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I recently started a new job in the CBD and boy, life has definitely changed up a gear! I love my job, but lately I’ve found stress getting the better of me, and I’ve been feeling the physical effects of sitting at a desk from 9 to 5. What is a hard working city gal to do?!

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Enter The Yoga Vine, with a super convenient pop-up location next to The Aviary at 140 William Street in the Perth CBD. Classes are held in what looks like a newly renovated office space, which works really well, as the area is open and full of natural light. I attended one of their 45 minute lunchtime classes, and at the bargain-basement price of $10 a session, forget picking up a toasted turkish and use your lunch money for this instead! The website asks participants to bring their own mats, though on the day I attended our lovely instructor Amanda brought a few extras along.

We started with some breath work, moved into sun salutations and then into several trikonasana poses. These sequences really called on my hips and hamstrings, and after a long morning at my desk, it felt amazing to stretch them out. To finish, we practiced some balance poses, and ended in savasana (always a crowd favourite!).

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I was a bit worried that I would return to work in the mood for a snooze, but I found the exact opposite- I felt invigorated and fresh- and had a super productive afternoon! I really liked that the class seemed to be tailor-made for office workers, including poses accessible to beginners and experienced yogis alike. I would wholeheartedly recommend Yoga Om to anyone with the ability to attend- not only does it offer the opportunity to include yoga into your exercise routine (or to try it for the first time!), it’s the perfect midday pick-me-up before heading back to the office to meet that 3.30pm deadline.

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Classes also run on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the William Street location, and The Yoga Vine offer a number of other public classes in North Perth and Osborne Park. Visit www.theyogavine.com.au for more information.

Is anyone excited to give these classes a try? How do you use your lunch break to maximise your wellness? Let me know in your comments below!

Article by Katie, a corporate green smoothie lover and yoga newbie.

Be well,

xoxo

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Have you always wanted to try yoga but were too nervous, self conscious or worried you’d be the inflexible, giggling goonie in the back row? Thought that because you can’t touch your toes, or sit cross legged, you can’t possibly meditate? Or maybe you’re skeptical of this whole conscious breathing thing? ….. Well Hayley from Cloud Nine Yoga will make you feel right at home, from the very first class.

Yoga is for every body. The stiff ones, injured ones, pregnant ones, young and old ones, the ones who can’t sit still, the ones who love to sweat, and the ones who would sometimes rather stay on the couch. Whatever your reason for being interested in yoga, (or yoga being interested in you!), you will find something in a Cloud Nine Yoga class which touches you. It might be the physical practice – which can be tailored to your body on the day, and is different every class. You might find something special in the simple observation of your breath. Or maybe it’s those ten minutes at the end of every class, where you get to just BE.

At Cloud Nine Yoga, Hayley acknowledges that we are all beginners. The practice of yoga is constantly evolving with the changes in our lives, and with a vibrant sense of humor, she will safely guide you through different vinyasa sequences (postures which flow with the breath), and leave you feeling nourished but strong, vibrant and relaxed.

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Other benefits of a regular practice include;

♥ Improved sleeping habits
♥ Increased vitality, flexibility & strength
♥ Greater internal awareness & general wellbeing
♥ Improved posture & balance
♥ Improved digestive, respiratory & eliminatory function
♥ True relaxation & a real sense of calm

Cloud Nine Yoga offer casual / drop in classes in the northern coastal suburbs of Ocean Reef, Mullaloo and Mindarie, and a Beginners Course too. Perfect for those who’ve dared not to do a general class before, or those who have stepped away from the mat for a while, the 4 week course is a basic introduction into postures, breath and relaxation, and will give you the confidence to join a regular class and the insight into what yoga really is for you.

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Hayley is a proud alumni ambassador for lululemon Karrinyup and has enjoyed leading inspiring complimentary classes for guests and educators for over 12 months.

She is also proud to have attracted LA based, heart inspiring teacher Jo Tastula to teach at her oceanside Mullaloo studio on Tuesday April 16 for a one off special vinyasa class. Only a few spaces remain for this class and bookings are essential (hayley@cloudnineyoga.com.au or 0410 648 956).

Casual classes at Cloud Nine Yoga are $17 or a 5 class pass is $80.

Term 2 runs from May 6 – June 25 (8 weeks) and the full timetable is available on the website: www.cloudnineyoga.com.au

If this sounds like it’s for you, get in touch with Hayley!

Ph: 0410 648 956
Email: Hayley@cloudnineyoga.com.au
www.cloudnineyoga.com.au – sign up for our newsletter!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cloud-Nine-Yoga/210763840042

This is a sponsored post, as always though, we will only bring you posts with content we think you will find relevant & inspiring!

Be well,

xoxo

Welcome to another jam packed edition of Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes! This is seriously such a fun segment for me to put together, and I would love to hear from you if you have any crushes that you think we might like to check out!

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♥ Xtend Barre @ Sense of Space in Subiaco

Ok, where to start with this one! A friend and I are currently on a mission to become fitness babes by ramping up our exercise routine, and this was the first cab off the rank. After seeing videos of Xtend Barre online, we approached our post-Easter class with nervousness and excitement.

2 minutes into the warmup, huffing and puffing, we both looked at each other with a fearful smile, we wanted to ramp it up, and this is what we got. 60 minutes of leg toning, butt shaping, ab firming, bicep workin’ goodness, all mixed with fun tunes, loads of variation and the promise that you’ll feel it for the next few days (this is a good thing!). I can also tell you that not everyone is coordinated, not everyone is perfect at all the moves, and – no one is worried! You just do your best.

The instructor (Kavan) was really lovely and we’ll be going back weekly to see if we can improve on our first attempt Check out Sense of Space online, they have loads of times available!

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♥ Hillary’s Wellness Expo

Wellness lovers rejoice! The Hillarys Wellness Expo is back! It’s a free event held this weekend at Hillarys Boat Harbour on Fri 5th, Sat 6th and Sun 7th April, and features a tribe of health and spiritual practitioners as well as stalls specialising in recycled, sustainable, natural and organic products. There’s also a Mongolian yurt on site and many free children’s activities.

Exhibitors include psychics, intuitive midwives, psychosomatic therapists, crystal readings, meditation sessions, plus loads and loads of health stalls. If you’re free this weekend make sure you check it out!

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♥ Organic Peppermint Tea

Ah peppermint tea, how I love you! Throw organic into the equation and we’re verging on soulmates. A really interesting thing has happened… ever since I’ve started drinking peppermint tea and rosehip tea (not at the same time!) each day, my skin has become exceptionally clear. They’re both touted as super skin loving drinks, so I’m going to keep up with this experiment of sorts and hopefully keep enjoying clearer skin.

Have you ever tried Xtend Barre? Have you found peppermint tea or rosehip tea to be great for your skin? I’d love to talk about this with you, so leave me a comment below!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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Hi I’m Lauren and I’m from Perth.

At the end of 2011, at age 22, I had been eating whatever the hell I wanted for a very long time. I did very little physical activity. I had atrocious skin, no energy, no confidence and could be pretty damn negative about life more often than not. I had very high blood pressure – somewhere around 150/110. My Doctor suggested I go on blood pressure medication for the REST OF MY LIFE.

I decided that being on that medication was pretty silly as a young person who had a long life still to live (if lucky!). I was convinced that diet and lack of exercise was my problem – I thought if I really tried hard to sort this issue out by changing my life, then there would be no need for medication. If it didn’t work, then at least I tried. At least I had taken control of the situation, rather than letting life happen to me. We have so much more power than we think we do!

I got a personal trainer (Chris Vavakis from Mobile Trainer) for a few sessions, so that I could start somewhere. I increased the amount of vegetables I had in my diet, decreased the sugar and salt and ate only lean protein with my meals. It was hard and I slipped up a lot. Every time I slipped, I remembered why I was doing what I was doing and I KNEW that it was worth all the hard work. I got back on that wagon.

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Results came slow but I grew to love the feeling of burning muscles. I knew that meant that my muscles were repairing themselves much stronger than they were before. I loved all the changes I began to see in my body and delighted in the knowledge that I was getting stronger! I became an exerciser and enjoyed the activity in itself! I used to hate cooking but grew to love the challenge of using spices instead of ready-made sauces and trying a difficult dish. Everything tasted so much better and I felt better about myself ten fold because I was doing this all for myself!

My skin improved, I slept better, I felt more positive about EVERYTHING. I became more confident in all aspects of my life. People started asking me for advice about exercise and healthy eating. I lost 20 kilos.

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I cannot describe to you the absolute feeling of euphoria and sense of accomplishment I felt when I first learned just how far I had come. After 9 months to 1 year of hard work, my blood pressure was a perfect 120/80. I went home and cried and laughed and screamed. I fist pumped in the car! I was on top of the world – I had changed my life. I am convinced there is nothing in life that feels as good as knowing that you have achieved something so incredible as changing your future – I could have easily taken that medication, but instead I changed my physical situation and I changed how healthy I was. Just me – I did that!

I’m an ordinary girl. I have 24 hours in a day. I went to university, I work full time. I have loads of awesome friends and a kickass family. I’m lazy and stubborn sometimes, I like to eat sweet things. I bet we’re pretty similar.

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Why does it matter how similar we are? Because there is nothing that I have, that you don’t! Where I succeeded, it was because I didn’t give up. I don’t have any special knowledge or training. I’m not better at exercising – I started out at the bottom, just like everyone else and learnt along the way. I didn’t let my brain tell me that I needed to be at any particular level before I started trying. All champions of anything start out failing, again and again and don’t stop until they get there.

There is no secret. You CAN do it, you just have to try. You are stronger than you think you are. Do it for you.

Have you ever wanted to change your life? Do you have an inspiring story as well? Leave a comment in the below as we’d LOVE to hear from you!

Article by the incredibly inspiring Lauren Foreman, life changer and health & fitness lover.

Be well,

xoxo