The Edinburgh Reporter November 2020

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@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk FEATURE 13
y new world
move about a little more than they
were doing before, and finding
what kind of movement they are
capable of.
“There is a whole range of things
people can do, and they don’t even
have to leave the house. It can
be as simple as taking a kitchen
chair and sitting and standing for
a count of 10. This is basically
a squat and it will improve their
quadriceps, lower body, possibly
the lower back, and depending
on the individual it might create a
heart rate response.
“They could then combine this
with some upper body exercises
such as a press-up. But a press-up
does not have to be Army style,
it can be using the back of the
settee as a prop or against a
wall in a semi standing position,
and based on the individual’s
capabilities.”
For those who can get outside,
they can use the built environment
around them, suggests Bryan,
such as the street where they
live or a nearby park. He added:
“If your street has trees along it
for example, or in the park, start
walking briskly for two trees then
slow down for the next two trees
and repeat. For those who are
fitter they could do the same but
jogging or if at a higher level by
sprinting.
“My best advice is if at all
possible get out of the house, the
benefits of being in the open air,
both mentally and physically are
considerable. They will feel real
benefits from visual stimulation,
especially if they have experienced
a longer lockdown situation
and simple things like people
watching, fresh air and whatever
sun there is at this time of the
year, can be refreshing and much
more stimulating than sitting in
front of the tv.”
Age is no barrier to taking some
form of exercise and improving
your well-being believes Bryan.
“We all slow down as we get older
but you just have to do what works
for you. The challenge is to move
more than you did the day before.
If that means starting by walking
to the shops fine, and when that
becomes comfortable push
yourself by walking to the shops
and then add on an extra block. By
pushing yourself a bit further each
day you will soon feel the benefits
and it will leave you feeling much
better in mind and body.”
Find The Wild Ones Edinburgh
on Facebook and Julia’s exercise
classes at www.fitandhappy.co.uk
Fragrance profiling
not to be sniffed at
By Juliet Lawrence Wilson
Smell ought to be the sense we
elevate to the highest honour.
Sure, sunsets and symphonies
may consistently bag the
cinematic and soundtrack gongs,
but it’s aroma that walks away
with the Lifetime Achievement
Award.
Smells evoke memories and call
the other senses to the forefront.
Walking past Edinburgh’s Fisher’s
Restaurant at The Shore, the
aroma takes me back to my first
taste of fantastic seafood on a
Mediterranean holiday, while a wet
golden retriever reminds me of the
happiest family Christmas,.
The bouquet of your introduction
to a decent glass of wine, the
hedonism of youthful sweaty
discos or the pheromones of your
first kiss, smell shapes your life
and doesn’t allow you to forget.
I’ve always aimed for fairly
high-end fragrances. Smelling
good simply makes me feel
special but it's time for variety and
I want inspiration. A fragrance
profiling session might be just the
ticket.
Stepping into Penhaligon’s on
Edinburgh’s George Street is
George Street perfume emporium
Penhaligon’s - a jewellery box of wonder
like entering a jewellery box of
wonder. The presentation is simply
stunning, a sophisticated blend
of modern and heritage style
with a dash of whimsy thrown in.
Penhaligon’s is a perfume house
that doesn’t feel ‘branded’ giving
the products individual personality
and character.
Before a scent has been sprayed
I immediately know this will feel
like a bespoke experience. Shop
manager Michaela gave me a
warm welcome and although we
had to wear face masks (Michaela
laments that in non-Covid times
they’re able to offer canapés
and fizz) I can see her warm and
enthusiastic nature shine through
her eyes. I’m set for a luxurious
experience, and I’m also very
relaxed. Michaela is ready to take
me on a fun adventure, there will
be no stuffiness here.
She began by asking me what
sort of smells I’m attracted to and
whether I’d like something that can
be detected from a distance or a
more close up experience for the
lucky person whose nostrils will
have the future privilege.
In times like these I’m perfectly
happy to have my perfume
detected at exactly a two metre
distance.
And how would I like my new
fragrance to make me feel? Well, I
think the innocent ship has sailed
so let’s go for sophisticated and
seductive.
Whether the aim is to find a
signature fragrance or something
for a special occasion, the most
important thing to Michaela is that
we find something I fall in love
with. Can a perfume deliver what
Tinder has failed to? My right hand
thumb is poised and I’m quietly
confident.
My favourite, and the one I
leave with, is The Tragedy of Lord
George. Infused with the scent of
shaving soap and warm rum this is
said to be a ‘traditional upstanding
fragrance with hidden secrets’.
This is definitely an aroma that
would appeal to men but when
I smell it on my skin I’m in love
with the serious, heady scent and
feel rather alluring in it. Reader, I
swiped right.
To book your fragrance profiling
session: Penhaligon’s, 33 George
Street, EH2 2HN. Tel 0131 220
3210.
Penhaligons.com
Pandemic is
not all doom
and gloom
Jim Campbell has learned to be
more mindful of wellbeing.
By Jim Campbell
For many of us, the Covid-19
pandemic and subsequent
lockdowns has pushed us to our
limits. We have been thrust into a
world of uncertainty, change, fear
and little control. Yet, it doesn’t
have to be all doom and gloom,
we can use it as an opportunity
to learn to be more mindful of our
wellbeing.
Like most things in life, learning
to live well is a practice and what
better time to start practicing than
now? I am no different, struggling
with stress, social distancing and
fear of my mortality. So here are
my tips on how I have risen to
the challenge of living well in a
pandemic.
Routine brings us control and
structure to our day. Despite losing
all my regular routines, I have
methodically adopted new ones.
Exercise gives us energy and lifts
our mood. I have found exercise
grounds me, moves me out of my
head and the constant thoughts.
Getting outside helps us connect
with the world. Especially in winter,
I have a tendency of not wanting
to go outside, but always feel
better afterwards.
Connecting with others allows
us to connect to ourselves. I
am a regular in a local café,
telling the owner how my day
has been, sharing my worries, it
brings a sense of belonging and
connection.
Starting a new project gives you
purpose in life. I have started a few
new projects, Zoom QiGong and
writing a daily blog about living in
lockdown.
Since lockdown began, I have
offered daily morning QiGong
for beginners on Zoom. It brings
routine, exercise, grounding,
relaxation, can be calming, moves
us out of our heads and connects
us with ourselves and others.
QiGong (pronounced Chi Gong)
is a movement meditation. It
is similar to Tai Chi, but with a
simpler form. The focus is on the
breath, movement and quietening
the mind. With daily practice, it
can benefit your general health,
posture, wellbeing and the flow of
energy. It is a way of balancing life
energy.
To find out more email:
jim@beyondbeliefmagic.co.uk