It’s clear from looking out the window or walking through the park that there has been an influx of cyclists within the last few months as people embrace a more active lifestyle. This being a result of gyms closing and public transport limited. Whether you’re cycling for fitness, pleasure or commuting, it’s important to know how to stay safe out on a bike and why cycling is a fun alternative to running or walking.

Voir has spoken to Mildred Locke, cyclist and volunteer bike mechanic on her opinions surrounding the subject. We asked Mildred why she thinks cycling has increased in popularity during lockdown; she believes it’s because ‘it offers independence as you can go anywhere under your own steam, also covering a lot more distance than if you’re walking or running’. She continues, acknowledging that ‘it’s the most efficient way to move as it requires less energy for the amount of distance travelled, and it’s a low-impact sport so it won’t cause as many injuries as running can’. Mildred also emphasises that with cycling, you’re less reliant on public transport and cars, which is better for the environment.

If you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t ridden a bike since you were little. Our first bikes were likely to be bright pink with sparkly tassels on the handlebars, only riding them on the pavement outside our homes under the watchful eyes of our parents. So, we asked Mildred on advice for picking out a bike as a beginner. She advises to choose a bike depending on the use for it, such as a Dutch-style ‘sit-up-and-beg’ bike if you’re riding through flat terrain- these bikes are more comfortable and simpler to use and usually have one gear/speed which requires very little maintenance. This vintage style bike is perfect for gentle and graceful riding. Mildred encourages the use of a hybrid bike with multiple gears if you’ll be riding up and down hills regularly, as these climb easily. She also recommends against riding a mountain bike for commuting and fitness because they’re heavy and sluggish- a hybrid bike is more suited for the job.

While cycling should be a fun activity, it’s crucial to stay safe and respect others when out riding. Mildred explains that when cycling on the road, you must follow the highway code- including no dangerous riding and no running red lights. It is also important to avoid cycling on pavements unless it is marked safe to do so. A key point when cycling is to stay alert. Proper accessories are also important in staying safe, even if you’re doing a short commute to work.

Mildred explains that decent lights, white for the front and red for the black are crucial, as well as a good quality lock to prevent theft when locking up your bike. She also states that some emergency supplies such as a puncture repair kit and multi-tool are important. While there are no laws in regard to what cyclists must wear, a helmet is encouraged. For further information on cycling accessories, check out bikeradar.com.

As long as you obey the rules of the road, stay alert to the things around you, communicate with others and feel confident within yourself, driving anywhere-city or rural areas, is completely safe. Mildred’s advice includes growing a thick skin because no matter how sensibly you behave while cycling, you will always encounter someone who doesn’t want to share to the road with you.

Words by Camila Karalyte

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post Everything You Need to Know About Cycling Around London Safely appeared first on Voir Fashion.

The stress of the current situation, along with a lack of exercise and an increase in comfort food and snacking, may be causing all of us to feel a bit ‘meh’ about ourselves, both physically and mentally. Voir has spoken to Master and Teacher of Reiki healing (a form of energy healing), Skylar Green, about her views on body image and how to manage the negative thoughts. Skylar believes that ‘chronic stress and poor quality of thinking can consequently lead to how we see ourselves…research tells us there is a powerful connection between the body and the mind’. During this period, we should all be easier on ourselves, encourage the mindset of ‘my weight doesn’t equal my value’.

Body image is a combination of positive thinking and active work. Small steps like positive affirmations will help you bring body confidence while making sure to be active whenever possible is also helpful. If you are dealing with negative body image, Skylar recommends these four steps to help find positivity:

1). Exercise

25-Minute Pilates Workout to Tone Your Abs, Butt, and Arms by POPSUGAR Fitness

Flat-Belly and Tight-Booty Cardio Dance Workout by POPSUGAR Fitness

Exercise in any form- it will reduce stress, release endorphins and keep you fit. Even if it’s just taking the dog out for a walk, or dancing around the kitchen while the coffee brews, it will make you feel happier and you’ll feel better for having done it. Make it fun and blast your favourite tunes and enjoy yourself, it doesn’t have to be a chore.

2). Mantra Meditation

5 min Mantra Meditation for Beginners – Easy Guided Meditation by Yoga with Kassandra

4 Minute Guided Mantra Meditation by Yoga with Candace

Mantra mediation- Mantra is a powerful type of meditation that is practised through sound vibration, either chanted aloud or whispered. It helps to relieve stress, helps you to attain peace and connect to your true self. As you continue to practice this, your poor body image will disappear.

3). New Hobbies

21 Low-Cost Empowering HOBBIES Worth Trying by Alexandra Potora

15 Self Care Ideas for Coronavirus Quarantine by Lavendaire

Find a new hobby- take this time to think about yourself and what you enjoy doing, maybe something you never usually have time for like baking or crafts. Whatever you choose to do, do it with gratitude that comes straight from your heart as this can transform your life.

4). Reiki

There are many ways you can lower stress and encourage some body positivity. Meditation is widely known to help bring peace, but the energy healing practice, Reiki, has also been proven to help benefit towards a better body image. Stress and anxiety can affect your appearance so learning to control it will help physically, as well as helping your mindset. Skylar’s tips to incorporate Reiki practices into our daily lives involve undergoing a level one course in Reiki. This helps us attune and to learn the healing techniques, she explains; ‘Attunement is the energy transmission through the teacher to the student, where the student’s body of energy is attuned to the healing energy of Reiki, which then enhances the student’s ability to channel Reiki for the rest of their life’. For more help and understanding, you can download her e-book ‘The Human: Mind and Soul’.

Having a peaceful attitude will welcome a more positive view towards your body, so, try and avoid focusing on any stress whether its work, money or virus related, and focus on bringing peace to yourself, not beating yourself up for being less active during this time or eating more.

Find out more here:

https://www.facebook.com/naturalpowerfreedom/

www.naturalhealinghearts.com

Words by Camila Karalyte

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The post Staying Body & Mind Positive According to the Professionals appeared first on Voir Fashion.

We all have skills we have always wished to know a secret knowledge we have always been envious of lacking. Usually, the excuse to not learning this skill has always been lack of time now you have no excuse. This time can be an opportunity to learn some skills you have always wanted to know.Knitting

Although this skill seems archaic today you find that most people wish that they could knit. Knitting is said to offer the same relaxation as yoga knitting stimulates the logical part of your brain in measuring the thread requirement. Kitting also helps us have a creative release and also completing a project brings a sense of accomplishment.

Gwyneth Paltrow, @clubllondon instagram and Flavia Lucini styled by DaVian Lain

Dancing

We all think we can dance until the time comes and you realise maybe you can’t dance. Now that social media is so congested with TikTok videos of dance routines you have just realised that your 2 step, side to side club dance routine doesn’t cut it. So, take time and learn a few routines and maybe join the TikTok craze.

Meditation /YogaMeditation is the practice of using a technique of breathing exercises and focusing on one thought or object. Meditation is known to reduce stress and anxiety and aids in focusing the mind. Most people have credited meditation with improvement in their sleeping patterns and increased focus.

Taken from @another__kind instagram, from @ohanaandchill and Barbie by Sophia Webster

ExerciseAlthough we all know how to exercise what we are referring to is specific exercise classes. There are different exercise classes you can take online with the equipment you have around you.

Cooking When it comes to cooking just like dancing, we all can cook the everyday rice or potatoes but when it comes to complicated dishes and cuisines not all of us cut it. Through online classes, you can learn to make more experimental dishes and also learn how to fuel your body on good healthy meals depending on your dietary requirements. Cooking can also be a creative release as you try to create new meals.

Katy Perry by Nadia Lee Cohen, Adriana Lima for W Magazine and Jessica Walsh’s Instagram

MakeupWhen applying your make up, especially if you do it every day you find yourself in the same routine using the same method and products. Now is the time to try the experimental looks, perfect that wing liner or even match your eyebrow shapes to look more like sisters than the cousins they were before.

New LanguageLearning a new language may be more of a task than the skills mentioned above but can also be fun. Speaking a foreign language has proved to be beneficial and is currently a skill that is highly sought after these days depending on the language. Apps like Duolingo assist you in learning new languages for free.

Words by Precious Njoki

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post 7 Skills You Can Learn At Home appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Whether you’re on your new year fitness journey or you are an avid gym member you may have realised that the gym routine after sometimes becomes monotonous and then boring. Like everything else in life, you have to keep it interesting. So, in the search of interesting, here are five trendy workouts you need to try.

Soul Cycle

Usually in a dim-lit studio with motivational quotes on the walls, a few rows of high-quality bikes and one leader bike at the front podium. Soul Cycle was most likely the number one fitness workout of 2019. Endorsed by many celebrities like Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyoncé and Hilary Duff. Soul Cycle is a 45-minute-high intensity, cardio cycling workout to upbeat music. The cult workout is known for the class energy and motivational impact of the classes. The workout is best if you want to improve your cardio and general fitness.

Pole Fitness

Pole fitness is an extension of pole dancing that uses the pole as the only equipment. The workout consists of pole dancing and resistance training by using your body as the resistant weight. The workout is mostly an upper body workout that improves your arm muscle tone, flexibility and core strength. So, for all those trying to bring the sexy back into their workouts pole fitness is a fun option to try.

Barre Fitness

Barre fitness is a hybrid workout that combines classic ballet moves with Pilates, yoga and strength training so like the Nutcracker but with weights and resistance bands. In this class, the plies and grand plies are held down longer while you contract specific muscles until you feel the burn. The low impact exercise is best for strength training for your core and also if you are recovering from an injury. The workout can also an accompanying workout for before or after a high-intensity workout.

CrossFit

Cross fit training which was originally popular with bodybuilders and professional athletes has moved to become a cult workout. The workout, usually done in a warehouse garage or basement consists of high-intensity interval training of everyday activities, for example, pulling, pushing and squatting. The workout is a high impact full body workout but can also be segmented into working on different parts of your body on different days, ever heard of leg day? This workout is best if you are training for an event or if you just need to get in incredible shape.

Yoga

When it comes to yoga, there is always seems to be a new kind of yoga. Hot yoga, aerial yoga, blacklight yoga and animal yoga. Although there seem to be infinite types of yoga, the beauty of it is that you don’t need to be a yogi or try all these classes to reap the benefits all you need is a yoga mat, your favourite pair of lululemons and a basic knowledge of the poses. With yoga, you work out both your body and mind. The workout is best for flexibility training but also helps to calm and centre the mind.

Words by Precious Njoki

Graphics by Katie Janes

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