Wanderlust Tahoe 2010 - photo via the Wanderlust Facebook

yoga teachers not to miss

Chloe: John Friend, Sianna Sherman, Amy Ippoliti. I'm curious and excited to try Rod Stryker and Jonny Kest for the first time. And for music, don't miss Michael Franti!

Carolyn: I’m excited to hear John Friend speak, and to learn from powerful women who have kept the movement in Vinyasa yoga alive from east coast to west - such as Janet Stone, Nikki Vilella, Schuyler Grant and Shiva Rea.

Clara: I'm always thrilled to practice with my teacher Shiva Rea. I'm also stoked to be assisting my friend Twee Merrigan both Friday and Saturday mornings. I've heard great things about Rod Stryker, so I'm checking out his Shakti Vinyasa. I love Schuyler's class so I'm taking her Kula Flow.

what they're packing

Eoin: Hammocks!

Chloe: My Joy-a-Toes, toe spreaders to wake up and activate your feet. Protein powder and my Magic Bullet to make shakes after practice. Two yoga outfits for each day (prepare to sweat with daytime highs of 25-30 degrees).

Clara: Sunscreen, mini meditation cushion, yoga towel (outdoor yoga + sun = more sweat than usual), lots of spare clothing (same sweaty theory).

Carolyn: The key item in my bag will be my bikini after Vancouver’s non-summer thus far. The lululemon Travel Mat will be by my side - the lightest, stickiest mat in my short history with yoga. Traumeel and my favourite Chinese herbal ointment for sore muscles.

advice for a first-timer

Clara: A friend who went before recommended taking a light coloured mat. She took a black mat last year and said at times she had to practice in flip flops because the mat was too hot! Also, conserve your energy. Be moderate in your practice or by Saturday your energy will be nil.

weekend intentions

Chloe: To soak it all up and savour every moment. To come home relaxed and refreshed for my children. To bring home inspiration and insight for my students.

Clara: To be a student. To take in all that is being offered.

Carolyn: To indulge in my personal practice and be surrounded by inspiring women. I plan to spend equal parts sweating through asana and slowing down alongside lakes and big trees.

As for my intentions for Wanderlust: to be present, have an open mind, and share what I learn on and off the mat. I'll be posting daily Wanderlust recaps here on the lululemon blog, so if you have a tip, question or want to say hi in person, leave a comment here or reach me through the lululemon Twitter account: @lululemon.

If you’re at Tahoe for Wanderlust, the lululemon team will be out attending classes every day and we'd love to meet you - come say hi! We're also holding a goal-setting workshop on Friday and Saturday at 5 pm called Creating a Future You Love.

See you soon, Tahoe!

♥ Alana

wanderlust teachers mentioned above

John Friend
Sianna Sherman
Amy Ippoliti
Rod Stryker
Jonny Kest
Janet Stone
Nikki Vilella
Schuyler Grant
Shiva Rea
Twee Merrigan
Eoin Finn

top 10 wanderlust must-haves

When our team hit the Wanderlust yoga festival in Bondville, Vermont, last month they had an amazing time (despite the inclement weather). It was like a sampler pack of yoga styles and music: acro-yoga, vinyasa, chanting and gongs. With plenty more summer still to come and lots more festivals coming too, Paula (our Social Media Specialist) put together her list of essentials to get the most out of upcoming yoga festivals.

1. Wanderlust Rucksack – I was lucky enough to test this backpack before it hit stores.  I loved all of the zipper pockets and the laptop sleeve; plus the built in rain cover came in handy during the unexpected downpours.

2. Skinny Satin Pirouette – I’ve finally found a headband that works for my head; skinny and sticky so it stays in place. We did tons of inversion workshops so this was crucial for keeping my hair out of my face and letting me focus on the pose.

3. The Mat – Cushioned and grippy! After a 12-hour travel day, I was extremely happy I was carrying a comfy mat.

4. Manduka Equa Towel – The towel helped provide a little more cushion over my travel mat when I needed it and soaked up the puddles.

5. iPhone – My lifeline. I was tweeting, facebooking, instagramming and checking-in everywhere.

6. Water Bottle – When you’re doing 4-6 hours of yoga every day, staying hydrated was uber-important.  I switched back and forth between H2O and coconut water.

7. Travel Pooch – Anyone I travel with will tell you I’m more than slightly forgetful. I need a bag I can keep close to my body and easily do my keys-phone-passport-wallet check.

8. Vinyasa Scarf –This magical piece acted as my scarf, towel, wrap, pillow, blanket and rain cover. `

9. Dense Foam Block– I actually didn’t bring this with me, but I wish that I had!  Bricks were not supplied in any classes, and when you’re on your 3^rd class of the day, a little extra support would have been greatly appreciated.

10. Moleskin (not pictured) - This was beside my mat all weekend.  With so many amazing instructors at Wanderlust, I was constantly jotting down inspiration and education.  I saw some people using the moleskine app on their iPads instead of notebooks too.

top two nice-to-haves

11. Passport & Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm – These aren't must-haves, but they're pretty important if you're a Canadian with a lip balm addiction.

upcoming wanderlust yoga festivals

• Wanderlust Chicago - Yoga In The City
• Wanderlust Tahoe - Inspired Gathering
• Wanderlust Santa Monica - Yoga In The City
• Wanderlust Tahoe - Wanderlust CA
• Wanderlust Seattle - Yoga In The City

If you're planning on running a marathon, you're busy focusing on training. We'd like to take something off your plate so you can keep up the good work. Don't worry about the details before the race - our panel of ambassadors and other seasoned runners have you covered. Here's the plan.     

two weeks out

Begin the hydrating marathon. Be very intentional. Nearly everyone we asked suggested drinking at least three litres of water a day from this point on.

Get what you need to pack. If you're travelling to a race, we've got your packing list waiting for you. Now is a good time to make sure you have everything you need - passport included.

Commit to your outfit. By now you should know exactly how you feel in what you're running in. (You've been training in it, right?) The sooner you choose your gear for the race, the better. This includes your shoes and socks.

Keep it consistent. Now is not the time to try new workouts, new diets, new sleeping patterns - whatever. Stick with what your body is used to.

Taper down your runs. According to our resident running expert Mike, there are really no benefits to be made within two weeks of the race and your body needs to heal after months of intense training. "I cut my running back at least two weeks before the race," he says. "I like a sharp drop about a week before, but I do enough to stay sharp with short speed and tempo drills." Everyone's different. Don't avoid running - just take it easy. Thirty to 45-minute runs are a good idea.

Keep doing yoga. Give your body and mind the love they deserve. You'll enhance your stride and your hips will thank you. (We'll help. We've got complimentary classes at your local store.)

Make your playlist. Your pace can ultimately be decided by your music. Alumni ambassador Rob recommends starting with mellow paced songs to calm your nerves and saving the intense up-tempo songs for the final stretch. We've got a few suggestions.

Learn the course. Know where the hills are so you can mentally prepare. The more familiar you are with the terrain, the better.

one week out

Spend time with Mr. Sandman. Rob recommends aiming for at least seven hours a night.

Think about adding salt. Everyone's diet is different but if you typically keep your sodium intake to a minimum, consider stepping it up a bit. You'll be sweating it all out soon and your body needs the electrolytes.

Set time goals. Jenn likes to break the race into 10K intervals. She sets different goals for each. "I know I'll need more time if there are large hills, so I set goals to make up the time in other parts of the race." She writes them on her arm on race day. Other people laminate cards or make wristbands.

Keep moving. Listen to your body and the keep up the light running and yoga.   

Picture your success. Rebecca is always visualizing her runs. "I can feel myself doing the race: the starting line, the gun - everything. I tell myself I'm strong and fast and I picture seeing my personal best on my watch."

Plan a celebration. You'll deserve something fabulous when the race is behind you. Call the people you love. Make reservations. Pick an outfit.

Keep drinking water. We can't say it enough.

Keep sleeping. It's especially important to get a good rest two nights before the race. Douse your pillow in lavender essential oils if that's what it takes.

Start packing your bags. It's really happening!

the day before

Keep calm. It's all very exciting (almost nerve-racking, in fact) so do everything you can to stay collected. If you catch yourself losing it, just take a few deep breaths. You're almost there!

Stay hydrated. If you've been doing your job, your body has been perfectly hydrated for a weeks. Bravo. (Remember your electrolytes too. How you choose to get them is up to you.)

Do nothing. Today is the day to get your sloth on, according to our panel. Stay in your sweats and don't exert yourself. (If you have serious butterflies, Rob suggests doing a quick jog and a thorough stretch. Just take it easy.)  

Prep your outfit. Lay out your gear, pin your bib on your race belt and try it on to see how it feels.

Charge your batteries. You want your tunes and heart rate monitor to keep up with you for the whole race.

Connect with your cheering squad. You won't have your phone with you so make sure to decide on a meeting spot in advance. Carla suggests you find out where they're planning to cheer you on so you know when to wipe your brow and smile for the camera.

Get some sleep. OK, so most of the people we spoke with said it's nearly impossible to sleep well the night before. Do the best you can. Try not to think about the race too much. (You've been visualizing your amazing race. You'll do great. Just breathe.) 

Eat well. Our jury is out on the whole carb loading thing. Your body needs carbohydrates but not five servings of pasta. Don't do anything too out of the ordinary and don't eat anything too high in fibre. You've been warned.

race day

Give yourself time. Three hours should be plenty of time to fully wake up, get ready and mentally prepare.

Run a bath. Mike has a hot one as soon as he wakes up to warm up his muscles. (It's also a good anxiety reliever.)

Fuel thyself. Katie reminds everyone to eat a balanced meal of proteins, fats and carbs two hours before the race. Remember, eat things you're familiar with - nothing out of the ordinary. (Again, watch the fibre intake.)

Don't overdress. Disposable layers are great to keep warm before you hit the pavement but as for your race outfit, don't overdo it. You'll be warm within the first five minutes. Being too hot can have an adverse effect on your heart rate, fatigue, and ultimately, your results.

Get warm. Think of a car starting up in the cold. It doesn't happen. Please don't cut your warm-up short. The rule of thumb? The shorter the race, the longer the warm-up. Runner's World has a great article on the subject.

Avoid the starting line frenzy. Mike says save the hooting and hollering for the end - you need that energy. We agree.

Have fun! Your hard work is about to pay off. Remember to enjoy yourself in the midst of it all.

Celebrate your achievement. Aren't you glad you made those reservations? You're welcome.

want more?

• Still looking for a race? Here are some of our favourite marathons.
• Packing soon? We thought of everything you need for your race.
• Got tight hamstrings? You're not alone. Our yogi expert has some advice.
• Looking for nutrition tips? You asked. Our ambassador Ainslie answered.
• Need some inspiration? Read about Jen's experience at the NYC Marathon.

There you have it. Do you have anything to add? Share your advice, bookmark this page and check back as your race approaches. We'll see you soon!

Not pictured: your finish line smile and endorphin rush

If you're mixing athleticism with travel and doing a destination race, we've thought of everything you need. We raced around the office and polled the marathoners on site. Here's your checklist for the road ahead.

for the journey

A duffel bag or backpack Pack light in something with functional pockets for all your gear.

Passport and plane tickets A must! Don't forget. We repeat - don't forget.

Breakfast Only if you have a routine to stick to.

Reading material We love magazine apps! (Did you know the Runner's World app is free?)

A comfortable, breathable travel outfit Wear layers to keep your cool when the temperatures change.

for the race

Shoes Not new ones - your old faithfuls. Use the ones you've been training in.

Athletic socks Again, pack what you've been training in.

Two or three race outfits The weather could misbehave so be prepared. Whatever you do, remember this: Now is not the time to break in that great new gear.

Hydration How you choose to hydrate is your call. Pack a belt or a hand-held bottle or simply rely on those friendly water station volunteers.

Fuel You won't make that goal time if your energy tank runs too low. All our running bottoms have pockets for gels so you can carry fuel hands free.

Disposable layers Keep muscles warm before the starting line and wear layers you don't mind parting with. Typically once the race begins, volunteers collect them and donate them to charity.

Race belt Spare your running gear and pin your bib to a race belt.

Lubrication Say no to chafing! Put it anywhere there's a risk of getting seriously uncomfortable. (May I personally suggest you put some between your thighs? If you're shaped like me, you'll thank me.)

Tunes, comfortable headphones & a charger Music will be your lifeline. Make sure your player is charged and ready to rock. (Don't forget an adapter if you're travelling far, far away.)

Enough tunes to keep you motivated You don't want to hit that last leg of the race and realize all you've got left is your bedtime playlist. We suggest the following...

Extra hair elastics Before you pack some, see if you've got an extra one on a zipper pull. Our designers may already have you covered.

Deodorant If there was ever a time to need it, it will be when you're sweating buckets at the finish line.

Sunscreen Make sure it's sweatproof.

A credit or debit card If nothing else, you'll deserve a cab ride to your hotel room.

A running hat Our accessories designer suggests a colorful one so your cheering squad can pick you out in the pack.

Sunglasses You don't want to be squinting the whole way.

A heart rate monitor Our Community Relations Manager Tracy suggests the Garmin 110.

A big smile for your finish line photo shoot.

The ultimate souvenir: an imported marathon bib (Thanks for the photo, Jen!)

after the race

Your "I-love-my-body" kit Think stretch cords, foam rollers, tennis balls, pain relievers, band-aids and epsom salts. They will love you back.

A yoga mat We dare you to do more than savasana after the marathon.

A cozy post-race outfit Whatever you choose, make sure it includes slippers. Fuzzy ones.

A celebratory outfit Commemorate in style but keep in mind your feet may not be up for stilettos.

Compression socks to keep your muscles comfortable for the plane ride home.

before you get packing

• Still looking for a destination race? We've listed our favourite marathons.
• Looking to break in some running gear before the race? See our latest offerings for men and women.
• Need something to pack in? We've got functional bags to get you there, yoga mat and all.
• Get inspired by Jen's story She blogged about her NYC Marathon experience.

We suggest making packing part of the event. Print this list, pour a nice glass of wine and rest assured knowing you've got it all together in advance. (Ok, maybe not a realistic pursuit but as long as you can get it done with half an hour to spare, you're golden.)

I have found the perfect piece that meets my needs: the Work It One Piece. I love it so much that I am going to share three ways (of many) to work it.

1. In bed

2. On the floor at lululemon Grant Ave

3. Summer day off