Latest news with #Matahari
Vogue
6 days ago
- Health
- Vogue
Fairmont Century Plaza
Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue's global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you're planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it's worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide. Why go here? Silicon Valley may be the biohacking capital of the world, but a quick trip to the Fairmont Century Plaza will convince any guest that the drive to optimize has made its way south in the Golden State. Aided by antigravity beds, magnetic waves, lymphatic-drainage boots, and sound-wave therapy, the spa isn't pursuing eternal youth but optimized wellness. The Fairmont prioritizes purification, from Hydrafacials to manifestation practices. Call it the new New Age, and, really, where better than Los Angeles to delve into the far reaches of the woo-woo? Make no mistake, though: The spa isn't focused on fads. See, for example, the Matahari journey, a 90-minute service that utilizes Tibetan sound bowls, Turkish Rhassoul masks, and chakra-focused massage. Be it old school or new, every treatment at the Fairmont aspires to leave the client physically and mentally refreshed—an ethos that applies across the chain's 62 locations worldwide. Photo: Brandon Barré / Courtesy of Fairmont Spa Century Plaza What's the vibe? Despite its impressive 14,000 square feet, the spa is cozy and womblike. While the sterile, corporate Century City—nestled between the starry Beverly Hills and Westwood—is already a somewhat insular city within a city, interior-design firm Yabu Pushelberg has ensured that the spa feels a world away from the hustle of Los Angeles. Dark tiles and rounded walls give the spa a warm, cavelike feeling, and there's no skimpy culinary asceticism here. Instead, you'll find hors d'oeuvres galore. (The spa hasn't severed all its Hollywood connections: The behemothic Creative Artists Agency HQ is connected via an underground tunnel.) Photo: Brandon Barré / Courtesy of Fairmont Spa Century Plaza The history? From 1966 through 2006, the Fairmont was known as the Century Plaza Hotel, which broadcast the Grammys' first-ever live telecast from the hotel ballroom in 1971. It is also a notable West Coast political satellite: In 1969, President Richard Nixon hosted a state dinner, the first outside of the White House, to celebrate the Apollo 11 moon landing. From 2006 to 2016, Hyatt assumed ownership of the hotel. After $2.5 billion in renovations, it reopened in 2021 as the Fairmont and resumed its position as a regular site for awards shows like the SAG and Critics Choice awards and the Oscar Nominees Luncheon. What should you try? Go for a mix of old- and new-school treatments. After being gently squeezed by a pair of lymphatic-drainage boots while lying on a zero-gravity bed, I felt like I'd taken a post-workout nap. But the recovery massage is truly not to be missed. (My massage therapist, Allison, was instantly warmhearted and welcoming and nothing short of thorough.) Make sure to spend plenty of time cycling between the rain shower, cedarwood sauna, eucalyptus steam room, hammam, and Himalayan salt room to maximize your experience. Photo: Brandon Barré / Courtesy of Fairmont Spa Century Plaza What else do we need to know? For anyone interested in leveling up their 'do, the spa is also home to the Cristophe Privé salon. And if the itch to shop strikes, the hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the famed Century City mall, the area's crown-jewel outdoor shopping center. Photo: Brandon Barré / Courtesy of Fairmont Spa Century Plaza Who can go? There's no need to be a hotel guest to enjoy the spa. Book individual treatments, or purchase a guest pass, which grants you access to the Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, hammam, rain shower, gym, and the coed lounge. Booking details for Fairmont Century Plaza Address: 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, United States Read more from Vogue's Global Spa Guide.
The Age
30-05-2025
- The Age
‘I went numb': Survivor speaks as kinesiologist jailed for rape, sexual assault
A kinesiologist who sexually assaulted a woman on her 20th birthday and then attacked another victim months later, before fleeing to Thailand, has been jailed. Helio Matahari, 63, referred to in earlier reports as an 'energy healer', was sentenced in the District Court in Brisbane on Friday to four years' imprisonment for the assaults, which he committed while working in 2017 and 2018. Brisbane-born Matahari was arrested by local authorities in Thailand in September for overstaying his visa. He was deported to NSW, before being extradited to Queensland. Police at the time alleged he had failed to appear in Brisbane for his sexual offences case in 2021. Crown prosecutor Ashleigh Worthington said Matahari had accrued many aliases, and fled Queensland whilst he was on bail. Matahari's conduct was predatory and opportunistic sexual offending committed against two vulnerable women, Worthington said. He digitally raped and sexually assaulted one victim during an appointment, and then later sexually assaulted a woman after a kinesiology function. One woman read her victim impact statement to the court, supported by a loved one on the stand. 'An hour, just one hour, one moment, where his actions took away my choices, my autonomy and my innocence … has forever altered the trajectory of my life,' she said through tears. 'I stand before you not only as a victim of sexual assault and rape, but as a survivor. These past seven years choosing every day to reclaim my peace, my strength and the freedom to live without fear because of his actions upon me.'
Sydney Morning Herald
30-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I went numb': Survivor speaks as kinesiologist jailed for rape, sexual assault
A kinesiologist who sexually assaulted a woman on her 20th birthday and then attacked another victim months later, before fleeing to Thailand, has been jailed. Helio Matahari, 63, referred to in earlier reports as an 'energy healer', was sentenced in the District Court in Brisbane on Friday to four years' imprisonment for the assaults, which he committed while working in 2017 and 2018. Brisbane-born Matahari was arrested by local authorities in Thailand in September for overstaying his visa. He was deported to NSW, before being extradited to Queensland. Police at the time alleged he had failed to appear in Brisbane for his sexual offences case in 2021. Crown prosecutor Ashleigh Worthington said Matahari had accrued many aliases, and fled Queensland whilst he was on bail. Matahari's conduct was predatory and opportunistic sexual offending committed against two vulnerable women, Worthington said. He digitally raped and sexually assaulted one victim during an appointment, and then later sexually assaulted a woman after a kinesiology function. One woman read her victim impact statement to the court, supported by a loved one on the stand. 'An hour, just one hour, one moment, where his actions took away my choices, my autonomy and my innocence … has forever altered the trajectory of my life,' she said through tears. 'I stand before you not only as a victim of sexual assault and rape, but as a survivor. These past seven years choosing every day to reclaim my peace, my strength and the freedom to live without fear because of his actions upon me.'
CNA
23-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
In Pictures: These horses softened fearful hearts to earn kisses, hugs and ‘love letters' from seniors in therapy programme
SINGAPORE — Placing one hand gently on the forehead of Matahari, a dark-chocolate brown mare, Mr Ang Tee Hiom read it a short letter that he had prepared the week before. 'Hi Matahari. You look very healthy and strong. You look friendly. It's a great day to meet up with you,' the retired police officer said. Matahari tilted its head towards Mr Ang, as if sensing he was saying goodbye, for now. At 25 years old, the former polo horse would be equivalent in human age to Mr Ang who is 75. Mr Ang was one of 10 seniors who took part in a 10-week long equine-assisted programme for elders and it was the last session. In this week's In Pictures, CNA TODAY takes a look at how the equine programme has benefited the retiree and the unexpected bonds that had formed along the way. The Temasek Foundation-EQUAL Haydays with Horses programme is a two-year pilot that connects seniors – including those who may be socially isolated – with horses. Through activities such as feeding, grooming and interacting with horses, the equine-assisted programme seeks to enhance elders' physical and psychological well-being, cognitive functioning and social connectedness with the horses and other people. The sessions are conducted at selected NTUC Health nursing homes and active ageing centres, or at the stables run by the charity group EQUAL. The seniors get to interact with nine retired horses that were previously racehorses, polo horses or riding school horses, as well as six miniature horses. The programme, which was first introduced in October 2024, will be gradually rolled out to some 800 seniors in NTUC Health nursing homes and active ageing centres by 2026. Madam Chow May Ho, 77 is one of the seniors participating in the programme. Together with her husband, the couple signed up for the equine programme with much enthusiasm, but had cold feet the day before the first session began. 'We were very excited, but after signing up, I was a bit scared. That night, I couldn't sleep. Are the horses aggressive? Will they kick us?," Mdm Chow recalled. Their fear was probably compounded by their friends' concerns, who had told them that the stable would be 'smelly and infested with mosquitoes' and that they had to be under the sun for hours, even though these friends have not interacted with horses or taken part in the programme. Mdm Chow's husband Tan Choon How said he wore a long sleeved T-shirt, a wide-brimmed hat and doused himself with mosquito repellent on his first visit to the stable. Eventually, their fears dissipated and their confidence grew as they learnt how to interact with the horses. In the end, even their most sceptical friends signed up for the sessions. A NERVOUS KISS FOR "SAYANG" At the active ageing centre in Jurong West where one of the sessions was being conducted, Mdm Chow was tasked to write a letter to one of the miniature horses named Boogie that was brought there that day. Halfway through penning her thoughts, she was distracted by Harley, another miniature male horse that was there. Unable to resist petting him, she stopped her work and placed her hand near its nose for it to sniff, a technique she was taught as a way to introduce oneself to a horse. The trainer then asked if she would like to give Harley a kiss. With much trepidation, she leaned forward and gave the horse a small peck and stroked its mane, while gently whispering 'sayang' to it, a term of endearment in Malay. The retired preschool teacher said her heart was racing because it was her first time kissing an animal. As Mdm Chow's confidence grew, so did her husband's. Programme instructor Clarabelle Sih, 29, said she saw the 'biggest change in attitude' in Mr Tan among the seniors. 'At the begining when you talked to him, he could not focus. His hands were shaking, even while leading the horse,' Ms Sih recalled. The former taxi driver said he had never been so close to such a large animal before, let alone touched one. However, his fear gradually went away and before long, he was looking forward to the interactions. 'Even though each session is two hours, it passes by very quickly, like there's not enough time." During the last session at the stable, Mr Tan waved goodbye to each of the horses in their stalls and patted them on their heads, bidding them a fond farewell. Fear and anxiety were common feelings among the seniors at the start of the programme. Mr Ang, for instance, said he was 'a little scared' as well when he first approached a horse. The 75-year-old, who bears a stoic exterior, is not someone who is easily intimidated, having worked in the police force, the prison service and the Singapore Boys' Home, a shelter for youth in rehabilitation. Still, he said it was "different" when it came to animals. 'For human beings, if we don't like them, we can scold them, we can react to the way they treated us. But for animals, we have to understand their feelings, so it's a different type of interaction,' he added. Ms Sih noticed that Mr Ang had 'came out of his shell' since the first few sessions of the programme, when he preferred to sit by himself away from the rest of the group. Unlike most of the other participants who came with either their partners or friends, Mr Ang signed up for the programme alone, out of curiosity. He lives with his wife, who is still working, and two adult children. During the last session at the stable, he got emotional when he spoke about Matahari, having built a connection with it. 'Feels sad that I won't be able to see her again,' he said with a trembling voice. GRANDMA "KNOWS WHAT SHE IS DOING" On the last day of the programme, the participants were allowed to invite a guest to the active ageing centre in Jurong West to interact with two miniature horses. Mr Ang invited his daughter, Ms Doreen Ang, 38, a human resource executive who took leave from work to see firsthand what her father has been preoccupied himself with for the past 10 weeks. He showed her how to adopt a relaxed posture while holding the lead rope as well as where to stand when introducing herself to the horses. Ms Ang said that her father looked forward to the sessions every week and would share photos of himself with the horses in the family chat group on the phone. Mdm Chow took along her 16-year-old grandson Brandon Sim, who got to see his grandmother move with ease around the horses. She instructed him to say the horse's name when approaching it and introduce himself. 'She knows what she's doing,' he said proudly. When it was time for a final group photo, the trainers positioned the horses in front of the seniors and their guests. And as if right on cue, Ginger the miniature horse delivered its parting gift – a sizeable poop drop, just as the photo was being taken. Laughter broke out all round and someone in the group quipped that everyone received some 'good luck' to end the day.
