Hannah Northcott is a multi-passionate creative who empowers others through fun and dynamic mind-body-heart workshops. She is a chronically curious learner, drama educator, theater maker, speaker, certified yoga instructor, and official family pancake flipper. She believes in the power of thoughts, the necessity of movement, and how style contributes to wellness. Hannah taught  drama at the International School of Beijing, co-founded Well Women (a WeChat platform that connects women in China to live well, love well, and be well), has facilitated “Find Your Voice” and “Shine” workshops, and has participated in global drama festivals as an ISTA theater artist. After living in Beijing for 11 years, her family of four will move to Phuket, Thailand, in July. Hannah likes to synthesize her background in communication, media, theater, education, and yoga to create spaces for empowerment and belonging.

The following is distilled from a phone interview with Northcott: 

I come from a spiritual and academic family where both of my parents are doctors – my mother a pediatrician, and my father a doctor of divinity, as well as a pastor and speaker. I was choosing a course for what to take in university, and while my dad was open to discussion, my mother wanted me to go down the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) path because that gave me the option of going to med school in the future. 

But I knew, even from young, that I always wanted to do something creative – I just didn’t know what shape or form it would take. So I went to the top three universities in the Philippines, and discovered a B.S. in Tourism. Since it met both my mother’s requirements and my own love of travel, I settled on it, even though I sort of knew that I would change it eventually. 

Imagine how coincidental it was that in my first year, I met some creative-minded people who were in the same boat! We made this connection, and within the first year of uni, three of us decided we wanted to switch to broadcast communication. It was there that I found where I belonged. That was where I felt I got to express myself, while I also did theater on the side. 

So my advice to young people is to follow your gut because you know deep down inside what you are curious and passionate about. But also, give yourself permission to fail, like changing courses in the first year of college. You might have a sense of who you are, but give yourself the space to evolve and change. Be affected. Be open. 

One practical piece of advice I want to give is to choose your location wisely. Tony Robbins says, and I agree, that “proximity is power.” So do your research and find the place that is the heart of what you want to study and explore. It’s not just about the education that you’ll receive, but it’s also where you’ll connect with the most like-minded people who share your passion.

Another reason would be the way environment shapes your choices and lifestyle. Case in point: When I studied in New York, I lived on McDonald’s, pretzels, and pizza, which were readily available. But later, when I studied in Vancouver, everyone, where I lived, was vegetarian! That made the choice to become healthier that much easier. 

On the topic of health and wellness, celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe said that style is speaking without having to say a word. When you’re new in college, I think one of the things that people look for is “Who do I hang out with?” This is where your sense of style helps to express a bit of your personality, and something you’re wearing can spark a conversation or connection.

I align very much with New York stylist Allison Bornstein, who says, “Style is Wellness.” When we look good, we feel good. Bornstein recommends identifying three words to describe your style, and then creating looks that go with them. My three words now are “creative” (as a drama teacher), “comfortable” (to be able to move around), and “chic” (as part of my personal image for my peers).

When you go to university, chances are you’re not going to have a lot of closet space or money. So you have to be intentional about what you bring and what you keep. My advice is to invest in basics – classic pieces that never go out of style. Have items that mix and match well, then jazz it up with accessories, which don’t take up a lot of space! 

When you come across an outfit that you like on Instagram, instead of buying the very items in the look, try “shopping your own closet” to recreate it! Get inspired and get creative. 

I also want to stress seeking money-saving and sustainable solutions to grow your closet, such as shopping secondhand, at flea markets, or organizing clothes swaps. Most university towns have many consignment shops and flea markets because they know that students don’t have much disposable income. You could also try organizing your very own Clothing Auction Network (CAN), where a small group of people bring items they don’t want in their closet anymore to auction off to the highest bidder. The money raised can go to a charity of the host’s choice. It’s also a great way to meet new and interesting people! 

Images: Hannah Northcott

This article appeared in the jingkids 2023 Graduation Issue

Beijing’s an urban jungle, and in any jungle, we need tools to survive and thrive. As urban jungle dwellers, we’ve managed to blend practicality with style, resulting in the modern bag. Here, form meets function, and what looks stylish and fashionable on the outside contains all our essential survival tools on the inside. Inspired by this, we ask expats each week, “What’s in your bag?” and get insights into which essentials they keep on hand when out and about in the capital city.

My name is Von Ng, I’m director of Krav Maga Global (KMG) for China, and head instructor at Warrior One Training Center. I’ve been teaching self-defense in Beijing for over a decade now.

I was born in the Philippines, then moved to Vancouver and later Los Angeles as a child and teen. My brothers and I found ourselves growing up in a racially-charged time, when there were clashes among minorities in the cities we lived in. We learned to fight and defend ourselves on the streets, and in those years, martial arts defined some of the highest and lowest points of my life. When I returned to the Philippines as an adult, I continued my martial arts training, as it was by then an important part of my life and what I did.

I’ve trained in several martial arts since I was young, most notable of which was Kyokushin Karate, a hard-style traditional Japanese martial art. But when my then-girlfriend (now wife) and I moved to Beijing in late 2009, I had the opportunity to get more into Krav Maga.

Krav Maga, an Israeli military system, is about self-defense and street combat – that is, disabling your attacker as quickly as possible, with no qualms about fairness, art, or fighting “clean.” A lot of my contemporaries in Kyokushin Karate – incredibly powerful high-level fighters – would have shunned the very idea of Krav Maga as fighting without honor. But because I’d seen violence in my youth, often times finding myself in terrible situations where no one cared about a fair fight, I understood what Krav Maga had to offer in terms of real self-defense.

Teaching Krav Maga in China has been interesting – in the first few years, many people didn’t seem to understand why learning self-defense or situational awareness was valuable. Over the years, however, they have come to better understand that training self-defense is an important life skill, and actually translates to things like better decision-making under stress, better judgment of people and situations, as well as more confidence and overall fitness and strength.

In a decade of teaching Krav Maga to ordinary people – men and women, young and old – we’re proud to say we’ve been able to equip many thousands of people from all walks of life with technical skills, fighting fitness, mental capabilities, and tactical sense for using the right “solution” for each situation. With all the things happening in society today, we feel that it’s even more important for us to continue the work we do, reach more people, and arm them with the skills and mindset for better navigating the world we live in.

About My Bag:

My trusty Camelbak HAWG is a medium-sized (20L) backpack that’s low-profile (not overtly tactical), with a lot of useful features and customizable storage options. It’s one of the top choices for the rucking crowd (guys who load up backpacks with heavy objects and run around or exercise with it), because it’s surprisingly tough for just how lightweight it is.

The bag itself is good for everyday use and organizing your things, and it’s also great for activities like hiking and mountain biking. I’ve brought it on many training trips around the world, and it’s small enough to stow under the seat in the airplane. A plus is that when it’s not full, you can compress it so that it becomes flatter on your back – great when you’re moving around a lot.

What’s in My Bag

Five things I have in my bag all the time are my Nextorch TA30 flashlight, an IKEA flexible chopping board, a utility pack, a mouthguard, and a pair of Mechanix gloves.

The Nextorch TA30 Flashlight goes with me everywhere – typically in my pocket so technically not in my bag. Having lived in cities like Manila as well as LA in the mid 90s, it was ingrained in me to always have something that you could use as a defensive tool. The TA30 has multiple settings, including a blindingly high-powered light. It comes with a glass breaker, and you have the option to add a finger ring that helps ensure a quick deployment and secure grip of the tool when you need it, especially in cold weather. It’s comfortable enough to grip firmly if you need to use it as a non-lethal blunt tool for self-defense, and it has the soft-press function, which is good for blinding someone with a flash of light in a defensive situation (most commercial flashlights can’t do this). Police use this kind of flashlight, but we also have taught ordinary men and women how to use it for defensive purposes.

The IKEA flexible chopping board sits at the back of my bag, in the water bladder compartment. I always believe that whatever you carry, you should try to get more use out of it. In Krav Maga, we teach people to use their bag as a shield-type weapon in a self-defense situation. This practically weightless addition to my bag makes it instantly more rigid and puncture-resistant, and therefore a better shield if I ever need it.

My Everyday Utility Pack consists of a lot of things, but let me highlight a few key items:

• 20 feet of 550 paracord, which is the gold standard for tying and carrying heavier loads
• Ziplock bags in case I need to waterproof my phone, passport, or other valuables, or store food or small hygiene items
• Leatherman Multitool, in case my bike needs repair or something needs an emergency fix
• First aid kit and emergency meds, including general allergy meds, food poisoning meds, and multi-purpose topical ointments (the strong stuff)

I have a pair of Mechanix Mpact Gloves, which have rubber molding on top of the fingers, back of the hands, and knuckles. When I’m fixing things or if I have to grab or hold something that has sharp parts (splinters, jagged or rusted metal, etc.), it’s good to have hand protection. I also use this when I’m training Kali, a Filipino stick fighting system, where your hands can get hit by your partner.

Finally, I have a Mouthguard in my bag at all times, because I’m always headed somewhere for training. Whether I’m cross-training at another gym or outdoors with my team, one thing you’ll never be able to borrow is a mouthguard. Also, if trouble arises and you’re given the opportunity to equip yourself with a mouthguard… well, dental work is expensive, so why not?

To learn more about Von Ng’s self-defense work at Warrior One scan the QR code below or check out their website at www.kmgchina.cn!

Images: Von Ng

KEEP READING: Anna Zhu Navigates New Motherhood With Friends, Coffee and Flaming Hot Cheetos!

It’s the start of a new school year and going back in style is a must. Here are a few suggestions from Taobao to keep your personal fashion statement…interesting.

KEEP READING:  Where Beijing’s Teachers Get Their Back-to-School Class Supplies

Image: Unsplash

For many people who had to spend fourteen days quarantined in a hotel room, a trip to the hairdresser becomes less of a ‘treat yourself pamper day’ and more like a necessity. All that time spent indoors without a window that cracks open, eating waimai, putting up with slow WiFi while the kids do e-learning and you try to stream a home workout video takes a major toll on a person, both mentally and physically.

Dymling’s fresh out of quarantine ‘before’ look

Beijing-based expat mom, Mimmie Dymling, visited Laurent Falcon after spending two full weeks in hotel quarantine with her kids. Although still beautiful, the mom of three from Sweden was definitely ready for a fresh cut to launch her into Beijing’s beautiful spring season.

Stylist Felix at work

Strolling into Laurent Falcon with a headband on, Dymling’s short pixie looked as if it indeed needed some love and tender care from a professional. Felix from Laurent Falcon is one of the stylists that expats in Beijing adore. His attention to detail and years of experience with different textures of hair has made him one of our favorites when it comes to a fabulous cut and color.

Following a trim to refresh Dymling’s pixie cut that perfectly frames her face, Felix adds a touch of that springtime vibe to her beautiful blonde locks with some highlights.

A few hours later, a day of self-pampering at Laurent Falcon has this Beijing mom looking like a rock star, ready to take on the world. Looking stunning with her new hair, Dymling shows off her new look at Taikoo Li. Finally out and free, Dymling is ready to take her family out and about and enjoy the most beautiful time in the city.

Freedom has never looked so cool

During this COVID-19 period, Laurent Falcon maintains a strict sanitation standard and each person entering the salon must have his or her temperature checked at the door. The salon’s staff wears masks at all times and it’s recommended that customers only remove masks during their haircut. Aside from the new sanitation restrictions in place, Laurent Falcon continues to be a place of pampering, serving up fresh coffee and cocktails as you relax and unwind.

KEEP READING:  When the Twins Are Away, Mama Will Play

Photos: Uni You

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 May issue

Nani’s Creations is a Beijing based business that uses African materials to produce colorful jewelry and accessories. African flavored party favors, passport cases, notebooks, tablet cases, and bags are also available; and the company accept commissions for custom made pieces.

Nani’s Creations is the brainchild of Yaa Anima Opare Appiah (also known as Nani). An engineer by profession, Nani left Ghana in 2014 to study for a masters degree in Beijing. Nani now juggles running Nani’s Creations with parenting two small children and working full-time as an environmental engineer.

How did Nani’s Creations get started?

It started in October 2016. I was conversing with my roommate about what we could do in our spare time because we were studying for our degrees. We decided to start our own businesses on the side while we studied. So while she started a travel blog, I started Nani’s Creations. My roommate named her blog “Marie Magesha,” which is where the name of our latest head wrap collection comes from—Magesha Headwraps.

I enjoyed sewing, and I had apprenticed at a sewing establishment when I finished my bachelor’s degree so I already knew a bit of sewing. I didn’t want to make clothes because I wasn’t too confident about my cuttings, so I decided to make jewelry. I chose to use jewelry as my niche, and coming from Africa, I decided to use African fabric.

Why did you choose the name “Nani’s Creations”?

Nani is a name my sister used to call me when we were younger. I chose it because it has a ring of sisterly love to it. So, when you see me and call me Nani, I’ll just respond because after all, I’m the Nani behind Nani’s Creations.

Tell me about the first sale you made?

The first items I made were a pair of earrings and a bangle. Miatta was my very first customer, and her Mum was my second customer. I had brought fabric from home, so my starting fabric was free because I already had it. I brought the material with me to China so that I could show it off to people on the national festivals or something. I didn’t think I would use it to make anything. When I met Miatta, she added me to the PUASA (Peking University African Students’ Association) WeChat group, and she helped me market my business in that she invited me to a PUASA event. I went and spoke about who I was and what I did. Nani’s Creations took off from there.

What have been some of Nani’s Creations highlights since 2016?

In 2017, I came out with two collections, and that really helped me propel my business. By participating in fairs, markets, and cultural festivals, I was able to push my brand name forward. In 2018, I was a part of the Africa Week pitch competition, and I won first place. Last year, Nani’s Creations also won the Pride of Africa award for best community service business.

Another highlight was being commissioned by MIPAD (Most Influential People of African Descent) to be one of the people who makes their official souvenirs for the 2018-2019 cohort; we made customized notebooks. We were also contacted by the Bookworm and asked to partner with them. So right now, when you go to the Bookworm, you will find our notebooks on sale in two sizes, and you’ll find tablet cases available for purchase.

What does Nani’s Creations have in store for 2019?

In a few days, I’m going to launch my website. People from around the world will be able to purchase our products via the website. They’ll also be able to see what fairs we are going to participate in and when they subscribe they can see the giveaways and deals. There will be newsletters and blogs about the African fabrics we use. We also want to help people learn about African culture because that’s our mission—To sing the unsung songs of Africa; to show people the other side of Africa, that Africa can be beautiful.

What type of material do you use for your creations?

I use fabric from across the continent. Right now, I’m using wax print from all over West Africa. I have material from Angola, and I’m starting a new collection that’s going to feature fabric from Cameroon.

How do you balance being a mother, working full-time, and running a business?

As I close from my 8:00-5:00 job, I do my Nani’s Creations work. It’s so hard. So, what I do is try to rope in my family. I give the kids scrap fabric to cut, and I let my husband make some parts of the earrings then I finish it off. So, it’s a family affair. It’s also another way of spending time with my family. It’s profitable time.

What advice would you give to somebody who is contemplating launching a business?

Just go for it. Even if your business doesn’t do well, you still come out with a learning experience, and you learn what to do and what not to do. There are going to be a lot of naysayers but believe in yourself and what you have to offer. Another piece of advice is never compromise on quality because, in the end, it’s quality that sells. In our business, we put this into practice by refusing to use inferior fabrics.

What distinguishes Nani’s Creations from other brands?

Each piece is unique. Truly one of a kind. If I use a piece of fabric to make five pairs of earrings, they won’t be the same because each part of the fabric is different. I can get five different styles from the same piece of material. When you buy from Nani’s Creations, you’re not just buying a piece of jewelry; you’re buying a whole continent; you’re buying culture, diversity, integrity, and quality. So, it’s not just jewelry; it’s everything.

Contact:

Email: mynaniscreations@yahoo.com

Website: www.mynaniscreations.com

WeChat: Yaa_Anima

For more of Pamela’s writing about life in Beijing, visit her blog: www.itisreal.net

Photos: Courtesy of Nani’s Creations

It’s already February, and some of you might still be looking for new ways to kick-start 2019. If so then the Express Yourself collaborative workshop is for you. Get together with other women and release your inner goddess.

Hannah Northcott, along with Jindafit, has prepared a day to help empower and inspire confidence, beauty, and strength through a half-day workshop. The event will include a robust and exciting Jindafit workout session, Visual Poise, and a vocal and style class.

The Visual Poise session is all about developing and refining memory alignment technique, so that you can stand tall with confidence and pride. In the vocal class, Northcott will teach vocal projection and speaking with clarity and self-assurance. Participants will also have the opportunity to jazz up their wardrobes with a Style Principal class.

Northcott is passionate about helping women to find their inner voice and confidence in who they are. Using her background in drama, education, public speaking, theater, yoga, and media, Northcott will share techniques that she says can support the elimination of negative beliefs from your past and restore self-confidence. Every person deserves to reach their full potential in all areas of their lives and through physical and vocal exercises, this workshop aims to help you on a journey of self-discovery and realization.

The Express Yourself workshop not only promises to be a reflective and revealing time, but a fun day of learning and worthwhile investment in personal growth.  To find out more check out www.dramayogi.com, and book your spot by scanning the QR code below. RMB 400. February 23. 9.30am – 12.00pm. Lower Dance Studio, Dome, 10 Anhua Street, Shunyi.

Photos: Pelin Guven

Well, 2017’s humid, languid, and especially hot summer is finally drawing to a close. As the nighttime temperatures start to feel more “autumn-y,” is your child getting the back to school sads? Well, a really cute new schoolbag might be the ideal retail therapy needed to get your kid in the right mood to hit the books. Check out these funny and downright outrageous bags available on your favorite Chinese retail sites.

Kitty Bag (RMB 69)
In a country full to the brim of cute kitty knapsacks, we find this one to be the cutest of all. Maybe it’s the simple line drawing making up it’s front paws, or it’s nonplussed expression, or it’s tiny, afterthought of a tail. It’s actually a three part combo move. A total cuteness knockout.

Forlorn Hippos (RMB 132) 
SUPERLOVER makes a great deal of hilarious back to school book bags, but we were especially charmed by this forlorn hippo. The front zippered pouch doubles as his mouth. Luckily for us, his favorite food is pencil cases. Check out their shop on Tmall.

Cool Kid Gear From Yizi (RMB 95)
“Tasteful” isn’t a word we frequently use for fast food motifs, but this bag from Yizi is somehow just that. Maybe it’s the restrained burger and fries combo on a black background? Yizi also offers the same print as a button down shirt (RMB 119), for those who dig that “matchy matchy” just-stepped-out-of-a-Tumblr-blog look.

Popcorn Bookbag (RMB 249) 
Popcorn! Need we say more? Bromen makes a whole line of popcorn themed accessories with a strong pop art feel and look. How about a popcorn purse? Or clutch? The bleary eyed horse mascot brings the ridiculous level up a thousand percent. 

Bag Within Bags (RMB 78) 
For those storage obsessed kids, this “bags on bags” backpack is pretty appropriate. Perfect to color coordinate every possible object you own, especially when coupled with a label maker. Otherwise you’ll be constantly asking: “is my eraser in the pink, grey or brown pouch?”

Photos: Taobao, Tmall, ncbtmb.org

Those who buy a pair of Mantra sunglasses might feel this is their ever-best purchase. One pair of Mantra’s stylish sunglasses will support the donation of a pair of near-sight glasses to children in China’s remote areas.
A graduate of Columbia University in Economics and East Asia Studies, Sam Waldo first came to China’s Yunnan province six years ago, as a teacher. Being a young first-time teacher, Waldo initially was not regarded seriously by his students. But he worked hard to gradually gain their respect, by spending time with them through home visits, motivating and encouraging them.
It was through such daily time spent with them that Waldo realized many children didn’t perform well or lost interest in study simply because they couldn’t see properly what was written on the blackboard. After the teachiing program he then came to Beijing in 2012 to start up Mantra (which means “original heart”), raising funds by selling stylish sunglasses to support the donation of near-sight glasses to children whose families cannot afford them.
Waldo sees having lived in one of China’s more underdeveloped area as a great privilege, helping him to not be locked up in a tiny community. “People in these areas are so welcoming. They gave me their hands and time, sharing their stories with me, allowing me to witness their lives, and putting their children’s education in my hands. I got to experience the uniqueness of a convergence of lifestyles. In our current world when everything is moving so fast, I am really fortunate to be able to understand other people’s perspectives.”
When asked what made him decide to come to China and directly place himself in a poor remote area, he said he owed this to his very international education. He was born in Holland then lived in England, Scotland, Kuwait, and the U.S. He attended different types of schools and at an early age gained a global perspective and the desire to help those in need.
Over the last four years since Mantra was started, Waldo and his team have gone through considerable challenges. He considers perseverance as an important character quality, which has helped him stand firm in times of extreme challenges. “You have to just keep trying after a long time of no success”.
Thus far, Mantra has not gone the usual route of printing leaflets or advertising their products through mass promotion. Instead, Waldo himself often goes to a main business street, such as Wangfujing, to showcase sunglasses displayed in an old time leather suitcase, on an old bicycle or simply on a table. His marketing worked. He got lots of attention and orders, often far more than their stocks could immediately supply.
“We hope that when we do it this way, people will see who we are and begin to build trust. We meant for this project to be a positive contribution to the society at large rather than just selling sunglasses.”
Mantra glasses are designed by Australian designers based on inspiration from Chinese ethnic minority life and local Yunnan scenes such as terraced fields and lakes. Each pair has a unique name reflecting its inspiration; for example, Superfly in Dali Old Town, Hero in Er-Hai Dusk, and 88s in Kawagebo Sunrise. Materials are from the U.S. and produced to the highest quality standard. They cost RMB 360 for each pair. There are currently 21 types, mostly unisex with some particularly suitable for women. They don’t offer kids’ sizes at present.
For more information, subscribe to their WeChat account: findyourmantra.

This article originally appeared on page 17  of the November/ December issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MANTRA

You know you’ve been in China too long when the story of a Chinese person going into business with a foreigner cues a similar end in your mind before you’ve even heard the story’s conclusion.

People and business models differ, but the results are often the same: The foreigner gets pushed out. The business continues without the foreigner but doesn’t give up the name. The foreigner has no recourse. Details in the case of The London Loft hair-styling salon are slightly different, but the result is not: now there are TWO locations with the same name, but only one features the stylist Scarlet Salmons and colourist Phoebe Gao. Be sure you don’t get fooled!

I’m not generalizing, because there are success stories with long-term business relationships, but stories of foreign business owners being pushed out of the business partnerships and then finding themselves with very limited legal recourse are so plentiful that it’s become the norm not the anomaly.

Remember the restaurant “Salt,” for instance, in Lido? Similar story. Or, what about the Wudaoying (五道营) American-style vegan restaurant “The Veggie Table” that is now no longer associated with its American founder? Then there’s Divina Cakes, an online Italian bakery which currently has no one in charge that even speaks Italian, let alone is from overseas.

When I heard that Scarlet, (a hip British stylist who has been in Beijing for over a decade but whom I only discovered last year), was moving locations from her recently established London Loft salon to “just up the road,” I had a feeling something was up.

Disputes with the previous tenants of the old salon space left them no option but to leave, but the remaining (previous) tenants refused to remove the signage or re-brand the location upon their departure. Local police offered no support. The only option left for London Loft is to exist just “up the road” and advertise as clearly as possible that “the real London Loft has moved”!

Personally, I prefer the new space. While it’s just an office building from the outside, and seems a bit more hidden, the new location is brighter and sunnier; it seems to “breathe” more easily. I suppose that is exactly what happens when one is released from a bad business situation, though!

Last year, I wrote this article about The London Loft when it first opened. This article cites the old location—BEWARE! It has moved!

The REAL London Loft
3 Xinzhongdong Street, Dongwai Mansion, Building 1, 5th floor, Unit 501 / 北京市东城区新中东路3号院东外公馆1号楼501

Local Australian artist, Moo, created these great posters to help Scarlet and Phoebe spread the word, but ultimately it’s all about word of mouth in this expat community. Please tell your friends. Keep going to support these ladies who are both truly exceptional at what they do.

Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of going to the old location where, aside from identical signage, no one with the same abilities or keen eye for style will be standing behind your head wielding sharp scissors.

Photos: Courtesy of Ember Swift