Schmoooppy time.

Spring started early this year for us in ye ol’ Mile High. I don’t know if you’ve heard of this controversial topic people call “global warming.” Mentally, we know this hot-as-hell early weather is a bad thing. The missing snow is a bad, bad thing. But, emotionally and physically, we are happy to sign off on the heat.

Spring fever. The words immediately transport me back to the last day of school, when I knew that a bunch of incoming seniors were waiting outside for me so that they could whack me with their wooden paddles. Steven Tyler belting out “Sweet Emotion” in the background. Ben Affleck all fat and douchey… Remember that? You could almost smell the madness brought on by spring. A restlessness with whatever your humdrum shiz is emerges and an increased level of sex-want develops in people of all ages.

The Lab is an ideal spot for the ushering in of springtime merriment. I don’t know if the The BoyLab Boyz (sounds like a greaser gang or Chip ‘n’ Dales, right?) feel oafish during this time of year when they plan our pain like the rest of do about our jobs, but the workouts continue to function as divine intervention. I feel a bit more violent toward them at the moment, because I just want to drift off on a pina colada until fall, but I simply cannot checkout while haciendo ejercicio (tr: doing exercise/exercising) at The BodyLab. Se impossible! Plus, most people workout in order to look good solely for this season, so there’s no way someone in their right mind could quit coming right now. And, many of the workouts lately seem to reference water sports, which makes me feel better about the fact that I won’t actually participate in the sort of a thing. Ever. So, that’s a plus, too.

But, there’s only one tell-tell sign that The Lab is in full bloom. Is it the fact that it just emerged from its cocoon on Broadway into a butterfly of a new space on Lincoln? Is it the fact that a bunch of newbies have migrated to The Lab? Is it the smell of rubber mats doused in the pheromone-infused sweat of BodyLabbers? No, friends. It is the unbelievable–yet undoubtedly spring-inspired–sight of people tongue-kissing while I work out my chest and back. And, it’s just one more piece of documented evidence that The BodyLab is for sure a portal to another planet. I mean, does that happen at your gym?

AWESOME THINGS I HEARD AT THE BODYLAB SINCE LAST POST
“I’ll call you.” – choice words from Tyler after his signature Ass Attack!

“This workout will melt your face off.” – Matt

“Don’t worry, we’re installing condom dispensers in the bathrooms.” – Ryan, after noticing me noticing the happy couple making out

Laura Standley has been the editor in chief of 303 Magazine since 2007. She’s been blogging about fitness since January 2011. To see her past blog posts, click here.

Aguilar finds that the natural beauty of feathers translates well into her pieces and the people who wear them. While she started out making just earrings, her designs have quickly blossomed into necklaces, hair clips and other miscellaneous accessories. “Soon after I discovered feathers, I discovered the art of fabric folding known as Kanzashi,” she says. “The fabric folding style is a traditional Japanese technique that is used to create hair ornaments. I immediately personalized the art form and created a fresh new line of hair accessories and necklaces. I love how the style can be versatile so that I can create something whimsical and fun or design something sleek and classy – something to wear for a night out or to wear for your wedding.”

She likes to play around with different color combinations – some items are rainbow colored and eccentric – but she also creates neutral-colored designs that can go along amazingly with any outfit. “Plooms accessories are perfect for jazzing up outfits because they are all so individual that I can honestly say you won’t find my kind of work anywhere else,” she says. “I love to see my feather earrings worn with summer dresses, jean shorts and beach wear. My feather fascinators and Kanzashi jewelry look amazing with winter wear and fall-time outfits.”

In addition to being inspired by the birds themselves, Aguilar also finds inspiration from the would-be wearers of her designs. “I’m inspired by all the pretty faces in public,” she says. “Sometimes I spot girls in public with a pretty hairstyle, hair color or a gorgeous outfit. From that point on, I’m able to come up with accessories.”

By opening her Plooms Etsy shop, Aguilar has found a way to go wild with her newfound creativity while also being able to circulate her designs. “Colorado itself is so beautiful and so unique that it deserves to have a fashion scene to match it,” she says. “Plooms defines my fashion identity, and it allows me to integrate my creative ideas into this wonderful environment.”

Misty Milioto is affectionately known as Denver’s Fashion Gal. She covers haute trends and local designers in the Mile High City, all while keeping a close and critical eye on national trends that are currently rocking the runways and the major glossy magazines. Stay tuned for all the best in fashion that Denver has to offer.

I wrote a piece on EDGE in the December 2010 print issue of 303 Magazine when EDGE first opened. It is one of just two pieces plaqued and hanging in the doorway. I HAD to cheese out a little, right? It's the G.D. Four Seasons.

Lettuce begin. The Four Seasons carries with it certain expectations. Innovation and cutting-edge are not necessarily among them–even though their uniforms are pretty racy and the technology they use pretty cool. Consistency, luxury, perfection make up a short list of what generally comes to my mind first. When you’re a hotel-restaurant, you’ve got to put out food for the masses–both in the sense that you’re feeding a larger number of people than most fine dining establishments are tasked with and that you’re feeding people who aren’t necessarily adventurous eaters. But, the restaurant inside the Four Seasons is called EDGE, so the chef must be an inspired one–especially since EDGE changes its menu with the seasons. So, let’s discuss the new items.

While the duck confit agnolotti with apple consomme and beet salad with house-made burrata are both delightful, they are safe options. Beets and cheese are always going to be a yes-yes from me, and even though Penny Parker (she loves her new gig, by the way) thought the agnolotti–a largeish noodle pocket–was too al dente, I was fully on board with its texture. But, the apps that stood out as points of interest were the foie gras PB&J and chicken liver parfait. I love almost any chef’s PB&J inspired creation, this one being no different–especially if you’re scared of foie gois. I would have liked a foie gras PB&J little less on the “other” flavors in lieu of more metallic touches, but as is, this plate serves as a starter that any “level” of diner can enjoy. Chicken liver parfait sounds disturbing at first thought–because I wrongly associate parfait with sweet more than with a whipped texture. The presentation is lovely and a ginger zing almost gives this dish a barbeque sauce flavor… Does that even make sense? But, here’s the catch: I dig the invention here, the excitement of something so different. However, the consistency was so light that it felt more like a sauce than a dip/spread/appetizer should feel, in my opinion. I think it’s worth a go, either way. And, I appreciate that the savory world is doing a little tango with our notions of dessert. Its an ongoing trend among the heavy hitting food set that I’ve been enjoying watching emerge.

foie gras PB&J (full portion)

chicken liver parfait (full portion)

The entrees and accompanying side orders were delightful little adventures. And, apparently I’m the last one to know that cumin, honey and carrots make for the best of friends.  The new offerings include a thyme roasted chicken–a nice choice, although I would almost never be likely to order chicken, because I cook with it so much, I also have never been able to make my chicken taste this nice. The scallops served with a sweet corn counts as a selection I would fully support, but what really stood out for me were the short ribs. And, that’s pretty unusual for me. It wouldn’t be my natural inclination. The color, texture and flavor of the Angus all add to the dish’s winningness, but what made it something I could really get with was that, instead of a polenta cake like you so often see accompanying hearty entree proteins, a chickpea crisp sat below the meat. Now, I would show you a photo of this lovely morsel, but my food photography is pretty scary (see above).

For me, as is so often the case, the sweets stole the show. Each one of these new dessert features are worth your dollar and hit a high note with me. No-bake cherry cheesecake with pistachio mousse? You better shut your mouth. It was that nice dessert that can capture the attention of even the most anti-sugar people on the planet. Or, baked Alaska bananas-foster style. What? Here’s the deal, the baked Alaska incarnation was just right for me–unusual, sweet, not too rich, fruity, caramely, merenguey…I could live inside that little dome of heaven. But the Arabi cream caramel pot, with caramel foam, a custard texture and the creamy moment up top was the stand-out for most everyone at this particular table. The chocolate brownie layered with drunken raspberries and a tangerine sorbet shouldn’t go without a nod, either, despite these other two taking most attention. The sweets were exemplary all around.

cheesecake and baked Alaska (sample portions)

click here

caramel ramekin and brownie time (sample portions)

Laura Standley has been the editor in chief of 303 Magazine since 2007. To view her past blog posts, click here.

If you are already in the habit of picking up that odd-looking apparatus, you know of its benefits. More and more fitness facilities are catching on and purchasing foam rollers for their gym members. This innocuous cylinder of foam sitting in the corner can do amazing things and will soon become your favorite tool.

Foam rolling, or self-myofascial release technique, has been a staple in professional athletics for years.

The more that is learned about the way our muscles communicate with each other and about the healing process, the better we can treat our active body. The myofascia system includes our muscles and the connective tissue that resides just below the skin, which then connects the muscles to our blood vessels and nerves. When the myofascia system becomes injured or inactive, our movements and range of motion become restricted. Engage foam roller.

Think of foam rolling as taking your grandmother’s rolling pin from the kitchen and kneading out the knots and ropes wreaking painful havoc in your muscles. Our muscles pull in toxins such as lactic acid and the normal waste created by our cells’ activity. When these toxins accumulate instead of circulate, the muscles become irritated and inflamed. Foam rolling “breaks up” these muscles and any present scar tissue to encourage circulation and release toxins, thus promoting healing and better function in the muscle.

I’ll be the first to tell you: it is not a spa treatment. In fact, as soon as an unsuspecting client finds their Iliotibial Band (IT band) in contact with the roller, their face morphs, nearly unrecognizable from their painful realization.

Don’t shy away yet, though. Pain is a language our body speaks. In most cases, painful joints and muscles signify a problem and warn us to stop whatever it is that we are doing to them. In the case of foam rolling, however, pain is gain. Find the spot that hurts the most to gain maximum benefit.

Knee pain or sensitivity oftentimes result from an imbalance of strength among opposing muscle groups (inner/outer thigh). If one, in this case the IT band, is the stronger of the two, those muscles over time will shift the alignment of the knee just enough to cause discomfort while doing things like climbing stairs, driving, or riding a bike.
When you combine a strengthening program to find a better balance throughout the body with foam rolling to break up some of that built-up tension, the relief proves long-lasting.

You can find foam rollers in various colors, sizes and firmness. I recommend finding a professional version with as much firmness as you can tolerate. The softer rollers do tend to wear out sooner, but might be a good place to start.
Costs range from $15-$40.
You can use this technique before your workout, after, or a bit of both.
Be sure to ask a professional to show you how to get the most out of foam rolling. The most important factor is consistency. Why wouldn’t you implement something so easy, inexpensive, and readily available to you?
So how about it Denver; let’s get rolling!

  Jodilyn Stuart is the owner of ModaBody Fitness and has been a fitness professional since 1997. She has recently begun contributing to 303 Magazine as a fitness writer.

A serendipitous detour after hearing a Thievery Corporation track with Mr. Lif, Anomie Belle is a gorgeous curio of the Seattle scene with her Sia meets Portishead meets Björk sound. Featuring classical composition as a foundation, the Oregon native layers everything from violins to electric guitar to glitchy bleeps under a vocal style that vacillates between neo-soul and something more dramatic. The experience is definitely one for fans of English trip hop, industrial, or post-rock.

“Machine” is one of the artist’s own collaborations with Mr. Lif–a cool, Steve McQueen vibe with Lif’s spitting popping up here and there before swooping low like a vulture hovering just below the surface. Another doozy that floats light as mist in the Pacific northwest is “Phantom,” a reflective tune stripped down to the barest of elements–plucked and played strings, soft backgrounds pads, and sheer vocals. If vamping is more your style and who couldn’t use a little vamp, “Lavender Days,” creeps about with drama shades darker than would befit lavender.

Whether heavy, cobalt musical discomposure is your shtick or you just like feeling music reverberate in your ribcage, Anomie Belle is certain to take you into the twilight hours while you decompress.

Anomie Belle can be found online at Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, and her official site.

“Lavender Days”

“Machine (Feat. Mr. Lif)”

Sal Christ is a writer  with headphones glued to her ears. When she’s not daydreaming about the beach , she’s either getting some hang time upside down or crashing live shows.

Look familiar?

I jumped ship on my yoga studio recently; the change happened so fast: one week I was doing what I normally do, taking classes that fit my schedule in a space that is so familiar it’s like a home away from home, and the next, not so much. It feels sort of like a break-up, not just one in which you knew from the start that you weren’t going to be together for real long, i.e., not all that much about your daily life has changed. More like losing a great friend, a best friend even, because, in the end, you both had to get honest about where things were headed, admit that the picture you have of your lives is, frankly, quite different. In the breakup, you lost someone that helped shape you during formative moments, someone who was your absolute and most beautiful support through great times as well as rough ones.

This may seem a bit dramatic, but, affiliations, commitment to things, people, places define our daily existence. Whereas I feel some loss in moving on, maybe even a slight twitch of separation anxiety, the positives are surely outweighing the negatives. And they are stacking up fast and tall.

One reason, among a host, for the branch out—I’ve been feeling pretty comfortable where I was. And the word comfort is very much a good one in my world. Stability means as much to me as I would imagine it means to most. Not so much, though, that I don’t recognize the need for freshness and new inspiration. I’ve heard stories of people who, when they feel like they are getting too comfortable in a place, or when life is becoming just a bit too predictable, in a relationship, a job, a town, they pick up and move. I couldn’t pretend to be this type of person if I tried: I am the sort who enjoys deeply solidified relationships—not that this is the antithesis of what a wanderer finds, I’d guess—but deeply grounded roots in place and people are important and, for me, this means staying put for a while. A certain amount of spontaneity keeps life interesting, of course, but knowing what lies ahead (because I’ve gently shaped the path) is one key to maintaining a healthy existence.

It’s easy to live in contentville, so used to what you know, dependent on a schedule, processes, routine, habits. You wake up at the same time every day, you stop at the same coffee shop a couple mornings before work or school or dropping the kids wherever, you do laundry, grocery shopping on the same day each week (do people do that, I don’t actually know?), maybe even clean the bathroom every Saturday. The evening routine looks similar each night and it contributes to the full seven-day agenda. It’s reassuring, recognizable, invites simplicity into our lives. We reside in a comfort zone because we need stability, but sometimes this area around us shrinks and we didn’t even recognize when or how or that it got so small. All of a sudden, we’re inside a box, and hopefully we navigate within it with ease, but what exists outside of it?

Many years ago, I TAd a biological science class at Penn State. The professor was just so brilliant, so innovative and inspiring, asked a lot of questions of his students, asked them to consider their place in the world, their footprint, their contribution to and role in the cycle of life. He brought up this point often: we exist in boxes most of our lives: we live in boxes, within four walls—our homes—we travel in boxes—our cars, elevators, airplanes—we work in boxes—office buildings, schools, banks, hospitals, factories, warehouses—we take care of chores in boxes, many of us exercise in boxes, we learn in boxes, we use boxes to communicate with one another and to seek entertainment…I think you get the idea. His point was to get us to expand our daily existence, to get outside (specifically in nature, as it was a Bi Sci class), to not get trapped inside these boxes, allowing them to be all that we ever know.

Because of this recent change (going to class at another studio, yes, it is still inside a box), my community has grown considerably in the last month. New instructors, new classmates, new stories and experiences, new styles of yoga to learn about and practice, ways of approaching the world presented with different perspective, new ideas and questions to ponder, all to be taken off the mat. It’s not as significant a shake-up as a job change or as relocating to another city or country, but a transition from one studio to another has allowed me to feel something different and enhance some deteriorating energy.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small, small change, but now I’ve become more familiar with hoods in Denver that might have taken me another couple years to explore—you just get so comfortable in your zone: you’ve got your locals-only coffee shop around the corner, your favorite restaurant with your favorite three dishes, your best weekend haunt a few blocks away that jams tunes that you love, your friends all live fairly close, at least within a couple-mile bike ride, mostly everything you could want daily is within walking distance of your pad, why go outside that twenty or thirty block radius, venturing into the unfamiliar, beyond that which you know so well?

We all, hopefully, if that’s what we’ve created, or have handed down to us, live in a space, in an area, in which we feel safe, strong, secure, confident. But what happens when all that goes away or isn’t enough anymore? Or all that we created turns out to be not exactly what we wanted or thought we wanted? Or maybe what we’ve created has become reliable to a fault, in that we stop growing, we stop learning, we pause too long. Do you safeguard yourself, build a perfectly secure space confined by limits, or do you occasionally blow down those four walls to ensure an experience of magical and new once and a while?

Canibus – “I Honor U”

By far, one of the craziest songs about mothers in any genre. Canibus honors his mother through recounting his mother and father meeting, his time as a sperm, and his time as a fetus. As odd as that sounds, Canibus pulls it off by pulling it into a framework of unconditional, everlasting love that began even before he took his first breaths.

Saigon – “If (My Mommy)”

Saigon tows the line between familiar “we fought, but that was because I was young and stupid” tribute to mom song and an existential song about how only this one road, with this one person could have led to where he is now. In essence, it feels like a letter to his mother explaining how he’s made his own mistakes, but was taught by her to always take something away from those mistakes.

Tech N9ne – “Mama Nem”

Tech N9ne, the king of the crushing cadence, foregoes the usual rapid-fire delivery that became the impetus for his name and pens and ode to mama. Rather than concentrating on all the things he couldn’t have as a child, he focuses on everything his mother worked so hard to give him, from fried bologna sandwiches to Big Wheels.

Talib Kweli – “Momma Can You Hear Me”

This unreleased gem, (produced by Kanye, apparently), has a bit of everything you’d expect from a quality Kweli song: on point wordplay, vivid imagery, and a lot of heart.

Kanye West – “Hey Mama”

Speaking of Kanye West, here’s his tribute to his mother. From Late Registration, this song is one of the many that Yeezy show’s his flair for picking pitch-perfect samples with “Today Won’t Come Again” by Donal Leace in an effort to celebrate him and his mother’s friendship, love, and support for one another.

Tupac – “Dear Mama”

Is there still someone who doesn’t know this song? This song became the prototype for all kinds of mother-oriented hip hop songs, and for good reason. Pac’s knack for storytelling and self-reflective honesty shows through here as he faces up to the flaws of himself and his mother, walking the listener through moments in the life of the family, and the influence each had on the other.

On to today’s business. Amidst the many fashion websites, blogs, deals and shops, it can be difficult to figure out fashion’s finest. But my countless hours of browsing and researching have led to some great discoveries, one that I’m excited to share with you loyal 303ers.

Lately I’ve been a little excessive with my accessories purchases. A bling-y necklace, a statement ring or a friendship bracelet can so easily enhance a routine outfit that it has been my way of tweaking my current wardrobe. But, now it’s just getting ridiculous, adding up to as much as purchasing new clothes.

Luckily I recently stumbled upon a life-changing business. For the accessory obsessed like me, there’s a new website that lets you to rent the best accessories of the season. Think Kenneth Jay Lane deco cuff, Noir pyramid stack rings and Janis Savitt crystal earrings. Called Jetworthy, the site allows you to rent one of their fab pieces and return it when you’re over it and ready for your next piece. Jewelry genius!

Here’s how it works:

1) Pick your plan. You can choose from $32, $42 or $52 a month (the more you pay, the more selection you have).

2) Pick your piece. Whether it’s a beautiful bauble or exquisite earrings, members can choose from top brands like Lulu Frost, Elizabeth Cole and Double Happiness.

3) Receive your jewels and rock them.

4) Return your jewels and get your next item!

The site touts, “Think of us as your insider pass to a killer accessories closet – like borrowing from your uber stylish best friend.”

Bag Borrow or Steal has a similar model, but focuses on handbags and you pay per item without a monthly membership fee (renting a Chanel will run you about $170 a week).

Go ahead – borrow your way to style greatness.

Experience Gifts from Cloud 9 Living: Since this Boulder-based company has printable e-certificates on their site, you can order an experience for mom and wrap it up right away. Experience gifts are offered in 43 regions across the US (for Denver transplants), and a hand full are offered in Denver. Some top Denver experiences include a Front Range Hot Air Balloon Ride ($275), a Top Restaurants in Denver Tour ($119),  Indoor Skydiving ($69), and Whitewater Rafting in Colorado ($90).

Plant some springtime flowers: Instead of spending an enormous amount on a bouquet that’s sure to die, take mom to a local nursery like City Floral Garden Center or The Home Depot to pick out bulbs and potted plants that will last year round. Spend quality time as you plant and pot them, and don’t forget about a memorable picnic lunch in between. She’ll enjoy spending the day with you, and every time a new flower blooms she will think of you.

Fill an iPod with songs: Although this will take up some time, it can still be done in the hours leading up to Mother’s Day. Show mom you really know her by choosing some of her favorites, and some she doesn’t know she loves yet.

Singing Telegrams: Want to really “WOW” mom? Forget the greeting card, send a singing angel, jester or rock star to her door ($50-$100). Orange Peel Moses will help you create a song just for mom that will be sung all the way into her heart! You bet she’ll be talking about this for years to come; talk about a photo op!

Tickets to a Cultural Event: With more than 40 museums and a performing arts center that is only second to those in NYC, Denver is full of events that you and mom can attend together. Purchase a ticket for an upcoming event or for something actually taking place on Mother’s Day such as Wicked (showing on May 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; $45-$155) at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective at the Denver Art Museum ($22), or Colorado Ballet’s upcoming Gotham Dance Festival (June 2-3; $19-$39). Or, if your mom is more of a free spirit, purchase tickets to a show at Red Rocks that you know she’ll love like The Fray (May 12), The Beach Boys (July 9) or Avett Brothers (June 29 and 30).
Wine of the Month Club: For $39 per month, mom will get three gourmet bottles of wine, access to a sommelier and multiple relaxing evenings. Club W uses a palate profile to determine what types of wine mom might want each month, and she can hand select ones she knows she loves from 12 options each month. Buy her the first few months, and then she can take it from there!

Give Back in Her Name: When asked, most of us agree that our mom is a saint for putting up with us all those years. Play off her saintly ways and give back to charity in her name, we promise this will make her proud. If you want to stay local, try donating to a women’s shelter like Denver’s Road Home. And for an international cause, donate to the Mother’s Day Movement, which saves women in the developing world from birth defects by “training birth attendants to use birth and hemorrhage kits, which are designed to decrease infection and hemorrhage at delivery in order to affect the high death rate for women in labor.” A donation of $10 will purchase one hemorrhage kit to prevent maternal death from bleeding.
Spa Packages: Yes, it might be cliché but no mom will be disappointed with a gift certificate to the spa. Save that extra $30 that you would’ve spent on micro brews or vodka sodas on Friday night and spring for a top-of-the-line package from the elegant Brown Palace Hotel, voted a top attraction in Denver by Trip Advisor. From mani-pedis ($65-$100) to hydro therapies ($60), they have it all.

Yoga Jam but NOT Jam Band

“Don’t miss this.” These words, this phrase: whispered, yelled out, barked, snarled, growled, simply stated, clearly and authoritatively, in a yoga class. What do they mean? I’ll elaborate to provide some context…don’t miss even one single second, focus on this very minute of your life, this exact moment. With whatever the tone of voice these words are uttered, quietly or loudly, they’ll get inside your head. What you choose to do with them once they are there is up to you. The first time they passed through my ears in a yoga studio, I heard them. They found a place in the active parts of my brain, not tucked away for toying with years from now, I reflect on them regularly. Daily. Outside of the studio.

So, this blog isn’t and very much is about these specific words. They were said in a Friday night live-music yoga class many months ago by quite an intriguing instructor, a wild boar of a man, and they have stuck with me ever since. Most times these words, don’t miss this, are yelled out loudly to an entire class of yogis. Other times, the instructor calls you out with them. Sometimes, he whispers them quietly, almost in your ear, as he walks through the crowd, passing by as you hold Virabhadrasana II WARRIOR TWO for what feels like too long, stretching your fingers forward, reaching for the front of the room, the pain exploding in your burning thigh and hamstring muscles, bending at your knee farther than you ever thought possible, moving deeper into the pose, you hear these words echoing somewhere in the room, somewhere in your head, and instinctively sink into the posture just a little bit more, when you didn’t think you could. What’s most important about these words is not the words themselves. It’s not the pose. It’s not the yoga. It’s the life that you live.

A wild beast

Where to meet this boar of a man yoga instructor? Saturday afternoon, at Kindness Yoga on South Broadway, come take an all levels Vinyasa Flow Live Music Class with Justin Kaliszewski instructing and KenK on guitar. It’ll be a fun. And when I say fun, I mean it’ll be exhausting exuberance. A seventy-five minute live-music yoga class followed by a kick-off-summer BBQ with Watercourse Foods and Great Divide Brewing beer.

I take Justin Kaliszewski/KenK live music classes every Friday night—and this is what you’ll get Saturday afternoon at Kindness on South Broadway—I have not had the energy or desire to go out on a Friday night in years, but even if I did, I’d go to this yoga class instead. It is a party: live music, pounding vibrations, people talking to each other, getting to know one another by name, laughing. KenK, the musician, guitarist, vocalist, rocks the house—some covers, some of his own tunes—his song, “Wonderful Day,” is one that you’ll eventually know the words to, similar to how you used to sing along at Friday Happy Hour in college, a bunch of drunk idiots singing along to “Sweet Caroline,” except this is different: KenK’s music will get into your heart. It’ll make your yoga move. You’ll be intoxicated, but without the Happy Hour Long Island Iced Teas. You’ll be inspired. You’ll look forward to hearing “Wonderful Day” at the end of the grueling hour of yoga, not only because it’ll signal the end of class, that the last hour of your life has been a work in magnificent, brutal physicality, but also that your life is a work in progress. The lyrics, the harmony, the beats, the guitar, the voices, the yoga: it’s all just good feeling. The class is through-the-roof energy. A physical ass whooping. A trek through mindfulness. Questions, insight, life. Fun. The combo of the duo—Justin and KenK—will affect you.

KenK, KenK

It’s all happening at Kindness Yoga, South Broadway location, on Saturday afternoon from noon to 1:15 pm. Come join. Get on your mat. Experience an incredible live music class. Afterward, eat delicious veg-head food at a yoga inspired BBQ. Drink beer.  Mesh with and taunt a wild boar—he may hunt you out; it’ll be a hunt you enjoy if you are strong at heart. Meet people who love yoga just like you do. Meet people who are trying out yoga for the first time just like you are. Don’t miss this. Don’t. Miss. This.