Burnt out in Singapore? You’ll want to know about this hidden wellness studio in Phoenix Park

“Why can’t Singapore feel like this?” That was the question that sparked the launch of The Living Room, a wellness practice founded by former Singapore Idol contestant-turned yoga practitioner Gayle Nerva and Katie Jonzen, a senior recruitment consultant and inner peace mentor.

“When I was living in Bali, Gayle would visit and say, ‘Why can’t Singapore feel like this?’ It wasn’t about Bali specifically – it was about having spaces where you can simply breathe. Spaces that aren’t centred around productivity,” says Katie, in a video interview with Her World.

Sitting beside her, Gayle shares that she had fallen in love with the simple rituals of a slower life: “Waking up, opening the window, lighting incense, watching the smoke drift, drinking tea. In Singapore, life can feel very fast-paced and productivity-driven. It can feel hard to rest without guilt. We wanted to create a space where slowing down feels safe.”

And so, in August 2025, they launched The Living Room in the lush, tranquil surrounds of Phoenix Park, where they now host yoga practices, sound baths, dance sessions, music jams and women’s circles – all with the intention of creating a space where people feel safe enough to truly relax, and inspired enough to express themselves.

The space itself reflects that intention. Decorated with throw pillows, meditation cushions and layered carpets, guests are invited to sit wherever they feel most comfortable.

“It feels like entering someone’s home. That was intentional – we wanted it to feel warm and familiar, like a family living room,” says Gayle.

That inquiry takes different forms across their offerings. Each month, The Living Room hosts The Wise Women Circle – a two-hour gathering where women come together to share, reflect and connect. Sessions explore themes ranging from navigating motherhood to career shifts, weaving in journalling, somatic movement, and moments of song and dance. The next session is happening on 13 march.

“Even simple things – like openly sharing where you are in your menstrual cycle – can feel edgy or taboo. That often opens up bigger conversations about shame and why we weren’t taught certain things about our bodies,” says Gayle.

The Living Room also organises wellness retreats abroad, including the upcoming River Flow retreat in Ubud, Bali, taking place from 29 February to 4 March. The five-day, four-night experience is designed around the five natural elements – earth, water, fire, air and ether.

“We’ll move through yoga, meditation, voice work and nervous system practices, all centred on rest and reconnection,” says Gayle.

Prices start at $2,200 for a shared room and $2,600 for a solo room for the full five-day, four-night retreat. Held at a private retreat centre in Ubud, the retreat includes airport transfers for those taking the recommended flights, as well as Balinese cultural experiences, ceremonies, outdoor excursions and temple visits. Guests will enjoy local Indonesian vegan meals and daily Bali coffee or tea.

It’s not about promising a dramatic transformation, they emphasise, but about integration: creating space for rest, reflection and a deeper return to oneself.

For those curious about doing inner work, Katie and Gayle believe curiosity itself is the starting point. “Curiosity is an entry point. It’s a sign of aliveness. If you don’t follow it, nothing changes,” says Katie. “You don’t need to know exactly what you’ll get out of it – just following that spark can open up something new.”

Gayle adds, “You can also take practical steps. Speak to the facilitator beforehand, bring a friend, set your own boundaries. Know that you can always step out. There’s no pressure to share.”

More information can be found on their Instagram page.