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      The Thing About Self-Care Is…

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      Self-care – most crave it; most want its much-discussed benefits yet in between the demands of everyday life, we find ourselves often striking it off our to-do lists.

      As aptly put by Betterup.com, “…self-care practices are intentional steps to take care of yourself. Self-care practices put deposits into your wellness ‘bank account’. Consistent deposits give you more internal resources to draw upon during stressful times.”

      Countless research has been published on how practising regular self-care leaves us energetic and emotionally sound, with some room to extend a helping hand to others. As the New Age hashtag goes, #SelfishIsTheNewSelfLove. Being busy should not stand in the way of you indulging in one or two self-care routines daily. Remember: There aren’t enough hours in a day as it is, and you may never have free “me-time” waiting for you to claim it.

      Below, three women share heartwarming anecdotes of how they learnt (the hard way) that pouring from an empty cup wasn’t sustainable — and that if anything, it leads to physical and mental exhaustion. 

      READ MORE: 21 Best Self-Care Gifts For Her That Go Way Beyond Face Masks

      Lally Dladla

      “It took a hysterectomy for me to realise that I was kind, giving and generous to everyone but myself!”

      In 2020 I started having dizzy spells, heavy monthly periods and recurring nosebleeds but paid them no heed. Over and above the pandemic-induced anxiety, I didn’t need the additional stress of a body desperately crying out for attention. A visit to my gynae in 2021 revealed that I had a rare condition that required an urgent hysterectomy. Postponing indefinitely would lead to my health being compromised. One thing anyone who knows me will vouch for is that I live for my sons, my miracle babies.

      Leading up to the op, I’d quell my anxiety by reminding myself that postponing wouldn’t only cut my life short, but also rob my sons of the opportunity to grow old with me. So, I forged ahead – fear in tow. Exhausted and drowning in my thoughts one morning post-op, it suddenly dawned on me that I either didn’t love myself or had no idea what self-love looked like. In hindsight, being diagnosed with anaemia, low blood pressure, the hysterectomy and getting Covid – all in one year – were a wake-up call. I started wondering what treating myself kindly, healthwise, would look like.

      A good place to start, I decided, would be to implement the lifestyle changes I’d been long meaning to make. I now follow a vegetarian diet, I’ve parted ways with booze and take long walks in the morning – I can’t run yet due to the hysterectomy. These changes, though small, have done wonders for my energy levels. I consider them a secret pact between my body and soul. Now six months into my Put-Lally-First journey, self-love is constantly reminding the nurturer in me to take a chill pill because I’m prioritising myself.

      READ MORE: What Is Cozy Cardio On TikTok? Trainers Weigh In On The Comfy Workout Trend

      Matata Diamonde

      “Scheduling play time has been really big for me; it makes me feel like I’m prioritising myself.”

      I come from a family that has always been big on self-development. My mother, a Fourth Way healer (a behavioural and spiritual type of well-being practice) introduced me to alternative forms of healing quite early on. Growing up in India, I did a lot of meditation and started transactional analysis at a young age. I vividly remember being ill as a child and starting to practice Reiki (an energy-correcting practice that promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety through gentle touch) because meds were just not helping my condition.

      I also struggled a bit as a child so, I was in therapy by age 14. It was around this same age that I started attracting friends who needed the kind of support that was way beyond what my teenage brain could offer. And I stuck around because I’d made their well-being my responsibility. I’d assigned myself, though totally unintentionally, the role of “rescuer” in my relationships.

      As a result, being taken advantage of became a recurring theme in my life as I got older, one that started popping up in work, romantic and familial relationships. After my father’s passing, I spent a big part of my inheritance in a romantic relationship where I was treated really badly. I still feel a lot of shame for being in the situation, but this incident was the big wake-up call that made me closely examine my “rescuer” default. I’d started noticing that I had a lot of pent-up anger, resentment and that I almost didn’t wish people well in those situations where I felt taken advantage of. These new traits were totally out of character for me.

      Time and lots of reflection have taught me that I kept attracting situations where I felt “used and depleted” because, at my core, I wanted to be needed, validated and not feel abandoned. With a few adjustments to my beliefs, I’m slowly realising that I’m resourceful enough to meet these needs myself. For instance, my morning routine is sacred. I now give myself an hour of consistent quiet time. When I don’t, I find that everything gets heightened – I become cranky, my workload feels unmanageable and my interactions with people aren’t as fulfilling. At some point, I tried out pole dancing and signed up with a vocal coach. Seeking out new ways to better understand myself has been revolutionary on my self-care journey.

      READ MORE: Struggle Sleeping? Here’s How To Create A Bedtime Routine, Per Experts

      Marjorie Arnold

      “During the worst phase of my adult life, veganism served as my life raft. It made me realise that I was worthy of life despite a niggly voice whispering, ‘Your body failed you from a very young age.’” 

      I was raised by a single mother, in a small town. My mother was a teacher and our home a hive of activity. We always had learners come in and out of our house for all sorts of help. And I quickly internalised that being in service to others determined one’s worth. My, was I wrong! It was only later that I discovered that self-love was not a frivolous marketing concept aimed at persuading consumers to keep buying more stuff. When my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 breast and lymph cancer in 2010, she came to stay with me at the height of my freelance career in publishing, advertising and reality TV. I had just resigned from a toxic permanent job in magazines.

      In between full-time caregiving, I worked Monday right through to Sunday. It never occurred to me that my own well-being mattered, despite my slew of past and present chronic health issues. I had Perthes Disease as a child and was wheelchair-bound; I was always undergoing one op or another. I’ve had a limp, chronic body pain and anxiety disorder all my life. When my mother survived chemo and her cancer, I thought I’d have a moment to catch my breath. I’d been operating in survival mode for so long that trying to return to the groove of just living was impossible. However, losing myself in caregiving and my freelance gigs turned out to be my lifeline. Had I not, I wouldn’t have noticed the urgency of the lifestyle changes I owed myself. Going vegan was what ultimately flung open the doors of self-worth for me.

      As a nurturer and giver, traits I inherited from my mother, redirecting my compassion to learning about cruelty to animals and really caring for the environment made me feel good. My journey to better self-care (and it has been loooong!) has taught me that, sometimes, prioritising myself will come in the form of taking a step back – even if it means regressing. I’m grateful for the many bold steps that I took along the way because I’m currently in a career that aligns perfectly with my values and personality. I’ve also learnt that I can’t help others before helping myself (basic, I know!) During this journey, I also allowed myself to cry more, something I have come to understand is an essential part of healing.

      READ MORE: 18 Mental Health Books For Anxiety, People-Pleasing And More

      Easy Daily Self-Care Practises To Adopt

      Practise guided meditation

      Do some breathwork throughout the day

      Dress up (please do, even with nowhere to go)

      Incorporate one fun activity on your to-do list

      Declutter your space (even if it’s just one room per day)

      Read a book

      Eat a balanced diet

      Give yourself a break in between meetings (where you don’t feel guilty about doing absolutely nothing. Stare into space if you must!)

      Keep a gratitude journal

      Take a walk

      Listen to music that uplifts you

      Exercise regularly

      Take a social media break

      Plan a holiday (even though you can’t afford one at the moment)

      Do at least one thing that contributes to a bigger goal

      Treat yourself to an at-home spa day

      Work from a new spot or coffee shop

      Do a random act of kindness

      Switch off your phone an hour or two before bedtime

      Sleep earlier More

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      How Dyslexia Led Me To A Thriving Career In Art

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      Lerato Motau’s art career is testament to the fact that life is never to be measured by what we lack or can’t do. This also happens to be a lesson that she has instilled in her two daughters – one of whom is dyslexic just like her. Things started unfolding when Lerato Motau; an artist who employs paint and embroidery in her work; was in Grade 8. Aged 16, she had just failed Grade 8 for the third time when her mother was called in by the school to inform her that: “Something is wrong with your daughter.” 

      READ MORE: Radio Personality Gugu Mfuphi On The Lessons Learnt During Her Kilimanjaro Summit — And More

      The school insisted that she consult an educational psychologist. The year was 1990 and such services were few and far in between.

      “My mother took me to Baragwanath Hospital (now Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital) where luckily, they’d soon be having an educational psychologist from the UK consulting for them. “Following a range of tests, the educational psychologist diagnosed me with dyslexia and explained that a remedial school wouldn’t work for my condition,” she recalls.

      Dyslexic as a teen, Lerato’s self-esteem took quite a knock while her anxiety peaked. Confused, she kept asking herself: “How will I navigate the world? What would my peers think of me? How am I going to explain myself?”

      But as the saying goes, nothing beats accepting a situation for what it is. 

      Enter Art

      Lerato’s mom enrolled her at the Johannesburg Art Foundation in Saxonworld, Johannesburg. Here, Lerato realised that while she couldn’t express herself using the written word, she did far better in oral exams and when creating things with her hands. “Art school taught me to speak up and boosted my confidence because I clearly had a talent and could finally do something right. The lecturers were really attentive to students’ needs which made me feel comfortable in class.

      “Making art made me feel talented. I majored in painting. I graduated with a Fine Arts and Teaching Diploma Enrolled in 1994 and later enrolled for a Craft Enterprise qualification at the Craft Council where we were taught how to run our art like a business. In 2005, I did another short course in basic embroidery. In the same year, I attended a handmade felt making workshop which included crocheting and knitting,” she explains.

      In fact, it was during this very workshop where she remembered just how much she loved needlework in primary school and years later, it was beneficial. “In that moment, I remembered that nothing ever happens by chance,” she muses. 

      READ MORE: These 3 Mental Exercises Can Help You Find Your Purpose In Life At Any Age

      Stitching Stories Together

      Lerato started making art in 1996 after being introduced to an art collector by a friend and mentor. With all the skills she had learned, Lerato experimented with textile art, choosing to fuse painting with embroidery. “Every stitch goes through a journey and every artwork tells a unique story,” she says. Lerato has since had two solo exhibitions since the start of her career in 2010 and 2022 respectively. She’s also been commissioned by many corporates to create her unique pieces for display at their offices – among them SAB, Nandos London, ABSA, FNB, Pikitup, BRT Maraisburg bus station, Exxara (previously Eyesizwe), FNB, The Leonardo in Sandton, DBSA (Botswana) and the North West University satellite campus located in the Vaal.

      She also teaches kids basic embroidery and art with the aim that they will grow up knowing that academia is not the only path to success. Her work has also been showcased at international exhibitions – her most recent being at the Affordable Art Fair in the UK, where her gallery Art in the Yard went on her behalf. 

      Overcoming Dyslexia

      “When my first daughter was born, I couldn’t spell nor write her name. When I was younger, my mom would write basic information for me in a diary. Dyslexia affects the most basic things, things that many take for granted,” explains Lerato, adding that she can’t read English, Setswana and Afrikaans but she’s sharp with numbers.

      Lerato still keeps a diary where she writes the basic info that she needs daily – and that makes life easier. For instance, when she has to fill out a form, she’ll write down all the info in her diary and then copy everything across. For work, she makes notes with every piece that she creates and has a friend who writes all her proposals. “When I knew that I’d overcome dyslexia was when she taught her daughters how to read using the sounding out method. When my eldest daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of four, I had long spotted the signs and was determined to help her overcome it early,” she enthuses.

      Her eldest daughter is currently in her second year at university. And unlike in her own case where dyslexia affected her self-esteem, Lerato always urges her daughter to explain dyslexia to those who don’t understand and share her story to inspire others. “I always encourage parents to take teachers’ feedback seriously –  thinking that your child is being victimised may be a waste of the child’s life/time. There are so many resources and professionals who are well equipped to help children co-exist well with dyslexia.”

      READ MORE: Here’s Why Burnout Among Women Is A Bigger Issue Than You’d Think

      Lessons Learnt

      Where dyslexia is concerned, there are still a lot of myths that need to be demystified. “There are many successful and famous people, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Branson and Tom Cruise amongst others, who have overcome dyslexia. When I tell my story to people who don’t know me, they immediately assume that I’m disabled then turn around and ask how dyslexia works because I seem complete,” she says, adding that she’s learnt to not judge people based on their looks.

      Second to that, Lerato always remembers how far she’s come and has committed to laughing and smiling regularly.

      “I once saw a meme that said, ‘when we laugh, our bodies don’t recognise that there’s nothing funny happening’.” Lastly, she credits her healthy state of mind to therapy. “If it weren’t for therapy, I’d still be angry at the teachers and everyone else who used to make fun of me.” 

      Below is some of the art Lerato created from scratch for the Affordable Art Fair in the UK, which opened on 18 October 2023.

      To buy her art or to organise a private viewing, contact Lerato on Facebook (Lerato Motau) and Instagram (LeratoMotauStudios).  More

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      November’s – The Refinement Issue with Jimmy Choo

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      Life

      by Amy Sessions
      1 hour ago

      Words & Creative Direction: Amy SessionsPhotographer: Ziga MihelčičFashion Editor: Camille MacawiliMakeup & Hair: Ania Poniatowska at MMGModel: Zahra Hussain at MMGLocation with thanks to ICD Brookfield PlaceAll styling with thanks to OUNASS
      Welcome to The Refinement Issue.
      In this issue we focus on clarity and the well- considered both in terms of design and through a honed approach to life. Small tweaks to our daily habits compound and can have a surprisingly large effect on optimising and refining our lives.
      For our cover we are very proud to have partnered with Jimmy Choo, a brand that is known for its precision detailing and next level leather in Cool Clarity.
      We also have exclusive interviews with Dr Maha Ema, Director of Transcendental Meditation, UAE discuss Transcendental Meditation and its ability to elevate mind, body and spirit in Another Level, Founder and CEO of The Sleep Chapter, Mansi Khandelwal, discuss restorative sleep to achieve optimal output in Refine Your Rest and Bulgari unveils “Serpenti Factory” and “75 Years of Infinite Tales” exhibition in True Brilliance.

      In terms of style, we champion Schiaparelli’s signature detailing in Refined Codes, Mach & Mach delivers refined sparkle for FW23 in Adorn on page xx and we recount how Messika lit up Paris Fashion Week in Refined Rebel.
      This year also saw the return of the Emirates Woman – Woman of the Year Awards. We re-live an incredible evening that shone a light on those cementing outstanding achievements in their industries in Emirates Woman, Woman of the Year Awards 2023.
      Congratulations to all the nominees and winners, you are all incredible women.
      The Hero Buys

      November – The Refinement Issue with Jimmy Choo  – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      Radio Personality Gugu Mfuphi On The Lessons Learnt During Her Kilimanjaro Summit — And More

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      Gugu Mfuphi, a financial journalist and host of the award-winning weekday evening show Kaya Biz on Kaya Fm, recently summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, with an all-female group, as part of the #Trek4Mandela and The Imbumba Foundation’s Caring4Girls initiative. The two organisations have partnered to raise funds that go towards addressing the period poverty still experienced by many girls in South Africa and the world over.

      Through #Trek4Mandela, adolescent girls are provided with sanitary towels, puberty education and menstrual hygiene support. Speaking on taking this leap of faith, Gugu says she had to constantly bargain with her fear of not making it back alive by remembering that this was all for a good cause.

      READ MORE: Do This Cardio Workout At Home To Burn Cals And Boost Your Mood

      The Kilimanjaro experience, she says, helped her with many lessons that she will be applying to her career and life in general.

      “So far, a large influence has been my career within financial journalism. The realm that I choose to operate in is within business finance and economics, but it also spreads across the breadth of women empowerment, how youth can get involved, technology and other ancillary sectors. I’d say, crafting a niche for myself, being deliberate about it, my skills competence, constant curiosity and great networks have stood me in good stead,” she reflects.

      A self-confessed fitness enthusiast, one whole swears by high-intensity workouts, Gugu says the organisers encouraged them to maintain a healthy lifestyle ahead of the trip. “Once you’re on the mountain, something as simple as a cold could turn into something more dire. I took lots of ginger shots, primarily to boost my immune system,” says Gugu, who’s always loved hiking and the outdoors.

      Below she shares some of the highlights of the trip, lessons learnt and how she survived it all.

      One Thing I Didn’t Do More Of…

      “…was upper strength training. From a fitness point of view, a lot of us actually admitted that we didn’t focus much on our core, shoulders and back. As a result, we sure felt the pressure of carrying the additional weight of our backpacks for that extended period. Typically when you train on the stairs, you’re there for a few hours with perhaps 8kg weights on your back. On the mountain, however, you’re walking for up to eight hours daily while carrying your luggage throughout. Hard lesson learnt here!”

      Respect The Basics

      “Listen, I’d never appreciated Vaseline as much as I did during the hike. I probably took three tubs of Vaseline with me [chuckles]. Around dusk and on summit night (specifically) there was an icy cold breeze that left a burning sensation on the skin feeling — especially on the the lips and nose. I used it on my hands and face at some point because your ordinary moisturiser just wasn’t cutting it. 

      Sunscreen came in handy on the days when the sun was scorching hot, ginger sweets helped ease the altitude-induced nausea. And how can I forget wet wipes? The dusty and windy conditions meant that we constantly had to wipe ourselves down. Wipes also came in handy during pee breaks in the bush, as well as wiping hands. There’s just no looking cute up there, something I had to quickly accept because I’m a such girly girl [chuckles].”

      Showing Up For Self

      The hike through the rain forest went well, followed by our move from Mandara Camp to Horongo Camp – a 13km distance that took us about eight to 9 hours. This was when altitude sickness started kicking in – we were moving 2100m above sea level to just above 3000m. In as much as we’d taken diamox to aid with the altitude sickness, I still got terribly sick. It started off with a headache. One of the guides said he’d noticed that I’d been a lot quieter than usual. I’d been drinking lots of water, taking ginger sweets and fighting the strong urge to throw up.

      Right after the guide had questioned my silence, I started throwing up and continued for the rest of the afternoon until we arrived at the next camp. I tried eating soup with a bit of rice in it, and it all came back at the lunch table. I basically threw up until my stomach was empty. The nausea pill that the doctor gave me also came back up. At this point, the doctor was worried about my sugar levels. I proceed to hike in my weak state, with the guides and the doctor monitoring me closely. The team was really amazing – they wiped my mouth each time I threw up, carried my bag and handed me my walking stick while urging me to forge ahead slowly.

      READ MORE: A Quick Resistance Band Arm Workout You Can Do At Home

      Meal time was always best

      “The guides and porters really made a great effort of serving us cooked meals, which were surprisingly good. I must admit that I’d gone there with no expectations of having decent food but was always pleasantly surprised at dinner time — everything from pasta dishes to stews. I made a mental note to make a concerted effort to cook more back home and have a greater appreciation for food as well as to remember that what I put in my body ultimately nourishes both my body and soul.”

      Lessons Abound

      “While weak and throwing up, I remember one of the guides saying to me: ‘Time will pass but you need to keep moving’. That’s when I realised that people can help you with everything – they can carry your bags, give you meds, wipe your mouth etc, but unless you put in the effort yourself to do what needs to be done, you’re not going to get anywhere. Even though I wasn’t at my strongest physically, what helped psychologically was one of the guides saying I needed to walk in front. That forced me to recognise that I was leading people and that we needed to get somewhere.

      Pole, pole!

      One of the phrases the guides often repeated to us by the guides was ‘pole, pole‘, meaning take your time. I was reminded that slow progress is still progress and of the power of showing up. I also wasn’t prepared to go out like that, not on the second day. Thankfully, altitude sickness eventually eased its hold on me. Summit night was particularly draining, and in hindsight, I realised that it was due to the altitude. I remember blinking and feeling like it took me forever to blink – the brain was deprived of oxygen because it had been allocated to other parts of the body, mostly the lungs and the legs because they were doing the bulk of the work.

      The oxygen deprivation is what makes people delirious or have a minimised function of the brain. I remember telling one of the guides that I was fine and not out of breath, but just tired. At that point in the hike, the guides spoke to us a lot to ensure that our brains were still functional. Some people start hallucinating or develop pulmonary oedema (water in the lungs) due to oxygen deprivation. I kept thinking: ‘I need to get to the peak of Kilimanjaro’ but had completely forgotten about the descent [chuckles]. No matter how difficult it gets up there, mentally you need to want it for yourself. And the same lesson can be applied to life in general!”

      READ MORE: How One Woman Lost Half Her Bodyweight – And Kept It Off

      Nurturing My Body

      Back at home, Gugu admits to being the type of girl who can easily choose dessert over a meal. In her world, she shares, a slice of cake and a cup of tea make the world a better place. “Perhaps it’s some type of psychological security because that’s how my grandmother, mom, aunts and I used to connect on weekends,” she shares.

      To snack, she loves nuts, which work well as a hiking snack. “Pineapple, grapes and blueberries also top my list of favourite fruit on any day,” she says. Upon returning from Kili, Gugu took some time off before getting back into her wellness routine.

      “I generally work out three to four times a week and swear by high intensity workouts — I’m a burpee, jump squat with a dumbbell kind of girl. And I still do a lot of cardio and endurance training which is what we had to do in preparation for Kilimanjaro,” she says. More

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      Author Rešoketšwe Manenzhe On Pursuing Simplicity For Better Mental Clarity

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      The South African literary world knows Rešoketšwe Manenzhe as a poet, short story writer and award-winning novelist. Even with her 2020 debut novel Scatterlings receiving rave reviews worldwide, the 32-year-old is hellbent on maintaining a simple life – something she suspects was inspired by growing up in rural Limpopo.

      “I really am a simple person. I think some would describe me as boring – and I’m totally fine with that. Being totally fine with this has actually led me to really be okay with myself a lot of the time,” she explains. 

      READ MORE: Banesa Tseki On How Yoga Gave Her A New Lease On Life

      Simplicity

      Simplicity is an undertaking that recently made Rešoketšwe leave social media in pursuit of living in the moment. Citing the joke about bringing back diaries because everybody is just putting their business everywhere, Rešoketšwe says,

      “We laugh at this joke but it’s also kind of true. Social media has made us too connected. I don’t think we’re meant to know so much about each other’s thoughts. And I wanted to have, and maintain, a certain mystery with people. As in, meet people at face value and experience them for the first time without thinking about something they said on Twitter.” 

      READ MORE: Anthropologist, Poet And Author Lebohang Masango On Exploring Paths Less Travelled

      Career Paths

      Rešoketšwe’s writing journey was inspired by her love for poetry back in high school. “I never studied literature or anything related to it. I just kept writing poetry, then did short stories and progressed to novels,” she explains. How’s that for a reminder that passion can truly steer us in the direction of our dream lives? Though Rešoketšwe is currently completing her PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, she admits that if she could venture into anything new right now, it would be to study film. “If, at 18, I knew what I know now, I would’ve gone to film school. But we don’t know that some things are options until we are much older,” she muses. 

      With two career streams that are a far cry from each other, Rešoketšwe is still grateful that she held onto a truth she discovered in her formative years. “Knowing for a fact that I’m not someone who would do well in corporate really saved me. I don’t fit well into that kind of mould. That structure really leaves me depleted.” For now, while she figures out how to merge her scientific and creative worlds, she’s holding on to simplicity, in all forms, as her guiding force. 

      READ MORE: Actress Shannon Esra On Learning To Trust Her Intuition

      Lesser Known Facts

      “Sci-fi and romance are my top two favourite genres. I think that nobody suspects this because I write a lot of literary fiction, which doesn’t fit neatly into any genre.”

      On Embracing Stress 

      “I have such packed days that I haven’t had much of a social life in a long while. Honestly, I haven’t reached a point where I’m able to better handle stress. I’m just trying to survive at this point, and that’s also okay.”

      This article was originally published in the July/August 2023 issue of Women’s Health SA. More

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      Founder of supplement brand Cymbiotika on filling the gaps in our modern day food supply

      by

      Emirates Man

      by Ruman Baig
      3 hours ago

      Chervin Jafarieh, Founder and Chief Operating Officer at game-changing supplement brand Cymbiotika, discusses what it take to do things differently and scaling a brand with a qualitarian mindset
      What do your first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?
      I wake up and before getting out of bed I spend five minutes or more reflecting on my dreams. Dreams provide us an opportunity to look within the veil of our subconscious and it’s just as important to understand those deep layers within us. I hydrate with 30 oz of spring water and one tablet of Cymbiotika’s Molecular Hydrogen dissolved into the water. Next I make my way outside, I place my bare feet directly on the earth and allow the rising sun rays to hit my face and chest, activating the production of melatonin in my body, and turning on my immune system. I take 10 minutes to breathe deeply into my body and for and how I want to approach my day. I like to listen to 432 Hertz music throughout the house while taking a cold shower.
      How did you know it was the right time to launch Cymbiotika and what made you finally take the leap of faith?
      I have had a connection to the supplement industry since I was a child through one of my mentors, and my approach to conscious living and caring for my health and the health of others is a major part of my lifestyle and passion. I did various other things for business prior and then one day my father got sick, and everything changed. I knew it was time to fully surrender to my true mission and take my passions and purpose to the world. The supplement industry is saturated with marketing companies, brands that lack the intention to provide substantial solutions for people searching for help, I knew that we could create something revolutionary.

      Chervin Jafarieh, Fonder and COO of Cymbiotika
      What were the key pillars the DNA Cymbiotika was founded on from the outset and have these evolved since you launched?
      Highest level of sourcing raw materials with purity being most important. Education first – encouraging customers to learn about their body and what our products do. Trailblazingnew formulas with advanced scientific data supporting efficacy. Never settling with what the industry standard currently is and pushing to go above and beyond. Transparency to customers with our formulas.
      You are a scientist. How much development does it take to launch a new product?
      Developing products is a tedious and timely process, a labour of love. Some products have taken several years to develop from their time of inception. Learning how specific compounds potentiate each other was criticalto our product development endeavours.
      How do you educate clients on the ‘right’ supplements for them and which supplements would you suggest for everyone?
      Cymbiotika takes a specific and broad approach in supplementation. A great place to begin is with our product set that fills the nutritional gaps missing from our modern day food supply. Covering basic nutritional needs is paramount before beginning with our advanced condition specific formulations. All formulas come with detailed usage directions and other key points thatencourage the best results.
      What are your daily non-negotiables and which supplement would you include in that?
      Hydration is a daily non-negotiable for me and a foundation for thriving health. I replenish my hydration by combining spring water with Cymbiotika’s Molecular Hydrogen. tablet. I do this twice a day. My other non-negotiable supplements are Cymbiotika’s B12+, Vitamin C, and our Vitamin D3/ K2 + CoQ10. This is a powerful combination that keeps me feeling great and energized throughout my day.
      Do you feel more drawn to the creative or the business side of your brand and how have you grown the team to support this?
      My role in Cymbiotika is primarily the creative development of products and the brand culture. My partner and CEO has built and established one of the most dynamic teams to perfectly complement and support this vision. The freedom I have to focus on the artistic vision is given to me because of the stability my team creates on the business side of things.

      Cymbiotika supplements
      You have clients the globe over – which products drive sales consistently?
      Our top products are our Complex form of Vitamin B12+, Vitamin D3/K2 +CoQ10, Vitamin C, and our Molecular Hydrogen Tablets.
      What have been the biggest challenges to date and how did you overcome them?
      We are always challenging the status quo of the supplement industry standard which puts extreme pressure on our R&D team to innovate and grow beyond anything that has existed previously. This process takes more time and costs more money. Long hours, trust, patience and a great team are the pillarsto our success.
      You have recently launched a Middle Eastern entity — why is this market so important for Cymbiotika?
      There is a resurgence of health and wellness in the Middle East. Cymbiotika aligns with this movement. We want to be part of the unfolding in the Middle East, it feels like destiny for us.
      How do you scale without compromising on quality?
      Having a well thought out plan from the jumpstart is key with keeping the brand integrity. Strong communication with our raw material suppliers, building a sophisticated team that can adapt to supply chain constraints, and building diverse relationships with trusted sources in case of shortages helps us scale without compromising quality.
      What advice would you give to your younger self starting out?
      You don’t have to do everything all at once.
      Have you had any mentors to date and if so, what advice did they impart?
      My father. He taught me how to be pragmatic, not sure if I listened, but either way, it helped me function during chaotic times.
      Emirates Man The Fall/Winter Issue – Download Now
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      in lifestyle and culture

      The 8 hotspots in Dubai to get your creative juices flowing

      by

      Life

      by Sarah Joseph
      14 hours ago

      If you’re stuck in the rut of the same routine every morning and need a break to get those creative juices flowing, we’re here to help.
      From stimulating discussions on though-provoking subjects to art galleries showcasing the world of notable artists, Dubai is never short of venues to feel rejuvenated.
      Whether you’re an art fanatic or enjoy taking part in various workshops, there’s enough and more to ensure, your skills are used and you can learn from the experts to simply take a break from your phone.
      So, to revamp your daily routine, here are the editor-approved creative spots to visit with exclusive programmes this month.
      TODA

      TODA is the UAE’s first 360° hub that strives to enrich the cultural landscape, combining art & technology. From classical masterpieces to various digital shows and wellness sessions, guests can art like never before with its various interpretations. This July, visitors can immerse themselves into the captivating world of traditional Japanese art, where stunning visuals come to life as the untold story of Van Gogh unfolds. To complement the experience, visitors can also partake in different traditional Japanese customs, including tea tasting, Ikebana masterclasses (the art of flower arrangement), and Haiku learning (a form of Japanese poetry). Located at Souk Madinat, Jumeirah, the ticket prices range from Dhs72 to Dhs350.
      For more information visit toda.ae
      Cinema Akil

      The fully-fledged arthouse cinema brings people from all around the world together to enjoy films ranging from classics to regional films. Being the GCC’s first arthouse cinema, it aims to create awareness and interest in film and the cinematic arts. Having opened its first permanent location in Al Quoz, Dubai, this platform showcases directors and filmmakers across the decades. It’s located in Warehouse 68. Ticket prices start at Dhs50 exclusive of VAT and can be purchased online, with movies focused on different themes each month. During the month of July until September 14, 2023, Cinema Akil is proudly showing 10 films of the most “Americanitalian” of all directors, Martin Scorsese. For a snack break, Project Chaiwala serves a variety of teas including their signature and Karak along with other dishes to indulge in during the show.
      For more information visit cinemaakil.com
      The Jam Jar

      If you want to unleash your inner Picasso, this is the place to visit. By contributing to Dubai’s art scene, The Jam Jar is a community arts space that engages audiences, promotes local artists, and supports the development of Dubai’s art scene through extensive art programmes, community projects and educational initiatives. By building a bridge between arts and education, this multi-functional space offers the region’s first DIY painting studio, which is accessible to people across different ages. It’s open from Monday to Thursday 10am to 7pm, Friday from 2pm to 8pm and Saturday from 10am to 7pm and is located in Unit H74. Canvas’ start at Dhs100 for the small one with supplies such as paintbrushes and paints to ensure visitors can embark on a creative journey as they switch off and paint.
      For more information visit thejamjardubai.com
      Jameel Arts Centre

      This independent institution is dedicated to exhibiting contemporary art. Positioned as a new creative destination in the city, and a hub for educational initiatives and cultural events, Jameel Arts Centre includes an open-access research library dedicated to artists and cultural movements of the Arab world, plus project and commissions spaces, a roof-top terrace, writer’s studio, members’ lounge, a chic café known as Teible along with a sculpture park.
      For more information visit jameelartscenter.org
      The Mud House

      Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned potter, there’s no end to pottery making at this one-of-a-kind studio. The experienced staff will take visitors through each step from centering and wedging to pulling and trimming for the wheel throwing class and they will guide you through each step of the process, from Pinching and Coiling to Slab Building and Slump Molding for the hand building class. Located in Warehouse No. 2 in Al Quoz Industrial 3, behind Dubai Garden Centre, it’s open from Tuesday 2pm to 8pm, Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 8pm and is closed on Monday. Prices for one single session start at Dhs210 per person.
      For more information visit mudhousestudio.com
      Paus; Wellness + Community

      This quaint wellness space offers a series of stimulation sessions on different thought-provoking topics each month. Known as Matcha Mornings and Chai Chats, guests can engage in conversations with different individuals to expand their understanding on each topic. This month, guests can explore the intriguing topic: ‘Optimist or Realist: Shaping Perspectives on Life’ on July 27, from 8-9pm and delve into the topic: ‘Ignorance is Bliss: Unveiling the Role of Ignorance in Personal Growth’ on on July 30, from 11am to 12pm. Each session is priced at Dhs35 per person and can be booked online along with a complimentary matcha.
      For more information visit pausdxb.com
      Oo La La

      In the mood for creating your own fragrance? Use the Oo Fragrance Table to select ingredients and build up your own fragrance formula. 1000’s unique olfactory combinations can be crafted. From workshops to collaborations with luxury fashion brands, Oo La Lab hosts several sensorial workshop sessions for people to enjoy with friends, family or even alone. Located in Warehouse 58, it’s open from Wednesday to Sunday 12pm to 7pm. The candle mixology workshops are priced at Dhs400 per person and the fragrance design and mixology group session is priced at Dhs400.
      For more information visit oola-lab.com
      ICD Brookfield

      For a glimpse into the eclectic artwork of Palestinian-American artist Lena Kassicieh, , ICD Brookfield Place will be hosting a series of pop-up events in collaboration with its restaurants. Guests can immerse themselves in a world of colour, enchantment and joyful visuals as Kassicieh’s masterpieces take centrer stage. To celebrate this extraordinary art exhibition participants such as Josette, Lulu & The Beanstalk and La Niña will be featured as a pop-up space offering a unique and fun F&B experience along with summer inspired games. The unforgettable experience is hosted at Josette on July 27, 2023 from 6pm onwards, August 3, 2023 at Lulu & the Beanstalk from 6pm onwards and at La Niña on August 10 from 6:00PM onwards. All walk-ins are accepted and no prior booking is required.
      For more information visit ICDbrookfieldplace.com
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      in lifestyle and culture

      An interview with India’s first certified Pilates instructor, Yasmin Karachiwala

      by

      After training her first celebrity client, the Bollywood actress, Kareena Kapoor in 2006, Yasmin Karachiwala has made a mark for herself in the fitness industry.
      As a personal fitness instructor for all the big names in Bollywood such as Deepika Padukone, Ali Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan and more.
      Known to always prioritise her wellness routine, even while travelling, Karachiwala always emphasises on the transformative power of healing through exercise by practicing consistency and a strict regimen after first visiting the gym at the age of 18 years old.
      By bringing her love for Pilates to Dubai, her niece and her husband launched the PAD Fitness six years ago. Situated in the heart of Dubai in Onyx Tower 1, this fitness studio has revamped the workout game in Dubai with various classes such contemporary dance, Pilates dance, wedding choreography and more.
      To see her journey as an instructor, Emirates Woman sat down to chat with her and understand how it all began.

      Talk us through your career.
      When I was younger, I was a tomboyish, free-spirited young girl flitting through life aimlessly when fate intervened, starting my journey on a fitness pathway that I had never envisaged for myself. My best friend Namrata enrolled me in an aerobics class at the gym, and I assumed it would be really easy. To my utter shock, I made it to being “the worst student in the class.” But I worked really hard and ended up being the “best student.” So much so, that one day my instructor asked me to take the class as she was sick, and that was my turning point. I fell in love with teaching. So I attained my fitness certification from India, and started teaching aerobics and weight training, but I knew I was missing something. That’s when I found Pilates. I travelled to the US and was the first certified Pilates instructor in India. From there, I got my first celebrity client, Karena Kapoor and there was no looking back from there. Today, I’ve been teaching Pilates for over 20 years and I am a teacher trainer with a goal to get everyone in the world to try Pilates at least once.
      How do you begin your morning routine?
      My morning routine begins with meditation, followed by my Butter Coffee. I spend time with my husband and kids as they eat breakfast, and play with my little dog Enzo, who has all of our hearts. And then I head to the gym to train my clients.
      You always manage to incorporate fitness into your routine while travelling – how do you stay disciplined?
      If anything is a priority for you in life, you will make time for it. We make time for our kids, for our holidays, for our meals, right? Similarly, at least 30 minutes of movement a day is a non-negotiable for me, so I always plan my days around it. If we’re starting early on a holiday, I will ensure I’ve done my steps by going for a walk or to the gym in the evening.

      How has it been to break the stigma for men who’ve now incorporated pilates into their fitness journey?
      It feels good when men start to wince and scream when they’re on the reformer because they’ve started to use muscles they’ve never used before! Once a man tries Pilates, I can guarantee they will stand corrected about it being an exercise form only for women.
      Diet is an important part of any fitness routine; tell us about your overall diet?
      I eat what I feel like it, but I have certain rules. I stay away from gluten, and I completely avoid sugar. Sugar is like poison for our bodies, and I never take my body for granted. I love my meats, fish, and grilled vegetables. It’s funny because it sounds boring, but whenever my nieces come home to eat, they always want to eat my food instead of the food that’s made for everyone; it’s really yummy.
      You’ve always trained a host of Bollywood celebrities – name a few and how did your journey with them begin?
      My journey began when Kareena Kapoor started training with me way back in 2006. She really transformed for a song she was doing back then, and then word spread, and today I regularly train Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone and Sophie Choudry. I’ve also trained Hardik Pandya and Hrithik Roshan, both of whom are Pilates fans!
      The PAD Dubai celebrates five years since its launch. What are the key workouts offered at the studio?
      Yes indeed, and I am so proud of my niece Shaazia and her husband Abbas. They have really built a community that is thriving and pushes one another to stay fit. What’s unique about the studio is that they offer both Pilates and Dance classes. In Pilates they offer Private, Group and rehabilitation Pilates, and in Dance they offer Bollywood, Bollyfit, Bhangra, Jazz and Ballet. They also specialise in wedding sangeet choreography and corporate wellness sessions.

      How has the fitness industry evolved since you first started?
      The fitness industry has transformed! When I started 30 years ago, people barely understood the importance of health and fitness, it was a struggle to find clients and an even bigger struggle to find a training institute to get trained properly. Today, especially after COVID people have realized the importance of health and wellbeing, they are seeking out good fitness professionals to guide them and walk the through their issues. In addition, you now see a gym or a Pilates studio on every street! That to me is a really positive sign. And it’s trending upwards.
      With a busy schedule and always being on the go – how do you unwind on a daily basis?
      My workout time, family time, and dog time are my unwinding times.
      What’s the biggest myth you’ve seen when it comes to exercising?
      That you need to have an hour every day to workout. In my new book that releases next month, called The Perfect 10, I show you that 10 minutes a day is more than enough to stay healthy. This may not be enough to achieve your goals, but it is enough to stay fit.

      As celebrities are always on the move, how do you manage to maintain their fitness levels?
      Most of the celebrities are very conscious of their own fitness regimens, so it’s not very hard to keep them accountable. Either I travel with them, or I give them a workout schedule for while they’re away. And we always manage to keep them looking amazing!
      Many people believe in calorie counting – what are your thoughts on this?
      I believe in eating healthy. Don’t eat food out of a packet, eat local produce made fresh, and if you are counting, count the right amount of protein, good fats and fibre. All calories are not the same, don’t just count calories, fuel your body with good nutrition.
      What’s next for you?
      We already have our presence in India, Dubai and Dhaka (Bangaldesh), and now we want to expand more internationally, both in the Middle East region as well as beyond.
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