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Rapper's Yoga Video
DJ Dave and the crew from Fog and Smog films (makers of the very clever "Whole Foods Parking Lot" video) are back, taking on yoga--and on the make for yoginis--with "Yoga Girl." We spot Vinnie Marino and DJ Drez. Who else makes a cameo?
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Lululemon's CEO of the Year
 Canada's Globe and Mail Report on Business magazine has named Lululemon Athletica's Christine Day CEO of the year. This news comes after the Vancouver-based company was criticized in the media for its new "Who is John Galt?" shopping bag (a reference to the Ayn Rand novel Atlas Shrugged).
Day, who came from Starbucks and has served as Lulu's CEO since 2008, has overseen tremendous growth during her tenure. "Lululemon saw its stock climb to almost $60 this fall, up over 280% from when Day joined the company, and a whopping 250% gain year over year," according to the article.
Day points to the company's stated values as a driving factor in that growth. "Investing in your health
will pay big dividends for individuals and society," she told the magazine, "elevating the world
from mediocrity to greatness."
Of course, the anti-mediocrity sentiment led to Lululemon's controversial use of the Rand quote. "I believe in a culture of personal accountability and not compromising your values," Day said. "Atlas Shrugged is both about not accepting mediocrity and being personally accountable for the life you are creating."
But Lululemon has always used inspirational (or what the magazine calls "communitarian") messages for their logos, such as, "The pursuit of happiness is the source of unhappiness" and "Friends are more important than money." It's this selling of ideals, and not just yoga pants, analysts say, that has fueled the company's enormous success. "Compared to more price-driven products, Lululemon
apparel gives its customers the feeling that they're purchasing a lot
more than mere 'value,'" the article states. "Buy a Cabin Long Sleeve T-shirt and you're
involved in bettering yourself. Pick up one of those cute Lucky Luon
headbands and you're joining a community of like-minded people. ... It's a thing of virtue. Budget in other spending categories if
you must, the brand seems to whisper, but don't stop taking care of your
body and building a better society."
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Lululemon's Controversial Position
The Canadian based clothing company Lululemon Athletica has never shied away from controversy. Its latest attention-grabbing story centers on the company's decision to reference a character from a book by Ayn Rand -- a decision that has left some yogis out in the cold. The oblique reference, "Who is John Galt?" appears on Lululemon shopping bags. According to its website:
You might be wondering why a company that makes yoga clothing has chosen
a legendary literary character's name to adorn the side of our bags.
lululemon's founder, Chip Wilson, first read this book when he was
eighteen years old working away from home. Only later, looking back, did
he realize the impact the book's ideology had on his quest to elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness (it is not coincidental that this is lululemon's company vision). But some more literary yogis don't agree. Not only is Rand is a conservative hero, but the ideology of John Galt is often thought to embody selfishness and greed, not exactly in line with yoga's teachings. Buzz asked Lululemon to comment on the John Galt references: "Lululemon is continually innovating and creating new designs for our shoppers. . . We include these statements on our shoppers to create conversation among our guests. We apologize if our guests find this statement offensive; our intent was simply to initiate conversation, not to offend!" Read more from the company about why it chose to feature John Galt here or read NPR's coverage of the controversy.
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Kirtan Chorus
There are lots of things to love about the practice of kirtan. It's a chance to practice devotion, experience a meditative trance, or even explore your connection with the world and a higher power. For some people, one of the most alluring aspects of kirtan is the opportunity to connect your voice with the voices of others--to really experience being a part of a community.
This is exactly what Kirtan Central founder Daniel Tucker had in mind when he asked people from the kirtan community to submit videos of themselves singing the Krishna Das Classic "Ma Durga."
"As I pored over the videos, two things became evident: first, these people LOVE this song! Whether's it's love of Krishna Das, love of kirtan, love of Durga, love of singing, love of God... what's obvious is the love, joy, and tenderness captured in each video clip," wrote Tucker in a blog post. "And second: how deeply we crave to be part of something larger than ourselves! There was so much excitement to be part of the "choir," and I believe that's one of the places kirtan is healing us."
He accepted submissions from 108 people from around the world and the result is this awe inspiring video.
Do you practice kirtan as a way to connect with your community? What are other ways you connect?
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The Jerry Lewis of Yoga?
 We know that yogis are a passionate bunch, whether it's going to extreme lengths to secure time on their mats or in fighting for a cause they believe in. Now one yogi is putting his own endurance to the test to keep a dream alive.
Will Baxter, a financial-advisor-turned-yogin-social-entrepreneur who is trying to launch a yoga-bag company that will also help native Guatemalan women weavers, is one-day into his personal telethon (of the YouTube variety) to walk nonstop on a treadmill until the funds needed to launch the company are raised or until the campaign ends Nov. 22.
I AM, Baxter's sustainable-business-model idea, will sell naturally dyed yoga bags and straps woven by the indigenous Mayan women of the country, sharing 50 percent of the net profit directly with their communities. The seed money for the company will come through KickStarter, the funding platform for creative endeavors. Baxter needs to raise close to $25,000 more of the project's goal of $45,000 before the fundraising period ends next week.
Not unlike brands like Jade, a backer of I AM, Baxter appears to be the next generation of yogis who hope to pair a business idea with sustainability and social responsibility. A new form of yoga off the mat?
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