Singapore-based lover of movement with almost 20 years of experience teaching people to understand their bodies, as both a teacher and teacher trainer of Yoga & Pilates. She has a keen interest in creating inclusive, safe, movement spaces for folks who are neurodivergent, perimenopausal, hypermobile and queer. With 500+hrs of qualifications and training, she is also an educator, and holds post-graduate qualifications in pedagogy, language, theatre studies, art and music. A deep love of shared knowledge means she is, and will always be a teacher. Including teaching and developing the Mindful Mobility and Functional Flexibility (MMFF) interface, as one that is constantly evolving, for people to understand how to move their bodies in a way that is natural, loving and enabling.
Backbends Without the Baggage
No one needs a “before” version of their body to be welcome here. All backbend practices - or lack thereof - are suited to this class.
Circus-trick energy, a puffed out chest, an unstable lumbar, and everyone chasing the deepest wheel in the room…maybe not all heart-opening practices are created equal. Certainly the relentless pursuit of “cracking oneself open” can be more crackpot than catharsis.
Amanda & Justine (Singapore) will spend this session on spinal extension and flexion with real attention to what’s actually happening underneath: the ligaments, the fascia, the connective tissue that either supports a safe backbend or quietly resists one. We’ll look at why some bodies open easily through the chest and others don’t, the role and limitations of the spine, intercostals, and abdominal wall, and why often your “open heart” has nothing to do with effort or discipline. If your heart opening practice feels stagnant or needs a new approach, this deep-dive into the expansive potential of the chest and its thoracic scaffolding may be for you.
This is also a space to perhaps reacquaint yourself with your chest and heart, exploring our capacity beyond the baggage we can often carry here. Whatever your relationship to this part of your body looks like right now, that’s the starting point.
This 2 hour workshop will also suit you if your backbend or heart-opening practice has changed because of:
Surgery, including top surgery or breast augmentation
Injury, broken bones, or physical trauma
Childbirth, child-feeding, or postpartum recovery
Connective tissue disorders
Early stage kyphosis (stooping, hunching, forward-rounding)
Non-binary or trans-masc identity navigating a new relationship with this part of your body, or
Any other shift in how your chest and heart space feels or functions during exercise
We’ll move slowly, with plenty of time to be curious, explaining the anatomy as we go, the role of the posterior chain, and fascia lines, to build supportive backbends in both layer and variety.
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Wanna do all three? We’ve got you! The All In & Save Pass lets you book the whole weekend for $137 (save 15%) - more movement, less faff. Grab one HERE 💥 The All In & Save Pass covers all three of Amanda & Justines events at Vital Beat in September.
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Who is Amanda Koh? - Amanda Koh is a long-time Vital Beat favourite!
Check out Amanda on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/unapologeticallyamandakoh
Who is Justine Teng? - A perfect fit for the Vital Beat Community.
Justine Teng is a Singapore-based Manual Osteopath, ACE Personal Trainer, and Cancer Exercise Specialist with 12 years of experience dedicated to pain-free movement and rehabilitation. A respected mentor to other fitness professionals, Justine specializes in manual therapy and functional training. Her expertise is centred on clinical rehabilitation and empowering a diverse clientele, including cancer survivors, the aging population, and her industry peers. Driven by a passion for accessible wellness, Justine uses her background as a former educator and TV producer (Honors, Multimedia Design) to empower urban communities and champion active aging through optimal movement patterns..
Check out Justine on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/justine.teng
PLEASE READ - *Booking is via direct ticket link below or purchase the ALL IN Pass to be automatically added to all three events*
- Refunds available up to 7 days prior to the event, within 7 days the ticket will only be able to be sold or gifted to another person.
- Please contact us directly for changes or refunds -> [email protected]
- Ticket is immediately available upon purchase and deducted from account once client is signed into a workshop or if client reserves a place in a workshop but fails to attend or cancel at least 7 days before commencement of workshop.
- No refunds or exchanges for failure to use.
- By purchasing this pass you are agreeing to the above terms and conditions
Class Price
A$49
Includes GST: A$0
Get your ticket
Book for yourself or anyone in your family.