When I found out a friend from high school started her own fitness brand, I had to reach out. The fun, flirty patterns and cuts of A Mirror Image were speaking to me! Jennifer, the owner, brought me a load of items to touch, see, and try on. The fabrics were high quality and the patterns were all bright. Jennifer admitted to me she wasn’t a very big fitness buff, but always loved exploring the different shapes and textures of fitness gear. I appreciate her honesty and her emphasis on the fashion and comfort components of her gear. Her mission is to make unique fitness apparel that encourages women to love the woman in the mirror.
This all came at a perfect time when I am in the middle of a 30-day Yoga Challenge with Shockoe Slip Yoga. I have more or less failed at practicing every day, but still picked up my yoga game to 5 practices a week compared to the 3 or 4 I was getting in before. I have been reminded of the many reasons why I practice yoga and almost exclusively work out this way. (Except when I’m working out with CO2 Fitness or running to outdoor yoga these days!)
I thought I would write down my top 5 reasons for practicing yoga:
- I get to clear my mind. I admit, I’m not the best at the meditative aspects of yoga. My mind still runs very fast. The emphasis on breath and movement in yoga, if anything, at least distracts me from making plans for tomorrow or the next 10 years of my life. Practicing in a studio is still necessary for me for this reason. Teachers are always reminding you to clear your mind and focus. I need that! If I practice at home, I may as well be on Mars. At the end, I am always more focused, more calm, and more happy.
- I make friends. As with many group exercises, you are forced to get to know the people around you. You have to make space for each other, sometimes you have to lean over and repeat what he teacher said to someone, or sometimes you just need someone to turn to laugh with when you crash. For people who are committed to a life of yoga, you kind of create a natural community among each other because yoga is more than about getting your heart rate up or stretching farther than everyone else. It really is a mental and emotional fitness goal, as well. Everyone around you is working towards something a little higher than a six-pack. It’s very easy to connect with each other because of that.
- It’s a full body work out. I’m NOT working towards any body ideal and I don’t think anyone should. I am curvy petite girl and I always will be. I simply want to be healthy and fit into my clothes. That being said, I don’t think there is another workout that forces you to use every muscle in your body all at once for the entire class. It takes a while to learn how to, but technically, you should be engaging every muscle in your body in nearly every strengthening pose. That being said, you still need cardio in your life to reach weight loss goals and exercise your heart.
- It’s good for people who sit at computers a lot. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but sitting is the new smoking. Along with a number of other reasons, sitting is bad for you because of your posture. Your shoulders crouch forward, your spine and hips compress, and your heart rate stays super low. Yoga helps open your shoulders, improve your posture and even reduce rates of heart disease. This whole freelance writing, blogging, photo editing career of mine needs yoga!
- It’s goal oriented. There are different levels of every single yoga pose. Every time I meet my teachers and fellow yogis on the mat, I know I have an opportunity to get closer to the next level of a pose. I don’t obsess, but I do get satisfaction each time I get a little higher and stay up a little longer.
A good outfit, helps! Here are some pics of my A Mirror Image outfit. Both shirts are Shockoe Slip Yoga.
A had not idea, but A Mirror Image fabrics are made with high-tech Brazilian fitness fabrics that are sweat-wicking, lightweight, opaque, anti-bacterial, colorfast and UV-proof! Also, all clothing is ethically produced in Brazil by a collective that employs women from low-income neighborhoods in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro. These women are married and between 35 and 50 years of age. By allowing them to work from home, we enable them to become independent housewives while supporting their households. WOW!
If you have any concerns or interest in yoga please feel free to ask questions! I’d love to help you explore what’s best for you.
YOUR TURN: What’s your favorite work out brand?!
Linked up with Garay Treasures, Michelle’s Pa{i}ge, Sandy A La Mode, Two Peas in a Blog.
