Take Yoga Anywhere Giveaway

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I have been lucky enough to get away this weekend and do hours and hours of yoga.  For those times when I want to get away (for a non-yoga retreat) or don’t have time to go to a yoga studio I like to do a home practice and YogaDownload.com has been a great way to do this.

Why YogaDownload? (their reasons in black, my responses in red)

Yoga Download empowers you to practice yoga your way, on your time, wherever you see fit. Check out some of the best reasons to choose classes from YogaDownload.com:

  • Superior Quality – every yoga download class is professionally recorded and mastered to give you the highest quality experience. I agree with this- I find that the recordings are really well done and are really easy to follow on your own.
  • Unparalleled Selection – and Growing! – with hundreds of classes in dozens of styles, you can practice your favorite form of yoga or experiment with new styles. This is one thing I love about the site- they have so many different types of yoga from Hatha to Power to Kundalini to Yoga for Runners- it makes it fun and exciting to try new types of yoga at home to decide whether you like them enough to spend the $15-20/class to do them at a studio.
  • Yoga Your Way – whether you’re looking to relax for five minutes or sweat for an hour and a half, Yoga Download offers classes to fit your schedule and needs. Another great feature about yoga download – you don’t have to schedule your time around the class that you want to go to you can schedule your practice around your time.  I love being able to do a quick 20 minute practice after work or 60 minute practice on the weekends when studios in Burlington are all closed.  Additionally, there are times when studios don’t have the type of class I want to attend during the hours I am available but with yogadownload.com I am able to take any class (that they have) whenever I want.
  • Options Galore – choose audio classes, video classes, slideshows or build your own custom class from your favorite poses, then choose to stream it once or download it and keep it forever. See above.
  • Affordability – stream, save to your computer or become an unlimited monthly or annual subscriber. Yoga Download makes a high-end yoga practice attainable for all. This is the biggest plus- you can get a number of free 20 minute downloads and if you like it go back for the 30, 60 or 90minute downloads for only a few dollars! Way less than studio practice and all those expensive DVD’s that you can’t take with you everywhere.*
  • For the Teacher, By the Teacher – Yoga Download is designed to be an outlet for a wide range of deeply talented yoga teachers to share their gifts and practice with a global audience.

*Note: I don’t think YogaDownload.com is a replacement for studio classes- it is not the same by any means but it does provide you quality podcasts for your at home practices or for the times when going to the studio just doesn’t fit your budget.  Additionally, I love my yoga DVD’s but with one TV in the house it makes it difficult to do them at times as well as I can’t always bring them with me when I travel.

Overall I loved my experience with Yoga Download an I plan to continue using their services and podcasts for those days I don’t make it to class or just want a quick practice at home. My favorite YogaDownload classes are the gentle Hatha Yoga and the Yoga for Runners

Yoga Download has generously donated a free one month membership to one reader.

To Enter: You must leave a separate comment for each entry and YOU MUST do the mandatory entry for your additional to count.  This giveaway closes on June 30, 2011 at 6pm EST.

The Winner is:

1. Like YogaDownload on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/YogaDownload (MANDATORY)

Additional Entries:

  • Visit the YogaDownload site and tell me which class you would like to try.
  • Follow me on twitter.
  • Follow YogaDownload on twitter.
  • Tweet about this giveaway: “I want to win @cookveganlover giveaway for a free month of @YogaDownload http://wp.me/pFVWo-2dX”
  • Tell me what your favorite yoga pose is

Manduka at Wanderlust

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Interview with Marketing Manager Heather Williams of Manduka

During my visit to Wanderlust Vermont I had the opportunity to speak with Heather Williams of Manduka about what Manduka is doing to green their products as well as their role at Wanderlust and Heathers take on the events. Enjoy!

Q:How did you guys get involved with Wanderlust?
So just because we are such a big part of the yoga community so whenever Wanderlustcame around it just seemed like the perfect fit. Manduka is just into greening thecompany and is so eco-conscious and eco-friendly and Wanderlust has that entireside to it themselves and so it made sense that they were getting a community of yogistogether that cared about those sort of things to celebrate yoga it made sense thatManduka would be involved.

Q:What types of things is Manduka doing to green the company?

So a lot of it is just the products themselves and the materials that go into the productsand some of it is actually the manufacturing process as well. We have one line of matsthat is our eco line of mats that has zero foot print within the land fills and is made out ofnatural tree rubber, so it’s meant to biodegrade. So our other lines of mats are based onthat same idea, they are all made out of recycled material.

Q:What has been your experience here at Wanderlust?

It’s just this fascinating, vibrant community, the energy is fantastic and I feel that evenwith the rain it’s very natural but kind of tends to have people shift in a couple differentways. And so things have gone a couple of ways here at Wanderlust with where thingsare placed, where our sponsorship is and the experience has been great as far as thepeople go. Everybody has been just so glowing about it even though things are kind ofchaos and things are getting shifted around. Everybody has been just really flexible andit’s really beautiful to see that.

Q:So, What kinds of things are you (Manduka) doing here (Wanderlust)?

[Manduka is] sponsoring registration is one of the ways which means we have some signage up forpeople so that they can take photos, free henna and free feather hairs. Once the raintops there is a rig outside that is an aerial rig and there is also a retail space.

Henna at Wanderlust (photo from Manduka Facebook)

Having A Wanderful Time

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Hope you all are doing well! I know I have been MIA lately but I am busy getting my yoga on at Wanderlust Vermont in addition to attending lectures, performing interviews and attempting to find time to sleep here.  I just wanted to do a big shout out to Hyde Yoga who sent me one of their really amazing Off The Mat halter tops to test out. I am absolutely in love with this top and what better time to write about it than today- the day off the Yoga Aid Challenge for Off The Mat, Into The World.

“Off the Mat, Into the World uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious activism and ignite grassroots social change. Founded by Seane Corn, this organization encourages yogi’s and yoginis alike to take their practice ‘off the mat’ and into the global community. Join the movement by sporting our latest halter designed in collaboration with OTM, knowing that 10% of the proceeds of your purchase benefit this incredible organization Slits on the sideseams allow for movement while still covering your booty . Fits just like the Taryn, but with five inches of added length. 92% organic cotton, 8% spandex” (source for photo and quote: Hyde Yoga Website)

I wore this tank all day today and it was seriously one of the most comfortable tops I have ever worn for yoga.  It is made out of organic cotton and I love the length of it.  If there is one thing I hate about workout tops its that they aren’t long enough especially when I am trying to do downward dog or handstands like I tried out today (first time in a yoga class!).  In addition to wearing this wonderful top I also did an interview for Ecorazzi with Sean Corne and Suzanne Sterling of Off The Mat, Into The World.  Both of them were super sweet and you can read/view more about the interview soon on Ecorazzi.

Other highlights from today:

Having a Wanderfully Rainy Time

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After we packed up camp this morning Neil and I made our way up to Stratton for Wanderlust , unfortunately the rain from camping last night decided it wanted a second round and we ended up with a very wet day. This meant wet yoga classes for me and no hiking for Neil, oh well!
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I took two classes today the first with Kia Miller and the second with Desiree Rumbaugh. The first classes was a Kundalini yoga class, the first I had ever taken. I really enjoyed it but boy was it tough at times! The second class I took was an Anusara workshop to help knees, hips and legs. This was a very interactive class and I loved it! I learned some great tips to help me get into postures better and how to relieve any pain in my lower body. Tomorrow I have an neck and shoulders worksop- getting the whole body done!

In addition to yoga classes Neil and I had food from the Krishna Cafe that was delicious, however no photo because I was starving!

I am at the opening ceremony now and then going to bed- I have an early class in the a.m.

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Off The Mat Charity Fundraising Auction & Raffle

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As most of you have read over the past week I have created a team (BTV Vegan YogisTeam Ingalls-Fairweatherwithnew addition Marshall) to support the charity auction for Off The Mat. “Off the Mat Into the World uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and ignite grassroots social change. They do this by facilitating personal empowerment through leadership trainings, fostering community collaboration, and initiating local and global service projects.” To learn more check out my posts here and here.

So this is how the auction is going to work:

Between now (June 20th) and June 22nd at 8pm EST check out the list of items below; if you see something you like send me a bid to lindsay@cookveganlover dot com. Include the item name in the subject line and your bid amount in the message. I’ll be updating the bids throughout the day.

The winning bidder will be notified of their winnings by 8pm EST on Thursday (June 23rd) and will have until 6am EST on Friday (June 24th) to donate their winning bid amount to http://www.yogaaid.com/lindsayingalls In the case that the winner doesn’t follow through with their donation, the item will go to the next highest bidder.

The companies who have kindly donated these products for the auction (THANK YOU!) are also donating the shipping costs.

Option 2. Yoga Aid Raffle.

If none of the auction items tickle your fancy you may be interested in the box of goodies pictured below.

Value $100

To enter the raffle for the box of goodies (all goods purchased by me and I will also be paying the shipping costs) just Make a donation to the http://www.yogaaid.com/lindsayingalls or http://yogaaid.com/neilfairweather or http://yogaaid.com/catherinemarshall and forward your receipt/email me to lindsay@cookveganlover dot com $5 will get you one entry, and $10 will get you three entries! Any donations above $10 in $10 increments will get you one additional entry; so a $20 donation would be 4 entries, $30 would be 5 and so on

All raffle entries must be submitted by 12pm EST on Wednesday June 22nd at 8pm; the winner will be notified by 8pm EST on Thursday June 23rd . P.S. I will ship to the US and Canada

___________________________________________________________________________________

YOGA AID AUCTION FOR OFF THE MAT

Aurorae Yoga Mat: Current Bid $20

Aurorae has kindly donated one of their yoga mats:

$45 Value

Product
 Features

  • Aurorae
Ultra
Thick
  • Extra 
Long 
Yoga 
Mat 
72”
x
24”
x
¼”
  • Ultra 
thick
 1/4″ 
yoga 
mat
 for
 impact 
absorption
  • 72”
 extra
 long
 yoga
 mat
 makes 
it 
comfortable 
for
 all
 sizes
  • #1 
reviewed
 yoga 
mat
 and 
5‐Star 
customer 
feed back
 on
Amazon
  • Durable
 and 
long
 lasting 
material/SGS 
approved
 and 
free
from
 Phthalates
  • Individual 
illuminating 
colors 
that 
define
 your 
inner
self
  • Aurorae
 Yoga 
focal 
point 
icon 
to 
help 
with
 concentration
 during 
your
 yoga
 practice
  • Open to US ONLY.

10 Yoga Class Card: Current Bid $70

10 Class Card - $130 Value

Evolution Yoga, a local Burlington Studio, has generously donated a 10 class card.

Evolution Yoga has three beautiful studios for practice. Pre-Registration classes are held in Studio Ahimsa (Sanskrit for “non-harming”), which is our front studio. This sunny studio offers an intimate setting for these specialty classes. Studio Satya (Sanskrit for “truth”) is our newest studio, with cork floors and a warm, nurturing feel. Our largest studio, Studio Tapas (Sanskrit for “zeal, drive”) can hold up to 40 mats.

Evolution Yoga features a number of yoga classes including Anusara, Kirpalu, Vinyasa, and Flying Yoga among many others; visit there website for more information. Open to US ONLY- FYI this studio is in Burlington Vermont.

Retail Value $150

Handmade Beaded Bracelets: Current Bid $15

Species by the Thousands, an eco-minded clothing and jewelry design company, has donated a collection of bracelets.These eco-friendly bracelets are made with reclaimed and vintage beads. Open to US ONLY.

$12 Value

Four Bottles of Mamma Chia: Current Bid $5

“Mamma Chia delivers vitality in a fun‐to‐drink, unique experience.“Customers tell us all the time how super fun and delicious MammaChia is and how amazing they feel after drinking it. The natural gel around the chia seeds creates the fun and refreshing experience, making it like nothing else ont he market. Rarely is something this delicious also so good for you,” says company founderJanie Hoffman. She also reports that customers rave about enjoying Mamma Chia as a great pre‐workout energizer, an afternoon energy booster, a light and satisfying substitute for dessert, and even a great drink with lunch.” Open to US ONLY.

$24 Value

Sampler Case of Ayala’s Herbal Water: Current Bid: $5

The winner of this auction item will receive a sampler case of Herbal Water that includes one of each flavor:
Lemongrass Mint Vanilla
Lavender Mint
Lemon Verbena Geranium
Cloves Cinnamon Cardamom
Cinnamon Orange Peel
Ginger Lemon Peel
Ayala’s Herbal Water is the first nationally available organically certified enhanced flavored water made with all organic ingredients. 100% Good For You!™ FYI this item is open to all contiguous 48 states – no APOs, PO boxes, or shipments to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada or Mexico.

Backpacking to Tillotson Camp and Beyond: Day 1

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Miles Hiked: 9.2
Summits Reached: 1
Fire Tower Stairs Climbed: 20 ….okay 10 each
Moose Dropping Piles Seen: 500; okay probably less but they were everywhere but no moose to be seen
Coffees Drank: 3 (we split them)
Rounds of Cards Played: 5 and Neil won in the end (but only by a little)
Hours Spent Reading: 3 glorious hours
Minutes Spent Attempting to Do Yoga On A Slanted Rock: 5

Saturday morning Neil and I headed out to Eden’s Crossing at the Long Trail where we had ended our last long hike; you can read about it here. We signed in and started the 3 mile hike the summit of Belvidere Mountain.  This hike was a different one for us because I was carrying an additional 17 pounds on my back and Neil around 25 pounds on his back because this trip we were staying the night.  Unfortunately the night before it had rained so everything was wet and there were some real mucky spots.  We also hit an area that was all rocks so we put our game faces on and got up them anyway we could; sometimes that meant hands and knees.

Neil getting his hike on

We finally made it to the summit of Belvidere Mountain and to the Fire Tower after about 3 hours of hiking up a challenging rock terrain.

Views From the Summit

The Fire Tower

After spending a little time at the summit relaxing without our packs on and refueling with some crackers and water we finally packed up and headed on our way.  We still had 3.2 miles to hike before we finally reached our destination.  Over the next 3.2 miles we encountered load after load of moose droppings, tons of slippery rocks, muddy sink holes and then thunder.  When we started out on our adventure we knew that a thunderstorm was as possibility but we figured we could make it to the cabin before it started.  Well the thunder started rolling in and so we started to book it ….not a good idea when you haven’t had lunch and probably needed more water.  I was feeling pretty nauseous by the end and it felt like it was taking forever to get there.  Finally we made it to the beaver pond which Neil had read was right near the camp and 10 minutes later we were there, our glorious accommodations for the night.

Our Cabin

We took our packs off and settled in and took of our wet shoes, socks and changed our clothes.

After we settled in and decided to make some Backpackers Pantry Pad Thai for lunch and to my surprise the peanut butter in the pad thai was Justin’s!

Pad Thai ....soup? (not photogenic)

We thought the pad thai had good flavor but could have used more time (our fault) “cooking” and less water so it wasn’t so much like a soup.

We also enjoyed a nice cup of coffee and relaxed outside looking out at our view.

View

 

Via!

The remainder of the night we spent doing yoga (well attempting to on rocks), reading, playing cards and just soaking up the sun.

For dinner we had the Backpackers Pantry Katmandu Curry.  It was actually really delicious! We both loved the flavor and the addition of the lentils.  We will be buying this one again.