Blog

14 September 2008

hello again, it is has been quite a while since i last wrote in this blog. satori has been back to japan to visit family and friends and the winter has come and gone. we are in the first days of spring and the winds are picking up.

i am feeling really good with all this warm weather we are getting right now...sort of thawing out...it is funny how temperature changes are relevant to what we are used to. clients come up from melbourne and sydney feeling luxurious in what they call our warm weather, where as we are wearing uggs and emu's to keep warm!

we have lots of new products from miessence and a wonderful article on antioxidants by dr. karen coates which i will include at the end of this entry.

meanwhile, for thoose of you who have not been to visit us since last summer, please take a look at our services, where you will find some great additions to our offerings.

ok here is dr. coates' article :

Rust Proofing Our Bodies-Antioxidants, an essential utensil in our anti-ageing tool box

What makes the difference between average health and optimal health? The answer lies not in the genetic blueprint of your family
tree, but in our body’s ability to be well nourished and ‘rustproofed’.
Our three top killers in the developed world are cardiovascular disease (encompassing heart attack and stroke), cancer, and Type
2 Diabetes. Your risk of developing any of these diseases has been proven to be directly related to the amount of antioxidants
your diet provides.
Antioxidants found in food protect our cells against the damage done by free radicals, known as oxidative stress.
Damage is particularly intense in the powerhouse of our cells known as the mitochondria. Free radicals are unbound oxygen
molecules that bombard and damage our cells and capillaries. Recent research indicates that poorly nourished cells are more
vulnerable to oxidative stress and have a higher requirement for antioxidant-rich food and supplements. This creates a double
insult, with poor nutrition leading to micro-malnourished, vulnerable cells and an increased need for antioxidant protection in the
presence of a diet inadequate for optimal health.
Most natural therapists will be aware of the importance of antioxidants for skin health, rejuvenation, collagen production and the
prevention of skin cancers. More importantly antioxidants forge a resilient barrier of protection to cells undergoing renewal. It is at
this time of cell division that the mistakes in genetic messages may lead to uncontrolled growth which we call cancer.
Incredibly, medical research has only recently confirmed what natural therapists and vets have known for decades: that over 70
percent of the Australian population are micronutrient-malnourished. Regardless of body weight the average Australian on an
average Australian diet (the traditional meat and three veggies for dinner) is lacking in at least one or more essential nutrients, in
particular the antioxidant group of nutrients.
The cause for this is clear. In 1992 a World Health Organisation survey reported that Australian soils are the most mineral and
vitamin deficient of all the soils of the world’s continents. It makes commonsense that the fruit, vegetables and grains cultivated
on these soils are also lacking in the nutrients required for optimal human health. Our vets regularly provide supplements for cattle,
sheep and horses to prevent and treat nutritional deficiencies, but the medical profession has been kept in the dark about these
facts for years.
How to Assess your Risk of Oxidative Stress
Live blood analysis is a useful health practitioner tool. This can instantly confirm the cellular consequences of poor diet, oxidative
stress, by examining a droplet of fresh blood under a microscope. These damaged cells look somewhat like a dried up sultana on
live blood analysis. Compare this to a healthy hydrated cell, full of antioxidants, which looks like a luscious, full-bodied grape.
The most important defence we have against unfavourable environmental chemicals and our major health challenges is a well
nourished body. Sensible supplementation is essential for optimal health when deficiencies are suspected. Plant extracted
organic supplements, with high ORAC scores and phenolic content are preferred, together with a balanced organic diet and
a healthy bowel.
Dr Karen Coates August 2008
to see the video presentation click here

13 June 2008

Hello again, it has been some time since updating this blog and wish to share with you 3 new exciting products that will enhance your life and health.

Please click the following links to read more:

Berry Radical Antioxidant Superfood

Nikken PiMag water system

essence of life "Magnesium Oil"

5 April 2008

this is what people are saying about scenar therapy.....

Layne Beachley, world champion surfer

At the beginning of 2006 I was looking for relief for my chronic neck injury

I was told about SCENAR therapy and thought it could help me in my pursuit of another world surfing title and a life without pain. I commenced treatment and continued throughout the year.

SCENAR therapy supported my nervous system, encouraged my body to heal, allowed me to maintain strength and fitness and treat my injuries.

SCENAR therapy enabled me to compete at my optimal level and as a result I won my 7th World Surfing Title in 2006.”

Melissa Bridson, Graphic Artist

When Gabriel first recommended I have a
scenar therapy treatment to help
relieve a serious neck strain... I was quite
sceptical! To be totally honest
I was blown away with how effective it was.
An injury that on previous
occasions had taken anywhere up to 7 days
to recover and cost me valuable
work time was almost completely healed after
a one hour session. Quite incredible actually.
I would definitely use this method again
should I require it.

26 March 2008

Have Miessence, Will Travel….

One Group and Miessence
Announces 2 NEW Travel Sizes:
Shine Herbal Hair Conditioner
40ml/1.35fl.oz
Mint Toothpaste
50g/1.8oz
Perfect for your backpack, overnight bag or hand luggage,
and perfect for zipping through airport security with your
essentials intact.
Also great for your guest room!

18 March 2008

HOW TO AVOID 1,4-DIOXANE IN YOUR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Some of the products found to contain 1,4-Dioxane: JASON Pure Natural & Organic, Giovanni Organic Cosmetics, Kiss My Face, Nature’s Gate Organics
Remember that just because a personal care product labels itself with the words “organic” or “certified organic” doesn’t mean it meets any specified organic standards.
Look for products that are certified under the USDA National Organic Program (or a similar German program) and products that bear the “USDA Organic” seal.
Search product labels for ingredients with the following in their names to avoid products containing 1,4-Dioxane: myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth, any other eth, PEG, polyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, or oxynol.
In general, avoid products with unpronounceable ingredients to be sure to avoid synthetic toxins and carcinogens.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

02 February 2008

Well, it has been a while since our last post. Christmas and new year was very busy and we enjoyed serving many new and old friends. We thank everyone who has supported us in this past year, and wish you all a great 2008!

oh, i almost forgot. we finally have something for the men from miessence with the launch of the new travel shaving pack of shaving gel and after shave balm.

click here to order

for the ladies and the men, we have the new travel skin care pack in the 4 skin types, soothing, purifying, balancing and rejuvenating. cleanser, skin conditioner(hydrator) and moisturiser.

click here to order

All travel size products comply with recently implemented international travel requirements. You will be able to take your delicious Miessence products with you now, where ever you travel.

29 December 2007

So dear friends, we hope you are celebrating the holidays in ways that are nourishing and nurturing for you and your extended families. We are happy to report that the response to our certified organic facials have taken off with great excitement and to make it even better, the response from our male friends has been awsome....a gentle reminder though, please shave before coming in, so that our therapist does not get her fingers exfoliated and you get to have a more blissful and enriching session. We are closing for new years day, and will open from the 2nd of January. Bookings are essentiall for this period please. ok, see you soon!

18 December 2007

So here we are at the end of another year. Letting go of the past and brining in the new.The Phoenix rising from the ashes, pure, transformed, full of joy and promise. The Mayan calendar talks of a time of darkness being lit up by the light and energy we have been bringing into our lives over the past years. Agreements on climate change in Bali, perhaps the beginning of clarity and world peace?

What ever, we wish you all a wonderful transition, filled with the belief and knowledge that we are all complete, perfect and capable of loving each other and ourselves, unconditionally.

15 December 2007

new cleanser samples

We are thrilled to introduce 4 new Sample Sachets to the Miessence range. Now available are the soothing, rejuvenating, balancing and purifying cleansers.
They are available in all countries and can be found in the online shopping cart under the skin care category.

click here to browse

15 December 2007

new sample sachets

We are really excited to announce that our Probiotic Skin Brightener is now available as a Sample Sachet.
It is available in all countries and can be found in the online shopping cart under the skin care category.
The new NOURISHING HAND CREME Sample Sachets are also available now online under the category of body care.

click to buy or browse

15 December 2007

new travel size products in stock

We are excited to announce the launch of Protect Hair Repair, Desert Flower and Lemon Myrtle Shampoo’s and Sunflower Body Wash available in all regions including the USA.

The travel sizes can be found on-line in the shopping cart under their respective categories.

In addition, the Breath Fresh Spray, is also available in all regions including the USA.
This can be found on-line in the shopping cart under oral care.
click here to buy

14 December 2007
new travel size products launched

A hearty cheer resounded around the room upon the announcement of the new travel size product release. These handy little bottles will open up a range of new opportunities for travel and business.

click here to buy or browse

14 December 2008

Study: Why Pregnant Women Don't Topple
Source: Redorbit
Published: Thursday, December 13, 2007 Lohas.com

Scientists think they have figured out why pregnant women don't lose their balance and topple over despite ever-growing weight up front.

Evolution provided them with slight differences from men in their lower backs and hip joints, allowing them to adjust their center of gravity, new research shows.

This elegant engineering is seen only in female humans and our immediate ancestors who walked on two feet, but not in chimps and apes, according to a study published in Thursday's journal Nature.

"That's a big load that's pulling you forward," said Liza Shapiro, an anthropology professor at the University of Texas and the only one of the study's three authors who has actually been pregnant. "You experience discomfort. Maybe it would be a lot worse if (the design changes) were not there."

Harvard anthropology researcher Katherine Whitcomb found two physical differences in male and female backs that until now had gone unnoticed: One lower lumbar vertebra is wedged-shaped in women and more square in men; and a key hip joint is 14 percent larger in women than men when body size is taken into account.

The researchers did engineering tests that show how those slight changes allow women to carry the additional and growing load without toppling over - and typically without disabling back pain.

"When you think about it, women make it look so very damn easy," Whitcomb said. "They are experiencing a pretty impressive challenge. Evolution has tinkered ... to the point where they can deal with the challenge.

"It's absolutely beautiful," she said. "A little bit of tinkering can have a profound effect."

Walking on two feet separates humans from most other animals. And while anthropologists still debate the evolutionary benefit of walking on two feet, there are notable costs, such as pain for pregnant females. Animals on all fours can better handle the extra belly weight.

The back changes appear to have evolved to overcome the cost of walking on two feet, said Harvard anthropology professor Daniel Lieberman.

When the researchers looked back at fossil records of human ancestors, including the oldest spines that go back 2 million years to our predecessor, Australopithecus, they found a male without the lower-back changes and a female with them.

But what about men with stomachs the size of babies or bigger? What keeps them from toppling over?

Their back muscles are used to compensate, but that probably means more back pain, theorized Shapiro, who added: "It would be a fun study to do to look at men with beer bellies to see if they shift their loads."

21 November 2007

ok, we finally have it! the complete menu for total organic facial relaxation and indulgence......enjoy.

Organic Facials

We use Certified Organic food grade products from the Miessence Skin Care Range.

Relax and rejuvenate with this totally pampering experience.

Organic Mini Facial : 40 minutes $60
A little taste of a pure organic facial, harmonising and nourishing your skin

Organic Rejuvenating Facial : 60 minutes $80
Beautifully nurturing and relaxing.
A complete treatment for all skin types
with head and hand massage

Organic Anti-Oxidant Facial: 60 minutes $90
Super anti-oxidant mask supporting
the recovery of damaged and stressed skin
followed by a Shiatsu scalp & neck massage

Organic Indulgence Facial : 90 minutes $130
The ultimate organic care of your skin.
Å tailor made recipe just for you.
Beautiful foot, hand & head massage.
Deeply relaxing & nurturing

Special Packages

Organic Mini Facial + foot massage: 60 minutes $85
A little taste of a pure organic facial with 20 min foot masage

Organic Facial + massage 90 min $110
Starting with a relaxing 30 min back massage followed by
a beautiful organic facial treatment

08/10/07: well, i have been personally using the miessence rejuvenating skin care pack for about 5 months now, and find my skin looking younger and tighter...brighter too.

yesterday afternoon after finishing up for the day, Satori said ok, get on the table, i am going to give you a facial. what a treat! more relaxing than a massage...now i know what all the fuss is about and why so many people go for it. So, i am joining the ranks of facial seekers...of course, it must be with Miessence certified organic products!

06/10/07: Queenslanders have now left us to take their families back to school again, New South Walies are still enjoying our beautiful weather for another week. Today, Sunday, is a little overcast and heading for a possible storm. A welcome break from the dry beautiful heat. I like the rain, the feeling of my body as it cools down, shoulders relaxing, and a sigh of pleasure escapes my lips...mmmmm.

This Sunday is also byron market day, and the weather is perfect for it...no sun hats required! enjoy, enjoy.....come on by later, we are open from 2pm to relieve your bodies of any lingering stress and tension.

26/09/07: we are excited about new developments here at Shambala, with the advent of Satori offering Facials from the 1st of October. Satori will be using Certified Organic Skin care by Miessence which has a range of products that cover all skin types. Everyone is catered for.

Starting with a range from the Organic Mini Facial all the way to the Organic Indulgence...pampering session.

Satori is also offering home pampering shopping parties, where the host receives a FREE pampering facial and her guests, get to smell, touch and feel the products, with the opportunity to purchase them and also, to book their own home party.

Added to that, the host receives a free gift pack, when her friends buy products for themselves. Indulge and Enjoy while you can.

Yes, we are definately heading into summer, longer daylight hours and beautiful moonlit walks...enjoy!

Oh, and by the way, be sure to check out our new wonderful certified organic reflect outdoor balm for sun protection this season. Keep your hats on!

16/09: So the weather has turned, and we are truly moving into the spring/summer season that we have all been waiting for!

Living in an area where we are spoilt by having beautiful clear skies, blue and turquoise waters, with dolphins and whales going by, plus a plethora of sea life, we do not like the cold, not even for a month or two.....not that it is really cold by Victoria or Tassie standards, but when the weather drops by even a couple of degrees, we tend to feel it.brrrrrrr....

So, bring on the summer, the beautiful visitors and lots of balmy beautiful days.....we love it!!

01/09: Intentional Aroma Therapy "awaken your spirit"

when working with essential oils, i like to help people go on an intentional journey of affirmations, while restoring their confidence in themselves, releasing old baggage and becoming inspired again.

So often, we go into a massage with the idea that ironing away the painful muscles is all we need.

Well, when we have someone help us, while this beautiful intimate session of touch, deeply moving our bodies is happening, also take an emotional journey, with the aid of powerfiull essential oils and affirmations, the resulting benefits are limitless.

We not only get the benefit of the medicinal aspects of the oils, but we also get the emotional release, joy, peace and calming effects they have on us.

Essential oils kill off parasites and bad bacteria, while oxygenating our blood stream. This inturn expands the mind, brain and soul.

Depending on what is happening for each individual, choosing the significant oil and placing it in the appropriate place on the body, can bring about profound results, both physically and emotionally.

It is important too, to be using the highest vibrational oils possible.

22/08: Let Me Hear Your Body Talk - Movement and Touch

"Hello leg! How are you today?" murmurs the therapist in a soft voice, gently weighing and stretching the limb. "So what could be lighter here," he says, as he picks up the unspoken message of unnecessary tension. "Well, how should it be... mmm?"

Realignment bodywork is a two-way conversation. Whether you know it or not, attitudes lie hidden in the tissue. It's a bit like reading Braille. When a therapist feels some restriction, he or she offers an invitation to let go, verbally and kinaesthetically with a touch that communicates even more gentleness.

Letting go can happen in many ways. For many it involves sinking in to a deep, peaceful state. Others have laughed uproariously at times during the session, as they lie there and feel their limbs gliding easily through the air, or a wriggle wiggle up their spine.

" we all have the innate ability to heal ourselves, and enjoyment plays a big part in that! "

By questioning, "What could be freer, easier?" we tap into a cellular memory of what lightness and freedom feel like. And when that feeling has been experienced consciously, it is easy to remember it again.
The sessions include movement awareness.

Science has finally caught up with the fact that how we think affects how we feel. We all know that fear produces adrenaline, and if we ever get through the pain barrier, the pay-off is a flood of endorphins. the RBB session achieves that just as easily without all the trauma.

Every thought we have produces one chemical cocktail or another that pours through every part of us. Doesn't it seem wise then to monitor our thoughts to create well being?

RBwork helps us to do this by focusing on pleasurable experience, anchoring it firmly in our conscious awareness, so that we can recall it whenever we need to. It is a skill to be learned, but it can be learned easily because relaxation is our true nature. Dr Trager has always said, "It is the mind I'm after. The flesh is dumb!" After over seventy years of practising this technique he knew what he was talking about: within each one of us is someone who knows what free, easy and comfortable is.

"How should it be?" asking gently finding tension, and then the client's mind softly remembers how it feels to let go. The muscles soften and relax. "Thank you. That's wonderful."
This is the way we empower people to help themselves, and what could be more important than that?

13/08: HOW TO READ A COSMETIC LABEL

Have you ever bought a cosmetic that you were assured was natural, only to get it home, read the label and wonder what on earth those long names were?

What does 'natural' and 'organic' mean on a cosmetic label?

Nowhere do the terms "natural" or "organic" take a more gratuitous bruising than the cosmetics industry.

Here we hope to clarify some basic differences between miessence® and other brands.
miessence® definition of natural:
Commercial definition of natural:
"Existing in, or formed by nature; not artificial."
"Any ingredient "derived from" a natural substance."
miessence® definition of organic:
"Grown, cultivated and stored without the use of chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, fumigants and other toxins."
commercial definition "Any compound containing carbon."
Explanation:
The organic chemistry definition of organic, is any compound containing carbon. Carbon is found in anything that has ever lived. So, by using this definition of organic, many manufacturers can (and do) say that the toxic petrochemical preservative, methyl paraben, is "organic" because it was formed by leaves that rotted over thousands of years to become the crude oil used to make this toxic preservative.
To be CERTIFIED organic is a quantum leap beyond “made with organic ingredients”. CERTIFIED organic products, such as miessence® products produced by ONE Group, must pass stringent quality testing and standards. No synthetic chemicals may be used at any stage of the production chain, beginning with growing, harvesting, storage, transporting and processing, through to the final ready-for-market product. Where there is an ingredient that is essential for the product to function, (e.g. xanthan gum to thicken) and that ingredient is not yet available as organically grown, then, up to a maximum of 5% of non-organic ingredients may be used in the product, and only until that ingredient becomes available and organically grown. There are also strict criteria for the 'permitted' non-organic ingredients, such as: they must be naturally extracted plant products and they may not be genetically modified.
So, the ONLY way to know whether a product is truly CERTIFIED organic is to look for the LOGO!
How to understand a typical ingredients list:
A typical cosmetic label can be broken up into three parts. The top third of a cosmetic label usually makes up 90-95% of the products ingredients. the second third makes up 5-8% and the last third 1-3%. See the diagrams below for a graphical breakdown of a typical off the shelf moisturiser ingredient list.
click here to see our full toxic ingredient directory.
The only way customers can be assured that they are purchasing REAL ORGANIC products produced without the use of synthetic chemicals and GMO's is to purchase products which have been organically certified with a leading independent certifying body such as the;
ACO (Australian Certified Organic),
USDA (US Department of Agriculture),

5 Benefits of Choosing Certified Organic:

1. Good for the soil
Organic systems rely on a modern and scientific understanding of ecology and soil science, while also depending on traditional methods of crop rotations to ensure fertility and weed and pest control.

2. Good for the environment
Organic systems aim to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. Organic production aims at all times towards sustainability whilst having best management of the environment and wildlife as a priority.

3. Good for people
Organic based ingredients have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants than non-organic ingredients.

4.No synthetic chemicals
Organic systems prohibit the use of artificial chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers.

5. No GMO's
Certified Organic products are produced without GMOs, which are prohibited in the standards for organic food and farming.

please click here to visit our home site and register as an independant representative and have a wonderful time choosing your products, introducing others to a healthier life and a better world.