Girl Talk With Anna Guest-Jelley from Curvy Yoga

1. Hi Anna thank you so much for taking the time to sit down and chat with Strong, Sexy & Stylish. The first thing that we are dying to know is who you are, what is your background and what do you do?

Wow – thank you! I have to say that I am so excited to be here. I learned about Strong, Sexy & Stylish just as y’all were launching, and I’ve been thrilled about it ever since.

One of the reasons I was so excited about what you’re doing is because I think that those three messages – strong, sexy and stylish – aren’t often portrayed in positive ways. I think they too often get taken up in a striving way, like “why aren’t you strong, sexy and stylish enough?”

But what I think you’re doing, and where our work overlaps in many ways, is really exploding that idea that there is one set way to be any of those things – much less all of them.

So to give you some more background on me, I’m the Founder of Curvy Yoga, which is a place for body positive yoga for people of all shapes and sizes. I really came to this work via an interesting intersection of yoga and feminism.

I spent much of my 20s doing work around reproductive rights, sexual health, intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Doing this kind of work really raised my awareness about the importance of inclusive community and the power we have when a diversity of voices comes together.

What it did not teach me, though, was how to love my body in a personal way. Sure, I had the political argument down pat. I could get just as outraged (and probably more) as the next person about the media’s portrayal of women. But I never even considered the possibility that there was something I could do to change the way I felt about my own body.

That is, until I started my yoga practice. And actually, yoga came before my activism, but I came to yoga originally because I wanted to lose weight and maybe reduce some pain from my migraines, so I was hardly seeing it as a body positive tool at the time (because, again, I didn’t really think such things existed – especially for someone with a body like mine, whatever that meant to me at the time).

As my yoga practice unfolded, though, it became this great, concrete way to begin to love my body. Because, trust me, I had no clue what that meant when I got started.

When I first started practicing, I really liked yoga. But I figured I’d love it once I lost x amount of weight. I assumed it was only for thin people because I didn’t see anyone with a body similar to mine in class. Also, my teachers never gave me any pose modifications so that I could be comfortable. So I just figured it was a matter of time until I got there.

Over time, though, I realized that the problem wasn’t my body after all. The problem was that my teachers didn’t know how to teach me. So I set about to learn that information for myself – how to accommodate what I call the 3 Bs: boobs, belly and butt in poses.

As I gathered that info, I wanted to share it with others. And thus, Curvy Yoga was born.

2. I have taken your class via YogaVibes and loved it! I feel like your classes reach a broad demographic and release a positive image and mindset for women. Please tell us a little more about your company Curvy Yoga.

Thank you! I’m always thrilled to hear that people are using – and enjoying – those videos!

I started Curvy Yoga as a space to teach a few local yoga classes for my curvy friends and ramble a bit on my personal blog (which I was pretty sure would be read only by my husband, parents and sister – on a good day).

What I wasn’t expecting, but what completely thrills me, is that people were hungry for a space like this. It’s not just about the pose modifications so that curvy people can practice yoga comfortably – although that’s certainly an integral part of it.

I think the key has been, and continues to be, that Curvy Yoga provides concrete tools for people of all shapes and sizes to enter into a warmer relationship with their body.

One of my big ah-ha moments in the past year or so has been that loving your body really exists upon a spectrum, and that you can’t get anywhere without awareness. That was a missing link for me in my own experience (I bounced between binging and dieting – 65 diets, in fact – for most of my life).

For so long, I knew that diets weren’t right for me anymore – and that they were actually making things significantly worse for me. But as much as I learned about intuitive eating or loving your body, I just couldn’t find a way into it.

That is, until I realized that I already had one – yoga. Yoga gave me the skills to really feel my body, to be aware of what my breath was doing and to do both with some level of subtlety (at least on most days!). From there, I wasn’t far off from being able to start feeling my feelings, too.

And once that key turned in the lock, things really started to shift for the positive for me on my own body image journey.

That’s when I knew that I wanted Curvy Yoga to be the place I’d always wanted to find – one where other people who are in the process of figuring out what on earth loving their body means to them can come together in solidarity and support, sharing tools and connecting.

I’ve recently begun certifying yoga teachers to teach Curvy Yoga in their area, and that work is such a joy. I love knowing that welcoming, body positive yoga is going to be popping up all over the world.

3. Do you have any advice for our readers that are interested in starting a yoga practice?

Definitely! My advice is to find a resource that works for you and get started. Yoga can be practiced by nearly everyone; you just have to find a way to practice that works for you and your uniquely fabulous needs.

If people are looking for curvy friendly resources, here are some they may enjoy:

· My videos on YogaVibes

· Free podcasts on my site

· Any of the great DVDs I recommend

If anyone has a specific question, I’m always happy to connect! Folks can reach me via my website.

4. Could you please tell us some of the benefits of yoga?

Oh, there are so many! Interestingly, the scientific community has become more and more interested in yoga, so there are studies being done all the time to examine yoga’s effects. There are positive benefits for stress reduction, pain management, blood pressure issues, cancer survivors, depression, pregnant women and the list goes on and on. In addition, there are the somewhat more obvious benefits of increased range of motion, strength and flexibility.

That being said, I think one of the greatest benefits is that yoga is a concrete way to get in touch with your body. So many of us never learned how to do this, and yoga provides a way to hear and respond to the messages your body shares. In my opinion, this tool greatly contributes to all the other health benefits of yoga. Because regardless of what’s going on with you, yoga can help you find a way through it.

5. I believe that you embody the message of a Strong, Sexy & Stylish women. In your own words, why are you Strong, Sexy & Stylish?

First of all, I’m glad this interview is online vs. in person. I’m totally blushing! Thank you for such a sweet compliment.

I think any woman is strong, sexy and stylish when she fully owns who she is – her strengths, weaknesses, quirks and vulnerability. This is certainly not an easy task. For me, it very much feels like a process – and one at which I often fail. But I do strive to work towards that place every day.

6. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Just that getting to know and love yourself is a journey – an often frustrating but equally (or more) often rewarding one. Yoga is a tool that you can use in this work, but if it’s not for you for whatever reason, keep looking. It’s worth the search.

Also, if your readers would like to connect with Curvy Yoga, there are lots of ways to do that. They can check out my free podcasts, look for a teacher in their area and, if they’re teachers themselves, learn more about getting certified. And for a little inspiration (or a lot!), don’t miss this beautiful gallery of curvy yogis getting their yoga on.

Interested readers should also keep their eye on the site around April 16. I’m going to be releasing a free eBook called Curvy Voices on that date; this book is a labor of love and includes the stories of 37 incredible people telling their personal story about yoga and body image. I can’t wait for

folks to read it!

Anna Guest-Jelley is the founder of Curvy Yoga, which is all about lovin’ the body you have today. Through Curvy Yoga, she offers yoga designed to fit the bodies of people of all shapes, sizes and abilities as well as messages of body positivity and meeting yourself where you are – both on and off the mat.

Sort Yourself Out

This clip is from a truly zany British comedy show called, "That Mitchell and Webb Look." I must've watched it 20 times, but it still makes me chortle because it's SO TRUE! Women are constantly fed messages about our inadequacy by companies who can profit off our insecurities. So we fret, and spend, and fret some more.

Give a quick thought to the concept of "manufactured discontent" next time a TV ad convinces you to invest in some miracle product. Could it be that you've already sorted yourself out?

Tell me your secrets!

What are you fantasizing about this week? I’m not talking about vacations, winning the lottery or delicious meals magically made for you by someone else. I’m talking about the sexy thoughts in your head! Fantasies can be fun, no risk, no guilt ways of exploring lots of sexual possibilities we may or may not want to do in real life.

Have you ever been worried about the content of your fantasies? Have you had the thought, “Now where did THAT come from?” Rest assured that everyone has fantasies that bemuse, confuse or worry them sometimes. As long as you are making decisions about your sexual behavior with the part of your brain that can assess physical and emotional risks you don’t have to be worried about the content of your fantasies, no matter what they might be. One interesting book of women’s fantasies is My Secret Garden by Nancy Friday. You may agree with the interpretations of the fantasies Ms. Friday offers or you may not. The important part in my opinion is the fantasies themselves are great reading!

If you aren’t aware of what you fantasize about or feel that you don’t have any fantasies I encourage you to develop some. Fantasies can be great fun, help develop our sexual imaginations and might even suggest some fun activities that can be incorporated into our real sex lives. A sexual imagination is a horrible thing to waste. So please take some time this week to lay back, do what feels hot to you and see what pops into your mind. If you find that nothing is happening, one great way to see what turns you on and jump start your fantasy mind is to read erotica. One company that produces great erotica specifically for women and couples is Cleis Press. Cleis also produces a lot of fabulous LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, and Queer) erotica. If you are short on cash, check out a ton of free erotica online at LitErotica. No matter where you find your inspiration get out there and do some hot hot thinking!!!

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for Strong, Sexy & Stylish.

Favorite Spring Fitness Capris

It's Spring!

Time to get rid of our layers and let our arms and legs out to breath some nice fresh air! Since it is not quite shorts season and I love to wear fitness capris, I thought I would show you a few of my favorites for the season.

One thing I love is COLOR! Fitness is fun and I think our clothes should reflect this. I am not the only person that feels this way since women's fitness clothing companies are starting to add super bright colors and really fun prints (Thanks fitness companies).

The Adidas TECHFIT 3/4 Zebra Print Tight


are super fun and totally funky! Nike also has a fun pair of capri tights called the Nike Pro Core Print Compression Capri with an exciting print. They are also a compression tight, which is all the rage for runners and cyclists these days. Compression tights extend the shelf life of your muscles when they are performing an activity, help regulate heat and can keep the muscles in place to reduce injury.




Another pair of compression tights that I happen to have in my closet, come from the brand CW-X. I do love these tights, but man are they hard to put on! I always feel like a sausage trying to fit into its casing. That being said, I do feel like quite the bad-ass when I run in them.



Sometimes (most of the time) I like to wear workout clothes that are a bit looser. I just like them. They are crazy comfortable and I don't have to show every nook and cranny of my body to the World. Here are a few looser fitting capris I love, that are currently in stores.

My favorite capris of all time hail from LuLuLemon. I seriously wore these every other day last Spring, Summer and fall. I wish I had these in every color (better start saving my pennies). I could not find a picture of the capris but you can see a picture of the full length pants below (also awesome).


A brand new pair that I have that are a new favorite as well are from Lole. They are fun, stylish and super comfortable. They make my calves look pretty sweet as well. You can't beat that!

Last but not least, I found a sweet pair from Target that are about half the price of most fitness capris ($24.00). After seeing these pants online, I decided that I have to make a trip to see what they are all about. They look comfy, cute and CHEAP!


There are so many other capri options for you to choose from. We women are lucky, we now have a TON of companies that cater to our every fitness clothing need.

Do you have any favorite fitness capris in your wardrobe? If so, which ones are your favorites?

-Karen


**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for Strong, Sexy & Stylish.

Strong, Sexy & Stylish - Episode 7: What IS Flattering?

In this episode, Style and Body Image Writer Sally McGraw outlines the basics of flattering clothing, with an emphasis on choice and personal priorities. Are your clothes working with or against your body? Listen in to find out!

Listen to the podcast by clicking here, or subscribe via iTunes.

The four basic elements of flattering clothing are:

1. Flattering clothing sits flat against your body.
2. Flattering clothing doesn’t pull, pinch, or subdivide.
3. Flattering clothing works with your eyes, hair, and skin tone.
4. Flattering clothing creates a silhouette that pleases your eye.

Opportunity Knocks for this episode:
Each morning this week, after you’ve gotten dressed for your day, take a moment to evaluate your outfit. Does it flatter you? Why or why not?

Helpful hint for this episode:
Buy a full-length mirror! It will help you SO MUCH!

Enjoy! We'll be back in two weeks to discuss vibrators ... for the shy.

1,001 Uses for Fashion Tape

Do you use double-sided fashion tape? In my life, this stuff has proven to be absolutely invaluable for wardrobe hacks, so I thought I'd share this post from the Already Pretty archives with a few ideas for implementation!

* * * * *

OK, OK, I exaggerate. Though perhaps I should keep a running list and eventually publish a book titled 1,001 Uses for Fashion Tape. I could make a fortune, people!

In the meantime, here are a handful of quick and easy uses for fashion tape to tide you over. Don't go thinking that this invention exists for the sole purpose of preventing celebrity nipple slips. No indeed, double-sided fabric-friendly tape is incredibly versatile and almost infinitely useful, as my hyperbolic post title implies. I keep a little tin on my person at all times and another in my jewelry box at home. It comes in handy approximately once a week, I swear. I've seen it sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond on occasion, but I get mine from Amazon. And I buy in bulk.

What exactly can be done with this stylistic life-saver?

Create false lapels on a cardigan: This is what I'm doing an admittedly crappy job of showing you in the photo up top. If you've got a crewneck cardigan and would rather that the top flaps sit open, fold them backwards to create the look of false lapels, and tack the little triangles of sweater to the body of the cardigan using fashion tape. This works best if the bottom half of the cardigan is buttoned.

Tack down a button-down shirt collar: Since I generally shun the iron, I get some pretty wacky-looking shirt collars. And since I prefer to wear necklaces with my button-downs, it helps to spread the collar wide. Determine how much of a v-neckline you want to create, and tape the collar to the shirt body.

Keep the end of a belt in place: Oh, I know that tucking your loose, floppy belt-end under the belt itself is all the rage. And I actually adore this look. But it doesn't work for every style of belt, and it doesn't look right with every outfit. Fashion tape can be used to tack the loose end of a belt to the body of the belt. I'll admit that I'm loathe to do this with super supple or expensive belts even though the tactic has never harmed leather, plastic, or cloth ... better safe than sorry. But with less dear waist-cinchers? Go for it.

Secure a wrap top: Since I am small-of-boob, anything with a wrap top - be it false or true - just sags sadly about my girls. The wrapping effect itself, however, looks elegant and chic on my torso. So I employ fashion tape to eliminate the gape. My preference is to tape fabric to fabric, but sometimes it's easier to tape fabric to breastbone. The sensation isn't uncomfortable so much as odd, and after a few minutes I generally forget the tape is even there.

Make a neckline more modest: Many plunging necklines have some slack fabric around the opening that can be tightened or gathered to decrease the plunge. Fashion tape is often more effective at closing up the neckline than safety pins, since it holds closed a larger area and holds it closed flat.

Temporarily repair a hemline: I thrift. A lot. And occasionally a skirt or dress will begin to unravel at the hem quite unexpectedly. And while the aforementioned safety pins work in a pinch, fashion tape is often more secure and effective. It's saved me from frayed hems dozens of times!

Seal a button-down shirt: This style of shirt was originally designed for men, so many versions still fight our female forms. Women with large breasts definitely struggle, but even my b-cup bust creates gaping in some styles. One piece of fashion tape between the pulling buttons can work wonders.

Are you a fan of fashion tape? How do YOU use this miracle invention?

SS&S Short Check In: On Dental Dams and the Politics of FDA Approval

Have you listened to the latest Strong, Sexy & Stylish Short about Dental Dams? This episode of the podcast inspired a comment on Sally's blog, Already Pretty, reminding me that there is currently only one dam on the market 
(Glyde Dams) that is approved by the FDA. This comment got me thinking about FDA approval and situations in which I personally feel the FDA is not up to date with the best practices of harm-reduction sex education. Here are some things to consider about this complex subject.

Why is FDA approval helpful?

FDA approval tells us what specifically a product has been proven to do based on the evaluation of the agency. See the below statement from an FDA official regarding how the FDA evaluates condoms.

“FDA has oversight responsibility to ensure that condoms are manufactured properly, and manufacturers - in turn - follow quality system regulations, including design controls, to ensure that their products do what they are intended to do: protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.”
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Testimony/ucm114794.htm

So when the FDA approves a safer sex product it is saying the product has met agency standards as far as how it is made and the results it gets (keeping us safer from STI transmission and unwanted pregnancies). This is a good thing.

Have you ever seen a condom labeled “novelty condom”? These are designed to be funny, sexy, provide extra sensation or some other gimmicky goal. They can be fun but if they are labeled “novelty” they are not proven to protect you from STI transmission or unwanted pregnancy. This shows the importance of FDA approval. If we have no standards by which to evaluate safer sex supplies we could have any company marketing it’s product for sexual use while not providing any real protection against STIs or unwanted pregnancies.




Why might FDA approval sometimes give us an incomplete picture of a product?

Just like any other organization the FDA can miss or decide to ignore certain important topics. Did you know that Trojan Condoms are contraindicated for use in anal sex? Check out the info here from Trojan Condom company. Basically this means the FDA says that Trojan Condoms should NOT be used for anal sex. This statement doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for this sex educator. Studies have shown that when used correctly and consistently condoms greatly reduce the transmission rates for many STIs including HIV. Unprotected anal sex is one of the riskiest forms of sex as far as HIV transmission. So why wouldn’t the FDA encourage people to use condoms when having anal sex? Is there something specific about Trojan Condoms that make them unsuitable for anal sex? Not that I know of.

Have you heard about the Female Condom (Fc2)? I asked my friend and co-host on the Sex is Fun Podcast, HIV Educator Gay Rick to give our readers some background on the Female Condom and the FDA.

"When used consistently and correctly condoms and latex barriers have been shown to decrease the risk for the transmission of STIs and HIV. Condoms and dental dams have been approved by the FDA to use to prevent the transmission of these infections. However, the FDA is a government agency and politics can play a part of the decisions around the approval of medical devices. Initially, the Avanti Female Condom was developed for men to use during anal sex when they were the receptive partner. The FDA would not approve them for anal sex. Avanti re-branded the condoms for females and added a ring to lie against the cervix to keep it in place. Nothing changed about the condom - it was still made of a material that stops viruses and bacteria from getting through. However, it was now being used for a more "socially appropriate" kind of sex."

The Female Condom (sometimes referred to as a “bottom condom” by people not intending to use it for vaginal sex) can be a very effective tool in keeping people safer during anal sex, but if we followed FDA approval as our only barometer of usefulness we could miss this application completely.



So why these gaps or strange contraindications in FDA approval? There could be many reasons. Personally, I agree with Gay Rick in thinking it is likely that our societal sexual norms or prejudices have influence in what gets approved and for which behaviors. Have you noticed the pattern that anal sex seems to be an area avoided by the FDA? Is this coincidental or due to the fact that anal sex is still considered more taboo in our American culture? This oversight or deliberate exclusion on the part of the FDA is especially shameful in my mind because unprotected anal sex has a higher risk of HIV transmission than many other sexual behaviors. One would think this fact alone would make the FDA eager to approve medical devices that provide consistent and reliable protection during anal sex.

So now you know a little more about the politics of safer sex supplies. FDA approval gives us helpful information about important products and needed oversight for the safer sex medical device industry. However, it is not the only standard by which to measure a safer sex product and it is worth questioning what political forces might be shaping this agency’s decisions. I’d love to hear your opinions on this topic. What do you think might be behind the FDA’s decisions? How do you think our government agencies should handle evaluation of medical devices in relation to sexual health? How do you make your own safer sex decisions?

5 Nutrition Tips

1. Eat whole foods. Preferably local and organic.

Whole foods are good foods. When you sit down for a meal or a snack, you should always put real food onto your plate. Eating real food, means eating fruits, vegetables and meat. Things that are grown and that can die. Highly processed foods (things that come in boxes) are hard to digest and have way way too many ingredients in them. Try sticking to foods that have 1 to 5 ingredients in them. Also, stick to ingredients that you understand. The food industry can put some crazy stuff in our food and you don’t want too much of that crazy stuff ending up inside of you. Ick!

2. Do not deny yourself.

It’s important to promote positivity into our daily lives. When we diet and tell ourselves no, NO, NOOO, it can make us want things more and more. When I get into an eating slump and find the need to get out, I do not take everything that is “Bad” out of my diet. Instead, I start to add the good things back into my diet. One of my little tricks is to have a smoothie every day. Even if I ate a bunch of crap all day long that amounted to way way too many calories, (not that I count calories anyway) I still eat a smoothie.
When I do this, my body remembers all the wonderful things that good whole food do for me. Slowly but surely, my body and mind start to not even want things like sugar. One time I did this, I got to a point where my favorite lemon bar would burn my tongue because of the sugar in it. Crazy right?

3. Eat Smaller Portions

Most of us eat on these gigantic plates the size of an elephants head. This causes us to put more food on the plate, which then makes us eat more food. The next time you reach for a plate or a bowl to eat food, grab the smaller plate. You will put less food on the plate, but it will look like more because it takes up more space.
When eating at restaurants, you can ask for a smaller portion, cut your meal in half and save the rest for later or ask the waiter to box half of your meal up right away. I can typically make one entree at a Thai restaurant last 2-3 meals.

4. Drink a lot of water.

Water. There are so many benefits to water. I can’t say enough about them. Water helps your body detox, keeps you stay energized and keeps your skin looking amazing.
There is no perfect amount of water one can drink but, the peeps in the know often say drink 64 ounces, 8 cups a day or half of your body weight in ounces. I say keep water near by and drink it often. If you are thirsty, your body needed water a LONG time ago. Looking at the color of your pee can help determine how your fluid intake is. Dark yellow= desperate need for water. Crystal clear= maybe a bit too hydrated.

5. Eat whole grains.

One of my favorite things in the whole wide world is warm white bread and butter. It’s amazing! The problem is that I feel like crap after I eat it. I get bloated, tired and dare I say.... constipated. Not good. Since I know this, I try to eat this wonderful indulgence sparingly. I don’t take white bread out of my diet; I just eat a lot less of it. I also try to find foods that give me the same gratification as white bread that won’t do horrible things to my stomach. Examples: popcorn, gluten free bread and corn bread. When it comes down to it, as long as I can slather butter on something that is warm, I am good to go.

Strong, Sexy & Stylish SHORT - Making Oral Sex Safer

In this Strong, Sexy and Stylish Short, Sex Educator Laura Rad discusses the importance of safe oral sex, and explains how to use a dental dam.

Listen to this week's Strong, Sexy & Stylish SHORT for more details! Or subscribe via iTunes

Podcast Episode 6 Check In

In this episode, Wellness Coach Karen Kraus explores five major - and often overlooked - benefits of strength training for women. Find out why lifting weights just a few minutes per week could improve your health, self-image, and overall well-being. What are the five benefits? Listen to find out!

In this episode, we talked about:

The 5 benefits of strength training for women. Have a listen and tell us what your think!

Opportunity Knocks for this episode:
Try something new that makes you SWEAT! Then swing by next week and tell us what you tried.

Remarkable Resource for this episode:

1. Spark People: Online support community for fitness, training and weight loss
2. Pilates Anytime: Online pilates classes

Enjoy!

Sexy Style - Empowering or ... Not?

If you're a sewist, you may already be familiar with Peter's amazing blog, Male Pattern Boldness. If not, I highly recommend adding it to your reading list. In addition to posting hilarious and engaging posts about his sewing adventures, he also examines women's fashion issues with a keen intellect. Yes, women's fashion. Peter's alter ego is his cousin, Cathy, for whom he sews BEAUTIFUL vintage-style frocks. What I'd give for Cathy's wardrobe ...

This week, he posted about the increasingly sexual language used to describe women's style and clothing choices in magazines and elsewhere. After examining two magazines - one from 1991 and one from 2012 - he says:

It's not just the emphasis on sex, it's the smutty language, by which I mean, very specifically, words traditionally used to shame women, that calls my attention. What else can we make of the constant use of "naughty" (Naughty to whom?), "dirty," "shocking," two-timing" (to describe garments you can wear casual or "glam") and "skanky"?

Is this an example of using the language of the oppressor to empower an oppressed group, the way the gay community re-appropriated, and (arguably) defused, the word "queer" in the Nineteen-nineties? Is it meant to be ironic and playfully retrograde, or is something else going on?

A great and lively discussion ensued, and I recommend reading the comments as well as the post. Clearly, we're a VERY sex-positive group here at Strong, Sexy & Stylish. But it could be argued that this language is tied to feelings of shame and fear, feelings that most sex-positive folks don't want associated with sexuality and it's various expressions.

What are your thoughts? Is it harmless to describe sexy clothes as "naughty" or "shocking"? Or does it simultaneously encourage women to dress in revealing clothes AND feel shameful about doing so? Empowering? Degrading? Neither? Both?

Women And Girls Lead

Here is a little motivation for your Thursday. Every single one of us can have the same power and drive that Beverly Kearney has. She is amazing and truly someone to look up to in life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hot9mQzx6XQ&list=UUgyeJxD05YnoDquRMNBfBqw&feature=plcp

Enjoy!

-Karen

Lubricious!!!

Let's play a game. Let's play the "you are stuck on a desert island" game. You are only allowed to bring one sex related product. I know. It's horrible. But this game is about sacrifice and clarifying what is important to you, right? When I play this game the product I choose to bring often surprises people. I choose.....

Lube!

It is true. You can't underestimate the importance of lube! Just like men don't always get erections when aroused, women have times when they are aroused but they are not wet. Lube is perfect for these times! Experiencing dryness due to a hormonal change like pregnancy or menopause? You need lube! Using condoms, dental dams or other barrier methods for safer sex? Lube makes them feel great! Want a marathon sex session? Lube will help you get there! Too much coffee today? Had some red wine? Took an antihistamine? Doing some anal play? Lube, lube, lube, lube!!!

For more in-depth info about the different kinds of lubes and how to find the perfect one for you check out an article I wrote called Picking the Right Lube for You.

Looking for a great selection of lubes? Check out our sponsor, The Smitten Kitten. Don't forget to use your coupon code!

Bullying

Here at Strong, Sexy & Stylish we believe in positive body image, self esteem and good relationships between women and girls. Last week, Rachel Simmons gave a lecture at the Westminster Town Hall Forum in Minneapolis, MN. Take some time out of your day and have a listen. If you are a women, you have a daughter, teach students or have anything to do with women, you should have a listen and then get one of her books.

Rachel Simmons « Westminster Town Hall Forum | Minneapolis, MN

Scroll to the end of this link and you will see the audio.

Enjoy!

Deeper

A ha. I got ya. I bet you thought this was a post about sex. Suprise, its not! Really, this is a post about the exact opposite. Therapeutic touch or massage as we like to call it in the world of bodywork.

Getting massage is a great treatment to incorporate into a health and wellness routine. As great as massage is, there are some questions that are often asked by my friends and family about massage. I thought it was time to answer these questions so everyone can benefit from the answers.

11 Rules Of Massage

1. It is okay to ask for more or less pressure. You are paying for the massage, so it is a-okay to ask for more or less pressure! To make things easier, be really clear about what you like during the initial client intake.

2. Talking. It is up to you. If you don’t want to talk, then don’t. If the therapist keeps talking, answer with one word or say something like “I love massage, I get to relax and veg out”.

3. Clothing Optional. Most therapists prefer that you are naked. If you feel a bit more comfortable with your underwear on that is totally fine as well.

4. Tipping. I say tip when you are at a spa, a gym or a large massage therapy center. These therapists often live off of their tips. If you are a weekly client, are getting massage for injury/health related reasons you really do not have to tip.

5. Canceling last minute. Big NO NO! This is a career for your massage therapist. When you cancel last minute, they don’t get paid. Be considerate and pay them anyways. Next time, try to give them 24 hours notice.

6. You don’t need to shave:) We are used to hairy legs. I promise, they don’t bother us.

7. Be on time. In fact, be a little early. Ten minutes at least! Therapists can run a tight schedule and if you are late, they have no obligation to run the session longer to accommodate you.

8. Male or Female. It’s okay to ask for either a male or a female therapist. For some reason men have a way harder time building up a clientele, which is sad because they are often pretty awesome at massage. It is not okay to get picked up by your therapist at a spa and then find out they are of the wrong sex and refuse to get massaged by them. If you prefer a male or a female, make sure to specify the sex of your therapist when you call to make an appointment.

9. Your body is perfect. We massage many different shapes, sized and colors. So many clients say very negative things about themselves. We don’t see you that way. Every body is an art form. What we care about is making your body healthy and more relaxed.

11. It’s okay to jump ship. Clients can become very loyal to their therapist, which is awesome. We like our clients but, if we can’t fit you into our schedule, we are gone on vacation or you want to try someone new, it’s okay.

12. Referrals. This is how therapists build their client base. If you love your therapist, spread the word. If you are really good at referrals, ask about a referral program. If they don’t have one, maybe they will start one for you.

Massage is great for stress relief, injury prevention, increasing the immune system, creating more flexibility in the joints and so much more. I hope these little rules will help you the next time you get a massage.

Enjoy your week and go get a massage! They are awesome!

Karen

photo courtesy of relaxyoudeserveit.com

Strong, Sexy & Stylish - Episode 6: Five Benefits of Strength Training

In this episode, Wellness Coach Karen Kraus explores five major - and often overlooked - benefits of strength training for women. Find out why lifting weights just a few minutes per week could improve your health, self-image, and overall well-being. What are the five benefits? Listen to find out!

Listen to the podcast by clicking here, or subscribe via iTunes.

The study Karen referenced that links strength training to improved body image is discussed in this article.

Great strength training resources from this episode include:

• My O My TV: Free fitness workout videos
• Girls Gone Strong: Training support for women
• Yoga Glo: Online yoga classes 
• Yoga Vibes: Online yoga classes
• 411 Fit: Resources for fitness and wellness

Opportunity Knocks for this episode:
Find a way to add strength training into your life. Try it twice a week for the coming weeks, then log on here and tell us in a comment what you thought of your new routine!

Remarkable Resources for this episode:

1. Spark People: Online support community for fitness, training and weight loss
2. Pilates Anytime: Online pilates classes

Enjoy! We'll be back in two weeks to discuss what makes clothing flattering.

Learn to Dress Your Best!

I'm SUPER excited to announce that I'll be teaching a class on dressing for self-expression and figure flattery this coming spring! It's part of the South Washington County Community Education program, and will take place on Tuesday, May 8. I know that seems like a lifetime from now, but time flies, friends! I'd love for you to sign up and join me for a night's discussion of dressing, style, and body image.

Details on the class are right here. Hope to see you there!

Did you know your clitoris has legs?

Hey Strong, Sexy & Stylish Friends,

Check out this great article from The Mary Sue describing the internal parts of the clitoris. Most people don't know that the clitoris is a much larger structure than what we see on the outside of our bodies. Go learn all about the only body part we know of that is purely there to give us pleasure!

Have fun!
Laura Rad

P.S. This article includes anatomical illustrations. You can decide whether that is safe for your workplace or not.

I Love My Body!

I love my body? Do you love your body? My body and I have good days and bad days with each other. Today I recorded my first ever fitness related video with my friend Lisa Van Ahn. I was in my favorite Lole pants and jacket. What I really wanted to be wearing were my ever loving and comfortable sweat pants. Ahh, sweat pants:)

Why did I feel this way? Well, I have been eating out a ton (insert yummy) and working out very little (oops). I have also been dealing with a leg issue for almost 2 months now. It’s almost better; I am able to run 2 miles without pain (a major feat).

Anyways, back to the point.

We all need to find ways to love our body, since society can make it EXTREMELY difficult. We constantly see photo shopped versions of bodies in every magazine on the planet. People are constantly dieting and going to extreme measures working out just so they can have a flat stomach. Is that fun? I don’t think so, do you?

We have beautiful, often times unreachable versions of the female form in magazines and on television. How does that make you feel? Is it hard to truly love your body, the body that is a size 6,8,12 or 16 when you are constantly looking at a size 2? Are these female forms a motivation for you, or does it make loving yourself that much harder?

I am bringing this up, because I live and work in the fitness and health industry. A place where we preach for living a healthy life. A life that is balanced with work, health, family, spirit and community. Unfortunately, the people we often look up to in the health profession are also unreachable versions of the female (and male) form. Do you know how much it takes to get to these forms? A LOT OF WORK!! Often times it means pretty intense workouts and a spot-on diet. The balance that we all seek can become in-balanced. Life starts to revolve around working out and eating. Trust me, I have been there.

Shouldn’t we be healthy based on balance? The ability to work on every area in our life equally? To me, this means being able to move your body and workout so that it makes you feel good. Working out makes you a healthier person and does not take over the other aspects of your life.

Being healthy will mean different things to all of us. Maybe it means incorporating movement into your workday by walking to your lunch meeting. Maybe you take a 30-minute walk every day or every other day. Maybe you workout for 60 minutes a day 5 days a week. You might even be training for your next Iron Man Triathlon. As long as you are well balanced and healthy while still loving yourself, you are on the right track.

What I am trying to say here is that we need to start moving our bodies because we love who we are. We shouldn’t be working out purely for vain reasons. Being vain only goes so far. We need to workout for our health, our kids, or lively hood.

Why is it so bad to have a belly? Is it that important to not have our thighs touching each other? Sometimes, I look at myself in the mirror and I zero in on something that I am not happy about. It’s unfortunate, but we all do it. Usually, I am able to catch myself and turn my negativity around to something positive. If I grab my gut wishing it was gone, I stop myself and think of how balanced my workouts are and that I am able to treat myself to cookies and ice cream every once in a while. Once I start thinking positively, I lovingly grab my stomach again and say thank you. Thank you for being a part of me, for helping me and for letting me treat myself to sugary loveliness every once in a while. I love you.

It’s time to stop fighting ourselves. It’s time to stop feeling defeated by our bodies. It’s time to stop looking up to and wanting to be the people in the magazines and fitness videos. It’s time to start loving who you are and what you look like. Every woman should feel beautiful... because you are beautiful.

Look at yourself in the mirror today. Really look at yourself and then have an important conversation. Tell your body, mind and spirit that you are sorry for the way you have been treating them. Tell yourself how much you love being you. That you love you in every which way.

I love my body. Do you love yours?

karen

P.S. I do admire all forms of the human body and appreciate everyone for who they are, skinny, strong, big, short, tall, thin etc. I believe that even people that do have amazing figures and forms go through the same malicious self talk that every other form goes through. Lets be nice to ourselves and to each other.

Strong, Sexy & Stylish SHORT - Karin Jacobson Jewelry

In this short, we introduce you to talented, creative, amazing jewelry designer Karin Jacobson!

• More about Karin's work here.
• Buy a few of her pieces online here.
  

Listen to this week's Strong, Sexy & Stylish SHORT for more details!

A Friendly, Fun, Fashionable Community

So let's say you're starting to experiment with your personal style, or hoping to move up to the next sartorial level, and wishing for a community of friendly women to support you and offer a bit of constructive feedback. Let's ALSO say that you don't feel particularly welcome in Chictopia or Lookbook, but still long for a place to share photos, chat about outfits, and shop around a bit.

Allow me to introduce you to Go Chic or Go Home.

This site seamlessly brings together four key elements of personal style: Your own wardrobe, outfit inspiration, friends, and shopping. To participate, you've got to request an invite which will allow you to "follow" other participants and view their closet contents and posted outfits for inspiration. And, of course, you'll be able to add photos of your own belongings and post images of your outfits as well. You can create a shopping wish list from within the site, create fantasy ensembles using products you love, and so much more. It's an amazing resource and a truly supportive community.

Curious? Great! Swing by Go Chic or Go Home and see if it's a good fit for you.