Welcome to another jam packed edition of Beauty & Wellbeing Crushes! This is seriously such a fun segment for me to put together, and I would love to hear from you if you have any crushes that you think we might like to check out!

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♥ Xtend Barre @ Sense of Space in Subiaco

Ok, where to start with this one! A friend and I are currently on a mission to become fitness babes by ramping up our exercise routine, and this was the first cab off the rank. After seeing videos of Xtend Barre online, we approached our post-Easter class with nervousness and excitement.

2 minutes into the warmup, huffing and puffing, we both looked at each other with a fearful smile, we wanted to ramp it up, and this is what we got. 60 minutes of leg toning, butt shaping, ab firming, bicep workin' goodness, all mixed with fun tunes, loads of variation and the promise that you'll feel it for the next few days (this is a good thing!). I can also tell you that not everyone is coordinated, not everyone is perfect at all the moves, and – no one is worried! You just do your best.

The instructor (Kavan) was really lovely and we'll be going back weekly to see if we can improve on our first attempt 😉 Check out Sense of Space online, they have loads of times available!

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♥ Hillary's Wellness Expo

Wellness lovers rejoice! The Hillarys Wellness Expo is back! It's a free event held this weekend at Hillarys Boat Harbour on Fri 5th, Sat 6th and Sun 7th April, and features a tribe of health and spiritual practitioners as well as stalls specialising in recycled, sustainable, natural and organic products. There's also a Mongolian yurt on site and many free children’s activities.

Exhibitors include psychics, intuitive midwives, psychosomatic therapists, crystal readings, meditation sessions, plus loads and loads of health stalls. If you're free this weekend make sure you check it out!

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♥ Organic Peppermint Tea

Ah peppermint tea, how I love you! Throw organic into the equation and we're verging on soulmates. A really interesting thing has happened… ever since I've started drinking peppermint tea and rosehip tea (not at the same time!) each day, my skin has become exceptionally clear. They're both touted as super skin loving drinks, so I'm going to keep up with this experiment of sorts and hopefully keep enjoying clearer skin.

Have you ever tried Xtend Barre? Have you found peppermint tea or rosehip tea to be great for your skin? I'd love to talk about this with you, so leave me a comment below!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

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

I love to be fit and healthy both physically and spiritually. I devote my time to learning and teaching others about health and fitness and how they can help to be the best person they can from the inside – out. My number one passion is Pilates (my business is Renz Pilates!).

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Whilst working in London as a personal trainer in 2005 I learnt of Pilates. Within a few months of returning to Australia I commenced training with Polestar Pilates to master the method and learn to teach others. My style of workouts have since been a fusion of Pilates and personal training.

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♥ Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

I am LOVING Miranda Kerr’s Kora Organics range and have been since December 2012. I use my Cream Cleanser day and night, followed by Purifying Day and Night Cream for my face and the Recovery Eye Gel Cream for my eyes (Miranda recently recommended to try the Vitamin Enhanced Lip Balm to act like a hydrating mask for the eyes too, which I agree is divine) and the Enriched Body Lotion for my body. After my long days of teaching and training it is nice to enjoy the Hydrating Mask for my face and the lovely Rejuvenating Foot Balm for my tootsies. I am trialling a couple of new organic sun creams too but haven’t found a favourite yet (welcoming any suggestions?)

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

Following a run, I love rubbing my body gently with moist beach sand before swimming in the ocean allowing my skin to enjoy a natural exfoliant. I enjoy this at every sandy beach in the world I visit.

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

Karri Steele – uber cool, but sad she has just moved to Melbourne.. Aveda Subi: Nikki, Kylie & Danni – I just love Aveda – seems to work so well with my hair.

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♥ Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

Sleep. There is a reason it is called beauty sleep. Make the time and reap the benefits.

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

Right now: KORA Organics Cream Cleanser, Recovery Eye Gel and the Hydrating Mask

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

A positive attitude – always have honest and positive intentions – sometimes actions are perceived by others in a different light, but if you know you are acting with good intentions I believe karma always returns positive energy to you.

And sweat, laugh and move: dance, walk, run – whatever makes you smile.

♥ Chiva Som

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

Internationally: Chiva-Som, Thailand and Reethi Rah, Maldives.
Locally: Bodhi Day Spa, Wembley.

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♥ Describe a typical day of eating for you.

Everyday is different, it depends on my mood and what I have scheduled for the day but generally..

Kickstart the day: Always a Spirulina and Vitamin C drink.
Smoothie: I will make either green smoothie made up of whatever greenery is in season – mixture of kale, spinach, celery, zucchini, spirulina mix, avocado & cucumber, or kiwi and cacao nibs, bee pollen, maca and filtered water and goji berries to serve OR a chocolate smoothie made up of raw cacao, chocolate vegan protein powder, almonds, frozen berries, bee pollen, spirulina mix, maca and filtered water.
On the weekends maybe a frozen banana-rice milk smoothie with lots of yummy extras and an egg white omelette with veggies.

Mid morning snack: I usually teach privates and classes from 6am through to lunch time, so don’t have much time for snacks. I drink lots of water and green tea in between sessions.

Lunch: Huge, super colourful salad (always changing, but as long as I can put in as many bright delicious colours as I can get my hands on) sometimes with chicken, tuna, salmon or beans of some type.

Mid afternoon: Either celery or raw zucchini with my home made hommus.

Dinner: I go out a lot for dinner, so when I order I try to stick to steamed veggies or as clean as possible. This is the one meal I am usually eating with my friends or family and I try not to be too strict amongst others as I often get reminded to be a little crazy and “try the tempura prawns!”

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After dinner treats: This is definitely my weakest point of the day. I LOVE chocolate treats. Over the years I have learnt so much about chocolate and the cleanest, healthiest ways to enjoy it. I now make my own organic chocolate with lots of special treats inside (like goji berries or cacao nibs). Right now I am working on mastering a Bliss Ball recipe (raw cacao, freshly sprouted nuts, coconut oil, etc) so much goodness packed into the cutest little ball! My boyfriend provides great feedback – so we are getting very close to mastering the perfect recipe.

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♥ Describe your fitness routine.

One thing about my fitness is that there is definitely no routine about it. I obviously do Pilates everyday. I workout a lot with clients and if I have had a day where I haven’t had much of an opportunity to move, I will get in a short run along the beach or river to pick the heart rate up or do any of the following:

♥ Dancing – I love teaching Xtend Barre at Pure Moves in Cottesloe and I am quite often dancing around my home with Tracy Anderson, and if I am out with my girlfriends we will pretty much always be making a dance floor appear out of no where!

♥ Yoga – I love Twisting Fish in Claremont

♥ Surfing – Not as much as I would like at the moment, but when & where ever I can

♥ Jacobs Ladder and Kings Park – to really pick up my cardio

♥ Boxilates – one of my new favourite classes I have designed at The Hurt Locker in Claremont

♥ Walking – either on my own or this is a great time for a girly catch-up with my friends

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

Some would say my super green smoothies are alternative or the spirulina I take is a supplement, but these are what is normal for me. I have tried various supplements over the years and I think they all have their merit – as long as they have good clinical research with substantiated claims and can prove the efficacy of the product they are worth trialling.I have really enjoyed Reiki in the past and currently I am enjoying a bit of an acupuncture phase.

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

As crazy as this may sound, I am de-stressed when I am teaching or working out. I find both of these to be quite meditative for me. When I am teaching I am 100% present and focused on my client – there is no time for any other thoughts to make my mind busy. Running is also a great time for me to clear my head and process my thoughts. I love yoga in that I am very focused on sort of surrendering myself to the universe and allowing my body and mind to move either my thoughts or body in whatever way it can.

And to relax, obviously a full body spa treatment will nearly always do the trick!

If you have any questions about Renee’s amazing lifestyle, please leave a comment below! 🙂

Check out where you can take a class with her at Renz Pilates!

Be well,

xoxo

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As the summer warmth starts to fade, head indoors to try out the hot new fitness workout that is about to explode in Perth. Xtend Barre – total body sculpting with a fusion of dance, Pilates and ballet.

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A three day course in Melbourne last March with the amazing Rockell Williamson-Rudder was my introduction to the Xtend Barre ‘burn’. “This total body workout serves to strengthen, lengthen and stretch the body from top to bottom from the inside out. It gives the poise and grace of a dancer, with the strength and safety of Pilates, and creates stunning physiques.’’ Rockell Williamson-Rudder, Xtend Barre’s International Director.

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People of all ages are coming back for up to 3 to 4 classes a week. Those of you who are looking for a great cardio workout, a stronger core, increased flexibility and overall lengthening and firming of your muscles will love Xtend Barre. One of the best things about Xtend Barre is that we are able to modify every move so that everyone can get the best benefits for their body. It is great for pregnant ladies too, as most of the class is standing.

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Xtend Barre is a 55 min class using weights, balls and resistive tubing. After a little warm up to get the heart pumping, we add light hand weights to work the upper body. Did you always want to try ballet when you were younger? Or did you love your time at the barre and long to return? If yes, you will love the main part of the class which is at the barre. The leg work at the barre are all ballet focused moves (the best thing here is that you don’t have to have a ballet background for this). Finally we focus on the core and then follow with a warm down and stretch.

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All Xtend Barre teachers must have a Pilates accreditation so you can be confident you are in safe hands. We will always be observing to ensure your posture is correct and that you are getting the most benefit out of every move.

For the people out there who head to Jacobs Ladder (one of my personal favourite places) to give your legs and butt and great workout, you will love what Xtend Barre does. If Pilates sculpts the body, Xtend Barre chisels it.

♥ Renee

Check out www.xtendbarreaustralia.com.au to find a class near you.

See you at the Barre!

Article by Renee Kendall from RENZ Pilates. Renee is an Xtend Barre instructor, Pilates blogger at KORA Organics and general all-round fitness babe.

Be well,

xoxo