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Alternative health and integrated health have always had strong followings in Hong Kong, yet in recent times their popularity has widened to include more sections of society. No longer the exclusive domain of wily old locals, alternative medicine now does big business with hordes of foreign tourists, expats and even day-trippers from the mainland. In this Insider Guide to Alternative Health in Hong Kong, compiled in association with our friends at Kwiksure, we take a look some of the more prominent centres in the city and the popular treatments and services they offer.
“Awakening the Power Within” is the motto of this multi award-winning health and wellness centre. Located at Glenealy in Central, the Shakti Healing Circle primarily offers therapies and treatments designed to promote physical, emotional and spiritual self-healing. By focusing on the power each person naturally possesses, the resident practitioners provide guidance and teachings that help improve wellness and develop an understanding and appreciation of the inner being.
Shakti Healing Circle offers more than 14 different therapies, including guided meditation, holistic aromatherapy, spiritual response therapy, yoga, Qigong and Reiki, with their wide range of classes catering to all ability levels from beginner through to advanced.
In addition to its resident practitioners, Shakti Healing Circle also hosts a number of visiting consultants who offer specialist group workshops or private sessions. To stay abreast of recent developments and for more detailed information on classes, seminars, therapies and special events, read our in-depth article about Shakti, visit their Localiiz profile page or call 2521 5099.
Kadampa Meditation Centre (KMC) is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that focuses on the teachings of Buddha and how they can be adapted for use in modern daily life. The non-profit organisation provides daily meditation classes and drop-in seminars from its Causeway Bay location, open from 7am daily and welcoming individuals or groups from all walks of life and faiths.
Supplementing the daily schedule of classes are weekend retreats, study groups and day courses. Most daily meditations are provided free of charge, with donations of between HK$50 and HK$100 encouraged. However, some classes, such as the lunchtime meditation - which comes complete with a healthy and wholesome vegetarian lunch - require advanced reservation and a modest admittance free.
Gen Kelsang Rabten, the resident teacher at KMC and the National Spiritual Director for New Zealand and Australia, has more than 20 years’ experience teaching Kadampa Buddhism. Nine additional teachers support Gen, holding classes and excursions throughout the year. For more information on the Kadampa Meditation Centre events and activities, visit their Localiiz profile page or call 2507 2237.
The Yogi and I Fitness and Relaxation Centre combines ancient Indian yoga exercises with modern relaxation and meditation techniques designed to increase fitness levels, raise stamina and improve mental balance. The Sheung Wan-based centre provides both personal and group training options.
Yogi and I Fitness was founded in 2012 by Raju, who acts as the centre’s Yoga Pracharak. Originally from India, he began practicing yoga and meditation from early childhood, and continues to bring a distinctive Indian flavour to his Hong Kong programme.
The centre offers workers a respite from the stresses of the city via classes, workshops and private seminars. To book an appointment, call 9304 1495 or email via the Yogi and I Fitness Localiiz page.
Originally founded as a single-doctor practice by Doctor Susan Jamieson, the Holistic Central Medical Practice now boasts a total of 12 practitioners specialising in different alternative and mainstream treatments. Doctor Jamieson and her team combine traditional and alternative Western and Eastern medical practices to offer clients a variety of therapies, including Chinese medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnotherapy and psychotherapy, in addition to standard GP services.
Having lived in Hong Kong for 25 years, Doctor Jamieson is one of the city’s most experienced physicians, especially when it comes to treating expats and their families. She has continued to learn specialist therapies throughout the years, and is now an integrated health expert. Doctor Jamieson is so revered in her field that she has been trusted to treat a number of world-famous musicians, such as Elton John, Mick Jagger and Kylie Minogue.
The centre’s medical personnel are proficient in a number of Asian and European languages, allowing for simple, easy and accurate communication. The practice is conveniently located on Queen’s Road Central, and is open from 8: 30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday.
They also sell a good selection of supplements and alternative treatment products, such Tesla Energy Disks and Electrodots. For more information or to book an appointment, call 2523 8044 or email via the Localiiz profile page.
If you’re interested in trying out energy healing, head to Causeway Bay’s Shine Body & Soul Healing Centre, which specialises in Usui Reiki therapy. Developed by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui in 1922, the technique sees hands laid on the body in a prescribed pattern for the transferal of universal energy known as Reiki. The practice is thought to promote self-healing and equilibrium, with advocates claiming it can heal everything from skin conditions to emotional problems and even cancer.
Unlike some reiki practitioners who use a completely hands-off approach, Shine Body & Soul founder Satoe also employs bursts of gentle massage that adds to the overall relaxation of the experience. Those interested in trying the treatment can attend one of the regular free Reiki circles or book a private session, while practitioner and teacher training courses are also offer.
For more information, read our Insider Review, call 9831 6058 or email Satoe via the Shine Body & Soul Healing Centre Localiiz profile page.
The Integrated Medicine Institute (IMI), on Stanley Street, Central, is the largest dispensary of herbal and natural supplements in Hong Kong, stocking wholefood multivitamins, ultra-pure fish oil, probiotics and targeted relief supplements. The centre also offers clinical detox programmes, as well as medical and allergy testing for those with unexplained aliments.
IMI was founded by highly respected homeopath and naturopath Graeme Bradshaw, who first bought Western natural medicine to Hong Kong in 1990. Atfer setting up the centre in 2000, Graeme is now joined by more than a dozen healthcare professionals and doctors who offer expert advice and treatments spanning Chinese medicine, homeopathy, psychotherapy, children’s wellness, natural rout-cause weight loss and men’s health.
Call 2523 7121, email via the IMI Localiiz profile page or drop by the centre for a free 20 minute consultation.
For more insights on health and Hong Kong life, visit the Kwiksure blog.
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your “local eyes”—and for that, you need two i’s.
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