Living With HIV

What We Do

INFORMATION

SUPPORT

SUPPORT FOR WOMEN

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Services

PLC - acupuncture

We have been treating clients using acupuncture for many years with great success.

The HIV Wellness program provides a range of structured programs, special events and social activities for people living with HIV/AIDS, including:

ACON Vitamin Service
Community Gardens
Bowen Technique
Life Coaching
Acupuncture
Remedial/Swedish Massage
Lomi Lomi Massage
Reiki
Fitness Classes
Yoga
More info
Mantra Chant and Yoga Nidra

ACON Vitamin Service

We stock a wide range of practitioner quality vitamins and supplements that can be purchased at 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills. Products range from a general multivitamin to digestive enzymes and food supplement powders, all aimed at providing supplementation and support for PLWH.

Community Gardens

At Eden Community Garden, Waterloo, there is a safe space where you can enjoying gardening near the city and grow fresh flowers and vegetables. The garden is located behind the Uniting Church, Raglan Street, Waterloo. If you are interested in volunteering your gardening green thumbs, contact the HIV Wellness Program on 9206 2105 or email hwp@acon.org.au.

We are also involved in the Newtown Community Garden.

Bowen Technique

Bowen Technique is a gentle form of body work in which very subtle moves performed over the muscles and connective tissue send messages deep into the body, retrieving cellular memory of a preferred, relaxed, balanced way of wellbeing. Bowen can be useful for back pain, nerve pain, headache, digestive and bowel problems, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, knee, ankle, foot problems, sporting and accident injuries, respiratory problems and hayfever or.. just for relaxation!

Life coaching

The aim of life coaching is to help individuals to determine and achieve their personal life goals. Life coaches use a variety of methods to help you in the process of setting and reaching your life goals. If you are interesting in receiving life coaching contact the HIV Wellness Program on 9206 2105 or email hwp@acon.org.au.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture literally means 'needle piercing," the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes. Along with the usual method of puncturing the skin with the fine needles, the practitioners of acupuncture also use heat, pressure, friction, suction, or impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the points. The acupoints (acupuncture points) are stimulated to balance the movement of energy (qi) in the body to restore health.

Remedial/Swedish Massage

Remedial massage is a therapeutic deep tissue massage that can treat specific health issues, musculoskeletal problems and injuries. It provides a wonderful relaxation if you are stressed and soothes sore, tired muscles. Massage therapy is based on three principles. Firstly that the body is affected by its parts, secondly shortened muscle tissue do not work, and thirdly that soft tissues of the body respond to touch.

Lomi Lomi Massage

Lomi Lomi means "to massage", "to knead" or "to weave". Weaving aloha, weaving light, and weaving spirit, weaving consciousness into the unconscious. The massage practice integrates physical and energetic healing techniques with flowing forearm movements, breath, presence, aloha and sacred space.

Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that “life force energy” flows
through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. A session takes approx 1 hour and you will be lying on a massage table. Wear comfortable clothes.

Fitness classes

Our fitness class takes place every Monday (except Public Holidays) from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills. Alan is the personal trainer who will take you through your paces. Alan brings a wealth of experience in working with PLWH. The exercises are designed to assist both beginners and more advanced students, and you can go as easy or as hard as your body tells you. There is always plenty of room for another, and the class is open to all HIV Wellness Program clients.

Yoga

Yoga is great for general health and wellbeing, and can be of particular assistance with conditions such as poor sleep, low energy, high levels of stress and anxiety. The Yoga class starts at 6pm sharp and runs till around 7pm each and every Wednesday evening (except for Public Holidays). Classes are run by Troy, an experienced instructor who runs classes in other locations. The classes are held at 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills. The class is designed to suit every level of skill, so why not give it a go! Mats are provided however if you'd like to BYOM (bring your own mat!), feel free. A gold coin donation is appreciated.

Mantra Chant and Yoga Nidra

Experience the unique balance of mind and body with the technique of mantra chanting and Yoga nidra or Full body relaxation in the traditional Hatha Yoga style.
Class will start with light Yoga asanas to remove the energy blocks in the body followed by Omkar chanting to re-energize and ending with Yoga nidra for a full mind and body relaxation.