I took a yoga class during my senior year of college. Somehow, the dingy and cramped gymnasium-esque room, ratty exercise mats and lingering body order stench kind of zapped the whole “zen” experience. But I still felt great when it was over and wanted more, more, more. However, with limited funds in college, the idea of joining a local studio was out of the question.

That’s why I’m obsessed with Yoga Month and knew you lovely readers would appreciate it as well. You can get a free week of yoga at participating studios across the country anytime during the month of September! I know there’s only a week left (I just found out about it myself!), so go here right now and search your zip code to find a location close to your campus.

Never tried yoga? Well then, this is the perfect opportunity to try it out for a week and see what you think. I mean, it does have just a few benefits: less stress (it can even change your gene response to stress!), boosted mood (and perhaps a cure for depression and anxiety) and better posture (it may even reverse that slumped over look that happens after hours of computer usage). And hey, if the body bonuses don’t do it for you…what about totally adorbs yoga gear like Lululemon (which is cuter/nicer than 90 percent of normal clothes I typically wore to class)? I’ll take any excuse to shop some sales.

Yoga Month is totally free, so why not?

Whether you’re new to yoga or an old pro, nothing makes you want to get up and get your Om on like a cute yoga outfit!

There are some seriously stellar yoga duds out there these days: functional, comfortable, and adorable. How awesome is it to not lug around your workout clothes, because they’re cute enough to wear out and about for the rest of your day? And no more excuses for skipping out on yoga class; when you’re wearing your clothes, you can’t forget to bring em along.

If you’re as dedicated to comfort as I am, you’ll be thrilled to have some pieces you can throw on still be cute. Because, let’s be honest, the paint on my favorite sweatpants has never kept me from wearing them in public regardless of how awful they look. And for a yoga class? Well, they just don’t work.

My favorite yoga goods are below, but I’m always on the lookout for fabulous new fitness finds. If you’ve got some I don’t, let me know!

Lululemon: If you’ve been anywhere near a yoga studio recently, you’ve seen a Lululemon logo. This brand has the definition of a cult following. People are obsessed with it, and for good reason. They have a bazillion styles of bras, tops, pants, shorts, anything you need, and all in pretty colors and flattering cuts. I love love love this polka dot number. No shlumpy workout clothes here! They use top quality fabrics that wick away moisture, strategically placed mesh to keep you cool, and you can totally wear them around all day without looking like you’re on your way to work out! As a bonus, they’ll hem any pants for free, so everything will fit you like a dream. Read More »

We’re rounding the corner into spring, (maybe? please?) and that means only one thing: pre-summer shape-up season. This time several years ago, I jumped on the yoga bandwagon, and I have never looked back. It had been a long time coming. I have a crippling fear of looking like an idiot, and since I had NO IDEA what I was doing, I wussed out. But everyone I knew who did yoga was in killer shape. Like, the kind of shape you always want to be in: gorgeous, long lean, muscle, cut but not bulky, great skin, all that jazz.

So, I sucked it up, swallowed my pride, and dove in. If anyone out there is looking to get started, here are the things you’re most likely to encounter when venturing to your neighborhood yoga studio. Read More »