"I realized the true power of yoga and how it was healing me on a pretty deep level. It wasn't just healing my body but it was healing my relationships and reconnecting me to something sacred." - Ryan Leier

Epiphanies. Ah-ha moments. Game-changers.  Call them what you want, we have all experienced those pivotal moments in our lives that have very clearly led us to where we are today. We sat down with some of our favourite people to dig into these experiences and asked them to reflect on the question: how did I get here?

Our ambassador and friend, Ryan Leier,  shares how a ten minute backbend helped him decide to become a yoga teacher.

watch the video

“You come for the pants, you stay for the people.” If you ask around our office and in our stores, you will quickly find that this statement rings true 99% of the time (the other 1% likely came for the people in the first place). We sat down with Laurel and Carlson at our Store Support Centre to learn more about their unique journeys at lululemon, the numerous roles they've had and some epic goals they've crushed this year.

how did you find lululemon?

laurel:

I first found lululemon when I was 18 and training for my first marathon. My lululemon outfit of Groove Shorts and a Deep-V Tank was my race outfit and reward for successfully completing my training (we only designed for yoga at the time). I started working for lululemon as a part-time educator at our Robson street store while finishing my university degree and pursuing triathlon. I honestly applied at every location we had in the area. Needless to say, I loved it, found my people, my product and my stride and never left.

carlson:

Seven years ago, a buddy of mine from a senior Management Business Course in university was looking for extra hands at the Calgary Southcentre store where he was the Assistant Manager.  I finished my degree requirements a semester early so I had time.  I like clothes, I did yoga, I pumped iron and loved to laugh so I said "Hell, why not!?”. It's been a match made in heaven ever since.

what job(s) have you had with lululemon?

laurel:

I’ve been an Educator, Keyleader, Facilities Coordinator, on a contract for special projects and I now find myself blissfully situated in Leadership and Development as a Project Specialist (read: ninja).

carlson:

I've been an Educator, Key Leader, Allocator for Mens, then Accessories, then New Store Openings/E-commerce/Australia/ivivva, Men's Merchandise Associate  and now, I'm the Men's Product Storyteller.

how do you like to sweat?

laurel:

Running is my passion, my moving meditation and the way I like to see the world. I balance it with yoga, especially an extra sweaty power class, though slow and gentle yoga has its place in my heart too. I like to mix it up with swimming, dancing, epic adventure and cruising on my ridiculously heavy purple cruiser bike (with handlebar tassels).

carlson:

Sweat once a day – I truly take this line in the manifesto to heart! I yogs, I pilates, I bike, I cycle, I run, I circuit, I snowboard, I ski, I skate ski, I kayak, I trek, I hike… and I sorta swim.

what's an epic goal you've crushed while at lululemon?

laurel:

I was training to be an elite athlete and had a goal to compete in Olympic and Ironman distance triathlons at a competitive level. I applied for elite status, got it and brought myself to that level, which was such a neat place to be. Once I accomplished that goal, I realized that it wasn't what made me happy. Making it to that point, acknowledging that it wasn't what I wanted and having the tools to be completely okay with it was an important milestone for me.

carlson:

Finished top 25% in my age category in the Whistler GranFondo –yeah baby.

Want to make your mark on the world with us? Tune in on Facebook and Twitter for our Ask a Talent Magnet: LIVE on Wednesday, October 17th at 12:00pm PST. 

Rob, our SeaWheeze TackleBox trainer and Emma, our expert nutrition partner at Vega, took over our social channels for a one-hour live Q & A.  We’ve compiled some of the most valuable questions to help you tackle the SeaWheeze half marathon… 3 weeks and counting!

tips from our experts

Q: Hey Rob - I'm struggling to stop/reduce some shin splints that are beginning in my left lower inner calf - I haven't had shin splints before, any tips for stretches or things to do while I run? – Marena
A: Marena, some quick wins would be to change your runners. Another would be to stretch and roll your calves before and after your run. I would also make sure that before your run, you do a very thorough dynamic warm up. There just happens to be a good one right here. – Rob

Q: How many days before a half marathon do you recommend carb loading? Do you even recommend it at all for just a half? – Alexa
A: The lunch before the race is a crucial meal to get your carb load in so that you still have time to digest it completely. If you have room to eat carb heavy but a smaller portion at dinner, then that works great too! – Emma

Q: I’m never too sure what to eat race day. What’s a good pre-race vegan breakfast? And how much time before the race is good to eat? Thanks – Monica
A: Good vegan breakfasts – We love using gluten-free porridges with berries and almond butter. You could also try a power shake with a plant-based protein (10-15g), banana or frozen mango and extra greens if you like! Consume your last meal 1-2 hours before your run and of course, don’t forget to hydrate. – Emma

Q: Hi Rob, my feet are looking gross from the training runs, ie. blisters but I love my low support shoes… Does that mean they are too small? Or am I still breaking them in? Or wrong socks? I'm reluctant to break in a new pair so close to the race... does skin tape help? Also, why are you so darn good looking - what's your secret? – Carlson
A: Blisters - did you get them when you wore a more supportive shoe? How old are they? What type of socks are you using? Cotton or technical? You have time to buy new runners because of the fact that they are minimal style shoes. I've never used skin tape...does anyone else have input for Carlson? In regards to my stunning good looks, I'd like to think that yoga, running and having great people around me keep me looking fresh *wink* - Rob

Q: Is chocolate milk really the post-run wonder-drink that the ads make them out to be? – Conner
A: Great question! Ideally right after a run, high carbo intake (which chocolate milk has) of either food or drink is good but dairy can be hard to digest. If you want to avoid the dairy you could try a glass of chocolate almond milk! – Emma

Q: Hey Rob, I find that there is a lot of stress on my knees for longer runs, any suggestions on exercises to help strengthen the knees or ways to reduce this stress? Thanks! – Fatima
A: Hey Fatima, great question. Sounds like a little overuse - stretching the quads and rolling them using a foam roller could be a quick win. A little rest could also be all you need. If I were to dig a little deeper, I’d suggest to get a physio to look at your running form as it may be a simple correction of how you run. Let me know how it goes! – Rob

A: Hey Fatima! Natural anti-inflammatories like turmeric & ginger can also support and glucosamine can help nourish soft tissue like joints, ligaments and tendons. – Emma

We love Paula, one of our social media experts, for her ability to capture and share our culture in 140 characters or less (seriously, how do you do it!?). With a job that requires you to be "on" 24/7 and blurs the line between work and play, we asked her to weigh in on where she draws the line between 'tweeting in the moment' and just simply being present.

Working in the social media space, I am constantly fighting the battle between my phone and my mind. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don’t think I’m alone here. After returning home from an incredible long weekend at Wanderlust Festival Colorado this week, I was confronted by the recent buzz surrounding a certain yoga instructor being fired due to her vigilance around cell phone use in class. This conversation within the community highlighted a personal guilt I have been facing recently. Over the last six months, my phone has crept its way into my must-have accessories: yoga mat, water bottle, strap, block, iPhone. It sits face down amongst my pile of props at the top right hand corner of my mat, ready and waiting for me to slide it open. Though I know some teachers are okay with bringing phones into class (some even encourage it), it does have me questioning: Does bringing my phone into class compromise my yoga practice?

Here’s a quick rundown of my inner dialogue:

"I need to take a photo so that everyone on instagram will know that I went to yoga today."

"I get stressed out when I can’t record everything profound that my teacher is saying."

"I may get an emergency phone call I need to take."

"I like to know how much more time is left in class."

meditate now, tweet later

After writing these ‘concerns’ on paper, they seem irrelevant and less justified. Though I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my phone cold-turkey, here are some helpful hints to ensure you’re always respecting the studio space, your teacher and those you are practicing with:

• Find out the cell phone etiquette at your local studio - if it’s not publically posted then ask your instructor. In most cases there will be a no-phone policy but sometimes certain teachers may encourage you to bring your phone into class.
• Double Triple check that your phone is on silent before you begin class. This way you can stay present and not have to worry that it may go off. Trust me, having your 'Like a G6' ringtone blaring mid-class is not a fun experience.
• Take photos before and after class but put your phone in your bag during your actual practice.
• Bring a notepad into class to jot down any juicy nuggets that your teacher shares.
• Make sure that anyone you are currently texting, emailing or tweeting knows you’re walking into an 90 min class and that you’ll reply once you’re done. This avoids any guilt associated with not replying right away.

Do you bring your phone into class? If so, would you be offended if your teacher asked you to turn it off?

13.1 runners who tweet for 13.1 miles

1. @RunSoulCycle - Heather Gardner
“R U looking to pick up the pace for your #run? Check out the four cardinal rules of speedwork: http://ow.ly/avFEg #runningtips”

2. @ScottJurek – Scott Jurek
“Start area of tomorrow's ‪#SafaricomMarathon Lewa Wildlife Preserve, Kenya w/ @nature_org http://instagr.am/p/MeEtZBSlIl/”

3. @hotbirdrunning – Jessica Green & Meghan Reynolds
“Remember to eat within 30mins of working out. What we love now - @TraderJoesList Greek yogurt w/ blueberries ‪#fitfluential ‪#fitblog"

4. @ssykes1 – Sam Sykes
“You know last night's workout was killer when you wake up with wicked leg cramps, despite drinking tons of water & eating bacon for dinner.”

5. @andrea_runs – Andrea Rice
“Sun is shining get into shoes and onto the pavement and go running”

6. @authorjimlynch – Jim Lynch
"If your ‪#running shoes have more miles on them than your car, time for a new pair. ‪#runchat ‪#marathontraining ‪#runner"

7. @Abby_NYC – Abby Bales
“Central Park's hills were a B*TCH for my first 5 miler back. Ouch!”

8. @GinaDiCello – Gina DiCello
“No goal, no matter how big or small, is EVER lame. You'll do it, just believe!”

9. @milelong_legs – Kim Teshima
“Before you go trail running, make sure you brush up on your bear education! BEARS!!! http://youtu.be/Bzpwc7KC5dE”

10. @DeanKarnazes – Dean Karnazes
“Today is National Running Day. Celebrate the occasion by doing something apropos: RUN!”

11. @WestCoastWass – Brenda Wasserman
“Run hills at 6:20 a.m. Your body has zero idea what's going on yet. ‪#runvan”

12. @lolojones – Lolo Jones
"Filming a commercial for 6hrs my job was to run & actors job was to drink a McDonald's real fruit smoothie, trade?!?"

13. @MileMannered – Kristina Pinto
“In honor of National Running Day, I did not swear at my treadmill this morning. Much.”

13.1 @textinstagram – okay you caught us, this has nothing to do with running but it’s hilarious and you should follow them.
“Portrait of a dandelion with a suspiciously shallow depth of field for a cell phone.”

Your studio is called One Yoga for the People. What’s the philosophy behind the name?
Yoga is for the people, regardless of age, gender, social status, financial situation, height, weight, etc. I chose the name One Yoga a few years ago for my yoga school in Saskatoon. The name symbolizes our interconnection of all beings, the oneness of mind and body (in the heart) that yoga brings, and the truth that we all share One Love.

Why is it important for you to have a donation based studio?
We realize that people often stop coming to classes because they are broke or struggling financially and we want to be available regardless. Yoga can be a tremendous support in times of trouble and we believe so strongly in its power that we will give classes for free if we have to.

We’re always looking for great books. What are you reading right now? Feeling The Shoulder of The Lion and The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks are two books that are either at my bedside, in the yoga room or in my backpack. I'm also reading Start Something That Matters written by Blake Mycoskie (the guy who started TOMS shoes!).

Tell us about your charity! What makes you so passionate about kids yoga?
I few years ago I started a charity called Vinyasa Yoga for Youth. It empowers youth ages 3-23 through the practice of yoga.

Gandhi said, "peace begins with the children." I believe that through yoga, children can learn to be their highest selves, not the selves that succumb to negative influences and peer pressure.

One Yoga recently worked on a design collaboration with the lululemon lab. What interested you in working with the lab?
When I walked into the lab, I felt the positivity, vibrancy and creativity that the staff there had. I wanted to be around the people working there. I loved that they were working directly with other yoga practitioners and teachers in the community and designing based on their feedback.

What did you learn?
I learned how supportive the lululemon community really is. The crew at the lab really wanted to work together to create new, innovative clothes that can be worn in or out of the studio and that they weren’t afraid to colour outside the lines and be creative with what they were making. I can't tell you how much fun it was to do the collaboration!

We hear you’re teaching at Wanderlust Whistler this summer! What are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to seeing all of the yoga peeps from all over Canada and the U.S. Many of my teachers/students/friends from other studios around North America are coming to hang out, practice and dance! I’m also stoked that Michael Franti is coming to rock with us!

I’ve noticed that there’s almost always music playing at OYFTP. Do you have any favourite songs to practice to?
For Vinyasa practice, I'd say Hijomalind by Sigur Ros, Exercising by Lee "Scratch" Perry, Lotus Flower by Radiohead and I’m also loving Holocene by Bon Iver.

For Savasana, definitely Healing Room by Sinead O'Connor and Beth Rest (Piano Version) by Bon Iver.

Curious about all the brainstorming going on in the pics? Check out the Liberty Crop, one of the lululemon lab and One Yoga collaboration pieces!

wan·der·lust: [n.] a strong desire to travel. This pretty much sums up my state of mind about 99% of the time, so when the opportunity to combine, yoga, travel and social media at Wanderlust Festival arose, I was first to volunteer.

I’m a little ashamed to say that in the month leading up to the festival, yoga was lacking in my life.  Work was busy, the weather was wet and excuses were plentiful.  I was literally counting down the days until I could escape to my mat and find some sunshine and peace.

Getting to my first class at Wanderlust was hectic to say the least.  I was running on 2 hours of sleep, there was torrential rain, thunder, lightning and crowds of people everywhere.  Despite the less than ideal conditions, I was determined to unroll my mat, begin my practice and be present in the moment.

As I walked out of the tent after a powerful class with the legendary Sean Corne, I couldn’t help but laugh at my boost of motivation.  Where had this drive been for the last month or so?  Why was this class any different than my ones at home? Four days of handstands, backbends, vinyasa flows and meaningful insights reminded me why I fell in love with yoga and how integral it is in my life.  It’s my time for expression and reflection. It’s my place to feel strong and to relax.

Though at times getting to class can seem like a hassle or even a stressor in itself, we need to remind ourselves that it's always worth the effort.   My biggest takeaway from Wanderlust was that I don’t need to wander to find time for my practice.  I just need to roll out my mat.

the gratitude tree at wanderlust Vermont

top 10 wanderlust must-haves

When our team hit the Wanderlust yoga festival in Bondville, Vermont, last month they had an amazing time (despite the inclement weather). It was like a sampler pack of yoga styles and music: acro-yoga, vinyasa, chanting and gongs. With plenty more summer still to come and lots more festivals coming too, Paula (our Social Media Specialist) put together her list of essentials to get the most out of upcoming yoga festivals.

1. Wanderlust Rucksack – I was lucky enough to test this backpack before it hit stores.  I loved all of the zipper pockets and the laptop sleeve; plus the built in rain cover came in handy during the unexpected downpours.

2. Skinny Satin Pirouette – I’ve finally found a headband that works for my head; skinny and sticky so it stays in place. We did tons of inversion workshops so this was crucial for keeping my hair out of my face and letting me focus on the pose.

3. The Mat – Cushioned and grippy! After a 12-hour travel day, I was extremely happy I was carrying a comfy mat.

4. Manduka Equa Towel – The towel helped provide a little more cushion over my travel mat when I needed it and soaked up the puddles.

5. iPhone – My lifeline. I was tweeting, facebooking, instagramming and checking-in everywhere.

6. Water Bottle – When you’re doing 4-6 hours of yoga every day, staying hydrated was uber-important.  I switched back and forth between H2O and coconut water.

7. Travel Pooch – Anyone I travel with will tell you I’m more than slightly forgetful. I need a bag I can keep close to my body and easily do my keys-phone-passport-wallet check.

8. Vinyasa Scarf –This magical piece acted as my scarf, towel, wrap, pillow, blanket and rain cover. `

9. Dense Foam Block– I actually didn’t bring this with me, but I wish that I had!  Bricks were not supplied in any classes, and when you’re on your 3^rd class of the day, a little extra support would have been greatly appreciated.

10. Moleskin (not pictured) - This was beside my mat all weekend.  With so many amazing instructors at Wanderlust, I was constantly jotting down inspiration and education.  I saw some people using the moleskine app on their iPads instead of notebooks too.

top two nice-to-haves

11. Passport & Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm – These aren't must-haves, but they're pretty important if you're a Canadian with a lip balm addiction.

upcoming wanderlust yoga festivals

• Wanderlust Chicago - Yoga In The City
• Wanderlust Tahoe - Inspired Gathering
• Wanderlust Santa Monica - Yoga In The City
• Wanderlust Tahoe - Wanderlust CA
• Wanderlust Seattle - Yoga In The City

I was inspired to blog about the many conversations I keep overhearing between my boyfriend and his friends. I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard someone say “that’s lululemon?!” when talking about something Justin is wearing. Sometimes I have to bite my tongue, as I want to go off about how “we make more than black stretchy pants!” (though we are pretty good at that, too!).

After working for lululemon for almost two years now, my wardrobe is understandably about 80% luon. To many people’s surprise, my boyfriend’s closet is comparably stocked with lululemon, though you wouldn’t guess so at first glance.

I think the best thing about our men’s line is its versatility. Justin is no pro-athlete, but he is extremely active and our men’s product meets all of his needs.

I asked Justin what his favourite features of his lululemon pieces are, and have shared some images of these features in action below:

I. “Pockets! I love all of the pockets in my clothing… coin pockets are key so you don’t have to empty your pockets every time you’re active.”

II.“I like that I can throw on lululemon in the morning and know that I’m set for the rest of the day… no matter how it unfolds.”

III. “Durability. I need things that are easy to wash and can take some wear."

So guys, next time your girlfriend/wife is dragging you into your local store, rather than finding the closest reading material, take a wander through our men’s section – you may be surprised at what you find! Or check out our men’s section online: http://shop.lululemon.com/men/pl/c/700.html

1. Dance: Pulse Wrap – the perfect cool down cover-up.
2. 5Yr SS Tee II – a comfy layer piece.
3. Run: Speed Shorts – my fav shorts ever!
4. Energy bar – an on the go pre-yoga snack.
5. Pack of gum – self-explanatory!
6. Sunglasses – a summer staple.
7. Wallet – in case I need some retail therapy.
8. Lip balm – a must have.
9. Floss – Dance. Sing.
10. Deodorant – so I can head straight to work after yoga and still be included in meetings .
11. Keys – yes…I know I have a lot.
12. lululemon library book – a great read to calm the ego after practice.
13. iPhone – my lifeline.
14. Headphones – to transform my phone into an iPod.
15. Om Bottle – staying hydrated is very important during this Vancouver heat wave!
16. Align Ultra Mat – the key to a successful yoga challenge.

PS: Paula's bag is the Best Basic Yoga Tote. It's water resistant and has a giant strap for the commuting yogi.