You’re a Natural Beauty - November 2025

Each month Adele Trathan and Sara Whatley look at seven elements of living the life of a natural beauty, helping you to enrich the mind, body and soul in balance and holistic harmony 

YOGA

Plank Pose, Kumbhakasana 

In this strengthening pose the body is held strong and straight like a plank of wood. Plank Pose is about firing up the core, toning the abdominal muscles and strengthening the arms and wrists. The upper back is fully expanded allowing the lungs to expand and send rich oxygenated blood around the body. 

Start by kneeling on the floor and make a firm foundation; hands should be under your shoulders with some weight pressed into them. Broaden the back, keep the neck long and slightly tuck the chin. Engage the abdominals. This is Kneeling Plank. 

To progress into full Plank Pose tuck the toes and lift the knees up, making sure your hips are lifted to form a straight line from your heels to the top of your head. Your core should be fired up! Hold for a count of 5 then come down onto your knees or lift into a Downward Facing Dog.

Variations: If the full plank is too much stay in the first stage with your knees on the floor.

ESSENTIAL OIL

Atlas Cedar 

Atlas cedar essential oil offers benefits for relaxation, respiratory and skin and hair health due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and grounding properties. It is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress, in skincare to soothe acne and oily skin, and as a decongestant for respiratory issues like coughs. For hair, it’s believed to help with dandruff and promote growth when added to shampoos and conditioners. 

Relaxation and stress relief: The warm, woody scent promotes a sense of calm and relaxation, making it ideal for use in a diffuser or bath to unwind. 

Decongestant: The oil can be used a bowl of hot water, and the steam inhaled to help with respiratory issues by loosening mucus, opening and clearing airways to ease constricted respiration. 

Skin and scalp care: The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe and calm the skin, making it useful for conditions like acne and oily skin. 

Hair health: Regular use as a scalp massage, when added to shampoo and conditioner, is associated with stimulating hair follicles and hair growth. The antifungal properties may also 

help combat common scalp problems like 

dandruff. 

Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying to the skin. 

DID YOU KNOW? 

Laughter is the Best Medicine 

Having a good laugh is not only fun, it is actually good for us – and that’s no joke! 

Activates and relieves your stress responseA good laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, which can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling. 

Releases happy hormones 

When you laugh, your body releases endorphins, which make you feel happier. These happy hormones also help boost your mental health. 

Laughter causes more oxygen consumption The process of laughing increases your respiratory rate, enhancing the intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulating your heart, lungs, muscles and circulation. 

Laughing impacts blood sugar 

One study found that laughing while watching a funny television show after a meal, helped to lower the overall increase in glucose levels. 

THERAPY CORNER

Play Therapy 

Play is children’s primary form of communication and is used way before they can speak. It helps them learn about the world around them, other people in their lives and themselves. 

Play Therapy is concerned with helping children express themselves through play instead of speech. Many children need support in emotional literacy to understand their feelings and emotions and help them to make an informed decision as to what to do next and Play Therapy may be able to benefit them. 

A trained Play Therapist will hold the session in a space fully equipped with play and art materials, where they will allow the child to lead the session and direct the play. The therapist will interact with and observe the child, guiding them through the phases that children typically transition through. 

The parent or caregiver is also a vital part of the therapy process and they will be guided and advised how best to support their child between sessions. 

IT’S A GUT FEELING 

Probiotics & Prebiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics are oneof the lead contributing factors to a healthy microbiome. The great news is that incorporating both probiotics and prebiotics into your diet means a diet of delicious abundance. Yay! 

It can be confusing understanding the difference between prebiotics and probiotics but put very simply prebiotics are the food that the good bacteria in our guts eat, and probiotics are the good bacteria and yeast (a living organism) which can be found in fermented foods. 

Certain foods are richer in prebiotics including: bananas, apricots, garlic, hazelnuts, rye, black beans, and soya. 

Prebiotics and probiotics should live in harmony with each other and when they are both in balance then healthy guts are yours to enjoy. It is all a fine balancing act however, and many elements can tip the balance over. 

Find out more at www.gutscharity.org.uk 

CRYSTAL POWER 

Amazonite 

Glimmering in hues of blue-greens Amazonite is nicknamed ‘The Hope Stone’. This gemstone has long been used as a talisman of truth and hope. Amazonite originates from South America’s rainforests but is also found in Madagascar and Russia’s tundra. It’s a stone that spans centuries and is known for its strong healing properties and 

connections to the heart and throat chakra. 

Practical Uses: 

Healing Properties: Known for soothing anxious dispositions and self-destructive thoughts. Amazonite is a great crystal for weaving together frayed emotional threads. It is believed to soak up negative energy and disperse it – allowing space for positivity. Connected to the heart chakra, Amazonite makes way for love to be given and received. 

Physical Properties: Amozonite is thought to help balance out thyroid problems as well as helping the body absorb calcium, boosting bone health. It’s believed to help the regeneration of cells and soothe skin conditions. 

Spiritual Properties: Being a throat chakra stone, Amazonite encourages clear communication and removes the fear of judgement. Becoming comfortable in our skin gives the opportunity to open minds and hearts and take a spiritual leap of faith. 

SUPERFOOD

Ginger 

Ginger comes from a flowering plant originating in Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is closely related to turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. The rhizome, or underground part of the stem, is the part commonly used as a spice. 

Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger. It’s responsible for many of ginger’s potential medicinal properties. Gingerol has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It may help reduce oxidative stress, which results from having too many free radicals in the body. Ginger can be sliced or grated into recipes or made into tea. 

Health and nutritional benefits include: 

Ginger is probably best known for helping to combat nausea, including pregnancy-related nausea, commonly known as morning sickness. 

Ginger may help support digestive health in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 2000mg of ginger daily could help reduce inflammation. 

Research suggests ginger may help with lowering or managing blood sugar levels and reducing cholesterol.