{
  "id": 7096245,
  "title": "On all fours or off to a wilderness retreat? How Hongkongers are reclaiming their calm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/on-all-fours-or-off-to-a-wilderness-retreat-how-hongkongers-are-7096245",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T11:00:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3367298/all-fours-or-wilderness-retreat-how-hongkongers-are-reclaiming-their-calm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hong Kong's wellness trends continue to evolve, with residents turning to alternative therapies to restore balance and calm amidst high-pressure careers. Animal flow practitioner Ngai Tsz-wai, 40, finds strength, flexibility, and mental clarity through quadrupedal movement, which helps him reconnect body and mind. Ngai began his wellness journey a decade ago after participating in a local yoga studio class and now incorporates yoga, meditation, breathwork, journaling, and nature retreats into his routine.\n\nIsland Within, a wellness retreat on Peng Chau, offers a progressive journey through gentle yoga, qigong, sound baths, and inner exploration exercises to foster self-awareness. Founder Zero Chan, a singing bowl therapist and mindful yoga instructor, noticed increased demand for retreats during the pandemic and still hosts sessions weekly, providing companies and NGOs with on-site retreats.\n\nFor those seeking a more immersive experience, Bhakti Wong, a somatic psychotherapist and yoga instructor, leads retreats to Mongolia, free of traditional spa amenities. The nine-day retreat, priced around HK$25,000 to HK$30,000, includes horse riding, river rafting, archery, and shamanic ceremonies. Wong believes that immersing oneself in a different culture can provide a broader, more open perspective.\n\nFor city dwellers with limited time and resources, Jin Fong Ting, a counselling psychologist specializing in cinematherapy, suggests turning to films as a sanctuary. She explains how movies can act as an \"affect bridge,\" connecting viewers to suppressed emotions through impactful scenes, ultimately helping individuals uncover underlying needs and bypass rational thinking.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "On all fours or off to a wilderness retreat? How Hongkongers are reclaiming their calm",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/on-all-fours-or-off-to-a-wilderness-retreat-how-hongkongers-are",
        "published": "2026-09-13T11:00:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}