Aprivé Wellness Blog
Aprivé Wellness goes to Crown Spa
Melbourne's Ultimate Indulgence: Crown Towers Aqua Retreat
Do you ever crave a mental health day, but need more than an hour-long massage? Melbourne's Crown Casino is infamous, but the Crown Towers' Aqua Retreat deserves its own fame too. Instead of rushing through a treatment at a day spa, treat yourself by booking a day at the Aqua Retreat.
I spent a day here with my sister, and we were both so impressed with the luxury and affordability of the spa facility service, we couldn't believe we hadn't done it sooner!
Spa Review: Why Crown Spa is the Epitome of Wellness
A Gym with a View
After paying to use the spa's facilities, you can head to the gym for a workout. The cardio equipment has the best view in the house, looking out over the Grecian-style lap pool, complete with towering columns. These architectural elements conjure memories of the stunning Venetian hotel in Vegas.
Aqua Retreat - Hammam & Vitality Pool
Let go, and let the whirling waters of the Vitality Pool warm you from the inside out, relaxing every muscle in your body. The rushing water gently massages you, stimulating blood flow to your muscles, preparing you for the relaxing still waters of the hammam.
Image: Crown Melbourne
Steam Room and Swiss Shower
Lie down and relax in the luscious steam room. Built to cater to even the busiest days, there's plenty of room for multiple guests, and silence is recommended by the staff. Lie down on the mosaic tiled benches, and breathe deeply as your pores are cleansed naturally. Wash off the excess moisture in the Swiss Shower as you swap your bikini for your Crown robe, and prepare to unwind in much-appreciated silence.
Crown Spa Lounge
Not the drawcard for many, but one of my favourite elements of the spa was the modern yet private lounge. Beautiful chaises are separated by a curtain, allowing you to sit and read your favourite book or the magazines provided while you sip the complimentary herbal tea. After the warmth and comfort of the Aqua Retreat, this is the perfect time for you to take a moment for yourself, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Try not to fall asleep!
Image: Crown Melbourne
At any time throughout your day of relaxation, you can book a facial or massage treatment, but it's nice to know you don't have to if you just wish to relax in your own time.
Using A Spa's Facilities - The New Day Spa Experience
Like many other wellness fans, I love day spas, particularly those in hotels, and this is one of my favourites. Paying to use the facilities of a spa is a new service many luxury spas are offering, a service that affords you a full day to pamper yourself, clear your mind, and treat yourself to a time out. It's also a fun activity to do with friends or family, and as the men's and womens' facilities are separate, it can give you and your partner both an indulgent yet individual day of relaxation.
Image: Crown Melbourne
Check in soon for another spa feature on my favourite spas from around the world!
Aprivé Wellness writes for Live the Process
Changing the Gluten-Free Mindset
Aprivé Wellness was asked to write for Live the Process about gluten-free living. Live the Process is an online activewear store with an inspiring, motivational blog, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. Their emphasis on living well is exactly in line with Aprivé Wellness' ethos, and this post outlines how to live well with a positive mindset when you're diet is constrained to being gluten-free.
Living gluten-free can leave you feeling isolated and excluded, but it doesn't have to. By changing your mindset; you can be stop substituting your old favourites with new gluten-free versions, and explore all the new, exciting menu options of your diet. A positive change in mindset can be the key in enjoying being gluten-free, rather considering it a burden.
"1. Remember: Gluten-Free Living Is Healthy
Gluten has no business in some foods, but it’s used to “pad out” the product. For instance, wheat is used in most commercial soy sauces, yet traditional soy sauce contains no wheat at all. By cutting out sauces and foods that use gluten to water down the genuine ingredients, you’re consuming food without extra additives.
Still, keep in mind that cheap gluten-free products are often more refined than their wheat-y counterparts. Don’t grab something because the label says “gluten-free.” Check for quality. From experience I can tell you that cheap gluten-free bread is awful, and cheap gluten-free cereal is packed full of sugar. So, make sure to choose good, quality products."
Which Health & Wellness Articles Should you Trust?
Health and wellness is now a multi-trillion dollar industry, so everyone is jumping on board. With many unknown companies dishing out health advice to the masses, it’s hard to know who to trust. As a Physiotherapist and personal trainer, I’ve heard the crazy myths and recommendations some of these wellness writers share, ranging from odd to dangerous. These journalists are wonderful writers, but when you’re seeking out health, fitness and wellness advice, here’s how to determine if it’s from a trusted source.
1. Real health and wellness links & sources
A safe and accurate article with recommendations should have links to journal articles, or be written by a registered health professional with industry knowledge and experience. Trusted journals will be found on Google scholar, and include titles like BJSM (British Journal of Sports Medicine) and the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
2. PAIR online advice WITH an in-person consultation
Each article, even if it’s written by a health professional, should recommend you see a trained professional in addition to its recommendation.
For example: If you’re reading an article on calf pain and its soul recommendation is a massage, you should definitely be cautious. If you calf pain is originating from a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) a massage could be incredibly dangerous and even fatal. Always see a health professional in addition to reading any article.
3. Genuine Statistics
Have you ever read a health statistic that says 19 out of 20 people find…A study group of 20 people is miniscule, and advising people to behave in accordance with the results of a study including twenty people is ill-advised. If you’re taking the advice of an article that cites statics, check that they’re reliable and valid enough to influence your behaviour.
4. No Ultimatums
Health, fitness and wellness all depend on the body, and each and every one of us is different. No article should recommend you must 100% adhere to their guidelines for a certain outcome unless it’s been proven over and over again in evidence-based studies.
Eg. 'Don’t stretch before running because it causes injuries' vs. 'Don’t smoke because it will cause cancer.'
It’s clear which one of these ultimatums has been proven over and over again (For more information on how to stretch check out my newest guest post for Fitfluential)
The internet is full of health and wellness advice thanks to articles, social media and the ever-popular hashtag: #fitspo. Before you launch into a program of lunges to rehabilitate your knee pain (ouch!) check the legitimacy of your source, who wrote it and where they found their information.
Whether you’re enquiring about weight loss, rehabilitation, injury, training techniques or training plans, always see a health professional in-person for a reliable recommendation in conjunction with anything you read online.
How to Stretch
Fitfluential Guest Post: 10 things you need to know about stretching
Aprivé Wellness was asked to write for international Fitness portal Fitfluential about the best ways to stretch. There's so much confusion about stretching, and everyone's yoga instructor, personal trainer and physio seem to recommend a different method. I wanted to dispel the myths, so I examined the newest evidence on stretching to answer the 10 most common questions my patients have asked me about this important pre and post exercise practice.
1.) Why do we stretch before sport?
To prevent injury and prepare for the activity you’re about to do. Stretching to increase flexibility and stretch connective tissue like in Bikram yoga and yin yoga is a different style of stretching.
2.) What is static stretching?
Static stretching is when you hold a stretch position without moving for around 30 seconds eg. Reaching toward your foot for a hamstring stretch.
Fitness Inspiration via Aprivé Wellness
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Physio & Pilates Guest Post for Fitness in the City
Safe exercises to say goodbye to low back pain forever
Australian fitness and health blog Fitness in the City asked for an article about safe ways to get rid of back pain, so I incorporated physio and Pilates information into a handy article:
"Did you know Low Back Pain is the most common musculoskeletal health problem in the Western World? Here’s the best new though: It’s preventable, and easily treated. All you need is commitment and you can say ‘good riddance’ to your back pain for good!"
*Please remember though, see a doctor or physiotherapist before doing any exercise programmes for your low back pain.