Mind - House Of Coco Magazine

France July 22, 2019

Mauritius: Heritage Le Telfair hotel review

You don’t have to shut yourself off from the world to enjoy the benefits of a gourmet healthy food plan while on holiday, nor must you struggle with a barely-there diet and gruelling workout routine to come back feeling your best. Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resortis attracting travellers with a moderate approach to health-focused holidays.

Perhaps the best thing about the southern Mauritius destination for those keen to take advantage of nourishing food and a range of physical activities during their getaway is that partners accompanying travellers don’t have to get involved at all because there are plenty non-wellness options to indulge in.

Experts at the colonial architecture- style resort will curate a personalized programme for your needs, advising what to eat, wonderful workouts and terrific treatments to benefit your body.

House of Coco stayed in a Garden Villa which had access to its own hammock via the back-door deck. As if peering out to the garden while soaking in the complimentary salt crystals wasn’t enough, even the botanical artwork in the room was a reminder of the lush surroundings.

House of Coco eased into our stay with a Jet Lag treatment at the Seven Colours spa. For 30 minutes, a therapist rubbed away the stresses and strains from the flight using a choice of aromatherapy oil. Each one correlated to a colour, and my attraction to yellow during my pre-massage consultation led me on a ginger-based journey. I emerged feeling invigorated thanks to the fiery root ingredient being slathered all over my skin and absorbing into my tired muscles. Post-treatment guests are invited to lounge on a shaded outdoor bed by the 2,000 sqm spa’s heated pool. Don’t forget to spritz yourself with insect repellent before you sip herbal tea in a cosy robe.

While anyone is bound to melt into an after-flight massage easily, my next treatment wasn’t for everyone but one unique to the resort and a great antidote for deeper issues.

The Ohashiatsu master instructed me to sprawl out on a large flatbed situated in the Wellness Sanctuary complete with soothing sounds from the water features and surrounded by drapes for privacy and to keep out mosquitos. You may have heard of shiatsu, but Ohashiatsu takes things one step further by making the receiver feel more relaxed and therefore gaining more benefits from the limb rolling and stretching techniques.

I particularly enjoyed the gentle pressure applied to my stomach as the area is often avoided in traditional massages and the tummy is linked to many health concerns. It turned out that was the case for me as the master said he tuned into anxieties and fatigue from performing his healing moves over my abdomen.

The Wellness Sanctuary is also where yoga and meditation took place. Returning guest instructor Karine Kleb invited those staying at Heritage Le Telfair to rise early and work on tuning out internal chatter to just focus on being in the moment.

Her narration in both English and French (the language spoken by locals) ensured a good mix of beginners and intermediate participates joined the sessions each day. When the weather called for it sunset Hatha yoga classes took place at C Beach Club, where guests paddle board, kayak and snorkel away the day right up until mats are set out on the sand of the resort’s 1km beach.

Another unique offering from Heritage Resorts is access to the waterfalls, streams and wildlife within Domaine de Bel Ombre. During our excursion we drove past the rows of giant sugar canes and to the nearby Frederica Nature Reserve for the perfect Forest Bathing setting.

The trendy wellness activity does what it says on the tin – using the sights and sounds of nature to cleanse participants of everyday stresses. Think of it as a more active version of meditation. A reiki master took us out on a hike where monkeys hurried across our path and deer were spotted darting off into the distance as they heard our footsteps. It’s something that would’ve gone unnoticed without allowing ourselves to enjoy the quiet, simply noticing what naturally surrounded us.

As well as showing us how to connect with the universe out there in the fresh forest air, the reiki master also gave a beginner’s course in aura reading. Moving our wind-facing palms like a body scanner, the idea was to detect any areas on our partners body connected to emotional or physical problems. This would be identified when our own hands heated up as we hovered our palms from the head towards the toes.

If the activities on offer don’t help you work up enough of an appetite, the gym is open 24 hours.

And you’ll want to make room to sample what’s on the various menus across the resort. Beachfront Le Palmier restaurant has fish of the day, palm heart salad and carpaccio as highlights and guests taking advantage of the wellness program should look out for the handy correlating symbol next to the name of dishes for what’s recommended.

Breakfast is served buffet-style at Annabella’s with chefs whipping up omelettes on demand and freshly squeezing juices as part of the international offering best enjoyed on the veranda. The restaurant also serves dinner and helps out when it comes to selecting dishes from the extensive menu by displaying the dishes on offer each night.

For a dinnertime treat, the Asian cuisine offering at Ginja restaurants takes things up a notch at the Teppanyaki table where the chef makes a show out of serving up meat, rice and vegetables from the griddle.

But the ultimate lavish experience comes with a short journey to Le Château – a castle with a Presidential Suite that guests can also stay in. Its garden grows herbs used in the resort’s dishes and picked by guests in preparation for cooking classes. You won’t want to miss out on tasting tipples in the private wine cellar next to the dining room, if only to try the lychee wine which is unique to Mauritius. Afterwards, butlers present a dazzling display of plates from French Chef David Toutain that are best rounded off with some famous Mauritian rum in the piano lounge.

After all, wellness isn’t about deprivation, and House of Coco believes finding the right balance is the true meaning of self-care.

Fashion July 11, 2019

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

Business June 4, 2019

Find your authentic voice with #Girlboss Hannah Beko

Have you have ever felt ‘burn out’, like you’re expected to “have it all”? Do you want to curb your anxiety and take back control of your life but don’t know where to start? We talked to Hannah Beko the founder and Director of Authentically Speaking who gives you her tips on how you can start making changes today.

House of Coco: What inspired the creation of Authentically Speaking?

Hannah: I decided to set up a speaking and training business in April 2016 after attending an introduction to coaching/personal development session for lawyers and bankers. I was already experiencing the power of self development in my own life and as a lawyer myself I felt I could bridge the gap between the theory and the practice.

The name came about as I realised I was learning more and more about myself and who I really was underneath the years of conditioning and “character armour” the legal profession provides us with.

I wanted it to reflect both my own journey to find my authentic voice when speaking and training but also to be a conduit for other professionals to re-discover their authentic path.

HoC: For our readers who feel burnt out, and there will be many, what is the first thing they can do today to take back control?

First you need to make a decision. Everything flows from there. If you decide that enough is enough and you will take steps to put yourself first and take care of yourself physically and mentally, then the rest follows. Until that point of realisation, nothing I teach will really take hold. Once a person has decided to prioritise their health and happiness, they can more easily decide what’s best for them.

Depending on the situation of the individual I would recommend meditation (and I teach a super simple method backed up by clinical trials) for a longer-term solution. Meditation won’t help in the immediate present, but over a period of 4-6 weeks can drastically improve burnout, exhaustion and fatigue.

If the person is feeling really overwhelmed and needs something in the moment, I use a great exercise with my clients that goes like this:

Step One – Stop and realise you are feeling overwhelmed.

Step Two – Take a pen and paper and dump out everything that you feel is on your plate, work and home related, everything that’s on your mind.

Step Three – be your own best friend. If your best friend was looking at this list, what would you tell them they really didn’t need to worry about. What can you ditch from the list completely? #

Step Four – What can you delegate to someone else. It might be a task at work, or at home. No one needs to do it as well as you do it, or as quick as you do it, but who could do that thing instead of you?

Step Five – Breathe, take a walk, have a cup of tea.

Step Six – With the remaining items on your list sort them into A, B and C. A is “I must absolutely do this today”. B is “it would be nice to get this done today”. C is “I could this today, or tomorrow, or maybe even next week”.

Hoc: What do you think stops women from taking action when they feel overwhelmed?

Hannah: I think it’s in part due to the “Superwoman Phenomenon”. Superwoman meets all the work deadlines, smashes the targets, manages the team, picks the kids up from school on time and cooks them a healthy dinner before reading them an educational bedtime story…

Superwoman is what we are all trying to be, or aspiring to be. She does everything herself because its quicker and easier that way. She wants to help and look after others not ask for help and support herself.

We need to learn that Superwoman is the cause of our overwhelm, burnout, anxiety and unhappiness. It’s perfectly okay not to be perfect. To ask for help and support and to accept it when it’s offered. It’s good to delegate and share the load.

In severe overwhelm, we are in a chronic stress state with high levels of the stress hormone. This affects our rational thinking, our decision making, makes us less able to focus and concentrate. In this stress reaction, making decisions and taking action becomes very difficult.

This is why I am such a fan of meditation. It reverses the stress reaction and increases a persons ability to focus, think clearly and make decisions.

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

Hannah: I believe in a holistic approach because of what I’ve learned for myself and my clients over the last few years. You can work on the body or the mind, but you need to include both. For example, you can talk through an issue you’re having, or something you might be feeling. But often that feeling or sense is trapped in the body, at the cellular level if you like and just talking about it doesn’t shift it.

Sometimes I work with clients who know they feel a certain way but can’t pin point why they feel it. They still want to move from that place. Working with the body helps them to do this when the mind might not have the answers. Our gut, our intuition, whatever you like to call it, is very powerful and in corporate especially we’re taught to rely on logic only and not gut feeling. We’ve been missing a really big trick!

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

Hannah: Following everyone else. Taking advice from everyone else. When we look at other coaching businesses around us it’s easy to feel that we aren’t achieving as much or do as well as the other person. You don’t know how long it has taken them to reach that point. I think people believe it will happen overnight and need to be ready to play the long game potentially with another source of income to take the pressure off the growing business.

HoC: What does a typical course of coaching with you look like?

There isn’t really a typical course of coaching, unless you count my group course. I run an online group course 3 times a year which is 8 weeks long and includes weekly training videos and fortnightly Q&A.

For individuals, I occasionally work on a long term basis of 3 months plus with weekly sessions but more recently people are opting for the more focused and targeted sessions which I do over half or a full day to give them a great start on making the changes / improvements they want to make in their life, business, career or relationships.

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

Hannah: Like with many things having the confidence to forge your own path is so important to stand out as yourself and attract the clients you really want to work with.

Be kind to yourself, practice what you preach so that you are in integrity and take daily action even if it scares you. Ask for advice, but decide if it’s the right advice for you and your business.

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

Hannah: My mentor told me in late 2016 to “do the first one to get the first one done”. For me that was my very first happiness workshop. I absolutely loved it.

Although that workshop has been run in many ways the core content and message has never changed and its one of the main focuses of my business. Aligned to this is a message I try to give myself everyday “keep taking action”. Procrastination is the biggest problem out there for new business owners.

They take the next course or the next free training or simply keep getting “qualifications”. Nothing really happens until you take daily concerted action.

Find out more about Authentically Speaking

Business May 15, 2019

GBOGB: From Rock Bottom to Rapid Transformation Coach Natasha Bray

When new mum Natasha Bray hit rock bottom she wasn’t sure that she could ever build herself back up, but that’s exactly what she did with gusto, pride, and an abundance of inner strength, and as a result, Rapid Transformation Coach Natasha Bray emerged, guiding others through their own journeys of growth and resilience. #TeamCoco’s Rachel McAlley has been lucky to interview this strong businesswoman to find out more about her background and what Natasha Bray, Rapid Transformation Coach is truly all about.

One of the business straplines for Natasha Bray is; ‘Helping Women Unlock Their Success’ which is something we feel strongly about at House of Coco Magazine, and another of Natasha Bray’s straplines is; ‘Self Belief + Self Love + Self Worth = Next Level Success, and we simply love this motto for life.

Q. You had a successful career in the world of social work, at what point did you realise that this wasn’t the career path for you?

A. I actually began my first business whilst on my social work master’s, and I felt torn between both when graduating. I applied for my dream social work job in a specialist intervention role and felt if I got it great, if not I would go full-time into my business. I got the job and then had the task of running both alongside each other for a year when I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant after previously having fertility issues. It was after having my son and becoming a single mum, that the enormity of life as a parent hit me. I realised I wouldn’t be able to run a business, have a full-time social work career and be the mum I so I handed in my notice and took the leap to full-time entrepreneur. I call it my ‘it’s now or never moment’. I haven’t left social work behind entirely though, I merge a lot of my skills and social work theory into my work in my business, utilising a holistic approach to success.

Q. When you started Natasha Bray, Rapid Transformation Coach was your initial aim to work solely with women, or did this just happen organically?

A. This just happened organically. I previously had a health business where 80% of my clients were women and I attracted more female clients. I believe sometimes your ‘niche’ finds you so in order to improve my marketing I decided to shift to working exclusively with women. I do believe there are gender differences in how women and men approach business and the challenges they face.

Q. As mentioned previously, one of your business straplines is; ‘Helping Women Unlock Their Success’, where do you start with this, as it can’t be an easy process?

A. It all comes down to mindset and relationships. Our relationship with ourselves is the most important relationship we will ever work on, it impacts every area of our lives, relationships with others, relationships with money, relationships with food, the level of success we feel we can have or deserve….everything. By improving our relationship with ourselves we can unlock more success in our lives. This is where the mindset work comes in: by changing negative beliefs, overcoming fears and breaking bad habit patterns I can impact success really quickly. I focus on helping women achieve 3 key aspects of self that are essential for success- Self love (the belief I am enough), self-worth (the belief I am worthy) and self-belief (the belief I can do this). The way I change these things is by healing past emotional traumas through a mix of integrated therapies, coaching and practical tools, providing a secure base for my client to go through the transformational process. This impacts on their personal life and business success.

Q. Do you use RTT (Rapid Transformational Therapy) with all your clients, and can you tell us a little more about what this is and how it can potentially help an individual unlock their success?

A. I do use it with all my clients yes. It is a revolutionary new super therapy developed by Marisa Peer, a renowned therapist with over 30 years of experience. However, I integrate this therapy with my own techniques I have developed from studying and working in psychology and behaviour change over the last 13 years. RTT mixes concepts from CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Therapy and other therapies into one powerful session, it works by finding the root cause of the issue and changing the meaning associated with the root cause in order to free the person from the effect the event has had on them.

Q. Being a coach isn’t something that everyone can do – you need to have certain qualifications, plus an understanding of psychology and behaviours, and a great deal of patience, did you have these before embarking on becoming a coach?

A. I studied psychology for 8 years in total, all the way from a-level up to master level and worked in many roles where I was coaching people to make huge changes to their lives and achieve their full potential. I work very much in a way that the client has all the answers within them just needing to be unlocked. In my previous career, I was trained in various change psychology tools and interventions that I used on a daily basis in practice. My social work career was as a specialist rapid intervention worker so coaching was just second nature to me. I have a nutrition coaching qualification and I also trained with Marisa Peer herself in her RTT method. My current role actually involves a mix of coaching, therapy and mentoring but I felt coach was the best label for me and one that my client base resonates with.

Q. Tell us what being a Rapid Transformation Coach means to you.

A. Being a Rapid Transformation Coach means the world to me. Being a single parent and having gone through my own difficult childhood experiences that left me lacking in self-worth, self-love and self-belief I know firsthand the huge benefit this deep transformational work can have on the lives of the women I work with. I have now helped hundreds of women achieve more success in their lives and businesses too and there is nothing more rewarding. It’s not just about impacting the women I work with, it’s about the positive ripple effect that then has on their children and their clients too. It’s not a job to me, it really is a passion. I get to spend every day doing what I love and making a difference, something I am very grateful for.

Q. You have been running your successful business for 2 years, did anyone offer you a core piece of advice before launching, something that you remember to this day, and that you still advocate?

A. I didn’t have any advice before launching as I was on the journey alone most of the time. However, if there was something I could go back and tell myself it would be…..be your true self. Let go of perfectionism, and love yourself enough to be yourself. Having been in business for a total of 5 years now, I used to hide the quirky parts of me and think I needed to appear perfect on social media etc. I didn’t embrace every part of me. Since doing my own deep inner work I started showing up more authentically online and with my clients, my business success exploded.

Q. Have you made any big mistakes that turned into a great learning curve since starting your business?

A. Oh gosh yes lots of mistakes along the way, but I don’t see them as mistakes – I see them as opportunities. For a long time, I wasn’t charging enough for my services and struggled to say no to people who needed my support. I ended up burned out as a result. The lesson was basing my prices on what I was worth and the level of transformation I offered, not what I believed others could afford.

Q. If you were to offer one piece of advice to someone thinking of setting up a small business to help people through coaching, what would it be?

A. get clear about the transformation you want to provide for people and who you want to work with first. Very often the most purpose and passion is helping an earlier version of ourselves. There are many types of coaching- nutrition coaching, business coaching, wellness coaching….If you don’t already have experience or qualifications in coaching, look for the best qualification to support what you want to achieve.

Q. Can you leave us with a little nugget of rapid transformational coaching that would give our readers ‘food for thought’ about how they can make a start in unlocking their own successes?

A. Most people tend to look outside of themselves for success, but the key to rapid success in life and business is doing the inner work, the personal transformation. That means going back and healing old emotional wounds that have been left by feeling unloved, not enough or unworthy.

Thanks to Natasha Bray, Rapid Transformation Coach for taking the time to answer all our Girl Bosses of Great Britain questions for House of Coco Magazine.

Festivals April 22, 2019

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.

Beauty March 11, 2019

8 Mother’s Day Beauty Gifts

In the UK we celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday 31st March, it’s a day that we seriously like to spoil our mums rotten. The #TeamCoco beauty writers have pulled together a list of eight gorgeous beauty gifts that we think you and your mum will love.

We have covered all price points and all aspects of beauty; prices start under £10 and rise to £70. Beauty gift products include a body spray and scent, face cream and face mask, bath salts and subscription box, plus nail polish and mascara.

£10 and under

Kneipp Balancing Lavender Bath Crystals, £8.95 (500g), available from Holland and Barrett.

The perfect gift of relaxation this Mother’s Day; Kneipp balancing bath salts with lavender essential oil. Not only will these invigorate and brighten the skin, but they will also help to balance emotion, lift spirits, and restore strength. The salt crystals are high in trace minerals, which absorb into the body while relaxing in the bath.

Missguided Vibe Enhancer, £10, available from the Fragrance Shop.

A sassy and hypnotic body mist for mum’s with attitude, which contains fruity top notes of apple, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon and mandarin. Middle notes include jasmine, lily of the valley, raspberry, strawberry and tropical fruits, with base notes of caramel, Kashmir fusion, musk and vanilla product.

£20 and under

Glossworks Nail Polish in Pink Champagne, £12, available from Love Lula.

The Champagne Pink colour is a perfect pink, which is professionally formulated. It is a high coverage shade with a volumising gel like texture, and gorgeous glossy finish that does not fade, ideal for a busy mum. Glossworks nail polishes are vegan, and not tested on animals, they are also 9-free (no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP, camphor, paraben, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, or lead).

Lavera Powerful Lashes Mascara, £14.90 (13ml), available from Lavera UK.

Help to give Mum’s lashes the wow-factor with Lavera Mascara Powerful Lashes. The multi-effect organic black mascara curls, lengthens, and adds volume and definition to eyelashes. The innovative mascara brush perfectly coats the individual lashes as well as giving them a slight curl. The Powerful Lashes Mascara includes organic shea butter to care and look after your mum’s lovely lashes.

£40 and under

FRANZ Premium Active Ingredients Dual Mask System, £24 (for 2), available from Tonic15.

This mask is an innovative two-step skincare solution to increase efficacy and target skin concerns more effectively. The first layer is infused with a blend of active ingredients, perfect for mum’s skin including; ceramides, hyaluronic acid and peptides, which work on replenishing the skin at a cellular level. The second layer activates the micro-currents, which then allows the ingredients to penetrate the skin far more effectively, resulting in more apparent results and an increased absorption.

SEKSY Elegance, £35 (50ml), available online from SEKSY Beauty.

An exotic lavishly sophisticated and elegant blend for your mum, opening with a burst of bergamot, mandarin, champaca leaves and trailing into a floral heart of jasmine, rose, sweet pea, violet and sugared orchid entering the enchantment of an amaranth wood, blackberry musk and plum base. The scent is encased in a unique precious bottle bejewelled with a stunning Swarovski crystal.

Time Bomb Flashback Night Cream, £37 (45ml), available from both QVC and online via Time Bomb Co.

Skin is optimally receptive when the body is at rest, which makes night-time the best time to launch an anti-ageing attack and Time Bomb Flashback Night Cream is the ideal weapon. This super-rich moisturiser forms a light shea butter and rice bran waxy barrier that locks in a slew of nourishing, hydrating actives: phytolipids, antioxidants, hyaluronic acids, and vitamins that nourish skin so it can better produce natural collagen and elastin. Your mum will wake up with a complexion that looks remarkably fuller, lifted, smoother, dewy and visibly rejuvenated.

Over £40

MINTD Box, £70 (monthly or bi-monthly subscription), available from Mintdbox.

If luxury is what your mum is used to then luxury is what she will get. The MINTD Box is a subscription service beauty box that can be ordered monthly or bi-monthly to arrive at mum’s door. The box is tailored to whatever your mum’s preference, and each month the box will contain 4-5 deluxe sized luxury beauty products from brands such as Neom, SHOW Beauty, Oskia, Su-Man, Argentum Apothecary, Ila Spa, African Botanics, Aromatherapy Associates, Tom Daxon, Patchology, Skin Laundry and many other high end luxury brands.

Beauty January 11, 2019

#CocoBeauty: 7 Must Dos for January Skin Rejuvenation

We are all looking for something comforting, relaxing, and chilled out to do this January, whether it’s to stay at home in front of the fire, or to book into a spa for the day, or just have a night watching box sets and eating a bowl of pasta. It can be the simplest of things that help us to relax, things that don’t cost the earth such as a hot bubble bath, a Sunday morning in bed, midnight raiding of the fridge, seeing friends in the pub for a drink after work, or nipping to your mum’s for a home cooked roast, whatever the reason and whatever your preference that’s what January is all about.

#TeamCoco are into all aspects of rejuvenation from our minds to our bodies, we are all about the January rejuvenation process, and the wonderful team at Beauty Flash have given us some top tips on how to rejuvenate our skin throughout these colder months of January and February, which will also help our skin to recover from the excesses of Christmas and New Year parties.

We’d like to thank Lisa de-la Plain, co-founder and professional beauty therapist at Beauty Flash for offering her knowledge about skincare and how to keep it glowing, healthy and fresh this winter.

Keep it dark
Chocolate is everywhere during the festive season; from advent calendars to desserts and selection boxes, it’s hard to avoid it. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy it in the new year, just opt for the dark stuff instead. Dark chocolate is a skin-friendly ingredient, high in antioxidants, which helps protect your skin from free radical damage.

New research has also shown eating a square of dark chocolate a day can relieve emotional stress. It’s the high quantity of antioxidants called flavanols, which are responsible for these positive effects.

Another way to protect your skin from the festive over-indulgence is by selecting an antioxidant mist for a daily spritz.

Healthy fats
While avocado is the perfect addition to a weekend brunch, it’s also great for the skin. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E, avocadoes are a nutrition firework just waiting to explode!

Many creams and serums include avocado oil in their formulas to enrich the skin with these vital nutrients too, they can repair and soothe dry skin during the night so you wake up to perfectly smooth and supple skin.

Ring the bell
Red and yellow bell peppers are one of the best sources of vitamin C, which boosts collagen production, keeping skin firm and strong.

Look out for Vitamin C serums, which help trigger collagen synthesis, which also increase the skin’s elasticity as well as improving texture and brightening the complexion.

Sunshine in a bottle
The seeds of the sun-worshipping sunflower help to promote glowing, youthful skin. Rich in vitamin E, sunflower seeds reduce the risk of inflammatory skin conditions while encouraging smooth, soft skin.

If, however, eating a cupful of sunflower seeds doesn’t tickle your fancy, look for beauty essentials containing Sunflower oil instead, as they can help prevent the first signs of ageing and correct fine lines and wrinkles.

Green with envy
When it comes to skincare, you should be in a committed relationship with green tea: a superstar ingredient. The antioxidants in green tea eliminate dark circles, treat puffy eyes and have anti-aging properties. Green tea is also rich in catechins, which are antimicrobial and get rid of acne-causing bacteria.

Apply a body oil that boasts green tea for a luxurious way to enjoy the benefits on your skin, as it’s likely to leave the skin intensively hydrated, firmer and more supple.

Power of protein
Soy has numerous health benefits, which include lowering cholesterol and enhancing cognitive function. The health benefits of soy, however, are not just limited to nutrition. Often used in cosmetics, soy protein is known to moisturise and condition the skin, while minimising skin roughness.

Using moisturising treatments with soy protein will do just the trick, as it uses the phytoestrogens from soybeans, to hydrate, exfoliate and reverse the signs of premature ageing.

Plant the seed
Moringa seeds contain a special fatty acid composition that is exceptionally high in oleic acid, making these seeds highly sought after for their beneficial health properties.

If you’re keen to give moringa a try why not consider a lightweight, yet hydrating moisturiser, which has moringa oil to smooth, balance and soothe the skin with its skin rejuvenating and anti-inflammatory properties.

Huge thanks to Lisa de-la Plain for putting together this excellent list of 7 top tips to rejuvenating the skin this January. For more information about Beauty Flash and where you can purchase a number of skincare products that relate to each of the above top tips, search online for BeautyFlash.co.uk.

Beauty August 2, 2018

#CocoBeauty: Liquid Yoga

Well, this is different! What an exciting product to reach the market place, and #TeamCoco are all over it.

Liquid Yoga stress-free space spray is an instant mood changer to help calm, reduce anxiety and help focus. A way to create your own peace of mind with a single spritz of this amazing blend of powerful essential oils (also great at secretly diffusing family tiffs ☺). It can be used to spritz your pillow, pulse points and all places where you need a little moment of instant stress-free zen.

This lovely little product calms busy minds and reduces anxiety, and it smells amazing. It helps alleviate insomnia and tension headaches, but it does come with a warning……it may cause relaxation and happiness!

Ingredients include lavandin, mentha arvensis, cypress, cistus landaniferus, lavender, lemon, chamomile, and mandarin all of which assist with self-esteem, confidence, hope, mental strength, wellbeing, calmness, and alertness. What more does one need in life than this list of essential oils, especially if it produces a relaxed, calm, and rebalanced state of mind.

Priced at £19.50 for 150ml, available from Mio Skincare online, or from Space NK, and The Body Studio at Selfridges.

Hotels & Spas June 20, 2018

International Yoga Day

Tomorrow, Thursday 21st June is International Yoga Day and we are all over it like a yogi-master. Team Coco adore yoga and all that it brings with it in both wellness and a healthy life-balance.

Check out these ‘amaze’ yoga resorts across India, we are smitten.

With the beginnings of yoga believed to have been developed in Northern India over 5,000 years ago, India has long been a dream destination for yogis all over the world. Year after year, thousands flock to the motherland of yoga to experience the array of ashrams and courses on offer.

But with so much on offer, it can be difficult to make the right choice. Here, Jet Airways’ cabin crew member and fully-fledged yogi and certified yoga teacher, Pooja Chaturvedi, shares her top yoga retreat picks, from world-famous retreats to the lesser known, boutique secret finds.

1. The Yoga House, Mumbai
Why it’s great? A modern, bright and welcoming space in the lively Mumbai neighbourhood of Bandra, which seeks to link traditional Indian knowledge and practice with a contemporary health-conscious lifestyle.
Insider tip: A yoga studio run in conjunction with a health food café; try the Signature Tofu Brown Rice – it’s divine!

2. Kaivalyadhama Ashram, Lonavala, Maharashtra
Why it’s great? One of the oldest and most comprehensive centres of yoga research, teaching, and learning in the world. Kaivalyadhama is where you should go if you are serious about your practice.
Insider tip: If you are an animal lover, this is the place for you. The big and beautiful campus spreads across 180 acres of parkland and includes a wide variety of birds, butterflies and a few friendly dogs too.

3. Purple Valley, Assagao, Goa
Why it’s great? This popular retreat in a beautiful location specialises in Ashtanga yoga and offers a range of courses of varying durations and ability levels.
Insider tip: Their world-famous YouTube channel is one of the best sources for the Ashtanga practice, so if you can’t make it over to Goa you can still practise in your living room.

4. Little Cove Yoga Holiday Retreat, Cola Beach, Goa
Why it’s great? A breath-taking beach-front yoga resort set under the coconut palm trees on Cola Beach in South Goa, India where you can enhance your yoga stay with massages and meditation sessions on the beach.
Insider tip: Vegan or gluten-free? The staff here will cater to you with organic vegetarian Indian meals, as well as offering complimentary cooking classes for all guests.

5. Phool Chatti, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Why it’s great? Phool Chatti Ashram is situated in the north of India along the banks of the Ganges in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. Set in stunning gardens and surrounded by mountains, the name “phoolchatti” means “land of flowers”.
Insider tip: With a breath-taking location right on the banks of the river, don’t miss the opportunity to swim in the cool, refreshing river waters.

6. Yoga at Ananda, Himalayas
Why it’s great? An award-winning luxury destination spa resort situated at the Himalayan foothills in Northern India. Through a mixture of personalised yoga sessions and sensual spa treatments, this is a place to strengthen and stretch your muscles with seven and fourteen-day stays.
Insider tip: As well as yoga, guests can enjoy a host of activities during their stay. For an unforgettable experience, adrenaline junkies should check out the white-water rafting on the Ganges.

7. Yoga at Atmantan Wellness Resort, Sahyadri mountains
Why it’s great? Located in a stunning valley overlooking mountains and lakes, this retreat is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the Mumbai streets. The programme is suitable for both beginners and current yogi enthusiasts.
Insider tip: Don’t miss your initial consultation on arrival because this will decide your tailored wellness programme during your stay. This means you get the treatment that you need, as opposed to getting the treatment you think you need – a common mistake.

8. Soul & Surf, Kerala
Why it’s great? This laid-back surf and yoga hotel on a cliff top overlooking Golden Beach in Varkala opens from October to May for a relaxed programme of surf lessons and guided yoga practice.
Insider tip: Anil’s tuk tuk is a fantastic experience and will allow you to explore colourful Kerala, visit temples, climb lighthouses, drink chai tea, sail on the back waters and get all those Insta-grammable pictures you’re looking for.

9. Shreyas Retreat in Bengaluru, Karnataka
Why it’s great? One of the best luxury yoga retreats in India located in Bangalore offering yoga & spiritual meditation.
Insider tip: If you stay at Shreyas, guest care is an absolute priority. You will be greeted with an abundance of flowers and sent off with a small gift to remember your experience.

10. Mysore Krishnamachar Yoga Shala, Mysore, Karnataka
Why it’s great? Mysore Krishnamacharr Yoga Shala is dedicated to teaching all aspects of yoga.Located in central Mysore, the school offers a private space in which to practice yoga with accommodation to stay nearby.
Insider tip: The small class sizes provide an intimate experience, guaranteed to help you feel the full benefit of Guruji’s teachings.

Search Jet Airways online to find out more about flights to and from India for your yoga retreat.

Fitness May 13, 2018

Girl Bosses of Great Britain: Taking Ownership of Your Goals with Natali Cohen

Here at House of Coco, we are all about women empowering other women; and this is what GirlBoss Natali Cohen has achieved with her coaching venture – Zestfulness. After spending twelve years of her life as a personal trainer, Natali transformed her passion for fitness into a business that helps women realise their goals — both in fitness and in life. With Zestfulness, Natali Cohen encourages Ownership of your Goals with Natali Cohen, empowering women to take charge of their aspirations and lead fulfilling lives.

According to Natali, Zestfulness is all about teaching people to know their worth. Today, women are often plagued with a barrage of expectations — from having the perfect body, perfect career, and even the perfect family life. By setting these expectations aside, Natali helps her clients take ownership of their lives through the balance of mind and body, enthusiasm, and weekly achievable goals. All this makes Zestfulness a program that helps people tear down the barriers to their own success — and Natali Cohen, a GirlBoss we can all get behind.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start Zestfulness?

I have always been passionate about fitness. I started my career as a personal trainer, and for 12 years I thoroughly enjoyed helping my clients achieve their fitness goals. During this time, I began to learn more about the importance of the mind as well as the body in enabling you to achieve your goals. Two years ago, this learning curve inspired me to start Zestfulness. The aim was to empower my clients by helping them to find their inner zing.

What is the essence of Zestfulness? Could you talk us through your business philosophy?

Zestfulness is enthusiasm, excitement, and interest — the key ingredients to help people achieve their goals! The essence of Zestfulness is to “Know Your Worth,” as self-belief is the first step to achievement. My philosophy is to have precise and achievable weekly goals written down that I can take action on. I try not to have an enormous to-do list, as I find this overwhelming and unproductive. Another philosophy I try to live by is to practice being flexible. We all know that life doesn’t always go to plan, so acknowledging this and always moving forward is essential to achieving your ultimate goal.

How does the Zestfulness program help people achieve their goals?

Zestfulness is about allowing people to take ownership. It is a very personal process, therefore I never tell a client what to do. Each Zestfulness program is unique to the client. We focus on strategies and working on any barriers which have been holding them back. It is inspiring to see how quickly after the session, clients are taking action and making things happen. It does help that there is Zestfulness homework as this is when goals are achieved.

Ownership of your Goals with Natali Cohen

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

My biggest challenge was the stigma people have about having a life coach; and the misconception that there must be something “wrong” with people if they need a coach. There was an image that I would make clients meditate for hours on end, go vegan, and hug trees. Slowly, people became less dubious and I had to explain that Zestfulness is only about what a client wants to do — and not what I think they should do. They will only hug trees if they want to.

What’s next for you and Zestfulness? Are there any new exciting projects in the pipeline?

The next step for Zestfulness is to continue to spread the “know your worth” message, which initially inspired me to launch the brand. I would like to enable more people to experience this way of thinking. The most rewarding part of my job has always been seeing the results — whether that be in terms of fitness or in the mind. When clients gain the realisation that they CAN do something which they previously had a barrier up against, is the best feeling. There are many exciting projects in the pipeline over the next few months all of which will focus on spreading the Zestfulness mantra.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

My advice is to stop waiting for the right time to start something. As an entrepreneur, you will have many highs and lows. It is extremely important that on those low days, you keep your end goal in sight and remember why you started. It can be scary, but it is worth it in the long term. My main advice is that some people will not see your vision and you will hear the word no a lot! It is important to surround yourself with people that encourage and support you, and don’t waste precious energy on those that do not see your vision.