CREATE THE RITUAL WITH STEVE SCHWARTZ

Tea has always been a beverage that we have enjoyed hot, iced, alone, with an array of sweeteners and even mixed with the spirit of our choice. We wanted to delve more into tea culture to find out the origin of tea, how it should be consumed, stored and what the benefits are when drinking it. We talked with Steve Schwartz, the founder of Art of Tea which is known for their 100s of options that they have available on their site, their hospitality partnerships with Wolfgang Puck, Aria, Caesars Palace and more. He talks with us about his background in Ayurveda, how he got into the industry, how he grew his company and the importance of our individual tea rituals wherever we are in the world.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is a master tea blender and what does that position entail?

STEVE SCHWARTZ: Great well let me first share a little bit on my background. My background entails Ayurveda. It’s a form of preventative medicine based in India. I got into that because my mom was actually diagnosed with brain cancer when I was just out of high school. I got a full paid scholarship to go to college and I ended up dropping out so I could go and move back in to take care of her. So, I took care of her for about 10 months until she passed. The whole time, we were just on Western medicine and there is nothing wrong with Western medicine, it just didn’t work for us. So we went from one doctor to another and one external treatment to another. Before she passed, it got me to thinking, “gosh, cancer must have been around for thousands of years, we have only just recently labeled it as cancer. What are the other healing modalities that are out there?” I didn’t want to stick needles in people, I didn’t want to be a massage therapist or an herbologist – there is nothing wrong with any of those, it just wasn’t my path.

So, I found this school in New Mexico called the Ayurvedic Institute and really fell in love with the alchemy of blending herbs, teas and botanicals and how those herbs and botanicals link together to create unique flavor profiles and how those flavors, their profiles, herbs and healing properties affect the body in very different ways. In both a metabolic way, but also in terms of helping with hormones, digestive fire, immunity, longevity and all these things that really rally behind how these botanicals are blended together. So it’s not 1 herb plus another herb or botanical equals 2, but rather 1 + 1 could equal 4 or 6. It could multiply and increase in terms of its strength.

So I was looking into old texts and Sanskrit while I was at school and really trying to get an understanding of the alchemy of teas and herbs and it was funny that one of the patients that was there was a gentleman by the name, Yogi Bhajan (Editors Note: he is cited as bringing his version of Kundalini Yoga to the US in the late 60’s/early 70’s) and he would come to the facility and see the doctor. I would make the blends for him. Another thing that was requested was that their family would ask for other ingredients and ask us to blend in different ratios these different botanicals. So we would source and then send them the first samples and I would find 6 months or 9 months down the road that these blends were on supermarket shelves known as Yogi Teas. I was like, ok I know what I’m doing and at this point, there wasn’t a lot of real internet connectivity.

There was this company Amazon that was starting out. But most of what I was doing was making phone calls to origin all throughout Asia and India. I remember that I needed to source ginkgo. So I called and it was like $4 a minute, so I wanted to be respectful of budget and time and I said, “I need to order some ginkgo.” They said, “do you want a Western slope or an Eastern slope next to a river?” I told them that it didn’t really matter, I just wanted to order ginkgo. He said, “no sir, it does matter. I need you to come here yourself so you can experience it.” I was intrigued, I appreciated the invitation and I saved up my money and worked 4 different jobs, got a backpack and started traveling the world to find the best teas and the botanicals possible.

I had no idea that I was going to start a tea company. I just knew that I was a huge tea nerd and was into it. I saw the impact that it had on people’s lives – those that drink tea and those that don’t. What it means to them, whether it’s sitting down with a loved one at the end of the day, engaging in a meditation practice or needing to work out a research paper. Whatever it might be, I just saw the level of the impact that tea could have and so I started sourcing the different botanicals in my living room, started blending and started peddling my teas around town. I caught the attention of Wolfgang Puck and a hotel, a restaurant, a spa! Then I caught the attention of Caesar’s Palace and I ended up training the first Tea Sommelier in the United States. It sort of just grew from there and I ended up teaching classes at these world tea conventions and they were sold out. So I taught them 5 years in a row beginning with advance blending classes. There was no one teaching blending. In fact, when I realized they were asking me to teach it, I knew I had to look up old books and I ended up finding one from 1896 on blending!

AM: Wait what?

SS: Yeah! There was nothing at the time. So I said, “ok, if I’m asked to create a format, then I’m just going to share my failures and my wins. What’s working and what’s not and hopefully leave an impression and an impact. For people that took the classes, they’re now publicly traded companies or sold to Procter & Gamble. So, it’s awesome to see the impact on what’s happening in the tea industry.

AM: Wow, just thinking of you talking about this, are there new blends or nutrients that grow that they didn’t exist in the 18 or 1900’s? We enjoy a number of the items that we consume and feel that those have always been around, but are there new hybrids?

SS: Great question! First, let’s dive into what is tea and what was that book from 1896 all about back then? True tea comes from one evergreen shrub called Camellia Sinensis. All true tea comes from that evergreen shrub. If it’s not from this evergreen shrub, then it’s not tea. So for example White Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Pu-erh – all of these come from Camellia Sinensis. Then there are differences in terms of how they are produced, but it is very similar to wine – it all comes from grapes. Now depending on the grape that’s used, how it’s grown and processed – is it stored in an oak barrel or a stainless steel container, is the skin left on? All these play into crafting a really delicious glass of wine. The same way that tea is separated, picked at different harvest times depending on what they are looking for, put into these silos of White, Green, Oolong, Black and Pu-erh. There are some subcategories between there, different varietals of tea, those that are grown specifically for those types of teas as well.

But if it is Chamomile or Rooibos then it’s not actually a tea. It’s a totally different category known as a Tisane. It is a fancy French word that basically means botanical. You can have Mint, Chamomile and Rooibos blended together and you have a Tisane or what is called a fusion or you can blend it with tea and then you have a Tea Fusion. But Chamomile tea is actually an oxymoron as it’s not really a tea.

AM: Wow!

SS: And you now know more than 99% of the US population!

AM: Our minds are now kind of blown as we’re processing this information!

So, what do you define a Master Tea Blender as?

SS: I guess the 10,000 hour rule plays deeply into this. Having a strong sense of origin, where and how the teas are grown and when you’re tasting tea about 98% of what you are drinking is water. So what you’re looking for is the nuance within that 2% and so your tongue ends up becoming like an instrument. You’re learning how to play with the high notes and the low notes, the terroir of the different ingredients and how they will play well together. So, like an artist that is using color and a color palette to define what a painting will look like, they know where and when to add specific colors. The same thing with a blend. You want the blend to be even in terms of ingredient size so that smaller bits don’t fall into the bottom, you want that flavor profile to have a nice mouth feel in terms of what you are looking for in terms of beginning, middle and finish. But it’s knowing your ingredients well enough to see how that symphony of ingredients will come together for that final composition.

AM: What is that process like when you’re blending the teas? As you were talking, I was thinking back to last month’s issue when we talked with a Master Winemaker and she was talking about how it’s the harvest season and what takes place during this time. You were talking about that there is that kind of season in tea as well. So what’s the blending and the harvest season like for you?

SS: Great question. So the blending process in terms of the creations, when I was first starting out, I became obsessed with new blends that were coming out and I had a journal next to my bed where I would wake up in the middle of the night and I’d go, “oh, I have this great inspiration.” Sometimes, a great inspiration comes from odd things. My wife is an aesthetician and she got tons of samples of different skincare products from vendors that were sending them to her to try. Our shower is populated with tons of different scrubs and conditioners and all sorts of stuff. Being curious, I opened one up called Mandarin Cashmere and it was wow – you could almost bite into it. It was smooth, sweet, citrusy and creamy! I thought it would be an amazing tea and obviously I didn’t want to eat a scrub and no one is going to want to eat cashmere, but I thought, “ok, maybe I can take this and make it. Call it Mandarin Silk.” I ended up really honing in on where those flavor notes were hitting my nose. Over 80% of what we taste, is through our sense of smell. So where are those flavor notes hitting my nose and how can I duplicate that within a product that someone is going to want to drink? It ended up doing really well and the tea won Best Oolong in the World. So, it was really really fun and really cool!

So, there’s that part and then there’s Vera Wang who is coming up with a new line and she was like, can you make a tea that matches this perfume. In some cases, it’s really complex and in some cases, it’s really trial and error. One blend I made, I made on accident. What happened was, I was first starting out and I was on the phone with a customer and I was blending one ingredient in a batch of other ingredients that were resting. Meaning, as you blend, you want certain aromatics and compounds to be able to mesh together before you begin to introduce other ingredients to it. Just like you’re going out with friends and say you’re inviting other friends over, you may ask, “should we invite that other person?” Because that person could add a lot of value or that person could just take the air out of the room. So in the same way, you’ll introduce ingredients at staged times. So I was on the phone with the customer and I accidentally dumped one ingredient into a batch with another. While I was on the phone with them, I was like “oh shit” and this was with a 5-Star restaurant and I was like, “oh no, I’m sorry, how can I help you?” This was when I was customer service, sales, accounts receivable, accounts payable and marketing. Everything was tied into my cell phone when I was in my living room. I actually blended this, realized that I made the mistake and put it in this cello bag and put it in the corner. My wife walks in and she immediately notices where I messed up right? It’s part of her super power and she asked me what was that and I told her that I had messed up and she asked how I knew that I had? I told her that I was a Tea Expert, a Tea Master and that I knew. She said, “well you might want to try it.” I told her that I didn’t need to try it and that I knew it would be bad. She was right, it was burning in my head and I knew that I should at least try it. The next morning I woke up, I tried it and it was really good. I ended up sending samples out to different customers and they loved it. This is a tea called French Lemon Ginger and it’s still one of our most popular herbal botanical tisanes that we have to offer.

AM: What lessons have you learned through creating your teas?

SS: Allow yourself permission to fuck up!

AM: Yup!

SS: Giving yourself that permissions, messing up along the way, learning and customer feedback! That’s also been really powerful. When we launch something, what we do is first go through rounds internally and then we’ll go through rounds externally for our customers and then we’ll do a launch. So right now, we’re experimenting with a bottle beverage and we’re testing it out and we created it during this time of COVID-19. It’s called Open Sunshine and the whole idea is that there is so much power and energy by just going outside. People have this mixed relationship with what it means now to go outside and be in open sunshine. There are so many health factors about going outside. We took a look at getting Green Tea, Black Tea, Passion Fruit, Jasmine, Lemon and Ginger. We created an effervescent sparkling tea out of all of these different kinds of ingredients. So it’s a little spicy and a little sweet and slightly floral. We’re launching it in about 2 weeks and we’re pretty excited about it!

AM: That is so exciting! What is that process like when you’re thinking about your assortment? Do you have a brainstorm where x amount of products have to come to market and x amount have to go into the vault to then come back again? You have an extensive amount of teas that are on your website – so it’s interesting to hear about the rotational aspect to it.

SS: That’s a great question. So in some cases, it’s through that trial and error and we’ll walk before we run. So we’ll do soft launches, we gain feedback, learn from what people are experiencing and our tribe is very vocal. They will share direct feedback on what they love and what they don’t love. It could be through Facebook or wherever that opportunity is for them to share with us. It’s having that dynamic trust relationship with our customers to be able to learn and to hopefully get better.

We’ve tried shaving back some of our offerings as well. I think that because we have such a vocal community, they will tell us that we can’t take that tea down. So we decided that at particular times, you may or may not like this analogy – the McRib.

AM: Haha that’s smart!

SS: Yeah, we’ll say, “we’ll McRib that.” We won’t get rid of it, but we will offer it at this particular time. For example, we have a tea called Pumpkin Spiced Chai that does so well in the fall and in the winter time. But for us to sell it in the heat of the summer, just doesn’t make sense. So we’ll breathe life back into certain teas at particular times of the year.

AM: What destinations have inspired you in terms of creating different kinds of teas?

SS: Great question! We actually created and found that there are 4 reasons that people like to drink tea. We did this whole brand exercise a couple of years ago really trying to identify what it was that people are gravitating towards for their cups of tea. We found that they drink tea because it tastes good, they drink tea because of a period of time (they have to drink it in the morning to get them going, at night to help them wind down) a location (I remember going to London and sitting outside and enjoying a beautiful cup of tea or sitting on your grandmother’s porch and enjoying a delicious tea) and the last piece is the wellness piece. People drink tea because they think of the medicinal value whether it’s something that their grandmother gave them when they were a kid or they read on a supermarket label that this does a particular kind of function.

We created a Location Collection that included London, Big Sur, Tuscany – that’s a few. We also created specific teas that are only sold at specific hotels. Like at the Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo, we created a Cherry Blossom Tea in honor of the cherry blossom season. I’ve been very inspired by these different areas. In terms of the seasonal blend, there is one called Summer Rain. My family and I were driving from LA to Palm Springs and we got stuck in a monsoon. We couldn’t leave the car because it was pouring rain. By the time it stopped raining, we opened the door and you have this dry desert that is now hit with fresh rain and the smell that comes up from that floor is incredible. So I thought, how can I capture this in a tea and we created a blend called Summer Rain. It’s always a different inspiration and it’s not always so far out there in the world. It could very much be in our backyard, a memory or something that is close to us.

AM: We believe in drinking tea for its medicinal properties and we have members of our team that do so as they opt out from taking traditional medicine. Can you share what the benefits are in consuming tea in general and are there specific teas that are good for targeting immunity, relaxation and gut health?

SS: All great questions. The most powerful benefit of tea is really the ritual. I was just learning with someone about how SnapChat had this new thing called Spectacles it’s Augmented Reality and you can dive in and it transforms your physical reality with these goggles and puts you into this internal/external world combined in one. Sounds interesting right? I was curious, So I wondered, what is “augment” mean? To me, it means to change or to alter. But augment actually means, to improve. So this whole world is going to continue to evolve as we’re dealing with what COVID-19 could mean, what connecting with people remotely could mean and this whole AR world is going to continue to transform. If the biggest benefit of tea to answer your question, is that ritual, then how can we create a modern day ritual without feeling foreign or without feeling like you need all these right tools or worry that we might mess it up.

So this morning, I also looked up the word, “analog.” Analog means relating to physical space. So you have augment which means to improve and analog which means to relate to your physical space. So, I’m sort of playing with the idea of AAR. Instead of Augmented Reality, there is an Analog Augmented Reality. So what does that mean? Basically, how can we dive into that ritual of getting your water ready, selecting your tea pod, getting your cup together, selecting the right tea leaves and tapping out of technology. I am a huge fan of technology, but for just about 8-10 minutes, turn that stuff off and really dive in and hone in on that process and really be mindful and intentional. If you allow yourself that permission, that space – imagine what it could do throughout the rest of your day, the rest of your life, the people that you love and the people that you are surrounded with. Giving yourself that permission to dive in completely with all of your senses and go all in on that Analog Augmented Reality of brewing that process and sipping that process. Your mind will get totally distracted and say, “oh I need to do this and I need to tackle that email.” But just keep honing in on those few minutes and that intention is a whole paradox. You might now have 8-10 minutes to do this, but if you allow yourself that time, the impact will be so great, but it’s really allowing yourself that permission.

AM: It’s a great way of putting it. In Tokyo, we went to a tea house and had the ability to see them make our tea. To think about all the steps that we do to create tea on a daily basis as a ritual is an interesting concept – from the use of our Breville, designated cups and you do take at least half a beat to do that.

SS: And it’s a modern day ritual right? You don’t have to travel to Tokyo to have this experience. It’s a corner in your garage, it’s a small section in your patio, it’s a place in your room – wherever it might be where I am designating this space as a sacred space. That intention, you are breathing life into that intention. It will spill over into everything else that you are doing.

AM: Do you have teas that you would suggest that people can use to target issues that they are focused on?

SS: Great questions and I will answer it twofold. The first is yes, we have a wellness section on ArtofTea.com. It’s Flow Blend and Glow Blend. We have a Happy Tea, a Chill Out, Feel Better Blends, Throat Therapy, Breathe – all of these things that target very specific things. They’re all blended with Ayurveda and wellness in mind and at the same time, there is a story out about the student and the master. The master says, “You’re ready for the final exam. I want you to go in a 1 mile radius and I want you to find a specific botanical that doesn’t have medicinal value.” The student is excited and says, “ok, great”. The student has 24 hours, goes and comes back 24 hours later sobbing and says, “master, I failed. I couldn’t find a single botanical that didn’t have medicinal value.” And the master looks up and says, “no you’ve passed. Every root, every leaf, every berry, every botanical, bark has medicinal value.” But on the same tree or plant, the root may be medicine for one person and the leaves could be poison for someone else. The berry could affect one part of the body, meanwhile, the stem or the roots could affect a different part of the body. How they are blended together might also have very powerful affects. Whether you’re living reading or listening to this in the East Coast, West Coast, Mexico or Canada wherever you might be – within a 1 mile radius there are many different botanicals that are worth learning about. So I encourage local sourcing as much as possible, but also if you don’t have time, we have definitely taken a lot of the guess work out and crafted really delicious teas through what we are doing in our wellness line.

AM: You have such an interesting distribution in the sense of the website and your hospitality partners. How is that for you, is it different when you’re doing something for a hotel group versus those who are coming directly to the website to purchase?

SS: It’s a great question. We will do signature blends for our hospitality partners that are just for them like Google for example for their offices. The Aria Hotel, there are very specific teas for very specific properties, but the large majority of teas that we have to offer can be found at our website. We found that with a lot of our hotels closing and people had summer plans, a lot of the places where people would meet to work over tea – they still needed to connect over the tea experience. The ritual of what they built, still needed to happen even if it was virtual. So we decided to create a Rework kit and we crafted it with Google. Google said that they had budget and that they wanted to connect with their team and would we could do. So we created this kit with a little message inside that said, “Loving you remotely, from Google.” It was sent out to a variety of different staff members there at Google. A certain amount of boxes that were sold were sent out to First Responders. It’s been great and we’re trying to tie into this element of still connect ing with our tribe or community and really looking to make an impact through tea.

AM: We find ourselves asking this to everyone because of the impact of COVID-19 across industries has been beyond what anyone could have even imagined. Have there been effects in terms of production of tea? Has it hindered it in any way?

SS: Good and bad. So, from our side, we have the freshest and best Chamomile that we have ever had and we have a very abundant amount of this Chamomile. We bought based on what we thought the demand would be. We’re sitting on a lot of amazing Chamomile – we’ve always sourced it great, but this is really good! On the other side, Darjeeling, which is a region in India – think about a large hippie commune that has a very specific region where they have low valleys and high hills. It’s the champagne of teas and a really crisp tasting tea. They have 3 harvest seasons. Their most profitable and most important season for that region happens in a very short window. It starts, regardless of climate change and on a very particular day of the year. All the workers come together and they wait year around for this day when they can harvest. This happened at the end of March, I believe it was March 29th and the government said the day before when everyone was gearing up to harvest, that we couldn’t harvest and they were preventing it from happening. All these estates, estate owners, garden workers and harvesters – their livelihood was about to be shifted dramatically. There is already a shortage and a high demand for this high quality product so those stories, we have seen an impact. They were still able to harvest, they got creative through means of social distancing, but they were unable to do it on the exact day that it has been happening for many many years.

AM: From a customer perspective when they go to your website, are they able to request custom blends for themselves if someone is having a wedding or if they have a small business? Is there an ability to do that on a smaller level vs your larger accounts?

SS: What we have done is to create blog articles where people can take specific teas that we have and create their own fun blends with them with specific recommendations around that. We’re doing a project now with these guys called Try Guys that have a YouTube channel. We’re working on a custom tea blend with them. So we will work on specific projects, but in terms of custom blending based on individual customers or a smaller business, we will typically have them start with our 100+ teas that we have to offer on our site and helping them navigate through that process through that channel.

AM: What is the Art of Tea Academy and can you tell us more about what happens there?

SS: So glad you mentioned it. This COVID-19 period has given us the time to be super creative. So we created a 25 video series all on becoming a Tea Expert. It’s in depth training on how to taste tea, how to understand origin, flavor profiles and indepth learning on the different styles of tea. Lots of people that are foodies know where their wine comes from, their coffees their chocolate, but there is still a lot of mystique around tea. There is this idea that people will mess it up somehow. So we wanted to demystify the leaf and get people more closely connected with learning about tea. So in a very short period of time, we have had a few thousand people sign up and the response has been super positive so far. People have the time to learn and they want to up their game. Whether they’re in the hospitality space or are passionate about the love of learning, we wanted to put this out there in the world.

AM: You recently launched your tea app as well, which looks really beautiful. What are the types of things that people can do through that app?

SS: I’m so grateful for the talent of our team. Specifically, Hanna who helps leads up our marketing and is so instrumental in getting both of these sections live on our site. With the app, the app is a really fun and dynamic way to understand to best brew tea? There is a steep time section on there that you can take a really quick glance on. I found that one of the most popular pages on our site was how to brew tea. So it’s a quick and easy way that you can know how not to mess up your tea and how much to put in there.

The others connect to our tea quiz. So a lot of people will say, “I know that we need to get into tea because it’s good for me, but I don’t know where to start.” Or they have a loved one who loves tea, but they don’t know what to get them. The Tea Quiz is a bit of the ShoeDazzle and helps you navigate what is out there like a personal shopper. In just a few minutes, how can you best identify what tea will best match what you are looking for. Those are some of the fun connections that are happening on the app as well as discounts, checking out and notifications.

AM: What are your 3 go to teas that you enjoy?

SS: Wow man – it’s like what’s your favorite kid? We have a tea called Earl Grey Crème which I know we sent you guys.

AM: Yes – so good and we like the idea of adding a little gin to it at night!

SS: That’s awesome! We found that with Earl Grey, there’s lots of ways to make it. We found, that we like to make it the authentic way with Bergamot oil and we use an Italian Bergamot Oil. We put that in our Earl Grey and we also found out that some may find that it is slightly astringent for some people so some add cream, milk or sugar to it which kind of neutralizes that. What we did is to add a touch of French Vanilla which is sort of this eggy, creamy flavor profile. So the combination of that Bergamot Oil which is a bright citrus note that is slightly floral and that black tea with its brightness and astringency blended with the French, lemon, ginger – you get this full mouth feel really rounded out and smooth. I could drink that all day and we grow mint in our backyard which is easy to grow and we’ll throw that in there as well. We have a blend that has it already called Big Sur which is awesome. I could drink Earl Grey Crème all day.

I also love Japanese tea – we have one called Matcha+ which is Sencha, Green Tea and blended with ceremonial grade matcha. So you get more of a bioavailability from the matcha and it impacts the thyroid which governs immunity and metabolism and gets everything active. It is the same style tea that they use in Zen monasteries throughout Japan before they go into meditation so they can focus. You get this clear rush, but you don’t feel that jolty jitteriness that you feel with coffee.

The third that I can drink on an ongoing basis is our Silver Needle. It’s harvested about 7-10 days out of the year. It’s handpicked from Fujian Provence. We bring it in and it’s like drinking from a fresh spring. It’s slightly sweet and has slight notes of melon to it and it’s really great.

AM: Do you envision with the trend to have tea and alcohol together as a hard tea, do you envision a collaboration of something like that?

SS: It would be fun. We do work with several Kombucha companies that have both hard as well as non-alcoholic. There is a cider company that is in the works to launch something sometime next year with our tea. Just in general, I think that tea and alcohol especially now, right? I need to do something good for me and I need to be able to put something in my body and at the same time, they’re like fuck it – I need alcohol and I need something that’s going to make me chill out a bit. When you blend the two together, it’s not so bad!

AM: Does tea have a shelf life in general and what is the best way to put it in containers to keep it fresh?

SS: Great question! Tea is sensitive to light, heat and humidity. As long as you keep it from those, you can have tea last for a long time and have a really great experience. If it is subject to any of those or is near your spice drawer or anything that is fragrant, it acts as a natural odor absorber and it will take up the smells of other things. You just want to make sure that it is in an airtight container.

In terms of the shelf life for tea, tea if produced well and is high quality, it shouldn’t go bad. What we end up finding is that we have Best by Dates as we believe that there is a peak flavor profile that you’re going to get out of a tea in terms of being a live product. Over time, that flavor will drop which means you will lose some natural oil content, the vibrancy of the leaves will start to diminish.

We moved warehouses a few years ago from one location to the next. We found, tucked away in one drawer, tea that was over 5 years old. It was packed well, kept cool in a dark place and we decided to try it and it was fresh, dynamic and really really good. As long as it is stored right, you can have tea last a long time.

AM: I know earlier we were talking about the Pumpkin Chai Tea, but are there things coming out in the fall or holiday that we should keep an eye out for whether it’s new to market or being placed back into rotation?

SS: So a few things. Today we just launched in celebration of our SoCal roots, a beverage that is really popular here is Agua Frescas – just imagine melon water, hibiscus water or cantaloupe water. We did a few events, one was called Summit and a big coffee and tea tea trade show where we soft launched this product called Matcha Fresca!

AM: Oooo that sounds refreshing and amazing!

SS: Haha yes we will send you some! It’s a premium grade matcha with cantaloupe essence and it’s so good! You get this fresh taste like you’re biting into this juicy cantaloupe and the matcha is a really bright green color to stay consistent. This is out now and we’re super excited about that!

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PHOTOGRAPHY | Audrey Ma

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag #56 and see Create the Ritual with Steve Schwartz in mag.

Hear the founder of Art of Tea, Steve Schwartz on our show, Athleisure Kitchen - which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multi-media podcast network! Make sure to subscribe to find out when the episode drops. You can hear it on iHeart Radio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcast.

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This fitness method launched September 2019 and its second location in LA opened in January of this year. In AARMY's studio their ethos is written on the wall: 'A trained force, a united team. A skilled group of soldiers ready to fight for what they believe in.' When working out, having this sense of community to inspire their guests is an empowering feeling while working on their goals.

With the combination of mental conditioning and physical strength training through a range of Bootcamps targeted to certain body parts, Cycle practice sessions for high-intensity cardio, Recovery and stretch, and dedicated inspirational programming are offered. Lift focus sessions will be added later this year. Athletes can personalize this mix of modalities to match their fitness goals.

Although both locations closed in March, AARMY immediately pivoted by offering multiple hours of live programming via Instagram Live, free of charge to keep their community strong and have done so for 150 days straight, non-stop. Phase 1 of AARMY's Digital Subscription App includes their content, their message and their movements in one place.

This app currently has over 20 new on-demand practice sessions that are uploaded each week. Additional features will be added this fall to the premium subscription. Guests feel like they are working out directly with the coaches. Music is a key component to the experience and comes from the world's top artists. The AARMY founders loved the energy and driving force of Boys Noize Cerebral track and are proud to have that as the soundtrack for all their launch films.

It's worth noting that a state of the art cycling bike will be released soon and although they have yet to release specific details on this, this custom AARMY bike will propel users to push themselves to A Higher Standard much like the brand itself. This development that has been done to the bike, reimagines what cycle equipment should look like as well as how it should feel. This will create a complete experience to those that workout on it and will be made available later on this fall.

PHOTOS COURTESY | AARMY

AARMY NYC HQ

636 Broadway

NY, NY 10012

AARMY LA HQ

8599 Santa Monica Blvd West

Hollywood, CA 90069

www.aarmy.com

IG @aarmy

Read the Aug Issue #56 of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | AARMY in mag.

ATHLEISURE BEAUTY

Read the Aug issue #56 of Athleisure Mag and read Athleisure Beauty in mag.

THE 5 BEST IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTERS

A weakened immune system is the last thing you want when you get sick, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While people can only do so much to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, they can do certain things to boost their immune system to fight off sickness.

But what are the signs of a weakened immune system? How can you boost your immune system quickly? What is the best immune system supplement? Discover more as you continue reading. 

Signs of a Weakened Immune System

Many things can boost our immune systems, but many things can weaken them, as well. What warning signs do you have to show your immune system is weakening? See these four warning signs that can quickly indicate a weakened immune system. 

·       High-Stress Levels. When your body experiences high levels of stress, it decreases white blood cells known as lymphocytes that help to fight off infections. Your body is at a higher risk to catch a virus when you have low lymphocyte levels. 

·       Persistent Colds. While it is normal to have two to three common colds per year, any more than that indicates you have a struggling immune system. A common cold lasts seven to ten days because it takes your body three to four days to develop germ-fighting antibodies. 

·       Digestive Problems. Other signs of a weakened immune system include constipation and diarrhea. If you experience diarrhea that lasts more than two to four weeks, a weakened immune system may harm your small intestine's lining or your digestive tract. If you have difficulty with bowel movements, it may indicate your immune system is slowing down your intestine.  

·       Frequent Infections. Here, one of two possibilities exists. The first is that your body is incapable of making enough immune system cells to fight off infections. The second is that it is making enough cells, but those cells fail to properly function and are thereby unable to fight off infections.

Do Immune System Boosters Really Work?

People say immunity boosters can fight off annoying germs and bacteria, but do they really work? What ingredients do they have? Are they safe? Continue reading to learn more about immunity boosters, and what they can do for you.

Immune System Boosters Defined

Immunity booster products claim to do just that--support and boost your immune system to prevent you from getting sick. Though some vary, many immunity boosters have the same key active ingredients, including:

·       Vitamin C

·       Zinc

·       Magnesium

·       Vitamin D

The Effectiveness and Safety of Immune Booster Supplements

Are Immunity Boosters Effective? 

As homeopathic products or products that do not require approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many immunity boosters have no claim to proof of their safety, effectiveness, or quality. 

While rules exist for these kinds of products, safety is another element of concern. 

Are Immunity Boosters Safe?

Safety is a major concern for immunity boosters as FDA approval remains to be seen. Many immune system booster products on the market today come with alarming ingredients that cause nasty side effects. One example is a product that has Belladonna, nux vomica, and pulsatilla. 

Immunity boosters include many beneficial ingredients, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D. While these are often necessary to have high energy and immunity levels, too much of any ingredient is unhealthy, and can even be dangerous. Large doses of things like vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin B6 can cause problems like stomach difficulties, copper deficiency, and nerve damage. 

How to Boost Your Immune System Quickly

The strength of a healthy immune system is primarily based on a healthy lifestyle. 

But what does a healthy lifestyle look like? An immune system can get stronger from maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but what does a staying healthy look like? 

Description of a Healthy Lifestyle 

·       No smoking.

·       A balanced diet complete with lots of fruits and vegetables.

·       A pattern of routine exercise.

·       Healthy weight.

·       Drinking alcohol in moderation.

·       Adequate sleep patterns.

·       Proactive steps to avoid infection.

·       Stress management. 

But how can you boost your immune system quickly? By incorporating the lifestyle described above in your daily routine. By making any necessary changes, you will quickly boost your immune system in both a healthy and natural way.  

Drinks to Boost Your Immune System

As a constantly active machine, your body's immune system needs the healthiest energy and strength it can get. By fueling your body with a healthy, daily dose of important minerals and vitamins, your body has a better chance of fighting off viruses such as the flu. These can include vitamin C, zinc, potassium, vitamin B-6, and more.

The list of drink recipes below come complete with healthy nutrients and minerals to boost your immune system. But before you try them, consider the following list of important minerals, nutrients, and/or vitamins they contain.

Immune System Boosting Drinks

·       Orange, grapefruit, and another citrus (potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-9(folate), vitamin C, and zinc)

·       Green apple, carrot, and orange (potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-9(folate), and vitamin C)

·       Beet, carrot, ginger, and apple (potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-9(folate) and vitamin C)

·       Tomato (magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-9(folate), vitamin C, and vitamin K) 

·       Kale, tomato, and celery (magnesium, manganese, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-9, vitamin C, and vitamin K)

·       Strawberry and kiwi (calcium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, vitamin B-1(thiamine), vitamin B-6, vitamin B-9(folate), vitamin B-12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, and zinc)

·       Strawberry and mango (calcium, manganese, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-9(folate), vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E)

·       Watermelon mint (arginine, citrulline, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C)

·       Pumpkin seed (magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc)

·       Green apple, lettuce, and kale (iron, manganese, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B-9(folate), vitamin C, and vitamin K)

Now that you have discovered some natural recipes for healthy immunity boosters, what about supplements? 

The Best Immune Booster Supplement

Whether you forget to run to the grocery store for your drink ingredients or are looking for a simple addition to your daily routine, nothing beats a quick and easy daily supplement. 

Made with pure ingredients and with an efficient distribution of minerals and vitamins from micronutrient-targeted technology, AdvaLife offers smart health from smarter technology.  

Multivitamins for men and women are available from AdvaLife. You can finally have a safe, effective, and budget-friendly immunity-boosting supplement to help you from getting sick. Get yours today!

ZEROING IN WITH DWYANE WADE

We're excited that we're in the midst of the playoffs for the NBA season, whether your team is playing or you're just happy to have basketball back on TV! Even though we're socially distancing, it's a way for us to feel like we're together. We caught up with Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers veteran, 3 X NBA Champion Dwyane Wade who is also commentating the games for TNT in 'Inside the NBA'. In addition to number of projects that he is working on, Dwyane is the Co-Founder of Budweiser Zero which is a non-alcohol alternative to enjoying a beer solo, with friends or after a great workout.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Prior to the launch of Budweiser Zero, tell us about your initial work with Budweiser and your synergy with the brand?

DWYANE WADE: I started working with Budweiser a little over a year ago when they did the “This Buds For 3” film for my retirement. Most recently, I was part of the Whassup reboot that came out a few months ago with DJ D-Nice, Chris Bosh, Candace Parker and my wife, Gabrielle Union, focusing on checking in on your friends when COVID first hit. I’ve always respected what Budweiser has built and their continued work with athletes. Entering the non-alcoholic market has always been of interest to me and this project seemed like a natural progression of my relationship with Budweiser.

AM: There has been a rise in the beverage industry for zero alcohol beers. Why is this important for those that are athletes or are focused on their fitness endeavors to have this as an option for their celebratory moments?

DW: The non-alcohol category of beer is rapidly growing and with Budweiser Zero, we are able to bring some familiarity into the category. Budweiser’s brewing heritage alone helps redefine pre-existing expectations and associations with non-alcoholic options.

Oftentimes, people feel like they are giving something up with a non-alcoholic option, but we are trying to change that perception and create more opportunities to celebrate life’s moments, both big and small. A focus for me when helping to develop the product was thinking about the athlete’s experiences during the season. Being in the game for so long, I can understand the need for a drink option that lets a player stay on their game but still enjoy social moments and celebrations.

AM: You are the Co-Founder of Budweiser Zero, what drew you to being involved in this and to take on such a role with the brand?

DW: It’s important for me to work with brands who have similar values and priorities that I want to accomplish. When I sat down with Budweiser to start talking about what Budweiser Zero would become, the synergy was there and felt like a great use for my platform, post-basketball.

AM: What can we expect to see for roll out of this launch and how will you be involved?

DW: Budweiser Zero started rolling out in the US in March, but officially launched at the end of July, and will soon be available in Canada and the UK. Budweiser Zero will play a huge role in the sports world, for both athletes and fans. Athletes who are in training or in season, but still want that classic, refreshing beer flavor without compromising their game now have that option. Once fans are able to return to stadiums, Budweiser Zero will become the beer of the ninth inning and fourth quarter. While alcoholic beverages can’t be served at this time, fans can continue to enjoy Budweiser Zero till the last moment of the game. Beyond athletes, I think this product will resonate with consumers looking to cut back on sugar or alcohol and those looking to participate in social occasions without feeling the effects the next morning.

Budweiser and I worked together on this from the start to bring Budweiser Zero to life and I’ll also be sharing the beverage with my friends currently playing in The Bubble.

AM: Tell us about Budweiser Zero as well as elements that you had a direct impact on in terms of bringing the product to market.

DW: Budweiser Zero is Budweiser’s first zero-alcohol product with zero-sugar and only 50 calories. Budweiser Zero is light and crisp and has the same refreshing full-flavored taste people know from Budweiser. I worked with Budweiser from the inception of the idea and helped design the attributes and packaging of the product.

IG @DwyaneWade

PHOTO COURTESY | Budweiser Zero

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag #56 and read Zeroing in with Dwyane Wade in mag.

MICROSOFT AZ-304 EXAM: GAIN EXPERT-LEVEL SKILLS WITH SIMPLE PREP TOOLS SUCH AS PRACTICE TESTS

To earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert credential, there are two new tests that you must pass. This is Microsoft AZ-303, which is also known as Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies, and Microsoft AZ-304, or Microsoft Azure Architect Design. Website In this article, we are going to discuss the AZ-304 exam so you can know everything you need to know about it.

If you asked anyone who has been in the IT industry for a while, they will tell you that the notion of survival for the fittest directly rules the IT job market. So, for one to make themselves a preferred candidate, they need to be updated in every domain, especially those that are relevant in their area of specialization. Author: HUGO S The certificate helps to validate your skills and knowledge to your superiors and helps you stand out in the crowd. In simple terms, the credentials in the IT industry have become a crucial part of job culture as they keep a specialist updated and ahead of others. Without much ado, let’s get into the finer details of the test.

What is Microsoft AZ-304?

An Azure solution architect typically partners with the clients, Cloud DBAs, and Cloud administrators to implement solutions. These specialists have various responsibilities, including advising the stakeholders and also translating various business requirements into reliable, scalable, and secure Cloud solutions. Author: LUKE V The candidates for the AZ-304 exam should have advanced knowledge and experience in IT operations, including disaster recovery, identity, security, networking, business continuity, governance, data platform, virtualization, and budgeting. This role basically requires managing how decisions in every area affect the overall solution. The applicants should possess the expert-level skills in Azure development. They must also have experience with DevOps and Azure development processes.

What details should you know?

The high-level list of the skills measured in the Microsoft AZ-304 exam is presented below:

·       Design Monitoring;

·       Design Data Storage;

·       Design Infrastructure;

·       Design Identity and Security;

·       Design Business Continuity.

The test became available at the end of June 2020. It consists of 40-60 questions that should be answered within 150 minutes. Certkiller >> The questions in this exam can be presented in different formats, such as multiple choice, active screen, short answer, review screen, build list, and best answer. The Microsoft Azure Architect Design test is given in the English language only and costs $165. As for the passing grade for Microsoft AZ-304, this exam is scored out of 1000 and the learners need to get 700 points or higher to pass it in order to obtain the associated credential.

To succeed in your endeavour, Microsoft offers two ways of learning: free self-paced or paid instructor-led courses. Author: MOHAMMAD R These two options are available right on the certification exam webpage under the block with the list of skills measured.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, anyone who wants to advance their career in Microsoft Azure, the AZ-304 exam should be one of the tests to clear. Discount 35% >>> With the latest exam dumps and practice tests used along with official prep options to polish the candidates’ knowledge and test-taking skills, this exam can be relatively easy to pass.

#TRIBEGOALS

Read the Aug Issue #56 of Athleisure Mag and see #TRIBEGOALS in mag.

ADDING EXAM DUMPS TO YOUR CISCO 200-201 PREPARATION PLAN IS THE BEST WAY TO GET CERTIFIED

Have you been looking for a chance to have your skills recognized and validated? If yes, then you have got it. Obtain your CCNA Certification 200-301 so you can demonstrate to your peers and employers that you can be able to keep pace and stay current with your job role. Get the recognition you have always wanted by proving your Windows Server 2016 expertise.

Taking the Cisco 200-201 exam is the best and proven way to prepare adequately in the Cisco Cybersecurity Operation domain. The candidates for this test are the IT professionals who are responsible for networking tasks. They are expected to have a complete understanding of the networking functionalities and features in the CyberOps environment of the Associate level.

Using valid Author: Joseph R as your aid for this certification test, you will be able to understand what it entails and what to expect in the real exam in terms of the types and number of questions, time limit, and how it should be approached for an excellent performance.

What does the Cisco 200-201 exam entail?

Two CCNA certification exams of the CyberOps track have already been retired by Cisco on May 28, 2020. Now, the company has changed the name of the credential and it is known as Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate. The SECOPS and SECFND tests have been combined into one, CBROPS, which became available on February 24, 2020. This new exam does not require any prerequisites. It contains about 95 to 105 questions with the time limit of 120 minutes.

The 200-201 CBROPS exam includes the following areas that you should learn:

·       Security Policies and Procedures (15%);

·       Host-Based Analysis (20%);

·       Security Monitoring (25%);

·       Network Intrusion Analysis (20%);

·       Shop This >>>

As you can see, the Cisco 200-201 exam covers mainly the basic skills of cybersecurity. Thus, you should conceptually understand its topics, including PKI infrastructure, encryption, antivirus, firewall, and some specific technologies, such as SIEM, Wireshark, and Author: Mark N.

Benefits after passing the Cisco 200-201 exam

With the Cisco 200-201 exam, you will have the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills and get the relevant knowledge of deploying Cisco Cybersecurity Operations. The badge you obtain will make sure that you can work with both an improved and new understanding of the required fundamentals.

In addition, you will also be able to find dependable Software-Defined Data Center solutions for your organization. As a result, you will become a conceivable employee who will worth more to the employers ensuring you get the job in return. Dealing with the Cisco 200-201 exam is the only thing standing in your way to getting the career everyone wants. Here are some of the related job roles, which you can get after passing your CBROPS test:

·       Network Analyst;

·       Systems Administrator;

·       Network Administrator;

·       Author: Philip Q

And this is the least that you will be able to apply for and get.

Conclusion

Cisco Start can help you develop and grow your skills, as well as stay updated and more employable. If you use some practice tests during your preparation process, they can help you ace this certification exam so you can tap on the brilliant career opportunities that come with passing it. So, don’t miss the chance and grab it right away!

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THE PICK ME UP

Read the Aug Issue #56 of Athleisure Mag and see The Pick Me Up in mag.

LOOKING FOR VINTAGE APARTMENT HOMES? CHECK THIS OUT!

There’s something so cozy and beautiful when it comes to vintage homes - some things just never go out of style! The hardwood floors, big and chunky windows, and antique furniture always look phenomenal and timeless. Why spend money every other season on new stuff when you can use what’s already good, right? But there are a few things to look out for when looking for an apartment.

Where to start

You might think that it is hard to find a good and livable apartment that fits all your needs, isn’t far away from your work or school but you’d be surprised how easy and available they are, you just need to do a little bit of research to find exactly what you are looking for. For example, if you’re looking for a place in DC, it’s not that easy to get a good price for a larger apartment. Some of the best apartments in DC are The Daro Apartments as they offer a good price-to-size ratio, but make sure to check out several options before going for the first one you find. Know what’s your priority, the price, the location, or the size — it can’t be all of the above (that’s why it’s called a priority, obviously). 

The pros and cons of a vintage apartment

Older apartments are built differently, with higher ceilings and generally bigger rooms! This might be appealing to anyone, but if you add the glamour and stylishness of the vintage apartments it gets even better! Original hardwood floors and gorgeous antique windows are timeless and never go out of style. But choosing an older apartment has its problems, and they might be a deal-breaker for some. You need to be careful with the state of the apartment, you might spend a lot of time renovating and fixing stuff, and that can take a lot of time and effort. 

Old vs. new

Choosing between living in an older apartment versus a more modern one can go either way, depending on what’s your priority, the main difference between these two is the condition they’re in. And that should be a good thing to consider before looking at the price, location, and number of rooms. Depending on what you need, this may differ, but at the end of the day, your health and safety should be a priority. Modern apartments are a little maintenance, but they are a bit smaller, while older apartments are bigger but probably have a lot of additional work and renovations. You should be honest with yourself about how willing you are to put in the work, is it worth the hassle? Why move into an old building when you can go the easier way and move into a modernized apartment without problems!

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Grant 

Furnishing won’t be a problem

Regardless if you end up going for a modern apartment or a true vintage one, you can always get rustic furniture and decorate it to your liking! Secondhand or flea market finds are a great way to bring a vintage flair into your new place, regardless of how old it is! This way you’ll even get good deals, and own rare and unique items nobody else but you have. So you don’t have to worry about not living in a vintage, old looking apartment, you can simply modify it to your liking!

Other things to look out for

The bottom line, you should put everything under consideration, from the size, storage space location, and of course the state of the apartment building itself. You want to get everything you desire, but you should be practical and reasonable - your health comes first! At the end of the day you can always re-decorate, do DIY projects, and furnish the place however vintage and rustic you want.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

EASY WAYS TO STAY FIT IN COLLEGE

Many high school graduates start living in a college dorm with the opening of the academic year. They leave their parents and start independent living. The smell of freedom can be so strong that students can revolt and give up all good habits. They start eating junk food, forget about workouts, and turn into couch potatoes as much as their curriculum allows. Besides, the latter implies a sedentary lifestyle since students are studying most of the day, even if they turn to services that can help to write an essay or some other assignments. As soon as they face first health issues, they start asking themselves a question, “How to stay fit and improve my health condition?”

Drink more water

You might believe that you drink enough water during the day, but it can be far from the truth since sweet beverages are not the same as pure water. You can count the required water consumption based on your age and weight. Anyway, it will be about 2 liters per day. It is better to reduce the amount of coffee and replace it with water. At first, it can be difficult if you are not used to drinking water at all. Nonetheless, you should give it a try and buy a reusable water bottle to take it everywhere with you. And don’t forget to start your morning routine with a glass of pure water as well. Thus, you will "wake up" the gastrointestinal tract. If I am going to write my essay paper, I drink a glass of water all the time. 

Don’t skip breakfast

Many people are not used to having breakfast, and they completely forget about this healthy habit when they move to a college dorm. However, if you want to stay fit, you should create your healthy morning routine and necessarily include breakfast into it. Thus, you will get a boost of energy till lunchtime and get rid of a habit to eat junk snacks during the day. And if you cannot do without snacks, choose some fruits and a bottle of fresh water instead of a croissant with coffee. Besides, you will be able to save money and get my homework help when necessary. If you are slightly hungry, it is better to eat an apple, then to overeat during lunch or dinner.

Change your activities

The best rest is a change of activity. Your study is constantly connected with sitting at a table, so the best thing you can do during small breaks is to do some stretching or simple workout. And if you have a longer break, then instead of scrolling down your news feed on Instagram, go outside and take a walk. If you were doing some physical activity, then it would be better to turn on music and take a bubble bath or study speedypaper review and read a book. Changing activities, you avoid fatigue and restore your efficiency.

Get more sleep

College students are young and wild, they believe that they can do well without normal sleep, and it is better to hang out with friends if there is some spare time. However, it is a huge mistake. You should sleep at least 7 hours whenever you can. Otherwise, your health condition will leave much to be desired. Sound sleep is important for normal brain activity, emotional stability, and general efficiency. Maybe it is worth thinking about a strict schedule to allocate enough time to study and rest. Thus, you will not miss meals and workouts, and you will still be able to hang out with friends sometimes. I can pay someone to write my paper cheap if I need some alone time and stuff. I think it is a good investment in myself on equal footing with studying in a great college.

Get rid of bad habits and avoid stress

When you are bombarded with numerous assignments, it is hard to avoid stressful situations. However, you should put yourself first and maybe even cheat a bit if you feel exhausted. Your mental state affects your physical condition no less than bad habits. So, you should “clean up” all the areas of your life. Try to eliminate personal issues, get rid of bad habits, and people who bring mess into your life. Alcohol and cigarettes can bring only temporary relief, but they will worsen your condition in the long run.

Start doing something every day

When you are used to allowing yourself everything, it can be hard to get yourself together and start adhering to some strict rules. It is especially true for people who experience problems with time-management and self-discipline. There is no need to introduce all healthy habits at once and go jogging in the morning if you are used to staying late at night. It will not lead to anything good. For starters, you can try to get up a bit earlier and have breakfast. Then you can start walking while talking by phone and eat your favorite croissant 30 minutes before a workout. After a few weeks, when your body gets used to this routine, you can add some new habits and start doing sport. As they say, “If you don’t know what to do – start small and do at least something.” If you do abs and squats 10 times per day, it will be already better than doing nothing.

ROCK THIS WHEN IT'S TIME TO LOUNGE OUTSIDE

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag #56 and see Rock This When It’s Time To Lounge Outside in mag.

HOW TO DRESS | FOR SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCED VISITS

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag #56 and read How to Dress | For Safe Social Distanced Visits in mag.

BEST SURF SPOTS IN SAN DIEGO

San Diego is one of America’s surfing meccas with its warm weather, sandy beaches, and breaks that create local icons. Surfing has been ingrained in San Diego’s culture for decades and the city draws the world’s top competitors. 

Some of the country’s most challenging surf breaks are in San Diego and massive crowds gather to watch pros show off their skills. From the seaside charm of Oceanside to the famous breaks of La Jolla, there’s something for every surf junkie in San Diego. 

We have listed 10 of the best surf spots in San Diego that guarantee surfers of any skill level a thrilling adventure. 

Pacific Beach

Surfers of all ages frequent the waves of Pacific Beach looking to get their first taste of the sport. With plenty of amenities and soft breaks, it’s one of San Diego’s most popular spots for beginners to practice. 

Though Pacific Beach is steeped in folklore for long-time surfing San Diegans, the town draws mostly a younger crowd today. Trendy bars, hip cafés, and stylish boutiques fill the main streets of the neighborhood, and it often feels like a party town. If you want to make all the rounds at Pacific Beach, stash your gear with a luggage storage service in Los Angeles first, to make it easy to get around.

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/MontyLov

Oceanside

Newbies are welcome with open arms at beautiful Oceanside in North San Diego County. Oceanside is a quintessential surf community where local shops and restaurants are owned by surfers. 

Come with a laid-back attitude and you’re sure to find a helping hand for the first time you paddle out. The shifting sandbars create a variety of waves that accommodate surfers of all skill levels.

For extra guidance, book a surfing lesson with a veteran to learn the basics before trying to conquer the swells on your own. With plenty of lifeguards on duty, Oceanside is one of San Diego’s best areas to learn the sport.  

Mission Beach

Although Mission Beach doesn't have San Diego's biggest waves, it offers a chill vibe fantastic for surfers of all levels. If you’ve mastered the basics, this is a fun spot to attempt tougher swells. 

South Mission Beach Jetty is a favorite break for locals, but there are lots of quality spots to surf. Seasoned veterans may not find the world-class surf of nearby areas, but the right conditions can produce occasional big waves. 

PHOTO CREDIT | Pixabay /Jennifer Regnier

Tourmaline Surfing Park

Just north of Pacific Beach, you’ll find a spot solely designated for surfers. Tourmaline Surfing Park has breaks suitable for all levels and is frequented by longboarders, windsurfers, and kiteboarders. 

There are plenty of amenities to help you spend a full day at the park including fire pits, picnic tables, and restrooms. You can sunbathe on the sandy beach while taking a break from the waves and admire the rocky cliffs sitting above the shoreline.

Del Mar City Beach

Del Mar has consistent waves throughout the year that attract all types of surfers. Swells come from all directions and create intermediate surf conditions that are easily accessible from the street.

Due to the reliable surf, Del Mar becomes quite crowded and parking is limited in the area. Arrive early and be prepared to stay for the whole day for an enjoyable day of surfing.

If you need a break from the waves, gaze at the rugged cliffs bordering the sea or find a bite to eat in the trendy downtown area. 

PHOTO CREDIT | Pixaby/dfsym

La Jolla Shores

This is one of the calmer areas of La Jolla and is more suited for surfers still learning the basics of the sport. There are several places to take lessons if you’d rather get some expert advice before paddling out alone.

You’ll notice a low-key vibe in the neighborhood and all sorts of personalities flocking to the beach. Rugged sea cliffs form a picturesque backdrop and La Jolla Cove sits just past the beach.

Be aware of marine creatures when riding here since leopard sharks and stingrays are common in the area. 

Black’s Beach

One of the trickiest places to ride in San Diego, Black’s Beach is not the beach to attempt your first ride. A submerged canyon drives fierce swells towards the shoreline and waves can abruptly change direction. The unpredictable nature of the waves here makes it unsafe for first-time surfers. 

Although seasoned riders come here to make their mark, Black’s Beach is well-known for a different reason. It’s a nude-friendly beach, so don’t be surprised to see others baring it all. However, it’s mostly an older crowd who take advantage of this policy.  

PHOTO CREDIT | Pixabay /jpjenn26

Windansea Beach

There are dozens of places to catch a wave in La Jolla, but none possess the mystique as Windansea. Surfing veterans who grew up in San Diego have passed down traditions to their kids who maintain the vibe today.

You might want to sit back and watch how the locals run the show if you’re a beginner. The waves at Windansea have been brutal to inexperienced riders thinking they have what it takes. Don’t be surprised to have locals call you out if they spot you riding recklessly. 

Even if you choose not to paddle out, Windansea is one of San Diego's most picturesque beaches and worth the trip. Don’t miss the legendary Windansea Beach Surf Shack that was originally built by local surfers in the 1940s. 

Lower Trestles

Not just anyone can pop into “Lowers” and expect to get a slice of the action. This famous beach sits among San Diego’s most renowned surf spots and it’s a place that has created legends in the surfing world. Surfing icon Kelly Slater even ranks Lowers as his favorite place to ride. 

On a busy day, expect insane competition for waves and make sure you know the local customs before claiming a wave. Folks at Lowers won’t be afraid to call you out if you break surfing etiquette. 

If you’re a beginner or just not a fan of crowds, you may want to venture to one of the nearby beaches. You’ll be in a more relaxed space with much less traffic in the water. 

PHOTO CREDIT | Unsplash/Yuya Hata

Sunset Cliffs

Bring nothing less than your A-game at this set of reef breaks. Situated in Point Loma near San Diego Bay, this stretch of unspoiled coastline is a surfer’s dream. 

Steep cliffs tower above the Pacific Ocean and you’ll have to walk the cliffside trails to reach the line-up. Advanced surfers are the only ones who should dare attempt the long breaks and barrels here. Locals don’t take kindly to obnoxious behavior and things can get heated if you break surfing etiquette.

Be respectful and adhere to local traditions to have a pleasant experience at this hidden gem. 

PEACH BEAUTY

Read the Aug Issue #56 of Athleisure Mag and see Peach Beauty in mag.

TIPS FOR BRAHMI STARTERS

There are so many choices that you could get lost in a world of nootropics and a variety of articles about each of them. The same goes with beloved Bacopa Monnieri, so we will try to elucidate it from many angles.

Brahmi was firstly discovered a long time ago, about 3 thousand years back in ancient India. This white flower is known from Ayurvedic medicine, named after the Sanskrit word which stands for meaning knowledge of life and longevity. 

You have already got to know two of its names - Bacopa Monnieri and Brahmi. The third came from its nature to grow in the wetlands and thus you can also call it the Water Hyssop. Indians used this flower for anxiety treatment, some evidence also proves its usage for fever alleviation, urine promotion and even sexual stimulation. Learn more details about Bacopa Monnieri in this article.

Benefits of Bacopa Monnieri

Brahmi is a stress fighter, also known as an adaptogen. Bacopa interacts with our nervous system by turning off the stress signals and lightening up the mood, so nowadays scientists have agreed with ancient Indians about anxiety treatment.

According to some research, Bacopa Monnieri is capable to reduce symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) by suppressing both impulsivity and restlessness. 

Bacopa Monnieri contains antioxidants which fight with free radicals and protect your cells from damage. Free radicals can be more harmful than you think, those molecules cause serious diseases that are difficult to cure such as cancer. Brahmi neutralizes free radicals and prevents unwanted malaise.

Users have shared their experience with Brahmi regarding brain performance. By using Bacopa Monnieri, you may rather improve the memory and learning skills. At the beginning of use, you will notice some beneficial changes about your attention, Brahmi also has some anti-fatigue properties. After two or three months, the significant improvement regarding your memory will be more noticeable, so be patient. Visit the source here.

Brahmi might lend your immune system a hand while experiencing certain inflammation. Research proves Brahmi’s interaction with proinflammatory molecules and its anti-inflammatory effect.

And lastly, some scientists claim Brahmi can regulate blood pressure, particularly lowering high levels. Bacopa releases nitric oxide that expands blood vessels in regards to normal pressure.

Side effects of Bacopa Monnieri

Almost every nootropic has a risk of side effects appearing. Some of them are more likely, others aren’t. Bacopa Monnieri is one of those nootropics which can be considered as possibly safe as cases of side effects are rare (if, of course, you are following the dosage instructions).

Nevertheless, every user has to be aware of possible side effects, so have in mind that Brahmi slows down the heart rate and enhances bradycardia, also strengthens lung fluid secretions. If you have any disorders regarding heart or lung, such as Asthma, consider carefully before trying Bacopa Monnieri. We would even recommend discussing it with your doctor.

Among possible side effects, immune system refusal also should be considered. In spite of toxicity or unsuitable substance, you can experience nausea or diarrhea. Sometimes the benefits can be unnoticed because the supplement is not right for you.

Every supplement should be taken seriously. When starting a new one, try from the lowest dosage and then raise it gradually to ensure safety and avoid side effects. Always be patient, it takes some time for some of the wanted results to appear.

Dosage of Bacopa Monnieri

Dosage is the main ingredient for supplements to work properly. The toxicity could summon some side effects and withdrawal, and the little dosages could prevent benefits from appearing. The right dosage of Bacopa Monnieri depends on its percentage of pure extract.

If the percent is about 20%, the dosage per day varies from 750 mg to 1500 mg. If it's about 55 percent, the maximum amount would be 300 mg per day. 

Bear in mind the research regarding Bacopa Monnieri supplement covers only 3 months of usage. Potential memory changes are indeed notable after a few months, but we suggest you stick to the 3 months and do not overextend the period.

Withdrawal of Bacopa

Despite Bacopa supplement is possibly safe, a long time usage can induce withdrawal symptoms that you should be aware of. We already know that Bacopa improves memory after two or three months of use. 

Such a long term leaves an impact on our recall and mental condition, but when it's time to take a break from Bacopa, it may be challenging. Your mood can evolve into a depressing one, some users have experienced fatigue.

To avoid withdrawal symptoms, take care of your dosage. Plan your usage period, when it is going to an end, lessen amounts gradually to accustom your body. Start from short breaks till you reach the long one.

Combination with other nootropics

Users try to combine some of the nootropics to strengthen the wanted effects. Bacopa Monnieri also has some friends-nootropics that are usually combined with it. For instance, let’s take Ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha, as well as Bacopa Monnieri, has an adaptogenic feature. In the same, already mentioned, Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha was also used as an anxiety attenuator and calmness provider. Together with Bacopa Monnieri, Ashwagandha boosts tranquillity and reduces stress much more powerfully than Bacopa could do alone.

Going further, both of them activate antioxidants to prevent cells from damaging and stimulate healthy brain function. The maintenance of memory improves as well when Ashwagandha and Bacopa are used as a combination.

Research shows that an effective combination turns out to be Bacopa Monnieri and Rosemary Antioxidant. Mixed together, these supplements significantly increased the activity of antioxidants. According to studies, the quality of cell protection is raised impressively, so if you are searching for a tool to enable antioxidants fully, this combination can be just the right choice. To learn more about the research click here.

Lastly, Bacopa Monnieri can be found in a form of tablet or powder, so feel free to choose whatever suits you. Get to know more about Bacopa supplement here at Raw Powders.

CYSTIC ACNE TREATMENT. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Do you suffer from painful blemishes that lie deep under the skin? Red, painful sores in the skin are typical of cystic acne. In contrast to regular pimples, these blemishes often have no exit to the skin surface. Expressing it only worsens the inflammation. What Causes Cystic Acne And What Can You Do About It? Here you can find answers to these questions.

WHAT IS CYSTIC ACNE EXACTLY?

A cyst arises like an acne pimple from the sebum glands of the skin. Cysts usually form on the hair roots and use the hair canal to deliver a secretion to the surface. This sebum is responsible for protecting the skin. In all forms of acne, the sebum glands become blocked. The pent-up sebum becomes inflamed and blemishes. However, often the cystic acne comes on in flares. Large areas are affected by skin reddening. Cystic acne gets its name from the fact that the inflammation leads to the formation of cysts. The word cyst comes from the Greek expression 'kystis,' which can be translated as a bubble. In contrast to a regular pimple, a cyst forms a kind of sac of skin cells that surrounds it. The cyst is usually buried under the skin. You don't see a typical pimple with a yellow or white point of pus, but red, painful bumps and lumps. Squeezing or suctioning like a regular pimple will only make the inflammation worse. Cystic acne mostly affects the face and affects the shoulders, upper arms, back, and chest.

CYSTIC ACNE OFTEN LEAVES SCARS

It is one of the more severe forms of acne because the cysts often leave scars. Unusually pronounced types of acne are also called acne conglomerate. Pustular acne can appear like cystic acne when papules form deep in the tissue. However, inflamed blackheads on the surface of the skin are more common in this form of acne. If you suffer from cystic acne, you should consult a dermatologist. Do you suffer enormously from painful cysts? You are not alone in this. Acne is a cosmetic problem, but it is also often a psychological burden for those affected. This disease can make social contacts difficult, reduce self-esteem, and lead to depression. If cystic acne is making life difficult for you, speak to your doctor for professional help. Psychotherapy can help you cope better with the stress of cystic acne.

THE CAUSES OF CYSTIC ACNE

Numerous factors play together in the development of cystic acne. The male hormone testosterone appears to play an important role. Men suffer from this type of acne a little more often than women. However, a large-scale study published in 2018 recently showed that genetic predisposition should not be underestimated. British scientists examined a total of almost 27,000 cases and concluded that at least 15 genes could enormously increase the risk of acne.

RISK FACTOR NUMBER 1: HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS

Many dermatologists believe that hormone fluctuations are the leading cause of cystic acne. This is supported by the fact that cystic acne usually occurs during puberty. However, hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can also lead to severe forms of acne. Hormone fluctuations during the normal menstrual cycle, often associated with blemishes, are also an essential factor. That doesn't subside with puberty. Late acne after the age of 25 is widespread today. Experts in the US have found that acne has not been adequately recognized in adult women. It is unclear what the situation in Europe looks like. However, cystic acne does not only affect young people in this country.

DIET: CAUSE OR THERAPY?

How much diet affects cystic acne is uncertain. However, high glycemic index foods seem to increase blemishes. The glycemic index shows how much food affects the blood sugar level. The glycemic index of sugar, white flour products, starch, and white rice is particularly high. To regulate blood sugar levels, the body releases insulin. Over time, more and more insulin is required, and insulin resistance develops. Such not only increases the risk of diabetes. Insulin also increases sebum production. According to an Australian study, a low glycemic index diet improves the appearance of acne. Omega-3 fatty acids also seem to have a beneficial effect.

ANTIOXIDANTS HELP REDUCE INFLAMMATION

Aside from scientific findings: It seems logical that a diet high in sugar and junk food does nothing for your skin. On the contrary: an unhealthy diet increases oxidative stress due to a lack of nutrients. If you suffer from cystic acne, your body is already struggling to a greater extent with oxidative stress. The reason: every inflammation leads to the release of free radicals. These are molecules and atoms that lack an electron in their outer shell. They grab this electron wherever they can find it. Antioxidants render free radicals harmless. In addition to vitamins A and E, minerals such as selenium and zinc, as well as many secondary plant substances such as antioxidants, help reduce acne. In any case, you should eat as healthily as possible if you have problems with cystic acne. Antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods cannot compensate for hormone fluctuations and genetic predisposition. But they can help your body cope better with inflammation.

TREATMENT OF CYSTIC ACNE

No home remedies work for cystic acne because the inflammation is buried under the surface of the skin. Even peeling agents cannot do anything against this form of acne. With cystic acne, a visit to the dermatologist is recommended. He can determine the appearance and severity and adjust the acne treatment accordingly. 

ACNE TREATMENT WITH ANTIBIOTICS

For severe acne, doctors often prescribe antibiotics for acne as well. These work against the bacteria that cause inflammation. However, medicines have a significant influence on the intestinal flora and the natural colonization of the skin with bacteria. Such weakens the skin's natural protective layer. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, you should, therefore, pay particular attention to your intestinal flora. Fermented foods like yogurt help repopulate your digestive system with beneficial bacteria. Acne creams with antibiotics often contain anti-inflammatory substances as well. However, treatment usually lasts for several weeks before improvement occurs. Burning and reddening of the skin are among the side effects. Besides, bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics.

SKINCARE FOR CYSTIC ACNE

You should take care of your skin gently if you suffer from cystic acne. Treatment is usually done by taking medication. It is, therefore, advisable to avoid aromatic substances. A pH-neutral cleaning agent, such as cleansing milk or a cleansing foam, is usually sufficient. If your skin looks very oily, you can ask your dermatologist for a suitable cleanser. He can best tell you what is right for you. In no case should you use peelings or scrubs on your own? Such could make your acne worse.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #56 AUG 2020

This month’s cover and back cover is ABC’s Station 19, Boris Kodjoe. Our cover shoot editorial – Living with Purpose, talks about Boris’ career, how he came into acting, preparing to shoot the upcoming season of Station 19, the importance of using your platform to raise issues regarding safety in these times as well as social justice, his fitness brand KoFit and more. This interview will also be in an upcoming #TRIBEGOALS podcast episode. We also have an interview with Celebrity Fitness Trainer Gunnar Peterson as we talk about working out from home, how he advises his clients to maintain his workouts, how he worked with the Lakers to ensure the safety and continued training of the team heading to the bubble and his thoughts on gym and studio openings. His interview will also be on an upcoming episode of #TRIBEGOALS. We check in with 3 X NBA Champion Dwyane Wade who is the Co-Founder of Budweiser Zero a non-alcoholic beverage. He talks about his work with the brand, importance of this category and more. We caught up with Celebrity Hair Stylist to a number of our faves from Beyonce, Shakira, Kelly Rowland and Mary J. Blige. We found out what Kim Kimble has been up to with a number of her projects including her hair care brand, her salons, TV opportunities and more. You can hear her episode on an upcoming #TRIBEGOALS. We also found out more about tea, how it benefits our bodies, the importance of having a ritual with the founder of Art of Tea, Steve Schwartz. You can hear his episode on an upcoming Athleisure Kitchen. We get the intel on how we can maintain our oral care with Dr. Brian Harris who is also the founder of Klen.

Read the Aug Issue #56 of Athleisure Mag here.

WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GARDEN MORE ACTIVE DURING FAMILY GATHERINGS

Whether you have a large country garden or a small outdoor space in the city, the garden can be a pleasant space for family gatherings. Some key features will turn it from everyone standing around the BBQ getting annoyed with each other to something for the entire family to enjoy.

Children First

Children are often a forgotten afterthought when it comes to both interior and garden design, hailing back to the bygone era of “children are meant to be seen, not heard”. If you really want some peace at family gatherings, put the children first. Sophisticated playhouses can blend into the garden surroundings if you don’t have children of your own. If you have children, you may want to consider a playhouse with a slide or even one shaped like a rocket ship. Playhouses bring children hours of joy and keep them more active than the old colouring books and broken crayons. A playhouse will help the children feel part of the family so the adults can talk in peace.

Garden Furniture

There’s something a bit unnerving about the family sat at the picnic table with empty plates while waiting for the BBQ. Family fights get started that way. Regardless of the size of your outdoor space, there’s garden furniture for before and after the picnic table. There’s a selection of egg chairs and outdoor sofas to choose from so the grass can be saved for the game of football. Family members more inclined towards sitting can do so away from the picnic table and feel welcome.

Sports and Games

With the children and less active taken care of rather than expecting them to bend to your needs, the rest of the family can enjoy some active fun in the garden, whether that is before or after the BBQ. A simple football, away from any windows can present hours of daytime fun for the rest of the family with trying to get the ball past the goalie. If you come from a family of night owls, give the children torches for the playhouse if it isn’t wired for electricity and citronella candles for the family on the outdoor sofa and transform the patio into a dance floor.

The garden is an extension of the house. Family gatherings can be much more enjoyable if everyone’s needs are catered for. Even the smallest gardens can be transformed into a pleasant space for the entire family. Put the children first and they become less annoying and grouchy. Make sure the family members viewed as miserable have their own space and they suddenly become less miserable. That leaves everyone else free to be active and burn off the BBQ calories, whether that is sports in the grass or dancing on the patio. Don’t turn the garden into the dining room at Christmas. With everyone’s needs met, there’s less chance of a family argument. Meeting needs is easier to do in an outdoor space.

IS TOENAIL FUNGUS CONTAGIOUS OR SPREAD?

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a very common nail problem affecting at least 10 percent of the western population. Not less than 20 percent of older adults, age 60 and above, are affected by toenail fungus. Nail fungus affects both fingernails and toenails but is far more to toenails.

Toenail fungus begins rather subtly – a yellow or white spot will appear beneath the tip of the nail. This spot is often not given any importance because it does appear harmless. Unfortunately, it could quickly develop to alter the structure and color of nails.

Symptoms of toenail fungus

Though toenail fungus usually starts without giving much away, it quickly develops to give the following symptoms:

●        Nail thickening

●        Nail discoloration

●        Brittle nails

●        Crumbly nails

●        Foul odor

●        Distorted shape

How Contagious is Toenail Fungus?

Toenail fungus must be treated promptly as well as carefully because it spreads quite easily and quickly. It could jump from nail to nail and even the surrounding skin if left untreated. When it gets on the skin of the feet and the areas between toes, we have a condition called athlete’s foot. Besides the spread of toenail fungus from nail to nail, it can also spread easily from person to person when given the perfect opportunity.

Factors contributing to the spread of toenail fungus

●        Poor foot hygiene: one of the fundamental risk factors of toenail fungus is poor foot hygiene. Far too many people fail to pay adequate attention to the care of their feet, mostly because they do not see it as so important. The foot must be kept clean and as dry as possible otherwise nail fungus will thrive hence jumping from nail to nail as well as person to person.

●        Wearing old shoes: old shoes are great breeding grounds for nail fungus hence wearing them could expose you to nail fungus which will then quickly spread. To avoid this, dispose of old shoes or disinfect them adequately.

●        Sharing manicure tools: this is a very common cause of nail fungus spread. When someone with nail fungus uses tools for his/her nails, the debris from the nail can hang anywhere on the tool. When the same tools are used by someone without the infection, he or she is at a high risk of being infected. Also, infection on a nail can get to other nails via tools hence the need to disinfect tools after each use.

●        Walking barefoot in public spaces: public spaces such as a locker room or community swimming pool are high-risk places where diverse infections including nail fungus can easily spread. When you walk barefoot in these places, the fungus can easily get beneath your toenails or in-between your toes hence causing toenail fungus.

Importance of treating toenail fungus fast

With this high rate of infection and spread, it is therefore important to treat toenail fungus as soon as symptoms are noticed. The reasons for prompt treatment of toenail fungus include the following:

●        To avoid spread: if nail fungus is not treated promptly, it could easily infect other nails. It could easily move from toenails to fingernails as well as surrounding skin.

●        Easier treatment: when toenail fungus is detected early and treatment starts immediately, it is easier to treat. In this case, treatment options such as home remedies and over-the-counter products are more effective. When toenail fungus reaches an advanced stage, the use of medication may become inevitable.

●        To avoid reoccurrence: after taking a few months to treat, toenail fungus has a very high rate of recurrence. To reduce this risk, it is not just important to combine effective treatment options with proper foot hygiene, the treatment has to be fast.

●        To avoid deeper health issues: if left untreated, toenail fungus can cause a range of other problems including skin problems as well as invasive fungal infection where it may affect internal organs. Also, nail fungus could be an indication of underlying health issues such as diabetes and cancer hence prompt treatment could make all the difference in the handling of the underlying health issue.

Treatment of toenail fungus

Despite the challenges faced in the treatment of toenail fungus, there are effective treatment options including home remedies, over-the-counter products, and medications

Medications are the most effective and fastest treatment options but are unfortunately with side effects including damage to internal organs. Therefore, before using medication for nail fungus, contact a doctor, and get tested.

Over-the-counter products are mostly topical treatment options. They are formulated with active antifungal ingredients approved by the FDA for fungal infection treatment.

Home remedies are easy yet effective treatment options. Common household items such as ginger, garlic, coconut oil, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, etc. are all effective in the treatment of toenail fungus. Other home remedies include tea tree oil, oregano oil, olive leaf extract, snakeroot extract, and apple cider vinegar.

Toenail fungus is a very common nail problem with far-reaching consequences if left untreated. It spreads easily, either directly or indirectly, from nail to nail or to the surrounding skin. It can also jump from person to person. Therefore, it is important to treat nail fungus fast.