Spring is the season of new beginnings: a time for growth, renewal and relaxation. In the coming months of Spring we recommend finding a space to clear your mind, exercise your body and renew the commitment you have made to yourself.

In this edition of 'Keeping in Touch' we focus on the rituals of Spring and the benefits of keeping a regular 15 minute yoga practice each day. We learn to strengthen the body and nourish the skin with some handy tips on Springtime bathing and we share with you a bathtime recipe for honey and coconut fun.

A liver-cleansing muesli from our resident naturopath will start you off on your Spring cleanse alongside our tempting offer to prep yourself for the Summer swimsuit season.

Be sure to check out our NEW signature treatments - the Moora Moora Signature Retreat (translation - good spirit) and the Yoongoo Signature Wrap (translation - rain) and our score on New York's best kept secret - the Rescue Beauty Lounge.

May the season of Spring bring you life, love and new beginnings.

Happiness and wellness,

Lyndall

Spa Life - Quieting the Mind
by yoga instructor Jane Nelson

Springtime naturally evokes thoughts and feelings of beauty and newness within all of us. New buds, trees greening, newborns and the hint of warmth and more light are all a blessing to us.

Like cats are drawn to the fire and lizards to rocks we too love to lie in the warmth. Here is a yoga practice for Spring.

Find yourself a space on the floor or a bed - somewhere you can lie full length in the Springtime sun. Cover yourself with a blanket , have a pillow under your head, right up to the edge of your shoulders and cover your eyes with something light - an eye pillow, scarf etc.

Ensure that you are lying straight and are comfortable - anything that is pricking your consciousness will frustrate you more in a couple of minutes. Attend to your space - be completely comfortable.

As you lie in the warmth, allow it to penetrate deep within - imagine being out in nature surrounded by trees, birds, water and then focus on your breath.

Inhale and exhale through the nose - gently, bring all your attention to that breath. And as you breathe let your body relax, with each exhalation let your skin relax, let your joints soften - go deeper and deeper into yourself.

Thoughts, images and feelings will come into your mind's eye - no need to get attached to them. Instead, view them as if you are watching a movie.

This is meditation.

By stilling the mind we allow for new thoughts to arise, for healing to happen. In adopting this simple exercise for just 15 minutes a day you may transform yourself and those around you.

Namaste

Spa Cuisine - Springtime Cleansing
by naturopath Lindy Cook

Spring is the season of new beginnings, of rebirth and renewal. We naturally begin to eat more lightly and cleanse the body of the heavier carbohydrates and proteins consumed during the colder winter months. Working in harmony with the season, foods still need to be cooked, but not as thoroughly. Stir-fry or lightly steam your vegetables to gain maximum nutrition yet still keep the digestive fires gently warmed.

Spring is also traditionally seen as the ideal time for the body to detoxify, with specific emphasis placed on the liver and gallbladder. Prime functioning of these organs is critical to ensure detoxification pathways function effectively and the 'recycling' of wastes is avoided. Some signs that your liver and gallbladder may need gentle support include: dark circles under the eyes, bad breath, difficulty losing weight, constipation and/or diarrhoea, bloating, weight stored around the abdomen, skin problems, hormonal imbalances, moodiness and fatigue.

Seasonally, nature supplies us with many of the foods that will support the detoxification pathways of the liver and gallbladder. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, silverbeet and artichoke are all abundantly available and, as you will see below, all have a role to play in aiding liver function. Fruits such as pineapple and paw paw also reappear and both contain natural digestive enzymes that help break down foods and enhance digestive functioning.

Simple Ways to Enhance Liver Cleansing

• Consume bitter foods.
  Anything bitter will stimulate digestion and enhance liver function. Start the day with 1/2 a freshly squeezed lemon in warm water. Bitter greens include silverbeet, cos lettuce (outer leaves), endive, chicory, dandelion, raddichio and mustard greens
• Foods rich in antioxidants help the liver in its detoxification role:
  
  • Vitamin C (broccoli, parsley, red fruits and citrus fruits)
  • Vitamin E (raw nuts and seeds, egg yolk, wheat germ)
  • Zinc (raw nuts and seeds, especially brazil nuts and cashews, eggs, whole grains, fish such as herring and oysters)
  • Selenium (raw nuts and seeds, especially brazil nuts and cashews, eggs, whole grains, fish and seafood, garlic and onion)
  • Foods rich in 'favourite' liver nutrients (lipotropics):
    choline and inistol (whole grains, legumes, egg yolks and lecithin)
    methionine (garlic, onion, legumes, eggs, yoghurt and sardines)
    Carnitine (avocado, fish, beef and chicken)
    B Vitamins (raw nuts and seeds, wholegrains and vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables and legumes)
• Keep alcohol consumption low.
• Steam or bake foods. Avoid deep-fried foods.
• Include lecithin in your diet. This substance enhances liver function and helps metabolise fats. Sprinkle on breakfast cereals or add to smoothies. Lecithin can be purchased from most health food stores and should be refrigerated. Lecithin is also found in legumes and should be consumed often.
• Avoid saturated fats - the 'bad' fats that raise cholesterol and triglycerides and increase the risk of heart disease. These include cheese, animal fat, coconut milk, palm oil, butter, processed meats such as salami, cabana, bacon etc. Unsaturated or 'good' fats generally improve liver function and include oily fish, nuts, seeds, flax seed oil, olives and legumes.
• Dandelion root tea is a natural liver tonic. With a slightly coffee-like taste, it can be drunk with soy milk, milk, honey and ginger and will enhance the detoxification role of the liver and improve bowel function.
• Consume 5 to 6 small meals daily. Avoid eating late at night.
• Emphasize complex carbohydrates (whole grains such as brown rice, millet, buckwheat, wholemeal pasta and breads, oats and barley). Carbohydrates assist with detoxification pathways. Avoid simple carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta, biscuits, cakes, pastry and pizza. Carbohydrates should comprise 60% of calories, protein 25%, and 'good fats'.
• Foods that accelerate healing in the liver include chlorophyll-rich foods (wheat or barley grass, spirulina and chlorella, along with green, leafy vegetables). Mung beans and their sprouts, seaweeds, lettuce, cucumber, watercress, tofu and millet improve detoxification.
• Incorporate fresh juices in your diet regularly. Carrot is commonly used as a liver tonic, while beetroot cleanses the blood. Fresh cabbage has been found to heal an inflamed digestive tract and combines well with carrot and apple.
• Sulphur compounds found in the cabbage family and dandelion can improve the detoxification process of the liver. These foods include: brussel sprouts, cabbage and garlic.

Remember, by using 'food as medicine' and eating in harmony with the seasons you are giving yourself the best chance to achieve optimal health. Organic foods support this process and reduce the chemical load placed on the liver.

Your naturopath can provide you with a detoxification diet plan specifically tailored to suit your individual needs and constitutional strengths and weaknesses. The use of appropriate herbs and nutrients greatly improve and hasten the detoxification process. In this day and age of increasing exposure to chemicals, pollutants and pesticides a supported detoxification plan is of benefit to us all.

Liver Cleansing Muesli

1 cup organic raw rolled oats (these can be soaked overnight if needed to aid digestion)
1/2 cup organic puffed millet
2 tlbsp. rice bran
1 tlbsp. L.S.A. mix - L.S.A. is a blended mixture of ground linseeds, sunflower seeds and almond meal (keep refrigerated)
1-2 tlbsp of flaxseed oil (keep refrigerated)
1 tlbsp lecithin granules (keep refrigerated)
Handful raw chopped brazil nuts, almonds and cashews
2 tlbsp of unsulphured diced, dried fruit

Mix above ingredients and add soy/rice/almond or cows milk (milk can be warmed if desired) to taste.

Serve with organic natural yoghurt (sheeps/cows/goat or soy) and grate in 1 fresh apple (this sweetens and moistens the muesli and tastes delicious!). Add other fresh fruit if desired.

This muesli is a meal in itself! High in essential fatty acids and both insoluble and soluble dietary fibre, it will not only gently detoxify the liver but enhance digestive function too. With the added protein of nuts and complex carbohydrates in the rolled oats you will have energy to burn and balanced blood sugar levels to help stop you craving those mid-morning sweet snacks. This muesli can be made in bulk and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Bon Appetit!

Spa Body - The Elixirs of Springtime Rituals
by therapist trainer Leonie Magee

With the warmer weather approaching, it's time to start preparing the skin for exposure. During the winter months, our body slows down and we create less oil which means dry, undernourished skin. So it's time to re-hydrate, buff and nourish our bodies to bring them back to life for Spring.

Spring Bathing Ritual

• Spend 10 minutes scrubbing the whole body to remove dry, dead skin with a body exfoliant
• Quickly rinse the exfoliant off in the shower
• Bathe for 15-30 minutes
• Re-hydrate and nourish the skin with body oils

Here are some simple Body Blend recipes with everyday kitchen ingredients:

Cleansing Body scrub

1/4 cup of Manuka Honey
1tsp of ground Coffee
1tsp of ground Cinnamon
1/4 cup of Sea Salt

Blend ingredients together in a small bowl and use immediately for a cleansing and nourishing scrub over the whole body.

Soothing Coconut & Honey Bath

1 cup of Coconut milk
1/2 cup of Manuka Honey
1/2 cup of Chamomile Tea

Pour ingredients into a bath of approximately 34-36 degrees and indulge for at least 15 minutes. Remember to put a filter over the drain when emptying the bath to catch the Chamomile flowers.

Infused Body oils

This one takes a bit more preparation but is well worth it. Fresh herbs and flowers from your own garden can be used to create your own signature oil blend.

1. Fill a jar with your favourite chopped herbs and/ or flowers
2. Cover the flowers with a light Vegetable oil such as Sweet Almond Oil. (Or a light Virgin Olive Oil)
3. Put the lid on the jar and keep it for 10-14 days in a warm spot (not in direct sunlight). Shake the jar a couple of times a day to allow the flowers/herbs to infuse into the oil more effectively.
4. After the 14 days, strain the oil, through some muslin or tight mesh, ensuring no plant particles make it into the new jar. Place in the fridge.
5. After a couple of days the sediment should have dropped. Slowly pour the clean oil into a new jar, being careful not to allow any sediment to pass through.

Immediately after getting out of the bath, lightly dry yourself and massage a small amount of oil over the body for a smooth, supple skin.

Basil - Stimulating, uplifting
Bay leaves - Clarity of mind, strengthening
Chamomile - Calming, anti-inflammatory
Cinnamon - Warming, stimulating
Clove - Warming, stimulating
Coriander - Improves circulation, combats fatigue
Eucalyptus - Cooling, detoxifying
Geranium - Calming, balancing
Lavender - Relaxant, rejuvenating
Rosemary - Invigorating, focus
Rose - Rejuvenating, healing

Take your time and enjoy the bathing ritual. Create an inviting space in your bathroom where you are completely relaxed and separated from the outside world. Remember to keep some water or herbal tea close by to remain hydrated.

Enjoy!

Spa Events

"74 Days to Swimsuit Season"

With only 74 days to go until swimsuit season, Aurora Spa Retreat is giving away a complimentary Body Buff Kit valued at $49.95, to strengthen, firm and lift the skin, with every Wangarie or Moora Moora Signature Retreat booked and purchased prior to the first day of Summer.

Don't leave your run too late!

Body Buff Kit: 200ml Aurora Detox Oil & Sisal Mitt
To purchase and book call us on (03) 9536 1130 or email us at: info@aurorasparetreat.com and quote "swimsuit season promotion"

"2 NEW Signature Treatments to complete our NEW Signature Range"

With the first day of Spring upon us, Aurora Spa Retreat is proud to launch the last of its NEW Signature treatments, the Yoongoo Signature Wrap (translation: Rain) and the Moora Moora Signature Retreat (translation: Good Spirit). Be sure to book in quick as we expect there will be long waiting lists for the last of our two scrumptious new signature treatments.

Yoongoo™ Signature Wrap (translation: Rain)
1 hour - $155
Reactivate your senses, lift your spirits and revitalize your skin with Aurora's signature rainshower wrap - the Yoongoo. Inspired by 19th century water therapies and indigenous healing wisdom, this deeply nourishing treatment begins with a full body exfoliation and your choice of wrap; a relaxing mud mask of oatbran, organic honey, papaya and shea butter or detoxifying mud mask of spirulina, kaolin, calendula and chamomile. Whilst this mineral-rich mud soothes the skin, a warm foot compress is wrapped around the feet, an eye mask applied to the face and a lymphatic drainage massage undertaken to the eye area, gently helping to purify and cleanse the body. With no need to move from your horizontal bliss the treatment continues with a hydrotherapy rainshower program and application of lime, white grapefruit, sweet basil and rose essential oil stimulating acupressure points and restoring the body to its natural seasonal balance. Designed to deeply nourish, purify and condition the body.

Moora Moora™ Signature Retreat (translation: Good Spirit)
2 hour retreat - $285
Inspired by indigenous healing wisdom, the Moora Moora is Aurora's 2 hour continuous Signature retreat focused on restoring the delicate balance between body and spirit. This deeply relaxing treatment begins with a series of gentle stretches and an indigenous Australian ritual using a poultice of eucalyptus leaves, seasonal herbs and lemon myrtle to soothe the skin and calm the mind. As the body relaxes continue the journey with a rejuvenating facial for the back incorporating an antioxidant-rich mask and full body massage stimulating acupressure points in a combination of strokes that work in tandem with traditional massage techniques and an elixir of lemon, mandarin, spearmint and caraway aromatherapy oils. Finished off with a customized facial and energizing scalp massage, this retreat leaves you feeling grounded, relaxed and glowing.

Spa Competition

Spring is the season of new beginnings and an ideal time to select from our Bliss and NEW Signature range of treatments.

Be one of the first 10 emails to purchase and book our NEW Yoongoo Signature Wrap and receive a complimentary Immaculate Pore-fection Spa Pack valued at $49.95.

To enter, send your email titled 'Spring is here' to info@aurorasparetreat.com

Good Luck!

Spa Travel - Rescue Beauty Lounge, New York

Overview

Rescue Nail Spa was founded in 1998. Its specialty is pedicures, manicures, pedicures, manicures and more pedicures. The founder, Ji Baek, has focused on the areas she is very passionate about and created a new standard of nail care from sterilization of equipment to the latest nail colour releases in time with the major fashion festivals in New York. To me, Rescue Beauty Lounge represents a business that is well thought out and provides an exceptional level of service every time.

Environment/Facilities

There are two locations of Rescue Beauty - both feature the unique booth-style seating for treatments - private booths seat one or a cozy party of four. This in itself is a first for pedicures and manicures. One of the most important factors with nails is hygiene and you can rest assured they have it all sorted at Rescue Beauty Lounge. The floors are spotless, the instruments sparkling and the therapists are immaculate. The founder, Ji Baek, takes great pride in keeping her spa environment up to hospital standards of cleanliness. Hand sanitizer for everyone, surgical gloves for all her technicians, individual porcelain sinks at every nail station and every single tool is either discarded or sterilized in an autoclave between each service.

Drawbacks or improvements

I visited the Rescue Beauty Lounge on Gansevoort St. The hardest thing was actually finding it. I would recommend doing the sensible thing, and printing the map to take with you. Don't rely on the taxi to get you there (I did...). It's a little hidden treasure.

Our score: 9
(10 being exceptional)

Website address: www.rescuebeauty.com

Rescue Beauty Lounge
8 Centre Market Place
New York, NY 10013
phone: (212) 431-0449
fax: (212) 431-2620

Rescue Beauty Lounge
on Gansevoort St.
34 Gansevoort Street 2nd floor
New York, NY 10014
phone: (212) 206-6409
fax: (212) 206-3525

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