Ciona (an educator at our Nashville store) is a lover of poetry, playfulness, travelling, yoga and the colour yellow. In 10 years you’ll see her producing and hosting a TV show on OWN.

what would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

want more?

• read more from Ciona: Rouse Rantings
• create a vision and set powerful goals
• more words of wisdom: read our manifesto

What do you get when you mix 120 of our rockstar ambassadors from across our company and our hometown of Vancouver? Three days of lululemon culture, development, and fun: aka, our first ever lululemon Ambassador Summit. As a company, we are passionate about creating strong relationships within our communities, and our ambassadors with each store are a true testament to this. To celebrate their amazingness and thank them for being such role models in their communities, we are welcoming them to Vancouver for three days of elevation, inspiration, and relationship building.

We're going to get connected, explore our hometown, and elevate to a new place of inspiration in our lives! Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? It all kicks off today so stay tuned for a follow-up where I will share with you all the exciting adventures we had.

• Learn more about our ambassador program
• Learn about our elite ambassadors
• Apply online to be an ambassador!
• Meet an alumni ambassador

When did you all started working at lululemon?

Jenna: Just over 2 years ago in beautiful Whistler.
Paula: At our Park Royal store in 2007.
Morgan: May 2008.
Whitney: Almost 2 years ago.
Liz: One year ago.
Laura: I started at the beginning of April after a very long love affair with the brand.

Laura taking a yoga break!

What do you like most about working there?

Jenna:Three reasons: the people, the opportunities, and the goal setting & support.
Paula: Being surrounded by fun and inspiring people.
Whitney: Every day I am supported by my peers, I get to write and be creative, and I go to work knowing I am a part of something that is bigger than myself.
Liz: Witnessing the amazing results when a group of people work towards a goal with everything they have!

Liz and the Scoop Neck Tank

What’s the ONE lululemon item you couldn’t live without?!

Paula: I have just discovered the Inner Strength Tank, and it is definitely my new staple piece!
Morgan: The two things I can’t live without are my Astro Crops and my Cool Racerbacks.

Morgan in Tree pose

Whitney: The Modern Racer Tank. You can find me wearing this lovely paired with my favourite Wunder Groove Crops.

Whitney in the Modern Racer Tank

Laura: I can’t live without my lululemon Slipless Headband. There’s nothing worse than hanging out in downward dog with your hair in your face.
Liz: The Scoop Neck Tank!

When are you going to open in Adelaide, Australia!?

Jenna: Guess what? I’m actually from Adelaide! No current plans to open a store there in the near future, but in the meantime I know the Australian stores do offer phone sales.

Jenna practicing Pigeon

What's your favorite teaching pants and or running errands around town pants? – Stephanie D.P.

Whitney: Wunder Groove Crops. They hold me in and hold me tight, and I can put them with almost every outfit.

What is your definition of "OM"? – Om Esthetic

Jenna: For me, it’s peace. It is harmony and the realigning of the self. ‘OM’ is reconnecting with all that is. One of the most amazing feelings is when in class you feel that sound reverberating off the walls, everyone in the room shares a connection. The sound fills me with such a calming energy. There is nothing like it.

I would like to know what it feels like to have such a totally cool job - Nicci M.

Paula: I can honestly say that I leave the house every morning looking forward to my day at work! I think this enthusiasm comes from that fact that I never know what the day will bring; we are always trying new online tools, getting to know new people and problem solving anything and everything that comes our way!

Paula in her new favourite, the Inner Strength Tank

What is your favorite "vintage" technical tank, i.e., one that isn't produced now? - Carolyn K.B.

Morgan: My favourite vintage tank is the Ujjayi Tank from spring ’08.

What is your favorite lululemon color and/or print (can be vintage) for the technical wear? - Carolyn K.B.

Liz: My absolute favourite vintage print is Aruba Sunset Floral. It is a gorgeous mix of blues that I cannot get enough of.
Paula: Glancing at my closet, Royale appears to be my favourite colour. I think I own every piece we ever made in Royale!

What is your favorite Lululemon accessory - not a tank/shirt/pant/short - Carolyn K.B.

Jenna: The boogie sock!

I would like to know if any of the lululemon Facebook team has pets, and if they bring them to work? – G. Killa

We are lucky enough to adopt the office pets whenever our co-workers bring them for a visit!

Elim and Bella at the GEC

Have any questions of your own? Leave a comment here or head on over to the wall! http://www.facebook.com/lululemon

We love the “oohs” and “ahhs” we get from our guests the first time we hand them their first lululemon shopper. Instantly guests want to know: what are these phrases, what’s the deal with this bag, and why are you sharing it with me?

In sharing our shopper with all of our guests, we are sharing a piece of our culture and inspiration as a company. We have traditionally printed our shoppers with the lululemon manifesto, which is a series of statements that embodies our company's vision, culture and beliefs.

We love to see our guests carrying our shopper to and from yoga or around town, as it's a constant reminder of our vision to create components for people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives. The lululemon shopper is made of polypropylene, which is a plastic polymer that is 100% recyclable, does not absorb water, and is very durable.

have one already? opt out!

We know many of you already have a shopper or two, or five, and so we’ve added an “opt out” feature at the end of your online transactions with mother earth in mind. So if you already carry your groceries in your shopper, un-check the box that would send you a new one!

carry on and spread love

Our shopper has been spotted all over the world, and it encourages strangers during a six-hour layover to “breathe deeply and appreciate the moment" or to "sweat once a day" on vacation. We'd love for you to send us a photo of where your shopper has been, where it’s going, and how you are spreading love! Send your shopper photos to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com, post it on our Facebook wall, or tweet them, and we’ll share your inspiration with our guests for the next week.

Why not ride your bike to work and share with us how your reusable shopper keeps you green!

Spread the love and carry on! Namaste.

What is your role at lululemon?

I am a Showroom Manager in beautiful downtown San Diego.

Tell us about your community:

Downtown is the cultural center of San Diego. We have a really great mix of athletes, young professionals, people in the military, students and tourists. We have yogis, crossfitters, dancers, runners, cyclists, mixed martial artists and Olympic kayakers. People here are some of the most friendly I've ever met. I guess it's difficult not to be happy when it's sunny 360 days a year

How did you come to lululemon?

I worked in Los Angeles marketing for network television shows until I burned out. I took a year off and got certified to teach yoga then traveled around the world with my sister before settling in San Diego. I knew of and loved lululemon from my LA days and was surprised to find there wasn't a store here. I found the posting for a showroom manager on lululemon.com soon after I moved here. The timing was perfect! I was lucky enough to be hired to open a showroom in Del Mar, lululemon's entry into the San Diego market. The whole thing was fate really.

What is the difference between a showroom and a store?

Showrooms were originally created to go into communities where lululemon stores were not around. They operate similarly to our stores in many ways but one major difference is that we have limited hours in order to maximize our time in the community. I believe there is no better venue than a showroom to interact with our community and truly gain a sense of what they want and where they want it. The showroom setting is generally very intimate and has that neighborhood vibe where our guests feel comfortable kicking off their shoes and staying awhile.

What's a typical Wednesday like for you?

Wednesdays are different each week but they always start out with our store manager call where all the stores and showrooms in our region get to touch base. Lots of learning and sharing happens on that call! Wednesdays include a class (or two!) so that I'm always becoming more of an expert in our community, connecting with the most amazing teachers, trainers, athletes and studios in our neighborhood. Community and people development are how I spend most of my days.

How do you usually sweat once a day?

Yoga is definitely my preferred form of exercise/stress relief though I took my first hip hop class a couple weeks ago and I'm hooked! Also, I work up quite a sweat chasing after my very active 11-month-old daughter but I can't think of anything more fun!

What’s one activity/fitness trend that you’ve been dying to try?

I have two: Zumba and Kettle Bells.

Why do you have the best job in the world?

I love creating something where there was nothing but opportunity before. I love working with amazing people every day, fellow educators and all the outstanding members of our community. I am so fortunate to have a job that embraces balance so that I can be present for my family and raise our daughter. I have so much fun at work that I'd probably do it even if I didn't get paid.

What piece of advice do you have for future showroom managers?

Be flexible and open to anything! Most importantly, take ownership of whatever you do... showrooms provide unbelievable opportunities for resourcefulness and creativity.

What makes your showroom unique?

This is the second showroom I've managed in San Diego and they each had very different personalities. The first time around we were the only gig in town. Now there are two stores in the area so we have to work even harder to create our individual showroom culture and not stand in the shadow of the stores. Our mission continues to be to attract new guests, educate them on our culture and bring the lululemon love.

Sidewalk yoga! All part of a day's work at the San Diego showroom.

Do you think you are one of the three rock stars managers that can lead a team in Madison, WI, Cincinnati, OH or Birmingham, AL? Browse some of the cool locations where we will be opening showrooms!

Meet Haley, the Lake Oswego Showroom manager, in Lake Oswego, Oregon

What is your role at lululemon?

Lake Oswego Showroom Manager

What is the difference between a showroom and a store?

The intention of a showroom is bring the lululemon culture to a community where we do not have a store. Unlike stores, showrooms are not open every day. This gives us time to be active in the community, hold trunk shows, arrange shop nights and kitchen parties, take yoga and fitness classes, meet with the local instructors and gym owners, and get to meet our community. To sum it up, our goal is to spread the lululemon love.

How did you come to lululemon?

I always found myself shopping at lululemon even though I worked at other athletic apparel stores. After reading about the company culture and manifesto, I just had to be a part of lululemon!

What is a typical Wednesday like for you?

It includes hitting up a class, regional manager call, working the floor, getting our new product for the week, sending a product notification, getting the product on the floor, working with the fabulous Lake Oswego guests, possibly taking a studio owner or instructor out to coffee, fit sessions, fun and sometimes class number two after close!!

The inside of our Lake Oswego Showroom!

How do you usually sweat once a day?

I love running or hitting up a class... spin, yoga, anything!

One of the complimentary yoga classes in the showroom.

What’s one activity/fitness trend that you’ve been dying to try?

Kettle balls.

Why do you have the best job in the world?

I am surrounded by the greatest people in the world. Everyone is dedicated to creating new possibilities, setting goals and dreaming BIG! Ever since I joined the company, my personal and career development sky-rocketed! I am absolutely in love with the company, the people, the culture, EVERYTHING!

What piece of advice do you have for future showroom managers?

Talk, talk, talk!! Find out all about events in the community, gyms, studios, and get to know the locals. Hire a rock-star team and travel as a pack.

What's your Big Hairy Audacious Goal!? (one year)

The Lake Oswego Showroom will be the best showroom in the US by May 2010!

Come visit Haley and the team in Oswego!

A team that jumps together, stays together!

Here's what to expect from the seasonal hiring process:

your local lululemon puts the word out on the street

To find if your lululemon is hiring for the holidays, you can:

- check their store web page
- search our careers section
- check their Facebook page. Here's a list of our stores on Facebook
- ask someone you know who works there already
- drop in to the store to chat in person! (This way your future team can put a face to a name, too.)

Each store's hiring process is slightly different. This year lululemon Kingston is holding a loveyourjob fair for seasonal hiring - find the details here.

the group interview

The group interview is meant to be an opportunity to learn more about what it might be like to work at the store, meet the people you'll be working closely with, and share more about yourself. Wear comfortable clothes, be yourself, and be prepared for impromptu downward dogs!

Staff meeting at our new Palm Beach Gardens, Florida location - opening Oct. 30!

the one-on-one

Stores want their seasonal hires to potentially turn into members of their team. After the group interview, managers send out invitations for one-on-one meetings. This is another chance to shine and ask any other questions you may have. Got goals? Hope so! Be prepared to answer what your 1, 5, and 10-year plans are. Need help? Check out goaltender!

lululemon La Jolla's staff wall of goals. View their educator job postings here.

frequently asked questions

What should I wear?

Dress comfortably. Be yourself. Elissa says "don't wear heels."

How do I prepare for the group interview?

Ask yourself what you like about lululemon and why you're interested in joining the team. Other than that, expect the unexpected - anything can happen!

How do I prepare for the one-on-one interview?

This is the more "regular" interview: questions, availability, goals, etc. Remember that "Preparing for Interviews" lecture from your guidance counselor in high school? It's like that.

Do I need to be a product expert?

It helps, but your biggest asset is a keen, teachable spirit. The team shares a pool of knowledge, and you can tap into that pool once you jump into the deep end.

Guerilla yoga could be part of your job! Pictured above: lululemon 4th St. braving the Calgary cold.

Being part of the seasonal team gives you the chance to see if you're a good fit with lululemon, participate in community yoga classes and events, and learn more about the culture. Oh, and make some extra spending money over the holidays. If you've ever thought about what it might be like to work at a lululemon, now is a great time to find out.

Get out there! We're waiting for you!

I have a secret passion for acting. I have loved it throughout my life and acting has given me some of the happiest and most memorable moments of my life. But if you took a look at my goals, you probably wouldn't even know this. I down-played my love to "I appear in a movie as an extra" for a one-year goal. Most people are like "Wow, that’s cool", but honestly, it is a copout.

What goes up must come down. We often think of this simple phrase in a rather negative light. Greatness will lead to failure, strength will collapse to weakness. Climb a mountain and you will need to climb back down (or live on the top as a hermit).

Ups and downs are inevitable in life but we try our damnedest to fight against this. Why?

Fear drives us to not act in case we fail. But aren’t we 'failing' if we don't act either, or even more so, because if we gave it our all and 'failed' would that not be more of a success than nothing at all? When you risk it all and give it all you've got, you'll end up with a lot either way.

When I realised this fact I took a look around and asked myself "What am I waiting for?!"

I think a lot of us have secret goals we are scared to pursue or even declare out loud!

Now that I am present to all of this, I feel a sense of power to go out and give it my all. Instead of those old fears running through my head, I have a new motto: "Play hard. Risk it all!"

My new goal now is already in motion: I move to Vancouver, sign up with an agency and I will be an extra in movies and for television, every week, any opportunity that comes my way! I want it! And I am going to get it.

Do you have any goals that are a little timid and might be covering up some unsaid fears? Be honest with yourself, then just go for it already! Play hard and live an ambitious life.

Above: Elyse and her run club!

Life can be most enjoyed when you live your life with passion. As former United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice said, "The most important thing you can do in life is to find a passion. When you find your passion, you'll realize that you didn't find it - it found you."

I was fortunate enough to find my passion as a quiet fourteen-year old in Northern New Jersey. From the very first moment that I stepped foot on the track, I was hooked on running and quickly became immersed in the culture. In college, I ran competitively as well, but I also found myself involved in many activities outside of running, mainly politics. I had this idea that running was just for fun and that I needed to focus on ways that I could build a career. I didn't see a way for me to find a career within the running industry.

After college, I became a political appointee with the U.S. government, and was still running and training hard, but I was very equally balanced between work, running, and my social life. Shortly after the 2007 Marine Corp Marathon, I had a running injury that sidelined me for about two months. As soon as I learned that I had to take some time off from running, I immediately panicked, but I also realized that the reason why I was so upset, was because the sport of running is my biggest passion in life.

Fast forward almost two years later, and I have built my life around running, and found a way to make a career out of the sport of running. Nearly 99% of what I do for fun and for my career revolves around running. As an educator at lululemon, my focus is running, whether it is organizing our run club, or talking to guests about my favorite run products. Now, I coach elementary school students and adults. I am able to share my passion for the sport as President of the Washington Run Club. And I am also studying for my personal training certificate, so I can further my knowledge on working with athletes.

As I write this, I also am icing my foot, as I have a stress fracture in my right metatarsal. Unlike during my injury after my '07 marathon, my life and career are now built around running. So, even though I have to take a short break from running and hit the bike and pool, I still feel very much in the game and involved in the run community, because I know that the athletes I coach need me, that the run club still needs to be organized, and that my friends and training partners will appreciate me just as much cheering from the sidelines. This injury is certainly the least devastating as of yet, because even though I would rather be running with my athletes and friends, I know that everything in my life is about running. I am my passion. And I made the decision to build my life that way.

Making a passion into your whole life is not for everyone. My challenge to all of our lululemon blog readers is to think about what you are truly passionate about and cultivate it. You will be happier and more fulfilled.

Above: Educator Kelly Ferraro, Guest Joanna Russo, Elyse Braner, Ultra-run Coach Bryon Powell, and Guest Cristina Burbach.

Recently at lululemon Logan Circle in Washington DC, we had our very own running meet and greet, called "Run into Runners". We invited several notable runners for our guests to interact with.

Runners are typically open and friendly people by nature, but I was struck with the ease in which the elite runners in our group and the beginner runners interacted. Time and experience didn't matter: we all had running in common, and that was enough. It was inspiring to see many first time lululemon guests at the event come out to our running club the following day.

Our run experts included:

• Melissa Tanner, an elite runner from Washington DC. She ran for Harvard University, and was third in the Marine Corp Marathon. Melissa brings a sense of balance to her training and racing, which is a huge part of the lululemon culture. Read more about Melissa's training: http://melissatanner.blogspot.com/
• Lance Breger, our phenomenal lululemon Logan Circle ambassador and head trainer at Mint Gym in Washington DC, discussed strength training for many of our guests and led core work demonstrations. Lance has an uncanny ability to make the beginner exerciser feel comfortable, so it was great to see him give some of our new runners advice on how to supplement their run program with strength work. Read more about Lance here: http://lancebreger.blogspot.com/
• It was also an honor to have one of my best friends and running/ life mentor at the event! Naoko Ishibe is truly an inspiration. She has twice qualified for Olympic Marathon trials, is a Harvard phD, and is one of the classiest women you will ever meet. Unlike many elite runners, Naoko did not start running until her senior year of college. Naoko is vice president of the Washington Run Club and recently led the club's women's team to a first place finish at the famous Cherry Blossom Ten Miler!
• Sean O'Brien, former pro-runner for Nike, and colleagues with Lance Breger at Mint Gym shared his amazing run stories. It was exciting to hear about his training and interactions with other elite athletes. Sean was definitely a fun run expert for our guests!
• Ultra-run Coach Bryon Powell, recently back from a 5 day race across the desert in Morocco was there to chat about very long distance running and his amazing adventures. Bryon is not only an inspiration in the running community, but he also really exemplifies the lululemon manifesto. Personally, he has inspired me to follow my passion for running and start a career in the running industry doing what I love. I think we are going to hear a lot more from Bryon in the upcoming months, and he will continue to inspire many more runners. You can read more about Bryon on his popular trail running website http://www.irunfar.com.
• Rick Amernick, president of the Capital Striders running club, brought many of his runners and shared a lot about his group and the upcoming race that the group is hosting on May 30th. Rick has grown his organization to over 1,200 members. You can get more information about Rick's group here: http://www.meetup.com/dccapitalstriders/.

During the event, we even had a surprise visit from elite runner Julie Cully, who was the first American finisher at the World Cross Country Championships! Julie is an inspiring athlete and it was an amazing treat for our guests to meet and interact with her.

lululemon is a hub of health and fitness and is a great resource for all athletes. Where else would you be able to interact with so many amazing runners in one place?

Above: Melissa Tanner (Elite Runner), Elyse Braner, and Julie Cully (elite Runner and first American finisher in the World Cross Country Championships.