Ahh... summer. Chris leading us through an outdoor class last July.

We talk about possibilities a lot at lululemon. It’s a simple idea, really. We all have opportunities to create amazing things out of nothing – things that may have not otherwise existed. Our global ambassador Chris Chavez knows how it's done. He recently turned a potentially mundane thing – lunch at the office – into an inspiring experience for all of us. Ninety minutes was all it took. 

We want to thank Chris for bringing us together to move, sweat, and laugh. Chris, you’ve taught us that our practice is bigger than our mat. Possibilities abound – even at lunch.

how we began

lululemon began in 1998, after our founder Chip Wilson took a yoga class and recognized the need for clothes that move and breathe with you as you move through all kinds of yoga poses.

More than 10 years later, lululemon has grown into an international retailer with locations across Canada, the U.S., Australia and Hong Kong, and yoga continues to be at the heart of everything we do.

the gift of yoga

Did you know that every lululemon store and showroom offers weekly, complimentary yoga classes? We provide the space, the mats, and amazing instruction from teachers in your community.

Sometimes the classes are outside! This one's from Kits Beach near Vancouver last summer.

An in-store yoga class is from lululemon Galleria in Dallas, Tx.

how to find a class near you

To find out when your local lululemon's weekly yoga class is taking place, navigate to the store's section online here: http://www.lululemon.com/stores/. It will be listed on their event calendar, along with other fun classes or events that the store is offering.

Hope to see you at a class soon!

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?

At lululemon SoHo, in times of adversity it seemed like the "lemon" in lululemon was smothered with mold and damp clothes and a pipe bursting on the third floor of our building. But that lemon has resurfaced and is being squeezed of all its yummy juices. After re-opening a few weeks ago I think it is fair to say that with the help of an amazing team, we have made some top-notch lemonade.

It began with rebuilding the store from just a slat-wall skeleton and morphed into a beautiful, rich space: full of bright chi and swelling enthusiasm. Team SoHo, although not fine-tuned in the art of construction, most certainly is in the art of fitness. Our re-opening celebration began with a four-day fitness blitz (16 classes total) where we reconnected with our neighboring studios. We learned how to throw a mean punch in kickboxing, played with our equilibrium in an inversions yoga class, and collectively groaned as we rapidly pumped our fists in the Pilates 100’s. Our overwhelming sense of accomplishment and inner and collective strength beamed out from the top of our heads and smothered any feelings of doubt we had about making it through our fitness marathon!

At the end of the day we dragged ourselves home, and although sweaty and fatigued, we were all so grateful to have had this unifying experience. It takes a strong-willed team and positive energy to turn a challenging experience into a deeply fulfilling one. Our blitz provided us with the platform to go back into our space in SoHo and rally with our superstar helpers to create a kick-ass store. We now have cultivated the environment to provide an unforgettable guest experience, with the best product, hands on knowledge and some very tasty lemonade, I might add.

Ps, a huge thank you to Summer Starling who took the above pictures! 

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.

Do one thing a day that scares you. Or as my husband likes to say, "Scare yourself every day". After becoming a member at Crunch Fitness, the "Turning Tricks" class inspired my curiosity. I thought that I should get the most bang for my buck and visit the pole dancing class that is specially offered through Crunch.

I was the obvious newbie in class. The only one wearing pants and not sporting heels. The teacher went through a series of exercises that fully engaged the core and activated the spine through head tail movement. Leg stretches showed up everywhere in the warm up. Apparently you can always work toward better splits in pole dancing.

Other than getting a great upper body workout I discovered that pole dancers wear booty shorts for reasons other than showcasing their amazing legs. It is more difficult to climb a pole with pants on as they inhibit the friction needed to make your way four to five feet up the pole. A fourth of the way through class I stood watching in awe as everyone casually climb four feet up their pole with a towel in one hand. Next time I am going to wear my lululemon Knock Out Shorts, and maybe even some heels to keep up with the ambitious ladies in class.

After checking many yoga studios' websites and taking an informal poll of local yogis, the general rule of thumb is to eat something light that is easily digested 2 hours before your yoga practice. The goal is to practice yoga on an empty stomach so that nothing tries to come back up during your downward facing dog!

Fruits (low acid) or veggies, yogurt, a bowl of cereal, or a granola bar are all good choices. The most important thing is to not eat anything heavy, such as meat, pasta, fried foods, or processed grains. The one exception to this is if you have low blood sugar, and then you should try to get a little bite to eat within 30 minutes of class.

What if you’re going to yoga after work and you’re starving? The best choice in this situation would be a bowl of cereal, a granola bar, or a sports bar. Still try to shoot for that 2 hour time frame, eating before you leave work if you can.

In a pinch, go with a handful of nuts or an apple on the way to class, which shouldn’t bother your stomach once your practice begins.

Ultimately, everyone is different, so try out different kinds of snacks and different time frames to see what works best for you!
Namaste!

I'm a fairly new yogi, having only practiced yoga for about a year and a half (and even though I was fairly athletic, I was never very flexible). So I know that as beginner, hitting up your first yoga class can be a somewhat confusing (which style? which studio?) and intimidating experience.

Many people might not know, but lululemon stores offer weekly complimentary yoga classes for the community. The goal of these classes is to help you try out many different styles of yoga and experience a range of teachers from various local studios in a supportive environment. The classes are mixed levels and the crowd ranges from yoga class virgins to health-conscious athletes who use yoga as a way to stretch their muscles out.

You know the saying: the best things in life are free. At the lululemon where I work, the Ala Moana store in Honolulu, Hawaii, we actually offer four weekly events: a Sunday morning yoga class, a cardio boot camp on the beach, a running club, and a weekly health seminar. All. For. Free.

So whether you are a complete beginner to yoga, a longtime yoga lover looking to dabble in different styles, or just trying to stretch your dollar, come find bliss at your local lululemon store. Find your local lululemon here to find out what's happening at your store, or just drop by and ask. Good luck!

Above: Guests and educators work up a sweat at a complimentary in store yoga class! Mats are always provided.