Yoga Fashion *February Edition*

So, this mild winter is putting me in the mood for some Spring wardrobe "sprucing up".  Thing is, I'm not all that impressed by the overpriced offerings at JCrew and Banana Republic, and I was alive the last time the offerings at the Gap (cute and brightly pastel though they are) were stylish, and I remember some fashion magazine advising that if you were wearing a trend the last time it was around, you're "too old" to wear it again.  (Ugh.  We really are getting old, Liz!).  Truth is, I'm more in the mood to update my yoga wardrobe!  It's time to replace my C9 black spandex from Target (it's creeping me out that they are tracking what I'm buying anyway.  What will they make of my recent purchase of spray starch, goldfish, waffles, gum, and a paperback? I wanted to buy some tampons and duct tape just to throw them off...)  Enter Athleta.
 I've been receiving the Athleta catalog in the mail for a while, but nothing has really impressed me.  It doesn't help that the models in the catalog have Olympian bodies that are nothing like mine, let alone the average American women that I know.  I have far more in the "boob" department and far less in the "deltoid", "abs", and "quad" departments.  I have no idea how anything is going to look on me.  Yes, they are now partnered with the Gap, and I'm a GapSilver member so I get free shipping and free returns, but that's such a pain in the neck.  Luckily, an Athleta retail store opened within comfortable driving distance.  I've been curious to check it out, and the time off this February break gave me just the opportunity!
The store itself is set up by departments according to your "sport":  yoga and pilates to the right, running and hiking to the left. Jewelry and scarves are near the checkout.  Rustic wood pillars hold up the store and the counters/displays have zinc metal accents.  It's fairly easy to navigate and the sales staff were quite helpful, though slightly annoyed by my boys who were running all over and hiding in the racks. (have I ever mentioned what a nightmare it is to shop with them?  They insist on re-enacting every Ninjago and Pokemon episode they've seen whenever I'm in public.  If you go, pawn off the kids on your husband so you can fully appreciate the store).  The store also hosts special events like free intro-level pilates and yoga classes (Lululemon stores also offer this, but Athleta is a lot closer to me than Lululemon).  So, with kids in tow, my visit was truncated, but I didn't walk away empty-handed.

The Tranquility tank retails for $49.

So, item number one:  The Tranquility tank, which earned 4 out of 5 stars on the website with 30 ratings.  It comes in Hibiscus, Tart Apple, White, Pacific, and Asphalt.  It has plenty of coverage (at the v-neck AND in length).  I already test drove this top in my yoga class yesterday and it performed well.

The Ruffle Stripe Wrap retails for $89.

Item number two: The Ruffle Stripe Wrap, which comes in Regal Purple stripe and Shale Stripe.  It hasn't been rated yet, and based on the picture, I don't think I would have purchased it.  Good thing I was able to see it in person at the store and give it a go.  It is light-weight cotton (what JCrew might call "tissue" fabric), and the wrap buttons together at the neckline almost like a double-breast.  The ruffle cascades nicely and it's very comfortable.  It is not a piece that I would actually practice in, but it's perfect for wearing to the studio and out on your errands after class.  It dresses up the tank nicely, and even though you may be wearing yoga pants, you look a little more put-together, like you didn't just walk out of the gym (even though, if you came from Josh's class, you might be a little sweaty!) ;)

The Hera Low Cut socks retail for $10.

Item three, and BY FAR my favorite thing: The Hera Low Cut Sock by Asics.  These socks score 5 out of 5 stars, and once they were on my feet, it's easy to see why.  They are the first socks I've ever seen with "right" and "left" foot socks (which could be a pain once laundry day rolls around), but they just hug my foot so perfectly.  They are SO comfortable and well worth the $10 pricetag.  These socks come in blue, pink, teal, watermelon, and aloe, but since you're usually wearing shoes and the sock is so low-cut, no one will notice if your socks match your outfit.


So far, I'm pleased with my purchase, and yes, it is pricey.  I saw some yoga pants that I liked, but at $80+, they were out of my price range.  The good news is that Athleta accepts the GapCard.  I had a $30 gift card AND a $10 Gap rewards certificate, which significantly lowered my out-of-pocket for this purchase.  And it was still pricey, but the good news is that I'm halfway to my next $10 Gap rewards certificate!  I know which socks I'll be returning to purchase...

YJ Talent Search? *-FAIL-*

Yep, that's me.  Vying for the the 2nd annual Yoga Journal Talent Search.  I tried to enter, but I can't - the dang photo is too large.  And you can't see my face.  And I'm not wearing brightly colored clothing so the judges (do you think they'll give me bonus points for the cool zebra pillow on my couch?) can't fully see the extension/articulation/alignment of the posture.  And it's a posture I've only just begun to experiment with.  I haven't "mastered" it yet.  Which begs the question:  Have I mastered ANY poses?  Savasana may be the only one...
So folks, this is what you get when you don't read the "rules" of a contest.  When I tried to submit my entry, a message popped up, saying that my photo was too large.  I decided to click on "the rules" to see what size jpg they were looking for, and instead I saw all the aforementioned helpful hints and guidelines for the submissions.
Back to the drawing board I go.  Do I continue to practice my Wheel with extension, working my way to "mastery"?  Or do I go with King Dancer? Not as impressive, but I'm certain that I have better alignment (check out my left foot angling out on this Wheel...not to mention the right leg is less-than-perpendicular).  Maybe Warrior III - that's a posture that makes everyone nervous.  Good thing my husband likes playing around with his camera - because I think he's going to be practicing by training his lens on a lot of yoga postures in the coming week.  Once I submit, I'll give you the info on how to vote for me - that is, if you think I'm "Talented" enough to be in Yoga Journal magazine.  Now, off to ponder this whole "mastering" a pose bit...and to find some yoga pants that aren't so dang black.

Delight the world with compassion, kindness, and grace.

DVD Review: Shiva Rea Daily Energy

Okay, this chica rocks.  Shiva Rea hits another home run for me with her DVD: Daily Energy.  I bought this DVD from Acacia catalog (online), and paid $14.95 for it.  It's not a new DVD, and I'm certainly not the first one to write a positive review.  Daily Energy is simply a great home practice DVD for an advanced-beginner or intermediate yoga student.  I think it might be intimidating for someone who is just starting out, but if you're familiar with asanas and enjoy a practice that lets you focus and concentrate, building as you go, this is the DVD for you!
Daily Energy once again features the "Yoga Matrix", which may well be my favorite feature on Shiva's DVDs.  There are 7 20-minute segments on this DVD, and the Matrix allows you to select the segments you like - there's an "Earth flow", "Fire flow", "Water flow", etc.  There are also pre-set practices that vary in length (from 37 to 55 minutes), selected by Shiva to incorporate a "flow" with the asana.  What this means for the home practitioner is that you'll never get bored.
I got myself familiar with the DVD by trying to do each of the 20 minute segments over the course of a week.  Each day I tried a new segment.  Some are more challenging, some are more relaxing, and I was able to make a mental note of which ones would work nicely together for another time when I had more than 20 minutes to practice.  What I like about each segment is that they slowly build up to ONE posture which you finish with.  For example, the "Heart-Air" segment focuses on backbends, and you go through a series of postures that gradually build up to Wheel.  If your practice doesn't include wheel just yet, that's okay, and Shiva instructs you to take it to YOUR level (be it supported bridge, bridge, wheel, or wheel with a leg extension! woo hoo!) 
I like the option for modification with every posture throughout the entire DVD.  She instructs you to do "your chaturanga" when you're in the Fire segment (which sneaks in more than a few pushups to build arm strength). Some segments are better for the morning, some are better for the evening.  As I get to know the DVD better, I'll be able to select segments and make a really nice custom home practice depending on my energy levels and time.  I didn't like the 7 minute "core" segment, simply because it requires more floor space than I actually have.  If an instructor did this in a yoga studio at the end of a vinyasa class, it would rock. 
I bought another Shiva DVD along with this one, and once I'm done playing with Daily Energy, I will give it a whirl and write a review.  It might be a while, though, because Daily Energy is just that good!

Always be pure, simple, and honest.

Have mat, will travel...

When you have something that you're passionate about, it's so much fun to experience it in a different place.  This holds true with a *someone special* (few things are better than experiencing a new destination with a lover or fabulous friend), a *vibe* (some people feel like they don't know a place unless they've visited "the underbelly" - case in point:  Bourdain's No Reservations!), or even an *activity* (yes, I'm talking about YOGA!)
I have a new friend Joanne, who is passionate about running.  She is so passionate about it, that she probably identifies herself as "a runner" above all else.  Her passion for this activity takes her to some amazing destinations, all for the sake of experiencing an amazing run in a new and interesting place.  She'll travel to Vegas, to Florida, just about anywhere, to take in the sights but above all, squeeze in a good run.  I thought this was way-cool...and thought about how lucky Joanne is that she has this thing that she is passionate about, and she can do just about anywhere.  Then I thought about it a little more, and realized that I do, too!
About a month ago, I got an email from my bestie since the 90's, Liz, saying that she was tagging along on her DH's conference which was going to be in Boston.  She wanted me to help her kill the time while her hubbs was in his workshops.  Boston's a 4 hour drive away, but that's a heck of a lot closer than Texas which is where Liz spends the majority of her 365 days a year.  I talked it over with MY DH, who travels frequently to Boston (we're talking about once a week), and we were able to work it out so that I would be able to fly up, stay in a suitably pampering hotel, and help Liz kill some time.  I booked the flight, booked the hotel, and started to think up things to do.  First stop:  yoga. 
I found a studio within walking distance of my hotel - this was NOT hard.  Yoga is so popular in Cambridge that you can throw a rock straight up and have it land steps away from a yoga class.  I emailed Liz an itinerary that included not one, not two, but three separate yoga classes!  DH travels to Boston and his research entails swank bars and delicious curry joints.  I travel to Boston and I research yoga classes.  Everyone has their passion.  Liz had her reservations about taking yoga - she hadn't taken a studio class in a long time - but she figured "what the heck".
On the morning of my trip, I got up, left the house by 7:30, hopped on the plane by 9 and was at Logan Airport by 10:30.  Took the T to my hotel, checked in by 11:30, and was at the studio a tad bit early for the noon class.  In case you are wondering, I wore my stealth-yoga outfit on the plane, so no changing was necessary.  I was comfortable, and sans-pockets, breezed right through airport security (bonus!). For Your Fashion Information:  Lucy black yoga pants and a Lucy black wrap top with a hood (sorry, can't find a link!).  I feel like a ninja when I wear this outfit (all black with a wrap top) and it can go from studio to street without a second thought.
It was incredible.  The studio, KarmaYoga, was gorgeous.  With a lobby full of zen furnishings and a small library of various books and pamphlets, I felt relaxed before I even set foot in the studio.  There was a tea bar and a few healthy snacks and goodies available for purchase. The class (Liz and I borrowed mats) was challenging, it felt good, and I was so happy about being able to experience a new teacher's style.  Even though I had never practiced with this yogi before, I knew the postures as she called them out, I liked her focus on setting our intention and gently reminding us of this intention throughout the practice. It dawned on me that this really is a passion that I can take with me everywhere. 
The best part, however, was meeting Liz in Boston and sharing another experience with her on the mat.   I have to say that, thanks to a few too many cocktails in a swanky bar (kudos to DH for the recommendation - his research did come in handy afterall!) and a rich dinner in the North End, the other two yoga classes fell by the wayside.  No worries - I still feel fortunate that I was inspired by a new friend to experience my passion in a different place with an old friend.  New, different, old, Yoga is a unifying experience.