Aqua fitness has been a lifeline for Malissa Sander during some of the most challenging times in her life. Born in Sri Lanka, Sander, 44, endured a traumatic childhood, witnessing atrocities during the civil war and experiencing an unstable home life. Moving to Singapore at nine, she developed an eating disorder by 13, using strict food control to cope with her emotional turmoil.
By 17, her restrictive eating habits had severely impacted her health, leading to constant fatigue and osteopenia. While studying in the United States, she further damaged her body by tearing her ankle tendon and severely limiting her food intake, leading to a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa in 1999.
In 2000, Sander discovered aqua fitness on a chiropractor’s recommendation. The water-based exercises made her feel safe and happy, a stark contrast to her previous experiences with physical activity. Moving to Sydney in 2001 for medical treatment, she combined aqua fitness with strength training, gradually regaining her strength and confidence. With the help of a physical therapist, she relearned how to move without fear, eventually reversing her osteopenia.
Her recovery journey was slow and lonely, but Sander persevered, developing healthy eating habits and resuming exercise. She lived in various Asian cities, including Bangkok and Hong Kong, where she met her husband and pursued a career in fitness. Sander earned multiple fitness certifications, including an Aqua Instructor International Certification from FISAF.
In 2017, Sander faced postnatal depression after the birth of her second child. Physical pain from a C-section prevented her from exercising, but once she returned to the pool, her depression began to lift. This experience led her to develop the Aqua Tula method, focusing on balance and moderation. Tula, meaning balance in Sanskrit, reflects her journey from extreme living to a more balanced lifestyle.
Relocating to Singapore, Sander noticed a lack of awareness about water fitness. She began teaching the Aqua Tula method in 2019, tailoring exercises to different fitness levels and needs. Aqua Tula incorporates shallow- and deep-water workouts, combining HIIT, cardio, strength training, Pilates, and yoga. Sander uses pool noodles, boxing mitts, aquatic foam dumbbells, and space shoes to create varied and effective workouts.
Aqua Tula is designed for everyone, from postpartum women and injured individuals to those with disabilities or weight issues. Sander’s method emphasizes the therapeutic effects of water movement, which she believes can transform lives.
Sander’s daily routine includes her own aqua fitness classes, weight lifting, and walking outdoors. She credits fitness, particularly aqua fitness, with saving her life multiple times, helping her manage trauma, fear, pain, and anxiety. “Fitness, particularly aqua fitness, has saved my life countless times,” she says. Sander’s story underscores the powerful connection between movement and mental health, illustrating how exercise can lead to profound personal transformation.
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