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Interactive online yoga studio Yoogaia announced today (January 20) that it has opened its first Asian studio in Hong Kong, leveraging the city's strategic location to expand its unique operations in the region.
Yoogaia is the world's first live, interactive online yoga studio, offering virtual yoga classes via the Internet. With a professional teacher instructing via webcam, users will be able to learn and interact with the teacher in real time, enjoying yoga and more in the privacy of their own home or at any convenient location with an Internet connection.
Founder and CEO Mr Mikko Petäjä said, "Since January 2014, we have been live-streaming interactive yoga classes from our Helsinki studio. With our recent launches in London and Hong Kong, and soon to be in New York, we are making everyday well-being accessible globally 24/7. Our aim is to grow and develop Yoogaia as one of the first movers in the health and well-being market globally and we can't accomplish our goal without reaching the Asian market. Hong Kong has a growing population of yoga practitioners. Basing Yoogaia in the city also gives us proximity to the Mainland market where an estimated 10 million Chinese now practice yoga regularly. Hence, Hong Kong is strategically placed as our regional headquarters in Asia."
Hong Kong Country Manager Mr Miko Bantigue explained further, "In addition, Hong Kong has the world's fastest Internet speed, has a pool of yoga talent, is an easy place to set up a business, and has fast and dependable transportation for our teachers who come to and from the studio to deliver 24/7 yoga classes to our global audience. These are the crucial elements for us to deliver high-quality online yoga services to our customers."
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Andrew Davis welcomed Yoogaia setting up its regional headquarters in Hong Kong. He said, "Creative ideas like Yoogaia's not only show the Internet continuing to influence people's lives but will also have a market niche in a city like Hong Kong where people are so busy. Yoogaia gives people no more excuses to avoid exercise. I look forward to the success of this idea in Hong Kong and beyond."
About Yoogaia
Yoogaia is the world's first live, interactive online yoga studio. The name Yoogaia is derived from the Sanskrit word "yoga", meaning "to join, to bring together", and the ancient Greek word "gaia", meaning "earth, land", and encapsulates the company's mission to unite people all around the world to practice one of the oldest forms of physical and mental well-being. Yoogaia provides live and interactive classes in different local languages and across time zones via webcam. In addition to offering yoga instruction, Yoogaia offers pilates, kettle bell, core, tai chi and stretching classes. For more information, please visit yoogaia.com .
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government established in July 2000 to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As of December 2014, InvestHK had completed over 3 440 investment projects creating more than 37 500 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$91 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For an event photo, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157648035598664/.
Ends/Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:55
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