What’s all the hype about? A man with pig tails, a beard and boogie shorts for blokes. It seemed a bit questionable… Our former Chelsea Showroom educator and beloved community member, Charlie, shares his pre and post Chris Chavez experience from a recent workshop in London. 

before chris
I had never heard of Chris before I started at lululemon. Then all of a sudden it was "Chris this" and "Chris that", "you have to meet Chris", "he's amazing!". My fellow educator, Sarah, had done her teacher training with Chris and went a little sparkly eyed when she talked about him. Instantly my ears pricked up and my curiosity grew. I googled him and watched his some of his YouTube clips online. All I could see were pig tails. So I left it at that…

Some months later I was made very aware that Chris would be coming to town. There was great chatter in the showroom and throughout the London yoga scene about his arrival. People were buzzing about his workshop like I had never seen before. Not one to be left out and brimming over with curiosity I reserved my spots at Indaba for two nights of Chris in a row (it turned out I had the fabulous luck to have three days of Chris as he generously gave up his spare time in London teach a private community class for the lululemon peeps as well).

the workshop
Wow Wow Wow! So it seems the hype was justified. What appeared before me was a beautiful soul. Chris is light in his heart, strong in his practice and solid in his knowledge, not to mention humble as hell too. As promised, he had everyone in the class doing hand stands and interacted and connected with everyone in the room. The level of attention that he gives to the person he is talking to is inspiring. His humour instantly made my soul feel lighter. His unwavering faith that every person in the room was capable of doing their personal unknown, charged the air with enthusiasm and connectedness.

For more workshop photos check out Indaba's Facebook albums here and here!

expect the unexpected
For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of practicing with Chris, don't be swayed by the hot pants and the plaits because what lies within is one of the best teachers I have come across. Expect the unexpected and know you will feel fully supported in anything he asks you to do. He can connect with the strongest yogi to the first timer with equal ease and patience.  I feel lucky enough to have had our paths cross and I know that everyone that I met after the workshops feels the same.

Amongst other things, Chris left behind an excitement for his next visit, some wicked alignment principles and a new lightness in my practice. The whole process also enlightened me about my own thought patterns and preconceived ideas. It made me think that maybe one day I could embrace myself and rock out a pair of short shorts…

Overheard in Yoga: "Soften your right eye just a little" ~ Chris Chavez

What teachers inspire your practice?

There's a reason that people pack their stretchy gear when they travel to a new place. Yoga mats and running shoes unite us, regardless of where we are in the world or what language we speak. To celebrate our growing international family of ecommerce sites which includes Australia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, I asked local sweat enthusiasts in each location for their recommendations on where and how to experience their hometowns with your mat and/or running shoes in tow.

london

The Chelsea showroom team pigeon-ing in London.

Sweat out your jet lag: Check out Kari McCreath’s sweaty spin class as H2BikeRun just off of Carnaby Street. Between getting sweaty and listening to some pumping music you'll leave feeling energized.
Go for a run: You can’t beat running through the hidden paths in Hyde park or running along the Southbank! If you’re out east hit up Regents Canal and run all the way up to London Fields Market if it’s a Saturday.
Post-flight yoga class: Vinyasa flow with Mercedes at Triyoga Primrose Hill or Elizabeth Reumont at The Life Centre Islington. If you take Lizzie’s class grab a Zinger juice from Planet Organic of Coffee from the Food Lab afterwards!
Enjoy a post-yoga snack: Enjoy a steaming sweet potato with a delicious filling of your choice from Spud in Covent Garden. Also, the raw carrot cake at the Madder Rose café at Triyoga are to die for and they are good for you.
Tip for getting around: Get around town like a true Londoner with an Oyster Card! A Mini London A-Z map book may come in handy and don’t shy away from hopping in a black cab… you never know what conversation you’ll end up having with a cabbie!
Make sure you: Hit up Shoreditch on a Sunday! Start with brunch at The Book Club, then wander along Brick Lane checking out Spitalfields market, the hidden boutiques on cobble streets (grabbing a coffee at Rosa’s café on route) and end at Columbia Road flower market to pick up a fresh bouquet of beautiful flowers (tip: head to the flower market at noon to get ‘two for a fiver!’)

hong kong

Get SMAC'ed with ambassadors Ed and Babs!

Sweat out your jet lag: After sitting on a long flight, you're going to want to move your body, so head to SMAC, an invigorating outdoor workout with Ambassadors Ed Haynes & Babs Mountain.
Grab your runners and go to: Bowen Road and Happy Valley track offer tranquility in the city for running at any time of day.
Best post-flight yoga class: Nora Lim at the beautiful The Yoga Room, or Claudia at Flex Studio – you can vinyasa and then hit up Stanley market which isn’t too far from the studio. Just hop on a bus and off you go to explore a little bit of Hong Kong.
Local lingo: Finish your coffee order by saying 'thank you' in Cantonese – “mmm goy!”
Grab a post-yoga snack: something sweet and something refreshing at Life Café in Soho or a flatbread from Mana on Wellington Street.
A different way to sweat: Buffet at one of the hotels! Buffets are like a sport here. A local favourite is the one at Café Too at Island Shangri-la.

melbourne

Our ambassador Kent Cuthbert runs along Albert Park Lake.

Sweat out your jet lag: Strength and circuit training at the HIT Centre in South Yarra. Workouts are not for the faint of heart, but here technique is priority number one so you can feel like a pro at any level.
Go for a run: Albert Park Lake or Royal Botanic Gardens, lovingly known by locals as 'The Tan'. The garden-hugging track features some serious flora and fauna (50,000 plants to be exact) and a lake (fish, turtles and eels included) so tie up your runners and get ready for a wild jog.
Best post-flight yoga class: Melt your travel stress away and Savasana in style at the beautiful and tranquil Union Yoga in South Melbourne.
How to order coffee: Order a ‘flat white’ (a latté with no foam, or ‘froth’ as Aussies call it) for a shot of espresso and milk. Be warned: if you ask for an ‘iced coffee’, you will get coffee… and ice cream. Try Proud Mary coffee in Collingwood or Dukes Coffee Roasters in Windsor.
Post-yoga snack: Melbourne’s suburbs are diverse and known for different types of cuisine, from Greek food to Vietnamese treats. But anywhere you roam you’ll find cheap and fresh sushi hand rolls, like traditional sushi before they are made bite size, so you can simply grab one and go. After a workout try a brown rice vegetable roll for a healthy and satisfying snack.
Local lingo: Locals greet each other with ‘hey mate’ and ‘how you going?’, and a simple ‘no worries’ will suffice in place of 'you're welcome.'

Taking in a yoga class or going for a run in a different country is one of the best ways to beat jet lag and experience the local community firsthand (or should we say firstfoot?). Which country have you recently unrolled your mat on or gone for a run in? Got any tips for us?

highlights from the sidelines

After an intense weekend of opening ceremonies and cheering on our ambassadors at the men's and women’s cycling road race, I wanted to share a highlight reel of some of the most memorable moments so far.

getting sweaty with the locals
Our mornings have been chock-full of exercise from running across the Thames to practicing a gymnastics-inspired floor exercise routine. One of my favourites so far was a class with lululemon ambassador Matt Miller aka "The Pillar”.

watching the faces of the athletes brighten as they fly past our cheer signs
A few of my favourites include:
1. “It’s okay to finish first”
2. "The Queen is watching"
3. “Great stamina. Wanna date?”

improvising with unpredictable british weather
We managed to stay dry during the sporadic downpours with our makeshift umbrellas (read: cheer signs).

securing an awesome vantage point
Thankfully our morning yoga class helped us to swiftly maneuver our way in front of a very tall Dutchman with an orange wig.

celebrating the wins
After the exciting road race, our posse made their way back to the lululemon house for some well deserved hydration and nutritional support! Bloody Mary anyone?

Now onto the next round of events! We're hoping to get a glimpse of the men's water polo... who doesn't love a bunch of fit gents in speedos?

from athlete to spectator

Competing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China, I earned a silver medal with the USA Women’s water polo team. Fast forward a few years and here I am, an instructor of all sorts of things (Pilates, yoga, spin, stand up paddleboarding), a lululemon ambassador and social media gal for myHealthyOC, Kids Play International, and The Travel Yogi.

top 3 things i’ll be sharing with you in london

passport please
lululemon will be rockin’ the socks off the world by giving the gift of yoga. The Passport to Yoga will bring together athletes and yogis alike at a variety of local London yoga studios.  Want to join us? Follow the blog or pick up your own Passport to Yoga at our Chelsea Showroom and meet us on the mat!

not your typical cheerleader
Nothing pumps an athlete up like hearing an energetic “woohoo” or “you can do it” from the stands. We’ll be supporting our elite ambassadors who are competing in every way we can think of.  Yoga session? Check. Vision and goals? Check. Tea and crumpets? Check. Cheer song… “Jump up and down, let’s do a dance. How’s the chafing in those pants?” I’m working on this one.

embrace the culture
London is pulsating with inspiring energy and sometimes our best moments are the unexpected ones, the improvised, the genuine. That’s what I’m looking for and that’s what I’ll be sharing with you. Flash mob yoga with a guard at Buckingham Palace? It’s on.

I'd say just sit back and enjoy the ride but this is no time to laze about on the couch. Throw on your cheer gear, pranayama your way through some celebratory dance moves and follow me across the pond during this summer's athletic adventures!

Check back in with us for Jaime's blog updates and follow @lululemonlive for live tweets from the stands. What events are you most excited to watch?

run the world

Not only does running help combat jetlag, it’s a great way to get a fresh perspective and explore a city incognito (no fanny pack or giant map required). I love nothing more than waking up in an unfamiliar city, mapping out a route, picking a playlist and letting the city introduce itself. Here are my top five towns I think you should meet on the run.

london - run before you (pub)crawl
There are hundreds of reasons to run in London: gin, fish and chips, the Harrods Food Hall, Pimm’s and Marks and Spencer All Butter Shortbread are among my top five. I love running down Oxford Street before the shops are open; Hyde Park on a sunny day is a close second. There’s nothing like throwing on my Bridget Jones playlist, tearing down the London Bridge and hoping I bump into Colin Firth.

montreal - on y va
Before I head out on the prowl for poutine and smoked meat I like to run the streets of Montreal and develop a plan of attack. My usual route includes run-by browsing the windows at Simons, exploring the McGill University Campus and a cruise through the Old Port. If you’re looking for a view, running the trails of Mount Royal is an incredible way to uncover the beauty of this historic Canadian city.

san francisco - a san francisco treat
A morning run through the fog in San Fran is a great way to practice presence - living in the moment is easier when you literally can’t see what’s in front of you. I love to head down California Street, along the Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf and then jump on the Powell-Hyde Street Car to get back to home base (not everything needs to be an uphill battle).

new york city - these streets will make you feel brand new
Before you slide into your Manolos and take a bite out of the Big Apple, run the streets of New York to get a feel for what’s to come. With over 800 acres of running playground, Central Park is really a no-brainer when it comes to mapping my NYC route. The energy of the city keeps my pace up and the bagel carts and pizza shops make for easy carbo-loading on the way back.

vancouver - there's no place like home
If I could click my heels together and end up anywhere, it would be Vancouver. Snow-capped mountains, ocean waves and miles of seawall make Vancouver my favourite place in the world to run. There is nothing (and I mean nothing) like a sunny day, some good tunes and the smell of sea salt to charge me up. If you’re looking for a life changing experience run over the Burrard Street Bridge, through Yaletown, the Olympic Village and into Granville Island. I’ll save you a seat on the patio at the Granville Island Hotel. Shameless editor’s plug: if you’re intrigued by this route you should check out the SeaWheeze Half. Just sayin’.

Writing this blog post brought new meaning to “I run because I really, really, really like to eat” for Joanna – but hey, when you have access to the world’s best cuisine how could you not develop a love affair with food. Have any favourite discoveries you’ve made on the run?

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.

Image courtesy of  Keven Law

Our amazing global ambassador, Chris Chavez, is in London this week. (No, he didn't work the runway - he's teaching workshops at The Life Centre in Islington and evolve wellness centre this weekend.) With the buzz of Fashion Week still ringing in our ears and the 2012 Olympics on the way, we thought we'd share our London loves with you before the workshops.

Everyone has goals to travel. If you're heading to London soon, be sure to pack your faithful umbrella in your yoga tote, ‘cause one of the London stereotypes is definitely true: it can rain any time, any where.

do yoga

Make it out of bed before the city’s awake and start with a morning yoga class at The Life Centre in North London. Their light, modern studio is tucked away down a little lane away from the hustle and bustle of Islington’s high street. (They also have a beautiful location in Notting Hill.)

Find your center before you hit the streets of London
Image courtesy of The Life Centre

eat

After one of their anusara-inspired classes, your hips will feel over the moon and you’ll be in prime position for brunch. If you took your class in Islington, enjoy one of the city’s best artisanal lattes at Caravan on nearby Exmouth Market. If you chose Notting Hill, grab brunch at Raoul's Gourmet. (Did someone say delicious fruit smoothies? Raoul's has those too.)

see

Refueled and ready to go, it’s an easy ride on the tube down to the south of the city, with its amazing river views.

St. Paul's Cathedral and the Millenium Bridge in all their glory

drink

If it’s sunny, the perfect place for a refined cup of afternoon tea is at the Orangery at Kensington Palace, where you can sit out on their terrace and enjoy the views of the palace gardens and park. Their jasmine tea is to die for.

do more yoga

For a time-out from the hustle and bustle of the Palace, amble over to evolve wellness centre, where you can take a dynamic flow class while getting a great view of the cobbled streets of South Kensington. Chris is teaching there this Sunday.

eat more

If you need a post-class sugar rush, the famous Hummingbird Bakery is right across the street, and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to frosting heaven. (Editor's note: Lesia used to call London home too and she highly recommends the red velvet cupcake. "You won't be disappointed." We trust her.)

shop

Next, take it out east, to London’s most vibrant quarter. During the week, this part of the city is home to all things business, but on the weekends it buzzes with the golden combination of the Sunday Upmarket and Spitalfields Market, where all kinds of vintage and handmade treasures can be found (safely under a roof, for those rainy spells.)

dance

It’s not all shopping, either. East London is home to London’s hippest yoga, pilates and dance studio, Frame, where you can take a Black Swan-inspired ballet class (complete with makeup!) or a retro 80s aerobic session with nods to Jane Fonda.

Give Natalie Portman a run for her money at the Frame's Black Swan ballet-barre workshop
Image courtesy of Frame's blog

see more

And if you’re up for more action, you can be on the beach before dinner with a train from Victoria station to Brighton, a seaside town that’s as popular with surfers as it is with foodies.

The people in London have a good thing coming...
Image courtesy of Chris Chavez's Facebook page

Whatever you do, make sure you get in some yoga along the way. You'll want to be in good shape for your upcoming activities - especially if you're taking a workshop with Chris this weekend. Have fun on our behalf!

Special thanks to Stephanie and Lesia for their insider's picks. Did we miss any of your favourites? Let us know. In the meantime, we'll put the kettle on for tea.

Steph and the Robson St. team in Vancouver

While in Vancouver, I'd worked as an educator in the heart of lululemon's hometown, at our Robson store. From my first interview, I was blown away by the sense of possibility and positive energy at the store, but it took moving back to London to make me realize how much the experience had given me.

find your fitness community to feel at home

Moving to a new city, and being able to count the people I knew on the fingers of one hand, might have seemed overwhelming a few years ago. But armed with the one-year goals I'd set back in Vancouver, I had a clear plan for what I wanted to accomplish - I knew I wanted to reestablish my yoga practice, and make connections with those amazing people in the fitness community who inspire you to stretch yourself beyond what you thought was possible. (I always seem to find a lot of them in yoga classes!) That connection to community was something I'd been lucky enough to experience first-hand when working at Robson, whether it was meeting our amazing ambassadors or trying out new classes I never thought I'd attempt. I knew that by finding my London fitness community, I'd start to feel more at home and regain my balance.

Steph's living the manifesto and sweating once a day with Crossfit in London.

home is wherever you unroll your mat or lace up your sneakers

Commuting on the tube in rush hour with my yoga mat may not have won me any flavour of the month awards. But when I let out my first om at a north London Bikram centre, I knew that I'd come home - not just to a particular country, but to my yoga practice, which helped me to make sense of those first few crazy months. From that first moment of calm in a crowded studio, came a wealth of new experiences - from my foot hitting the wall for the first time kicking up to a handstand, to trying (and loving!) my first Crossfit class, to running through the amazing urban greenery of Hampstead Heath on a hazy London Sunday morning with twenty other London runners.

Green space (aka a "heath" to Londoners) in downtown London!

a lululemoner in london

Being a lululemoner in London has inspired me to get out and make those community connections myself - meeting everyone from policemen-turned-personal trainers to future London 2012 Paralympians in the process!

And best of all, while I miss my fellow lululemoners dearly, the folks from lululemon have been with me every step of the way, whether it's their goal-coaching advice ringing in my ears as I rejig my five-year goals on the tube, or their words of encouragement as I blog about another sweaty Crossfit personal best. Whether it's an impromptu goal-coaching session in Regent's Park or trying to convince my fellow Crossfitters to try a yoga class with me, I know I can bring a little bit of lululemon to London, every day.

Have you moved somewhere new and taken your practice and fitness goals with you? How did the move impact on what you accomplished or plan to accomplish?