You know you’re hardcore when you live in New York and declare your love for winter running. Meet Brooklyn Showroom ambassador and Hot Bird Running co-founder, Jessica Green and learn how she went from law degree to running the streets – and everything else in between. 

Travel bag, meet my foam roller! The Grid by Trigger Point. My PT introduced me to this travel-friendly and apartment-friendly foam roller and now I actually roll it out on the road and at home. It's also a great conversation piece and half-time activity during our Sunday football parties.

A perfect, lightweight spring/fall/winter windbreaker for numerous types of weather conditions with tons of reflective gear to keep my clients and me stay safe at night and during early morning runs. Pockets for my gloves, phone, keys, money and a feminine cut to keep me looking fresh and on top of my running game. (Ed’s note: this jacket is from last year but is quite similar to the Run: Nothin’ But Run).

Birks. Heaven. Period. Plus, a must if you are a born and bred Oregonian, which I am! Go get yourself a pair.

I've never had a problem with these bad boys. They can go the distance and beyond without saggy, chaffing or riding up over my knee.  As a running coach, the back pocket is also really key because I have to travel and coach workouts with my phone and the pocket is big and sturdy enough to keep it from bouncing around.

My feet have never been happier since purchasing my own set of melt balls after a life-changing Melt Class with Zoe Levine two years ago.  Every runner NEEDS a set of these.

During the sweaty months of summer and wet months of winter, my money, phone and subway card all need a little extra help in the dry department with as little added bulk as possible. I don't leave home without a Ziploc foldable sandwich bag.

On May 17^th 2012, it’s your sports bra’s time to shine…

the itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie bikini fear
Last May, as summer was approaching, I was overwhelmed by my annual beachwear anxiety. You know, that moment when you realize bikini season is right around the corner. Usually, I’m filled with dread but this particular year, there was a fire inside of me to change how I felt about myself. As a fitness instructor, I needed to own up to my role as a leader so I encouraged my riders to step out of their own comfort zones by facing a fear. I set a private, personal goal for myself to face my biggest fear of revealing my midriff. Why was this so scary? What was I trying to hide? I challenged myself to teach one of my SoulCycle classes wearing only a sports bra. When the class was over and I was still wearing my lame, gold jacket (yes, this class was Rihanna-themed), I was not only disappointed in myself but I felt like I had let down those riders who looked to me as someone who practices what she preaches.

s

the midriff movement
At that moment, I realized that I could not face this challenge alone, I needed the support of my peers. The only way I was going to be able to overcome my biggest fear was if an entire class would join me by riding in their sports bras too. A simple, personal goal quickly turned into a small movement when two of my personal heroes, NBC'S The Biggest Loser Season 11 finalists Olivia Ward and Hannah Curlee got on board. On July 29, 2011 we bared it all in a class and stories from women across the country  who participated in their own mini Sports Bra Challenges came pouring in.

turn your dreams into plans
That July, I became an ambassador for the lululemon Union Square store. Through a goal coaching session (which includes the terrifying task of writing down my goals and discussing them) it became clear to me that I was not through with The Sports Bra Challenge. I wanted to continue to challenge, support and help women and men all over the country feel comfortable in their bodies and to embrace who they are. I decided that I was going to recreate The Sports Bra Challenge on a much larger scale and make it more accessible to people all over the country. That’s when my dream started to become a reality.

putting a spin on it
What started out as an event quickly turned into a foundation. In January 2012, I created S.E.A.K. Foundation; a non-profit organization that empowers people to be confident in who they are through educational programs and events focused on physical and emotional health. The Sports Bra Challenge is now an event that provides the funding for SEAK to implement after-school programs for teenage girls in New York City to develop their sense of self-esteem and self-worth.

the 2012 sports bra challenge
On Thursday, May 17, SEAK Foundation presents The Sports Bra Challenge 2012. This one-day outdoor fitness event will consist of two large-scale SoulCycle classes, a Vinyasa Yoga class and a (free, kids-only) signature Pound Class through Crunch Fitness. All proceeds from the event will benefit City of Hope's Positive Image Center and SEAK Foundation.

Come one, come all and get ready to grin and bare it. Registration for the event starts today!

There are some things (like keeping up with latest and greatest everything) that New Yorkers just do best. Before we go barreling into the boroughs, we asked Soho Keyleader, Natalie, for her can’t miss picks for the upcoming New York Yoga Journal Conference. Now if only we can get her to hail us a cab…

top 5 must-dos at the new york yoga journal conference

5. the marketplace
The marketplace will be open and free to the public all weekend. There’s tons of amazing health, wellness and yoga brands setting up shop with the coolest stuff in the industry. Need a new photo for your Facebook timeline? Check out our complimentary photo booth where you can strike a pose with yogi and photographer, Andrew Dolgin.

4. get bendy with backbends
Channel your inner acrobat! Check out Effortless Backbends with Rodney Yee & Colleen Saidman Yee on Saturday at 8am. After nearly memorizing the Power Yoga DVD, I’m dying to hear Rodney ask me to, “stand in mountain pose”. This dynamic duo will not disappoint!

3. create a life you love
Nothing like a little goal setting to light the fire under your asana. Join us for our complimentary workshop, Create a Life You Love, on Sunday at 1:45pm. Create a vision, set some big hairy audacious goals and start living your best life.

2. i spy with my little (third) eye
Now that your vision has been set, put your practice into motion and learn to trust your inner knowing. Don’t miss Seane Corn in Yoga for Inner Visioning on Sunday at 3:30pm.

1. get your dance on
If you can only make it to one thing this conference, let it be this Friday night event! The amazing Elena Brower and Dana Flynn will co-lead a yoga class set to the beats of DJ Drez. As if yoga and sweet tunes aren’t enough to seal the deal, the class will turn into a yoga trance dance session led by Shiva Rea. (Editors note: We can’t say so for sure but if it’s anything like our own yoga rave it’s certainly an event not to be missed!)

the details

yoga journal conference new york
April 12 - 16, 2012
Hilton New York
New York, NY

Four days, 45 master teachers, over 100 classes and so much awesomeness. We’ll be live tweeting, instagramming and blogging from YJNYC all weekend. What are you most looking forward to at this year’s conference?

run the world

Not only does running help combat jetlag, it’s a great way to get a fresh perspective and explore a city incognito (no fanny pack or giant map required). I love nothing more than waking up in an unfamiliar city, mapping out a route, picking a playlist and letting the city introduce itself. Here are my top five towns I think you should meet on the run.

london - run before you (pub)crawl
There are hundreds of reasons to run in London: gin, fish and chips, the Harrods Food Hall, Pimm’s and Marks and Spencer All Butter Shortbread are among my top five. I love running down Oxford Street before the shops are open; Hyde Park on a sunny day is a close second. There’s nothing like throwing on my Bridget Jones playlist, tearing down the London Bridge and hoping I bump into Colin Firth.

montreal - on y va
Before I head out on the prowl for poutine and smoked meat I like to run the streets of Montreal and develop a plan of attack. My usual route includes run-by browsing the windows at Simons, exploring the McGill University Campus and a cruise through the Old Port. If you’re looking for a view, running the trails of Mount Royal is an incredible way to uncover the beauty of this historic Canadian city.

san francisco - a san francisco treat
A morning run through the fog in San Fran is a great way to practice presence - living in the moment is easier when you literally can’t see what’s in front of you. I love to head down California Street, along the Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf and then jump on the Powell-Hyde Street Car to get back to home base (not everything needs to be an uphill battle).

new york city - these streets will make you feel brand new
Before you slide into your Manolos and take a bite out of the Big Apple, run the streets of New York to get a feel for what’s to come. With over 800 acres of running playground, Central Park is really a no-brainer when it comes to mapping my NYC route. The energy of the city keeps my pace up and the bagel carts and pizza shops make for easy carbo-loading on the way back.

vancouver - there's no place like home
If I could click my heels together and end up anywhere, it would be Vancouver. Snow-capped mountains, ocean waves and miles of seawall make Vancouver my favourite place in the world to run. There is nothing (and I mean nothing) like a sunny day, some good tunes and the smell of sea salt to charge me up. If you’re looking for a life changing experience run over the Burrard Street Bridge, through Yaletown, the Olympic Village and into Granville Island. I’ll save you a seat on the patio at the Granville Island Hotel. Shameless editor’s plug: if you’re intrigued by this route you should check out the SeaWheeze Half. Just sayin’.

Writing this blog post brought new meaning to “I run because I really, really, really like to eat” for Joanna – but hey, when you have access to the world’s best cuisine how could you not develop a love affair with food. Have any favourite discoveries you’ve made on the run?

Life moves fast in the digital lane, especially for Kristina Simmons, our Manager of Social Media. Don't be fooled. She stands five feet (OK, 5'o.5") tall but she has giant goals. (Like her BHAG to attend the ever amazing annual celebration of music, film and all things interactive - SXSW. She's going, alright - as a presenter, no less. ) No matter how busy life gets, she fits in her workouts. Who says miracles don't happen?

tips for fitness with a busy schedule

It's all about prioritizing when you work crazy hours. Being on the Digital team at lululemon means my days are jam-packed but I always get in a good sweat. (Well, at least most days!) Preparing to speak in Austin has things a little more chaotic than usual for me and I'm relying on the following to make sure I stay fit and sane. Here are my tips.

Sweat in the morning.
My productivity increases big time if I work out first thing in the morning. I'm more likely to do it before the rush begins, plus I don’t have to think about it the rest of the day. I put my gear out the night before. My alarm goes off at 5:30am and I am on the treadmill by 6am.

Schedule workouts into your calendar. Set reminders. Have integrity.
I schedule a circuit class every Wednesday at 4:30pm. I tell my co-workers in the morning so they are fully aware of my plans and they hold me accountable even if the day gets crazy.  

Seek out your workouts before travelling.
Before I travel for work or pleasure, I check out where the cool studios or running spots are and choose hotels with gyms whenever possible. I'm already looking into options for Austin, TX. (PS. If you're travelling near a store, drop in to find out where all the locals go.)

Kristina getting her om on in NYC at Barefoot in the Park

Get some new gear.
New workout clothes make my day. (Yes, I work at lululemon. Call me biased.) It's the perfect reward when I've been working hard. I swear that getting up early is easier when I get to break in a new pair of pants or shoes.

Plan a meeting/workout mashup.
If I don't need my computer, it's fun to meet while going for a run or a walk. The endorphin rush makes for great brainstorming and bonding. (Editor's note: If you want to keep your friends at the office, we suggest you do this only if you have access to a shower at work or if it is at the end of the day.)

Work out at work.
I'm fortunate to work at company that has yoga and fitness classes throughout the day. Why not propose it at yours? If it isn't feasible, start a run club before or after work 1-2 days a week. Our No Excuses Run Club is a big hit here at the office.

Make workout plans with a co-worker or a friend.
I'm less likely to back out if I make plans with someone ahead of time. I typically schedule my weekly plan on Sundays and share it with friends and co-workers to see if they want to join. Sometimes, I even tweet to see who's interested in going.

Commit to a challenge.
If I pay the money to do a 30-day challenge, I’m more likely to actually go. Plus, a little friendly competition always helps.

Diversify.
When I change up my workouts, it doesn't feel like work. I attend complimentary classes at our stores, try new studios, go for runs, hikes, swims - you name it. I’m always searching for new fun classes, running routes and DVDs.

Get new tunes.
When I am feeling unmotivated, I add some new music to the mix. It keeps things fresh, fun and interesting.

Pick up a fitness magazine.
Getting new workout ideas and healthy tips motivates me to work out. I love Women's Health, Fitness, SELF and Shape when it comes to magazines. I also love reading Fitsugar when I'm on the go.

Get into a routine.
It's all about establishing good habits. Whatever activities you choose, commit and make them a routine. When you get into the habit you are less likely to back out. Your body craves it.

My final note? Don’t let lack of time become an obstacle to taking care of yourself. If your goals are to work out more, make it a priority. You’ll feel better, get more done, and be happier!

Have mat. Will sweat - no matter what. 

want more?

• Get your local store's class schedule. Every location has amazing weekly events.
• Discover new music. We have lots of playlists to browse.
• Freshen up your wardrobe. Breaking in new gear is the perfect catalyst to sweat more.
• Download a fitness app. Lesia has great tips on apps to keep you motivated.
• Mix health with travel. Go on a yoga retreat for the most enjoyable workout to date.

Kristina totally inspires us! We know she'll knock SXSW out of the park without skipping a workout beat. What are you going to do to reach your health goals in the midst of your busy life?

Not pictured: your finish line smile and endorphin rush

If you're mixing athleticism with travel and doing a destination race, we've thought of everything you need. We raced around the office and polled the marathoners on site. Here's your checklist for the road ahead.

for the journey

A duffel bag or backpack Pack light in something with functional pockets for all your gear.

Passport and plane tickets A must! Don't forget. We repeat - don't forget.

Breakfast Only if you have a routine to stick to.

Reading material We love magazine apps! (Did you know the Runner's World app is free?)

A comfortable, breathable travel outfit Wear layers to keep your cool when the temperatures change.

for the race

Shoes Not new ones - your old faithfuls. Use the ones you've been training in.

Athletic socks Again, pack what you've been training in.

Two or three race outfits The weather could misbehave so be prepared. Whatever you do, remember this: Now is not the time to break in that great new gear.

Hydration How you choose to hydrate is your call. Pack a belt or a hand-held bottle or simply rely on those friendly water station volunteers.

Fuel You won't make that goal time if your energy tank runs too low. All our running bottoms have pockets for gels so you can carry fuel hands free.

Disposable layers Keep muscles warm before the starting line and wear layers you don't mind parting with. Typically once the race begins, volunteers collect them and donate them to charity.

Race belt Spare your running gear and pin your bib to a race belt.

Lubrication Say no to chafing! Put it anywhere there's a risk of getting seriously uncomfortable. (May I personally suggest you put some between your thighs? If you're shaped like me, you'll thank me.)

Tunes, comfortable headphones & a charger Music will be your lifeline. Make sure your player is charged and ready to rock. (Don't forget an adapter if you're travelling far, far away.)

Enough tunes to keep you motivated You don't want to hit that last leg of the race and realize all you've got left is your bedtime playlist. We suggest the following...

Extra hair elastics Before you pack some, see if you've got an extra one on a zipper pull. Our designers may already have you covered.

Deodorant If there was ever a time to need it, it will be when you're sweating buckets at the finish line.

Sunscreen Make sure it's sweatproof.

A credit or debit card If nothing else, you'll deserve a cab ride to your hotel room.

A running hat Our accessories designer suggests a colorful one so your cheering squad can pick you out in the pack.

Sunglasses You don't want to be squinting the whole way.

A heart rate monitor Our Community Relations Manager Tracy suggests the Garmin 110.

A big smile for your finish line photo shoot.

The ultimate souvenir: an imported marathon bib (Thanks for the photo, Jen!)

after the race

Your "I-love-my-body" kit Think stretch cords, foam rollers, tennis balls, pain relievers, band-aids and epsom salts. They will love you back.

A yoga mat We dare you to do more than savasana after the marathon.

A cozy post-race outfit Whatever you choose, make sure it includes slippers. Fuzzy ones.

A celebratory outfit Commemorate in style but keep in mind your feet may not be up for stilettos.

Compression socks to keep your muscles comfortable for the plane ride home.

before you get packing

• Still looking for a destination race? We've listed our favourite marathons.
• Looking to break in some running gear before the race? See our latest offerings for men and women.
• Need something to pack in? We've got functional bags to get you there, yoga mat and all.
• Get inspired by Jen's story She blogged about her NYC Marathon experience.

We suggest making packing part of the event. Print this list, pour a nice glass of wine and rest assured knowing you've got it all together in advance. (Ok, maybe not a realistic pursuit but as long as you can get it done with half an hour to spare, you're golden.)

NYC educators busting out a yoga pose on Wall Street after our earnings call last month!

julie - eastern us training manager

why do you have the most amazing job?

I love my job because it’s people first, and then we see the financial results again and again. Travelling around talking to people about their goals and helping them feel comfortable and confident in their job gets me up every day. I also think our product ROCKS so that helps.

how has working at lululemon made a difference in your life?

I’m more self-aware then I have ever been because of the tools offered at lululemon (Brian Tracy, Landmark, goal setting). Self awareness brings peace of mind. Peace of mind allows me to let go of my worries and create a future based on what’s possible, not what happened. Thank you lululemon!

what is your big hairy audacious goal?

My big hairy audacious goal was to move to New York City – and I just made it happen! I simply shared it with everyone around me and when my dream job finally opened up, I got it. Just one of many goals I have achieved while working with lululemon. It’s not ‘work’ – it’s a community of people standing for you and your goals, so long as you’re committed by giving back and never accepting anything less than greatness in your life. Guess it’s time to set a new hairy audacious goal. Hmmm....

monique - store manager of union square nyc

how did you come to lululemon?

I had a career as a project manager in technology and was looking for a part time job so I could have social interactions with real live people - I loved yoga and the website and lululemon at the time was opening the first store on the East Coast of the USA!

why do you have the most amazing job?

lululemon attracts people - employees, athletes, loyal fans - who are committed to creating incredible lives. Sometimes they are aware of it, sometimes they aren't, but they find themselves drawn to our stores and our educators. They read our manifesto, wear our clothing, take classes at our stores, hang out with our team. They find themselves running marathons or enrolling in yoga teacher training. Sometimes they work for us. In small steps or large leaps they take on their lives, transform their relationships, set goals, and create new futures.

Every day is different. In the stores, we have to rise to each day's unique set of challenges. My intellectual side gets to analyze numbers. My creative side gets to dream up events and windows and rewards for my team. My passionate side gets to have meaningful conversations every day. For every side I have, it finds expression. What more could I ask for?

Each day in the stores is unique!

how has working at lululemon made a difference in your life?

I've made close friends with people I have worked with, become a yoga teacher, moved to a new city - and I discovered I've grown up. And yet I feel younger at heart than ever before. Younger, and lighter.  None of that would have happened without being inspired, challenged, and motivated daily by the people I work with. I have so many role models that I learn from every time I am in their presence. And I've never worked harder or had more fun at the same time.

what is your big hairy audacious goal?

I am a self-supporting artist!

cara - regional manager nyc

how did you come to lululemon?

I kept going into the Victoria, British Columbia store and was in awe of how cool the people were and I never wanted to leave, plus I was in love with my black stretchy pants that I would never take off. I began working part-time as an educator while completing my Master’s degree and then absolutely had to be a part of company as the culture totally resonated with who I am.

why do you have the most amazing job?

I get to wake up every single day and work with the most amazing people on the planet. They constantly inspire me, push my limits and truly stand for greatness. Moreover, I have had the opportunity to live and experience the coolest places in the US, Boston and now, NYC. I am still pinching myself that I live in NYC. Lastly, I love who I meet everyday in the store and in the community. It is so cool to hear about people’s goals and just get to know who comes into our store and how we can help them. Ultimately, I feel I make a difference everyday in someone’s life. What could be better than that?!

how has working at lululemon made a difference in your life?

I am a better person, a better daughter a better sister, a better friend, a better wife, and a better leader. Personal development and goal setting have demonstrated that anything is possible and that you can love every single second of your life.

Cara on a stroll in the Big Apple

what is your big hairy audacious goal?

I am the CEO of lululemon athletica.

Learning about these amazing ladies stories inspired me -- not only to plan my next vacation to NYC, but also to embrace the possibilities and open doors surrounding me. If you find yourself attracted to greatness don’t miss your dream job and explore some of the possibilities waiting for you on the lululemon careers page.

There are more than a handful of people at lululemon that are sure they have the world’s coolest job. Some of us get to educate in stores all day, some travel the world on the hunt for new fitness and fashion trends, others get to host gigantic pre-run spaghetti dinners and guerrilla yoga classes for a living. Meet Liz Eustace – one of these people that pretty much has the raddest job around!

How would you describe your job in a nutshell?

Well - it has a LOT of layers! One of my favorite things is that I get to hang out with some of the funniest, quirkiest, smartest people I've ever met . I go into stores all across the east coast and work with teams  and support them in their community goals.

I seek out fitness trends, look for ways to support our ambassadors in their goals, work on larger regional initiatives like run, try weird and fun classes, go to events and make friends, host events and make more friends... and get to work with publications like the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe... to name a few. I could go on and on - but at this point, I’m just gushing!!!

What does a typical Tuesday on the job look like for you?

 Tuesdays are my call days. I get to talk with my amazing Regional Managers who are all inspiring women! I also work a floor shift and catch up on admin "stuff". I do most of this on Tuesday since I travel Wednesday - Saturday. It's also date night with Kristin K, a great manager, and I as we hit a class and grab a smoothie afterwards.

What was the weirdest thing you did in the name of “work”?

Hmmm, weirdest thing that I witnessed was standing next to Mayor Bloomberg (mayor of New York) while he was in his boxers and knee-highs about to jump into a pool. It was a little awkward having a conversation with him . But the weirdest thing I did by far was host a 12 hour yoga / dance festival in Times Square the day of our IPO... my day started at 4am and finished at 11pm and I still sort of twitch whenever I pass by. There are too many stories to tell but I met some very interesting people that day!

How did you find yourself at lululemon?

Well I am Canadian, lived in Vancouver for five years and then found myself in New York at Manhattan's largest yoga studio as the GM and the Retail Buyer... then Kerry Brown (who was prebranding NYC at the time) comes into the studio to "introduce" me to lululemon... well as a Canadian, it's in my blood... so as soon as I found out they were looking to build their team... the rest, they say, was history.

Who do you think has the second most rad job at lululemon, after you?

Allison Forsyth - definitely! The most recent event with Mohammad Ali - I mean - does it get cooler than that? And working with all of those elite athletes - the work she does is totally inspiring. PLUS - she is probably one of the funniest people I've ever met - have you talked to her?

Read about Allison Forsyth's most recent journey with the Spirit of the Torch!

In the heart of New York City there is an inspirational man who lets nothing stop him. Matt Long was a New York City firefighter who was struck by a bus and was severely injured with broken bones and internal bleeding. He went on to complete the New York City Marathon, and most recently an Iron Man.

The lululemon athletica family is thrilled to be part of his journey. If you’re in New York or ANYWHERE close, please join the lululemon Soho store for a night of inspiration and motivation as we celebrate all things running. Get ready for the New York City Marathon! We will be spending the night with Matt and hear about his I Will Foundation.

This is an event not to be missed. The night will be magical. Wednesday, October 28th at 8pm, 481 Broadway, New York – be there!

This guest post was co-written by Becky and Tricia, a dynamic duo in NYC! Becky (aka Becks) is the store manager at lululemon Lincoln Square, and Trish is the assistant manager.

7:30 a.m.: We start our day by grabbing a cup of coffee and then walk to the Lincoln Square store to begin to roll out the game-day plan. Opening the store together in the morning remains one of our favorite parts of the job.

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: The 1st round of product walk-throughs with our growing team begins. Courtney, the new showroom manager from Orlando, joins the team this morning to experience the day in the life of a New York manager.

9:30 a.m. – 10: a.m.: Product walk-through concludes and the seven-person team works to open the store. Before the clock strikes 10, we come together for the morning meeting. Goals are stated, sections are assigned and we’re off to the races!

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: The Thursday morning party has begun with quite a storm. It is the first cold, rainy day in New York City and our guests are coming in looking for warmth and listening to Dave Matthews Band on Pandora.

10:30 a.m.: We make a last minute purchase for our class with Nalini Method Ambassador Rupa Mehta.

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.: Nalini Class with Rupa. The Nalini Method is an intense full-body workout that includes a focus on your best assets: abs, ass and arms.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Apres class, Trish and Courtney grab a quick lunch and are back to the store while Becks and Rena meet with Rupa and Liz Eustace (Regional Community Guru) to discuss Rupa’s leadership in the New York City Recreation Center renovations and lululemon’s involvement and continued partnership.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Leadership meeting focusing on community initiatives leading up to the New York Marathon and finalizing finishing touches on our Charitable Giving Day next Tuesday, October 20th.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: We bang it out on the floor.

3:00 p.m.: Becks has an interview with a key leader from the St. Louis Showroom who is pursuing her goals of moving to New York City and would like to continue growing with lululemon.

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: We meet to discuss the next quarterly sales plan next weeks’ schedule including the Halloween window installation.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Spin class with the city-wide lululemon supporting team at Soul Cycle – East with new instructor Sherman.

Inspired by these managers? The New York region is full of amazing opportunities and are looking for goal driven people to join the team! Think you have what it takes? Check it out: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA1/ats/careers/searchResults.jsp?org=LULU&cws=1?cid=blog

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.

It seemed like Barefoot in the Park, an hour and a half yoga sampler featuring 7 different styles of yoga, was destined to be a rain date. So it was appropriate that on this glorious summer evening, lululemon Regional Community Guru Liz Eustace expressed her thanks to Mother Nature in addition to all the people who made this event possible.

The Lawn at Bryant Park was filled with 417 people young and old, experienced and just starting out, on top of a sea of yellow, blue and red mats. The soft lull of the sitar and the driving rumbling of the drums, created by the group Yoga Organix, provided the atmosphere for an open mind and open heart and accompanied the seven different teachers who were sharing seven different styles of yoga, everything from Kundalini, to Iyengar, to Vinyasa flow.

For those of you who have never done yoga outside, you must drag your mat out into the sun and experience your practice in a completely new environment under completely different elements. As New Yorkers, it's hard to find time to wind down and establish a consciousness that is solely centered on indulging in your yoga practice. In a city where its pure expansiveness can swallow you whole, it can also act as the perfect backdrop to embrace the fresh air and join with strangers in a unifying Om.

On a recent trip to New York City, I woke up early on a Saturday and walked 30 minutes to the lululemon East 66th store (let me just say, I know now why New Yorkers are in such great shape—they walk everywhere!). Rebecca Kordecki, the founder of Booty Slide, seemed energetic and excited to share her fitness regime. I would do Booty Slide everyday if I could get her results! We used colorful, silk booties and bands to use our body weight to tone and strengthen. As an avid fitness enthusiast, I have tried anything and everything. It's unusual to find a fitness class that combines toning exercises with cardio. My heart was pumping as I did lunges, mountain climber, and plank pose exercises.

There's always a great variety of complimentary class at all the lululemon stores from yoga or pilates to bootcamp or belly dancing. Whenever I go on vacation (even before I worked here) I check the lululemon site for studios in the area or classes at the store. It's a great money-saver to scout out the free classes when you're on vacation because it's often difficult and pricey to find suitable gyms.

The next day during my walk through Central Park, my legs were definitely sore (of course in a good way). My cost for the workout weekend in New York $0 and my body definitely loved it.

Want to try booty slide out for yourself? Visit their site below!

http://www.rebeccakordecki.com/bootyslide.html

Here at lululemon we love bringing our guests in the store a great experience by providing them with amazing fitness classes and more. The question is: how can we bring that lululemon experience to our online guests? I decided we should challenge our tech-savvy crowd to get active in REAL time by bringing the virtual world to reality.

lululemon will be having our FIRST ever tweet up (and I dare say, I hope not the last) in Bryant Park on June 18th. We are combining the New York team’s incredible work for Barefoot in The Park at the same time! (Did you know our stores in New York provide yoga classes at least twice a week in Bryant Park?) Mix, mingle, chat about social media, and try out different styles of yoga and instructors all in one night.

I will be in New York for two months and I am ready to explore the city. I want to meet YOU! I personally invite each and everyone of you to come to Barefoot in the Park and the first ever lululemon tweet up! I dare you to choose your favorite style of yoga and your instructor and tell me about it through Facebook or Twitter.

Want to come? RSVP through Facebook! (Ps, make sure to check back to the Facebook event in case of rain!)