Danielle – Yoga
After the cold months where we can sometimes eat too many rich foods and not be as active or exercise as much as we might have liked, it’s now time to shed our winter skins and get started on energising the body and the mind for the glorious summer ahead!
Throughout the year our yoga practice changes with the seasons and as the warmer months are upon us and there is extra heat in our bodies, muscles can be open to being more flexible so we can stretch deeper and hold the yoga postures longer and go deeper.
Try working on your “Hot Spots,” the parts of your body that you know are tight or hold tension and need to be stretched (often the shoulders, hips, hamstrings and quads). Holding a stretch perhaps 10 or even 20 breaths longer than you normally would help’s to enable the muscle/mind memory in your body to really lengthen and absorb the benefits allowing you to move more freely and with ease through your days!
Grace – Naturopath
Summer is upon us & there’s no better time to get the body in order coming into our festive season! The heart and large intestine are in focus at this time of year so offering extra support to these vital organs over the following months will be highly beneficial.
The heart loves regular exercise followed by relaxation activities to help it steady & stabilize. Think deep breathing techniques, guided meditations, yoga & stretching, it’s less important what the actual activity is and more important to like it! Choose something you feel drawn to and remember that while you are doing the activity try focusing on your gentle, natural & effortless breath rather than the busyness of your mind with its thousands of constant thoughts!
The large intestine also loves regular movement particularly of the peristaltic kind, so make sure you are keeping your bowels moving daily by getting enough plant based fibre into your diet. Consider joining a home delivery service of organic & seasonal fruit & vegetable boxes to ensure that you always have an abundance of plant based fibre in every meal. Think back to your delicious Gaia meals and start recreating your favourite dishes from our Gratitude cook book. Your large intestine and entire digestive system will love you for it!
Damien – Fitness
How quickly the year has flown by. If it’s one thing I have really tried to focus on lately it’s teaching myself and clients to simplify our lives where we can. Once we leave the office or our respective work places take time out from devices (tablets, phones etc) and try to have a mobile free zone in your home i.e. the kitchen. Connect with loved ones, spend time with your children and engage in play. Those that have worked with me know my motto, “live like our grandparents did”!!
Dan – Head Chef
Cucumbers are in season over summer and very easy to grow yourself. They are a cooling and hydrating ingredient.
For a refreshing beverage, slice cucumber and lime into rounds. Mix with water, ice, a few pinches of salt and fresh mint in a large jug or pitcher.
This drink is also great with a splash of Gin! Enjoy the festive season.
Jeff – Ground Keeping
Summer can be a challenging time for gardeners, so a couple of pointers to keep your plants happy & healthy;
- Potted Plants; Terracotta pots look great but are prone to overheating. Lightly mulch and where possible position them out of hot western sunshine. Standing potted plants in saucers of water encourages root rot and mosquito breeding. I’ve found by standing the pots in saucers filled with sand and keeping the sand moist it eliminates this problem and keeps the roots cool and the plant healthy.
- Water in the cool of the day. The best time is morning, but if you water in the afternoon, allow enough time for foliage to dry out before sunset. This reduces the risk of mildew and other fungi attacking leaves and there’s less chance you’ll get caught by the evening shift of mosquitoes or sandflies.
Enjoy the outdoors – Happy Gardening.
Naomi – Day Spa
Skin health and maintenance is a priority as we head into the summer period, with hydration and nourishment the key to healthy looking skin. Gaia Retreat and Spa’s Cocoa Butter body masque is the perfect body skin treatment for the summer season. Cocoa butter is a natural source of antioxidants which help combat the signs of ageing and assists in protecting our skin from environmental stress like sun exposure. It is suitable for sensitive skin and displays healing and regenerative qualities for skin conditions like eczema and stretch marks. You can treat yourself with cocoa butter products at home, or if you want an intensive treatment you can try our body masque . . .
Our 1hr cocoa butter body masque begins with a dry body brush to stimulate the lymphatic system and to remove unwanted dead skin cells. Warmed cocoa butter is then ritualistically applied to your entire body where you will then be cocooned to allow the nourishing actions of the cocoa butter to work. While you are wrapped, your therapist will apply warmed macadamia oil to your hair and scalp, massaging intently to relieve any head tension and leaving behind any stress you may be holding on to. The cocoa butter masque may be left on for those that want to continue the hydration experience or the excess showered off to complete this treatment.
Leanne – Guest Relations
A trip to Gaia Retreat & Spa is a must this season. Let the worries of the past year drift away when you step through our doors.
My tip for your stay; pack light – leave your Baggage behind… here at Gaia we do the thinking for you. Robe, slippers, shampoo, conditioner and a sample gift pack of our new Retreatment skin care range is provided in your room – what more do you need? … It’s “Barefoot Meets Amani “.Swimsuit, exercise gear, sandals & walking shoes – maybe a casual outfit for nights & you’re done.
The sheer bliss of not having to dress up or even think for yourself is so relaxing. We can’t wait to Welcome you to Gaia Retreat & Spa – a World Away…….
Lillian – Housekeeping
Removing Lilly pollen stain from clothing
- Avoid touching or rubbing the pollen with your hands, this will only make the stain worse;
- Try lightly shaking the item of clothing, often pollen will flake off;
- If unsuccessful, try lifting pollen with sticky tape;
- If stain still persists, place clothing in direct sunlight and the stain should fade to nothing. This method works better with paler yellow pollen
If all else fails, soak clothing in cool water for half hour, rinse, and hang out to dry in direct sunlight
Brigitte – Beauty
4 Tips for protecting your skin naturally this summer;
- Mineral Make up
Many Mineral make ups are not only doing a fabulous job in covering uneven skin tone and giving you a bit of sun kissed colour, they are actually also creating a physical barrier and acting as sun production. Some mineral make up companies claim up to SPF 26 when thoroughly applied.
My tip would be to mix your mineral loose powder in the palm of your hand with a small amount of RETREATMENT Dew Moisturiser, before applying to the skin. This is a perfect light protection for everyday use plus optimum nourishment and nutrition from Banksia and Flame Tree in the moisturiser.
- Mineral Based sunscreen
There are a range of natural Sunscreens around these days. Aluminium and/or Zinc oxide based, they create a physical barrier and give you optimum protection without the chemicals. The downside is that they are often greasy as a lot of fatty oils are needed to evenly disburse the minerals.
My tip is to apply them for swimming, fun and sport in the sun and to use the RETREATMENT Vital Cleanse to remove after.
- Vitamin C on your skin
An essential component in the body’s production of collagen Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant that can reduce skin damage by free radicals and photodamaged skin. Topical antioxidants produce much higher concentrations in the skin than nutritional supplements. In fact, applying vitamin C to the skin is 20 times more effective than oral ingestion.
My Tip is to use the RETREATMENT H20 Vita Boost daily during Summer. It contains Kakadu Plum, which is superior in Vitamin C and cools and soothes your thirsty skin.
- Hats and Throws
Thank god they are in fashion and abundant this summer. For most of us they have become a constant accessory and come in handy when we spend time in the sun. No better protection than covering up.
My tip is to leave your favourites in the back of your car, so they are there when you end up spending extended time in the sun unexpectedly (along with your bathers of course …)