Making Shapes

Being Neighbourly x Van Tran, TAO Dance Arts

Author/ Being Neighbourly
1 October 2025

You don’t need a dance background—just a willingness to want to get stronger and to be curious,” says Van Tran, Co-founder of TAO Dance Arts. The almost 1,000 sq ft studio in Yau Tong is a welcoming space, where people of all ages and backgrounds can explore aerial arts, pole, yoga and creative movement—not just to get stronger, but to feel more connected to themselves and others.

“Our mission is rooted in movement, community and purpose,” explains Tran. “We aim to create. We also strive to support our dedicated trainers with stability and recognition, and to give back by offering free classes to underprivileged children, making movement accessible to all.”

The journey began in late 2023, when Tran was invited by Christine [her business partner] to help carry forward a studio in Kwun Tong, after previous partners moved on from the company,” says Tran, adding that she had “discovered” the neighbourhood during a location search for TAO Dance Arts. “After a hike from Clear Water Bay through Devil’s Peak, I ended up in the area and was taken by the vibe. Right in front of what’s now Tao Dance Arts is Sam Ka Tsuen Recreation Ground—a big, open park with lots of space for kids and adults, and just a short walk away, the charming Lei Yue Mun fishing village.”

“When we walked into this ground-floor unit—92 sq m, 7.5m ceilings, and full of natural light—we both felt that, ‘this is it’ feeling.” Yau Tong’s raw, creative energy and proximity to the sea made it feel like the perfect home for their studio.

Said studio offers a wide range of movement-based classes for all levels, ages, and genders—from complete beginners to experienced movers, says Tran, who moved to Hong Kong due to her husband’s job. Originally from a small town in Vietnam with no access to sports clubs—or even a TV—she found movement naturally, through play and instinct. The couple had been living in Germany before their relocation to the SAR.

“At first, the move felt like a big shift, but I can’t express how much I’ve come to love Hong Kong. It’s a city that moves fast, yet somehow still makes space for stillness and reflection. There’s something incredibly special about the energy here—it’s dynamic, inspiring and full of possibility.”

Tran says the most popular classes are Pole Fitness and Aerial Silks, especially among women in their mid 20s up to their 50s, who are looking for a fun, empowering way to stay fit and express themselves.

“We’re also seeing growing interest in our Parent-and-Kid classes and Kids & Youth Aerial and Pole programs, which create a joyful space for bonding and movement exploration across generations. “It’s always a delight to see kids walk through our doors and immediately start exploring movement on the pole and hoop. It’s like their bodies just know what to do!”

Beyond the variety of classes, Van says they provide one of the best setups for pole and aerial in Hong Kong, with their trademark 7.5m ceilings, competition grade equipment and custom-built truss, as well as professional pulley systems that allow for full drops and advanced silk work.

They prize having world-class instructors, who are committed to the vision of creating a space where people can thrive—physically, mentally and creatively; and that some of them coach students for international competitions.

“All of us started off as beginners and we pride ourselves in having empowering instructors for whom the most important starting points are openness and presence; and consistency of practice.”

“We would love for TAO Dance Arts to be a vibrant hub for creative expression. We host a series of events, workshops and other team-building activities. We also have had artists come and debut performances with us, as well as hosting our own community showcase”, shares Tran. “We love to collaborate on endeavours that bring people together through movement and expression. We also collaborate with movement artists and wellness practitioners to create immersive experiences that go beyond fitness—into ritual, storytelling and transformation.”

According to her, progress comes from letting go of perfection and embracing the process; and it’s about tuning in, not performing.

“Over time, each of us can develop the strength, fluidity, and a deeper connection between mind and body,” she says.

“It [Co-running TAO Dance Arts] has shaped my resilience and opened doors I never imagined,” says Van, adding that TAO Dance Arts is a place where movement becomes a pathway to growth, empowerment and belonging.

What’s the best work advice you have received?

“The best advice I’ve received hasn’t come from just one person—it’s come from life, and from the people around me,” says Van Tran, Co-founder of TAO Dance Arts.

“My 9-year-old daughter once said, “I keep doing it every day. I don’t see you practicing,” when I admired her flexibility. That reminded me that consistency is everything. I’ve also learned from moments of discomfort—like when I gave a long explanation after saying ‘No’, and someone gently reminded me, “Sometimes, no is just no.”

“Every class at TAO Dance Arts teaches me that there are no shortcuts—some things come quickly, others take time. In business, as well as in life, it’s about giving your all, doing what you feel is right-rather than achieving an elusive consensus.”

“The advice I hold onto most is: “Voices in your head are often not true. Choose wisely what you keep close, and talk positively to yourself.” Choose a path where you can be useful, and stay focused on it. That’s what keeps me moving forward.”

TAO Dance Arts
G4, The Spectacle, 8 Cho Yuen St, Yau Tong. Kowloon.