REMAINING FOCUSED | JULIANNA PEÑA "VENEZUELAN VIXEN"

We're very excited about this month's cover, Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña who will be fighting Amanda Nunes in the title fight in Dallas on Jul 30th for UFC277. This anticipated rematch is one we'll be glued to and just ahead of it, we took some time to catch up with the 'Venezuelan Vixen' herself! We wanted to know about her journey in the MMA, being the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter - Season 18, joining the UFC, being a coach on Season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter, and how she trains to be Octagon ready!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What led you to MMA and when did you fall in love with the sport?

JULIANNA PEÑA: When I was 19 years old, my sister asked me to join a women’s cardio kickboxing class with her and I needed to lose some weight, so I joined the class. It came naturally to me and I wanted to explore it more. I immediately fell in love with it. And when I eventually started winning fights, the joy combined with the rush of winning solidified my obsession for MMA.

AM: You’re known as the Venezuelan Vixen. How did you get that name?

JP: I have to credit that to my coach that gave me that name early on in my career.

AM: What did you learn about competing on The Ultimate Fighter and becoming the first woman to win in Season 18?

JP: I learned that I still had so much more to learn, and that I still do. Not only is every fighter different, every FIGHT is different. Because as I’m learning and growing, so are my competitors. It taught me to never feel as though I know everything. There is always more to learn, more room to grow, more fights to win, and more fighters to challenge ahead. Always a student of the game.

AM: Last season, you and Amanda Nunes were coaches for The Ultimate Fighter. How did it feel to be there as a coach versus competing and what does it mean to you to work with those who are coming up and to give them the tools that they need to operate at their best?

JP: It was really interesting to be a 135lb woman giving advice to male MMA fighters twice my size! It was a little strange at first because I wasn’t sure how they would take my advice when we’re in very different divisions with different disciplines. But it soon became second nature. It was exciting to see them grow but it was also difficult getting to know them, their strengths/weaknesses, and then having to see them get eliminated. It was also very interesting to coach against Amanda because I was able to get a better understanding of her approach and methods, whereas before, I had only known what it was like to be fighting against her in the cage.

AM: We always like talking about workouts that athletes do that optimize their work in the sport, what are 3 workouts that you do?

JP: I love to run. All my workouts are what I do for and in camp. But running and strength/conditioning/lifting weights are others that I do. I love to swim and do yoga if I get the time.

AM: What is a typical training session/day like for you and how is it different when you are preparing for a fight?

JP: I train 2-3 times a day except on Sundays when I’m not in camp. I train MMA a few times a week but not nearly at the pace I do while I’m at camp.

AM: When it comes to training, how important is the mental aspect of it to you and how do you strengthen that area?

JP: The mental aspect of MMA training is just as important as the physical aspect of the sport. Especially as a mother, it’s very important for me to prioritize that work/life balance. I'm constantly reminding myself to remain focused and avoid unnecessary distractions while I’m training, so that I can, not only be the best fighter, but also be the best mother I can be to my daughter.

AM: In looking at your IG, we loved seeing your daughter Isa standing with you when you were doing promos for your fight last year or even when you’re training in the gym. It reminded me of being able to watch my mom work when she owned her own couture boutique. I think it’s powerful for kids to be able to see what their parents do. How is it to balance your duties as a mom, training, being a champion fighter and also building other areas of your brand/portfolio?

JP: Thank you! That’s so incredible that you have such fond memories of your mother and that you had a role model that also struck a great balance between work and parenthood. At the end of the day, my daughter comes first. She is the greatest joy in my life. And my duty to her to be a good mother is my ultimate responsibility. She will always come first. And the rest seems to fall into place as long as I continue to stay focused and motivated. Isa will forever be my biggest win in life.

AM: If we want to eat like an MMA fighter, what are the foods you eat that assist you in being an amazing champion and what are items you enjoy splurging on?

JP: My splurge is PINKBERRY or frozen yogurt of any kind. I train so much I can virtually eat what I want but I use Eat Clean Chicago to help prep me for the week and it ranges from spaghetti to baked chicken or salmon depending on the day.

AM: You have an amazing record 12-4-0. You are fighting Amanda Nunes in Dallas for a title rematch main event for UFC 277 on July 30th. When you fought her last year, you won the Bantamweight Title. Heading into Saturday’s fight, what are the days leading up to game time like when you touch down in Dallas?

JP: I’m actually already in Dallas! I got in earlier this week. Fight week is always a bit crazy – there are media interviews, press conferences, weigh-ins, and more.

And all of that is still in addition to an even more intense training schedule. Put it this way, I can’t wait to enjoy a bit of free time and sleep next week!

AM: After a fight, what do you do as you come down from all the energy and focus that you needed in the Octagon?

JP: Other than enjoying my victory?? I enjoy time with my daughter!!! That’s the easiest way to come down from that adrenaline rush that comes with months of training. Just fun and relaxation with Isa and my family.

AM: In addition to fighting, you are also a commentator for MMA fights as well. Why is this something that you wanted to add into your portfolio and what do you like about doing this?

JP: I love to talk and I love MMA. I always want MMA to be a part of my life!

AM: Earlier this summer, you threw the 1st pitch at the White Sox/Dodgers game in Chicago! How exciting was that experience for you?

JP: That was beyond exciting! The Chicago White Sox were so welcoming and truly made it an experience I will never forget. And it’s always fun to meet the players and coaches because it makes watching the game so much more fun. If they ever want me back, I’m a phone call away!

AM: When you’re not training or prepping for a fight, how do you take time for yourself?

JP: I spend my free time with my daughter. I’m so busy all the time between training and my other endeavors so any free time I have, I spend it with her. I haven’t sat on my couch in three months. I’m looking forward to putting my feet up.

AM: With all the successes that you have had, being a champion in the UFC and being able to do what you love – what do you want your legacy to be in the sport?

JP: I would love to be remembered for my ability to bring home victories even when the odds are stacked against me; being able to have opened the doors and break barriers for other working mothers. If you believe in yourself and are determined enough, there’s no reason that you can’t have it all. I dream of being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame one day.

IG @venezuelanvixen

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Pillar Marketing Corporation

Read the JUL ISSUE #79 of Athleisure Mag and see REMAINING FOCUSED | Julianna Peña “Venezuelan Vixen” in mag.

REEBOK | WOVEN INTO THE FUTURE

Earlier this fall, Reebok announced a new footwear technology called Flexweave - revolutionary shoe upper material that is incredibly versatile, providing a balance of lightness, durability, fit and stability. Reebok partnered with three designers across the world to create bespoke fitness prototypes to showcase this one-of-a-kind material.

The design partnerships within this collective are known as "Woven into the Future" and includes an altitude-training mask from the UK design collective Modla (ENG) that showcases the material’s softness and durability, an “active seat” from Dutch collective Odd Matter (AN) that highlights its flexibility and strength, and GPS-enabled gloves by Joe Doucet x Partners (USA) to display the material’s customization and versatility.

The Flexweave material will first be seen in the FAST Flexweave running shoe, available in February on Reebok.com, and the material was developed through the Reebok Innovation Collective (a division championing the open-sourced pursuit of progression via innovation and partnerships that aims to push the boundaries of invention). These partnerships with the global fitness brand explored the potential of Flexweave and explored its limitless potential to create a unique product that links form and function to create an aesthetic product that utilizes the benefits of the technology while serving a fitness purpose. Flexweave boasts an open figure-8 construction that interlocks unlimited strands of fibers to create a single surface construction that is as strong as it is light. All designers worked with the version of the textile that will appear in the first-generation of Reebok Flexweave footwear, launching in 2018, made from chenille yarn.

JOE DOUCET X PARTNERS -  New York City, United States

As a designer, entrepreneur, inventor and creative director, Joe Doucet is one of the most sought-after creative talents in America. Doucet designed a pair of Reebok Flexweave running gloves, form-fitting to the wearers hand, absorbing sweat as they run and lightweight for maximum comfort. The prototype was designed with the vision of being GPS-enabled, guiding the wearer through their run with flashing LED lights to indicate when to turn left or right.

“My inspiration was to capture the unique qualities of the Flexweave technology through something advantageous to an active lifestyle. The strength, flexibility and multi surface durability of Flexweave led me to the idea of a ‘smart’ running glove with a sleek, stylish silhouette. With the form crafted by Flexweave, the next stage of development would be GPS integration paving the way to a new frontier in wearable technology,” said Doucet.

ODD MATTER -  Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Odd Matter is a design studio driven by curiosity; researching, creating and exploring the world through its materials, processes and concept. The duo created a furniture series of ‘active sitting’ chairs; made through a combination of Reebok Flexweave and malleable EVA foam.

“The Inspiration for the chair came from the Flexweave material itself. Whilst experimenting and playing with the fabric we were very intrigued by its behavior, structure and strength under tension. From there we wanted to create an object that played with that tension, a bit like the string of a bow, something in which the tension and strength is palpable,” said Els Woldhek, Odd Matter.

“Working with the Flexweave was very interesting, for instance when cutting it in different directions you straight away notice the differences between the fibers and the technical properties of the Flexweave. This in turn has made us really curious about everything else that is possible with the technology.”

MODLA – London, England

Co-founded by Jon Fidler and Richard Goddard, Modla is an artistic design house specializing in technological innovation, pushing the creative boundaries of 3D printing and digital 3D design. The pair created an entirely new Reebok Flexweave altitude training mask; 3D printing the valve technology across the nose and mouth, coupled with a Flexweave facial strap to comfortably wrap around the wearer’s face during intense training.

"I do a lot of high intensity training so I’m interested in how such equipment works, functions and can help improve performance. But we also saw the potential in the aesthetic of the Flexweave material, to create something which would blend with the mask and align with the contours of the wearer’s face.

As it happens, the Flexweave material provided even more benefit than just the aesthetic and was amazing to work with. It’s strong and durable, so perfect for a product that will get a lot of wear and tear; while also incredibly lightweight, making it breathable on the face for athletes when training." said Fidler.

“Flexweave is going to a major part of the Reebok DNA moving forward. With this creative and imaginative project, we’ve achieved exactly what we set out to do; demonstrate through collaborations in other fields what Flexweave can truly achieve when put to the ultimate test,” said James Woolard, Global Marketing Director, Reebok Running.

“The Reebok Innovation Collection champions the pursuit of partnerships and innovations that will continue propelling the brand forward in spaces like fitness, fashion and footwear. Flexweave represents a huge step forward in footwear upper technology and brings with it a wave of anticipation and excitement for what the future holds for this brand”.

Reebok has extended the creative experience around Flexweave to its community, setting up an interactive digital experience on the Reebok Innovation Collective website called ‘Create Your Weave’; inviting you to construct your own virtual weave design and share it with friends.

The brand is also working with one of Savile Row’s finest tailors, Huntsman & Sons, to create a bespoke men’s suit made from Flexweave. Designed for Reebok Running ambassador and superstar WR Brandin Cooks, the experimental pursuit will be complete in Spring 2018.

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Missed the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag? Check out our cover girls EDM DJ duo NERVO.

SOMETHING YOUR SHOULD KNOW | RUGGED MANIAC

Whether you run obstacle competition courses or enjoy watching them on TV, I think we can agree that we're obsessed with this method of fitness that our friends and co-workers tell us about. We found out more about Rugged Maniac, the health benefits and how they compare and differ from other courses that are offered in this space.  

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is Rugged Maniac, how long has it been around and how many races take place a year?

ROB DICKENS: Rugged Maniac was founded in 2010 with its first event in October of that year in MA.  We now produce 30 events across the US and Canada each year.  

AM: What brought you to Rugged Maniac and what is your role there?

RD: Rugged Maniac was founded by my business partner, Brad Scudder (CEO), and I (COO, CMO). We met in law school and we both worked as attorneys for a few years before embarking on this adventure. Brad was doing insurance defense litigation at a small firm in MA, while I was at a large international firm on Wall Street doing finance. We both grew up in rural areas and had spent much of our childhoods playing outside and participating in outdoors sports (skiing for Brad and surfing for me - I'm from coastal NC), so sitting at a desk all day didn't quite feel right. We both wanted to do something more adventurous.
 

I got an email from Brad one day stating that he was leaving the practice of law to organize an obstacle course race in his hometown in rural MA.  I was intrigued and after some discussion I also left law to found Rugged Maniac.  I'm the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Marketing Officer, which means I manage a large part of the company's operations while also overseeing all advertising, design, and PR.
 
AM: What are the similarities/differences of Rugged Maniac versus other obstacle competition companies?
 
RD: Rugged Maniac is now the third largest OCR in the country behind Tough Mudder and Spartan Race.  Our goal is to get everyone off their couches and outdoors having FUN with friends while being active. Our courses are undoubtedly challenging, but we're not going to shock you with electricity, make you jump in ice water, or punish you for not being able to complete an obstacle.  It's not about being bigger, badder, and faster than those around you. It's about pushing your own limits while helping your friends (and strangers!) over the obstacles.  This philosophy has made us the go-to event for people of all fitness levels, not just hardcore athletes.  We also have more women participants than any other OCR.  In fact, women make up 55% of our participants!
 
Speaking of obstacles, we pack more into our 3-mile course (25) than Spartan Race's 5k (20) and Tough Mudder's normal 12-mile course (20).  We also put a lot of emphasis on the entertainment in our festival.  We have a DJ on the main stage, a comedic emcee entertaining the crowd all day, a mechanical bull, pie-eating contests, dance parties, and plenty of craft beer. You simply don't see as big of a party at any other OCR.
 

As for Warrior Dash, they also focus more on the fun aspect of obstacle course racing, but they provide only 10-12 minor obstacles in a 3-mile course, which just doesn't measure up to what other OCRs offer.  
 
AM: What are the health benefits to training for Rugged Maniac and how long is training for a race of this nature?
 
RD: Rugged Maniac is a 5k (3-mile) off-road run with 25 obstacles, each of which poses a different physical challenge. This means that your training has to include not only running, but climbing, crawling, jumping, and balancing - more of a total body workout than when preparing for a normal 5k or marathon.  How long you have to train depends on (1)  your race goal and (2) your current fitness level.  

If your goal is to win the race (only about 5% of runners have this as a goal), you'll need to be able to run a normal 5k in about 16 minutes AND have the upper body strength necessary to complete The Ringer, Pull Your Weight, and The Warped Wall (see www.rugedmaniac.com/obstacles).  However, the vast majority of our maniacs aren't "in it to win it."  They come with a group of friends in order to have a ton of fun while challenging themselves physically.  It's not about beating everyone else; it's about camaraderie and fun.

So if you fall into this category, you'll likely just want to be able to complete all the obstacles.  For most people, this means working on your upper body strength and balance (The Gauntlet, Frog Hop, and Tipping Point). Again, how long it will take to reach that point will depend on your current abilities.
 

AM: How can training for this race be adopted throughout a person's life?

RD: There are no shortcuts to getting in shape, unfortunately.  It doesn't matter what you're training for, you simply have to make exercising part of your daily (or weekly) routine - no excuses. If you want to be in great shape, you need to work out at least three times a week, with the bulk of that time being spent on cardiovascular activities with some strength training mixed in. You don't need a gym membership; you can get in perfect shape by running and doing cody-weight exercises, like push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, etc.   
 
AM: Are Rugged Maniac courses the same and what's it like creating them?
 
RD: The obstacles at each Rugged Maniac event are largely the same nationwide (as are the obstacles for every other OCR brand). Think of an OCR event as a traveling circus, of sorts.  Everything is packed up and shipped to the next location following each event.  Variety comes from the differences in the venues; some are completely flat, some are on mountain slopes, some are in the desert, some are next to a lake. So the runner experience from event to event can vary quite a bit.  Of course, we add a few new obstacles to our courses each year to keep things interesting (while retiring some older designs).

AM: What other events are produced?
 
RD: Rugged Races, the parent company of Rugged Maniac, also owns and produces The Tour of the Battenkill cycling event in upstate New York; the Costume Dash 5k (Halloween costume run) in Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco; and 16 other 5ks/marathons/half marathons throughout New England under the Loco Races name.  

AM: What should we keep an eye out for within Rugged Races 2018?

RD: We plan to continue acquiring a variety of sports properties throughout 2018 as we grow into one of the country's largest event producers. We have some exciting opportunities in front of us so stay tuned for more announcements!

Read more from the Oct Issue and see Something You Should Know | Rugged Maniac in mag.

Let's Talk Yoga Medicine

More and more, the worlds of science and natural remedies and practices continue to work in tandem with one one another. We took some time to chat with Valerie Knopik who works with Tiffany Cruikshank, the founder of Yoga Medicine that blends these principals together.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and how you came to work with Yoga Medicine.

VALERIE KNOPIK: I have a PhD in Psychology and I am currently an academic researcher/scientist mentoring postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty at Brown University and will be moving into an endowed professorship in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Purdue University this summer. In addition to this career in science, I also teach yoga and have been a student in advanced training with Yoga Medicine since 2014.  In late 2016 at a module in Sedona, Tiffany Cruikshank (founder of Yoga Medicine) and I started talking about the possibility of a research project and that was the exciting beginning of the Yoga Medicine Research Institute and my role as the Director of Research for Yoga Medicine.    

AM: What is Yoga Medicine and why is this a way to blend science and nature together?

VK: Yoga Medicine is a thorough, anatomically-based training system that trains teachers across the globe to work more powerfully with their students. Yoga Medicine teachers are trained in the fusion of East and West to blend the best of anatomy and physiology with the traditional practice of yoga, including pranayama, mindfulness and meditation. It is this foundation that makes Yoga Medicine the perfect venue for building a research program that focused on the combined application of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to improve health and the human condition. Our vision is to educate and empower our global communities to use yoga therapeutically based on a deeper understanding through purposeful and well-designed research. Through this effort, I have the honor of mentoring and training our Yoga Medicine community of teachers in the nuances of conducting research and to deliver purpose-driven yoga, meditation and mindfulness instruction as a way to robustly examine its effects on various health outcomes.  In my view, this continues the push, already started by Yoga Medicine, to raise the bar on what it means to be yoga teacher.  Education.  Experience.  Results. 

AM: How can one access Yoga Medicine?

VK:  To learn about all things Yoga Medicine, you can start by visiting the website. On this site, you can find information about our mission, the Research Institute, the Seva (or service) arm of Yoga Medicine, trainings, articles written by our teachers and contributors and so much more.  Our Find a Teacher platform is also available via the website or directly. This is a free service that Yoga Medicine provides to connect you directly with a Yoga Medicine trained teacher in your area. Through this service, you can find all teachers in your area and you can see what trainings they have completed with Yoga Medicine so that you can find a teacher that meets your needs.   

AM: With Spring being upon us, what is a detox that one can do to get their summer body prepped? 

VK: A detox is a process where one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances.  Spring is synonymous with the idea of spring cleaning and that doesn’t have to mean strictly of the house or closet variety of spring cleaning.  There are simple ways to participate in a detox or cleanse (for more details, check out Tiffany Cruikshank’s book:  Optimal Health for a Vibrant Life).  Here are some simple strategies that you can do to get a jump start. If you can stay on this detox for about three weeks (the amount of time they say it takes to break a habit), you will notice some significant changes in how you look and feel!

• Eliminate coffee and alcohol. If possible, eliminate all caffeine, but if you must keep a small amount of caffeine in your routine, consider substituting green tea for coffee – the caffeine in tea is gentler on your system

• Eliminate added sugar – become an avid label reader – sugar hides everywhere

• Eat fresh and organic vegetables and foods  

• Start your day with a large glass of water with the juice of one half of a lemon.  Drink a lot of water throughout the day.

• Drink herbal, decaffeinated tea – not only will this increase your fluid intake and hydration, but the antioxidants in tea are beneficial as well

• Be aware of allergens and pollutants in your environment and add skin brushing and the neti pot to your daily routine.

• Consider eliminating dairy and wheat for the three-week period

• If you eat meat, try eating only local, free-range, organic, and grass-fed offerings. Find a local farm so that you are aware of where you are getting your meats from and (bonus!) you are supporting local businesses

• If you eat fish, try to find wild caught offerings

• Move your body!  Yoga, exercise, whatever it is will increase circulation to all systems to help move toxins out

• Sweat – though exercise or the sauna – regularly!
 

AM: For those that have kicked into their workout methods of choice, how can we keep our bodies injury-free and what can we do when we have strained muscles in our arms, butts and legs when we start a new workout routine?

VK: To keep your body injury-free, it is important to make the time to restore the muscles that you challenge during your workout of choice. This can be something as simple as taking the time to stretch before and after physical activity. Other ways to make sure you restore your system include myofascial release, massage, mindfulness, water intake, sleep, and nutrition. A muscle strain implies damage to the muscle and can be a result of fatigue, overuse, or improper use. The most important strategy for muscle strain is a period of rest, followed by light stretching or myofascial release to encourage circulation to the area. 

AM:  Stress tends to creep in from time to time - what are three things that we can do in terms of breathing techniques and movements to manage it? 

VK: Here are three techniques: 

1. Basic Breath Awareness

Lay on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and at least hip-distance apart.  Once comfortable, place a hand on your abdomen. Begin to just notice your breath. Does your breath feel strained or smooth? Just observe your breath without judging whether or not you’re doing it right or wrong. Gradually begin to make your breath as relaxed as possible. Introduce a slight pause after each inhale and after each exhale. Now begin to bring your awareness to your hand on your abdomen. Notice that with each inhale, your abdomen rises, and with each exhale, your abdomen contracts.

Without being forceful, just begin to gently try to expand the abdomen on the inhale and contract the abdomen on the exhale to support the natural movement of your diaphragm. Continue for 6-12 breaths.

2. Long Exhale

The long exhale is a 1:2 breathing practice that involves gradually increasing the length of your exhale until it is twice the length of your inhale.  Start with basic breath awareness as outlined above.  With a hand on your abdomen, mentally count the length of both your inhale and your exhale for several breaths. Start to gradually make the inhale and exhale the same length. Once your inhale and exhale are of equal length, then gradually increase the length of your exhale until it is up to twice the length of your inhale.  If you start to feel stressed, back off to a ratio that is more comfortable for you. It’s important to note that an exhale that is even slightly longer than your inhale can have profound relaxing effects on the nervous system. Continue for 6-12 breaths. 

3. Chandra Bheda – Lunar/Moon Breath

In this breath practice, you inhale only through the left nostril and exhale only through the right nostril. In Eastern traditions, the left side of the body represents the moon, or more yin and calming energy, while the right side of the body represents the sun, or more yang fiery energy. Therefore, in Chandra Bheda, we encourage the lunar, calming energy to enter the body, and we encourage the fiery yang energy to decrease – which will help bring the body back into balance. To try this breath: Sit in a comfortable position. 

Allow your left hand to rest in your lap. Look at your right hand. Fold the index finger and middle finger into the palm. For this breath practice, you will only use the right thumb and the right ring finger. With your thumb on your right hand, close off the right nostril and inhale through the left side of the nose. Then use the ring finger to close off the left nostril, release the thumb and exhale though the right nostril.  Start with an inhale and exhale that are about a count of 5-10 and are equal in length. Repeat for 3-9 rounds.

AM: What are 3 stretches that we can do when a short travel experience becomes a longer one due to flight delays, missed connections etc?

VK: One of the most important things you can do is to make sure you move around during these delays.  We have a tendency to just sit and wait, but adding some gentle movement can have significant effects on mood, anxiety, and just the feeling of tension that accumulates in the body.  Even just a walk around the terminal can help.  Here are a few specific stretches that you can do to ease travel tension and anxiety: 

1. Neck Release – Sit in a comfortable position with a tall spine. Allow the right ear to drop down toward the top of the right shoulder. Keeping the head in this position, try to send the top of the left shoulder away from the left ear so that you create a lot of space on the left side of the neck.  From here, think of your chin like the rutter of a boat and gently shift the chin toward the right shoulder (keep sending the left shoulder away from the left ear as you do this). Move the chin slowly to find additional areas of neck tension. Stay for 5-10 breaths. To bring your head back to neutral, place the right palm on the right cheek and gently assist the head back to center.  Repeat on the left side. 

2. Standing (Or Seated) Side Stretch – reach the arms high toward the ceiling. If possible, clasp the hands over head. Imagine that you can lift and lengthen the torso out of the pelvis. Find this by reaching up towards the ceiling, then side bend to the right.  Think about wrapping the right armpit toward the wall that you are facing so that you are less likely to collapse in the chest. Stay for 2-4 breaths. On an inhale come back to center and then side bend to the left. 

3. Legs Up the Wall – Find a deserted or less busy part of the airport with a bit of wall space. Lay down on your back and send your legs up the wall – trying to scoot your sitting bones as close the wall as possible. Allow the back of the skull and the entire spine to rest on the floor. Allow the legs to rest on the wall. Find a comfortable position for your arms. Stay anywhere from 5-30 minutes.

4. Forward Fold (Seated in a Chair, Standing, or on the Floor) - Getting the head below the heart can be an excellent and accessible way to reduce anxiety and stretch the lower back muscles that tend to get tight when we sit for too long. 

AM: Do you think that more doctors and practitioners are realizing that it is essential for new and old medicines to come together and where do you see that in the next few years?

VK: I do believe that there is a movement toward a more collaborative and blended approach to health and self-care. For example, I work with a client who has been experiencing chronic low back pain and, with his permission, I have worked alongside his acupuncturist and chiropractor to develop a plan for him. I think that both doctors and practitioners are open to this blended approach, but at this point, I believe it is still primarily on the shoulders of the practitioners/patients/clients to seek out ways to bring together Eastern and Western modalities for relief from anything as simple as the common cold to more complex situations such as low back pain.  However, there are more and more initiatives for bringing mindfulness into the traditional Western medical settings, such as hospitals and doctor’s offices. These efforts lead me to believe that, in the near future, we will see more of the traditional Eastern modalities of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, pranayama, and mindfulness being more formally incorporated into approaches to health care and self-care. With information and education comes the possibility for more comprehensive approaches to health.

Valerie Knopik, PhD, is a Yoga Medicine instructor, Director of Research for the Yoga Medicine Research Institute, a Senior Research Scientist & Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University, and a yoga teacher in Providence, Rhode Island. 
 

Read more from the April Issue and see Let's Talk Yoga Medicine in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | THE YOGA COLLECTIVE

The Yoga Collective is a group of teachers who are setting out to change the world by teaching a creative arts class, be it yoga, pilates, dance or other forms of exercise as well as workshops, meditations and health and wellness classes. They come to the Yoga Collective so they can teach in a relaxing atmosphere and exercise their creativity.

Jen Whinnen, Director and Founder of Three Sisters Yoga School created the space with her business partner in 2011. Jen teaches yoga all over the country and helps yogis become yoga teachers. She created the space to give teachers in NYC a studio so they can begin their classes without needing to be hired by a studio. Jen handed the studio over to some of her students. 

Nicole D'Angelo registered for Three Sisters Teacher Training in the summer of 2014, took over the studio in 2015 with fellow yogis, and is now the sole owner. 

The Yoga Collective NYC is currently in Chelsea, Manhattan at 135 W 29th St Rm 603 10001. 
 

The studio is fully stocked so someone brand new to yoga can enjoy the mats and all yoga props free of charge. Filtered water is provided and they ask for a small donation. The Yoga Collective NYC is free of plastic in the studio so people fill up their water bottles. Plant-based snacks are provided for some of the bigger classes and workshops and kale chips, energy bars and refreshing drinks. For summer classes, there is an air conditioner as well as a ceiling fan and various lighting.  

Keep an eye out, as TYC bags recently sold out; however, they are looking to expand their assortment later this year.

There are many kinds of classes at TYC.

The teachers teach everything from power to restorative yoga, martial arts and fitness classes and yoga nidra meditations. Some of our yoga classes are on-going and others are one or two time classes. Many of the classes can help you get in shape while also helping you to calm down and find inner peace. 

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THE YOGA COLLECTIVE

135 W 29th St Rm #603 NY, NY 10001
 

Read more from the March Issue and read The Yoga Collective in Athleisure List in mag

PUT AN END TO SEX TRAFFICKING

Athleisure Mag proudly supports SOLD in efforts to help stop children sex trafficking.
 
The story of one brave thirteen-year old Nepalese girl who dreams of buying a tin roof for her family home, only to be tricked and taken to a prison brothel in India where she is coerced into bonded sexual slavery. Despite conditions, her will is never broken. Gradually, she builds friendships and trust with others, creating a new family, while secretly planning her escape. Grounded in hope and the resilience of the human spirit, the film rouses feelings of outrage and inspires action.  

ATHLEISURE MAG: What led you to begin the project and mission? (tell us more about the book by Patricia McCormick)?

JEFFREY D. BROWN: My father is a pediatrician who worked in refugee camps most of his career helping children in dire circumstances in Haiti, Somalia, Biafra, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sorevjo, and many other countries.

I wanted to make a film that could drive a campaign to help real children.  When I read SOLD in one sitting 10 years ago, I knew I had found the vehicle I was looking for.

AM: Who else joined forces to get the film made?

JDB: Jane Charles was the first call I made and she read the book and came on board immediately.  Together we raised the funds to get the film made and distributed and now we are raising the funds to continue our campaign across the world. We made SOLD as a tool for change, and everyone can be part of it by bringing SOLD to your community, church group, college, high school or corporation.  We created two versions of the film for this purpose - the full length version which has opened in 9 film festivals, won 4 audience awards and two Jury Awards and a shorter 50 min version which is rated PG-13 for high schools and corporations.  If you go to www.soldthemovie you can request a screening there.

AM: Tell us about the film? How is it a call-to-action and what light does it shed about human spirit?

JDB: The film, ike the book, is in a first person account.  We put you in the shoes of one amazing girl who we follow as she is tricked and trafficked.  By telling one girl's story - we tell the story of the 5.5 million children who are trafficked every year. Statistics go into your head - SOLD goes straight into your heart.  

When you learn first hand what is happening - you have to then do something about it. The Taught Not Trafficked campaign gives our audience a way to become part of the solution. Along with our many partner organizations we are re-building schools in Nepal destroyed in the earthquake. If you can keep a child in school until they are 16 years old, their chances of getting trafficked drop 80%. We are bringing vocational training and healing to children who were trafficked.  And we are building safe houses to get the children of sex workers out of brothels before they are forced into the work their mothers do- so we are interrupting second generation trafficking.

AM: What personal lessons and growth have you seen over the course of doing the film and project?

JDB: Making this film and waging this campaign has personally made me much stronger.  We have encountered all kinds of tests and challenges.  It has affirmed my faith that nothing succeeds like patience and any time not spent on love is wasted.  I have described this journey as a long and winding walk on red hot coals.  You have two choices- keep going and trust or get off.  Jane and I have kept going because in meeting thousands of girls who were trafficked- we now must make a difference in their lives.

AM: What were the first steps to action (and what were difficult obstacles to get going)?

JDB: We went to India and made a trailer before we made the film. We did this incredibly inexpensively to give people a feel for what we were aiming to create. It still took 2 years to raise our funds. It also took 6 months to find the lead Niyar who is just amazing. We saw over 1000 girls before she was cast.

AM: What went into the casting process and tell us about some of the amazing talent in the film?

JDB: Tess Joseph in Mumbai was our casting agent and she found amazing talent for us.  There are so many wonderful, well trained actors in India. Sushmita Mukerjee who plays the iron fisted brothel madam - auditioned for us- she is famous in India and had never auditioned for anything.  She is an amazing TV star.  She rented a long wig and just nailed the part in her audition. She is funny and scary and unpredicatable. The other amazing cast includes Gillian Anderson from X- Files and David Arquette from Scream - both were friends of mine.  From India we have many award winning cast members: Tillotama Shome (Monsoon Wedding) Seema Biswas (Water, Midnight's Children) Ankur Vikal (Slumdog Millionaire) Parambrata Chatterjee (Kaahani).  But the most incredible performance is from Niyar Saikia who plays the lead - Lakshmi.

AM: How many schools have been rebuilt so far and what are short and longer term goals? Tell us more about the educational awareness and boarding facilities programs.

JDB: So far, with Childreach International and the #TaughtNotTrafficked campaign we have re-built 90 classrooms.  We will build another 200 in the Spring when SOLD goes out to 40 UK Universities.

32,000 classrooms were destroyed in the earth quakes, that is 5,000 schools leaving over a million children with no schools to attend.  They are now 300% more likely to get trafficked then they were when they were attending school.

We are also with Arto of Living's Care For Children Initiaitive, using SOLD to raise funds to build 10 boarding safe houses for children of sex workers. If we can get thousands of children out of the brothels before they are forced into prostitution at age 13- things will change.

We are bringing vocational training with Build A Nest and healing with iRest training from the iRest Institute.  Initially we are bringing this to survivors at 5 NGO's and also to three businesses which employ survivors. With vocational training the girls who were trafficked can earn their own way. Sadly, most of them cannot go home because of the shame and stigma.  Our long term goal is to prove this vocational training and healing work and spread it to the 50 other NGO's in India and to all NGO's with survivors in Nepal as well.

AM: Where can we see the film and what is the present campaign?

JDB: If you go to www.soldthemovie.com,  there are buttons to click there with links to bringing the film to your community or school.

If you go to our website and click on Take Action - there is a host of things you can do to become part of the solution including shopping from survivor made products like clothing and jewelry. All of what you purchase supports survivors and 15% of sales that go through our website support the #TaughtNotTrafficked campaign.

It will take hundreds of people working together to make change. Together we can do it.

AM: How can people help?

JDB: Arrange to see SOLD in your church, school, rotary club, club or corporation and support the #TaughtNotTrafficked campaign.  

Bring others to this issue by showing SOLD. After the screening unite the audience together with a pledge to make change. Funds are needed for local and international non-profits who are dedicated to making a difference.  Our supporters started StolenYouth.org in Seattle and have made huge changes there.  We have a downloadable PDF called Circles of Change- which shows how to start an organization like that which simply raises funds each year for existing organizations in Seattle to help them scale up.

CALIFORNIA STRONG

Earlier this year, we interviewed one half of Team USA'S women's volleyball team member, Kerri Walsh-Jennings. In this month's issue we sat down with Cali girl, April Ross (this duo took Bronze home) to talk about the importance of safe sun, especially as it pertains to eye health and her partnership with Xperio UV, training for Rio, dancing with Kerri, what she's up to off the court and the beauty of being strong and how important that is for women!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is Xperio UV eyewear?

XPERIO UV: Xperio UV is a polarized lens brand that you can get it in your prescription or you can get it in non-prescription. We have a lot of cool colors that you can choose in either solid, gradient or mirror.

The lenses can go in any frames. We have mirror, plum with a silver mirror on top - there are a lot of combinations on top. There are so many colors that allow you to rock your look.

AM: How long has the brand been around?

X UV: The brand is new, but the company itself has been around for over 100 years and is headquartered in France. In terms of this brand, the good thing is that they are polarized lenses, but on top of that they have maximum UV protection as it is on the front and on the back of the lens. A lot of times, you don't think of the fact that the back of the lens has rays coming from the opposite direction which bounces into your eyes. They are also scratch resistant, which we put our sunglasses in our bags without the cases. They are also very easy to clean as well.

AM: So April, you wear the lenses.

APRIL ROSS: Yes, I wear them for protection as she said. Because of the polarization as it makes whatever I am seeing - super clear - especially when I am playing volleyball.

AM: How vital is sun protection for you especially when you're on the court?

AR: The first 2 years that I played, it wasn't really something that I thought about that much! I didn't wear a hat a lot of times I didn't wear sunglasses, and I feel that I kind of paid the price for that I played in some really hot places. Ever since then, I definitely upped my suncare game. I think that I have improved the quality of sunscreen I use and I make sure that I always have zinc oxide (editors note: this is identified as a physical sunscreen that is made of natural elements found on the earth, and are said to “block” or “scatter” UV rays so they don't penetrate the skin in the first place. Zinc Oxide has more broad-spectrum protection and lacks hormone-disrupting effects on my skin). I always wear glasses with UV protected lenses 100% and I always wear a visor all the time. Even when I'm not playing, I'm always wearing sunglasses and a hat - even when I am driving. Sun gets in through the windshield and can damage your skin as the UV rays come in since you are in the sun driving. I feel like I have it down now!

AM: What's the difference between the shades you were for volleyball and the ones that you wear off the court?

AR: The ones on the court are very performance oriented. I sweat a lot so I have to have rubber on the frames so that they don't fall off of my face - it's my number 1 thing besides the lenses being polarized. I think it makes the image so much clearer. Off the court, I'm a huge sunglass fan - it's a huge part of my personality. You can use it to show who you are. I like to do something different and I never buy the same pair!

AM: How many sunglasses do you own - we have a feeling it is going to be a big number!

AR: I don't know the actual number. The sad thing is I go through them quickly. I horde them and then I leave them places. So I'm always needing new pairs of sunglasses and it's a really bad habit of mine. I love them so much - so I find a pair, I buy them and then I lose them!

AM: What are your must haves to wear on the court and then what do you wear when you're going out to brunch with friends?

PHOTO COURTESY WANG/HAOFEI/XINHUA/ALAMY LIVE NEWS

AR: Must haves on the court - I always compete in my Mizuno bikini and then sunglasses, and a hat. I really love the suit we wore at the Olympics with the high cut as I am a huge fan of the high cut bikinis - I like the way it looks and it's full coverage so you don't have to worry about it. Purple is my favorite bikini color to wear. I feel like it is feminine and powerful at the same time. I call it my power color as I love purple. Off the court for brunch and stuff, I'm super casual. I like to be feminine as I feel that as an athlete I'm so aggro all the time. I'm always in performance gear so I like to have frills and lace and flowy stuff. I'm almost always in jean shorts, but I'll have a flowy flower top and sandals.

AM: How did you prepare for Rio and how was it having a different partner as well?

AR: Preparing for Rio was one of the most intense experiences in life. My team with Kerri was all encompassing. We trained really, really hard as our coach Mario Sicoli had a very clear progression for us, and we stepped to that and we trusted him 100%. So everyday at practice was really tough. We had a sports psychologist that we worked with, which I hadn't done before. That was big! We added in a lot of meditation and visualization and had a ton of help with physical therapy. I felt the best that I have ever felt this year because of all of that support. But it was a 24/7 job that you never stopped thinking of it. When we got together 3.5 years ago, it wasn't like that - it was more like, let's see how this goes.

AM: That's what Kerri told us ...

AR: Yeah, we just said, let's just get on the court and do the best that we can and slowly it became more and more detailed. By the end, it was all-day every day on how we could perform the best that we could in Rio.

AM: All of that effort paid off as you guys looked so in sync watching you in Rio!

AR: We felt so in-sync. We felt it, it was crazy! From the first time, that we got on the court, I thought that we played well and had rhythm so the amount that we grew from that point astonished me. By the time we got to Rio, we were in each other's heads and we could flow together - we call it "dancing" and we danced together really well there. Then right after Rio ,we played together in the Long Beach World Series Beach Volleyball.

AM: We saw that and had no idea that your season continued on after the games!

AR: I was like, what are we doing still playing volleyball - but it was so mindless at that point and we just played together so well that we just breezed through that tournament. But yeah, it's super sad to me that it's over as our last tournament ended last weekend and we've played so well and worked so hard to get to this point, like I just want to keep playing. I'm bummed that it's over, but I'm really proud of the point we got to and how we played in Rio.

AM: Now will you guys continue on as partners when the season starts again?

AR: I am gong to try to start a family with my husband. As an Olympic athlete you have to base it on the quad and so if I can have a baby as early as possible in the quad that works the best, I might have to miss next season, but then the plan is to come back and qualify for the next one. If it doesn't happen according to plan, then I would end up playing next year and I'll play with Kerri.

AM: What do you do now that you're off for the season - what do you indulge in and what do you get back into doing?

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EUGENE DELUCIE

AR: I travel a lot, which is crazy because I do it a lot for my job as well. Honestly, I book as many trips as I possibly can. It's tempting to stay home, but when I do I get antsy.

Especially if it's not a purpose and I'm not training - I'm like what am I doing here? Any opportunity that comes up I am prone to say yes to. So we're going to visit President Obama this month with the whole team, throwing out the first pitch for the Angels, going to Vegas for a weekend, a trip to Italy and Germany to see friends that I have who are playing over there, I'm going to Mexico with a company called South of the Border Volleyball Vacations where volleyball fans go down and play and they bring in pros to hang out. I'm then going to Montana for a week after that for Thanksgiving and then onto Hawaii with my friend after that. It's super busy, lots of traveling and I like to have fun!

AM: How do you stay balanced and give yourself enough time that you need?

AR: I focus on what feels good to me and I don't know, if it's balanced but for me, it's what works. Like during the season and leading up to Rio the balance was off because I was training so hard and it was all about volleyball and now I feel like the balance will go in the other direction and that I will have too much fun because I am traveling too much. It will be hard for me to get into the gym and stay in shape because I definitely want to stay in shape for sure and eat healthy. When I was leading up to Rio, I didn't feel like hanging out with my friends or doing fun things and it's just understanding that being tired isn't an excuse to shirk on the balance in your life. Now that I am traveling a lot - last night I didn't want to go and workout but you're just tired - it's not like it's a death sentence. Just go and get it done. It's do what you know you should do. If you can be aware of that, it's a good way to keep balance in your life.

AM: What were your workouts like for Rio and what are they like for maintenance?

AR: Leading up to Rio it was very strength-based for explosive-minded speed and agility. It was hours and hours and hours of time spent in the gym every week. And now, I'm shifting to more cardio based. In between cardio - higher reps, lower weights for circuit workouts. You warm up and then do the circuits with lower weight higher reps and I end with running for about 20 minutes or so. I think that's a great balanced workout that's not killer and doesn't deter me from doing it. There are enough variations in the weights to keep it fresh and then I want to get inot pilates as I haven't done it and that's a goal.

AM: We loved your comments in ESPN's Body Issue about strong versus skinny.

AR: I think that being strong is more important then being skinny. If you focus on being strong, you're going to have a fit body type. Mentally, it makes us feel stronger as a person and I think it just makes us feel better.

For me, if I'm not strong, I ache a lot more. My back hurts, my knees hurt and I get tired more easily. The whole package of being strong makes you feel better about yourself and physically. Being skinny is all about deprivation and denying yourself and not living life, to the fullest. You need to be able to indulge when you're eating and enjoy food and then focus on getting in the gym, sweating and getting those endorphins going. It's a much better lifestyle that promotes health as opposed to focusing on skinny. And I think that it (being strong) looks better. I think that looks are the last thing you should worry about, but it makes you feel healthier I think.

AM: How did April Ross and Xperio, come together in this partnership?

AR: For me, it was a no-brainer. I wear sunglasses all the time and their product is one of the best. It goes along with a healthy lifestyle and you have to protect your eyes. They have the best protection and performance wise the quality is very good for vision and clarity. They are launching a new program, All day Coverage when Exposed to Sun (A.C.E.S.) for that awareness. I like that and I like to have a bigger cause than just wearing a product. That was a big thing for me too.

Find out more about A.C.E.S., All day Coverage when Exposed to Sun and how you can support positive eye health.

See more from the Sept Issue.

BINGELY STREAMING

What does it take to be 1 of 500 people to have the chance to get a spot on Team USA for the Olympics? The journey includes years of preparation from international competitions, clinics, and sacrifice. 

This movie focuses on 5 athletes (who represent a diverse group of sports with an array of challenges that take place while they train), at various stages of their lives who share the dream of representing the US in Rio during the Olympics and the Paralympic games. The film showcases the wins, misses and humbling aspects that these dreams create for each individual.  

HAPPINESS IS
Karen Morey

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Karen Morey

Happiness, what is it and what does it mean to you? In this poetic documentary short, Karen Morey (directed, edited and shot) explores this narrative by asking a curated group of 8 people around the world that speak in their native tongue. 

Throughout this mini documentary, we hear and see vivid reflective discussions and imagery of how diverse people of many walks of life can see, feel, remember, and aspire. This short is available on Vimeo.

RUN MAMA RUN
Daniele Anastasion

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | ESPN

Sarah Brown is an athlete that is focused on coming to Rio for the 2016 Olympic games, and like many, she knows that the Olympic Trials are an important benchmark to get her there. Unlike other athletes, Sarah was pregnant heading into trials. Between the birth of her child and the competition she had a little over 3 months to get back into shape.

Run Mama Run is an ESPN W weekly short looking at her training throughout her training, setbacks she had during this time, and how she trained to be ready to join her team. Make sure to check in before July 27th to binge this series while it is still available on the site.

Read more from the July Issue

HER ROAD TO RIO

The Olympics™ are just around the corner and in addition to seeing our favorite athletes compete, it's also a great time to see former Olympians who have taken on new roles. We spoke with Nastia Liukin on the road during the Olympic Trials to talk gymnastics, commitment and her role as a commentator for NBC during the games at Rio!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Growing up in a family of Olympians, how did this craft your interest in the sport and how did you get into it?

NASTIA LIUKIN: Well, believe it or not, my parents didn't even want me to do gymnastics. They knew how hard it was and they just wanted their one and only child to be happy. But for me, my happiness came from gymnastics. I never wanted to leave the gym. I fell in love with the sport at such an early age.

AM: As someone who trained from an early age, how did this affect your outlook on life in terms of commitment, dedication etc?

NL: Commitment and dedication where both two major factors that helped me achieve my goals. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I had to be committed in order to achieve those dreams. Nothing would be handed to me. I was never the strongest gymnast, so I had to work extremely hard on conditioning in order to perform a lot of the skills.

AM: What was your training like heading into the 2008 Olympic games and how did you maintain balance while you were at the games?

NL: Training heading into the 2008 Olympics ™ was pretty intense. 7 hours a day, 6 days a week (sometimes 7 days a week) depending on the competition schedule. I really didn't think or do too much else besides training, physically therapies, extra cardio or conditioning. My life revolved around the Olympics that entire year, and most years as well. But specifically 2008. 

I didn't want to look back in September of 2008 and think what if, what if I would have trained more, done more routines? Those thoughts started to haunt my mind, so I made sure to not let them creep into my mind too much.

View fullsize

AM: As an athlete, you never know where your career will go, since then you have created clothing lines and been a spokesperson for other brands, how exciting has that transition been and do you have other projects coming up that you can tell us about?

NL: To be honest if you would have told me that 10 years ago, I would have never believed you. I started gymnastics because I had such a huge passion for the sport. It was never to make it a career or build a brand, or even win gold medals. I loved flipping, and learning new skills. It all gave me a thrill. Now at 26 years old, I look back at everything I have done and continue to do and am so thankful for it all. But, I do have to say it hasn't all been handed to me. I feel like it’s a full-time job trying to continue doing what I’m doing with my career and I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing people in the industry that have helped shape my career into what it is now. I am working on a few projects that I’m so thrilled to be working on, but for now I have to keep them a secret.

AM: We've listened to you commentating on the Men's and Women's Gymnastic Trials and know you are doing this throughout the games, how exciting is it to be the NBC Commentator for Gymnastics?

NL: I was so honored when NBC offered me this role. To be able to continue being involved in something I love so much has been incredible. It has definitely been a learning experience and with each time we are on air, I learn more and feel a little more confident. This is now my fourth year, but there is nothing like an Olympic™ Games. So I’m extremely excited for Rio!

AM: Going into Rio, who are your favorites for the US Men's and Women's team that you can't wait to see - who should we be watching out for?

NL: Simone Biles, without question, is the heavy favorite on the women’s side. She has the chance of winning 5 GOLD medals in Rio. Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas are trying to make their second Olympic™ Team and have a great shot. So it will be a very fun competition on the women’s side.

On the men’s side, Sam Mikulak is the favorite for the US. He is the 4 time National Champion going into the Rio and will be competing in his second Olympic™ Games.

AM: As a gymnast who has competed on the Olympic™ stage, do you share any words of wisdom to the gymnasts that you share with them when you've been traveling with them?

NL: Most of them don’t need too much advice. They are more prepared, physically than they will ever be in their lives. But mentally, it’s important to stay calm and treat it like any other competition. Also, enjoy it. It goes by so quickly, you blink and it’s over.

AM: What are you looking forward to in Rio (whether within the gymnast category or outside of it)?

NL: Definitely the gymnastics but also getting a chance to see the other sports. When I was in Beijing, I didn't get that chance to go to other events, so I’m looking forward to that. I also love trying to experience the culture of every city/country I visit.

AM: What's it like when you've been on the circuit with the gymnast as a broadcaster?

NL: Well the current group of athletes I’ve known them and even competed with most of them. So I really have to remove myself from being friends with them and just do my job as an analyst. Of course I’ve been in their shoes, so I know how it feels when someone is a little too negative or could say something that really puts you down. I feel like there is a difference with analyzing something, even if it’s a fall, and being negative.

AM:  What do you do in terms of your personal training and how is it different than when you competed?

NL:  Well it’s definitely quite a bit different now. I used to train 7 hours a day, 6 days a week. Now I workout about 4 times a week for about 30-60 minutes, depending on my schedule. I’m on the road a lot so that makes it difficult, but not impossible. I love mixing it up. Pilates, yoga, spinning, circuit training.

AM: How do you stay balanced with your busy schedule to ensure that you take the time that you need for yourself?

NL: I always make sure to take time in the morning, even if I have a busy day ahead. I like waking up extra early to have my coffee, get in a workout, even if it’s only 20 minutes. That keeps me balanced and make me feel great the rest of the day too.

AM: What's your personal style (items that you would wear when running errands, heading out to brunch and/or for a night out on the town)?

NL: As much as I love dressing up for events, red carpets and photo shoots, my day to day life is definitely athleisure wear. From the gym to running errands to brunch, I love Stella McCartney for Adidas. She’s one of my favorite designers both in the sports world and fashion world.

Read more from the July Issue

ATHLEISURE LIST - SURFSET NYC

Whether you're a surfer or always wanted the body without hitting the waves, - SURFSET NYC is one of the hottest methods right now! SURFSET New York City offers surf-inspired fitness classes, made popular by ABC's Shark Tank, that are designed to build strong, lean surfer bodies. The interval-based classes combine elements of aerobic fat burning, lean muscle building, and balance & core training in a fun and challenging 45-minute routine on top of a custom-made unstable surfboard.

Diana Garrett and Aaron Thouvenin, creators and co-owners of SURFSET NYC and two of the world’s first SURFSET® Fitness Master Trainers & Ambassadors. As surfers themselves, they bring the challenging and fun aspects of surfing to every class.

Diana Garrett, founder of SURFSET New York City, learned to surf more than 15 years ago in San Diego, and she’s been riding waves (in the ocean or on the RipSurfer X) ever since. As a surfer and former competitive gymnast, acrobatic performer, and gymnastics coach, her fitness focus has always been on core strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance. It’s no surprise that her SURFSET New York City classes combine all four surf-inspired interval workouts!

While Diana has surfed the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, you can usually find her riding her fun board at Long Beach, NY or Spring Lake, NJ. Diana’s SURFSET New York City classes bring the excitement of surfing to land, whether you want the rush of catching a wave, the lean strength of a surfer, or just a fun way to stay in shape. Diana is a certified SURFSET Fitness Master Trainer and NASM Personal Trainer.

Aaron Thouvenin, founder of SURFSET New York City, has always been a sport and fitness competitor and enthusiast. He developed a passion for surfing while attending college and pursuing a basketball career in Australia, and has never looked back. He combines the fun, free spirit of the surf lifestyle with the training regimen of a competitive athlete, and is a true believer in the fitness and spiritual benefits of surfing. Most importantly, he believes fitness should be as fun as surfing!

Aaron has personally experienced the benefits of SURFSET Fitness classes and the RipSurfer X since SURFSET first launched in 2011. After years of working and studying techniques with trainers from various areas, he tried SURFSET Fitness and was hooked. As a SURFSET Brand Ambassador, Master Trainer, and founder of SURFSET NYC, he is excited to share his enthusiasm for surfing, fitness, and coaching with the world. His motivation and focus on plyometric movements and core balance will have you in surfer shape in no time! Aaron is a certified SURFSET Fitness Master Trainer.

SURFSET Fitness creators Mike and Sarah Hartwick were on Shark Tank and secured a deal with Dallas Mavricks owner and billionaire investor, Mark Cuban.

The SURFSET NYC studio is located in the East Village at 64 East 4th Street (between Bowery & 2nd Ave), 4th Floor, NY, NY 10003. It is also available for on-site and off-site events, classes, and demos. In the summer, they are also partnering with Skudin Surf to offer surfing lessons in the water.

SURFET NYC studio is a beach oasis in downtown Manhattan! It offers bottled water, and SURFSET NYC workout towels at the studio. They currently sell Terez leggings in the studio. SURFEST NYC apparel is coming very soon!  

Read more from the May Issue

TAILORED BY TEE MAJOR

In our inaugural issue in January, we interviewed health and fitness guru, Jillian Michaels. Recently, we connected with her protege, Tee Major, who is known for his military based workout method and knew this was a great fit for our community. We chatted with Tee to find out more about his vision and method

ATHLEISURE MAG: Prior to working in the fitness industry, did you always want to work in this field?

TEE MAJOR: No. I actually had the dream of being an MTV VJ! This dream influenced my decision to choose a University on the east coast while being recruited to play collegiate football. I choose a small school with an even smaller strength & conditioning program. Fortunately, my strength coach in high school was very good and instilled great fundamentals in me early on. This knowledge, along with a desire to help others, blossomed in college and became a focus after graduation.

AM: You have modeled for a number of top fitness brands, are there any campaigns/ads that stick out as your favorite?

TM: I had the pleasure of working with Adidas on an “Impossible Is Nothing” collegiate campaign. I loved the message and the images were on numerous collegiate campuses. I had friends all over the country “spotting” me. That was great.

AM: Prior to focusing on your fitness programs and courses, how did you get involved in training military members - how did that focus the style of working out that you do?

TM: I lost a studio to a bad flood in Rhode Island back in 2010. I relocated to Boston and started training outdoors in parks. I had no money and no equipment so I had to get creative with my bodyweight routines. I was home that year over Christmas (broke again because nobody trains outdoors in the winter in Boston) and my Aunt was talking about her position as a recruiter for a government contractor. I was curious what someone with my degree could do overseas. She said, “You’re a trainer right? Why don’t you go over and train troops?” A lightbulb went off in my head and I immediately went to work making contacts to secure a contract. I guess my particular skill set and experience was enticing as I found myself on a plane to Baghdad that February.

AM: What is the Kaizen Philosophy? 

TM: Kaizen is a Japanese business philosophy that I adopted and adapted to fitness. Kaizen (Japanese for "improvement" or "change for the better") refers to a philosophy or practices that focus upon continuous improvement of processes. When humanized, kaizen refers to activities that continually improve all function and aims to eliminate waste in movement and nutrition. We take large goals like weight loss and strength gains, and break them down into small attainable goals. We then spot and eliminate wasteful movements or “muri" and make small, systematic improvements. In all, my process suggests an efficient approach to fitness that strives to increase individual productivity during the journey of self improvement. Kaizen is a daily activity and when adhered to, can enhance our performance in sport, work, and even in our daily lives. 

AM: Do you tailor the workouts differently for men versus women?

TM: Workouts should be tailored according to individual goals and level of experience. An athlete’s workout is programmed different from someone just starting a fitness routine. A dancer going on tour will train differently than a soldier going on tour. 

AM: What sets your method apart from others that may combine workouts that are done within military training as well as using your own body as a weight?

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TM: I tend to focus a lot on using movements that improve force, core strength and mobility. The core is the center of mass and center of all strength output to the limbs. If you improve core strength than all subsequent scores of strength usually rise with it. What you can do with that strength depends largely on your body’s ability to effectively transfer the energy to other parts of the body. If you lack mobility, the system tends to break down resulting in a loss of force. The troops I trained were often in austere conditions with minimal resources so I also tend to focus on creating quick and efficient workouts that can be done in a small space in a short period of time. 

AM: The Athleisure Mag team was first introduced to you when we saw you on an episode of E!'s 'Just Jillian' show - how is it working with this health guru and how has it enhanced what you do in terms of your brand?

TM: Jillian is honest, sincere, and has an intense passion for everything she does. I love her aggression and desire to succeed. It’s contagious. Being around her has inspired me to create more professional content and create alliances with larger brands to expand my reach and reach more people with my philosophy.

AM: With summer a few weeks away, what workouts (or program) should we do to have great abs as we get ready to hit the beach?

TM: It’s never too late to start your journey! It’s definitely time to shred that winter weight. I would be mixing metabolic conditioning workouts with weight training like I created in my 90-day BW44 program. It’s days of bodyweight training that alternate with weight training. It’s the workouts routine I was on when I completed the “44 Best Bodyweight Exercises Ever!”. It’s not for the faint of heart!

AM: What are your ultimate power foods that keep you in shape that we should have within our diet?

TM: I eat a lot of nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds, flax and chia seeds. Cayenne, apple cider vinegar, and garlic are also staples in my diet.

AM: Are there any projects you're working on that you can share or places that we can catch you next?

TM: I’m creating a 100% bodyweight program called “The Dirty Basics” that will be available soon at www.TeeMajor.com. It’s a 20 minute workout for beginners looking to jumpstart their metabolism and get into bodyweight training. The focus is on fundamental movements. I also toss in a few of my unique moves like the Hurricane Burpee and Plank Marches to keep it fun and challenging. I’m also going to be working on a program with TRX for use with their Tactical Box. It’s a mobile gym in a container. Reminds me of my days with the troops. It’s sick.

AM: Besides your website, are there other places that we can see you if we wish to add your workouts into our weekly plans?

TM: I created a workout called “MAX PT” on the Fitfusion platform. It’s probably the hardest bodyweight workout out there.

AM: As a trainer within Fit Fusion, how has that enhanced your visibility and outreach?

TM: Fitfusion has some of the worlds best trainers content in one place. We are now on Apple TV and ATT Uverse with more to come. To be placed on the same platform as these talents has put my face, name, and workouts in millions of households. Years ago that was only possible via TV or mail. If you could ever get all these trainers in the same room the overflow of knowledge and talent would be mind blowing. I’m happy to be a part of the rapidly changing fitness industry.

Read more from the April Issue

THE AQUA ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS

The road to the Olympics® is one that involves a lot of training. Many athletes train in a number of areas and the Nantahala Outdoor Center is the nation's largest outdoor recreation company in North Carolina We sat down with Olympian and spokesperson/ambassador of the NOC - Joe Jacobi. In addition to winning gold in Barcelona during the summer 2008 games, he served as the CEO of the USA Canoe/Kayak and TV sports commentator for NBC. We asked about NOC for guests coming to enjoy nature as well as a place for future Olympians to train and those heading to Rio this summer. 

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is the Nantahala Outdoor Center?

JOE JACOBI: The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is the nation's largest outdoor recreation company. Over a million guests visit NOC annually to embark on a diverse collection of more than 120 different river and land-based programs such as learning to kayak at NOC world-renowned Paddling School, test the latest outdoor gear, and shop at its LEED-certified flagship retail stores, or enjoy resort amenities such as its three restaurants and multi-tiered accommodations.

We are also one of the largest employers in Western North Carolina and 23 Olympians, including two Olympic Gold Medalists, have called NOC home.

NOC has been recently recognized by The New York Times as the “Nation's Premiere Paddling School,” “The Best Place to Learn” by Outside, and as “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure.

AM: Is this center open to the public?

JJ: Not only is NOC open to the public, it was the mission of our founders, Payson Kennedy and Horace Holden, Sr., to get our guests outside and experiencing the best that the outdoors has to offer. Whether on rivers, trails, or in the air, everything that happens at NOC is geared towards showing path into the outdoors for EVERYONE.

AM: In addition to enjoying water sports, NOC also contains opportunities to lodge here - how is that beneficial to the overall experience?

JJ: I grew up in the Washington, DC area so the noise and bustle of a big city was always present. I remember the first time I visited NOC as a teenager - that full experience of peace and quiet isn't just on the river but the way you experience evening, downtime, and rest. NOC is very accessible to many cities around the southeastern US making day-trips to our headquarters on the Nantahala River or one of the other 7 rivers which are rafter feasible but the full experience at NOC is the day AND night experience at NOC.

AM: How many Olympians have trained here and what is it like?

JJ: So we can't guarantee that every NOC guest or staff member will become an Olympian but our track record is pretty impressive.  To date, 22 Olympians in the sport of canoeing have come from NOC and this summer, we are excited to send our 23rd Olympia to the Games, whitewater kayaker, Michal Smolen, is Team USA's leading prospect for a medal a the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. 

NOC is an outstanding venue in which to live and train in competitive paddlesports. There are incredible rivers that run year-around make the perfect practice courses for training; there is a deeply-committed and supportive community of high performance athletes; NOC provides flexible employment opportunities for athletes; and, you have 5-10 competitive events staged each year in your backyard, ranging from local and participatory events to national and international events such at National Championships or a World Championships. 

AM: Are there any Olympians that you are currently training that you are sending to Rio this year?

JJ: I guess I jumped ahead on this one! NOC is so excited to send our 23rd Olympian to the Olympic Games - whitewater kayaker, Michal Smolen, is Team USA's leading contender for a medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio this summer. Born in Poland, Michal learned to paddle at NOC when he was 9 years old. Today, our aspiring young paddlers (my own 15 yo daughter included!) look up to Michal as a role model on and off the water. Michal is very giving of his time, incredibly humble, and so excited to be representing the United States.

AM: How did your relationship with NOC take place and what is your role there?

JJ: I grew up training on the Potomac River in the Washington, DC area - a Malcolm Gladwell/Outlier story of sorts with the some of the most fortuitous circumstances in paddlesports. I grew up close to the training site on the river where the world champions and world medalists practiced every day with the legendary coach in the sport. When I was just 13 years old, they welcomed me into their group. 

As I progressed and the Whitewater Slalom was added to the 1992 Olympic Games program in Barcelona, my canoe partner, Scott Strausbaugh, wanted to make a full-time commitment to our training. The DC area was very expensive so we chose to move to NOC where we could extend the length of our practice sessions, add more training sessions per day, and simply engage even more deeply in our Olympic pursuit.  

When we stepped up on to the podium at the 1992 Olympic Games as the first Americans to win gold in Olympic whitewater competition, we did so as part of the NOC community, which provided with the ideal setting, support, and leadership to excel on and off the water. 

That's what makes my current role with NOC so much fun and rewarding. I am a NOC spokesperson and ambassador. I love telling the story of our organization, our founders, the outdoors, and of course our next generation of Olympians like Michal.

AM: Will you be in Rio with your athlete?

JJ: No Rio for me this year, but we have a lot of Guest and Employee engagement opportunities with the Games here i the States, including a celebration of "Olympic Day" at NOC on June 18th of this year.

AM: Are there any milestones that NOC will enjoy in 2016 that Athleisure Mag should know about?

JJ: Not sure there is one so much as an Olympic year tends to spotlight ALL the elements of the outdoors that we serve (we were founded in an Olympic year, 1972.) On specifics, we have number of phenomenal events coming this year serving people from the high performance community to families who just want to compete together - you can check out our events here.

AM: What activities are offered at NOC?

JJ: We simply love rivers and boats in which people can propel with a paddle. Our guests choose from 8 different rivers in which paddle, raft, SUP, or float. Our Paddle School has an absolutely world class roster of instructors.  On land, at our headquarters on the Nantahala  River, we have a mountain top, over-the-trees zip line adventure include on zip that is about a 1/2 mile long - more on that right here.

Also, we prepare people via our our outdoor school for every kind of outdoor experience imaginable - not just paddling, but swiftwater rescue and wilderness medicine to name a few.

AM: Although people come to NOC for the activities, what takeaway do they get from North Carolina as a state?

JJ: North Carolina's diversity is amazing. From our shores and beaches to our mountains and rivers, the DNA of the outdoors lives in NC. My role with NOC takes me all over the state. When people see the NOC logo on my shirt, they smile, reflect, and typically share a family story about their experiences with their family and friends. It's very special to see the way NOC has touched and contributed to North Carolina's outdoor story.

The Olympics is a registered trademark.

Read more from the April Issue