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What is Pilates? Pilates is an uplifting practice focused on toning, lengthening and balancing the body. As a self- confessed Pilates nerd and instructor, I work with clients to discover their mind to muscle connection, where we not only target the large muscle groups, but also those teeny tiny muscles you never knew you had. Yup, Pilates burns, but the burn is so good and slightly addictive!

It’s no secret Pilates has played a starring role in creating some seriously hot bods (think Jennifer Hawkins, Miranda Kerr and Kate Hudson to name only a few). But Pilates isn’t just for the ladies. Over the years, as a Pilates instructor I’ve seen a marked increase in the number of dudes in my classes. You know when the likes of Nat Fyfe credits Pilates to minimising his soft tissue injuries (in a Brownlow winning season no less) you’re sure to see an increase in foot traffic! The best thing about Pilates is there are so many different styles to choose from. You can choose to get sweaty, go classic (technique is boss in these classes), clinical (good-bye funky knee) or even mix a little dance in to the class- the options are endless!

Lucky for us Perth being home to some of the most active people in Australia and has a bevy of gorgeous studios just waiting to be discovered! Check these studios out for your Perth Pilates fix!

Body Base Pilates – North Fremantle

A beautiful boutique studio nestled in the back pocket of North Fremantle, Body Base Pilates is only a short distance walk from Leighton Beach and some of the freo locals’ favourite cafes and bars including Bib and Tucker, The Orange Box and Mrs Brown. A newly renovated studio, Body Base is breezy, light and modern, with so many cute indoor plants you’ll be inspired to start your own plant baby fam! Body Base offers all your classic Pilates classes including matwork and reformer, however spices the offering up with some newly introduced classes including a 30-minute power session (think TRX on steroids), progressive reformer (a combination of more advanced repertoire) and barre classes.

Reformed Pilates Co – Applecross

A small boutique studio that offers an intimate setting with an 8 client max, you are guaranteed personal attention from your instructor. This studio caters for all types of fitness and has specific classes for over 50’s and mums and bubs, so there’s something to suit everyone’s needs!

KX Pilates – Booragoon

KX Pilates is your one stop shop for taut tums and toned peaches! This Pilates studio follows a more a modern approach to Pilates, integrating heavier weights, cardio and advanced repertoire and is a good place to get your sweat on. You know those fancy Instagram Pilates poses? You’ll likely get to try these here. The instructors are not afraid of a challenge so why should you be?!


Pilates Centre WA – East Fremantle

Pilates Centre WA is owned by one of WA’s most senior and experienced instructors Trudy, who will put you through your paces! Classes are small here, so you will be given ample attention and the instructors are simply lovely. My tip is to try instructor Kasey’s cardio class. An ex prima ballerina for the WA ballet, she knows how to lengthen and tone like no other.

Control Pilates and Fitness – Hamilton Hill

The new kid on the block, Contrology Pilates opened in Hamilton Hill just over a year ago now, bringing the love of Pilates to Hammie Hill locals. This studio has a diverse schedule and a host of creative instructors who are not afraid to teach you Instagram style moves. Best of all the studio just got Afterpay, so now you can buy your Pilates classes in an even more budget friendly way – winning!

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It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of unhealthy (but still fun!) habits when you are in a relationship – Netflix, Uber Eats & a bottle of wine every weekend… sound familiar?
That’s why we’re here to shake things up and make date night a health-boosting experience again, at least every once in a while!

We have compiled some of our favourite fun, healthy and unique date ideas that might have you considering cancelling your Netflix subscription. (Oh who are we kidding, we could never give up Queer Eye!)

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Recipe for Love

So you’ve heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? I think that definitely goes for ladies too! So why not improve your culinary skills together by taking a cooking class?

There are a few excellent options around Perth, but some of our favourites are Taste Budds Cooking School in Highgate who offer Sophie’s Seafood Cooking School (non-vego – if that wasn’t obvious!) where Chef Sophie Budd will teach you to cook healthy pescetarian recipes like ‘Thai Fish Cakes’ and ‘Goan Fish Curry’.

If plant-based is more your style like it is ours, why not bump the health factor up a notch and try a Vegan cooking class at Salt and Company in West Perth? Even if you aren’t vegan or vegetarian, plant-based cooking is a great way to incorporate more variety into your repertoire, perfect for #meatfreemonday!

Cute and healthy date where you get to learn a new skill, get a little competitive over who can cook the tastiest Jackfruit taco, AND enjoy some delicious food at the end of it? Sign us up!

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Axe me on a date!

What could be more romantic than axe-throwing? Ok hear us out, this one is a little unconventional, but there is nothing like a little bit of friendly, flirty competition! Axe throwing isn’t just a sport for bearded men in flannos, it’s actually the newest trend to hit the streets of Perth, perfect for a fun night out!

And it’s the dream date night combo, whether it’s to help break you out of your relationship rut or break the ice with a new bae (#swiperight), you can enjoy a special Date Night package with the team at Maniax. Running every Friday from 8-10pm, it includes a 2-hour axe throwing session, plus 1 on 1 coaching, target practice and a tournament against other couples, all for only $100!

Plus, since it is conveniently located in Northbridge, you are only a short stroll away from bars and restaurants for when you have worked up your appetites.
For more information on Maniax Date Night, visit their website.

Bleeding Love

There is no greater feeling than being able to help people, apart from the feeling of being in love, of course! So why not combine the two and have a date night where you can truly make a difference, by making an appointment to donate blood?

You need to check whether you are able to of course (visit their website here to see the requirements!) but Australia is in desperate need of donor blood and it literally takes less than 30 minutes, and barely hurts at all! Plus, the warm, fuzzy feeling, and the great karma you will receive make it all worth it.

The Perth CBD donor centre is centrally located in 140 Perth (just behind the Perth Underground train station) and is surrounded by great food options, so you can truly make a date of it and head out for a bite to eat after you donate (just make sure you skip the drinks!).

Make an appointment here.

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Be More Flexible

Whether you’re a regular yogi, or you don’t know your downward dog from your Warrior II , there are a million reason why you should try yoga on your next date! Okay, so we don’t have time to list the full million reasons, but we have three very good reasons why practicing yoga with your significant other can help improve your relationship.

♥ Stress less – Yoga has been proven to help ease stress and lower your levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It has also been proven to help relieve anxiety.
♥ Smarten up – Studies have shown that yoga can actually improve your brain’s ability to think more quickly and accurately – meaning you might be less likely to say the wrong thing when your partner is grumpy!
♥ Flexibility – Yoga can increase your flexibility… ummm… need we say more?! 😉

Our favourite new spot for yoga classes is Yab Yum Yoga studio, located in Victoria Park and their brand new inner city studio! Choose from a range of classes including Slow Flow, Deep House Vinyasa, or Restore and Align. Check out their website and timetables to book in your next class!

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

If you are after something that is a bit more low-key, then strap on your runners and slap on some sunscreen because we know the most romantic hiking trail in Perth.
Ellis Brook Valley is located in Martin, just minutes from Gosnells town centre and is one of the richest wildflower locations in Perth. What could be more romantic than spending your day wandering through stunning wildflowers and amazing views? There is also a huge array of wildlife in the area, so you might even spot an eagle or kangaroo!



There are a couple of easy trails to choose from, ranging from 430 meters to 2.8 km’s, but for those after a bit more of a challenge, try the Sixty Foot Falls Circuit which is a 2 kilometre loop that reaches to top of the stunning Sixty Foot Falls waterfall, giving a jaw-dropping view of the valley and Perth City beyond.

Click here for directions.

So not matter if you have chosen to follow some of our ideas, or if this has sparked your own idea for a fun activity for your next date, we know that you can wave bye-bye to Netflix for a while! (At least until the next season of Queer Eye drops!)

If you do follow any of our ideas, make sure you tell us! Tag #wellnesswa on your social pics or leave us a comment!

Be well,

xoxo

Leah is a freelance content creator from Perth who loves her dog, trying weird fitness trends, beach days and avocado toast. Follow her Instagram @leahonthedoor

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Lots of fun going on this week! First up Power Living are hosting a free yoga class in Hyde Park this Sunday 11th December. After a longer than usual Winter, they’re hoping to salute the ACTUAL sun on the weekend (fingers crossed for good weather!) with a 90 minute outdoor flow + yogi DJ’s and good vibes.

If you’re feeling in the giving spirit, optional cash donations to local charity The Smith Family will be welcomed.

To find out more and book your spot, head here!

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Long time vegetarian favourite & “pay-what-you-feel” restaurant, Annalakshmi on the Swan, are now delivering their healthy, Indian eats to city workers for lunch, YES!

For the ridiculously good price of $10, which includes free delivery within the Perth CBD, you’ll receive their Vegetarian + Vegan Combo Meal Lunch Box containing – fresh Basmati rice, dhal of the day, potato or vegetable curry & a chapati (Indian wholemeal bread).

Orders are to be placed by 11am each weekday, and to book in just email vegemeal1@gmail.com or call the restaurant on (08) 9221 3003.

♥ Eat Drink Raw!

Speaking of amazing delivery services, UberEATS have once again upped the game and are now offering deliveries from many of their partner cafes from 7AM! No more waiting til 10am to get your fix of coffee / healthy smoothies / avocado on toast – next level convenience.

They’ve also onboarded a whole host of healthy new restaurants in many areas including one of my personal faves, Eat Drink Raw! I’m hanging out to order the Raw Nachos (SO good!), Raw Coconut Wraps, I’m Immune Smoothie + Blue Crush Smoothie and… well, basically everything on their mega-healthy menu!!

The Wolf, The Bean & The Walnut & The Juicist are also two healthy new additions available in the inner city ‘burbs. Now if only Flora & Fauna would get involved, I’d never need to leave the house again…

♥ La Fit Hits Highgate!

After a sneaky little mention in one of the previous wrap-ups, the owners of La Fit have finally let the (super toned) cat out of the bag with the VERY exciting news that they will be bringing Ride + Megaride classes to their new Highgate location, officially opening on Monday 12th December!!

RIDE – a dance party on your bike.

“This high intensity, low impact cardio workout will burn up to 700 calories in a 45 minute session. Each Ride session is different, intense and addictive, pushing you to dig deeper, ride harder and put your cardio fitness to the test. You will feel empowered, alive, inspired, challenged and in-sync with your mind, body and soul. We ride as a pack and draw strength from that unity.”

Megaride – the ultimate 50 minute high intensity training combination class.

“25 minutes of planks, pikes and power on the Megaformer focusing on your core, obliques and upper body. Remember, in this portion of the workout we take it slow to keep it lean.

Then comes time to turn up the tempo. You slip straight into your sneakers and onto your bike. A 25 minute cycle class of hard, fast sprints and hills to get those big calorie-burning muscles in the lower body moving and heart pumping.”

YES! Cannot. Wait.

The new studio will be located at 91 Brisbane Street, Highgate. If you want a sneak peek, the gals are having an open day this Saturday 10th December with all classes FREE to come and check out, make sure you book as they’ll go quickly! Head over to their timetable & check the Highgate + Saturday box to book 🙂

Do any of these sound good to you?! Let’s chat in the comments! xo

Be well,

Annette

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♥ First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’m the manager & resident yoga instructor at COMO Shambhala Urban
Escape. I was first introduced to yoga when i was 16 as method of coping with stress and anxiety. I credit the practice for providing a close-knit community, support and guidance that I so desperately needed, something I’m now recreating with COMO Shambhala Urban Escape, Perth’s urban wellness center in the heart of Perth CBD.

I have practiced yoga for more than a decade, and have completed my Level 1 (350 hour) Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda teacher training with Tamara Yoga, in Western Australia. I have also trained with internationally renowned yoga teachers; Sarah Platt Finger, Alan Finger, Seane Corn & Simon Borg-Olivier.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?.

Self-practice! I can not walk out the door without doing my own practice. I HAVE to check in with myself every morning and every night! I’m also a bit of an obsessive shower-er, I have been known to have 4 showers a day… some may call that OCD…

♥ What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

Hair cut!! I started going grey at 24 (eek!) and I cut my hair every 8 weeks.

♥ Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

Alicia from Baseline Hairdressing in Subiaco, she’s the bomb!

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Massaging sesame oil all over my body.. it’s whacky but it’s incredibly nourishing & calming and a fantastic remedy for anxious or ‘Vata’ types.

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Bare Minerals Powder, Nars Laguna Bronzer and toothpaste.

♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet?

You wouldn’t believe it but i have never done Jacobs Ladder… I seriously have to get there!! Otherwise Indoor Cycling scares the CRAP out of me but I’m game. Also, I’m rather curious about this new buzz on pole dancing!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you – brekky, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks – the works!

Oh gosh, I’m really quite simple. I’ll have a smoothie and a cup of tea before I head out the door. Lunch is generally eggs in some form either on a salad or on toast with avocado and vegemite and dinner is greens with tempeh, salmon or roasted vegetables with some sort of tahini apple cider vinegar. I kind of do things on repeat…

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♥ How do you like to get your body moving? Describe your weekly fitness routine.

Yoga yoga yoga! And a walk once or twice a week. I am also occasionally dragged to a cardio session with friends… kicking and screaming though!

♥ Reece Carter (The Herb Nerd!) Dose Vitality Tonic!

♥ Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, we’d love to hear about it!

I am always trying out weird and wonderful things. I get a remedial massage once a month from Louise @ Resolve Remedial Massage in Claremont, I went through a stage of getting bowen therapy, acupuncture and reiki once a week, I practice a lot of Tantra and I take 5ml of Reece Carter’s Dose Vitality Tonic once a day. Also.. chocolate!! LOTS OF IT! Is that a supplement? (ED: Yes.)

♥ You’ve got a big event in 7 days time that you need to look incredible for. What’s your plan of attack to look & feel your absolute best?

Sleep, meditation, yoga, water and clean eating. That’s it. Not complicated. Straight to the point and very
manageable. I’m not one for big diets or restrictions. These are my non- negotiable and they work.

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♥ How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress? Yoga, Meditation and my body coated in sesame oil with a cup of tea and a good book. I’m currently reading: Relax & Renew, Tantra: The Path of Ecstacy & The Girls.

♥ How many hours sleep do you usually get each night? Do you have any bedtime rituals or tips to help you get a great nights sleep?

I sleep 8 hours a night… without fail. I will always have a shower before bed and brush my teeth. Reading a book with a cup of peppermint tea & dark chocolate is a pretty common practice too.

♥ And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Be authentic!! Always be yourself. Trying to be something or someone else will only create suffering which in turn will leave you feeling unfulfilled. Being you, being bold and being brave will always reward you! And then of course.. yoga, water, meditation, self-reflection and lots of self care will help you along.

You can find Steph @ Como Shambhala Urban Retreat Perth:

1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth

Website: www.comoshambhala.com/perth/classes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/comoshambhalaperth
Instagram: @comoshambhalaperth

If you have any questions for Steph please leave them in the comments below so she can reply! 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

What started as an idea for a fortnightly segment has quickly turned very popular, with over 150 views in one day of the first edition (!) – and as I was squirreling away information for the next wrap-up, it quickly became obvious that there is just SO much going on in Perth’s wellness scene right now that a weekly post might be more fitting, so here we go! Would love your feedback as always xo

♥ Acai Brothers Fremantle

With warm weather just around the corner and beach season just about to get into full swing, there’s nothing like an icy bowl of deliciousness to help you escape the heat. Even better if that icy bowl comes in the form of a superfood-packed, skin & body loving antioxidant feast that just so happens to be bright purple and out of this world tasty.

While Natures Harvest, Bowl’n, Ohana Acai Bar, Hylin, Pearth Organic & more have been serving up Acai bowls on the reg in Perth for a while now – Acai Brothers Fremantle are the latest folks to join in on the action.

Initial reports seem to indicate that all of the bowls are blended with guarana with no option for omission – which may cut out a lot of their potential customer base (including me!) who are sensitive to caffeine/stimulants – but if an intense hit of energy along with your daily superfood dose is what you’re after, then this might just be your new favourite healthy haunt.

Acai Brothers is located @ 64 High Street, Fremantle.

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The latest new yoga studio to get bendy, stretchy & sweaty in Perth is Original Hot Yoga – located on the cusp of Highgate & East Perth! Offering 100% Bikram Yoga classes (a sequence of 26 postures & 2 breathing exercises are practiced in a room heated to 40 degrees), this studio promises to change your life in 60 days.

Curious to check it out but worried about the heat or not being flexible enough? All of the classes cater to beginners – you’re more than welcome to rest at any time during class and just breathe on your mat. Just make sure to drink 2-3 litres of water per day when practicing & get your electrolytes in, as you’ll lose loads of water with all the sweating you’ll be doing.

Original Hot Yoga is located at 179 Claisebrook Road, Perth, and will be opening In November.

♥ HBF Free Fitness Classes are Back!

HBF offer free fitness classes to their members each year for 8 weeks and you’ll no doubt see large groups of people exercising around the place taking advantage of the generous offer! If you’re a member head over to the HBF Fitness website to sign up and start your Summer fitness journey.

♥ Lisa Burns Training Studio!

Last but certainly not least is a brand new studio from booty-sculpting dream babe Lisa Burns. Her brand new location in Doubleview, which is aptly named “Lisa Burns Training Studio“, is your one stop shop to get bikini ready & that booty poppin’.

Her signature “Booty Burn” class has a cult following, and take it from personal experience – your butt, thighs & stomach will be sore for DAYS. But the results are so worth it.

Along with Booty Burn the studio also offers Box & Booty (can’t wait to try this one!), Strength & Flow and regular boxing classes to fast-track your way to ultra fit. Once you’ve felt the burn you can check out the on-site cafe, Mr Herbert’s, for a caffeine, cold-pressed juice or raw treat fix. What more could you want?

Lisa Burns Training Studio is located at 243 Herbert Street, Doubleview.

Let me know in the comments below if you’re keen to check out any of these new Perth wellness & fitness options!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo