Get summer ready with BodyRe
Words Milly Nolan
Tucked away amidst serene surroundings, BodyRe in Matakana is home to a collective of practitioners, each of whom share a common goal: helping clients become pain free and balanced in strength and agility, so they can live a vibrant, healthy life. We speak to each practitioner for their inside tips on how to look and feel your best this coming summer, through nutrition, movement, and the right mindset.
Michelle Tree
BodyRe Founder, Lymphatic Drainage Therapist and Personal Trainer
To feed my soul and my sense of wellbeing I always start my day at dawn, waking to the birds and the sun. I then flush my mouth with water, clean my tongue with a tongue scraper, and have a cup or two of warm water with 1tsp of Daily Organics apple cider vinegar. I try to take the next 15-20 minutes for my own morning practice, whether it is a gentle stretch, a brisk walk or a yoga session. I consciously try to connect my breath to whatever movement I am able to fit into that timeframe. This sets my mind up for the day (like a foundational building block) so that I remain calm throughout and plan my nutritious food for the day ahead.
Jessie Love
Reformer Pilates Instructor
Find an exercise or movement you enjoy. For me, that is Reformer Pilates. I love that it's a great workout but you also simultaneously improve your mobility and flexibility, as well as build strength. So find your thing, whether it is yoga, pilates, surfing, weights, gym classes - it doesn’t matter, as long as it makes you feel good. And then start, don’t make excuses. It is also super important to make your movement of choice part of your routine and weekly schedule. If you want to see results, commitment is key with any kind of fitness.
Ali Wilford
Registered Naturopath and Medical Herbalist
I like to begin the day with a glass of water, at least 500ml and I aim for at least 2.4L per day. For a nourishing fibre rich breakfast I enjoy overnight oats with chia, fresh fruit, seeds, and yoghurt. I always aim for around 30g of protein per meal as this helps reduce snacking, keeps my energy and metabolism up sustainably, and is also key for weight management. In summer, I love eating salads with extra virgin olive oil, which is incredibly anti-inflammatory. Lastly, I aim to create space for at least 40 minutes per day to reset and rebalance the nervous system - my preference is a mindful walk along the beach.
Vicky McMath
Remedial Massage Therapist and Lymphatic Drainage Therapist
From the first signs of spring my energy levels seem to increase daily and even the thought of summer and what it brings is mentally uplifting for me. With the extra daylight hours and better weather I like to start each day with an early morning walk. It’s important to soak up the natural sources of vitamin D through diet and getting outdoors as much as possible. I do Reformer Pilates classes at BodyRe twice a week and I also follow an at-home wall Pilates program, which I find very beneficial. In summer I always have my swimming togs and towel in the boot of my car so I can take a dip in the ocean after work.
Kimberley Wood
Fascial Therapist and Reformer Pilates Therapist
Breathe, move and drink water. Movement of any kind is just as valuable as exercise. Explore with different movements throughout your day - swing your arms, hang from a door frame, sit on the floor and play with getting up with no hands, walk backwards, brush your teeth with the opposite hand. This all encourages neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to change, reorganise, or grow neural networks. Challenge your nervous system with hot and cold therapy, a warm bath and cold shower, or the more extreme sauna and ice bath. Learn a new breath technique such as Wim Hof and Buteyko breathing, or find the time to be still and listen to the movement your breath creates in your body.
Ross Payne
Structural and Cranial Osteopath
Springtime is when we emerge from our wintering and often excitedly leap forth with enthusiasm and gusto. As a result, I often see a lot of people in spring with injuries from overdoing things like exercise or gardening. With the additional load that the approaching silly season brings people can become frazzled, stressed and overworked, both in their body and mind. Moderation should be your aim in springtime. Go easy and leave some fuel in the tank to enjoy the new year and summer fun.