The Swedish way to a happy life
fight with you’.” Ng’s gym has also started offering Muay Thai classes to children from ages six to 10, which are taught by his wife Nanthicha Nodnum.
Just as they would for adults, the classes aimed at children teach Muay Thai as a form of exercise, and a form of respect, with Ng saying young minds absorb good values better.
“I think the younger you learn, the better.”
Ng’s gym also offers additional classes for adults that consist of yoga, ninjutsu, Tabata, and Zumba.
For adults and children alike, Ng’s advice is to persevere if you want to take up Muay Thai, and reap the many benefits it offers.
“[If you] can’t today, try again tomorrow. If you can’t tomorrow, come again. Keep coming until you can follow everything [techniques].” IN HER book, Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life, British native and Swedish resident Niki Brantmark proposes that it is the philosophy of ‘lagom’ which could be the reason why.
Although it doesn’t have a direct translation into English, lagom can best be described as ‘not too much and not too little – just right’ and is the Swedish approach to everything in moderation.
Brantmark uses her book to explain how in our fast-paced, modern world, following a lagom lifestyle could be key to reducing pressure, as it encourages finding balance in every area of life, whether it’s work and free time, family and friends, or food and drink.
For example, finding a work-life balance is important in Sweden. They rarely work overtime, enjoy five weeks of holiday a year, and even make time for a coffee break with colleagues.
This enables them to spend more time with friends and family, make the most of the daylight in the darker months – particularly important for mental well-being – and take a break to recharge themselves.
And even though lagom is a way of life that comes naturally to Swedes, science also backs it up. Swedes exercise to stay in good health as part of a long-term lifestyle – exercise is not for a quick fix and they are not obsessive about it.
Many studies have shown that a moderate amount of exercise can bring a range of health benefits including a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
Living with less is also a way to live more lagom. Think of the minimalist Swedish design – declutter your house to also declutter your mind, and invest your money in less pieces but which last longer.
Spending money on other things that bring you happiness, such as experiences rather than objects, has also been shown to have a positive effect on health. – AFP-Relaxnews