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New year, new you

It's 2020, it's our January Wellness Month, and it's the perfect time to look after yourself with these inspirational wellbeing retreats, courses, spas and festivals in Wilts

It’s early 2020 and for me, time for a reboot. Health, life, fitness, beauty, wellbeing…it’s the perfect chance to think about how you’d like to focus on wellness for the next 12 months and beyond. What do you fancy? A personal trainer who works with the whole ‘you’? A spa day with a difference? A festival dedicated to wellbeing and mindfulness? A yoga retreat in Sri Lanka? Whatever your goal, we have scoured Wiltshire (and a little bit beyond) for our favourite courses, classes, practitioners and spa weekends to help you superboost your motivational mojo. Here’s to a happy 2020, because frankly, we’re worth it.

The change-your-life courses

Spell Your Life

Got any dreams packed away that you’ve given up on? Well, get ready to unpack them with this magical life-coaching experience which quite literally can change your life! Spell Your Life is a life-coaching experience designed to help mainly women change their lives for the better. How? By tapping into the inner wisdom that lies at the core of every person. If this sounds a bit airy-fairy, don’t be fooled, finding out what makes you tick, grounding yourself and harnessing the magic you hold within you is the key to unlocking your potential and making your dreams come true. www.spellyourlife.com

Inger Kenobi Life Coach

Think to yourself, what are you after in life? A new job? More time for yourself? Write that novel you’ve always wanted to write? Or even to reinvent yourself, have more courage, feel more alive and inspired, have more energy, run with wild ideas, or leave that dreaded imposter syndrome behind for good? Inger Kenobi, personal life coach, will help you achieve your dreams. Inger, in her own words, works with ambitious and adventurous people who are ready for more. She’ll help you feel more inspired, have more energy, and reach seemingly impossible goals. In fact, she makes life and work better! Her world-class coaching methods are steeped in tradition (blending both Western and Eastern principles), yet designed for real life. And, they’re a lot of fun! ingerkenobi.com

The vegan fairs

Mark your diaries now for the Frome Monthly Vegan Market on 1 Feb, and the Cheltenham Vegan Fair on 22 Feb. Fabulous! www.veganfairs.co.uk

The wellness experts

Salisbury Sports Therapy

Salisbury Sports Therapy offers a progressive approach to sports massage, differing from the traditional ways of, y’know, just rubbing the bit that hurts. The magical, golden-fingered Sam combines proven techniques which help her to more accurately identify and treat the muscles that are causing you problems. She then uses highly effective Muscle Activation techniques to restore your muscles to their optimum state. These advanced techniques will whoop the c**p out of all kinds of problems including arthritis, ankle instability, long-standing knee pain, hip conditions, stiff neck and lower back pain as well as any sporting issues. The science is simple (it has to be, with me) – your muscles determine how you hold yourself and how you move, and this massage releases tight and dysfunctional muscles so you hold yourself as you’re supposed to, allowing your body to feel better, your strength to be restored and you generally feeling less pain.

The yoga retreats

The Santosha Studio

Turning to yoga? Then you’ll love The Santosha Studio, an oasis of calm in the heart of Chippenham. It is now widely recognised the benefits of practising Yoga or Pilates, not just for physical but also for mental and spiritual wellbeing. Yoga and Pilates can be practised at any age and Santosha Studio offers classes and courses for mums & babies, toddlers, kids, young adults, for those who need more specific care and just anyone who wants to be more flexible, stronger, healthier. You are as young as your spine’s flexibility. www.santoshastudio.co.uk

Luxury Yoga & Organic Beauty Retreat with The Yoga Glow, Pauntley Court, Fri 10 to Sun 12 Jan

Start the New Year on the right foot with a weekend of holistic weekend of yoga, organic beauty and freshly prepared nourishing food. The Yoga Glow will be hosting the whole weekend, held at the impressive Pauntley Court. During the trip you’ll enjoy morning meditations, yoga nidra, a sound healing gong bath, organic beauty and nutrition workshops. Plus, a variety of yoga classes to suit all levels. Plus, book now for the luxurious Italy Yoga Retreat May 2020 – May 23-30th 2020. www.theyogaglowuk.com

Kalm n’ Kind

Calling all yoga bunnies! We’ve scooped out a brilliant yoga class in the heart of Wilts. Actually, you don’t need to be a yoga expert to enjoy it – Kalm ‘n’ Kind Yoga assures us that yoga is not just for flexible people (phew!) but for all ages, shapes and sizes. At Kalm ‘n’ Kind yoga you’ll be treated as an individual, taking into account your specific needs and abilities. We particularly love Kalm ‘n’ Kind’s philosophy – inclusive, passionate, inspiring and fun. Classes contain Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing) and Savasana (relaxation), plus meditation that will leave you feeling calm and tranquil. And don’t we all need some of that? Ready to book up? I’ll see you at the back of the class, desperately trying to pull off a downward dog.

This Jan 17th try Kim’s Restorative Yoga class in Devizes, delving into the beautiful toolbox of restorative yoga to explore a variety of ways to dissolve both physical and mental tension. This practice spends a little more time than average to go in deeper and clear out the pressure that may have accumulated in your day to day life. And book ahead for the fab Women Only Retreat at Brooklands Barn in Sussex 17–19 April 2020. Set in stunning countryside, the venue is a beautifully restored 19th century barn with exposed beams and fabulous facilities, including an indoor heated pool and sauna. Stretch your body, expand your mind, release your soul and nourish your true self. This is a retreat is for those who are open to positive change. From £325, including all accommodation, yoga and delicious vegetarian meals from Cashew Catering. Email Kim for more info.

Grace Lounge Hot Yoga

Fancy doing the best hot yoga in the whole county – hell, probably the whole country – in a relaxed, unpretentious and, let’s face it, pretty damn cool environment? After the perfect ambiance to bust your stuff in the studio, with mood lighting, surround sound systems and even…wait for it…organic aromas that flow gracefully throughout the studio? You’ve come to the right place – this yoga studio is AMAZING! Yoga classes include gentle yoga, hot yoga with weights, hot dynamic flow, hot dynamic vinyasa, hot ashtanga, hot hatha, hot barre, hot yin yoga, hot vikasa flow…shall I go on? We at Muddy love it all! www.gracelounge.co.uk

Meda Gedara Yoga Retreat, 8-15 February

Book now for this supremely popular and fabulously fun Yoga Adventure and Wellness Retreat in Sri Lanka! Rejuvenate with a wonderful yoga programme, explore the south coast of Sri Lanka on bikes, tuk tuks and a raft. Indulge in some of the best Sri Lankan flavours, add the sun, some poolside lounging, unbelievable luxury and your 2020 ‘me me me’ holiday is complete! From £1,000 per person per week (not including flights) based on 2 sharing a room. www.medagedara.com/retreats

Healthy eating, healthy mind

Lowden Garden Centre

You’ll be impressed by the Farm Shop here, selling locally sourced produce (most meat comes from within 15 miles and all craft beer and cider from within 10 miles) and titbits to stock up the larder – think homemade jams and Wiltshire honey, local yoghurts and cheeses. The Specials menu in the restaurant changes daily depending on the seasons (and what produce is looking at its best in the farm shop). They also serve breakfast and lighter lunch (think New York Deli sandwich and Moroccan spiced lamb flatbread), with wood-fired pizza on Thursday, Friday and Saturday lunchtimes. Their pizza menu includes treats as goats cheese, spinach and caramelised onion, mixed charcuterie on a passata base, and homemade Calibrese sausage with roasted red pepper. Yum. Word on the ground is their Sunday roast ain’t too shabby either. www.lowdengardencentre.com

Keep it beautiful

Lifestyle Health and Beauty

Come and experience one of our fave hair, nail and beauty salons in the whole of Wilts. Located in a converted coach house in the sleepy village of Hankerton, there is ample free parking (just what we need), and a gorgeously relaxing atmosphere. Offering all kinds of therapy for your body, look and mind, at Lifestyle Health and Beauty you can choose from amazing Guinot facials, massages including deep tissue, hot stone back massage and reflexology, and a whole range of waxing treatments. They do eyelash tinting and lifting, gel nails and of course everything you could demand to keep your locks luscious. Most importantly, your wellbeing is their priority and I promise, you’ll feel truly at home and at ease in their care. You’ll probably never want to leave!

The Parlour

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Marlborough High Street is the most gorgeous beauty salon – a relaxing little place filled with lotions and potions. Run by the effervescent and inspiring Bianca, it is a real home from home, born from an age old passion for beauty and holistic therapies and coupled with a love of all things vintage. You’ll be welcomed with smiles here, and a good old fashioned warmth and charm while you get pampered, preened and generally made even more blooming beautiful than you were before, lady! The Parlour offers the cream of the crop of beauty treatments, holistic therapies and hairdressing, with all the latest products and brands. Want a relaxing massage after a day of killer heels and stressful meetings? Mega eyelash extensions? A spiritual hug when things have gone properly t**s up? The Parlour will whisk you away and just, y’know, spoil you rotten. www.parlourbeauty.co.uk

Serenity Wellness and Beauty

The perfect partnership between looking and feeling good, Serenity Wellness and Beauty is a haven of tranquility, a calming space to relax and rejuvenate in the hands of talented therapist and owner, Jayne. Fancy a sports massage or Reiki, Thai hot compress or an acupressure massage, even a warm bamboo and pregnancy massage? This hidden gem in the heart of Melksham offers holistic and beauty treatments as well as sports injuries and remedial therapies. This February, Serenity is the place to go for true wellness, with two new fabulous treatments. Myofascial release is a hands-on treatment using gentle but sustained pressure onto the connective tissue beneath the skin, to alleviate pain. It can be done over broader muscle groups or on singular localised pain areas. Benefits include correcting muscle imbalances, assisting in joint range and motion, relieving muscle soreness and relaxing muscles. Have you tried sugaring? A 4000-year old treatment from ancient Persia, sugaring is a natural way to remove unwanted hair, is less painful than waxing plus there is less likelihood of ingrowing hairs, rashes and soreness. Bonus! melkshambeautyandholistic.co.uk

The Tranquil Moment

Need to unwind? This gorgeous salon does tranquil in spades, situated in an oh-so-calm corner of Wiltshire. Sitting buffed, primed and pretty in a gorgeous village location is The Tranquil Moment, a hidden gem of a beauty salon which, once you step through the door, you’ll never want to leave. Ideal for those who really value one-to-one attention, treatments range from top to toe, all as relaxing as can be (natch). Breathe new life into your skin with reviving facials from Decleor (deep relaxing massage, followed by a detailed facial with carefully formulated skin care products), or try a new CACI facial treatment, non-surgical treatments great for reviving older skin. Their manis and pedis are divine, and their massages to die for. Specialist treatments include semi-permanent make up and hair removal.

Write it down

From You to Me

Be mindful this 2020 with gorgeous journals and stationery from www.fromyoutome.com. A new decade deserves more than a list of resolutions. This is a great time to think about yourself and what you want the next decade to bring. We love their wellbeing, happiness and fulfilment journal to gently guide you into the new decade, as well as This is Me – a mindful autobiographical journal exploring the uniqueness of what make you who you are. Connect with your emotions on a wonderful journey of exploration and discovery. With their personalised diaries you can get organised and motivated in 2020. With motivational quotes, a diary spread per week plus notepaper you can choose the cover, the start month, the title and the mantra to create a combined diary and notebook that is truly personal. Love them!

The Personal Trainer

Kirsty Victoria, Swindon

Meet Kirsty Victoria, a 30 something lawyer-turned-fitness professional who specialises in working with brides who want to get fit, lose weight and fit into the wedding dress of their dreams in time for the big day. This lady knows that looking your best on your wedding day is one of the biggest concerns brides have, but trying to get fit and lose weight whilst planning a wedding is HARD… And that’s where Kirsty Victoria comes in – she understands this, and works hand in hand with brides to achieve their wedding dress goals. Her Bridal PT service is a monthly online membership program that gets results by working out when it suits you. This includes gym and home workouts, nutritional advice, food plans and loads more. Need a fast fix, quickly? Her Wedding Dress Transformation programme lasts for 8 weeks, and has already helped dozens of brides feel incredible in their wedding dress. NOT getting hitched? Kirsty also works with women on 1-2-1 PT, plus she offers a 12 week coaching programme to nail down nutrition. kirstyvictoria.co.uk

The outdoor swim

Explore Wiltshire’s crazily wild outdoor swimming places, even in the freezing cold. Our rivers and lakes are cleaner, safer and more accessible than at any time in living memory and the health benefits of a wild swim or natural dip are also now well known, so take the plunge and dip in. That’ll be you, obvs. Not me. There are some amazing spots along the River Windrush, and in Cotswold Country Park. wildswimming.co.uk

The Spas

Bowood Hotel and Spa, Calne

Fancy an idyllic escape surrounded by endless views, wildlife and remote Wiltshire countryside? Oh, and a luxury spa too? Yes please! Take a dip in the infinity swimming pool, detox in the sauna or steam room, or pamper yourself with their gorgeous Ytsara body treatments – we love their Tranquil Journey, a full body massage for total relaxation with a warm and calming poultice which melts away tension and allows your mind and body to reconnect. Choose from a range of spa packages – our fave is their Luxury Spa Pamper Break which includes a night’s accommodation, 3 course evening meal, full Wiltshire breakfast and use of the spa including a luxury spa treatment per person. Their new relaxation area looks utterly fabulous and they have just relaunched the Twilight Spa package. A recipe for pure tranquility.

The Spa at Woolley Grange, nr Bradford on Avon

This beautiful hideaway on the southern edge of the Cotswolds, 15 minutes from Bath and a short jaunt down into artisan Bradford on Avon, has a family friendly spa hidden in the walled garden where fresh vegetables and children grow healthily alongside each other. They’ve just launched a whole host of new spa treats, including ‘Time for Mum 2 Be’ (think peaceful pregnancy massage, a gentle swim in the oh-so-warm pool and a nutritious two course lunch or scrummy afternoon tea) and ‘Time Together’ for mum and child, where little ones enjoy an hour of fun play in the Woolley Bears Den whilst you revel in an Elemis spa treatment, followed by a relax with the paper. For a more grown up treat the hotel has just launched their ‘Morning Half Day Refresh’ and ‘Afternoon Revive’, both including an Elemis or Jessica treatment, food and full use of the pools, sauna, steam room and beautiful grounds.

The Festival

Verve Festival, Broad Chalke, Wilts, 5-6 Sep

Get your tix now for this fab new wellness festival celebrating health, fitness and the great outdoors. All ages are welcome for a weekend of yoga and meditation, Pilates, exercise classes and guided farm runs in the most picturesque location imaginable in South Wiltshire, plus there will be a full education programme, covering health & wellness, nutrition, sleep, mindfulness, life coaching, children’s health and much more. Enjoy mindful activities such as foraging, bushcraft in the woods, silent walks or landscape drawing with a local artist. Reconnect with yourself and your surroundings in workshops that celebrate the beauty of The Chalke Valley and promote mindfulness and wellbeing. Oh, and there is a Zest Spa! What’s not to like? www.feeltheverve.com

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New year, new you

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