by Annette @ Wellness WA | Mar 7, 2025 | Other
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If you’re anything like me, the start to 2025 has been a little bit more chaotic than anticipated. Moving house (to a rental with no air conditioning – in the height of summer, no less), a few trips to Melbourne to see my favourite bands, getting this lil website back up and running, finding my feet in a new suburb – it’s been a LOT, and while I am grateful for all of the new opportunities and excitement, I’m feeling a strong call to turn inwards and attempt to reset, nourish and simply be.
Cue: wellness & yoga retreat deep diving. This is the kinda stuff that lights me up. Show me a daily itinerary packed full of nurturing activities and gentle yoga, a luxe plant-based menu designed to replenish from the inside out, and a beautiful, serene location and you’ve got my undivided, all eyes on you, attention.
Of course, I’m not one to gatekeep, so read on to discover my top Perth & WA wellness retreat recommendations for 2025, all designed to be a love letter to your mind and body. Let me know which one is calling your name.
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Late Summer — Deep Rest, Reading and Ritual Retreat @ Brass Moon, Margaret River / Wooditjup
Friday 28th March – Monday 31st March, 2025
Dream babes and life curator & life ritualist Andjelka Jankovic and Tiff Smith-Shiels ask the all-important question – when was the last time you felt deeply rested?
It’s a question that many of us would struggle to answer, myself included, and the answer just might lie in the welcoming embrace of their perfectly curated Deep Rest Retreat, held at the magical & rustic Brass Moon.
Slow mornings. Uninterrupted reading time. Hugs in cups. Sleep ins. Nature soaks. Nourishing food. Beach swims. Shaded nooks. Cooling forest air. Luxe comfort. Starry nights. Silence in ceremony. Starting and finishing a book. Beauty beyond belief. Quiet time with yourself. Alone time with others. Space to rest your bones.
All of the above (and so much more – if you want it) are on the menu at the Late Summer, Deep Rest Retreat. Additional inclusions are: the cosiest beds you’ve ever slept in, abundant soulful meals (and snacks!) that taste as magical as they look from Sunny Peach Kitchen, heart-led silent tea ceremony, uninterrupted reading time with a live musician, sensory immersions, pool and ocean swims, and time to just be.
Bring along your own page-turner, or dip into the magic of the Retreat Library, which features a selection of transformative books, life-changing poetry, soulful magazines and spirituality – all from Andjelka & Tiff’s personal collections.
If you need to close down all of your brain tabs (hi, hello, hey) – this retreat has been lovingly designed to nurture you to switch off and luxuriate in the pure joy of complete rest for a blissful 3 nights and 4 days at the magical retreat venue Brass Moon in Wooditjup / Margaret River.
To find out more and book in visit the Life Curator website, there are currently 2 spots left.
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Margaret River Art & Yoga Retreat, Gilgara
15th May – 18th May 2025
Another gentle getaway down south to Margaret River, and this time it’s with yoga teacher & sound healer Katie Dow.
This 3 night retreat has been thoughtfully designed to perfectly blend creativity with inward reflection – a special recipe that will leave you grounded, rebalanced and reconnected with your heart and spirit.
Mornings consist of yoga flows to awaken your inner life force, relaxing guided meditations and vibrant plant-based brekkies.
Throughout the days you’ll indulge in heart-guided art classes by highly regarded local artist, Peter Scott, group mandala creation and grounding bush walks.
Evenings wind down with deeply nourishing yin classes that are guaranteed to send you into the most blissful of slumbers, as well as more of that plant-based goodness mentioned earlier.
If a creative and inspiring blend of art and yoga is calling out your name, then the Margaret River Art & Yoga retreat is the one for you. Find out more and book via the Journeys of the Spirit website.
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Island Revive Yoga Retreat – Samphire Resort, Rottnest
15 May – 18 May 2025
It’s time to leave the bush and head for the seaside. We are in WA after all, and the joy of the sun, sand and sea flows through our veins for a good part of the year.
With that in mind, it’s island time. Let’s take a quick trip on the ferry over to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) to dissolve our stresses at the Island Revive Yoga Retreat, featuring a divine blend of yoga, nourishing meals, salty sea dips in the dreamy blue waters, and restful relaxation on the fluffy white sand thanks to the dream team at MYU Retreats, Donna Buchanan and Madelaine Fisher.
Both of these gorgeous women have many years of co-curating authentic and meaningful retreats locally and around the globe so you’ll be in expert and loving hands, and will take your yoga practice and levels of wellness to a whole new stratosphere.
You can expect to enjoy twice daily yoga sessions, guided meditations to help you sink into the truest version of yourself, beachside walks and nature soaks, wholesome meals, workshops, pool and ocean swims, and lots of time to bliss out by yourself if you prefer.
Almost everything is included in this retreat, except for sneaky trips to the Rottnest Bakery to indulge in vanilla slice & jam donuts. Sorry.
To book your sunny and salty, restful island yoga getaway (no passport required), head on over to MYU Retreats.
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Nowhere – A Winter Retreat for Women @ Tanah Marah, Margaret River
July 24th – July 28th 2025
Another trip to the Margaret River region, and for good reason. Intuitive and soul-led yoga teacher, Malika Warda, has consciously curated a 4-night slow living and gourmet winter retreat held at the stunning Tanah Marah and has invited a few of her favourites along for the ride.
Those already familiar with Malika’s yoga classes (she founded and previously owned cntre space), will know what divine space she holds, and just how good you can feel after her class. If not, you’re in for a real treat.
Nowhere includes: twice daily vinyasa and yin yoga practices, breathwork, journaling, meditation, yarning, bush walks, gourmet meals made with local and seasonal produce, a selection of immersive workshops (including a gorgeous sounding eco/botanical-dyeing experience), exploration and more.
You’ll be staying in a rammed earth chalet, complete with a private bathroom and forest and lake views to truly help you soak in the serenity of your surroundings.
This intimate and enriching retreat will leave you feeling inspired, nourished and fully alive.
To book and find out more, visit Malika’s website
Which magical retreat are you choosing this year? Let me know over on Instagram!
Be well,
Annette
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | May 1, 2024 | Other
Pilates is a series of over 500 exercises, both mat and equipment based, inspired by calisthenics, yoga and ballet. It was initially introduced into America in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates to assist athletes and dancers to safely exercise and maintain their fitness when rehabilitating injuries.
It is a system that enables tailoring and adaptation to individual requirements, both mental and physical, to ensure that the body is working in harmony: the specific focus is on abdominal strength and muscular activation, and coordination of breathing with movement.
A common question I hear is: what’s better for me, yoga or pilates? And the answer is, both are fantastic, in different ways. It will depend on what you need from your practice right now. If you are rehabilitating an injury or really in need of building abdominal strength and stabilisation through the core, commit to a regular pilates practice. There is no reason you cannot also do yoga – the body loves variety in movement and thought!
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Top Ten Reasons to Commit to Pilates
♥ 1. Improved stabilisation of the spine: consider how much impact you put on your spine through poor posture, twisting, bending, lifting heavy objects (this includes children!), poor running technique…to name but a few sins against the spine
♥ 2. Improved flexibility
♥ 3. Relaxation of the muscles through the neck, back and shoulders through improved postural awareness
♥ 4. Improved physical coordination and balance
♥ 5. Lengthens and stretches the muscles – through body weight and light weight resistance, there is an increase in muscular and bone strength
♥ 6. Time to focus on breath, movement and how the body feels
♥ 7. Improved proprioception (awareness of your body in space)
♥ 8. Released tension in the body equals a less tense and anxious mind!
♥ 9. Engages the mind throughout practice – no time to dwell on the outside world or get restless!
♥ 10. Learning to breathe in the pilates style (inhaling through the nose to fill the back and sides of the ribcage and exhaling through the mouth while bracing the abdominals) oxygenates the blood and increases energy and alertness
ED: Hopefully this has inspired you to get into some Pilates! Check out RENZ Pilates, PFIWA, Perth Pilates Studio & Sense of Space Pilates for some Perth Pilates options! x
Article by Cat Woods (http://catcore.blogspot.com; http://pinterest.com/catcore), Melbourne Pilates teacher (so check her out if you ever go for a holiday!)
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Nov 9, 2023 | Day Spa, Inner City, Massage
Spring has well and truly sprung, the sun is shining, birds are chirping, endorphins are buzzing – but let’s face it, despite the positivity brimming in the air, the increasing pace of life & busy schedules that come with the warmer seasons can leave us yearning for some well-deserved self-care & renewal.
Perhaps it’s the post-winter lethargy, the lingering effects of those cozy nights under blankets, or the sudden urge to embrace the vibrancy of the season… whatever it is, there’s no better way to revive yourself than with a revitalizing spa day? Luckily, some of the most exquisite spas in the world are right here in Perth, with COMO Shambhala Urban Escape leading the way.
Nestled within the historic State Buildings / COMO The Treasury, COMO Shambhala is a sanctuary of serenity, a place where luxury and relaxation intertwine seamlessly. As a beauty enthusiast and wellness advocate, I felt it was high time for a revisit to this haven of tranquility, a place where time stands still, and your well-being takes center stage (as it should).
The COMO Group is synonymous with elegance, and the moment you step into the Treasury building, you are enveloped in a world of refined luxury. The team of professionals here treats you with a level of care and attention that is truly exceptional, ensuring every moment is one you’ll remember for days, weeks & months to come.
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What keeps drawing me back to this inner-city haven, is the sheer joy and delight that is experienced with every visit. From the seamless online check-in process, to the moment you enter your sumptuous treatment room complete with a private bathroom, every detail has been meticulously thought out. The ambiance is a perfect blend of cozy and tranquil, with soft, inviting lighting and a serene silence that cocoons you in bliss.
The journey into relaxation commences as you recline onto the massage table. For the next 75 minutes, there’s nothing on the agenda but to surrender to pure relaxation and emerge as your most tranquil self. The deep tissue masseuses are first class, expertly kneading away every knot and tension point (even ones you didn’t know you had). With each thoughtful movement and soothing stroke, both your muscles and mind are transported to a state of profound relaxation. During the treatment, I couldn’t help but wonder… how can I make this muscle meltingly good massage a part of my monthly wellness routine?
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Post-massage, a delightful surprise awaits – a specially brewed tea paired with COMO Shambhala’s signature cookie. It’s a sweet conclusion to an hour of pure rejuvenation, leaving me eager to consult my calendar immediately for the next available slot to re-book.
The dreamy details:
A 75-minute Deep Tissue Massage at Como Shambhala is priced at $225.
Located inside the State Treasury Buildings, 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth WA 6000.
Arrive 15 minutes early to ensure your treatment time isn’t cut short, and to allow yourself to gently decompress from the commute into the city.
Valet parking is available for $30 for up to 4 hours on weekdays.
If you find yourself feeling peckish either before or after your treatment, there are healthy breakfast and lunch options at Post – my reccomendation is the ‘Real Toast’ with crushed avo, tomato, cucumber & lime, washed down with a Green Clean juice (but if you want the Grapefruit Mimosa, we wont tell anyone!)
Have you had the pleasure of experiencing COMO Shambhala Urban Retreat? Share your own blissful experiences or any questions you may have in the comments below. Your journey to rejuvenation is just a click away.
Reviewed & edited by Kelly-Anne & Annette
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | May 10, 2023 | Alternative Therapy, Training & Education
“Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel.”
– Kevin Trudeau
Fostering and nurturing our brain is what brings meaning to our lives. That’s why Endeavour College’s short accredited courses, we’re talking 20 hours short, were made for those of us with busy lives who want to explore . As soon as I heard the magic number, I signed myself up (full disclosure: Annette really signed me up).
Getting to know my gut, and the benefits of taking care of it well, intimately has been one of the most rewarding lessons of my life in the past few years.
So it didn’t take much convincing for me to take a baby step (frog leap) into being a student again to learn from the experts at Endeavour College with their Gut Health: the microbiome and wellbeing short course.
What’s brilliant about this course is that it is 100% online and you can completely take it at your own pace, with 12 months in total to complete. Excellent for freelancers like me who love that flexibility in their schedule to learn whenever and wherever. Personally, I was looking forward to completing it ASAP, since it was so packed full of juicy information that piqued my interest and I’m always keen to up-level my gut health. But if the gut ain’t your thing, then there are an abundant array of courses to choose – from herbs to homeopathy, wellness business marketing essentials to flower essence therapy – and so much more – there’s something for anyone with an interest in healthy & wellness.
The easy to follow structure of the course is made up of six core topics. Anatomy of Digestion, Your Microbes and You, Diet and Gut Health, Microbes and Mood, Probiotics and Prebiotics (a personal favourite as I always get these two mixed up ) Supplements, Antibiotics (fascinating) and General Gut Health.
There are super adorable cartoon videos and fun interactive quizzes to test your knowledge at the end of each topic, and I especially loved the additional resources (I’m a gut nerd, what can I say), including the suggested podcast that take you into another realm of deeper learning and knowledge consolidation.
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A really great take-away was the positive influence it had on me to immediately want to choose healthier options and think about my health in a different way – plus feeling inspired to share my learnings with my friends and loved ones!
“Hey, how have you been? Do you know the difference between probiotics and probiotics? Well, let me enlighten you…!”
During the course I stocked up on coconut yoghurt & made the delish hazelnut & fig granola recipe that was included, as well as started taking probiotic supplements again – I started feeling the benefits right away.
The course takes it to another level by allowing you to experience first-hand what the impact is on your own life by utilising an interactive learning journal, which I thought was really cool.
What’s more, I received a digital certificate to pop on my resume if I ever find myself working in the field of nutrition.
I would highly, highly recommend the Endeavour Gut Health course, especially for those who have thought about perhaps changing career paths and want to explore their interests in a new industry through accredited learning.
Overall I completed it within 3 weeks, over about 20 hours all up, and found the takeaways to be life changing for health – and I’m still implementing things I’ve learned today – many months later.
If you’re looking for a boost of inspo in your life / health / career – I say DO IT. You won’t regret it. And your gut will thank you. Check out the course here!
Review by Kelly-Anne, graphic designer, spa lover & gut nerd.
Be well,
xoxo
by Annette @ Wellness WA | Feb 28, 2023 | Interviews
First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!
My name’s Nici and I’m a Mum, musician and I run my own Personal Training business – Move For Good. I started out with a trainer over 5 years ago and fell in love with feeling strong and capable! I’m a Mum of two boys so keeping up with them and being able to maintain a busy lifestyle is super important. I wanted to be able to provide a fitness and
movement service for people who, like myself, weren’t really fitting in with mainstream gym culture but wanted to train and gain strength and confidence.
What time do you wake up most days and how many hours of sleep do you aim for?
4am and between 7 and 9 hours sleep.
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What’s your morning routine to set you up for a great day?
I get up with my alarm. No snooze! Haha! I shower and get dressed for work then grab something to eat, usually Weetbix and protein powder with oat milk and a coffee. I usually have early clients so I’m always preparing the night before, kids school lunches packed and my breakfast is usually there ready to go (:
Describe a typical day of eating for you (Drinks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, dessert – the whole lot!)
I’ve been working with an incredible nutritionist @cinfit_coaching to help me with an easy and accessible eating program. My struggle is always being time poor and her approach is very straight forward and no fuss. Its also realistic for a working Mum with a family as far as cost and easy to find products etc.
I don’t subscribe to diet culture and fads. Education and consistency is key for me.
I have my Weetbix and protein milk, sometimes with fresh or frozen berries for breakfast. A coffee (soy latte). Then mid morning I’ll have a piece of fruit and a yoghurt. Lunch is usually some sort of protein with a wholegrain wrap or brown rice as well as a bunch of veggies.
Afternoon snack is usually some nuts and another small piece of fruit. And dinner is genuinely some type of protein with salad and corn or potatoes or something like that. I love curry or our family favourite is nachos. I load heaps of veggies in 🙂
But that’s just for convenience. If I’m out I’ll eat whatever makes me feel good. I don’t drink any alcohol and haven’t for over two and a half years now as it doesn’t do me any good. Makes me feel garbage mentally and physically and there’s no way I could enjoy my life and all the things I’ve got going on if I did.
♥ Fenty Matchstix
Tell us about your daily beauty routine! What are your non-negotiables for looking and feeling your best?
I love skin care and makeup, I always have. Growing up in a show biz family I was always spending time with my mum in the bathroom watching her put her make up on and watching her routine.
I us GO-TO products and Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue both from Mecca. For daily make up I use Nars natural radiant long wear foundation. Fenty Matchstix bronzer and highlighter, Nars blush & mascara.
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Do you take any supplements, vitamins or special wellness elixirs? If so, we’d love to know!
I take Vitamin D, iron and Bioceuticals Ultra Muscleze Magnesium for bed which has been amazing to help me unwind and get excellent sleep.
Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?
I usually race around like an idiot trying to get everything done before I go to bed, lots of prep for the next day, try my best to put the house back together to start fresh for the next day and go through anything I need to remember to do for tomorrow.
What are your top 3 wellness non-negotiables?
MIND! See a psych, look after your mind. There’s no shame in medication to help you with your mental health. I’m ADHD and on medication and its been an absolute game changer.
MOVE! Find movement that you love and that makes you feel good!
CONSISTENCY! None of these things work if you don’t put them into practice and be consistent. I think wellness is more about treating your mind and your body well and giving it a good foundation to get you through your life and get the most out of it. Fads don’t really serve me, Ive found my body feels and is at its best when Ive been consistently treating it well.
♥ Satchmo by Tori Lill
Your absolute favourite healthy cafe in Perth is?
Satchmo.
Favourite farmers market or healthy place to shop for healthy goodies.
We have a lovely place up in Mundaring, Hills Fresh, that always has really lovely produce.
What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?
I like weights, strength and conditioning. Ive recently tried EMS suit training which I really enjoyed and I love whole body vibration for an intense workout as well as recovery.
♥ Nu Form LS Top & Shorts!
If you could only wear one brand of activewear for the rest of your life it would be…
Nu Form.
What’s the one beauty or wellness treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place
to have it done?
I love a good micro dermabrasion for a little pick me up. But the best beauty for me is to be moving and feeling hydrated & healthy.
What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t got around to
yet?
Float tank! I have a voucher I need to use (:
Are you into any woo-woo wellness trends? (think crystals, sageing, tarot cards etc)
No, I have a beautiful friend that does my tarot sometimes and its so nice, I find it really reassuring in a comforting kind of way, but Im not really into that kind of stuff usually. I ask too many questions!
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?
Move and eat well. Stay hydrated and wear something you feel rad in. I don’t subscribe to cramming or crash ANYTHING. I would just try to look after myself as best as I can.
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If you could have the ultimate day of wellness & happiness in Perth what would it involve and where would you go?
I’d probably go and get a massage at Endota Spa and then lunch at Satchmo.
What’s your dream wellness vacay?
Ummm a girlfriend and I dream and plot about going and staying at some fancy retreat somewhere on the central coast and getting massages and drinking yummy drinks and eating all the food and not doing any dishes. That’d make me feel pretty well!
And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?
Keep Moving, drink water, don’t sweat the small stuff and eat to live!
Thank you so much to sweet cutie Nici for taking part in our daily wellbeing interview – to find out more about Nici & MOVE FOR GOOD you can visit her website, Instagram, or Facebook.
