A member of our digital team and a native Vancouverite, Sairah has always considered herself a fierce competitor. Here is her story of finding a love of practice and camaraderie in the most unlikely of places.

Growing up in a household with 3 brothers, competition showed up just about everywhere. When they started disappearing on Sundays to watch football – I insisted on getting involved. Naturally, in the spirit of competition, I picked my team by choosing the mortal enemy of my brother’s team. He cheers for the Minnesota Vikings, so since that day my Sunday hopes and dreams have lived with the Green Bay Packers.

As someone new to the game, I set out to learn everything; the rules, the players and the history. I wanted to hit the ground running (there’s that competitive thing again). Sundays slowly became my favourite day of the week and I lived for the emotional rollercoaster that every play took me on. What I didn’t realize was that I was actually participating in something much larger than a few touchdowns. On the surface winning is obviously the best part, there is no doubt about that – but what I was learning was that it was the practice of football that had me so focused on coming back for more.

I’m not talking pads and drills practice, I’m talking about the ritual that brings friends together for 17 Sundays. No matter what happens in my week, on the 7^th day I meet up with friends and family alike to spend uninterrupted time together. Rivalries spark conversations and it’s easy to meet new people around you because of the common interest. You’re wearing the same colour jersey as me - good, different colour – bad, but we’ll probably be friends anyway. The passion for your team overshadows the work-week behind you and the camaraderie of the day delays the week ahead. Everyone’s energy is focused in the same place at the same time – a rare occurrence these days.

When you look past what happens on the field, you’re met with a dynamic group of people united by 4 quarters of football. Some fans can point out the intricacies of a defense while others can barely tell which team is on offence, but regardless of their level of knowledge they are spending their Sundays experiencing the practice of football. This practice of football is a room full of people whose minds are clear from outside distractions, living in a moment together. It may seem bold to claim that football is not about competition, but when I look at what it brings to my life I see something that brings people together rather than divides them.

Today is a big day down in New Orleans! Is there an unlikely place you find serenity and calm? And who are you cheering for today?

Michelina, a Keyleader at Rideau Centre, was happy unrolling her mat in the back corner of the yoga studio alongside her water bottle and towel. She enjoyed yoga

Recently, when she attended Ichih Wang’s Vinyasa Flow class, Ichih encouraged her to move her mat to the centre of the room and her perspective changed in more ways than one.

move the mat

When I originally moved my mat (with Ichih’s helpful nudge), I was nervous. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and I lost the safety of my mediocre back corner spot. It turns out that it was just the push I needed to enjoy Vinyasa Flow.

When a beginner takes a yoga class or a yoga vet takes a certain class for the first time, it’s easy to take our hearts out of our practice if we’ve rolled our mats down in the back. Slipping out of the posture to try to see between the rows of Downdogs, stressing to hear an instructor leading with a quiet voice or watching those around us instead of doing yoga ourselves, can all be the result of bad mat placement.

By moving to the middle of the room, we put ourselves at the centre of the flow. We join the group and use their experience and strength in the poses to create our own tempo.

centre of the yoga studio ≠ centre of attention

When I moved into the middle of the action I was originally afraid of being watched and judged. Dressed from head to toe in my favourite lululemon gear – how dare I not be able to hold side plank like a pro?!

“No one is looking at you, don’t worry,” Ichih assured me. “They are all going through their own trials and tribulations, internal worries and physical challenges. While they are mid-practice they don’t even know you exist.”

Hold the pose, and if you can’t hold it any longer, take a deep breath and tell yourself you are strong and able to tough it out for another 3 seconds. Be proud of what you’ve achieved (be it one minute in plank or 30 seconds) and then surrender to the joy of child’s pose.

Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone can be as simple as moving our mat or as intimidating as trying a new style of yoga. Do one thing a day that scares you - how are you going to challenge yourself to gain perspective?

Here are some photos of the event from Liz, key leader and photographer at lululemon Park Meadows:

Over 1,300 people showed up to move and groove as one.

Open minds and open hearts.

The group rocking Dancer's Pose!

Hugs create community.

The amazing group of people from our three Colorado stores who planned, organized and hosted Yoga in the City!

Thank you to everyone who came and shared laughter, moved their bodies, and most importantly, had fun! And a special thanks to the three guest Corepower Yoga instructors that led us through our practice.

Interested in joining a yoga community near you? Join us for weekly complimentary yoga at your local lululemon.

you asked

I am currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark for 6 months and was not able to bring my favourite lululemon yoga mat with me because of baggage restrictions. Are there any poses that you can suggest for someone who is traveling abroad and has a limited amount of space to work with? "Tak for hjælpen," or "thanks for helping" in English! -Samantha

a yogi answers

Hi Samantha!

Thanks for your question!  There are many poses you can practice within a limited space. For a more relaxing practice or to release tightness/stiffness, I recommend the following reclining poses:  single knee to chest pose, simple spinal twist, knee down twist, hand to foot pose variations, thread the needle, happy baby, bridge and reclining bound angle pose. There are also many seated poses that require minimal space including the following:  simple cross legged forward bend, half lotus, full lotus, double pigeon, cow face pose, seated spinal twists (think ardha matsyendrasana and marichyasana), head to knee pose, bound angle, seated forward bend, and staff pose to name a few.

For a more active or energetic practice, I suggest the following:  boat pose, tabletop pose, cat and cow, downward facing dog, chair pose, half sun salutations, sun salutation A series, low lunge salutations, standing balancing poses like eagle, tree and dancer poses, arm balances like crow, camel pose, bow pose, wheel pose, and headstand or forearm balance if you have an inversion practice. Remember to make time for final relaxation, savasana!

Hope this helps!  Best to you and enjoy your practice!
-Danielle Tridenti, St. Louis, Plaza Frontenac ambassador

Do you have any tips for travelling yogis?

more about danielle!

Danielle Tridenti is a yogic guide and Thai Yoga Therapy practitioner.  She is owner and lead instructor at D'sYoga Home in Saint Louis, MO, and assistant to Saul David Raye.  She brings over fifteen years of experience in movement, bodywork, and devotion into her teaching and healing arts sessions. Danielle has studied extensively with Shiva Rea, Saul David Raye, Rod Stryker and Erich Schiffman (to name a few) and is influenced  by the wisdom of the Krishnamacharya lineage, Tantra, Ayurveda, and the Bhakti path. More about Danielle: www.dyogahome.com

what is ask a yogi?

Ask a Yogi is a yoga advice column. If you have a yoga question for a lululemon yoga ambassador, please email askanexpert@lululemon.com.

you asked

How does one know if they are ready to take on yoga teacher training? Is there a specific level of expertise that one should have? Does one need to have a dedicated daily yoga practice? - Kelly

three yogis answer

Kinndli's answer:

The thing is, you will NEVER feel ready! But you have to be up to something big in your life, and you will know when you get that feeling like you want to be at cause in your life and at cause in the world and really want make change. Logistically it doesn’t matter how long you have been practicing yoga, but a year is a good marker. What is more important is that you are beginning to understand your body and have an inquisitive nature. My biggest passion is facilitating teacher trainings and one of the biggest breakthroughs I see in my students is that awakening into what we call “The Inner Yes”! It comes from learning to trust your intuition and by doubting your doubts. Find a teacher that inspires you, doubt your doubts and just DO IT!! The time is now!

- Kinndli, lululemon Oakville ambassador

Grace's answer:

Dear Kelly,
If you feel you are being called to pursue a teacher training, you should certainly explore that opportunity. If you are feeling any resistance, you may just be experiencing a ‘fear’ related to a perception you may have about not being ‘able’ to do it.
Committing to a teacher-training program is certainly a significant investment of both time and money, and there many things one should consider before embarking on such a journey.

• Do you have the time? If not, your Yoga might become a source of stress and your training won't be enjoyable
• Do you actually plan to teach? If so, training is a must. If you just want to deepen your practice, workshops or retreats might be a better option
• Are you ready to take your own practice to a new level? Most trainings are physically intensive. If you're sick or injured, it's probably not the best time to embark on this journey.
• Are you ready to deal with some of your own personal demons? Yoga trainings have a way of bringing you face-to-face with your own fears and insecurities, which is wonderful and illuminating if you're ready and have the time to process everything that comes up.

In the end there is no easy formula for choosing the right training, and the best advice is to spend lots of time reflecting on what you need and asking questions of your own teachers. And if you can, take classes with many teachers to see what really moves you.
Ultimately, the decision to become a Yoga teacher is a highly personal one and different for everyone.
It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher will come. It is also said that the ideal teacher will come for each student, depending on the aspirations the seeker holds in his/her heart.

- Grace, lululemon Queen St. ambassador

Ted's answer:

One knows if they are ready to take on a teacher training if they are first ready to deepen their practice. I found that the journey of practicing and teaching yoga is an organic evolution. Your first teaching training is only the beginning of your education. Yoga is a lifelong journey and while a daily asana practice is incredibly beneficial it's not always possible. Yoga begins to permeate other areas in your life. You will find that you're doing yoga while you're running, biking or hanging around with your least favorite people!

- Ted, lululemon Malibu 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

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.