Art of Muay Thai on Bintang Steps @ Starhill

All these years, Bintang Steps along Jalan Gading has been nothing more than an quiet walkway next to the lofty Starhill Gallery although located smack in the middle of one of the most heavily pounded places by pedestrians in Malaysia. Starhill finally realized the potential of the space and now transforming it into a health and fitness alley. Going forward, people in Kuala Lumpur can stop by Bintang Steps for a dose health and fitness activities.

Bintang Steps' clean spot, airy area and well lit space, including its natural steps 'facility' makes it an excellent place for Muay Thai practice for a start!

Ready to punch!

Proceed to the little lane beside Debenhams

See how relatively unvisited this alley is compared to the traffic of pedestrians in Bukit Bintang

Spacious area for fitness activities

Collaborating with Monarchy MMA, Starhill managed to organize the first installment of "The Art of Muay Thai" at the Bintang Steps which very well garnered attention from passers-by and motorists. This not only promotes fitness among urbanites stuck in the daily bustle but also fun and joy of moving the limbs outside the arena of the air-conditioner.

Are you ready for kicks?

Exclusive European bakery Le Petit Rococo Cafe

Exquisite place for intimate events and special occasions

Let's rock it with Monarchy MMA Gym

Excited at the sight of these pads

Conrado Furlan and his team

Conrado Furlan is a seasoned fighter from Brazil with 2 prestigious titles under his belt

"The Art of Muay Thai" participants can look forward to be trained under the tutelage of Pro MMA fighter Conrado Furlan from Brazil. A seasoned fighter with professional fighting experience since 2010, Furlan have since made 32 fights wining 2 title belts at the prestigious World Muay Thai Championship in Hong Kong.

This guy just cannot wait till he takes off his suit! That's the spirit!

Conrado starts his class

Warm up that can quite pass my expectation for the real practice

Learning how to punch

Agility training on the stairs

Attach and retreat

How fast can you go

Learning how to punch

Jab jab cross cross...make sure you don't get confused!

Watch out guys! 

Students of the Monarchy MMA demonstrating the real thing

Yup! Make sure the spirit continues!

For more information, contact Monarchy MMA at 03-22011202 and Starhill Gallery at 03-27823843.

Also, check out www.facebook.com/starhillgallery or Instagram @starhillgallery

Fitness and Self Defence with Elitez Mixed Martial Arts

It took me just 1 hour to fall in love with it. My long-time perception that martial arts is a brutal activity that would produce beastly ladies actually took an unexpected turn! I did not realized that this is actually what I have been looking for until I attended the first Muay Thai class at the Elitez Martial Arts School. Full of action for sure and beneficial in many ways.

 6 top reasons why I am taking up mixed martial arts classes

Me at the muay thai class

1. Sweat out the calories

The idea of the Muay Thai class is not to be smothered in blood like in the Thai movies. Instead, you will be glistening in sweat! Even if you are Ice Queen, you are guaranteed to perspire in class...a lot! This is a great relief for me as my sweat glands hibernate in the Artic-like office environment every day. With all the punches and kicks, I immediately feel healthier and lighter.

Coach Andy Teh leading the class

2. Fun and action-packed

Cannot take the slow pace of yoga? People who cannot get enough of action like yours truely will love mixed martial arts classes. Music is always in the gym to get you rovving. Although I dislike betraying my jogging routine which I have always thought of as THE way of getting my dose of exercise, I have to say, the mixed martial arts is much more exciting. And yes my classmates definitely contribute to my motivation!

You don't have to worry if you have completely no background in martial arts. The coaches are definitely kind enough to understand. 

Andy Teh teaches us from the basics- jab, cross, hook, uppercut!

Knee and kick!

3. Self-defence

I have always been forced to walk alone after work (wish my boss was seeing this =P) And with the alarming crime happenings, what would you say a lady's choice of protection is? An umbrella, a pepper spray or a burly boyfriend? What about self-defence skills- a tool that you will never be without because YOU are the best protection for yourself. The class trains me to be stronger and quicker in encountering attackers. I will take up the Brazillian Jiu Jitsu next which is said to be very effective in bringing down your opponent bigger than you are!

Crunches done

Punching excercise

4. Stress reliever

To my surprise, after the class, I felt much lighter not only because energy was churned up but my stress released. Every person's method of destressing differs. If you realize that wine, aromatherapy or spa cannot help, try punching bags. Works like a miracle for me!

Feels so good to get those extra energy out

5. Tone up in style

Just after 1 hour of Muay Thai, I could feel aches in my muscles and those are the aches that I am actually looking for! Planks, crunches, sit-ups are incorporated during training to get those toned and sexy limbs. And oh yes, to kick and punch snazzily in style  has always been my goal too.

6. Join any class at one affordable fee

What I like about Elitez Mixed Martial Arts School is that it is fuss free. Only 1 fee a month and I am entitled to different types of martial art classes on any weekday from 7pm to 11pm. With my busy schedule, fixed-day weekly classes would tantamount to me skipping many sessions and eventually wasting money. The flexibility of Elitez School makes me feel welcomed to get fit at my discretion. 

Elitez Mixed Martial Arts School provides:

• Muay Thai
• Kickboxing
• Bootcamp
• Brazillian Jiu Jitsu

Klang Branch

Lot 10998, Jalan Sungai Jati
41000 Klang
Selangor Darul Ehsang
(Inside Arena Sport Complex)

Setia Alam Branch

No 8-4 (Level 4)
Setia Avenue, Jalan Setia Prima,

S U13/S, Setia Alam, Shah Alam,

Kelana Jaya Branch

G-2-09,
Jalan SS 6/16A, Dataran Glomac,
Kelana Jaya, 47301
Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Check out their classes at http://elitezmma.com.my/ or www.facebook.com/ElitezGFT/ or call 017-2538049

Burn Those Fat Away with Jonlivia Hot Pants

Oh those kuih kapit, kuih bunga, bak kwa surely comes with a price- price of my waistline that is! I really enjoyed Chinese New Year but help! I urgently need post-Chinese New Year remedy! To my delight, Jonlivia miraculously heard my cries and sent a pair of Jonlivia S+ Batch 9 Full Length Hot Pants to the rescue.

Time to burn off those CNY food

Jonlivia S+ Batch 9 Full Length Hot Pants that comes in a zip bag

Wear these pants and follow these 9 ways to burn fat fast!

https://buffedd.com/9-ways-to-burn-fat-fast/

5 Reasons Why I Like The Jonlivia Hot Pants

1. The Jonlivia Hot Pants allows me to burn more fat while wearing it compared to regular clothes. Only after a few minutes of donning, I can feel the heat building up. 

Stretching at home before taking the Jonlivia Hot Pants outside

2. Comfortable fabric is one reason I like this pair of pants. It is made of 100% genuine neoprene that not only allows me to sweat more but also to discharge toxic and waste from the body after massive sweating. At the side, Jonlivia also added a stripe of breathable fabric for ventilation and to cool the body.

A strip of breathable air fabric to keep the body cool

Let's take this baby out to the park

3. The Jonlivia Hot Pants is fantastic in accommodating great stretching. The 9th batch is built with stronger waistband, strong and wide stitches on the side and and back so that I can confidently stretch anyway I want. These babies qualify for all kinds of activities like yoga, cycling, water sports and even casual shopping!

Confidently stretching. Great for any stretching activity

No worries about tear

4. Although exercise is towards a mission to burn it all, the best part is being able to snack (a little) after the session. And that cannot be possible without some cash while you are out. Thank you Jonlivia for adding a back pocket where keys, cards and some change can be secured in, keeping your hands free while exercising.

The pants comes with a little pocket behind that is great for keys, cards and a little change (for some snack on the way home hehehe)

Lungsful of fresh air at the park

5. Putting on the Jonlivia Hot Pants makes me look good! And that is one motivation to run more. Fashion and health comes hand-in-hand with this brand. I like the grey stripe at the sides that visually adds the vertical factor. I even wear it while shopping as they look great as leggings under an over-sized shirt and no one knows you are burning fat while shopping!

Hi there! Come join me exercise...fashionably!

Loving my Jonlivia Hot Pants

A few things about the Jonlivia Hot Pants:

• Recommended wear is up to 4-5 hours. If body permits, some can wear up to 9 hours
• Try adapting to what the pants can do for 1-2 hours and slowly increase the duration of wear
• Do handwash the pants in cool water and do not expose to intense heat like ironing

Enjoying nature while I am at it

Living an active lifestyle

For more information, go to www.jonlivia.com or contact +011-23231623

Check out www.facebook.com/jonlivia and Instagram @jonlivia 

Morning Hike @ Broga Hill Semenyih

If you are searching for a hill to hike, may I suggest to you a hill that needs no introduction- Broga Hill! If you have not been to Broga Hill, you most probably have at least heard of it from your fitness junkie friends who make you seem like the laziest person on earth for choosing sleep over hiking early in the morning. The 400m high hill is really quite a popular hiking place in Selangor that is famous for its sunrise view.

Reached foot of Broga Hill when still dark

Well, your fitness friends are not all wrong. Hiking Broga Hill IS worth waking up for. There is so much positivity to receive and pure happiness from standing at the peak welcoming the day at the first peek of the sun. The air is bursting with freshness and tingles with its chill.

6 Things to Prepare and Expect when Hiking Broga Hill

1. Prepare a hiking buddy. At least 1.

It is best not to hike alone. A buddy should be there in case of anything. But please don't let that 'anything' deter you from the adventure and reward that awaits

Food stalls are open early in the morning at the foot of the hill

2. Expect to wake up very early and have some food

Sun rises from 7.00 am- 7.30 am. Therefore, you need to plan time to reach Semenyih, park your car, reach the top and wait for the sunrise. Do not hike with an empty stomach or a stomach too full.

When the city glows before dusk is an extremely beautiful view. Makes you want to stop time to admire it all day. Bring a good camera.

3. What to wear

• Sweat absorbent shirt (a change of shirt if you like)
• GLOVES- you will need it as you will be holding ropes to help ascend and descend the hill. You won't want to skin your delicate hands.
• Shoes with good grip. The bald earth can be slippery especially after rain.

Hike up up up! It is going to be worth it

Reached the first peak!

4. Essential things to bring

• Torchlight/ Headlamp
• Water and energy bars but there are stalls at the foot hill, so you are not totally cut off from food supply.
• Good camera/ handphone camera/ selfie sticks, tripod (there will be breathtaking views at the top and not to mention, the grand sunrise)
• RM3- RM1 for parking, RM1 for restrooms and RM1 for hiking fee which I have further commented at the end of the post.

So cool and fresh

5. Be prepared to hike for 30 minutes and meet some challenging terrains

While the duration (approximately 30 min) for hike is not too long even for an amateur, the terrain is quite a challenge. Do expect steep and slippery slopes.

There are now 4 peaks at Broga Hill due to more visitors which leads to more exploration...not exploitation hopefully

6. Bring a positive mind and appreciation

This is a great way to practice positivity and cleanse the aura. All virtues are needed in this activity- perseverance, discipline, responsibility (to not throw rubbish), appreciation etc. Sometimes, when the weather is cloudy, sunrise might be blocked by mist. That was what happened when I hiked the first time. But I didn't give up and went up again!

I managed to reach the 3rd because the 4th is a little narrow and crowded although higher

Nothing better than to just chill and wait for the birth of a new day

Witnessing the birth of a new day is so REWARDING and AWESOME!

The sun is out! The beautiful yolk is a sight to behold

Let it float up to sky

Yeay! I did it!

Whoop dee doo daaa

Get ready to descend the mountain

Becareful because the bald slopes are slippery adding to the danger factor

Use the ropes to help you down

Nothing happier than food waiting after all the arduous climb

Quenching my thirst with a good cool coconut

However, when things become popular, there is bound to be some exploitation. Recently there is a hiking fee of RM1 collected at the foot of the hill. RM1 is also collected for parking and use of restrooms. Although I resent these fees, I understand that certain facilities like toilets, banister ropes and poles needs funding. Attempting to be positive, RM3 for a good sunrise view is still acceptable to me. Lets hope there is control over these fees and it stays that way for many years to come. If not, those fee collectors better be ready for an up roaring protest!

Photo from my 1st climb

It is misty but still worth the climb. The air is bursting with freshness

Broga Hill is approximately 400m in altitude

For hiking guides, do contact 

GSA Event Management at 03-87370019 or 019-3808889 or visit them on FB at www.facebook.com/GSA-Event-Management-424680204370293

or

Badrul Hisham at 017-6245344