name: Karen, Email Specialist, Vancouver
studio found: Delight Yoga
class found: vinyasa flow
instructor found: Fleur Van Zonneveld

After almost a week of being in Amsterdam, I was still struggling to differentiate between all the straats and the grachts, and then I decided I wanted to find yoga.– I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t super optimistic that this would happen in such a cycling-dominated city.

I went in fully prepared to yoga in Dutch, hoping ‘downward dog’ is the same in both languages but luckily, when class started, so did the English. The instructor was wearing a floral jumpsuit and the studio was beautiful because the windows let in so much natural light.

I chose to go to Delight Yoga’s vinyasa flow class because it fit into my schedule that day, but I later learned that yoga early in the morning isn’t that popular in Amsterdam, and the class only had four people in it!

Download the om finder app to find yoga wherever you are in the world. Each month in the Found series we’ll be featuring an experience that came to be because of the app. Want to contribute? Tell us what you found at blogcontributors@lululemon.com or share using #omfinder.

People may think the road to success is a straight and linear path. What our Oakridge ambassador Ingrid Nilson discovered on her first trip to Japan to teach yoga with the Fukushima Yoga Project and rock star yogi 

It was just two years ago when a powerful tsunami devastated the Fukushima area causing a level 7 nuclear meltdown, leading to massive evacuation zones. Imagine for a moment being evacuated from your home and told that you could not return for 60 years, not even for a photo album. This is the reality for many surviving residents of the area.

Our own way of giving back to a community that has lost so much was through sharing the universal language of music and yoga. Will and I designed classes to delight for both children and adults full of movement, music (much from his album Hallelujah) and even a little confetti! What we established had the pizzazz of a live performance complete with costume changes and a grand piano (when space allowed) combined with the playful, peaceful and powerful nature of yoga.

Leading up to the tour a lot was done to prepare for the Fukushima Yoga Project. Many yoga classes and even a raw, organic cooking class were set up in Vancouver to raise funds and awareness. However, nothing could have prepared us for what was to come. Upon our arrival in Japan we were greeted by the stunning red sun and sakura (cherry blossom) season. And on March 11^th at the crack of dawn, we had the great privilege to link hands with thousands along the ocean’s edge to honour the memory of what was lost and what lives on.

When struggle occurred, I took a deep breath and reminded myself of the intention fueling the whole trip to put a moment's anxiety into perspective. Our intention was manifested through our mission:

• to uplift the human spirit
• to promote joy and togetherness
• to inspire the whole of humanity!

As students thanked us after each class, I became more and more humbled by the resilience of spirit possessed by these people. We were warmly received and made to feel welcome by a community that has experienced great loss. With each smile, hand-shake and hug, gratitude filled me as I witnessed very directly the impact of a powerful intention made manifest. As the visionary behind this project, Will has reminded me many times on this trip that anything is possible and after teaching in Fukushima, I can say that the people there helped me realize this to be true.

My buddy Laura is obsessed with surfing. Every time we chat she is either planning a new adventure or freshly tanned from a recent trip, filled with stories of far-off swells she has just conquered. She's got a serious case of surf fever and it's incredible what she gets up to.

Laura just got back from a two-week jaunt to Nicaragua. I sat down with her to find out what makes her crave the wave.

why laura loves nicaragua

what keeps you coming back to Nicaragua? I've been a few times before and I love it. Why? Offshore winds 300 days a year, not too many reefs and warm water make it pretty ideal. Also, the swell is just starting to pick up in February making it a nice time to visit.

what spots do you like? Maderas and Hermosa are my two favorites. For beginners, Chicka Brava surf school is fantastic.

which are your favourite towns to visit? Maderas Village is incredible - I recommend it to anyone making their way to Nicaragua. If you are an architecture nut, check out Granada - it is filled with colourful colonial buildings. San Juan Del Sur is a really cute little town with shuttles to all of the local surf spots. Lastly, I wouldn't stay too long in Managua - it can be a little dicey.

how expensive is it? Very affordable – like Costa Rica 8 years ago. Once you get there the cost of living is very accommodating.

what is the food like? The food in Nica is AWESOME - very fresh and lots of fish! They also have an amazing local beer called Tona and the best spiced rum around, Flor De Cana. Don't say I didn't warn you!

any traveling tips for first timers? Overall, Nicaragua is very safe and the locals are wonderful. There are a few things to keep in mind however. Don't share taxis - sometimes there are people who will scam you into getting into a car with them. It's easy to avoid - just don't split taxis. This seems obvious, but make sure to drink bottled water...it's easy to get sick if you ingest some by accident. I would pack Dukoral - it seems embarrassing to mention but you'll be happy you brought it in case you get sick. Lastly, double check with your airline about packing your surfboard - every airline is different and it can get pricey, so check and see what their fees are before you book.

laura's vital surf stats

home beach:  Tofino, B.C. (Cox Bay, Long Beach)

real-life job: Video and Photo Producer at lululemon (she wrangles our crazy photographers and videographers and makes sure we get our shots, book our flights and the models get fed!)

how many years surfing: 6 - she started surfing in Costa Rica in the summer of 2008 and was hooked!

dream location to go next:  El Salvador. Warm water, super affordable...everything I've heard is incredible.
board: JS Nitro Hybrid short board - 5'8" 19 1/4 2 3/8

We love Laura's joie de vivre for the water! What adventures have you embarked on in recent years that have become a way of life?

A small team from our Store Support Centre in Vancouver went and met the Specialized-lululemon women’s cycling team in Portugal for their pre-season training camp. Santa Monica-based yoga ambassador Mary Beth LaRue came along with the purpose of sharing a daily practice with these high performance athletes. Mary Beth shares her experience here.

My first morning teaching the specialized-lululemon cycling team, I was a bit nervous.

Who was I, Mary Beth LaRue, to be teaching these superhero-like athletes? What if they hated yoga? What if the practice was too early?

I couldn't have been more wrong.

These past ten days have taught me many things, both about myself and others, but the most profound has been the power of "showing up" and by showing up, I don't necessarily mean just rolling into class and sitting on your mat but showing up in a way that inspires those around you and continually reveals your commitment to bettering yourself.

Class was at 7 a.m. and the athletes were tired. The room was a little small. And yet there was not one single audible complaint from any of them.

Healthy. Strong. Committed. Vibrant. Open.

These weren't exactly the words that came to my mind when I thought of pro athletes. Sure, I anticipated that they would be strong, healthy and very committed…but totally down to practice crow pose in light rain? I didn't see that coming.

The Specialized-lululemon team are a unique bunch. There was no sizing each other up, as we females sometimes do; instead there was a sense of playfulness and joy, both on the mat and on the bike.

my yoga vs. your yoga

If you wish to define "yoga" as a series of poses then yes, there's a difference between my practice and the person on the mat next to me. Instead, what if you (just try it on for a moment and see if it fits) saw yoga as a framework for staying fully present. I am certainly no cyclist, but I know how it feels to be "in it" - fully connected to your breath and fully present. It's a beautiful thing.

Later in the week, we all completed a quiz - a series of questions that highlights your strengths with the idea that you work on what you're brilliant at 80 percent of the time, and what's hard for you/what you aren't naturally gifted at the other 20. My strengths? Connector first, followed by teacher.

Of course.

What I love about yoga - teaching it, practicing it, writing about it - is how often I get to connect to others. Pretty quickly here in Portugal, I recognized that we were all made of the same stuff.

Health. Strength. Commitment. Vibrancy. Openness.

And whether that came out singing "Gangster's Paradise" during karaoke (yes, that happened!) or laughing our way through crow pose in the rain, we approached every step of the way with an open heart.

I'm not going to end this with a "I really hope their season goes well" because that's already in the bag. These women blow "successful" right out of the water.

Healthy. Strong. Committed. Vibrant. Open.

They have already made it. They know what being a part of a team means in the most intimate sense of the word and they operate wins and losses with grace and grounded-ness.

I am leaving inspired. I am heading back to Venice Beach with more confidence in my inner superhero than I came with.

If you're ever in Santa Monica and want to check out one of Mary Beth's classes, take a peek here...and while you're on her site, be sure to read her personal blog. We love it!

With a background in adventure tourism, environmental studies and over ten years of experience teaching yoga,  Nadia Bonenfant found the perfect way to join all her passions into one fulfilling business, JUNA.

cross-canada yoga

Yoga to me is about breaking through boundaries. It’s about finding accessibility into places that light us up, move us and connect us to the invigorating power of being part of an incredible landscape and yoga community.

Trained on Vancouver Island and California, I have been blessed to bring forth the oceanic energy of a west coast practice and share it with folks in the Appalachian mountains of Quebec. This Canadian “East meets West” connection as well as my background in adventure tourism, is the corner stone of JUNA, an all-woman yoga and outdoor living business I was lucky enough to create.

JUNA

JUNA is composed of 16 amazing teachers, facilitators and artists that all work together to host amazing retreats that blend yoga with other activities depending on the geographical location. Think yoga+surf for coastal destinations or yoga+ski in fresh powder. It aims to help women break out of the box and empower themselves on the mat, in the ocean and on the mountains.

ocean inspired. forest rooted.

Women come to experience an ocean inspired yoga practice, allowing them to tap deep into the energy of being at the edge of the country near an immense body of water.  We also bring yoga into the forested lands of Quebec and tap into the quiet shifts of the seasons. We discover what it’s like to practice in the middle of a forest full of colour and appreciate how much easier it is to slow down in this space.

Keen to hit the mountains of Tremblant of surf the Canadian coast in Tofino? Check out www.junayoga.ca or their Facebook page for information on upcoming retreats!

There's a reason that people pack their stretchy gear when they travel to a new place. Yoga mats and running shoes unite us, regardless of where we are in the world or what language we speak. To celebrate our growing international family of ecommerce sites which includes Australia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, I asked local sweat enthusiasts in each location for their recommendations on where and how to experience their hometowns with your mat and/or running shoes in tow.

london

The Chelsea showroom team pigeon-ing in London.

Sweat out your jet lag: Check out Kari McCreath’s sweaty spin class as H2BikeRun just off of Carnaby Street. Between getting sweaty and listening to some pumping music you'll leave feeling energized.
Go for a run: You can’t beat running through the hidden paths in Hyde park or running along the Southbank! If you’re out east hit up Regents Canal and run all the way up to London Fields Market if it’s a Saturday.
Post-flight yoga class: Vinyasa flow with Mercedes at Triyoga Primrose Hill or Elizabeth Reumont at The Life Centre Islington. If you take Lizzie’s class grab a Zinger juice from Planet Organic of Coffee from the Food Lab afterwards!
Enjoy a post-yoga snack: Enjoy a steaming sweet potato with a delicious filling of your choice from Spud in Covent Garden. Also, the raw carrot cake at the Madder Rose café at Triyoga are to die for and they are good for you.
Tip for getting around: Get around town like a true Londoner with an Oyster Card! A Mini London A-Z map book may come in handy and don’t shy away from hopping in a black cab… you never know what conversation you’ll end up having with a cabbie!
Make sure you: Hit up Shoreditch on a Sunday! Start with brunch at The Book Club, then wander along Brick Lane checking out Spitalfields market, the hidden boutiques on cobble streets (grabbing a coffee at Rosa’s café on route) and end at Columbia Road flower market to pick up a fresh bouquet of beautiful flowers (tip: head to the flower market at noon to get ‘two for a fiver!’)

hong kong

Get SMAC'ed with ambassadors Ed and Babs!

Sweat out your jet lag: After sitting on a long flight, you're going to want to move your body, so head to SMAC, an invigorating outdoor workout with Ambassadors Ed Haynes & Babs Mountain.
Grab your runners and go to: Bowen Road and Happy Valley track offer tranquility in the city for running at any time of day.
Best post-flight yoga class: Nora Lim at the beautiful The Yoga Room, or Claudia at Flex Studio – you can vinyasa and then hit up Stanley market which isn’t too far from the studio. Just hop on a bus and off you go to explore a little bit of Hong Kong.
Local lingo: Finish your coffee order by saying 'thank you' in Cantonese – “mmm goy!”
Grab a post-yoga snack: something sweet and something refreshing at Life Café in Soho or a flatbread from Mana on Wellington Street.
A different way to sweat: Buffet at one of the hotels! Buffets are like a sport here. A local favourite is the one at Café Too at Island Shangri-la.

melbourne

Our ambassador Kent Cuthbert runs along Albert Park Lake.

Sweat out your jet lag: Strength and circuit training at the HIT Centre in South Yarra. Workouts are not for the faint of heart, but here technique is priority number one so you can feel like a pro at any level.
Go for a run: Albert Park Lake or Royal Botanic Gardens, lovingly known by locals as 'The Tan'. The garden-hugging track features some serious flora and fauna (50,000 plants to be exact) and a lake (fish, turtles and eels included) so tie up your runners and get ready for a wild jog.
Best post-flight yoga class: Melt your travel stress away and Savasana in style at the beautiful and tranquil Union Yoga in South Melbourne.
How to order coffee: Order a ‘flat white’ (a latté with no foam, or ‘froth’ as Aussies call it) for a shot of espresso and milk. Be warned: if you ask for an ‘iced coffee’, you will get coffee… and ice cream. Try Proud Mary coffee in Collingwood or Dukes Coffee Roasters in Windsor.
Post-yoga snack: Melbourne’s suburbs are diverse and known for different types of cuisine, from Greek food to Vietnamese treats. But anywhere you roam you’ll find cheap and fresh sushi hand rolls, like traditional sushi before they are made bite size, so you can simply grab one and go. After a workout try a brown rice vegetable roll for a healthy and satisfying snack.
Local lingo: Locals greet each other with ‘hey mate’ and ‘how you going?’, and a simple ‘no worries’ will suffice in place of 'you're welcome.'

Taking in a yoga class or going for a run in a different country is one of the best ways to beat jet lag and experience the local community firsthand (or should we say firstfoot?). Which country have you recently unrolled your mat on or gone for a run in? Got any tips for us?

highlights from the sidelines

After an intense weekend of opening ceremonies and cheering on our ambassadors at the men's and women’s cycling road race, I wanted to share a highlight reel of some of the most memorable moments so far.

getting sweaty with the locals
Our mornings have been chock-full of exercise from running across the Thames to practicing a gymnastics-inspired floor exercise routine. One of my favourites so far was a class with lululemon ambassador Matt Miller aka "The Pillar”.

watching the faces of the athletes brighten as they fly past our cheer signs
A few of my favourites include:
1. “It’s okay to finish first”
2. "The Queen is watching"
3. “Great stamina. Wanna date?”

improvising with unpredictable british weather
We managed to stay dry during the sporadic downpours with our makeshift umbrellas (read: cheer signs).

securing an awesome vantage point
Thankfully our morning yoga class helped us to swiftly maneuver our way in front of a very tall Dutchman with an orange wig.

celebrating the wins
After the exciting road race, our posse made their way back to the lululemon house for some well deserved hydration and nutritional support! Bloody Mary anyone?

Now onto the next round of events! We're hoping to get a glimpse of the men's water polo... who doesn't love a bunch of fit gents in speedos?

from athlete to spectator

Competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China, I earned a silver medal with the USA Women’s water polo team. Fast forward a few years and here I am, an instructor of all sorts of things (Pilates, yoga, spin, stand up paddleboarding), a lululemon ambassador and social media gal for myHealthyOC, Kids Play International, and The Travel Yogi.

top 3 things i’ll be sharing with you in london

passport please
lululemon will be rockin’ the socks off the world by giving the gift of yoga. The Passport to Yoga will bring together athletes and yogis alike at a variety of local London yoga studios.  Want to join us? Follow the blog or pick up your own Passport to Yoga at our Chelsea Showroom and meet us on the mat!

not your typical cheerleader
Nothing pumps an athlete up like hearing an energetic “woohoo” or “you can do it” from the stands. We’ll be supporting our elite ambassadors who are competing in every way we can think of.  Yoga session? Check. Vision and goals? Check. Tea and crumpets? Check. Cheer song… “Jump up and down, let’s do a dance. How’s the chafing in those pants?” I’m working on this one.

embrace the culture
London is pulsating with inspiring energy and sometimes our best moments are the unexpected ones, the improvised, the genuine. That’s what I’m looking for and that’s what I’ll be sharing with you. Flash mob yoga with a guard at Buckingham Palace? It’s on.

I'd say just sit back and enjoy the ride but this is no time to laze about on the couch. Throw on your cheer gear, pranayama your way through some celebratory dance moves and follow me across the pond during this summer's athletic adventures!

Check back in with us for Jaime's blog updates and follow @lululemonlive for live tweets from the stands. What events are you most excited to watch?

We couldn’t be more excited about our recent jaunt across the pond and with the ‘Cool Global Sporting Event’ kicking off this week we hear London calling loud and clear. We asked our mates over at our

if you happen to find yourself in london for 24 hours or less…

getting around
Sure the tube is the most notable way to get about the city but with an influx of crowds during the games, delays are highly anticipated. Hire a “Boris” bike and cycle around town instead. On a sunny day it’s the ultimate way to get from A to B. If you’d secretly love to catch a glimpse of Kate Middleton, take a scenic ride through Kensington Gardens - she’s been spotted there walking her gorgeous pup Lupo! (Not that we’ve ever done that...)

place to hit the mat
If you’re looking for a bit of “me-time” amongst all the Olympic hype, make a visit to Evolve Wellness Centre. Nestled down a quiet cobbled mews in South Kensington, this small peaceful studio is a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life. We love our ambassador, Rachel Okimo’s, Vinyasa class. Its fast-flowing creative sequences make for a fun, challenging practice, perfectly matched with a soundtrack to boot.

Yoga Alert! Come down to our Chelsea showroom and grab a Passport to Yoga. From July 27 – August 12 you can enjoy complimentary classes at five of our favourite local studios.

place to get your heart rate up
Gymbox is the coolest, hippest, most happening sweat spot in town, with an array of classes that dare to be different. Ripped and Stripped, anyone? When we want to get our heart pumping we hit up our ambassador Kari McCreath's morning spin class at the Covent Garden location; but if you’re feeling brave you could treat yourself to a personal training (read: torture) session with our larger than life ambassador Matt Miller...sun's out, guns out people!

a sweet treat
Wafflemeister in South Kensington serves up sweet treats that will satiate even the most intense sugar-craving! Their classic waffle (crispy, sweet, doughy and chewy), topped with tart frozen yogurt and fresh berries is heavenly. Be sure to drizzle on some dark chocolate fudge sauce too. So worth the brain freeze!

place to caffeinate
Lattes in London are so passé…the flat white is where it’s at!  Pop into our local artisan cafe, The Grocer on Kings, for a hefty caffeine hit and a dose of freshly-baked carbs.  Their coffee can’t be beat, the ambience inside is classy and chilled - plus, the bagels, croissants (and salads if you’re feeling virtuous!) are delicious.

Want live updates from the 'Cool Global Sporting Event'? Follow our ambassador and former Olympic athlete Jamie Komer, on our blog and @lululemonlive, as she returns to the games – but this time from the stands.

We’re heating things up in Albuquerque! With our new store opening a few weeks ago, we turned to our local team to find out what’s HOT, HOT, HOT in ABQ. Pink skies, hot air balloons and chile that’ll set the roof (of your mouth) on fire, here’s what we suggest you get up to if you want to discover ‘The Land of Enchantment”.

if you happen to be in albuquerque (for 24 hours or less…)

coffee
Satellite Coffee is a locally owned and operated caffeine shop, where you can feed your addiction with a tasty Mexican Latte that has hints of cinnamon and sweet chocolate.

eat
After a hike up the Sandia Mountains, treat yourself with a New Mexican meal in Albuquerque’s North Valley. El Pinto offers a charming hacienda environment in the lush riverbed of the Rio Grande. When asked “red or green” by your server, they’re asking about your preference in chile, not for your favorite color. Be sure to try the Chile Con Queso to start and Flat Blue Corn Green Chile Enchiladas!

yoga
We love Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga studio! If you’re up for a challenge, check out our ambassador James’ hot Hatha classes or Nicole Law’s Yoga Sculpt. In the mood for something spicy? Give Pilates Caliente a try. Our ambassador Kelly, will get you fired up while strengthening and conditioning those long lean muscles.

beer
La Cumbre Brew Company offers award-winning beers in their Euro Style Brew pub where dogs and laughter are welcome company. Order a Green Chile Cheeseburger from the food truck outside and, if you’re a hops fan make sure you try the Elevated IPA!

sleep
Built in 1926 and converted into a hotel in 2010, Hotel Parq Central is a boutique hotel at the gateway to Downtown Albuquerque. It’s a great blend of historic elegance and contemporary comfort. Watching one of our New Mexican sunsets from the hotel’s rooftop lounge will show you why we’re called the Land of Enchantment…

Headed to Albuquerque or playing tourist in your own town? Check out our new store and ask the team for even more recos!

if you happen to find yourself in tofino (for 24 hours or less)...

coffee
If you’re passionate enough about coffee to see through fancy drink names and a robust website then you’ll appreciate The Tofitian for all it has to offer - a seriously great cup of Joe, some nifty memorabilia and an authentic Tofino experience. This locally run shop is the place to caffeinate pre-island adventure or to warm up (the mocha hot chocolate comes highly recommended) after a cold day riding the Pacific surf.

trail
If you’re up for a hike, check out Schooners Cove. The moderate trail starts off in the rainforest with a series of wooden platforms and steps and then spits you out on the north end of Long Beach. Insider tip: Go at low tide, keep to the right when you hit the beach and uncover some amazing wildlife like bald eagles and starfish.

surf
It wouldn’t be a successful trip to Tofino without getting your feet a little wet. If you’re looking to catch a wave for the first time check out Surf Sister. Their all-female staff brings a unique flare (and extreme passion) to the surf scene, specializing in instructing with the beginner in mind. Dudes – don’t shy away, these classes are for you too!

a cold brew
Tofino Brewing Company is a great place to crack a cold one. The beers satisfy, the ambiance is cool and the dudes who own it are a pleasure to chat with. Purchase their iconic jug and have it refilled over and over again when you’re back in Vancouver. 

eat
When it comes to grabbing a bite of delicious grub, Tacofino has it dialed. From the staff to the outdoor dining experience at long wooden communal tables this taco truck is the epitome of cool. The fish tacos are a must and wash down quite nicely with a Lime-Mint Freshie – oh, and don’t forget to grab a Chocolate Diablo Cookie for dessert.

Ever been? What are some of your favourite pitstops in Tofino?

Contrary to popular belief it is still possible to get lost (even if you have an iPhone). Portland, you seriously tested our bearings and put Siri to work. Despite frustrated “aarghs”, wrong turns and the brief 20 minutes when we COULD NOT FIND VANNA, it was hard to stay mad at you and your strange street system because you are just, oh so charming. With every wrong turn came a new discovery – here’s what we found:

if you happen to find yourself in portland (for 24 hours or less)…

eat
Who thought we’d be passing up a glass of Oregon Pinot and fine dining to sit outside alla picnic bench and woof down a Whiffie Pie? I’m pretty sure that while I was living in Toronto I had strict rules against this. Somehow Portland has managed to master the food cart culture and bring charm where no charm has ever been brought before. We hit up the carts at SE 12th and Hawthorne, ordered an array of grub, including but not limited to PB&J poutine (for serious) and sat under the twinkling lights while watching the crowds gather. It was truly romantic in a ‘summer-loving-Grease kind of way.

sleep
If you’ve got a keen eye for design (or simply just appreciate a good night’s sleep) then Hotel Monaco comes highly recommended. Exuberant patterns and colours are splashed across every surface making each twist and turn down the halls an exciting one. The staff is friendly, the rooms are large (with a sitting area to boot) and the hotel is located in a convenient central location. Added bonus: they welcome your fluffy friends too!

sweat
You may know Alex Cole from the popular 80s dance show, Solid Gold - we know him as our Sunday morning yoga instructor (and YoYo Yogi studio owner) who lead us through a Soul Shakin’ 9am class. If there’s one thing you must do while in Portland, it’s this class.

Coffee
Get your java fix with a hot cup of Portland’s famous Stumptown roast. Hit up the flagship location or score a mugful at Lovejoy Bakers and treat yourself to a post yoga pastry or breakfast sandwich too – that’s what we did!

sweet treat
There are really no words to describe Voodoo Doughnuts it’s just simply something you have to see for yourself. For the real experience put in the time and wait (yes, there will be a line at all hours, every day) and grab a maple bacon doughnut at the original location. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip the wait and score yourself this famous Portland treat in a jiffy at their NE Davis St. location.
Good to know: you can grab a famous pink box to go and fly them internationally with you.
Also good to know: your coworkers may be mad if you don’t deliver. Whoops!

Just one more (brief) stop ahead in Seattle, then we are homeward bound!

In March we rolled up our yoga mats and travelled to Belgium (via Amsterdam) to support Team Specialized-lululemon at one of the most epic cycling races ever, the Tour of Flanders. Flanders is known as epic because of its 100-year history and course full of climbs on uneven, slippery cobblestones.

Two days before the race, I taught a yoga class to the team. I tried to imagine I was a pro cyclist pre-epic race, and put together a class to relax nerves and gently stretch cycling muscles, with a playlist that’d ensure our little carpeted hotel meeting room / temporary yoga space would be bumping. Without further ado, here are the reasons that yoga makes you a more badass cyclist:

1. oxygen chills you out

We started with a deep breathing exercise that you can do anywhere at any time you feel a little stressed. (Just between you, me, and the internet - I sometimes do this exercise on the plane during turbulence). Inhale, counting slowly to 4. Hold at the top for the same amount of time, and then exhale slowly for 4. Make this next level by doing it with alternate nostrils using your hand (– and in case you’re wondering, you can get away with this version in the air without looking too crazy), and repeat for 3-4 minutes.

Deep breathing triggers your parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body and mind. It also helps bring oxygen to cells so that the detoxification process can occur. You’re going to need as many relaxed and oxygenated cells as possible if you’re about to take on a climb like the Oude Kwaremont.

2. dear quads, are you there? it’s me, yoga!

How do you thank your quadriceps and hamstrings for powering you on the bike? You give them some love back on the mat, as well as the body parts that support your legs bigtime, like your hip flexors and groin. Watch these how-tos from our ambassador, Ted McDonald:

Lengthen your hamstrings >>
Stretch your quads and psoas >>
Thank your inner hips and groin >>

3. it’s all mental

Here’s a little well-known yoga secret: yoga poses are sometimes ridiculously hard so that all you can think about during the pose is where your various body parts are and what they’re doing. Who cares if you can’t get into pretzelasana? In your quest to figure it out, you forgot all about that world class sporting event you have coming up and you’ve forced your brain to uni-task. So tricky, yoga!

4. #balance

In addition to balancing your body and mind, yoga also reminds you to stop and have fun along the way by keeping you inquisitive and playful. At dinner with the team following class, I learned about one of Belgium’s most popular exports: Speculoos, a crushed cookie spread that Gordon and I literally became addicted to for the rest of our trip, thanks to our hotel breakfast buffet. Yoga reminds you to appreciate the journey and eat some crushed up cookies along the way.

team specialized-lululemon + yoga

Watch Evelyn Stevens talk about yoga, cycling, and Flanders:

a few other things that make you fast

Of course, the other factors that make cyclists really fast include straight up hard work, hours of training, a supportive team, coaches, determination and drive. Practicing yoga is a tool that that can give you a competitive advantage by relaxing you, strengthening your muscles, and providing mental clarity. Cobble what!?

Learn more about yoga for cycling (including a series of yoga vids for cyclists!)
Learn more about Team Specialized-lululemon or follow the team on Twitter

Bend (verb): To take on a curved, angled shape or cause something to do this or a very accurate name for a town whose limits curve around the

if you happen to find yourself in bend (for 24 hours or less)…

eat
After our eight hour drive we were more than ready for some good grub, luckily we knew a local that could point us in the right direction (thanks, Emily!) Topping her long list of awesome places to eat was Kanpai Sushi. We Vancouverites consider ourselves to be sushi connoisseurs and Kanpai can definitely kick it. Innovative rolls, intricate nigiri and a cozy patio made for the perfect treat after our tri state trip!

sleep
If we were going to move to Bend, we’d simply move in to the Pine Ridge Inn. Perched on the hill above the Deschutes River, each of our rooms at the inn had a glorious four-poster king sized bed, cozy fireplace and furnished patio.  Add to that the complimentary beverage upon check in, the made to order continental breakfast and the fresh baked ginger cookies and you can understand why we were so sad to leave.

sweat
We weren’t kidding when we said we got bendy in Bend. We hit up Namaspa for Suzie Harris’s Baptiste Style Vinyasa Flow and got bent and stretched in all the right places. The next time you find yourself in a super sweaty yoga class remember what Suzie said, “no one ever drowned in their own sweat.”

Insider note: Keep an eye out for the Om Cycle smoothie cart, parked outside the studio for post perspiration rejuvenation!

sweet treat
Blacksmith’s S’mores Brownie dessert is the stuff dreams are made of. A crunchy graham cracker crust, dense chewy chocolate center, topped with a flame-toasted marshmallow and then drizzled in salted caramel sauce.  Is this real life?

Our timing in Bend couldn’t have been better as we managed to catch the Pole Pedal Paddle in action. Special shout out to our ecommerce manager’s dad who placed first in his age group - Go Jim! Now, onwards to Portland…

It would be just foolish to start an 18-hour road trip without an up-to-date iPod – yet both Mila and I put the musical responsibility on each other only to find ourselves in Susanville, Nevada (with 300 miles still to go) listening to the same songs over and over and over again. We fired off a quick (desperate cry for help) email to our resident lululemon mix master, Alexis, and she hooked us up with the ultimate #vannaontherun playlist. Here’s what we’re listening to:

official #vannaontherun playlist

st. lucia – closer than this
I swear Jean-Philip Grobler (the man behind St. Lucia) selected his band’s name to confuse people, leaving them to helplessly navigate Carribean-themed randomness in order to find his music. It’s worth the trouble, I promise.

twin shadow – five seconds*
Twin Shadow’s debut album in 2010 hinted at big things to come. That time is now….this is easily one of the best songs of 2012. It only gets better with every listen.

m83 – reunion
I have troubles describing this song without swearing. When “Reunion” starts, I get more stoked than a frat boy during frosh week. That’s right kids, STOKED.

little dragon – ritual union
Their front woman has the most interesting voice in pop since Nina Simone. The hook and beat on this song are infectious. Your part in all of this? Trying not to press ‘repeat’ 20 times in a row.

the naked and famous – punching in a dream
Everybody knows “Youngblood,” TNAF’s well, famous song from last summer. What none of us realized at the time was “Punching In A Dream,” the even-cooler track gracing the very same album. Get into it.

vacationer – trip
Speaking of dreaming, big road trips can be tiring. Pull on over, play this little ditty and relax. You’ll be having the sweetest dreams you could hope for in no time.

major lazer – get free (featuring amber of the dirty projectors)*
The sexiest and most dramatic pop track since “Heartbeats” by The Knife (no really). High praise, I realize, but completely justified. The only part that is kinda tough is thinking about Major Lazer performing the song without Amber…it just doesn’t seem right. Sync those tours, my friends!

passion pit – take a walk
Any group that starts by the lead singer making his girlfriend a tape of music as a Valentine’s Day gift definitely has their heart in the right place. Put it on and pump it up.

reptar – orifice origami
Do you love Vampire Weekend? Meet your new favourite band.

summer heart – i wanna go
If The Beach Boys came out in 2007 and lived in Ibiza, this is what it would sound like. This song was pretty much made for sunsets.

wintersleep - nothing is anything (without you)*
This is a perfect road-trip tune; catchy and poignant lyrics coupled with a melody made for campfire sing-along’s complete with guitar strumming and friendships. Plus, Wintersleep is from the Maritimes, which automatically makes them awesome (it just does).

the temper trap – trembling hands*
I’ll be honest, when I heard that The Temper Trap were going for anthemic, politically-tinged music, I got nervous. After all, this dude is the closest thing our generation is going to get to the Fine Young Cannibals! I wasn’t sure at first, but “Trembling Hands” has been steadily growing on me.

*this song is not available on iTunes (sad day) but was too awesome to leave off this list – hey, if there’s a will there’s a way and we’re sure you’ll find a way to get it.