What's your yoga?

By Aleksandra in Get in Style
Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 7:36pm Add comments

Recently, a new wave of hipster-yogis has emerged, highlighting this super-zen workout in all its meditative glory. But if you’re not familiar with yoga and the different types, or if you’re just starting out, this handy little guide will point you in the right direction. So, read on, grasshopper.

Bikram Yoga: This yoga type generally focuses on the standing asanas (poses), with only a handful of poses that require you to lay on your back or stomach. Bikram yoga is best practiced in highly-heated rooms with an ideal humidity of 40%. Needless to say, you’re gonna be sweating a lot. Unlike other yoga types, Bikram moves much faster and forces you to flow through your poses with your breath. If you’re confident in your yoga practice and are a veteran yogi, or just want an added challenge, definitely give this class a try. You won’t get bored.

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Vinyasa: This is another fast-paced yoga type. Also practiced in heated rooms (although not always), vinyasa focuses strictly on the breath and transition between each pose. All the poses are linked together, and many times throughout the practice, you will be instructed to go through your “vinyasa flow,” as you return to your foundation poses and eventually more advanced asanas. This is definitely a workout!

Ashtanga: You want to learn how to put your leg behind your head? This is the yoga to teach you just that. Ashtanga is a sub-type of Vinyasa, meaning that the connection to breath is still enforced. However, this yoga type is broken down into series, beginning with the Primary Series and working into Advanced. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting comfortably with limbs in all directions.

Hatha (Stationary Sequence): This is one of the more popular yoga types, and is great for beginners. While some classes are heated, others are not, and don’t fall for the hype — you are just as bendy in a heated room as you are in a cool room. Hatha or Stationary Sequence doesn’t stress too much on the connection between poses and breath (although you should strive for that!), but, as the name suggests, it moves somewhat rigidly from one pose to the next. It is meant to give you an introduction into all the different poses, building your foundation, and kicking your yogi butt at the same time.

Iyengar: This yoga type is much slower than the rest, as it focuses more on the small details of posture and alignment. In this class, you are more likely to sit or stand in certain poses longer, finding each bone and feeling minute movements as you settle into each pose. If you want a relaxed yet effective yoga, this is surely your fit. Be ready to learn more about your body than you’ve ever known.

Kundalini: Get ready to release your serpent! Kundalini yoga is all about breathing and meditating, with the physical postures focusing on enhancing that breathing. You won’t be sweating all over your mat, but mentally, you’ll be riding a yoga buzz. If you’re looking to learn more about your chakras and how to open them, this is a yoga to try.

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In essence, none of these yoga types are set in stone for anyone. Ideally, you should shop around and see what fits you the best, and you’ll never know unless you take a few classes here and there. Together with other workouts and physical activities, yoga can be a wonderful new addition to your daily regiment.

Namaste

We're Not That Complicated: A Man's Quick Guide to Understanding Women

By Aleksandra in Get in Style
Sunday, May 5, 2013, 3:46pm Add comments

Guys, we know it’s hard. We women are often gossipy trolls who don’t know the limits of healthy social interactions and relationships. Some of us can admit that. However, before you throw in the towel and accept the false truth that all women are essentially complicated, read this quick guide. It could make all the difference.

Women travel in packs, even when most of them don’t get along with one another. How’s that for complicated. In retrospect, there is no clear-cut answer for this. Why do we go to the bathrooms together or walk in groups? Because we can. Going to the restroom together, for one, makes the whole process a little more fun, and yes, we do talk about you. And a side note to keep in mind–we don’t actually powder our nose; it’s just a useless expression. Women are like social butterflies on crack. Once we find our group, we stick to it.

We can smell your awkward fear a mile away. If you’re uneasy around the ladies, don’t think you can hide it. It just makes the whole situation that much more uncomfortable, so relax, assert yourself, and step forward…which brings in the next point.

We really do like intellectually mysterious a$$holes. It’s true, women like guys who are a little rough around the edges. This does not mean jerks; rather, it means guys who make her think, wonder, and in turn, want. Just like men, women like a challenge and a chase. If you’re easy and overly nice, you won’t stand a chance. Nice guys don’t finish last, but a few tweaks to that nerdy gentleman demeanor already puts you ahead of the pack.

It’s the fifth date and she asks…“Where do you see us going?” This question probably turns a lot of guys completely off. However, don’t let it freak you out. For women, this is the end of the test drive and she wants to know if purchasing is the right choice. There’s nothing wrong with that, we just like to plan. If you like her, tell her how you feel; perhaps you see a long-term relationship. If it’s just a booty call, don’t tell her that it’s just a booty call if you like where your testicles are. Instead, be honest and admit that you don’t want anything serious. None of that “it’s not you, it’s me” stuff. We don’t even believe that, and we created the expression.

Getting ready for anything is a serious process that we cannot change. Do you like turning around to see that amazingly hot woman walk by? It really did take her hours to get ready. Outfits aside, shoes and accessories can make or break any outfit. Women like to look good, of course. It not only boosts their self-confidence, but guess what? We do it for you. If you didn’t care what we looked like, we would stick to the sweatpants and hair bands.

Playing hard to get is our go-to tactic. Guys do it, too. No woman wants to come across as needy too soon. That is a big no-no. Instead, by playing hard to get, we gauge you and everything about you. If you pass the test (that you don’t know you’re taking), it’s a green light. Yes, that includes sex. Most women don’t open the treasure chest early (although there are always exceptions), but we understand that too much teasing is just plain unfair. We can reciprocate and reward you.

Assuming that her crappy mood is PMS-related. It probably is, but never say it. The curse that is PMS can only be properly understood by women, naturally. Throwing out remarks about it only opens the gates of Hell and will get you nowhere fast. However, offering to comfort her could win you some kudos points. Listen, even if she babbles about work and other chick drama. We can’t expect for you to tune into the whole conversation, but if you catch the important points, you’ll be in the clear.

The golden question. “Does this make me look fat?” Let’s put it this way: either way you answer this, you’re lying. There is bound to be that one outfit that shows off her muffin top just a little too much. If you say no, you’re lying. If you say yes, you’re single. Here’s the tip–leave the outfit advice to her girlfriends. That’s what they do best, and ironically, she won’t get mad when they do tell her the truth. You can’t change that, it’s just our way. What you can do, however, is ignore the question and do something to catch her off guard–a kiss or a hug always works. Women want to be wanted, and what better way to make her forget about her outfit dilemma than a passionate lip-lock.

So you see? We’re really not that complicated. The beauty of our interactions is that we all have mysteries and depths, men and women alike. There is nothing more enticing or sexier than learning and exploring (whatever that means for you).

Top Best Places for College Grads to Live

By Carmen in Get in Style
Friday, May 3, 2013, 5:39pm Add comments

Graduating soon and want a new city to call home?

We’ve all seen and heard of the typical post-grad stories of looking for a job and waiting tables until you can find one. As most college grads will be leaving with a huge chunk of debt, no one wants to enter the real world without a job.Forbes recently put out their list of the best cities for recent college grads to work and live in. Here are just a few of them and why they made the list!

Atlanta

The median price for a one-bedroom apartment in Atlanta is only $800, that’s cheaper than some Universities cost for housing! The cost of living is also 1.6% below the national average so you can get more bang for your buck! Not to mention Chattahoochee Hills near Atlanta will be bringing in the new Tomorrow World location this September!

Boston

Rated #2 Best Cities for singles and #4 America’s Safest cities, if you can tolerate a Boston accent this is the place for young college grads to be. Boston has the most 18-24 year olds of any city and the fourth highest amount of bars per capita. The cost of living is pretty high but a low unemployment rate of 4.9% makes the odds of snagging a job to jump-start your career much higher than some cities.

Denver

This city has a low cost of living, moderate unemployment rate and boasts the most bars per capita so there is plenty of affordable options for night life. Many parts of Colorado that are famous for their amazing scenic views and mountains are just a short drive away from the city and just southwest of Denver is the amazing Red Rocks Amphitheatre which hosts a wide array of artists each year.

Seattle

The West Coats vibes of many residents here is very inviting. Because the city’s surrounded by water there are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy while watching the water with mountains in the background. When the weather finally warms up you can just find a friend with a boat to go for a ride and drink on the water!

Washington D.C.

With so many clubs, bars and amazing restaurants in every district there is plenty of fun to be had here. It has the second highest population of 18-24 year olds. Although there is the metro most things are not too far of a walk away. Cost of living is a bit higher than the average in America but the unemployment rate is lower than the national average making it a little easier to afford living here.

To Flirt or Not to Flirt? The Rules of Workplace Romance

By Aleksandra in Get in Style
Monday, April 22, 2013, 6:58pm Add comments

We’ve all been there. That oh-so-handsomely scruffy guy in HR or (for guys) that new girl who just moved to the cubicle next to you. While many company policy handbooks, which are mostly unread, discourage employees from engaging in office relationships, human nature leads us astray–perhaps even in the right direction. Whatever you decide, here are a few rules to keep in mind, lest you find yourself in the unemployment line.

Be discreet in how you express your emotions. Grown adults don’t like to come into the office to find you smooching your co-worker boyfriend; they also don’t appreciate finding themselves in the middle of a love launch. This means keep the love notes, love emails, or cheesy nicknames to a bare minimum. A relationship at work thrives on subtlety.

Think before you do. This rule is twofold. One, if you’re thinking of dating your manager, it’s not horrible to think of what could happen to you as an employee if the relationship should break. A good guess is that the general atmosphere between you two could become overly awkward, resulting in a possible transfer to a different department or worse…your resignation. Second, can this romance affect your career? Sometimes you have to accept that there are better fish in the sea, which is far enough from your place of work.

Keep the social media personal and maybe even private. Almost everyone these days displays their job on their Facebook page. If you are dating a co-worker, it might be a good idea to keep that relationship semi-private. As hard as it may seem to avoid that tempting little button of “In a Relationship,” going private will work out better long-term. And isn’t that what you want out of this relationship? Long-term…exactly.

Honesty is always the better choice. So you and your office honey have to consult the company handbook. There’s nothing wrong with that! You both know what you’re getting into, and it’s only helpful if you openly talk about it. Also, if either one of you has concerns about the security of your job if your romance is forbidden, it’s good to come to a compromise on what you both want out of the relationship. That way, no one gets hurt.

Do realize that you have a job. It’s terrific to have a partner, and especially one that you can flirt with at work. However, you are at work to do work, and slacking on the job because your romance is getting in the way is one sure way to have it end quickly. As with everything in life, prioritize.

If it looks promising, let it happen. On the other hand, work doesn’t have to equal hiding like a hermit behind a pile of folders. Discreet flirting at work can raise your self-confidence and give you that extra boost you need in the day. It also has great romance potential. If it is appropriate and promising, go for it!

If things get shady, abort mission. Yes, this is all about sexual harassment. Apart from the obvious, this is ugly, immature, and unnecessary. No one needs or deserves this, especially not at work.

Summer Fashion Trends

By Carmen in Get in Style, Lifestyle
Thursday, April 11, 2013, 3:51pm. (Updated: 4/25/13 at 2:51pm) Add comments

Okay so it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the weather has finally just taken a giant leap towards beautiful weather and away from those cold breezy days, now what to wear?!

Hi Lows: This trend has become big recently. Its like the dress form of a mullet, but reversed; Business in the back, party in the front. Nothing better to cover up your cellulite that a sheer long layer in the back but still showing off your legs in the front!

Cut Outs:

This trend has been around for a while now but still always a must for warm weather. When the sun heats up shirts and dresses with cut outs is the best way to show off a little skin and avoid sweating as much as possible!

Wedges:

Okay so there’s no change of pace here, wedges are pretty much always a must for summer. They’re the easiest form of heels to walk in and show off your toned legs you’ve been working on all winter.

High Risers:

You used to think pants coming any higher than 3 inches below your belly button was for moms only but this trend from the 70’s has been on the rise for a while. They’re perfect for hiding love handles or that muffin top you are still working on getting rid of. These shorts are a must have for all those summer festivals coming up when you want to keep it casual but still look hot.

Color:

Okay time to get rid of all those drabby browns, greys and blacks and put some color into your wardrobe. No better way to get that guys attention you’ve been eyeing all semester than to throw on some obnoxious neons and bright colors.

What Not To Wear!

Sneaker Heels:

The look is just too hard to pull off for most plain Janes considering that most of them are poorly designed and have way too much going on. The “wedge” in most of them is so insignificantly small, why even bother?

Patchwork Shorts:

Dear God if you ever fell for this trend a few summers back, I surely hope that you’ve had the sense to trash or burn them by now. This pattern isn’t even flattering on the hottest girls there are.

Camo Print:

The phrase “getting down and dirty” is not to be taken literally. Unless you are crawling in the mud like a little Army man, do not wear camo!

Paisley Prints:

Lily Pulitzer is crazy for trying to make females think this design looks good on anything but folders. Paisley is meant to be reserved only for your grandmother’s ugly tablecloth, not your body.