Spas – Beijing Kids

Updated: Mother’s Day Gifts for the Sporty Mom, Luxurious Mom, and Socially-Conscious Mom

Sisi_Chen — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:00:00 +0000

Mother’s Day is coming up fast on Sunday, May 8. Spouses, sons, and daughters everywhere are agonizing about what the get the most important woman in their lives. However, not all moms are the same. We present some gift ideas for active moms, indulgent moms, and socially-minded moms.

The Sporty Mom
The sporty mom doesn’t lack for options in Beijing. From CrossFit and combat sports to Heyrobics, Pilates, yoga, and beyond, there’s definitely something for her. Check our archives here and here for some ideas. Get her a voucher for that new class she’s been meaning to try out, or better yet – make it a family thing. With summer coming up, sailing and golf are also great activities that the entire family can participate in. Click here for a directory of sailing centers and here for golf listings.

Fitness tracking apps are the hottest new thing. (Right? That’s what the kids keep telling me anyway.) The Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport are a solid present. The sport edition costs RMB 2,588 (38mm screen) or RMB 2,288 (38mm screen) and comes in ten colors. If that’s too rich for your blood, various Jawbone and Fitbit models are available on Amazon China. The Fitbit Surge, which features a watch display, retails for RMB 1,998.The cheaper Xiaomi version can also do the trick and retails for RMB 99.

For the yogi mom, both Isofit and Yoga Yard carry a small selection of high-quality yoga clothes from Lululemon and aumnie athletics respectively. Yoga Yard also has yoga books, yoga mats, and yoga bags. For a more socially-conscious choice, consider buying from the Yoganda Project, which teaches widowed women in Uganda how to make yoga bags. The products are available directly from Founder Theresa Pauline; add her on WeChat at TheresaRae or call 152 1007 1708.

The Indulgent Mom
Gift vouchers for massage parlors, nail salons, and hair salons are all easy gifts for hard-working moms in need of pampering. The idea is to get her something that she would love to try but isn’t likely to buy for herself, such as an indulgent facial or restorative hair treatment. For example, Bodhi has several spa packages for RMB 680-890 with different combinations of oil or aromatherapy massages, facials, body wraps, body scrubs, and aromatherapy baths. Scarlet Salmons of Z Hairdressing, a frequent collaborator on our Indulge columns, recommends the Keratin deep-conditioning hair treatment for moms with very dry or frizzy hair.

Shameless plug for a friend here: Rose Fulbright-Vickers is a London- and Paris-trained designer who specializes in luxurious silk lingerie and loungewear, which she produces under her brand Rose Fulbright. Her latest series, the Tropical Collection, features a pattern based on beautiful watercolor drawings of fish by her grandmother, Susan Williams-Ellis. Five percent of profits from the Tropical Collection are donated to Oceana, an ocean conservation organization.

Jewelry is always a popular gift, but avoid the cheap stuff from the Pearl Market. Personally, I love Paloma Sanchez‘s bold, sculptural pieces made with materials like natural rubies, emeralds, copper, and white and yellow gold. Nicolas Favard (who was featured in last year’s Mother’s Day issue with his son, Amos and also in this year’s list) is another favorite. His designs favor metals and gems in simple, sensuous forms; I was especially taken by an ultra-light titanium ring with a blue sheen last time I dropped in. Both have shops in Sanlitun.

The Socially-Conscious Mom
If the mom in your life doesn’t want material gifts, dedicate something from UNICEF Inspired Gifts to her instead. This UNICEF program enables regular people to directly impact the lives of children and families in need with items like blankets, mosquito nets, bicycles, and more. There are also packages like the Super Hero Pack (USD 54.07) – enough money for 50 vaccines, one vaccine carrier, and six mosquito nets – and the Winter Survival Pack (USD 161.25), which contains blankets, clothes, 900 packets of micronutrient powder, and 10,000 water purification tablets to help one child survive the winter. Note that you need a foreign credit card to pay for purchases.

Similarly, you can donate to a local charity organization like Roundabout, the Migrant Children’s Foundation, or Bethel China. There are many worthy organizations in Beijing; browse our website to find more archived articles on volunteering and donating.

In addition, the Starfish Project helps exploited women in Asia by teaching them how to make and sell their own jewelry. The pieces are beautiful, don’t cost very much, and are often made with hypoallergenic materials. You can also host a jewelry party with a Starfish Project rep and invite all of Mom’s friends for an afternoon of shopping and socializing. Click here to shop.

Want more ideas? Click here for our April 2015 article on custom-made Mother’s Day gifts. Click here for ideas about weekend trips. Here for a digital copy of our article in the April 2016 issue.

Photos: Harsha K R (Flickr), Yasunobu Ikeda (Flickr), Rose Fulbright, Nicolas Favard, UNICEF Inspired Projects, Starfish Project

Three Spas that Offer Prenatal Massages

Sisi_Chen — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Pregnancy can be an alternately wonderful and difficult time, full of little aches and pains you’ve never experienced before. Prenatal massages can ease anxiety, stress back and leg pain, and sleep problems while increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine – the “feel good” hormones. Beijing is full of spas and massage parlors, but not all offer prenatal massages in a western-standard environment. Here are three that do.

But first, a few words of caution. One controversy is whether massages can be performed during the first trimester. Though there are currently no studies that show a link between massages and miscarriage, some doctors and spas counsel against first trimester massages to avoid liability issues.

There’s also some disagreement over whether foot reflexology is safe for pregnant women. Considering there are no professional certifications for pregnancy massage therapists in China (unlike in US and Canada), it’s best to avoid foot reflexology here just to be safe.

In any case, be sure to consult your doctor before booking any massage, let the spa know how many months pregnant you are, and stop the massage if you feel any kind of discomfort.

Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat and Bodhi Sense
Both branches of Bodhi offer prenatal massages featuring unscented almond oil to relieve stress on the calves, shoulders, and lower back as well as reduce varicose veins and promote blood circulation. Prenatal massages last 90 minutes and cost RMB 498.

Hummingbird Spa and Salon
At Hummingbird Spa and Salon, prenatal massages are performed with the customer lying on her side. The therapist massages her head, shoulders, arms, and legs. The spa accepts appointments from customers in their first trimester, but will not do foot reflexology. Prenatal massages are available at both Hummingbird branches in 60-minute (RMB 338), 90-minute (RMB 498), and 120-minute sessions (RMB 667).

Kocoon Spa
Last but not least, Kocoon Spa offers perhaps the only prenatal massage in town administered by a foreign-trained therapist. Prenatal massages cost RMB 510 for 60 minutes or RMB 590 for 90 minutes.

Sijia Chen is a contributing editor at beijingkids and a freelance writer specializing in parenting, education, travel, environment, and culture. Her work has appeared in The Independent, Midnight Poutine, Rover Arts, and more. Follow her on Twitter at @sijiawrites or email her at sijiachen@beijing-kids.com.

Photo: J. K. Califf (Flickr)

The Lowdown on Green T. House Living

beijingkids

The first time I visited Green T. House Living, it was for a Christmas Bazaar. I spent (a lot) of money on Christmas gifts, but I didn’t stay to eat. I wasn’t quite sure how to describe the venue recently when talking to some friends, so I decided it was time to go back. And this time, I would definitely be dining.

On a dull Beijing day, the White Pavilion really is an oasis, standing tall in an expanse of white stones and paving. Tucked behind a high wall, it was as stunning as I remembered. The interior of the innovative Pavilion is a wide open space – simple yet elegant. The venue is used for both private and corporate events, from fashion shows to tea tastings, media launches, wedding, and elaborate dinners.

It provides a natural canvas for any event – all white fabrics, light wood, glass features, and a delightful pop of color from the array of chairs. Green T. House Living also hosts its own events in there, such as concerts, art exhibitions, and wine tastings. It also runs classes on topics from cooking for your ayi to holistic therapies.

The White Pavilion used to house the T. Cuisine restaurant, which has been moved to the Bath House Residence, a separate building behind the Pavilion. The restaurant is an adaptable dining space that features discreet areas and incorporates stunning designs. Dine with friends at the large table, relax in a snug corner while sipping tea, or sink down into a comfy chair beside the open fire. There is even a children’s play area, so you can truly relax while the little ones are safe and entertained.

Both buildings are surrounded by gardens that are simple yet beautifully-maintained, with a central pool and fountain. You’ll find seating for tea and dining nestled among the trees.

The separate T. Reflection Room doesn’t have to be just for tea. The space can also be used for business meetings, classes, or as a private dining room with food and beverages served through the underground tunnel linking the room to the kitchens.

I joined other guests in the White Pavilion to enjoy some T. Cuisine. The large table was beautifully laid, incorporating some very artistic food presentation. The wait staff was knowledgeable about each dish and very attentive to our needs.

The steak was cooked perfectly and contrasted well with the crunchiness of the bamboo shoots. The soft, sweet cod was a delight and well-complemented by the fresh asparagus and green beans with wasabi. The highlight of the meal for me was the T. Rice Soup, a robust dish combining wild red rice with green tea with a wonderfully smoky flavor. To finish, we had a delectable green tea ice cream, creamy and speckled with black sesame.

Before you leave, a visit to the gift shop is a must. You can purchase tea blends, dinnerware, and furniture. There is also a gallery on Green T’s website representing many Chinese artists whose paintings and pieces can be purchased.

So how would I define Green T. House Living now? I would say it’s an experience – an experience in Chinese culture and food, to be enjoyed within a truly elegant and unique setting.

For a limited time, you can book party packages starting at RMB 150 per guest. Upcoming events include a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11am-2pm on Sunday, May 11 and a Dinner and Show on Thursday, May 22.

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos courtesy of Green T. House Living

October Holiday Indulgence: Relax at a Spa

Nimo_Wanjau

Indulging in a spa day is a great way to ease tension, and what better time than during October holidays? Beijing has many options for massages and manicures, so read on for some suggestions.

Depending on where you’re experiencing the most muscle tension or stiffness, you may want a different type of massage, so be sure to do your research ahead of time. Learn about various massage methods here.

The spa you visit can make all the difference. Try checking for a good location in our Directory or check out the reputable spas below:

Most importantly, remember to have fun and relax.

This post first appeared on October 2, 2012

Photo: Batle Group (Flickr)

Pardon Me, Is That a Rib Sticking Out of My Back?

morganshang — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 01:00:23 +0000

“Ouch!”

That was the first word that came to my mind, followed by some colorful metaphors – but I will keep those to myself. I do not know exactly when the pain started on Sunday, but by Monday morning, everything but lying perfectly still felt excruciating.

Even breathing deeply sent my back throbbing in pain (middle right for those keeping track of details). Stretching only hurt more and ice didn’t help, so I did what any sane Beijinger would do: I went for a massage, this time at Dragonfly. About five minutes into my massage, the masseuse informed me that what I needed was a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor and a good deal of rest.

Rest. I declined to explain that I had two babies (9 months old and counting) who liked to tag team at night in order to disrupt anything resembling rest. On top of that, my daughter was sick, so that created more nighttime drama.

No, rest was not forthcoming, but a TCM doctor – that I could do. For months, I had been waiting for an excuse to see Dr. David Zhang, a TCM doctor who trained in Texas as a chiropractor to become, what seems to me, the perfect blend of Eastern and Western medical science.

I had heard about Dr. Zhang from Dr. Melissa Rodriguez, a great friend, naturopath, and health columnist for beijingkids, who injured her back a while ago and went to see Dr. Zhang with stunning results.

Dr. Zhang is the owner of the Joyful Bliss Massage Center in Liangmaqiao, just east of The Canadian International School of Beijing. He also works out of the CBD and Shunyi branches of Beijing United Family Hospital.

I’d been to chiropractors where X-rays were needed before any treatment, and I expected the same with Dr. Zhang. However, for my back woes, there was no need. “I can see the problem just looking at your back,” he said. “You have a rib out of place.”

He did a few physical checks and had me breath deeply (more colorful metaphors ensued) and then set my treatment in motion: deep tissue massage followed by chiropractic treatment to reposition the offending rib.

Let me state for the record that I have enjoyed head to toe massages for years, but never before have I enjoyed such a deep and relaxing back massage. Dr. Zhang studied therapeutic massage in China and Japan, and spoke English well enough to explain the techniques and how they affected the bosy. The result was a very relaxed – though still in pain – patient.

Afterwards, Dr. Zhang made the adjustment in a matter of minutes and my treatment was complete. Even though he only had to adjust one area, by using therapeutic massage before doing the bone manipulation, the soft tissue was able to relax and less likely to dislocate the rib all over again. All in all, a short experience, but a great one, and happily, I can breath deep again.

To find out more about Joyful Bliss Massage Center visit www.caclinic.com. You can call 136 1125 2085 to make an appointment in English or Chinese.

photo from healthystuffu.com

SPAS Reporting: International Students Amaze at Beijing-wide Chinese Contest

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:00:00 +0000

At the Beijing International Students’ Chinese Contest, the Saint Paul American School (SPAS) Chinese Rock Band and xiangsheng team stunned the audience with their musical performance and witty xiangsheng dialogue. The two-day contest took place on Monday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 20, and SPAS had two of 35 teams from schools around Beijing to show off their talents and superior Chinese skills.

SPAS Chinese Rock Band and xiangsheng team represented the Number 2 High School attached to Beijing Normal University. SPAS band members stunned with a love duet called Liang Shanbo yu Zhu Liye. I was the band’s pianist, and performed with guitarist Jack Lee, 17; drum player Kevin Wang, 17; and vocalists Tiffany Woo, 16, and David Yoon, 18. After the performance, Tiffany said with a smile, “I’m so proud of our band members! Although we didn’t have enough time to practice, we still made it, and I’m overall very satisfied with how the performance went. Singing on this big stage with our members was a nervous but exciting experience I’ll never forget in my life.”

Along with musical talents, comedic performances also took center stage during the event.

Xiangsheng, also known as a comic cross talk, is a type of satire that is unique to Chinese culture. The comedians often perform as a duo, and toss funny remarks back and forth to criticize social issues in a jocular manner. For this contest, the SPAS xiangsheng team practiced for months and finally performed Dahuapengdou, in which two xiangsheng roles, dougen and penggen argue to see who is more important; dougen speaks more and tells jokes, while penggen embellishes the jokes with comical reactions. In this xiangsheng, Chisom Onyishi, 16, a Nigerian student, played dougen, and Suzy Kim, 16, Korean student, played penggen. Their hilarious gestures and lines continued to cause laughter in the audience the entire time. “I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to perform in front of a large audience. And I’d like to thank Chisom and our Chinese teacher especially for helping me to turn this stage into a success. Thank you so much!” Suzy said, after performing on stage.

The contest, which was sponsored by Beijing Hongxin Huihuang Technology Development of International Education, international students from many different schools in Beijing came together to showcase their showed off their talents and superior Chinese skills. Other schools present at the competition were from Beijing Fangcaodi International School, Beijing Jingyuan School, Beijing Bacui Bilingual School, Beijing Dongfang Decai School, Beijing Wangjing Experimental School, Beijing Huiwen Middle School, Beijing Number 39 High School, and Beijing Ticai School.

Often times when studying Chinese, international students forget that a big part of language is simply learning to enjoy the culture of the country. This contest was a forum for students to kick back, laugh, sing, and appreciate the unique culture of China they have been immersed in for their high school experience than merely showing off how many characters they recognized.

Sally, 17, is the beijingkids student correspondent for Saint Paul American School. She is in her senior year and has attended Saint Paul for five years. Currently, she is the co-editor of the student newsletter, the president of the volunteer club, and a girls’ basketball player. Through her blog posts, she hopes to share unique and exciting experiences at Saint Paul!

The beijingkids student correspondent program gives high school students with an interest in writing and journalism a resource for guidance, feedback, and real-life training. If you are a student interested in becoming a beijingkids student correspondent, or you know a student who is, please contact ellisfriedman@beijing-kids.com

Photos courtesy of SPAS

SPAS Reporting: What is Life Like in a Boarding School?

Among the many international schools in Beijing, there is only one boarding school: Saint Paul American School (SPAS). Students at SPAS live in dormitories, where they spend about 13 hours a day, and they live with one or two other roommates who have different cultural backgrounds. Because we live at school, students enjoy relative independence and freedom from his or her parents, but living at school can be bittersweet.

Dorm life

You have really close “neighbors” who are literally right next door, and the room you live in with your roommates is your home. The hardest thing about dorm life is the absence of your family. Living away from your family can feel lonely at times, and you may feel desperate to go back to your real home. Things that you were insensitive to when you lived in your house are now crucial in your new accommodations. You have to respect people around you all the time. This means basic manners like wearing earphones when listening to music, turning the lights off when your roommates are sleeping, buying internet cards which last for a month at a time, and keeping your bed and desk clean. If you are one of the unique people who wake up early in the morning, everyone in your wing will love your morning call at 7:00 every day, too…seriously. Every day, you will see people brushing their teeth, pouring hot water in cup noodles, practicing dancing in the corner, and working on group projects in the lounge. Your fellow students are always there.

Roommates play a vital role in dorm life. They are your family, the ones who you can rely on the most. Before you go to bed, talking with your roommates about ongoing school issues, how your day was, and even about your concerns really helps you to feel that you are not alone, and that you have people who support and care about you.

I live with another senior who is currently working on college applications. We often talk about how we feel both anxious and excited about leaving high school and going into a completely new university environment. These conversations have developed a bond of sympathy between us, and I feel much more relaxed about the emotional burden and apprehensions. We laugh together, cry together, and sometimes, we all go crazy together. Living in a dorm with your roommates has the ability to leave a warm, everlasting companionship in your heart.

School life

In a boarding school, everyone stays very connected with one another. In China, where Facebook and Twitter are blocked, students at SPAS are all connected by online or mobile messengers such as Skype, MSN, and Kakaotalk. Kakaotalk is a started as a common network among Korean students but soon became a boom among other international students. Due to such close relationships, even a petty matter becomes gossip. It’s just a matter of time before the entire school knows if you break up, fight with your friends, or say something stupid. You should only divulge your top-secrets to friends who are 100 percent reliable. If not, your secret will be a widely known fact in school. But that connectedness has a positive side, too: Take something like birthdays, for example. In band, students play a surprise birthday song as soon as our conductor holds the baton. At night after study hall, they hold a surprise birthday party in an empty classroom. They also design a card board with little birthday comments and pictures from every student.

Photo by Sally Kang

Just Relax: Spas to Tide You Through the Holidays

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Parenting can be draining, both physically and mentally. Indulging in a spa day is a great way to ease tension, and what better time than during October holidays? Beijing has many options for massages and manicures, so read on for some suggestions.

The spa you visit can make all the difference. Try checking for a good location in our Directory or check out the reputable spas below:

Most importantly, remember to have fun and relax.

Photo: Unique Hotel Group via Flickr

Midweek Giveaway: Win a Summer Refresher Spa Package at Kocoon!

beijingkids — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:00:00 +0000

In the spirit of pure indulgence, this week’s giveaway comes courtesy of Kocoon in Sanlitun. One lucky reader will win a free Summer Refresher Spa Package – which includes a session in a eucalyptus infused steam room, a 30-minute tension release massage or soothing head and shoulder massage and a 45-minute express facial and is worth RMB 495 – for the best describing their favorite way to indulge in Beijing.

Submit your answer in the comments below for your chance to win!