My Little Black Book Of Wellness: Nicole Compen
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@Cowshed
For Stress-Relieving Massage…
Masaj is incredible – there’s something about walking into any of its spaces in London that immediately calms me and makes me feel grounded. The natural tones of the interiors, the warm welcome from the staff and the incredible aromas when you walk in always promise a deeply relaxing experience. I mix up my treatments based on what I feel my body needs, but it’s usually either a Focus Area Treatment or Deep Tissue Massage. If I’m going to be more central, I’ll go to Cowshed, which never disappoints. If I want to stay at home, I’ll use the Ruuby app.
For Facials…
Michelle Cashen is my go-to. She’s one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve met. She always has great advice and I let her guide the facials based on what my skin needs given the time of year. I also love BIG in Hackney, which recently opened a treatment room with rotating brand residencies. The most recent facial I had was with The Face Planner. When I’m there, I always stock up on products from the Tenth Muse, AKT and Mirror Water. I also rate the facials at Pfeffer Sal.
For Recovery…
Re-Place is an amazing wellness and recovery studio in the heart of Notting Hill. Its treatment offering focuses on recovery and wellbeing, which is often an overlooked part of a fitness regimen. Still London is my favourite local spot in Dalston. It has a great infrared sauna which you can connect your phone to and listen to a podcast or music while you’re relaxing. The infrared sauna is a great way to remove toxins and ease muscle pain. Complete the treatment in the showers scented with birch, while using the handmade natural green clay soap. I’m also a fan of Le Chalet’s cryotherapy in Canary Wharf – it works wonders for sore muscles and digestion.
@Masajme_; @TheFacePlanner
For Bodywork…
If you’re ever in need of a holistic osteopath, I recommend Elisa Burato at KUU in Hackney – she offers cranial osteopathy, massage and lymphatic drainage. If there’s a time when something doesn’t feel quite right in my body, she’s incredible at diagnosing what’s going on and treating it using a tailored approach. Koia in Notting Hill is also great for massages, osteopathy, aromatherapy and reflexology.
For Unwinding…
If I’m in the mood for something luxurious, I’ll visit Claridge’s Spa. Each treatment starts with a foot ceremony to wash away the outside world, which includes a pressure point massage to eliminate tension and boost circulation. I usually opt for a Bespoke Massage – there’s nothing else like it. I’m also a fan of Cloud Twelve – its spa brings together Western and Asian philosophies. I’ll either book in for a Comfort Zone Facial or a Deep Tissue Massage and will always follow up with a session on one of the Dolomite quartz beds to promote a deeper state of relaxation. They also have an incredible thermal area – I love the salt room for its detoxifying effects and to support immunity.
For A Great Workout…
I grew up surrounded by nature, which I try to hold onto in my exercise routine. If I’m not running in a park, I’ll head to one of the Rumble studios for a boxing or HIIT class. They do the latter continuously via digital screens with assistants to support and push you, meaning you can jump in every ten minutes, at any time of the day, so there’s no need to stick to a fixed time slot – it’s ideal for those with a busy schedule.
@ReplaceLondon; @Still__London; @Cowshed
For Personal Training…
When I’m in need of fitness guidance, I reach out to Rowan Clift. I was introduced to Rowan at a friend’s wedding and instantly connected with him regarding his approach to fitness. Currently, Rowan is training me for my first half marathon, which I’m doing later this year. I wanted to ensure that I’m training sensibly and eating the right foods to support my training.
For Gentle Movement…
When I feel stressed, I’ll opt for a gentle workout that brings me calmness and helps me unwind – breathwork and vinyasa yoga is my go-to. I have attended several breathwork sessions hosted by Paddy Cavendish, but I love a sound bath too. Jasmine Hemsley offers incredible downloadable meditations, which I love to switch off to when I’ve had a stressful day.
For Retreats…
One of the most beautiful retreats I’ve ever done was with Souljourn Yoga. Founder Jordan built her non-profit to create transformational yoga retreats and teacher training programmes which raise awareness and funds for young women’s education around the world. It’s a heart-warming experience, allowing you to look after yourself while giving back to those in need. A trip with Wylder Retreats is also on my list – I felt an instant connection with the founder Charlotte and can’t wait to join her on her next Formentera trip.
For Supplements...
Mayple is a great online destination to find products from around the world. I also love Planet Woo. Some of the best recent brand discoveries include Mission C’s pre-workout balm, which contains CBD – it’s a miracle for marathon training; Sixways and Spacegoods nourishing powders, which I add to water and smoothies; YIELD gummies; Harniman’s feel-good vitamin sprays; and In Bloom Drops, which are currently the only natural herbal distillate on the market. I also swear by Point Zero’s ear seeds, which target concerns from digestion to stress and sleep.
@Wylder.Retreats
For Activewear…
Other than trainers, I buy most of my activewear online. For running, I rate On Running, Soar and Ciele. For yoga and HIIT, comfort is key with soft, stretchy fabrics. I particularly like Alo, ARKET and LNDR. I get my trainers from New Balance. For yoga mats and accessories, it must be Yogi Bare – I’ve always loved the conscious ethos behind the brand. Its yoga mats use non-slip technology, which is great when you’re doing a higher intensity workout while also being cushioned to provide support. You can also recycle your old yoga mat with them and they’ll give you a discount code to use towards your next mat purchase.
For Healthy Food & Drink…
Thanks to Raye The Store, I always have some of the most exciting food, drink and wellness brands at my fingertips. It’s been incredible working with innovators in the food and drink market, and watching their brands grow and thrive. Some of my favourite emerging brands that you’ll always find in my kitchen are RAISE granola bites – try them sprinkled over plain yoghurt. I start each morning with freshly brewed coffee from Special Guests Coffee and creamy barista oat milk from UnOrdinary. Pantry items I always come back to with their beautiful packaging and natural ingredients are Citizens of Soil olive oil, Cosmic Dealer chocolate, Simply Roasted crisps and Chimac sauces. For the freezer, I always have some PukPip dark chocolate banana lollies. Our current pop-up is in Spitalfields market. We are conveniently located opposite Jenki – you’ll often find me picking up a lavender CBD matcha latte for a mid-morning boost.
For more from Nicole & Raye The Store, visit WeAreRaye.com
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