In this issue of Channel Mag we have a focus on Mind, Body & Spirit – pertaining to our individual mental, physical, and emotional/spiritual health. After more than two years of challenges, looking after ourselves is more important than ever. When something is troubling us mentally or emotionally, we begin to manifest symptoms physically. This is when mind-body-spirit is out of balance. When your mind is at peace, you are more likely to be happier, kinder, and more grateful. Physically, you are relaxed and ready to take on whatever life throws your way. Strengthening the connection between the mind, body, and spirit takes effort. This month we put questions to four local people who assist with Shore people with their mental, physical, and emotional/spiritual health.
Bruce Davies is a Les Mills manager and trainer based in Takapuna. He spends his days helping people on their health and fitness journeys and motivating his clients to move and have fun while doing it. Bruce speaks to Channel Mag about the mental benefits of regular exercise along with the excitement among Les Mills members and staff about the club’s recent renovations and approaching the warmer months.
Channel Magazine: Tell us about Les Mills and how it helps people in the MIND, BODY & SPIRIT space?
Bruce Davies: One of our long-standing mantras at Les Mills has been to "Get New Zealanders moving". It's a well-known fact within the Les Mills community that the benefits of movement and exercise are substantial, with improvements in general health, fitness and longevity being just the tip of the iceberg. Your energy, motivation, productivity and mental clarity also improve as a result of varied and regular physical activity. But perhaps the most important benefit in our post-C`ovid lives is the undeniable value that healthy activity levels have on our mental wellbeing.
CM: It must be great to feel the release of the Covid 19 restrictions so things can get back to normal in your business sector?
BD: The change in energy and motivation in our members and around the gym has been amazing. First it was coming out of lock downs and the freedom to train again with friends and other members in our club was hugely motivating. Then when mask restrictions were dropped it felt like a huge weight had been lifted. The atmosphere in the club now is charging and we're looking forward to a great summer.
CM: What will the next two-threemonths up until Christmas bring for Les Mills Takapuna?
BD: There's plenty going on at Les Mills Takapuna. We have just launched our new group fitness programme "Shapes" that uses booty bands and sliders and functional training for tone and strength. The club has also completed major renovations in the group fitness studios with new air conditioning throughout and a brand-new Immersive Cycle Studio which makes doing our trip and virtual classes like going to the movies. Between now and Christmas, the main gym is also getting an upgrade. New floors and ceilings, a new sound system and lighting and... $100,000 of brand-new hammer strength equipment.
CM: If you had one bit of advice for our readers about self-improvement during these uncertain times, what would that be?
BD: Keep active, both physically and mentally! Your mind and your body need to be challenged in order for them to repair, grow and improve. Physically, try adding a weekend hike into your week of walking. Or, if you are more active, substitute one activity for another if you have been doing the same thing for ages. If you gym or CrossFit three times a week, try yoga or Pilates twice a week for a few months and then switch back. Choose things that are achievable and take your time to learn how to do them correctly before you add intensity. Just changing up your programme will make your body adapt. Mentally you can use the same approach: learn some breathing techniques to help focus your mind, three months later pick up a book on changing your habits or learn about Neuro Linguistic Programme (NLP) or any sort of personal development. Changing things up every few months keeps you engaged and on track. The change of season is a magic time to re-assess your interests.
CM: What excites you about the next 12 months for yourself and your business?
BD: Personally, I'm looking forward to the summer with my young family and good friends. The fishing looks good and the kids are into all sorts of activities so taking time out after a busy two years will be great. After that, I'm just hoping to settle back into a regular New Zealand way of life and next year’s Rugby World Cup. Business-wise, I feel like we are in for a big year ahead. We have a brand-new gym, brand-new equipment, new group fitness classes and as always, we have amazing people behind the scenes making things happen!
CM: What do you do when you take some ‘me time’ to ensure your wellness?
BD: That's an easy one for me, with my family. After 10 minutes of pain getting the kids off their devices, we get outside and spend time together on a walk, in the water or just in the garden. In my own time, I play field hockey and enjoy a cold beer afterward... I have to work off the exercise somehow!
CM: Complete the following… I love doing working on the Shore because…
BD: It's a beautiful place full of great people
Les Mills Takapuna – Top Floor, Shore City.
Visit: www.lesmills.co.nz
Terry Taylor is from Le Visage, a skin clinic in Milford specialising in the latest in advanced skin care. She runs it with her daughter, Sarah, and together they have more than 35 years’ experience in the New Zealand and International skincare industry. Terry says their treatments are designed to be tailored to the specific needs of their customers and that they provide the ultimate in professional skin therapy in a relaxed and caring environment. Terry speaks to Channel Mag about Le Visage’s bespoke skincare treatments and the importance of wearing SPF daily!
Channel Magazine: Tell us about your business and how it helps people in the MIND, BODY & SPIRIT space?
Terry Taylor: We’re a skin clinic focussed on helping people achieve their best skin by tailoring bespoke treatments addressing their concerns.
CM: It must be great to feel the release of the Covid 19 restrictions so things can get back to normal in your business sector?
TT: We’re enjoying the confidence clients have in coming to spend time with us, it’s been lovely.
CM: What will the next two-three months up until Christmas bring for your business?
TT: A good but busy time for us! Our clients always book months in advance so it’s exciting to look ahead and see an almost full diary already.
CM: If you had one bit of advice for our readers about self-improvement during these uncertain times, what would that be?
TT: Wear SPF everyday regardless of the weather! Your 60-year-old self-will thank you!
CM: What excites you about the next 12 months for yourself and your business?
TT: We like to keep up with the latest technology and our new laser machine arrived last month so we will be doing loads of rejuvenation before Christmas and it’s something our clients can look forward to.
CM: What do you do when you take some ‘me time’ to ensure your wellness?
TT: Time with family, long walks and beach days.
CM: Complete the following… I love doing working on the Shore because…
TT: I get to help clients transform how they look, which in turn transforms how they feel about themselves. It’s win win!
Le Visage – Level 1, 161 Kitchener Road, Milford, Auckland 0620. Phone 09 486 6880, Visit: www.levisage.co.nz or
Instagram: le_visage_skin_clinic
Jeneal Rohrback owns Frank Pilates, a Pilates studio in the heart of Devonport. After growing up in an athletic family and trying many forms of fitness, she knew she’d found her calling with Pilates. As well as Frank Pilates, Jeneal runs a successful advertising recruitment business and teaches a post grad creative advertising course. Jeneal talks to Channel Mag about her passion for wellness, connecting the brain with the bottom and why she loves operating her studio in Devonport.
Channel Mag: Tell us about your business and how it helps people in the MIND, BODY & SPIRIT space?
Jeneal Rohrback: There’s a lot of talk about mind, body, spirit, but people only have a vague idea about what it really means. At worst, it conjures up words like ‘hippy’ and ‘hog wash’. Call it what you like, I truly believe in it when I teach classical Pilates. One thing’s for sure, you’ll definitely need your wits (mind) about you to pull off some of the exercises I’ll throw at you. My initial focus with clients is on the mind and body, the spirit piece is an individual thing and usually comes later – when you find your willpower and drive. I specifically teach my clients to connect their mind to their muscles so that they can get to know their bodies, their strengths, misalignments, how to avoid injury, and function well into their twilight years without looking like Quasimodo. I often hear myself saying “connect your brain to your bottom”. People are always surprised by how much focus and mental agility you need to do Pilates. It’s the cognitively complex exercises like Pilates that make the difference. Joseph Pilates knew this and said, “Pilates is a complete coordination of the body, mind and spirit.”
CM: It must be great to feel the release of the Covid 19 restrictions so things can get back to normal in your business sector?
JR: Having the Covid restrictions lifted feels like a breath of fresh air, literally! Some of my newer clients are seeing my face for the first-time without a mask and not quite recognising me at first. They’re probably hoping that my unmasked version will be an easier instructor, no such luck! On the business side, we’ve lost momentum because of so many Covid interruptions so my main goal will be continuing my clients’ Pilates journey and getting them strong and fully fledged Pilates advocates so they can tell their friends about it.
CM: If you had one bit of advice for our readers about self-improvement during these uncertain times, what would that be?
JR: Laugh. Humour and having fun is one of my values in life and I bring that to my classes. It keeps things light on those grumpy days, plus using humour is the best way to learn new things.
CM: What do you do when you take some ‘me time’ to ensure your wellness?
JR: Sleep!
CM: Complete the following… I love doing working on the Shore because…
JR: I’ve lived on the Shore for 25 years and have got to know so many businesses and people. It’s my community and I feel a big urge to do my bit, to give back and help rebuild it after such a difficult few years with Covid. Whether that’s with Pilates or just a cup of coffee and a chat.
Visit Jeneal and the Frank team upstairs in the Devonport Arcade, 5-15 Victoria Rd, Devonport or email frankpilates@xtra.co.nz phone 021657821 www.frankpilates.co.nz
Cassie Tsai operates Massage Link in Browns Bay, a luxury Chinese massage spa that specialises in traditional treatments which relax and rejuvenate. Cassie talks to Channel Mag about the businesses recovery after the pandemic, the lead-up to Christmas and how she incorporates massage into her own mind, body and spirit habits.
Channel Magazine: Tell us about your business and how it helps people in the MIND, BODY & SPIRIT space?
Cassie Tsai: We're dedicated to creating a relaxing and calm environment, our well-trained massage therapists are specialists in what they do and our massage can be a great solution for stress relief and rejuvenation.
CM: It must be great to feel the release of the Covid 19 restrictions so things can get back to normal in your business sector?
CT: Yes, definitely. We're slowly recovering from the impacts of Covid 19. Our customers have been really supportive and can't wait to get back here again. We have enjoyed the support of the local community.
CM: What will the next two-three months up until Christmas bring for your business?
CT: I’m excited to announce a new promotion soon so keep an eye out; it’s just in time for the festive season.
CM: If you had one bit of advice for our readers about self-improvement during these uncertain times, what would that be?
CT: It would be to take a step back and re-evaluate what you really desire and your priorities.
CM: What excites you about the next 12 months for yourself and your business?
CT: Building our online audience and community is a focus, as well as participating in the local community. We love operating our business in Browns Bay.
CM: What do you do when you take some ‘me time’ to ensure your wellness?
CT: Massage of course!
Massage Link – 46 Clyde Road, Browns Bay.
Phone 09 218 9839, @massage_link
