♥

Choosing a treatment at a salon or spa, is like trying to choose what flavour you want at the icecream shop. They all look so yummy, and you know they’ll all make you happy (albeit tinged with possible slight regret in the case of icecream!), so you mentally ‘taste’ them all, licking your lips and thinking about the future experience…

♥

It’s scenes like these that make me contemplate a Personal Icecream Assistant!

These deliberations of the most fun kind are what I experienced when I was trying to pick a ‘Spa Retreat Package’ at Ella Bache in West Perth, who kindly allowed me to trial one for review.

In the end I decided on a Mind & Body Rebalance ($230) because, like most, it’s something I’m constantly in desperate need of!

The two-hour treatment includes a full body Hot Rocks Massage (a delicious alternative to regular massage as the weather cools down) and Shirodhara Therapy, which involves a stream of oil being poured over your third eye, located between the brows and up towards the hairline.

I’m all about options and customisable treatments, we’re all so different within ourselves on a day-to-day basis, let alone different from each other, that I believe spas and salons REALLY need to make their treatments as bespoke as possible in order to best cater for their clients. With that in mind, I was pleased to be offered the choice between scented and unscented massage. I went for the earthy smelling oils, but am also keen on a scent free massage too, depending on my mood.

♥

My therapist Maggie did a great job of making sure the rocks were never too hot. At times I thought she might have been a magician, making hot rocks appear out of thin air as I swear her hands never left my body to be able to pick one up!

The highlight of the hot rocks experience was… having my ears massaged! Not with rocks, and just ever so lightly, but I don’t think I’ve ever had that before and my gosh was it dreamy! My little ears must have had a bit of tension pent up in them because they adored the attention.

♥

Next up, the Shirodhara! But first, a word of warning:

Your hair is going to resemble an oil slick afterwards, plan on being plan-less to capitalise on the goodness of nourishing sesame oil. Your scalp will love it!

During this treatment, a ceramic container is positioned over your ‘third eye’ and oil streams out continuously. It’s a unique feeling, somewhat like a fish nibbling on your forehead! Afterwards I got to take a shower and wash away all the oil (I had somewhere to be!), which was much appreciated. They even provide a hair dryer for you, nice.

The only slight negative to my experience was that it was a little noisy on the Saturday I went in, which meant I couldn’t relax to the full extent that the treatment would have allowed me to. Regardless of that, I felt amazing for the next two days afterwards – very clear and calm.

Haven’t tried a hot rock massage or shirodhara treatment? I certainly recommend it!

Ella Bache West Perth

1260 Hay Street, WEST PERTH, Western Australia, 6005
Ph: (08) 9321 0560
E: ebspa@iinet.net.au

Ella Bache products are available online at StrawberryNET!

If you have tried either of these, or want to, leave a comment!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Enough said! [source]

Howdy wellness partners! Since our coverage of the free yoga / running / pilates / body balance at Lululemon was so popular last month, we’ve decided to enlighten you again by sharing the timetable for May 2011!

This month there’s a special theme: Mums! Pre and post-natal yoga classes are available FREE for the month of May, as well as the usual offerings.

Tuesday, May 3 – Pre Natal Yoga with Michelle Papa at 6pm

Wednesday, May 4 – Run Club with Sean O’Neill at 5.30pm

Thursday, May 5 – Flow Yoga with Caitlyn Hunt at 6pm

Tuesday, May 10 – Post Natal Yoga with Laila Mahmud at 6pm

Wednesday, May 11 – Pilates with Leonie Fancourt at 6pm

Thursday, May 12 – Iyengar Yoga with Masayo Baba at 6pm]

Tuesday, May 17 – Pre Natal Yoga with Michelle Papa at 6pm

Wednesday, May 18 – Pilates with Martina Turiakova at 6pm

Thursday, May 19 – Body Balance with Kate Trevenen at 6pm

Tuesday, May 24 – Post Natal Yoga with Sara Evans at 6pm

Wednesday, May 25 – Pilates with Martina Turiakova at 6pm

Thursday, May 26 – Vinyasa Yoga with Jane Lewis at 6pm

Tuesday, May 31 – Post Natal Yoga with Erica Hua at 6pm

So bring your fitness gear with you to work, and pop on down to help you unwind after a hard day at the office!

Lululemon city store is located within the Enex100 building @ 683-703 Hay Street Perth WA 6000.

♥

Having just returned from living in London and spending a good few months reorganising my life, it was time to tackle the next job on the list.

I needed to find a new confidant who was good with a wax pot and a spatula. Someone I felt comfortable with for tending to, well you know. I thought it was going to be an arduous task, but luckily I was wrong…

I am not going to hold back on details, it had been a rather long time between drinks if you know what I am saying. Thanks to Scoopon (who doesn’t love a deal?) I bought a voucher for some waxing at Love Bodyworx on Preston street in Como and even before my voucher was valid, toddled along as a full paying customer. I have to admit I was starting to get the cold sweats about the impending pain but knew it had to be done.

I was warmly greeted by the owner Tracey and ushered into a treatment room. I then braced myself for what I thought would be pain only second to childbirth. I clenched my teeth and sweaty palms for the dreaded first rip ……. it didn’t hurt all, nor the second rip, or third, or in fact – any! Yes a relatively pain free brazilian wax and I am telling you there was some serious removal needed, we were lucky there was any wax left in the pot!

Still stunned from the lack of pain, aftercare advice was offered and not the ‘buy this product’ kind, but good honest helpful advice. I left immediately making a follow up appointment (I never do this) and with a new found spring in my step.

Yes it’s a small salon, but the open friendly manner of the owner, the great pricing ($50 and $45 for a repeat visit within 3-6 weeks of initial wax) and the pain free waxing more than make up for it. Love Bodyworx? Yup I do!

Love Bodyworx Beauty Salon is located at:

Shop 2/10 Preston St (on the corner of Mary and Preston)
Como, WA

Ph: (08) 9368 0396

Website | Facebook

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

Be well,

xoxo

♥ The Detox Box ♥

When I was offered the chance to try above contraption I was initially hesitant.

So you sit in a tiny wooden box, heat coming at you from all angles, with the intention of sweating? My claustrophobia, extreme dislike of heat and penchant towards hygiene were all quite adamant they wouldn’t be letting me step foot in this so called ‘Detox Box’.

Still, I somehow overcame these hurdles and found myself a few weeks ago dressed in my bathers, wrapped in a towel with a vague sense of anxiety about my impending 45 minute vacation to Sweatsville, population: me.

I was given a big bottle of water and told to drink as much as I needed, the temperature was able to be controlled from inside which was nice, and I found myself fiddling with the temps a bit to reach the ‘sweet spot’ of perfect heat for me. Left with a stack of old magazines (you can read in the sauna, because it’s a dry heat!), I settled in and adjusted to the heat.

At one point I turned it down because it felt too hot, but then I put it back up again because I found myself WANTING it hotter again! I drank the whole bottle of water, and found myself sweating mostly towards the end. It was a really unique and relaxing experience, I left feeling very calm and peaceful.

After the sauna you can have a shower and when I looked in the mirror at my skin, my face was glowing. I really feel like it did help to ‘detox’ me!

The Detox Box, or Infrared Sauna, comes with a long list of benefits, as well as a list of precautions:

♥ The equivalent of 30 mins exercise in one 45 minute session
♥ Sweats out toxins
♥ Promotes a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation

If you are pregnant, have any heart / circulatory issues, or are taking medication it’s advised to seek medical advice before jumping into a sauna.

This is going to be a real treat come winter, when you can cosy up in your own private warm cocoon. The best part is it’s only $35 for 40 minutes or so of sauna bliss!

After this treatment I had another omnilux session too 🙂

Location:

Skindeep Medi-Spa Perth
Shop 4 Central Park Building
777 Hay Street, Perth
Western Australia 6000
T. (08) 9226 2997

Have you ever had a dry sauna?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Yoga for you and your mates! [Pic: National Geographic]

I’ve known about this amazing free opportunity for a while now, and sometimes I don’t even think about letting you all know because I imagine that everyone HAS TO ALREADY KNOW about it, because it is just so awesome!

So, were you aware you can take part in yoga, pilates, capoeira & running club classes in Perth, for the low low fee of… well, nothing? Quite literally the best deal in town.

With classes both morning and night, you can indulge in a little free ‘me time’ whether you’re a chirpy morning bird or more of an evening style bird… perhaps a kookaburra?

Lululemon Athletica is a fun shop that sells all the yoga and running gear you could ever want, and they mega-generously offer these aforementioned free classes at both their Perth city store and Cottesloe store!

I would like to share with you the upcoming free fitness timetable for the Perth / Enex100 store. All you need to bring down is your fine self and a bottle of water. They provide the yoga mats, props and instruction. LOVE IT!

Tuesday, April 12
Ashtanga Yoga with Ambasaddor Rob Schutze at 6pm.

Wednesday, April 13
Pilates with Patrick Renner at 7am

Run Club with Sean O’Neill at 5.30pm

Thursday, April 14
Vinyasa Yoga with Laila Mahmud at 6pm

Tuesday, April 19

Capoeria with Bantus Capoeira at 6pm

Wednesday, April 20

Pilates with Patrick Renner at 7am

Run Club with Sean O’Neill at 5.30pm

Thursday, April 21

Vinyasa Yoga with Sam Briatico at 6pm

Tuesday, April 26

Capoeria with Bantus Capoeira at 6pm

Wednesday, April 27

Pilates with Patrick Renner at 7am
Run Club with Sean O’Neill at 5.30pm

Thursday, April 28
Power E with Makita Gabriel at 6pm

And now for the explanations of what the above are, in case you’re wondering! 🙂

Ashtanga yoga is a system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009). This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. Our Ambassador Rob Schütze, who is leading those two weeks of Ashtanga Yoga, is one of the co-owners of The Yoga Space in West Perth. He is one of eleven Australians Authorised by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga. 

Vinyasa yoga is one of the most commonly practised styles in the West. Sometimes referred to as “flow” yoga, the classes usually focus on breathing and movement which is almost dance-like.

Capoeira classes guarantee to have you doing this in your first lesson, ok I lie! But you could one day, and how cool does it look?!

Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with some very limited Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly power kicks and quick leg sweeps, with some ground and aerial acrobatics, knee, take-downs, elbows, punches and headbutts.

Power E founder Makita Gabriel will lead a class at lululemon on Thursday, April 21

Power E is a series of low impact energy workouts that energise the body, calms the mind and balances the emotions. Each workout has a specific exercise sequence to help build inner confidence, energy balance, strength, vitality and inner peace.

Enex100 is located @ 683-703 Hay Street Perth WA 6000.

Thinking of heading down? I would LOVE to hear of your experiences! I hope this information has been useful in keeping your wallet heavy!

Be well,

xoxo