This past year has undoubtedly been one of unprecedented times with many challenges met along the way including fires, floods and a global pandemic.
In 2021, WE RISE.
The last 12 months has equally seen separation and togetherness. We have found new ways to connect and the human spirit has played a pivotal role in allowing us all rise again when feeling isolated, lost and unsure.
The power of people and communities to rise together and support others to overcome adversity and inequality is important to celebrate on the annual Mardi Gras event. This year, we're celebrating rising again and rising to the the challenge of being our true selves, of loving who we love and of discovering our own identities.
There is great power to be found when people come together.
We connect. We overcome fear. We emerge from hard times stronger together.
See what TEAM BOODY said when we asked them what do they rise for?
Together, let's create a platform for #EveryBoody to rise.
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Lifestyle
The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Zero-Waste Living
So, you have heard the term zero-waste and you’re interested to learn more. A zero-waste lifestyle is about being mindful and considered in your everyday actions. A zero-waste lifestyle is a journey and the notion of avoiding, reducing and eliminating waste from your home and habits will not happen in an instant. The idea of waste-free living is about making considered decisions that are simple everyday swaps. While this lifestyle has a real, community-wide impact, it simply starts with you and your everyday actions.
Lifestyle
What does eco sexuality actually mean?
If you haven’t heard of eco-sexuality, you’re certainly not alone! It is basically an umbrella term for those who view nature as ‘lover earth’ not ‘mother earth’ and values it as a source of love and comfort, rather than a resource to exploit. There’s a huge spectrum of the ways in which people go about exploring their ecosexuality - some may indulge in water play, others may opt for the most eco-friendly, ethical and sustainable sexual wellness products, and other’s choose to literally have sex with the earth, air and sea. Like most things when it comes to sex, how you go about ‘doing it’ is completely up to you and those involved! Whilst it may sound radical verging on wacky, there’s a lot we can learn from this movement that encourages more ethical and sustainable choices in life and sex. Read on for everything you need to know and how eco sexuality may apply to you - perhaps without even knowing it quite yet! Why are people doing it? The world benefits anytime people are more connected, conscious of the resources they use. Now more than ever before, people are aware of the quality and ingredients in their sexual wellness products. For a long time, ethical and body safe products were unaffordable and priced at premium prices point. I’ve noticed there’s been a huge shift, with plenty of eco-friendly options available that won’t break the bank. People are opting for non-toxic, non-porous, vegan and body-safe materials and ingredients. They are choosing safer options for their bodies as well as limiting harm on the environment. I’ve also noticed people engaging in these practices because they have felt disconnected from their body and the world around them. The foundations of ecosexualty have allowed them to get back into their body and connect with presence and awareness to the land in which they live. When investing in products - is there anything I should be looking for? I’m asked this question all the time - and it is VITAL you know exactly what is in your sexual wellness products. There are so many lubes, toys, gels and condoms containing toxic and dangerous ingredients that may dry out your genitals, cause irritation or harm and ultimately they don't feel that great either. When it comes to condoms, you should be looking for 100% natural rubber latex vegan-friendly condoms with no nasty synthetic ingredients. When shopping for lube it’s essential you know what ingredients they use - you must always stay away from petrochemicals and parabens in the ingredient list as these can cause harm to your body and disrupt the vagina’s flora and pH balance. How do people ‘do it’ with the earth? People often assume sex is about penetration, but this is just one way to have sex! There are so many activities that can be considered sexual; touch, movement, dry humping, stimulating erogenous zones, kissing, erotic breathing… really the list goes on. The practice of making love to the earth is finding ways to sensually enjoy anything: allowing the sweet smell of a flower to fill your nostrils, fingering a dewy tree, opening your legs under a stream of water, eating a berry to ignite sensation in your mouth. It’s not so much about being penetrated by a branch - it’s really about mindfulness and embodiment. Now that we’re on the topic of sticking a small tree inside you, there are a few things I should note. You must be careful when putting anything near your genitals, anus and other sensitive areas. Be cautious of any harmful bacteria and sharp objects. If you plan to put something inside you it must be body safe, have a flared base and cause no unwanted pain or discomfort. Is this the future of human sexuality? The future of sex is changing and our access to high quality, body safe and eco friendly products is easier than ever before. So you can ditch those memories you have of condoms and lubes that felt gross or tacky. I have seen from the frontline how these new products are transforming human sexuality because they feel exceptional, they’re good for you and keep you safe - the ideal combo for any sexual experience. Exploring eco sexuality is one way of motivating one another to do our bit for the planet, explore sexual liberation and get a kick out of it too. And if that’s the future of sex, it looks pretty bright to me. Guest Editor Georgia GraceCertified Australian Sex Coach, writer & speaker
Lifestyle
How to stay fit at home when social distancing
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of months, you’d know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has forced millions of people to stay at home for extended periods. In which case, it might feel like you have been living under a rock! At the same time, retail stores and other nonessential commercial facilities have been closed. Among them are countless gyms, wellness centres, and fitness businesses that are ordinarily available to help people stay fit and healthy as they go about their daily lives. This means that the legions of fitness-conscious people that rely on those locations are having to find alternate means of staying physically active while they see out the period of time for the crisis to abate. The problem for many of them is a general lack of experience in at-home fitness routines, and in many cases, a lack of fitness equipment to use at home. To help those of us in that unenviable position, here’s a guide on how to stay fit at home while socially distancing. 1. Release your inner yogi One of the best and most accessible ways that people can ensure they’re staying active at home is to start practising yoga. As a fitness measure, it's easy to learn, requires very little in the way of equipment, and is very healthy for people of all ages. As a bonus, research shows that 85% of yoga practitioners report that it helps them to relieve stress – which is an excellent added benefit under the circumstances. To get started, all that's needed is enough space to be able to stretch your body out while lying on the floor, and enough room to extend your arms outward as far as they'll go. And although some yoga poses call for blocks and straps to perform them, there's a good chance that most people have suitable substitutes within easy reach at home. With those things prepared, it's possible to learn at least 10 basic yoga poses that will help keep you both sane and fit while socially distancing. 2. Turn to the web Under normal circumstances, the internet might not be the first place you think of heading to increase your heart rate, increase muscle mass, help with bone density and shift some bodyweight. In the age of social distancing, it’s a different matter entirely. Right now, the internet is the most valuable and accessible resource for at-home workout routines to suit any need. In fact, Netflix carries countless workout videos for subscribers to access, as does Amazon Prime Video. There are also a variety of online fitness portals that help visitors to find the best online fitness courses to suit their particular goals. From shorter, 30-minute workouts that give your immune system a quick boost to longer exercise regimes that will really reduce the risk of health problems, the internet is your number one source for home workouts (we’re looking at you in particular, YouTube videos). With minimal effort, you can find everything from light workout courses such as skipping rope exercise for seniors all the way up to muscle-shredding high-impact weightlifting that will turn even a beginner into a competition-ready bodybuilder (whenever they start holding those again, anyway). The takeaway is that for fitness while social distancing, the internet's your best ally. 3. Get your run on For many, the most disruptive part of the coronavirus crisis is the fact that they're being deprived of their daily morning or evening run. Roadrunners are some of the most dedicated fitness fanatics there are, which is why you're apt to see them out pounding the pavement in all conditions – rain or shine, snow or heatwave. For them, having to stay inside is like being asked not to breathe. The good news is, there's no regulation that says you can't get your run on from the comfort of your own home. For those with a backyard, it's as simple as laying out a short-course track and taking as many laps as necessary to replicate a normal daily run. For those with limited space, running or jogging in place can make a suitable (if less exciting) substitute for a daily run. To get a similar workout, though, it's often necessary to carry some extra weight (stacks of books work well) and lift your knees higher on each step. The bottom line is, if you love to run to stay fit, the coronavirus can't stop you. 4. Stairway to fitness heaven As anyone who frequents a gym can tell you, the stair climbing machines always have a line. That's because stair-climbing exercises can do wonders for your fitness. If you look around, though, there's probably a staircase right nearby that you could use for the same purpose. And when you consider that stair-climbing workouts lead to increased oxygen uptake – they're a perfect way to stay fit and remain resilient against coronavirus. Climbing isn't all you can do with stairs, though. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are at least seven distinct exercises that you can do using a flight of stairs as your only equipment. Together, they form the makings of a comprehensive workout that can replace a variety of outdoor and gym-based routines. By turning to the stairs, you can stay fit during social distancing with ease. The only problem is that you may never look at the people on the stair climbers at the gym the same way ever again. 5. Try out stability ball fitness If you are fortunate enough to access some fitness equipment, one simple piece of exercise equipment that offers a tremendous amount of diversity is a stability ball. They are referred to as Swiss balls, exercise balls, yoga balls or fitness balls, among other names. Not only do they improve your stability, working out with one will improve your fitness. While a stability ball might not fit conveniently in one of your closets, they take up minimal space. Nevertheless, with nothing more than a stability ball, you can work every muscle in your body. With a little creativity, you can build strength gradually, plus improve your cardio. One nice thing about having a stability ball is that you can incorporate other small pieces of exercise equipment into the routine. There are stability ball exercises you can use to target various muscles and muscle groups. 6. Get some resistance bands Another useful piece of exercise equipment that can be used with a stability ball is resistance bands. Resistance bands can even work as your sole source of equipment to exercise indoors. They are also called elastic bands because they generate resistance through elasticity. Resistance bands are elastic rubber bands, often with handles on either end. There are designs that are giant elastic loops, but most attach handles at either end. The bands come in different tensile strengths and lengths. There are short bands for more isolated movements, plus long bands that let you do all types of elongated stretching exercises. However, to get started using resistance bands to work out from home, all you need is one multipurpose band. Resistance band workouts are also excellent alternatives for people who have joint issues. They are often incorporated into rehab programs after injuries and as arthritis-friendly workouts. Resistance bands are a space-saving way to workout indoors. 7. Consider calisthenics Our final method to get an indoor workout during quarantine is an old standby. Calisthenics have been around for centuries. You can train your entire body from head-to-toe using an assortment of calisthenics exercises. The only thing you need to do a full calisthenics workout is a little space and your body. There is no need for a single piece of equipment. By blending the elements of circuit training into a calisthenics program, you can produce an excellent cardio workout as well. Not only can you improve strength and endurance, but a full calisthenics workout can be used as a guide to weight loss. There are advanced programs for top fitness levels, plus simple beginner programs for people who are new to using calisthenics to workout. Options abound As you can see, there's no shortage of ways to stay fit at home when socially distancing. So, by adopting one or more of them, it's possible to turn the current coronavirus lockdowns into a chance to get into the best shape of your life. It may not be the most exciting or socially-engaging way to get fit but it's the results that count – and there's no doubt that you'll love what you see in the mirror when this is all over. Written by Mikkie Mills
