Luxury Life & Style
SPA YOUR
SENSES A LOOK INTO THE WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS SPAS
FIT AND
Flourishing ISHANI VELLODI REDDY
ATHLEISURE HOT TEST TRENDS FOR ACTIVE FASHION
August 2018 | Rs100
Creating Empowered Global Citizens
EDITOR'S
NOTE
G
rowing up, I was always the overweight one in my family, and I absolutely dreaded the thought of exercise or any sort of physical activity. My elder brother literally dragged me to the gym knowing that I needed to get fitness into my life. My first workout lasted all of 10 minutes and ended with me in tears. Looking back I realise how far I’ve come – I’ve learnt to develop a healthy relationship with food and fitness. Fitness is integrated into my everyday life and has taught me so much about discipline. It has made me, overall, a better and more confident human being. With this I give you our August fitness special issue with cover girl Ishani, a dear friend and my personal fitspiration.
Rohini Manian
Editor-in-Chief rohini@globaladjustments.com
INBOX
Dear LIVING Team,
Dr.Sethuraman is a great combination of good looks and intelligence. His tips for skincare and hair care routine is quite useful. I think I enjoyed reading about this interesting personality, his struggles, his
is online: www.culturamaliving.com www.issuu.com www.magzter.com
success and his general attitude towards life. Great choice for a cover story. I might definitely visit him for some queries.
Alizeh Mohammed, Chennai Dear Editor,
I love how you come up with a variety of articles for your magazine
To subscribe to this magazine, e-mail culturamaliving@globaladjustments.com For advertisement Call : 98416 33182
every month – the choices are quite unique. My personal favourite this month was the story ‘Dear Denmark’. The first person narrative added so much value to the entire article – well written and well designed. I would like to see more stories about food.
Vidhya Reddy, Hyderabad Hello Team, I was so tempted by the story ‘Dough it up’ and went to Chef’s table the week after. The food was delicious and the ambience was perfect for a date. Could you also consider having few recipe articles too? It would be absolutely helpful.
Sanjay Bhaskar, Pondicherry ROHINI MANIAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
RADHIKA RAMESH SUB-EDITOR ANUPAMA ARVIND VICE PRESIDENT – BUSINESS STRATEGY SUNDARAM SHWETHA SALES MANAGER PREM KUMAR CREATIVE HEAD DOROTHY MARTIN GRAPHIC DESIGNER P DEVARAJ CIRCULATION CONTRIBUTORS ANTARA KOTHARI VAISHNAVI KUMARESAN |
ANURIMA DAS | PREETI VERMA LAL
DEEPTI ALAPATI |
Cover Photography Nithin Barath
DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH
CHENNAI (HEADQUARTERS) 5, 3RD MAIN ROAD, R A PURAM, CHENNAI – 600028 TELEFAX +91-44-24617902 E-MAIL CULTURAMALIVING@GLOBALADJUSTMENTS.COM BENGALURU #333/1, 1ST FLOOR, 9TH MAIN, 14TH CROSS, 2ND STAGE, INDIRA NAGAR, BANGALORE - 560038TEL +91-80-41267152, E-MAIL CULTURAMABLR@GLOBALADJUSTMENTS.COM DELHI-NCR LEVEL 4, AUGUSTA POINT, GOLF COURSE ROAD, SECTOR 53, GURGAON 122002, HARYANA MOBILE
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August 2018
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INSIDE
this issue 44 SAVE YOUR SWEATY SKIN
Keep your skin glowing post workout.
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48
FIT AND FLOURISHING
Ishani Vellodi Reddy talks about fitness and family.
20
SPLENDID SPAS
DAILY DOSE OF DUMBBELLS
56
The importance of everyday workout sessions.
A walk through the world’s most luxurious spas.
36 BUN-TASTICALLY DELICIOUS
World-famous Papparoti now in Chennai!
SAINT PETERSBURG
Reminiscing one of the oldest cities of Russia.
58 WONDER WOMAN Yasmin Karachiwala’s take on being a top celebrity fitness trainer.
Small Talk
FIT AND
Flourishing Women today are finding
it challenging to multitask, to find the balance between family, work and wellness. Health
coach
and
super
mom Ishani Vellodi Reddy shows us how it’s done. She talks to team LIVING about her love for fitness, joint families,
motherhood
and
shows us that she is a strong, successful woman.
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August 2018
Small Talk Her passion for fitness is sure to inspire all those who come across her in person, on social media and her new project, Flourish. Apart from being a health coach, she is also a hands-on mother, and loves her family.
How was life in New York City? Life in New York was hectic! I worked in investment banking and private equity, so my life pretty much consisted of working all the time. There were occasional breaks for socializing, but then it was back to work! It was a demanding lifestyle, but it was also a challenge I enjoyed. As I started to wonder how family fit into all this, however, I realised that there was more out there than just thinking about “me” all the time: my work and my friends etc. It became clear that I was ready for something beyond myself, and I was ready to switch gears.
How has life been after moving to Chennai? If New York was all about me, then Chennai has just about been the opposite of that! We live an extremely family-oriented life where we live with our parents, andmy brother andsister-in-law, andKarthik andI are also extremely fortunate to both have grandparents in Chennai, as well as large extended families. We also have a two-year-old son, Vishnu, who is the center of our universe. Of the four years I’ve been in Chennai, a good portion was spent either pregnant or being a very hands-on mom. It’s only recently, when Vishnu started going to school, that I started working hard to figure out how I’m going to add value to my surroundings outside of the family structure. .
Was it easy to adapt to a joint family?
to ever be alone… so it has certainly taken some adjusting! There are challenges, but they can all be overcome when everyone is committed to creating a positive environment. For example, Vishnu is extraordinarily lucky to be constantly surrounded by so many people who love him so much, but that also makes things a bit challenging for parents like Karthik and me, who are very focused on raising an independent child. From the beginning, we did things very differently, and it was equally hard for us to go against the grain as it was for the rest of the family. Though it took some time, however, everyone really made an effort to understand where we were coming from, and made the effort to be as supportive as possible, even at times when they might not have necessarily agreed with our approach. When there are so many different people and personalities involved, it’s just crucial that everyone try and understand each other, and respect each person’s point of view, no matter how different it may be from your own
Your idea on marriage? Nothing is more important than finding someone with strong values that you can really respect. Karthik and I grew up in completely different environments and we’re very different in a lot of ways. At the same time, Karthik cares deeply about family, always puts others before himself, is honest to a fault, and has
I left home when I was 13 to go to boarding school,
a strong moral compass, so it doesn’t matter if we
and, after that, never even had a roommate until I
don’t always agree on superficial things, because I
got married and moved into a house where it’s rare
know we’ll always be in sync when it counts.
August 2018
15
Small Talk
How has motherhood changed you as a person?
7:30am Almond milk matcha latte OR Iced Coffee (also
My love for our son and the privilege I feel to be
10am 4 egg whites scrambled with loads of spinach
his mother has given me a lot of courage. From the second I met Vishnu, all my fears, big and small, suddenly became completely secondary to being the best mother I could be, and he has inspired me to take that fearlessness into all other aspects of
with almond milk)
1pm Salad with chickpeas and lentils (topped with one of my fun, made-up dressings, of course!) 4pm Smoothie made with lots of spinach, almond milk,
my life as well.
½ banana, cacao powder (and a little peanut butter if
Were you always into fitness?
7pm Grilledfish or tofu steak with some roastedveggies
In a word: NO! As a kid, I was chubby, and, despite
Post dinner- piece of dark chocolate, or snacking on
my parents’ best attempts to develop an interest in some kind of physical activity, I rejected it all. I spent all four years of boarding school doing everything I could to get out of the mandatory sports requirement. In college, I toyed a little with working out, but purely to keep my weight within a
I’m hungry)
some homemade granola
What’s a standard workout like? As far as workouts go, I like to mix it up. I consistently
certain range.
aim for 12,000 steps a day, but besides that I like to do
When I started working, I found myself sitting at
When I travel, I try different studios and trainers to learn
a desk for 14-15 hours a day and eating whatever junk everyone was ordering. My weight skyrocketed, my energy dropped, and with it, my self-confidence. That’s when something had to change. I signed up for a two-week program at a fitness studio called Barry’s Bootcamp, which involved alternating between weights and a treadmill for an
some high intensity, some weights, and lots of yoga. different styles and add them to my daily workouts when I get home. For me, it’s about doing whatever works to stay flexible, mobile, and strong, while always having a new challenge to work on.
How to balance love for food and fitness?
hour every day. Though the experience was painful,
I LOVE chocolate, pasta, and almost every kind of
at the end of each session, I left with a sense of
junkfood, but I can only get away with eating a little at a
empowerment, and accomplishment that carried
time before I feel tired, stiff, and depleted.
into the rest of my day and made me feel like I could take on anything.
Once you become conscious of how you feel after eating certain kinds of food, you realise there is a
What do you eat on a typical day? My food is always changing when I’m at home, but here are some standard picks:
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August 2018
connection between food and your body that is not just taste related; food is fuel. Never deprive yourself of the ability to indulge, but learn what your body can take, and how (and how often) to indulge without feeling lousy. It just takes time, patience, and awareness.
August 2018
17
Small Talk
How difficult was it for you to shift from finance to lifestyle? When I chose to go into finance, it was because I was interested in it, good at it, and solely focused on my own career. Now, my perspective is entirely different. I’ve experienced100+ hour, extremely stressful workweeks on the one hand, and on the other hand, I’ve experienced the challenges of pregnancy, and the even greater challenges of reconfiguring your life, home, and family once you have a child, and doing it all while everyone seems to have an opinion on every choice you make. Sitting at a desk and building financial models is a walk in the park compared to the pressure and scrutiny women face on the home front! I know what it’s like to feel like you’re floundering, and I want to help other women feel better equipped, and know that they aren’t alone… we’re all in this together. If I can help women find simple, easy ways to look and feel more confident and capable of whatever comes their way, that’s worth more to me now than any career in finance could be.
Is this where Flourish comes in? Absolutely! Flourish is a lifestyle website I’ve been working really hard on that’s all about living well, while managing the everyday professional and family demands that each of us faces. My view of wellness is a very holistic one, built around the belief that, in order to thrive, we need mental clarity to realize our purpose, physical energy to execute on it, the ability to find joy anywhere, and love. Though all of these objectives sound lofty, there are quick, easy, and fun ways to work towards them every day, and Flourish is a resource from which you can pick and choose what appeals to you. I can’t actually take much credit for the idea behind Flourish, because it was something that came about so organically. After Vishnu was born, I had a very difficult postpartum experience that left me looking and feeling completely unlike myself, and I kind of had to put myself back together one piece at a time. It was an overwhelming task, but I found simple things I could do day after day which, if repeated consistently, could lead to big positive long-term changes.
Though I never thought it was possible, I now feel much more fit, healthy, and complete than I ever was pre-pregnancy, and Flourish covers all the things I’m passionate about that helped me get here. On the website, you’ll be able to find quick recipes for healthy yet yummy food, different kinds of workouts as well as fitness related articles, skin care and makeup recommendations and reviews, and some of my own personal thoughts on other things that are important to me, especially parenting.
The site is all set to launch in the next couple of months and I can’t wait to share it!
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August 2018
“
Be easy on yourself and be patient.
”
Photo Credits: Nithin Barath Location: Park Hyatt, Chennai Hair and Makeup: Mallika Bhatt
Your advice on marriage, profession and fitness? Marriage: Just accept that compromise is
Profession: Be patient, and never think about or compare
everything! It’s a two-way street, and the more
yourself to anyone else. Just live your story. You have to
you give, the more you receive. You have to
think about where you are, where you want to be, and keep
keep reminding yourself that marriage is a very
doing what you need to do every day in order to get there,
long-term proposition, so don’t take silly fights
no matter what.
to heart, when there are more important things to think about than what movie you’re going
Fitness: Be easy on yourself and be patient. Don’t think
to watch on a given night! Just keep it all in
about weight loss, and time frames… just do what you
perspective.
enjoy and do it very consistently.
August 2018
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Health Wise
DAILY DOSE OF
DUMBBELLS
Fitness is a golden solution to better yourself – physically and mentally. From highintensity lunges to a simple walk, workouts are of every kind. Vaishnavi Kumaresan talks about the importance of fitness in our everyday lives. Choose your own way and stay happy and healthy.
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August 2018
Fitness, a widely used term, does not just refer to
A few ideas to incorporate fitness into your day-to-day life in
the physical aspect of health but also the mental
addition to any fitness-specific activity such as the gym routine
and emotional component. A holistic approach to
you might be currently doing:
fitness has become a widely accepted method of embracing the journey towards overall wellbeing. Of course, the physical component of this term is what one relates to immediately when thinking of fitness. Human beings are bipedal organisms, which refers to the fact that we use our two rear limbs or legs for the purpose of locomotion or movement. This has been the way – we as human beings have moved for the past couple of million years, 4.4 to be precise. Physical movement has played a key role in the lives of our ancestors for the purpose of food gathering and survival. Then why, all of a sudden, this focus on fitness? Simple answer: Evolution. With the introduction of the so-called convenient means of accomplishing the most simplest of
Move. Walk around whenever you can. Even at work, take a walk round the office. Be mindful of the extent to which you use your body for movement. Use the stairs whenever you can. You may have heard this more times than you would like to and are probably rolling your eyes at it this time, so let me break this down a tad further. Taking the stairs requires deeper breathing and by default increases your heartbeat, thereby allowing an increased flow of blood to all parts of your body. It aids in the burning of more calories than walking on a level surface. This activity is also recommended by doctors to enhance the functioning of your immune system and improve energy levels. Try using a glass to drink water at your desk or place of work instead of keeping a bottle filled with water. This would encourage you to refill your glass ever so often!
tasks, the need for physical activity has reduced
Park your vehicle a distance away from where you actually
to a significant extent. It has now become
need to go.
necessary to actually set aside time to ‘be active’. Gadgets that help us consciously cover a certain distance everyday have become the need
Go for mall walks. If you do end up shopping, then great…you can carry around your shopping bags for added resistance.
of the hour to account for ‘how active we are’.
Meditate. Clear your mind. Breathe. It is essential for one
Automated homes and voice-activated devices
to be able to focus while performing any activity in order
have drastically diminished the need to move.
to attain the best possible result. Decluttering the mind is a
We have arrived at the crossroads where we
powerful method that aids in accomplishing this.
need to make a conscious effort to incorporate
Smile. Laugh a little. Why, you ask? Well, you will feel better
movement in order to maintain our health at an
immediately; it’s a mood enhancer. If that’s not enough, be
optimum level. Benefits of physical fitness are
informed that 15 minutes of laughter a day is believed to
innumerable. Improved cardiovascular health,
burn 10 to 40 calories, depending on a person’s weight and
increased lung capacity, building endurance,
the intensity of the laughter. A happy mind will help you
improved blood circulation, loss of excess body
embrace life better andhelp in achieving not just your fitness
weight, to name a few. Physical activity in terms
goals but other goals you may want to accomplish as well.
of exercise is known to set off the release of chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine, endorphins and dopamine in the brain which aid in lightening the mood and stress relievers,
Small changes go a long way. Whatever be your goal, in terms of fitness, it is achievable by making small changes into your daily life.
thereby covering the mental and emotional
Embrace fitness into your life just as you embrace nature’s
aspects of fitness as well.
bounty each and every day – from the sun that bathes you in its warmth to the air that passes through your body. Good Luck!
August 2018
21
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August 2018
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August 2018
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Y T R SPO Couture
E L Y ST
S E L FI of the fining fashion trend de e th e m co be ly ab Athleisure has argu wardrobe every fashionista’s of rt pa al gr te in 21st century. It’s an sport and -to-date. Ever since up re u’ yo re su e ak and we’re here to m to provide begun competing ve ha ds an br us rio fashion blended, va t tips and NG brings you grea VI LI AM TE e. nr ge the best of this new style! win the athleisure pointers for you to
26 August 2018
Y
E
S
Couture
In the early days, there was only fashion for leisure; come the early 1980s andthere was a rise in popularity for women and sports and then there was a rise in fashion for athletics. The two later melded and it was the beginning of the term “Athleisure”. The name is quite literal, athletic clothing that is worn at leisure. Race to the future and today we have sports and athletic wear representing fashionable clothing globally! Let us dive into some of the top athleisure wear available in the market today.
JACKETS Jackets are one of the major components of sportwear , but now are also fashion. trendsetters You can now wear your gym leggings and your comfortable hoodies together and head out for a brunch date and here’s how! Take out your yoga leggings and pair them with a Cami top and fun sneakers. Finally, end the look with a great sporty jacket to nail that street look of yours. Bomber jackets are also synonymous with athleisure looks and blend very well with sportswear. Joggers with cuffed ankles are great for maximising comfort. Complete the look with a puffer jacket worn open and pair it with canvas trainers and a leather shoulder bag. Lastly, if you’re wearing a crop top, then opt for longer jackets and vice versa. Brands like Superdry, Adidas Originals, Aritzia, Joe Fresh and Lululemon have some of the best collections.
August 2018
27
Couture
SPORTS BRAS As the athleisure market is shooting up, brands are competing to create the best sports bras. If you are looking at bras that are multipurpose, then a great option is Nike Women. Nike’s Flyknit sports bra was one of the most intelligent makes. It was knitted using digitally inspired engineering and was introduced in the 2012 Olympics. It still remains one of the most successful sportswear makes. Opt for a bra that keeps your chest intact and also lets your skin breathe. Sports bras must be a blend of perfect style and performance. Choose them depending on your bust size. If you are bustier, go for a wire-free maximum-control sports bra; and if you have smaller breasts, opt for a push up. With these sports bra, you’ll be motivated
to get a lot
of gym time, and a lot of great outfits, too. From prints to fancy back straps, choose sports bras that will go well with your style and performance. Nike, Victoria’s Secret, Ultracor, Lululemon, Adidas and Wacoal are some of the best brands to find the right sports innerwear.
LEGGINGS A girl can never have enough pairs of leggings! Look for seamless styles that are designed to hug the body all the way, literally like a second-skin fit. It is also important to know which waists and lengths work best for you. While high waists offer more coverage and shaping, capris and 7/8 lengths are great options for petites. It’s important to note that legging quality matters so much. With lower-end leggings, the fit suffers and you lose the lifting and sculpting benefits that come with exceptional fit and fabric. They also don’t last. It’s a common mistake that most people make. You should know that investing in great leggings means you won’t have to sacrifice fit, feel or performance and you also won’t need to replace them as often. They look and feel great! Some of the more popular brands for luxe leggings are Alo, Lululemon, Ultracor and Koral.
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August 2018
Couture
TOPS Everything begins with tops – they are like the primer of your makeup products. Always buy and choose to wear the right kind of tops. If you’re in the mood to wear baggy pants or loose tracks, opt for a fitted top; tanks work great too! Complete the look by wearing some fun white sneakers and a cross-body bag. If you wore leggings for your workout routine for the day, then go for a Bralette and a translucent loose crop top to finish the look. In general, opt for t-shirts that are light, preferably sweat absorbing materials and solid colours. Along with big brands like Nike and Adidas, go for brands like Outdoor Voices, UAS, HPE, Olivers and Lululemon.
August 2018
29
Couture
SNEAKERS With athleisure set to continue its reign as the hottest trend in 2018, put your best foot forward with the top sneakers the world will be rocking this year. Easy wear goes hand-in-hand with an athleisure look, and sneakers complement this look the best. You are sure to know what your wardrobe holds, so make sure you choose the right colour for your shoes! White sneakers that go well with most of your athleisure clothes are the best choice, plus they totally rock that denim or day dress look. You can complete the look with a casual overthrow. Another colour that could go well with this is blackish-grey or pure black. Opt for sneakers that are comfortable and look sporty. Adidas Originals, APL, Puma and Nike are some good brands! If you’re in the mood to indulge, then our pick is Gucci, Giuseppe Zannote or Saint Laurent!
GYM BAGS Whether it’s a classic gym bag or a tote bag, make sure you have space to keep the necessities. Nike’s Aura club bag is the ideal classic gym bag you could opt for –
it’s comfortable,
easy and super-chic. Or just opt for a grab-andgo versatile tote from Lululemon. Also, a quick tip is that most totes can double up as gym bags provided they are spacious and have at least one inner compartment! For those who want to indulge, our pick is the Goyard monogram tote anyday! If you’re in love with backpacks, go for an Adidas Sport ID Sackpack or a Stance Backpack from PUMA.
If you’re heading out after a workout,
make sure you opt for tote gym bags or bubble bags that will look stylish on the outside but are spacious on the inside. Bags always add value to your style statement.
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August 2018
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Techiela
STEP IT UP
There are various kinds of cardio exercises to choose from to keep you fit and fabulous! To help you track your workout sessions and keep a tab on your fitness routine, TEAM LIVING picks out some of the best step trackers. Choose from these ranges to see what suits you the best.
FITBIT CHARGE 2
$203
This version of the Fitbit is easily the best of 2018. Although it is more expensive than the other Fitbit versions, runners will totally fall in love with this. It has the ability to connect with the GPS displayed on the phone, a large display screen to display the data and a heart rate sensor. This is one of the best fitness buys for its amazing automatic features.
GARMIN VIVOSMART 3
$106
The latest version of Garmin offers nearly everything a fitness tracker could provide. The tracker is versatile and can be used by all as it contains features like the fitness age feature, heart rate monitor and a six-day-long battery life. Although this new version has dropped the GPS feature in it, it is recommended for anyone who is looking for accuracy and a week-long battery life.
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August 2018
Techiela
MOOV NOW
$82
Moov Now’s fitness tracker is going places with its reasonable prices and the superb quality it provides. Apart from this, the brand promises to provide users with a six-month battery life. This lightweight fitness band not only has boxing and rep-based training, a great swimming feature, but also tracks your sleep cycle and the basic steps. Overall, it is compact, reasonably priced and worth every penny as it has features that cover much more than just step tracking.
SAMSUNG GEAR FIT 2 PRO
$203
This universally loved tracker does not have a lot of major changes from its previous version considering they both have been hugely successful. However, there have been a few improvements. The look has been elevated, and it looks fantastic on the wrist. Its built-in GPS facility will help you go phoneless and its top notch heart rate sensor is accurate. To add to that, the Gear will track swimming sessions too.
FITBIT BLAZE
$207
The Fitbit Blaze is one of the best models. It looks more like a watch than a fitness tracker, which makes it more attractive. It comes with the automatic tracking feature where you can just begin with a workout and it will roll out the results as and when. With a great battery life and a plethora of other exclusive features, this tops the list of the best Fitbit trackers.
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Running a marathon is literally one of the best kinds of rush you can get! When the location adds to that, it’s incredible! Certain locations exclusively for marathons garner such crowds from around the world that they look like a festival. Here are top five marathon locations that will make you want to run a marathon even if you’re not a runner.
Around the world in
BEST LOCATIONS TO RUN A MARATHON
MAD MARATHON ENGLAND There always is a charm in Old England, especially Vermont. Participants pass through farmlands and barns, past a lot of farm animals. Along the course, the scenery switches to valleys and mountains and the runners get a glimpse of the breath-taking Mad River Valley. It is for those who love challenging yet peaceful running.
PARIS MARATHON FRANCE If you love large supportive crowds and the cheer they bring, then this is the one for you. The runners begin from Arc de Triomphe and continue through Champs-Elysees. If you’re a first timer to Paris, this marathon is a city tour all by itself. The marathon routes through iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Seine. About 27,000 runners from 145 different nationalities participate in this marathon every year!
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GREAT WALL MARATHON
MIDNIGHT SUN MARATHON
CHINA
NORWAY
This is one of the toughest marathons yet! Imagine running a
Imagine an arctic summer marathon where the sun never
marathon on the Great Wall of China. Runners start andfinish in Yin and Yang Square by the old Huangyaguan fortress, and then almost immediately head towards the Great Wall. The steps, known as the ‘goat track’ of the wall by the locals, are one of the toughest ‘marathon climbs’ yet. The route allows participants to run through old villages and gorgeous hillside views, with hundreds of locals cheering them. It is truly the race of a lifetime.
sets. Norway is just the place for this. Set in the locations of Tromso, this marathon allows its participants to enjoy a midnight run. Also, part of the marathon route is along the coast, which gives picturesque views of the Norwegian Sea. The route also comprises the Arctic Cathedral, touted to be a major landmark. Participants choose to run across the Tromso Bridge for a full view of the city and prefer a flat course for the second half.
LE ULTRA MARATHON LEH, INDIA Have you ever wondered how it would be to run amidst the mountainous terrains of Leh-Ladakh? The Le Ultra marathon is 72 hours long, covering a distance of 333 km. It covers over three, 17,500 square feet of high mountain passes located in Ladakh, a cold desert of the Great Himalayan Mountain Range. It allows you to experience two extreme temperature ranges, 40°C to −12 °C, and the oxygen level is usually only 50% of what you usually breathe – it is as brutal as it is beautiful. Passing through the Ladakh Range, Wari La and Tanglang La, the finishing line is drawn at Morey plains.
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Tripster
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CATHERINE’S PALACE
Scintillating Saint
Petersburg
Russia has many treasures worth visiting and Saint Petersburg tops the list. The recently concluded FIFA World cup provided the city the exposure it deserves. St Petersburg is considered to be an unexplored gem. From the fascinating history at the Hermitage Museum to the Peter and Paul Cathedral, Preeti Verma Lal takes us through a mesmerising journey of the city of museums. August 2018
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Tripster
A STATUE OF WRITER ALEXANDER PUSHKIN
Saint Petersburg, Peskovsky Lane, Thirty-four steps – In Russia’s shortest street, my mind muddle was mighty and I was not stuffed with existential angst. Too many men were heapedin my head. A 5 ft. 7 inch poet with pale blue eyes, protruding jaw, lamb chop sideburns, and curly unmanageable hair; a 22-inch boy who was naked and crouched and was staring at his feet, intense in his grief; and, lastly, an ancient man who was a painter, architect, inventor and student of all things scientific. All these men were scattered around St Petersburg. All I had to do was find them: Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, Russia’s greatest poet; the Crouching Boy, Michelangelo’s only sculpture in the city; and Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings of an infant Christ in the Hermitage Museum. My mind was caught in finding these men, but in the city with 800 bridges and 8,000 landmarks, my feet tiptoed unconsciously towards the legacy of a woman and I finally did – a 325-metre-long palace that borrows its name from its maker, Catherine, the Great’s Catherine Palace. The Empress described it as ‘whipped cream’ architecture. There was no hint of cream, but there was gold everywhere. Gilded Cupolas chairs, tables and picture frames, golden carvings, chandeliers and angel figurines were all created in nearly 100 kg of gold. Catherine’s Palace is so ornate that it can tempt even a hermit. But nothing is more alluring than the Amber Room, a wall panelled with precious amber currently valued at roughly $400 million. The amber dazzles the eye, its ostentation a reminder of the extravagance of the Russian tsars. The Germans burnt andvandalisedthe palace during WorldWar II. The glare of the gold made me squint hard; but in the city that was also known as Leningrad and Petrograd, my heart was stacking pentameters. For I was heading towards the man I love so much, the one with lamb chop sideburns – Pushkin was not a random thought as I was in the town named after him. And there he was, sitting lazily on a bench near Catherine’s Palace with yellow oak leaves gathered at his feet in tribute. In St Petersburg, Pushkin was not the only one who strung words. I drove past the Tikhvin Cemetery in Alexander Nevsky Monastery where writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky and composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky are buried. On the streets, I could hear the footsteps of Vladimir Nabokov (the creator of Lolita), who lived in St Petersburg until age 18, and of Alexander Blok, the poet who wrote the lyrical The Twelve. PETER & PAUL CATHEDRAL
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Tripster
AN ARTEFACT IN THE HERMITAGE
A GOLD ARTEFACT IN THE HERMITAGE
FABERGE EGGS
Did you know? St Petersburg has one of the longest and shortest streets of Russia. The longest street is Obukhovskoy Oborony Prospect (11 km) and the shortest one is Peskovsky Lane (34 steps).
I wanted to walk to Nikolai Gogol’s house but the ancient man who was a student of all things scientific was waiting in the Hermitage, perhaps the world’s largest museum with three million artifacts (the numismatic collection accounts for one-third of them) displayed in nearly 400 rooms spread over three floors of six interlinked historic buildings. The Hermitage has an astonishing collection of Rembrandts, great paintings by Titian, Giorgione and Michelangelo’s unfinished sculpture of a crouching boy and the two paintings by Leonardo da Vinci. There’s a gargantuan peacock chiming clock, a 20-tonne vase, Egyptian mummies and many works by Monet, Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Gauguin, Bonnard and Matisse. All this began 300 years ago when Peter the Great started acquiring pictures and artefacts;
Built in 1703, the oldest building in St Petersburg is Peter the Great’s house. St. Petersburg has 800 bridges, 13 of them are drawbridges. With an estimated 8,000 landmarks, the whole historic centre of Petersburg is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. St Petersburg served as the Russian capital for 206 years and was earlier known as Leningrad and Petrograd.
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Tripster
the collection later hugely augmented in the late 18th century by Catherine the Great. If I stared at each of the 3 million artefacts in The Hermitage for 30 seconds each, it would take 8 years. Forget 8 years, I did not even have 8 hours in hand. In the Museum’s innumerable dead ends and miles of corridors, I found Michelangelo’s unfinished Crouching Boy and Leonardo da Vinci’s Benois Madonna, and Litta Madonna, considered two of finest works by the artist. “Red caviar and Vodka are the best souvenirs to buy from St Petersburg.” Alexsey, the guide, was belching shopping ideas. The vegetarian and the teetotaler in me rejected the suggestions and walked the streets in search of dolls and eggs. The Matryoshka doll (Russian nesting dolls) that was first made in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin, and the jeweled Faberge egg that was created in St Petersburg. The original Faberge egg comes for the price of a squat town; only 57 of the original 69 survive today. I had not travelled to St Petersburg for the Faberge. I came for the man I love. The one with lamb chop sideburns. Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. In Russia’s smallest street, I took 34 steps and repeated after Pushkin: If I walk the noisy streets, or enter a many thronged church, or sit among the wild young generation, I give way to my thoughts.
What to eat? Beef stroganoff The 19th dish made of small beef pieces in a sour cream sauce takes its name from the royal family. Borscht A beetroot soup served with a tablespoon of sour cream and small savoury buns known as pampushki. Shchi 9th century cabbage soup. Pirozhki Small-sized stuffed buns Pelmeni and Vareniki Dumplings Solyanka 16th century dish with a mixture of ingredients, especially different cuts of meat and pickles.
Photo Credits: Preeti Verma Lal
40 August 2018
THE GOLD CHAPEL IN CATHERINE’S PALACE
Brand Me
THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL
LEADERSHIP To be a successful leader, you must learn to be
physically and mentally present. In this competitive work environment, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith says that leadership is much more than being stern on the insideout. With inputs from Sally Helgesen.
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T
he greatest leaders in the world have a powerful leadership presence. And, that presence is not about the right clothes, the firmness of their handshake, their tone of voice, or their cosmetics.
What is the real key to powerful leadership presence? It is the capacity to be fully present. True leaders are present for a task, for a conversation, for the moment, for an opportunity. Present for their larger purpose in the world. This isn’t easy in today’s high-high-intensity, technology-saturated, 24 7 work environment. Multiple responsibilities can scatter our attention. Home as well as work requires professional skills, which can make every day feel like a marathon you just need to get through. And for women, who have the ability to notice a lot of things at once, it can make it tough to focus. Yet even as the capacity to be present grows more challenging, the benefits of doing so increase. This becomes truer as you move to higher levels in your organisation. For example, being present is the most powerful way to connect across cultures, which makes it valuable for leaders in a diverse global environment. People from very different cultures can immediately read whether you are fully available to them, because your body language lets them know. The capacity to be present requires freeing your attention so you can show up where you are. So what can you do to free your attention so you can fully inhabit where you are? You might start by pushing back against compulsive multitasking. The fact is that doing two things at once makes it impossible to be present for either because your attention is by definition fragmented. And fragmented attention is a highly effective minimiser. Multitasking also diminishes you by giving the impression that you’re overly responsive to random events. If you see someone constantly checking her phone in a meeting, you don’t think, Wow, she must be important. And you certainly don’t think, what a strong presence she exudes. Instead, you’re likely to conclude that she isn’t in control of her own time or schedule and is therefore incapable of showing up for what’s actually going on. By demonstrating over-responsiveness, she minimises both her importance and her presence. The good news is that permitting your attention to be fragmented is not a character flaw. It’s just a habit. It doesn’t necessarily betray a deep-seated insecurity. It’s just a way of responding you’ve grown accustomed to that will undermine you as you reach higher by making it impossible for you to manifest – or enjoy – serenity and influence.
Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the million-selling author of the New York Times best-sellers MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There – the Harold Longman Award winner for Business Book of the Year. Article courtesy: http://www.marshallgoldsmith.com
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Skin Deep
Save your
Sweaty Skin You’ve got to be made of tough stuff to push your limits, endure pain and make sacrifices if you want that medal, trophy and toned body. And, if making it to the top of the sport is not tough enough, you need a special regimen to take care of skin and hair. Deepti Alapati helps you understand the importance of clear skin and a clean scalp.
Occasionally, I get caught in those frenzied moods that make me want to work out twice a day hoping to shed those extra pounds gained right after a holiday. And, in that pursuit, I end up frowning at my grimy skin and messy hair. It then strikes me how tough an athlete’s lifestyle can be on the skin, with all that exposure to the sun, cold, friction and excess sweat. For people who sweat for a living andlove to play sports, here are some tips to ace your skincare regime.
S W E AT Y A N D S O G G Y C L O T H E S If you’ve been rushing off immediately after a workout or practice session, it’s time to stop in your tracks and think of the consequences. Soggy clothes trap moisture and are a breeding ground for fungus, bacteria and yeast that cause skin infection. And that is why it’s important to change into a fresh pair of clothes right after or within 30 minutes of a workout session. Ideally, you must always shower post workout, but for days when you’re caught without time, use a wet towel to wipe off the sweat and sprinkle talcum powder to absorb the extra moisture. Athletes are often prone to fungal infections like ringworm, which predominantly appear on the damp and warm areas of the skin. Wearing breathable clothing and immediately changing out of wet clothes help avoid these infections.
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Skin Deep
SHOWER RIGHT AND SHINE BRIGHT
CHAFING
I agree that taking a shower feels amazing and that the washroom is the best place for thinking and decisionmaking, but long and frequent showers can strip your skin of its natural oils and over-dry it. So use the shower for not more than three minutes. That’s enough to clear the sweatclogged pores. Always opt for lukewarm water rather than hot water which can leave your skin feeling dehydrated. And don’t forget to moisturise your skin while it is still damp as it helps lock in the moisture.
Runners and bikers usually experience chafing at some point. Chafing is the result of friction when skin rubs against itself or clothing, causing irritation that leaves the skin chapped and blistered. Chafing is painful and can take days to heal, preventing you from working out. It can happen anywhere on the body, but is most likely in the sweatiest areas – like the inner thighs, underarms and the nipple area. Lubricate your skin by applying some anti-chafing cream or petroleum jelly–based products like Vaseline.
HAIR CARE Never wash your hair a lot, as it leaves the scalp dry and itchy. Limit it to twice or thrice a week. Use a dry shampoo in between washes if you think your hair feels dirty after a workout. A good conditioner with sunscreen protects hair outdoors. Tie up your hair and use a sweatabsorbing band.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CHLORINE Swimmers are usually left with hair that looks like straw and an extremely dry skin. Chlorine is an oxidising agent used in pools to kill bacteria; but, in the long run, it can damage tissues and hasten wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. Soaking for hours in the pool can mean dry, itchy and lustreless hair and skin.
1 2 3 4 5
Always apply lotion, which acts as an extra layer (with SPF if you are swimming in the sun). Apply coconut oil to your hair; the oil makes the hair waterproof and protects it.
Magic Kit YOUR
FACE WASH: Always wash your face before a workout; after a workout, the makeup is a feast for bacteria and this leads to breakouts and acne. Don’t forget to wash your face immediately after a workout with waterless face wash. Too much water can make your skin dry and lifeless, so these are a blessing in disguise. And, more so while travelling.
SUNSCREEN: Sunscreen with an SPF 50 or more will help athletes. It protects the skin from unwanted tan lines, premature ageing and possible skin cancer.
WIPES:
Always shower before you swim, as wet hair and skin are less likely to absorb more water.
Always carry wipes with you; they come in handy when you are outdoors and do not have access to water. Keep your hands clean by wiping after every practice session or once every few hours.
Don’t forget your swimming cap!
LOTION:
Shower after the swim and moisturise your skin.
It’s essential to hydrate your skin; always slather on lotion after you shower or wash your hands.
Spent a decade climbing the corporate ladder, got to the top and took the plunge into entrepreneurship with PULP, Deepti is launching her clothing line on sustainable fashion. A true Virgo, she loves art, design and flea market treasures!
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Understanding each other and embracing diversity is part of the strong community here at AISC as our students come from over 30 countries. We encourage our students to stay curious about culture and traditions around the world. Our librarian, Mr. Jet, is working with the 3rd graders on researching and discussing different cultures and traditions in the Elementary School library.
w w w. a i s c h e n n a i . o r g #AISCUnityinDiversity
The Big Picture
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SPLENDOROUS
SPAS
Spas are one of the best forms of TLC worldwide. They are not just about skin and hair care but also about providing inner peace. These restorative treatments get even better with the exceptional top class settings some spas offer. Making sure that design is as luxurious as the treatment provided, Radhika Ramesh takes you through some spas around the world that give you luxe for every sense.
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The Big Picture
Spa-goers seek help that is beyond just the body – they are looking to remove stress, anxiety and fatigue through a session of relaxation. Wellness spas have become so hugely popular that they have paved the way for spa holidays, the “in-thing” these days. Connecting to nature is the best way to increase your positivity; and spas are coming up with natural holistic methods to help holiday goers de-stress, physically and mentally. These spas from around the world are the ideal spots for the “spa-cation” you’ve always craved for.
REMÈDE SPA UNITED STATES
Located in the St. Regis Aspen Hotel in Colorado, Remède Spa has been voted the best spa in the world. It is famous for its customised treatments depending on every individual’s body and mind. While their ‘Rocky Mountain ritual’ concentrates on a full body massage that eases muscle tension and relaxes the joint bones, the ‘scientific organic customised facial’ looks at alleviating symptoms of pain or tension at a deeper level. The products used are usually 100% natural, paraben-free and have no artificial fragrance added. From champagne facials to luxurious throws and exclusive treatments, Remède aims at letting your body and mind escape reality.
EVASON MA’IN HOT SPRINGS SIX SENSES SPA JORDAN One of the biggest advantages of the spa is that it is located right beneath a gigantic, natural hot spring that cascades right into the swimming pool. It allows you to take full advantage of the 100% mineral-rich spring waters. Located near the Dead Sea, many treatments have been inspired from that too. Treatments focus on the mineral-rich waters and Dead Sea therapies combined with Six Senses signature treatments to ensure pure rejuvenation. Certified as one of the best spas by the travellers, Evason Ma’In has its own way of marking memories that will last forever.
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SERENO SPA INDIA Being the birthplace of the Ayurvedic massage, India is definitely bound to be in the list of the most luxurious spas around the world. The Sereno Spa located at Park Hyatt in Goa offers services like aromatherapy, energy healing and yoga. Here, ancient Ayurvedic and yogic healing techniques that blend in with the scenic view of the Arabian Sea are practised, giving you the ultimate experience. Through a blend of various customised therapies, the award-winning Sereno Spa offers holistic treatments. The renowned health and wellness oasis has been a major hit, attracting tourists from all parts of the globe who take back a radiant skin and inner peace. The experience promises to be transformational and you will be charmed by the mystical therapies of old-world India like aromatherapy and energy healing.
THE SPA AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL THAILAND The hotel is located in a traditional Thai-colonial style area that faces the Chao Phraya River. The private suites of the hotel have built-in steam showers and a relaxing en-suite whirlpool. They believe in the individuality of body and mind and, hence, as in many of the best spas around the world, the Peninsula Spa provides customised treatments. Their expert therapists incorporate therapies from Thai, Ayurvedic and European traditions and techniques. They aim at providing their customers with some royal pampering. Most of these treatments are tailormade depending on the state of your body and mind.
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The Big Picture
THERMES MARINS INDONESIA
Bali is renowned for its ancient treatments and healing therapies, and the Thermes Marins Spa there has been voted the best in Indonesia. The
spa’s
atmosphere
has
been
carefully
designed to cater to every individual’s peace. Surrounded by sea, each spa house has been indigenously
designed
to
blend
with
the
environment. The surroundings are so peaceful that you could hear the waves hitting the rocks beneath. The spa offers a variety of treatments including the Hot Shell Massage, AYANA Fusion, Seven Chakra Dhara and Lava Stone Reflexology.
ESPA RIGA
LATVIA
The ESPA Riga Centre at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Latvia is probably the most contemporary of spas around the world. Drawing inspiration from European, Indian, Chinese and Balinese traditions, ESPA aims at providing the best of treatments. If you’re visiting the location during the winter season, opt for the Amber treatment where therapy is done using Amber stones from the Baltics. The spa aims at blending aromatherapy, thalassotherapy and phytotherapy with traditional and modern practices and techniques from all around the world. Along with the spa, facilities like heat experiences – steam rooms, saunas, ice fountain, lifestyle showers and an outdoor vitality pool enhance the experience.
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AMAN RESORT
CHINA
The Aman Wellness Spa is one of the best locations to visit if you would love to experience various wellness treatments from around the world. Guests to the King’s Summer Palace were once upon a time put up at the resort’s premises. Situated in Beijing, Aman Wellness offers a journey of reawakening from the Hammams of Morocco to the hot springs of Japan. Across the globe, Aman Wellness Spas integrate local spa rituals with indigenous ingredients to ensure the therapy provides a sense of inner peace and strength. Nature and the natural play an important role in this spa. Balancing every aspect of health, from movement and nutrition to fitness and spiritual awareness, Aman’s Wellness Immersions aim to manifest your goals in 3 to 21 days. From fitness and weight management to ancient Indian Ayurvedic treatments, on offer is a good mix of tradition and modern methods of relaxation.
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Parenting
Healthy kids, happy kids
Kids are exposed to various kinds of foods as they grow up – especially junk, and they are easily tempted by just looking at the creative advertisements. Antara Kothari shows us ways of keeping kids healthy and happy through her tips on healthy eating and active lifestyles, which will surely help new parents. 54
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N
ot a day goes by without my elder son sticking
undesirable ingredients. The levels of awareness are that
out his lower lip indicating sadness, and I want
high. Meals filled with fruits and vegetables rich in iron and
to hug him and give him everything he asks for.
protein are the way to go.
I don’t think we would be mothers if our hearts
didn’t melt every time the lower lip was presented to us. But therein lies the danger. Giving in is easy; it is the balancing that is hard. When it comes to kids, once you set a certain process in motion and a habit is created, change is difficult. Consistency is key from all angles when dealing with our offspring. We strive to inculcate good habits in our children. From food habits to sleep schedules, we do what is best for them and try to maintain that over a period of time. Over the past decade, nutrition is an area that parents all over the world are placing utmost importance on. Food habits are extremely important in maintaining a healthy, active and fit lifestyle, not only in adults but in kids as well. A few decades ago if mothers had mentioned controlling the quantity and quality of their children’s meals, it would have raised a few eyebrows. There was no detailed thought given to the food fed to them, and everything was allowed. Oil, sugar and other food products, considered unhealthy today, were given to them every day without batting an eyelid. Obesity was not taken into consideration as much as it is today; the awareness has now increased multifold. Wellness has taken a whole new meaning andit includes not
Over and above healthy food habits is, of course, an active routine. Due to hectic work schedules or other commitments, it is common for parents to give their children activities that involve being seated in one place for an extended period. This keeps them in one place and busy. We tend to think that classes that retain them inside a building, with little or no movement will do them good. However, we forget that by doing this we are ensuring a sedentary lifestyle. They are in school for a good part of the day, so it is up to us to plan the rest of their day with as much activity as possible. Cutting screen time also forces them to go outside and play. Not only is learning by play the best education but it has the additional benefit of keeping children on their toes. It is never too early to introduce them to various sports and exercises like Yoga. When I enrolled my elder son in school, I was thrilled to hear that the school offered Yoga among other sports. It not only exposes them to the art form but also creates awareness in them to start keeping fit, early. He sometimes comes with me for a walk on the track in the evenings. The aim is not to have him walk as fast as possible with me, but to get him used to the concept of fitness. Children imitate what they see and the
only healthy food habits but also sufficient movement and examples set for them. So, it is equally important for us to an active lifestyle. For kids, both these factors are equally do what we try to educate our kids about. critical to ensure a healthy and long life. Very often, we find it hard to say NO. I don’t mean to our children, but to others who offer what we may consider unhealthy food, like candy, to them. I have always believed in balance and that everything in moderation is acceptable. At our house, candy only at weekends is the norm. Unless there are birthday parties during the week, nothing with too much sugar is included in the menu. We tend to underestimate the effect that an overdose of sugar has on young children. Not only does that lead to hyper-activeness but also to an early start to high sugar levels and obesity. The belief that “just one small piece of chocolate will do no harm” is no longer valid. Many parents only allow cereals, that contain little or no sugar, and do not have any other
I was never big on fitness; and exercise was never a big part of my life, until I became a mother. Being healthy for my children so that I will be able to take care of them is at the back of my mind every single day and adds the extra incentive and motivation. But the importance of fitness is something I try to instill in my kids so that it becomes a daily habit . I cannot stress this enough. It may seem like a small issue if our kids are used to eating what they want whenever they want to when they are young, but the larger picture is overshadowed. The hard part isn’t exercise or nutrition; it’s your mind. If the fitness routine is mingled with fun, then they will imbibe it easily. After all, if we allow our children to be free, what else would they love more than to go out and play?
Antara is a mother of two and is the founder of a parenting blog, The Bubbly Blogcast. She writes about everyday challenges moms face and uses her blog as a platform for a global discussion on parenting. August 2018
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Table for Two
Bun-tastically Delicious
Foodies have a cause for cheer as Pappa Roti has finally reached our Chennai and is ready to take over the city with its bun-tastic treats! From simple sweet buns to delectable wraps, Pappa Roti is ready to show its magic to Chennaiites. BROWNIE FRAPPE
STRAWBERRY BASIL ICED DRINK WITH LOTUS BUN
Pappa Roti, renowned for baking the world’s most favourite buns, is now in some of the major cities in India including Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. The original recipe of the golden brown bun that is crispy on the outside while being light and fluffy inside was first discovered in 2003, by a Malaysian baker named Peter. He came across the brand new version of the roti which was like a bun with a warm and moist centre, created by a mother who was extremely passionate about experimenting with baking recipes for her son. The fame of the buns, which were an instant hit, travelled to Dubai and the rest is history.
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BUN WITH CLASSIC NUTELLA
BUN WITH CHEESE
The fragrant coffee-coated bun with its buttery filling is now available in 400 outlets spread across the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, China, Vietnam, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The freshly baked buns are topped with a variety of flavours — strawberry with whipped cream, honey, chocolate, dates, lotus biscuits, caramel, salted caramel, maple syrup, Nutella with hazelnuts/almonds and Nutella with crushed Oreo. However, the plain signature bun unhampered by sauces or toppings remains the most popular among Pappa Roti’s clientele. One can test the quality of each Pappa Roti Signature Bun with a gentle tap on the surface. This promise of consistency is achieved through the best-quality ingredients sourced from around the world. Baking is more of an art at Pappa Roti, with the dough fermented to an exact size to give it a soft pillowy texture. Each layer of the topping is applied in a quick circular motion to ensure zero gaps in between. This gives connoisseurs the consistent experience of a crunchy outside and a soft interior that has a mildly sweet, buttery core. Pappa Roti offers an array of indulgent coffee-based beverages and a carefully curated selection of teas that span the spectrum from Moroccan mint to jasmine and even za‘atar, along with a variety of delightful milkshakes. Savoury breakfast favourites like Eggs Benedict, Scotch Eggs and the celebrated Middle Eastern favourite, Shakshuka are also on the menu to create a tongue titillating experience for the guests. If comfort food is what you are looking for, visit Pappa Roti for an absolutely wonderful experience.
Palladium Mall, 28, Velachery Road, Nagendra Nagar, Anna Garden, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600042 www.papparoti.com.my FRESH HERB TEA
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The Last Word
WONDER WOMAN It’s hard to imagine that there used to be a time when fitness
was never a thing for women. Today, several of the top fitness trainers in India are women and their fitness levels and achievements are commendable. In conversation with Anurima Das, Bollywood’s biggest celebrity fitness trainer, Yasmin Karachiwala talks about her passion for fitness, discovering different workouts and how her life changed after she opted to be a fitness trainer!
A woman who wears many hats and has earned accolades in her profession, Yasmin Karachiwala is the person who has helped shape the sculpted and glamorous bodies of many of Bollywood’s best-known divas. She is better known today as India’s leading fitness coach. With more than two decades of experience in the fitness and wellness industry, she never lets monotony strike her regime plans. She is the founder, proprietor and trainer at her acclaimed fitness studio – Body Image. When we caught up with her for this candid chat, she had just returned from a short break in Bali. And, no, she does not forgo her workouts even when holidaying. Here are excerpts from the conversation. CELEBRITIES SHE HAS WORKED WITH Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz, Malaika Arora Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonam Kapoor, Imran Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar, Anita Raaj, Neha Dhupia, Arjun Rampal, Preity Zinta, Zareen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Huma Qureshi.
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The Last Word
RAPID FIRE Fitness for you An everyday phenomenon Pilates for you Way of life Workout during holiday Is a must, should work with the destination. Celebrity training versus normal people training Exactly the same
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August 2018
The Last Word
When and how did you decide to step into the fitness arena? I was in college and a friend of mine who was dating a boy wanted to lose some weight. A fitness studio had just opened its doors to the public and they had a 1+1 offer. Never a gym person, I despised the idea of workouts. But I had to join bowing to pressure from my friend, who was keen on signing up so that the membership rates could be managed economically. I started out with her, but found it confusing initially. I took up aerobics, but to my horror found myself failing miserably. Until one day when my instructor called up and asked me to train the class in her stead. I was nervous, but at the class I eventually managed to do all the workouts without a mistake. It then dawned on me that I knew the entire routine that was on the cassette, and, not just that, I was able to guide the class. I realised that I had actually been calling out to people, not watching quietly as they went through the workout, and that I had had a lot of fun too. That surprised me more, the realisation that fitness was my nature rather than anything else.
What’s in your forecast? A lot of new things are on the horizon. Two new studios are coming up in Delhi and Dubai in August. A YouTube channel is in the offing; it should be up in the next two months. Also, within a year, I plan to come up with a fitness app.
Celebrity fitness is an entirely different dimension. How will you advise everyone to stay fit? Anyone can adapt to a fitness regime by taking out just 30 to 40 minutes of time from their daily life. In case you are unable to work out at a stretch, just try to break these 30 minutes throughout the day. There are so many exercises you can do without any machine; follow me on Instagram and Facebook, I post exercise videos sans equipment. Food, of course, goes hand in glove. We all know in this day and age which foods
How did you then take a step forward? When I finished my graduation from St Xavier’s College, I went to the United States as a counsellor for a summer camp and the same instructor advised that I do a certification course and get formally trained. I got myself certified and it was really
are harmful and which are good for our body, and we just have to do some mindful eating. Avoid sugar, aerated drinks and preservatives and you are good to go!
What about diets?
tough because I had to learn about bones and muscles in the body and their location. For an economics student, this was
I believe in food plans than in diets because
akin to Latin. Once I was back, I started to take aerobics classes.
you
Initially I went to my clients’ home. But eventually my class
carbohydrates, fibre and good fats in your
moved to my guest room and living room, then to the terrace.
breakfast. So you plan a meal, even something
Finally, I rented a small one-bedroom apartment near home and
as simple as eggs or whole wheat toast; that’s a
began catering to my clients. Now we’ve got this studio just off
complete meal in itself. Plan a lunch that’s simple
Linking Road (Mumbai). Over the years I became the first BASI-
and right out of your kitchen. Keep your dinner
certified Pilates instructor in India. I got my Pilates certification,
light as the first half of the diet plan would have
and I can teach the MAT, Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and
already been filling. Have few pieces of chicken
Step Barrel. I am a certified Balanced Body Barre in Core-Align
with a salad; or if you are a vegetarian, you can
and MOTR (More Than a Roller). I am certified to teach TRX,
eat tofu, salads, soup or sprouts too. In between
Kettle-bells, Core Suspend, Core Barrel and Core Reform, and
meals, snack on yoghurt, buttermilk, nuts, and so
provide functional training. I never envisioned where I am today,
on. Talk to someone if you require help to plan
or took steps towards it; it just happened organically.
your meal.
plan
what
you
eat.
Include
proteins,
August 2018
61
The Last Word
Tell us about a typical day in your life!
Tell us about the celebrities you have worked with?
I start my day at 8 in the morning. I have breakfast and reach for work by 9:30. I always make sure I keep
I’m very proud of all the people I work with, whether they
an hour for my workout during the day whenever I don’t
are celebrities or normal clients, because they are all so
have a client. I usually have one hour to do my workouts
enthusiastic. It’s very motivating for me. Where celebrities
sometime between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., whether it’s
are concerned, Katrina’s body has transformed from
Pilates or functional training. I don’t eat at the gym; so I
what it used to be, and she’s constantly evolving with her
make sure I have something to snack on. I go home, have
workout. Alia Bhatt was just a thin girl and we had to work
lunch and catch up on e-mails and messages, because
to get her in great shape. If you’ve seen her in Shaandar
during the day I don’t keep my phone with me in the
in the bikini, you’ll know. Deepika came to me just before
studio. And then I head out for some cardio exercise; if
Cocktail because she wanted to completely change the
the weather is good, I’ll go for a walk or I go back to the
way she looked. And we managed to achieve that in
gym and do some cross training. Dinner time is when
Cocktail, and then in Happy New Year. Sophie Choudry
I watch TV, during dinner, after dinner. So that’s my
came to me with three slipped discs; she couldn’t do
time to kind of unwind. And I always go out with friends
much initially, now she can do everything. Right now we
during the weekend.
are training Janhvi Kapoor.
Anurima is an editorial consultant, tea connoisseur and film fanatic rolled into one. She finds her interest in weaves, textiles, fashion, films and travel and is equally passionate to share those stories with the world.
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August 2018