Imagine that simply lying on your back for at least an hour is all it takes to release bodily toxins, increase circulation and lose weight?! This is the claim of “bedrock bathing” – all the rage in Japan apparently, with thousands of Ganbanyoku or bedrock bathing spas throughout.

Iyashi Bedrock Spa, located at Yonge Street (north of Eglinton) is Toronto’s only Ganbanyoku spa – with its healing silica rocks imported from Japan. I was invited to a 90 minute hot yoga/rock combo…

Like any spa, the atmosphere at Iyashi is serenely relaxing and welcoming (soft lighting, birds sounds in the background…). Yuka, the front desk woman showed me to my locker, stocked with towels, flip flops and if need be, a rock bathing outfit.

I began my session with a big cup of water (8 cups are recommended during the ‘treatment’ and easily consumed). From looking at the photos of bedrock bathers on the Iyashi website, I thought it would be weird lying beside someone on the ground for an hour, but it was totally fine – besides it took all I had to focus on how long I could last in that heat!

Fortunately for me, it is normal to leave the heated room every 20 minutes or so to cool down and drink water in the lounge area. Then on to round two:

Hot Yoga/Rock Bathing Combo

+ Yoga done on the heated silica stone (60 minutes)
+ All seated or lying poses held for 1-3 minutes

I’ve never done ‘Hot Yoga’ (only regular) so cannot compare my experience at Iyashi. I can say however that 1. I sweat more than more and was distracted immensely by sweat dripping down my forearms, etc. (first time is obviously difficult) 2. my patience and stamina were put to the test and 3. was very grateful for the mid-session break where we got to sit in the lounge and drink water for 5 minutes before heading back in. Loved the serenity and small class size – and was amazed at how much my heart beat although we barely moved position!

It is said that 60 minutes of rock bathing is the equivalent of running 6-9 miles. I can honestly say that after 25 minutes of the hot rocks and only 15 minutes of hot yoga, I felt like I had run 9 miles!

Benefits

The amazing list of benefits of far infrared technology, silica stone and bedrock bathing are endless; but the basic theory is that the heat and negative ions that come off the black silica heat your body a degree causing intense perspiration, which in turn kick starts the most internal parts of your body to push out the bad (toxins, cellulite…) and produce some good (sebum for skin, repairs cells…).

“In a study, the sweat of people using a conventional sauna was found to be 95 to 97% water while the sweat of those using an infrared thermal system was 80 to 85% water with the non-water portion principally cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, toxic heavy metals (such as mercury and aluminum), sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia and uric acid.”

The results of bedrock bathing (better skin, weight loss, etc…) would be most noticed with regular attendance. Personally, after 90 minutes of being in the room, I truly got a kick-ass workout, I noticed less reddness on my face and I think even my pores are a little smaller. From speaking to some of the ladies there, I think those that most see the improvements are those that more need improvements.

Bedrock bathing in T.O. and the yoga combination class is a little pricey – but Iyashi has monthly specials on their website – like 2 for 1, 50% off for birthdays, etc…First time customers save 40% of their visit.

Iyashi Bedrock Spa
2662 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
416.488.ROCK (7625)

Dr. Martens Iconic 8-Hole Boot Turns 50 this Year

by Daniel Wilson

From Curt and Courtney, to That Gaga woman, to Madonna, PJ Harvey, and pretty much everyone in between, every rock star we idolize has worn Doc Martens on stage at some point during the highs and lows of their careers. They cross boundaries from a Bruce La Bruce art porn about gay neo Nazis to a Yohji Yamamoto runway show and have managed for fifty years to say, ‘I’m cool, I’m edgy, I’m practical or I don’t care’.

Even setting aside their fabulous, (and fabulously hard to find in Toronto) designer collaborations with the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier and Mr. Yamamoto, the Doc Marten brand has offerings for spring and next fall sure to set the chicest or grungiest of hearts aflutter.

Be sure to keep an eye open as they push the iconic 8 hole boot shape into all sorts of new forms. I loved the white boot with flocked black polka dots and a heel (yes, a Doc Marten heel – see below), in glossy black patent leather embossed with a tiny floral print.

And if you happen to be one of the handful of people in the world watching The Oscars this weekend, check out Jack Nicholson’s feet to see the customized silver metallic Docs he will be strutting.

The Dr. Martens Spring/Summer 2010 Collection includes the 8-Eyelet boot in both metallics and in canvas-like TecTuff Express leather, both durable and water-resistant – a more summer-like feel.

In Toronto, find Dr. Martens at:

http://www.getoutsideshoes.com

http://www.neonclothing.ca

http://www.softmoc.com

http://www.docsleathers.com

Photos of Joe Fresh Spring 2010 items from Joe.ca, available at most Loblaws Superstores in Toronto and elsewhere.

Our favorite Canadian brand of ‘cheap and chic clothes that you can buy while shopping for groceries’ hired agency Henderson BasNew to relaunch its site and now features a Joe Fresh Life Blog, daily polls and downloadable tools such as a free outfit assembly iPhone application and a fashion forecast widget.

When it comes to purging bags of clothes, shoes and accessories (which I regularly do), I used to almost always head to the nearest Goodwill to unload. After visiting more than one ‘unruly’ store though, it sort of became harder to imagine my once loved, still wearable clothes getting lost in those dump piles.

So, Salvation Army became my next recipient of donated goods – especially because it maintains its “thrift” store mentality and keep its prices low for low-income shoppers (which is why I never donate to Value Village…).

There are however many smaller community centres, churches and shelters that provide clothing, home goods and toiletries for needy families, young moms, homeless folk – a more grassroots approach to recycling clothing and home goods:

** please keep in mind when donating to community centres or shelters that the clothing and/or linens should be clean and wearable. Also, these places are often in need of seasonal items like winter coats, etc… **

Where to Donate Clothes, Shoes, Homewares & Unused Toiletries in Toronto

Red Door Shelters emergency shelters across Toronto - in need of household items and linens, seasonal clothing. 21 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto

The Scott Mission clothing bank-502 Spadina Avenue, Toronto 416-923-3916

Dress Your Best changes the lives of Canadians by outfitting women, men and youth with clothing for employment. DYB gives each client an average of 5 outfits – 20 to 30 articles of clothing – including shoes and various accessories. Open for clothing donation drops offs on Wednesdays between 10am-8pm c/o The Walmer Centre 188 Lowther Avenue, 3rd floor, Toronto

Good Shepherd Centre homeless shelters accepts clothing, toiletries and recreational items. 412 Queen Street East (near Queen East & Parliament Streets)

YWCA Womens shelter – Call donations coordinator 416.693.6978, ext. 231

Convenant House teen shelter – needs clothing, books, etc…20 Gerrard Street East, Toronto,  (416) 598-4898

Pick Up:

Oasis Clothing Bank (the ones with the green bins around city): Check the website to see the items they will pick up > http://www.clothingbank.ca/faqs.asp

Donate Art Supplies et al.

Sketch provides opportunities for street and homeless people between the ages of 15-29, to engage in the arts in a cross-discipline studio environment or in the community. In need of everything from art supplies to kitchen appliances to toilet paper. 580 King St. W., 2nd Floor, Toronto (416) 516-5428

Donate Toys/Magazines to your local hospital for use in the waiting rooms.

I could go on and on – so for more places to donate your stuff including ink cartridges, computers, shoes, toys…  http://www.toronto.ca/reuseit/orgs.htm

For a list of shelters and social service agencies in Toronto, check outhttp://www.211toronto.ca

illusionist, visionary, brilliant…
endless inspiration…

http://iseejanemary.blogspot.com

Igorandandre.blogspot.com

http://paperfashion.wordpress.com

This article in the Globe and Mail (love the style section btw) caught my eye big time when writer Zosia Bielski wrote: “Now hipsters are going whole hog, donning road kill as accessories and cow hooves on their feet. But is the phenomenon a real artistic movement – or just plain beastly?”

(http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/animal-parts-high-style-or-just-plain-beastly/article1449456/)

This new, supposed trend of accessorizing with dead animals (mostly road kill) goes far beyond fox scarves or bird feather headbands; instead the morbid fetish includes cow hoof high heels, dead rat change purses and skull head pieces. Ew. But I definitely think it’s a stretch to say it’s a new hipster thing….donning dead rats and taxidermy is still very much limited to a minority, no matter how our lust for charcuterie and/or osseous matter in our home decor mounts.

In Toronto, designer (and vegetarian) Lori-Anne Krausewitz is profiled in the Globe article for her use of  real bird crests, bones and hides in her headpieces – and has gotten much press in the past for being Toronto boutique Shopgirls’ ‘feather goddess’.

Personally, I love animal motifs but prefer faux taxidermy (well, bird feathers are ok, maybe a little vintage fur…) and not necessarily the following, but you get the point:

Rat Necklace: tuckapaws.etsy.com
Squirrel Clutch: tsurubride’s shop
Fox Gold Earrings: Mizdragonfly.etsy.com

In case your curiosity has gotten the best of you – see more dead rats and guinea pigs used in fashion: NOT FOR THE Squeamish

http://www.thetoyzone.com/2009/blog/10-taxidermy-fashion-accessories/
http://reidpeppard.blogspot.com/

Haiti, Je T’Aime
Sponsored/Organized by Cheek Magazine
+ Monday, Jan. 25, 2010
+ Revival Bar, Toronto, 783 College Street

DJ sets from Eon of Bedouin Soundclash, k-os, Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene, DJ Starting From Scratch and others. The event, that is in part sponsored by CHEEKmagazine.com, will be hosted by MTV, MuchMusic and CP24 personalities.

A minimum of $10 donation will be asked for at the door, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going directly to Plan Canada’s Haiti Relief Fund.

Bring your cash and cheques and make a bid on 50 different items at the silent auction, including goodies such as signed shoes from each one of the Toronto Raptors, concert tickets, dinner gift certificates, spa treatments, yoga passes, jewelry, and much more!

SHOP FOR THE CAUSE 2 – A fundraiser for HAITI (via the Red Cross)
+ Saturday January 23rd, 11am to 5pm
+ Queen St. East Presbyterian Church, 947 Queen St. East (at Carlaw)

A jumble sale, fashion market & bake sale.
Expect a medley of new merch & gift certificates donated by big-hearted Toronto artists/designers, small businesses, eateries & local shops – as well as tempting heaps of gently used quality items and vintage finds (books, clothing, CDs & vinyl, accessories, housewares, kids’ toys, fabric & craft supplies, etc.)
BONUS: a silent auction and gourmet bake sale spotlighting high-end pastries at a discount along with yummy homemade edibles donated by area volunteers.

ALL money raised goes directly to the Haiti Earthquake relief efforts via the Canadian Red Cross. In 2005 we raised $16K for the Tsunami survivors at the first ‘Shop for the Cause’ event, and we hope to match that amount for Haiti.

Drop off gently used pairs of shoes to any SoftMoc location until January 22, 2010. SoftMoc has partnered with Soles4Souls to bring shoes to Haiti.