An HAUTE so FABULOUS Wellness Guide; The LONDON Edition

M O V E M E N T as M E D I C I N E

Basic Space - Jaime Hepburn can literally do no wrong when it comes to yoga + aesthetics so when she opened her own studio in London, it quickly became the hottest studio in town for the aesthete’s out there looking for authentic yogi embodiment with a major touch of chic // The Rogue Room - ok this is one of the coolest yoga concepts out there. Look out fir their pop-up classes + their bigger events which are held at FABRIK London - SUCH a vibe! // Love Supreme Projects - I have found some incredible new teachers by attending this beautifully loving + welcoming studio. Always on the look out too for online workshops or classes to attend, this is the perfect place where teachers from all over the world tend to come to share their magic // Indaba - this is my home studio for London, it holds a special place in my heart as it is where I trained for my 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, the array of classes available are incredible. Teachers I love there are Amrab Vallo (my teacher trainer), Stewart Gilchrist (be prepared for a whopper class) + any of the Forrest Yoga teachers // Nobu Pilates - for a super boujee but authentically classic reformer, Nobu is my go-to for reformer in London // Barry’s - as always, my favourite high intensity class whatever city I’m in. I’m admittedly fully addicted // Psycle - OK, this is my London vibe! I absolutely adore this brand when I’m in town. Any of the early morning spin classes are just epic + if you appreciate a beautiful Sunday afternoon flow, do your mind, body + soul a favour + book into Alanna’s yoga class at the Mortimer St. location. It’s absolute weekend heaven // Soul Cycle - an obvious classic but always a good idea to get a serious sweat on, I love Soul Cycle + my go-to location in London is the Nottinghill one // BLOK, ok BLOK is a viiiiibe. I first fell in love with it when we lived in Manchester for a year a while back + the classes are so diverse. One of my favourite barre teachers is Ellya Sam who is head of barre at the brand + who’s classes will set your glutes on FIRE. Also I highly recommend trying out some of the more unusual discipline of classes on offer, I’ve tried them all + it’s amazing to step outside your comfort zone. I literally had to stand there in calisthenics as I couldn’t do a thing, entirely humbled watching people do inspirational things with their strength // BXR - for HIIT classes this is a real kick in the butt.. so worth it though.

O U T D O O R S

London is so vast; expansive like few other cities. Because of this, I adore walking everywhere I possibly can when I’m here. My average steps go way up in my London days. Running in Regents Park is one of my favourite ways to get a good sweat in on a sunny day. Or strolling from one side of the city to another, taking in all the different neighbourhoods along the way. Hyde Park, of course is a classic but in fact, Regent’s park is my personal preference.

S H O P S

ilapothacary - in Notting Hill is an entirely wholesome obsession of mine. This beauty + wellness brand is a dream come to life with the most amazing products that work to heal from all angles. Try Beat the Blues Pulse Point Roller or the Beat the Blues Room Spray. Oh + the SOS Body Balm is BEYOND // Planet Organic - such a great classic for all things healthy for // Daylesford Organic - another British classic, the Marlybone + Notting Hill locations are my preferred in the city. A perfect point of country-chic reference in the city for all things organic, healthy + beautiful.

W E L L N E S S P R A C T I C E S

Roscop Practice - Frederic Roscop is an Osteopath + founder of Roscop Practice who has been bringing health to a whole new level in London long before it was ‘cool’ to care about what it actually feels like to be well. Covering many aspects of health including acupuncture, movement, massage + osteopathy, all from the core concept of integrative health measures being the ultimate way to live well + prioritise well-being at all levels. I believe in this concept so deeply so it’s one place that always draws me in // FaceGym - I’ve been doing FaceGym on + off for years now having dipped in + out of their in-person facials in different cities, attending their Zoom classes throughout lockdown for Gua Sha + the FaceGym at home tutorials + of course their tools.. their tools are wonderful! // Get A Drip - Great + affordable IV drips + vitamin shots with several locations around the city, it’s a welcome boost when you’re feeling in need of a little energy lift // The Mandrake Hotel - Here you can find an incredible offering of wellness + spiritual gathering including sound baths + varying sound healings, Reiki, breathwork, yoga + more. I have loved anything I’ve gone to here + Barbra May + Maria Lodetoft from Mystic Sisters host much of their energetic classes here which are literally a hug for your soul // RE:Mind Studio - OK this is one of my favourite places to take the pace down in London. RE:Mind is a luxe level unwind for your mind, body + soul. Everything I’ve gone to here has taken me down to earth while simultaneously taking me far from anything earthly. It is HEAVEN // Last but most definitely not least is Ricari Method - the OG of lymphatic drainage + it coming into my psyche some years back. I’ve been to the ones in London + New York + it is always a dream. Try to book with Anna if possible but if not, anyone in NYC +

C A F É S + R E S T A U R A N T S

Sunday in Brooklyn - literally lines down the street, it’s exactly as it suggests, as though you’re out for brunch on a Sunday.. in Brooklyn. It’s a thing + must be tried // Ottolenghi - ANY + ALL of the Ottolenghi locations. Just anything he does really food wise. He can do no wrong // Farmacy - a chi-chi haunt made famous by the Notting Hill crowd, Farmacy is a great one to do just once. Healthy, fun + great people watching // Rovi - Another genius Ottolenghi creation. Divine on all levels // Wild by Tart - Founded by Jemima Jones + Lucy Carr-Ellison created Wild by Tart after the success of their bespoke catering company Tart London. Seasonal dishes with a strong focus on sustainably sourced ingredients, it’s a really nice girls lunch spot with a fun aesthetic // Farm Girl - With locations in Notting Hill, South Ken, Belgravia, Fitzrovia + Soho, you can be sure to find a healthy (with twists) option whichever Farm Girl you stumble upon // Island Poke - One of my go-to Deliveroo options when in London, you can never beat a great Poke bowl // Rika Moon - OK the complete opposite of Deliveroo style nights, this is your next must when in London. I was introduced to this incredibly cute, chic + VIBEY Japanese-fusion dinner spot + fell in love at the first bite. The food is OUTRAGEOUSLY divine + the vibe is so on-point. Sushi + champagne, yum // Atis - My idea of salad heaven. Literally all there is to say: this is me in a meal - SO good // Kol - Impossible to get into, this is one I’m yet to experience in person but it’s top of my list to check every time I know I’ll be in town. Think Mexican but elevated!!! //

J U I C E S + C O F F E E

Gails - I love my morning coffee at Gails when I am staying with my gorgeous cousin Jess. It’s my little go-to. And I will admit that their salads were my everyday lunchtime choice (literally on repeat) while I was over doing my Yoga teacher training last year // The Monocle Cafe in Marylebone is another of my go-to favourites for a coffee + some time spent watching the world go by if you’re lucky enough to catch a seat outside. Plus the matcha here is insane // Daylesford Organic - Any of the London locations are just as chic as the brand’s first location in the Cotswolds - a perfect little spot to grab a coffee + a moment to recharge // LIFT Coffee - I love this spot in Notting Hill for really really great coffee + a laptop day // Shreeji Newsagents - I love grabbing a coffee here + sitting outside watching the world go by. It’s right by Chiltern Firehouse (+ next door to Monocle) + is the perfect little spot to pick up the best magazines + let the hours pass you by

Wellness Retreats for Your Consideration, 2023

January 11, 2023WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

NUSHU RETREATS // COSTA RICA + UPSTATE NY

NUSHU is a wellness collective I had the pleasure of encountering last year while on a retreat in Spain. A beautiful company with immensely meaningful + soul strengthening foundations, NUSHU was founded by Vanessa Cornell in New York City with the vision to hold safe space + a supportive environment for those seeking to live authentic, inspired + more joyful lives. With regular groups held virtually, the company also hosts the most beautiful destination retreats ranging from surf retreats in Costa Rica to rock climbing + hiking adventures in Upstate New York where each time the sole aim is to combine adventure, fun + joy with opportunities for connecting with incredible women in a safe, nurturing + judgment-free environments. And what’s more curative than a dreamy escape with a wonderful group of women supported by the open-minded + healing power of a NUSHU group.. quite literally nothing. NUSHU is a space to find home within.

Learn more // NUSHU.COM

LA DOLCE VITA YOGA // LECCE, ITALY

I was recently introduced to the beautiful yogi ways of Roberto Bitettio through my gym in here in Dublin. I’m not someone who would take a yoga at a gym too seriously to be honest but I felt called to attend Roberto’s vinyasa class + I couldn’t be happier I did. A true yogi, Roberto’s energy on + off the mat is a genuine delight. His yoga flows + sequences are empowering + powerful, both gentle yet strengthening all at once. I love a challenge + he most certainly brings that to the mat. I have been booking back in as often as possible + now I’m looking at his beautiful retreats for the year in his home in Lecce, Southern Italy where he hosts yoga escapes that seem as dreamy in real life as they look + read.

Learn more // ROBERTOBITETTIO.COM

ŌTIUM //VARIOUS LOCATIONS

I just recently stumbled upon ŌTIUM late last year + have since been dreaming of escaping into their world as soon as humanly possible. Focusing on well-being + self-exploration through the mediums of creativity, movement + the art of unwinding, ŌTIUM focuses each of their retreats on a specific theme depending on the location. ŌTIUM’s founder spent the last decade in the luxury industry bringing other brand’s vision’s to life while continuously diving into other cultures + local delicacies in some of the world’s most luxurious destinations. Now, Samantha brings her vision toile via ŌTIUM upon the beautiful principles that act as the brand’s foundational ethos: the road less travelled is always one of self-discovery, impactful + intimate gatherings harness truthful + meaningful connection, ancient wisdom never gets old + ŌTIUM is always based on entirely immersive experiences for the individual.

Learn more // ŌTIUM.COM

SHESHE RETREATS // VARIOUS LOCATIONS

For she who loves movement, she who seeks adventure + she who values peace” a retreat with She She Retreats is a must addition to your bucket list. With a strong emphasis on movement + mind, nourishing nutrition, community + conscious living, the only thing you need with you in attendance of a She She retreat is an open mind to your own untapped potential upon reconnecting with your most authentic self. Stripped back of all the distractions of every day life, it is the greatest gift of all to give oneself the space + time to rebalance within + that is exactly whatShe She Retreats does to a tee + in incredible locations that will take your breath away.

Learn more // S H E S H E - R E T R E A T S .C O M

JAIME HEPBURN // GREECE

I first came across yoga teacher, Jaime Hepburn a few years ago + immediately fell for her calm energy, incredible aesthetics + her clearly innate gift around design. Drawn in pretty much straight away though to her yoga teachings + online classes, it has been her teaching style + incredible way of guiding students through a variety of flows that has kept me an enthusiast. At the time she was based on the West Coast of the US + her adventures were beautiful Cali vibes, sunshine + yoga. But even in rainy London, her authenticity, vision + practice remains in tact + no matter where she is her retreats seem to be as beautiful IRL as IG would suggest. Having practiced on her digital platform The Yoga Library + been to Basic Space, her now in-person studio in London, I can attest to the fact that to flow in retreat with Jaime must be a dream.

Learn more // JAIMEHEPBURN

WYLDER RETREATS // VARIOUS LOCATIONS

WYLDER Retreats is another company I came across late last year in my search for something to ground + balance in 2023. Founded by private yoga teacher, Charlotte Townend, the company is home to a collective of brilliant creatives based in Ibiza + Formentera. Teaming up with local chefs, movement practitioners + other creatives, Charlotte curates each retreat with the aim to immerse you in the local beauty + experiences of these special Spanish islands. An escape that is entirely beautiful + nourishing.

Learn more // W Y L D E R R E T R E A T S

LT&CO // VARIOUS LOCATIONS

From Mallorcan style fincas to riads in Morocco, wherever LT & Co. decides to retreat, rest assured it’s going to be one fabulous experience for your mind, body + soul. With much attention directed to the nurturance of the mind-body connection through experiences in nature + wellness practices beyond the obvious, each retreat is carefully curated by LT & Co.’s founder Lizi, a pilates instructor who embodies the well-being of the Mediterranean lifestyle from her base in Spain. To assist in a full mind + body reset, farm-to-table nourishment is brought to life by a collection of plant based + vegetarian chefs using all locally sourced seasonal produce. The idea of an entire experiential journey is what you’ll step into with LT & Co.

Learn more // L T & C O

Photo Sources 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Yoga Mats Worth Investing In

October 14, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

Whether you bring your own mat to the studio or prefer practicing at home in your own environment, a mat you really cherish is an important element upon which to begin your yoga journey - or for those who may have practiced for years, something to treat yourself to. In saying that, I acknowledge entirely that our mats + the asana we do on them are just one part of the yogi life. Yet it’s nice to invest love + energy into the space upon which you come to practice with intention + conscious purpose. Mats are often seen as simply a functional object but they represent a grounding, a connection between us + the earth that deserves to be loved + enjoyed. Here are some incredible ones to consider.

C A S A L L

Conceived by instructors + medical experts, the Casall yoga mat has won awards for it’s specifically dynamic design which focuses on exceptional grip + luxurious cushioning. The brand’s innately sleek design makes for a beautiful mat to flow on, thanks to the brand’s Swedish roots.

€99.95 // Shop HERE

F U R O S T U D I O S

The 01 Series Yoga Mat by Furo Studios, another beautiful manifestation of the genius that is Swedish design, is the pinnacle of Furö Studios sustainable yoga accessories collection as brought to life by Jesper + Frida Starvid. The mat is designed around the idea of your space, minimalist so that you can focus on your alignment it offers immense grip under pressure + like all the best mats out there, it’s natural rubber materials act as an enhanced shock absorber so that your joints are supported fully.

€160 // Shop HERE

B Y O G A

Whether in the studio or practicing at home, B Yoga`s B MAT Strong Yoga Mat is a strong choice for your everyday rituals but also amazing for it’s minimal weight which means you can easily transport it with you so, no matter where you are, home is where your mat is. Some of my favourite studios (The Class in NYC for one) use B YOGA mats.

€99.95 // Shop HERE

K O K O N I

The idea of slow living as a way of being was really brought home in 2019 with the creation of Koko ni (meaning here) mats by husband + wife team James + Bianca Stephenson. With the idea that objects carry energy, the mats are made with energetical intention + manifest in physical form with natural tree rubber + luxurious recycled vegan suede. These mats are not only incredibly loving to the environment but also aesthetically beautiful; proving to be something not just to practice on but to complement your environment, a piece for your home. With this one, I must admit, home on the mat never felt so chic.

£98 // Shop HERE

P A N G A I A

Made from natural rubber for extra cushioning along with algae + pre-consumer Eva, all of which ensure this mat is 100% repurposing materials from landfills + making your time on the mat that bit more meaningful.

€100 // Shop HERE

** Disclaimer, some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning if you click through + decide to purchase the item, I get a small percentage of the price. Commission is only transferred if you purchase however. You do not pay any more than the store’s recommend retail price.

HSF Wellness Guides; The New York City Edition

September 14, 2022Travel, WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

Regular schedules + routines break while traveling; no matter how type A one is (or, admittedly I am), it’s inescapable that what you routinely practice at home - when you do it + how you implement it - isn’t as perfectly guaranteed to remain so solidly intact while away from the certainty of what you make happen each day in ‘normal’ life + trust me, even the best plans + intentions get blindsided by the natural, albeit wonderful, upset that comes with travel to anyone’s otherwise flowing schedule. And so while routine in it’s at-home version might be different while away, what does come with us is the approach we have to our own well-being + the rituals + practices that make us feel good no matter where we may be. What’s important while away is focusing on what we can do from our usual groove to make us feel our best + with that in mind, I’ve pieced together some of my favourite wellness locations + practices to try in New York City, one of my heart’s dearest home-away-from-home cities.

HAUTE so FABULOUS Wellness Guide; NEW YORK CITY Edition

M O V E M E N T C L A S S E S

Barry’s - my favourite high intensity class whatever city I’m in // New York Pilates - for a vibe-y but authentically classic reformer // The Class - something you won’t ever forget, if you can at all book into Taryn’s class as she is the founder + an incredible inspiration. You can read my piece on The Class HERE // Skyting Yoga - one of my favourite yoga communities in NYC, it’s so good + the classes here are always so heartfelt + based in genuine yoga philosophy // Three Jewels - ok this is the other of my beloved yoga places in the city, I adore this place + the meditation + breathwork classes are also phenomenal here too // Humming Puppy - such a chic place to get your flow on // The Tracey Anderson Method - the Tribecca location for this is such a fun + fabulous vibe. It’s so New York I love it + the TA method is famous as one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s favourite workouts // Soul Cycle - an obvious classic but always a good idea to get a serious sweat on, i love Soul Cycle + my go-to location is the NoHo one on Lafayette // DogPound - the place to box, you might bump into Karlie Kloss in class. I did once // NW Method - something super fun to try if you’re open, it’s a holistic approach to movement that works through the chakras, it’s like therapy + fitness combined.

O U T D O O R S

Walk or run the High Line - pick a time that isn’t peak touristy or super busy as it can get super overcrowded // Central Park - just all of it really, just being outdoors in nature but in the most fun city in the world always feels incredible // Run the Central Park Resevoir (aka: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir) - or choose any loop in Central Park, it’s divine but the Jacquie O Resevoir is pretty famous with amazing views of both the East + West sides of the city-scape against the treetops. It’s my favourite run in the city // Walk or run the Hudson River Greenway - another of my chosen city runs

S H O P S

Goop - need I saw another word? Always a good ideas to see what’s hot // Brodo Broth - famous for amazing bone broth, random but I swear by bone broth // The Alchemists Kitchen - such a serene little haven in Soho with an extraordinary selection of plant based remedies + tinctures. My kind of heaven // Anima Mundi - this one is right next door + one of the places I buy my adaptogens; Anima, the brand’s founder, is the coolest + most authentic example of living in harmony with our bodies + has managed to bring the power of ancient remedies to the modern world while making it sleek + cool yet never compromising on the deep respect it deserves // Clean Market - such an amazing wellness shop with a dreamy edit of brands + products // The Well - this is where East meets West right in the city, another amazing edit of niche wellness brands + specifically sourced items - I really love is here

C A F É S + R E S T A U R A N T S

Bonberri Mart - one of my all time favourites to pick up a fabulous salad, smoothie or a delicious healthy treats - Nicole Berri , Bonberri Mart’s creator is one of my hearth heroes + has inspired me a lot by her lifestyle that she shares at her cafes + in her beautiful book ‘Body Harmony’ which I absolutely recommend // Sakara Life - the Sakara Life girls are also health heroes of mine. Sakara is for home delivered only as of yet. On so many levels it’s a brand I’ve been following from the start; their cookbook is awesome + their protein powder is the hero product in my smoothies. Oh + while you’re strolling the streets of NYC listen to their podcast too "‘The Sakara Life Podcast’, it’s immensely educational on the integrative health way of living // Dr. Smood - a shop as well as a cafe, I love it here for guaranteed major healthy but also seriously delicious options no matter what you’re craving. They have amazing protein bars too that I always pick up when I’m in the US // Spring Cafe Aspen - A cute but super scene-y spot with a whooper menu for anytime of the day, I love it here. Have lunch + then also get something to take away as you will want to repeat as soon as you leave // Honeybrains - nothing fancy but such a great concept for health meals anytime of the day // Little Beet Table - a vegetarian focused, full sit down restaurant, this is a really great dinner location that follows seasonal offerings // Le Botaniste - if you love bowl food as much as I do, you’ll love it here. Totally plant based, everything here is organic + the whole concept is powered by totally carbon-neutral practices that bring a whole new meaning to food as medicine // Alta This is a cutesy spot with small plates inspired by the delicious food-scape that surrouns the Mediterranean Sea a a great dinner with friends option // Rose Bakery at Dover Street Market - using all organic produce + ingredients, Rose Bakery was created by Rose Carrarini + her husband Jean Charles to elevate simple, delicious foods // Whole Foods for grabbing something on the go

J U I C E S + C O F F E E

Café Kitsuné West Village - just like it’s Parisian equivalent, Café Kitsuné from Maison Kitsuné is so effortlessly cool + exactly where I’d love to pick up my iced coffee with a dash of oat milk every morning // Sant Ambroeus - I adore both the Upper East Side + Soho locations, both amazing for coffee pit stops or // Pressed - always a brilliant spot to pick up amazing juices, I often order for home delivery too with Pressed while in the US, they have the most straightforward brilliant offering // Joe + The Juice - love to pick up a smoothie here post a workout, also awesome if you’re in London or Stockholm // Happy Bones // Cafe Integral - great coffee is hard to come by in the US, fact. But heree it is in complete abundance; the cutest spot with amazing coffee right in Nolita // Lafayette - love love love everything about here. Such a vibe + the coffee is amazing

W E L L N E S S P R A C T I C E S

Clean Market - for IV Therapy, Cryotherapy + Infrared Sauna // Higher Dose - my go-to for Infrared Sauna + seriously amazing lymphatic drainage massage, I go here every time I’m in the cit without fail // Ricari Studios - for beyond amazing specialised lymphatic drainage + other massage techniques // The Well - every service here is endorsed by Dr. Lipman, an alternative medicine advocate + doctor who believes in the body’s ability to heal from within, I adore the foundational philosophy of everything he does, it’s an incredible menu of treatments // IMD Beauty Spa - another incredible place to let your lymphatic system know you love it, IMD has been around for 35 years + is one of the originals in advocating for this hugely beneficial way of riding the body of what it doesn’t need // Remedy Place - for something super new to the city, this is where wellness gets super cool,. .. like freezing, as in ice baths are their thing!

Artah, The Retreat of Dreams

June 7, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

These days I’m a huge advocate of truthfully feeling healthy from the inside out. Never had I realized prior to the past few years that how we treat our bodies has a direct + consequential result on how we experience our lives; trust me, I’ve done it all + in the end, the most beneficial way of nourishing the body is one that energizes, nurtures + encourages optional functionality at a mental, physical + emotional level.

It’s safe to say I’ve been committed to my own practice + deepened search of whole well-being over the past number of years; a journey encompassing the goal of healthy being at a much more feel-good level than any of the previously harsh + restrictive practices I used to see as the only approach to my body. After years of being completely in denial about how depleted I was in every way imaginable, I realize it was a combination of many factors married with a complete unawareness of what it is to feel good that I was so far from any concept of the potential of my body. From being lost in the haze of disordered eating + serious malnourished fogginess will do that to you though - don’t fool yourself if you’re in it, I can report from the other side (+ I say with much love + encouragement) that it’s a really inadequate way of existing. It is so possible + in contrast, feeling good from the inside out is something I now consider as much a luxury as it is a necessity; perhaps even a responsibility I uphold myself to. Feeling legitimately well is a reality in my daily life that I will do anything to protect, nurture + deepen now.

As part of this physical, + what has honestly for me been somewhat of a spiritual or transcendental journey, I have looked to those who live a life of sincere vitality in their own ways - those from whom I can sense their natural + genuinely healthy spark. Someone who has been part of that select group of individuals + brands is Rhian Stephenson who, just pre-pandemic founded Artah Retreats, a company founded on Rhian’s own passion for wellness + the desire to share her wealth of knowledge with the world + her wisdom of the body in it’s varying degrees of magnitude. Now, simply Artah, the brand has expanded to a digital offering which comprises of a membership style community with a very educational slant with 21 weekly recipes alongside it’s product line of specific + incredibly beneficial supplements, each developed by Rhian + the Artah team in the search for better, more sustainable energy + a determined command of your health. All of which is founded upon the wholesome philosophy that by nourishing the body it will begin to trust us + in return work at it’s meant to, optimally + sustainably. Perhaps we could even go as far as to say that by actually listening or catering to our bodies cues, you can really begin to create + curate an enhanced feeling of well-being in your overall life. Something I completely contest to today.

Last month, I was deeply grateful for the opportunity to delve into the world of Artah in much more depth by attending a 5-day retreat at the brand’s Spanish property, Can Terrades. A stunning destination within its own right, Can Terrades plays host to exactly what Artah represents: wholesome, empowered, holistic + mindful living. Framed by vineyards + mountains, the 100-acre estate sits in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains + was brought to life, alongside Stephenson’s vision, by London based interior designer Rachel Laxer who’s work speaks volumes to the fact that our environment most definitely has a direct effect on our well-being + in this case a profoundly positive one. At its core, Can Terrades is a presentation of overall holistic living, something that really nurtures every part of you once you step away from the world + into its welcoming embrace.

Waking up in such chic + natural surrounds was a dream. Each day planned to maximize the 5 day stay while equally making time for some chill time spent by the pool. Depending on the particular specifics of the retreat, each has a focus. For this one it was to sculpt + flow where early risings lead to a beautiful 3-4 hour morning hike post breakfast + a FIRE (AF the burn was SO real) barre class pre-dinner with the entire afternoon to simply unwind; there is an infrared sauna (obsessed), an LED light machine, reading spaces + places to do nothing but drink up the goodness of a day spent in the world of Artah.

Food at the retreat is a dream at each sitting. Curated + prepared by Phillipa Fern - who also creates the weekly menus on Artah’s platform + whom I can absolutely say is a food goddess - each meal is a considered creation as delicious as it is functional. The team work the nutrition into the day so as to encourage the body to optimize natural digestion + revitalize your energy at a cellular level.

As a pilates/barre fan, to be taught each day by BLOK’s head barre instructor Ellya Sam was another delight each evening pre-dinner. It’s a given that whoever Artah’s chosen resident teacher is during a retreat you are are inn for a treat. The movement is instrumental in bringing the fire + Ellya most certainly brought that in bundles. Bookending each day with movement was an incredible way to give the body that blast of dynamic energy + being a movement lover it was right up my alley.

Coming to the end of the stay with Artah was a bittersweet union of excited enthusiasm in wanting to implement this way of living in every second of my life with a slight mourning that you can’t just stay forever. A (re)treat to be repeated + loved time + time again.

Read my interview with Artah’s founder Rhain // HAUTE so FABULOUS x RHIAN STEPHENSON, THE INTERVIEW

Step into the world of Artah // A R T A H . C O

Rhian Stephenson's London Hotlist

May 31, 2022TravelRebecca O'Byrne

Way to spend a day alone? // Workout, walk, amazing food, and massage

Best cocktail spot? // Chiltern is fun, or for a London classic, the Connaught

Breakfast? // Our grain free granola with almond yogurt and fresh berries. Can't get enough

Brunch? // Shakshuka

Dinner? // I love seafood and sushi, so literally anything involving either!

Date night spot? Liz Boetta

Gallery? // David Zwiiner or Victoria Miro

Exercise class? // Karve

Yoga studio? // Indaba

Beauty or wellness treatment? // I'm a treatment junkie so I love anything massage related. But a few I love are - wellness rituals at Aman, facials at Fern Skin Clinic, acupuncture and Mesotherapy - not pleasant but amazing for skin.

Weekend escape? // Oh definitely Artah in Spain!

Rhian Stephenson, Founder of Artah; The Interview

May 26, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

Having been on my own personal health journey for many years now I have come to unquestionably respect + appreciate the importance of a truthful, effective + loving approach to my wellness as a whole. As part of this continued path for me, I have been genuinely inspired by the work of today’s interviewee. I am so honored to introduce you to Rhian Stephenson, someone at the absolute forefront of the well-being industry. Founder of ARTAH, a whole-body holistic wellness company based in London but with a Spanish retreat location, Rhian is a force to be reckoned with + a wealth of important knowledge in her approach to healthful + conscious longeivity around our minds + bodies, cutting out all the BS fads that have, unpon the precieved ‘failures’ of their targets, made so many company’s their billions. I spoke with Rhian about her own journey + the practices that keep her feeling well, energized + at her best..

HSF - Rhian, tell us about yourself + your journey to date... beyond the brand, who are you?

RS - Well I’m originally from Canada where I trained as a trained Naturopath, Nutritionist and Medical Herbalist. I grew up as a competitive athlete so my love for health and fitness started at a really young age, and its contributed to why I have such a holistic approach to blending movement with nutrition + healing practices to create overall health. Before I started Artah I was the CEO of Psycle London and led the brand for 7 years before moving back into functional medicine, so I've been lucky enough to be able to blend both of my loves in my career path to date. I have a young daughter named Maisie and as I write this, am 9 days away from delivering my next daughter... so lots on my plate!

HSF - And on the brand, ARTAH is such a beautiful, nurturing + wholly authentic culmination of your expertise. For anyone yet to experience ARTAH though, explain if you would the vision + philosophy of the company + how it came to fruition...

RS - As a child I was extremely sick. From chronic bronchitis and sinus infection to stomach migraines and debilitating headaches, I was never well and always felt different to everyone else. I was processed through just about every specialist in the traditional medical system but nobody could find a cause of my symptoms, so I was labelled a 'sickly' child with a weak consitution and always sent home with painkillers and antibiotics. Finally when I was in my late teens, my mother took me to a Naturopath who discovered I had an allergy to caesin (a protein in milk), numerous vitamin deficiencies and chronic inflammation. After about 3 months of working with her I was a different child - I had energy, my symptoms had virtually disappeared, and over the course of the next year my academic and athletic performance skyrocketed. This was when I realised that the food you eat can change your life, and that just because there is an absence of disease it doesn't mean that we are healthy. This is what got me really excited about getting to the root causes of imbalances and helping people cultivate optimal health. When I was at Psycle, we saw thousands of people per week and even though they were falling in love with movement and getting fitter, so many were still plagued with similar issues of imbalance - IBS, skin issues, menstrual problems, disrupted sleep, anxiety, hormonal imbalances... all of these things were still so prevalent even with a population of people who were invested in health and fitness. So with Artah I wanted to bring everything together and make the principles of functional medicine more accessible - from practitioner grade supplements to nutrition plans and retreats, we really want to empower people to live life in their best health.

HSF - Have you always been so passionate about health or have there been challenges that afforded you a fresh perspective on what it means to feel good?

RS - My experience as a child helped me understand what health really means, but I had another challenge that helped me empathise with what people are up against after I had my daughter. I was going through an extremely stressful work transition right after I gave birth which caused a huge amount of anxiety. Coupled with sleepless nights, breastfeeding, the pandemic, recovering from a c section, and the general challenges that new moms face, I was in the worst place I had ever been. I could feel that there was something underlying going on that had been brought on by this experience, but when I went to the Dr they wouldn't do any tests and just offered me anxiety medication. I think that it's really challenging to advocate for yourself when you're a patient, especially when you're in a vulnerable state, and if I didn't have the background I have I would probably have just left it there and gotten worse. I tried to push for blood tests but ended up going private, and it turned out that I had post-partum thyroiditis and anaemia, so once I found that out I could work on getting back to health. I think we're taught to accept that feeling bad can just be normal or in our head, which is incredibly disempowering and holds a lot of people back from experiencing great health.

HSF - You work holistically on all elements of people’s health, from the physical to the mental. For anyone wanting to begin to feel better in themselves, where do you suggest beginning? It can be daunting for many...

RS - I think it's really important to start off with the right mindset - which is that this approach takes time and you don't need to do it all at once. I often see people 'fail' because they try to implement everything all at once in an incredibly extreme manner and then be perfect from day one, but we don't expect this from anything else in our lives and it's a hard standard to live up to. So, once you know it's process, I think a great first step is an audit. Go through physical health, emotional health, nutrition, and movement and see where you are compared to where you want to be. From there you can start to create actions. There may be some really obvious things that stand out - that you can change right away for immediate impact while you work on others. It's important to get onto a good nutrition plan because of how impactful that is for emotional health and then build in from there.

HSF - What are your tips for building a strong routine around wellness as a lifestyle, a mentality of longevity in a way..

RS - Mentality wise, the most important thing is to move away from thinking solely about weight and aesthetics to understanding the enormous impact that wellness has on emotinoal health, relationships, longevity and disease risk. Connecting wellness to happiness is important - this will help you feel confident and consistent in your choices and the habits you wish to cultivate. I always recommend that people set 3 non-negotiables. These can change as your lifestyle changes or throughout the years, but it helps you commit to positive behaviours that you know will be additive to your health. I also think it's important to set aside time for yourself a few times a year - whether you want to call it a cleanse, a reset, or a retreat - to focus on yourself and feeling good. We often neglect the rest and restore aspect of wellbeing and I see so many people who burn the candle at both ends but never take time to replenish - this is totally unsustainable. Finally, I think it's important to realise that we are responsible for our health - and if we want it to come through for us we need to invest in it.

HSF - Do you have a morning +/or nighttime routine?

RS - At night I always take 10-20 minutes to unwind with a little bit of stretching and yin before bed. Because I run my own business, it's so easy to be on email right up until I turn the lights out, and when I do that my sleep is terrible, so I need to set a screen limit and get back into my body before I go to bed. I've also noticed that since my baby I am far less tolerant to coffee in the morning - it makes me incredibly anxious. So, everyday I have 500mls with our Cellular Hydration before I do anything else and this really energises me and sets my mood on the right course. Other than that my routines have pretty much been focused on baby/toddler care for the past 2 years!

HSF - What wellness products or tools can you not live without? Anything you think is worth investing in?

RS - If you really want to invest in a larger product, I would recommend the Joovv light. It's a red and infrared light therapy box which I have found incredibly helpful for mood, energy, skin and sleep (especially throughout the winter!). In terms of other things I can't live without, I obviously am pretty attached to my supplements. Enhanced Nootropics, Essential Omegas, Essential GLA and Cellular Hydration are my go to. Finally I love bodywork, so one of my favourite tools is the bed of nails acupucnture mat.

HSF - Gut health is thankfully becoming a more recognised + integral part in the conversation around long-term health, what is your philosophy on it?

RS - I'm really glad that the importance of gut health is finally being recognized. From a functional medicine POV and from a traditional medicine POV - whether you're looking at Ayurveda, TCM or any other traditional form of healing - gut health is integral to every aspect of health. This notion was quite misaligned with allopathic medicine, where everything was viewed of as separate. Now we know that the microbiome influences everything, from the neurotransmittors that govern our mood and signalling that influences appetite, to inflammation, immunity and insulin balance. This doesn't even take into effect one of the most important actions of the gut, which is the digestion and assimilation of nutrients, so ensuring our gut health is on track is fundamental to any health goal.

HSF - We live in quite a high energy world now - for many there is a lot of anxiety in the everyday - how can the ARTAH way of living play a more positive part in our mental + emotional health?

RS - A simple and impactful way to influence our emotional health is to balance blood sugar. When our blood sugar and metabolic health is off we can literally feel unhinged, so cultivating a positive and consistent approach to nutrition is one of the most important things we can do. The Artah philosophy strives to empower individuals to understand and take control of health, energy and mood. This doesn't mean that you need to be perfect, but it means that you build awareness and knowledge around how your body actually works so that you're able to interpret the fluctuations that naturally occur and kow what levers you can pull to get back on track or reset when you need to.

HSF - On the idea of beauty + wellness in general I find it so destructive that women have been sold the idea of “beauty” being the goal. There’s a false sense of necessity in it to ensure one’s success in life; something you can attain in the next procedure or detox, moisturiser, or mask. I guess so much of the industry has been all about the aesthetic for so long. I love to see this shifting toward an importance around feeling good + living healthily in a more holistic way. Beauty from the inside out, I guess. I really admire brands that prioritise wellness as a form of beauty + empowerment. Thank you for being part of that for women. It’s an important adjustment. Do you see people’s mentality shifting when it comes to the value of overall well-being from the inside out? Is that a driving force behind ARTAH or something that naturally results in what you do?

RS - It's something that's inherant to our philosophy, because being truly well isn't about hitting a goal weight or having perfect skin. When we're solely focused on aesthetics, it's so challenging to maintain and can be incredibly destructive. When we're focused on health, energy, fulfillment - this is when we naturally start to see changes in everything. Our attitude, demeanour, resilience, relationships - everything improves when we are well and healthy. Things like a healthy weight and good skin will be a natural side effect of creating a healthy internal environment. Don't get me wrong, it's ok to want to look good, but not at the expense of feeling good or true emotional health.

HSF - What do you do to stay mentally well?

RS - Daily movement is probably the most important - I love running and it really helps me feel grounded and happy. But I also need dedicated time to rest and recharge, I find it really exhuasting to manage a business as a new mom so I need to make sure that I have enough time to chill out and take time for myself. I use supplements as a way to ensure I stay happy. Right now with a business and kids, I don't sleep as much as I'd like and I definitely need more of the nutrients that support stress. Magnesium, methylated b vitamins and ashwagandha are in our Enhanced Nootropics which I take daily. I also use Cellular Hydration for energy, mood and concentration and feel a big difference when I don't take them.

HSF - Do you have any non-negotiables in your day?

RS - Movement and nutritious food are my non-negotiables. I learned long ago that eating the wrong foods makes everything harder, so I'm actually quite good at buckling down and taking care of my nutrition when I'm stressed because I know how much harder evreything else is when that is off track.

HSF - Your favourite piece of advice or approach to live by?

RS - A good friend of mine once said to me 'you can't eat an elephant in one sitting.' I love this piece of advice - it reminds us that big things take time so we need to be kind to ourselves and a little more patient.

HSF - If you had one more hour in your day, how would you spend it?

RS - Well right now I'm pregnant with a toddler.. so the honest answer is I'd probably sleep! But honestly, as a mother running a business, I never feel like I have enough times for friends and social connection, which definitely affects me. So, I'd want to spend it with friends, whether it be a walk, a fitness class, cooking together or just chatting.

S H O P T H E H S F E D I T

Skin Clinic - Pro-collagen factors + deep HYDRATION

Energy Fix - STIMULATE metabolism + combat cravings

Metabolic Fix - Regulate blood sugar + cellular energy

Enhanced Nootropics - MOOD, NEUROTRANSMITTER + STRESS SUPPORT

Cellular Hydration - Energy, Recovery + Deep hydration

Digest + Debloat - REGULATE + CALM THE GUT

Deep Detox - Enhanced detoxification + liver support

Wellness Podcasts On Repeat, Part I

May 17, 2022WellbeingRebecca O'Byrne

E X P A N D E D W I T H L A C Y P H I L L I P S

I adore everything Lacy Phillips does + have been a member of her platform, To Be Magnetic for some time now. Lacy is a manifesting expert who’s philosophy is founded on the reality rather than the fluff which I love as it’s actual practices you can implement into your life + a lot of which I’ve come to use as part of my own way of living. This is her podcast where she and her business partner Jessica share their wealth of knowledge + interview other’s with similar mindsets + approach to the art of manifesting as a way of living.

Listen anywhere you get your podcasts //

G O O P

In classic wellness-addict style, GOOP always makes my weekly list of listens. Interesting + interested, the GOOP team are always on the hunt for what’s hot in every imaginable domain of the wellness arena. Let’s just say, if it’s in GOOP it’s a thing + even if it's not something you personally wish to apply, it’s typically something worth learning about.

Listen anywhere you get your podcasts //

T H E S A K A R A L I F E

I’m a huge, huge Sakara Life fan + when it’s founders Danielle Duboise + Whitney Tingle launched their podcast in 2020 I was immediately addicted as I’d always been a fan of their core philosophy around whole health in body, mind + soul. Taking on a variety of topics + conversations Whitney + Danielle say, “everything you take in, from the food you eat to the content you absorb, ultimately informs who you are” which is exactly my own school of thought.