Yogamat Boutique has a unique line of yoga clothes that include some really nice tops and bottoms. I particularly liked the Tripural and the Delhi Bottoms. In addition, they were kind enough to send me a top, called Bihar which I absolutely adore. This top could be worn over your Cami tops to yoga and then back on for a trip to the store. The shirt is made from an Eco-conscious bamboo and the softness is amazing. I’m sure I will wear this shirt over and over again. It can be worn to yoga, but, yet, it’d look great with jeans as well.

You can purchase Yogamat clothing online at their boutique store or in stores throughout the US.

per FTC rules: Yogamat Boutique sent me one shirt for purposes of review and the above opinion is my own.

As a new parent of just one baby, I had plenty of time to do what I loved- running.  When my youngest was 6 months old, I ran a marathon after training just barely 3 times a week.  I don’t remember it being too stressful because, babies take naps and they also don’t move around too much as a six month old.  Also, my husband was around plenty to pick up and carry our six month old baby boy.

I believe I spent the better part of my first two years plus one year pregnant running only.  I’d also acquired a treadmill during that time, so, if I couldn’t go out to run, I could do something on a treadmill.  In addition, I found I could jump rope, do pushups with the baby in the car seat.

Then, since I had been a cyclist in college, I briefly dabbled in bike racing- between the years of 2006-2009, although I bet I completed only a handful of races during that time.  I enjoy bike riding and occasionally bike racing, but, in order to get really good at bike racing, you need to do it all the time.  No go, for me.  Two kids under the age of 5 was not a time to devote myself to a sport that requires a minimum of 10 hours a week on a bike.   Also, I recall having complete and total meltdowns 15 minutes prior to the races as my husband would be out racing, and I was supposed to be warming up, but, couldn’t concentrate because I was worried about what my children were doing.

Back to running in 2008, trained for the St. Geroge Marathon and ended up injured and running it after having lost a month of training.  Long story, but I ended up in Yoga “rehab” for my stupid hip which had lead to basically tendonitis in my right knee. Yeah, me.

Now, 2012, my longest “workout” takes 15 minutes or less and I can be completely torn up in just 7 minutes.  I love lifting weights and I love that my quads are bigger than they’ve ever been and I love seeing progress in my lifting.  And, I love spending time on mobility work and I just happen to love crossfit.  In all my years of athleticism, I’ve never felt or seen as much progress in my own personal strengths or in my change of body type or in my overall outlook on life as I do with crossfit.  I’ve also met some of the coolest people on the planet through crossfit and have improved my diet by 200% since I first began.  Bye bye iced mocha’s with whip cream daily!!

In summary, CrossFit is working for me because it takes a hell of a lot less time (more or less) {I’m still a die hard}, I’m fitter than I’ve ever been in all my years as an athlete, and I have a 100 pound Snatch, heck yeah!!

alo sport has some of the best organic/bamboo cotton tanks I’ve ever worn. They are super soft, long lasting and well made. Check it out!

Created by Kira Karmazin, KiraGrace yoga apparel offers something to yogi’s that many other brands don’t. That is…incredibly sexy, open back-style tops for all women.   I particularly liked the spaghetti straps/open back style of the Yoga Halter for handstands and arm balancing work.

As for the bottoms, I loved the Yoga Capri pants with the ruching on the side legs.  It’s just a nice little touch of sexy for a pretty standard style of yoga pants.

I would definitely recommend KiraGrace for any of you looking for new, unique and exciting yoga apparel.  The quality of the is equivalent or better than many other yoga brands out there and it’s always nice to support up and coming brands that have been created and designed by women for women (and moms).

One other cool thing about KiraGrace that I’ve never seen before is their styling sizing: For all Goddesses, there are the curvy, athletic and regular build women out there, and they have created a line just for you.  Venus fits you curvier ones, Diana fits the Athletic types, and Victoria fits the natural goddess.

P.S.  KiraGrace provided me with samples for purposes of review.  The opinions above are my own.

Back in 2008, when my knee blew up on a downhill run in training for a downhill marathon, I’ve known that my hips were my problem. They continue to be my problem. Last year, I was off squatting and dead lifting for more than six months before a chiropractor took an ex-ray of my back only to explain to me that basically I have a “muted hip”. Meaning that they DO NO MOVE. When my bones go on (my very technical term) “lock down”, I immediately will have muscular pains/knots in my a**/give me some ice now kind of pain. Lately I’ve been running back to the chiropractor a minimum of 2x a week! Holy Crap…that’s too much.

So, my complaint lately has been to the chiropractor, “well, you can’t fix me” and his comment is “well you’re over-training” and my comment back to him is, “no, sir I’m not”. There is something related to my muscles that are pulling me out of alignment!!

Guess what?! Nobody has identified which muscles that they are for me that are not doing their job, but, what I can tell you is that the front of my body is ENTIRELY TOO TIGHT in comparison to the back of my body.

What does that mean exactly? You know when you go to yoga class and you know you can’t do certain things—hello, backbends–because you are just too tight, you can’t do them, therefor you don’t even try to do them….I could go on and on. Bottom line, I neglect the crap that I suck at (full wheel, camel pose, bow pose) because I can’t do them.



Now, thanks to Network Fitness’ kindness and generosity in teaching me how to be MOBILE in my tight spots, I at least know what to do! Note above photo of my “mobility tools”..A $9 PVC pipe from Lowe’s, a $1 LaCrosse ball from Amazon.com, a $10 foam roller from the local running store and the cream of the crop, the “bumpy roller” obtained from Network Fitness for a ridiculous sum of money. However, what I’ve learned has been invaluable to teaching me how to be more flexible and release the tight areas of my body.

Learn from me, if you suck at something, figure out how to improve the situation. The only thing that can occur from super tightness is injury.

Below are a few styles from this seasons Fall line which I loved! Thank you, MPG!!

FTC- For purposes of review, MPG sent me two pieces of clothing to try. The opinions above are mine.

Ugg Classic Cardy Grey Boots- roll up or down. Love!

Brand new to the workout apparel  market is Nancy Rose Performance.    I recently had a chance to try out these pants, and they were fantastic.  Loved the stripe down the side, material was not too thick or thin, could be worn to yoga or any heavy workout and can double as a nice pant for around the town.   Nancy Rose Performance is so new that you’ll have look for them at your local retailer or online!

Just for the fun of it, Puma Bikes on Sale at Planet Gear.

Felted Soap on Etsy.

What’s your favorite new item this season?

FTC- Nancy Rose provided me with the pants.  All of the above opinions are my own.

Happy First offers a nice clothing line for women, toddlers and infants with an additional jewelry line.

You can read more about Happy First here.

Apologies for the photo quality, I went to extreme measures to ask bribe my child to take the photo and after six attempts, this was the best of the bunch, but I did want you all to see the outfit.  NUX was kind enough to send me a complete outfit for purposes of review.  Pictured above is the V-FitnessPants and the Sport Hoody.  As you can see, NUX is a very sexy, form fitting brand that offers fabulous colors of workout wear. I love that green Sport Hoody.  My favorite piece of the three items I received was the Focus Bra {not pictured here} which has become my “go-to” bra for work. It’s super comfortable, it breathes well and it doesn’t pinch me anywhere.   These clothes are meant to let you shine on any workout day.

From the website:

NUX delivers a fresh approach to activewear with a collection of engineered seamless designs that combine fashion and performance with comfort and freedom of movement. Each piece is made with a special blend of yarns that have moisture absorbing properties built into the fiber.

GIVEAWAY TIME:

NUX is offering one winner the V-Fitness Pants and Sport Hoody!   Please take a minute and visit their website and come back and tell us what you think!  You can also “like” them on Facebook or follow them  Twitter for the latest updates, sales or new products coming out.

Contest will run through Sunday, October 2nd.  The winner will be drawn at random and announced on Monday, October 3rd.

FTC- A big thank you to NUX for sending me these clothes for purposes of review and the opinion above is my own.