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Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on March 6, 2010
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According to the flyer, the health studio “Bikram Yoga” (or heated yoga) provides a certain type of yoga that is conducted in a room heated to 38 degrees celcius, so that the muscles are warmed and a deeper workout can occur!
To put it simply: you’re gonna sweat.
Bikram Yoga is a 90 minute program of 26 pre-determined poses & postures, plus 2 breathing exercises. The benefits of Bikram include:
♥ Stretching and strengthening muscles, joints & more.
♥ Increased mental clarity & stress reduction.
♥ Stimulation of the organs to cleanse & provide fresh oxygenated blood to the body. This helps restore all systems to optimal working order for total health.
At this stage, the concept sounded so unappealing, what with all the talk about mass sweating.
As I entered the zenly decorated reception area of Bikram Yoga (complete with small fountains), already I could feel a slight rise in humidity. The instructors were extremely friendly as they explained to me the concept and goals of their company and they were extremely open as they answered any questions I had.
Set with a yoga mat, a beach towel and two bottles of water, I stepped into a room that was similar to a sauna minus the steam. During the briefing, the instructor urged us to try our hardest to stay in the room for the whole class, even if it was just lying down on the mat if we felt like we weren’t handling the environment well. The point of this class was to focus solely on yourself without worrying about what other classmates are doing and, contrary to regular yoga, the eyes must be open the whole time.
The class started well enough with some of the typical yoga positions such as the half moon pose. At this stage I was thinking, this isn’t so bad I can totally do this for 90 minutes! However about 30-45 minutes into the class, the room was 10 degrees hotter than when we first started and that’s when the sweating really began.
I was also thanking my mum in my mind as she convinced me to bring a beach towel instead of a tiny face towel. Around this time I started to feel a little light-headed and so I decided to sit the next few poses out, trying to gain some energy back and convincing myself not to step out of the class. A few people decided to rest around this time too, reassuring me that I wasn’t the only one struggling.
After a few minutes of resting I joined the class again, keeping up surprisingly comfortably. Going against the rules, I looked around at the class, and everyone, including myself, was sweating insane amounts! Towards the end of the class the temperature cooled mildly and before I knew it the class was finished.
The poses performed in a Bikram Yoga class.
It may seem that I didn’t enjoy myself in this class but in reality, I loved it! I felt rejuvenated and fresh walking out of the studio and I could breathe easier too. Another benefit was that my skin felt softer (after a good shower).
Overall it was a very intense 90 minutes, very very challenging but incredibly worth it as there are plenty of benefits for your body (as above).
My advice is that you have to listen to your body and take it easy if you’re doing it the first time, especially if you haven’t exercised in a while. The yoga experience combined with the friendly and welcoming instructors has definitely convinced me to come back for more!
They have a special offer for newcomers who are local to Perth, $20 for unlimited Bikram Yoga over 10 days! Unbeatable value and a fantastic way to find out if it suits your lifestyle 🙂
Bikram Yoga – http://www.perthbikramyoga.com.au
Location
NOR
158a Vincent Street, NORTH PERTH
On the corner of Vincent and Fitzgerald Streets
SOR
248 Leach Highway MYAREE
(beneath REBEL Sports)
To find out more, contact Jenny Sterpini, certified Bikram Yoga Instructor on 0403 496 422.
Article by Hanna Baradja
Have you tried Bikram Yoga? Too scared? Want to know more? Leave a comment! xx
Posted in Exercise, Inner City, North of River, Reviews, South of River | 
17 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on February 25, 2010
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Two new Nars cosmetic workshops have been announced by Mecca Cosmetica and you’d be a right fool to miss out on them.
If you haven’t heard of their epicly worshipped cult product, Nars Orgasm Blush, then you must not have opened a fashion magazine or internet browser for the last 10 years! But that’s okay, we aren’t here to judge, you can still come along to the events. Just make sure you pick some Orgasm
up, STAT! Hee.
First up we have the Julio Sandino workshop:
“Julio’s trademark sophisticated style has graced the New York Fashion Week runways at Marc Jacobs and the pages of Vogue and Rolling Stone magazines, as well as the striking red carpet looks of Angelina Jolie and Eva Longoria.
We’re so thrilled Julio will be partnering with our Makeup Artistry Team for exclusive events in selected stores. Call your local Mecca store now to book your appointment and get the inside scoop on how to update your look with the latest trends, direct from New York.”
Julio has also worked with The Rolling Stones creating their makeup looks! Hot!
$50 will secure your place and will be redeemable for product purchased on the day.
Karrinyup NOW OPEN
Thursday 18th March
(08) 9204 3817
Claremont TEMPORARY STORE
Friday 19th March
(08) 9286 2477
Booragoon Garden City
Saturday 20th March
(08) 9316 0390
Secondly they’re having a celebratory viewing of their newest colour collection with their Master Mecca Makeup Artists. $50 will secure your appointment and is fully redeemable on the day. Call your nearest Mecca Cosmetica store to book now.
Perth
Friday 26th March
(08) 9221 3000
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Other | 2 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on February 23, 2010
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Taking the Blah Out of Your Blahniks
As I gaze adoringly at a pair of emerald green Louboutin pumps with that cheeky, unmistakeable red under sole, deep down, I know that this is an unrequited love. We are not to be, those green pumps and I. But it’s not the price tag that amounts to the GDP of a small African nation, which gives me pause. It’s the heels. They’re not even really that high but I just know the consequences of flirting with these beauties will be severe.
Now I confess that I am often the first to put fashion way before comfort. I will suffer through wayward corsetry boning digging into my skin all night, just so my waist is that little bit flatter. I will wear a Nancy Gantz a size smaller, rendering me incapable of breathing, as long as all the wobbly bits are kept in place. I have even been known to tear off supportive strapping around a shoulder injury, because it didn’t look right under a dress. But I think my feet have finally cured me of my vanity.
Disturbingly, a puffy lump and some rather alarming broken capillaries have appeared on the inside of my ankle, accompanied by sharp pain through my heel.
I hobbled off to see my lovely podiatrist at Centrepod Podiatry in Mount Lawley.
A podiatrist is a health professional who deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower limbs (http://www.podiatrywa.com.au/index.php). They must hold tertiary qualifications and be registered with their state registration boards in order to practice.
The first thing you should know about podiatrists is that they have very cool chairs.
Like dentists chairs but that go up… way up… (and without the lights and perky dental assistants). Positioned on aforementioned chair, my podiatrist examined my feet, twisting them, pressing on them and treating them with all the intrigue of a spy novel. Then he had me do a few movements, such as standing on one foot, raising and lowering, then feet apart and so on. Hmmmm…. I got an inkling that serious biomechanics are involved in manoeuvring us human beings from point A to point B.
After a bit more pressing and some frowning, the podiatrist solemnly announced that I had tibial posterior tendonitis (http://www.podantics.com.au/posterior-tibial-tendon-dysfunction.html ). This is caused when the tendon of the foot that runs into the calf and supports the arch, is overused and start to weaken. The result is the foot begins to pronate, or roll inward.
The problem is partly due to, you guessed it, ill-fitting shoes. And in summer the problem gets worse. All those cute little strappy numbers lack sufficient instep support, so the muscles and tendons of your foot have to work double-time to hold your feet, ankles and ultimately, knees, in place. Boring and unfashionable, I know, but true… And ultimately, very painful.
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Treatment would involve trips to the physio for ultrasound, cold packs, anti-inflammatories and mojitos. (OK, that last bit was self-prescribed but you have to admit, it’s still a good idea). Prevention was orthotic footwear. When I bemoaned the unsightly state of most orthotic footwear, Podiatrist astutely noted “You’re just thinking about fashion now”. Damn straight, sweetie; that’s all I think about. He shrugged nonchalantly and said “Well, they’re your feet”.
And so they are. They deserve better. I then knew it was time; I wanted to make it up to my feet – to show them I was really committed and that I would no longer betray them with footwear that required scaffolding or that had more straps than backstage at a Victoria’s Secret show. I’ve reassessed my footwear and I’m thinking carefully each day about what shoes I can wear that will adequately support my instep. I invested in top-quality trainers so I can exercise pain-free, and make my calves and ankles stronger so my feet don’t have to work so hard. I’m even down to colour-coordinating my wardrobe with my growing range of Birkenstocks.
Three sessions of physio later, all that weird swelling has gone down and my feet, whilst not completely pain-free, are more mobile and well, happier. I think our relationship has begun to “heel”. (OK, groan if you must).
This whole experience has given me a new appreciation for my feet, not to mention being dazzled by my podiatrist’s metatarsal magnificence. Feet are incredibly intricate structures but every day, we take for granted all the stretching, stabilising and weight-bearing our maligned tootsies do. And it’s all down to podiatrists to understand and repair them when things go wrong. That’s no mean feet. (OK, I’m done with the foot jokes now).
Stuff Your Feet Will Love:
Feldene Gel 50g (Anti-inflammatory gel for strains and tendonitis)
$16.99
Eulactol Heel Balm (Gold) 120ml (ointment for cracked or dry heels)
$19.95
Birkenstocks Sandals and Shoes (funky footwear that support your feet in the right places)
$120.00
Mizuno “Nirvana” trainers (designed for the pronating foot and providing instep support)
$269.95
Pedicure with paraffin wax (as part of the pedicure, your feet are coated in warm paraffin; it’s very hydrating and ultra-relaxing!)
$60.00 – $80.00
Prices are approximate and may vary between retailers, sizes and styles.
Beaufort Physio and Centrepod Podiatry
777 Beaufort St (corner of Third Ave), Mount Lawley.
Phone: (08) 9473 1155
Prices
$59.00 for a standard podiatry consultation. Services may be claimable through private health insurance, through some government concessions or through certain Medicare rebates (on referral from a General Practitioner). Check with the podiatry clinic to see if you are eligible for private or public rebates.
Opening Hours
Open Monday to Saturday; by appointment only.
Article by Bron, whose feet now like her a whole lot more.
Posted in Alternative Therapy, Inner City, North of River, Reviews | 2 Comments »
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on February 22, 2010
Without good health nothing else matters. Join super nutrition expert David Wolfe with Celebrity Raw Food Chef Bruce Horowitz as they delve into what matters most – what we put in our mouths!
David’s approach to wellness includes superfoods, superherbs and organic raw foods among other top protocols. Wolfe states, “Consumers today are aware of some of the basics of good nutrition but have not been exposed to the newest findings or they don’t know how to incorporate them into their daily lives. I help solve people’s challenges with the overload of health information available to them today. I cut through the clutter and deliver the most important information in bite sizes. ”
David’s lecture will be held in the Kim Beazley Lecture Theatre at Murdoch University, at $50 per ticket, on Thursday February 25, at 6:30pm.
This is pretty much unmissable stuff for anyone interested in health, food, nutrition or sustainable living!!
You can learn more about David at: http://www.davidwolfe.com/about/ or on the Australia tour website and booking: http://davidwolfeaustraliantour.com/
See you there!
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Alternative Therapy, Food, South of River | Comments Off on Wellness expert David Wolfe @ Murdoch, Feb 25th.
Posted by Annette @ Wellness WA on February 20, 2010
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I’m terribly naughty with my hair, going 6 months between cuts, nay, TRIMS even and generally throwing it back into a messy pony at every opportunity. Tsk tsk.
Not this year though! The times they are a changin’.
I contacted Jasmine from Penny Quill (Open since August 2009) on the recommendation of a darling haired friend, she offered me a complimentary hair cut & colour so I could test them out, how can a girl say no to that?
I’m nestled amongst a skull with a protruding cactus, ornate tables / mirrors and a gigantic stack of magazines in which Rolling Stone sits comfortably between Oyster & Vogue.
That’s the vibe of Penny Quill – rock & roll meets high fashion. It’s not for the faint of heart, tucked secretly away behind Holdfast Tattoo, you’re likely to run into all sorts of pierced, inked up creatures on your way through the tat studio to the tiny hair salon and your lovely hairdressers Ryan & Jasmine themselves have an array of colourful images etched about their bodies.
So if this makes you feel uncomfortable, best to pop down to your local non-confronting hair salon and listen to 94.5 (who am I kidding, I love that station).
Jas dyes my hair a deeper shade of chocolatey brown using their hair colour brand of choice, Revlon, and I look forward to lustrous locks while reading my current book of choice – Lessons of a Lipstick Queen
by Poppy King.
There’s another beauty secret that lurks among the halls of Holdfast & PQ… a secret club of sorts, perhaps. Intrigued? You’re going to have to ask about it when you head down there!
Le hair is washed, cut & blowdried, leaving me with more of a fringe than I’ve had in a while, many split ends lighter and a more shiny bouncy chocolate brown colour!
I’m a fan of Penny Quill and I think it’s great that alternative places like this exist within our busy little city.
For a unique hair experience pop on down & tell them I sent you!
Prices start from $80 for a ladies cut & $70 for a tint/semi depending on the length.
Opening Hours:
Tues-Fri 10-7
Sat 10-4
(by appointment only)
Location: 626 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley, Perth 6050
Phone: (08) 9227 7740
Email: enquiry@pennyquill.com.au
Web: http://www.pennyquill.com.au
Be well,
xoxo
Posted in Hairdresser, Inner City, North of River, Reviews | 3 Comments »
