What started as an idea for a fortnightly segment has quickly turned very popular, with over 150 views in one day of the first edition (!) – and as I was squirreling away information for the next wrap-up, it quickly became obvious that there is just SO much going on in Perth’s wellness scene right now that a weekly post might be more fitting, so here we go! Would love your feedback as always xo

♥ Acai Brothers Fremantle

With warm weather just around the corner and beach season just about to get into full swing, there’s nothing like an icy bowl of deliciousness to help you escape the heat. Even better if that icy bowl comes in the form of a superfood-packed, skin & body loving antioxidant feast that just so happens to be bright purple and out of this world tasty.

While Natures Harvest, Bowl’n, Ohana Acai Bar, Hylin, Pearth Organic & more have been serving up Acai bowls on the reg in Perth for a while now – Acai Brothers Fremantle are the latest folks to join in on the action.

Initial reports seem to indicate that all of the bowls are blended with guarana with no option for omission – which may cut out a lot of their potential customer base (including me!) who are sensitive to caffeine/stimulants – but if an intense hit of energy along with your daily superfood dose is what you’re after, then this might just be your new favourite healthy haunt.

Acai Brothers is located @ 64 High Street, Fremantle.

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The latest new yoga studio to get bendy, stretchy & sweaty in Perth is Original Hot Yoga – located on the cusp of Highgate & East Perth! Offering 100% Bikram Yoga classes (a sequence of 26 postures & 2 breathing exercises are practiced in a room heated to 40 degrees), this studio promises to change your life in 60 days.

Curious to check it out but worried about the heat or not being flexible enough? All of the classes cater to beginners – you’re more than welcome to rest at any time during class and just breathe on your mat. Just make sure to drink 2-3 litres of water per day when practicing & get your electrolytes in, as you’ll lose loads of water with all the sweating you’ll be doing.

Original Hot Yoga is located at 179 Claisebrook Road, Perth, and will be opening In November.

♥ HBF Free Fitness Classes are Back!

HBF offer free fitness classes to their members each year for 8 weeks and you’ll no doubt see large groups of people exercising around the place taking advantage of the generous offer! If you’re a member head over to the HBF Fitness website to sign up and start your Summer fitness journey.

♥ Lisa Burns Training Studio!

Last but certainly not least is a brand new studio from booty-sculpting dream babe Lisa Burns. Her brand new location in Doubleview, which is aptly named “Lisa Burns Training Studio“, is your one stop shop to get bikini ready & that booty poppin’.

Her signature “Booty Burn” class has a cult following, and take it from personal experience – your butt, thighs & stomach will be sore for DAYS. But the results are so worth it.

Along with Booty Burn the studio also offers Box & Booty (can’t wait to try this one!), Strength & Flow and regular boxing classes to fast-track your way to ultra fit. Once you’ve felt the burn you can check out the on-site cafe, Mr Herbert’s, for a caffeine, cold-pressed juice or raw treat fix. What more could you want?

Lisa Burns Training Studio is located at 243 Herbert Street, Doubleview.

Let me know in the comments below if you’re keen to check out any of these new Perth wellness & fitness options!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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♥ 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)!

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♥ 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.

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

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

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♥ 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.

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♥ 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!

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♥ 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!

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♥ 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!

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♥ 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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There’s most certainly a right and wrong way to go about Bikram Yoga. I learnt this the hard way. My first session I turned up in my standard gym gear = long yoga pants, a t-shirt and a leotard thing (so I can bend this way and that and not have my belly fall out), and realised my mistake as soon as I entered the studio. The vast majority of the 30-ish attendees were wearing what I first thought were bikinis, but turned out to be Bikram-intended gym gear. These people had the right idea. Before I’d even started, I had condensation dripping from my eyelashes.

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And there’s definitely a learning curve. The three sessions I went to followed a pattern – I would arrive, enter the room and be freshly shocked at HOW warm Bikram yoga is (40 C), lie down on my mat and start to feel like I was adjusting and this might be okay – then the instructor would enter and we’d start moving. I lasted 40 minutes in my first session, overdressed and not hydrated enough, and drove home bewildered and drenched.

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My second attempt was far better. I wore as little as I was able and attended an evening class, meaning I had a whole afternoon to get hydrated enough in preparation, which made a big difference. I left the room twice to pace around in the air conditioning before heading back in, but I still stayed until the end of the 90 minute session. I considered this progress, and decided to give it a third shot to see if I could top that effort.

Third session was exhilarating. I didn’t leave the room, though I did sit sweating on my mat to recover every once and a while. But I still stayed for 90 minutes and emerged sweaty and victorious at the end, feeling like I’d proved to myself that I could adjust to what felt like an insurmountably difficult physical challenge.

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And the end result is fantastic. Once you’ve rehydrated (and I deeply recommend the Chi Coconut Water available at the front desk) you feel godlike. You’re energised, ultra limber and have all those good aches that tell you you’ve done well.

My particular Bikram was at the newly opened Bikram Yoga Victoria Park – and I had three different instructors over that session. The circuit of poses was identical each day, which was a small mercy since there was a collective boneless relief when we moved to the second half of the session (the stuff on the floor). Our instructors all wore headsets and talked continuously through the 90 minute class. Granted, they weren’t doing the full exercise that we were, but they were still demonstrating, wandering between people and fixing postures. It struck me as incredibly exhausting. There must have been some serious tolerance build up in that.

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Ultimately I had a really positive experience – I feel like I was worked hard and got results, and the staff were professional and friendly. I’m even considering some of those Bikram bikini things. I’m a sucker for nice new gym gear.

♥ There are even showers you can use before/after class!

Bikram Yoga Victoria Park has a rather awesome beginner’s deal that I’d recommend: Ten days of unlimited Bikram for $20!

I spread my three sessions over five days, and the amount of improvement I felt just in those three sessions drives home for me that it really is something that needs to be done in bursts, multiple sessions in close proximity. Karen, the vibrant and ultra-fit Studio Director confirmed as much by very gently suggesting I come back for the third class, and I’m glad I did. (She also clarified for me that I was not, in fact, drowning in my own sweat, but in an ungodly amount of condensation. This is very reassuring). Can I also suggest that you remove all makeup before heading in there? I finished a session looking like I’d emerged from a screening of The Notebook.

Bikram Yoga Victoria Park

Unit 1, 345 Shepperton Road
East Victoria Park, Perth

Ph: (08) 9470 5700

E: info@bikramvicparkperth.com.au

Have you tried Bikram Yoga before, or want to? Does the idea of heat-based exercise excite or scare you? Lets chat in the comments!

Review by Suzanne from Don’t They Know Who I Am?

Be well,

xoxo

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

I’m a full time University student and a part-time model in Perth. I’m more than halfway through my degree in Communications at UWA. My favorite thing to do is travel, I’ve worked as a model overseas since I graduated from high school, and there’s nothing more pleasing then immersing yourself in an entirely foreign culture.

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

My daily routine is really simple, just cleanse and moisturize as well as apply sunscreen.

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

I have to admit, I’ve never had a beauty treatment done before professionally! I will one day, but for now its just home based treatments, or getting your most patient friend to do your nails for you.

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

Aveda Salon in Subiaco are a really reliable salon. I trust them with my hair, they have a really professional team and they use all natural, environmentally friendly products.

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Oat meal and sugar scrub!

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Estèe Lauder crème SPF15
Estèe Lauder Youth-Infusing Hydration Lotion
YSL Mascara.

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

The best tip, although it may not exactly be a secret, is sunscreen, that’s probably the most essential key in taking care of your skin, and to keep yourself looking young.

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♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

I would like to try Bikram Yoga in Perth one time, it looks so challenging and I want to see if I can get through that 90 minute workout.

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

A big breakfast, normally mixed cereals with fruit, yoghurt and honey. For lunch a healthy sandwich or a big salad with protein. For dinner it changes every night, but I try to have a light dinner (so I can make room for dessert.)

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♥ Describe your fitness routine.

My fitness routine is very basic, I take my dog for a walk at the beach nearly everyday, or if I haven’t been active all day, I like to go out with my friends to dance.

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

Not really, I believe I get enough nutrients and vitamins from the foods I eat, but when my immune system is low I take BioC vitamin C tablets.

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

Yoga is my favourite way to relax. It’s amazing how yoga can effect my mood, I could be in a really bad mood, and a yoga class can completely turn my mood around.

Thanks to the gorgeous Evelyn for taking the time to share her beauty and wellness routine with us!

Be well,

xoxo

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

I’m a fashion blogger, freelance journalist and law student from Perth, WA. Writing and fashion have always been my two passions, and now I am able to indulge them through the same avenue! My blog, Bonnie Friday focuses on mainly Western Australian designers, boutiques and personalities. Recently I was flown to New York to cover New York Fashion Week for Nokia and Elle.com! Since then I have realized that fashion media is what I really want to get into. Now all I have to do is chase the opportunities!

♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I’m a person who is starved for time. Between working, studying and trying to build a journalism/styling portfolio, I don’t have time for a lengthy beauty routine. In the shower I use Bliss body wash which I bought in New York and a Nivea facial toner. After my morning shower I moisturize with an Olay cream and if my skin needs a little bit of extra TLC I use a Lancome moisturizing and de-stressing gel or the SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 gel. In the evening I repeat my shower beauty routine and cleanse my face with a Clearasil cleanser. I also use the Garnier eye roll-on day and night to control puffy circles.

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

I can’t live without eyebrow shaping. I believe it’s a simple treatment that can make a huge difference when it comes to framing your face. I have my eyebrows shaped at the Benefit Eyebrow bar in Myer. The ladies there take it seriously and are really professional. I’ve never been anything less than 100% satisfied!

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

I get my hair done at Bangs Salon on Murray Street. My hair stylist Naomi has just left for Melbourne so I am a little distraught, but everyone there is amazing. They know exactly what I want even when I say things like “you know, I want hair like Lara Bingle” and the prices are really reasonable!

♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

You don’t have to spend a lot on treatments for your hair. There are so many products out there that provide the same results at home as the salon! I deep condition my hair with a Schwarzkopf deep condition about once per month. The results are amazing and I bought the tub for around $10 a year ago!

♥ Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

I live for my Bliss body wash. There is something really soothing about stepping out of the shower, feeling clean and smelling like orange blossom! Maybe it is also because it reminds me of my trip to New York! I’ve also just run out of my SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel which is like liquid gold! I have never found a product that has been so great for my skin. Thirdly I have issues with puffy circles around my eyes. Since trying the Garnier eye roll on I will never go back. I know some people are dubious about the benefits but even if the caffeine has no effect, the results are soothing and hydrating. I have noticed a marked difference in the skin around my eyes!

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

Drinking lots of water and eating well is essential for looking and feeling great, but it is no secret! I suppose I try to be positive as much as I can. I think that makes a huge difference in how you look and feel. Happiness is by far the best beauty therapy!

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♥ What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

I would love to try Bikram yoga because I have heard so many great things about it. I’m not sure though if I would be able to handle the heat… literally!

♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I usually get breakfast with my morning coffee in the city to save time at home. I’m a little bit naughty and will often have a muffin or a croissant! Lunch depends on whether I am at work or uni. At work I will often have an avocado roll or a pesto chicken wrap from Croissant Express. At uni I can’t go past the rice paper rolls at Café 55 in Fremantle! I try to cook every night and keep it as diverse as possible. A couple of regulars are rice with butter chicken, and veal ravioli in a creamy tomato sauce!

♥ Describe your fitness routine.

On a good day I’ll try to do 30 minutes of cardio on top of my daily running around. I never drive to work so that means I get at least 40 minutes of fast walking each day. When I get home I play with the dog in the front yard or workout to the Zumba video I got for Christmas.

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

I take a Vitamin B supplement which helps me to keep my stress under control and seems to put everything into perspective. Whenever I call my Mum to tell her about an issue I’m having she asks me “Have you had a Vitamin B lately?” It may sound silly but it’s true, Vitamin B is really important for me to ensure I balance my stress!

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

Nothing beats a holiday to Rottnest. I can never be stressed on Rottnest Island – lazing around in the sun, riding my bike around the island and swimming in the crystal clear waters! That’s rarely an option though so for day to day de-stressing I take a deep breath, go for a walk and have some “me” time. I also think it’s important to spend some quality time with my family and partner when I’m feeling stressed. Sunday is my ultimate relax day because I lounge around with my partner and our dog watching movies and talking about our weeks!

Thanks to Bonnie for sharing her beauty & wellbeing routine!

If you’d like to ask Bonnie any questions, you can do so in the comments below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo