about diversifying, for many businesses it’s not practical. We did take the opportunity while the gym was closed to do some repairs and upgrades and getting new stock for our shop.

Thankfully with things returning to normal now, we can get on with what we do best. Now the focus is on ensuring we implement the new safety guidelines while minimizing the impact on our members’ training.

Carline and his team have taken advantage of the closure to do some repairs and upgrades to their facilities

As a business owner, what has been your biggest takeaway from this period of uncertainty?

It’s important to have a ‘margin of safety’. This is a term used a lot in the world of my previous career in investment management. It means that you never really know what’s going to happen, so it’s best to have a buffer for a rainy day. FOMO is a powerful driver and oftentimes in business, we are more concerned with an attack than with defense. This is true in the world of boxing too. Every boxer can punch, but only the really great boxers excel in defense. This is a lesson I find myself re-learning on a regular basis (both in the gym and outside)!

As a parent and partner, what have you learned from or about your family that will help shape your family life in the future?

If there’s one takeaway I hope to keep, it’s that being together as a family without any particular activity, goal, or agenda is one of the best things. In our future busy lives, I hope we remember to sometimes do less.

Has the current situation deterred you from the business landscape in Beijing or are you here to stay?

I’m definitely here to stay.

“Every boxer can punch, but only the really great boxers excel in defense”

What advice would you give to other business owners in Beijing at this time?

The one-piece of general advice, that probably applies to all businesses, is: maintain good relationships with the local authorities, regulators, and government departments relevant to your business. Don’t think that because you’re an ex-pat or foreign business that they’re not interested, or see you as part of the outer circle. Engagement really works. I think this is truer now than ever, and also that government has generally become more approachable, transparent, and service-oriented than in the past. There are still frictions and difficulties peculiar to being a foreigner, but in my experience, direct engagement is always the best approach.

How can other expat families show their support for expat business owners?

I think that support comes naturally when the product or service is good, so long as there is sufficient communication. Keeping that sense of community is important so that everyone knows about and is involved in good things that are going on. Word of mouth still plays a major role, as do publications like beijingkids.

Any words of encouragement or hope for the international community as a whole?

I’m optimistic things will work out, but the reality is there’s a lot of uncertainty now. I find it’s best to take it one day at a time and not spend too much time worrying over imaginary future scenarios. It takes so much time, and then you have to re-do them all again the next day as things change!

I like the following quote by Bruce Lee, a master of martial arts who was inspired by Taoism:

‘The great mistake is to anticipate the outcome of the engagement; you ought not to be thinking of whether it ends in victory or defeat. Let nature take its course, and your tools will strike at the right moment’.

KEEP READING: Happy Home, Happy Business: “The Winter Has Passed”

Photos: courtesy of Chris Carline

I died last week, not literally but fitness wise, I died. My friend has me trying out different workouts and is on a mission to try to see how long she can have my sore muscles stay sore, what are friends for aye? So back to last week, we did three 45 minute long workouts courtesy of GuavaPass at the Lulumon showroom at Sanlitun Taikooli North. The workouts were Barre by ECOHAS studio, Curves by Living Bigg, and Zumba by B Active.

This journey of three workout sessions kicked off with barre that focused on cardio and abs. The cardio workout had us sweating it out within minutes due to the high intensity and forgetting the winter cold outside. The exercises are designed for professional ballet dancers, therefore we did a lot of fluid dance movements on our toes. After the final stretch, the lads from Living Bigg designed the curves workout to focus on the toning the thighs, abs, and arms. This was an easy way to start off but got harder as you went along due the added repetitions as you moved from section to section. The last workout was Zumba and that felt like a cool down after the curves workout at Living Bigg. During Zumba we danced to tunes from Cuba, which added a nice touch to the end of our workout. We still did sweat and try to remember the steps as the instructor showed us but the main point was to always keep moving. Learning the Zumba steps will take time and each instructor will have their own personal preference for music. This three-session exercise sampler was a great introduction to GuavaPass.

GuavaPass was launched this past September in Beijing but has been in other cities in China, Asia, and the Middle East. The company partners with gyms around the city so that you can choose available class options without committing to a single gym. You sign up for the options they have and pay that rate. The other good thing is that if you can use the pass in the other cities even suspend your account then resume when you are ready or back from traveling. In Beijing, GuavaPass partners with B Active, Glo Kitchen + Crossfit, Living Bigg, Fight Fusion, and others.

The one drawback is that you can’t see the entire list of gyms available unless you register for an account and pay for a subscription of over RMB 1,000. This did make me a little jittery and if you are like me and want to see the list before committing then get in touch with them via their official WeChat account: GuavaPass or email hello@guavapass.com.

Photo: mybeautygym.com