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I have spent the last few weeks of every Tuesday A.M. with Larissa Amos from Devine Wellbeing Practice. What she awakens within the four walls of her consciously decorated studio, with modern and retro themes, branded by peacock feathers and a beautiful landscape of attuned crystals, is simply awe inspiring. Larissa greets you with heart at your first consultation, at which moment you are quite assured that you have entered into something quite special. I’m not generally taken by the air and fare that you can experience from ‘so called’ healers, but with Larissa the confidence is raised to a whole new level.

Inside it is both cosy and ambient with soft soulful music playing, the senses are in appreciation. Larissa combines a unique selection of therapies (meditation, massage & healing) which culminate together in both a feel good and life enhancing experience, her time with you is almost always on the generous side, so be sure to spare a few extra minutes, they are well worth it.

Have you ever wondered why you experience the physical and emotional discomforts you do?

Larissa will bring you closer to your answers. “I like to think of emotions as a way of reading information, either sent from an outside source or an internal one, emotions are simply trying to tell us something, my system of healing guides and teaches the individual management of the mind body and spirit” Larissa shares.

My time with her was an awakening experience and a connection to strengths I didn’t know that I had. From the first time that I saw her I have continued to utilise these strengths in the world we live in. Absolutely empowering! I would highly recommend taking a breather to investigate the potential Larissa can elevate you to, truly magical.

The Devine Wellbeing Practice is located in Coolbinia, nestled within the suburban streets, bookings are by appointment only.

Address: 7/23 Ardross Crescent
Coolbinia, Perth 6053
Email: larissa.amos@devinetime.com.au
Mobile: 0419 858 074
Web: http://www.devinetime.com.au

Review by Lavida Rose.

Disclaimer: Devine Time is currently advertising on Wellness WA. This advertising relationship in no way affects the nature or outcome of the review.

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I remember my first pimple fondly. Year 7, it was time for our yearly school picture and my best friend at the time had also broken out with one on the day of the photo. We both laughed, unaware of the imminent cascade of hormones about to wreak their havoc on our bodies (and skin).

Throughout high school I suffered from moderate-severe acne that would serve to crush most of my confidence. Although hormones played a large part, I failed to realise that eating mini pizzas, a bag of chips, 5 packets of wizz fizz and 3 glasses of soft drink each day was not doing my skin any favours. Not to mention my non-existant exercise routine and penchant for spending hours in front of the computer completing Dawson’s Creek quizzes.

Fast forward to now (10 years later!) and my skin has mostly settled down. However I have some persistant mild acne on the chin that almost never goes away, and any zit that pops up takes forever to heal. No amount of products have been able to get rid of it.

WHATS A GAL TO DO? In my quest for clear skin, I decided to look inside for the answers and see a naturopath who specialises in the treatment of acne, Brooke from mi:skn.

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The consultation starts with an extremely comprehensive question/discussion session incorporating many aspects of your current/past health and lifestyle. Things such as diet, stress levels, skin type, menstrual cycle (for the ladies!) and many more are examined, all of which can help paint a picture of your internal health and point towards some corrective remedies.

The most interesting part of the session was a zinc test (zinc is super important for pimple/wound healing and general health!), which involves swirling some clear liquid around in your mouth for 10 seconds. If it tastes absolutely horrible – you’re in luck! Your zinc levels are adequate. Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t taste anything, which means… you guessed it, very zinc deficient.

Brooke prescribed me some vitamin c and zinc powder which should help to remedy this, and we’ll test my levels again in a few weeks time.

I was also prescribed a couple of other natural medicines to take that should help my skin on its way to being pimple free.

It’s not just about supplements though, personal lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise also play a huge role. I’ve been advised to cut down on sugars, carbs and grains, which is VERY hard for me, and dose up on vegetarian proteins and fresh veggies.

I will keep you all updated on my hopefully successful journey to clearer skin! Oh and I forgot to mention, Brooke has wonderful skin and she says that wasn’t always the case, which makes it very easy to believe that she knows what she’s talking about.

mi:skin is located in Highgate.

For bookings and extra information call: 0414 277 761 or Email: clinic@miskn.com

Tell me, have you ever seen a naturopath for your skin or a naturopath in general?

I would love to hear your thoughts!

Disclaimer: My initial consultation was provided to me for review, however any supplements and additional consults are coming out of my own pocket. The complementary nature of the consult in no way affects my review. 🙂

Be well,

xoxo

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A day at a day spa… the scene was set with a perfect, blue-skied, almost winter day with a latte, Johnny Cash bellowing poetry on the speakers and my GPS pointing me in the wrong direction.

When heading out to the dreamy wonderland of Brookleigh – don’t trust your Sat Nav, people! Fortunately, I knew Brookleigh was next to Belvoir Amphitheatre and a lot closer than the GPS suggested. And it’s a problem the owners of Brookleigh have dealt with a lot, so get your directions clear before you hit the road unless you want a 45-minute detour.

So, back to the blue skies, latte and Johnny Cash… I arrived feeling pretty peaced-out and ready to relax. I met the wellness consultant and personal trainer, Rachel and owner Nikki on arrival and was impressed by how healthy they both looked. Both had glowing skin, very fit bodies and huge smiles… these were happy people and I was ready to discover the secret to their sunshine.

A Brookleigh horse

My day began with a personal training session with Rachel. We jogged past the beautiful horse stables (Brookleigh started out as an equestrian centre and still is an Olympic training venue), the chateau where the spa resides and guests stay and a “roundabout” which is a gorgeous, meditation-style garden.

Roundabout

We kept on joggin’ past all of these beauties and out the back of the property where an “obstacle course” awaits. It’s also an equestrian training area but nicely doubles as a people fitness area too. The jumps were utilised as push up, dip and sit up stations while a trotting area was used for some punishing sprints (it was here the heart rate monitor I had to wear really betrayed me, sounding like a hideous alarm going off as if warning everyone I was about to drop dead).

After the PT workout, we stretched by the small lake where Brookleigh hosts weddings every weekend throughout October to May. You can see why, with a quaint gazebo overlooking the lake which is perfect for the ceremony to take place. Huge trees, the neighing of horses and the surrounding paddocks combine to make you feel as though you are far, far from civilisation.

Next up was the spa treatment. I met with the lovely consultant, Lisa, and discussed facial options and confessed my skin woes. Breakouts in certain areas were plaguing me and I definitely needed help. I was treated to a lime sugar exfoliation to start, which sloughed off any dead skin on my legs. Despite Lisa warning me it might hurt a little as the sugar did its job, the scrubbing felt just right and my skin was glowing by the time it finished. The smell of lime was delicious. The massage was next and thankfully Lisa applied just the right pressure for the knots in my muscles to be erased while sending me into a state of utter bliss. Despite trying very hard not to, I also fell asleep in the later stages but I guess it’s a sign of ultimate relaxation so I tried not to beat myself up about it too much.

Guinot Facial @ Brookleigh.

The facial did wonders for my skin. Brookleigh has either Guinot or the local, organic range Joi Pure. Despite trialling Joi Pure previously and knowing it was delicious, my skin was in need for something a little stronger and Guinot was enlisted. I had the classic facial and Lisa used a peel around the troubled areas to break up the congestion. Despite my skin glowing afterwards, it was also a tad red and it wasn’t until a couple of days later that I really noticed the benefits. My skin really cleared up and it totally confirmed what I’d suspected all along… I need to be getting regular facials.

To complete the day spa package, I had lunch at Stewart’s Restaurant which is also a part of Brookleigh. Stewart’s is one of the best restaurants in the Swan Valley and has plenty of healthy options to complement the day spas and health retreats that are on offer. I had the salmon with roasted beetroot and pumpkin with a lemon sauce and holy yum, it was sensational. And post-meal, I felt as though my body was being further nourished rather than overly-full like you might at many of the wineries boasting first class restaurants in the area.

Urban Spoon rsetaurant rating:

Nikki and Rachel mentioned the three and five-day health retreats now on offer and I think they sound fabulous. Half a day out at Brookleigh and I felt rejuvenated and as though I’d been much further from Perth than the 45-minute drive it was.

If you’re looking for a girls’ weekend (classy hens’ weekends would be perfect there), doing something for your health or simply a getaway from the daily grind without travelling too far, Brookleigh is the place you’re looking for.

Check out their website to see enticing pics and more info, call (08) 9296 0018 or email Nikki or Rachel on info@brookleigh.com.au.

Brookleigh is located at 1235 Great Northern Highway,
 Upper Swan in the Swan Valley.

Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and Brookleigh’s newest devotee!

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Huna is a form of Hawaiian massage that stimulates the natural flow of energy within the body in order to bring about changes in your physical, emotional and spiritual state. This nuturing massage enables stress and tension to be released and can even help to improve your immune system.

With all this in mind I paid a visit to Scott Davey at Massage in Perth in Hocking where he works from home.

In order to experience the true magic of Huna it’s best to go commando, as in no underwear, with towels strategically placed to cover the important bits. However you can of course leave your underwear on and even have a large towel covering you if you wish. Scott emphasises that the MOST important thing is that you feel comfortable at all times. Never once did I feel uncomfortable.

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Once the massage started I discovered what Scott meant. With the assistance of a silky oil there are grand sweeping strokes that run down your body almost from top to toe that make the stress just melt away. If you were wearing underwear these strokes would be interrupted. These amazing fluid movements are like waves that wash all of you worries and cares away. In fact if you were to watch a Huna massage it would look like a beautiful dance routine being performed by the therapist.

Almost no area is left untended, but it was the more unusual areas that really allowed my stress to dissipate. I never knew the palms of my hands and the bed of my foot just under my toes were the key to this! There were also a series of incredible wrap around strokes on my forearms, other movements actually sweep up underneath you.

By the end of my treatment I was in absolute bliss, centred and so relaxed I truly did not want it to end.

If you too think your soul could do with a little nurturing, your chakras in need of rebalancing and your stress to disappear I cannot recommend a Huna massage enough – my soul is still thanking me.

Price: 75 mins $100

♥ Massage in Perth
♥ Connect with Scott on LinkedIn
Ph: 0405 801 996
Therapist: Scott Davey
Location: Hocking

Review by Kristy Mollica freelance TV and radio presenter, lover of girl power & things that are so totally not beige!

Be well,

xoxo

I had done hot yoga a couple of years ago when the first Perth studio opened in North Perth. I was completely impressed by the long list of health benefits, but in all honesty, I wasn’t a fan. It was just soooo hot.

However, two of my best friends had been going to the Scarborough Bikram Yoga and raved about it. One had a bad back and was told he wouldn’t run again, now his doctor is considering his appeal to run another marathon. From nothing to 42.2km! The other is just as much as sport nut and had bad knees. She’s gone from ITBs so tight she faced the dreaded “roller” every night after exercising to not needing it all and just competed in a Half Ironman triathlon. There had to be more to this yoga than a hot room. I had to go back.

My first session was hard. I counted the minutes and felt every bead of sweat dripping down my legs. The first exercise was a breathing one and the darth vader sounds were freaking me out, I felt claustrophobic. I didn’t notice what the yoga was doing for my body, I just did what the instructor said and waited for it to finish. One of my buds was there and applauded me for getting through the first session without having to lie down or leave the room. I felt a flicker of pride but admitted I wanted to leave, I just couldn’t get past the heat.

However, I had five sessions to trial and I went back for more. The second session couldn’t have been more different. My head had wrapped around the concept of the heat and I used the breathing time not wondering if I had packed a light saber, but on opening my lungs. Despite telling my friend that I hadn’t done any proper stretching in the first session, I now found myself in deep hamstring stretches, reveling in the glorious feeling of these tightly wound muscles lengthening. I noticed my quads strengthening in various poses and my hips opening in others. Suddenly the class was over… it had flown by and my body was singing, skin glowing and face smiling. It was an “aha!” moment where I realised that once you get beyond the heat, Bikram does incredible things for the body.

More things I like about Bikram Yoga – nobody seems to be body conscious. Most people wear sports bras and short shorts and the men don’t wear tops, practical for the heat. Nobody cares what anybody else looks like (well except me, I took note of a few exceptionally fit looking footballer types… only on the first session of course, before I was transformed) and they seem to embrace their bodies in this class. Nicer than gyms where people seem to punish their bodies rather than revel in them.

I also like that it detoxifies the system. With all that sweat, make sure you’re putting back in at least an extra litre of water than you normally would and your skin will boast the benefits.

Make sure you take a yoga mat and towel too to avoid the couple of bucks charged to hire them from the studio. Give Bikram at least three tries, apparently most people struggle like I did on their first go, but go back for another couple of tries and you will have a completely different experience.

Article by Lisa O’neill, Freelance Journalist and Bikram yoga convert!

More info;

♥ http://www.bikramyogascarboroughbeach.com.au/
♥ Facebook

Bikram Yoga Scarborough Beach

A: 19 Scarborough Beach Road Scarborough 6019
P: (08) 9341 6095

Be well,

xoxo