Labor Day is upon us!

With the summer days cooling down and night is embarking upon us a little earlier, it is evident that fall is nearly here. I have even had to start (gasp!) wearing sweaters/long pants as it's become cooler outside. Flip flops will be a thing of summer past, sooner than we know it.

You know what is only made better by this changing of the seasons? Hot Yoga. Yep, you heard me correctly.. Mountain Lotus Yoga in Tahoe City is the ONLY hot yoga studio on the lake. The only one! Until you have tried it, you cannot understand just how glorious it feels to walk in a heated studio and begin to unwind and zen out while it's nearly freezing outside! I cannot wait for fall! :)

I should get moving, as I do not want to be late for a 90 minute Hot Yoga class, similar to Bikram in the 26 postures repeated, yet relaxing and enjoyable with a view of the lake to boot!

My goals for the weekend: Enjoy and challenge myself with daily hot yoga, spend some time with the ones I love, and get ready for the fall!

Wanderlusting: Peace, Love and Lulu

Last weekend’s weather couldn’t have been more beautiful for the Wanderlust Festival in Squaw Valley Village. Warm breeze and nothing but sunshine gave way to yogi’s flowing through their vinyasa’s in sunglasses, straw fedora’s and hopefully an extra layer of sunscreen. With anywhere from 11 classes per time slot, held at different locations throughout the village, it was never an easy choice. Especially considering the amazing teachers that came from all over to take part. I got to watch but not sweat through Kerri Kelly and Suzanne Sterlings “Off the mat and into the world: Flow of intention class” live drums and limited shade in the meditation dome got everyone warmed up and ready for the weekend.

Sadie Nardini’s “Be a yoga ninja” workshop got my abdomin a little more than iced (I was sore for 4 days after), and Duncan Wong’s arm balance workshop with 200 other wanderlusters was entertaining, humbling and as did everything else at Wanderlust, started late and ran over. But there wasn’t too much rushing going on anywhere. The low-key positive vibe that pulsed throughout the four days was stepped up a notch by Shiva Rea’s “Fluid Power” class; A highlight of the weekend for me. It’s unlike any class I have ever taken and no explanation would do it justice. For live feeds that were taken from her classes check out shivarea.com. It’s probably worth watching if you’re at all curious what her popularity is all about. You’ll also get a new take on the traditional flow.

3 more classes on Sunday (with Les Leventhal and another Shiva Rea class) left me strong and sore and with little energy to rally for the music. I did catch the Yard Dogs Road Show and without knowing what to expect I can say I was surprised and impressed by the mini-variety show they put on. It doesn’t explain why they were running around the festival all weekend in shiny 70’s lycra bodysuits, starting impromtu conga lines but then again that wasn’t the only bizarre goings on at the festival. Check it out next year for yourself, it’s at the Squaw Village again and as smooth as this year went I can only imagine the third year running will be even better!

-Mya

*Image of Duncan Wong and Shiva Rea's classes by tinywater. For more fesitival photos click here. Wanderlust Festival Website