Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 2 i WellBeing Being

When you feel a sense of purpose in life, inspiration appears at every corner. It creates a fire in your belly and a sparkle in your eyes. Living out your purpose can also act as inspiration for others who are navigating more challenging, uncertain terrain. However connected or disconnected to your purpose you feel as you read this, we invite you to open your heart through a smile with a stranger, a hug with a loved one or an act of kindness towards yourself. Perhaps spreading joy is one of the most effective ways to reignite one’s sense of purpose in the world.…

It’s been proven that the pain we feel when we deem a situation as “unacceptable” is more than if we can stay in a space of awareness, and that mindfulness can help manage pain. Recently, I was able to put this to the test. I had just finished teaching a four-week mindfulness course. Having farewelled 25 happy meditators, I met my family at the beach for a surf. I caught a wave and got picked up, turned sideways and smashed into a sandbank onto the side of the board, which got jammed between my pelvis and ribs. I spent the next 24 hours in hospital getting x-rays and blood tests to rule out breaks and internal bleeds. As I lay in hospital in the emergency ward, I became aware of…

Whether it’s decrypting ingredients, understanding labels or being wary of packaging, sourcing sustainable beauty products can seem like a tall order. But some of the most effective beauty remedies actually come sans labels and packaging. In fact, they can usually be found at home in your pantry. From the oil that does it all to the DIY facelift alternative, read on for seven of the best sustainable beauty solutions. 1 The all-rounder There’s a reason that coconut oil is known as a cure-all — there’s not much it can’t do. Plus, it smells like a summer holiday. Ingredients • Coconut oil Method This is as simple as it gets: simply scoop coconut oil out of the jar and use it for just about anything — body lotion, shaving cream, a…

The undercurrent of energy constantly rippling through you is malleable and contagious. Think about the uplifting feeling you experience after a soulful conversation with a friend — this is energy at play. We invite you to notice what kind of energetic current is flowing through you right now. It might feel light, as if you’re on a natural high, or perhaps it’s a bit heavy. By noticing your energetic state you then have an opportunity to lovingly shift it if the tone is not serving you. Conscious breathing, practising gratitude and embracing a loved one can all revitalise your energy and also provide a moment for you to simply just be.…

Discovering your dharma is about finding something that has deep meaning for you. Ten years ago, I was working in an office 40 hours a week. I would walk around department stores during my lunch break and spend my hard-earned money on high heels. After six months of soul searching in Asia, I attempted to return to my job, but it didn’t last long. After a few months of rocking up to work in my yoga gear and rushing out the door at 5.30 to make the 6pm yoga class, I realised I was never going to fit into this world. I had no idea what I wanted to do, but I knew in my heart of hearts that it wasn’t this. Years later, here I am: living in the…

Reiki practitioners believe that we have both physical and energetic bodies, and the health of both of these bodies is inextricably linked. I sat cross-legged on the floor with my eyes closed and my palms on my lap, facing upwards. I took a deep inhale and a slow, long exhale. I could feel a soft, glowing ball of light engulf my body. Its warmth sent a tingle over my skin and along my spine. I saw a bright, golden hue all around me. My palms buzzed from the energy in the room. In front of me, two reiki masters performed my attunement, which marked the conclusion of my Level 1 reiki course. I, alongside a group of four, had just completed an intensive two-day course covering the origins, energetics, practice…

I’d just finished the second draft of my first book and sent it off to my publisher. I was nervous, excited and, deep down, I was enormously proud of myself. I’d moved through fears, mindset blocks, perfectionism and resistance. I’d actually gotten my book out of my mind — out of the ether — and onto paper. And then … I went for lunch with a friend who told me another friend had commented: “How can she write a book? Is she even allowed to do that?” And there it was — one of my biggest (former) fears: judgement from others. In seconds, my own version of success came crashing down. I felt devoid of the satisfaction and self-respect I experienced by writing my first book. I had initially wanted…

Authentic connection with yourself, others and the world around you requires a sense of trust. This belief placed in someone or something is what allows you to have balance, ease and calm in life. Take a moment to consider how you cultivate trust. Perhaps trust takes time for you, or maybe you possess an innate ability from the get-go to trust anything or anyone. The experiences you’re reflecting on just now contain pockets of wisdom-rich gold that you can use to nurture your relationship with trust in the days, weeks and years to come. With courage comes trust, and with trust comes connection.…

I had a phone meeting with my publisher, Janice, during the production of this issue while our world was in the midst of chaos. From natural disasters to a pandemic, 2020 has been a testing year for all. “Is everything OK down there?” Janice asked me from our head office in Sydney. I told her it’s not great (from my home office on the Victorian coast) but that finding grace in these times of pressure — being able to extract moments of joy from an otherwise unpleasant or challenging experience — is really where the practice of “being” resides. Finding calm among the chaos — balance during life’s trials and tribulations — is a powerful anchor we can drop at any given moment. Allowing yourself to just “be” with what…

You may have heard of the act of “holding space” and thought it was only something done in a counsellor’s office or a yoga studio. Yet this compassionate gesture is something we all can do, anytime, anywhere. Doing so can lead to stronger relationships and authenticity, helping both parties feel more at ease with their vulnerabilities. To hold space for someone involves being there for them and fully present, offering empathy, kindness and perhaps even a shoulder to cry on. It means not rushing in to fix the situation, cast judgement or offer well-meaning (but perhaps misguided) platitudes. “Holding space means giving support that is free of judgement,” explains Natajsa Wagner, a Brisbane-based clinical psychologist. “It involves a conscious and deliberate choice to put aside our agenda — the need…

Deep-breathing exercise • Close your eyes and take a deep breath in. • Exhale and count “1” in your mind. • Repeat and count “2” in your mind. • Continue until you reach a count of 10. • If you lose your focus and forget what number you are on, start again at 1. • Once you have reached a count of 10, repeat the round. • Aim to lengthen and slow your breathing even further, breathing deeply into your stomach. According to Beyond Blue, one in four Australians experience anxiety at some stage of life. As someone who has experienced this, I know that when you’re in the grip of anxiety it can feel like you will never get on top of your life or mindset. Anxiety can feel…

Softness is a form of strength. It enables you to experience life compassionately, tenderly and with understanding, regardless of whether a situation reflects this nature. But in order for you to express your softness, a willingness to be open and vulnerable is required. Right now, in this moment, how can you soften? Perhaps by relaxing your jaw, taking a few deep breaths or even by gently asking yourself, “How do I feel right now?” Maybe there, in that place of softness, you can cultivate the most wholehearted form of strength.…

“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” — Kahlil Gibran Aligning with the rhythms of nature and tapping into its wisdom — namely its power to heal mind, body and energetic ailments — takes time. Nature has its own pace and nothing seems to happen in a hurry. Some months ago I asked myself if this same approach could be explored in the context of travel, which is where I find myself today on the other side of the world. Along for the ride is my friend and photographer, Ben Harris, as we embark on a rewilding journey through Cornwall in southwest England. Any experience that reconnects you with nature is going to involve the traditional elements —…

Wellness is more than being healthy through eating well and exercise. How we think, feel and engage with the world affects our cellular biology, or put simply, our overall health. Wellness is more than being healthy through eating well and exercise. It is creating a growth mindset, engaging in positive emotional practices and simple but effective “focused” practices, ultimately making long-term beneficial changes on several spheres of one’s life. Learn to foster a life that nurtures a healthy mind, body and spirit in Nature Care’s popular Diploma of Holistic Wellness Coaching. Whether you are looking to join the coaching profession or to enhance your quality of life, this course will provide you with the tools to create a more positive, healthier and happier life, and motivate you on how to…

Restorative yoga is a wonderful medicine for those with a busy lifestyle. If you’ve had a hectic day, a restorative yoga practice will ground you, calming your nervous system, your mind and your emotions. A deeply calming form of yoga, a restorative practice will also decrease stress, promote better sleep, balance your “yang” day with some “yin” time and connect you to the present moment so you get the most out of your evening. An after-work restorative sequence can do wonders to ease physical discomfort from specific occupation-related symptoms, such as lower back aches from a desk job, computer- or stress-induced shoulder tension, or swollen calves from being on your feet in a hospitality role. A regular restorative practice has been shown to work on a deep level to help…

Recently I went out for dinner with friends. Despite that we ended up at my favourite pizza bar, my inner world wasn’t so content. My mind had been racing between conflicting thoughts of: I’ve had a lot of pizza lately, so maybe my body needs something different … Should we eat somewhere else for a change? … Would others prefer that “healthy” pizza place? … I do love that chicken pizza though… As this inner dialogue illustrates, it can be hard to pay attention to the wisdom of our bodies when our mind and external influences get in the way. I’m not sure if our restaurant choice was “intuitive” in nature, but as I reflect back to this experience, we were more connected to our bodies than we realised. Within…

Forest bathing The practice of shinrin yoku (forest bathing) originated in Japan. More accurately, it translates to “taking in the atmosphere of a forest”. In essence, the oils that plants release to protect themselves from insects and disease can provide humans with many health benefits. Think of it as aromatherapy on a grand scale. Back in the 1980s, a visionary leader in the government department for agriculture, forestry and fisheries saw two needs: for the community to be healed through nature, and precious forest ecosystems to be protected. Now, forest bathing is a part of Japan’s national health strategy. Benefits of forest bathing According to Professor Qing Li from Nippon Medical School • Reduces blood pressure • Lowers stress • Improves cardiovascular and metabolic health • Lowers blood-sugar levels •…

As a menstrual educator, the message of my work can be distilled down to this: we bleed and it matters. It really is that simple. And yet, this statement may feel unfamiliar, unusual or challenging to many. This makes sense, as we are not generally taught that menstruation holds any relevance beyond its biological function. More commonly, our periods are known as “the curse” or an unfortunate outcome of an existence with female anatomy. This is a consequence of deep-rooted and cross-cultural menstrual taboos that have formed layers of silence, shame and disconnection around our menstruating and cyclical bodies. It is through the process of menstruation that every human being on this planet is alive. It is our unifying red thread of connection. In some traditional earth-based cultures, menstruation was…

When you think about your life and what you’re striving to create and be, is it in line with what you need to be healthy, happy and living purposefully? Or have your own desires and needs been overshadowed by a sense of pressure to be someone else? Do you feel confident and excited to do the things you love, or are you held back by what you feel you “should” do? On the surface, trying to “be yourself” should be easy, but often it’s not. Accepting and acting on what is true for you can be one of the most courageous and vulnerable things you will do in life. I’m sure you’ve faced times in your life when it’s been hard to “be you”. Maybe you wanted to start a…

Food Studio Food Studio is a collective of food professionals and creatives who specialise in staging nature-based, immersive experiences in the Norwegian landscape. Founded by “slow entrepreneur” Cecilie Dawes, Food Studio’s purpose is to change today’s food system to a more sustainable network. W: foodstudio.no…

Q: How did Organyc come to be? A: Organyc was founded in Italy by a 70-year-old Italian health and wellness company, Corman. After many years manufacturing cotton medical devices such as wound dressings, Corman used its expertise in cotton to explore other areas of cotton pharmaceutical products, including feminine care and beauty. In the early 2000s, after recognising a need in the market for women to have access to chemical-free feminine care products, a patented process was created allowing natural cotton to absorb as quickly as man-made super absorbents. And so the Organyc brand was conceived. Q: What was the initial vision for Organyc? A: To create feminine hygiene products for women who care about their health and the environment. Over the years, both gynaecologists and pharmacists reported women acquiring…

How to make a sourdough starter Ingredients 1kg (2¼lb) whole wheat flour Water A basic sourdough starter can be made with any wheat or rye flour — it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. I find wholegrain and organic flour is best as you are trying to harness the natural organisms present on the grain, so the more the better, although it isn’t absolutely necessary. Tap water is perfectly fine for sourdough starters and doughs — you can use very slightly warm water if the weather is cold and you want to give your starter or dough a boost. The number of days it takes to make the starter will vary, so the times in the chart, opposite, should be used as a guide. In warmer weather the starter…

Byron Yoga Centre With its idyllic location and affordable options, retreats and training programs at Byron Yoga Centre are popular. Beginner yogis can start with a three-day retreat, budding teachers can join a level-one program, and yoga teachers can choose specialist courses such as yin and prenatal. W: byronyoga.com Organyc Made from only 100 per cent certified organic cotton, Organyc intimacy products are highly absorbent, hypoallergenic, breathable and free from toxins and skin irritants. Sustainably packaged, the range includes pads, tampons, wipes and cotton beauty. Available online and in selected health grocers and pharmacies. W: organyc.com.au NO FACE NO FACE is a reputable skincare clinic brand in Australia providing natural and organic dermaceutical-grade products. NO FACE uses the most advanced biotechnological sciences with partnered research centres in Queensland, Japan and…