'Tis the season to be busy. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the holiday season and we’re all juggling something. Whether it’s work, family and friends, holiday parties, or spending hours shopping for that perfect gift… who can find time for themselves? This is one of the most common times of the year to let our exercise routine go by the wayside. Don’t let it. Here are somes ways to make the most of your season:

put yourself first

Many of us do everything for everyone before doing just one thing for ourselves. Give yourself a gift this holiday season. Focus on nurturing your mind and body by doing a few things to energize, motivate, and help you be happy. One of the best things to do is to exercise. Working out can recharge your batteries during these frenzied days of festivities. By finding time for yourself, you’ll have more to give to others and more holiday cheer.

set yourself up for success

Make the most of your time by scheduling exercise into your calendar. Just like your work or school assignments, appointments and dinners with friends, put exercising on your to do-list. Set yourself up for success by carving some time out for YOU.

nail down a schedule

Take just five to ten minutes a day to come up with a plan so that you can nail down a schedule. Feel like getting your heart pumping by going for a run? Need to find some zen time at a gentle yoga class? Want to let your spirit soar at a dance class? Just like with goals, writing something down helps you commit to that action and will hold you accountable. There will be less wiggle room to flake out if you have it scheduled into your life.

make it a habit

By scheduling fitness into your daily routine, we can eventually create a pattern and make it a habit. The benefits of a healthier and happier you are worth it!

The entire online community team will be sweating every day next month! Join us in January for our "sweat once a day" challenge: www.lululemon.com/community/challenge

It was the fourth-largest race in the United States and lululemon athletica Ala Moana was ready. Our crew came out in full force for the 37th Honolulu Marathon, an event attracting nearly 24,000 runners from Hawaii and around the world.

On the morning of the marathon, we set the alarm clocks for 4 a.m. and headed out to the race course to find the most prime location to cheer on the runners. Armed with lululemon manifesto posters, a stereo and ipod to play motivating music for the runners, cowbells, huge speed shorts, not to mention our voices and hearts… the Honolululemons cheered for almost three hours straight! Using our manifesto signs, we reminded everyone to "Sweat Once a Day," "Breathe Deeply," "Choose a Positive Thought," and "Love!"

From some of the most elite runners in the world to walkers to wheelchair racers, we reached out to and supported each and every marathon participant - 23,469 people to be exact!

'Sweat once day' signs encouraging people to hit the pavement harder.

Whether it's one of the biggest marathons, our store's run clubs, or a yoga class… as part of the lululemon athletica community, we aim to build relationships with people like you. We hope to spark authentic conversations, encourage you to set a goal and to motivate you to take that first step towards a new life. Find the store nearest you and just ask.Tell us your story. Share your goals with us. We are your cheerleaders, your supporters, your motivators, and we hope to change the world… one cheer station at a time.

Who are you cheering on?

But you may catch me changing costumes. Sometimes I'll enter my car dressed in business slacks, a sweater set and heels – and just minutes later, I'll step out of the car donning sneakers, moisture-wicking luon, and a matching headband to boot.

I'm just one of the many educators moonlighting at lululemon athletica. By day, I work full-time at a non-profit organization. By night (and sometimes on weekends), I am a part-time educator at lululemon athletica Ala Moana. Many people ask me why I do it. The money, the complimentary yoga classes (yes! lululemon gives its employees the gift of fitness!), the discount? All great reasons, but it's not what keeps me going during those 14-hour days.

Marisa and the honolululemons after a recent spin class.

It's the people. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by those who believe self-growth and development are non-negotiable, guests who put health and wellness as a priority, and colleagues who make it fun to come to work. People who are passionate, enthusiastic, and live life to its fullest. People who believe that integrity is a must in the workplace, who help me set goals and hold me accountable, and who allow me to be my authentic self. And ultimately, it is lululemon athletica, a company that encourages entrepreneurship, motivates us to take ownership of our lives, and expects us to help elevate the world to greatness.

So don't be surprised if you see me wearing a bright colored Power Y tank under my wool cardigan at my full-time job. Or if you see me pulling on my Groove pants at a red light while driving from one job to the next. It's what I do. I'm a lululemon superwoman.

lululemon athletica Ala Moana's Studio of the Month featured the pole-dancing studio Fit for a Goddess.

Recently lululemon Ala Moana featured a pole-dancing studio called Fit for a Goddess as our store's studio of the month. We had in-store pole dancing demonstrations and a complimentary introductory class just for ladies. Seeing these athletic women fly through the air in front of complete strangers inspired me to sign up for a series of pole-dancing classes.

I've always been more of a tomboy: ask any of my friends and they’ll tell you that the extent of my dance repertoire consists of the robot, running man, or any other goofy move you can think of. So walking into a class that focused on femininity was at first a little uncomfortable for me.

Unleashing your inner Goddess with pole dancing.

Our teacher encouraged us to embrace our sexuality, to move our bodies with grace and strength, and to be comfortable with ourselves – no matter what age, shape or size. No judgments on ourselves or each other. At the end of our first class, our teacher told us it was "showcase time". We had to perform the dance number in small groups for the rest of the class. My heart started thumping and my palms started to sweat. We got up, did our thing, and it was over as quickly as it started.

Teachers from Fit for a Goddess did weekly pole-dancing demonstrations at the lululemon athletica Ala Moana store.

After class I laughed to myself -- now THAT was doing one thing a day that scares you. At least for me. While a dance class might not be a big deal for some... we all have different fears, push ourselves in numerous ways, and in the end, our take away lessons vary. But hopefully trying something new fuels our hunger for more – out of ourselves, out of others, and out of life!

Call me a skeptic, but I find it a bit silly to be slithering around like a snake on the gym floor reciting "ahhhhh, sexy spine" out loud.

It was my first Nia class and I had trouble keeping a straight face. I couldn't make eye contact with my fellow lululemon Ala Moana educators for fear of cracking up as we danced barefoot, twisting our spines and awkwardly flailing our arms in the air.

Nia, which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Actions, is described as a body-mind fitness and lifestyle program. Students kick off their shoes as they incorporate movement and philosophies from dance, yoga, pilates, martial arts, and more – moving their way to a healthier and more empowered mind, body and soul.

During the class, as I willed myself to keep an open mind and allow my body to relax, I watched the teacher let loose and encourage her students to do the same. People around me were spontaneously spinning, singing, clapping, and even releasing shouts of "yes!" I also noticed that no one could stop smiling as we danced around the room. That freedom made me shun my self-consciousness and I started to shake and shimmy to the music.

I think my change of heart came after noticing I was surrounded by women of all ages who were fully aware of their bodies, with no hesitation to express their grace and power. It was a place that gave me a sense of freedom, pushing me to become more energized, strong, and confident.

I'm convinced that Nia is a fun stress-buster, as well as a joyful way to get in shape, become more in tune with your body, and even find happiness while sweating it out. To find a Nia class near you, visit a lululemon store and ask them to point you in the right direction, or check out the Nia website at www.nianow.com.

How are you letting go today?

Recently there was “Free Day of Yoga.” In dozens of cities across the globe, participating yoga and pilates studios opened up their spaces by offering free classes to the community. Studio owners and teachers offered this gift to students in the spirit of sharing the love and bliss of yoga, not to mention the health benefits of practicing the sport.

lululemon athletica Ala Moana sponsored Hawaii’s Free Day of Yoga. We wanted people to try different styles, instructors and studios (at no cost) in order to stretch their mind, body, and spirit.

Our community came out to enjoy this special event. Almost all of the classes were packed to capacity. One of the local studio owners, Conrad Gacki of Bikram Yoga Nimitz had crammed classes from sun up (5.30 a.m. class) to sundown (7 p.m. class).

Gacki was so inspired by the Free Day of Yoga that he has decided to visit all of the studios that were involved in the community event in order to help strengthen the local yoga community. Educators at lululemon Ala Moana have received nothing but positive feedback for helping to organize this event. We even had a 72-year-old guest mention that she attended five free classes on that day! Nothing could make us smile more. The work we do at lululemon is for the community, it is to share the benefits of yoga and fitness with beginners, elite athletes, and everyone in between.

lululemon athletica stores offer complimentary weekly yoga classes. Visit lululemon.com/stores to find a lululemon store near you.

As a parent, finding that place of balance and bliss during our busy day-to-day lives can sometimes be a challenge. Many moms (and dads) turn to yoga to find that inner sense of calm. But yoga is not only for adults. Children can do it too.

Yoga for kids is a fun way to learn about health and exercise. By using creative play, simple yoga postures, breathing and relaxation techniques, children can experience the physical and mental benefits of yoga – from helping raise self-awareness and self-esteem to aiding in a positive body image to respecting each other’s space.

Besides increasing strength and flexibility, striking poses can also help students strike a balance in class. Studies have shown that yoga has helped children increase their confidence, concentration, and sense of calm.

So what’s stopping you from signing your kids up for yoga? Contact your local lululemon athletica for leads on yoga for kids classes in your community or you can do a search on the internet for kids yoga DVDs and books.

See if there is a lululemon store near you that offers yoga classes for children or bring them with to a class with you!

Check out our lululemon stores and see if there is yoga class for children in your community!

Ahhh, the gusset. What, you may ask, is a gusset? Well, it’s a magical patch of material made to help you leap, lunge, squat and move with more freedom. You may not realize the comfort and coddling that the gusset provides until you experience it yourself.

Most pants are made with two seams (front to back and from one leg to the other) that intersect right in the crotch area. Here at lululemon, instead of the standard 4-way stop crotch seam, we incorporate a crucial technical feature to increase mobility, as well as improve the fit and comfort while wearing our pants... it’s called the gusset.

No camel toe here.

In the world of sewing, a gusset is a piece of fabric placed between a seam to provide expansion or reinforcement. The diamond-shaped patch is sewn between the legs – preventing a tight fitting short, pant, or crop from riding up during exercise. The glory of the gusset lies in helping you stay focused on your movement instead of being distracted over a little irritation down there, or heaven forbid, the dreaded camel toe.

Our lovely gusset so you can bend and stretch comfortably.

An added bonus is that most lululemon gussets are made out of Coolmax, a breathable fabric that helps you stay dry while you’re working up a sweat… so that the only thing you have to worry about when exercising is your actual workout. So next time you pull on a pair of lululemon shorts, crops, or pants and prepare to get your groove on, take time to gawk at the glamorous gusset before going on your way.

Curious about some of the other cool features we have? Check out the features and benefits section: http://www.lululemon.com/education/info/features

It’s been a long time since I’ve laced up my shoes to go for a run. But recently some of us from the lululemon Ala Moana store volunteered to pass out water at a local half marathon. We cheered on runners and passed out water before dawn. I was so inspired to see this massive group of runners pushing themselves so early in the morning.There were people of all ages and abilities pounding the pavement. Running, walking, smiling and laughing… we even saw one man who was running the entire half marathon backwards!

I felt the urge to get my butt into gear and start running. If all of these people could do it, so could I. But getting started can be difficult, especially when the word "run" is barely in my vocabulary. I wanted to share my plan with all of you, to get your advice and hear your experiences, and hopefully get motivated by all of the other people out there who want to start running as well.

lululemon athletica Ala Moana Run Club Coach Claire was on the other side of the race.

set a goal

First things first, set a goal. Inspired by the half marathon we volunteered at, I've decided to run a half marathon by February 2010. Setting and sharing a goal helps to keep us accountable.

start to train

Now that you know the direction you’re heading, next comes the fun part… starting to train. There are a lot of running clubs, groups and clinics in the community. If you live near a lululemon store, you've got a wealth of information at your fingertips. Many locations, like the Ala Moana store that I work at, have run clubs or clinics that you can join. If not, we can help point you in the direction, whether it's finding a safe route for you or even joining you for a run!

what to wear

Another important part of starting to run is to find the proper fitting clothes. lululemon has an extensive line of high performance and moisture-wicking run products. (If you live in a colder climate, read this blog post for more on layering your run outfit).

Finally, hang in there. I know it won’t always be fun nor easy, but if you set your mind to do something, there is nothing stopping you from finishing!

If you were to ask someone to wake up before dawn to do a little volunteer work… it would take a dedicated and committed person to step up to the challenge. But when lululemon athletica Ala Moana store manager Corey came calling, a group of Honolululemons woke up bright and early to support the local running community in Hawaii.

It was the Norman Tamanaha 15K, the first race of the 2009 Marathon Readiness Series, five events preparing athletes training for the Honolulu Marathon in December. Our job was to set up and man two of the water stations. As the sun began peeking above the mountains, we filled and stacked cup after cup after cup of water, gearing up for the wave of people that would soon crush upon us. As the first runners started approaching, we recognized one of our ambassadors, triathlete Rachel Ross. We started cheering and yelling to help give Rachel and the other runners the extra burst of motivation they needed to finish the 15K. As throngs of runners whizzed by us, water cups sloshed from hand to hand, and shouts of encouragement echoed in the air. What surprised us the most was how grateful everyone was for our support. We heard shouts of “Thanks!” “Mahalo!” and “Go lululemon!” All because we were helping these runners stay hydrated.

It seemed like we were the ones who should have been thanking the runners for allowing up to be just a small part of the race, for inspiring us to lace up our shoes for the next run, for giving us a chance to bond with each other outside of the lululemon store walls. A lesson learned… that while we were supporting our community, they were supporting us at the same time.

It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine. With just one shared smirk, warmhearted chuckle, or a good ol’ belly-aching-pee-in-your-pants laugh… you can get rid of stress, lift your spirits, or carry memories that can last a lifetime. But could the secret to health and happiness lie in laughter yoga?

It’s no joke. This type of yoga has been hailed as an exercise routine that will sharpen your mind and body. According to Laughter Yoga International, the practice’s humble beginnings started in a Mumbai park nearly 15 years ago. Today, laughter clubs have students giggling and going global, with more than 6,000 social laughter clubs in five dozen countries.

Laughter Yoga combines deep breathing (Pranayama) and yoga poses with laughter. The idea behind this type of yoga is that our bodies cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter, so by simulating smiles our bodies will start feeling more vibrant and energetic.

I gave it a try recently when a trained instructor came to lead a complimentary class at our Ala Moana store. We started off with some stretching, but then we really got going by making amusing noises, imagining ourselves in funny situations, or role-playing with partners. At first I wasn’t convinced. Making eye contact with a stranger and pretending to speak in a foreign language over a phone just didn’t coax a chuckle out of me. I turned to a fellow educator and told her, “this isn’t that funny.” She replied, “This is laughter yoga. She’s a teacher, not a comedian.” This made me realize, if I was searching for a good laugh, I’d have to live in the moment and appreciate the simple childlike playfulness that I had abandoned years ago. Once I stopped taking myself so seriously, I noticed how contagious silliness and a smile really are. One person’s amused grin would turn into smiles, would turn into giggles, would turn into laughter, until the entire class was erupted in an explosive sound that was full of joy and happiness. Medicine for the body and soul.

View yoga clothes:

• Inner Awareness Tank
• Groove Pant
• Savasana Wrap

Above: Rachel Ross, an ambassador at our Ala Moana store in Hawaii, gets ready for her close up.

You see their pictures all over the lululemon store walls and website. They jump, prance, and pose in the air, on land and in front of the sea. They are the lululemon athletica ambassadors: a group of unique individuals who are rock star athletes, dancers, as well as stand-out yoga and fitness innovators, all of whom are involved in our communities and also embody the lululemon lifestyle and culture.

When I walk into a lululemon store, these pictures inspire me. It makes me want to be a better runner, a more focused yogi, and especially be someone who motivates and contributes to our community. And while the ambassador photographs you see look fabulous and flawless, there’s a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes in order to capture these movers and shakers of the fitness world. My colleague here at lululemon Ala Moana, Fabe, juggled the scheduling of six ambassador photo shoots this summer. From location scouting to logistical nightmares, Fabe and James, the professional photographer we hired for the shoots, tirelessly did their best to make our store’s ambassadors shine.

Fabe and her crew searched high and low for the place that would best embody the ambassador’s strength and spirit. Then there was hair and makeup (a big thank you to stylist Rene), a task usually not a high priority for these athletes who are no stranger to the lululemon manifesto quote: “sweat once a day to regenerate your skin.” A lot of credit also goes to the ambassadors themselves – as they had to endure the sometimes unglamorous tasks that come with a photo shoot, in this case, holding their yoga poses for an insane amount of time so that the photographer could get just the right shot.

So whether you’re walking into a lululemon store, checking out our ambassador photos online, or thinking about becoming an ambassador yourself… don’t forget that these photographs represent the heart and soul of lululemon… the people who drive us to be better educators, stronger athletes, and powerful community members.

Many people turn to yoga when they’re craving an inner sense of calm that we sometimes just can’t find in our stressful day to day lives. But it’s not all about seeking solitude, as my fellow educators and guests at the Ala Moana lululemon athletica store found out recently. Our in-store complimentary class of the week focused on partner yoga, a dynamic session led by our new ambassador Kate Baldwin.

Couples, friends, and strangers partnered up that Sunday morning to give it a try. At first there was a little hesitation: who to match up with? What is this teacher going to make us do? What if I’m not as flexible as the person I’m paired with? But as the class got underway, the boundaries were broken down and those anxiety-ridden thoughts disappeared as Kate and her partner demonstrated the creative and playful poses made especially for combinations of two. There was a lot of stretching, a lot of talking, and even more importantly, a lot of laughter. An unspoken bond slowly grew amongst our guests, a certain type of intimacy that is usually untouched in many of the yoga or other exercise classes we attend – where one can enter class, unroll their mat, focus on their practice, and then roll their mat back up again at the end of class without one word crossing our lips.

Partner yoga opens up the possibility of drawing someone close, being attentive of another participant’s vulnerabilities, admiring the qualities of interdependence and how it can empower us – all while opening our bodies, minds and hearts along the way.

Above: Georgia gives nude yoga a try in the privacy of our office yoga studio.

My friend who lives in New York City just told me about a studio in her neighborhood that offers naked yoga - classes that cater to those who prefer practicing yoga without clothes.

The idea of stripping down to stretch truly shocked me. I realize that many people view the body as a sacred temple, but downward dog in the buff? There are days when I can barely manage my muffin top during yoga class, let alone letting it all hang out.

Whether the classes are transforming or titillating is up for debate, but studios that offer naked yoga classes claim the classes are non-sexual. I do see the freedom in the classes, moving your body in its natural state and accepting the way it looks and feels as you flow from one position to the next. I guess it's the sense of vulnerability that freaks me out, a comfort level that I'm not quite ready for just yet. Trust me, I'll be sticking to my standard favorite yoga outfit: groove pants and Tri Y tank. The outfit is like my second skin, so comfortable you almost feel like you’re naked… and that's good enough for me.

Above: Jeremiah enjoying a somewhat private nude yoga session at the lululemon head office.

Above: Lori tests out the Run: Swiftly Tech on a not-so-quick break from the office.

The lazy days of summer are here. For many of us getting to work out under the warm sun and blue skies is all the motivation we need to lace up the shoes and hit the road for a run. My go-to top when I'm pounding the pavement is the Run: Swiftly Tech. The first and foremost reason why I like this shirt is because it's made with Silverescent (a silver fiber), making it anti-stink – a quality that is highly desirable during these hot summer months. And since I don’t always get around to doing laundry until the weekend, the top doesn’t make the rest of my laundry basket smelly.

I also like the fact that while fitted, the Run: Swiftly Tech is a little bit looser fitting. It hugs the body in all the right places, but at the same time hides what you'd rather not display to the public while exercising. The top also has short sleeves, which is a good alternative if you don't want to expose your arms. There is mesh venting where you need it most: places where you sweat, especially during the summer when you sweat a lot. So arm yourself with a Run: Swiftly Tech, then get out there and get moving!