top 10 wanderlust must-haves

When our team hit the Wanderlust yoga festival in Bondville, Vermont, last month they had an amazing time (despite the inclement weather). It was like a sampler pack of yoga styles and music: acro-yoga, vinyasa, chanting and gongs. With plenty more summer still to come and lots more festivals coming too, Paula (our Social Media Specialist) put together her list of essentials to get the most out of upcoming yoga festivals.

1. Wanderlust Rucksack – I was lucky enough to test this backpack before it hit stores.  I loved all of the zipper pockets and the laptop sleeve; plus the built in rain cover came in handy during the unexpected downpours.

2. Skinny Satin Pirouette – I’ve finally found a headband that works for my head; skinny and sticky so it stays in place. We did tons of inversion workshops so this was crucial for keeping my hair out of my face and letting me focus on the pose.

3. The Mat – Cushioned and grippy! After a 12-hour travel day, I was extremely happy I was carrying a comfy mat.

4. Manduka Equa Towel – The towel helped provide a little more cushion over my travel mat when I needed it and soaked up the puddles.

5. iPhone – My lifeline. I was tweeting, facebooking, instagramming and checking-in everywhere.

6. Water Bottle – When you’re doing 4-6 hours of yoga every day, staying hydrated was uber-important.  I switched back and forth between H2O and coconut water.

7. Travel Pooch – Anyone I travel with will tell you I’m more than slightly forgetful. I need a bag I can keep close to my body and easily do my keys-phone-passport-wallet check.

8. Vinyasa Scarf –This magical piece acted as my scarf, towel, wrap, pillow, blanket and rain cover. `

9. Dense Foam Block– I actually didn’t bring this with me, but I wish that I had!  Bricks were not supplied in any classes, and when you’re on your 3^rd class of the day, a little extra support would have been greatly appreciated.

10. Moleskin (not pictured) - This was beside my mat all weekend.  With so many amazing instructors at Wanderlust, I was constantly jotting down inspiration and education.  I saw some people using the moleskine app on their iPads instead of notebooks too.

top two nice-to-haves

11. Passport & Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm – These aren't must-haves, but they're pretty important if you're a Canadian with a lip balm addiction.

upcoming wanderlust yoga festivals

• Wanderlust Chicago - Yoga In The City
• Wanderlust Tahoe - Inspired Gathering
• Wanderlust Santa Monica - Yoga In The City
• Wanderlust Tahoe - Wanderlust CA
• Wanderlust Seattle - Yoga In The City

Wanderlusters in full force!

day 1: molly

Waking to the Tahoe sun peering into the bedroom window, I couldn't sleep past 7am.

I was most excited to take classes from a few of the best instructors from Los Angeles. Our first class, taught by alumni lululemon Santa Monica ambassador Ashley Turner, was called “A Chakra Intensive: Into The Mystic”. Part lecture and part vinyasa flow, this class was an opportunity for us to experience the connections between the chakra energy source manifesting in our bodies.

After a few chaturangas, downdogs, and OMs, the chaos of LA life seemed to disappear and I was simply inspired by the different types of people that had decided to dedicate the weekend to their yoga practice, living in the moment, and celebrating life.

Overall, the first day was just a little taste of what was yet to come and I couldn't wait for day two.

Needless to say, practicing yoga in an open-air tent looking out into the pine tree mountains, and feeling the cool Tahoe breeze was a little different than practicing in the studio experience.

Molly is an assistant manager at our Brentwood store.

day 2: amanda

Waking up in Tahoe is a far cry from the heat and hubbub of New York City.

We all feel like super heroes in Wunder Under crops and Cool Racerbacks most days, but this morning we actually flew. Like magical elves we whipped our “Manifestation Creation Station” into a creative wonderland – piles of colourful luon, chalk pens for our inspiration board, lots of caffeine, and an extra large tub of Red Vines.

Hula hoopin' outside our Creation Station.

Natalie, our yoga designer, and I headed off to a couple yoga classes, one of which was an amazing Anusara class with New York yogi Elena Brower. When I ran into her around the Creation Station later in the day I introduced myself and said how much I enjoyed the class. I was blown away when she responded “I will never forget your smile in class as long as I live.”

Thinking of all the new friends I had made, the yoga I shared, and our creations in the village, I fell asleep that night with goosebumps dreaming of what tomorrow could bring.

Amanda is an Eastern United States regional community guru.

day 3: natalie

Getting ready to load up Vanna and head out for the day.

I woke up with the sun, bright and early Saturday morning excited for the day ahead.

After listening to design ideas and exchanging Wanderlust experiences with guests at our Creation Station, I took the bike to the meditation dome to learn more about the “Symbolism of Hindu and Buddhist Deities” from Dr. Manoj Chalam.

A sneak peek into our Creation Station.

We settled down on some cushions and got a taste of the interesting culture that surrounds yoga. I soon realized what an expansive topic this is and how much we still really don’t know. Filled with curiosity and excitement, the rest of the day seemed to fade away and ended in a very deep sleep with hopes that tomorrow I'd find more answers to the crazy world of yoga.

Natalie is one of our yoga designers in Vancouver, B.C.

last day in wanderlust: lindsay

We arrived at Kula Village just shy of 8am. The sun was shining and the village was buzzing with positive yogic energy. We headed to heaven by taking the gondola to 8,200 feet of pure bliss, also known as High Camp, for one last vinyasa flow class led by Yogalebrity Vinnie Marino.

The view from above Lake Tahoe was absolutely stunning and not a bad spot for yoga.

Yoga on top High Camp, breath taking views and an even better energy shared by all.

We came down from the view of the world and prepared ourselves for what's next- packing up our Creation Station collectibles and bidding farewell to Wanderlust.

All along the way, we connected with friends in our community and said goodbye to them all with gratitude in our hearts, thankful to share with them a generous weekend of love. Armed with new friends and filled with love, I walked away with rock hard 6 pack abs from all the laughter I shared with all those who were as lucky I to spend a weekend in Wanderlust.

Lindsay is the store manager at our Walnut Creek store.

Until next year in Wanderlust, Namaste.