Fifi Kao
Director & Editor-in-Chief, SpaChina Magazine
Fifi was born in Shanghai and joined SinoMedia in 1999 after studying psychology and graphic design in Tokyo. She rose from designer to become Editor-in-Chief of SpaChina Magazine, which this year celebrates its 14th anniversary. As the opinion leader of China’s spa industry, she hosts the annual SpaChina Summit and Awards and publishes industry reports. She currently established WellBridge Academy, as a training and recruitment platform for China spa industry. In 2009, Fifi won the Most Creative Woman Director award from China Sorority. In her spare time, she practices Tai Chi and studies Traditional Chinese Medicine. She won silver medals at the Hong Kong International Wushu Festival in 2008 and 2009. Fifi is an international nutrition consultant with IARI (International Accreditation and Registration Institute) and is fluent in English and Japanese. In 2005, she wrote and illustrated a children’s book, and now she is a mother of two children.
Emlyn Brown
Vice President, ACCOR Wellbeing Luxury & Premium Brands
Emlyn brings over 20 years of international experience to this role, beginning his wellness career in 1996. Since then, Emlyn has held several progressive management positions throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Over his career, Emlyn has led group operations of several leading luxury spa and fitness operators. During his time at Resense Spas S.A he also held the position of managing director of Asia, accountable for the management and growth of the portfolio in China and Southeast Asia. Prior to that, Emlyn was the director at GOGO Hospitality, and also held senior positions at Six Senses Resorts & Spas where he was the regional director for Europe and later the operations director for Asia. Prior to working within luxury hospitality, Emlyn held senior operating roles with Holmes Place Lifestyle clubs in Switzerland and Germany.
Samantha Foster
Development Director, Destination Spa Management Ltd
For over 20 years, Sam’s passion for wellness has led her on a journey through every aspect of today’s spa industry. A proven manager, trainer, therapist, retailer, and one of Asia-Pacific’s most experienced spa consultants, Sam has been blessed to work with many of the region’s top brands. Sam’s mission is to “make the world happier and healthier”, and she sees the spa industry as an ideal vehicle to achieve this. Her specialty is setting up and managing destination spas and wellness centers. Sam runs international courses in spa development and management, is a published author and popular speaker, and has twice been awarded for her leadership in the spa industry.
Arthur Tsao
CEO of Standard Foods Corporation
General Manager of Standard Foods (China) Company Limited
Mr. Arthur Tsao has been dedicated to promoting healthy life concepts and leading the company through continual development. Standard Foods features a wide product range covering oats, cereal beverages, milk powder, edible oils and condiments, tonic drinks, special nutritional foods and more. In some markets, the penetration rate of its products reaches 90%. The MIGHTY edible oil of Standard Foods has continually ranked top three among mid- and high-end edible oil brands and has won multiple awards. MIGHTY has been in cooperation with World Heart Day for over 10 years and has introduced heart improving body exercises to more than 500 cities nationwide. To strengthen the health sector, Arthur spearheaded the company’s merger and acquisition of the top Swiss anti-aging brand Swissline in 2015, marking Standard Foods’ entrance to the beauty industry. His goal is to develop a new health realm that combines food with skincare, based on the cutting-edge technology of the East and the West.
Michael H. Gold
Founder and Medical Director of Gold Skin Care Center
Dr. Michael H. Gold is the founder and medical director of Gold Skin Care Center, Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, The Laser & Rejuvenation Center, and Tennessee Clinical Research Center. He is also Clinical Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville. He is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon and oversees the various facets of the center’s operations – a combination of medical and surgical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, aesthetic services and research endeavors. Dr. Gold plays an integral role in the development of new pharmaceutical products and medical devices through his clinical research. So far, he has authored over 300 published scientific articles, 35 textbook chapters, and has edited two textbooks on Photodynamic Therapy. He is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. In addition, Dr. Gold helped establish the Tennessee Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the Dermatologic Aesthetic Surgery International League, and 5-Continent-Congress.
Kent Richards
Corporate Operations Director (Spa & Wellness) Six Senses Hotels Resorts
Born into a family of gym fitness fanatics, Kent Richards grew up in Durban, South Africa, following all the fitness trends of the 80’s and 90’s before finding himself in the middle of the global Spa and Wellness industry. After a career with 20 years in Fitness and 10 years in Spa, today Kent is Corporate Operations Director (Spa & Wellness) of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, based in Bangkok, Thailand, and responsible for over thirty spas across the globe. Kent believes in giving back to the industry by playing active roles with the Global Mentorship Program, Global Wellness Day, Wellness for Cancer and Wellness Weekend initiatives.
Prof. Gerard Bodeker
Chair, Mental Wellness Initiative of the Global Wellness Institute
A Harvard-trained public health academic, Gerry Bodeker researches and advises on integrative medicine and wellness. He has taught on medical sciences at Oxford University for two decades, is adjunct professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, and works with the private sector, governments and the United Nations, advising on culturally-themed wellness strategies. He has specialised in Asian traditions of medicine and healthy lifestyles, including the study of Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Prof Bodeker has published widely, including the following books: The World Health Organization Global Atlas on Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Understanding the Global Spa Industry, and Mental Wellness: Pathways, Evidence and Horizons.
Guy Harriman
Bio Energetics expert, Inventor of Pyralight
After graduating from Manchester University, Guy worked in parallel processing for 10 years at Inmos, before being introduced to Steve Jobs at NeXT. Following that, Guy worked at a number of startups in Silicon Valley, and was a technical director at Cisco for six years. Guy was the first yoga teacher at Cisco in 1995, and became an energy worker and body worker before retiring from the corporate world in 2002. Guy worked as a yoga teacher and therapist in California before moving to Chiang Mai in 2008. Guy spent three years building his LannaYoga.com healing center there, and in 2014 designed the Ajna Light, a sound and light therapy device which opens the pineal (celestial eye), creating visions and altered states experiences. In 2017 Guy introduced his next design, the PyraLight, a highly innovative PEMF and IR device which harmonizes the energy systems in the body, being especially beneficial for improving sleep and relaxation.
Raad Ghantous
Founding Principal & I.D.E.A (Interaction Design & Experiential Aesthetics) Director of Raad Ghantous & Associates
Owner of Golden Seal Productions
Raad Ghantous founded Raad Ghantous & Associates/RG&A in 2003. This is a Southern California based company specializing in luxury hospitality, wellness centers, and medical & day spa developments. Before that, he had gained extensive experience working for design industry giant Hirsch Bedner & Associates, and architectural icon Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo. Today RG&A is highly respected in the hospitality fields of branded interiors, spa & wellness, and food & beverage /restaurant design, for the high standards of quality, beauty and detail of their projects. The company now also offers a whole range of complimentary services from concept development, funding packages, operational, retail and programming consulting to training and interim onsite management. Raad is an authority on ‘Aging in Place’, an educator on Hospitality & Spa Design at the Art Institute. Ghantous is also the founder of Golden Seal Productions, developer of many podcasts and digital content shows.
Trent Munday
Vice President, Steiner Spa Consulting Regional Vice President, Mandara Spa
Trent joined Steiner Leisure in January 2005 after 14 years in the hotel business, with Six Senses Hotels & Resorts, where he opened the company’s first Evason property in Hua Hin, Thailand as Resident Manager and COMO Hotels & Resorts where he was the opening General Manager of Uma Ubud, Bali. Having worked in Australia, USA, Thailand, Maldives, Indonesia and Malaysia, he has gained considerable experience in the hospitality industry across numerous, diverse cultural environments. Trent also spent two years at a senior management level with the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games where he was responsible for a number of portfolios including the accommodation and related services for over 17,000 athletes and officials in The Village.
Graham Earnshaw
Author, Publisher of SpaChina Magazine, CEO, SinoMedia Ltd.
Graham Earnshaw is a businessman and writer with many years of experience in the China media world. He is Publisher of SpaChina Magazine, China Economic Review, CEO of SinoMedia Ltd and Publisher of Earnshaw Books. He has been a director and executive of a number of companies in the China media space. He was previously a journalist and was Reuters editor for Asia for five years (1990-1995). He has written a number of books, including Tales of Old Shanghai (2008) and an account of his continuing walk across China, The Great Walk of China. He speaks regularly at meetings and conferences on a wide range of topics relating to China’s economy, society and history.
Kenneth Zhang
President of PARAMOUNT BEAUTY
Mr. Kenneth Zhang is not only a navigator in PARAMOUNT BEAUTY, but also a life instructor with 15 years’ experience of giving guidance and instruction to senior trainers, as well as a marketing strategy consultant. He has developed a range of courses including Reverse Thinking Marketing Mode, Excellent Leadership, Position Obligation, Training for Chief Operating Officer, Instruction Style and Corporate Cultural Innovation.
Melissa Kang
Vice President of Global Marketing, Venus Concept
Melissa Kang has over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry covering sectors of marketing, sales management, consulting, and business development. Before joining Venus Concept, she served at Allergan as the senior product manager of BOTOX(R) Cosmetic, and Strategic Program Manager of Allergan APC. Melissa joined Venus Concept in 2016 as director of the Practice Management Program and was then promoted to be VP of global marketing just 10 months later. She has led her team to attentively look at beauty trends, take heed of every small shift that may become a big shift, and understand the true needs of customers, so as to support the company to develop more products and services which are closely relevant to customers. Melissa has a BSc in Chemistry from UWO, an MBA from Queens University, and is a CPA, CMA.
Michael Gao
General Manager of Universal Companies Asia
General Manager of Universal Companies Asia and Universal Companies Shanghai, is a graduate from Wuhan University and studied at the Wharton School of Business and the Graduate Business School at Stanford University. After working for Fortune 500 company Johnson & Johnson and Adidas, he joined the spa industry in 2013 as Founder of SpaEquip Shanghai. Michael currently oversees sales and business development in the Asia-Pacific region. As the largest five-star hotel spa equipment supplier worldwide, Universal Companies and SpaEquip are dedicated to providing the best service to clients in China and other Asia-Pacific regions with prestige and professionalism.
Dr. Li Kai
Attending Physician, Doctor of Medicine Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University
In 2007 and then 2010, Dr. Li Kai received a masters and then a doctorate degree in Dermatology and Venereology from Fourth Military Medical University . From 2009 to 2010, Dr. Li studied and worked in the Dermatology Department of the Henry Ford Hospital in the US. He has so far been responsible for one Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) project and one hospital-wide fund project, and he has participated in various national research projects. He specializes in laser treatments, facial scar therapy, chloasma treatment, treatment of sensitive skin and more. He has published over ten essays on Dermatology with SCI.
Kurt Macher
General Manager, Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London
Kurt Macher has recently been appointed as General Manager of Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London, after securing multiple awards for The Temple House, Chengdu, China, a luxury Swire Hotel. As an international hotelier with over 29 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Kurt has worked for some of the world’s leading hotel brands as general manager and within senior management roles including Wharf Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and The Peninsula Group. Kurt has led high performing hotel teams in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East and in some of the fastest growing markets across Asia, most notably in Hong Kong and Singapore. During his time in China, Kurt was an active board member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Southwest China and was also a finalist in the General Manager of the Year category at the China Hotelier Awards in 2018.
Grace Wu
Founder of WE Solution Co ., Ltd Professional Spa and Wellness Consultant, Professional Speaker and Trainer
Grace Wu has abundant experience in the SPA industry and the operations of skin care brands in the China market, and is particularly expert at integrating global resources. Since 1997, Grace has focused primarily on APAC trade and business, operating the top-ranking Spa chain group Decleor as general manager, bringing international aesthetic brands into the China market. By enabling them in innovative ways, she assists international partners to create a variety of strategies to open up the local market efficiently. Grace is the Brand Consultant of professional European medical beauty care brands, Business Consultant for Asian Fashion & Media group; consultant for Fund Raising Projects; and Lecturer of IMCAS Anti-aging Medical Research Conference – Taiwan Panel. Grace is also an investor in international aesthetic technology companies. Grace personally devotes herself to mentoring female entrepreneurs and young generation individuals and actively gives lectures to support and inspire them.
Prof. Fay
Founder and Chairman, 300 Forever Young Ltd.
Fay Xie got his Doctor of Medicine degree from Shanghai Institute of Hematology of Shanghai Jiaotong University and his master degree in Molecular Diagnostics from Second Military Medical University. He was once the Deputy Secretary General of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies – Medicated Diet & Dietaotherapy Special Committee. In 2018, Dr. Xie founded 300 Forever Young Ltd. and is the Chairman of the company. Now he is also the father of the “Gene Valley” Project. Dr. Xie has published over 30 papers and proposed the “Rejuscience Hypothesis”.
Li Dan
Founder, Anxin Health Management
Tumor Prevention and Cure Management and Service Platform
Holding the master degree of oncology, Li Dan is now the physician-in-charge of the medical oncology department at Shanghai Huashan Hospital – Jing’an District. Li Dan has been dedicated to the standardized treatment of common tumors, individual-based treatment of advanced tumors, and standardized pain treatment of advanced malignant tumors for 13 years. He has participated in many anti-tumor drug clinical tests and scientific research projects nationwide. Li Dan has published several theses in core journals at home and abroad. He is also the founder of Anxin Health Management, the first management and service platform for tumor prevention and cure in China, and is a partner in the Asian professional antioxidant skincare brand EJEX.
Annie Fung
Assistant Vice President – Crystal Life Spa™, Wellness & Medical Dream Cruises Management Limited
Ms. Annie Fung, the Assistant Vice President of Dream Cruises Management Limited, has over 20 years’ professional experience in spa, wellness and medical beauty industry. Annie has been successful in contributing to opening and setting the largest Western, Asian and Medical spas in two new cruise ships over 150,000 tons on the sea in 2016 & 2017 with managing over 200 spa staff for the whole operation at both corporate and onboard team. She also provided advice for Crystal Life Spa’s other two Genting properties including Crystal Mozart (Crystal Cruises) and Catskills Spa (Montreign Resort World Casino, New York). Annie was appointed to be the HK President of the China Spa Association in 2010 and is now engaging in Genting Dream HK, Dream Cruises for developing the group’s spa brand – Crystal Life Spa™ and managing the Spa, Wellness and Medical business.
Shirai Koichi
Representative Director of Credo International Co., Ltd
Shirai Koichi is the Representative of World Wellness Beauty, Operation Director of Sakura Quality Wellness, and the council member of Japan Accommodation Facility Association. In Japan, Credo has partnered with 1,500 hotels, run labor dispatch business for 1,300 therapists and managed 35 spas which are located inside different hotels. Five of its subordinate SPA brands have entered foreign markets as well including New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Sri Lanka, Bangkok, Taipei, Bali Island, Shanghai and Tianjin. Credo is also responsible for the operation of L’Occitane SPA and AN SPA at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland. The AN SPA Ginza Tokyo has been the image store of the brand. Credo also runs a CIDESCO accredited SPA and therapist training school.
Lei An
Senior Manager of Spa Operations & Pre-Opening for Greater China & Mongolia, Hilton Hotels Group
Ann has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry including 11 years focusing on spa operation and spa consultancy in USA and China. As a spa consultant, she supported international hotel groups and local spa investors, working on feasibility study, design consultation, pre-opening and operational auditing in Great China area. She joined Hilton hotel group in June 2015 as the senior-manager in charge of spa operations and pre-opening in Great China and Mongolia. Currently, there are over 50 spas in Hilton hotels and another 20 spas in 3 year pipeline in Great China.
Elva Xue
Spa Manager of The Bvlgari Spa Shanghai
Elva Xue, a Shanghai native, is now the Spa Manager of The Bvlgari Spa Shanghai. With more than 15 years’ management experience in spas, she is quite professional in staff management, marketing planning, profit control and etc. Sha also acquired MBA. Prior to Bvlgari Spa, Elva has been the Spa Manager of Anantara Spa, and Spa Manager of Mandara Spa at JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square. She is fond of aromatherapy, TCM, and nutriology. With certificate of The International Federation of Aromatherapists and Senior Nutritionist, Elva has applied aromatherapy and traditional Chinese medicine to modern spa and thus deliver a holistic healing journey integrating the essence of East and West.
Jaclyn Yan
General Manager of Swissline, Shanghai
Ms. Jaclyn Yan is responsible for the business of Swissline in China. She has more than 10 years’ experience in FMCG and retail, and is a senior professional manager. With her professional, rich industry experience and efficient management style, Jaclyn guides the brand team to become more dynamic and efficient. Her passion and dedication to the beauty industry has rebuilt the brand image of Swissline, and transformed the classic image of Swiss luxury skin care brand into a more fashionable and trendy one. In daily life, Jaclyn is a delicate woman, fond of voyage, cuisine and other things related to a good life.
Rachel Gong
Founder of Nan Nature SPA
Entering spa industry 7 years ago, Rachel has already opened 4 spa outlets and won over 800 loyal customers so far. Since a long time ago, Rachel has understood the importance of improving the health and beauty of her family members and herself, and therefore always visited spas and salons. When her daughter entered primary school, she decided to start her own business. Based on several years’ study of the operation modes and business strategies of Natural Beauty Group, Rachel became a franchisee of the brand and opened her first “Natural Beauty” Spa in Tangqiao, Pudong, Shanghai in 2012. During the operation process, Rachel accumulated rich practical experience. Later in July, 2019, her first self-owned brand Nan Nature Spa was opened, housed in an independent western-style building at the newest business and recreational center in Tangqiao. Rachel dedicates to delivering quality beauty and wellness services to the guests through an innovative approach.
Su Haiju
Founder of Si Tuva Te Star Club
Ms. Su started in the garment business in 1998, exporting goods mainly to Southeast Asia. In 2013, she was afflicted with severe health problems and went to Thailand where she was deeply healed by Thai SPA. With the vision of sharing this healing with more people, she opened Si Tuva Te Thai SPA in Zhuji, Shaoxing in 2014. Based on the concept of nature and rebirth, the SPA offers diverse health services to heal the body, calm the mind and promote overall wellbeing. Si Tuva Te Thai SPA combines the spa characteristics of East and West. Thai spice is a key part of the treatments. In August 2016, Situ International Development Co., Ltd. was established, covering the business of coconut shell charcoal, garments, skincare products and wellness travel. Si Tuva Te opened its first spa outlet in Cambodia in March 2017. The Foshan outlet had its soft opening on June 10, 2019 and soon, the Zhuhai outlet will open on September 30.
Lee Woon Hoe
AVP, Brand Assurance and Experience Development Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
Lee Woon Hoe holds a variety of professional diplomas in physiology, stress management, massage, spa treatments and more. He was once Spa & Wellness Management lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Business. Woon Hoe’s journey to achieve wellness later led him to the role of Program Director at a wellness retreat in Suzhou. After more than a decade of in-depth study on wellbeing, Woon Hoe returned to Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts as AVP of Brand Assurance and Experience Development, where he is responsible for the conceptualisation and creation of the Sanctuary Wellbeing programmes at Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary Phuket. He creates meaningful and impactful lifestyle activities that encourage guests to optimise potential, from body awareness sessions, mindfulness practices, lifestyle enrichment workshops to intimate cultural insights. He previously held different positions in spa operations, hospitality services and marketing within the Banyan Tree Spa Group across Shanghai, Dubai, Bahrain, Bangkok and Singapore.
Hino Akiko
Founder and Principal of Cred Spa and Esthetic School Council Member of CIDESCO-NIPPON
Ms. Hino Akiko has 40 years’ experience in Japan’s beauty and training industry. She is a council member of CIDESCO-NIPPON, Chair of the Educational Society of the International Federation of Aestheticians, Principal of the INGG JAPAN Kyushu Campus, council member of INGG Association, Principal of Kagoshima KIET School of Hair and Beauty Care, Representative of HINO, Honorary Lecturer at Japan’s Esthetic Society headquarters, and Founder and Principal of Cred Spa and Esthetic School. Ms. Hino introduced CIDESCO to Japan. As a CIDESCO authorized institute, Cred Spa and Esthetic School provides relevant courses and assessment procedures. Ms. Hino’s students are very active in the beauty field in different places around Japan.
Sawada Sadashito
Representative Director of SAWADA SYUZO CO., LTD
Born in Nara Prefecture Japan, Sadashito is the sixth head of his family business – a brewery which possesses 200 years’ history. Since middle school, Sadashito has studied brewing techniques at different breweries in Nara Prefecture. After graduating from the School of Law of Gakushuin University, Sadashito made up his mind to inherit the family business. Since 1984, Sadashito has been the representative director of SAWADA SYUZO CO., LTD, the most time-honored and large-scale enzyme producing enterprise in Japan. Sadashito’s grandfather produced a special vegetable fermented liquid from natural plants and distiller’s yeast in order to protect the health of the brewing workers, which was later commercialized and now leads enzyme trends in Japan. Based on the vegetable fermented liquid, the company has developed a rich range of products that cover the health food and beauty sectors. Sadashito also established a music academy for his musician wife as an approach for public music education.
Kaori Takano
Founder of Re La Beauty International Senior Trainer, Cheng Mei International
Takano has 20 years’ experience in beauty industry and is a certified therapist for bone adjustment. She had worked for Japanese famous skincare and beauty brand POLA since 2005. Then she became the resident manager and chief trainer of beauty & esthe CLEA, during the period of which she gained rich experience in training, treatment design and operation. Since 2014, she had worked for several brands as a freelancer. In 2017, Takano established her own company Re La Beauty. The company’s first spa outlet was opened in Osaka Shinsaibashi Japan in April 2017. Then, she opened another spa store in Shanghai in 2018. In addition to running the spa outlets, she also provides training services to several companies including Shanghai Chengmei Cosmetics Co ., Ltd.
Yoshino Yumiko
Founder of A.S Company Founder of Asia Beauty Lunasia
Yoshino founded Asia Beauty Lunasia in Kyoto 25 years ago. She is an active figure and a professional senior in Japan’s wellness and beauty industry. Currently, she runs nine wellness and beauty centers in the Kansai region of Japan. Yoshino’s business covers product research and development, treatments development and training, and beauty equipment development and manufacturing. With a deep understanding of Asian females’ wellness and beauty needs, she timely updates operational strategies and program offerings according to market trends, aiming to deliver the best “made in Japan” quality services. At the beginning of 2019, Lun Ya Biotechnology Limited Company (Shanghai) was established. Yoshino hopes to share her experience accumulated in Japan with China’s market and industry peers in China. Yoshino is also the mother of three children.
Chika and Aki
Twin Bone Alignment Therapists, Acupuncturists, Beauticians
The older sister Chika once studied at China Medical University, Taiwan. Holding Japan’s national acupuncturist certificate and bone alignment therapist certificate, she is skillful at aligning the bones both of the face and body. Chika is also a council member of Japan BSS Association. The younger sister Aki got Japan’s national acupuncturist certificate and beautician certificate. She learnt make-up techniques in Los Angeles MCT Academy and once studied abroad at Shanghai University, during which period she passed HSK 5 examination. The twin sisters founded “Vivi Only One” bone alignment salon in Japan, offering bone alignment, acupuncture and style design services.
Tim Denzel
Founder and Head Coach, PULSE FITNESS
With a Sports Science Master Degree from the German Sports University of Cologne, and 25 years of experience in the sports and fitness industry, Tim is passionate about bringing the revolution of EMS (Electronic Muscle Stimulation) training to China. EMS training is a high-intensity whole-body workout that cuts your training down to one or two 30-minute sessions a week and still lets you achieve the physical results you want. Tim incorporates different workout techniques into his multidimensional approach to fitness. He designs EMS sessions that are a balanced combination of functional training with a holistic mindset. By following Tim’s EMS training and nutrition plans, clients look and feel better than ever before.
Derrick Cope
Pilates Educator, President of Pilates Method Alliance – China Chapter
Derrick is well-known in China as a pioneer in the field of Pilates. He is the owner and founder of Synapse Pilates, the first Pilates studio in China. He also hosted the first internationally-recognized Pilates certification. More than a decade later, Pilates and intelligent movement are growing in popularity across China. Pilates is an exercise system invented by Joseph H. Pilates in the mid-twentieth century. The exercises can be done with the assistance of specialized equipment or on the mat. The increasingly high stress low mobility lifestyle of the Chinese consumer has led to the fast-paced growth of Pilates around China.
