Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Lara Dwyer, Vinyasa Yoga Teacher and Owner of Sukha Yoga, Perth!

♥ – Photography by Luke Thompson

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

I am a lover of Yoga and through my business Sukha Yoga I am able to share my passion for the Yoga teachings. I have always had an interest in wellness and originally completed my degree in Naturopathy. I worked as a Naturopath in Perth and eventually in a Holistic Chemist in New York City. It was while I was living in NYC I discovered my Yoga home, Laughing Lotus. Since that fateful first discovery I have now undertaken 500 hours of training at the studio with Dana Trixie Flynn and her fabulous teaching faculty. Forever grateful for my teacher’s blessings I now share Lotus Flow Yoga here in Perth.

My classes incorporate Vinyasa Flow to music and I draw on poetry, stories from ancient texts and scriptures that inspire me to thread through classes. I feel very lucky to have met so many great people through teaching Yoga and have made many friends that have simply started with them unrolling their mat in class. I am an ambassador for lululemon athletica and am proud to represent such a innovative and grass roots based company.

When I am not sharing Yoga I offer a wellness consultancy service where I aim to empower people to restore wellness through diet and lifestyle modifications. I love to travel, observing and appreciating life all over the world. I recently married my wonderful husband Craig and have special family and friends who mean the world to me.

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I use Pangea Organics Australia Wild Plum and Willow Facial Cleanser. Pangea Organics is a company based in Colorado USA and offers lovely plant based skin care, which are free from GMOs, Artificial Colors or Fragrances, Synthetic Preservatives, Petroleum and Sulfates or Detergents. You can find their range here. I also have been a long time fan of Aesop products (their hand and body lotions smell amazing) and am using their Fabulous Face Oil as we head into the cooler months to keep my skin hydrated and happy.

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

I don’t have a beauty treatment I can’t live without although my body enjoys a bit of acupuncture and a visit to my excellent Physiotherapist Mr Trevor Aung Than if I have been overdoing the Yoga arm balances or cycling.

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

Shane Dias in Claremont has a his own salon which he has built from his excellent reputation. He’s very skilled and has traveled the world mastering his craft, and is genuinely such a lovely guy to chat to.

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I find a swim in the ocean does wonders for my skin, and I always feel great being immersed in the beautiful salty sea.

Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Whenever I am traveling I like to pack light and the following trio works for me. A nice bottle of perfume like, Diptyque Ofresia to spray and feel fresh (especially appreciated after long journeys if you don’t feel it), Lucas Paw Paw ointments for dry lips, bites, rashes and dry shampoo is excellent stretching out the need to wash hair.

Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Practicing Yoga and sharing Yoga feeds my soul and keeps me feeling bright. A mostly plant based diet keeps my insides happy and I love to move and will try any activity. I think I have inherited pretty good genes as my pop is 94 and is still going strong. One of his secrets to longevity is “eat your vegetables”.

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

I would love to enroll in an Ayurvedic Panchakarma program one day. Perhaps somewhere in Kerala where there is daily Yoga Asana and massage prescribed to my Dosha along with cleansing ocean swims and palm trees to lie under…

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I’ve been Vegetarian for the past 9 years and I practice wholefood cooking to keep me feeling optimal. Wholefood cooking means to consume foods closest to it’s natural state, preparing meals using fresh unprocessed ingredients. Breakfast is varied but usually involves some Chia seeds thrown into Yoghurt with nuts and seeds or may be some toast with almond butter or avocado or an egg.

Lunch lately is green soup – a whole lot of green veggies pureed together (with some Kale and herbs from my veggie patch) and dinner could be anything from tofu or tempeh stir fry, soup with legumes or lentils, salads, curry and or may be a raw food creation like zucchini pasta. I snack on raw veggies, a nut/seed/raw cacao/goji berry mix and really enjoy a Soy Long Macchiato mid morning.

Describe your fitness routine.

I practice Yoga most days. I love to cycle and commute on my single speed to classes in the city. I also ride for longer distances on a road bike and I mountain bike in the hills or down south on weekends. I love to surf and am the eternal beginner, I enjoy being tossed around and the thrill of jumping up – even if the wave has broken and I’m on the white wash with all the other kids. I belong to a Capoeira group and have recently gotten into triathlons so swimming and running training are also added in. Love to move : )

Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

Being a Naturopath I do believe supplementation can be of benefit when necessary. Over the Winter months I like to take New Chapter Life Shield Immunity which is a fortified mushroom mix for additional immune support (available on iherb.com). I add in some vitamin C and Echinacea if I feel a cold coming on. I also take a good quality magnesium diglycinate to support musculoskeletal health.

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 aim to get 7 hours of sleep. I generally don’t have any trouble falling off to sleep but I have found an evening practice of Yin Yoga can really contribute to a lovely night’s rest.

How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

I love Yin Yoga for restoring my energy and for winding down. Yin encourages a practice of patience and really allowing time for the body to receive the poses, which is deeply nourishing for the nervous and adrenal system. I love reading literature. I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and friends whether it be over a shared meal, outside in our beautiful natural surrounds of WA or in the ocean rolling amongst a few waves. Bliss.

Thank you Lara for sharing your beautiful routine with us 🙂

If there are any questions or comments for Lara, please leave them below!

Be well,

xoxo

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Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Karen Then, Bikram Yoga Teacher & Director of Bikram Yoga Victoria Park!

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

A yogi who had another life as a corporate tax manager for 15 years before deciding to pursue her dream of teaching yoga full time and then opening up a yoga studio – Bikram Yoga Victoria Park – to share her passion with more people in one space (with the support of her loving, ever-patient husband)!

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

As I have dry sensitive skin, morning routine is just cleansing with lukewarm water and Vanessa Megan Rosewater Spray. After a Bikram yoga session (either practicing or teaching), I would cleanse my skin with the Vanessa Megan Clementine Organic Foaming Cleanser. If the skin is feeling dehydrated, I will use the Vanessa Megan Jasmine Face Cream. I keep it simple as I am a busy person and don’t have much time for a long complicated routine.

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

I cannot do without a 6 weekly “Hydradermie” facial with Monika from Oxford Beauty Clinic, Leederville.

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

A 6 monthly trim with Davina from Head Office, Perth CBD.

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Bio Oil when the skin is feeling extremely dehydrated after cleansing and instead of using my Vanessa Megan Face Cream, I use Bio Oil and leave it overnight. It does wonders for my skin tone and hydration.

Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Doterra Peppermint and Wild Orange Lip Balm, blusher (Clinique) and Vanessa Megan Rose Spray.

Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Lots of fluids for hydration and Juice Plus (branded line of dietary supplements containing concentrated fruit and vegetable juice extracts fortified with added vitamins and nutrients.)

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

Crossfit! For strength and endurance!

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I have a muesli bar (or bircher muesli) for breakfast, Green or protein smoothies in between meals, a long black (coffee) every 2 – 3 days because I love the smell and taste of a good brewed coffee, nourishing lunch with (soupy) noodles + protein (chicken or fish) with vegetables and dinner is usually light – either a salad with loads of avocado, nuts and Danish feta cheese or with rice/ quinoa. If i am extremely hungry (low in energy) –my meal will include more protein (fish or chicken) with steamed vegetables together with my avocado salad. Every month, I do treat myself to a small piece of red meat (steak or lamb) as my body does function better with some red meat every once in a while.

Other treats which I may have throughout a typical day could include savoury muffin or soup. I do also treat myself to the hot chips and sea salt with vinegar if my body craves it or eggs, spinach & bacon for weekend breakfast!

Describe your fitness routine.

I am usually active every day with yoga as everyday will usually involve a yoga class to practice my yoga unless I am already teaching for the day.

I also try to do a personal home practice for 20 minutes + 20 minutes meditation 1x per week which is especially nurturing and centering for me during a busy week.

My new years resolution this year is to try Cross Fit so that I can balance out my yoga practice with new physical activities for additional strength building!

Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

Acupuncture and as mentioned above Juice Plus. I find acupuncture very relaxing and balancing for me as I am a high energy individual and having an acupuncture treatment every fortnight helps me to slow down, relax and take a bit of down time for myself.

How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

Movies with my husband or girlfriends (depending on the movie).

I do find the best way to de-stress is to have 1 hour to myself at the beach or get a Thai massage session in at Thai Thai Day Spa in Langford.

What do you think of Karen's routine? If you have any questions or comments please leave them below! 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

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Wellness Recipe: Stuart Watkins’ Favourite Smoothie.


I used to think that having a large meal for breakfast would give me the most energy for an enthusiastic and energetic day, but for the last 2 years or so my breakfast has pretty much always been a smoothie. I feel lighter, more focused and full of calm vitality rather than bogged down looking for that caffeine kick which I used to.

If my body isn’t working hard to digest a big, dense meal, then that energy can be put towards living an amazing life. The amount of vitamins and minerals, good quality omega 3 fats, easily absorbable sprouted proteins and just enough low glycemic index carbs in this smoothie keeps me full, yet light and energetic for hours.

I’m not saying I don’t like a delicious meal. I love to eat! But after playing with different ways to start the day, this definitely works best for me. Imagine trying to get all of this goodness in solid food form as you get ready for work in the morning! It would be like having a huge bowl of greens, a hand full of olives, a whole bunch of sprouted seeds and nuts, mushrooms, herbs etc. If you down this smoothie all that goodness is straight into your system.

♥ Stu’s Smoothie

The recipe!

♥ However big you want your smoothie, put that much water in the blender.
♥ A serving of Sunwarrior protein which I get at Prana Healthfoods

Or

♥ A serving of Garden of Life Raw Protein
♥ 1 teaspoon of Spirulina and 1 teaspoon of Chlorella, both which I get at Prana or Organic on Charles.
♥ About 1 teaspoon of Himalayan Crystal Salt, which I get at Prana.
♥ 1 teaspoon of maca root
♥ 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you like a little kick.
** ♥ ½ teaspoon of ashwagandha
** ♥ ½ teaspoon of triphala
** ♥ 1 teaspoon of reishi mushrooms, all of which I often get directly from India or from https://herbsupplies.com.au/ or http://www.indiaabundance.com

** With these herbs, do your research or see an ayurvedic practitioner and/or naturopath to find out if these herbs are suited to you. Every body is different. As for the rest of the herbs they’re suited to most people.

Blend all of this up and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of either agave nectar or honey for sweetness and if you want extra thickness and carbs add a banana.

Next step; enjoy!

Stu’s smoothie will give you enough energy for THIS!

Stuart is a yoga teacher and holistic life coach based in Perth, Western Australia. He is known for his unique, heart-felt self expression and inspirational style of teaching. Stuart’s classes incorporate Vinyasa Flow Asana and Akhanda Yoga with most of the emphasis being on transformation and healing.

He teaches with raw yet compassionate honesty which helps his students and clients bring the qualities practiced on the mat into daily life. 

The combination of the ancient wisdom of yoga coupled with Western approaches to wellness, such as life coaching and fitness training has allowed Stuart to form a highly effective and unique approach to wellness and to life itself.

Pics by http://nkphotographyblog.com/

What do you think of this super smoothie?

Be well,

xoxo