Many things help brighten our day as we head through the week (random smiles, exhausting sweat sessions). Click on the images below to see some of the stuff that inspired us lately.

It wasn't until I started working at lululemon that I really tried yoga. I come from a dance background, and for me, the transition to yoga has been a challenge. In my mind, yoga was slow and boring, with music that could put me to sleep. But the more I put 100% of my mental and physical energy into movement, the more I began to love yoga -- especially the way I feel after.

Greg signing in at the Yoga Lounge

So when I decided that I wanted my boyfriend Greg to feel this good, I knew I had to be there for his first time. We picked a Vinyasa class that started just in time for him to get home from work, and me from school.

the verdict

Greg's take on his first yoga class: "I had this notion, which I realize now was naive, that yoga was all serenity and relaxation -- a cross between getting a massage and stretching. But no. It's hard work. I never felt like a failure, though. And I think that might be one of the benefits of yoga—it’s non-judgemental. This isn’t a competitive aerobics class -- though I’ve never taken an aerobics class either, so that might be an unfair characterization."

First class verdict: thumbs up!

tips for yoga first timers

1. Dress comfortably. Avoid heavy cottons and keep your clothing light and fitted.
2. Bring a water bottle, a towel and some warm layers to put on after your class.
3. Don't be scared. Everyone has a first time.
4. If you're feeling tired or a little light headed, take a moment and lie down.
5. Fully invest in the experience. Go to class and leave your outside worries and stresses at the door.
6. Drink lots of water before, during and especially after to replenish yourself. Your body will love you for it.
7. Don't base your opinion on your first class. Or second. Or even third. It may take time to love yoga.
8. Have fun!

One class in and looking like a pro

Remember: there are always new people. There will always be older people, younger people, bigger people, smaller people, people that can't touch their toes, and people that bend in half like a Gumby doll. I think that's what makes yoga so beautiful to me. It really is for everyone.

Are you interested in trying yoga? Visit your local lululemon for info on their weekly complimentary classes.

It's day 6 of Goal Week! So far, we've: looked at what makes a goal, dreamed up our ideal lives, and learned how to write specific and measurable goals. What's next? Sharing your goals.

why share your goals?

Sharing your goals is an important part of goal-setting. As Carolyn mentioned in her post about goal-setting tips, when you share your goals, you gain an instant support network of people that will hold you accountable. This also leads to conversation around your goals so that you can gain the insight and knowledge you need to achieve them.

Shirley wrote her goals on her shirt!

how to share your goals

Sharing your goals can be as simple as a conversation with a friend, colleague, or family member. If you created a visual goal board, put it somewhere visible and public so it's always in front of you. At lululemon, our goals are in our stores, near our desks, and in the hallway of our Store Support Centre, Guest Education Centre, and Distribution Centre.

Goals from lululemon Whistler

The goal wall at lululemon La Jolla

Sharing goals via the store window at lululemon W. 4th in Vancouver

your mission today

Your goal mission today, if you choose to accept it, is to share a 1, 5, or 10-year goal with someone. If the thought of doing this creates butterflies in your stomach - you're on the right track! It might not be easy at first to talk about the future and what you want out of your life if you're not used to it, but it will get better. Ready, set - go get 'em!

P.S. If you have questions about goal setting, want some tips, or have thoughts/feedback for us, come to our Facebook wall at 4 pm PST tomorrow (Sept. 8th) for Ask a Goal Coacher Live!

Give the gift of your time. Why not make a snowman with that special person?

As the season approaches, I'm thinking a lot about gifts. The tradition in my family involves ample gift giving of the tangible kind. Beautifully wrapped boxes and ribbons and bags, oh my! All filled with things the recipient will certainly love to have. Some extravagant, all thoughtful for certain.

This year, such abundance of things poses a conundrum.

For the past few years, I've been getting rid of many "things": from teapots to tables, furniture to footwear, lamps to a luxury vehicle. They weighed me down. Drained my bank. Kept me addicted. (Once the rush of newness wears off, then what? MORE. NEWER. Repeat.) They stressed me out. I call these things: Psychic Fat. And I've been on a mission to trim down. Hence, the conundrum.

I don't want more things, I want fewer things. I want more quality time and connections with the people I care about. But we're approaching the biggest gift-giving time of year when it's probably easiest just to purchase a new thing. HELP! In an ongoing effort to brainstorm non-thing gift ideas, as well as what to request when asked "what do you want", here's what (pathetically little) I've come up with so far:

- Music (via home-made CDs)
- Request donations to favorite non-profits/charities
- Home-made coupons (for some one-on-one time, a foot rub, to cook dinner, etc., complete with a by-when date!)
- Anything you know the person likes to make... (knitted pot-holders or a scarf)
- A request to look through an old photo album together
- um...um...um... (there must be more?)

If any of you have great ideas to share let's help each other!

Above: Meet Suzanne! She is our Online Community Manager Carolyn's mum and one of our biggest fans! Suzanne is from the small town of Oliver, BC, which is home to the World's Largest Cherry Pie!

Here on the lululemon web team, many of us are from small towns. We're from places with claims to fame such as the World's Largest Cherry Pie and the Salmon Capital of the World.

For October's monthly photo challenge, we want to meet your tiny towns! Show us your landmarks, your monuments, the roads you run and bike on, your town's yoga studio, or where you have your morning coffee. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

You can either upload your photo our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr or send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we'll add it for you (we won't publish your email address). If you'd like, add a sentence or two about your small town so we can share your town and why you love it with the world.