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wellness

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Los Angeles is the epitome of what California is all about. The palm-tree lined boulevards of Beverly Hills, the colourful houses of Venice Beach, the art-deco buildings of DTLA, the glitzy shops on Melrose Place, are all parts of what make Los Angeles unique.

One thing about Los Angeles that really stands out, is their passion for health and wellness. Yoga on the beach, organic smoothies, and cold-pressed juices are all the rage in LA, and is probably one of the reasons they live such chilled-out, happy, and healthy lives (that and maybe the perpetually sunny weather too) Team Coco shoes you how to eat your way through LA – in the cleanest and greenest way possible with our top foodie picks in the City of Angels.

Best Girl
Located on the stunning art-deco building of the Ace Hotel DTLA, Best Girl is the perfect spot in the neighbourhood for a power lunch. Best Girl is named after the first film screened in their gothic Spanish theatre way back in 1927. The spectacular interiors serve as the perfect backdrop for their even more spectacular menu. Headed by the Michelin Star Chef Michael Cimarusti, who is known for championing sustainable seafood, Best Girl serves both fresh seasonal fare and also all the classics. Try out their Avocado “Alligator Pear” Toast – which is honestly one of the best Avocado Toasts you’ll have on the West Coast.

Love & Salt
Love & Salt is a fantastic low-key Manhattan Beach restaurant by Chef Michael Fiorelli. Their food philosophy is that food only needs two ingredients to be great — love & salt; and this philosophy can be tasted throughout their gorgeous Italian inspired menu. Their cozy atmosphere, and curated but approachable wine-list, make Love & Salt truly enjoyable culinary experience. No bells and whistles, just good, clean, well-made food. Try their Freehkilicious Salad, a five grain, five herb salad that became my instant favourite; and also the California Endive Salad. Yummy food — without all the empty calories!

Cafe Gratitude
Located on the super cool Venice Beach, Cafe Gratitude is all about serving earnestly good Vegan fare. Everything on the menu is named after a positive affirmation. The Kale Cesar said is called “Dazzling,” the Raw Pesto Kelp Noodles is called “Liberated” while the Daily Dessert Special is called “Remarkable”. You are then invited to order by saying; “I am Dazzling,” “I am Liberated” or “I am Remarkable” – so you leave Cafe Gratitude with both a happy tummy and a happy heart.

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If you are looking to shed stress, eat clean and chill out then retreat to the secluded, less commercial south side of Mauritius for a rejuvenating wellness break at Anantara Iko Resort. With powder white sandy beaches and lush tropical landscapes, guests seeking the ultimate wellness escape can take their foot of the gas, switch off and relax by taking full advantage of the three- and five-day wellness experiences.
This tranquil resort is located on the authentic, untouched southeast coast of the island which is a million miles away from the west coast where you’ll find back to back resorts and street vendors. Here the vibe is laid-back and serene, surrounded by the ocean and nature it’s the perfect place for weary travellers to unwind.

Inspired by nature, it has been designed to complement its stunning surroundings by using lots of natural, locally sourced materials around the property. Recycled stone, driftwood and water features set the calm tone and as soon as you arrive at Anantara you feel the pace of life slowing down.

The new wellness programmes use restorative Ayurveda treatments alongside local ingredients such as Tamarin salt from the village on the western coast and spices including turmeric and ginger. Self-healing, restoration, improved energy flow and calming rituals are the foundation of each wellness package, created with health and wellbeing conscientious travellers in mind.
The five-day wellness programme incorporates the following treatments:

Day 1:

Start the day with a traditional Tai Chi session to connect the body and mind. This moving meditation enhances muscular strength, joint flexibility, calms the senses and soothes the soul.
Supporting the actions and benefits of Tai Chi, a restorative 90-minute Ayurveda massage follows. Benefits of Ayurvedic massages include: improved blood circulation to help blood reach nerve endings, toning of muscles, calming the brain and body, lubricating and strengthening joints, increased mental alertness.

Day 2:

Known for its self-healing benefits, the touch therapy of Abhyanga massage aims to balance dosha types using oils mixed with herbs for maximum benefits which stimulate the nervous system, enhance coordination between sensory organs, while strengthening muscles. This massage supports healing, boosts energy, reduces recovery time after an injury, eases pain, and enhances relaxation, mood, and wellbeing.

Day 3:

The ancient self-healing practice of Qi Gong creates a calmness of the mind while powering the body with movements that improve joint flexibility and muscle strength. Qi Gong also supports balance and harmony within the body, improves digestion, and can be an effective treatment for insomnia and many other sleep disorders.

Day 4:

The Ayurvedic therapy Shirodhara, which is a Sanskrit word coming from shro (head) and dhara (flow), involves gently pouring herbal oils over the forehead. This is ideal for those with a vata-pitta imbalance as it can harmonise the body’s energy, awaken intuition, improve memory, support sleep, focus attention and improve concentration.

Day 5:

Round up the five-day programme with a choice of Tai Chi or Qi Gong to absorb and reinforce the full benefits of the wellness programme. Through moving meditation, you maximise the calming effects on the mind and physical benefits to the body.

Embrace the outstanding views of Le Chaland Beach and nourish your body with fresh, organic, vegan cuisine at Bon Manzer restaurant. This clean-eating restaurant will inject some joy and flavour into your palate. There’s an extensive offer of healthy dishes, all freshly prepared in front of you, using local, sustainable produce. Choose from wheat- and gluten-free options, as well as low-calorie wines, raw foods and nutritious smoothies and juices.

The stylish, contemporary, island-chic resort offers a range of activities outside of the programme so you can continue your wellness journey. Take a bike ride along the stunning, unspoilt coastline, soak up the sapphire hues of the ocean with a beach walk or if you‘d rather take some time out to relax then make the most of the hotel’s 30-metre ozone-based swimming pool, one of the many sustainability initiatives at the property.

Each of the 164 stylish rooms and suites are spacious and sophisticated with clean lines and minimal décor enhanced with a splash of ocean blue and wood making it feel relaxing and calm. Start your day taking in the views of the Indian Ocean or flourishing tropical gardens direct from your day bed on the balcony. Just 100m from the beach and with an array of facilities to help you dial it down a notch, Anantara is the ultimate chill out destination.
A room at Anantara Iko Mauritius starts from £335 per room per night on a half board basis. Wellness packages start at £330.
www.anantara.com/en/iko-mauritius

1 – START YOUR DAY THE RIGHT WAY

Are you running around like a headless chicken every morning, gulping down your coffee with no time to even breathe? If this is you, girl, you need to get yourself a morning routine!

If you start your day off in a manic environment, your mindset will most likely feel the same throughout, and that’s no fun for anyone, especially you.

Try to create the perfect morning and night routine. Whether you set your alarm that little bit earlier, have a shower the night before or take some time for a little meditation, start to create small changes which can help you achieve a more slower and peaceful morning.

2 – TREAT YOUR BODY WITH RESPECT

Your body is your home and it’s the only one you have, so treating it right is important. From your sleeping pattern to your eating habits, everything you do has an effect on your mind, body and health. Sure, you don’t have to become health-obsessed, but just being aware of how you’re feeling and making sure that you’re taking good care of yourself is a step in the right direction. For example, I’ve eaten 8 Mr Kipling cakes within the space of 10 minutes… I need to sort that out!

Sleep and eat well, stay hydrated, stretch your body, meditate and most importantly, breathe. Making changes like these has magical benefits!

3 – DON’T JUST DREAM, TAKE ACTION

Having a dream is great, but why just let it be simply that, a dream? Go and make it a reality! It’s so easy for us to sit there with our heads in our hands, staring into space, daydreaming about all the things we wish we could do, be or have when really, we should be actively pursuing.

Putting pen to paper and writing down your goals is effective. In a sense, it makes them more real and achievable. Go and grab yourself a notepad, start writing down all your desires, begin the journey and put everything into motion.

4 – USE YOUR PASSPORT

Travel is such an incredible opportunity in itself and it’s something which can nourish our minds, bodies and souls. Travel gives us the chance to explore, meet new people and discover, not only new places but things about ourselves. So many experiences are out there waiting to be experienced, and stepping out of what you know and seeing different parts of the globe is one of the most enriching adventures.

Don’t let your passport gather dust, use it!

5 – ACTIVELY PURSUE SELF LOVE

Sadly, self-love is something which takes a back seat far too often and should be a priority for us all. We live by times, dates and schedules, with places to go and people to see. Understandably, it’s easy to get caught up in the routine of life, forgetting to stop and focus on our inner selves.

Taking the time to check in with how you’re feeling is so important. Whether you have a spa day, movie night or take a walk by yourself, making the effort to spend time with you and you alone is vital. Make it your mission to take a moment to focus on your energy, and give yourself some well-deserved TLC. Make these positive changes for YOU and enjoy immersing yourself in pure love!

Whether you decide to follow one of these steps or all 5, live to be the best version of you there can be and enjoy making positive changes!

Here at House of Coco we are always on the lookout for stylish brands making an impact in the fashion industry. If you haven’t come across Asquith London yet I guarantee once this conscious fashion brand is on your radar, you’ll be spotting it regularly in your yoga class, on the school run and in your local coffee shop.

Founded by Alice Asquith in 2002, this yoga and activewear range combines high quality with style and best of all this ethical, eco-friendly brand is not just for the yoga mat, it can be styled for a more relaxed day look. Alice who was taught to ‘make and mend’ by her grandmother has always made her own clothing, when we meet at the Asquith Eco Summit, she is sporting a stylish floral jacket she made in her 20’s and it still looks chic and timeless on her. She greets me like an old friend and wants to know what I think of the brand. I’ve got to be honest, hands up, I hadn’t come across Asquith until recently. My yoga kit is mainly dominated by Nike staples and the odd piece of Lulu Lemon however I’ve a feeling this is about to change.

The new collection is a range of wearable staples, beautifully designed with soft, durable fabrics. It’s inspired by Alice’s love of Miami and its Art Deco buildings. Pops of blue and white are scattered throughout the pieces. Asquith’s style is classic yet flattering and multi-functional, you can easily take it outside the studio. I have to be honest, I live in my Asquith Harem pants and have my eye on their jumpsuit, ideal for travelling in.

The range features two core fabrics, Bamboo and Bambor (a natural performance fabric Alice developed and trademarked). Both are ethically made in a Global Organic Textile Standard approved factory in Turkey. Bamboo is an environmentally low-impact and sustainable fabric, it’s ideal for activewear as it’s breathable, naturally anti-bacterial and wicks moisture from the body to the exterior of the fabric so it can evaporate more easily. Asquith is always innovating and looking for ways to increase their sustainability taking cues from leading fashion brands; “Stella McCartney is leading the way when it comes to sustainable fashion, says Alice. She lives and breathes sustainability with her brand. And I love her use of modern, innovative fabrics and technology and focus on a more circular economy”.

It’s evident that Alice is on mission to produce stylish pieces that are made with love and you can feel that her new collection is a labour of love. Asquith is not just about the environment, its about the people. Alice regularly visits the factory in Turkey that makes her collection, run by a strong female matriarch character. “It’s like one big family, we lunch together, swap recipes and there’s a real sense of togetherness” she says.

Asquith is a brand that produces gorgeous clothes with a conscience. For more information on the collection visit www.asquithlondon.com

Ah, the dreaded Monday morning blues. We’ve all had them and what an absolute nuisance they are. Here are five ways to beat the Monday Blues.

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

The attitude you choose to have each morning does determine how your day will pan out.

Try to see Monday morning as a chance to work towards your dreams and goals. A new week is a new opportunity to discover, learn and hustle your way to what you want.

Rather than chasing the weekend and wishing the week away, use your time well by staying optimistic and productive while using your ambitions as fuel. Actively choose to get yourself out of the Monday slump and make your mindset a positive space.

Once you start to think this way and make the conscious decision to be a determined girl/guy boss, your view of Monday will change!

For insightful tips on maintaining your mental well-being, explore this post.

BODY CLOCK

If your body clock is an utter mess, you’re bound to feel tired and delirious, and there’s nothing worse than feeling this way on a Monday morning when you need to be on your A-game! Whether it’s putting down your phone an hour before bed, choosing water over caffeine or ditching the nighttime snacks, small changes like these could make all the difference to the quality of your sleep, resulting in you feeling much more ready and fabulous for a Monday.

Rather than scrolling through Instagram or watching God knows what on YouTube late at night (let’s be honest, it’s probably dancing cats or something ridiculous), run yourself a candle-lit bath, sip on a peppermint tea or delve deep into a book instead. A good amount of snooze time is crucial for a good mood!

CHANGE YOUR CAREER

When it comes to careers, people sometimes feel that due to age or certain circumstances, they have to settle for any old thing, which is so far from the truth!

If you’re unhappy in your job, why stay? You’re perfectly capable and allowed to hunt for something else which will satisfy you more. Our jobs take up the majority of our lives, so finding something which fuels us from the inside out and makes us feel content, driven and happy is REALLY important.

Making change is never negative and it’s never too late to start something new. Imagine how different Monday mornings would be if we all did something we love. With a bit of hard work and hustle, it’s perfectly doable.

DON’T LIVE FOR THE WEEKENDS

Getting excited for the weekends is something we all naturally do, and that’s okay, but why can’t we have a blast on the weekdays too? We all know that time is a precious thing, so why on earth do we wish it away and why do we feel that the real fun can only begin on a Friday night?

Rather than waiting for the weekend to roll around, try to live in the moment and make every day as exciting as it can be. You could arrange evening drinks with the girls, a pamper night for yourself or you could even get involved in some new hobbies, there’s plenty!

EAT BREAKFAST

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and making sure that our minds and bodies are prepared and ready for the morning ahead is key. Having a nibble in the early AM can help concentration and boost energy levels, all of which are pretty important for your morning routine. So whether you prepare a fruit salad, scramble some eggs or make a smoothie packed with goodness, don’t leave your tummy rumbling and start the day off right!

[Image source: https://www.instagram.com/gallery_legit/]

Our interviewee today, Camille, started her entrepreneurial journey how many of us do – working 9 to 5 (what a way to make a living). She knew she had a message and mission to share but was afraid to take the leap.

Since taking that leap, Camille has found the freedom that allows her to do great work with both Camille Marie Coaching and sister business Sacred Sensual Soul which focuses on human sexuality.

Camille, as you can imagine, is filled with great wisdom – so let’s get into it…

HOC: Great to meet you, Camille . You started your journey to being an entrepreneur while working 9-5, is that right?

Camille: You too! Yes, you’re right. I started toying with the idea of becoming an entrepreneur around the Summer of 2016. I knew I had a message and mission to share but I was scared to take the leap and go out on my own. I’d been struggling with loving the work I did at the agency I worked for, but hated having to answer to the bureaucracy of an employer and being required to work a set schedule while raising three little boys. I’ve never been one who has worked well with a set schedule and wanted more freedom.

Since 2008 I’ve worked in social services and found it frustrating to always be limited by policies and procedures that didn’t always fit every situation for the clients I worked with. I’m a very creative and innovative person and if I saw a way something could be done better and challenged it, I would often times hear the reply, “this is how it’s always been done and will continue to be done”. If upper management did agree that my recommended changes were reasonable, the policy or procedure in question would have to go to some type of human resources or quality control department to review and make changes themselves, who had limited knowledge of what they were even working with. It was so frustrating for me.

HOC: And where did you go from that point of frustration?

Camille: I started baby steps over the next year and a half by building my websites, getting my LLC and developing documents I would need to run my businesses. Sometime around Spring 2018 I was notified by my employer that they were shutting down the program I was a part of. I was offered a position in another department, but I knew I wanted to continue the work I had been doing, and that I could do it on my own. I saw it as a sign from the universe that it was go time; that was the push I needed to branch off and really launch.

In August 2018 Camille Marie Coaching, LLC officially opened. It was terrifying, and exhilarating. I’m not sure I would have done it, at least not that soon if I had not been laid off from the position I had. That was a huge lesson to me that the universe creates what looks like obstacles, but are really doors opening if we allow ourselves to get uncomfortable and move through it.

I launched my second business Sacred Sensual Soul shortly after. Initially, I was going to have them both under one business name but got market feedback in a soft launch that it was weird to people to have sex coaching and parent coaching under the same business, so split them up into two separate ones. They function completely separately although over time I’ve been getting moms I’ve worked with as a parent coach initially, who then become clients for sex coaching.

HOC: Such an amazing progression. How did you get your businesses off the ground, who were your first clients?

Camille: My first business, Camille Marie Coaching (CMC), LLC got a contract with Washington State’s Children’s Administration in August 2018 to teach evidence based parenting classes to parents involved with Child Protective Services. For this contract, we serve families who have lost custody of their children due to abuse or neglect and have been court ordered to attend parenting classes in attempts to regain custody of their children. At that same time CMC began offering the same classes to the public sector as well, both in person and online. The online classes have been awesome to launch because it allows parents from literally anywhere in the world connect with me and has allowed more families access because of the easy accessibility. I’ve also noticed that some people just engage better when they have that veil of the screen between you and them. It’s just the world we are in today with technology. My agency also started offering trainings to foster care agencies on topics related to children such as anxiety in children. Because I had been in the industry so long, word spread quickly that I had an agency offering these great parenting classes and trainings.

Soon after this, CMC started offering additional programming to support families who have children with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and Dysgraphia, as well as other diagnoses such as Anxiety, ADHD and Autism. Most of these children need specific accommodations in their school setting to be successful, and CMC works with the school staff to ensure that there is written documentation of the accommodations that child needs. CMC also helps come up with behaviour intervention techniques that will help the child thrive in school settings as well as at home.

HOC: What amazing work to be doing, but quite different from the work you do with Sacred Sensual Soul, as you mentioned…

Camille: I guess so! I’ve always been comfortable talking about and learning about human sexuality. In 2016 I started a Masters Program in Human Sexuality which gave me a lot of detail about female anatomy I had NO idea about.

It fascinated me that I had so little knowledge about my own body, ( didn’t even know what I didn’t know, until I knew!) and realized many other women were in the same boat. I took courses on communication in sexuality. I began to learn about what my turn on was. I studied almost obsessively about mind-body connection and became incredibly familiar with the philosophy of Tantra (which I use in my work with women) and the importance of mindfulness. I read all things divine goddess.

In the process I came across exercises and techniques to get more and more in touch with the body which in the process, led to a deep understanding that the body is a vessel to my own divine goddess. I also began coming up with my own techniques to connect mind, body and soul which was incredibly healing. Throughout this process I developed a knowing that if I could tap into that energy, it could be an endless source of vitality. I began sharing my ideas with friends, asking them to apply some of my concepts and exercises and had such good feedback!

That was when it became clear to me that I wanted to bring this information to other women as a practice. To help women heal, to feel empowered, to find their voice for their body, their temple, their needs, wants and desires. And so, Sacred Sensual Soul opened for clients the summer of 2018 as well. I have been working on an interactive workbook for women putting all of these ideas to paper, that I hope to one day publish.

HOC: It’s a very interesting topic and not one we hear too much about here in the UK.

Camille: I work with women to help undo any stigma they may have around their sexuality that may have been placed by society, religion, family messaging, or experiences with partners they’ve had. It’s astounding, and sad to me how many women have rejected their own feelings and desires due to conditioning from these sources. It’s astounding to me how much emphasis there is on the man’s needs, wants and desires, and yet women feel uncomfortable even being curious about, or asking for their own. When I work with women, I really try to help them feel comfortable with identifying things like figuring out what their turn on is; kink, intellectual conversation, romance, physical touch, quality time. This is so important for a woman to know, because it’s an example of how her desire matters, and this knowledge can then give them a voice to ask for what they need to actually want to, or look forward to intimacy with their partner.

I teach women how to identify what about intimacy they enjoy, (and how to speak up about what they don’t!) and to practice that so that the focus isn’t on orgasm alone. Through this process I give them tools to learn how to embrace, honour and get in touch with their body, so that they learn that mind-body connection IS their source of their sexuality and it doesn’t have to come from someone else. Often times I will give women homework of doing some of the exercises I was talking about before to learn to connect with their body. For example, teaching women how to do breast massage. I will encourage them to make it a part of a routine in their day, such as after getting out of the shower. I’ll suggest they use a lotion or oil that smells good to them so that it is another way they are intentionally serving themselves. This may sound trivial, or nonsensical. However, the breasts are a beautiful gift to women that can be honored as a piece of their femininity. Not only is breast massage a way to take a moment to slow down and serve your inner goddess, it circulates the lymphatic system, and can also provide self pleasure. For women who are not comfortable with their bodies, this simple exercise, with the intentions can be helpful with that. I love that it requires no one else.

A huge part of the shift towards empowerment that sex coaching gives women, is to learn how to communicate with their partners. It is not uncommon that many couples can have sex, but are uncomfortable communicating about it which can result often times in a woman’s needs/wants/desires to go unmet. I’ve found often times that when a woman opens up communication with her partner about these things to honor herself, he is more than happy to oblige.

I also help women learn to turn within for their own sexual gratification, and power. Rather than relying on what family thinks, or even their partner. This helps women to learn to connect with their inner goddess and let her guide how they show up each day. The book, Pussy, A Reclamation by Regena Thmashauer is a great resource for more information about that.

HOC: Being someone that has worked in a number of fields, how did you know that what you do now was right for you?

Camille: I’ve always loved working with families and children. Even before college, I worked at a preschool and loved babysitting as a teenager. I always knew I would work with youth in some way. When I learned about the parenting classes curriculum I knew it would be perfect fit for me and have done it for the past 11 years. It’s been easy for me to continue that work in my own business.

For the work with Sacred Sensual Soul, as I mentioned, I’ve always been fascinated by human sexuality and comfortable talking about it. When I had my spiritual awakening start in 2016, I noticed that I started to let go of what society around me had told me I “should” feel, act, dress and respond in regard to my sexuality. And when I say sexuality, I mean my inner goddess, my divine soul, my true nature…I wanted all of me to be in alignment instead of how I thought I “should” be. As I began to educate myself on female anatomy, female orgasm and pleasure, societal conditioning, the trauma women endure from suppressing their truth, it all came down to this innate piece in women needing to be seen and understood; their sexuality. Because it can be the powerhouse of every female.

I learned through my awakening how powerful it can be to have a deeper understanding of all of those things and harness the power that comes from knowledge about one’s self in this area. I knew it was a calling to share this information with other women. It was like I HAD to do it.

That purpose gets stronger the more women I work with and, the more I learn about the different journeys that bring so many women to the same space of just craving a deeper understanding and knowing about their bodies and sexuality. So many women think there’s something wrong with them and a little education and undoing of social conforming goes a really long way! I’m still working on my interactive workbook that I know will be so educational and moving.

HOC: Really fascinating businesses you run. We imagine that it’s not always been smooth sailing; what challenges have you had to overcome to build your business?

Camille: One challenge I’ve had in being such a small agency, is that I’ve had to learn to do a lot of things that are not strengths of mine. If something is not a strength of mine, I tend to put off taking care of it which can have negative impacts.

To overcome this, I’ve really learned to hone in on what I can delegate to others, so things don’t pile up. I’ve hired an accountant to handle my billing and now have a virtual assistant to manage things that are just not in my wheelhouse.

At first it was hard for me to do, asking others to do things for me. But I’ve learned that it allows more creative space for me, and gives me the time and freedom to focus on what I am good at and can grow my businesses more. These investments have been tremendously helpful so that I don’t get bogged down on details that I’m not good at.

Another challenge I’ve had is that I’m a mom to 3 little boys who is driven by her career, and also doesn’t want to miss a moment of my children’s life. I have to constantly be weighing each day. This is where time blocking is helpful.

HOC: Great advice! For our readers looking to start out on their own, what would you say?

Camille: Know that it’s scary in the beginning. And you WILL get resistance. Lean into it. Don’t let the challenges convince you that it means you’re not doing what your soul knows is right for you. If you have passion burning inside of you for something, if you have an idea, you have the ability. The universe wouldn’t give you the idea if you couldn’t do it.

Don’t listen to the nay-sayers. There will always be someone who will try to convince you otherwise.

It is helpful to write out exactly what you want. Refer out work that is not in your wheelhouse as soon as you can, however you can, so that those things you suck at and put off don’t slow you down. Do this by hiring people, or if you can’t afford that yet, do a trade or find a high school or college student who will do it for low cost.

HOC: You have such an energy, where do you get your inspiration from?

Camille: I get my inspiration from women in my everyday life who are examples to me of shining their light. For example, my natural path doctor, Dr. Kellie Lawler who is fierce and knows how to be soft, and give tough love at the same time is an inspiration to me. Or my friend Michelle Green who is an empath, and amazing mother, is an inspiration to me.

There’s also my son’s 3rd grade teacher who embraced the challenges he put in front of her with love, is an inspiration to me. My mom, who always sees beauty in nature is an inspiration to me. My grandmother who was always good to everyone is an inspiration to me. And finally, my cousin Lysa who is always standing her ground is an inspiration to me.

I also get inspiration from nature. I always find peace, and inspiration in nature. I plan quarterly “mommycations” where I find a cabin in the mountains and go for a weekend, typically by myself to just connect with nature and unwind.

HOC: And finally, how do you get yourself out of a creative funk?

Camille: I tend to get in a funk when I have too much going on in my life and can’t get my head clear. When this happens I’ll look at my schedule and usually see I’ve gotten a bit sloppy about time blocking and will then work on making that a priority again.

I’ve learned that for me it is crucial that I have time in the morning to work out, meditate and be calm before I get my day going. Days that I start off like this are my most productive.

I think it’s important for someone to know when they do best with getting their creative juices flowing. For some people, it’s in the AM, and for others, it’s in the PM. I do best with creativity in the evening after my kids have gone to bed, with a glass of wine. I think this works best for me because I know that I have no time constraints and it’s a peaceful time in my home.

Find out more about Camille’s work at CamilleMarieCoaching.com and SacredSensualSoul.com

Holidays are no longer all about excess food, drink and sleep. Health and well-being are high on the traveller agenda, as bookings for wellness experiences soar. According to TripAdvisor’s Experiences Trends Report, global traveller bookings for wellness experiences jumped 69% year-over year as holidaymakers are looking for an all-round healthy break.

The Amare Beach Hotel Marbella is the perfect place to stay for a wellness weekend. They combine an amazing spa, good food and fitness making it the ideal destination for keeping active as well as unwinding. You can design your break to be as active or relaxing as you want. Team Coco opted for a combination of both.

Start your day on a chilled vibe with beach yoga. Guided by Amare teacher, Soledad Jimenez Mateos, this class is aimed at all abilities. Set on the harbour at the front of the hotel you loosen up as you’re taken through some gentle stretching, gradually moving into downward dog and warrior pose. The advantage of doing yoga by the sea is that you breathe in clean air, feel the gentle morning sun on your face and the sea breeze in your hair. The sound of the waves gently crashing on the harbour wall create a real zen moment and I quickly switched off from any busy thoughts just concentrating on the slow, rhythmic movements of my body. Afterwards I recommend you head to the hotel patio to soak up the gorgeous beach views and refuel with a healthy, fresh breakfast buffet.

If you are looking for something a little more adventurous than yoga, then canyoning in nearby Benahavis will get your adrenaline pumping. Travel through the foothills of the mountains and experience unspoiled beauty. The canyons are made up of a series of beautiful rock passages carved and sculpted by water over millions of years. There is a mix of activity including swimming, jumping and abseiling using ropes cascading down white water chutes.

Canyoning was a bit too much for me so I decided to take it down a notch and experience some of the best views of the Costa Del Sol with a hike high up into the Andalusian mountains. There’s a number of trails you can take depending on how far you want to go. This experience is a must for those that enjoy nature and want to experience a perspective of Marbella that few often see. My guide collects me early in the morning and drives up towards the Sierra Blanca. It’s a clear day, the sun is shining so I’m guaranteed some epic views. I opted for the two-hour hike starting at Juanar and heading towards La Concha. The route loops round and takes in olive groves, walnut and pine trees and halfway in we are joined by a wild goat. As we hike further towards the top of the mountain the viewpoints get even better. On a clear day you can see the North African coastline and Gibraltar.

The fresh air and brisk hike left me with an appetite, so I made my way to Amare Beach Lounge for an al fresco lunch. Set on the beach, with a casual Mediterranean vibe the menu includes some tasty tapas staples as well as fresh salads and poke bowls. I went for a selection of traditional Andalusian tapas and a glass of Albarino.

All the hiking gave me a perfect excuse to hit the hotel spa and ease any aching muscles. The spa menu is centred around mind, body and spirit. It features some real treats like the Balance Concept Ritual, which combines an innovative therapy and massage to combat stress. I highly recommend the Sleep Ritual Massage, using essential oils and a range of holistic, calming and relaxing movements your mind and body instantly feel soothed and peaceful, perfect for the end of all long day.

If you are looking for a wellness break in the sunshine, then the Amare Beach Hotel is the perfect spot, reached in just two and a half hours from the UK, with daytime temperatures exceeding 20 degrees from April to October.

Team Coco travelled to Marbella courtesy of Amare Beach Hotel Marbella. For more information visit www.amarehotels.com

Set at the foot of the Himalayas, overlooking the spiritual Ganges river, world renowned wellness retreat Ananda is the ideal destination to discover the ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest wellbeing philosophies, originally developed in India over 5,000 years ago this holistic mind-body health system is based on the body having the correct balance of nature’s basic elements – earth, wind, fire, water and air.

By understanding our bodies more and making some small adjustments to diet and lifestyle, wellness experts believe it can help manage everything from stress, weight through to the menopause.
Team Coco got to spend some time with Ayurveda Physician, Dr Matthew to find out more about the practise. Dr Matthew, told us “Ayurveda focuses on providing specific advice and guidance on how to maintain physical and emotional health. In Ayurveda, every individual is unique and there is no diet or lifestyle routine that works for everyone”.

The practice is based on the principles of three doshas: Vata – space and air, Pitta – fire and water and Kapha – earth and water. “Doshas are the energies that make up every individual, which perform different physiological functions in the body. ‘Prakruti’ recognises that each of us is born with a unique combination of doshas, and that this is responsible for the mental, physical and emotional differences between us” explains Dr Matthew.

Pitta types literally have more fire in them than other people, so can be hot headed, aggressive and impatient, as well as being intelligent and sharp. The Pitta dosha controls digestion, metabolism and energy production. The primary function of Pitta is transformation.

Vata governs movement in the body, the activities of the nervous system, and influences thoughts and feelings. Vata types tend to always be on the go, with a fast, energetic and creative mind. As long as the Vata is in balance, they’ll be lively and enthusiastic.

Kapha governs the structure of the body. It is the principle that holds the cells together and forms the muscle, fat, bone and provides immunity. The primary function of Kapha is protection.
Kaphas are affectionate and forgiving.

After a consultation with Dr Matthew he confirmed my prominent doshas were Pitta and Vata (there are lots of questionnaires online if you want to find out more about your dosha type). To keep my doshas in balance I was given some small lifestyle tweaks and changes to my diet. The practice is focussed on listening to your body and recognising the changes so you can adjust your lifestyle to attain optimum wellness.

At Ananda there are number of retreat programmes which are tailor made for guests’ individual dosha and health goals. At the retreat they first establish your dosha balance then ensure your programme and diet reflects it.

Ananda’s Stress Management programme supports a well-balanced, healthy life by reducing stress and relaxing the mind. There’s a customised holistic programme of Ayurveda, Yoga, Tibetan and International experiences with Reiki Healing. The whole programme is designed to provide tranquillity to the stressed body and mind and to bring back the natural rhythm of the psychosomatic system.

If you feel like you’ve lost your mojo and need to reset then the Ayurvedic Rejuvenation programme will help you restore vitality to the body by eliminating toxins through traditional Panchakarma treatments and by enhancing the body’s immunity through a combination of Ayurvedic treatments, body type based diet and Yoga. The programme includes stimulating and purifying therapies, daily Yoga and Meditation and dosha-specific Ayurvedic diet to help reduce stress, improve health and address common ailments or simply delay the aging process.

Beyond the retreat you can indulge in mountain treks, guided nature walks and white water rafting. All of the wellness programmes follow a holistic approach towards achieving the best results in a safe, nurturing atmosphere expertly guided by a team of expert Ayurvedic doctors, skilled therapists, nutritionists, yogis and spa cuisine chefs.
For more information on the retreats at Ananda visit www.anandaspa.com
Ayurvedic Physician, Dr. Shijoe Mathew is Ayurvedic Consultant at The Circle, Brighton.

2020 is the year of MICRO – Making Incremental Changes to Reconnect Ourselves

A new year and decade welcome the opportunity to evaluate our wellness and identify new ways of boosting our mind, body and spirit. The wellness industry is booming and is set to continue trending well into 2020 as it’s no longer seen as a niche market. People are looking for ways to be their ‘best self’ and want simple techniques to incorporate wellness into their daily routines.

The last decade has been all about going hard and fast with the rise of HIIT and restrictive diets like Keto. But 2020 sees a shift in direction, with an increasing trend towards technology and personal experiences to enhance both our physical and emotional state. Global technology leader, Huawei, in partnership with trend intelligence experts, Stylus, has identified the most exciting wellness trend for the new decade – MICRO – Making Incremental Changes to Reconnect Ourselves.

This new approach to wellness focuses on making small, smart and simple adjustments to lifestyles with the help of the latest tech.

In 2020, hard core fitness regimes will be shunned for a softer and more holistic approach to wellness activities, underpinned by wearable technology to track vital statistics and audio experiences.

MICRO has been identified at a time when the complexities of balancing work and life, as well as the pressure to succeed, has caused increased millennial fatigue and burnout [1]. With new activities like HIIPA, mobile-meditation, micro-dosed nature, sound-baths and recovery-focused studios opening around Europe, it’s clear that a cultural shift towards wellbeing is on the horizon.

Those at the forefront of this wellness revolution are adopting a #GoMICRO way-of-life. Dr Frank Lipman, a pioneer and specialist in functional and integrative medicine, known for his celebrity clientele including, Gwyneth Paltrow, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Arianna Huffington said: “HUAWEI has identified a shift away from the one-size-fits-all approach to wellness – which does not take our individual needs into account. The MICRO trend promotes a bespoke manageable regime that utilises technology and supports a desire for simple, integrated activities that produce real results.”

I like the sound of MICRO, mainly because it appears easy to stick to. I find that when we set ourselves big wellness changes they’re harder to sustain but because this trend encourages small and easy changes that weald big results you’re less likely to give up. MICRO is definitely the way forward for me.

To find out more about the MICRO trend and the drivers behind it head to https//consumer.huawei.com/uk/

[1] In May 2019, the World Health Organisation added burnout to its International Classification of Diseases – meaning that as of 2020, it will become a globally recognised occupational phenomenon.

Inspired by one of the greatest explorers of the 19th century, Heinrich Barth is a brand that is all about the authenticity and adventure. What started as a small boutique in a Greek Taverna, became a fully fledged beauty brand, dedicated to recreating scent memories of your favourite destination.

Its founder, #Bossboy Vladimir Trisic, is all about authenticity as well. Looking away from fake luxuries, and instead highlighting cruelty-free, natural, and high quality Made-in-Italy products. Their new Destination Line is all about creating ‘liquid souvenirs’ of your favourite destinations, whether that is ‘Mykonos’ in the beginning of summer, or ‘Dakar’ which exemplifies the beautiful chaos of spring.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start Heinrich Barth?

It all started as a spinoff of aprevious business which was a beach taverna on a Greek Island. Places like that always had their own boutique, but for our boutique we did not want (nor have the space) to do that or to sell brands so we decided to make our own. After spending all day on the beach, our clients would take a shower to wash away salt using our products. They liked it so much, they kept asking us about it – and so this is how it all started.

How has the explorer Heinrich Barth, inspired the ethos of your brand?

Heinrich Barth really inspired us a lot. He was curious, optimistic and eager to learn. He was also fluent in several languages ( I speak 5!). During his travels, he adapted and learned to live with less, and only with the necessities. Maybe something we should do in today’s world, which is overflowing with fake luxury and unnecessary stuff.

How important is the Made-in-Italy label to your brand? Could you tell us more about your Destination Line?

For me, the Made-in-Italy label is a symbol of quality. I am really not happy with some obnoxious brands that charge a surreal amount of money for a t-shirt that is made in a country where price of that t-shirt is worth a year’s salary. All of those brands with names of dead people( not of designers who are actually alive) could make their products at home and still be very profitable.

As for Destination Lines, we all have our favourite places where we like to go. Whether that is some place on the sea side, or a cabin hut in the mountain, it is a place that we know well and will always happy to be go back to. It could even be a place that we would like to visit but haven’t had the chance to yet. It could also be that we discover new place. We use a certain scents in order to recreate the memory of those kinds of places, sort of like aLiquid souvenir. Numbers represent months: so 07 Mykonos is July which is a very nice time to be on the island especially in the beginning when days are long, not to crowded, and not too hot. 04 Dakar is for April when everything becomes hectic as preparation for art Biennale is in full force, and plenty of people coming and going.

Destination lines represent places that we like to visit or where we used to live or go frequently. We’ve lived in Mykonos for 20 years, Dakar is where a friend of us ended up following some cultural project. Now she is there with two babies, a baby boy and baby girl. There w ill be more in the future, because these products will always be connected with our personal voyage. Basically there should be 12 of them, which is the same as thenumber of months in a year.

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

When you start something new everything is a challenge. Plus we moved to Berlin which is a completely new dimension: language, habits, mentality, but all that just add more quality on the end. You get more experienced, mature.

What advice do you have for other Boss boys just starting out?

You will make mistakes and mistakes equal money so be careful. Social media is not a religion nor is it the answer to everything. Choose carefully with whom you are collaborate with, because all of the sudden you will have a lot of people giving you advice ( and often not for free). Be prudent with all of these geniuses in marketing, advertising, and what not. Only you know what you want.

WWW.HEINRICH-BARTH.COM