Two Yogis are Better Than One: LuLu Lemon Athletica Complimentary Class

         I cannot turn down a free yoga class, so I had to return this Sunday to Lulu Lemon Athletica for their Complimentary Yoga Class. This time I was sure to save myself the embarrassment of walking in late and arrived extra early. As I waited for the class to start I talked to the girl sitting by me. She shared with me that she always strategically places her mat by a wall, since balance is not her strong point. I laughed nervously, realizing that if she fell to her left I would become her other wall.

The teacher was from the studio, Active Sol Yoga. She began the class by reading a passage from a book. The basic gist was that in order to be reflective you do not need to retreat to the solitude of a forest like the Transcendental author Thoreau did when he went to live in a cabin by Walden Pond. We can all find our own Walden Pond, or place of reflection, by just taking a moment to sit and be still.

The highlight of the class was the balancing pose we did at the end. With my uncoordinated yoga neighbor I would have been in the danger zone, but the teacher threw in a twist; she had us create a circle so that we could hold on to each other as we did the pose. It was amazing how much easier it was with the help of others, and even my new friend did not waver in the pose. Unlike Thoreau who found enlightenment by distancing himself from society, my classmates and I experienced stability by unifying together. 

Sunny Days: Kashi Atlanta Anusara Inspired Yoga

Yesterday I woke up, put the coffee on, and went onto my porch to water my new plants. Sam and I recently bought a mint plant and a basil plant from a delightful little plant store on Briarcliff Road. These are the first plants I have ever owned and they feel like new pets; however, unlike my goldfish I had as a child I have every intention of keeping them alive for more than a week. This requires water, sun, and a little bit of love. I can give the water and love, but the unfortunate positioning of my apartment makes me worry that they may die from lack of sun (they are obviously adopted, because their mother has never had a problem acquiring enough sun).

As I watered my plants I had no clue that their sunless plight would tie directly into my yoga class that morning. I went back to Kashi Atlanta to try out the Anusara Inspired Yoga Class. I was excited for the class until the teacher told us we would be working on back bends. Since I have shoulder problems I have to hold myself back from doing advanced yoga positions such as these. As we warmed up I nervously awaited the backbend, but my anxious thoughts were distracted by the teacher’s speech about opening up to the light like a sunflower. She proposed that winter is a time when we are introspective and set intentions and summer is a time to open up and take action. Before I knew it, it was time for the backbend. As I watched the other students arch into their backbends I stood alone watching them, feeling more like a wallflower than a sunflower.

It was still a great class and I left motivated to open up to the sun, not by laying out by the pool (which I admit I did do that day), but to also open up to life and to acting on my intentions. Now if my plants could have only come to yoga so that they too could have learned this lesson too. 

When Life Gives You Lemons: LuLu Lemon's Complimentary Sunday Class

I have shopped for yoga clothes, and worn yoga clothes while doing yoga, but until this morning I had never done a yoga class in a clothing store. As soon as I heard that Lulu Lemon Athletica offers free yoga classes on Sundays in their store I knew I had to try it out.

            Last night I made sure to Google the address and write down the directions, since my Australian guide (aka my GPS) has not been very reliable lately. This morning I left on time, followed my directions, and arrived at the address with 10 minutes to spare. The only problem was that there was no Lulu Lemon in sight. I drove up and down the street searching for the infamous Lulu Lemon symbol. Eventually I called a friend I was meeting at the class and she informed me that I was at the store’s old location. I felt betrayed by Google Maps and quickly typed in the new address at Around Lenox Road, hoping that my Aussie was not hurt by my recent transgression from his services.

Thankfully I got to the store without a problem. As I ran up to the store I felt like I was in slow motion, somewhat reminiscent of the Baywatch lifeguards (and I am talking about Pamela Anderson, not the Hoff). My heart dropped when the door did not budge and I realized it was locked. One of the store clerks opened it and I prepared myself to be turned away; however, in true yoga spirit she let me join the class. I think I ran into about 5 people trying to get to an open spot for my mat. I was embarrassed that I had interrupted the class, but I still managed to have a great class. My only complaint was that I was a bit distracted by all of the cute clothes and kept thinking “Do they have that in my size.” Next Sunday I will definitely leave early, not just to arrive on time but so I can do some browsing before class instead of during it!