No Ifs, Ands Or Boots

• Smile & sweat at RPM Bootcamp! •

 Spotted @  RPM Total Fitness
                  2968 Dundas St W

 Who:  Marlison and Lauren attended Kelley's Monday morning Bootcamp class. A teacher, mom and lululemon alumni ambassador, Kelley has been teaching fitness for 16 years strong (with too many certifications to list)! Kelley has a huge passion for health and fitness, and instructs Spinning, Gravity and Bootcamp classes at RPM, always with a big smile on her face! Her personal philosophy on health and fitness is a "total, complete healthy lifestyle - of whole living in all aspects of one's life - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Each aspect affects each other and therefore works with each other. When a person is in great physical shape, they feel great, and can more effectively handle life and get the most out of their life." Amen.

 What:  RPM Bootcamp with Kelley

RPM Bootcamp is a high intensity indoor class, deigned to improve your cardio and strength. We had an intense running and skipping warm up, followed by a 30-minute "As Many Reps As Possible" 12 exercise circuit, ending with a mini TRX upper body circuit and a cool down stretch. Kelley combines traditional body weight exercises with inspiration from her other passions, such as yoga. (Psst we followed up Bootcamp with Kelley's 10:30 Gravity class - talk about a workout!)

 Wore:  Alison wore the anti-stink Swiftly Tech Racerback - she especially loves that the cut is slightly shorter than in the past. She paired it up with her two-tone RUN: Speed Shorts.
Marlene paired the new Vinyasa Surf tank, designed with a high neck and criss-cross straps for coverage and mobility, with her sweat-friendly Wunder Under Pants.
Lauren kept it classic with the Power Y Tank and Wunder Under Pants, while Jill rocked her coloured Wunder Under Pants and a Silvescent singlet.

 When:  Kelley leads Bootcamp every Monday morning at 9:30, followed by a Gravity class at 10:30. She instructs Spinning Tuesday evenings.

 Why RPM Bootcamp: 

Bootcamp training is a high intensity calorie burning workout that will keep you moving for the duration of the class! This group class is designed to promote fitness and camaraderie, pushing people further than they normally would push themselves in the gym alone. Everyone has the ability to work at their own pace throughout each exercise, but we love the social support of the fellow participants in this team setting. We love Kelley because she leads by example, jumping right into each workout with us, while also focusing on personal instruction in this small group setting. A positive and motivating instructor, you can't help but smile while she's kicking your boot!

Wetter is Better

•  Sweat It Out with Bikram Yoga  •

(Yep, the studio is actually this steamy!)

 Spotted @  Red Tree Bikram Yoga
                      12 Drummond Street, Suite #2

      

 Who:  Marlison and Rach were first-timers at Lucie's Saturday morning Bikram class. Along with us was one other Bikram newbie and a spectrum of regulars ranging from beginner to advanced. Lucie started her Bikram journey in 2008 in Acapulco, Mexico and has been teaching ever since. A former triathlete, she enjoys the physical challenge and benefits of practicing Bikram. She strives to provide her students with a disciplined pracice, constantly giving cues to improve our poses and pushing us to achieve just a little bit more. One of Lucie’s favourite quotes is, “You can do anything if you set your mind for it.” (We agree, Bikram is certainly mind over matter!)

 What:  Bikram with Lucie

Bikram Yoga is a structured practice of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises in elevated heat (105ºF baby!). The practice is systematically designed to warm and stretch muscles and ligaments while moving fresh, oxygenated blood to the entire body. A disciplined practice, Bikram's key focus is on each individual pose as opposed to flow. Each pose is done twice with rest, allowing you to re-set and focus on gradual and noticeable improvements.

 Wore:  Less is more. We suggest light, breathable clothes - think shorts & a sports bra. We pulled out our moisture wicking Boogie shorts & Luxtreme shorts from hibernation and paired them with our bra of choice: Flow Y, Energy and Ebb & Flow. You'll be working up a serious sweat so make sure you wear something that'll keep you cool and comfortable!

(Not comfortable in minimal clothing? Don't worry, there were bodies of all shapes & sizes present. Plus everyone was so focused on their own individual practice, you have nothing to fear and nothing to lose ..except for some body heat!)

       
(Note: Colour coordination not planned)

 When:  Lucie teaches classes regularly throughout the week. Check the online schedule for details!

 Why Bikram: 

Rumor has it Bikram is one of the hottest and hardest yoga practices ..you heard right!  The goal of Bikram is discipline, not perfection. It's more important for you to understand what you are trying to accomplish in each pose, how honestly you try to accomplish your goal, and how loose your muscles and joints have become in comparison to the point at which you began.  And don't be discouraged by the elevated temperatures in the studio - they help to improve stretching and strengthens the immune system to restore all systems to healthy working order.

Still intimidated? We'll be honest, Bikram was one of the most challenging practices we have faced. The physical exertion and heat is unlike any other form of yoga, but more than just the physical challenge, the majority of Bikram is mental strength and concentration. It is suggested not to leave the studio, so don't be afraid to find relief in child's pose or savasana at any time throughout the 90 minutes ..we certainly did! And although Bikram is a demanding practice, there is also a mutual feeling of accomplishment and a proudness that everyone shares.

Warning: Be prepared to sweat! A towel is mandatory and we suggest bringing shower items for post-practice or to layer with lightweight easy to slip on & off items. 

Keep Calm & Moksha On

•  Stretch, Strengthen & Tone with Moksha Yoga!  •

 Spotted @  Moksha Yoga Etobicoke

                 1138 The Queensway
      

 Who:  Marlison attended Cathy's 75 minute Moksha class. Cathy is one of our kicka** ambassadors at lululemon Sherway Gardens and the co-owner of Moksha Yoga Eotbicoke. A positive and inspirational teacher, Cathy strives to teach to her students that a regular practice of yoga can help bring peace and calm off the mat and out into the world with them. Furthermore, she has the wholehearted belief that yoga can "bring about world peace, one sweaty mat at a time"! When she's not practicing world peace, she's a performing artist with work experience in theatre, film, and television - what a star!
       

 What:  Moksha with Cathy
Moksha yoga is a 40-posture series intended to open, strengthen and detoxify the entire body. A slower paced class focused more on individual poses as opposed to flow, this hot yoga series will bring you through savasana (a relaxation pose where our expectations fall away), intention setting (where we set our focus to achieve our goals), standing series (a cardiovascular set of postures to build strength & stability), floor series (where we relieve tension, improve posture and maintain a healthy spine), followed by a final savasana (a final relaxation after warming, strengthening and opening the body).

 Wore:  Alison & Marlene pulled the twin card again! The new Flow & Go Tank in Pop Orange was their top of choice. Made with Diamond Mesh, a moisture wicking material with great stretch and shape retension, this top is perfect for hot yoga. Plus, the open back not only kept us cool as we worked up a sweat, but is flattering as well! We paired it up with Boogie Shorts and Wunder Under Crops.
       

 When:  Cathy teaches classes regularly throughout the week. Check the online schedule for details!

 Why Moksha: 
The motto of Moksha Yoga is "Calm mind. Fit Body. Inspired Life." Moksha teachers truly stand behind this statement, as they are always learning new ways to help students enjoy a more fun, healthy, and stress free life. A Moksha class differs from that of other yoga styles, because it is a slower practice focused on relaxation and peace. The instant you step into a studio, you enter an environment where you can take time to focus on yourself. The studio itself has full length mirrors that allow students to really focus on their alignment and posture. A more meditative form of yoga practice, Moksha allows you to do things at your own pace - come as early or stay as long as you want in savasana! To top off the relaxing atmosphere, we love to enjoy some post-practice tea or a refreshing clementine.