Winter wanes! The Sun is definitely waxing and we're all noticing here in the northeast where winter can seem to last forever! And it was kind of a rough season with lots of cold and snow (though I do like the snow!). Didn't it seem like everyone had the flu or something that was hard to kick?
Yoga got me through winter, even though I did have that evil flu that kept me out of the studio more days than I wanted. I still had the flu when most of these photos were taken! Exercise seems to help me recover more quickly, and workouts are not only good for my immune system but essential for my state of mind.
All but one of these was taken in the Lululemon showroom on the corner of Market & Middle Streets in the Old Port, Portland, Maine. Lulu active wear is as addictive as a hot yoga routine. Their fabrics are seriously good for those of us who work out religiously and this stuff looks great so you can wear it out to lunch or wherever too. Yesterday, in my "groove pants", I went out to lunch and then took a long walk on a rare 50 degree winter day without a change of clothes.
I have to admit since I discovered Lululemon, most of my other yoga wear is feeling neglected. Stop by the showroom and tell them I sent you! Like Lulu on facbook too! They offer great specials to their facebook friends. See that goals wall? Make one of your own and get into the Lulu spirit.
ps Lululemon has a runners club and complimentary classes on weekends. Facebook will give you the skinny on all of that. Rock!
One of my "things" right now is to transform situations just by looking at them or approaching them differently. If I'm uncomfortable or uncertain about someone, I'm making the effort to know them better (in some cases), and I'm trying not to avoid things that create anxiety for me. I'm also set to put a new spin on Valentine's Day, a holiday I recently tweeted disdain for on my twitter feed.
Flashback: When I was in first grade I was admitted to the hospital unexpectedly on the night before Valentine's Day. What I remember more than being scared was being so sad that I'd miss my class Valentine's Day party. I still had some Valentines to write and I seem to remember finishing them with my Mom, in the back seat of the car, on a cold, dark February night. The hospital stay turned into weeks and my classmates sent me all my Valentines cards and more. One of the only good things about my days was reading and rereading the cards out of that brown paper bag with the big red heart on it.
For years though I haven't been crazy about Valentine's Day. I'm with the group that says it's so commercial and kind of silly. I mean if you're in love, you're in love every day, and if your relationship sucks it's not going to get better because you give candy, flowers or jewelry. There are flaws in this reasoning though. First of all, Valentine's Day only has to be commercial if we allow it to be. If you buy into advertisements, feel guilty or inadequate, and go out and buy expensive things only to end up broke, disappointed or just disillusioned, then that's your own doing. One year it happened to be Valentine's week when I felt inspired to make this collage for a close friend and I worried about giving it to him near February 14th, feeling that there might be too much attached to it, so I put it off. It was exactly what a Valentine should be though; from the heart, expressive and home made, which is always good if you can manage it. Valentines don't have to be all of those things, but in my "research" this week, most people who responded agreed that a Valentine token should be simple and meaningful.
I made an attempt on my social networks to get guys, and by that I mean males, to comment on Valentine's Day, however this was mostly a failed endeavor. Men, it seems, would rather not talk about it. Considering that not a single respondent said they wouldn't welcome a Valentine, and adding to that the handful who said it would be really nice to get a card or something unexpected even if they're not in relationships, I can only conclude that guys like a little recognition yet are reluctant to do anything to indicate they care either way. I wonder if they check their mailboxes or inboxes with Valentine's Day in mind. No one seems to be telling, but stories after the fact are welcome if you feel like fessing up once February 15th arrives and the coast is clear!
Myself, I'm in the mindset not to be a Valentine Scrooge next week. In an attempt to embrace the holiday in some form, I think I'll make a few cards or gifts for friends and send, whether anonymously or not remains to be known. Chances are anyone would know my signature kind of thing either way. I even bought a tank top with a big heart today (sustainable organic cotton), and I'll give it a couple of spins between now and the 14th.
I tend to think we're smartest when we're around 8 years old, before adolescence and expectations of all kinds get in the way. Interestingly enough, I got one of the best Valentines ever in third grade. The boy's name was Daniel and he gave me this smokey glass crystal heart on a gold chain. He probably stole it from his older sister or his Mom. I don't think I knew this boy had a crush on me until I got that heart. I never forgot it, and I never forgot his name. Who knows what kind of an impression you might make or how much you might make someone's day this year, on a date that many single people say they hate. Do something cool, even if it's showing that you love your dog or appreciate the old lady who lives next door. Seriously, let's turn it around and make it a fun or happy Valentine's Day in surprising ways. I bet it will feel good.
Allie and Evie of Spirit Passages and True North have a one day workshop coming right up. You can still register. For more information scroll to my Shamanic Journey Weekend blog from last week.
Spencer Albee (As Fast As, Rustic Overtones), Neil Collins (Lincolnville, Twisted Roots), Walt Craven (Lost on Liftoff, 6 Gig), Nate Nadeau and Jamie Colpoys
The Lucid is a band. Their first two cds were released under the name Dominic & The Lucid, and their new self titled was just released days ago (which means it's an Aquarius). Aquarius albums should be forward thinking and "lucid" is defined as "characterized by clear perception". The Lucid + Aquarius = visionary, unique and in the moment, with an eye toward the horizon.
Robbie Kanner is a photographer and designer who lives in the world of music. His website was previously called Vision for Viewers, but it's now self titled, like The Lucid. He designed the cover art above, and you can view more of his work at www.robbiekanner.com.
Robbie's vision of The Lucid on February 4th, 2011 at Port City Music Hall.
Find out more about The Lucid at http://www.thelucidmusic.com
Lululemon hit the Portland market last spring with a showroom in the Old Port! For yoga and athletic wearers to finally be able to buy right here in a showroom rather than online! What some of us probably didn't know was that Jen Selwood, who is also a hot yoga instructor at Maine Bikram Yoga in Portland and Hart Yoga in Brunswick, would work so hard to create and grow a great fitness community and make it so much fun! Lululemon's Portland spot, on the corner of Milk and Market across from the Regency, offers complimentary classes, often on weekend mornings. The space is great, with nice wood floor and plenty of windows. The showroom is comfortable and the "ambassadors" in the showroom are friendly and helpful and can answer all your questions as well as happily converse about where they "got their sweat on" any given day. They frequent yoga, pilates, and other body sculpting classes and go for morning runs. Lululemon's gear is not just for yoga though it may best be known that way. Jackets, shorts and pants are suitable for running and other outdoor activities too.
What I love about Lululemon is the fit. Every item of clothing fits like a glove. The sizes are quite consistent and the fabric is deluxe. What I mean by that is, you will not want to take it off! You'll want to wear the jackets everywhere. I remember in the fall when a guy friend of mine got a jacket he said it was his absolute favorite and he needed to get his girlfriend one for Christmas. The yoga pants in the newest line are one of my go to items of clothing now. I wore them in a non-exercise workshop I attended on Saturday where I sat on the floor, walked in the snowy woods, and generally needed comfort all day long.
I also have a pair of their mesh shorts that I wear for hot yoga, and even with multiple washings and lots of sweat in a 103 degree studio, they've held up well for months. I also have a couple of their tops to practice hot yoga in. I happen to be a yoga girl, but if you're a marathon runner, you'll be just as happy with what you find!
And then there's the colors...the showroom is bright with things that look like spring right now as well as the always basic and flattering black.
Stop by the showroom and say hi, and check out their merchandise. Tell them I sent ya! For a little inspiration ask to see the chalkboard wall. Lulu is about setting goals, making things happen and being the best you can be.
I wrote something on that wall of goals. Maybe you can find it.
