One month ago, I wrote a Big Hairy Audacious Goal on a piece of cardboard that said, “I have been featured on lululemon.com in a sports bra by July 1st!”. I had a lot of friends asking me why this was a BHAG. While some people have no problem heading into a hot yoga class sans shirt, I have always been a little shy of my body. So what better way to overcome my fear than to declare to the world that I will show my stomach off! This scary goal fit into my health, personal and career goals!

• Health: it motivated me to push my body a little harder when I worked out because I knew I was going to be wearing a sports bra in public and online.
• Personal: it helped me overcome my ego, as I was committed to doing it whether I was in my ‘ideal’ physique or not.
• Career: it pushed me to create and accomplish a BHAG and be featured on my company’s website for all to see!

In order to hold myself accountable, not only did I write my goal down, I shared it with the entire company through our internal communication channel and online for all of our guests to see. The response was a little overwhelming, but it was also empowering to see the support I got! For me, this wasn’t just about taking my shirt off and snapping a picture, it was about being comfortable in my own skin, literally.

following through

Flash forward to July 1st. I woke up, packed my yoga gear, picked the hottest class on YYoga’s schedule and was on my way. I even specifically wore a long sleeve shirt as extra motivation to take off my top in class. As I walked up the stairs of the studio, I secretly had my fingers crossed that the class would be full and I would be turned away. I quickly pushed these thoughts aside and told myself, “Shawna, this is not a big deal".

I was the last one to join the class and ended up right in the middle of the room. I placed my yoga mat down and pondered the idea of wearing my long sleeve shirt for the whole class (it was moisture wicking after all).

Shawna letting go to achieve her BHAG.

I'm not going to lie, I kept my shirt on for the first 15 minutes of the hot yoga class and as a result I began to feel quite nauseous. Not because of the heat, but because of the internal conflict in my head and the increasing butterflies in my stomach. At that very moment, Will Blunderfield, an inspiring YYoga instructor, told the class to “just let go”. While it was a general statement to the class, in that moment I felt like he was speaking specifically to me. I took my shirt off and dedicated the rest of my practice to myself.

Forty-five minutes later, the class ended. While I admittedly had the urge to reach for my shirt a few times throughout the class, I didn’t. No one looked at me funny, no one judged my body and no one cared. So if no one else cared, why should I? In that class, I let go of more than just my shirt. I let go of my ego, my baggage and the barrier I put in front of myself.

Will I be able to let go and rock another class in just a sports bra? Yes.

In her class, there are always a few moments where students are pushed beyond their limits, and it has nothing to do with a yoga pose.

Danielle creating the space for students to be open.

When Danielle makes her students connect, I am not talking about a simple “hi”, but the point in the class where she tells you to find someone and make eye contact with them -- a little stare-down with a stranger in the class. It may seem easy, but in every class you can see a room full of eyes struggling to stay calm and welcome someone new in. To be able to stop, stare and not be shy to look away is pretty tough!

Every class I walk away holding my head up a little higher and inspired to connect with new people.

Here are the words that the class left with: “Yoga is like life. Sometimes you’re going to get it and sometimes not, but you've got to keep trying.”

Who are you making a point to connect with?

How many times have you seen the line, “Sweat Once a Day”? It's on our manifesto poster, our reusable shoppers, in our store’s display windows and used daily by people in our company to remind each other to get out there and sweat a little.

A dose of daily inspiration from our lululemon manifesto.

I used to hate sweating. The second my body started to reach the point of perspiration on the treadmill, I would jump off and call it a day. I robbed myself of a true workout session and was okay with it.

Then I was introduced to lululemon athetica and a group of people who showed me how to sweat and embrace it. And guess what? Now I enjoy it! Crazy to think back to three years ago at the girl who wouldn’t be caught dead sweating.

I'm no doctor, but I know the benefit of a good work out.

why you should sweat once a day

• it keeps your body cool
• releases toxins
• sweat's naturally good for the skin, softening and smoothing it
• proof that you're burning calories

So whether you run your heart out, sit in the sauna, dance like no one is watching or hold your chaturangas a little longer, embrace the moment and enjoy your sweat for the day.

Biking along the Burrard Bridge

Yogis practicing outside

Hitting the trails for a sweaty run in Whistler

What are you doing to sweat once a day?

Where will you be travelling this summer?

Summer is approaching and everyone has traveling goals, can't wait to soak up the sun, or hop on a plane to see the world. The question is, “what will you be packing?” To us, the answer is a no brainer -- pack your favourite lululemon pieces! Easy to pack, wears well during the day and then you can hit the streets of Venice, Italy or Venice Beach, California for a dusk run to enjoy the view!

Throughout the years we have received emails, postcards and now Facebook pictures and Twitpics of our guests traveling around the world in lululemon pieces.

This month during your travels, share your experience, your destination, your travel stories, people you meet along the way and show us how far lululemon travels through a snap shot of you somewhere in the world.

Join June’s Travelling lululemon photo challenge this month and share your group shots with us.

how do I send you my photo for this challenge?

You can upload your photo to our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr, send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we’ll add it for you (we won’t publish your email address), @reply us on Twitter, or post it on our Facebook wall!

what will you do with my photo?

We’ll be featuring some of our favourite entries on the lululemon blog. If you don’t want your name or entry to be public, let us know.

Sweat hard, and travel harder!

Dance, sing, floss and travel.

My headphones are on, Cool Racerback is ready to wick my sweat, both running shoes are secure, and my eyes are looking at the trail in front of me. After checking all my excuses at the door, I just embarked on my first official run of spring. Yes, one full month after the Mother Earth has declared it spring time, I lace my sneakers and hit the pavement.

I have called myself a ‘funner’, fake runner, for a few years now because my running techniques are unique and it looks like I am running really fast in a stationary position while barely inching forward; envision running a treadmill but on land! But no matter how much I curse before I go or how much I want to take a detour to the ice cream shop, I keep on trucking along.

Yesterday, I decided to fully ditch the ‘funner’ title. Out there running along the seawall, along other runners, joggers and walkers I realized that by giving myself this title I put up a road block on my own running goals. Whether or not I am fast, I am still a runner. I will give you the runners club nod as I pass you on the trail, I will hold my head up and make mini goals to push my body a little further and when someone asks me, ‘why do you run?’ my answer will be the same answer as what I put on my first registered run form, “I run because I can.”

I am a runner. Can’t wait to see you at the finish line.

View running gear:

• Ta Ta Tamer
• Run: Swiftly Racerback
• Run: Speed Short

Before I ever started running I viewed the activity as an elite sport where the best of the best competed; long lean legs, killer physique and presence that could be on the cover of Runner’s World. Even though I didn’t fit any of the above criteria, I thought I was in good enough shape to run. During my first 10k I took my spot, looked around me and completely judged everyone I saw; sizing up the competition and confidently telling myself who would be behind me.

Go! We were off. Running down the streets, pushing my body and seeing my 'competition' twice my size and age zoom past me, I was shocked. These people didn’t have the physique, I thought. They didn’t have the long lean legs. They didn’t have the presence. Then it clicked, and I chucked everything I had thought out the door. Runners come in ALL shapes, sizes, endurance and all have the same end goal – the finish line.

On that first 10k, four years ago, I saw my favourite shirt that still makes me laugh today. This 70 year old man inched ahead of me, and the back of his shirt read: “I may be slow, but you’re behind me.” In the moment it humbled me, filled me with emotion and reminded me -- we are all runners.

See you on the pavement as you pass me!

Every month, lululemon organizes a photo challenge for the world to share their best shots of the month’s theme! For May we want to see your camaraderie out in the baseball diamond, spiking the ball for the volleyball, diving for the winning Ultimate Frisbee shot, or your department’s lunch time team building pyramid shot!

lululemon team huddle in Hamilton before game day!

Team Ninja hanging around after a big dodge-ball competition.

Team Beech-lu showing off their pyramid skills during a beach volleyball break.

Join May's Go Team! photo challenge this month and share your group shots with us.

how do I send you my photo for this challenge?

You can upload your photo to our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr, send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we'll add it for you (we won't publish your email address), @reply us on Twitter, or post it on our Facebook wall!

what will you do with my photo?

We'll be featuring some of our favourite entries on the lululemon blog. If you don't want your name or entry to be public, let us know.

Just remember to smile and note there is no 'i' in team!

What are we doing around here to track our run goals? We are photo happy and documenting the trails we are finding, the run clubs we are going to, and the finish line shots—our favourite.

Join April's Run It Out photo challenge this month and share your running shots with us.

how do I send you my running photo for this challenge?

You can upload your photo to our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr, send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we'll add it for you (we won't publish your email address), @reply us on Twitter, or post it on our Facebook wall!

what will you do with my photo?

We'll be featuring some of our favourite entries on the lululemon blog. If you don't want your name or entry to be public, let us know.

Just remember to smile because someone is bound to snap a photo. See you at the finish line!

Sneak peek of some of the freshest colours that will be hitting our men's line for Spring/Summer. You can shop by colour.

Hit the gym or the yoga studio with a splash of colour. Here is a sneak peek of what's to come during this season. You can shop by colour.

Take our short and highly scientific quiz to see which colour fits your personality!

Look inside some of your gear to see if there is a little motivational message for you!

Yoga makes you stop and just be present.

What are you doing today that is outside of your comfort zone?

Share your big hairy audacious goal with someone. People will hold you accountable to your goal's once they know about it.

What words of wisdom inspire you when you work out?

We recently asked our guests on Facebook and Twitter for a little inspiriation for our monthly challenge and the theme that came up with quite of few people was to share the idea of capturing balance in a picture.

This month our monthly challenge is to capture the way you find balance in your life! Do you turn to yoga at the end of the day? Are you the one who breaks out into a dance routine at the corporate office? Or do you spend the weekend photo journaling with friends to capture the moment? We can’t wait to see how you express balance through your photo submission! Show us your balancing act!

Elissa showing how she has balance in her life.

How do I participate in the challenge?
You can upload your photo to our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr, send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we'll add it for you (we won't publish your email address), or post it on our Facebook wall!

Red nation domination.

Coach Jenna is plotting her next move.

Warm ears and warm hearts.

Are you ready for a rematch?

Get your head in the game.

and stand tall.

Game on.

Which nation will you join?

Hockey Helmets for the big game available in select stores and online.
http://shop.lululemon.com/Hockey_Helmet/pd/cl/2252/np/490/p/1738.html

Below are some of the photos that capture what happened in January from our team and photos that were sent in from guests:

Mark and Matt at the Store Support Centre doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

 
A lovely afternoon yoga class.

Whitney embracing the cold weather.

Upward dog in the snow!

Embracing the mountain snowboarding.

Snow angels afte a good run.

Just hanging around.

Tree pose in Toronto.

Janice at her gym working out. She actually documented the entire through her own flickr album.

Jackie about to go to circuit training after a hard day at work.

Jenna sweating it out on the treadmill.

The coolest ladies around.

Summer can't come soon enough. The best way to do yoga is on the beach.

The Run club is ready to brave the cold!

Ready to sweat in her new gear!

What was your favourite way to sweat this month?

Originally called the Oliver Oldtimers, this team renamed themselves the lululemons.  Our lovely Online Community Manager, Carolyn's dad is on the left in the first row. The team loves the Hockey Helmut and are rocking the blacked out teeth on the ice!

*Please note: You must wear real hockey helmets while playing hockey!

Sweat once a day with the online community team.

We are running, walking, doing yoga, circuit training, flexing in Daily Method, swimming, and sweating with tight deadlines. Our team will be capturing all of this all through photos and challenge you to do the same! You can either email your sweaty photos to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com or upload directly to our monthly pool on flickr here: Sweat Once  A Day Flickr Set

For more sweaty details check out our monthly challenge page: http://lululemon.com/community/challenge

What are you doing to sweat once a day?