Angel Central are proud sponsors of the Angel Comedy Club, a community-conscious establishment providing free comedy gigs at their Islington-based venues. Angel Comedy features stand-up from the likes of both well established acts testing new stuff and up and coming comedians who may have used the clubs space to rehearse and perfect their performance. Angel Comedy also works closely with schools, care homes and charities.

You’ve created the perfect meditation space: the walls are painted a restful light blue, the music is soft and dreamy and you’ve picked out just the right cushion to sit on. What’s missing? A carefully selected fragrance to soothe and relax body, mind and soul.

There’s nothing quite like meditation to strengthen the connection between body and mind. Focused breathing, being aware of how your body feels and clearing your head from distraction: all of these things engage the senses and help you be present in the moment. But the little-known secret to a perfect meditation session comes from engaging your fifth sense: smell.

Scientists have found that certain scents, such as jasmine, can direct the body to relax, working to lower your heart rate in as little as ten minutes. Lavender is perhaps the most celebrated calming scent: studies show that it can help combat mild insomnia, reduce anxiety and even ease depression in certain cases. It will come as no surprise, then, that engaging your sense of smell through aromatherapy can also make your meditation practice even more effective.

 

THE SERENITY OF SCENT

If you meditate to bring a sense of inner harmony to body and mind, adding a calming fragrance into the mix will increase your relaxation. Gently massaging your temples with oil that contains lavender gives your meditation practice an extra dimension. Lavender has been scientifically proven to slow down the sympathetic nervous system, otherwise known as the stress centre. When you smell it, both your brain and body go into relaxation mode.

If oil isn’t your thing, scented candles can be a great alternative. Throughout history, this has been a way for people to signify a sense of peace. There’s a certain ceremony in the act of lighting a candle and watching the flame. As you focus on your breath, you are also soaking in a relaxing scent, a signal to your smell receptors to calm down. Inhaling peace and exhaling negativity is an important aspect of meditation, after all.

 

FRAGRANCE TO HELP YOU FOCUS

Sometimes meditation can be a useful tool for raising your concentration level. Imagine you have an intense project at work, so before going in, you decide to meditate. The powerful, minty scent of eucalyptus is known to sharpen your senses and make you more alert. If you surround yourself with it while meditating, you’ll end your practice with a feeling of focus and determination, ready to take on your project.

Scent has a major impact on our emotions, but it also triggers our brains and bodies into action. Next time you’re in your meditation space, don’t forget the fragrance.

 

Inspired by the ancient Chinese concept of Jing, representing calm and tranquillity, The Ritual of Jing is designed to help you still your mind and unwind from the tensions of daily life. With two lines for sleep and relaxation, this new collection will help you along your path to inner peace.

The latest H&M kidswear collection is a print collaboration with Karolina Kijak-Dzikońska, the Polish illustrator and architect known for her wondrous watercolour illustrations of wildlife. Featured on a range of clothing and accessories, Karolina’s illustrations come to life in a dreamy yet fun-loving way.

The Karolina Kijak x H&M collaboration is based on two natural worlds – the land and the sea. For the land-based illustrations, the animals lead the way with zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, flamingos and palm leaves, while the ocean world celebrates vibrant fish, majestic sharks and starfish. The collection includes dresses, denim jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies, t-shirts, trousers, skirts and shorts.

Tie-dye, ombre effects and details such as drawstring waists, patch pockets and contrast necklines feature alongside a colour palette of olive green, ocean blue, coral pink, light grey and yellow. Accessories include sunglasses, handbags and headbands.

The full collection will be available in the Angel Central store from 5th March.

When: 29th February @ 14:00

Where: Frame Gym, Angel

Frame are holding a special Q&A session with lead tutor, Rosaria La Pietra on Saturday 29th February at Frame Angel.

The session is free and includes one Frame credit for Reformer Pilates!

Reformer Pilates Teacher Training Q&A –  BOOK NOW

If you’ve been into the UNIQLO store recently, you may have noticed that there is now a clothing recycling box. UNIQLO are using these boxes to take clothing donations which they can then donate to people in need around the world.

To make this possible, UNIQLO have partnered with Goods For Good, a UK-based charity who distribute donated clothing and hygiene products to the people that need them the most. This important partnership helps UNIQLO reach those beset by poverty, tragedy or disaster by donating life-changing goods which help restore dignity and hope in vulnerable communities around the world. As of 2019, UNIQLO globally donated 36.57 million items across 72 countries to refugees, disaster victims and socially vulnerable groups.

These clothes come from sample stock and donations from UNIQLO customers. These are distributed throughout families in Eastern Europe, the Philippines and refugee camps in Northern Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. Goods For Good have helped over 2 million people so far and continue to deliver essential items to wherever in the world they’re needed most.

 

HOW CAN I HELP?

Recycling boxes can be found at UNIQLO Angel, as well as UNIQLO stores across the country. Please bear in mind the following before you donate:

• All UNIQLO items are accepted for recycling.
• Please wash your clothes prior to donation to ensure items are delivered in the best possible condition.
• Please make sure personal belongings are not unintentionally bundled with donations.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and, for some of us, the task of buying a loved one an appropriate gift can be quite daunting… Take a look at the below gift guide for some inspiration and ideas!

 

 1. Hotel Chocolat

You guys are in for a sweet treat… Hotel Chocolat are serving two limited edition Valentine’s drinks – the Sweetheart Sundae (left) and the Love Potion (right). They’re both topped with whipped cream and raspberry meringue pieces… Two spoons?

 

2. Rituals

Share some love this Valentine’s Day with Rituals, who are selling limited edtion giftsets for him or for her, filled with luxurious products to make them feel special and take a moment to slow down. Allow her to start each day with the luxurious fragrance of rice milk and cherry blossom with The Ritual of Sakura giftset. For him, the fresh scent of Japanese mint and organic bamboo will turn his showering routine into a more meaningful ritual. Lovely!

 

3. H&M

Put down the supermarket flowers and gift someone an item of clothing from the Helena Christensen x H&M collection. The model/photographer has taken a series of photographs of flowers and printed them on a range of t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, creating the perfect gift for those trying to play it cool.

 

4. Calzedonia

Calzdonia’s Valentine’s range is totally heart themed this year. The collection features items for men, women and children, allowing you and your family to be completely matching!

Frame have teamed up with Ella Eyre to celebrate the launch of her ‘New Me’ single and her love of fitness with an exclusive FRAME HIIT class. Merging two of our favourite things – music and endorphins – this class will leave you feeling empowered and high on life.

Catch Ella co-teaching with FRAME trainer Jamie Chindicky at its Angel Central studio on Saturday the 8th of February at 11.30 am.

Expect a banging curated soundtrack, goodie bag and chats with Ella.

Sweat with Ella on the 8th of February at FRAME Angel, BOOK NOW!

For more on Ella Eyre follow her here!

 

Get your hands on 14 classes in 14 days for £45, that’s any 14 Fitness, Dance, Barre, Train, Yoga or MumHood classes to use in two weeks!

Pop into studio at Frame Hammersmith or head over to their website to buy your package!

 

T&C’s:
14 classes in 14 days – make sure to squeeze in two classes in one day to use all 14.
Deal must be purchased before the 31st January 2020.
Classes must be used in two weeks of purchase.
Deal must be used in studio of purchase.
Deal includes Fitness, Dance, Train, MumHood, Barre and Yoga.
Deal excludes Reformer Pilates Group PT, events and workshops.

Here at Angel Central, there has never been a better time to be vegan. So, for all those taking part in this year’s Veganuary, we’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of Angel Central’s best vegan offers:

 

Bella Italia

Bella Italia’s vegan menu comprises 26 delicious cruelty-free dishes! You can choose from fresh Italian bruschetta, creamy risotto zucca, rich lentil ragu, hand-stretched pizzas topped with vegan cheese, meat-free meaty substitutes, and fresh and crunchy salads!

 

Gourmet Burger Kitchen

GBK’s ‘Jack-in-a-Bun’ features a butternut squash and quinoa patty, beetroot mayo, and Korean pulled Jackfruit. Topped with pickled onions and rocket, this vegan-dream is served in a sourdough bun.

 

Itsu

Itsu’s ‘No Meat Mondays’ is a treat that is tasty enough to be enjoyed from Monday to Sunday. This dish contains beechwood smoked organic tofu with a teriyaki glaze, sushi rice, broccoli, avocado, edamame, pickled red cabbage, mixed leaves, shredded carrot and seeds with a pot of our signature spicy (no peanuts) sesame satay sauce made with soy & tahini with a hint of chilli and lemon.

 

Pret

If you fancy something light, go for Pret’s ‘Smoky Carrot and Falafel’ sandwich. Expect sweet potato falafel with smoky carrot ribbons, gherkins, pickled cabbage & carrot, and a layer of sriracha sauce, finished with a handful of rocket and served on our dark rye & caraway bread.

 

Wagamama

 

Wagamama’s are trialling the ‘Vegan Suika Tuna’. ‘Suika’, which means watermelon in Japanese, is served with miso sesame wok-fried kale, tenderstem broccoli, guacamole and pickled radish… all on a bed of sticky white rice topped with crispy fried shallots, sesame seeds, fresh chilli and lime. This dish is only available in January, so make sure to try it while you can!

Hotel Chocolat

 

When it comes to Veganuary, don’t neglect your sweet tooth! Hotel Chocolat have such an extensive collection of creamy vegan chocolates, it’s easy to forget you have forgone dairy.

 

When trying these dishes, don’t forget to post a picture on social media and tag us! @angel_central