help! i sweat so much in yoga that i slip

"Even in non hot yoga classes, I always end up drenched by the first half of class and while it’s a bit embarrassing, my biggest issue is that I slip in down dog and similar."

From: Solutions For Heavy Sweaters
Answered by: Kinndli, lululemon Oakville.

camel pose makes me feel sick

"I was wondering why Camel pose makes me feel nauseous. I have been told it could be because it is a very vulnerable position when your heart is exposed. Is this true?"

From: Hot Yoga + Camel Pose
Answered by: Danielle, lululemon Robson St.

am i ready for teacher training?

"How do you know if you're ready to take on yoga teacher training?"

From: Am I Ready For Teacher Training?
Answered by: Kinndli, Grace, and Ted

what kind of yoga poses can pregnant people do?

"I’ve been practicing yoga for years, and I was wondering what poses are off limits during pregnancy?"

Read more from Tips for Growing Bellies
Answered by: Danielle, lululemon Robson St.

how do i get started with yoga?

"I want to start yoga but I don't know how to begin. Is there a type of yoga for beginners?"

From: How to Begin.
Answered by: Danielle, lululemon Robson St.

confused about my crow pose

"I'm having trouble with my crow pose. Do my arms go outside of my legs?"

From: Tips for Crow Pose
Answered by: Grace, lululemon Queen St.

can you get buff from only yoga?

"I have a few yoga instructors who have the most amazing bodies say that they only do yoga, no cardio."

From: Yoga + Cardio... the Perfect Mix?
Answered by: Ted, lululemon Santa Monica

why do you roll to the right from savasana?

"Why does my yoga instructor always have us lie on our right side before coming up from the final relaxation pose?"

From: Why The Right Side?
Answered by: Ted and Grace

is yoga for non-flexible people too?

"I am not flexible. Do you think I can still do yoga?"

From: Not Flexible? Don't Worry.
Answered by: Grace, lululemon Queen St.

help! i have tight hamstrings

"My hamstrings prevent me from achieving all kinds of yoga poses and it’s really frustrating. Is there anything else I can do besides stretching daily?"

From: Tight Hamstrings: Help!
Answered by: Grace, lululemon Queen St.

A big thank you to our ambassadors for sharing your words of wisdom and insight with our guests. Do you have a burning yoga or run question you need answered? Email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

you asked

I was in a car accident 2 years ago and have taken a couple of Pilates classes to try and help heal my body. I am wondering though if yoga would be a better choice for me and to help me overcome the whiplash I suffered? I also suffer from a stress related illness (IBS) and wonder if Yoga would help that too? I am interested in Bikram but afraid it might be too intense to begin with. Please let me know what the best route would be for me to take so I can get back to being a healthy me! - Brittany

a yogi answers

Dear Brittany,

I would definitely begin a yoga practice, and would certainly avoid Bikram, which can be a bit intense as you begin. I would probably recommend that you begin a practice outside of a hot room, particularly if you are looking to heal your body. So try to find a more neutral environment. If you haven’t practiced for very long, and are beginning to explore you may also benefit a lot from a more restorative practice. Pilates classes will also be great for your body, but the breath work in yoga will bring you the most benefit in handling stress or a stress-related illness – you will take great leaps!

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

you asked

I am doing hot yoga and vinyasa. Sometimes I can’t hold a pose - not because I lack strength or balance – but because the arch of my foot hurts. Any clue what that is and what I can do about it?- melanie

a yogi answers

Dear Melanie,

When balancing, try to shift your focus to your core, for you may be placing too much strain on your foot, overworking it a bit. So, think of lifting away from the floor by creating a lift through the belly, which you keep tightly pulled in for a ‘lifting action’ relieving strain from your joints as well (ankles and knees). Always think of defying gravity, and avoid ‘sitting’ or ‘sinking’ into the pose.

You can also try lifting the toes to ensure that you are distributing your body weight across your foot as evenly as possible. In doing so, carefully press the big toe mounds and inner heels down into the floor, and powerfully recoil the arches up into the inner ankles. This may be difficult initially, but will eventually build the strength that you need in your arches.

A daily practice of Virasana, which stretches the top of the foot and strengthens the arches, will be beneficial. Do Virasana (with buttocks on a folded blanket or a block if necessary) whenever possible. While you practice this pose, massage the arches of your feet, pressing on the arches as if cultivating an arch with your thumbs. Also, spread your toes as far apart as possible to avoid foot cramps during Virasana.

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

View hot yoga clothes:

• Happy Heat Shorts
• Hot Class Bra
• Hot Class Tank

you asked

I’ve been practicing for 10 years and have been trying to hold a handstand for 10 years. I feel like I have enough shoulder strength but don’t feel like I am balancing myself in the right way. Any advice or tips would be very helpful. Thanks! - Patricia

a yogi answers

Dear Patricia,

Don’t give up! Make sure you are pressing through the knuckles of your fingers and drawing energy up though your palms - keep little pockets of air in your palms. Make sure your core and legs are engaged. I usually fall out of balance if I hyperextend my lower ribs, so make sure they are nicely contained within your torso along with your belly. Find some softness through your shoulders (joints), ensuring you are not locking them, focusing on your upper arm strength.

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador

Do you have any tips or advice for Patricia to hold a strong and balanced handstand?

you asked

My question is: I have the tightest hamstrings ever. I stretch them daily in a “hurdler’s stretch” and in a nice long wide-legged standing forward bend (where my hands only barely touch the floor), but I don’t seem to be making any headway. My hamstrings prevent me from achieving all kinds of yoga poses and it’s really frustrating. Is there anything else I can do besides stretching daily? Do you have any great stretches you can recommend that might be more effective? - Emily

a yogi answers

Dear Emily,

Yes, it will help if you practice stretching your hamstrings as often as possible, ideally every day. I like standing forward bends because I feel like gravity helps me get a deeper stretch.
You can always add-in a seated forward bend. The yoga strap is a nice tool for working on the seated forward bend. Put the strap around the soles of your feet and work on moving your hands down the strap toward your feet while keeping your back straight. You can still improve without the strap, but it's nice to get some leverage. Your hamstrings will get more flexible, but it can take years. Keep smiling!

All forward bends are great, and though they can cause some frustration to those who lack flexibility, over time you will see great results. Breathe deeply and don’t be afraid to explore through that frustration, you can learn lots through what comes up for you. Take it easy!

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador
Learn more about Grace and Inspire Reach here: http://www.inspirereach.com

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

you asked...

I’ve been practicing for over 10 years and have been teaching (RYT200) since 2003. Yet I still cannot break my plateau – I’m so comfortable in intermediate classes and I’m so connected with my spirit – or at least I feel it, but maybe I’m wrong – but I’m stuck in my practice. I cannot let go of my fear of handstands and headstands and other ‘flying’ poses. Arm balances, I’ve got zero issue with and I LOVE playing around, so I’m eager to get to that point with being upside down as well. How do I let go of that fear? For the past 2 years I’ve been working hard – I’ve always had a good amount of upper body strength but I have weaker abs and chronic low back issues (degenerative disc disease since age 12), which I think are a huge factor – and I still can’t get past the hump. I’m trying not to let my ego get in the way, but it’s so difficult when I’ve been practicing for so long and feel so comfortable in all other parts of my practice. Is it just not meant to be, or do I need to stop focusing on the physical and get more into the meditative part of it?

A comment for Grace – reading your profile, I am in complete awe of you. What wonderful work you’re doing with your practice!!! That is my dream… someday! – Nicole

a yogi answers

Dear Nicole,

Thank you so much for your comments. I know how challenging it can be when we feel we’ve hit a plateau. It can be hard to push through it, and sometimes it is much more challenging to let go and remember to enjoy our practice for what it is. I have always liked to change things up, so I don’t get stuck in a comfortable routine. I am a big fan of exploring new classes, for different teachers will inspire me to break a cycle.

I haven’t practiced with you so I am not sure what you have tried or what preparations you have done in order to explore inversions. Have you tried anything against the wall? A great exercise is to place your hands on the floor – shoulder-width apart – and walk your feet up a wall, so that your body is in an L-shape. This will help you overcome the fear. You can then work toward lifting one leg straight up to the ceiling, and then switching sides. Doing some workshops in inversions will help you as well.

If you suffer from a degenerative disc disease, it is likely playing a role in your practice, so you must remain patient and be kind to yourself. Try to relax and enjoy your practice and don’t be afraid to pursue different aspects of Yoga, particularly the meditative aspects of the practice, for this alone may teach you many things about your asanas, and some mental blocks you may have encountered along the way.

There is so much I would like to ‘accomplish’ in my physical practice, but I really wanted to explore other things. Nothing prevented me. I was benefiting so much from yoga that I felt I should use that in other realms of my life. I am fully dedicated to supporting my community, and would encourage all to explore a yoga practice of service, yoga-in-action. There is so much one can do! It helps to start small and to be as specific as possible, and never be afraid to reach out to your community. It is about changing the outlook from: “What’s in it for me?” to “How can I be of help? How can I be of service?” If you are looking for some resources, take a look at www.offthematintotheworld.org for some inspiration!

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador
Learn more about Grace and Inspire Reach here: http://www.inspirereach.com

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

you asked...

I am not flexible. Do you think I can still do yoga? I'm a runner, but I hear yoga is a great way to work on endurance! Adam (@adamgiers - question received via twitter)

a yogi answers

Dear Adam,

Absolutely! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga, but that's a little bit like thinking that you need to be able to play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will find that a yoga practice will help you become more flexible. It will also greatly increase your lung capacity.

Running can create many imbalances due to repetitive motion, and yoga is ideal for helping to find a balance.

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador
Learn more about Grace and Inspire Reach here: http://www.inspirereach.com

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

ted

Ted in Exalted Warrior on the California coast

more info on ted

• ambassador at lululemon Malibu
• yoga teacher, entrepreneur, philanthropist, endurance athlete, avid traveler
• founder of Adventure Yoga Retreats
• creator of Point Dume Yoga and 5 Point Yoga, two yoga and fitness studios in Malibu, California
• on the board of directors for Casa de Milagros, an orphanage in Peru that promotes education and self reliance to 26 homeless and orphaned children
• educated in both Iyengar and Ashtanga styles of yoga
• also teaches meditation and yin/restorative yoga, specifically designed to lengthen connective tissue and help prevent injuries

kinndli

Kinndli in Dancer pose near Oakville

some facts about kinndli

• ambassador at lululemon Oakville, Ontario
• co-founder of Power Yoga Canada
• owns the first Baptiste-affiliated yoga studio in Canada, has completed the highest level of training with Baron Baptiste, and is Canada’s only Certified Master Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher
• Since 2005 has been personally apprenticing and teaching with Baron Baptiste around the world on over 40 Journey Into Power Teacher Training's and Personal Revolution Bootcamps
• ambassador of the Africa Yoga Project

grace

Grace yoga-ing in front of the Toronto skyline

all about grace

• ambassador for lululemon Queen St. in Toronto.
• recently completed her leadership training with Off The Mat, Into The World (OTM). As an OTM leader she co-facilitates “Yoga in Action” training programs in Toronto throughout the year
• co-founded Inspire Reach in 2009, which raises funds through karma yoga initiatives, dedicated to improve local and global communities
• faculty member of the yoga teacher-training program at Tula Yoga Studios since 2007
• encourages her students to explore in the safe environment she provides at Tula Yoga Studios

how to ask a question to the yoga panel

Ask your question by June 3rd by leaving a comment below, via twitter (@lululemon) or emailing askanexpert@lululemon.com. Check back on June 14th for the first set of answers from Ted, Grace and Kinndli!

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!

beauty:

imagination:

peace:

and of course, a sense of fun:

As the collection of inspiring international images grew, my respect for yoga deepened. I found smiles revealed in challenging poses:

serenity swarming city streets:

landscapes enhanced by the yogi or yogini practicing in its beauty:

and the enrollment of others on the yogic path:

147 people from our Facebook community even chose the image below as their favourite from a snapshot of the collection!

I had never tried yoga before coming to lululemon and now I find it hard to go a week without it. Practicing yoga has helped me find peace in the noise that is my life. It has also helped me become a better runner; my breathing is paced allowing me to run longer distances without melting into a panting mess. These photos inspire me to relax my face into a smile when I am in bow pose and encourage me to kick higher...even in my fifth breath. To those who contributed, thank you for sharing your light with our lululemon athletica community!

Namaste.

Our monthly challenge for August on lululemon.com is Spread the Love: leave an inspiring note for others to find.