To introduce our newest store in NYC to the world, we asked Kate, New York local and assistant manager at our East 66th store, to tell us how to get our sweat on in the Meatpacking District. Using our manifesto as inspiration, she's created a list of the 7 best places you need to know about the next time you visit New York.

a 7-step guide to elevate the world

Have you ever sat down and written out those specific axioms that get you out of bed in the morning to help you elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness?

I tried on a few of my favourite manifesto lines and applied them to a day spent in one of my favourite communities in the world, the Meatpacking District in New York City. A neighbourhood known for its transformation from meatpacking warehouses, to a host for underground nightlife, to its current post as a hub for high-end fashion shops and exclusive nightclubs, Meatpacking will also become home to a new lululemon athletica store, set to open March 8, 2013.

At Studio 216 classes are capped at 6 yogis

1. drink as much fresh water as you can. water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp.

Ever tried alkaline water? Alkaline water is loaded with antioxidants that help hydrate cells. By supplying a greater amount of oxygen to your body, this water supports your organ and muscles function. Organic Avenue provides this purified beverage on tap and uses it in the majority of its juices.

2. practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age.

Our ambassador & studio owner, Nicole

Yoga 216 is where you’ll find owner, instructor, and Meatpacking ambassador Nicole Katz. This white crystal chandelier lit studio, nestled beneath the High Line, caps classes to 6 mats, enabling Nicole (and the studios other amazing instructors) the ability to focus on the goal of neutral alignment and a pain-free practice for students.

3. what you do to the earth you do to yourself

The High Line is an elevated greenway that transports you into a natural paradise juxtaposed with amazing views of the downtown skyline and Hudson River. This recycled railway is a great inspiration for seeking sustainability in daily life.

4. breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. living in the moment could be the meaning of life

Meditation has many inward and outward benefits. Taking time for quiet and still meditation supplies one with a greater ability to live in the present. My first step in setting a meditation practice is finding a meditation station. I found mine at the Dream Downtown, in the hotel’s secluded outdoor courtyard.

Meditation stations are tucked away if you know where to find them

5. creativity is maximized when you are living in the moment

Being in the midst of art inspires creativity and brings gratitude and wonder. Street art and the many galleries in Meatpacking host many sources of inspiration, be it for your next artistic endeavor or wardrobe of choice for your next workout.

Inspire your inner artist as you walk around

6. a daily dose of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress

Layla Luciano can be found at Barry’s Bootcamp in NYC. A sassy instructor and Meatpacking ambassador, Layla knows how to motivate her classes. Layla’s continuously changing workouts send my body into “shock”. Her workouts short and intense segments of strength training and interval cardiovascular routines challenge me to exceed my perceived limits.

7. friends are more important than money

After a long day of sweating, soaking up inspiration, and appreciating life, I’m ready to share my experiences with those that matter most to me, especially over expensive fancy cocktails. At the Top of the Standard at the Standard Hotel drinks at sunset offer stunning views of the city.

To learn more about manifestos to live by, join us in welcoming lululemon Meatpacking to New York’s most fashionable neighbourhood on March 8, 2013.

Katie (Key Leader at Vancouver's West 4th Store) is almost as crazy about running as she is about making delicious, healthy food. She's finally been persuaded to share her favourite smoothie recipe. She recommends it as a powerful way to start the day or an amazing post-run energizer.

image: flickr - Frank Gruber

magic bullet

Katie's an advocate of the Magic Bullet. If you don't have a Magic Bullet, you can put the ingredients together in a 2-cup (500ml/20 oz) container before throwing them in your blender.

step 1 - into the cup

-one large handful of fresh spinach (raw), squish to bottom of cup

-2 tbsp plain yogurt

-1/2 tsp cinnamon

-1 tsp matcha green tea powder

-1 tsp freshly grated ginger

-1/2 ripe banana

Fill the rest of the cup with frozen blueberries (or frozen berry of your choice)

Add as much chilled green tea as the cup will allow

step 2 - blend & enjoy

To kick it up a notch, or for a more substantial meal, add 2 tbsp of granola and 1/2 tbsp hemp hearts. Enjoy this variation with a spoon.

want more?

• to juice or not to juice, that is the question
• eat well for marathon training

Getting your daily dosage of fruits and vegetables can be daunting. How many spinach leaves, beets and carrots can one person honestly eat each day? The pursuit of healthy living may be easy for some – for the rest of us, there’s the juicer. It's definitely a lifestyle choice that requires time and money. Is it worth it?

to juice...

We see it everywhere: people becoming increasingly aware of what they’re putting into their bodies. Want to eat raw, natural, and organic wherever possible? Whipping up homemade juice might be your healthy quick-fix. We asked and found there are tons of benefits to making your own juice at home.

You can take the market to go. If you're always on the move, toting a bottle of homemade juice in your bag is easier than juggling a basket brimming with fresh produce.

Variety is at your fingertips. Keep things fresh and try new combinations, especially if nothing on the market shelf satisfies your craving. (Beet-kale-apple juice, anyone?)

Prepping for your practice is easy. A tall glass of juice is the perfect companion for the commute to yoga. (Just don't down it too quickly right before class.)

You keep all nutrients by going raw. We all know that cooking means sacrificing nutritional value to some extent. Juicing keeps all vitamins and minerals intact.

Mother Earth gets a hug. Making your own juice keeps plastic bottles out of landfills and cuts back on food-waste coming from your kitchen.

What's up, doc? Why not drink your carrots?

...or not to juice

While many people have jumped on juicing, there are still plenty of reasons people avoid doing it at home. When we asked why people didn't juice, the answers were clear.

It's expensive to do it well. If you don't want a big mess, a big clean-up or a big pile of wasted produce, you're going to pay a bigger price. It's one of those lifestyle changes that requires you to invest a lot right off the top.

If you don't love it, you've wasted money on an appliance. Your juicer could end up being less of a health gateway and more of a dust magnet.

Your grocery bill may go up. You may not have access to inexpensive organic produce, and if you're consuming more of it, you do the math.

Of course, the alternative to juicing at home is hitting a juice bar. The convenience is great but paying premium dollars for juice is not on the top of everyone's list. (Those monthly expenses could translate into a sweet pair of shoes - or your very own juicer. I guess that would be the point.)

Annika's Vitamix has changed her life (and her boyfriend's life) for the better

a word from the believers

It seems the pros outweigh the cons in these parts. The overwhelming response was that the investment, while hefty, was well worth it.

Karen, our Production Coordinator, is getting ready for a half marathon and balancing her training with lots of yoga. She's been the proud owner of a Breville juicer for the past year and is officially sold. Nothing in her kitchen is spared, from carrot ends to pulp. (Yes, you can even re-juice the pulp and then bake the rest into muffins or fruit bars.) “We’ve actually ended up saving a lot of money because you end up using everything you buy, so the food waste has gone down,” says Karen. “Our juicer has totally paid for itself.”

Annika, a Strategic Sales Account Manager, is heavy into snowboarding, yoga, and running. She knows all about being busy. She owns a Vitamix, which is less of a traditional juicer and more like a blender on steroids. It's on the higher end of the price scale, but she loves it because she can throw in everything – including an apple’s skin, seeds, and core, for example. She says it takes a little extra planning, but juicing is worth it to get that vitamin fix - she’s one step closer toward meeting her health goals.

Editor's note: Karen and Annika brought in some groceries to sell me on their juicing obsession. We used Annika's Vitamix and in minutes we made delicious - I repeat, delicious - juice. I have already started a savings fund to purchase my own machine.

No, we did not tamper with the colour saturation. It really was this green.

a few good recipes

This is Karen's favourite concoction. She runs the following through her juicer and then tosses it into her blender with a banana and 3 cubes of frozen coconut milk.

• 2 apples
• 2 pears
• 1/2 cucumber
• 2 celery stalks
• small bunch of kale (3 leaves, torn)

Annika opts for a simple (and brightly coloured) juice, loaded with vitamin C.

• 1 mango, pit removed
• 2 oranges, peeled (the rind will make your juice bitter)
• 1.5 carrots
• 1 apple, quartered

before you buy

Consider your needs and ask yourself these questions as you do your research:

• How often will I use it? Think about cost per use. (It's like investing in an expensive pair of jeans. If you use them every day, they pay for themselves.)
• What will I be juicing? If you lean towards carrots, whole apples and other solid fruits and veggies, you'll want a powerful motor so you get the most out of your groceries.
• Is a quick clean-up a priority? If so, look for something with few parts to remove and wash. (We literally rinsed two pieces when making our green concoction. So simple.)
• Can I store a big appliance? If you want your juicer to be a regular fixture on your counter, it may not be an issue but if counter space is valuable, make sure it's compact enough for you.
• What is the capacity? If you're on your own, you may not need a huge reservoir for juice.
• What's the warranty and can I purchase replacement parts? Get these facts before you spend otherwise you may be spending lots more down the road.

Special thanks to Tannis for her work on this great post. We are convinced - are you?

I was wondering what is the best thing to eat before a power class. And how long before class it is safe to eat. - Jodi

danielle answers

Ideally, I suggest not eating for at least a couple of hours before practice but there are those days when you might have skipped a meal and need a little energy. On those days, I suggest either drinking a glass of water (which can subdue hunger), eating a piece of fruit, such as an apple or banana, or drinking a small glass of juice. If you feel you need a little more substance and can handle a little bit more (which I cannot), then I have known some yogis who like to eat a little peanut butter or almond butter along with a piece fruit. However, if you eat even just a little bit too much or too close to class, you might feel heavy and experience some stomach discomfort, especially in all the twisting poses.
Hope this helps!

Danielle

Read the first part of Ask a Yogi: How to Begin