we asked

@lululemon: Why do you run? Tag your answers with #WeAsked & we'll share our favourites in our blog on Friday!

you answered

@MissRedWing: I run because I love the music of my breaths and feet hitting the pavement.

@ashleykoehn: After an 8 mile lakefront run, I feel BEAUTIFUL. No need for heels & mascara. Strength, health & confidence is beauty.

@AshmoeNY: I run to prove to myself that I can go the distance & conquer my goals/fears. I run to finish what I started.

@Glorious_Greens: I run to escape the chaos of the day and to feel the strength my body possesses. It is my time to just be in the moment.

@kelhilder: When I run the whole world disappears and I feel completely free.

@khourinya: I run because it is thousands of dollars cheaper than therapy

@chrissybajcar: It's a time to clear my head, get away, and just be. I also like pushing my limits

@c5mccorm: I run for my sanity! also, for the feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a race or a grueling training run

@erinmarie9: To get outside, push my limits and remove stress with each stride

@syyong: It's my meditation, nothing else matters when i run, the only thing on my mind are my breath, enjoying the air that comes in and out, my steps, my awareness of my body in space

Look for our next #WeAsked question on Tuesday, August 10th!

what is we asked?

Every week we ask you for your thoughts and opinions on a specific topic via Twitter, and share our favourite answers here on our blog. Want to share your wisdom in 140 characters or less? Follow us on Twitter. If you’d like to suggest a topic, feel free to email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

View running clothes:

• Run: Dash Tight
• Run: Speed Skirt
• Push Ur Limits Tank

you asked

Can a 5′2 130 lb woman actually do arm balances? I try and I feel like it’s never going to happen for me. - Becka

a yogi answers

The only thing that is in your way is not believing that you can! Absolutely you can do arm balances, yes it may take time and a little patience to build enough strength and balance, but what holds most people back from soaring in arm balances is the fear of falling. If you are practicing Crow put a pillow in front of you on the floor so if you tip there is something soft to catch you. If you are practicing Handstand move over to a wall so that you can get over the fear of falling over. Then practice practice practice:)
- Kinndli, lululemon Oakville ambassador

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

you asked...

I’ve been practicing for over 10 years and have been teaching (RYT200) since 2003. Yet I still cannot break my plateau – I’m so comfortable in intermediate classes and I’m so connected with my spirit – or at least I feel it, but maybe I’m wrong – but I’m stuck in my practice. I cannot let go of my fear of handstands and headstands and other ‘flying’ poses. Arm balances, I’ve got zero issue with and I LOVE playing around, so I’m eager to get to that point with being upside down as well. How do I let go of that fear? For the past 2 years I’ve been working hard – I’ve always had a good amount of upper body strength but I have weaker abs and chronic low back issues (degenerative disc disease since age 12), which I think are a huge factor – and I still can’t get past the hump. I’m trying not to let my ego get in the way, but it’s so difficult when I’ve been practicing for so long and feel so comfortable in all other parts of my practice. Is it just not meant to be, or do I need to stop focusing on the physical and get more into the meditative part of it?

A comment for Grace – reading your profile, I am in complete awe of you. What wonderful work you’re doing with your practice!!! That is my dream… someday! – Nicole

a yogi answers

Dear Nicole,

Thank you so much for your comments. I know how challenging it can be when we feel we’ve hit a plateau. It can be hard to push through it, and sometimes it is much more challenging to let go and remember to enjoy our practice for what it is. I have always liked to change things up, so I don’t get stuck in a comfortable routine. I am a big fan of exploring new classes, for different teachers will inspire me to break a cycle.

I haven’t practiced with you so I am not sure what you have tried or what preparations you have done in order to explore inversions. Have you tried anything against the wall? A great exercise is to place your hands on the floor – shoulder-width apart – and walk your feet up a wall, so that your body is in an L-shape. This will help you overcome the fear. You can then work toward lifting one leg straight up to the ceiling, and then switching sides. Doing some workshops in inversions will help you as well.

If you suffer from a degenerative disc disease, it is likely playing a role in your practice, so you must remain patient and be kind to yourself. Try to relax and enjoy your practice and don’t be afraid to pursue different aspects of Yoga, particularly the meditative aspects of the practice, for this alone may teach you many things about your asanas, and some mental blocks you may have encountered along the way.

There is so much I would like to ‘accomplish’ in my physical practice, but I really wanted to explore other things. Nothing prevented me. I was benefiting so much from yoga that I felt I should use that in other realms of my life. I am fully dedicated to supporting my community, and would encourage all to explore a yoga practice of service, yoga-in-action. There is so much one can do! It helps to start small and to be as specific as possible, and never be afraid to reach out to your community. It is about changing the outlook from: “What’s in it for me?” to “How can I be of help? How can I be of service?” If you are looking for some resources, take a look at www.offthematintotheworld.org for some inspiration!

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador
Learn more about Grace and Inspire Reach here: http://www.inspirereach.com

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column that is published on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you have a yoga question for future yoga panels, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

Above: Ronnh, our Multimedia Developer, about to bite the bullet and start work on his next big project.

I have struggled with perfectionism most of my life. Most people would think perfectionism a gift, but really it is more a curse. It was only until recently that I realized that it was holding me back from goals. An ambition to be a bestselling author, seemingly miles away, as I stare at my blank computer screen, choking on words that I keep second guessing.

My first step to overcoming this was getting real to it and acknowledging the problem. Where was my fear stemming from? What did it matter if something wasn't perfect? Thinking on this, I came to the source, a very common fear most people suffer – a fear of not being good enough. It can permeate all areas of our life with us not even being aware; health, personal, business.

A quote that really spoke to me was one said by Robert H. Schuller- "Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing perfectly". OMG! So it's better for me to write a crappy story than nothing at all? Of course! Becuase I can work on that story, I can develop that first draft into something grand and write that amazing novel I want. Whereas the alternative is nothingness: you can't work on something that isn't there. A light bulb went on for me there and set me free.

It took such a weight off me and allowed me the opportunity to start being true to myself and working towards those ultimate goals. Each day I face it, but I have that knowledge and hope that I will continue to overcome it. Live your life, don't hold back.