My FREE lululemon mat!

I am a sucker for a good deal.

Last weekend when I went to the Cowboys Stadium Yoga Event, I was told lululemon would be giving out free yoga mats. I was so excited! I love getting free things and especially a yoga mat which I would use almost every day.

But when we got to the event, it seemed a little disorganized and no one really seemed to know anything about the free mats.

Then as it turned out the mats didn't make it to the event. Lululemon was still going to give out free mats and not just to the first 300 people as previously mentioned, now because of the mix up, they were going to give them to everyone. Just one hitch, you had to take your ticket to the Ft Worth lululemon showroom. UGH.

That is an hour away and for a mat? Hmm...weighing the options....I think no. But David, who went with the group I was with was so nice and picked up all of our free mats! He brought them to the studio yesterday and wow, I am so impressed. It is a great mat! And we got free headbands.

Thanks lululemon and David for my free mat!

I had the bag, had to buy the car.

Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I went to the FIG Shopping Spree Event this weekend, it is where a ridiculous list of designers and fancy shops set up in the FIG (Fashion Industry Gallery) and sell items at what was boasted as 75% off. If you have never been to a shopping frenzy, I encourage you to go to the next one August 27 and 28. It is an experience for sure.

The last time I was at FIG was for a Shecky's party, similar in design but as it turns out, way more crowded and uncomfortable shopping conditions. This time it was more spread out and not as many people were there, probably because it was Friday in the middle of the day.

I went with a friend that is absolutely adorable, she came with a list of what she wanted. She asked me what I was going to get. (This made me laugh.) I explained I didn't need anything, unless they were selling yoga wear, I was probably good. But I like to shop and these kinds of events always provide entertainment if nothing else.

We found a few thing;, not as great a selection or prices as one would think. First, it wasn't all 75% off. It was perhaps UP TO 75% off. But they should say that in the marketing. I mean, people clearly had signs that said 50% or 60% off, some just discounted things a little and other things seemed to not be discounted at all. I don't consider a $300 shirt on sale for $200 a good deal. Even in my corporate days that would have been hard to stomach.

I did find a great pair if heather grey pants and a pair of cute deep teal blue velvet capris each just $5 and a sexy velvet halter for $22. Those were good finds. It wasn't until I got home and tried to find a pair of pants to wear that night that I noticed I already had 2 other pairs of heather grey pants. This is I'm sure how I've ended up with over 17 different black pants in my closet.

My free bag from ACL Fest 2009

I had brought a shopping bag with me remembering from the other event shopping bags were scarce. It isn't like shopping in the mall, they don't have pretty bags with tissue.

Here is were it gets funny.

I go to take the bag out of my car, my new Honda Insight, and what is on the bag but the words Honda Insight! I had gotten the bag a year earlier at the ACL Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Honda had been there marketing this new car, the Insight. I had forgotten that was the car. I had walked away with a cool free bag. I hadn't really paid much attention to the car or what was on the bag.

Ironic huh? I think it must be similar to when you find the perfect shoes; you don't have anything to go with them but you must have them. Then you go out and buy an outfit to go with the shoes.

I had the bag...I clearly had to buy the car! Great end to a fun day of shopping, love it when my bag and car match.

New car I got this year, Honda Insight

Yoga at the Cowboys Stadium Measured Up to the Stature of the Stadium

Yoga at the Cowboys Stadium

More than 400 DFW Metroplex yogis came together yesterday to create a fantastic display of yogic energy in one of the most amazing structures in the area, the Cowboys Stadium. It was a beautiful display of downward dogs, one legged wheels, eagle pose (though they didn't call it that) and other asanas.

I helped my studio, Bikram Yoga Dallas, gather a large group together and we trekked over to the stadium, caravan style. I thought it was ironic since I live within an 8 mile radius of my house, I was the one leading the pack on our "long" journey to the stadium. We made it, not sure the other drivers appreciated my careful driving. LOL (those that know my driving probably feel for those that were following.)

We made it to the stadium easily parked and purchased our tickets. We took an elevator down to the field and wow, what an awesome moment, walking onto the field. I had been there earlier in the year, I ran the America's Half Marathon and ran into the stadium. But this was a totally different experience because we got to just walk around. I felt like I needed to take my shoes off but then I remembered it wasn't like the studio and people walked on the field all the time!

Indigo Yoga in Fort Worth was the studio leading the class/event and they are a Baptiste Yoga affiliate so the class was not Bikram Yoga postures so I was peeking at Karen, our studio owner and those in front of me for hints on what to do. I know what downward dog is but I haven't done it or upward dog for that matter in years. It took me a few times to get the flow of downward dog to upward dog. And some of the postures, although similar to Bikram Yoga weren't exactly like them and it appeared there were several variations, or at least that people were allowed to sort of "do their own thing".

At the end we did some odd crunches, oblique work and crossing of the legs, not sure that was yoga but I thought heck, it never hurts to do ab work!

Karen and me, hanging out on the field!

It was a great time and a good experience. Hanging out with other people from the studio was so nice too, it gave us all a better chance to get to know each other. Not sure that type of yoga is for me, I like to struggle more and really sweat it out so I "feel" like I am accomplishing something. I am sure it is all mental.

They indicated they will continue to do the event so next year should be even bigger. It will be awesome to see the whole field full of yogis, moving all together as one, sharing energy and growing all at the same time. Until then, keep stretching upward.

Namaste

What are electrolytes and how should I replenish them?

Image: Carlos Porto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This seems to be the question of the hour. Fitness professionals always talk about hydration and making sure you "replace" your electrolytes. But what does that really mean? How much water? How do you replace electrolytes?

The average person, drinking enough water for their body and eating properly probably doesn't need to worry about electrolyte replacement. People engaging in physical activity, running, biking, Bikram Yoga, etc. will probably need to drink more water and replace electrolytes.

How much water? There are different formulas and theory's on how much water to drink.

1. 8 x 8 - Drink 8 ounces of water 8 times a day.
2. Drink based on weight - Take your weight and divide it in half, that is approximately how many ounces of water you should you drink.
3. Drink based on sex - If you are women, the Institute of Medicine, recommends 91 ounces of water, for men they recommend 125 ounces.
4. Drink based on how you feel - Do you fee thirsty? Then drink some water.

All of these methods have legitimacy and if you are doing athletic activities, drinking more water will be necessary to maintain healthy levels. Be careful to not drink too much water though this can cause Hyponatremia, a condition where the body has low levels of sodium in body fluids.

Which brings me to electrolyte replacement. This was a hot topic at my yoga teacher training. Mostly the concern was what were electrolytes and what were the best replacements. Electrolytes are minerals the body needs to function properly. There are 8 major electrolytes: Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, Sulfate and Phosphate.

Electrolytes can be replaced with foods and liquids or with supplements. Although healthy foods should always be the first choice, sometimes a supplement might be necessary. Here is what I've found through personal experience.

Gu packets, Shot Bloks, energy jelly beans and most sport drinks are necessary and candidly yummy, when running or biking long distances and you need to sustain energy levels to get through whatever activity you are doing. But have you looked at one of those packages? Little to no electrolytes are in those, many simply say "trace" amounts. I'm a fan of these, not because they are "good" for me but because when I run or bike long distances these really help me push through. (Read my post where I review a few of these products.)

Before and after biking, running and in particular when I practice Bikram Yoga, I like to drink water with an electrolyte replacement to either boost my electrolyte levels before hand or replace what I just lost.

My favorite powder replacement is Ultima. It is naturally sweet, no artificial ingredients and has no sugar added. You just put a packet in water, shake, and drink. It comes in single serving packets, perfect for on the go or you can get canister like this one pictures.

 

For yoga or other activities where you sweat a lot and need increased replacement, there is a new product, yogafuel. It is a capsule that is taken before a class or activity. It not only contains electrolytes, it also has adaptogenic herbs (Ashwagandha and Cordyceps) intended to help the body deal with stress, fatigue and anxiety.

Perhaps my favorite electrolyte replacement EVER is coconut water. A typical serving has more potassium than 2 bananas, great for hydration. It also contains sodium, magnesium and calcium. At just 60 calories per serving (11.2 oz) it is a low calorie, healthy electrolyte replacement option. I typically drink one before yoga and one after, it is so refreshing and so much better for you then a typical sports drink.