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Originally written by Doris Lam. Last updated by Janice Lam.
Meditation has been a hip topic in the city in recent years—and we’re all about it. Studies have shown that regular meditation can lower stress, activate brain waves, and improve concentration. Don’t worry if sitting still isn’t your forte; there are different types of mindfulness practices available, such as drawing, colouring, and sound baths, to help yourself slowly ease into meditation. Read on to learn all about our favourite meditation studios and urban retreats to help declutter your mind and find balance in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life.
Note: In light of the pandemic, many of the studios are offering online classes and meditation sessions. Please look to the official websites for more information.
Located on Caine Road, Float Co. has four treatment rooms. Each comes with a sensory deprivation chamber, nicknamed the “Dreampod.” Looking much larger in person than in photos, the Dreampods are filled with 25-centimetres-deep skin-temperature water that contains 550 kilogrammes of Epsom salt and magnesium, keeping guests afloat. You may even add the Gravity Free SpaceVR to get an out-of-the-world relaxing experience. Apart from it being a super cool experience, the pods claim to help with muscle pains, stress, and lowering blood pressure by offering a break from the overwhelming stimulation of the outside world.
Float Co., Basement, 89 Caine Road, Mid-Levels, Central | (+852) 2548 2844
Known for their impressive collection of meditation gongs that originated from Germany, Red Doors Studio uses sound as a form of healing, by producing rhythmic vibrations to synchronise brain waves and achieve relaxation. The studio regularly schedules special events such as power nap Tuesdays, full moon gongs, and all-night gong pujas—an overnight stay at the studio where you will drift away to the sound of gongs.
Red Doors Studio, Flat A, 21/F, Lee Fund Centre, 31 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang | (+852) 2110 0152
If you’ve walked past Tai Ping Shan Street, it is likely you have spotted a shop with sparkly, colourful crystal bowls on display. Offering programmes for both children and adults, crystal bowl sound healing meditation, and weekly meditation classes, Samadhi Training Centre for the Soul is perfect for parents who are thinking of introducing meditation into their kids’ daily routine.
Samadhi Training Centre for the Soul, 2 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan | (+852) 9311 2915
Named after the Japanese term for “reason for being,” this serene studio aims to empower and guide individuals to find their own purpose. Ikigai offers a variety of yoga, meditation, and movement classes at their uniquely designed, artful studios in Central and Causeway Bay. Both locations also provide showers, toiletries, and refreshments. Check out their website for more information about class schedules and their studios.
Fivelements Habitat is an urban wellness sanctuary inspired by their flagship hotel in Bali. Located at Times Square, it features mindfulness classes such as meditation, tea ceremonies, sound healing, and holistic therapies as well as visual arts. For those who want to burn off some energy, they also offer a series of movement classes such as yoga, pilates, and martial arts.
Fivelements Habitat, Level 13A, Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay | (+852) 3106 2112
Formed with the objective of studying Buddha’s teachings through the practice of observation-based Vipassana meditation, Hong Kong Insight Meditation Society organises group practices and retreats regularly. While some retreats are one-day, self-led practices that are more suited for advanced practitioners, they occasionally offer teacher-led classes as well. Be sure to check their website for updates.
Hong Kong Insight Meditation Society, Fa Hong Monastery, Lantau Island | (+852) 6219 1998
Aiming to provide a relaxing environment for Hong Kong people, Kadampa Meditation Centre offers year-round, drop-in meditation programmes for people with all levels of experience. Classes usually begin with a breathing exercise, followed by a talk on a chosen topic and a complementary meditation practice. It is simply impossible to remain tense immersed in the calming atmosphere and beautiful meditation room.
Kadampa Meditation Centre, 1/F, Harbour Commercial Building, 122–124 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan | (+852) 2507 2237
Su Bong Zen Monastery’s Gak Su Retreat is open to participants year-round. Although most courses anticipate participants to have prior experience with the monastery, they also offer an introductory course for beginners which allow newcomers to be familiarised with the process and become precept students, eligible for other programs. They also have programmes for public registration, and temple retreats for precept students.
Su Bong Zen Monastery, 5/F, Starlight House, 32 Leighton Road., Causeway Bay | (+852) 2891 9315
Plum Village Hong Kong, a Buddhist retreat on Lantau Island, holds mindfulness 1–3 day retreats for families, Hong Kong professionals, students, and youth leaders every summer or during holiday seasons. You can expect daily guided meditation sessions, mindful walking, guided sitting meditation, Dharma talks, silence sessions, and even tea meditation during the retreat. Retreats are led in English and full schedules are available on the website.
Plum Village, Lotus Pond Temple, Ngong Ping Village, Lantau Island | (+852) 2985 5033
Organised and led by past students, Vipassana Meditation Centre offers 10-day silent retreats completely free of charge, with vegetarian meals and dormitory-style accommodation included. The Vipassana meditation centre in Tung Wan is secluded from loud cars and traffic, making it the ideal environment for meditation.
Vipassana, Lot 146 in D.D. 319, Tung Wan, Shek Pik, Lantau | (+852) 2671 7031
Doris Lam is a freelance lifestyle writer based in Hong Kong. Her work has been published on Localiiz, HuffPost, Vice, Time Out, Hong Kong Tatler, and more. While she wishes that she’ll become a hiker gal one day, you’re probably most likely to find her slurping up bowls of ramen or enthusiastically petting chihuahuas on the street. Follow her on her website.
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