Tag Archives: wellness

food, Food & Dining, Health & Wellness, Travel

The New Notting Hill ‘Wellness’ Scene

London is experiencing a full on ‘Well-naissance:’ long gone are the days of dancing on tables in dark corners of nightclubs, these days it’s all about drips and longevity. Even Tramp, the most louche, debaucherous nightclub I used to go to in my twenties, just launched a wellness members club: Tramp Health. The Arts Club already has a long-standing collaboration with Lanserhof, the medical retreat to the hard core wellness crowd (think, broth for dinner, crackers for lunch) and Annabel’s now even offers Sound Healing.

Cloud 12 Wellness After Dark

But the epicentre of Wellness in London has to be Notting Hill: it pops up more wellness-oriented businesses than anywhere in the capital: wellness memberships, exercise studios, restaurants (like the vegan Holy Carrot) and even food shops (a Whole Foods literally opened two weeks ago on Notting Hill Gate). Wellness Members Clubs are the hot new thing and I’ve already covered the new Six Senses Place members club, with access to the Six Senses Spa, gym and hotel facilities, which chose Notting Hill (well, Queensway) as their inaugural wellness club. An Australian friend looking for a good Acai bowl was bemoaning the lack of good Acai in South Kensington/Chelsea, reminding me that in Notting Hill, you can find Acai bowls on every street corner: Acai girls, Farm girl, Granger, Jusu Brothers, Oakberry, Jungle Berry etc…which is an indication of the demand and supply. But not all wellness fads survive, sadly Bodyism recently shut down, with a business model that was going to be hard to sustain, and is being replaced by an Alo store (another indicator of NH Wellness) and RePlace also closed recently.

Neeta Sharma of Grounded 1002

And then a few weeks ago, I was invited to a new concept launched by Cloud Twelve: ‘Wellness After Dark,’ which hosts weekly wellness sessions on Thursdays, with 50% off certain treatments and a ‘Wellness Social’ from 6:15pm-7pm. I was invited to try their new Infrared Sauna, which offers all kind of benefits from anti-ageing to weight loss and their ‘Wellness social,’ a rotating line-up of sessions given by guest practitioners. I attended the ‘Luxury of Knowing Yourself: Reset Through the Body,’ by Neeta Sharma of Grounded1002. Not knowing what to expect, I was welcomed with freshly foraged elderflower tea, a group of nice women, and an hour of connecting with one’s body with breathing, collective humming, tapping, body gua sha, and movement with Neeta’s guidance. I left feeling lighter, invigorated and in a better mood. I don’t know if it was the infrared sauna, the collective humming, or feeling part of a community, but it was a great way to spend a Thursday evening, prioritising myself and my wellbeing.

Neeta’s Gua Sha on sale on Grounded1002

There’s also the Method, which opened not one, but two studios in Notting Hill: first with the Nathalie Cafe on Westbourne Grove, where literally all the influencers go for their Matcha and Coffee, and their new studios on the intersection of Westbourne Grove and Pembridge Villas, in the flat-iron building, the Method Club, which offers ‘fun’ exercise classes with dancing and pilates involved. Two other gyms have opened, Third Space in The Whiteley and Form Studios across from it, all highlighting the current Wellness trend.

Finally, there are longevity clinics, popping up all over London, like Apogii, a Wellness and Longevity clinic in Notting Hill, which offers cryotherapy, infrared sauna and other longevity hacks, which was bought by Get-a-Drip, the iv clinic, which can top you up with anything from NAD+ to Vitamin C.

So, if you’re looking for a Wellness top-up, there’s nothing better than Notting Hill.

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

Where to Stay in London:

  1. Best for Spa & Serenity: Six Senses Hotel
  2. Best for West London: The Kensington
  3. Best Romance & Rooftop Pool: The Berkeley
  4. Best in Old School Luxury in Mayfair: The Connaught
  5. Best in East London: Shoreditch House
  6. Best for sustainability: 1 Hotel Mayfair
  7. Best for Cool Central Covent Garden: Nomad
  8. Best for City Views and Sky High Restaurants: Shangri-La The Shard
  9. Best Boutique: Number 16 Hotel South Kensington
  10. Best for middle-of-the-action-Leicester Square: The Londoner

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Health & Wellness, Reviews

Cloud 12 Spa Review

NHYM 2022

I don’t know about you, but the last two weeks have felt like an explosion of back-to-school, Queen’s-funeral, and post-pandemic chaos and stress: everyone seems on edge and overwhelmed, including myself. So, when Cloud 12 offered me one of their signature Deep Relief Kloris CBD Oil massages, it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Is it in the neighbourhood so I can fit it in between the school runs? Check. Destressing and relaxing? Check? CBD Oil? Check again!

For those of you who don’t know about Cloud 12, it is a wellness and spa retreat in the middle of Notting Hill with the added bonus of a Kid’s Club (My children are sadly too old for it, but I would have happily left them playing in the ground floor indoor playground while getting my massage). In addition to my massage, I was offered thirty minutes in the thermal suite, so this is more than just a few therapy rooms; it’s a place you can easily spend a few hours in.

Changing Room NHYM 2022

The changing room was exquisitely decorated with a large nature chandelier and there is Asian-inspired decor throughout which reminds me of spas in Bali, Thailand and Japan.

Himalayan Salt Room 2022

The thermal suite includes an eucalyptus-infused steam room, a wooden electric sauna and a Himalayan salt room. I particularly enjoyed the steam room which opened up my sinuses and bronchioles and all that sweating felt detoxifying. I also enjoyed the Himalayan salt room which exhaled cool salt air at the press of a button.

Treatment Room. NHYM 2022

After thirty minutes of thermal treatments and some time in the relaxation room listening to meditations on the provided earphones, Dorota, my therapist came for my Deep Relief Kloris CBD oil massage. CBD oil is touted for its health benefits including pain relief, speeding up healing and aiding stress and anxiety (and it is organic). This massage is described as ‘the perfect choice for anyone with aches and pains, as well as to help balance body and mind,’ which suited me perfectly!

My 60 minute massage was bliss and I even had moments of peace, forgetting about clogged roundabouts and how to magically turn a 45 minute journey into 30 minutes later that day. The massage did exactly what it was supposed to do: it released tension and induced relaxation and I could have easily used another 30 minutes or 60 minutes more of massage time.

Afterwards, I was shown the second floor therapy rooms, which are an Aladdin’s cave of wellness treatments: hynotherapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, colonics (apparently very popular these days!), psychotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, (which I heard is great for long covid and rapid healing) and more, so there is everything you need under one roof.

Cloud 12 a beautiful spa with great facilities and if you live in Notting Hill or West London (or anywhere in London really), it’s not to be missed. We’re all feeling the pressure of the world these days between unexpected pandemics, wars, Brexits and a royal death so if you need a break from it all, this is the perfect place to do it. For a few hours, I lived in a world between Bali, Japan and Thailand, where my only worry was contemplating which treatment I would go for next time.

What’s not to love?

https://www.cloudtwelve.co.uk/

2-5 Colville Mews

London W11 2DA

020 3301 1012

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Reviews

Review: BOOM Cycle

Boom_Hilary_20170214092641Hilary Rowland, Co-Founder of Boom Cycle. Courtesy of Boom Cycle. 

‘I feel like the tortoise in the Tortoise and the Hare race, and I have Bugs Bunny’s Tasmanian devil spinning right past next to me.’ 

When Hilary Rowland, the co-founder of Boom Cycle invited me to one of her spinning classes, my friends all laughed: ‘maybe you should start with an easier class’ one friend suggested. Granted, the last time I exercised was at Les Caves du Roy during last year’s August Bank Holiday and I have always followed the ‘black-clothes&green-apples-all-day-keep-the-fat-away’ philosophy. But as I put on the years, I have been putting on more and more of a muffin top and as I mentioned in my new year’s resolutions, I am ready for some exercise!

So last week, I went to Battersea, to one of Boom Cycle’s latest studio openings. Boom Cycle is doing well and is expanding; it recently opened this Battersea studio in September and just opened a studio in Hammersmith. When I walked into the Battersea studio, I felt like I entered someone’s Wellness, Lifestyle and Fitness Instagram account, where everyone is super-fit and wearing stylish exercise-wear, and they all have a water bottle or a juice in their hands.

Boom Cycle follows the trend of SoulCycle, the cult cycle class in the US, where you cycle in the dark with dance music. Hilary, from Kentucky, felt there was a demand here in the UK and started the company with her then boyfriend. Previously, she worked in New York as a model and became a SoulCycle fan there. She is blonde, tall, fit and radiates sunshine. When she greeted me she told me ‘You’ll be fine, it’s just like dancing!’

I took my seat on a bike next to a serious looking cyclist who basically didn’t have a water bottle because she is so hard core – to give you an idea. The lights were low and the music pumping. Hilary, who taught the class, has so much energy and enthusiasm that it is impossible to imagine her cross or sad. She motivates us with words like ‘Motivation, Determination, Power!’

I feel like the tortoise in the Tortoise and the Hare as the class starts and I have the Tasmanian Devil spinning next to me. As I start feeling out of breath and my legs start to ache, I glance at my watch and only 5 minutes have elapsed! There is no way I am going to finish this class. OK, I could fake a sprained ankle, or maybe complain of chest pains. But no, I hear Hillary’s voice yelling ‘Resolve! Dig deeper!’ and I am snapped out of my haze and am back spinning as fast as I can, but relative to my spin neighbour, I feel like a senior citizen.

Half way through the class, the lights go even dimmer and I relax, no one can see me faking-it-until-you-make-it. I go at my pace and let the pros get on with it. The adrenaline and endorphins have started flowing and I do feel quite good about myself. After we finish, Hilary tells me she is doing 14 classes this week because of instructors being off. Insane, I say, but she tells me she’s used to it. Teaching that class was a piece of cake to her. As I hobble out, I think to myself that it was a lot fun and feel quite proud for not bailing out. Although it is for the sporty types, if I can do it, anyone can.

https://www.boomcycle.co.uk

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

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Spotlight On...

Spotlight On: Leslie Saglio, Yoga guru, Reiki practitioner & Wellness coach

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All photos in this post courtesy of Leslie Saglio. NHYM 2015. 

Lately, I have been hearing all about the stress and anxiety of parents getting their kids into the ‘right school,’ passing the 7+ or the 11+. Normally calm and relaxed parents have become screaming messes and super-powered CEO mums and Magazine Editor mums have been put on anti-depressants, diazepam and other anxiolytics due to the stress of their children’s exams.

Isn’t it time for us to realise that this is really not the way to go? Shouldn’t we be kinder to ourselves? Here, I have interviewed Leslie Saglio, a local Yoga teacher who has started teaching at the brand new, beautiful West London Buddhist Centre on how to become more zen. She is also a Wellness Coach, a Reiki practitioner and a mother of 2 living in Notting Hill. She helped launch Serene Social in the UK last year, is a contributor to the US site MindBodyGreen and is a Brand Ambassador for the eco-friendly lifestyle apparel company Wellicious, based in Notting Hill.

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1. What’s your story? 

I am originally from Calabasas, just next to Malibu beach, in LA. I grew up a child of the sun and sea, enjoyingthe outdoor lifestyle.I have always been fascinated by other cultures and spent a lot of my youth travelling throughout the U.S. and Asia. I graduated from Business School at the University of Southern California and worked in the Entertainment industry, and then took a leap of faith and co-founded a real estate mortgage company. I moved to London with my French fiancé in 2006, we got married in 2007 and have two beautiful kids. I have lived in the Notting Hill area since then. So London is well and truly my home!

2. What made you decide to get involved in Wellness/yoga/serene?

While living In LA, I was feeling the strains of city life and this showed in my unhealthy lifestyle. I managed to break from this cycle when I moved to Europe, but my life changed more dramatically in 2010 when my loved ones became seriously ill. I regrouped to become stronger and it was then that I began my holistic and spiritual journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

I became a yoga teacher in 2013 and while students were coming to me for advice on the healing effects of yoga, it felt like a calling as I knew I wanted to help others. While exploring other disciplines such as Reiki and Feng Shui, I decided to become a certified Wellness Coach. During this time in 2013 while on a trip in New York City, I met Millana Snow, co-founder of SERENE Social, a women’s wellness and conscious networking community, originally based in New York. As I loved everything SERENE stood for, I helped them by becoming their London Lead and launched them last year. I feel blessed to be able to light the path for others to start their own journey towards a more purpose filled life.

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3. What is a Wellness Coach? And what exactly is Serene Social?

A wellness coach is someone who empowers others to lead a lifestyle beyond enhanced health. I’m a certified and dedicated Energy 4 Life© Wellness Coach, which means I take a progressive holistic approach founded by my teacher Caroline Shola Arewa. By taking a three-dimensional approach (body, mind and spirit) and focusing on disciplines such as yoga, complementary medicine and spirituality, I help clients reclaim wholeness and personal energy. It requires tremendous strength. But with time, it can repair the damage caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, negative thoughts and overall stress.

SERENE Social is a community that was set up to inspire a life of passion, power and purpose for women around the globe. SERENE provides a source of conscious content, connections and empowerment via yoga, networking sessions, meditation, online courses and more. For more info on how I helped launch SERENE London read here

4. You are now running Yoga lessons at the West London Buddhist Centre. Can you tell us a bit more about the centre and what you do there? 

The West London Buddhist Centre is a charity linked to a wider movement called Triratna Buddhist Community. It’s just one of the many businesses, retreat centres and other initiatives you’ll find worldwide. WLBC is based in a beautiful new Notting Hill building on Porchester Road and hosts a programme of classes and courses in mindfulness disciplines such as meditation, yoga and other bodywork.

I teach weekly Yin and Vinyasa classes, monthly yoga and coaching workshops as well as private coaching sessions. My ethos is to empower my students and clients to have their own unique experience. I do this by providing them with a space to begin healing themselves and find their full potential.

Although I’m not Buddhist, I fully embrace its philosophy to transform our responses to life experiences and it’s an ethos that crosses over many different cultures and religious beliefs. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga not only help train the body to a more healthy physical state, but also enable students to shift their emotional and mental states towards a more conscious and balanced life.

5. How do you stay positive when you are faced with difficulties and obstacles? 

To stay positive as an expat mum in the city, I do daily mindful practices such as yoga, meditation and gratitude and try following a healthy diet. I definitely feel the difference if I’m not keeping up and doing the work. I’ve learned that if you consistently do the work, it does get easier. As with my clients, I also practice techniques such as repeating daily positive affirmations to manifest my dreams, and have regular Reiki sessions to replenish my energy. But most of all, I remember to breathe!

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6. What advice would you give to all the stressed out mums (and dads) out there?

As parents, to really fully support the ones we love, we must remember to first take care of ourselves. We need to learn how to set boundaries with our own time and our energy. Sometimes it’s ok to say ‘no’ to going out and just be comfortable staying quiet at home. Equally, it helps to remember to take some time for yourself – whether that be a girls’/guys’ night out, a mani/pedi, going to the gym, or getting a babysitter so you can enjoy a date night.

7. Many mums I know would love to find something they can do that helps others while staying flexible around their family time. What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a yoga instructor or wellness coach like you? 

  1. Do your research – There are so many part-time and online training/teaching options available out there that will compliment a parent’s lifestyle. Just make sure you choose a teacher/coach whose personality and style resonates with you.
  2. Seek support – Make sure you have a reliable and flexible nanny and friends. Schedule play dates and activities so your kids stay busy and connected while you’re out/away
  3. Get organised – Make regular lists and acknowledge what you have accomplished. It’s all about baby steps.
  4. Stay committed – Anything worthwhile will not come easy. Remember, a profession in wellness has the power to make you a better mum and better wife so don’t ever feel guilty for putting in the hours.

 8. You are a Yoga teacher, a Wellness Coach, a Reiki Healer and you led the London launch of Serene Social. How do you manage it all with being a mother (and a wife!)? 

It’s all about how you manage your personal energy and everything I do with my students and clients is simply that – shifting energy so they can become healthier in their entire wellbeing. The mind and body are truly inter-connected and when we start to live with that consciousness, we live from a more authentic and harmonious state. We begin to experience life more beautifully.

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 9. What are your favourite places in Notting Hill?

The Life Centre for their inspirational yoga teachers, Planet Organic for wholesome goods, Neal’s Yard Remedies for a relaxing massage, Granger & Co. for brunch with my girlfriends, and Taqueria for some yummy Mexican food and a taste of my hometown L.A.

10. What advice would you give to your younger self, now that you’ve had all these life experiences? 

Enjoy every moment, count your blessings, know that every experience you have is meant to make you a better person on the other side and lastly, just be yourself.

http://www.lesliesaglio.com

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

@NHyummymummy

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