fitness - Lexagator Loves

Another Friday come and gone right? I have some new favorites coming at cha!

How many times have you been hit up to provide a list of what to do in SF that is healthy? If you are like me you might draw a blank if put on the spot. Or how many times have you seen guides that totally misinform the experience in SF? Like the part that Summer is insanely cold or that to be aware of the many car break-in’s that happen? I was lucky to check out Well+ Away’s new SF guide and I’m happy to say it addresses all my concerns in pointing loved ones to great healthy (and practical) tips for those traveling to SF. Well + Away is the brainchild of Margaux Lushing who is NASM-certified personal trainer has lived and breathed the wellness space for years writing for Refinery 29, Robb Report, 7×7 and San Francisco Chronicle and former publicist in the luxury hospitality industry. The SF guide covers everything you would like to know like the best vegan restaurants, best fitness studios, juice bars, running routes and more. I also love that there are local contributors like Elaine Hayes who founded the Instagramable Pilates studio MNTSTUDIO who breaks down her personal favorites in the city! There are two versions of the new digital guide: a mobile-optimized version for streamlining and a printable version for going screen-free. I added the PDF to my Evernote so I can have it on hand any time I need. I also found that there were a lot of new to me places that I hadn’t thought of going to so this guide is well-worth the investment.

And for all my amazing readers with promo code: LEXAGATORLOVES you’ll get 15% off of the purchase of the SF or brand new London Guide! Woot!

I had meetings in San Mateo and decided I’d head that direction before and get a workout in (Bonus: not sit in traffic!). I am all about heated classes so I wanted to try the new to me LIFT Exercise Studio for their Heated HIIT 45 minute class. I really wish this studio was closer to me because I would put it in my regular Classpass rotation. First of all the studio is light and airy, the perfect vibe you want while working out. They have plenty of showers (with circulation, I might add, I mean how many times have you tried to shower at a studio and you are still sweating after?) with a adorable station to dry your hair! They even had a flat iron! The studio offers all kinds of classes like barre, spin (with a dedicated space), and strength training. I took a heated HIIT class which was in their barre space that was heated to nice 85 degrees. It wasn’t so hot that I was dying, but I was challenged. The instructor lead us through 8 intervals, targeting every muscle in the body. Each interval had a active and recovery period which results in increased metabolism. The studio also provides Manduka yoga mats like Ritual Yoga. I would love to come back and try another one of the classes!

Harvey’s Women’s Streamline Crossbody Bag

I have been wanted a new purse for awhile but was really having a hard time finding a bag made in the USA and that was made of sustainable material. I had another Harvey’s bag that I got from Disneyland that I loved so I started to do some research and found this one! I love how compact it is and that it goes with everything! I just feel really good buying this bag and knowing it will last me a long time! Check out the bag on Amazon (affiliate link!).

I’m not a yogi and the practice of yoga has never ever been my thing. Flexibility has never been easy for me and I have never touched my toes (without bending my knees) but I know yoga is good for me so I have always tried to find a studio class that gets me and I feel like Ritual Hot Yoga does that.

The studio is located in the Soma district and spitting distance from the 101 freeway. I was immediately greeted and signed in using a touchscreen and then given a quick tour. Ritual has everything you need to clean up after class with showers, towels, and supplies to dry your hair. The studio also supplies you with a yoga mat, fancy yoga towel, clips to secure your mat, and a yoga block. I loved that there was bottled water and tea as well.

The class is centered around moving and breathing to the beat which makes it a very quick flow of yoga poses in a heated candlelit room. I found my first class to be liberating because I didn’t have a enough time to be frustrated by any of the poses because you have to move to the next one.

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The instructor opened the class with the mantra for the week which was Santosha, which means contentment and satisfaction. She eloquently described how we are conditioned to always look to want more in life. Rarely do we take a moment to be grateful and content with where we are now. How can we appreciate our future accomplishments if we can not be grateful today?

Santosha challenges us to find peace in the moment—to accept and appreciate what is, no matter what that looks like. It’s about looking to yourself for a sense of fulfillment and trusting that you have everything you need. During the class it struck me how often I think if I had x (money, status, whatever) I’d be happier. If we choose to live our life like this we are going to be consistently looking for more when we need to look to ourselves for everything we need.

During the class the instructor leads you through poses in time with music from popular music like Rihanna and Tinashe. She walks around to give hands on guidance and there are two more helpers that do the same thing. At first I was alarmed when someone helped me into a pose but after a few times I found it comforting and helpful. I also found myself out of breath and completely covered in sweat. At the end of class during Shavasana the assistants lay a cool eucalyptus scented towel on your forehead and come around to do mini massages. If this is not the ultimate perk of a yoga studio I don’t know what is. I ended my practice with some complementary yogi tea before departing back into the real world.

All The Deets

Website: Ritual Hot Yoga

Address: 586 6th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Price: $30 drop-in

Amenities: showers, towels, yoga mat, clips, yoga blocks, and more!

Want To Check it out ClassPass?

Friday Finds-8/09 + A Promo Code!

Movin’ To The Beat At Ritual SF

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