We are cyclical beings, moving with the rhythms of nature at all times. 

Seasonally: at least four times a year; monthly: with the phases of the moon; and daily: with the rising and setting of the sun. Plus, the nuance of all these moving parts intertwining in between. So much is being taken care of without any of our effort. 

When we talk about our cycles, there is a tendency to hone in on females with a monthly bleed. Let’s pivot here and practice identifying with our own cycle - regardless of sex, pronouns, gender, age - but as human beings aligned with nature and the guiding force it provides us each and every moment of our precious lives. 

Learn how to synergise with the phases of the moon to identify your own cycle. Over the centuries poets, philosophers, and scholars have drawn parallels between the two, suggesting that they might be connected. The potential synergy between the lunar cycles and menses (or lack thereof) provides structure as well as comfort for many of us craving a more distinct rhythm to align with. 

There are four phases of the menstrual cycle, and during each, we can nourish our bodies with particular foods and movement to complement our needs, energy levels, and emotions. Please know that if you bleed or if you don’t, for whatever reason, this information can still apply to you. 

+ Cruciferous vegetables to support the liver

+ Fibre from whole foods to help flush excess toxins out of the body

+ Consume more calories daily to maintain stable blood sugar, which helps balance insulin 

+ Add in more unrefined carbohydrates to increase nutrient density 

+ Adequate calories to counteract low levels of energy

+ Plenty of good quality protein and healthy fats which will help with energy production

+ Seafood or mineral-rich seaweed to replenish mineral levels in your body

Nutrition and movement to complement each phase of the menstrual cycle, from Holistic Functional Nutritionist and Yoga Teacher Raj Barker. 

Nutrition and movement to complement each phase of the menstrual cycle, from Holistic Functional Nutritionist and Yoga Teacher Raj Barker

Syncing With Your Cycle

A cycle saviour. Rebalance. A loving aromatic embrace when we most need it.
 <meta charset="utf-8">A supportive blend of 100% pure Orange, Lavender, Geranium, Cypress, Jasmine and Rose essential oils, traditionally used in aromatherapy for the relief of symptoms associated with pre-menstrual tension and menopause, including mild mood swings and hot flushes, relief of menstrual cramps, mild anxiety symptoms, fatigue and sleeplessness.
 HOW TO USE START In Essence Essential Oil BlEND can be used for aromatic vaporisation in your diffuser, or as an addition to your chosen oil to be massaged into skin. 
 Vaporisation: add 6-9 drops (0.2mL-0.3mL) to the water in your diffuser. 
 Massage: add 6 drops (0.2mL) to a tablespoon of a carrier oil and massage into chest &amp; back. The mixture can be kept for 24 hours at room temperature.
 Adults only 
 Always read the label. Use only as directed Never apply neat to the skin unless directed Do not ingest without the advice of a registered clinician Keep bottles out of reach of children Avoid contact with eyes If symptoms persist, consult your health care professional HOW TO USE END
 INGREDIENTS START Orange (Citrus Sinensis) Fruit Peel, Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Herb Top Flowering, Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens) Leaves, Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale) Flower, Rose (Rosa x damascena) Flower INGREDIENTS END
 EDITORS NOTES START
 <meta charset="utf-8">In Essence are uncompromising in their commitment to sourcing the purest ingredients from their trusted farmers all over the world, from Australia to Italy, India to Madagascar, utilising the finest crop of the season.
 Using leading technology and the most advanced processes to extract essential oils from powerful plants, their products are distilled and cold-pressed in Australia.
 In Essence promise complete transparency in their sourcing model, to ensure the product in your bottle is only authentic, 100% pure unadulterated oil for therapeutic use.
 EDITORS NOTES END

Title

Balance Essential Oil Blend 10ml

Default Title

Good vibrations for the mind, body and soul.
 The In Essence Midnight Ultrasonic Diffuser disperses the aromatic properties of your chosen 100% pure In Essence Essential Oils throughout the air via a fine cool mist, creating a therapeutic ambience to enhance your mood, calm your mind, or to help you find balance and clarity.
 <meta charset="utf-8">Designed with ultrasonic wave technology, it works on the vibration of water rather than heat, ensuring it is the safest method for diffusion in any setting, such as while you sleep.
 Features include:
 7 LED light settings to help create your desired ambience
 <meta charset="utf-8">Intermittent and continuous mist options
 <meta charset="utf-8">Auto shut off when water runs out
 200ml water capacity
 EDITORS NOTES START
 The stylish monochromatic design of In Essence's Ultrasonic Diffuser makes it a versatile piece for function and beauty in your home, whether you make it a centrepiece of a sacred space for meditation, or a discreet addition to your bedside table.
 Pioneers for over 30 years in the essential oil industry, In Essence are dedicated to delivering holistic health and wellbeing solutions through the power of pure essential oils. They have designed their unique diffusion vessels to ensure you receive the optimum therapeutic benefits from their 100% pure essential oils.
 EDITORS NOTES END 
 HOW TO USE START Place on a flat surface in a safe and convenient position, out of reach of children. Remove the upper cover. Connect the AC adapter to the base of the DC socket. Add cool tap water to tank, do not fill beyond the max level mark. Add 6-9 drops of In Essence pure essential oils into the water in the tank (avoid chemical, synthetic oils as these will cause product to malfunction) Replace the cover of the main body. Press Mist button to turn on the diffuser. Press LED button to turn on the light for ambience. 
 Total Run Time: Up to 5 hours continuous mist. 
 Adults only Always read the label. Use only as directed Keep out of reach of children 
 For full instructions refer to the manual enclosed. 
 For full instructions please refer to the user manual. HOW TO USE END
 MATERIAL START Diffuser, Adapter MATERIAL END

Colour

Ultrasonic Diffuser

Black

Enjoy yoga, bikram, hot yoga, sweaty practice, pilates and general exercise on a beautifully printed mat with enhanced grip technology.
 Natural reversible rubber base with joint protection and unmatched support.
 Zero odour. No toxic smell.
 Free from silicone, toxic glue, and phthalates.
 Eco-friendly, biodegradable, recyclable and naturally antimicrobial.
 Water-based inks.
 Passed RoHS and Colour Fastness Testing.
 Machine washable (according to our care instructions), then hang to dry.
 Dimensions: 1780mm x 610mm, 3.5mm thick
 Weight: 2.5kg
 HOW TO USE START
 Before you use your Maat, spritz a touch of water across the surface to enhance grip.
 After use, wipe down with water or a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Alternatively, you can place it in a delicate machine wash in cold water.
 To ensure the longevity of your Maat, we recommend avoiding bleach and softeners and excessive heat or direct sunlight. 
 Air dry before rolling.
 HOW TO USE END
 MATERIAL START
 Natural tree rubber base + Recycled PET suede top
 MATERIAL END
 EDITORS NOTES START
 Australian owned and sustainably produced with natural tree rubber, Maat World yoga mats are both beautiful and consciously made.
 Maat refers to the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality and justice, and the goddess who personified them. Striving for a balanced life is the essence of youtime, and coming to the mat - whether it be in meditation, yoga, or higher intensity practice - is a vital element of this purpose.
 For every purchase, a tree is planted via non-profit reforestation charity One Tree Planted.
 Eco-friendly, biodegradable, recyclable and naturally antimicrobial, you can rest easy in this knowledge on your Maat World mat.
 EDITORS NOTES END

Le Dance Yoga Mat

Bala Bangles add a constant but comfortable 1lb (450g) resistance to your workout. Wildly versatile, they can be worn on wrists or ankles for training and recreational activities alike.
Fold laundry, shred your biceps, go for a walk or train your core. The world just became your gym.
Each set includes two bangles and a black carry case. 
Bala Bangles are made of the highest quality fitness materials – recycled stainless steel wrapped in baby-soft silicone.
EDITORS NOTES START
Fitness accessories can be functional and beautiful. Bala was founded on the belief that ‘design alone can inspire movement.’
The brand’s hero product, Bala Bangles weighted bands, enhance the results of just about any workout - and look gorgeous as they do so. 
EDITORS NOTES END

Weighted Bangles - 1Lb Sage

Sage

What if I were to tell you that you had a transformative skill, within you? 

Something that you can harness anywhere and in any moment.

Life is messy, always changing, and thus - uncertain. The very nature of our environment is to evolve, grow and expand. Despite these same principles being true of human beings (we are a part of nature after all), we love certainty. 

We seek familiarity in order to remain comfortable and in control. This innate drive towards safety and stability is at times in direct conflict with the way that life really is. But - take heart: We are also incredibly adaptive and far more capable than we give ourselves credit for. Sometimes all it takes is a little knowledge, mixed with a little practice, to help us feel calm amidst the storms.

With everything going on in the world, stress and anxiety are at an all time high. 

15% of Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress in 2020-21 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022). While managing our existential anxieties, we are also having to manage living in a culture with skewed values that cause many of us to feel overworked, undervalued and downright exhausted.

So, without getting too science-y on you, let’s take a moment to understand what happens in our bodies when we experience stress and anxiety. 

Stress is an adaptive mechanism that developed through evolution via our nervous systems (Grinde, 2016). The autonomic nervous system is split into two branches, the parasympathetic and sympathetic. When we perceive something as frightening, our sympathetic nervous system causes an automatic physical reaction that prepares our bodies to fight or flee (Waxenbaum et al., 2019). 

This response is particularly helpful when encountering a dangerous animal in the wild. The catch is (why does there always have to be a catch?), our minds don’t often know the difference between real threat and perceived threat. In a modern world filled with pressure, expectation and deadlines, we can see how this becomes a problem. 

When we are chasing our tails, afraid of our boss’ reaction, or panicking about a conversation that didn’t go to plan, our bodies respond in the same way they would in confronting a physical threat. Unfortunately, the fight flee response (or, the stress response) takes a massive toll on the body and when we spend too much time in this state, we suffer the consequences. This is what we call burnout.

Luckily, the intelligence of nature offers up a balanced solution. Coined the state of ‘rest and digest’, the parasympathetic nervous system is active when we are in our most natural resting state. This gives our body a chance to replenish, reserve energy and to regulate important bodily functions such as digestion and excretion. The goal, if you will, is to form a better relationship with our state of rest and digest.

The question becomes, how do we learn to break the cycle of the repetitive stress response, to give ourselves the best chance of optimal body function and greater health and wellbeing? 

The breath is the most direct gateway to the nervous system. 

Ever noticed the way that your breath shortens and sharpens when you’re stressed? By breathing slowly, in and out of the nose and deep into the belly, our bodies naturally calm down (Maher, 2021). 

The best part is, you’re always breathing - which means you can access this transformative tool anyplace, anytime. It’s simple and magical at the same time. The hardest part is remembering, which takes time and practice. 

Additionally, when we are focusing on our breath, we naturally become present. The breath is only ever happening in the moment. When we are completely in the moment, the mind loses its ability to worry about the future or ruminate on the past. 

Anxiety, at its core, is worrying about the things that are out of our control. By practising coming back to the breath when the mind is running wild, we start to rupture the cycles of anxiety. 

Even though life can be tricky, it’s also exciting and filled with so much joy. We’re so lucky to be a part of this intricate living web, we just need to remember how to navigate it. 

So, let me leave you with a simple practice that you can take with you as your recipe for calm, trusting that you will be better equipped to manage all of the storms.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, (2021). First insights from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/first-insights-national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing-2020-21 

Grinde, B. (2016). The Evolution of Consciousness. Springer, Cham.

Maher, S. (2021). The power of Breath. power.

Waxenbaum, J. A., Reddy, V., & Varacallo, M. (2019). Anatomy, autonomic nervous system.

Stress and anxiety about things out of our control are at an all time high. Here, Yoga teacher and Youtimer Zoe Klein shares a simple, yet transformative yogic breathing exercise to break the cycle of stress and calm the body and mind.

Yogic Breathing Exercise for Stress and Anxiety 

One of the most common issues in private practice is a loss of sexual desire for female identifying clients. 

Most clients worry they are alone, that this indicates a serious issue with their functioning, or that it’s a permanent loss. 

The good news is; it’s super common. In fact, it’s normal to see changes, and fluctuations in sexual response and function over your lifetime. 

So while it can be distressing for many, it’s a regular part of life in a human body. 

And unless there has been some kind of physiological damage, a loss of sexual desire is manageable. 

Before I give you practical strategies on how to manage sexual desire. It’s important to understand why it fluctuates. 

The system responsible for desire in your brain and body is called the Dual Control Model of desire. 

In your body you have a bunch of ‘stop’ and ‘go’ signals. When you’re thirsty, hungry, sleepy, and horny. 

But unlike the rest, sexual desire isn’t necessary for survival. So it won’t happen without context. For many of us context is not the priority when it comes to eating, drinking, and even sleeping (e.g. all those people who can nap anywhere). 

Desire works differently. Imagine that it works like a car. It has an accelerator, a brake pedal, and a handbrake. 

The accelerator is the ‘go’ signal your body gives for sexual desire when the context is right. This might be a clean room, soft lighting, someone sexy, good conversation, or affectionate touch. 

This is called your sexual excitation system (SES). When it recognises a sexy context, it hits the accelerator for sexual desire to occur. 

Your brake pedal works in the same way, but for the wrong contexts, or stressors. This might be dirty laundry on the floor, screaming children, worrying about STI’s, unwanted pregnancy, or a nagging partner. 

This is called your sexual inhibition system (SIS). When is recognises these un-sexy contexts, it hits the brake for sexual desire to stop. 

If these stressors are present, your handbrake will be up. Which means no matter how hard you put your foot on that accelerator, that car will only go so fast. It’s being slowed down significantly by stress. 

The last thing you need to know about the Dual Control Model of desire is that; everyone’s accelerators and brakes vary in sensitivity. 

Some people have touchy brakes, and stiff accelerators which will make sexual desire harder to experience. 

Some people have touchy accelerators and stiff brakes, which will make them resident hornbags. 

All of this is ‘normal’. That is to say, variability in function is the norm.

3 practical strategies for managing a loss of sexual desire

+  Complete a Sexual Temperament Questionnaire to find out what’s happening with your SIS and SES.

This will help you to understand whether you have touchy brakes or accelerators. 

With this information, you can validate that you’re not ‘broken’, you just have sensitive brakes, or a stiff accelerator. For some people it will take more for sexual desire to occur. And that’s okay!

+  Complete a sexy context worksheet to identify what contexts turn you on, and which ones turn you off. 

This will help you to understand what may assist in taking the pressure off the brakes, and putting pressure on the accelerator for sexual desire to flourish. With this worksheet, it can be helpful to identify tangible things that you or your partner can do to help this process. Be sure to share your results and discuss with partners. 

+. Manage your stress! The research shows that the number on thing hitting our brakes is stress. 

Complete a Stress Worksheet to understand the signals your body is giving you when it’s stressed, and identify tangible things that will help you process stress. 

Stress management looks different for everyone, but a combination of self-directed activity, and support from others is a good place to start. Remind your partner that if they help to reduce your stress, it benefits both of you. 

Desire is an intricate system influenced heavily by your context, and how you’re managing stress. 

It’s important to remember that if you have experienced a loss of sexual desire, it’s not that you’re broken or defective. It’s just that your context and stress management can improve. 

Your sexual response and function is supposed to fluctuate. So if you are stressed, and struggling to have sexy contexts, be gentle with yourself. 

Maybe being a sex goddess isn’t compatible with mum-life, so re-work what intimacy looks like considering the circumstances have changed. 

One of the most common issues sex therapist Aleksandra Trkulja sees in female identifying clients is a loss of sexual desire. If this is you, you're not alone. Here, we explain why desire fluctuates and how to manage a loss of libido.

Do you know the answer? Have you felt caught out by the question during sex? 

According to many of my sex therapy clients, the panic associated with this question is due to:

+ Being unable to communicate their needs, 

+ Know what their needs are in the first place. 

I am here to empower you with the sex-education you need to better understand how your sexual pleasure system works, how to foster sexual arousal, and two exercises to try to explore what you like. 

First, let’s understand the Sexual Pleasure System.

According to Emily Nagoski, author of ‘Come As You Are’, sexual pleasure is comprised of three components. 

These include, enjoying, expecting, and eagerness. These functions dictate how we process sexual, stressful, and emotional contexts.

The enjoying system is similar to how we understand rewards. It’s the “hell yes!” or “hell no!” mechanism in the brain. 

The enjoyment system manages your experience of sexual sensations.

The expecting system is the process of linking what’s happening now, with what should come next. 

The eagerness system fuels our desire to move toward something or away from things. When eagerness is activated within a sexual context, we seek sexual stimulation. 

Grab a notepad and pen. Give yourself 10 minutes (or more) to reflect on a recent sexual interaction and answer the following. 

Note: By reflecting on this, we now have a basic structure of your preference. You’re allowed to feel neutral toward things too!

+ If I’m kissing (etc.) with someone, what am I expecting will happen next?

+ Am I clear on what to expect from my sexual partner during sex?

+ If not, can I clarify with them? Am I expecting a negative reaction?

Note: If you notice this section is filled with anxious thoughts, it’s an indication communication needs to be more explicit, and happen ahead of a sexual interaction. 

+ What makes me want to move toward/away this person/position/behaviour?

+ Do I feel eagerness to seek safety? (This is an indication we’re under stress.) 

Note: Eagerness cues will help us identify what fosters our desire to move toward. 

Remember, these three functions work together. For example, if you are expecting performance anxiety during sex, you’ll be less eager to put yourself in that situation, and enjoy it less. 

The enjoying system is responsible for managing your experience of sexual sensation. A key component of sexual arousal is the quality of sexual stimulation, or how much you’re enjoying whatever’s happening.

Emily Nagoski defines sexual arousal as the mental and physical excitement felt toward the idea of sex. Sexual arousal is also impacted by how well stressors have been managed, and the person’s capacity to relax into sexual pleasure. 

Not enjoying the sexual stimulation you’re experiencing can act as a stressor, making it difficult to relax into sexual pleasure. 

Touch is the most effective sense to engage for sexual arousal. Erogenous zones are areas of the body that you experience pleasurable sensation through touch. 

Primary erogenous zones are areas that contain a dense concentration of nerve endings, and are often more sensitive to touch compared to other body parts. This includes ares of the genitals, anus, perineum, nipples, neck, armpits, mouth, nostrils, navel, ears, and inner thighs.  

‘Secondary’ erogenous zones are areas of the body that have become erotically sensitive through learning and experience. This can be pretty much any other part of the body that isn’t a primary erogenous zone. If your partner strokes you gently across your upper back, and tenderly kisses you there during every sexual interaction, this could form into a secondary erogenous zone.

So far we’ve explored the sexual pleasure system, sexual arousal, and erogenous zones. Now let’s put it all together with an exercise I often assign clients called Pleasure Mapping.

Pleasure Mapping is a self-pleasure exercise to explore sexual needs, and allow you to communicate them with partners. 

+ Prepare. Set aside uninterrupted time (roughly 30 minutes). 


+ Collect resources. Include a mirror, a notebook and pen, any sex toys or objects you’d like to stimulate yourself with. This might include lubricants, lingerie, soft fabrics, sheets, moisturiser, essential oils etc. 


+ Build a sexual context. Seduce yourself the way you might a sexual partner. You can do this by establishing sexy contexts like; taking a bath, moisturising your body, listening to music, eating something special. 


+ Genital mapping. Use your mirror to explore your anatomy, and label each structure, and non-judgmentally describe it out aloud. 


+ Take notes! Note what feels good, and what doesn’t. You may also note any body image, or sexual function concerns.


+ Identify your primary erogenous zones. Explore your erogenous zones using your resources.


+ Pleasure map. Use a variety of pace, pressure, and rhythm on erogenous zones. Ask yourself the ‘enjoying questions’ listed above. Repeat this process for other areas of your body. 

+ If you feel comfortable, practice pleasure mapping with a partner to explore how your experience differs. 

You’ll notice that orgasm, lubrication, or ejaculation are not a priority in this exercise. And that is deliberate. Slowing down your pleasure with your self or others will allow the space away from goal-oriented sex, and toward maximising pleasure.

Sex Therapist and Youtimer Aleksandra Trkulja takes the scary out of the sex conversation and talks us through learning what feels good for you. 

Pleasure Mapping: A Guide to Learning What You Like  

We all have a unique blueprint that is the key to functioning at our peak.

What works seemingly well for someone can be a disastrous idea for the next. 

This is why fad diets are so harmful - they are the epitome of a 'one size fits all' approach and as we move away from this train of thought, it becomes clear that this mindset is almost always unsuccessful.  

There are a myriad of tools that you can access for free that come from simply listening, moving from an open mind, and experimenting. 

Of course, it's also a bonus if you can work with a health professional to support your navigational process. Here are some easy ways to get you started. 

Not to be confused with sitting in silence with our legs crossed; These practices can come from any activity that gets you in the zone. For some, it may just be the traditional seat.

For others, it can be by way of gardening, cooking, swimming, knitting, surfing, running, dancing... and the list truly does go on. 

It’s the activity that gets you out of your thought pattern and immersed into something far greater. 

As someone who commonly prescribes meditation to my clients as a way for them to reduce stress and promote calm, I often receive a ton of push back from the people who presume I mean sitting on the floor for an hour with their eyes closed. 

I love breaking down these other methods. More often than not someone is already dabbling in one or more of the activities above and feel great relief when they realise that they are receiving the same impact doing an activity that they love. 

Take notice of how specific foods make you feel 

When we start to action point 1 above, we start to create a clearer understanding of how certain things impact us. 

This could be people, places and this could also be foods. The foods that we consume either act as medicine in our bodies, or they don’t. 

Taking time to check in with yourself post meals is a great barometer to understanding if the foods you are eating are helping or hindering your journey to health. 

Check in for any bloating or gas, feelings of indigestion, heaviness or discomfort. 

Also be aware of positive findings, does your meal leave you feeling energised and satisfied? 

This feedback will help you to determine what is working and what might not be so helpful to regularly consume. 

And spend that time doing a purposeful activity that cultivates joy for you. It may be walking, being in nature, taking yourself out for a meal or coffee, or to a workout class. 

The duration of time you devote to this is a choice - this is not meant to add another task to your ‘To do’ list; rather to offer you some space to check in with yourself, to reflect on how you are feeling and to acknowledge what you can shift / change to support you moving in the direction of where you want to be. 

Too often we get caught up in our day-today lives to recognise that the way we are operating may be completely misaligned with what we are striving towards. Life requires your attention and it requires your ability to pivot where necessary. 

Oufffff – a challenging one for the best of us. Honestly, this point is something I need to apply more to my own life. 

The stuff happening behind the screens is designed to pull you in and by doing so, it is pulling you out of the precious present moment. 

Practice turning your phone on airplane mode an hour before bed and wait 30mins on rising until you switch it back into gear for the day. 

Give yourself a boundary not to use electronics in your bedroom and utilise lock-out apps to limit your time on social media. 

In order for us to truly know ourselves, it is imperative that we disconnect from these mechanisms that set us up to compare ourselves with the highlight reel of another. 

None of it real, it supports consumerism, capitalism and several other systems that are detrimental to us both short and long term. 

The Collagen Elixir is a bioavailable marine collagen-infused powder that promotes radiant skin and healthy hair and nails.
 The powerful formula contains sustainably sourced marine collagen peptides with natural vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, silica and digestive enzymes to hydrate and support skin from within.
 With a high dose of 3.5g of marine collagen peptides per serve, The Collagen Elixir supercharges WelleCo’s original collagen formula with a fresh blend of potent ingredients to amplify the benefits for your skin.
 The Collagen Elixir also contains digestive enzymes for easy absorption, and is free from dairy, soy, gluten, artificial colours and sweeteners, added sugars and GMO.
 EDITORS NOTES START
 'Beauty is soul deep, not skin deep'.
 The Collagen Elixir, is a supercharged blend that contains the highest dose of collagen from wild-caught fish, without the fishy taste. The sustainably sourced marine collagen works in synergy with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, silica and digestive enzymes for a powerful formula that supports glowing skin, strong nails, thick hair and a healthy body.
 Unflavoured and adaptable to temperature so it can be added easily to your morning smoothie or coffee without affecting its potency.
 EDITORS NOTES END
 HOW TO USE START Mix 2 level metric teaspoons (4g) with 200 mL of water or in a drink of your choice. Always use a dry spoon and consume within 60 days of opening.
 Pregnancy &amp; Breastfeeding: We recommend speaking to your healthcare professional before use or commencing any new supplement routine during these times to ensure that this product is right for you.
 Storage: Store below 25ºC in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do not use if lid seal is missing or broken. HOW TO USE END
 INGREDIENTS START
 Marine Collagen Peptides (87.5%), Acerola fruit extract, Colloidal Silica, Beetroot Extract, Digestive Enzyme Blend (Bromelain &amp; Papain), Hyaluronic Acid.
 INGREDIENTS END

The Collagen Elixir 120g Unflavoured

A daily beauty powder for radiant skin and gut health. Designed to boost collagen production and support healthy hair and nails with over 18 Certified Organic superfoods, vitamin C and zinc, this berry-flavoured probiotic supplement promotes resilient, luminous skin—from the inside out.
 Supercharged using our unique Flora Culture™ fermentation process, antioxidant-rich wholefoods like maqui berries, dunaliella salina and queen garnet plum support healthy skin for a gorgeous, glowing complexion.
 Designed for optimal bioavailability, GLOW contains a natural broad-spectrum probiotic and prebiotics to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut—because a healthy microbiome is the secret to radiant skin.
 In a consumer trial, subjects said GLOW enhanced their luminosity, clarity, hydration and skin texture, as well as easing symptoms of pre-existing skin conditions like eczema, rosacea and congestion after a month’s use. 
 HOW TO USE START
 Mix 1 tsp (5g) in 200mL of water, a smoothie or your favourite drink. For optimal results, GLOW Inner Beauty Essential should be consumed daily in chilled or room temperature beverages and can be taken with any other Beauty Chef product. 
 Inner Beauty Essentials are designed to be amplified with a Boost—COLLAGEN, HYDRATION, ANTIOXIDANT or OMEGA ELIXIR™. 
 Storage: Refrigerate after opening and use within 90 days. Always use a dry spoon. HOW TO USE END
 INGREDIENTS START
 Bio-fermented Nutrient Blend with Flora Culture (brown rice*, lentils*, chickpeas*, maqui berry* (10.3%), mung beans*, linseed*, queen garnet plum (3.8%), buckwheat*, millet*, quinoa*, chia seeds*, pepitas*, sunflower seeds*, lemon juice, sea minerals, turmeric*, green tea*, molasses*, agave*, ginger*), anthocyanins from grape skins, guar galactomannan, wild berry flavour, dunaliella salina* (1.4%), acidity regulator (citric acid), Saccharomyces boulardii (1%), sweetener (stevia leaf extract), zinc ascorbate. *Organic Ingredients INGREDIENTS END
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 We believe a great skincare ritual is more than skin deep.
 Every product in the youtime curation uses the best ingredients, in scientifically proven formulations. But - no topical skincare product can fake that glow that truly only comes from within.
 No matter how good your cleanser, serum or masque is, beauty does begin in your belly. A healthy gut microbiome has a profound positive impact on your skin (as well as your overall well being).
 The Beauty Chef products are iconic for good reason. From the original and multi-award winning GLOW Inner Beauty Essential powder to the COLLAGEN Inner Beauty Boost drink, these skin-loving supercharged formulas are non-negotiables in our morning routines.
 EDITORS NOTES END

Glow Inner Beauty Essential Supercharged 150g

Taking time to pay attention and take note of how everything we do impacts our bodies is the key to understanding and deepening our connection with self. And it's not hard to do... Raj Barker shares how.

A lot of people assume sex therapy consists of talking about sex. 

But in actuality, we end up talking a lot about shame. 

So I’m going to unpack how shame and sexuality are linked, and some ways to work with shame. 

Shame is a social emotion that serves an important purpose of holding us accountable to the social and cultural expectations of our communities. 

Shame is fearing that a personal characteristic will lead to rejection by a group. This is different to guilt, which is fearing a behaviour may lead to rejection. 

We are born with the inherent knowledge that our lives depend on being accepted by our communities. The evolutionary value of shame is to protect us from rejection from our community. 

But shame makes us want to hide the things we fear others will judge sufficient to reject us. And avoid things, like parts of ourselves or others.

Sexuality is a component of our human experience that is shamed from the get go. 

In Western society, people are often ashamed of elements of sex and sexuality including their sexual orientation, who they have sex with, and the sexual behaviours they engage in.

For example, we are conditioned to believe that heterosexual relationship dynamics are the ‘norm’, and in doing so, any expression outside of this one is considered ‘abnormal’, and people are shamed for it. 

But in actuality, heterosexuality is one expression of sexuality that was deemed appropriate by society and culture.

But the stigma goes beyond sexual orientation. The act of sex itself has been demoralised through religious notions of the body as dirty, and the mind as pure. 

In his book ‘Sapiens’, Yuval Noah Harari describes how humans aimed to distinguish themselves from other species by valuing their progressed cognitive power. They started to value the mind, and separate it from the body. The body reflects simple functions shared similar to animals, and this is the origin of beliefs about sex as dirty, risky, unnatural, or dangerous. 

Women were repressed further with notions of sexual purity and virginity. Today we recognise this as slut-shaming, or victim-blaming when women are sexual, while men are seen as playboys or even celebrated. 

The negative connotations associated with sexuality are known as sex-negativity. This is when sex is approached from a place of fear, stigma, and oppression. It represents the judgemental or shameful reactions toward sex and sexuality. 

So you can see that shame and sexuality have historically gone hand in hand. Sexual shame, or shame associated with sexuality is an incredibly common experience. 

For many people, shame can be associated with:

+ Their sexual function (not experiencing erections, ejaculation, orgasm, or lubrication)

+ Their sexual preferences (liking certain sexual behaviours)

+ Having lots of sexual partners (and feeling judged)

+ Not having many sexual partners (and feeling inexperienced)

+ How their sexual function happens (orgasming a certain way)

+ Who they're attracted to, date, fantasise about, or have sex with

The list goes on. We are very afraid of being judged and rejected in regards to sex and sexuality. 

Stephen Porges (researcher of the polyvagal theory) found that the biological response to shame is similar to a life threat. It activates the nervous system in the same way as our fight or flight response. 

People can become immobilised, or numb. You might notice your posture changing, or your body trying to shrink and disappear. 

To begin to engage with shame, notice where you feel it in your body. It helps to close your eyes, take a breath, and identify the sensations you feel, and where. 

Engage with shame by grounding yourself through your five senses. This might seem too simple, but the research shows that it helps to activate your nervous system, and keep you present. 

Notice 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste. 

The antidote to shame is being seen as we are by people we value, and being accepted by them in that state. 

Shame thrives on secrecy. The more we hide, the stronger the shame gets. So we need to expose the things we fear will threaten our belonging, and see that we will not be rejected. 

Exposure needs to be done safely, so start small, and with people you trust. 

Working with shame and sexuality can be a difficult thing to do. It always helps to have the support of trained professionals to guide you through the reflective process. It requires patience, but can be an incredibly liberating process for many people.  

Shame can be associated with sexual preference, orientation, function, fantasy, and more. Aleksandra Trkulja breaks down why we experience it and how to face up to it.

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