The Good Book

IKKARI acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, learn, grow and gather from. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the leadership of all First Nations people around the world, and the deep connection to the land and wisdom the Aboriginal people of Australia have held for over 65,000 years.

FROM THE SOIL

A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER

Welcome to The Good Book

The Good Book is a quarterly, collectable publication designed to last. We invite you to discover holistic health in new, illuminating ways through an intimate dialogue where we share stories, interviews and visual portfolios with the intention to educate and inspire.

Each issue will showcase the creativity and craftsmanship of our partners and collaborators, while offering a lens into the world of IKKARI and all it has to offer to help guide you on your journey through authentic advice and daily rituals.

In our premier issue: From the Soil, we celebrate Mother Nature through the potency and power of plants with Cosmetic Chemist Ross Macdougald, we look at a visual exploration of human connection to the earth by photographer Alex Wall, discover how to biohack our brains through food with longevity thought-leader Kayla Barnes and soak in to the magic of earthly delights with Mickey Robertson.

We invite you to harmoniously synchronise your mind, body and spirit as one as we help shift your focus to elevate and connect you to your highest state of being.

Adrian Norris Founder, IKKARI

WELCOME TO IKKARI

THE RESPONSIBILITY CHARTER

MOTHER’S MEDICINE

ABIGAIL O’NEILL’S PHILOSOPHY OF HEALTH

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

REVIVING THE RITUAL OF BATHING

LET FOOD BE THY MEDICINE WITH KAYLA BARNES

SUPPLIER DEEP DIVE — ROSS MACDOUGALD

FROM THE SOIL WITH ALEX WALL

PROFESSIONAL ADVENTURE ATHLETE AND SURFER ALEX LIBBY

IKKARI’S PERFORMANCE PRESCRIPTION

INGREDIENT DEEP DIVE ALOE BARBADENSIS

INGREDIENT DEEP DIVE BOVINE LIVER

THE IKARIAN ILLUMINATION PROTOCOL

MICKEY ROBERTSON AND THE MAGIC OF GARDENING

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT WITH RORY WARNOCK

NADI SHODHANA

IN THE STUDIO WITH CHANEL TOBLER

INCREDIBLE SPACES WITH NICHOLAS PRÉAUD

IKKARI

WELCOME TO IKKARI

Floating in the crystal waters of the Aegean Sea is the Greek island of Ikaria. A certified Blue Zone, its residents are among the world’s longest living population by virtue of their naturally foraged diet of native ingredients, relaxed pace, active lifestyle and holistic outlook towards their own wellbeing. A place of simplicity and serenity, it is the inspiration behind IKKARI.

IKKARI is a fusion of nature and innovation. We draw on ancient wisdom and modern methodology to deliver new solutions and rituals that enhance the lifestyle of time-sensitive people. Our philosophy of wellness is based on the harmonious synchronicity of your mind, body and spirit as one, focusing on elevating and connecting you to your highest state of being.

Fusing the fundamentals of health with the culture of self-care, IKKARI brings together a dynamic collection of Inner, Outer and Aura essentials: a modern-day apothecary encompassing a collection of skincare essentials, ingestible nutrients and a suite of sensorial aromatherapy tools for spiritual support.

INNER

This collection expands across ingestible beauty powders and capsules that help your skin glow from within, to healthboosting liquid elixirs that enhance everything from energy to immunity to your gut microbiome.

Formulated with ingredients harnessed from the earth, we believe in the ancient power of plants to enhance both your physical and mental capabilities. We combine innovative processes and technology with leading wholefood nutrients to refine your health now and for the future.

OUTER

We believe what goes onto your body is just as important as what goes into it, that’s why our skincare premise is simple: minimal ingredients, maximum results. This collection houses our face, body and sun care offering.

Formulated with whole plant extracts and bioavailable ingredients using next-gen techniques, Outer is designed to elevate your self-care rituals.

AURA

Your body is your vessel for life, which is why living mindfully is essential to your overall wellbeing. We believe it is supported by positive mindfulness, and the Aura collection is curated to maximise your practice and give you spiritual stability.

Immerse yourself in our self and space enhancing mists, each equipped to stimulate your senses through aromatherapy. Aura assists with resetting and regrouping to bring balance to your energy and cultivate a conscious state of calm.

We live in a constant state of change, but our daily rituals allow us to connect with ourselves and be present, if only for a moment. Think of IKKARI as the antidote to shifting energy and brain fog, as the small luxuries that help support you in times of stress and unease, as the essentials to soothing skin and restoring equilibrium. By utilising Inner, Outer and Aura in sync, you can expand the benefits of each exponentially, feeding your body and your mind.

THE IKKARI RESPONSIBILITY CHARTER

IKKARI acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, learn, grow and gather from. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future. We recognise the leadership of all First Nations people around the world, and the deep connection to the land and wisdom the Aboriginal people of Australia have held for over 65,000 years.

Caring for our planet is our priority and responsible sourcing is the foundation upon which IKKARI’s belief system is built. We proudly refer to our sustainability guidelines as The IKKARI Responsibility Charter, it is here we will share our progress and pledges to create noticeable change and minimise our impact. We are proud to be transparent and know it’s our responsibility to always do better.

We are committed to the future of our planet and have implemented key objectives and targets to hold us accountable. From the like-minded people and companies we partner with and the thought and consideration given to our packaging, to our social responsibility to give back to our community, ensuring we stay focused and committed to people and planet.

Reducing waste is the beauty industry’s biggest challenge. It’s estimated the beauty industry is responsible for 120 billion units of waste every year, with single-use packaging the largest contributor of carbon emissions. By switching to more sustainable options like refillables, carbon emissions could be reduced by 70%, alongside eliminating billions of units of waste.

Currently, 94% of IKKARI packaging (by weight) is kerbside recyclable. The remaining 6% can be brought back into an IKKARI store and recycled with TerraCycle® via their Zero Waste Box™ solution.

IKKARI recognises reusable refills as the best environmental solution and the most powerful step to reducing carbon emissions. Our goal is to ensure the majority of our range is refillable. As we work towards this, we have partnered with Waste Revolution to offset our plastic usage and become plastic-neutral, donating to Australian charity Blaze Aid, and are mapping our carbon footprint to set targets for the future.

A NOTE ON OUR CURRENT PACKAGING

Currently, our collection contains glass, bioplastic (such as sugarcane), and virgin plastic that is either reusable or recyclable (via TerraCycle). Our boxes and shopping bags are made from cardboard and paper that has been certified by PEFC or FSC, which means our products adhere to the highest environmental and social standards. We are continuing to work with the world’s leading innovators in packaging to reduce our environmental footprint.

A NOTE ON OUR INGREDIENTS

We believe in using high-performance extracts and actives from the earth, formulated with minimal interference to ensure they’re as naturally adjacent as possible. We use intentionally sourced ingredients, leaving out anything that isn’t necessary. We are committed to transparency and will always share the origins of all of our ingredients, with each sourced with care and consideration - from the farmers we partner with, to the science and techniques we utilise.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS OF IKKARI’S RESPONSIBILITY CHARTER, INCLUDING OUR SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY, UNDERPINNED BY FOUR KEY UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (UNSDGS), AND OUR ANIMAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL COMPLIANCE POLICIES, TAKE A PHOTO.

MY PHILOSOPHY OF HEALTH: ABIGAIL O’NEILL

For over thirty years I have practised how to completely align myself as closely as I can to Mother Nature and look to her for inspiration, healing, vibrancy, restoration, satiation, fulfilment, inner-outer beauty and both prevention and cure. With patience, discipline, and devotion this ideology has never let me down.

I have eight principles of health I’ve followed since I was 13. I learnt them in my teen years, when I read various health books and discovered these profound yet simple fundamentals which have changed my life, healed me of many health struggles along the way, and continue to be the underlying values which influence my every decision.

N - NUTRITION

E - EXERCISE

W - WATER

S - SUNSHINE

T - TEMPERANCE

A - AIR

R - REST

T - TRUST

They’re easy to remember [as this acronym] and I like to believe that with every day and every breath we’re given a fresh start to create anew with nature, and that our body is always working to bring us to a place of health and harmony – body, soul, and spirit.

Any time I’m feeling less than ideal, I think to myself, ‘which of my eight health principles have I missed today?’ Living to be 48 this year, I haven’t always felt the picture of health that people see on the outside. There’ve been many times I’ve had to work on myself to overcome health issues like chronic fatigue, and I’ve learnt along the way that every tiny thing we do matters. What we put into our bodies and our bloodstream, what we put onto our skin, how we clean our homes, what fibres are touching us, the thoughts we allow ourselves to think, the quality of our food, our air, our water – it goes on. The bottom line is, no matter how low we’ve felt, it’s never too late to create a new body.

For most of my life, I have much preferred to spend money on blueberries or cacao over fancy face creams or a designer handbag. When my family were young, I’d bundle up the three little ones from where we lived in a shed on a couple of acres, take most of our weekly income and spend it on all the organic goodness I could find. It definitely wasn’t cool in those days to drink carrot juice and live in the remote countryside. It’s still not mainstream by any standard, but more recently, perhaps partly due to the sway of social media, we’re beginning to actually see the ripples of change made by the pioneers and investors of an ‘alternative lifestyle’ from the last few decades. It’s so refreshing to see the results of this change and the products that are more readily available as a result – even in supermarkets. Now we are beginning to understand that it is actually the norm - from thousands of years past - to live closer to the earth, and that humanity has wandered so far on a mass scale from remaining in sync with the source of all health and happiness: nature.

I could be lost for hours finding new superfoods, rediscovering local produce at the organic farmers markets, investing in foods and ingredients that are as nature identical as can possibly be. I’ve always made everything from scratch at home, even my skincare products. Processing greatly alters the potency and therefore the benefits we obtain and the results displayed through our skin, nails, hair, immunity, and zest for life. I look for 100% organic natural foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains and superfoods have made up the bulk of my family’s diet for most of my life. There have been some supplementary foods as I like to call them, such as organic home-grown eggs, goat’s cheese, wildcaught local fish, and oils, which must always be coldpressed and extra virgin.

I spent my thirties and forties living on a lot of raw foods, focusing on eliminating many varied health problems that manifested throughout my twenties, and now that I’m transitioning into the later half of my life –with perimenopause, too – I’m finding that I need even more of the balancing, warming foods than before. It’s the evolving process of listening to my body. Natural, unprocessed foods, supplements and holistic healing works for me. Food is medicine.

“Humanity has wandered so far on a mass scale from remaining in sync with the source of all health and happiness: nature.”

I try to incorporate nature into my day from the moment I arise, although when I’m busy with family and work it’s not easy to maintain, so I take the micro-moments until the opportunity for the macro-moments arrive.

Sunshine directly into the eyes first thing in the morning is key, bare feet on dewy grass even just for a few moments whilst taking in lemon water, a fresh pressed juice or a medicinal warming beverage is wonderful to activate and sync the whole body back with nature. I find grounding or earthing regulating for hormones and every cell of my body, helping to set intentions for the day. It’s a simple five-minute action that really works for me.

When I’m home, I love to tend to my bees, work in the organic garden, surf, practise yoga, walk in nature, anything outdoors is so fulfilling and makes me feel alive. When I’m in the city, I find a park and strip off my shoes, bare my skin a little and reconnect. There’s even a tree that receives a regular hug when I shoot at a particular studio in the city!

Hydrotherapy has been an empowering healing ritual I’ve loved for my whole life. It really reconnects your body, soul and spirit to your true self and the health and beauty benefits are next-level. When I’m home, I take three rounds of steam baths and cold plunges.

I love to moisturise my entire body with a cold-pressed organic oil and have many favourites for this, as the skin readily absorbs post-hydrotherapy. I also love to create my own face masks using superfood ingredients from my kitchen, afterwards rejuvenating my skin with fresh aloe vera from my garden. When I couldn’t afford those, I would simply use the cold-pressed organic oil I had in the kitchen.

I nourish my skin by amping up my intake of raw foods, especially berries, an abundance of green leaves, probiotic-rich foods, cacao and the best local raw olives I can find.

I have also been taking an array of IKKARI products including the Detox Support Tonic, Ceremonial Cacao, Nutrient Capsule: Wild Herbs, Plant Protein Superblend, Clear Skin Face Oil, Daily Elemental Protection Cream, Overnight Renewal Cream, The Ikarian Body Oil and the Aura Balancing Mist, as they have nature-aligned ingredients that are in sync with my ethos and make my skin feel all loved up, just like I’ve been to the spa.

Nature = potency. For a long time we’ve considered products of all descriptions that are ‘backed by science’ or ‘clinically trialled’ to be the be all and end all when it comes to what really works for our wellbeing, health and even what will deliver unprecedented beauty results. I’m not saying there is no relevance here, as it is interesting and valuable to be sure. My personal experience has been to put nature first and foremost while we wait for science to catch up or verify what is happening because we’ll always be learning and even unlearning what we thought was true from nature, our ultimate teacher.

Being in alignment with the Earth is what makes the most difference to my skin, body and mind. The more I feel in-sync, the more glow and effervescence I feel - as I’m two years away from turning 50, hardly experiencing as much as a facial in my life, it’s working! When I’m really not looking my best, I’ll spend a couple of hours grounding, forest bathing, exfoliating my entire body with salt, swimming in wild water, allowing my skin to breathe completely bare, taking in sunshine, hydrating deeply and nurturing with high antioxidant foods - and boom, I’m glowing. Try it for yourself.

It’s a non-negotiable for me to consider ‘what would nature do?’ When I’m presented with any problem. Nature has truly been my inspiration, in all things I want to emulate. The longer I choose to align the more I am affirmed that the body trumps and we are indeed nature too!

The biggest lesson I’ve learnt about looking after myself both physically and mentally is that no one else will do it for you. You have to put the time into learning and acting on the knowledge you discover, but once you’re in the swing of it, these healthy principles will actually save you time and money. As you invest daily in your health, your inner-outer beauty and overall wellbeing will shine through, resulting in true happiness.

“Being in alignment with the Earth is what makes the most difference to my skin, body and mind. The more I feel in-sync, the more glow and effervescence I feel...”

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

Ingestible beauty is one of the most innovative and flourishing skincare categories of our time. Backed by science, with developing results and research, skin supplements offer a holistic approach to caring for your complexion from the inside out – while supporting your whole wellbeing. Topicals no longer cut it, today we’re turning to multifaceted methods of looking after our skin for both now and in the future, requiring immediate and long-term results.

As the body’s largest organ, our skin is our first line of defence against pathogens, bacteria and pollutants and is responsible for eliminating toxins. Reflective of what’s going on inside the body, it’s also one of the first organs to show signs of poor nutrition.

The ingestible beauty movement and the rise of ‘gut health’ go hand-in-hand. Many skin conditions exhibit similar symptoms to gut conditions and the two are closely linked and influenced by each other - also known as the ‘gut-skin axis’. The gut is home to the microbiome, the ecosystem where trillions of strains of bacteria and microbes help to maintain homeostasis throughout the body, but can majorly affect our other organs, especially our skin, if that equilibrium becomes unbalanced. The gut-skin axis functions through the microbiome, communicating important information by signalling along the vagus nerve and with the brain through the bloodstream. If our gut is out of balance, irritated or inflamed, our skin is one of the first places to show symptoms.

Research shows that people with rosacea and acne are at least ten times more likely to have gut issues such as SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), and that up to 34% of people suffering from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) show skin manifestations like eczema. Leaky gut is also believed to be one of the leading causes of both gut and skin issues. There are links between gut health and stress impacting the skin’s barrier function and the cause behind exacerbating skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, inflammation and ageing.

The gut is where 70% of our immune system lies. It’s where we make neurotransmitters, neutralise pathogens, eliminate toxins, create nutrients and regulate hormones. Optimum gut health is not only key to your overall wellbeing, but also imperative to a clear, radiant, healthy complexion.

Formulated to support and fill in the gaps based on our individual needs, ingestibles work to promote healthy skin function and cellular repair by delivering phytonutrients, bioactives, vitamins and minerals that are essential to skin health. From treating deep-rooted issues such as inflammatory skin conditions to simply boosting skin hydration levels, consuming your ‘skincare’ bolsters your topical routine to ultimately nourish from the inside out.

Feeding your skin from within through a well-balanced diet filled with wholefoods is indispensable. It’s the foundation for not only reducing the risk of chronic illnesses, but also for supple glowing skin, strong nails and lustrous hair - because after all, we are what we eat. However, even the healthiest diet may not be enough to meet our individual nutrient requirements and this is where we recruit the powers of supplements and nutraceuticals.

Collagen is crucial. The protein makes up 70% of our skin tissue and is continuously broken down and renewed. But as we age our body produces less (1% per year as we hit our twenties), and the skin becomes lax, thin, dry and creased. Sun exposure and lifestyle choices also contribute to its decline, but luckily elevated and innovative dietary additions such as IKKARI’s Marine Collagen Superblend, Nutrient Capsule: Bovine Collagen and Radiance Tonic can help with synthesis to future-proof your skin’s firmness and texture while improving both your gut and holistic health.

IKKARI’s philosophy is underpinned by the belief that what goes on your body is just as important as what goes into it. Beauty supplements strengthen and support your skin and body synergistically for optimum functioning, resulting in the elusive lit-from-within glow that topicals alone can’t reach.

REVIVING THE RITUAL OF BATHING

Steeped in ancient tradition and practised the world over, the culture and religious significance of bathing is something that cuts across time and space, from the hammams of the Middle East to the thermae of ancient Rome.

Throughout history, humans have taken to water, seeking to be cleansed, purified and sanctified. The ritual of bathing is universal and timeless, and water is the remedy. The source of life, H2O is truly holy, revered in sacred streams of the Ganges, Whanganui and Osun rivers; whether it’s submersion or a sprinkling, we find physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

These purposeful rituals are traditionally built around ceremony and community - socialising in steamy wooden Russian banyas, soaking in the geological volcanic cauldrons of Japanese onsens and healing in the shamanic temazcal sweat lodges of Indigenous Mexico and Central America, their connecting thread: the ability to alter our states of being.

The attraction to the therapeutic benefits of bathing could be tethered to the human body being made up of 60% water, or that floating in water brings us back to the womb, or perhaps it’s that immersing yourself in the tub or plunging into the ocean is a moment to unwind and sit in the stillness - where washing the day away brings both physical and mental peace. Whether soaking, steaming or sweating, bathing is one of the longest-standing wellness practices in existence.

Today, bathing has become more about routine and less about ceremony. The transformative powers need to be reclaimed and the ancient techniques intertwined into our modern-day self-care rituals, shifting the focus from necessity to a holistic wellness practice that nourishes both our physical and mental self.

Whether you’re looking to restore calm and equilibrium, to relieve muscle aches and tension, or to cleanse yourself of emotional blockages, the tranquilising rituals of contemporary bathing will soothe your senses. Fusing technology, ancient remedies and all-encompassing accoutrements symbolise how we bathe today.

Elevate your at-home bathing experience by integrating purposeful products created to enhance your mind, body and spirit found in IKKARI’s Body offering. Lather your skin in The Ikarian Body Wash, a curated blend of plant extracts to bring your body into consciousness and ignite your senses. Soak in Three Milk Body Cleanser, steeped in ancient tradition, its lactic acid properties soften and refine skin through the combination of multiple milks. Immerse yourself in The Ikarian Body Oil, a silky formula made from a blend of highly-hydrating plant oil extracts delivering intense all-over nourishment. It’s this trio of small luxuries that enhance your simple daily rituals.

Pair the Outer offering with an Aura Balancing Mist, harnessing the powers of aromatherapy to suspend time and transport you to a meditative state of connected wholeness, ultimately taking your everyday bath and shower routine to new heights.

LET FOOD BE THY MEDICINE WITH KAYLA BARNES

Kayla Barnes is a global longevity leader and brain health coach with a background in nutrition and a passion for upgrading both the brain and biology through biohacking. Barnes takes a functional approach to brain health, utilising the power of food to impact cognitive function and long-term wellbeing. Here, the US-based expert guides us on how to biohack our brains through food.

When it comes to brain health and longevity, what does ‘biohacking’ mean to you, and how does it apply here?

“Brain health can be looked at in two ways. One is the physical health of your brain or the ‘hardware’, and two is the ‘software’ of your brain or your mindset. Biohacking is the practice of changing your internal and external environment to benefit your health. This can range from simple and free practices like cold showers, meditation and grounding to more advanced techniques like blood work, microbiome testing and red light therapy. Biohacking also means taking your health into your own hands. This is essential to optimal health and better brain health because our current way of living, food supply, and general habits often don’t promote optimal health. Health is also bio-individual, so what may work for your friends, family, or the masses may not be best for your biology. Biohacking supports your unique requirements to achieve vibrant health, optimal cognition, and increased health and lifespan.”

How do you use food as a biohacking tool to improve your brain health?

“Biohacking is the practice of changing your internal and external environment to benefit your health. It’s taking your health into your own hands.”

“Food is an essential component of a healthy brain. The brain is made from the foods we feed it, it is only two to three per cent of our body weight but uses up to 30% of our caloric intake. I adhere to a brain health diet consisting of zero processed foods, zero refined or added sugars, healthy fats like avocado and organic extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), sprouted nuts like walnuts, wild-caught fish for the EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) that the brain loves, organic and dark leafy greens, turmeric which is a potent anti-inflammatory, a small piece of extra dark chocolate (80% cacao or more) and organic blueberries daily. Blueberries and dark chocolate are brain superfoods loaded with antioxidants. Grass-fed and finished meats are also a part of my diet, adequate protein is necessary to support your neurotransmitters. I finish my last meal at least three hours before bed. If you are busy digesting you will stay out of the deepest stages of sleep.

Ideally, nutrition should be personalised, but overall we want to keep our diet anti-inflammatory (think less sugar and more healthy fats) to promote better cognitive function and maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day to reduce crashes and brain fog.”

IN COLLABORATION WITH: SEVAK BABAKHANI — Photographer — SEVAKPHOTO.COM.AU / @SEVAKPHOTO

Which foods and diet choices are essential to brain health?

“It’s critical to eat clean, wholefoods. Dump the junk and processed foods and reduce or eliminate sugar, which is a cause of inflammation.

Leafy greens such as spinach, collards, and broccoli are rich in brain-healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta-carotene. Research suggests these plant-based foods may help slow cognitive decline. Look for organic or locally grown without herbicides like Glyphosate.

Wild-caught fish

Fatty fish are abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, healthy unsaturated fats that have been linked to lower blood levels of beta-amyloid, the protein that forms damaging clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Try to eat fish at least twice a week or supplement with krill or fish oil. 1000 MG of EPA from fish or cod krill oil a day is recommended for optimal brain health.

Look for wild-caught. If consuming tuna from a can, no BPA. Sardines and smaller fish are an incredible option as they contain fewer heavy metals. Caviar is also an incredibly nutrient-dense option.

Organic nuts and seeds are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats. Walnuts are high in a type of omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which helps lower blood pressure and protects arteries - beneficial for both the heart and brain, it may also improve memory. Choose sprouted and organic.

Organic healthy fats such as EVOO are loaded with anti-aging nutrients omega-3s and vitamin E. EVOO is also rich in monounsaturated fat, beneficial for the heart and the brain. Avoid inflammatory oils like soybean, canola, sunflower, safflower and rapeseed. These oils are not beneficial to brain health.

Cacao is rich in theobromine, a powerful antioxidant known to support cellular ageing and reduce the risk of heart disease and insulin resistance. Eat dark chocolate with at least 80% cacao or higher.

Organic berries contain flavonoids, the natural plant pigments that give berries their brilliant hues. They also help improve memory, research shows. In a 2012 study published in Annals of Neurology, researchers found that women who consumed two or more servings of strawberries and blueberries each week delayed memory decline by up to two-and-a-half years.

What are your thoughts on coffee? Is there a healthier option we could be choosing to start our day or boost energy and focus?

“Coffee can be a brain-boosting superfood because it is loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols, but it is essential to choose a high-quality organic brand. Coffee is one of the most heavily pesticide crops in the world, so choosing organic and lab-tested will ensure it is free from all glyphosate, moulds, and mycotoxins.

I do have a few tips on coffee consumption. [Firstly] try and hold off for 90 to 120 minutes after waking. This allows your natural cortisol levels to rise without interruption. Our genetics play a role in how well we tolerate and how fast we metabolise caffeine. It’s best to keep your coffee consumption to two cups daily, as too much caffeine can reduce blood flow to the brain. Personally, I like to have one bulletproof coffee daily and sometimes one cup of black coffee. Bulletproof combines grass-fed butter or ghee and MCT oil. This is satiating without breaking a fast, and our brains love MCT oil as it boosts ketones in the brain. Green tea and matcha are also great options for those who don’t do well with caffeine.”

“...hold off [on coffee] for 90 to 120 minutes after waking, to allow your natural cortisol levels to rise without interruption.”

SUPPLIER DEEP DIVE

ROSS MACDOUGALD — PLANT EXTRACTS

Natural ingredients have been used to care for skin for centuries, inspired and influenced by the ancient wisdom and transformative power of plants. Pair this knowledge with the science and innovation of today, and their potency and capabilities increase exponentially.

In recent years there has been debate as to whether natural skincare ingredients are as effective as their synthetic counterparts, questioning the scope of what can be achieved for skin - but that’s no longer the case. Research and development shows we no longer have to compromise on efficacy. Some of the hardest working scientifically-proven ingredients are natural.

Science has allowed us to understand and explore the inner workings of the most important part of plants. Described as the liquid matrix, it’s the powerhouse facilitating the self-survival mechanism, reproduction and growth processes and the transportation of phytonutrients.

In a world-first and after much trial and error, the liquid matrix has been studied and understood by Ross Macdougald, Chairman of Plant Extracts, dubbed PNP™ (Phyto Nutrient Protection). He is the scientist behind the revolutionary extraction method designed to remove the PNP (or liquid matrix) without causing any damage to the plant in the process - and it’s this innovation that is infused into IKKARI’s leading proprietary formulations.

“The Cold Liquid Extraction Closed System (CLECS™) is the only system of its kind in the world, developed and built in Australia. It’s a specialised technique providing pure natural plant extracts that are active, stable, and work without the need for chemical manipulation to mimic natural plant function. The system expertly protects the plants vital phyto actives from breaking down once extracted, allowing us to provide an untouched, undiluted, fully active combination of phyto-actives and micronutrients,” explains Macdougald.

This non-interventionist approach gently captures the full-spectrum of the plant and its actives maintaining its integrity and life-force energy for full potency. “This technique mimics the inside of a plant, we are able to extract all of its nutrients and the liquid matrix and at the end of the extraction process the plant or the fruit looks exactly the same - as if it hasn’t been touched,” says Macdougald.

“It’s critical that any extract or product containing plant nutrients should always be in a liquid form, and in the liquid matrix that the plant produces,” says Macdougald. Alluding to many formulations and ingredients on the market that use powdered versions of plants and plant extracts. “We have compared the extraction of PNP and powdered plant material, and the PNP had two to three times more phytonutrients than the powder did,” Macdougald explains, referring to an experiment run by Plant Extracts.

“...we are able to extract all of its nutrients and the liquid matrix, and at the end of the extraction process the plant or the fruit looks exactly the same - as if it hasn’t been touched.”

IKKARI’s approach is much like traditional techniques of ancient apothecaries where we value efficacy over efficiency. By maintaining all of the systems and synergies of the plant the benefits are far more superior than other natural or synthetic ingredients on offer.

It’s a science that comes down to the synergy between humans and plants, forming a direct line between the natural world and our skin, honouring their deeply intrinsic bond.

We’re designed to live off and function with the natural world, plants have the ability to directly interact with human cells - and just as plants are made up of a liquid matrix, so are humans. “The human body has always been able to understand plants. We have evolved together over 2.7 billion years, but the basic structure of biology has remained the same and it’s the reason your body doesn’t know what to do with something that’s brand new or synthetic.”

The body recognises, understands and is better able to utilise plant ingredients and it’s this recognition that translates to results.

Nature’s botanicals are the finest ingredients in the world. Sourcing straight from the earth and harnessing plant intelligence permits us to deliver formulations compatible with the skin as an organ. IKKARI’s miracle plant extracts are the building blocks of our solutionfocused skincare, they transcend those formulated in a lab, to better support, nourish and strengthen skin function at a cellular level.

As for the future of plant research and skincare advancement? “Plants and nature hold so many secrets that we overlook, or we don’t really understand. It takes time and it takes science, there’s so much more for us to learn,” says Macdougald.

DISCOVER IKKARI’S REVOLUTIONARY

IN COLLABORATION WITH: ALEX WALL — Photographer — ALEX-WALL.COM / @ALEXRWALL MATILDA DODS — Model

A visual exploration highlighting our connection to the earth.

ALEX LIBBY

PROFESSIONAL ADVENTURE ATHLETE AND SURFER, DEVON UK

Surfing is a monumental part of my life. It’s what makes me get out of bed every day, I love the physical aspect but more so the mental side of it. You can’t really think about anything else when you’re out there, so it becomes a form of meditation. Quite consuming, but in the very best of ways.

Surfing is both a form of escapism and a form of feeling fear. You quickly learn the difference between fear and panic. Panic is distracting and leads to wasted energy and oxygen, contrary to fear which feels like a heightened sense of awareness. If you breathe through, it can be a very powerful, positive tool. Being out in the vast ocean, humbled by a big swell, is one of the best feelings in the world.

I try to love and look after my body the best I can. I’ve found cooking most of my meals and regular exercise alongside some form of meditation and stretching routine to be the elixir of life. You can keep all your fad diets please! Remembering no one is perfect, I definitely eat the food that I enjoy and don’t scoff at brownies, a few G&Ts or beers. Occasionally, I train or push things a little bit too far, but I learn what I can and move forward.

I train every day in some form or another. I’m currently working with Great Britain Cycling Coach Alan Bisseker, the Adrenaline Athlete. Alan and I perform a ‘three weeks on, one week off’ block structure that allows me to surf two to three times a day, when there are waves, alongside his program which is tailored specifically for surfing. This structure allows time for the recovery of a very tired body. Then, I like to do a short gratitude breathwork meditation, and if possible, a little stretch and mobility to round off the day.

I’m learning that recovery is just as important, if not more so than the actual training. Remember earlier on when I mentioned those mistakes we learn about and try and move forward from? Well, over-training without proper rest has gotten me more than once. Now, I’m learning that without rest, you are basically training yourself for an injury. My ideal recovery routine consists of good sleep, meditation, dips in the ocean and an ice bath and sauna combination if it’s available.

“Panic is distracting and leads to wasted energy and oxygen, contrary to fear which feels like a heightened sense of awareness.

If you breathe through it can be a very powerful, positive tool.”

IN COLLABORATION WITH: LUKE GARTSIDE — PHOTOGRAPHER — LUKEGARTSIDE.COM / @LUGARTS

“I just want to help smash the stigma that a bloke has to keep his mouth shut and bottle up feelings and emotions. It’s an old, stagnant mentality leftover from a bygone era.”

My morning ritual is a fresh percolator coffee on the stove. I love the process of making a coffee with this method, then a gentle active stretch and, if I have time, Sudoku. I take a probiotic, good multivitamin and milk thistle (for the liver) every morning after my coffee.

My evening rituals revolve around cooking and spending time with my beautiful other half Lucy, followed by some sort of passive stretch before bed if I’m feeling like a really good boy.

I travel a lot, and luckily I’ve got the most incredible bunch of mates scattered around the world. I love and cherish each and every one of them and they help me stay both grounded and connected. I think it’s the wonderful time I spend with each of those inspiring human beings that keeps my feet happy and firmly on the ground.

I’m a mental health advocate for the nonprofit CALM: Campaign Against Living Miserably. I just want to help smash the stigma that a bloke has to keep his mouth shut and bottle up feelings and emotions. It’s an old, stagnant mentality leftover from a bygone era. We must try and talk. I’m lucky I have such an incredible bunch of people around me that are very open-minded, we can talk about anything to each other. I think that’s the secret for me.

When I’m feeling stressed, I stop what I’m doing and focus on my breath. I ask myself why I feel stressed, and what I’m grateful for – or I head straight for the ocean.

I feel my highest self when I’m surfing a big left barrel somewhere hot.

IKKARI’S PERFORMANCE PRESCRIPTION

WHEY PROTEIN SUPERBLEND

Essential for active athletes to increase energy, maintain muscle tone and help keep vitality at an all time high.

NUTRIENT CAPSULE: BOVINE LIVER

Boost performance and recovery with nature’s superfood. Liver is rich in iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and B vitamins to fight off fatigue, improve muscle and brain performance and boost nutrient intake.

THE SOLUTION SERUM

IKKARI’s next-generation Aloe Vera is as pure and potent as it gets. The antidote to sun and salt-soaked skin, it calms, soothes, rehydrates and replenishes, preventing dehydration and tight, itchy skin.

HYDRATING MINERAL SUNSCREEN

A zinc sunscreen that hydrates as it protects, essential when surfing big waves or lazing on the beach.

SKIN SAVIOUR BALM

The antidote to any skin woe - from blisters, to dry lips and chafing. Wherever you need a bit more love, or a bit more protection.

INGREDIENT DEEP DIVE

ALOE BARBADENSIS

Provenance: Australia

Find it in: Vitality Tonic, Purifying Mist Toner, Instant Hydration Serum, The Solution Serum, Youth Restore Serum, Restorative Hand Sanitiser, Aura Balancing Mist

The synergy between humans and nature is rooted in the everlasting wisdom of plants cultivated throughout time. Aloe Vera has been inextricably linked to our wellness practises for centuries, nurtured for its medicinal properties in cultures across Greece, India, Mexico and China. Ancient Egyptian queens bathed in ‘the plant of immortality’ to enhance their beauty, while Alexander the Great turned to it to treat soldiers’ wounds. Today, the succulent has become a staple in skincare and holistic health routines all over the world.

In modern society, we’ve come to know Aloe as the succulent with a spiky outer leaf and an inner gooey gel, an antidote for smearing over sunburn. But its scientifically-proven benefits expand well beyond that. Comprising of an extensive list of high-performance active components - including antioxidants and vitamins A, C, E and B12, enzymes to reduce inflammation, a broad range of minerals, amino acids, salicylic acid and essential fatty acids.

Aloe Vera has informed our natural self-care remedies throughout the ages, however many of the brands on offer today use chemical manipulation to harness its powers. Often diffused into a powder form of the plant, it’s then rehydrated with water (containing no phytonutrient liquid protection), before it’s added to the formulation. Unfortunately this means it holds far less of its potential benefits to our skin.

Incorporated across IKKARI’s Outer category and presented as a single ingredient extract in The Solution Serum, this Aloe Vera is leading in innovation. Utilising a global leading extraction method, the mucilage of the leaf is drawn out, tapping into all of the phytonutrients, minerals and plant actives. The end result is one of the most exciting breakthroughs in natural skincare.

Made up of more than 95% water, Aloe Vera is absorbed almost four times faster than water and is able to penetrate deep into the dermis to deliver nutrients and nourishment. When it comes to its moisturising properties, Aloe’s sugar, or mucopolysaccharides, help to both hydrate and retain moisture, while also stimulating the production of Hyaluronic Acid. Aloe softens skin by binding superficial, flaking epidermal cells back together and stimulates fibroblast cells to produce collagen and elastin fibres for plumper, firmer, softer skin.

Synonymous with being a therapeutic salve and healer, we now have the scientific evidence to support its regenerative abilities. The polysaccharide and growth hormone content found in Aloe stimulates collagen synthesis and accelerates wound healing, while reducing the risk of scarring. Its anaesthetic and antiinflammatory properties relieve pain, reduce redness and even encourage cell regeneration and repairproving it to be a transformative ingredient for those with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis, as well as an incredible addition to seemingly healthy looking skin.

Various studies show the compound aloesin found in the plant has positive effects on both lightening hyperpigmentation and inhibiting skin from producing excess melanin responsible for dark spots, improving and evening skin tone. A natural antiseptic, Aloe Vera’s endless capabilities expand across acne-prone skin, with its high salicylic acid structure reducing breakouts and blackheads.

IKKARI have captured this advanced Aloe Vera, the true synergy between science and nature in an innovative formula that is reflective of the power of plants.

DISCOVER MORE AND SHOP

IKKARI’S ALOE VERA OFFERINGS.

INGREDIENT DEEP DIVE BOVINE LIVER

Provenance: New Zealand

Find it in: Nutrient Capsule: Bovine Liver

Dubbed as one of nature’s superfoods, bovine liver contains an abundance of benefits. And although there is a renaissance of nose-to-tail eating, many of us shy away from consuming organ meat, instead turning to supplements to enrich our bodies with their potent nutrients.

Incorporated as part of IKKARI’s Inner category and presented as a single ingredient, our bovine liver wholefood nutrient capsule is 100% New Zealand pasture-raised. A natural multivitamin alternative, these functional food capsules are bioavailable, being easily and readily absorbed, especially in comparison to synthetic supplements the body does not recognise. We believe in living life guided by nature, harnessing the power and potential it has to offer for your body to go beyond its bounds.

IRON

VITAMINS

Liver’s vitamin content is vast. Vitamin A (Retinol) contributes to healthy vision, skin cell turnover, reproductive health and immune function by supporting white blood cells and safeguarding against infection. B vitamins make up more than half of the dose of vitamins your body needs for optimum health and liver contains copious amounts of them – including B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5, B6, B9 (Folate) and B12. Their benefits span across producing cellular energy, promoting a healthy metabolism, forming red blood cells, supporting the nervous system, DNA repair and brain function.

Vitamin D and K strengthen bones and teeth, cardiovascular health and blood circulation.

This potent antioxidant fights the generation of free radicals and the repercussions they have on DNA. CoQ10 has links to improving cardiovascular health, vascular health and blood pressure, as well as endurance, inflammation, immunity and reproduction.

Vital to haemoglobin formation and crucial to both blood oxygenation and energy production, iron reduces irritability and fatigue, while increasing stamina and athletic performance. Optimum levels of iron benefit female hormones and can help regulate body temperature and boost brain power.

PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS

One of the richest sources of pure protein, essential for performance, muscle tone, recovery, energy and cell repair. Bovine liver is loaded with essential amino acids to regulate metabolism and hormones, improve collagen production for supple skin, promote and strengthen hair and nails, support bone health and fight fatigue.

MINERALS

Enriched with essential trace minerals including magnesium, zinc, copper and selenium, each high in antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress and associated damage and disease, while building immunity, supporting thyroid function, brain cognition, collagen production and the nervous system.

As a modern-day apothecary, IKKARI is designed to take the guesswork out of curating your wellbeing rituals. Drawing on ancient wisdom, traditional medicine staples and potent plant extracts, paired with intelligent innovation and high-tech formulation, we’ve designed essential protocols to fit into your busy schedule while offering solutions to whatever life throws at you.

As we explored on page 28, ingestible beauty is the ultimate holistic approach to looking after hair, skin and nails from the inside out. Working in tandem with the topical treatments in IKKARI’s Outer offering, The Ikarian Illumination Protocol is a high-performance blend of proven ingredients shown to support healthy hair and nail growth, while targeting specific complexion concerns and overall skin health to prevent and defend against further damage and decline.

The Ikarian Illumination Protocol is made up of a combination of glow-inducing ingestibles and topicals formulated to be used daily as part of your wellness and beauty rituals.

THE IKARIAN ILLUMINATION PROTOCOL

1. RADIANCE TONIC

A liquid proprietary blend of Marine Collagen (Type I Collagen), plant and mineral extracts promoting healthy hair and nail growth while boosting natural collagen production for supple and radiant skin. Infused with Bladderwrack and Knotted Wrack extracts – algaes rich in Iodine and minerals and known for their collageninducing and cell renewal properties. A combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and youth-preserving plant extracts such as Pomegranate Seed, Gotu Kola and Horsetail bolster this elixir.

3. SKIN REFINING ENZYME MASK

This multi-tasking at-home treatment mask amplifies radiance and luminosity through the magic combination of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): Lactic, Salicylic and Glycolic Acids and potent pure plant extracts such as Pineapple, Papaya, Passionfruit and Willowbark. Formulated to target congestion and uneven skin tone for a brighter complexion.

4. ILLUMINATING SERUM

2. NUTRIENT CAPSULE: BOVINE COLLAGEN

IKKARI’s grass-fed Bovine Collagen peptide powder (Type I and III Collagen) to promote skin hydration, improve elasticity, and reduce fine lines to slow the signs of ageing, naturally. With added benefits to hair and nails, this wholefood supplement is the foundation of every inner beauty regime. A must-have edible beauty staple, collagen helps to firm and plump skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve elasticity. Strengthens and promotes healthy hair and nails, while supporting gut health and the natural ageing process.

A lightweight daily serum focusing on brightening, refining and protecting the complexion from sun damage, pollution and environmental toxins. The Illuminating Serum is formulated using four pure plant extracts that work to target both texture and tone. Suitable for all skin types, but especially those with pigmentation, dark circles, blemishes and lacklustre complexions.

5. RESTORATIVE FACE OIL

A multi-purpose miracle oil formulated with an abundance of natural plant oils to help rescue, reset and restore the skin’s microbiome, barrier function and moisture content. Nutrient-dense, it delivers a concentrated dose of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids to skin working to improve luminosity and elasticity.

MICKEY ROBERTSON AND THE MAGIC OF GARDENING

Almost 35 years ago Mickey, alongside her husband Larry, thrust herself into a new chapter - restoring a rundown property at Glenmore just outside of Sydney. A journey of discovery led Mickey to an extraordinary opportunity to have earth to nurture, ground to shape and space to experiment - this new chapter morphing into a new way of life.

Tell us about Glenmore House and why it’s so special I’m not sure if it’s anything but its place in the landscape, nestled into the foothills of the Razorback Range in New South Wales, bound by two creeks and placed just so, that allows such diversity and creates its unique atmosphere. We can see emerging weather patterns and I think that adds to a heightened sense of connection to the elements. Our views are not sweeping, but they are extended enough to be aware of a new moon rising, a storm brewing or a fully arched rainbow. But of course, the restoration we’ve carried out, the garden we’ve made, the way it’s grown and connects the colours, textures, perfume, light and shadow, the bounty it yields, the beauty that’s constantly unfolding and the people it brings are what make Glenmore unique.

Where did your connection to gardening stem from and how has it shaped you as a person?

I’ve been driven by a long-held love of gardens since childhood. I spent a great deal of time in Centennial Park, The Botanic Gardens, and also a little garden nestled into the foreshore of Sydney Harbour called Gladswood Gardens. It’s these gardens that form some of my earliest memories – their paths, sounds, smells. But it was both travel and reading in my early years that seeped into my soul. Although I’ve long had a love of gardens, it was a love of gardens, rather than gardening which are two completely different entities. The idea of gardening had never much appealed. But as someone recently suggested to me, I am quite determined and so if one wants a garden, one must learn to garden!

At the beginning of the Glenmore garden journey, creating a garden was all about the task of connecting a disparate collection of buildings and anchoring them to the ground. But that sat alongside a love of plants and flowers and a desire to incorporate them. I’d long made and kept lists, even before Glenmore, of flowers in season. I would religiously buy flowers by the stem on Friday afternoons from a favourite florist and keep a note of what they were.

It was this list I first turned to when I wanted to grow flowers. Of course standing in that lovely corner shop, I would choose those stems for their impact, their colour, form, height, foliage, juxtaposition, harmony and perfume and creating a garden is not dissimilar to flower arranging, just on a bigger scale. Up until Glenmore, I hadn’t had the earth in which to experiment.

Of course, a flower arrangement lasts but a few days. To garden requires a great deal more planning, along with attention to the soil into which one plants; the climate, rainfall, heat, wind, sun, shade, drought, flood - that’s no mean feat compared to an arrangement in a vase!

I think learning to garden has made me a great deal more inquisitive in the way design leads you to architecture, history and the myriad arts and skills. Gardening encompasses all of those too, but adds nature and nurture. I had the opportunity to connect with nature on a much more meaningful level - to really be at one with the great and recurring cycle of life.

“...it’s these gardens that form some of my earliest memories - their paths, sounds, smells. But it was both travel and reading in my early years that seeped into my soul.”

IN COLLABORATION WITH: SASKIA WILSON — PHOTOGRAPHER — SASKIAWILSON.COM / @SASKIAWILSON

GLENMOREHOUSE.COM.AU /

What is your gardening philosophy today? Are you more inclined to listen and let the plants and seasons guide you?

Just grow. Growing a garden will grow you. My life is utterly guided by and attuned to the seasons and cycle of plants! I listen and watch and allow myself to be guided. Nature always shows the way.

How does gardening, growing and creating make you feel?

Content. I get the most out of growing when I’m gardening. Pruning, cutting back, tying-in, making compost, adding compost, mulching, caring for the soil and inturn, nurturing the plant, coaxing the best to come and always working towards the season ahead.

As humans, why do you think our connection to the soil and the Earth is so important?

Connection to the soil, connection to the cycle of life is, I think, what gives reassurance in our own lives. It may not answer the big question of why we’re here, but I think it removes anxiety and allows us to be at one and at peace. We are part of such a big picture and our preoccupations on so many levels in the great scheme of things are meaningless. Life goes on without the newsfeed and much stupidity of human intervention. We literally need to stop and smell the flowers, stop pushing and just be. Earth is a miracle and I get so angry with the acceleration into a ‘Metaverse’ when we already inhabit the most incredible ‘real’ world that can sustain us – mind, body and soul!

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I think my inspiration is an amalgamation. I’m very visual and expressive and – by my age, no doubt – have absorbed so much varied experience from historical documentation, books, articles, paintings, film, fiction and myriad garden wanderings that it’s hard to be specific. There are gardens I love that I could reel off, but when it comes down to it, it’s a personal choice of a plant here and there put together that spark my imagination, a spur of the moment thought.

What has been taking up most of your time in the garden lately?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by botanical waters. I wanted to somehow capture the very essence of the garden in a bottle. Just imagine capturing the scent of an Orange Blossom that floods the air overwhelming the senses for that very brief moment in spring? And the armfuls of heavenly Rose Pelargonium I bring into The Dairy on event days and the Lavender spikes that scent our laundry? The roses I bury my nose into? If only I could capture them in a bottle. I thought I could share a hint of the garden to lift the day of someone else, so I went about discovering the process properly and learned the secrets of using a traditional copper alembic still. I gather my material at its absolute peak moment of beauty and vitality and steam distil. While I have no doubt that many years of experimentation lie ahead, I’m thrilled to have captured these floral essences so far in such pure form and released them into the world.

You lead a beautifully busy life surrounded by nature, how do you think it has shaped who you are?

Although I’m surrounded by beauty, not every aspect is beautiful! In all honesty, I’m a good labourer, furniture removalist and cleaner. The very word ‘gardening’ makes it sound like a gentle Sunday afternoon activity when in reality it’s hot, hard, sweaty work. And I do the heavy lifting as required, so while the end result is one of beauty, none of it is for the undisciplined or fainthearted. Much of my life is in the muck and mire and it’s made me resilient.

My surroundings are my life and Mother Nature is a constant companion for better or worse and usually, on the whole, for better.

Do you have any knowledge to share with fellow gardeners?

Listen to the Earth, lose yourself in the garden and dare to trip down the paths she reveals. It’s there I hope you will find contentment.

What can we expect for the future of Glenmore House?

For the future? I refer to the garden here as a ‘working garden’. It contains wonders to be unlocked beyond my capacity. Hence, I intend to continue bringing in others to tap into the treasures it holds, across herbal and medicinal, perfume and art, alongside the food source and sustainability realm that must, by very nature, be the most significant topic of all. I see Glenmore as a place where beauty and practicality sit side by side, merged. Inspiring a broader community is, I hope, what the future holds.

Experience Glenmore House in all its glory.

Mickey offers experiential workshops and events, from foraging and flowers to cooking and herbal medicine in collaboration with experts and special guests and all punctuated by a seasonal long lunch utilising ingredients from Mickey’s garden.

“My surroundings are my life and Mother Nature is a constant companion for better or worse and usually, on the whole, for better.”

RORYWARNOCK.COM

/ @RORYWARNOCKWELLNESS

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT WITH RORY WARNOCK

In its simplest form, breathwork is a healing modality, a self-care tool and a cleansing technique practised across religious scriptures and spiritual rituals to facilitate the mind-body-spirit connection.

Harnessed throughout meditation and mindfulness, most breathing techniques stem from sacred yoga traditions pointing reference to Pranayama. Translated in Sanskrit it means “control of energy”, and is the ancient science of breathing. Prana is the essence of breath and is considered a life-giving force. A pillar of Hindu and Ayurvedic customs, there have been links to the ‘life force’ seen throughout cultures from the Chinese principle of qi to the Christian Holy Spirit.

It’s this reverence for breath as our life force energy and the profound rituals surrounding it that have now become entwined in modern medicine.

They say the quality of the breath mirrors the quality of the mind, which is reflective of the deep, transformative breaths we’re choosing to take today, as opposed to the short, shallow, sharp inhalation we’ve become so accustomed to. There are hundreds of schools of breathwork and various types and techniques: Ujjayi, circular and nostril, but the healing mechanism stays the same.

Rory Warnock, a Performance and Wellness Coach specialising in breathwork, refers to the practice as conscious breathing. “Breathing is an involuntary action we do over 25,000 times per day. But we have the ability to voluntarily breathe in specific rhythms, rates and depths to positively alter our physiology and psychology,” he says.

In many ways, these techniques allow you to operate at your optimal state of being. On a physical level, breathwork enriches the body with oxygen, improves sleep, energy, heart rate variability, athletic performance and reduces inflammatory conditions like diabetes, heart disease and a weak immune system. The power of breath purges the body and nervous system of toxins - deep breathing improves blood and lung volume, while diaphragmatic stimulation awakens the lymphatic system to activate detoxification, simultaneously exhaling and filtering waste through our urine and breath.

On a mental level, it has the ability to impact your soul and spirit and ignite mind-body illumination. Breathwork anchors us to feelings of peace and quiet, ‘take a deep breath’ is a saying we’ve come to know to quell feelings of anxiety and stress. It’s intrinsically applied as an emotionally clearing method dispelling negative thoughts, clearing trauma, balancing mood and reducing stress, both physically and psychologically.

“Many breathwork techniques and practises are a form of mindfulness, with the difference being breathwork is usually active, and meditation is usually passive. It gets you out of your head and into your body. With some techniques the changes are immediate and it can change your physiological system, shifting the nervous system in real time - it’s one of the fastest and most accessible ways to feel more calm and clear, with various studies to prove it,” explains Warnock.

“Breathwork anchors us to feelings of peace and quiet, ‘take a deep breath’ is a saying we’ve come to know to quell feelings of anxiety and stress.”

One such study shows how relaxation techniques stimulate the vagus nerve to switch off the body’s fight-or-flight response and switch on the relaxation response, helping to heal the nervous system. By practising diaphragmatic breathing, you can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, triggering this ‘rest and digest’ mode, which helps lower your blood pressure and cortisol levels. Research also shows mindful meditation interventions reduce the size of the amygdala, lowering stress and improving stressrelated health outcomes.

During your practice, emotions can arise as you work through any blockages and reconnect to your higher state of consciousness, drawing parallels to the spiritual component of the process. Warnock points out some methods can be immensely activating, triggering physical reactions like warm fuzzy feelings, tingling and vibrations.

“I’m an advocate for minimum effective dose, this technique requires the least amount of work for the most amount of benefit. Everyone should learn how to breathe in a more functional pattern, both day-to-day and during sleep. Functional breathing is using the nose to draw in light, slow and deep breaths. Avoid short, shallow, upper-chest and mouth-breaths,” explains Warnock. “Nasal breathing is far superior to mouth breathing - the nose is 50% more resistant than the mouth, which results in 10-20% more oxygen uptake. The nose acts as a natural filter bringing clear, warmed, humidified air into our lungs.”

“To calm feelings of stress, anxiety or for when you’re struggling to fall asleep. It’s an incredibly fast and effective way to move from sympathetic (fight or flight) to parasympathetic (rest and digest) and shift your autonomic arousal,” he adds.

Breathe in through the nose for four seconds and out through the nose for six seconds, for 30 cycles. The breath should be light, quiet and deep.

NADI SHODHANA

Place your left hand in your lap

Position the index and middle fingers of your right hand between your eyebrows

Also known as alternate nostril breathing, Nadi Shodhana is a cleansing ritual and powerful technique for relaxation. Translated from Sanskrit, Nadi means ‘channel’ or ‘meridian’ and Shodhana means ‘purification’.

An imbalance of energy can be reflected in the restricted flow of air through the nostrils. When flowing evenly, it helps to bring equilibrium to breathing patterns and spirit.

When practised regularly, Nadi Shodhana can help calm the nervous system, lowering both heart rate and blood pressure, while balancing energies on both sides of the body and quieting the mind.

Lift your thumb and inhale through the right nostril

Seal your right nostril with your thumb and inhale through the left nostril

Lift your fingers and exhale through the left nostril

Seal your left nostril with your ring and pinky fingers and exhale through the right nostril

Continue alternating and sealing nostrils for nine complete cycles of breath

IN THE STUDIO WITH CHANEL TOBLER

The Australian-Swiss artist takes us inside her sunlight-soaked Sydney-based studio to uncover treasures on paper and made in clay.

As a multidisciplinary artist, is there a medium you’re drawn to most?

Drawing is the constant in my practice and is the medium I predominately work with and am pulled to the most. It functions as the bones of thinking, of sensemaking. I see it as a door to seeing, to knowing, and the thing that begins the next journey.

There’s something enigmatic but also direct about drawing. It enables me to get intimate things out and down quickly, but it also has the capacity to slow ideas allowing for me to be in it longer than a thought persists.

I like its materiality and accessibility, it feels democratised. Most of us draw with or without realising which is something that makes me feel tender and close to it.

What kind of evolution have you observed in terms of your art and the themes you’ve explored as you’ve grown as a person and an artist?

Themes have always remained the same, my work reflects my emotional life, or explores and tries to document or make sense of it.

Any evolution I have observed, I think, probably comes down to the fact that I have different expectations now to what I did when I started. I believed in linear progress. Now, I think about my personal and work life as something moving with endless contradictions, needs and wants, all looping in on themselves and unravelling over and over. I navigate it by knowing that to trust things and myself. Noise needs to be cut and excess cleared. There is refining, redefining and negotiation.

Growing means flux is forever, so is learning, unlearning and relearning. Mistakes are rampant. I am slow. Asking for help is vital. Chaos is a process. Perseverance and rest are beneficial for progress.

“There’s something enigmatic but also direct about drawing. It enables me to get intimate things out but also has the capacity to slow ideas...”

CHANELTOBLER.COM / @CHANELTOBLER

IN COLLABORATION WITH: SASKIA WILSON — PHOTOGRAPHER — SASKIAWILSON.COM / @SASKIAWILSON

How does your lifestyle influence your work?

My chaotic lifestyle with pockets of slowness influences my work. There is little in my day-to-day that doesn’t guide or make its way into my practise. It’s messy. I am sensitive, passionate and moody in the way that I live as well as in my work. My personal life folds and feeds into my work and vice versa.

Which artists have had the greatest influence on you?

• Amy Sillman

• Tamuna Sirbiladze

• Carlene West

• Miriam Cahn

• Camille Henrot

How do you get through ‘artist’s block’ - or out of a creativity slump?

It feels like a negotiation to come back to what is rather than what I want. I have to regularly get out of the way of myself. I do that by turning my back on both the internal and external and asking the work what it wants and needs. I remind myself that from work comes work. As long as hands are moving something will come, it won’t always be good but it keeps work coming which eventually will get to work that is good. These are two of the most generous and practical lessons I was ever taught at art school - asking the work for direction and that from work, comes work.

How do you balance your own creative needs and other’s expectations?

I don’t know if there is a balance; when there are external expectations and other people enter the work, I make mistakes. The same goes for when I enter the work, I think too much and I make mistakes. Just as with a creative slump, with external expectations, I try to quieten the noise and leave things at the door to ask the work again what is required to progress. I still find this difficult – trusting and leaning into counterintuitive spaces – but when I’m successful it’s rewarding.

How do you stay well and balanced? Are there rituals you take part in to ensure you’re your best self?

I have time with people I love and then time alone. It’s the balance between external stimulation which I seek out in nature, people, relationships, experiences, art, music, film, theatre, books, the Internet, architecture, fashion, food and moving my body. And then taking all of that into a private space which is often in my studio, lying on the floor looking at the ceiling or sky or walking and engaging in internal reflection, archiving and documenting. I require both to create a robust internal landscape which is what I need to stay emotionally and physically well.

What does beauty mean to you?

Flux and chaos, humanness, earth movements.

Do you follow any self-care rituals? What do they look like and how do they make you feel?

I enjoy cooking, eating, and sharing food with people, which makes me feel nourished and provides a sense of pleasure.

Sleeping and unstructured idle time are actions that make me feel in my body and reinforces a sense of freedom.

Meditating feels like flossing for the brain and makes things clearer.

Engaging with art, film and music are rituals that allow me to enter emotions and keep the sense of possibility.

“Sleeping and unstructured idle time are actions that make me feel ‘in my body’ and reinforces a sense of freedom.”

Chanel wears the Jolie Abstract Cut Out Midi Dress, a print imagined by herself, commissioned and created in collaboration with Aje.

AURA

INCREDIBLE SPACES

Nicholas Préaud is part of the new generation of artists blurring the lines between visual illusions and architecture. The Digital Artist and Architectural Designer creates utopian 3D renderings with an essence of the real world. This new wave of design aesthetic balances real-life construction with imaginary spaces that exist only in the digital realm.

One of Préaud’s latest projects, Villa del Soffio, is a collaboration with London-based Interior Designer and Digital Artist, Charlotte Taylor of Maison de Sable. The dreamy oasis sits in the cliffs of the coast of Puglia, Italy and fuses a hint of realism with pure fantasy.

Préaud shares his futurist artwork with us from his creative studio in Paris. Escapism meets the future of interior design.

IMAGES COURTESY OF NICHOLAS PRÉAUD — NICHOLASPREAUD.COM / @NICHOLASPREAUD

How would you describe your work?

My work explores the ways of connecting the imaginary to the reality of built architecture. Throughout physical installations, architectural and furniture design, construction research and development and digital art, it comes together as one broad unclassifiable contemporary discipline. A discipline that sets out to question our ways of life, our ways of interacting with our environment and each other, and to question the traditional rollout of creative processes. My work is infused with many references to East Asian culture, and specifically Japanese culture. Having been very passionate about Japanese culture and architecture for my entire life, and having worked at internationallyrenowned studios led by Japanese architects such as Tsuyoshi Tane and Sou Fujimoto, I have learned a lot about – and continue to seek to learn about –how architectural design can entertain an essential relationship with its foundational natural counterpart. A simple relationship between the artefact and the untouched. Layouts intentionally designed to encompass empty space where anything can happen are essential to me, as opposed to Western architecture where spaces impose a function on the user. The concept of ‘Ma’ in Japanese culture and architecture points to this exactly. The invisible aesthetic of Ma is portrayed by this energy filled with possibilities emerging from the design. An emptiness which reveals unforeseen function.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

My work explores the relationship each design entertains with its surrounding and founding natural elements. As our culture and humanity tends to distance itself more and more from the most basic and essential connections we still have with the natural elements, I feel the urge to explore and question how this can still happen on a very basic level. I celebrate humility and simplicity in design, which feels obvious, which looks like it should be rather than not. A lot actually looks like it should not. I celebrate the designs whose creative process and formal result are more relevant than their authors.

How did Villa del Soffio come to life?

Each project such as Villa del Soffio or Casa Atibaia, comes with context – even if the project remains digital and gives me much more freedom to work with. As an architect, I like to give the project a proper and relatable context. For this project, Charlotte and I chose the beautiful region of Puglia – we both have visited several times and really enjoy it. We wanted to explore a scenario of a remote villa with a James Bond feel to it, with a significant presence in the landscape, but with minimal footprint as the house is hovering between the cliffs. A radical volumetry emerged and was then developed to the finest details.

You’re creating a visionary oasis that fuses the line between what’s real and what could be. Renderings are on the rise - what do you think is behind it?

There is undeniably a new trend for such digital spaces that have appeared in the past few years. With the rise of digital art, artists such as myself are exploring all the possibilities of what this art can be. Being an architect as well, it naturally went in that direction for me. I feel it is a way to explore design possibilities efficiently and with a turnover time uncomparable to traditionally built architecture. Ideas are allowed to flow freely and question different aspects of how we traditionally live or build. These digital references nourish my real life architecture practise and vice versa.

To many your work is a form of escapism, but where do you look to for forms of escape?

Living in the city, the obvious escape for me is in the wild. I try to bring the wild back into my work.

What are you most excited about for the future of 3D visualisation?

I always try to clarify what 3D visualisation is. For me, it’s the act of producing one good image, much like a photographer. I feel my work goes beyond the act of producing one good image, as it involves producing a good space – a relatable, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing space. There are two degrees to the digital work

I do: the first degree being the design and architectural process, the second being the photographic approach to bringing these designs to life. In the near future, the tools we have to bring these designs to life will be even more realistic and seamless, making the boundary between real and imagined even more blurry.

“...our culture and humanity tends to distance itself more and more from the most basic and essential connections we still have with the natural elements...”

IKKARI SPACES

A holistic health destination honouring the idea of a traditional apothecary. Expect all of your senses to be activated: touch, scent, sight, sound – even taste.

Exclusively stocked in 16 AJE ATHLETICA stores dotted around the country – and a flagship in Noosa (the birthplace of IKKARI) coming soon, these spaces are a place for you to explore, discover and share. Specialist IKKARI consultants have a deep understanding of our products and can make recommendations of rituals based on your individual lifestyle and needs.

Upon entering the space you’ll feel an instant wash of calm fall over your body by virtue of the scents spritzed throughout the store, courtesy of IKKARI Aura Balancing Mists, working harmoniously with the design aesthetic.

Our in-store offerings expand across personal, tailormade touches from one-on-one consultations to curating your very own IKKARI Prescription. Be treated to a Tonic or purchase an IKKARI Skin Nutrition Discovery Trio to experience in the comfort of your own home, actualising how they slot into your regimes and self-care rituals.

TAKE A PHOTO TO DISCOVER MORE AND FIND YOUR NEAREST STORE.

INCREDIBLE READS

FERMENT

BY HOLLY DAVIS

Wholefood Chef, Author and Educator, Holly Davis is a master at her craft, culturing and cooking for over 40 years. What began as an exploration into macrobiotics blossomed into a deep appreciation for lacto-fermentation, live bacteria and eating according to needs and season. Fermented foods like kombucha, kimchi, kraut, kefir and koji, are more nutritious and bioavailable to the body. Loaded with antioxidants, enzymes and beneficial bacteria such as pre-, pro- and postbiotics, they improve gut health and digestion, boost immunity and reduce inflammation. Here we discover although sauerkraut may seem simple, it’s actually providing potent nutritional benefits.

Fermenting is a means of employing beneficial bacteria to preserve ingredients beyond their otherwise useful life and in the process of doing that, the ingredients are preserved, but they’re also made more nutritious and more delicious.

When food is fermented, it is predigested by the microorganisms present. The texture and flavour transform and nutrients that might otherwise have been unavailable to us are made useful. Where possible, fermentation can detoxify the ingredients being fermented. Many of the foods we might choose to ferment contain various anti-nutrient compounds, making them hard to digest and their minerals difficult to extract.

Ferments support the commensal bacteria in your large intestine and enable them to do their best work. It’s these bacteria that are responsible for increasing the nutrient levels of food and the enzymatic activity within a food. Research shows the content of Vitamin C in fermented cabbage is even higher than in fresh cabbage. Beneficial gut bacteria can help produce vitamins and enhance absorption of minerals, to help with overall wellbeing, including fighting off pathogens and boosting metabolism.

The process of fermentation preserves ingredients, making them safe to eat for weeks, months, or in some cases, years beyond their fresh state.

We tend to think that when something is good, more of the good thing is better – and that’s not the case when it comes to fermented foods. A little often is a much better way of going about it than a lot at once. Rich in enzymes, they help break down hard-to-digest proteins, making them perfect as a condiment with meals and as a valuable contribution to a wholefood way of eating.

There are lots of different types of fermentation, but for this recipe we’re talking about wild lacto-fermenting (favouring lactic acid producing bacteria), which is different to alcoholic fermentation or fermentation that utilises mould such as koji, used in Japanese ferments like miso and soy sauce. Wild fermenting means the cabbage for example, will be salted in order to not only increase flavour, but also protect ingredients from putrefying while beneficial bacteria build in the mix.

It’s possible to ferment without salt, but you need to introduce something that is already fermenting to ensure that enough bacteria are present to protect the ingredients while fermentation gets going.

“We tend to think that when something is good, more of the good thing is better - and that’s not the case when it comes to fermented foods.”

RED CABBAGE, ARAME AND GINGER KRAUT

A variation on traditional sauerkraut, this vibrant ferment is perfect paired with rich foods, helping to cut through the fat and balancing strong flavours — it’s my go-to with an eggy breakfast. Adding mineralrich sea vegetables such as arame to ferments boosts the nutrient profile, while the ginger provides a lively kick.

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INGREDIENTS

5 G (1 8 OZ / 1 ⁄4 CUP)

ARAME THREADS

2 KG (4 LB / 6 OZ)

HEAD RED CABBAGE

1 LARGE KNOB GINGER (finely chopped or grated)

40 g (1 1 2 oz)

FINE SEA SALT

PROCESS

1. Soak the arame threads in a bowl with plenty of warm water for 15 minutes.

2. Trim and quarter the cabbage, removing the fibrous core. Chop the cabbage into 3 mm (1 12 in) thick slices and put in a large bowl. Add the ginger and sea salt. Rub the salt into the cabbage, scrunching the mix firmly, until the cabbage has released plenty of liquid.

3. Strain the arame and discard the soaking water. Mix the arame into the cabbage very well.

4. Take your clean jar and lid and fill it completely with the cabbage mixture. Push the cabbage down firmly. Top up with more cabbage, pressing down some more to ensure that it is submerged in the liquid. Make sure to leave at least 2cm of space between the liquid and the rim of the jar. Use a vegetable plug or an airlock lid, or simply press the vegetables under their liquid and close the lid tightly. Label the jar and stand it on a plate or tray.

5. Leave in a cool place to ferment for 7—30 days. Gradually, you will notice bubbles, a few at first and then masses. The bubbles will begin to subside and this is the point at which you can start tasting the kraut. I like this best after a month or so, when the cabbage is really quite sour, but keep tasting until you are happy with the flavours, then put in the fridge to keep for up to a year.

I AM SUPPORTED BY THE EARTH AND ROOTED IN MY PURPOSE