Archive for » December, 2009 «

Dec
18

Yoga Jeans… Orgasm in Denim!

Now, I saw the video first.  And after carefully considering, “Jeans? Husband? Jeans? Husband?”  -husband did come out the winner… but only because he’s making me pancakes… and by a mere hair (I loves me pancakes!)- I came to the breathless conclusion,

Holy Moly!  I must get me a pair of these freakin’ jeans!

Because, by golly, if the short promo is any indication of what I can expect from my pair of Yoga Jeans, from Second Denim Co., husbands everywhere need to be put on notice.

The claim, other than one fitting can induce spotaneous orgasm- imagine wearing them every day?!- is that they fit like a second skin.  And, despite the size nothing body modeling all the styles, they also claim to appeal to women of all shapes, sizes, and ages from 16 to 75 who want to be comfortable but feel sexy, too.

In reference to his plus-size line of skinny Yoga Jeans, owner and designer of Second Denim Co., Eric Wazana states,

Women are sick of feeling like they have to be perfect to be beautiful…  I’ve always thought the plus market has been overlooked by many designers.

Good news for the Montreal-based Second Denim Co. is that they are making their way steadily into retailers across Canada, but the better news is that they are also available online. The styles range from low slung to hi-rise and straight-leg to boot-cut with various washes and colours.  The only thing… it appears the plus-size isn’t yet available to online shoppers at the Second… but you can visit Addition Elle and search ‘skinny jeans’ to find a selection of Second’s plus-size Yoga Jeans.

For those of you surfing rather than working… you might want to take down the volume before viewing…

Category: clothing, Products, Trends, yoga  One Comment
Dec
17

The Balancing Series… Love on One Foot. Part 5: Natarajasana… Dancer’s Pose. Oh Yeah.

bal-dancerI’ve been known to wax enviously about this posture and those who are able to enjoy its full potential… but despite my own challenges in the posture… ILOVE IT!

I consider it the most beautiful- strong, graceful, intense.

Myself, it takes some time resting in Tadasana- Mountain Pose to gather myself before I embark upon this energetic journey that is Natarajasana.  Breathe… fix gaze… breathe…

With gaze fixed, supporting foot- let’s say, left- is grounded toes spread, weight centred throughout all points from heel to balls (ahem…;)  Reach for the right foot with the right hand, gently grasping around the inner arch.

In tandem, the torso and leg being raised pull in opposite directions simultaneously out and up, the heart reaching forward.  The left arm is extended forward guiding the torso.  There should be a delightful energy- a blissful tension- as the leg and torso work to extend opposite one another, while engaging a graceful arc in the back.   Ooooohhhhh… tingles!  Yes, tingles… I said I LOVED this posture!

The supporting leg is strong and long, the head of the thigh bone pulled up deep into the hip as it provides solid foundation.

If you’re more ambitious, or more flexible, the arm extended forward can also reach back to grasp the outer arch of the foot, drawing the shin again, both out and upwards. Strong.  All the while, the heart reaches up… as though a string is attached pulling towards the ceiling.  Yum.

Category: health, Postures, strength, yoga  One Comment
Dec
15

Lululemon… A Little Tongue-in-Cheekiness!

I guess when you feel you’ve beat the odds, shown the world and pretty much flipped the bird at all of our big retailers-flaunting increased sales and resisting the urge to jump on the markdown wagon- you can have a little fun… after all, it is the homeland- home city, in fact- hosting the 2010 Winter Games.

Lululemon Athletica employee Laurel Richardson models a hockey helmet toque that comes complete with a marker to black out front teeth, and a Canada hoodie complete with a gold-coloured zipper from the company's new product line in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday December 14, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lululemon Athletica employee Laurel Richardson models a hockey helmet toque that comes complete with a marker to black out front teeth, and a Canada hoodie complete with a gold-coloured zipper from the company's new product line in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday December 14, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Not to be outdone by the official Canadian fashion supplier of these Olympic Games, the historic, and all but irrelevant, Hudson Bay Company, yoga fashion juggernaut Lululemon is offering up it’s own tongue-in-cheek version… but not really… and not officially, of course…  of Vancouver 2010 Olympic wear.

Despite possible opposition from the powers that be, and the fact that they launched the line-hooded sweatshirts, toques and tees- only a mere two months before the games, Lululemon

insists this clothing line is about patriotism, not ambush marketing ahead of the Olympics.

But the Lulus are no dummies.  With more than a few crazy marketing stunts under it’s belt the Vancouver-based company comes well versed in the rules and regulations pertaining to Olympic marketing.  They have dotted their i’s and crossed their t’s ensuring only a whiff of Olympic Games, rather than outright Games stench, with  their “Cool Sporting Event” tagline.

Olympic fashion is huge during the Games, with Roots scoring bigtime in Games past… remember the tams- erk!  Everyone will have something to contribute to the lucrative Olympics marketplace but will make every effort not to step on the official toes, including Roots itself.  With a new line of outerwear launched this fall, coined the Canada Collection, it is geared to capitalize on the country not the games.

Of course.

So, here’s to Olympic Games fashion fever.  As the yoga lemming I am, always on the lookout for the next yogic trend… and given these Games are but a relative stones throw… chances are pretty good I’ll opt for cache over history… sorry HBC.  While Hudson’s Bay blankets- and could there be anything more Canadian than an elk head sweater ?!-have there place, there’s really nothing like a set of blacked out teeth to get asses in stores.  Maybe next time, ye olde Hudson’s Bay.

Category: clothing, Just Crazy... In A Good Way, news, Products, Trends  Leave a Comment
Dec
12

Merry Christmas to Me!! Come to Mommy, Mandy!

It’s out and hopefully landing in a dvd player near me… hear that hubby- I mean, Santy Clause!?!

Category: news, people, Products, Trends, weight loss, yoga  Leave a Comment
Dec
12

Fertility God? Heck No… Fertility Ball, If You Please!

fertilityI guess yoga isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to makin’ babies… and surely, I don’t think I ever thought of massaging my innards with a ball when it came to the months we spent trying to conceive the energetic little pip that is my second son.

But then again, I’m an old fashioned gal, who until now, believed it was just a matter of charting cycles, analyzing cervical mucous and otherwise good timing in creating energetic little pips.

That said, I pride myself in having an open mind and when I came across the growing trend of yoga geared to enhancing efforts in conception, well, I decided to have a look-see.  After all one never knows….

I don’t know if you remember the girlfriends of Seinfeld, but one in particular has been making a name for herself beyond the mega-successful TV show.  Brenda Strong, formerly best known as Sue Ellen Mischke the “bra-less wonder”… oh, and the dead lady neighbour narrator on Desperate Housewives – hel-llooo!- is a yoga teacher and expert, specializing in helping women get pregnant through the ancient practice of yoga… and a few new-fangled props, such as her trademarked Strong Fertility Ball.

fertilityball According to her website, Yoga4Fertility, The Strong Fertility Ball Method, created by fertility yoga expert Brenda Strong, is a way for women to empower themselves to:

- Stimulate Circulation/Blood Flow

- Massage Internal Organs

-Use Acupressure Points for Fertility

-Help to Regulate Gynecological Function

-Detoxify and Cleanse

-Decrease Stress

-Open Connective Tissue/Fascia.

The ball acts as a tool for acupressure, and when combined with yoga…

…you get the benefit of two ancient healing systems working together to help your body release tension and balance it’s natural ability to function.
Use of mind/body practices help support your doctor’s protocol by lowering stress and help you feel more in charge of your chances to conceive.

The beauty of this program, or any other yogic practice in trying to conceive or during pregnancy, is that if nothing else, it offers a means to maintaining flexibility and a certain level of fitness while, most importantly providing a valuable tool in stress management essential for effective coping during what can often be a time of stress and fatigue.

Category: fertility, health, news, people, Products, Trends, yoga  One Comment
Dec
09

The Balancing Series… Love on One Foot. Part 4: Dekasana… Airplane!

bal-split-bLovely, lovely… and, despite the exertion involved a nice relief from the previous posture, Dekasana- airplane.

The support of one, or two hands if you wish, certainly helps.  The support of the arms provides leverage, allowing for greater extension through the lifted leg, with that foot active and energized.

With a last inhale in airplane, getting a little bit more from the slight backbend, heart reaching forward and up, maintain straight back and exhale, hinging at the hip, draw the torso forward down the long line of the thigh.

Be conscious of the line, making sure to keep the trunk turned to lay against the supporting leg.  With the forward bending motion, the extended leg reaches, long and upwards, the toes eager and active towards the ceiling or up the wall to the rear.

This is an energetic posture and the torso extends long down the leg, pulling in the opposite direction of the reaching toes.  Long, long… oh so long!  The arms are engaged, with hands either on the floor, on the ankle or one of each, pulling offering assistance to the extension happening through both the torso andhttp://www.mommyom.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=761 leg.  A block is absolutely encouraged to offer assistance in support with the hands, to keep the torso properly aligned, if the floor isn’t going to happen without it.  That leverage is important in maximizing the benefit of this posture.

Regardless the height of the leg, the idea is length and energy… down into the floor through the supporting leg and foot and the hands and up through that long, extended leg into and beyond the toes.

Breathe, breathe… BREATHE!!

Feels good, don’t it?!

Category: Postures, strength, yoga  Leave a Comment
Dec
08

If I’d Known Bikram Was Coming….

I’d have cranked the heat… but it is Canada, after all!

bikramIn our neck o’ the woods we’ve seen celebrities of all stripes, most notably the whole Twi-hard phenomenon as they make their homes locally (roughly) to film the monster vampire franchise.

Anywho… a celebrity nearly as big, at least in his own mind, and certainly more interesting, recently graced our northern shores.  With mouth, cocked and loaded, attitude and cash in abundance, the ‘bad boy’ founder of Bikram, Bikram Choudhury, did Vancouver.

“It takes six hours,” the Los Angeles-based yoga mogul said, before laughing: “And I buy all the junk. I love it, you know?”

Here to conduct a lecture as well as judge the Western Canadian Hatha Yoga Championships- who knew?!- Master Bikram, whose efforts and commitment have manifested in a veritable empire founded on heat, sweat and just plain balls(!), boasts more than 350 affiliated studios around the world and the devotion of millions.  Without doubt, were it available to me and given my penchant for celebrity yogis, I’d probably be sitting sweaty and happy on the Bikram train as well.

The roots of Bikram’s methodology lie in a childhood devoted to hours of practice, where he became more and more aware of the positive effects of heat on his body and it’s response to yoga.

“When room is more hot, then I can sweat more, I can stretch more, I can push more, I can go more deeper and deeper and inside the body, it hurts less and you never get injury,” he said, recalling early days in India when he’d shut doors to keep in the heat.

“So I developed this with my own practice,” he said. “Years and years and years and years.”

Guru to any number of celebrities, Shirley McLain chief among them… oh, and Tiger Woods as well, along with the likes of Madonna, Elle Macpherson and the lovely George Clooney.  Despite his roster of notable clientele, when it comes to giving them the celebrity treatment, Bikram states emphatically,

“This is the way I run my kingdom: my way or the highway,” he said in a tone that leaves little room for dispute. “I don’t listen to anybody. You need my help: Come to me, shut up, forget who you are. I will take care of you. And I do my job.”

For anyone perhaps considering taking Bikram to a more competetive level, take a peek… Here’s Mari Dickey, number one woman at the competition.  A little inspiration:

Category: news, people, strength, Trends  One Comment
Dec
07

Hula Hoop vs. Yoga… The Beginning of a Backlash?!

hulahoopIn time for Christmas, I turn to the the OM-nipresent, the OM-nicient, the OM-nipotent and the ever OM-nificent… to guide me through the minefield that is holiday shopping. And, in case there’s some confusion to whom I might be referring, let me be clear… I’m talking about Google, of course… the arbiter of all things… all things.

Where I, in my Mommy-OM-ness would trend towards the yogic in my gift-giving preferences, it seems that Google is telling me otherwise.  According to an article in Canada’s National Post, when it comes to most searched items this year, “yoga” is lucky to squeak into the top ten as Google Zeitgeist, the empire’s trend-tracker tells us that “hula hoop exercise” emerged at number two… second only to P90X exercise program (been there, done that… not for wimps… and sure, feel free to call me a wimp!)

Despite some growth, such as Lululemon, the Vancouver-based clothing giant, with its annual revenue increase by roughly 30% from 2008 to 2009, these recessionary times are sending us looking for less expensive means to our physical fitness and fat-burning ends.  And, if you can resist the attempts to cash in on this trend, with companies offering all flavours of hula induced spending from hoops encrusted with fat burning marbles to full service hula fitness kits, you still only pay about $5 bucks for this not-so-modern marvel.  And, hey, anyone can do it!

You’ll also do your part to support what might appear as something of a yoga backlash:

Is yoga now on a downward trend? Or has the uber-trendy exercise suffered some sort of backlash due to expensive studio classes or, as Antonia Richmond says in a 2006 article in the San Francisco Chronicle, a growing sense of insecurity from the non-yoga inclined masses:

“These are the yoga people. And they’re better than you…They don’t have the haggard appearance or sensitivity to bright sunlight that I do as I stumble down the street in search of coffee. They appear to … glow.”

Yoga-hater and creator of New York clothing company “It’s a Sickness”, Barnaby Harris went so far as to create an entire f— yoga clothing line.

Harris elegantly summed up the history of the ubiquitous trend, saying:

“Yoga has survived for thousands of years and will survive for thousands more. It’s just that it has gone unopposed for too damn long.”

Category: health, news, Trends, yoga  Leave a Comment
Dec
06

Breakfast… And Yoga. The Keys to Success

We’ve all known for ever the importance of a healthy breakfast to children’s learning, but one British primary school is also recognizing the benefits of incorporating yoga and meditation into education.

Riverside Primary in Rotherhithe

Riverside Primary in Rotherhithe

According to a recent article in The London Evening Standard, the children of Riverside Primary in Rotherhithe were provided with not only a proper breakfast heading into their primary SAT’s but also,  under the guidance of a local yoga instructor, exercises in breathing and yoga.

The results astounded as the school, serving an area of considerable social disadvantage, found themselves ranked top of the Evening Standard’s league tables today, helping pupils soar more than a year ahead of their peers between the ages of seven and 11.

While the school made a concerted effort not to merely teach to the controversial tests, contributing to the remarkable results, the additional support in the form of healthy breakfast and relaxation exercises without doubt paid off this year.

Category: health, Kids, Meditation, Spirit, yoga  2 Comments