Fancy Pants

There are lots of great new clothing lines for Fall this year, but on my most coveted list are two pair of pants that I think are incredibly innovative.

I'm really impressed with Lululemon's new Acro Crop. It's such a great idea to put a little sticky silicon paint on the pant legs to give you some extra traction in arm balances and balance poses like Vrksasana (Tree Pose) that is, if you practice with the lifted foot below the knee, anyway! Admittedly, I haven't seen these in person, but from what I can tell they're pretty neat. That said... I have one major concern about these nifty pants: If you manage to get your leg behind your head while you're wearing these, will you be more likely to get stuck?

I'm also really into the Knee Pad Yoga Capri by Fila. Sometimes my knees get sore from those Pigeon Pose variations and Camel Pose. My solution has always been to fold the edge of my mat over to give me some extra padding... I think it's genius that someone decided to put discreet pads in yoga pants so the padding is built in! I haven't seen these in person yet, either, so I can't tell if they look totally dorky or not.. but the pictures look sleek.

Have any of you tried either of these pants? Did you love them? I'd love to hear your reviews!

Spoiled Yogi Interviews Kristin McGee

Tell us about your favorite yoga outfit. What do you love about it?

My all time favorite yoga outfit is the copper ring supplex cami tank and supplex straight leg capri  by FILA. The fabric is so comfortable; yet still supportive. The tanks always come out in beautiful colors (I have one in each!) and I love wearing them on air for when I work at HSN. They are feminine and classic and they still do the job when I'm exercising. The black capri pants make my legs look good and are the perfect length for me in my yoga and Pilates class. They are just the best staple pant to have.

You're not just a yoga teacher--you're also a Pilates and fitness instructor. How does Pilates fit in with your yoga practice? Does one inform the other?

I certified to teach Pilates after teaching yoga for a while at the gyms and health clubs--where they kept asking me to sub Pilates classes (not knowing the difference!). I started taking classes and fell in love with Pilates, it as a great compliment to my yoga practice. I really like teaching both disciplines. They are different in many ways so it is good cross training for my body and my students. I find concentrating on my core and powerhouse in Pilates reminds me to keep it strong when practicing yoga. Sometimes doing ab work in Pilates I forget to breath so using my yoga breath and flow when I'm teaching Pilates helps me not get too rigid. The flexibility and mind/body connection from both methods is really great. I am a gym girl and I love all forms of exercise I think it's great to keep informing my yoga and Pilates with as much as I can.

What's your secret to keeping calm amidst all the chaos of city living, busy schedules, and never-ending to-do lists?

I just really try and give myself a chill day. Before I got married to my awesome husband, Tim, I'd often work Monday-Sunday it seems there is always something to do and I could see clients or teach classes all week long. I could  also teach until 8 or 9pm then have a 6am the next day! Tim has really helped me slow down and take a day off on the weekends. We might go for a bike ride or to a museum or see a play or musical. Or we might take a hike or a day trips to the beach, botanical gardens, Central park, etc. I've also learned to be kinder to myself and not over do. I like waking up early and seeing my clients and doing my classes. But I realized that at night I'd rather be home with a good book or have a nice meal and glass of wine or see my friends and husband.

I am using the balance that we often refer to so much in yoga and incorporating it more in to my daily life. It is really important to find a nice rhythm between work and play, and yet it's an ongoing journey. There are times when I just have to put in my dues and have many projects going on, and I work my butt off. Then, I go out to Idaho and force myself to take a week off ,and be in the outdoors with my amazing family. I'm so lucky I have that outlet!

What's your favorite pose at the moment? What are you learning from it?

I think my favorite pose right now is Hanumanasana, splits. I've always loved headstand--I could do it right away and it feels awesome being upside down. I always hated the splits, I could never do them as a kid, I was super inflexible and it is one of those poses that I always felt so far from accomplishing. Yet, this summer while practicing Hanumanasana, I really decided to just relax and not worry about getting in to the full posture; and I'm actually finally able to feel really good on both sides. I've noticed the skill it takes to stay centered and not get too caught up in the front leg but to really sit back a little and open up the front of my back thigh. Now I'm able to melt down in to the floor and not freak out about shoving my front leg hamstring open and to the ground.

I've been practicing now for over 17 years, and my body is opening up now in places I thought I might never have the range of motion. It is a true testament to the practice to see that if you keep breathing and keep exploring the postures and your body and the alignment, you really can go further than you ever thought possible. Yoga isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.

Things change and move at glacier speed, not lightning speed. But that's great! Anything worth doing takes time and doing splits right now has helped me realize that patience and perseverance really do pay off.

Tell us what inspires you so we can be inspired, too?

Children inspire me. Seeing the little girls I teach or watching my little nephews play and explore and giggle and have fun and be curious about life, that is  really touching. Old people inspire me as well, learning from their wisdom and experience of life. The mountains inspire me, I love being home in Idaho and skiing or hiking and just looking at the unbelievable expansive beauty of the mountain ranges. Rivers, oceans, lakes, streams, forests anything outdoors makes me happy and inspired.

My yoga and Pilates practice and really good yoga/Pilates classes and teachers inspire me. Great teachers of anything really inspire me--I love to learn. Music definitely, I can't imagine my life with out songs or singing. When I hear an awesome lyricist like James Taylor sing or hear my dad play the piano, or go to an incredible musical in NYC and can't stop tapping my feet--that is inspiring. Art, great novels, new inventions, traveling to new places, all inspirational.

The Big Apple--thus the reason I moved here, it's one big playground of inspiration. I can't walk down the street without being inspired every day. My students and clients inspire me and remind me to keep doing what I'm doing and to be the best teacher I can be and continue to come up with creative new ideas in my teaching and practice. I see them progress and stay consistent with their practice, and I feel so very grateful.  My husband and family make me want to be a better person every day I'm alive, and they support and inspire me in new ways every day.

Visit Kristin's website www.kristinmcgee.com.

How Fashion Changed My Life (Or at Least My Mornings)

My love for fashion helped me develop a regular meditation practice. Yes, I said fashion!

I've taken amazing classes--and lots of them. I've studied with some of the best yoga and meditation teachers in the world. I've read countless books. I've blogged in an attempt to hold myself accountable. I think I ever made a chart at one point. Did any of this help me to develop a consistent and regular yoga practice? Nope! It would work for about a week.. then.. Poof! Something happened (I have no idea what) and I just couldn't do it anymore. It was my fashion obsession that changed everything for me.

I was in the habit of standing in my closet every morning for a good 10 minutes scratching my head. I have SO many choices, and yet, I would think to myself, "I have NOTHING to wear.. I hate ALL of my clothes." Often, I'd put one one outfit... decide it's not the right one and change several times before I actually made it out the door. All of this takes a ridiculous amount of time.

Ironically, even though I spent so much time getting ready in the mornings, I realized I still wear the same outfits over and over again. This is unacceptable for someone who loves clothes as much as I do. Determined to make better use my closet and dresser (both ridiculously full), one Sunday afternoon I decided to find five creative new outfits for the week. I tried everything on. I laid out every outfit--even the jewelry.

The following week, I was astonished by how much time this saved me in the morning. I felt fabulous in my newly-constructed wardrobe and ready for work with 15 minutes to spare.. So I thought, what the heck? I sat down to meditate. That was almost three months ago, and I haven't missed a day since.

Since I just happened into my meditation practice this time, I had no expectations and no worries. It wasn't forced--just a happy accident. This means I've been able to watch it all unfold organically, without judgment. I really am noticing a difference. I'm calmer, more connected, and yes, better dressed!

An Ode to Swimsuit Shopping

Shopping for swimwear today I am.
 Oh yes, I am, dear store clerk ma'am.
 But, alas, I do NOT like swim suit shopping plans.

I don't like looking short and small.
I don't like feeling big or tall.
I do not like it--especially at the mall.

I do not like it store clerk ma'am.
I just don't like it. It's not who I am.

This one's too skimpy.
That one looks like a dress.
This one is obviously for a woman with a very large chest.

I do not like it store clerk ma'am.
I just don't like it. It's not who I am.

Would you like it here or there?
Here, try it on over your underwear.

I do not like it store clerk ma'am.
I just don't like it. It's not who I am.

Would you like it for the beach?
Or maybe in the color peach?
Would you like it for a boat?
Or maybe on a floaty float?
 Would you like this one with a tan?
Or maybe for your Uncle Sam?

I do not it like them on a beach.
I do not like the color peach.
I do not like them for a boat.
And certainly not on a floaty float.
I do not want to have a tan.
I do not like it for Uncle Sam.

I do not like it, store clerk ma'am.
These swim suits just aren't who I am.

That's Hot: Athletic Skirts

It feels like summer Charleston, SC with temperatures reaching 90 degrees some days. And even though I'm not exactly a "hot yoga" kind of girl most of the time there's no getting around it these days. I can't even walk from my front door to my car (20 feet away maybe?) without working up a sweat, and it's not even June yet. It's going to be a long, hot summer.

This poses a bit of a problem for my wardrobe since I do not like to wear shorts. Not ever. There's just something about shorts that isn't aesthetically pleasing to me and they leave me feeling a little too exposed. During the hottest of summer days, I opt for a breezy dress or skirt instead. And when it comes to my yoga practice? Well, I've been known to just suffer through it and wear my tried-and-true yoga pants anyway.

Luckily, this year there are more options for my yoga practice: many of my favorite athletic wear companies are making skirts that offer more coverage than shorts but are still cool and breezy.

My favorite is this skirt/skort by MPG, called Leap.

It might have been designed for running or tennis, I don't know. But the built-in shorts underneath this adorable skirt makes it perfect for yoga! You don't have to worry about giving the lucky person on the mat behind you a peep show when you practice your Down Dog.

Inversions? No problem. You're covered.

To and from class is OK, too. Since there's no clingy spandex you don't have to bring along a cover up.

I've been living in this skirt for my yoga practice, walking the dog, grocery store runs, and most anything else I'm doing that's doesn't require me to go into the office.

What do you wear to yoga during the hottest months of summer?

Review: Mishoga Wear

For me, yoga is more than a practice. It's an art form. So when I look for yoga clothes, I look for something that can help me to express the beauty, originality, and serenity I feel when I practice.

That's exactly what I found when I got an unexpected package in the mail from a Twitter friend, Mish Volonino, the founder and designer at MishogaWear. She sent me the most sophisticated pair of tie-dyed yoga pants I've ever seen! (And you KNOW I have a lot of yoga pants!) The image above shows the hand painted Buddha on the pant leg right beneath the Tibetan writing that says "Om Mani Padme Hum," the universal mantra of Tibet. This is admittedly a foreign concept to me, but I love the sweet sentiment. My photography does not do it justice.

You see, Mish is more than a designer... She's real artist. Mish paints the designs onto her custom-made yoga clothes by hand. She also does hand embroidery, screen printing, drawing of designs, and crystal embellishments. The result is a unique, but totally wearable work of art! 

5 Tips to Avoid Muffin Top

Since I started this blog about a year ago, I've gotten a few fun questions from readers. Sometimes people ask me where to find inexpensive yoga gear or what classes I recommend for beginners. But the one question I've received more than any other really doesn't have much to do with yoga at all: How do I avoid the dreaded muffin top!? Yoga pants are fitted and sometimes even the thinnest among us sometimes notice a little flesh spilling out over our waistbands. Let's get one thing straight. I think women should embrace their bodies, feel confident, and love every little curve, bump, and lovely lady lump (to quote the Black Eyed Peas). Frankly, that's one of the most valuable lessons I've learned from my yoga practice.

That said, I've learned a few tricks to minimize this problem. So I thought I'd share them with all of you!

1. Avoid Elastic Waistbands at ALL Costs. If you're worried about muffin top, opt for a drawstring or foldover top yoga pant.

2. Check Your Undies. Panties are a BIG issue for me. If you wear underwear to yoga class, make sure they fit correctly. If you're underwear is giving you muffin top it doesn't matter what pair of yoga pants you put on over it.

3. Buy a Bigger Size. Sometimes all you need to do to banish muffin top is buy a bigger size! I will admit to having a problem with this some of the time. It's silly, but it's pretty important to me to buy the size that I think I should wear (even though I know sizes vary drastically between brands and styles). So.. I simply won't buy a pair of pants if there's not plenty of room for movement (and bloating after a big meal) in the size I think I should wear. It's dumb, though, so don't be like me. Just buy a bigger size... and cut out the tag if it makes you feel better.

4.  Try a Higher Rise. Most muffin tops are the result of low rise pants that sit on the fleshiest part of the body (between the natural waist and the hip). Avoiding it could be as simple as finding a style with a slightly higher rise. Also, make sure your top is long enough to give you full coverage--especially when you bend over for Uttanasana!

5. Eat Fewer Muffins. I'm kidding! If you take nothing else away from this blog, understand that the muffin top phenomenon is NOT YOUR FAULT! It doesn't mean you're fat. You certainly don't need to go on a diet or do more crunches. I blame poorly constructed pants and clothing designers that don't understand real our bodies!

3 Ways to Wear Yoga Leggings -- A Guide for Petite Girls

For years I avoided leggings like the plague. Like many women, the last thing I wanted to do was draw attention to my hip and thigh area. I thought that anything with a tapered leg would just bring attention to how wide my hips and thighs are--in relation to my calves and ankles, anyway. I'm all about using yoga fashion to accentuate the body parts I feel good about, but I think I got this one wrong.

Not only do boot cut yoga pants tend to make petite people look like they're swimming in Spandex--and make it harder for your teacher to see your alignment--they also make already-short legs look even shorter. Add to this the extra hassle of taking a new pair of pants to get it hemmed and it's almost enough make me a total leggings convert.

Hemming isn't necessary for leggings--even if they're way too long! Here are three adorable ways I've found to make leggings even more flattering (and more versatile) on a petite frame-and they utilize the most current yoga fashion trends!

I Gathered That

I Am Beyond Gathered Leggings

Almost every yoga fashion line includes a pair of gathered leggings. (My favorites are these by I Am Beyond, formerly Beyond Yoga, because they're soft, squishy, and super flattering.) But if you're on the shorter side, you can just as easily buy a regular length pair of leggings and simply use your fingers near the ankle to make the gathers where you want them, and Voila!

(Just to clarify, my suggestion is for gathered leggings that are pant length--if you try to do it to the capri length (so it looks like the picture) they WILL slide down and drive you crazy the whole time you practice!

Cold Feet

Kathryn Budig rocks a long legging

Is it a sock? Is it a leg warmer? Are those stirrup pants? No! It's just a yoga legging that's a few inches inches too long hooked over the curve of the heel! It's great for cooler weather, keeps your leggings in place, and leaves most of the foot exposed to provide plenty of traction and feedback from the floor.




Covered Up

Zobha's legging look for Spring 2011

One of my favorite things about having yoga leggings is that they are so versatile! You can easily get away with wearing them under a skirt or dress in your everyday life, too--and no one will even question if you're on your way to or from the yoga studio. That means more bang for your buck and more creative mixing and matching options.  For me, that's a win-win.

What's your favorite way to wear leggings?

8 Ways to Put the Fatshion in Yoga

Editor's Note: I've gotten tons of requests from readers to talk about yoga fashion options for the curvy yoginis among us. Now, I've been called a lot of things in my day... but curvy is not among the most common, so I deferred to an expert on this one. My friend Anna Guest-Jelly from CurvyYoga.com was gracious enough to share her insights. Enjoy her guest post, and don't forget to add any of your own tips by commenting below!  -- SpoiledYogi

8 Ways to Put the Fatshion in Yoga
By Anna Guest-Jelly

Anna Guest-Jelly, CurvyYoga.com

Yoga is for every body, right?

Tell it the major yoga clothing retailers.

I may rock the curvy party in yoga class, but looking cute while doing it is no easy feat. Some of the major yoga clothing companies (*cough*Lululemon) only go up to size 12. For sheer bottom-line reasons alone, this doesn’t make any sense. The last time I checked, the average American woman is a size 14, so these companies are missing out on a lot of curvy moolah. And, of course, from a yogic standpoint, only making clothes for people up to size 12 sends an unfortunate message that if you’re bigger than that then yoga isn’t for you.

Well, guess what I say to that?

Screw it--and embrace yoga fatshion! (Nope, that isn’t a typo.)

The great thing about yoga is you can wear whatever you want. If you’re in my class and you roll in in your PJs, that’s fine by me (as long as they’re not stinky, but that’s another story for another day). But if you want to up your curvy cute factor on the mat, here are eight ways to give it a go:

1. Look outside the fitness section of clothing stores. I’ve gotten quite a bit of my yoga outfits from the non-fitness sections of clothing stores. I look for clothes that are cute and easy to move around in (go ahead and give it the Down Dog test in the dressing room); if I find something in the wear-to-work section instead of fitness, that’s okay by me.
2. Shop online. It can be painful to scour the mall for plus-sized yoga clothes (or, really, anything). Shopping online gives you so many more options, and more and more places are offering free shipping. I’ve got a great list of places I like here; if you know another one, please send it my way!  (Bonus: very few clothing items at these places require a co-signer to purchase.)
3. Determine what you need to feel comfortable: You don’t want to worry about your clothes during yoga class, so make sure you look for clothes that fit that bill. On a related note,
4. Don’t settle: If you hate your outfit or feel self-conscious about what you’re wearing, it may be harder to relax into your practice. 
5. Accessorize: If you’re not loving your clothing options, you can always add in something that makes you feel fabulous. There are plenty of choices that won’t get in the way of your practice, including scarves and rings. As long as what you choose won’t clatter together (bangles) or put someone’s eye out (pointy ring), you should be fine. 
6. Get Creative: If your pants have that stretch-out-too-quickly problem, try tights or a leotard underneath to avoid getting to know your neighbor too well too fast. If you’re worried about your boobs popping out and suffocating you during inversions, try a tight-fitting, high-necked tank (under another top, if you’d like).  
7. Make Your Own: There’s no way I could do this because it literally took me six months just to figure out how to thread my sewing machine. But if you’ve got the skillz, put ‘em to work! (And then call me and let’s start a clothing line together!)
8. Remember How Curv-riffic You Are: Sometimes curvy clothes shopping can get a gal down, but don’t let it. More and more companies are making clothes for us every day. Keep giving your dollah bills to the ones who get it and girlcott the ones who don’t. 

Moral of the story? Yoga fatshion doesn’t have to be a time-consuming, soul-sucking, body drama-creating endeavor. Figure out what makes you feel fantastic on the mat, and then wear it with all the curvy confidence in the world. After all, if our yoga practice teaches us anything, it’s that what we need most is already inside us.  How we dress it up from there is up to each of our uniquely glamorous selves.

Anna Guest-Jelley is a bit of an anomaly: a curvy woman who practices and teaches yoga. Despite not dreaming of putting her leg behind her head (without going to the hospital, at least), she learns/practices/teaches yoga because of its transformative powers in her life. For more Curvy Yoga goodness, visit Anna’s website or connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.

Review: Blake BrodyIn-Studio Footwear

If I tell you a secret, will you promise not to judge me?

About a year ago, I realized that the ball of my right foot was a little tender when I walked. Upon closer inspection, I was horrified (and a bit disgusted) to find out that I had a plantar wart! How could this be? I wear shower shoes if I take a shower in a public place... I am adamant about using my own yoga mat, and it's not like I walk around barefoot! Wait a minute ... I do walk around barefoot. Every time I go to a yoga studio, I leave my shoes on a outside the studio door (because it's a sacred space) and I wander around looking for a nice spot to unroll my mag. Just think of all the germs I encounter during that walk! How many other bare-footed folks had walked there that day? I guess it was only a matter of time.. I'm all bet
er now, but I never want this to happen again--to me or anyone else for that matter.

Luckily, there are products out there to diminish the risk. When I first heard about Blake Brody's In-Studio Footwear--a shoe meant to be worn ON your mat--I was skeptical. Sure, they're adorable vegan ballet flats, I thought, but there are reasons we practice in bare feet, right? As usual, I caved to the cute and agreed to try these bad boys out to see if they could be as functional as the website's description says they are. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did the shoes provide extra grip for my feet on my holey, worn out yoga mat making standing poses more stable, it also offered a unique support for my feet unlike anything I'd experienced before. My feet are flat, and the arch support in the shoes reminded me to ground through all four-points of my feet. For some reason I can not explain, these shoes also made it easier to roll over my toes as I moved from Up Dog to Down Dog, which is something I've always had a little trouble with. The only negative I could come up with is that practicing in shoes that are so fitted does make it a little more challenging to lift and spread the toes. So when that's the practice, I'd recommend taking them off and putting them to the side (in a clean, dry spot, of course). But given the extra support, cuteness factor, and hygienic value I'd say they're well worth the $98 price tag (some styles go up to $135). Plus, wearing them reminded me of taking ballet class when I was little, so I'll give an extra bonus point or two for nostalgia. All in all, I think I might have stumbled upon the next trend in yoga fashion!

Read more about Blake Brody and her amazingly cute yoga shoes at blakebrody.com.

What do you think? Would you ever try in-studio footwear? Have you ever gotten a wart or Athlete's Foot or some other horrible foot ailment from a yoga studio? Would you admit it if you had?

Ask Spoiled Yogi

Q: I was wondering if you could give me any suggestions for affordable yoga clothes. I love Lucy and Lululemon, but I cannot pay those prices! In addition, I would like to find something that is created ethically.

 A: This is a great question. It can be hard to find functional, stylish yoga clothes that are reasonably priced. I'd like to think a big reason for this is that yoga clothing companies care about the same things you do--ethical business practices and environmental impact. That is a good thing, of course, but it can also drive up their costs making the clothes out of reach for a lot of people. And that's just not fair.

I have a few tricks, though, that I'm happy to share with you!

Check out Beebliss.com. (Full disclosure: I know the owner.) It has a big selection of cute yoga clothes that are ethically manufactured with sustainable fabrics. Beebliss.com does offer slightly lower prices than competitors on Alo, Hyde, and Beyond Yoga--three of my favorite brands. They also offer sales every now and then. (Get on the email list!)

Zobha is my other go-to brand. I know fair labor is important to the company, and they give back to the community through their work with charities. It is also one of the more expensive brands, but they put items on sale every once in a while, and these are huge markdowns. Lucy and Lululemon have sales like this, too! (It's the only time I buy!) If you have a popular size.. just make sure you're on their email lists and like them on Facebook so you can have first pick.  :)


What do you think? Do any of you have other tips for getting the best bargains on stylish, ethical, sustainable yoga clothes?

If you have a question you'd like me to answer, comment below or email me at SpoiledYogi@gmail.com.

Review: Mondetta Performance Gear

As you might know, I'm a bit of a yoga clothes and products connoisseur.  I  love trying new styles and brands. It's so exciting to see the creative and innovative designs each season. So, of course I was thrilled when Mondetta Performance Gear invited me to try some of their pieces! A yoga /active wear brand I'd never heard of!?, I thought. How can this be?

Radiant

I was even happier when I felt the high-performance fabrics--soft, supple, stretchy.. maybe even a little bit squishy (and trust me, that's a good thing!). The colors are bright and friendly. The fit? Fantastic. And the designs are inspired, out-of-the-box, and fashion forward.

I immediately fell in love with the long sleeved number pictured on the right. The print is super-cute, and it's the perfect layering piece for a yoga class or a quick jog on a chilly day.

Affluent

I'm also a big fan of the Affluent 2 Tank (left) because its design is unlike anything else I've seen. It has a unique neckline (a mixture between a V-neck and a square neck) with gathers. It's nice and long so it offers full coverage and I love the feminine A-line fit--just make sure you tuck it in before you invert! Did I mention how SOFT the fabric is?

However, I might be most impressed by the company's efforts to make the world a better place. As a yoga student who wants to do as little harm as possible, it's important to me to support companies that make an effort to do the same. The Mondetta Charity Foundation provides assistance to children in East Africa who have either have AIDS or have been orphaned by the disease. MPG pays for the administrative costs so all the money the foundation raises can go straight to the cause. Plus, one percent of every garment MPG sells goes to the foundation.

Check out the rest of the MPG line here. And read more about the MPG Foundation here.

Have you ever tried MPG clothes?

What Not to Wear: Yoga Teachers

 

Not meant to be an example.

1. Cleavage. I don't mind a little cleavage peeking out of a flirty little black dress, but for yoga teachers this is a big no-no. As a teacher, your job is to help your student shift his focus internally. And that might be hard for him to do when your goods are on display.

2. Too Tight or Too Loose. See explanation with no-no Number 1. This is not the place to let it all hang out.

3. Body Hair. Some teachers can get away with this one.. Like men (which is SO not fair.) Or yoga teachers from foreign lands where shaving is not the cultural norm... But on the rest of us... body hair just looks kind of icky. If you don't feel like shaving your legs, please just choose full length pants over capris or shorts--especially if you know you give a lot of up-close-and-personal adjustments.

4. Funky Feet. I have been guilty of this one a time or two.. You don't have to have perfectly pedicured toes for every yoga class, but polish chipping off or thick calluses can be a distraction. Oh, and no toe nail fungus... EVER!

5. No Personality. I think one of the biggest fashion mistakes a yoga teacher can make is not letting their personalities speak through the way they look. A lot of teachers buy basic yoga pants and tops, and just throw them on and head to the studio. But if they had an office job, they might put a little more thought into their accessories. Don't let the yoga clothing companies dictate your style! Once you have enough basics think of creative little touches you can add to your look that lets your personality shine--scarves, jewelry, wraps, bags, and leg warmers will all make your look more interesting and unique in a totally appropriate way!

What is the worst fashion mistake you've ever seen a yoga teacher make?

How to Find the Perfect Yoga Top

Pictured: Benita Tank by Devi (Beebliss.com)

A great yoga top will offer style and support in the yoga studio and in your life. When you have the right top, you can wear it for all kinds of athletic pursuits from running to dancing. Wear your top as a layering piece under a sweater, with dangly earrings and a great pair of jeans, and you're ready for a trip to the coffee shop or even a night on the town. The possibilities are endless!

But with so many yoga clothing brands and styles out there, choosing just one new yoga top can be a daunting task. Here are a few things to think about before you begin your search.

1. Know Your Body. When you're in the market for a new yoga top, you can save yourself a lot of time by knowing which parts of your body you want to emphasize and de-emphasize.

• Big chest. Look for supportive styles with thick straps and full coverage. If you're busty, it's important to take your top for a test drive in Downward Facing Dog and Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend). If the top holds you in and makes you feel comfortable in these poses it will probably work for you!
• Bigger in the middle. If you feel self-conscious about your tummy area, choose a style that emphasizes your smallest part (usually the ribcage underneath your bust) and floats away from the body as it approaches your waist.
• Small chest. If you have a small chest you've got an advantage in shopping for yoga tops. You can probably pull off light to medium supportive tops like spaghetti strap tanks or halter tops. But if you want your top and bottom half to look more balanced, try wearing a brighter colored top with a darker colored pair of pants, capris, or shorts.

No matter what your body type, look for a yoga top that will be long enough that you won't feel exposed when you're poses like Downward Facing Dog or Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend). There's nothing more distracting than having to constantly tug at your top to make sure you're not mooning the person on the mat behind you!

2. Know Your Colors. Yoga tops come in many different colors from basic to bright, so it's important to find colors that match your skin tone and your personality. If you have a larger-than-life personality and love being the center of attention, you might feel comfortable in a bold color or print. However, if you want to get the most bang out of your buck, choosing a solid or neutral color might allow you wear your top more often or mix and match it in more ways.

3. Know Your Lifestyle. Are you planning to use your top just for yoga? Or do you want a piece you can use for other activities, too? If you want your top to double as a running top, you'll want to find one with wide straps and a supportive built-in bra. If you want to wear it out on the town, to the grocery store, or other day-to-day tasks the appearance of your top might be as important as the functionality.

What are your tips for finding the perfect yoga top? Comment below!

Luon the Musical!

Our friends at Lululemon created a musical touting their stretchy fabric, luon.

luon. the musical from Andrew Michael Dolgin on Vimeo.

I'm conflicted on this one. What do you think? Is it funny? Hip? Weird? Cheesy? Or are they trying just a little too hard?

Interview with Kino MacGregor

Kino Macgregor is one of those teachers that I just watch in awe. She has the amazing ability to make the most incredibly difficult postures look like a piece of cake! And what's even more amazing, she can describe them in a way that they're accessible to people like me--you know, the people whose eyes bug out of their heads when they see a pose that looks impossible? She was the youngest woman to recieve certification to teach Ashtanga Yoga by its founder Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Tradition and philosophy are a big part of her teachings. I am a huge fan her teaching style, but I LOVE her authenticity, commitment to being herself, and, of course, her bright and bold fashion sense!

Tell me about your favorite yoga outfit. Why do you love it? How does it make you feel?

I love wearing shorts because it makes me feel like I am getting stronger every time I slip and slide down my arms in challenging arm balances. I also love to feel my legs--and wearing shorts helps me get in touch with my body. Actually I love shorts so much so that I'm thinking about creating a line of yoga shorts! 

I ran across an interview with you where you describe that you once shaved your head because you thought it helped to embody yoga, but later you realized that wasn't who you are. How has yoga helped to you become comfortable with who you are? And what has your practice taught you about beauty?

Beauty is an expression of inner peace and whatever accoutrements worn on the outside will reflect the level of peace within. Beauty to me is the true shining of the human spirit, a brilliant illumination of love

What advice do you have for other people who are trying to find who they are through yoga?

Keep practicing! Even when it gets difficult and you feel doubt and confusion. Have faith that your inner light is brilliant and illuminated with the flame of eternal love. Find a teacher who inspires you and who lives the life you aspire to live. Believe in yourself even in your darkest moments, love yourself even the parts you think are unlovable, and be gentle with yourself even when you feel you don't deserve it.

You have an amazing yoga practice! How long do you practice each day? What drives you to keep practicing?

I practice between one to two hours of asana practice about six days a week. I also do a twenty minute Pranayama practice, a thirty minute meditation practice, and a fifteen minute chanting practice as often as I can. For me the key to maintaining regular practice is a sincere devotion to the spiritual journey of yoga. I practice and teach because every time I get on my mat I feel that I continue the life work of my teacher, the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. He inspired me to devote my life to yoga, to delve deeply within myself and discover the inner light hidden within a world of doubt and confusion. When I practice and teach I pay homage to him, and it humbles me to think that I may continue what he steadfastly dedicated his entire to teaching. 

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up? Why?

I wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice because I wanted to be a force of justice and social change in the world.

Tell us what inspires you so we can be inspired, too! 

What inspires me? Taking the authentic, healing power of yoga to as many people as possible!

Fun Facts

Favorite Pose? Well, that changes based on the day. Right now I’m loving Shayanasana because this elbow balance is something I thought would never happen and it’s feeling better every day.

Favorite Color? I love them all, but especially bright vibrant colors.

Favorite Book? Too many to choose from because I love to read! I could really give you small library that catalogs my brain, but I'll chose a few that are dear to me.

Fiction – Cloud Atlas was the best book I've read recently, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami is an all-time favorite, The Feast of Love by John Baxter is great too.  Gilead ny Maryline Robinson is beautiful, too. 

Non-fiction – A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield, Peace Love and Healing by Bernie Seigal, Only Love is Real by Dr. Brian Weiss, The Yoga Sutras by Edwin Bryant, When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron, Zen Mind Beginner's Mind by Suzuki Roshi, Ask and It Is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks

Favorite Movie? Avatar, Lord of the Rings, and Slumdog Millionaire

Favorite Vacation Spot? Bali, the Gili Islands or anywhere tropical and Caribbean!

Read more about Kino at her website, kinoyoga.com.

I Heart Ruching!

Ravishing Rouching by ejrodefer featuring hoop jewelry

Giveaway! Win Lucy's Organic Cotton Hatha Pants!

Last week, I blogged about how to find the perfect pair of yoga pants. This week, I want to give you a chance to win one of my favorites!

Lucy Activewear has long been one of my favorite brands because they make great clothes for all shapes and sizes! For me, that means I can buy a pair of yoga pants and wear them home--WITHOUT having them hemmed! (And I love the Hatha Pant because of the elongating hems down the back.) And now they come in organic cotton, too, so they're fashion forward AND sustainable!

Did I mention we're giving a pair away to one lucky reader? There are four ways to enter!

1. Comment below. Tell us what's most important to you when you pick out yoga clothes: fashion, function, fit, price, environmental impact, or fair labor?  
2. Tweet it up! "Enter to win fabulous yoga pants from @LucyActivewear and @SpoiledYogi! http://bit.ly/bHJa8s"
3. Like me on Facebook!
4. Join the Spoiled Yogi mailing list by entering your email address (in the right hand margin of this page).

I'll announce the winner on October 3!

P.S. While we're all in the spirit of giving... If you feel as passionate as I do about encouraging happy, healthy, aware kids, please consider sponsoring my Yogathon to benefit Louie's Kids and Benefit Kids in Charleston! Click here for more info! My goal is to raise $1,000. Every little bit helps! And even if you can't give, please help me spread the word by sharing it on your Facebook page and tweeting about it on Twitter!

Back-to-Studio Shopping: Fall Yoga Fashion Round-Up

The beginning of fall has been my favorite time of year since, oh.. probably about the second grade. It's not just because the leaves will start turning soon, or because it means my birthday is coming up. No, I think I'll always associate this time of year with a new beginning--new notebooks, pencils, organizers, and new school clothes. I distinctly remember the picture my dad took of the 7-year-old me on my first day of second grade. Sure, I was missing some front teeth, but I looked SO COOL in my new outfit: a white shirt with a teddy bear wearing sunglasses on the front and red shorts.

Alas, I am no longer in school, so back-to-school shopping is a distant memory. That doesn't mean I can't still approach this time of year as a new beginning!

I guess yoga clothing companies feel the same way, because many of them came out with their new fall collections this week. With yoga classes in session all year round, going back-to-school shopping might not be necessary, but if you're in the market for new duds, it sure can be fun! Here are a few of the highlights.

Lululemon. Lulu is marketing their new "art hoodie" series, which as far as I can tell is just the black and grey remix hoodie with either a butterfly, rose, or the word "love" printed on it. It's cool, but I wish they had more colors. The art hoodies are $98 and available only online at lululemon.com.

Zobha. Zobha (Zobha.com) has great new colors, prints, and layering pieces perfect for autumn. Zobha always offers sleek, sophisticated designs and the new collection is no exception. I love the dresses (I just ordered one at half-price!) and chic jackets. I adore the Moroccan Blue color! Unfortunately, with the new collection, Zobha also introduced a higher price on signature tanks--$62! Ouch! I guess I'll have to wait for the next clearance.

 Be Present. It looks like Be Present has a new fabric! I haven't tried it (or seen it in person), but from the pictures the new Performance Renew Intention Pant and Performance Renew Lounge Pant looks like quite a departure from the signature "Breathe Weave" fabric Be Present uses for most of its other pants. The new pants look stretchier and more fitted.  The pants are currently available on the website, BePresent.com. I like the new look, and for $63 it's worth a try if you're in the market for a new pair of yoga pants. I also LOVE the Renew Circle Scarf ($29)--what a great, affordable piece to punch up your yoga wardrobe for Fall!

Alo (Air. Land. Ocean.). I think I'm in love with the look of Alo's new Origami Tank in deep purple ($49). I also have to give kudos to Alo for stepping up their social networking game with a new blog, Twitter, and Facebook pages. All of this means better communication and better customer service! Check out the new video of the their Fall Holiday 2010 photoshoot at alosport.com.


 
Lucy. In the spirit of back-to-school shopping, I had to share with you my favorite item from Lucy Activewear! If you always wanted to be a cheerleader, but never got the opportunity Lucy's Long Precision Hoodie ($138) is for you! With its cute, pleated skirt, it reminds me of a grown up, slightly more sophisticated, version of a cheerleader uniform. Lucy.com

Will you be going back-to-studio shopping this fall?

Bag Schwag: How to Shop Like a Yogi

Being a Spoiled Yogi has its perks, and one of my favorites has to be my collection of reusable shopping bags—you know, the kind you get when you buy yoga clothes? Yoga clothing companies are often committed to being environmentally friendly, and they want their customers to make the commitment, too. And so they provide their customers with environmentally-friendly, reusable shopping bags in hopes that they'll carry them to the grocery store, take them to the beach, or haul the recyclables (and maybe remind others of their brand while they're at it).

Here are my all-time favorite reusable, eco-friendly, yoga fashion-marketing shopping bags:

Best Grocery Shopping Bag: MeSheeky
This bag even looks kind of like the white, plastic bags you get at the grocery stores! But it's bigger, softer, and way cooler! Plus, it fits comfortably over your shoulder. It's way more practical than any other bag I've received from a yoga retailer (and, trust me, I have a large collection)!

Best Beach Bag: Zobha
Whenever I'm heading off for a day at the beach, I grab my mesh Zobha bag. It's the perfect size for beach towels, a few magazines, and Penny's treats and water bowl. Plus, when I get sand in it, all I have to do is give it a few shakes and it's ready for my next adventure!

Best Lunch Bag: Lululemon
There's a reason you see everybody and her sister carrying these petite bags around on busy, city streets. The inspirational Lululemon bag is just big enough for your lunch—and it even reminds you to floss your teeth.

Do you use those reusable bags retailers give you? Which one is your favorite?