the future sound of yoga

If you're craving something a little different, look no further than Sydney's own yoga-dance fusion: The Future Sound of Yoga: "The movements are a combination of traditional yoga poses and free-form dance. A live DJ creates the soundtrack, which is drawn from electronic dance music (e.g. Ambient, Trip Hop, Progressive, Tech House) and atmospheric band/artist albums (e.g. Bjork, Sigur Ros, Radiohead)." We call it electronica-induced bliss.

who's behind the future?

Matt and Angel met at a Chemical Brothers show at Glastonbury in 2005. The rest is history. They have very different backgrounds (she studied dance in London, entered the advertising world and then quit to teach yoga; he studied philosophy at Oxford) but their love of music drew them together. Now they're bringing their passion on the road, hosting one-of-a-kind events, freeing people to lose themselves in music while breaking a sweat. They've relocated to Australia but this summer they'll be at the Asia Yoga Conference in Hong Kong (June 11) and at the Life Centre in Islington (London, England - June 27; July 2 & 9).

the future is a complimentary yoga mix

If you're dying to experience The Future Sound of Yoga without the airfare and jetlag, check out their complimentary playlist (a seamless, 60-minute DJ mix for yoga) available to download on their site. Matt has meticulously crafted the mix for your practice, whether you're at home or a teacher in the studio. It's a great thing to have in your back pocket if you've got plans to travel this summer and you plan on sweating on the road. I've been enjoying it while writing this and yes, I may have gotten out of my seat to do a little Thom Yorke impersonation now and then. I confess.

Our educators in Australia are big fans of The Future Sound of Yoga. After talking to Matt and Angel and enjoying the playlist, we can see why. Maybe it's time to book a flight to Sydney. We can't think of a better way to burn off some crème brulée - no, make that a hot jam doughnut. What yoga trend is next on your menu?

want more?

• Yoga is a gift. Unwrap it here.
• Get another soundtrack for your practice. This one's for the great indoors.
• Tour London with us. Check out our favourite places to sweat, stretch and sip a cuppa.

Our first Digital Storyteller, Elissa, is officially on maternity leave now, appropriately, right before Mother's Day. In her goodbye blog post, she reflects on her pregnancy so far and how the advice given to marathon runners is also apt for the 40 week experience.

pregnancy: the other marathon

I have never considered myself a runner and now  I can play the pregnancy card and dodge offers to meet for a run without batting an eye. I'm an active person - my mom modeled that for me -  but my idea of jogging is winding country roads listening to Simon & Garfunkel.

As lululemon's Digital Storyteller, I have had the amazing opportunity to research running and share the stories of many athletes.  I covered our ambassadors who ran the Boston Marathon and I put together some posts to help you all get ready for the races you've been training for since the new year. Thanks to inspiring people like Jenn Thiel and Kathleen Pugh running has started to look more appealing.

As I head off on maternity leave, I'm realising that my experience of pregnancy seemingly runs parallel to the experience of training for a marathon - or, conversely, how all you marathon runners out there may be better prepared for pregnancy than I ever was.

pace yourself

You can do amazing things, 42 kilometres or 40 weeks, but you're not invincible. Give yourself some grace and pace yourself for the long road ahead, whether it's paved and lined with water stations or bumpy (literally) and full of surprises.

eat well

Everything you reach for impacts your body's ability to perform so choose wisely. (Oh, and don't be afraid to break the rules sometimes...just make sure you're not cracking into the cupcakes before your morning coffee break. You've been warned.)

listen to your body

Our bodies are miraculous; capable of doing things we can't even imagine. They often know exactly what they need. The trick is slowing down enough to listen to what they're saying and then obeying.

do yoga

It's as perfect a complement to rigorous marathon training as it is to nurturing a little life. Stretching has saved my body from many perils in the past and has been especially important while preparing for motherhood.

drink water

You know that line from the manifesto that talks about how water flushes toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp? It's true. Training for a marathon highlights the importance of staying hydrated and when you're pregnant, your brain needs all the help it can get to stay sharp.

Thank you Elissa, for all your love and compassion (and the hard work that accompanied them). As you approach the finish line of this 'race', we wish you bucketsful of luck and happiness for what lies ahead. Happy Mother's Day!

want more?

Get more of Elissa's story. She never applied to work here. Read the blog.

Meet all her lovely co-workers. Learn their dance moves.

Read our manifesto for more of life's little lessons. 

Treat your mom like a princess. Make her a delicious brunch.

This essay about Kathy's achievement as a first-time mom and newbie runner was a timely reminder for us that Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th. Trying not to love her story was nearly impossible - like training for your first marathon under the scorching Las Vegas sun.

marathon mama

by Kathleen Pugh, Georgetown ambassador, runner extraordinaire and Ava's mom

I never liked to run. My husband, Drew, was the runner. Faithfully, I watched and cheered as he crossed finish line after finish line while secretly waiting for him to see the light. That kind of activity was a little nuts in my opinion. Who would want to sweat like that?

After the birth of our daughter, everything changed. I had gained almost sixty pounds. The weight hung around like a bad houseguest who doesn’t know when to go. "Who is this stranger?" I wondered. My frustration was further compounded by our recent move from Washington, DC to Las Vegas. Life as I knew it was over and I was having an identity crisis. I was a fat, lonely, nervous new mom, lost in Las Vegas. Something needed to be done to free me from my funk. What would a woman in my situation do? Sign up for the Marine Corps Marathon, of course!

gutsy determination

“Are you sure about this?” Drew asked.

“Yes,” I snapped, and added rather indignantly, “What, you think I can’t do it?”

“You could, but when you run you sweat; you don’t like to sweat.”

I shrugged it off. After all what was a little sweat? That would be the least of my problems.

I trained during the summer, which in Vegas doesn’t end until Halloween. Have you ever spent a summer in Vegas? I don’t mean inside a luxurious, climate-controlled casino playing slots and dreaming of instant retirement while a cocktail waitress serves you chilled rum and cokes. I mean outside, pounding the pavement where it’s like an oven by 7am. You might think, so what, it’s a dry heat. But, like a food dehydrator on a late night infomercial, the dry Vegas heat sucked every molecule of moisture from my body, turning me into human beef jerky.

Image: flickr/Nicoli Chepe

running on the strip

To outsmart the punishing sun, I had to start before sunrise. I needed to run a route that was well lit where I could refill my water bottle and take bathroom breaks, so I ran under the neon sun of the Las Vegas Strip.

The strip is never boring. Stragglers from the night before stumble around in a drunken stupor trying to find their way back to their rooms. One time I saw a guy leaned up against one of the pedestrian overpasses sandwiched between two beautiful young blonde women with their hands in his pockets.  I ran past the threesome, and then looked back. The blondes were gone and so, I suspect, was his wallet.

With hotels that replicate Egypt, New York, Paris, Rome, and Venice, I traveled the world sans jetlag and cramped seating. I became so distracted and delighted by the grandeur of volcanoes, fountains, and pirate ships on the boulevard that I almost forgot I was running inside a hairdryer.

Rather than being enticed inside the casinos by promises of easy money, I was drawn in by the icy air that blew from their doors. Once I played a few hands of video poker on a bathroom break - I lost.  I’m sure the sight of a sweaty woman running past blackjack and craps tables at dawn left some glassy-eyed gamblers wondering if they’d seen a mirage.

As race day approached I started to panic. What made me think that I, a woman whose prior running experience consisted of running after buses and subways, could run 26.2 miles? Who did I think I was flying across the country to run a marathon? But, it was too late to back out. I’d already bought a cute new running outfit and told everyone I knew that I was running.

Drew flew with me to DC. This time he would be the spectator. Race day was perfect. The leaves had begun to change color and it was sunny and in the 60’s. While the runners around me complained about the heat I thought, “Piece of cake! Try doing this in 100 degrees!”

race day

As the race started I was filled with a sense of joy. I lost all the weight and my body and confidence were strong. The spectators, whom I privately appropriated as personal cheerleaders, shouted “Go Katy!” Wait a minute, I’m Kathy not Katy. What’s going on here? I looked down at my shirt. The “H” from the “GO KATHY” I had placed on my shirt with black tape had peeled off! I knew I should have written my name in marker, but I didn’t want to ruin a new shirt.

I felt energetic and euphoric as I ran through the streets of DC past our great American monuments. I imagined the city erecting a monument of me to honour this great feat. Sure Lincoln, Jefferson, and FDR were great men, but they never ran a marathon.

Somewhere around mile 20 my euphoria and energy simultaneously screeched to a halt. I hit the much talked about “wall.” Hell, I slammed into it like a bad NASCAR wreck. Defeated runners were carried into ambulances while others limped around me. I would not be one of them.  I would run across the finish.

During the last mile, nearly on my knees in pain, I started to chant, “You are strong.” My spirits soared as I saw the finish. I ran through the pain remembering that someone said there would be free beer at the end.

As I crossed the finish, a young marine placed a medal over my head and with tears in my eyes I thanked him. It was one of the best moments of my life.  I sweat. I sweat a lot and I loved it. In this moment I had found myself. I was no longer a fat, lonely, nervous, new mom. I was a new woman. I was Kathy; still a mother, but also a strong, confident proud marathon finisher.

want more?

• Read more about Kathy in our Road to Boston blog series.
• Run an eight-minute mile with her.  She leads running camps in DC.
• Follow other mother runners. Check out this blog.
• Pick up a last-minute gift for your mom. Bath salts are so 1993.
• Apply to become an ambassador. Head to your local store or start online.

We learn a lot from our moms, like the importance of saying "please" and in some cases, how to fold napkins to create table-top origami. (A vital life skill, really.) In what way have you learned the value of leading an active life because of your mother?

In the beginning, there was Chip. You may have heard that he's the man behind the manifesto, the one who got this crazy luon business off the ground. You may not have heard that he does a mean...um, what do you call that dance move, Chip?

meet chip wilson

want more?

• Watch Chip talk goals and then get the tools to write your own.
• Meet Chip's Dad, Dennis. Apparently loving life runs in the family.
• Read the manifesto if you haven't already. Inspiration guaranteed.
• Learn more moves, like Julia's antelope and Christine's barefoot happy dance.

Amazing things happen when you're not afraid to break the mold of what's always been and design something brand new. What would you create? Maybe a new dance craze? 

Today we say hello to Citron and Pink Mist! It's no secret that we love pink around here but you may not know about our other love - this Pink. If you haven't checked out any of Dan Pink's work, we strongly suggest you do. His books, his blog - everything the man touches seems to turn to gold - pink gold.

drive

Dan Pink speaks about motivation but he's not necessarily a motivational speaker. When he spoke at our Leadership Conference, he left us with six powerful words we won't forget. The first three were autonomy, mastery and purpose - the components of lasting, intrinsic motivation and the themes from his powerful book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. It's currently available in a whopping eleven languages (Pig Latin pending). You really need to read it. It changed how we do life around here.

dan pink on the surprising science of motivation

If you have 18 minutes, spend them wisely - watch Dan's TED talk on motivation. (In short, Pink says the business community is missing the mark.)

The last three words Dan left us with were brevity, levity, and repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition. (Okay, that's more than three but you get the idea.) According to Dan, these are the keys to powerful communication. (We agree. That's why we're keeping this blog post nice and short.) Pour yourself a glass of citron-ade and immerse yourself in Pink!

citron modern racer tank

Forget the business world. How are you trying to motivate yourself? How does autonomy, mastery and purpose fit into the way you achieve your goals? How does Dan's insight challenge the way you operate your personal business?

Say it with us: rouge. If you've been around the lululemon block, you know we don't do red often. It's a special thing  - and we consider the return of colour a very special thing. Now that we're coming back to colour, what could be hotter than Tango Red? Nothing, as far as we're concerned. (Just saying "rouge" gets our hearts are racing.)

our tango red love list

(left to right, top to bottom)

"Intelligentsia coffee. The beans are phenomenal and the sexy red bag is the icing on the cake." - Elissa Joy, Digital

"The red chairs outside of Chip's office. So many amazing things are being created by the people sitting in them." - Jacqueline, EA

"Red nail polish on women over the age of 85." - Andrea, Community

"My favorite sample from Spring 2010 that didn't make the cut... especially when worn with my red boots." - Niamh, Design 

"Picnics. Great food in the great outdoors is hard to beat." - Michael, Digital

"My red coaster from Nood. It keeps my desk neat, and contrasts well with the white around the office." - Justin, Blue Sky

"I love the red 'Keep Calm' posters that crop up around the office. Great words to live by in general...especially the one about our website." - Lesia, Digital

"The Strengthsfinder 2.0 books around the office. Seeing people's strengths is like spying on the secret recipe behind their personality."  - Sara, Digital

"Hit me up for some local strawberries any day! Better yet, cover them in chocolate. Indulgent and nutritious all in one bite." - Matt, Leadership Development

"Our manifesto. It's full of words to live by." - Stefanie, Ecommerce

"I love, love, love bright red cherry tomatoes off the vine. Perfection." - Jen, Planning

"Red Moleskine journals. Somehow they manage to stick around a bit longer than black ones. Maybe because they stick out in the clutter on my desk?" - Carolyn, Digital

"Tulips please. They bring any room to life." - Paula, Social Media

"The soles of my Louboutins. Need I say more?" - Sheena, Ecommerce

not pictured but equally loved

A post-workout complexion, red wine, flamenco dresses, red velvet cupcakes, the book The Red Tent, TOMS canvas classics, Prince's Little Red Corvette, the book Red is Best, Tapatio, and Dorothy's ruby slippers. Why the slippers?  "Because I hope one day to click my proverbial heels and go anywhere." - Elim

Welcome back, rouge. We missed you. What about red has your heart racing?

If Christine wasn't our CEO, there's a small chance that she'd be carrying on in the footsteps of Jacques Cousteau. As captain of the SS lululemon, she is big on people bringing all of themselves to work - talents, vulnerabilities, happy dances - the works. 

want more?

• Meet our Manager of Leadership Development. Hear about balance & breakthroughs.
• Learn about the sea of luon you're swimming in. There's a lot to know about our fabrics.
• Want to be the next CEO? Put it in your goals and make it happen.  

We're who we are because of people like Christine. We're so glad she chose to explore the depths of the luon seas with us instead.

The Boston Marathon is practically here. Saying we're excited about being at the world's oldest annual marathon is a minor understatement. We've been busy talking with ambassadors, training, doing yoga and making signs for our cheer station at Heartbreak Hill. Need a little inspiration? Here you go.

molly (hearts) marathons

Remember Molly? She's the one with bottomless enthusiasm, rain or shine. (Yes, apparently it's possible.) We got her on camera at mile 22 of the LA Marathon. She was running for the sake of seeing the city, not to qualify or set a PR so she didn't mind stopping mid-run to share her love of marathons.

why do you love marathons?

"Because it builds community and connection! The energy of all different walks of life coming together for the love of the sport is incredible! When you show up on race day, you know everyone standing beside you has put in time, dedication, and commitment to be great. You have taken different roads to get there and everyone runs for their own reasons but at the end of the day, you all end up in the same place - the starting line.  The moment after the gun blows, you're suddenly surrounded by the sound of thousands of running shoes hitting the pavement in unison.... the feeling is indescribable." - Molly

want more?

• Get what you need to prep for your next race. We have your to-do list ready.
• Be inspired by our ambassador's roads to Boston. Start with Theresa.
• Set goals to run Boston next year. We'll help you get started.

Why do you love marathons? Is it the camaraderie? The sense of accomplishment? Or in the case of San Francisco's Nike Women's Marathon, the Tiffany necklace at the finish line? (Sometimes nothing motivates more than a little something shiny. We understand.)

Theresa (second from the right) and her colourful group of friends.

Theresa Ridgway lives life in the fast lane. She's the ambassador at our Newburyport, MA showroom who has run 3:04 not once, but twice. (She also was the first person to answer all our interview questions.) Theresa doesn't do yoga for a couple of reasons - one is that it means she has to put on the brakes. Luckily for us, she slowed down enough to share a bit of her story.  

the road to boston with theresa ridgway

Who inspired you to start running?I was the combination of my father, who was generally athletic and loved the outdoors, and my mother, a very quiet but strong woman. The gifts they gave me combined into a love of endurance running. I would say my twin brother Tom, but no matter what he says, I started running first.  

Friends make the miles go by quickly (Theresa, left, with friend Amy)

Why Boston?

The first time I ran it, I did it mostly because I qualified. It was just something everyone I knew did: if you qualify for Boston, you go run it. I kept saying I wasn't going to run it again but I quickly realized that it is such a huge part of the running culture that I wanted to be a part of it. Boston is special that way.

What’s your goal for the race?I want to feel as good at the end of the marathon as I did last year. As far as time, my PR for Boston is 3:15 so I would like to beat that time.  I have run 3:04 twice.  I would love  to beat that - maybe go under 3 hours - but Boston can be a tough course. With that said, I'm coming off seventeen weeks of speed work and intense hill training so, you never know.

What has yoga done for your running regime?

I don't do yoga, actually.

Seriously? Why not?Well, lots of reasons. I haven't found any instructors I really like since I did it in the late 90's.  I like to be active and I find that yoga is usually too slow for me. I do TRX and spin (if I can) and I am busy with a full-time job. As a single mother I don't have a lot of spare time.  I do what I love with the time I have - I run.

When you’re not training you’re…

Spending time with my beautiful 6 year-old daughter, Maria, reading, writing and working.  I also have a great network of friends. We're lucky enough to enjoy each other even when we are not running.

Theresa & Maria

What’s next for you after Boston?I am registered for my first 100k, Where's Waldo, in Oregon in August.  I also registered for my first triathlon, Title 9, in Hopkinton, MA, of all places. I want to do the Transrockies Challenge but I need the right partner for it. You simply can't do it with just anyone...

visit us in boston

There's no shortage of fun to be had in Boston. Get all the details on the Prudential store’s Facebook page.

want more?

• Apply to be an ambassador. Stop by your local store or apply online.
• Take your training up a notch. Gina did it with yoga.  
• Run longer. Get tips on building your endurance.
• Be at the race next year. Here are some tips to get you started. 

Do you find yoga balances your running? Theresa's probably not alone out there. We crave it after a few days of training but it's not for everyone...yet. 

Elise, Manager of Leadership Development

We love people at lululemon. Why do we love Elise? She knows balance is a choice. She speaks as candidly about her breakdown (and breakthrough) as she does about the puppy dog calendar she gave Andy, her first love. That's pretty balanced too, if you ask us.

meet elise

want more?

• Witness our Communications Specialist's tap moves. Julia's got skills.
• Find balance on your yoga mat. Ambassador Kinndli shares tips on arm balances.
• Get in on the fun at lululemon and make your mark on the world.

Balance is something we are always working on mastering. If Elise's story is any indication, it's possible for everyone. How do you choose balance in your life?

The 2011 Boston Marathon is days away. Jayna Henstorf is another ambassador who is packing her bags to take part in the fun. She's excited to go to Boston for a few reasons. It's where she spent her newlywed days and it's the home of one of her favourite brunch spots. (And who doesn't love a good brunch spot after a marathon?) 

the road to boston with jayna henstorf

There is little separation between work and play in Jayna's world. When she's not working her magic in the marketing world, she's volunteering on the board for Girls on the Run and helping people hit their stride as an ambassador at the North Park store in Texas.

Her philosophy for running is so good, we want to make it ours for everyday life. "Do it for yourself. Smile. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Hydrate. Challenge yourself. Listen to your body. Stretch. Take a rest day when needed. Practice yoga regularly. Repeat." Time to lace up our shoes...

Who inspired you to start running?
It’s definitely a collaboration of many people and experiences; however, there are two people in particular who played a key role: my childhood best friend, Robin and her father. They encouraged me to go out for cross-country & track in high school. From there on out, running has become a staple in my life and I continue to be re-inspired each day.

Why Boston?
Boston holds a special place in my heart. Besides the history and prestige, Boston was the first place that my husband and I lived after being married. (We moved from Austin to Boston, just 18 hours after flying back from our honeymoon in Hawaii.) We now live in Dallas so coming back is always memorable! Toeing the start line at Hopkinton always gives me goose bumps. I can’t wait to see the infamous Citgo sign and have brunch at Stephanie’s.

What’s your goal for the race?
I’ve been training hard, so I will put it out there – plan A is 3:10 or faster. Plan B -  forget time and just race with a smile.

What has yoga done for your running regime?
Yoga helps me stay injury free (knock on wood).  It strengthens not only my core but also my mental state. Running is more mental than physical and when you learn to push through the comfort zone, anything is possible!

Where do you run on days when you feel you can conquer anything?
All over. I ignore my watch and go into cruise control mode. It’s a state of mind that has taken years to acquire and I’m still learning how to master it. I have also realized the importance of refocusing during training runs and races. I always tell myself that the first 15 minutes are not going to feel good, just push through it and don’t give up!

What yoga poses keep your training on track?
I’m usually crunched for time so I try to incorporate a few of these poses into my training.

• Butterfly pose (Baddha Konasana) – Sit with soles of the feet together and open knees to the side.
• Thread the Needle pose (Sucirandhrasana) – Laying down, place your right ankle to your left knee. Interlace your fingers behind your left hamstring and gently pull your knee towards your body. Repeat on the opposite side.
• Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani) - Lay down with your sit bones against a wall and your upper body flat on the floor. Extend your legs up the wall. Keep your feet together or open legs into a V position. 
• Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose (Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada Paschimottanasana) - Take a wide stance, fold your body forward and draw your forehead to the floor.

When you’re not training you’re…
Moving. I'm a busy body. I can’t sit still.

I love being active but I especially love coaching “newbie” runners. Although I have been running for 20+ years, there’s something magical about watching someone nail a goal pace, reach a new distance or cross a finish line. It’s like I’m in their shoes and experiencing it all for the first time. To me, that is what it's all about: doing what you love while helping others.

What do you look for in training and race gear?
Functionality and versatility. My training runs are usually around 1.5 hours, so I need gear to fit well and last. The fabric, cut and features are critical, such as pockets and liners. Given that I spend over 20 hours a week in running gear, it definitely has to look good! That way, I don’t mind running errands or meeting friends for coffee.

What’s next for you after Boston?
What's next? New Mexico's 50 Miler Jemez Mountain Trail Run in May, the El Scorcho 50K in Texas this July and the Lakefront Marathon in Milwaukee this fall. Like I said, I'm a busy body.

visit us in boston

If you’ll be in Boston for the marathon, we hope to see you! We'll be at the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo and of course, at our Prudential Center store. Our events start this Friday, April 15th to and run until 18th. Get all the details on the store’s Facebook page.

want more?

• Meet our other Boston-bound ambassadors: Kathleen, Gina & Sue Anne. 
• Apply to be an ambassador. Stop by your local store or apply online.
• Get tips for working out with a chaotic schedule. Training for Boston is possible.
• Set goals to be at the race next year. It's never to early to put it on paper. 

"Do it for yourself. Smile. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Hydrate. Challenge yourself. Listen to your body. Stretch. Take a rest day when needed. Practice yoga regularly. Repeat." Good words, Jayna. What words do you live by?

The renovation clock is ticking. We've blacked out our online store as we move ahead with our site's renovation. We've affectionately called the place "Boutique Noir" because let's face it, it sounds better that way. To celebrate the state of affairs, we interviewed Sheree Waterson, our Executive VP of Merchandise Management. Why? You'll see. 

Sheree is the woman ultimately behind the fabulous colour you know and love from lululemon. We are all intrigued by the way she plays with texture, shape and proportion, all with function at the core, no matter what she’s creating.

We’re also intrigued by the amount of black in her wardrobe. The woman can wear black. I mean really wear black. Think 29 days out of 30: black shoes, pants, tops, jackets, hair, nail polish, accessories – all black. Considering our online store is about to look a lot like Sheree’s wardrobe, it only seemed fitting to spend a little time with the woman to talk about her favourite colour. (Is black a colour?)

the woman in black

Elissa: So how long have you been wearing all black?
Sheree: Since I started in the business. I used to wear a lot of colour. When I started, I was a buyer for designer sportswear. We used to travel a lot and so, you know, your wardrobe has to be easy. Truthfully, I love dressing this way because it’s easy to play with proportion when you keep the palette all black. My clothes are all black and my environment has to be white. I admit. I send myself white flowers. I need a clean blank canvas to create so that ADD doesn't creep in.

It’s funny, when I lived in San Fran, I had some friends who had a shop called “Alabaster”. They helped me decorate my apartment.  I said I wanted this particular Napolean couch in white velvet and another piece in white silk satin, a look inspired by this Oscar De La Renta dress.  “Honey,” she said, “we can’t do that. It’s going to look like a wedding cake in here.” That was the point.

E: So you own a lot of black luon?
S: Oh yeah. (she laughs.)

E: Do you own any coloured luon?
S: A bit. I have some jewel-tone pieces, Dark Classic Sport Grey, Snorkel Blue, Flush…but mostly black. It’s about proportion and function at that point.

E: Before you were at lululemon you were...
S: Before I was at lululemon I was President of Speedo North America and before that, I was the VP of Women's at Levi's.

 (At this point, the accessories designers interrupt with a colour board to show Sheree. It’s for upcoming water bottles. I get to observe a really unique moment where Sheree challenges them to get inside her head and try to understand what’s working for her and what is not. I have never seen anyone speak so passionately about colour’s ability to inspire, to drive emotions and to communicate.)

S to designers: The colour has to blow me away – I mean literally. It has to blow me away.  This finish? (She points to a metallic bottle) This slays me. I walk by this and think “quality”. It’s really just a water bottle. It’s the opposite of intellectual. It’s purely creative. Are you with me?

(After ten minutes of interacting over water bottle colours and graphics, the designers leave the office to go back to the drawing board.)

S to E: Did that make sense? Did I communicate that well?

E: Yes, I get it. I have a mother who did women’s colour analysis in the eighties, so I totally get the whole language of colour thing. I’m curious: how many black pairs of shoes do you own?
(She’d rather not comment, but she did mention she’s in the triple digits. Whoa.)

E: Who’s your style icon?
S: I don’t know. It’s hard for me to say. I don’t really think anyone dresses that great these days. Who rocks hard? (Sheree looks at Janine, a designer who is standing within earshot.)  

E: Ok, if you take “style icon” and replace that with whose work do you love?
S: Oh, easy.  I love Givenchy. Ricardo Tisci, McQueen - I love Rick Owens. His favourite colour is black too. We're soul mates.

E: Black or red licorice? 
S: Black!

E: White or dark chocolate?
S: Oooh, it depends on the brand.
Janine: Gummi bears!
S: GUMMI BEARS! Vitamin Gummi bears! (We all laugh.)

E: Favourite workout?
S: Kundalini Yoga...at Semperviva with Gloria, or Yoga West with Hari Singh, or Ghurmuk Kaur Khalsa when she’s in Vancouver. (I find this amusing. A lot of people who practice Kundalini wear all white.)

Goals for the year?
S: Go to Harvard. (Check. She heads to Boston for a two-month leadership course on Saturday. Ironically, she’s wearing a stunning cherry red cropped jacket to celebrate. There’s a long silence. She looks me square in the eyes.) Truthfully, I am so wrapped up in work that the thing that I really care about – really care about – is that the team that I work with is the most inspired, happiest team in the world. That is it. I can’t think of anything else that I’d rather have. Except more yoga. Do more yoga.
Erika (Sheree's Executive Assistant): …and drink more water.
S: More water, yes.

E: …out of a sexy water bottle?
S: Yes, out of a really sexy water bottle! Exactly.  It has to be chartreuse. No, really. (Her expression goes completely stoic.) Chartreuse is the number one colour in the world.

want more?

• Meet some of the other people behind our products. Say hello to Katie.
• Follow our designers on their trip to Europe. Croissants and goals abound.
• Find out about the product black-out. Read our reno page.

We like Sheree's philosophy as much as we love her office. Sometimes things are simpler in black and white. Consider our all-black selection our clean slate as we tidy things up behind the scenes. Thanks so much for your patience!

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.

 ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's cherry blossom season and Vancouver's streets are busy blushing. It's quite the sight. Make sure you get outside and enjoy the rare beauty of this time of year. Soon the trees will collect their confidence and put on their leaves.

If you're in the DC area this weekend, stop by the Washington Monument at 10:30am for our Clarendon store's Cherry Blossom Festival Yoga event. It's a complimentary class and you're all invited. Their Facebook page has all the details.

If not, just get outside and breathe deeply. April is here!

Next up on the road to Boston is Gina DiCello, a real firecracker.  We stumbled upon her blog before we met over email. Before long it became clear to us: we want to be her friend. See for yourself. You probably will too. (We're pretty sure she'd happily have you over for dinner, share some training tips with you and send you home with a recipe.)    

the road to boston with gina dicello

Gina DiCello calls the Rush Street, Chicago store her local lululemon home.  If you've never met anyone with a goal to run fifty marathons in all fifty states, now you have. Her love of running is closely rivaled only by her love of friends and food. (Ah, another ambassador who loves to eat. Good thing we all like to sweat, right?) She's counting down the days to Boston on her blog and she took some time to answer our questions.

who inspired you to start running?
No one in particular, really. I was the girl the coaches always put on the B-team. I took up running when I joined the high school track team to shed my B-team/figure-skating/marching-band persona. Track was the only thing that fit my busy schedule and I thought it was the ticket to fitting in. For two years, I rocked out as an 800-meter runner but eventually, my skating took precedence.

I excelled on skates but I gave it up to be a "normal" college student: sororities, spring break, academics. It was during that time I realized I missed the world of athletics and needed to find my place again. Running was that place. This is when I started training for marathons and decided to do one in each of the fifty states.

Why Boston?
Qualifying for and running Boston, is not only a rite of passage as a runner,  it’s my way of showing that little girl on the bench - me - that when life puts you on the B-team, all you need is some dedication, determination and a dream.  Anything you really want?  You can get it.

Going way back in the Gina archives

What’s your goal for the race?
My number one goal for any and all races is to have fun.  (If it’s not fun, what is the point?) As far as a time goal, I would love to finish somewhere in the 3:20’s!  I’ve had a breakthrough in my training this past year and I’m having a blast seeing how far I can take it.  As long as it’s fun and as long as I am still healthy, I will continue to push the envelope.

What has yoga done for your running regime?
Part of the breakthrough I mentioned is due to my paralleled dedication to yoga.  I didn’t start practicing until after a terrible cycling accident had me sidelined for about eight weeks.  As part of recovery, I reluctantly joined some friends from my run group on their weekly yoga session. Very soon after I became quite addicted. 

Almost instantly, I saw a difference in my running – I became less tight and felt the “heavy leg” feeling disipate. My breathing improved which allowed me to hold a higher intensity for a longer period of time. My posture changed, my core carriage changed - everything changed and all for the better.  

Where do you run on days when you feel you can conquer anything?
Because Chicago is pressed up against Lake Michigan, the lakefront path is our city’s playground. Ever seen our winters here?  It’s really the only place where you can get in quality miles on paved, traffic-free paths.  Water fountains, bathrooms and stands to buy Gatorade are plentiful.  So is the people watching, or in my case, the man hunting.

On days when I am feeling like I can conquer anything, I put on my brightest Speed Shorts, a matching Flow Y Bra, and some cool aviators. I hit the path around 5:30 or 6pm when it’s likely populated by a sea of good-looking men.  There is no greater satisfaction than passing a couple of dudes who think they’re keeping up a good pace!

When you're not training you're...
Thinking about training?  Just kidding. When I’m not training, you can find me scoping out Chicago’s restaurant scene, teaching cooking classes to children through a non-profit called Common Threads, building up my marathon coaching business and staying hopelessly addicted to routine Monday nights with college girlfriends. 

Gina created this meal off the top of her head. Yum.

What do you look for in training and race gear?
All gear must first and foremost be comfortable and make me feel athletic.  Chafing is a very real and big issue for runners, myself included (I have horror stories) and if the garment doesn’t do everything it can to prevent that, I’ll never buy it again.  In both training and race gear I like to look put together, matching but also athletic. 

Running a marathon with music: yes or no?
It depends. When I ran the Des Moines Marathon in Iowa, heck yes I listened to music.  There was barely anything to look at, let alone hold my attention for four hours.  When I ran the ING Miami Marathon, I didn’t listen to music.  With so much color, crowd support, and activity going on, I didn’t need it.  I am neither for, nor against running with music – whatever works for you is great!  (Editor's note: Want her Guilty Pleasure Super Speedy 5K playlist? Check out her blog.)

What’s next for you after Boston?
Boston will be my fourteenth marathon on the road to fifty, though it is only my thirteenth state. (I did Singapore in December 2009.)  Next up, I will probably be at the New York City Marathon this fall. If I don’t make it through the lottery or by qualifying at Boston (3:23:00 is the cutoff for women), I will run the Rock n’ Roll Savannah Marathon in Georgia. I can't wait.

visit us in boston

If you haven't heard, we love visitors! If you're planning on being in Boston for the marathon, stop by the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo and the Prudential Center store. There's a lot to see and do with us from April 15th to 18th. The store's Facebook page has all the details. (Heartbreak Hill, here we come.) 

want more?

• Follow Gina's training. She's blogging (and tumbling) the whole thing.
• Contact Gina for training tips. You can email her at walktothemailbox@gmail.com.
• Meet your local ambassadors. Find out who's teaching classes at your local store.
• Read our first Boston-bound ambassador interview with Sue Anne Clark.

Staying motivated while training for a marathon (or any race, for that matter) can be challenging. Gina's blogging; some of you may be journalling. How do you stay on track when the road to a race is an uphill climb?

You’ve probably heard that we are doing some behind-the-scenes renovations to our online store. (What? You didn’t hear? Read more about it.) We have big goals. We’ve been assessing where we’re at and the first step in making our goal a reality is re-platforming our site. (Sounds glamourous, right? It's not.) We need to change a few things - hence, the renovation.

goals need renovations too

Our online store isn’t the only thing needing a facelift these days. Not sure about you, but our goals need constant attention. It’s been almost three months since we talked about setting goals instead of resolutions. We re-ignited things later in January when some of us (and likely some of you) lost some momentum. For those of you who were still stuck, we talked to Soho ambassador Holly to learn more about how dialing in on your values can help set things in motion.

Now it's nearly April. In the spirit of spring cleaning, why not take a look and see if your goals could also use a little love while we renovate online? After all, the goal setting resources on the site is in fine working order during the reno.

Visualize your next ten years before you set out renovating

how to renovate your goals

Have goals in the first place. You can’t renovate if you don’t own the place. You need a 10-year vision. If you have no idea what a BHAG is or you haven’t formally set out to capture your SMART goals on paper, we highly recommend you start. (We mean it. Start now.) Spend some time doing so and then set a reminder to check back on this blog in a few months’ time. Already got some goals? You may proceed.

Assess the situation. What stirred you when you first wrote your goals? Do they still motivate and inspire you? Are you happy with the attention you’ve been giving them or have you let the dust bunnies set up shop in the corners of your world?

Get insight from professionals. Ok, maybe this is more applicable if you’re attempting to redo the kitchen plumbing. Still, it never hurts to talk to those close to you. They may challenge you to dream bigger and take more risks. They may give you that dose of reality you need. There’s one thing to remember though: your goals need to motivate you and you alone. No justification is required.

Draw up some new plans. If you’re uninspired, get clarity on where you want to go, tear up the old blueprints and start fresh. Motivation (unlike that plumber you may actually need for your kitchen) runs cheap. Just spy on some of the big things others are up to. (Carolyn’s enthusiasm is just the ticket. Try not being motivated after reading her blog on goal setting.)

Get going. Renovating goals may not be as fun as swinging a sledgehammer into drywall but the clean-up is easier. Don’t expect it to all be easy though. (Just ask our IT team.) Every renovation comes with its surprises, so be prepared for some bumps along the way.

want more?

• Get your goals on paper. Everyone has to start somewhere.
• Make a stop-doing list while you’re at it. They’re just as amazing as their counterparts.
• Get inspired. Read about what Linda, Meghan and Jenn are up to.
• Follow our progress. Get all the latest news on the online store reno.

 Next to breaking a sweat, goal setting is the best way to up the resale value on one of your greatest assets: yourself. Remember to have some fun while you’re at it. (If you’ve been pining to wear a tool belt on a day that wasn’t Halloween, now’s your chance.) What are you busy renovating?