Astarte Mind & Body

24/10/2025

I'm up in Brisbane at the moment as part of the project at .
It's been a pretty full-on program so far with seven hours of dancing today and a fourteen hour day tomorrow with rehearsals, filming projects, and the live performance at the official show.
This is when I am so grateful for all the cross-training I do with the classes I teach. I have really put my body through the wringer today, but it came through and mostly did what I needed it to.

17/10/2025

My weekly 30-minute Strengthen and Lengthen class is designed to challenge the body in different ways through a combination of functional and multi-directional movement. We explore body weight and loaded movements, as well as range of motion through the integration of dumbbells, resistance bands, and, for the first time this term, the Pilates Bar.

Don't worry. You dont have to do it all and feel like me today. 😅 You can work at your own pace and depth in all exercises, and I'll provide options for modifications throughout. 😊

All classes are recorded for access any time throughout the term.

11/10/2025

There have been a few small changes to our online timetable for term four, primarily with our Saturday Pilates Fusion class now slated for the earlier time of 8am .. so you can get started earlier and enjoy more of your weekend.
All our classes are delivered live via Zoom, with four classes recorded each week so you can catch up in your own time if you can't make it.
Our members also have access to our online exercise library with access to over 70 recorded classes and tutorials. I usually add a few extra during each term to help it build and grow.
If you'd like to join me for mind body classes online this term from the comfort of your own home, you can sign up via my website. We start back this Monday.

10/10/2025

My term breaks are never a real holiday. They are a time to shake things up, let things settle, and reset myself for another term.
This break has been a little more adventurous and busy than usual, though, with some extra workshops to prepare for and teach.
This is what I got up to.

08/10/2025

'Pink-washing' of products has been a bugbear of mine for decades, even before my own diagnosis. I do not support companies that include known carcinogens or endocrine disrupting ingredients, and find it especially hypocritical when such companies use cancer as a 'feel good' promotional tool to boost their reputation, reduce their tax burden, and boost their profit margin. Am I being a bit cynical and critical since these same companies promote awareness? Yes. Because we can provide information through other multiple channels without having it attached to toxic products.

Every single October shelves around the United States suddenly “turn pink”. But, behind many of these which are there to spread awareness of breast cancer, hides a product that contains ingredients linked to cancer, hormone disruption and/or inflammation. This is nothing more than pinkwashing - and a way for a company to sell empathy while avoiding accountability and fueling the crisis.

Here is what this looks like:

Yoplait “Save Lids to Save Lives” yogurt - marketed for breast cancer awareness while packed with added sugars and artificial coloring that fuel inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to cell mutation, proliferation and the creation of a tumor-promoting environment.

Avon “Breast Cancer Crusade” lipstick - contains parabens and undisclosed fragrance chemicals linked to hormone disruption.

Estée Lauder’s “Pink Ribbon” skincare kits - feature ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, a UV filter under review for endocrine effects.

Revlon ColorStay foundation (decades long support for women’s health and cancer initiatives) - includes BHA/BHT and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, restricted in the EU.

Tide “Loads of Hope” detergent (P&G) (tied to awareness drives) - contains 1,4 dioxane, a known carcinogen under EPA scrutiny.

Glade “Pink” air fresheners (SC Johnson) - feature synthetic musks and limonene, which can form formaldehyde in the air.

SOURCE:
https://cbcn.ca/en/blog/our-stories/breast-cancer-is-not-a-brand

07/10/2025

Many years ago I hired 'What the Bleep Do We Know?' from my local Blockbuster video store and it changed the way I thought about not just the universe, but myself. I realised I wasn't so crazy after all to be thinking about things like the quantum realm or other esoteric stuff. I also realised I wasn't mad to think that I could imagine things into the realm of possibility and reality.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16iL7gDeC1/

What if luck isn’t random? What if it’s predictable, even measurable?

Quantum physics is shaking the table again. New research suggests that luck might not be just chaos or blind chance. In fact, scientists are now exploring the idea that so-called “lucky” outcomes may follow hidden quantum patterns.

At the tiniest level of reality, particles don’t behave randomly they respond to probabilities, wave functions, and entanglements. That means every flip of a coin, every “right place, right time” moment, might be influenced by underlying probabilities woven into the quantum fabric of the universe.

It’s not superstition. It’s science catching up with intuition.

This could explain why some people seem to attract fortune, while others repeatedly miss the mark. Maybe it’s not just mindset or timing maybe it’s resonance with invisible rules we’re only just beginning to understand.

It’s the kind of discovery that could change everything from statistics to spirituality.

04/10/2025

Today, I visited Bombo quarry for a photo and video shoot with my sword dance troupe, Valakesh.
The quarry is accessable from a staircase at the top of the quarry or from Bombo Beach carpark. The stones that remain stand like sentinels, guarding against the ocean in the rugged landscape.
The other worldly landscape makes it a popular location for video and photo shoots.

29/09/2025

Tomorrow is my last day at the Crazy Cat Connoisseurs Mini Expo at the Imaginarium. It's been hectic with organising and facilitating multiple workshops and events, but it has also been a fun and rewarding experience.
It has forced me to make more time to paint and create, which is what I need in my life to balance out the chaos that is me. 😸

29/09/2025

If you are a cat owner, a friend of a cat owner, or simply a cat lover, it is important to know which plants are toxic or safe for cats. 😻

Lillies are by far the most deadly plants for cats. All parts of the plant are toxic, but especially the pollen as it can get on their paws and fur, and can hence be easily ingested. Keep this in mind if you are ever gifting flowers or a house plant to someone with cats. 🙀

The danger a plant poses will also be determined by whether your cat likes to rub, chew or nibble on flowers or your plant leaves. If you have a nibbler, opt for the cat friendly plants. 😺

The charts I've posted here list some of the main culprits, but it's always handy to also do some research of your own to be sure.

27/09/2025

I got to cuddle a baby at the Cat Connoisseur Expo. No. It is not coming home with me. I swear it's not. 😬 Neelix would never forgive me. 😸
Kittens are here this morning and tomorrow for a visit and a cuddle. The Imaginarium, Shellharbour Village. 😻

26/09/2025

Good morning everyone. The Crazy Cat Connoisseurs Mini-Expo is now open at The Imaginarium in Shellharbour Village with a stack of cat inspired arts and crafts and cat paraphernalia to peruse.
We have Animal Care Collection Illawarra on board helping to raise funds for kitties in need with a fun 100's club and guessing jar of kibble. On Saturday and Sunday we'll have some very special live kitten visitors.
Saturday morning we have FREE face painting and cat tales for kids from 10am, an awesome photo booth set up, and a Paint a Kitty Tea Party at 1pm with 5 places remaining.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/paint-a-kitty-tea-party-tickets-1422788180749?aff=oddtdtcreator
On Sunday we have 3 places left in our Paint a Kitty Morning Tea, at 10am.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/paint-a-kitty-morning-tea-tickets-1422790226869?aff=oddtdtcreator
Or join us for a Cool Cats drum jam at 1.30pm! 5 places remaining.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cool-cats-drum-jam-tickets-1422767137809?aff=oddtdtcreator

22/09/2025

☀️ The equinox feels like the perfect time to discuss the importance of Balance. 🌕

Balance is a cornerstone of optimal health, encompassing physical, muscular, biomechanical, and cellular dimensions. Each aspect plays a critical role in maintaining overall well-being and preventing injury or dysfunction.

⚖️Physical Balance

Physical balance refers to the body's ability to maintain stability during movement or rest. Governed by the vestibular system, proprioception, and core strength, it enables us to perform daily tasks, from walking to climbing stairs, without falling. Good physical balance reduces the risk of injuries, particularly in older adults, and enhances athletic performance. Practices like yoga, tai chi, Pilates, or balance training exercises can improve stability and coordination.

⚖️Muscular Balance

Muscular balance involves symmetrical strength and flexibility across opposing muscle groups, such as quadriceps and hamstrings. Imbalances, often caused by repetitive movements or poor posture, can lead to strain, injury, or joint issues. For example, overly tight hip flexors and weak glutes may cause lower back pain. Strength training, stretching, and corrective exercises help ensure muscles work harmoniously, supporting joint health and efficient movement.

⚖️Biomechanical Balance

Biomechanical balance refers to the proper alignment and function of bones, joints, and muscles during movement. Misalignments, such as overpronation in the feet or an uneven pelvis, can create compensatory patterns, leading to pain or reduced performance. Proper footwear, posture correction, and physical therapy can address biomechanical issues, ensuring efficient force distribution and reducing wear on joints.

⚖️Cellular Balance

At the cellular level, balance involves homeostasis—the body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions, such as pH, temperature, and nutrient levels. Disruptions, like oxidative stress or inflammation, can impair cellular function, contributing to chronic diseases. A nutrient-rich diet, adequate hydration, and stress management support cellular balance, promoting energy production, tissue repair, and immune function.

⚖️Mental Balance

Balance, in terms of mental health, is not just on a cellular or biological level, but also in the choices we make every single day in regards to our lifestyle. Everything feeds back in to our mental health, from what we eat to what we consume digitally. We know that our brain works in connection with our body and is in constant communication through the central nervous system and chemical processes. When we are out of balance in terms of our commitments or lifestyle, this not only results in stress in the mind, but manifests physically in our body, presenting as tightness in our muscles, pain, inflammation, and lack of general stability or inhibited proprioception.

⚖️*****⚖️

So why is balance important? Achieving balance across these dimensions fosters resilience, prevents injury, and optimizes health. By integrating targeted exercises, mindful nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments, individuals can cultivate harmony within their bodies, enhancing both physical and cellular vitality for a longer, healthier life.