Health & Fitness

'A very special book that I enjoyed enormously' Cees Nooteboom

A dazzling ode to life, literature and Paris, the French capital that even in emptiness and desolation will always be magnificent.

Soon after Henk Pröpper moves from Amsterdam to Paris, both the world and his heart almost come to a full stop. He undergoes major surgery and awakes in an empty city in lockdown. Paris is transformed into an abandoned stage. To quicken his recovery, Pröpper begins walking. He combs his immediate surroundings, he hunts for the past, discovering countless commemorative plaques and monuments that honour well- and lesser-known Parisians and keep their histories alive. Pröpper also reflects on his own life and the literature that has shaped him. In this way, he walks in the footsteps of literary heroes such as Victor Hugo, of Balzac and of Camus.

'One of the most moving and most invigorating autobiographies ever written. This is a finely polished gem worthy of admiration' Knack

'A concise masterpiece that summarises a life in the time of the pandemic in the personal, euphoric and precarious shades of one year. Without one's realising, it covers just about everything: thoughts, emotions, literature, films, loves, feelings, memories, annoyances and doubts' Vrij Nederland

'Philosophical, reflective, and with the pleasantly slow heartbeat of a writer who carries the reader through the city, European literature and history' het Parool

Translated by Emma Rault.
Epilogue translated by Sherry Macdonald.

A simple yet profound way of releasing tension throughout the body, the Alexander Technique teaches new ways of sitting, standing and moving to enable more graceful movements and minimise stress and strain on the muscular system.

The Alexander Technique Manual features specially commissioned photographs which demonstrate the exercises and includes special sections on sport, pregnancy and the workplace as well as the history behind the technique.

Accessible to all, many famous people from John Cleese, George Bernard Shaw, Aldous Huxley and the Queen Mother have spoken highly of the benefits that can be derived from practising it.

Cold water swimming is more than just a trend - it's nature's most invigorating reset. With its well-documented mental and physical health benefits, from easing stress to deepening sleep, it's no wonder so many are drawn to the water. But there's something deeper at play. That first sharp jolt as ice-cold water meets skin pulls us into the present moment and slows the world down.

Wild swimming expert Gilly McArthur gently guides you into this elemental experience, sharing the magic of cold-water immersion. With clarity and warmth, she opens the door to a life-affirming practice available to anyone, at any age.

Find out:
What it really feels like to swim in icy water
How you can begin your own cold-water journey, safely and joyfully
Why this simple act brings powerful health benefits

Step in. Take the plunge. Discover the part of you that's been waiting beneath the surface.

The Little Book of Yoga is an inspiring introduction to everything you need to enhance your life using Yoga.

Whether you're new to the practice or have been mastering flows for longer, this portable guide reinforces the tenants of the physical, mental and spiritual practices that yoga embodies. Containing all of the information you need, The Little Book of Yoga outlines the different kinds of yoga, the benefits derived from practicing and busting the silly myths that surround it. Distilled in bite-size, digestible sections, you can expect to learn how to achieve mobility and to improve the body's ability to cope with common ailments through this form of exercise, as well as how this regime can lead to spiritual development and enlightenment.

Glitter, jewels, and 3D effects: there's no limit to the magic you can make when you NAIL IT! 

Beginning with the basics, celebrity nail stylist Sophie Harris-Greenslade covers everything from creating a flat base and working with color and pattern to using stencils, wraps, stick-ons, and mastering more complicated techniques. One hundred stunning designs, all illustrated in striking close-ups, include Diva, Pop Art, Rock Star, Dark Side, and the runway-ready Haute Coat.

The Little Book of Aromatherapy demonstrates how each essential oil works, what it can be used for, and when to consult a professional.

This mini manual covers ways of blending oils for special purposes and shows which essences blend well with others. Readers can learn about the health and emotional benefits that oils can provide, and can even pick up tips on using oils to treat animals or around the house.

Sample content: Cedarwood

Note: Cedarwood should not be used during pregnancy. Cedarwood essential oil is said to have a calming, grounding effect on the nervous system, and on a spiritual level it brings people together. It has a pleasant woody, smoky aroma that blends well with bergamot, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, neroli and rose. Users often find that cedarwood instills a sense of peace, and it is favored by those who meditate. Cedarwood stimulates the lymphatic system, which makes it excellent for respiratory conditions such as catarrh, asthma or bronchitis.

The Little Book of Nutrients is the best small guide to nutrients on the planet.

This tiny title breaks down vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other food constituents to highlight their importance, and the way that they work to keep us healthy. It shows us the items that are essential for health and how to ensure that we are eating enough of them. And although much of the book is about plant based foods, this isn't a book for vegans - it includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy foods, and even recommends a little red wine for a healthy diet.

Minerals

Magnesium:Anti-stress mineral that reduces muscle spasms and eases pre-menstrual syndrome.

Best sources: nuts, figs, soya beans, wholegrain cereals, meat, fish, seafood.

For anyone who is sick of the sound of Joe Wicks, hates sweating or wants to do something to ensure they can pick up a dropped pen at the age of 70, this is the book for you.

A lot of people may have forced themselves to exercise during lockdown, but did they really enjoy it? And, more importantly, are they still doing it now?

According to Pinterest, low impact is the new high intensity. And the joy of stretching – or flexercise – is that anyone can do it, any time and any place. That means you can work on your fitness as you lie in bed listening to your favorite podcast or on the couch with Netflix for company. You may not sweat, but you will feel the benefits as your muscles tone and tighten.

There's even a bit of science behind to prove it really works, which Susan touches on in the book. Each chapter will give a beginner's top-to-toe stretch workout adapted for the location. Susan will describe the target muscles to be stretched and give a detailed 'How To' stretch them in a fun but still safe way to override the stretch resistance of the muscle spindles and gain more strength and flexibility.

Inflammation is a normal and essential part of the body's defense system. It signals that damage is present and that the rest of the immune system needs to kick into action. However, when it becomes chronic, steps need to be taken to heal inflammation-related problems. Divided into four parts, The Anti-inflammation Plan guides the reader through the science behind inflammation and how it affects the body; ways of reducing it by getting enough sleep and reducing stress; the essential ingredients and nutrients needed such as green leafy vegetables, tomatoes and turmeric. The final par t of the book offers 30 easy and delicious recipes making this book a comprehensive plan for reducing inflammation in the body.

The Bone-strength Plan guides the reader through the science behind bones and why osteoporosis and other bone diseases and problems occur, and offers a comprehensive plan (including easy exercises and recipes) for increasing the strength of your bones.

Bones play a vital role in the body. They provide structure, protect organs and anchor muscles. Protecting bone health and preventing the early onset of osteoporosis is vital and easier than you think.

The Bone-strength Plan guides the reader through the science behind bones and why osteoporosis and other bone diseases and problems occur ; it looks at lifestyle measures to be taken such as weight management and explains the importance of the right kind of exercise - offering easy workouts that can be done at home. Featuring key ingredients and nutrients that are needed for bone health, there are 30 easy and delicious recipes making this book a comprehensive plan for increasing the strength of your bones.

Although it may be small in size, the Little Book of Detox punches well above its weight. For those who want to understand the way the body reacts to different foods, this book will give you the answers. It demonstrates how to rid the body of toxins and the effect that this will have, as well as exploring how things like de-cluttering the home and workplace or changing the products that you use in your house can help the mind and emotions to detoxify. 

Clean Sleeping encourages a genuinely holistic, drug-free approach to getting the best sleep possible. Supported by comprehensive scientific evidence, the book explores the lifestyle and medical factors that can trigger sleep disturbances, from insomnia, sleepwalking and night terrors to apnoea and narcolepsy, and the strategies that can be employed to rebalance them. The fundamental issues of nutrition and stress are explored, as are complementary therapies. As well as describing symptoms and solutions, Lisa Helmanis offers simple self-help measures that banish sleep problems gently and effectively, while fitting around your lifestyle.

An introduction to everything you need to enhance your life using nature's pharmacy.

This tiny guide will teach you everything you need to know about herbalism, the therapeutic use of plants as medicine for holistic healing, also known as Phytotherapy. The Little Book of Herbalism and Natural Healing demonstrates how herbs can be used to strengthen the body's functions and enable it to heal itself, often without resorting to antibiotics. Whether you want to learn how to use herbs for common everyday ailments or how to grow your own herbs and use them in cooking, this trusty tome is the perfect companion.

An in-depth guide from an international authority on essential oils offers easy-to-follow recipes for diffusers, body scrubs and lotions, massage oils, skincare remedies, beauty treatments and first aid.

With knowledge and expertise built on a three generations of specialist aromatherapists, the book is a modern classic in the field, bridging historical traditions in plant medicine with modern science and ecological concerns. Part One introduces the historical background, traditions and uses of essential oils. Part Two forms the largest part of the book at two-thirds, containing recipes, blends and treatments for a variety of concerns, emotional, physical, medical and spiritual. Part Three offers in-depth directories of essential oils, herbs and other plant products, clays, salts and other essential ingredients, along with their properties and benefits.

The Little Book of Sleep has all the information you need to enhance your life with a good night's sleep.

How much sleep is normal? What might be preventing you from sleeping well? This trusty tome deals with both of these questions and more. The Little Book of Sleep shows which foods are over-stimulating and which are calming, looks at dreams and what they mean, provides advice on surviving long plane journeys and avoiding the dreaded jetlag, and ends with a few sleepy myths that will have you nodding off in no time.

Top Tips to Ease the Stress There are some ways to make shift work more bearable. 1. When you are working, make sure the light is bright, and when you are meant to be sleeping, make sure the room is dark. 2. Don't wait until the night you start your shift to change sleeping patterns. Try to go to bed a little later each night in order to anticipate the change it will make to your wake-sleep patterns. 3. Eat proper meals and don't resort to convenience food and alcohol to help you wind down. You will cope better if you eat nourishing food.

Packed with recipes, detox plans, routines and remedies, Ayurveda Detox will help you cleanse your body of toxins and restore you to your natural state of health and happiness. The ancient principles of Ayurveda, or the ‘Science of Life’, are rooted in the idea that everything is interconnected: we cannot separate our body from our mind, and we cannot separate ourselves from the world we live in. The concepts of interconnectedness and balance underpin all Ayurvedic thinking. According to Ayurveda, our natural state is one of health, happiness and an inner sense of wellbeing. ‘Health’ is defined as the body being clear of toxins, the mind at peace, our emotions balanced, our wastes eliminated and our organs functioning normally. Imbalances cause ill-health and make us more susceptible to disease. Maintaining health and preventing disease while coping with the hectic, often toxic world we live in is challenging, but by following the natural cycles and rhythms of the seasons and our own bodies, we can find balance and optimize our wellbeing. Detoxing – essentially removing excess waste – is one of the most important ways we can attain balance and the comfort and wellbeing that go with it. In this book you will learn how to understand your own constitution and use the daily and seasonal cycles of nature to discard waste and toxic build up. You will discover how to boost your own ability to self-regulate based on your specific body type, or in Sanskrit, ‘dosha’. With easy-to-follow instructions to help you detox safely at home, Ayurveda Detox is a comprehensive guide filled with plans, routines, recipes and home remedies, to help you achieve your natural state of health and happiness.

'This beautiful and timely book will appeal to anyone looking to deepen their experience, with or without the added joy of a cold swim.' Kate Rew, author of The Outdoor Swimmers' Handbook

'An essential guide to a movement reborn, blending modernity and tradition, design and wellness, community and nature.' Sarah Douglas, editor in chief, Wallpaper magazine

There is a new wave of sauna culture spreading throughout the UK and beyond. Saunas are being built in unique settings providing tech-free spaces in which to gather, share stories and enjoy nature. The tradition has a rich history, filled with rituals that encourage us to soak up the mental and physical health benefits of deep heat.

This book honours the old, embraces the new, and plunges headlong into the transformative power of steam.

'Smartly written and beautifully illustrated ... a celebration of a cultural resurgence and a reminder of the power of connecting with nature and something larger than ourselves.' Mikkel Aaland, author of Sweat