What’s New at Health Canvas
- evgenia barmakov
- Aug 3
- 6 min read
APAC Wellbeing Conference 2025
On June 29, 2025, the Andres Pancha Anchor Community (APAC) hosted the Walk the Talk Wellbeing Conference at the Ramleigh Family and Community Centre in Clyde North. Held on the first anniversary of Andres Pancha’s tragic passing, the event served as a powerful day of reflection, connection, and renewed commitment to youth rehabilitation and mental health.
As a young not-for-profit, APAC continues to honour Andres’ legacy by supporting at-risk youth through advocacy, outreach, and education. The Walk the Talk event was more than a conference. It was a tribute to Andres, a celebration of resilience, and a testament to the power of community. Through heartfelt conversations, professional insight, and shared purpose, APAC continues to anchor young lives and inspire hope.
Genia and Jemma were honoured to attend as guest speakers, representing Physiotherapy and Dietetics from Health Canvas. They shared practical insights on health and wellbeing and offered one-on-one sessions, giving attendees a rare opportunity for personalised guidance and support that many might not otherwise access. For our team, it was a meaningful and humbling experience. The day brought people together to listen, learn, and build confidence in their journey toward better physical and mental wellness.
Yoga for Pelvic Pain – New Term Starting Soon
We are excited to announce that due to the overwhelming success of our Yoga for Pelvic Pain classes, a new 6-week term will begin on Monday, September 8th!
Our first two terms were completely fully booked, with waitlists for each session - so we’re thrilled to be offering another opportunity for those who missed out.
Led by Olivia, an experienced yoga instructor with a special interest in pelvic health, these classes are specifically designed to support individuals managing pelvic pain. Each session combines gentle movement, breath-work, and mindfulness in a safe and supportive environment tailored to your needs.
Early Bird Offer – Book by August 8th
Early Bird Price: $270 (save 10%) – $45 per class for the full term
Regular Price: $300 – $50 per class
Casual Drop-In: $54 per class (subject to availability)
Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly again, so early registration is recommended.
For bookings and more information, contact our reception. We look forward to welcoming you to this healing and empowering series.
Chronic Pain and Everyday Life
Exploring Support Through Hypnotherapy with Natalia – Clinical Hypnotherapist
When we think about chronic pain, we often focus on the body - on what hurts. But what’s often overlooked is the invisible effort it takes to live with that pain every single day.
Pain isn’t just physical. It can come with:
Constant fatigue
The pressure to “look fine” on the outside
Fear of being judged or misunderstood
The exhausting mental work of simply getting through the day
If any of this feels familiar, please know: you are not alone. And importantly, many of these experiences - including the pain itself - can shift with the right support.
Did You Know
Pain doesn’t always mean something is physically wrong in the area that hurts.
In chronic conditions like migraines, fibromyalgia, or IBS, pain signals can persist even in the absence of injury - because the brain has learned to remain on high alert.
Long-term relief often involves retraining the brain to interpret signals differently - a process that’s very real and takes time but can lead to lasting change.
The parts of the brain that process physical pain are closely linked to those involved in emotional pain, social disconnection, and stress. This means that pain is not just a physical sensation - it’s deeply influenced by our emotional state, relationships, and the sense of safety and support around us. When we work on any one of these areas, the experience of pain can become lighter and less overwhelming, even if the pain itself doesn’t disappear completely.
A Gentle Practice to Start
Small Joy Tracking:
Each day for one week, note one thing - no matter how small - that brought you a sense of warmth, ease, or comfort. A quiet cup of tea. A deep breath. A kind message. A breeze through the window. This simple practice can gently shift your awareness and reconnect you with what supports you. Over time, it helps build a subtle sense of inner safety and resilience. This isn’t about "positive thinking" - it’s about giving space to what helps, even in the smallest ways.
Interested in Exploring Hypnotherapy for Chronic Pain?
If you are living with chronic pain and feel curious about how hypnotherapy may support your healing, book a session with Natalia, our Clinical Hypnotherapist.
She offers a safe, compassionate space to explore the mind-body connection, with a focus on helping you feel more at ease in your body and your everyday life.
For bookings or more information, contact our reception. We’re here to support your journey - one step at a time.
Food for Thought with Jemma
Managing IBS: How a Dietitian Can Help
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects up to 1 in 7 people and can significantly impact quality of life with symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and/or diarrhoea. While IBS varies from person to person, diet plays a central role in managing symptoms.
A dietitian can help by identifying dietary patterns or specific foods that may be triggering symptoms, while ensuring your nutritional needs are met.
We also collaborate with other healthcare providers if symptoms overlap with other conditions, like coeliac disease.
Whether your IBS is mild or significantly disruptive, working with a dietitian empowers you with tools, knowledge, and ongoing support to feel your best. For many, small, personalised adjustments can make a big difference.
If you're living with IBS, a dietitian can help you take the guesswork out of eating and support you in feeling more comfortable and confident with food.
Canvas Kitchen
This month, we’re thrilled to share two delicious recipes from two of our long-term and wonderful patients who attend our weekly reformer Pilates classes. These sessions have grown into something more than just exercise – they’re a space where we move together, laugh, and share stories about food, travel, and the little joys that enrich our lives. It’s a reminder of the special community we’ve built here at Health Canvas – one that nourishes body and soul. Thank you to our contributors for these nourishing, flavour-filled recipes – we can’t wait for you to try them and taste the love behind them.
Cath's Vegetable and Red Lentil Soup
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons mild curry paste
410g can of crushed tomatoes
3 cups of stock (vegetable or chicken)
1 large carrot (180g) chopped finely
1 large zucchini (150g) chopped finely
2 celery stalks (200g) trimmed and chopped finely
1 medium potato (200g) chopped finely
3/4 cup red lentils
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup of coconut milk, light
2 tablespoons of chopped coriander
Instructions:
Cook the curry paste in a large saucepan, stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add undrained tomatoes, stock, carrot, celery, potato and zucchini: bring to the boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 5 minutes covered.
Add lentils and return to the boil. Reduce heat to simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes or until lentils are just tender. Add peas, bring to the boil; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered until peas are just tender.
Remove soup from heat; stir in remaining ingredients.
Kathy’s Laksa Soup
Ingredients:
4 cups of water
2 tbs vegetable stock
1 can of coconut milk
4 spring onions, finely diced
¼ cup miso paste
1 tbs of sweet chilli sauce
3 tsp of curry powder
1 large carrot, spiralised
2 large zucchinis, spiralised
Handful of mushrooms, peeled + halved, cut into thick slices
1 packet of silken tofu, washed, sliced into bite-sized pieces
1 packet of firm tofu, washed, sliced into bite-sized pieces
1 packet of bean shoots, washed + drained
Juice of 1 lime
4 big handfuls of spinach
Instructions:
Add water, stock powder, coconut milk, spring onion, sweet chilli and curry powder
Bring to a boil
Add mushrooms, carrot, and zucchini
Simmer for 10 minutes
Add tofu, spinach and bean shoots
Simmer for another 5 minutes
Add miso and stir continually until all is dissolved
Add lime juice and mix for another minute
Enjoy!
Stay tuned for more updates, inspiration, and goodness from the heart of Health Canvas!
For more information on our exciting new deals and packages or to book a class, feel free to contact us on:
Phone: 8652 9136
Website: https://www.healthcanvas.com.au
We look forward to being a part of your wellness journey.
With warm regards,
Health Canvas Team.
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