The snuggles are real at Tiny Touch Infant Massage
The snuggles are real at Tiny Touch Infant Massage
One of the most significant undertakings many of us will experience in our lives is bringing a life into this world. The immense responsibility is undoubtedly overshadowed by all the fun and laughter these little bundles of joy bring for all of us. But alas, let’s not ignore the obvious here: when a newborn comes, lifestyles and sleep patterns get put to the test.
But this is all part and parcel of having a baby, right? Well, not necessarily, it seems.
Fast becoming a widespread and fundamental practice for new and expecting families, infant massage is recognised to help improve sleep, reduce crying, and relieve wind, colic, reflux, and constipation. It has been found that parents who provide massage to their infants experience less anxiety, fewer depressive symptoms, improved moods, lower stress levels and improved self-esteem! A win-win to both parents and bub!
But how so? Well, much like a massage for us grown-ups, infant massage can increase serotonin levels and regulate melatonin secretion rhythms, helping babies to sleep for more extended periods and regulate sleep patterns. Research studies have shown in great detail a significant reduction in overall crying time with infants and toddlers who receive massage — helping to stimulate the elimination of waste from the body by paying specific attention to the abdomen to encourage bowel movement and improve wind colic, and constipation. And to top it all off, massage is proven to stimulate the immune system whilst enhancing the bond between parent and child.
You can say hello to a good night’s sleep right there!
Certified Infant Massage Instructor and mother of three Kate Tayler, runs Tiny Touch Infant Massage right here on the Gold Coast. Classes are fun, interactive, and educational, with the bonus of potentially making new friends with other parents. Kate firmly believes that infant massage not only benefits babies — but mostly the parents!
“Infant massage is great for both baby and parents as parents feel back in control, less anxious and more confident knowing they are helping their baby with any health issues. Infant massage is also a great bonding exercise and is a lot of fun for mum, dad and baby.” Kate said.
Monthly workshop classes run for one hour per week over three weeks at Aleenta Barre in Mermaid Waters. ‘Introduction to Infant Massage’ classes also run for an hour on selected dates at The Lighthouse, Currumbin.
Classes are held in small and intimate groups to ensure you will receive maximum support and attention during each and every class, meaning tickets are relatively limited.
So don’t delay, your future self will thank you for it. Get your ticket today via Tiny Touch’s socials for their upcoming August workshop at Aleenta Barre in Mermaid Waters… You can thank us later for that extra sleep and a happy bub!
Where: Aleenta Barre in Mermaid Waters and The Lighthouse, Currumbin.
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Yoga is one of the very best things you can do for both your mind and body. It can be relaxing, challenging, calming, centring and it ALWAYS makes you feel good afterwards.
On Sunday June 21st it’s International Day of Yoga, so permission to get bendy at any one of these absolutely beautiful Gold Coast yoga studios (listed from north to south).
The Floating Lotus
Offering an array of yoga classes (plus Barre, meditation and Pilates), The Floating Lotus is a stunning studio in Helensvale. You can try everything from yoga for strength, stretch, flow, yin and pre and post natal. You can pop in for a casual class, buy bulk class packs or pay $29 a week for unlimited classes. You need to book before you go too.
Where: Homeworld Centre – Shop 69/502 Hope Island Road, Helensvale
Soul Centre Yoga & Pilates Studio
From dynamic to beginners yoga, the team at Soul Centre have you covered in their high vibe Southport studio. You can choose from a few class pack options or memberships and if you’re a new student, it’s just $50 for five classes. Bookings essential.
Where: The Brickworks, 3 Brolga Avenue, Southport
Fire Shaper
Started right here on the Gold Coast, Fire Shaper is the enhanced version of hot yoga. Completing a series of poses in a controlled heated room, you can start at the beginner classes, complete a workshop or even take one of their virtual classes online. The variety and flexibility of their timetable will suit most Gold Coasters looking to fit this style of yoga into their week.
Where: 117 Ashmore Road, Bundall
Essence of Living
Essence of Living is one of the Gold Coast’s original and most-loved yoga studios, lead by Michelle Cassidy. Offering all levels of yoga classes with time slots to suit everyone, Essence of Living is bright and airy studio and the teachers are all first class. You can of course, choose from a casual class price or the re-opening membership price is just $29 a week.
Where: 9/2431 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Boheme + Body
The team at Boheme + Body in Varisty Lakes believe yoga is the way to a happy and healthy life and that’s why they’ve created a fun, all-inclusive space to practice in. Offering yin (longer pose holds), yang (faster paced and their very own version (named Boheme)), you’ll find the perfect class for you. If you’re a new student you can pay $70 for a month of unlimited classes. How good.
Where: Christine Corner Shopping Centre, Shop 26/221 Christine Avenue, Varsity Lakes
Miami Yoga Room
The beloved Miami studio offers a peaceful, welcoming environment to help you experience strength, awareness and harmony. Classes include gentle, yin, Ashtanga, Vinyasa and flow and release, so that’s quite the selection if you’re keen to try a few styles. Pop in as a casual member or buy a class pack to save a few dollars.
Where: 1924 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Peace Yoga & Meditation Studio
The Burleigh Studio offers a few unique classes you probably haven’t heard of before including Brain Yoga to enhance memory and cognitive function, Partners Yoga for some quality time together, Baby Yoga, Kids Yoga and Pregnancy and Post Natal. As well as the regular kind of course.
Where: 88 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads
Gold Coast Yoga Centre
The Gold Coast Yoga Centre has been serving the Gold Coast with transformational yoga since 1996. Their dedicated teaching team have over 120 years combined experience and theirs is the Coast’s original yoga studio. With classes from beginners to advanced, classical Ashtanga and Hatha/Vinyasa with Iyengar-influenced alignment techniques, private coaching, a full yoga shop, extensive yoga library and a welcoming, active yoga community, Gold Coast Yoga Centre is the place to be.
Where: 2/37 Eighth Avenue, Palm Beach
Ritual Palm Beach
The light-filled Palmy studio was brought to life by sister duo Rose Lamont and Sophie Spratt and they’ve built up a very strong community in the time they’ve been open. Offering classes for all levels, with knowledgeable teachers and plenty of good vibes, Ritual is a beautiful place to spend some time practicing and learning about yoga. You can do Teacher Training there too. Classes are available in packs, casual visits or memberships.
Where: 9b Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach
The Body Method
The newest of the bunch is The Body Method, found at Cornerstones Stores offering classes for all levels in a magical space you’ll probably want to move into. Choose from Slow Flow, Yin, Restorative and a regular paced yoga class with any one of the experienced teachers and enjoy the perfect yoga experience. Again you can choose a casual pass rate or pay a weekly membership for unlimited classes.
Where: Cornerstones Stores, 570 Gold Coast Hwy, Tugun.
BONUS If you looking for a little more incentive to get involved in a yoga class, check out the Yoga and Mulled Wine event happening in conjunction with Double Barrel Kitchen & Bar and State of Sahaja on Saturday 27th June at 4pm. For $35, you’ll get a glass of warm mulled wine or spiced brewed chai and mini cheese toasties with your class! Details here.
Words by Kirra Smith
We’ve long established that dogs are a substantial part of the lifestyle we have here on the Gold Coast. And with doggos remaining firmly in the position of ‘mans best friend’, we doubt that this is going to change any time soon!
Yoga is another important facet of many Gold Coasters’ lives, making for a vital daily/weekly routine to check in with your body — and basically, get yourself stretchy as hell.
So, what if somebody decided that it might be a good idea to combine both? Well, stop what you are doing, because Yogaventures on Coolangatta’s Griffith Street have gone and done it.
Join in the fun for a playful morning of yoga and puppy licks with a number of furry friends from the Animal Welfare League QLD — and best of all, it’s for a good cause!
100% of the profits from the class cost will be donated to Animal Welfare League QLD, a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating brighter futures for animals in need.
What could possibly be stopping you from going to practice your downward-facing dog with some cute little shelter pups? If this isn’t the most adorable thing we’ve heard of in a while, we don’t know what is! This event does come with a little warning: you may receive the odd toe slobber, face sniff, or even witness a minor accident…but who cares when they’re this cute?!
As you might have already guessed; some of these sweet little pals will be up for adoption if you feel torn about parting ways after class. Going to yoga and coming back with a pupper isn’t your everyday kind of occurrence, but after the year we’ve just had, we think you’re entitled.
Spots are limited, meaning bookings are essential — yoga mat hire is also provided.
Cost: $39 donation to Animal Welfare League QLD
When: Saturday 22nd May 2021 10am – 10:45am (45 mins)
Where: Yogaventures – Level 1A/40 Griffith St, Coolangatta
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Organising your mini-me’s birthday party triggers a rollercoaster of emotions; excitement, anticipation and pure joy…laced with a dose of fear, dread, and general trepidation. The sugar. The screaming. The inevitable tantrum. And don’t even get us started on the politics of who to invite….#sendwine.
Well, we’re here to help you keep your cool and focus on the fun stuff with our list of fail-proof, kid-pleasing, parent-sanity-preserving places to host the ultimate bday celebration.
#MayTheForceBeWithYou…
Hijinx Hotel
Looking for a party with extra oomph this year? Look no more coz Hijinx Hotel, the ultimate immersive experience, has you covered. Play a set of super fun Hinjinx Hotel Challenger Rooms (five rooms in total), eat a yummy main and side (with an option to add-in extra noms), plus sip on soft drink or water and experience a totally ‘ungeneric’ celebration. The best part? You can relax while a party host takes cares of all the action #hearhear! For $38 per whipper snapper, it’s worth every cent.
Where: Corner of 3197 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Level 1 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
Slideways Go Karting
Watching the kids race around a track channelling their inner Lewis Hamilton having an absolute hoot of a time is a vibe. Slideways boasts a three-storey indoor drift kart track and is the perf party destination for kids aged 7 to 13 (minimum height 120cm). For $88 per person with no less than five kidlets, you’ll get 20 mins of go karting, 10 arcade tokens, a balaclava, an ice block, a bottle of H20, and two-hours in the function room. Side-note, feel free to use our special discount here.
Where: 10 Spencer Road, Nerang
Holoverse
Imagine spending your birthday picking hologram grass to feed a giant hologram Brontosaurus, or swimming with life sized holographic whales? Well, you can do precisely that and so much more at Holoverse! There are four party packages starting at $26 per person, with a minimum of eight people and maximum of 16. The average hologram party goes for two-hours and all parties include seven giant scratchy credits and party bags. And PS, if you wanted to organise a group ticket, did we mention we have a discount voucher here?! (You’re welcome).
Where: Paradise Centre, 8 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Paradise Resort
Celebrate your child’s next party in paradise. Literally – this place is actual paradise for kids. Paradise Resort is a sprawling fun-packed venue, with so many options for birthday parties we’d be here till Christmas listing them all. As a guide, a basic three-hour Ice Skating Party for five kids will set you back $150, whereas a two-hour Pamper Parlour Party for a minimum of eight kiddos is $520. Or you can mix and match the above, and add in waterpark, laser tag, and climbing wall to name a few.
Where: 122 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
iPlay
We dare you to find a kid who doesn’t go all kinds of gaga for gaming and nope, they don’t exist. That’s why iPlay is a winner winner kid’s party dinner.
Coomera iPlay: For $25 per child (minimum of 8 guests), your small people will score two hours of partying, including one-hour unlimited arcade (yellow) and redemption (red) games, 2 x (purple) prize games, 300 x tickets per guest, and a whopping 500 tickets for the bday kid! Food platters are also available.
Harbourtown iPlay: For $25 per child (minimum of 8 guests), the kids will lap up one-hour of arcade time, unlimited red and yellow swipers, three purple swipers, 200 tickets per child and a $5 return voucher for the party kiddo. Line those hungry tums for $12 each with food supplied from Crafty’s! Save some for mum and dad!
Where: Westfield Coomera, 83-121 Foxwell Road, Coomera & Harbour Town Premium Outlets, 147 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Miniature Golf
Who doesn’t love a game of golf, mini or otherwise? It’s a sure-fire winner for all ages, including the youngins who love nothing more than a golf birthday party! We’re pretty lucky here on the Gold Coast as we are spoilt for choice whether it’s the mini variety with Holey Moley in Surfers or Putt Putt Mermaid Beach’s three themed 18-hole courses. Or enjoy less screen time, less green time at Top Golf with a hosted kids party. Shot!
Where: Various
Timezone
Ahhh the flashbacks of living it large as a kid at Timezone. And let us tell you, absolutely nothing has changed, with our mini’s going weak at the knees at the mere mention of the ‘T’ word. At Surfers Paradise Timezone, there are three party packages priced from $35 to $48 per head. Between 2.5 and 3 hours in duration, they include everything from game time to a dedicated party host, with the two more expensive options also serving up kid’s meals. At Timezone Coolangatta and Robina, there are similar packages so parentals, it’s a no-brainer!
Where: Paradise Centre, Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise, Robina Town Centre, 1 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and The Strand, Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Infinity Attraction
Get the party started at Infinity, an incredible journey through a world of illusion. Think of a futuristic, maze-like world of wonder with unique rooms and sensory overloads that will have you and the kids feeling as though you’re in a dream. Prices start from $17 per child and when paired with tasty eats from Betty’s Burgers, parent of the year status incoming! Should we mention that you can get 10% of adult and child entry here?! Go on and make your little one’s year!
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, G31/3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Escape Rooms
Locking the kids up for an hour – are you sure it’s not our birthday? Just joking kiddos…sort of. Small folk love a good escape room, plus they’ll use their brains trying to figure out how to get un-locked #bonus. Sounds like the perfect party plan to us – especially when we have a 10% discount at Padlock’d, Eclipse Escape, Fox in a Box, and a 15% discount at Other World HQ.
Where: Padlock’d – 3177 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, Eclipse Escape – Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, Fox in a Box Gold Coast Escape Rooms – Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise, Other World HQ – 3107 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise.
Bella’s Wonderland
Love a good play centre? Chances are your small people do too and this one is humungous, plus its beautiful modern design will make for some srsly instagrammable pics. Think on-trend curves, pastels-a-plenty, and a darn good menu to boot. Offering an array of party packages including the Mini Birthday Bash ($299 for five kids), Bella’s Fun Fiesta ($580 for ten kids), and the hum-dinga Dream Discovery Bash ($880 for 12 kids), this one’s a keeper.
Where: 48 3/15 Jackman St, Southport
Rollerama
This one’s for the nostalgic parents who long for their minis to enjoy the roller rink parties of yesteryear #OhTheMems, and wept uncontrollably when the local roller rink shut up shop #StillScarred. Well, we have news for you! Rollerama is a huge new roller-skating arena, now a permanent attraction at Carrara Markets! The perfect spot for a fun-fuelled birthday party, it’s wheely good fun for all ages.
Where: Events Arena precinct, Carrara Markets, Corner of Gooding Drive & Manchester Road, Carrara
The Craft Parlour
Pretty as a picture, The Craft Parlour takes the mess factor away, whilst allowing your birthday girl or boy and posse to craft away till their hearts’ content! The summery enclosed backyard and beautiful studio has plenty of room for kids to dance, relax, and craft away, and it’s BYO food, drinks, and cake. Mama’s, feel free to pack a yummy cheese platter and bubbles for any parents who may stay for the sesh #AnyExcuse.
Where: 27 Lemana Lane, Miami
Helensvale Aquatic Centre
If you’re looking for an inexpensive crowd-pleasing way to celebrate your kiddo’s birthday, nothing says “party” quite like a pool party! There most popular option for good reason is the three-hour Inflatable Pool Party from $20 per child, which side note; will also wear them out #tick! Or, for the littler littlies, how about a two-hour Splash Park Party from $15 per head. Both are for a minimum of ten kids, have the option to add catering, or BYO food and drinks. Yes mum and dad, we said BYO!
Where: Rugby Lane, Helensvale
Words by Bianca Trathen.
