an unexpected therapy

When I was 17, I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic autoimmune disease. I was told by my doctor that the discs in my spine would erode, my spine would fuse as one and I would be hunched over in a wheel chair by the time I was 30.

The strength of the pain medication and treatment would drastically lower my immune system, leaving me vulnerable to any bug people were carrying. It reached a point where small acts like shaking someone’s hand would make me nervous. Though the side effects left me fragile, I knew I needed the drugs to manage the pain. Sometimes I had such painful episodes that I would have to get out of bed at 4:00am and crouch over until the extra pain killers kicked in. I was so young but I felt so old.

Within the first two months of practicing hot yoga at least 4 times a week, the protruding discs in my L3, L4 and L5 moved completely back into alignment! Once the discs had moved back into place, I experienced incredible pain relief because of the reduced inflammation in the area.  As a result, I started to notice that my immune system was also getting stronger. I was finally able socialize without the fear of getting sick! I also recognized other positive changes in my body: my skin cleared up, I was sleeping like a log and the anxiety I had been experiencing for years, just disappeared. I was healthier than I’d ever been.

My specialist was so pleased with my results that we decided to switch to a drug that I could inject myself with at home. As my condition improved, we started to space the treatments out more and more. Now I only take the medication when I feel I need to, and I hope to one day be free of it completely.

moving beyond the body

In order to deepen my practice, I decided to sign up for a 30 day challenge at my local studio. I now understand why it’s called a challenge! I think I had all the same side effects that everyone else experiences and then some.  I could feel the benefits of my body detoxifying and I was surprised by all of the emotions that surfaced over the month. Some days were harder than others, but giving up was never an option. I was determined to finish every class, even if I had to crawl through it. My determination was not fueled by pride, but rather it was as if my soul wouldn’t let me quit. I knew I needed to keep pushing through.

The weeks following the challenge, I began to reflect on the various influences in my life and their impact on my state of mind and overall happiness. I came to realize how the unhealthy relationship with my partner at the time was negatively affecting both my physical and mental health. Thanks to my regular practice and the empowerment of completing the challenge, I was able to assess the situation with a clear head. Making the decision to get out of that 7 year relationship was a huge wake up call and one of the hardest choices of my life. Though it was undeniably difficult, I surprised myself with how well I handled the change. A year of practicing had been both healing my body and strengthening my mind. Hot yoga has forever changed my life and its benefits are still amazing me today!

This post was written by Renae, who worked as an educator at lululemon Perth City.

chip's thoughts on fatherhood

A parent is someone who every child models themselves off of. Either they want to be the same or the opposite. In most cases it is a combination or more likely a rejection as a teenager with acceptance at 30 and then idolization after children. This is what my father was to me. A nutball and a hero.

Fatherhood is about mentoring and being a model for children to grow into. It is about patience and listening and not getting wrapped up in the emotion that naturally occurs.

My relationship to my dad is excellent. We both change as we age so we both know life is short and our relationship with each other is the most important there is. I love the relationship and learning that my children get from a more mature, mellow grandfather. Their relationship inspires me to be a granddad (some day).

We did not invent the manifesto together but many of the sayings originated with my dad. Most notably anything to do with living in the moment. He always said the meaning of life is in the moment and nothing else.

meet dennis

Meet Shannon, our amazing St. Louis Showroom Manager!

What is your role at lululemon?

Community Creator (a.k.a St. Louis Showroom Manager)

What is the difference between a showroom and a store?

A showroom is a "cozier" version of a lululemon store; small and intimate, and more boutique-like... it’s like stopping by a friend's home to catch up and see what’s new. We operate just like a retail store in terms of offering tons of great product, but we spend as much time out in the community as we do in the showroom, so our hours are a little funny as we are not open every day and may close early for private events and trunk shows. We do our own painting and arranging. Some may call it "kitschy", but I prefer "homey", perhaps even "endearing". The showroom atmosphere engenders such a personal guest experience that ultimately creates authentic relationships. It's so amazing!

How did you come to lululemon?

I received my first pair of Groove pantsa few years ago and fell in love with the product. After completing my Masters in Spanish Literature and realizing the academic route was not for me, I began researching companies and met MK Letchworth who came to St. Louis to open the showroom here – her energy was INCREDIBLE and her enthusiasm for lululemon, contagious. It was an instant connection; we had so much in common! I applied online for positions in New York, was contacted by lululemon and ended up finding the best fit and opportunity right here in St. Louis with the fabulous MK (now lululemon masonville assistant manager!).

Tell us about your community:

St. Louis is friendly, loyal and authentic. It is a cosmopolitan city with world-class restaurants, museums, sports teams - but all coupled with a quaint, small-town feel. In terms of health and fitness, this is a running and fitness community where yoga is really taking off!

Inside the St. Louis Showroom!

What is a typical Wednesday like for you?

No typical day really – but in general I rise early, take a cardio class or go for a run, eat breakfast, participate in a conference call, grab a coffee and head to the showroom where I hang out with friends and make new ones talking about the latest and greatest lululemon gear, fave yoga class, new restaurants, goal setting, etc., and receive new product! After work I will drop in on a yoga class (or as of November in St. Louis, run with the lululemon run club!) make dinner and spend time with family and friends.

How do you usually sweat once a day?

I love to run, spin, practice yoga and take crazy cardio classes with some of the amazing instructors we have in St. Louis.

Why do you have the best job in the world?

Because I enable people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives by being a hub of health and fitness knowledge in my community. We offer complimentary yoga and fitness classes and educate the community on super high performance gear for however they choose to sweat!

No two days are ever the same. I wear stretchy pants to work and get paid to work out and have authentic conversations with people about health, fitness and living a GREAT life. My company is constantly challenging me to create a life of possibility and never settle for mediocrity, providing me with the developmental tools and support to make that happen! And, seriously, our manifesto includes such words of wisdom like "Dance, sing, floss and travel"and has monthly challenges that include dancing the running man once a day!

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

Be yourself and have fun. Sounds simple, but you are hired into this incredible company because you are incredible, so just keep doing that thing you do. And, well, if you are not having fun every single day, then you are doing something wrong. Get out there and connect in your community - love, laugh, sweat and breath deeply every day! Honestly, just read the manifesto, it’s all there!

What makes your showroom unique?

Simple - our community makes us unique: from the educators to the guests, to the ambassadors and R&D team, to our fantastic Central West End neighborhood. There is no showroom like it!

What's your Big Hairy Audacious Goal!?

My BHAG is to bring lululemon into Spanish speaking countries, uniting my passion for the Spanish language and culture and sheer enthusiasm and desire to continue to spread the lululemon love… en español!

See the amazing opportunities at lululemon with the new showrooms opening up!

What?! Travel?! Who does that these days? We don't have enough time, and we certainly don't have any money!

Actually, if you look on the average 18-39 year old's facebook profile, most of them consider traveling as one of their interests. We all know that tourism has decreased dramatically in the past couple of years. If most of us love to travel, why aren't we doing it?

I believe it's because we've stopped allowing travel to be a priority. Do you remember the last trip you took for pleasure? Didn't you feel magnificent? Exhilarated? Alive? Me too.

That's why ever since I was 18 years old, I've gone on two vacations each year. This isn't because I have more money or time off than you. I've simply made traveling part of my goals. By setting and working toward your goals, you actually get to take the future into your own hands. Brian Tracy says, "You become what you think about most of the time." If that's the case, truly start visualizing yourself on that vacation you've been dreaming about. How does the sun feel on your skin? What does the music sound like? How does that piña colada taste? On my travels, I've created memories, started new relationships, strengthened already existing relationships and learned about cultures other than my own. I may not stay in an oceanfront suite every time, but I still get what I'm looking for out of each trip. Traveling gives me a strong sense of overall wellbeing. It is what fills my soul.

The first step is choosing the place you want to visit next. Once you make a commitment, everything else will fall into place if you let it. Just go with it, and you're guaranteed to come home with tons of stories and memories you wouldn't have experienced if you had stayed home.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." -Mark Twain

Want to learn more about a day in the life of an account manager at lululemon? Well you've come to the right place!

As a Strategic Sales Account Manager for lululemon, I have the opportunity to introduce lululemon to people in new areas, creating passion for the brand, whilst supporting the communities in which we operate. It's amazing to be surrounded by entrepreneurial minded people who have an incredible passion for our product and culture. I always knew I wanted to work in new markets, I just didn't know at the time that I would land my dream job doing it!

So what does a day in the life of a Strategic Sales Account Manager look like? Well, every day is different, but to give you a snippet my team starts by creating a strategy. Where do we want to go and why? We partner with yoga, pilates, fitness and wellness spas in the US and Canada with a focus on new markets in order to build great relationships with our end users, share our culture and support our stores.

One of my favourite parts of this role is fostering and developing relationships with our partners. They are a business too and it is a rewarding experience to help them grow. The Strategic Sales program provides us with the opportunity to touch so many different facets of our company, from creating seasonal product catalogues, to working with merch and finance. I now have a broader knowledge of how my job affects other teams at lululemon. We also get involved in the fun stuff like creating community events, blogging online about our partners and we also provide product education and merch tips… And of course, taking classes and wearing the clothes!

The best part of all is that I'm following my goals and I get paid to do so! If you want to learn more about our team and what we do, check out the strategic sales section of our website.