Rasidah (fifth, from right in front) and the Piloxing participants from West Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei during their retreat at a resort in Kota Kinabalu.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 22): Sabah’s natural environment and vibrant culture have the potential to become an international wellness and fitness destination.
This unique blend has made it an ideal choice for the Piloxing community to select Sabah for their travel fitness retreat series, said Beyond Footprints Travel Singapore, Founding Partner Chu Mingwei.
“The warm hospitality of the state has also made us feel at home, and this perfect combination of factors is exactly what we were looking for,” said Chu during the Piloxing Voyage 3.0 programme held at a resort here.
A total of 76 Piloxing participants from Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei gathered in Kota Kinabalu to relax, rejuvenate, and feel empowered during a transformative four-day retreat.
“The inspiration for the retreat stemmed from the growing demand for thematic travel events that combine wellness, adventure and cultural exploration,” he said.
He explained that thematic travel allows participants to form deeper connections with one another while travelling together and engaging in fitness exercises.
The first two Piloxing programmes were held in Indonesia, and there is a possibility of returning for the fourth series next year, potentially with a larger group, following the wonderful experience in Kota Kinabalu, he added.
Chu also expressed appreciation for the support provided by Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jimit, who hosted a welcoming dinner, and ground handler Funholiday Tours and Travel Managing Director Connie Chong for ensuring a seamless arrangement.
“The support from stakeholders and local agents is vital for the successful coordination and collaboration of such programmes,” he said.
Senior Master Instructor for Piloxing Asia, Rasidah Caudal, explained that Piloxing is a combination of Pilates, boxing, and high-energy dance workouts, founded by former professional dancer Viveca Jensen in 2009.
Pilates exercise is named after Joseph Pilates, a German physical trainer who developed the mind-body exercise.
“We aim to create a community that enjoys fitness holidays.
“We want to conduct Piloxing in various locations in Sabah because it offers so many opportunities for adventure seekers to explore its diverse culture and delicious food —something you won’t find elsewhere,” she said.
The group explored the Mari Mari Cultural Village, Anjung Kinabalu to sample local cuisine and shop, and visited the Tunku Abdul Rahman Parks for water-based activities.
Rasidah noted that Piloxing exercises fostered bonding among travellers from different countries.
“My experience here has been incredible. The people are very friendly, and there’s something uniquely special about Sabah.
“There are so many different tribes here, which is something I rarely see elsewhere.
“The culture is incredibly rich, and I can see that my team is thrilled. We view fitness holidays as the next big thing,” said Rasidah.
