It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year.
From unpredictable elections, to devastating bushfires, a recession and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become impossible to guess what the world will throw at us next.
Trying to maintain a healthy mind and body during 2020 has become a massive source of anxiety for most.
Luckily, countless new health and wellbeing programs have been created to get us through these troubling times.
Here are the top wellbeing trends that we think will explode in 2021.
Power of the Breath
It seems silly: are we really paying people to teach us how to breathe?
Bondi Rescue star Dean Gladstone’s new program, Power of the Breath, has helped both himself and many others overcome physical challenges and achieve extraordinary things, changing lives dramatically.
Dean even claims that these breathing techniques have helped him eliminate his asthma, and can help many others with respiratory challenges.
With a number of celebrity endorsements such as Shannan Ponton, Wim Hof, Laird Hamilton and Tim Ferris, it looks like former national gold medallist Dean’s Power of the Breath is the real deal.
So, how exactly does optimizing our breathing patterns change our lives for the better?
According to a study conducted by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in 2018, practising slow breathing techniques can improve the parasympathic nervous system – that’s the heart and the gut.
The study also revealed that slow breathing techniques have a significant psychological effect, causing increased relaxation, alertness and comfort and decreasing feelings of anxiety, depression, anger and confusion.
The Biggest Loser star and celebrity trainer Shannan Ponton decided to team up with Dean and learn these new breathing techniques in preparation for the reality TV show, SAS Australia.
Enduring freezing-cold baths for long periods of time, Shannan completed the Power of the Breath and now credits it for helping him get through the gruelling reality show.
Power of the Breath may seem extreme to some, but Dean Gladstone and many others swear by the course’s life-changing results.
Nature Bathing
The concept of “nature bathing” takes inspiration from the ancient Japanese practise, shinrin-yoku, which literally translates to “forest bathing.”
Shinrin-yoku isn’t necessarily exercise, but the active elements of walking or hiking are certainly part of it.
Rather, shinrin-yoku focuses on achieving total immersion within nature and opening all the senses to the natural world around you – it is the combination of physical and spiritual engagement.
While we may be low on forests here in Sydney, one thing we have plenty of is stunning beaches!
That’s where Red Paddle Co’s new 11’0” Compact Inflatable Paddle Board comes into play.
This stunning SUP has all the features you could wish for – their Flat Bungee Cargo System is unique to Red Paddle Co, with the large, self-closing straps creating more tension to keep all your gear totally secure.
Ergonomic tubular handles give all boards a cushioned and comfortable grip, while the complimentary Titan II pump will fully inflate your board in half the time with half the effort.
All this weighing only 13 kilograms.
It seems like good things really do come in small packages.
After the devastating bushfires last year, it feels as if we’ve been robbed of an entire summer.
But this coming summer is shaping up to be the perfect time to practise nature bathing and connect both physically and spiritually with Australia’s stunning natural landscape.
So why not grab a paddle board and start adventuring?
Mindful Fitness
Flow Athletic is a gym with a mission – they’re preaching the 1:1:1 Flow Philosophy.
According to founders Ben Lucas and Kate Kendall, the key to holistic health is to find the perfect balance between strength, fitness and rest.
Ben and Kate’s recipe for the perfect balanced workout is one Strength session, followed by one Cardio session, topped off with a final Yoga session to promote physical recovery and mental and spiritual wellbeing.
And at Flow Athletic, all these features are under one roof.
Kate and Ben have decided to reject the typical “gym” environment, which can often be isolating and competitive, and opt for a fitness sanctuary where all members can unite their values and goals and come together as one community.
Flow Athletic offers both personal training and group classes, in addition to hosting inspiring workshops and special events where members can participate in challenges, gain practical knowledge and learn new skills.
Not to mention, Ben and Kate’s strong relationship is a Bondi love story like no others.
Ben, running ultra-marathons, started taking Yoga classes at Kate’s Bondi studio when he found that the meditative qualities of Yoga helped fast-track his post-training recovery.
Kate herself then began personal training sessions with Ben, noticing that her asana, her posture and core strength, became stronger the harder she trained.
The couple combined their expertise and, just like Yin and Yang, struck the perfect balance.
Check out their stunning studio right in the heart of Paddington.
