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Natural therapies

This Month

Clients are immersed in light, sound and vibrations while lying on high-tech waterbeds.

This ‘sonic waterbed’ promises to beat jet lag and poor sleep

Reporter Michael Smith takes a trip towards better sleep with an immersive cocktail of light, sound and vibration therapy from the comfort of a high-tech waterbed.

  • Michael Smith

November 2024

Meet the lawyer who set up his own cannabis company

A potential career crisis sparked the founder of this medicinal cannabis company, which comes in at No9 on The Australian Financial Review Fast Starters List.

  • Richard Pullin
The view from atop Meditation Hill at The Elysia Wellness Retreat in Hunter Valley.

Dispatches from a midlife crisis summer camp

Ice baths, soul readings and conspiracy theories: inside the growing men’s wellness movement.

  • Joshua Peach

October 2024

You are going to die – so stop trying to hustle your way out of it

The author of the bestselling anti-self-help treatise ‘Four Thousand Weeks’ has a new book of mediations that can help you enjoy the ride while it lasts.

  • Hillary Kelly
Nina Maya designed the wellness space at GWS Chairman Adrian Fonseca’s Bellevue Hill home.

How the wellness revolution is transforming luxury property

Integrated spa facilities and health-enhancing spaces on par with the world’s best hotels are the new norm in high-end house and apartment projects.

  • Bonnie Campbell
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May 2024

CVC’s interest in Comvita comes during a busy time for investors in the premium honey sector.

Mystery suitor for Kiwi honey producer Comvita revealed

CVC’s interest in Comvita comes during a busy time for investors in the premium honey sector.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport

This famous spa costs $17k for five nights. Is it worth it?

We road-test celebrity magnet Ananda Spa in the Himalayas.

  • Fiona Carruthers

February 2024

Troubled businessman Robert Bates.

Aquamamma founder admits investors remain out of pocket

But Robert Bates, in court filings, said shareholder agreements contained no specific timeframes for repayment. He is being pursued by six former backers.

  • Jessica Sier

December 2023

My partner Jason Toh says he’s really cold in this bath, but I found it relatively comfortable.

The chilling truth of a $12,500 ice bath in your home

Our dubious tester immersed herself in this health trend – and immediately started saving to buy her own ice bath.

  • Rachael Bolton

November 2023

Emily Rigby and Tommy Huppert of CannaTrek.

This company doubled its revenue on medicinal cannabis demand

Cannatrek has built a business with 130 people and annual revenues of $90 million, but boss Tommy Huppert says there’s much more to come.

  • Simon Evans

October 2023

In retirement, most people want to enjoy life, not just "get by".

Why cold water swimming might be doing you more harm than good

An inquest into a tragic death has highlighted the fact that such activities, while invigorating for many, may be hazardous for certain individuals.

  • Boudicca Fox-Leonard
Persian Garden on Celebrity Eclipse

Floating day spas with caviar and champagne? Yes, it’s a thing

Get spoiled at sea with bath butlers who ensure there’s champagne next to your soap, charcoal saunas, and al fresco massages.

  • Brian Johnston

September 2023

WelleCo founder Andrea Horwood is back in business

Crypto’s collapsed. Tech’s troubled. But over in beauty, it’s booming. The Perth entrepreneur reflects on 30 years and her next bet.

  • Eugenie Kelly

August 2023

Vegan influencer Zhanna Samsonova, who posted as rawveganfoodchef, died at the age of 39.

The thin line between extreme wellness and illness

The deaths of wellness influencers shows how disordered eating is being promoted as a path to better health.

  • Melissa Twigg
Former athlete Neil Walton harvests kelp at low tide from Sligo Bay in Ireland.

This treatment is good for training recovery (but there’s a catch)

It might not look inviting, but dunking yourself in seaweed yields enough health benefits to win over the average spa sceptic – triathletes included.

  • Peter Wilson
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July 2023

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, wearing an ice vest over his best young rider’s white jersey, on Saturday.

The Tour de France already has a winner: ice vests

Whether you’re an aspiring Tour de France winner or just a jogger, research shows staying cool is particularly important during endurance exercise.

  • Kendra Pierre-Louis

June 2023

Sam Sicilia has 10 double shot espressos every day

10 long reads for the weekend

Welcome to the weekend. To start off your day, we’ve curated 10 great reads to enjoy.

April 2023

Alba has 31 pools in total, each of which has been configured to match its surrounds, such as this more secluded one. However, they can get busy on a crowded summer’s day.

In search of serenity on Victoria’s luxury spa circuit

This recently opened spa is an architectural marvel with much to offer, but you have to be prepared to share your bliss moments.

  • Rachael Bolton
Pyramids of Chi

Bali is overrun by influencers. Locals are fighting back

The island is a magnet for twenty-something digital nomads, life coaches and wellnesspreneurs, but their welcome has grown thin.

  • Jenny Valentish

February 2023

Fashion designer and wellness fanatic Adrian Norris: “Everything I’ve created in Ikkari has sprung from me knowing what I’ve needed.”

He built a fashion empire. Now he’s launching 71 wellness products

“Health nut” Adrian Norris co-founded the clothing label Aje. For his next venture, he’s going into the beauty business with his new brand Ikkari.

  • Eugenie Kelly

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/natural-therapies-jby