PHD HAIR

HAIR BY YOLANDA MORE THAN CUT & COLOUR

Yolanda Austin is a Londontrained hair stylist and colour expert with a small salon tucked away in Double Bay’s Elbon Arcade.

Hair by Yolanda, has been in Double Bay, since 2013, and before that she was with a larger salon in Woollahra for 11 years.

The salon, is a boutique-style, one-woman business. Most of her clients have been coming to her for years. "I have seen them marry and have children. Now they’re tell ing their daughters, if you’re going to get your hair coloured for the first time, go to Yolanda!"

It is not just Yolanda’s cutting and colouring skills that draw clients to her salon. You see, Yolanda is more than just a hairdresser to them. She is a trusted friend.

"When you’re a hairdresser you’re also a counsellor and sounding board,’ Yolanda says. “I try not to give advice, but some times it’s impossible not to. But what is said in the salon, stays in the salon!"

The salon has two styling chairs plus a reclin ing chair for shampoos. The shampoo chair also gives you a back massage. "Because of the salon’s small size, there are never more than two clients in at the one time," says Yolanda, who studied hairdressing at the London College of Fashion, and worked in Knightsbridge.

SUPERIOR QUALITY HAIR PRODUCTS

This pose is a great way to ground the nervous system and manage stress, which, when experienced regularly, is a major contributor to illness. Inversions also help lymph fluid move through the body, which fight infection.

2. SEATED SPINAL TWIST

Seated spinal twists alternately compress and stretch the torso, increasing circulation to the stomach, kidneys, intestines which stimulates digestion. Digestion, and general gut health are essential for a functioning immune system.

3. DOWNWARD DOG

Downward facing dog is a great way to drain the sinuses, relieving any pressure caused by colds or sinus infections. Downward dog also moves white blood cells throughout your body that help prevent infection.

HAIR BY YOLANDA ELBON ARCADE 4/402 NEW SOUTH HEAD RD, DOUBLE BAY 0403 779 400

YOGA: How to boost your respiratory immunity

BRIGITTA PLOSZ, YOGA INSTRUCTOR, WELLNESS SPECIALIST

1. LEGS UP THE WALL

A great pose any time you want to open up the shoulders and chest, this pose also does wonders for congestion in the lungs and sinuses. Proper alignment is essential in this pose, so ensure you have blocks or pillows to support your shoulders, neck and head to get the most out of this healing pose.

5. BRIDGE POSE

Another excellent chest-opener, this pose opens up the thymus, an organ located in the chest responsible for the growth of T-cells, a type of white blood cell essential for supporting the immune system and fighting infection.

6. BIG TOE POSE

A great way to stretch the hamstrings, this pose also has the potential to decrease stress and anxiety and stimulate the digestive system. This pose can also help relieve the symptoms of headaches.

4. SUPPORTED FISH POSE

7. SAVASANA

Though this pose is usually done at the end of a yoga flow, it’s a great posture to do any time you’re suffering from a headache, exhaustion or sleeplessness, all of which are common with colds and flu.

Yolanda sources the best quality hair products from manufacturers such as Alfaparf Milano. She only uses products that are free of harmful chemicals and will keep your hair in good condition.

"For example, the Alfaparf Milano sham poo is sodium, laurel and sulphate free and the colours are ammonia-free. Even though we’re using strong chemicals, we do our best to protect the hair."

ONE-ON-ONE HAIRDRESSING EXPERIENCE

Yolanda describes herself as a skilled all-round hairdresser, with particular skills in the colour department. She sums up her point of difference as giving the client "a one-on-one hairdressing experience."

"You’ll never be thrust over to the junior for the end of colour blow dry. You’ve got me from beginning to end."