While Shanghai may be celebrated as a city that never sleeps – where an eclectic underground music scene, street food, and a lively cocktail bar lineup reign supreme – there is also an active wellness community emerging from the debauchery. Shanghai youth are trading booze for balance, raves for reiki, and spirits for self-care, all in the name of investing in their future. With a deep-rooted heritage in holistic health and well-being – from Traditional Chinese Medicine, to yoga, tai chi, and meditation – it seems all the more natural that Shanghai locals and expats alike are making mental and physical health a priority.

Throughout my decade-long tenure in The Paris of the East, I’ve witnessed a tectonic shift in the way this city, and its citizens, lean into health and wellness. From receiving blank stares from passers-by during my morning runs to now having limitless options of workout clubs; from needing to source imported ingredients to build out a high protein diet to now having numerous options for dine-in and delivery that fit a holistically balanced lifestyle; from seeking out mental health guidance in only medical settings to now having a variety of eastern and western alternative therapy at my fingertips, Shanghai is on its way to becoming one of the healthiest cities in Asia.

As a food and beverage journalist and photographer based in Shanghai for the last 10 years, here are eight of my top health and wellness recommendations that provide the necessary balance in my life.

Wellness Workshops

ŌRA Wellness Collective

Founded in December 2022 by certified yoga instructor, life coach, reiki instructor, and breathwork facilitator, Julie Brument, ŌRA Wellness Collective is a holistic lifestyle brand dedicated to stress management and prevention. Using breathwork as a foundational practice, ŌRA offers services ranging from workshops to wellness products like gratitude journals and affirmation cards. The power of breath is universal, and ŌRA aims to make it accessible to everyone.

Through ŌRA Wellness Collective, attendees can participate in breathwork and wellness workshops in Shanghai that empower individuals to cultivate emotional awareness and resilience to regulate their nervous system.

To view the most updated schedule of breathwork workshop offerings or to book a private session, visit www.orawellnesscollective.com, or contact ŌRA Wellness Collective on Instagram @orawellnesscollective.

SŌL Healing Sanctuary

Founded and curated by Chiara Ye, SŌL Healing Sanctuary is a community-based holistic wellness studio and lifestyle brand nestled in a shikumen lane house in Xintiandi, one of Shanghai’s most historic neighborhoods. Described as a safe space to heal, connect, and return to your true self, SŌL was born from the desire to offer an authentic and heart-centered haven where people can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and explore different paths of healing.

SŌL Healing Sanctuary offers intimate courses of just 6-9 participants, like Reiki, Sound Healing, Meditation, Breathwork, Hypnosis, Quantum Hypnosis, Women’s and Children’s Circles, Cacao Ceremonies, Astrology, Numerology, and more. It also hosts training programs for aspiring healers and team-building healing workshops for organizations seeking mindfulness and balance. Alongside regular paid sessions, SŌL offers free and by-donation sharing circles every Monday. SŌL also maintains a free online WeChat healing community, where participants can join virtual healing classes and guided sessions from anywhere.

Visitors can also take a piece of SŌL home with them through products that carry the same healing energy and intention as its classes – from reiki-infused candles made from natural wax and pure essential oil to energy-cleansing sprays and aura mists, and from ethically-sourced palo santo to healing stone jewelry.

To view class schedules and book a session, scan the Official WeChat QR for SŌL below or email chiara.ye@hotmail.it.

Cliff Von Edge Spiritual Connection Classes

Cliff Von Edge is a multi-dimensional spiritual teacher, life coach, healer, and energy art artist devoted to guiding souls back to their divine essence.  As a master of Rainbow Light Reiki, Multiverse Records, Alchemy Sound Healing, Akashic records, and vibrational energy jewelry, he also offers soul retrieval, past life regression, tarot reading, plant medicine integration, Feng Shui consultation, and personalized sacred artwork. 

With over 10 years of experience and deep intuitive presence, he channels light codes and holistic frequencies to awaken healing, truth, and purpose.

Cliff can lead classes in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese both in-person (in Shanghai) or online. To book a class, contact Cliff on WeChat at Cliffvonedge or on Instagram @cliffvonedgeart.

Silver Root Apothecary

Located in a historical neighborhood in Shanghai, Silver Root Apothecary is an East-meets-West food therapy studio focused on the concepts of “food as medicine,” Chinese healing philosophy, and holistic natural living. Created by registered dietitian, food therapist, and Shanghai native, Zoey Xinyi Gong, Silver Root Apothecary offers a wide range of cooking classes, wellness workshops, nutrition consultations, accompanied TCM hospital visits and at-home treatments (like therapeutic breast massage, TCM face scalping with acupuncture, and metabolic abdomen meridian massage), creative cultural events, and highly curated products (like TCM skincare products from registered brands like Herbeast (东边野兽) and YINA, lab-tested and organic TCM herbs by weight, natural jade jewelry, and certified organic material clothing).

To visit Silver Root Apothecary, stop by 27 Changle Lu (by Lane 39, #27 Shanxi Nan Lu) from 2-5pm every Wednesday to Sunday, or make an appointment during other hours by visiting www.silverrootapothecary.org or calling +86 138 1851 2417.

Exercise and Physical Well-Being

Megaformer

After testing out dozens of workout classes, routines, and gyms, I can definitively say that Megaformer is one of the most holistic workouts in town. This high-intensity, low-impact workout emphasizes constant tension by activating those often-neglected stabilizer muscles. 

The Megaformer machine resembles a Pilates reformer but is so much more, efficiently targeting every muscle group – from arms to abs to chest to back to legs – in just 45 minutes, incorporating cardio, strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility. Expect to walk away with sore abs, fatigued arms, wobbly legs, and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, without the painful joints or risk of injury that go hand-in-hand with other higher intensity workouts around town. This is exercising for longevity.

All class schedules and bookings are done through Megaformer’s WeChat Mini Program: The Megaformer Lab. You can find English service and ask any questions via the Studio Assistant’s WeChat Account: themegaformerlab.

UP Clinic

If your back doesn’t occasionally hurt, if your knees don’t click, if your hips don’t creak or if your shoulders don’t give you pain, count yourself among the lucky few that have won the genetics lottery. For the rest of us, there’s UP Clinic, an orthopedic and rehabilitation center that specializes in the evaluation and treatment of all muscle, bone, joint and sports-related injuries. 

UP Clinic focuses on a non-surgical first approach to pain management, so patients can recover faster and as pain-free as possible.

Beyond physical therapy, UP Clinic offers massage services, cupping, acupuncture, chiropractor treatments, and more, all under one roof in one of their four locations around the city. On more occasions than I’d care to admit, I’ve hobbled into UP Clinic with any myriad of ailments and walked out feeling better or with a plan towards recovery.

To book an appointment, call 400 1086 196 or visit www.upclinic.cn/en

Holistic Health Snacks

Cher’s Healthy Treats

For those with an insatiable sweet tooth (and a guilty conscious), Cher’s Healthy Treats provide the optimal middle ground. Wholesome, all natural snacks, handmade with love in small batches, Cher's Healthy Treats feature dates, rightfully known as nature's candy, paired with health-boosting nuts, seeds, and superfoods. 

There’s no refined sugar, and no additives, just clean, delicious plant-based energy. From pure cacao superfood brownie energy balls to dark chocolate coated dated stuffed with salted natural peanut butter, there are flavor profiles that appeal to all tastes, at pocket-friendly prices of RMB45-88 for 3-6 pieces. In addition to being a great snack on-the-go, they also make for perfect gifts for all your foodie loving friends.

To place an order, either scan the WeChat QR code on the flyer, email to cherchanglin@hotmail.com, or contact via Instagram @cherchanglin.

Cosmic Rye Bread

Cosmic Rye Bread are hearty sourdough loaves made from Chinese whole grains and seeds coupled with slow fermentation, and baked with love in Shanghai since 2024 by chef and food writer Jamie Pea. A healthy alternative to over-processed breads, Cosmic Rye Bread loaves (RMB55) are high in fiber and whole grains, so consumers stay fuller longer without the spike in blood sugar.

Jamie began professionally baking at the age 19 in hotels and restaurants, whilst studying English Literature in London. She has been in Shanghai since 2019 as a chef and copywriter while telling stories through weekend sourdough-baking sessions, weaving in seasonally-inspired local ingredients.

To place an order, either scan the WeChat QR code on the flyer, message to WeChat ID: penalolza or message on Instagram @jamie.pea.recipe.