How to Pack for a Yoga Retreat

Today's guest post comes to us from Rebecca O'Brien, a yoga retreat veteran. That's her on a yoga retreat last summer--she's third from the right.

Packing for any trip can be an agonizing task. You’re there the night before you leave trying to anticipate day and night clothing scenarios, climate, if you’re going to need shoes for walking or dancing, and even how to squeeze in a workout - but packing for a yoga retreat is a whole other process! I discovered this last year when I attended the Ki Power Vinyasa yoga retreat with Isauro Fernandez in Rioja, Spain. I’m a pretty easy going packer with a tendency to pack more than I need (only to end up wearing the same three outfits!) – I realized I could not allow myself that luxury or the idea that I’ll bring those fun few pieces to experiment with a new look. Oh no, I had to factor in yoga pants, sports bras, yoga tops as well as casual clothing for touring vineyards throughout Rioja and dresses for evening dinners. Not to mention squeezing in my yoga mat – which was not as portable as I had imagined!

In the end, I was pleased to discover that by factoring in so many of these workout outfits – I was forced to only pack what I knew I would wear and also suck it up and accept I may end up having to repeat an outfit (gasp!). With extra luggage fees even on overseas flights I wasn’t going to spend more to bring an extra bag just so I could be the yoga fashionista! Therefore I ended up with the following:

• 5 yoga pants and tops
• Comfortable day dresses for touring around the area
• One cardigan in case it was chilly on the bus or in the wineries
• Two fancier frocks for the welcome and farewell dinner
• Two pairs of flat sandals for easy walking and only one pair of nice heels (the hardest thing to do!)
• Bathing suit
• Nightgown and robe
• A pair of jeans and two t-shirts
• And of course my yoga mat!

For this year’s Ki Power Vinyasa yoga retreat to Penedes, Spain – I will most likely follow the same formula, adding few more bathing suits since this retreat is near the beach on the Costa Dorada. And, maybe, just maybe, I’ll sneak one more pair of heels into my boyfriend’s bag without him knowing…don’t tell!

On Our Radar: Yoga and Cava Retreat

Last year's retreat was in the Rijoa region of Spain

Combining two, no make that three, of our favorite things: Yoga, cava and Spain, the Ki Power Vinyasa Retreat in Pendes, Spain is high on our list of dream trips. The trip, taking place September 3-10, includes:

• Accommodations for seven nights at the Hotel Gran Claustre 
•  Daily two  hour ki power vinyasa yoga class taught by Isauro Fernandez
• Daily breakfast and traditional Catalan lunches/dinners with wine
• Winery visits including wine tastings highlighting the history and region’s most outstanding vineyards
• Day-trip to Barcelona including a guided tour of the famous La Boqueria as well as other sites and monuments
• Cooking class lunch in Barcelona
• Farewell dinner featuring a live Flamenco show and Spanish guitarist
• Transportation to and from Barcelona airport

 How amazing does that sound! For more information, check out Ki Power Vinyasa.

Degree Women's Get Into the Move Program

There's nothing like the thought of a upcoming trip to the beach to help get you in shape, and the new Degree Get Into the Move Program not only helps you motivate with fantastic prizes (including trips!) it also provides a way for you to track and share your workouts.

To get started, log on to the Degree Women Get into the Move Facebook page and start tracking your activities. You earn points for:

• checking in daily,
• exercise, including walking the dog, yoga, swimming, even gardening
• Sharing with your friends on Facebook
• Answering trivia questions, for example, "What is a plank?"
• Entering codes, which can be found at 24-Hour Fitness or online. TIP: JSG's code is: GetMoving002

Once you've started racking up the points, you get to start spending them. Your choices are:

• Playing the instant win game for prizes including iTunes and Zappos giftcards
• Enter the weekly drawing for prizes like a girls' night out
• Enter to win the grand prize drawing: a surf trip to Hawaii, a yoga retreat in Costa Rica or skiing in the Alps!
• Donate miles to either Girls in the Game or The Challenged Athlete Foundation.

Per FTC regulations, be advised that Jet Set Girls has a relationship with Degree Women.

Tracy Anderson's Tips for Sexy Legs

We recently had the opportunity to attend a workout with celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, courtesy of Venus Razors. Tracy is on speed dial of certain celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lopez who both worked out with Tracy when they needed to lose their baby weight.

Tracy's philosophy is to target the smaller muscles that are often neglected. And we can vouch--after the 30 minute workout, we were sore in place we didn't even know we had muscles. Here's a sample:

A) Balance on a three pound weight with both hands; the non-working side elbow should be on the ground. Start with your knee bent and pulled in towards your shoulder

B) As you extend the leg behind you, lift your elbow off the floor. The finished position has both hands on head of weight balancing with leg extended behind. Repeat/switch sides

Trust us--it's harder than it looks! But even if you do master Tracy's exercises or even, no woman's leg is sexy if it's stubly. Tracy recommends the Venus ProSkin Moisture Rich Razor. "It has shave gel bars, enhanced with a triple blend of body butters, to create a layer of protection for your skin with every stroke."

Fitness Challenge Week 3

With only one week to go to Miami, I was sidelined by what I can only guess was the flu. I wasn't able to make it to the gym once, much less workout three times in a week. And as far as my goal to eat fewer simple carbs, I could only eat Saltines for two days straight. So much for that!

I've definitely been frustrated with this setback, along with my progress, which has been slower than I would like. I know I have a tendency to be impatient, but even that awareness still that doesn't stop me from wanting to see improvements overnight. I've been equally bummed out by the cold, gray weather. (I'm sure many of you in the northeast can relate.) I'm ready for spring!

While walking my pup in the drizzly rain this morning, I had a revelation that helped me put things in perspective. I was thinking about how much it sucks that it's still chilly at this time of year and that the trees don't have any leaves on them yet. Then, I looked up and noticed that, in fact, many of the trees do have buds on them—a sure sign that spring is around the corner and progress, no matter how slow, is being made.

As for me, I'm finally feeling better and looking forward to heading back to Equinox tonight for a Pilates class with my favorite instructor, Sasha. And I'll appreciate that even if my body isn't slamming (yet), a month ago, I didn't even belong to a gym!

Fitness Chalenge Week 2

With a lot of work, maybe these abs can be mine!

It's week 2 of my fitness challenge and so far, so good. In the past week I went to a stretching class, Pilates class and yoga class at Equinox. (The stretching class was a little lame.) I've been pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy working out. Not only am I starting to see small changes on my body, I feel so much more open--meaning not tight when I bend down to pick something up or get out of my chair after sitting for a few hours. As another bonus, I'm starting to feel a little bit friskier (though that may be a result of see Priscilla Queen of the Desert!).

With about 2 weeks to go before Miami, crunch time is on. Here are my goals between now and then:

• No desserts or candy, fruit is OK. (One exception: I'm headed to tea at the Plaza on Friday.)
• Continue to cut back on crackers, white rice and bread.
• Amp up my cardio. My specific goal is to get to a point where I can run fast enough that my pup actually has to jog to keep up. As it is now, my jog equals his fast walk.
• Continue to make it to the gym at least 3x per week. 

Check back to see how I'm doing. And don't forget to vote on which dress I should wear in Miami from Rent the Runway!

Read week one of the fitness challenge.

The Liquid Strength Six Week Challenge

That's me! After 3 weeks at the gym, I'm starting to see the tiniest hint of definition in my arms.

After years of not belonging to a gym, I finally rejoined Equinox to start getting my butt in shape. My goal is to tone up my flabby arms and actually see muscle definition in my thighs again. At the very start of my quest to get in shape, I stopped by Story Von Holzhausen's Liquid Strength Class.

Story is a busy new mom who created the class for women who want to get in shape fast--fast because they don't have time to fool around. (You can check out her exercise videos on YouTube.) By the end of the class, not only were my butt muscles burning, I was so inspired by Story's positive attitude, I found myself signing up for her 6-Week Challenge, without even really knowing what was involved. I just know I want to be in shape for our trip to Miami on April 8 and Story seemed like just the woman to get me there. 

The 6-Week Challenge kicked off on Monday with three days of clean eating, meaning no processed foods (crackers, cookies), grains, dairy, booze or excess sugar. I'm personally committing to going to the gym 3 times a week (for Story's class, Pilates, and body conditioning classes).

Check back in weekly to hear my progress. For more specifics on the Challenge and Liquid Strength, check out Story's blog.

Ice Skating is Having a Moment

Break out your triple axels and slachow jumps, because ice skating is back in style. Gossip Girl Leighton Meester was seen ice skating yesterday, in full Missoni, no less, at a Herbal Essences-sponsored Portraits of Hope benefit.  But Leighton isn't the only one channeling her inner Michelle Kwan. In Paris, the rink at the Pailleron turns into a disco on certain evening, according to the New York Times. And in New York, mini pop rinks are being created all over the city, including a the new W Wall Street and The Standard (shown below).

Madonna to Open Gyms

Other celebs have fragrances, Madonna has a line of gyms. And seriously-why smell like Madonna when you can look like her--she is shredded at 52! Too bad her line of Hard Candy Fitness Centers currently have no plans to open up in the U.S. Could be reason enough to go to Mexico City.

Read more about Madonna's gyms.