SPATOXING - THE HEALTHY WAY TO RID YOURSELF OF CELLULITE FOREVER
Autumn is the season of transition and a great time to fold back the mysteries of cellulite. You can discover how it got there, and how you can get rid of cellulite forever.

At Aurora we have aptly named our approach to getting rid of cellulite "spatoxing", as the best programs to rid you of cellulite incorporate a balance of lifestyle changes, body treatments and detoxification. Here's the lowdown on how and why we recommend you consider such a program.

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is a combination of excess fat, water and waste material, which has become trapped in pockets of hard fatty tissue at certain vulnerable body points. It often starts as an area which is tender to touch, becoming harder over time as it develops. Cellulite is identified by its characteristic "orange peel" look, often developing first at the thighs, hips, abdomen and/or arms.

What causes cellulite?

Cellulite can appear for many reasons and is often caused by poor eating patterns, lack of exercise, prolonged stress, shallow breathing (poor oxygenation of the body), hormonal imbalance and/or poor blood circulation.

How can I convert that 'orange peel' skin in a spatox program?

Cellulite is a "pollution" problem and is the result of a build-up of wastes in the body. A ‘spatox’ program can provide you with a holistic approach to detoxifying the body and getting rid of unwanted fatty tissue build-up. A 'spatox’ program is a holistic program of lifestyle changes and body treatments, found in our Vitality range of treatments, to detox the body and assist with the removal of cellulite. Here are some healthy 'spatox' program tips to help you rid the body of cellulite forever:

PERSONAL SUCCESS - A TIRESOME STRUGGLE OR LIFESTYLE ASPIRATION?
In the fast pace of today's world where everybody is striving to "do" more and achieve a higher level of success, people are beginning to realise that personal success can come at a price if not advanced with a balanced approach to life. Tiresome struggles often reveal themselves, as exhausted clients put 'more' and 'higher levels of success' before their own state of wellbeing. Modern technologies like air conditioning and electricity have provided the perfect environments to continue the struggle in a fast climb to the top of personal success. How long can this way of moving forward be sustained?

Personal success can be achieved with balance, and from my experience long-term successful people truly achieve their complete lifestyle aspirations.

Long term success requires good health. A strong immune system, calm mind, clear thoughts and a healthy, relaxed body help achieve personal "success" at little cost. When it comes to how you get there, it's a personal choice. You can choose to listen to your body and achieve a sustainable level of success and wellbeing .

Listening to your body forms the basis of many ancient belief systems and has the ability to put you in a much stronger position to achieve your own personal success. Any balanced 'successful' person will admit that there are many times when a plan doesn't go to schedule. Often one feels out of control or frustrated. Identify these times and confront situations, knowing you have the ability to choose what you want to do. Don't be afraid to say 'no'. The 'no' word often gives us the ability to set boundaries on our resources and stick to what we believe in. Create these times as reminders of what's important to you.

There are many reasons - or should I say excuses to over-ride your feelings, with the blame often going to tight deadlines, lack of time, or other people. These reasons are often a bunch of excuses that are there to test your authenticity and your ability to listen to your body. I am not saying that you will never need to deny your body what it wants in order to achieve some other task, but in these instances you need to reward your body with balance. When you get yourself into situations that are unavoidable you must balance or reward the body with extra time out at another time. If you continue to deny yourself extra time and balance you will feel the result of these physical impacts whilst you try to achieve what you deem to be your personal success.

Tuning in and listening to the body takes time. Begin slowly and identify when you're in situations that require you to reward yourself - and do it. Whatever makes you happy is your reward. Short term 'personal success' strategies that don't take into consideration a balanced approach are likely to delay your progress because you’ll need to take time out due to sickness or stress. Don't be caught out by a short term fix that puts you in bed with a cold. Take a longer term approach to success and your body will thank you for it. Our bodies are our temple: listen attentively and give your body the respect it deserves and you will achieve personal success.

AUTUMN BALANCE
As Autumn arrives, the earth's yang energy, which has been expanding throughout Spring and Summer, now changes direction. The cool breath of yin extinguishes the fire element and the natural world turns inward. Now the earth element exerts its influence. Like the earth, we need to rest in order to rejuvenate. We need to stop and allow life energy to accumulate and build back up. Autumn is the beginning of this vital process.

Bringing your body back into balance with the seasons is the key to maintaining lifetime balance. Bringing your body into balance with Autumn, the season of transition, is the focus for Aurora this quarter.

For Autumn our Balance range of treatments help to create life balance. They work by restoring equilibrium, soothing the body and calming the mind. All our individual therapies are balanced with the season of Autumn with the inclusion of the Autumn seasonal rituals. Whether choosing from the Bliss, Balance, Detox or Vitality ranges, the inclusion of these rituals assists balancing the body to the season of Autumn.

Out of the four predominant elements (being earth, air, fire and water) the earth element is at its strongest in Autumn. This element encourages us to cleanse our emotions, focus on our inner mental energy, nurture change and attain calmness in order to provide benefits. The Autumn energy beckons us to embrace the transition and get ready for the season of harvest. Have a think about how you can allow this elemental change to integrate into your life.

The solar plexus chakra is the one to focus on opening for Autumn. The colour of this chakra is yellow. Yellow is the colour that is connected to the solar plexus, which is the seat of our personal power. This governs all our vital energies. When we are balanced we have the feelings of happiness and self-confidence we all crave.

Physically, in colour therapy, yellow is used to purify the blood and help the digestion system. It also has a stimulating, cleansing, and eliminating action on the liver, intestines, and the skin. To help balance this chakra you may choose to visualize this colour, wear some yellow in your clothing or wear a crystal like tiger’s eye. If you're not one for crystals around the neck or in some fabulous piece of jewellery, keep a tiger's eye stone on your office desk or at home. On your next Autumn visit you may notice we have tiger’s eye crystals in the time-out lounge at Aurora.

Tiger's eye has the qualities of patience and timing, and affects how they relate to our ability to create what we want for our lives. The color gold represents the ability to manifest; while the dark brown corresponds to the energies of the earth. Thus, tiger's eye can help us to translate our ideas into physical reality. Specifically, this stone helps us to have more confidence in our ability to realize our dreams by assisting us in recognizing the inner resources we can use for accomplishment.

Enjoy the beautiful season of transition - Autumn.

SPA TREATMENT REVIEW
Reflexology - 1 hour
Reflexology is based on the principle that certain parts of the body reflect the whole. Reflex points which relate to all parts of the body can be found in the feet, hands and ears. These points respond to pressure, stimulating the body's own natural healing process. The body starts to progressively clear blockages, re-establishing energy flows and balancing itself, resulting in better health. There are many different styles and approaches used in reflexology, however the basic principle is constant. Subtle yet powerful, reflexology is becoming increasingly popular in the world of complementary therapies.

Most ancient cultures had some form of foot therapy. The Native American Indian cultures, Egyptians and Chinese independently developed methods which were all based on the same principle. Centuries and social change saw many of these techniques lost to time. Reflexology as we know it today began as a theory called Zone Therapy, conceived by Dr. William Fitzgerald in the USA in the early 1900s. His protégé, Eunice Ingham, took the concept further by researching the positioning and effects of certain points, ultimately leading to an anatomical map of the body being overlaid onto the foot. From this point, reflexology has spread throughout the world once more, going full circle to be reintroduced to countries which had forgotten the art eons ago.

With such a rich history it is no surprise that reflexology has continued to evolve. It is now widely used in hospitals in China, and many European companies now have reflexologists on staff to combat stress in the workplace.

Regular reflexology has many beneficial and lasting effects. Some are of a more general nature, balancing and restoring systems for better function, and some are quite specific, addressing a client's particular condition.

A growing number of research studies now demonstrate the efficacy of reflexology.

Some general benefits of reflexology are that the treatment :
- Reduces stress and tension
- Improves circulation
- Balances the nervous system
- Boosts lymphatic function thereby reducing oedema, reducing toxicity
  and improving immunity
- Stimulates sluggish, congested systems
- Reduces pain
- Enhances the body's natural healing process
- Improves sleep
- Increases energy and vitality, and
- Promotes body awareness

Relaxation is the first step to better health. Reflexology, due to its profoundly relaxing nature, can bring relief directly to the area of the body where tension is held thereby easing and relieving symptoms. Regular sessions work gently to bring the entire body back to a state of wellness.

Try a reflexology session soon. You'll love it.

SPA CAFÉ
In Season
In early Autumn days are generally warm but the nights are cool and our thoughts start turning to Winter and indoors. With the heat of Summer gone, we can really start to enjoy being at home more often, and Autumn is the perfect time to make use of the new season's wonderful bounty. Autumn is mushroom season and lots of the delicious wild varieties are available from the market. Wild mushrooms have a rich meaty taste and a woody aroma and have endless possibilities in natural cuisine. Autumn herbs include thyme, marjoram and sage and provide great flavouring in casseroles and stews. Other Autumn vegetables include broccoli, sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Enjoy the juicy, sweet and subtle white flesh of pears and crisp, tart, new season's apples - and the last treats of the stone fruit season with luscious, chewy plums. Fresh pistachio nuts are in season for a short time. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and are a versatile ingredient, great in sweet and savoury dishes.

Getting real pleasure and enjoyment from new season's produce is a great way to be in tune with nature and the real life cycles of our food.

Here are some simple recipes, incorporating the underlying goals of nourishing our bodies with whole foods but enjoying great tastes and flavours!

Real Breakfast Pancakes
250 g Self Raising Wholemeal flour
2 organic eggs
250g yoghurt (organic and pure)
100ml organic soymilk
Fresh fruit

Did you know that white flour is produced from chemically treated wheat which has had the valuable and highly nutritious bran and wheat germ milled, crushed, and cut out? These removed components of the wheat contain large amounts of vitamins, especially B Group, minerals, fibre and protein and so what is left is the nutrient-empty shell of white flour. This is then enriched (to try to put back everything that has been taken out!) and contains mostly starch and chemicals, which are used for bleaching. This is why wholemeal breads and baked goods are more satisfying and filling than their refined, white counterparts.

Your body is telling you something. So put the wholemeal back into your life!

Fabulous Broccoli Soup
1 large head of broccoli (including stem), chopped
2 brown onions, chopped
1 whole tomato, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped finely
1 tblsp tahini
Several large sprigs parsley
Cracked black pepper and sea salt

Did you know that broccoli is considered a powerful cancer prevention food? Research has found that broccoli contains compounds which can protect against cancer of the bowel. Studies show that people who have developed bowel cancer eat smaller quantities of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage etc) than healthy people.

So start munching now!

SPA NEWS - MOTHER'S DAY
Adore Mum this Mother's Day at Aurora Spa Retreat.
When it's time to nurture those special people in your life there's no better way to do it than with an Aurora gift experience. This Mother's Day Aurora Spa Retreat has put together a selection of treatment gift vouchers and products that will give Mum the chance to balance the mind and body in this sanctuary for the senses.

Mother’s Day Packages

Surrender Me Spa Pack $150
Gift Voucher for a 1 hour treatment of choice*
and gift pack of Aurora Balance Oil and
Litya Wild Rosella Salts

Nourish Me Retreat Pack $290
Gift Voucher for 2 hours of treatments of choice*
and gift pack of Phytomer Toner, Cleanser, Oligomarin Bath Serum,
Aurora Vanilla Lip Balm and Detox Oil

Goddess Retreat $1,500
A 1 hour treatment for Mum once a month for 12 months*
A pair of Aurora Spa PJ's and Sensi Slippers

Purchase on-line at www.aurorasparetreat.com or call on (03) 9536 1130.
* excludes signature treatments.

SPA PRODUCT - BALANCE OIL
Aurora's Balance Oil is a therapeutic blend of Sweet Orange, Lavender, May Chang and Patchouli created to boost sluggish digestion, repair damaged skin and restore equilibrium to the body.

The Sweet Orange assists to combat colds, stress and aid digestion.

The Lavender is great for stretch marks, skin conditions like acne and dermatitis, relieving anxiety, and fighting depression and stress.

The May Chang is great for acne and assisting digestion.

Balance Oil can be applied directly to the skin to hydrate and nourish, combined with a body salt to exfoliate, or added to the bath to induce relaxation and calm.

Available at Aurora Spa Retreat.
500ml costs $39.90

SPA TRAVEL
Located in the heart of Milan's historic centre, the health and beauty haven ESPA at Gianfranco Ferre offers a sophisticated, discreetly luxurious setting, at the epicentre of the world's fashion industry. ESPA developed the concept and design for the Spa, working with Gianfranco to create a unique space. This spa was the best small spa design I have experienced. Privacy and attention to detail are paramount. In Australia you would see operators try to put 4 treatment rooms into this space. It’s to Espa's and Gianfranco's credit that they have chosen to only put two treatment rooms in the whole spa, and that is one of its features.

Environment:
The entrance to the spa was through the Gianfranco fashion shop, which had a very theatrical feel to it. There were white curved walls with a changing coloured logo projected onto the wall. The theatrical feel then continued throughout the spa. If you can conjure up an imagine of a huge disco ball sitting in the middle of the steam room, you're on the right track. This steam room has been one of the most photographed steams in the world, because of the sense of theatre they have created.

The interior of ESPA at Gianfranco is dominated by intense and dark colours, which create a soothing atmosphere. The black and brown colours contrast with the cream coloured leather chairs, walls and panels, which are scattered with traces of opulent gold decorative mosaic. The reclining treatment lounges look out onto a divine manicured, lush garden, which is such an oasis in the middle of Milan.

ESPA has created a treatment concept with Gianfranco which merges techniques and philosophies from around the world into a potent blend of treatments for our time. Whether to purify, re-energise, rebalance, relax or soothe muscular aches, the personal therapist will be able to design a program to suit every individual.

Improvements and Drawbacks:
If you are planning to visit the spa, it’s best to check the specific opening times for Males and Females. The spa is open 2 evenings a week for males and the rest of the time is for females only. The minimum treatment time is one hour, which I think is fantastic as this is not a quick "pop in" spa experience. I would advise to arrive at least 1 hour early to use the steam room, vitality pool and relaxation area. If you would like to have a 25-minute treatment you need to pay a surcharge. They also have a great range of retreats, which would again be the best way to use this spa, booking in for a couple of hours.

I really liked the fact that this spa was so specific in what it offered. It wasn't trying to be everything to everyone. They have a standard treatment menu – of which the majority are body treatments. They don't have any beauty therapists.

ESPA, which is their spa design company and product company, have an eye for detail and for creating unique spaces, and after meeting Susan Harnsworth, the Director of ESPA, you can see how it all comes together. Susan is such an inspiring business woman leading a very successful company. At present Susan has 20 spas under management and another 40 under construction. Susan has achieved this success in complete harmony with her own personal holistic values. I found this to be incredibly inspiring, especially as I have only one spa to operate. I think her's is an incredible feat.

Our Score:
9 (10 being exceptional)

Website address:
They don't have one - however you can view photographs of the spa on the ESPA website which is:
www.espaonline.com/espa/design/consultancy-gallery-pages/espa-at-
gianfranco-ferre.cfm

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Aurora Spa Retreat
2 Acland Street
St Kilda VIC 3182
T 03 9536 1130
F 03 9525 3729
E info@aurorasparetreat.com