yoga

On June 21st, Athleta was the headlining sponsor of Solstice in Times Square put on by Times Square Alliance for it's 13th year. This is the yearly event where yogis come together right smack in the middle of Times Square to celebrate the day the sun is at its highest position in the sky for the longest period of time. I was there front and center at 9am. What sets this year's event apart from the last few, aside from the bearably cooler weather, was yoga-preneur Lauren Imparato leading the highly publicized morning class. I've known Lauren since I founded Mizzfit.com. She was one of my first yoga studio reviews and continues to pioneer athletic style yoga. Her practice of I.AM.YOU. yoga is not easy. It's challenging, modern, music-oriented, and doesn't follow all the yoga rules you're used to. It's simply amazing, so I was thrilled to see her join what has become a yogi cult favorite summer event. Before Lauren jumped on stage to lead hundreds of yoga fans...

Yoga is the best excuse to see my friends. It's one of the easiest invitations to extend because no one has time--including me--to workout and see their friends unless it's happening simultaneously. I make yoga dates with my girlfriends constantly because I feel like I get the most quality time with them during this workout than any other. Forget the high intensity stuff--it's far less intimate. Yoga's the one activity where even though you're not talking, you're still connecting with each other while on your mats. In this case, it's imperative that your mats are side by side so you can visually bond with your friend. This is Nicola Yvette, my longtime friend who teaches yoga & pilates (check her out here). Oh look, she's wearing my socks! Last night we went on yoga date to Laughing Lotus Yoga NYC and it was pretty awesome to experience her energy and soulfulness right beside me. I saw a side of her that I don't always get to see in sit-down...

Dina Ivas is a yoga instructor at Equinox Fitness gyms in NYC. Lucky for me, she teaches at the location I belong to. Her classes are popular for their cardio component and twisty ab work. Dina has an infectious laugh and a penchant for fitness fashion. All of this naturally led me to FOLLOW her on her way to work. She detoured down the Highline and told me a bit about herself. "I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire where the most exciting thing to do was go to the mall, or get scorpion bowls at Grand China.  I knew I needed more, so when I graduated BU and was offered a PR job in Times Square, I took it.  I'd never been to New York but the pull was magnetic.  I love the energy here, and, at least for now, I still love the grind." "Bold, bright, never boring. I truly feel that what you wear can have a direct effect on how you feel, so I try to dress happy." "I always thought you had to be edgy to attract people to your...