PARNELL WINTER WELLNESS
YOUR HOLISTIC GUIDE TO STAYING WELL THIS WINTER
Winter is notorious for its bugs and viruses and it can feel harder to stay healthy in the colder, darker and wetter months. How can you give you and your family your best shot at staying well this winter? We’ve asked experts from all over Parnell, covering a range of industries for a holistic approach to winter wellness. Whether you’re after herbal remedies, a better night’s sleep, or even tips for your pet, Parnell’s wellness sector has you covered!
AYURVEDIC PRACTICES
If you’ve never heard of ayurveda, you’re probably unaware of the many benefits that this ancient practice holds. One of the oldest whole-body healing systems in the world, ayurvedic medicine originated in South Asia, and is still widely practiced in modern-day India and Nepal. The ayurvedic approach isn’t about quick or cosmetic solutions; rather, the guiding ethos is to help people feel in control of their health and support their physical energy, feeling their best from the inside out.
We are fortunate to have Australasia’s most experienced ayurvedic practitioner here in Parnell—Dr Ajit Singh, founding director of Ayurda Wellness Centre. After migrating from India with his wife, Rippan, Ajit’s passion for the ancient science of ayurveda persevered, leading him to establish ayurvedic medicine in New Zealand. He began his own clinic in 1996 with a vision to spread the principles and lifestyle of ayurveda to New Zealand, sharing the knowledge that was so intrinsic to his way of life with others. Ajit has been supporting clients to achieve wellness through consultations and teaching for over 30 years. He is highly respected for his logical ayurvedic interpretation and his ability to correlate ayurvedic principles with Western medicine. With the support of his wife and children, his clinic has evolved into a wellness centre encompassing health consultations, therapeutic massage treatments, natural herbal supplements, and skincare, offering a truly holistic, individually tailored approach to wellness.
PET WELLNESS
It’s not just humans who need to stay healthy during winter—our pets also need some care!
Dr Justine Alley is a veterinarian of 23 years and co-owner of The Strand Vet. Growing up in South Africa, she made the big leap to Aotearoa in 2008, working in several practices before finding her happy place with her business partner Dr Megan Alderson at The Strand Vet—a bespoke clinic, whose goal is to step into pet-owners’ shoes for an individual approach to their pets’ health and wellbeing.
COMBINING PLANT-BASED MEDICINES WITH TRADITIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS
You don’t have to choose between herbal remedies and modern medicine—in fact, both can work together to help you stay at your healthiest. This is the goal of Rumi Apothecary, blending ancient wisdom with modern expertise and offering a curated selection of organic herbal teas, medicinal oils, and botanical treasures.
Rumi Apothecary was co-founded by Professor Ali Seyfoddin, a Professor of Bio-Pharmaceutics at Auckland University of Technology whose research focuses on designing more efficient delivery systems for natural drug molecules with recent emphasis on medicinal cannabis and plant-based medicines.
In addition to his academic pursuits, you’ll find Ali at this holistic health centre in the heart of Parnell. With a background in community pharmacy, Ali is passionate about providing holistic health solutions to the community and beyond.
HEALTHY SLEEP
We all know the importance of getting a good night sleep, but how do we achieve this in practical ways? And how does the age of your mattress affect your sleep?
Comfi Sleep co-founder Vicki Eriksen is on a mission to help Kiwis sleep better, and it all starts with one question: How old is your mattress? If it is anything older than 10 years, you will not be getting the quality sleep you deserve!
Quality of sleep is a huge part of enjoying a healthy life, and Vicki’s insights will help you get the healthy sleep you need this winter.
CONNECT WITH NATURAL LIGHT
Winter is known for its shorter days and reduced sunlight hours, but have you ever thought about how this might affect your health? Luci Harrison runs Parnell reformer pilates studios Balance Bloom Pilates, and she has some great tips for getting the right kind of light that you need.
Luci advises adjusting your sleep cycle to better match winter’s daylight hours. By shifting your bedtime earlier and starting your day with exposure to natural light, you will better regulate your body’s internal clock and sets the tone for the day ahead.
She also advises minimising night-time exposure to electronic devices that emit blue light, such as smartphones and computers. Blue light can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep. Instead, engage in relaxing activities that promote restful sleep like reading a book or meditation.
MOVE YOUR BODY
As a sports physiotherapist and pilates instructor at Sports Physio NZ, Tanya Browne knows how important it is to keep yourself active in the winter months!
You could embrace the colder season and take up a winter sport, with targeted exercises and stretches to help keep you in shape.
Exercise doesn’t have to be formal—the world is your gym! Indoor workouts, dancing, pilates, housework and gardening can all be part of your fitness and wellbeing.
WARM DOWN YOUR MUSCLES
Warming up is essential before any workout, but did you know that warming down is also essential for avoiding injuries? That’s Simon Keepa’s top tip—and as the Director of PhysioAction, he knows all about preventing muscle injury.
Exercise puts your body through a number of stresses where muscles and other soft tissue can become damaged. Going through a thorough warm down will help the body to return to its pre-exercise level and lessen tissue damage that naturally occurs with exercise.
Focus in particular on dynamically stretching out the muscles you’ve targeted during your session. This will help your body to recover and repair after your workout and it will prevent sore muscles.
STAY HYDRATED
As the temperature cools and you start to sweat less, you may not feel as thirsty as you do during the peak of the summer heat. But this doesn’t mean you’re not at risk of dehydration, warns Sam Ivil, owner of Reform Fitness Parnell.
Though the sun and temperature pose less of a risk in winter, the dry air indoors and the wind outside can both dehydrate you quickly.
This is why it’s so important to drink plenty of water this winter, especially when you’re exercising or moving your body.
HARMONISE WITH THE SEASON
Winter can be enjoyed by everyone if we live, eat, and exercise according to the season while paying attention to our body’s preferences. Margaux Loyer is a qualified neuromuscular therapist at Top Notch Bodyworks with additional training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and she has some top tips for harmonising with the winter season.
Winter signifies the essence of Yin (in contrast to the yang energy of Summer), encouraging us to embrace stillness, introspection, and conservation. Winter is a time to slow down, rest, and revitalise our body’s energy, which is why some animals hibernate in winter.
Embracing winter’s energy means slowing down, prioritising self-care, and engaging in activities that nourish our body and spirit such as quiet time for writing, meditating, reading, Tai chi, Qigong, and yoga practices. Eating warm nourishing food such as stews, and bone broth are particularly helpful at this time of year to keep us warm and give our digestion a rest.
