On all fours or off to a wilderness retreat? How Hongkongers are reclaiming their calm

In the final instalment of the Health Matters wellness series on Hong Kong’s growing wellness trends, Emily Hung examines alternative therapies helping residents restore their balance, as practitioners stress that small, conscious moments can make the biggest difference.

For Hong Kong film practitioner Ngai Tsz-wai, peace of mind begins on all fours.

The 40-year-old practises animal flow, a quadrupedal, ground-based movement system that blends elements of yoga, dance, gymnastics and martial arts.

“Moving on all fours helps me train strength, flexibility and coordination while rebuilding the connection between body and mind,” Ngai told the South China Morning Post.

“Just as water needs to flow, our body and mind need movement to create new possibilities … which is helpful for my creative work.”

Ngai’s journey into wellness began a decade ago while producing a video for a local yoga studio, where an instructor encouraged him to try a class.