The People of Hopewood - Meet Val

Meet Val

Val has studied spiritual healing and yoga, qualifying as both a Hatha Yoga and an Ashtanga Yoga teacher. Val is also a qualified staff trainer, has qualified in Hypnotherapy and Time Line Therapy and is a Master Practitioner of NLP. With 20 years experience in the health industry, Val incorporates all her wide variety of knowledge into the various interesting and insightful workshops and counselling and stress management sessions which she facilitates at Hopewood.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?

20 years

Tell us a little bit about your role/job at Hopewood?

I teach yoga, meditation and relaxation.  I also do stress management, visualisation and life coaching sessions.

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?

Everything!  Interacting with staff and guests is my favourite part of every day.  I love being a part of such a wonderful retreat and I love taking advantage of all the healthy food that John cooks!

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?

I think it is important to aim for creating balance in my life.  All of the advice that I give guests, I use myself.  I always try to “walk my talk” by living a healthy lifestyle.

What is your favourite memory of Hopewood?

I always enjoy facilitating staff training.  It is so rewarding to teach our new employees and watch them grow.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?

Love greatly, laugh a lot and keep in mind that life is short and precious.

Which massage is best for me?

Massage is a great way to unwind and relax both mind and body, it can also help prevent or reduce the symptoms of allergies and muscular ailments. But how do you know which one is best for you? There are many different massage styles to suit different need and not all massages are suitable for everyone. Below is a little explanation of the massage treatments offered at Hopewood Health Retreat, to help you decide which is best for you.

Reflexology is primarily done on the feet and is a great massage for those who love a foot massage whilst also providing an insight into what else may be happening with the body.

Seaweed/mud wrap and massage is great for weight loss and aches and pains.  The seaweed and mineral mud work to detox the muscles and body before you are indulged with a massage.

Hot Stone Massage works with volcanic stones. These warm stones are then massaged into the belly of tired sore aching muscles providing the body with a deeper form of relaxation.

Reiki is a Japanese technique of energetic healing for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by the "placing of hands" on the 12 major energy centres on the body. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. This is not a typical massage. Practitioners will place their hands on the recipient in various positions to transfer energy, sometimes using a non-touch technique.

Aromatherapy is an indulgent full body massage uses essential oils that are tailored to your individual needs.

Lymphatic Drainage massage is a very light touch that works on the lymph system to help detox the body. It is great for people who are tired, exhausted, trying to lose weight or anyone who would like to feel better.

Relaxation Massage is all about pure relaxation and is a great start to any stay.

Musclease massage works deeper into the muscles to help with any problems and is great for acute pain.

Shiatsu is a pressure point massage on the body and is fantastic for acute or immediate pain. It is done with clothes on and most clients feel an immediate difference. Pressure is applied to meridians to stimulate the flow of energy. It increases the flow of the nervous and circulatory systems; increases flexibility and immunity; helps to alleviate insomnia; aids digestion and excretion of body wastes and toxins. Best done on mattress on floor but can be done on massage table.

Deluxe Massage is strictly tailored to you. It includes some relaxation massage and some deeper muscle work. It can be adapted to whatever your needs are.

More questions?  Don’t hesitate to ask our staff when making your next spa booking.


By Kelli Ferguson, Beauty and Massage Therapist at Hopewood Health Retreat

10 Easy Exercises For the Busy Person

Are you trying to be more active but do not have time to have a proper workout or go to the gym?  If that is the case, we can help you out with a few tips for exercising, without really exercising!

1. One of the most natural ways to get a workout without noticing is probably laughing. Get together with a group of friends and head over to a comedy club.  By the end of the night your abs will be aching.
   
2. Are you one of those people who will wait ages for the elevator to arrive? Perhaps take the stairs instead.  Taking the stairs can be faster than waiting and riding the elevator.
   
3. Keep active at your desk.    When you’re sitting in your chair try some breathing exercises and easy aerobics.  For example, hold in your stomach and let it out.
   
4. Leg lifts are an even better aerobic to do from your chair at work.  It’s easy to do and your colleagues won’t look at you funny.
   
5. Buy a stress ball and squeeze it during work, while watching TV or even at school. This burn calories, relieves stress and improves your blood flow.
   
6. It’s always helpful to think of an alternative.  If your work is fairly close to you, instead of taking the bus all the way to the door step, hop off a few stops before and enjoy the fresh air.
   
7. Speaking of fresh air, if you have children or pets, spend some time outdoors.  Play some of their favourite games which will keep you running around.
   
8. Everyone’s home tends to get a bit messy and that may be your excuse to avoid going to the gym.  Although if you are doing a full thorough clean of your house, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning windows, all of these activities get your heart pumping!
   
9. Some people find gardening relaxing but it is also hard work.  Activities like this allow you to enjoy your hobbies and include some exercise outside.
   
10. Do you enjoy the nightlife? Grab dancing shoes because whether it is tango, salsa, hip hop or ballet, dancing uses all of your body parts and you get a great work out while having fun.

Finding time to exercise can be difficult especially after a long day of work when you just want to go home and sleep.  By switching up your daily routine just a tad, you will be able to add in fun, easy exercises.  You’ll be feeling less fatigued and more alive in no time!

The People of Hopewood - Meet Donna

The People of Hopewood: an ongoing blog series

Meet Donna

Donna assists Chef John Estival in the kitchen.  She oversees the preparation of the yummy soups, salads, and fruit platters that you see in the dining room.  Donna works hard to make sure that meals meet guests’ individual health needs.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?
16 years

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?
I love the healthy lifestyle that Hopewood encourages.  And I enjoy working in such a great team environment.  The supportive and caring staff at Hopewood are like family to me.

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?
I always try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and to exercise.  I’ve also found that laughter and being positive are invaluable to my health and wellbeing.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?
Pottering in your garden is great therapy!

Why You Should Avoid Too Much Caffeine

Many of us feel like we just aren’t human until we’ve had a cup of coffee in the morning.  But is all that caffeine really good for us?

Before you reach for that second cup of coffee, here’s what you should know about the possible health risks.

• Each person reacts differently to caffeine and we all have different tolerance levels.  Listen to what your body is telling you.
• Caffeine can cause gastro-intestinal problems, i.e., bloating, gut pain and flatulence.
• For others, caffeine can cause anxiety, irritability, heart palpitations and insomnia.
• Some people experience arrhythmia after drinking caffeine.  Therefore, if you have a heart condition, you should stay away from drinks that contain caffeine.
• Make sure you counteract the caffeine with a glass of water.  Caffeine is a diuretic and can cause increased urination and possible dehydration.  
• High levels of caffeine have been found to increase calcium excretion.  If you have a family history of osteoporosis, it’s good to avoid caffeine whenever possible.

If you find yourself craving a second cup of coffee during the day, there’s good reason.  The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant drug with addictive properties.  Have you ever missed your daily coffee?  Perhaps you felt irritable, couldn't concentrate or had a headache.  These are normal withdrawal symptoms.  If you decide to stop caffeine, do so slowly as these withdrawal symptoms can be hard to handle.  As you are slowly decreasing your caffeine intake, be sure to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and drink plenty of water.  Now is a great time to experiment with different types of tea.  Rooibus tea and green teas are flavourful and their low caffeine levels make them the perfect beverage.

By Jenny Colless-Buhn, Naturopath at Hopewood Health Retreat

The People of Hopewood - Meet Ann

The People of Hopewood: an ongoing blog series

Meet Ann

Ann is the Health Support Manager.  Ann works with all the staff at Hopewood—from the chef to naturopaths to the spa therapists—to make sure that the health needs of all guests and staff are met. She also administers hydrotherapy to Hopewood’s guests and, during her tenure at Hopewood, Ann has been named a NSW Employee of the Year Finalist.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?
24 years

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?
It is so wonderful to see our guests return time after time and saying Hopewood feels like “paradise.”

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?
I keep PawPaw in my bathroom cabinet and use it on everything.  PawPaw ointment has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and can be used on minor cuts and burns, including sunburns.  I also keep Manuka Honey in the kitchen.  Honey is great for colds, flu, sore throats, and wound healing.

What is your best piece of advice for healthy living?
Listen to your body.  And always keep your hands & feet warm!

The People of Hopewood - Meet Anet

The People of Hopewood: an ongoing blog series

Meet Anet

Anet is the Duty Manager for the Reception Staff at Hopewood.  She is responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of the reception team, reservations, and the bookshop.  Anet helps to ensure that guests have a pleasant arrival and a relaxing stay.

How long have you been working at Hopewood?
10+ years

What do you enjoy most about working at Hopewood?
I enjoy seeing the ‘butterfly transformation’ of our guests.  When they arrive they may be stressed and in need of a serious break or health kick, and it’s a joy to see them on departure when they are happy, relaxed and refreshed and ready to float away back into their world.

Do you have any tips for how you take care of your own personal health and wellbeing?

Water is your best friend, keep hydrated.

What is your favourite memory of Hopewood?
Honestly, there are too many to tell.  Working at Hopewood is not like ‘going to work.’  I could not count the number of times that guests have said to me over the years, “You are so lucky to work here.” This verifies for me that Hopewood is a wonderful place to be.  A place where memories are created every day.