AIIB Project Office Provides Hatha Yoga Training Sessions
2017-02-28

The AIIB Project Office offered two Hatha Yoga Training Sessions for AIIB employees at lunch time on 29 November and 2 December respectively for relaxation, in collaboration with the Feel Fit Studio and the Administrative Department of AIIB. When the training program was initially announced, AIIB employees, including some male employees, registered their interest enthusiastically and filled up the vacancies quickly. 

On the day of the first session, many participants arrived in the studio ahead of time to start doing warm-up exercises. The session formally began at 12:30 p.m., and Ms. Kuang Xuemei, who has taught Yoga domestically and internationally and is known as one of the 10 top-ranking Yoga teachers in China, showed up in the classroom and was introduced to the learners by a smiling moderator. The teacher began by briefing the office workers on Hatha Yoga’s benefits in English and then showed the learners how to make basic and composite motions. Her patience and the students’ conscientiousness helped create a harmonious atmosphere. Before it was called a day, the AIIB Project Office presented gifts to the learners who declared they would like to continue to attend Ms. Kuang’s training sessions at their own cost. The AIIB Project Office will accordingly assist the Feel Fit Studio in making arrangements for follow-up sessions. 

The planning work in preparation for the program began in October. In order to invite the best teacher, this Office made contacts with the AIIB Administrative Department and the Feel Fit Studio and released and updated relevant information on Wechat regularly. In addition to making general preparations such as sending e-mail invitations, making posters and purchasing gifts, particular attention was paid to having the yoga mats ready for the learners to avoid potential injury and improve their experience. All necessary information to note had been obtained from the teacher and passed on to participants beforehand to ensure that they avoid eating anything one hour before the class, put on loose outfits and bring bath towels to keep from catching cold. 

The class had to be postponed until the heating was formally provided in Beijing to ensure that the studio temperature remained above 22°c as required. This Office also got in touch with the General Property Management Department to conduct heating facilities inspection and examination to ensure the successful delivery of the training. 

Though it was the first time we provide Yoga training sessions, the previous successful Tai Chi (shadow boxing) training sessions received massive acclaim and numerous expressions of interest have been submitted via our service hotline. The AIIB Project Office will continue creating opportunities to host more cultural and sports events for AIIB employees, based on the DRC culture of Respect and Pursuit of Excellence.