That's Hot

A few weeks ago my friend Rachael invited me to go to hot yoga with her. Initial thought: Oh God. Is this going to be like flirty girl fitness? Wrong. So wrong.
Hot Yoga is a 26 posture yoga sequence developed by Bikram Choudhury, and is also called Bikram Yoga. According to the Bikram website:

"It has been proved and experienced by millions that these 26 postures systematically work every part of the body, to give all the internal organs, all the veins, all the ligaments, and all the muscles everything they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function.  Each component takes care of something different in the body, and yet they all work together synergistically, contributing to the success of every other one, and extending its benefits."


The difference between a normal yoga class and hot yoga? Hot yoga is performed in a room that is kept 105 degrees (F) and 40 percent humidity. The classes are 90 minutes long and are taught by Bikram Yoga Instructors.


Some of the benefits of hot yoga are as follows:

• Works every organ, gland, nerve, tendon, ligament and muscle in the whole body every Bikram Yoga session
• Expands your capacity to breathe deeply and fully
• Prevents injury and may prevent or improve chronic illness
• Promotes better sleep, you may even need to sleep less
• Fabulous body toning effects
• Weight loss or gain depending on your body's needs
• Improvement in posture and body awareness
• Improve the healing and regenerative powers of your body
• Improvement in T-cell function and your immune system
• Lengthening and strengthening of muscles
• Increased flexibility
• Improvement in metabolism / digestion
• Gives the body a cardiovascular workout without negative impacting forces
• Nervous system is exercised
• Endocrine and exocrine glands are massaged and stimulated to better function
• Muscular and skeletal network are enhanced
• Weight bearing exercise will help prevent osteoporosis
• Improves heart and lung function
• Improves back conditions of pain and misalignment
• Improves flexibility of your spine in its range of motion in all directions allowing the improvement in function of your central nervous system. Better nervous system communication means a better functioning body and mind
• Helps cultivate a sense of well being and a more peaceful mind
• Integration of both sides of the brain to improve memory, learning, body coordination and balance

Today, after pumping myself up for a week, I was finally ready. Rachael and I walked into that studio and I was totally not intimidated...until I walked into the actual yoga room...my jaw dropped. IT WAS SO HOT. When the instructor was greeting the class she said to me, "And Lauren, since it's your first time, your biggest goal is just to stay in the room the whole time." Hello, confidence breaker.

Finally, after 90 minutes of learning about what sweat REALLY is, the lights went out and we were left to breathe and leave at our own pace. I felt tired, and sticky, and gross... but I also felt overwhelmingly great.

I signed up for a 7 day yoga class, and  I'll definitely be doing a follow up post after my seven days are up to let you know what it's done for me. I'm really looking forward to the results.


Until next time,
Lo

Summer Skin Tips.

I have one more huge final exam standing between me and exhaling. Nothing has ever seemed like a larger obstacle before. The art history test I have Friday is like, oh, only the most intimidating club bouncer you can imagine. The key, though, is to get past the bouncer so you can freely get down in the club. This exclusive club I'm awaiting entrance to? Summer. 

With it arriving as quickly as it is, for most of us (despite the unseasonable 50 degrees it is at this moment) I thought it might be good to do a summer skin post. After all--we all show plenty of it when the sun comes out. Why not take care of it?

Key words: protect, moisturize, clean.

I think the first thing I want to say is obvious: sunscreen is important. Skin is a fragile thing (as I have learned many-a-painful sun burns). Making sure it's protected from UV rays is a big deal. MYTH: Sunscreen will stop me from tanning. There are different SPF's, people. Yes, if you wear an SPF 50 to the pool, you're going to get much less color than if you wear an SPF 15. But if you wear none at all you risk damaging your skin. 

Also: There are different kinds of sun screen. I personally prefer the spray on kind, but there are thin/thick formulas for whatever your heart might desire. I bet there's even ones that smell like something other than the typical sunscreen scent if you look hard enough. And get this: there are even sunscreens that are "color boosting." Bet you didn't see that coming

Wearing a sunscreen on a daily basis doesn't have to be a burden. Easy solution: get a foundation with a bit of an spf in it. There are even some body lotions with SPF. The only downside to foundation with SPF is that it does reflect light a bit more than foundations without it (but in the long run, it's definitely worth it).

Speaking of foundation: a really great alternative to foundation for summer is tinted moisturizer. Not only does it moisturize your skin, have spf, and have coverage, but it is so much lighter than typical foundation. It feels natural, rather than cakey, and gives you a dewey look, rather than one that appears to be melting (with the day). There are a lot of brands, I use a physicians formula one that I got from Walmart, but I know clinique has some great options as well. Heads up: I haven't heard the best reviews on Benefit's You Rebel. There are some other great options as Sephora, though.

Another thing that's important for your skin in summer? Exfoliate and moisturize. There is nothing worse than an "ashy" knee. Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. Exfoliating your skin will get all of the dead skin cells off and, in turn, make your skin feel great. Moisturizing will keep your skin from drying out. Finding an exfoliator that suits your skin is important, you don't want one that is too harsh or not harsh enough. I know that Lush Cosmetics have some products, as well as bath and body works and the body shop. Disclaimer: do not exfoliate too much. It could end up making your skin raw. 

What else should you exfoliate? Your lips, of course! As you know, I'm loving orange lips for this spring. But orange lips wouldn't be quite as cute if the orange was being paired with chapped lips. Lip scrubs are inexpensive, easy to use, and make your lips smooth and lipstick ready. Chapstick is nice, but it doesn't remove the dead skin that lip exfoliators do. I've heard good things about this Victoria's Secret FX Lip Scrub and Balm set. The instructions? "Gently massage the scrub onto lips for 30 seconds, then tissue off. Finish with a light layer of balm"

UM. BEST TIP OF THE ENTIRE ENTRY?

My summer skin secret that gets me compliments all summer long? Amazingly smooth legs. I'm talking no awful nair, no stinging wax, no crazy breakouts... How? Shave your legs with hair conditioner! A friend told me this trick senior year and I have never turned back. From what I can tell the conditioner doesn't dull my razor blades any quicker, and I always have positive results. I use cheap, generic conditioner (whatever is on sale, and usually a moisturizing formula), and BIC Soleil razors. The conditioner is almost good enough to use as moisturizer, but I always finish with a bit of Olay quench body lotion (aka my holy grail) I guarantee you'll be able to tell a difference.

Finally: it's end of the day. You're tired, hot, and sticky. My advice? Clean your face before you fall into bed. Not only will you feel refreshed, but you'll be more likely to avoid summer breakouts (aka, not cute). I never have turned my head from the Neutrogena makeup remover wipes. Your pores will be grateful, and you'll be able to feel a difference in the softness of your skin too. The wipes are more convenient for me than a face wash (other than when I shower), and I think they are equally as effective.

I hope this was helpful!

Until next time,

Lo

Currently Listening to: Sleigh Bells