The Journey of ADD Academy Singapore

ADD Academy Singapore debuted in 2013, helmed by Ben Boeglin with Fagan Cheong as the head coach. Its headquarters was at Carpenter Street, sharing a dojo with Kali Majapahit Martial Arts once helmed by the late Guro Fred now passed on to his wife Guro Lila. Fred, Lila and Ben met with the Yamakasi co-founders Chau Belle and Laurent Piemontesi and with their blessings decided to start ADD Academy Singapore.

A few new coaches joined throughout the next few years, including Tan Shie Boon. There were weekly adult and kids classes day and night. The community was blooming and every year, the Yamakasi co-founders (Laurent Piemontesi, Chau Belle, Williams Belle) took turns to fly in from Europe to deliver Art Du Déplacement workshops in Singapore.

In 2016, ADD Academy Singapore rebranded to become MOVE Academy Singapore to become more relatable and clear in its vision to promote the art of movement as a healthy lifestyle.

Late 2017, Shie Boon took over the reins of running the Academy. He also started his journey in teaching L'art du Déplacement to the elderly. He met Ann, then 64, who falls regularly due to a struggle with balance and walks around holding onto a trolley. She was willing to give it go, and for 2 months Shie Boon trained her twice a week. By the end of it, she was able to walk on flat ground and even up and down stairs without aid.

Desmond Chua, a then student of Shie Boon's, helped to make a video documenting Ann's transformation. It was picked up by the Straits Times who then featured the story, attracting a new group of older adults to join the school, reviving the community.

From 2019 to mid 2022, Shie Boon partnered with Parkour Singapore and Shift Movement to deliver Parkour and other movement disciplines such as floorwork, mobility and gymnastics for the young and old, nurturing budding coaches and creating multiple community events for the public.

The partners then split due to differences in direction and decided to close the business with members starting their own brands. Shie Boon started Movement Singapore, a school specializing in teaching L'art du Déplacement to the elderly.

June of 2025, Shie Boon invited Yamakasi member Chau Belle over to Singapore to teach once again. From that moment, Shie Boon gradually built up the desire to restart ADD Academy Singapore once more, understanding that it was the ADD culture and method of practice that has helped him turn his life around for the better, and that it has also served as the bedrock of the senior classes starting from Ann's transformation.

August of 2025, Movement Singapore is officially ADD Academy Singapore with the Yamakasi's blessings, opening classes to both younger and older adults.

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