Astarte Mind & Body in Albion Park Rail | Pilates studio

Astarte Mind & Body

Locality: Albion Park Rail

Address: 2/45 Durgadin Drive 2527 Albion Park Rail, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.astartestudio.com

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• Alternative & holistic health service
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• Naturopath
• Pilates studio

25.01.2022 Meet me at the barre in term four. Our 45 minute Elemental barre class works you from your top to your tail and inside to out, with a balanced, multi-directional program incorporating the elements of earth, air, fire and water. Limited positions remaining in our morning and evening classes.

24.01.2022 The new Imaginarium in Shellharbour Village. Previously known as the Exhibition Space, this has been renamed and re-purposed as a venue for small group workshops and creative arts exhibitions. I'm looking forward to teaching here as part of Shellharbour City Councils Enliven program to support the performing and creative arts. There are still places remaining for you to join me this Friday for a journey into the world of watercolour pencils through an exploration of the Flower of Life. My watercolour rock pools workshop for the following Friday is booked out.

24.01.2022 This came up in my news feed today. I think we can all do with a reminder every now and then. :)

24.01.2022 Last night I had the opportunity to teach a Watercolour Rock Pools art workshop at The Imaginarium as part of @ShellharbourCC 's Enliven Shellharbour event. The workshop was inspired by rock pools around the Shellharbour area. The participants did a magnificent job on their artworks, experimenting with the beautiful qualities of watercolour pencils, while exploring the world beneath the water.

22.01.2022 1. Exercise self discipline 2. Exercise self love Unfortunately, there is no secret, nor a magic bullet when it comes to losing weight (or inches from the waistline). Weight loss is not just about calories in versus calories out, but about your quality of food choice for your body and activity levels, and your state of physical health and mental wellbeing. ... There is so much excellent and easily accessible information available these days in terms of healthy eating practices, as well as experts in dietetics and naturopathy who can assess your current nutritional state, food sensitivities and potential clashes with medications. They can also assist in providing accountability if required until new habits become your new normal. We also all know that regular exercise plays a part in caloric expenditure, but it is also so important for our mobility, strength, balance, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and our mental health. The toughest part when it comes to exercise is making it a priority and a habit. If changes in diet and exercise have little or no impact on your health or weight, there may be an underlying medical condition, or psychological condition, that is resulting in changes in normal hormone levels, or elevated stress hormones. It is important to love yourself enough to seek out expert medical advice in those instances. In the end, it really does all come down to loving and respecting yourself, your body and your health enough, and being disciplined enough to create change through prioritizing and committing.

22.01.2022 I met Amelia many years ago when she was working part time in the fitness industry. I think it's so important to hear real stories from real people to help shed some of the stigma and shame associated with mental health, depression and anxiety. Let's keep the dialogue open.

22.01.2022 Not all 'gyms' are created equal, and not all gyms are filled with 'young, sweaty bodies pumping it out' (as seems to be the impression of many armchair fb commentators). It's so disappointing to see all gyms remaining closed across VIC, and to still see so many people calling for a blanket closure of ALL gyms. We know how important gyms and exercise studios are to so many people in terms of both physical and mental health. We know how important it is to provide guided and s...upervised exercise, as well as providing a much needed social outlet, for those who are vulnerable to injury or depression. We know the health benefits of keeping our minds and bodies active. We know how important it is to provide a safe space for exercise for people who do not have good internet access, or fear walking alone outside. We have a strict Covid Safe plan and policies in place to help keep our studio a healthy and happy space for everyone. If everyone abides by policies that Fitness Australia and state health departments put in place, we can continue to have safe spaces to exercise and thrive.

22.01.2022 FLEDGLING MAGPIE SEASON If you see me on the ground, hold tight, my parents are likely to be somewhere around! They may be out collecting my food o...r chasing away predators that are likely to intrude. Please give them time, and wait and see, they're extremely likely to return to me. As my legs wobble, I clumsily plummet to the ground. Im just learning my bearings of how to get around. An exciting new world for me to see. Out of the nest and free as can be! Although I may not yet be able to fly, please dont worry as Im bound to get by. I can usually flutter and jump to higher ground. I can also communicate with my parents by emitting a sound. If you see me in immediate danger, please help and dont be a stranger! If Im injured, I need your assistance. Call your local animal rescue shelter to help secure my existence! Please dont be tempted to take me home, and try to raise me on your own. I require experienced care, and a nutritious diet like my parents would prepare! I know you mean well, and truly thank you for caring. But when it comes to raising me, even my own parents can find it overbearing! If Im too young and unable to be returned to my nest, (refer to flowchart) heres something you can try to ensure I progress... Constructing a makeshift nest is easy as can be. Octopus straps, a hanging basket, leaf litter, then securely hang it up in a tree! Make sure you wait until my mum or dad return. If you see a parent attending to me, then there is no reason for further concern. If youre EVER in doubt, do not fuss. Ring your local wildlife shelter and theyll be able to help us! The Magpie Whisperer

22.01.2022 An interesting article about looking after your feet. We work mostly barefoot at the studio as footwork and foot health is integrated into many of our classes. However, we also understand that some clients require additional support or orthotics, or may need to wear socks, 'foot undies' or soft soled shoes for warmth or padding. Our feet are our foundation, so it pays to take good care of them.

21.01.2022 This fortnight we have 'punnily' renamed our Pilates Fusion class as 'Pole-ates'. The pole is a handy tool for assisting in balance based exercise. It is also great for stretching and mobility, and can provide an additional challenge or focus for our mat based exercises. . . #pilatesfusion #pilates #poleates #pole #stretching #strengthening #exercise #coreworkout #coreessentials #albionparkrail #albionpark #shellharbour

20.01.2022 Moving with kindness is not about taking the easy option, but about giving your body what it needs to feel better, move better, or provide better support for you in your daily activities and life in general. Moving with kindness is about acknowledging what your body needs today, or in this moment. It's not about pushing yourself to breaking point, but moving in a way that will yield positive results for the immediate or long term future. Moving with kindness is facilitate...d by self love and gratitude for the amazing vessel that carries you through life. It is about both acknowledging and respecting your body's limitations and boundaries, and leading it gently into new territory when it is ready. Moving with kindness is about recognizing that exercise is a gift to be embraced, not a chore or a burden to be resented. How do YOU move with kindness? . . #astartemindandbody #astartestudio #bellydance #pilates #barre #relaxercise #personaltraining #kindness

20.01.2022 What a beautiful idea.

20.01.2022 The change of seasons and time of renewal and rebirth is upon us once again in the southern hemisphere. Symbolically, it is an opportunity to clear the clutter, and start afresh. It is time to emerge from our chrysalis, spread our wings, and embark on new and exciting journeys. Your journeys do not always have to be physical. It could be learning a new skill, or delving deeper into self exploration and development. .... . #spreadyourwings #spring #freshstart #rebirth #renewal #springcleaning #lakeillawarra #illawarra See more

19.01.2022 Sharing part 2 of Amelia's story. It's so important to take charge of your health and really find out what is going on. Integrative practitioners will look into potential root causes for certain pathologies. Many people find that once a root cause is addressed, other afflictions can subside over time too. Thank you for sharing your experiences so candidly and openly Amelia Ryan.

18.01.2022 Establishing intention is part of ensuring a clear path and clear focus towards our goals. It encompasses our aims, objectives and plan of action. Intention is also key when it comes to manifesting what you want. Intention directed by love, fired by passion, and pursued with unwavering faith has a magical way of opening up new paths to help us achieve what we want. I have set my intention this month to finding joy in the every day, and as a result am focusing on br...inging more beauty and happiness into my daily life. We know that where attention goes, energy flows, so set your intention front of your mind so you can see and seize every opportunity presented. . . #intention #goals #aim #objective #plan #action #create #manifest

18.01.2022 Let's celebrate the winding up of a tumultuous year with one last art workshop. Join me for a Poinsettia pencil drawing and painting party at the Imaginarium. BYO snack and drinks. :) https://events.humanitix.com/poinsettia-in-pencil-and-water

17.01.2022 Our Summer Session program is now live and open for bookings. Select from a range of fun and unique classes and mini workshops over the heat of January. All of our Summer Session classes will take place upstairs in studio 1 where it will be comfortably air conditioned. As we are still under Covid restrictions, all classes are limited to a maximum of 8-10 per class. All bookings via Eventbrite. See link below.

17.01.2022 What is your colour mood today?

16.01.2022 Do you use personal benchmarks in your life? Benchmarking can be a very handy tool that allows us to monitor our progress, especially when we have a goal that we want to achieve. If you feel that sometimes we are using the same types of warm up exercises, you are totally correct. These foundation movements can provide us as trainers and instructors with a lot of important information about how you are moving and feeling on any particular day, thus allowing us to adjust the pr...ograms accordingly. For example, a basic stepping exercise isn't just a basic stepping exercise. Within that movement we are watching how heavy or light you are stepping, your pacing, your ease of movement, whether you are favouring one side, how your pelvis is moving with the exercise, whether your core and postural muscles are engaged, and your general energy output. Benchmarking foundation exercises is also a wonderful way to see how much you have progressed, especially when a once challenging exercise is suddenly easy. Our Pilates and Barre programs always begin with 1-2 weeks of foundation exercises to allow our participants to reassess and review their starting levels, as well as allowing us as instructors to see what we need to work on with everyone, or what areas we need to focus on a little more, over the course of the program.

16.01.2022 Pilates balls are a wonderful tool to integrate into your exercise program. They can be utilized as a lumbar support for seated exercises, a pillow for the head, for stretching and mobility, as a focus point for maintaining structure in movement, or for providing resistance for isometric and strength based exercises. They are also excellent for using in kids ball games as they are nice and soft. We are going to put in another order for some balls next week. If you would... like us to order one for you DM or comment below. . . #pilates #pilatesballs #exercise #stretching #support #barre #relaxercise See more

16.01.2022 Our end of term newsletter will be emailed out next week listing all the information you need to know about our Summer Session program and term 1. If you are not on our mailing list, you can subscribe here, and of course can unsubscribe at any time. :) https://mailchi.mp/5b6da0456674/astartestudio

16.01.2022 Places still available for this Friday night. Join me for a fun and relaxing workshop to take your mind into a world of colour, shape and patterns based on the Flower of Life.

14.01.2022 A creative way to celebrate the end of the year. Join me at the Imaginarium in Shellharbour for a unique night out.

14.01.2022 What a great initiative. Every town could do with a replenish store. Our current recycling system ends up throwing a lot of stuff into the main garbage that could simply be washed and re-used.

14.01.2022 Thought for the day...

13.01.2022 With September being all about seeking and finding joy, I thought it apt to post something that sparks it in me each day. Day 1 is dedicated to my furry companions who can always lift my spirits. Day 2 is dedicated to 'Screechy' the bird who likes to frolic in our front garden each afternoon. Feel free to share an image of something that sparks joy for you in your daily life.

13.01.2022 Fear is such a debilitating state, creating a lot of unnecessary anxiety, and often also holding us back from achieving what we want. I've been forced to face my fear of technology head on this year, and have learnt a lot of new skills in the process. Although initially scary, it has been a positive experience over all. Below is a little story about one of my first deep seated fears, and the amazing power of the mind to transform fear into compassion and learning experiences.

11.01.2022 How often do we really stop and think about what is truly nourishing to our soul or spirit? How do we reenergize and revitalize ourselves from the inside? Find what fuels your passion, what you love, and what you are grateful for. Nourishing your spirit comes from fuelling it from within with kind and loving thoughts, creativity, inspiration, and gratitude. . .... #gratitude #inspiration #selflove #mindbodyspirit #kindness #love #happiness See more

11.01.2022 Once we focus on an idea or concept, we begin to notice it more often in our lives. This month I have been consciously focusing on those things that being me joy, documenting moments each day through snapshots. Many of my moments are comprised of simple things such as going for an evening walk along the lake, my neighbours roses that peek over the fence, acts of kindness, my cats, art, and the beauty of nature.... Focus for a week on things that bring you joy, and document them through photos, art, poetry, posts, or journalling. Once you set your intention and focus on it, you will find so many more small moments or things that you may not have noticed otherwise.

11.01.2022 The other day while listening to an interview with Joe Dispenza, he said something that made me stop and take notice. "I am more in love with my future than the story of my past". The discussion centered around how our recollection of the past can become a story upon which we can become stuck in, preventing us from embracing who we have the potential to be. There is a similar chapter in one of Samael Aun Woers books titled "The Psychological Song", which is about the sto...ries we tell ourselves and can become trapped within. While we most certainly take lessons and experiences from our past, they do not define who we are, or what we can be or achieve. Fall in love with your future. . . #love #future #goalsetting #mindset

11.01.2022 With COVID-19 restrictions still in place in regards to class numbers, our term 4 Pilates and Pilates Fusion classes are filling fast! We currently have one place remaining in our Monday morning Pilates Fusion class, and limited places remaining in our Saturday morning Pilates Fusion class. Michelle has also opened up one extra place in each of her evening Pilates classes for term 4, and has a new Tuesday 9.30am Strengthen and Lengthen class, and new Friday 12.00pm Stretch class running for those who prefer day classes.

11.01.2022 Self-care is often a very unbeautiful thing. It is making a spreadsheet of your debt and enforcing a morning routine and cooking yourself healthy meals and no ...longer just running from your problems and calling the distraction a solution. It is often doing the ugliest thing that you have to do, like sweat through another workout or tell a toxic friend you don’t want to see them anymore or get a second job so you can have a savings account or figure out a way to accept yourself so that you’re not constantly exhausted from trying to be everything, all the time and then needing to take deliberate, mandated breaks from living to do basic things like drop some oil into a bath and read Marie Claire and turn your phone off for the day. A world in which self-care has to be such a trendy topic is a world that is sick. Self-care should not be something we resort to because we are so absolutely exhausted that we need some reprieve from our own relentless internal pressure. True self-care is not salt baths and chocolate cake, it is making the choice to build a life you don’t need to regularly escape from. And that often takes doing the thing you least want to do. It often means looking your failures and disappointments square in the eye and re-strategizing. It is not satiating your immediate desires. It is letting go. It is choosing new. It is disappointing some people. It is making sacrifices for others. It is living a way that other people won’t, so maybe you can live in a way that other people can’t. It is letting yourself be normal. Regular. Unexceptional. It is sometimes having a dirty kitchen and deciding your ultimate goal in life isn’t going to be having abs and keeping up with your fake friends. It is deciding how much of your anxiety comes from not actualizing your latent potential, and how much comes from the way you were being trained to think before you even knew what was happening. If you find yourself having to regularly indulge in consumer self-care, it’s because you are disconnected from actual self-care, which has very little to do with treating yourself and a whole lot do with parenting yourself and making choices for your long-term wellness. It is no longer using your hectic and unreasonable life as justification for self-sabotage in the form of liquor and procrastination. It is learning how to stop trying to fix yourself and start trying to take care of yourself and maybe finding that taking care lovingly attends to a lot of the problems you were trying to fix in the first place. It means being the hero of your life, not the victim. It means rewiring what you have until your everyday life isn’t something you need therapy to recover from. It is no longer choosing a life that looks good over a life that feels good. It is giving the hell up on some goals so you can care about others. It is being honest even if that means you aren’t universally liked. It is meeting your own needs so you aren’t anxious and dependent on other people. It is becoming the person you know you want and are meant to be. Someone who knows that salt baths and chocolate cake are ways to enjoy life not escape from it. -Brianna Wiest [Illustration: Yaoyao Ma Van As Art ]

10.01.2022 Here's our official event link for Summer sessions. Feel free to ask any questions, and I'll post any information you need for specific classes in this event.

10.01.2022 A holiday isn't always about a destination, but about a feeling. While the thought of jetting off to a foreign land fills some with excitement, others may be filled with anxiety about travelling. Some people will fill their free time with an array of exciting activities, while others may simply need time out from their regular routine. For me, a holiday is all about breaking from routine and releasing the stress associated with a busy schedule. Any length of time where I am n...ot governed by the clock, or by commitments, provides me with a feeling or sense of space and freedom. It gives me room to breathe, take stock, nurture myself, and catch up on tasks that will ultimately make life less stressful when life returns to its usual frantic pace. The first picture that comes to my mind if asked what my ultimate holiday would look like is earth, grass or sand beneath my bare feet, and the warm sun on my skin. What does your ultimate holiday look like in your mind? See more

08.01.2022 It's a chilly 5 degrees outside, but studio 2 is nice and cozy for Jess' early bird yoga class. UPDATE: Thanks for a great class Jess. Challenging, yet achievable, with lots of movement sequences to keep us warm. A fabulous way to mobilise the body and prepare for the rest of the day. DM me or contact Jess for more information on our early morning Yoga class.

08.01.2022 Thoughts are so much easier to keep in mind when accompanied by a tale, an analogy or powerful image. I am keeping this one in mind.

08.01.2022 We have two fun barre based classes coming up in our Jan summer sessions, with ABBARRE and Booty and Barre. Bookings for Live in Studio classes will be open from next week with 8 places max in each class. If you cannot join us in the studio, we are also offering a Zoom option. Message directly for details and link.

07.01.2022 Yes, we may laugh at some of the 'facegram' and 'instabook' gym posts, but funnily enough (see what I did there?), it can also assist many people in terms of motivation and accountability. I actually do it a lot with works in progress with my art as it provides additional incentive to actually get things finished. Posting beautiful photos of places I've been also gives me incentive to get out more often.

06.01.2022 What is so significant about this photo? Well, apart from the aftermath of our 'Disco Ball' themed barre class, last night was the very first time I have worn shorts to teach a class in the studio. Yes. It's only taken me 12 years to expose myself! Thanks Cathy Little for inspiring me.

04.01.2022 Lockdown, while definitely not the ideal situation to be in, certainly provided myself and my husband with a much needed break from our regular routine of passing each other on the way to work, or a work related event. We realised that we have both been so work focused, commitment focused, and responsibility focused since we were first dating, that we had forgotten to schedule time to simply do something frivolous and fun together. So, we sat down and formulated a 'Fun... List' of all the small adventures we could take, or fun things we could do together, and have made it a priority to do at least one thing each month. Our list is pretty simple, mainly consisting of visits to local nature reserves and beautiful walks, but with such busy work schedules, those simple things are what bring us the most joy. Your mission today, should you choose to accept it, is to write your own fun or adventure list. Feel free to also share what sort of things would be on your list below. You may inspire others.

03.01.2022 Our body wants to be in a state of balance and health. We can assist it by providing it with those things that make it flourish. Living in fear and stress is probably the worst mental state we can be in for our physical health. Tune out of the fear and tune into fortifying your body with nourishing food, thoughts, and experiences.

03.01.2022 When we talk about strength training, most people immediately think about lifting heavy weights. While lifting is certainly beneficial for most bodies, and we recommend it in a general well balanced, full body program, it is not the only way which we can gain strength and muscle tone. Body weight based exercise, plyometric exercise, g-force based exercise and power based exercise all serve to increase the strength of our muscles and subsequent bone density. Yoga an...d Pilates are often viewed as a 'soft' option in mainstream fitness circles, but those who are more deeply involved in the practice are well aware of the strength benefits, especially in terms of core strength, muscular control, and balance. Take notice too of the strength and muscle tone in professional dancers legs. I can tell you right now that they are not leg pressing in the gym. They are doing barre work, deep squats, plies, and dynamite multi-directional movements to build that strength and shape so they can move, leap, and bound with precision and ease. Similarly, elite boxers are not in the gym doing slow reps on heavy weights. They are doing dynamic training with impact and g-force to keep their fast twitch muscle fibres switched on for performance. When it comes down to it, we are all individual in terms of our goals, what our body needs, and what our body will respond to best on any given day on any given week. Do you need to lift heavy weights today, or will that increase the levels of stress and tension, and cortisol, you are already carrying? Will Pilates suffice today, or do you have frustrations you really need to just punch out? Do you want to work your legs to burn energy and build muscle, or do you need them to be strong and functional to climb rocky mountains? Most of all, what is it that makes your body feel the most strong and functional? . . #weights #strength #exercise #dumbbells #bodyweight #astartemindandbody #mindbody

03.01.2022 Our mezzanine lounge space will finally be in use again soon for a very small and intimate student showcase of works from our bellydance and fusion classes. We've really missed our social events at the studio and will hopefully be able to run a few more small Covid safe events again next term. . . #covidsafe #mezzaninelounge #astartemindandbody #astartestudio #bellydance #bellydancefusion #bellydanceshellharbour #worldfusionbellydance #fcbd

03.01.2022 I made a decision over the lockdown to get back into doing more art regularly, and so set up a twelve week mandala challenge for anyone to participate in, including myself. This helped me reconnect with my love of art, creation, and experimentation again. When I saw that Shellharbour City Council was looking for local artists and teachers to share skills and ideas for their Enliven program, I decided to try my luck and apply. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my skills as part of the Enliven program for Shellharbour in September. :) https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/watercolour-rock-pools-tick

02.01.2022 ***Trigger warning*** When I was a teenager (in the 'olden days'), I worked for a short period with the Macarthur Suicide Prevention Task Force helping in the preparation of suicide information pamphlets for teenagers. It was difficult to access information and resources back then, and local community and health centres had a lot of pressure to get information out and provide access to other services. In this new age of information technology, there are now lots of both physi...cal and online resources available, as well as a multiple help lines, and counselling services people can access. However, suicide is often a very private and personal matter, that many people feel uncomfortable discussing. If a friend does open up to you, acknowledge their feelings as real, be present for them, and seek external help for both of you. I will post some services and resources in the comments below.

02.01.2022 Join us in the #16DaysCampaign, a global movement that brings attention to ending gender-based violence, inappropriate behaviour that supports sexism, discrimin...ation & inequality. By calling out this behaviour we promote equality & respect across the whole community. We all have a role to play to create a place where women, men & gender diverse people feel equal, safe, respected & valued. For more information, visit www.whe.org.au/16Days

02.01.2022 Potholes, road blocks and detours are all part of life. Keep in mind that there is always another route to your destination. My husband and I took a day trip down the South Coast a few years back and found ourselves driving along a road in a National Park. We had no idea where we were, and had no phone reception, but figured we would either hit a main junction, end up in Canberra or hit the VIC border at some stage. Once we resigned ourselves to being lost, but knowing we... would find a sign to guide our way out somehow, we relaxed and simply enjoyed the new scenery and the adventure. We accidentally found our way out near Batemans Bay, so decided to have dinner, and then drove 3 hours back home. It was a great parable for the journeys we undertake in life. Sometimes we have a solid goal, and sometimes we just need to stay on the path, look for guidance, follow the signs, and trust in our hearts and minds. . . #trust #destinations #journeys #detours #lifelessons

01.01.2022 I'm excited to have been accepted to run two art workshop for Shellharbour City Councils Enliven event. This first workshop follows on from the mandala challenge I have been running in the Astarte Studio Artists community group over the past few weeks. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/magical-mandalas-flower-of-

01.01.2022 This is my mantra for September. I'm tuning out the doom and gloom, and seeking out all those things that bring me joy throughout each day. Feel free to join me. . . #joy #happiness #love #laughter #dance #albionparkrail #shellharbour #illawarra