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6 UK Wellness Retreats For Ultimate Relaxation

We might be confined to barracks for the foreseeable, but we know #TeamCoco won’t be the only ones already curating a list of where we’ll be escaping to once this is all over.

While far-flung destinations are always high on our lust list, the reality is that the tourism industry closer to home will also need a big hand to get back on its feet post-lockdown and given we will ALL be in need of some well-earned R&R after all the drama, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite UK wellness breaks to look forward to for some serious relaxation.

1. Lifehouse Spa

Lying less than 90 minutes from London means Essex’s Lifehouse Spa is a dream spot for a post-work escape; oh how we yearn for those heady days of knocking off early on a Friday night and rocking up at a hotel in time for dinner. Make the most of a weekend away with the Your Health, Your Way package (from £319 per person, available through www.SpaBreaks.com). Guests can choose from a targeted menu, access to fitness classes and with full use of the soothing spa facilities from 10am on day of arrival until 6pm on day of departure there’s no excuse not to make full use of the hydrotherapy pool, relaxation rooms, plunge pool, experience showers and sauna and steam rooms.

2. The Headland

Newquay previously have been synonymous with that post-GCSE party crowd, but it may well lure a new clientele with the opening of The Aqua Club, a new multi-million pound leisure complex at The Headland. With commanding views out to to sea, the Club boasts six pools, a sun terrace and a new restaurant, The Deck. Head outside for a sunset spa with its two pools enjoying views of the Atlantic and The Deck offering a place for guests to enjoy a bite to eat. The use of natural stone allows the building to blend into its environment as much as possible, while a living roof and additional plantings help to minimise the visual impact of the building as well as providing a natural habitat for the flora and fauna around the peninsula.

An overnight stay at The Headland costs from £150 per room. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929.

www.prideofbritainhotels.com

3. Seaham Hall

Nothing beats a bracing coastal walk for blowing away the cobwebs and at County Durham’s Seaham Hall there’s no shortage of dramatic coastline to explore. The Georgian country house features 21 beautiful suites and a whopping 44,000 sq ft of spa. Accessed via a subterranean walkway, it includes indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, Zen Garden complete with hydrotherapy pool, an Asian herbal sanarium, salt sauna… the list goes one. Drawing influence from Far Eastern healing and wellness rituals, some of its newest therapies include ishga touch therapy, combining the natural, healing properties of seaweed with an advanced, ancient ‘touch’ technique for those affected by anxiety, depression, phobias, exhaustion and stress; so undoubtedly something we could all do with post-lockdown. Last year it also introduced a range of alternative therapies that focus on the key tenets of rebalancing life, improving sleep quality, de-stressing and promoting relaxation, such as hypnotherapy and Mind Calm.

A stay costs from £195 (two sharing), for one night in a Junior Suite, full English breakfast and use of the spa facilities. Currently they are accepting bookings for departure after August 1st. Call Seaham Hall on 0191 516 1400.

www.seaham-hall.co.uk

4. The Langley

If you’ve ever dreamt of swanning around a country estate pretending to be the Lord or Lady of the manor (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t), The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Buckinghamshire, might be a fair bet. Beautifully situated in the former manor home of the third Duke of Marlborough on 150 acres of formal gardens and parklands originally designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the location is pretty spectacular. The mansion is steeped in history, but the world-class Sisley Spa is the brand’s largest in the UK and offers advanced and scientific treatments in a seriously luxurious spa setting.

Created by award-winning interior designers Dennis Irvine Studio, the spa combines striking design elements with world-class facilities including two thermal areas (one female-only) with vitality pools, saunas, steam rooms and hammam facilities, a VIP suite equipped with private vitality pool, juniper sauna, amethyst steam room and hammam, and a 16-metre indoor swimming pool. It’s the perfect countryside escape.

Rooms from £425 per night.

www.marriott.com

5. Summer Lodge Hotel

Nestled in the Dorset village of Evershot, the award-winning Grade II listed Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Spa is surrounded by miles of glorious countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy, with many connections to the literary great. A quintessentially idyllic escape for the ultimate luxury staycation, it not only has a boutique spa but hosts a calendar of wellness activities throughout the year. Guests can book in to a Mindfulness Workshop (11th September or 4th December) giving an insight to mindfulness with Verity Woodgate, whose programme, Zenna (www.zenna.me), was created to help businesses develop healthy workplace environments. They also offer an overnight spa experience available year round, summer art lectures from renowned historian Jennie Spiers and hiking experiences taking in the Jurassic Coast.

Art lectures £30 each. Mindfulness Workshop days £75 per person. Spa offering from £364 per night, based on two people sharing a Classic Room.

www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk

6. Lime Wood

The mental benefits of immersing yourself in countryside can’t be ignored and few locations in the UK are as magical at the New Forest, with its verdant greenery and wild ponies. The legendary Lime Wood is introducing new retreats for 2020 with renowned nutritionist Amelia Freer and fitness guru Matt Roberts. Amelia will be hosting her first three-day retreats, focusing on whole body wellbeing, deep relaxation and empowering health through knowledge. Designed to help participants to slow down, find sanctuary and balance, nourish the body and mind, and create a bespoke plan for long-term positive wellbeing, the programme includes talks, interactive workshops, yoga classes and cooking demonstrations. It’s a rare opportunity to personally connect with Amelia herself, while her day workshops including Eating for Health and Batch Cooking offer a more affordable insight.

Matt Roberts’ three-day retreats have been designed to support personal training and wellbeing goals, seeing guests head into the New Forest National Park with group hikes and runs as well as activities in the rooftop gym and studio. Both packages – the Body Reboot Retreat and the Body Rebalance Retreat – include two nights at Lime Wood, all meals, training sessions, two Bamford treatments and use of the Herb House Spa from £1890 per person.

Amelia Freer retreat from £1650 per person (single occupancy). Day workshops from £175. Dates TBC.

www.limewoodhotel.co.uk

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Adventures

Stylish ski stays in Mont-Blanc

With the ski season almost upon us you need to be swift if you want to bag the best hotel. House of Coco recently visited the Mont-Blanc region of the French Alps to check out two very different places to stay this winter.

Just 45 minutes from Geneva airport is Saint Gervais, home to four villages and two ski areas, including ‘Evasion Mont-Blanc’ and with more than 400km of pistes this is the third largest ski area in France.

Nestled against the mountain of Saint-Gervais at an altitude of 1,150 metres in the heart of Saint-Nicolas is The Armancette Hotel. This brand new, 5-star hotel is a luxurious après-ski haven. Tucked away in a remote valley it offers guests a magnificent Alpine setting, with views of the Mont-Blanc as well as Mont-Vorassay.

The Armancette is an intimate boutique hotel with just 17 rooms, each one uniquely designed to reflect the environment and nature, think lots of wood, granite, stone and luxurious faux fur and silk. The rooms are elegantly designed and with an outdoor balcony you can wake up to breath-taking views across the village and valley.

This alpine jewel has successfully created a relaxed, calm vibe, making it a great place to stay if you want to chill-out after a day skiing. If you don’t fancy a drink in bar you can always retreat to the hotel library and games room to read or challenge your pals to one of the many board games. For those who want to take time out to unwind then hit the spa where you can make the most of the treatments, sauna and steam room. There’s an indoor pool with relaxation area as well as a heated outdoor pool with a terrace offering a magnificent, panoramic view of Mont-Vorassay, the Aiguille de Bionnassay, Armancette glacier and the Domes de Miage.

Located on the site of the village bakery, The Armancette is keeping the tradition alive with their on-site bakery serving golden pastries, an array of mouth-watering cakes and fresh bread daily. The smell of warm bread fills the ground floor each morning and is so enticing. I challenge anyone to walk by and not come away with some delicious tasty treat. The hotel restaurant, La Table d’Armante is modern yet cosy with an extensive menu offering fresh, local, seasonal dishes. There’s also a great choice when it comes to breakfast, so you can fuel up with one of their speciality juices or scrumptious omelettes before hitting the slopes.

20 minutes from Saint-Gervais and you’re in Chamonix, ski heaven! With plenty of ski runs this is the perfect place for any seasoned skier.

Catering for all budgets is La Folie Douce. Synonymous with après-ski partying and situated in the centre of Chamonix, this funky hotel has fantastic ski-in, ski-out access to the Brevent and Flegere ski areas.

What was once the historical palace of Le Savoy is now a chic, opulent, insta-worthy place to stay. The carpets depict life-sized synchronized swimmers, ice skating boots hang from the walls and there’s the odd mannequin and telephone booth scattered around the place.

The vibe is cool and eclectic. They’ve successfully nailed the trendy industrial look with exposed brick work juxtaposed elegant plush velvets and statement lighting giving the place a chic air. The hotel has 250 rooms, including premium (four star), access (three star) and dormitory rooms (three star), offering cheaper accommodation for groups. The premium rooms have views of the mountains and that quirky, luxury feel that runs through the whole hotel.

This is the après-ski party palace, with three restaurants, a main bar upstairs with a vast cocktail menu and for those looking for some fun and live entertainment, there’s the basement bar where you’ll find people dancing on the tables alongside the cabaret performers and DJs.

If you don’t feel like partying and want to rest your ski-weary legs then you can try out the yoga and spa. Here you can soak up glorious views of the Alps from the heated outdoor pool, take in a treatment or relax in the sauna and steam room.

Whatever you are looking for in a ski holiday, La Folie Douce caters for everything and everyone and is bound to be a hit with the ski crowd this winter.

House of Coco travelled to Saint Gervais and Chamonix courtesy of Savoie Mont-Blanc www.savoie-mont-blanc.com

For more information on The Armancette hotel visit www.armancette.com/en and La Folie Douce hotel www.lafoliedoucehotels.com/fr/hotel-chamonix

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Dog-friendly

TeamCocopup: Get your dog-friendly wellness fit with ‘doga’

Last week, TeamCocopup Charlie went on a holistic adventure at The Stratford Hotel. What ensued was a furry, messy, stretchy, and oftentimes chaotic morning of ‘doga’ which left both TeamCocopup and mum in utter OHM-azement.

‘Doga’ is a human yoga practice that helps pups and their parents bond through a dog-friendly yoga practice. Led by the UK’s only dog yoga specialist, Mahny Djahanguiri, doga is a fun way to incorporate your four-legged best friend to your yoga practice and get a little bit of a workout too.

Located in the stunning Stratford Hotel, just across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, our doga morning was a great way for TeamCocopup Charlie to make new friends and for mums to get their zen on.

Weather permitting, the Stratford Hotel’s doga classes are usually held in the Sky terrace, which offers panoramic views of the city. The Stratford is a dazzling example of timeless glamour and contemporary style and takes design cues from New York’s long-stay hotels.

Our doga class was made up of about 10-15 playful dogs, and TeamCocopup Charlie was immediately making new friends. You don’t have to be an expert yogi for the class, as it only incorporated the most basic yoga moves (yes – downward facing dog included). Don’t worry if your dog-yogi companion is a little bit overexcited too. Because according to our doga instructor Mahny – dogs are allowed to ‘misbehave’ and interact with the other dogs as much as they want, and the doga would work its magic.

The classes can last anything from one hour to two – depending on how boisterous the dogs are. Barring a few ‘accidents’ here and there, our doga class was a truly fantastic way to work out and socialise your dogs. After the class, doga participants are invited to a delicious brunch at The Brasserie. Here, you can re-energise with a healthy selection of brunch favourites, while your dogs play with their fellow dog-yogis. We highly recommend it.

www.thestratford.com

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5 Reasons Why You Should Invest In a Personal Trainer

It’s New Year’s day and you’re inputting your card details for your local gym as you did last year. How many of us are guilty of starting out with good intentions to join the gym only to end up going once or twice a month?

The gym floor can be a scary place full of all kinds of equipment and human muscle machines downing their protein shakes. It’s no wonder then that so many of us feel a little out of place. You don’t even have to be a newbie at the gym to be unsure of what you’re doing, even comfortable regulars can feel like they’re not doing the right thing. Cue the personal trainers.

While the idea of a personal trainer might seem a little extreme to some, they’re actually incredibly useful for improving just about everything in terms of your fitness. From functionality, stamina and lifestyle, they can ease you into better work-outs that will guarantee you see results.

Here are five reasons why you should think about hiring a personal trainer.

1. Reduces your risk of injury

Let’s be honest, we’ve all gone to pick up a heavier weight to make ourselves look better to other gym-goers. And how many of us have then tried an exercise with a heavier weight and given up after a few reps? (pause for people to put their hands up).

One of the worst things you could do in the gym is cause harm to yourself, and worryingly, it’s pretty easy to do.

Personal trainers will ensure you’re picking the right weight for you as well as checking your form while you’re doing movements. Often, people will just throw some weights around for as many reps as possible thinking this is going to get the best results. Guess what, it’s not.

Your trainer will teach you that it’s all about doing the exercises correctly, not quickly. Their guidance will make sure you’re getting the most out of your time in the gym.

2. Long-term motivation

One of the main reasons people give up on their fitness goals is because they lose motivation for it. We can spend hours in the gym and feel like nothing has changed. With a personal trainer, they’ll keep you enthused and excited about working out which means you’ll definitely feel committed to your goals.

3. Nutritional guidance and support

While not every personal trainer is qualified for giving nutritional advice, most are. This is ideal if your main goal is to lose weight or even if you’re just hoping to improve your general lifestyle.

Your trainer will be able to talk to you in detail about what it is you’re looking to achieve and work with you to create a personal plan that will help you reach your targets. While they’re there to offer support, they’re not going to go full drill sergeant on you and stop you from having that cheeky pizza with your girlfriends on a Friday night.

4. They fit around your personal life

One of the best bits about hiring a personal trainer is that they are easily able to fit around your personal life. Because you’re not necessarily tied to the gym floor, you can meet your personal trainer at your local park, near work or even just your back garden.

This makes getting in your important social plans that bit easier as you can work out with your trainer in the morning, afternoon or evening. Because you’re not missing out on those cocktails with your friends, you’re more likely to stay on track with your fitness routine!

5. Results

It’s a little obvious, but the results that you’ll see with a personal trainer are second to none. While you can definitely reach your goal on your own, with the help of a personal trainer, you’ll get there quicker and with better form and insight to your own body.

It’s not just about the physical results though, personal trainers give you invaluable advice on lifestyle changes, nutrition and help you to target the specific areas you want to improve.

So, next time you’re in the gym, flag down one of the personal trainers for a chat to find out if it’s the right thing for you. Or, you can look online for trainers in your local area. Either way, with the help of a personal trainer, your fitness goal isn’t as far away as you think.

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Fitness

Ways Millennials are Redefining the Meaning of Exercise

Millennials are a group of young adults who are always seeking something new with a desire to share it with the rest of the world. Thanks to the internet and this new digital era, it’s easy for everybody to stay connected and expand their social life. This generation has a unique moto, to live healthy and urban life and to put behind everything old. Every day they are challenging themselves to concord the world with their positive and strong attitude and belief in a better tomorrow. Thanks to them, technology every year develops faster and leading a healthier life becomes every person’s goal.

Healthy Body and Mind

Having unhealthy habits and being in constant risk to catch some diseases is what every millennial reject to have in his life. They are living a fast life and it’s essential to them to become and stay healthy as long as they can. Millennials love healthy diets and to be physically active. With their yearning for improvement in every aspect, meditation is a must-do in their daily plans. Eating healthy and feeding mind with positive vibes is like an energy source for them that boost their body to keep up with their goals and overcome any obstacles that come across to their challenges.

Fitness Fashion

Wearing old sneakers, t-shirts, and shorts to the gym becomes past and it’s unacceptable today. Our young adults put their mark even on sport equipment. Today’s fitness fashion goes to another level and becomes a very profitable industry. Millennials love to be active in nature. Having yoga leggings with printed motivating quotes, sports tops or cool water shoes is a must-have as a piece of equipment for any activity. Don’t forget to bring your phone with headsets so you can enjoy your favorite songs at the gym. To stay hydrated, regular water bottles are replaced with unique colorful sports bottles that have an extra container for supplements. Having a gym card is the thing that every millennial has in his wallet these days.

Gym and Group Workouts

While you are exercising at the gym, you could notice how different groups of young people come together in an exact time. Millennials love their social life more than anything. Affection to make new friends anywhere and to be with them whenever they can is like an addiction. Because of their constant desire to meet new people, you could often see them in fitness group classes like zumba, yoga or cycling. With their specific daily schedule, meeting with friends is crucial and they will catch up with others even after workouts.

Digital Challenge

In this urban digital era applications for our phones and tablets can replace every live assistant. We all love to stay organized and to keep up with our daily plans. Sometimes we forget about things that need to be done at a specific time and thanks to those apps we could be reminded. Our young adults love to track their progress on their phones. They are using them to challenge their physical strength like with fitness apps or to expand their knowledge by reading books online or learning a new language. Millennials are taking applications very seriously and with them, they can follow existing trends or make new ones.

Millennials as a group promote a healthier and exited life with the outcome that they will become role models for new generations. As they are blindly following trends, many industries and companies become successful and valuable. The future is certainly unpredictable and keeping that in mind who knows what to expect from now on.

Bio: Nemanja is editor-in-chief @ WalkJogRun. You can find him on Twitter.

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Fashion

Team Coco’s top five favourite yoga breaks to unplug and relax

A yoga course can provide you with the mental clarity and physical improvements needed to return home fully refreshed.

Yoga retreats are a great way to reset and recharge the mind, here’s our round up of our top five places to experience yoga, relax and reclaim yourself.

Rebalance the mind and body in Tuscany

Nestled in Tuscany is Grotta Giusti, one of the world’s most unusual wellness offerings; yoga in a millennial thermal cave with natural therapeutic steam baths. The historic Tuscan spa retreat is home to an ancient Grotto – a millennial thermal cave and a thermal underground hot spring lake – which famed composer, Giuseppe Verdi, regarded as “the eighth wonder of the world”.

In this ancient wonder, the hotel now offers thermal yoga classes with a qualified instructor. Yoga practiced in the natural warmth of this underground labyrinth amplifies sensations, aids concentration and raises body temperature whilst guests benefit from the therapeutic effects of the cave’s thermal vapours.

The water running through the Grotto is rich in salt, sulphate, and alkaline earth and comes out of the ground at around 34°C. Its vapours generate a steam bath that provides effective treatment for respiratory, circulatory, osteo-muscular, nervous, and skin complaints.

Classes can be booked individually, or guests can book the hotel’s two night thermal yoga experience. This special package includes a choice of scuba diving or floating therapy in the underground hot spring lake; floating therapy is a deeply relaxing and highly effective treatment for relieving pain and combating stress. Grotta Giusti is the only hotel in Europe to have an underground thermal cave and hot spring lake within its grounds and there is no experience quite like diving into its warm, thermal waters. The thermal yoga follows the floating therapy or scuba diving, with the once-in-a-lifetime experience topped off with an Ayurvedic Massage.

Guests booking the package will also enjoy full access to the hotel’s thermal hot spring swimming pools and bioaquam circuit, fitness centre and guided morning hike. Finally, dinner is included both nights, one a la carte dinner and one special and very indulgent tasting dinner.

Rates for the two-night thermal spa package start from €664 (£576*) per person based on double-occupancy. Rates include two nights B&B, one a la carte dinner at the newly refurbished La Veranda restaurant, one tasting dinner, thermal swimming pool and bioaquam circuit, a 50-minute thermal yoga class, 90-minute scuba diving or spa floating and a 50-minute Ayurveda massage. For further information or to book please email booking@grottagiustiapa.com or call +39 0572 90771. *Price in pound sterling accurate according to today’s exchange rate.

Unplug in India

Ananda in the Himalayas is a world-renowned wellness retreat, located at the foot of the Himalayas in India. Their group yoga retreats are the ideal place relax and find balance. Set among 100 acres of virgin forest, Ananda enjoys views of the mountains, the valley of the holy town of Rishikesh and the river Ganges.

Each morning opens with a two-hour yoga practice, including Asana, Pranayama and Mantra chanting. Daily theory sessions will address Yogic philosophy and concepts, while meditation sessions will assist in the relaxation of body and mind. Yogi enthusiasts can enhance their practice with personalised yoga sessions, yoga nidra and Pranayama. The delicious Ayurvedic cuisine (with menus personalised according to your dosha or body type) ensures successful weight loss or healing and rejuvenation. Beyond the destination spa itself, explore the Himalayan foothills with mountains treks, guided nature walks and white water rafting.

Group Yoga Retreats cost from $2,700pp (*£2,154.60), based on two sharing. For enquiries and bookings, visit www.anandaspa.com *Price in pound sterling accurate according to today’s exchange rate.

Declutter your mind in the Maldives

The Spa & Ayurvedic Retreat at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru – the first to introduce AntiGravity yoga, a Yoga Energy Trail, and Panchakarma to the Maldives – is the world’s first Resort to offer Yoga Therapy Courses: personalised condition-targeting programmes devised in conjunction with S-VYASA, the world’s first “university for yoga” and pioneer of yoga therapy through scientific research.

Each three or five day programme begins and ends with consultations – including comprehensive questionnaires – to help align each course to individual needs and lifestyle. Daily 60-minute sessions then teach bespoke breathing techniques and postures designed for each ailment, aim, injury or intention.

Starting modules target specific common ailments and lifestyle diseases – Stress Management, Diabetes Care, Spinal Care, Thyroid Health, Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Addiction Management – across Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels.

Guests are invited to consult with the Resort’s Yogis to tailor a programme to suit other symptoms too, as well as any combination of the above. Follow-up care and support come in the form of personal video conference sessions, as well as on-site access to complementary Spa & Ayurvedic Retreat treatments, classes and cuisines.

The course starts at $650 (£518) + 23.2% taxes for a 3-day programme per person. For more information visit www.fourseasons.com

Get Mindful in Morocco

Escape the daily grind and restore and replenish your mind, body and spirit. Set in a charming riad on the beach in Essaouira, this three-night stay combines yoga, meditation and wellbeing workshops guaranteed to leave you coming away feeling refreshed and reset. This really is a mini mind break, the programme is run by a yoga teacher and wellbeing coach who have designed a retreat to disconnect, change habits and redesign your mindset. Start your day with meditation on the roof terrace followed by breakfast. Following breakfast your days are filled with a range of wellbeing activities from yoga, wellness workshops to surfing and mindful walks on the beach then wind down at the end of the day with the option of a relaxing massage and dinner.

Feast on all the flavours of Morocco during your stay and experience fresh, locally sourced traditional food in this chilled out setting right on the beach.

Bookings now open for 2020. Rates for three-nights package start at £565 pp including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Spa and surf experiences are an extra cost and booked on arrival. For more information visit www.frenchyogagarden.com

Combine yoga and forest bathing in Japan

Head to Japan for a retreat with top London yoga teacher Adam Husler. Your break begins in the beautiful forested Chūbu region, staying at a tranquil health farm surrounded by the highest mountains in Japan, including the glorious Mount Fuji. Here immerse yourself in a powerful combination of dynamic yoga, meditation, forest bathing and hiking. Then travel to a charming mountain village in Nagano region to explore temples and lakes, eat traditional Japanese food and soak in the local onsen.

For a four night stay prices start at £1,995 pp for more information visit www.reclaimyourself.co.uk

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Business

#Womenworldwide: Meet sisters Gemma and Georgie, entrepreneurs taking on the “health” industry with authentic, sustainable products

Gemma and Georgie are the founders and owners of ANJA Wellbeing the holistic health business that aims to help you stay healthy, be happier and reduce stress. We chatted with the pair about what inspired the business, how they work together as sisters and whilst we were there, got their advice on how you can set up a business and become a #girlboss.

House of Coco: What inspired the creation of AJNA Wellbeing?

Gemma and Georgie: We’ve both always realised the importance of health and general wellbeing, and were constantly searching for more sustainable ways to positively impact them. We were shocked to find just how many “health” products we used daily were full of chemicals and toxins, and were probably doing us more harm than good. That was really what inspired us to create our own holistic products that we could use, and share with our loved ones, with peace of mind!

HoC: Do you think being a family business, as sisters, impacts on how you work and is it important to you brand? G&G: A lot of people are surprised when we tell them we’re sisters because they can’t imagine working so closely with family.We get along really well, and share the same opinions on the really important things, so that makes it easy. Being sisters also probably gives us a familiarity that allows us to share ideas without any fear.

HoC: What are your favourite products that HoC readers should be putting in their online baskets?

G&G: Our first product was the Ajnamat, so it has a special place in our hearts. It’s a therapeutic acupressure mat that can help with a host of problems from pain management, stress, tension, circulation and cellulite.

We always take the matching pillow on long flights and it’s a lifesaver!

Just like our yoga mats and meditation cushions, what separates them from other brands are the sustainable, non-toxic materials used, and the beautiful aesthetic.

HoC: You believe in a holistic approach to wellbeing, what does that mean for you and your customers?

G&G: A holistic approach is one that looks at addressing the cause of problems, and not just putting a band aid on the symptoms. It’s more of a lifestyle than a quick fix.

We hope to provide as many people as possible with better, more holistic choices, and empower them to make self care a priority.

We truly believe that as a result, customers and those they care about most will be able to live healthier, happier lives.

HoC: What do you think are some of the challenges of running a wellbeing business in 2019?

G&G: There is no shortage of Wellbeing products on the market, so the challenge for us is setting ourselves apart.

We have done that through use of eco materials and a strong focus on a aesthetic, as well as consistently connecting with our customers to see how we can serve them better.

HoC: What is your relationship with One Tree Planted, and why is that important to you?

G&G: Giving back is an important part of our business, and One Tree Planted allows us to do that with every purchase made. For each product we sell they plant a tree!

Planting trees is a cause that resonates with us and our business, and goes hand in hand with our efforts to source sustainable, long lasting materials.

HoC: What piece of advice would you give to our readers who want to set up their own business?

G&G: Firstly, surround yourself with people who support you. If you don’t know any, go and find them. They’re out there!

Secondly, be prepared for ups and downs, and daily challenges. You’ll become a great problem solver if you stick at it.

HoC: What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in setting up your business?

G&G: It may sound cliche, but following your passion, or “scratching your own itch” is usually where you’ll have the most success. When you love and believe in your cause, others like you will pay attention. And plus, it’s a lot more fun that way.

Visit AJNA Wellbeing

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Beauty

News: Ultimate Urban Sanctuary in Manchester

Manchester Spa and Wellness £12m Renovation

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester continues to strengthen its luxury lifestyle offering with an extensive renovation of The Spa and Gym, as part of the five-star hotel’s twelve million pound refurbishment.

The Spa and Gym has been redesigned with detail-oriented focus on creating the ultimate indulgent experience. The hotel’s striking uninterrupted urban floorplan displays all wellness desires before a guest’s eyes, enticing them sequentially from the state-of-the-art gym and stunning swimming pool to the tranquil sauna, steam rooms and atmospheric treatment areas.

Rob Steul, Creative Director at Edwardian Hotels London, commented: ‘The Spa and Gym was an exciting, ambitious refurbishment for the Edwardian Hotels London in house design team. We manipulated the space and utilised a range of contrasting materials to create the ultimate wellness retreat for our guests.’

Exclusive Pool Area

Designed to exude serenity and simplicity, the entire pool area is encompassed by a neutral palette of wood, concrete, marble and white flooring which aesthetically contrasts with the pool’s blue stone lining, creating an alluring aquamarine lagoon. Whether in-between treatments, or for a quick burst of exercise, the 12-meter-long swimming pool is enough to tempt any guest wanting to dip their toes in, before stepping into a refreshing Experience shower or relaxing in the sauna and steam rooms. Boasting one of the most luxurious swimming pools in the city, crittall glass dividers are used to open the space and maximise light, the destination space is complete with seven low cabanas for a truly relaxing urban escape.

Unique Spa Design

A peaceful haven with modern design influences welcomes guests into a balanced yet understated environment, offering an outstanding spa experience. Exposed high ceilings and glass encapsulates the city’s industrial feel, with guests having no reason to leave given the array of revitalising experiences, services and products on offer. The guest experience has been placed at the heart of this detail-oriented, contemporary design: from chic matt black fittings and head-to-toe marble tiles to Dyson hairdryers and GHD straighteners in the changing rooms.

Signature Treatments

From healing facials to rejuvenating full body massages, The Spa and Gym offers a range of indulgent therapies to help guests relax. The treatment rooms are lined with luxurious marble mosaics and rustic wood panelling, where visitors can unwind after a day of enjoying the city’s sights with ESPA’s deeply therapeutic Mindful Massage, designed to sooth away stress and re-balance the mind. Busy workers can try the array of Express treatments, including the 30-minute ESPA Facial, personalised to each individual’s needs and skin type. A full list of treatments available can be found here: https://www.thespaandgym.com/documents/The_Spa&Gym_Price_List_01.pdf

High-Tech Gym

Through collaboration with Technogym, The Spa and Gym has been developed a space that offers guest a market-leading, up-to-date gym experience, including high intensity cardio machines, treadmills, a designated weights room including bespoke TRX rig and punch bag, and a private matt area. The space has been designed with insight from personal trainers to maximise performance and energy, from the equipment to the atmospheric mood-lighting and concrete-rendered walls. After a long workout, guests are welcome to restore comfort and minimise post-workout aches with a targeted ESPA Deep Muscle Massage.

Visit www.thespaandgym.com for more info

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Festivals

Mauritius Wellness Festival will change the way you do healthy holidays

When it comes to searching for the perfect wellness holiday look no further. Whether it’s you’re first rodeo in terms of merging all things healthy into your vacations or you’re a pro at seeking out locations to really rejuvenate the mind and body, the new Mauritius Wellness Festival is guaranteed to get you excited to book a trip that won’t disappoint.

Heritage Le Telfair is already known for its healthy outlook to getaways but from May 3 to 5 Heritage Resorts is taking it one step further for the first time…

Keeping active

Guests will be immersed in activities such as yoga, dance and Pilates, plus talks and workshops with international wellness leaders and experts.

House of Coco got a sneak peak at the facilities during a recent stay where French yoga guru Karine Kleb was a returning special guest instructor. We started our day with morning meditation at the Wellness Pavilion and ended our days of relaxing on the beach, in between paddle boarding and kayaking, with a chilled out sunset beach yoga class.

But there’s also the opportunity to get outside of the resort and connect with nature at the most iconic landmarks in the south of the island. Part of the forthcoming Mauritius Wellness Festival experience is a trek to UNESCO World Heritage site Le Morne for some incredible coastal views and an opportunity to reach your step goal for the day.

We learned how to truly let go of everyday stress and anxiety during a forest bathing experience on the resort’s Domaine Bel Ombre, spotting monkeys and deer as we quietly walked past streams and lush green trees before cooling off at the on-site waterfall.

Want more of a metabolism push? As part of the accommodation at Heritage Le Telfair, access to the gym is complimentary and everything you need is available, including a rowing machine, stationary bikes and treadmills.

Chilling out

Other features of the Mauritius Wellness Festival include a relaxation zone, music corners, artists areas, an evening music festival by local bands with local instruments.

House of Coco particularly enjoyed the evening live music offering at Heritage Le Telfair’s piano bar Cavendish. It’s located right beside the aesthetically-pleasing main pool (there’s also an adult pool and the pool at C Beach Club).

But every corner of the resort provides an opportunity to unwind. We stayed in a Garden View Villa where daily hangs in the back porch hammock made all the difference. The deep bathtub – relaxing bath salts are provided – and in-room yoga mat encourages further relaxation.

Mindful eating

Of course, healthy food stations are one of the big pulls for taking part in the inaugural Mauritius Wellness Festival.

House of Coco dined daily at the resort’s beach front Le Palmier restaurant where crunchy palm heart salads were an example of the region’s healthy local produce and the menu’s wellness icons made it easy to select nutritious dishes such as the popular catch of the day.

An alternative dining experience is an organized trip to the nearby Chateau where guests can pick herbs, fruits and vegetables with the chef before returning to the Heritage Le Telfair to cook a local meal. We were impressed by our own carry making skills and made sure to incorporate some local rum in our dessert which ended up being banana flambé.

Otherwise Annabelle’s restaurant ensures you know exactly what you’re ordering by displaying the dinner menu dishes that you’re encouraged to view before making your mindful selection. The venue is also where the breakfast buffet – including freshly squeezed juices – is served.

Mauritius Wellness Festival costs from €95 for a one day pass to €375 for a 3 day pass with food. For more information visit www.mauritiuswellnessfestival.com

If you can’t make this year’s festivities, the Wellness Bliss Package is available year-round and costs £51 per person/night.

It involves an initial consultation with the Wellness Director who will help you achieve all your goals for the holiday by creating a personal programme of activities and exercise, including an eating plan.

Each guest can choose one daily Wellness Experience. They include detox and tension relief massages at the Seven Colours Spa, private Tai-Chi or Qi gong sessions and even Osteopathy treatments.

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Boss Boys

#BossBoy: Nathanael Rush the fitness gear guy taking the US by storm

The #TeamCoco writers occasionally have the chance to interview passionate business men and women, that often leave their mark on you and make you realise that going it alone in the world of business is one of the toughest, yet most rewarding things to do. Speaking to entrepreneur and founding CEO Nathanael Rush of Rush Fit Gear was not only an interesting insight to the world of fitness gear, but also an insight to being open to change your brand name until you find the perfect fit.

From men’s clothing, to women’s clothing, accessories and more, Rush Fit Gear is seriously taking the US by storm, and we’re hoping it will hit UK stores soon. For a greater and more in-depth look into Nathanael Rush of Rush Fit Gear, here’s our #BoyBoss feature by Rachel McAlley.

Q. Can you give a brief insight to Rush Fit Gear, tell us about what you do?

A. Rush Fit Gear is an athletic clothing company. The goal that I had for my business when I started it was to create athletic clothing that is durable, something that could last for years and still look and feel brand new. So by combing materials that allow for incredible stretch and be extremely soft I created a product that truly has a one of a kind feel. And most customers comment that it feels like nothing they own.

Q. When did you realise you were destined to launch your own business?

A. I have always wanted to own my own business. The idea of working for myself is something I have wanted since I was little. I never could see myself sitting behind a desk all day working for someone else. I always had a dream that one day I would own my own and make my own rules.

Q. What made you go into the fitness clothing market?

A. Like I said I have always wanted to own my own business but I never knew what I wanted that business to be. About 2 years ago began to get more and more into fitness. I have played sports my whole life but was never into working out in a gym until about 2 years ago. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion for me. I even went on and became a certified personal trainer. So when I thought about owning my own business again I decided to combine my dream with my passion. Originally I wanted to start “rush fit” as a gym but that overall start up cost was more then what I had at the time so I went with athletic clothing since I spent most of my day in athletic clothing.

Q. Was it a long process from making the decision to set up Rush Fit Gear to producing your first piece?

A. Short answer, YES! Although thinking back it wasn’t too long but felt very long in the process. So it took about a year for design and prototypes. Lots of trial and error and in the end I have an entire closet of clothing that will never see the light of day because the vision of my business changed or the clothing just did not meet the standard I wanted. After about a year and a half I finally got to the place where I was happy with the product enough to share it with the world.

Q. Do you design all your own pieces or do you have a team of designers?

A. I do create all the designs for Rush Fit Gear. This is one of my favorite parts about owning my business; I have hands on every element. Although I do have some key people in my life that I always run my designs by just to make sure that other people who aren’t involved with my business, therefore have nothing at stack, have a good reaction to everything.

Q. All your latest collections can be found on your website, do you also stock in any stores?

A. Not yet. Although that is definitely the goal. I would love to see Rush Fit Gear up there with all the other top athletic brands of the world.

Q. Do you ship your clothing worldwide?

A. Yes, we have shipped all over the world. This is something that I love about the growth of my company, seeing people in other countries enjoying the product!

Q. What is your most sought after item, and do you have a personal favourite piece from any of your collections?

A. The most popular Item is the Legacy Performance Shirt in Maroon. Which also happens to be my favourite piece. This Shirt turned out amazing because it has a feel to it that just feels luxurious. Most of the time once people feel it you’re immediately intrigued by it. And it’s hard to compare it to other athletic shirts because it feels that unique.

Q. If you were to expand the business today, what would be your next steps?

A. If I could expand it today, I would love to expand into stores. This is definitely a goal that we are working towards and I am looking forward to the day when that is a reality.

Q. Looking to the future, where would you like to see your business Rush Fit Gear in 5 – 10 years time?

A. In 5-10 years I would love to see Rush Fit Gear expanding into all areas of fitness. I want the business to be more than just great clothing but also I company that trains and conditions world class athletes for a variety of sports. And also being able to be the official sponsoring a professional sports team.

Q. What valuable piece of advice were you given before setting up your business that you still follow today?

A. I think the best advice that I have been given is to never loose sight of the values and principals I started my company with. Which it can be tempting sometimes to cut corners in business when it saves money but it also devalues the product and brand. Sometimes it takes longer to manufacture some clothing but it’s worth the wait if it means having a great quality product.

Q. What piece of advice would you give a budding entrepreneur now that you have launched your own successful business?

A. My advice would be to anyone starting out is to not be afraid of change. Change from product to brand and even logos, people have no idea how many different “lives” Rush Fit Gear has lived prior to it being what it is today. I spent a lot of time limiting myself to ideas or designs and even brand names rather than allowing my company to form an identity over time. Once I decided to accept the change of names and designs everything else began to fall into place. I wasn’t limiting myself to one thing. And it allowed me to be really creative. It’s great to accept that change for a new business is a great thing for a new business! The beginning part of a business is great because that when you can be as creative as possible and that’s what you should really take advantage of. This has lead me to a place where I feel like we are creating some amazing stuff.

Thanks to Nathanael Rush for taking the time to answer our #BossBoy questions. We love everything about Rush Fit Gear, and can’t wait to see this brand being worn by sports teams across the world in the future.

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