Unleash Your Flow through Somatic Movement Wellness
What’s your story?
Born with a hole-in-the heart, I was told I could not do strenuous activities and, if I did, I would not live through 16. I was later told that dance is not going to make me money and I should not quit Engineering. At age 28, I was made to deal with losing my mother to a brain tumour, alone. All that pain, with the many “cannot(s)” and “will-never-be(s)” thrown at me led me to look at life differently. I saw how I could dance – to flow. I wrote the book, ‘Flow –The Art of Creating AbunDance,’ to encapsulate those mindset shifts.
What excites you most about your industry?
The subject I have practiced, researched and focused on is movement. How to establish a more seamless brain-body communication through awareness of our body (soma). It led me to become the first SE Asian, Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist. I discovered the expanse of the work and saw that it could be applied to some many industries from health, wellness, arts, education, personal development, technology and more. Traversing through these industries and collaborating with partners, I grew more keen in my work. The trans-disciplinary learning expanded my curiosity and tied together the nuanced concepts of humanity, flow and movement.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born in Singapore, a city-state in Southeast Asia. My grandfather came from China and set up shop in Singapore. My father was the first lineage to be born in Singapore and I, the second. Having lived in The Netherlands and the United States during my work and studies helped me appreciate the “identity” I have. It is a tough world no doubt. As Singapore is a young and multicultural country, identity can sometimes be ambiguous and vague as relayed to me by my foreign friends. Singapore brings me to my Asian roots, and it being developed, yet still having ample room for maturing, I feel a sense of hope and would like to contribute to the “nation-maturing.”
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Vietnam. I believe there is ample room for growth in this country. Having visited the country, I have friends who are molding the art scene over there that proves to be promising. A communist country that adopts the growth of an individual, yet expands its embrace of culture and the arts is commendable. Other friends of mine have also started businesses in Vietnam and I hear positive things from them too.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Learn to be soft. A ball thrown against a glass shatters but a ball thrown against a hanging cloth renders the ball to the ground with itself unharmed.
Who inspires you?
Some of my teachers in the performing arts, somatic arts, Lao Tzu, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Einstein, Walter Lewin, etc.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
That I can lose someone I love in a fraction of a second…and that it can really hurt…
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I don’t believe in turning back time… I believe in improving from where I am. Hence, being present is very important. Because “Presence = Time + Attention.”
How do you unwind?
Reading, watching films, connecting with friends over drinks… DOING SOMATIC MOVEMENT.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Vietnam.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“Making A Life, Making A Living: Reclaiming your Purpose and Passion in Business and in Life,” by Mark Albion
Shameless plug for your business:
Come experience an instant change in your thinking pattern through Movement Analysis. Learn how to unleash the Flow in your life starting with the mind and body. Without congruence and consistency, your joy is going to be short lived and uncertain.
How can people connect with you?
They can email me at [email protected]
Or through Instagram @danspirevy
Twitter handle?
@danspirevy
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connects’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
Connect with Callum on Twitter and LinkedIn
Download free copies of his books at www.callumlaing.com
