Wanderlust’s Yoga in the City & a Delicious GIVEAWAY!
If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, then it’s no secret that I had a phenomenal time at Wanderlust Fest’s Yoga in the City event on the Santa Monica Pier last Saturday.
Apologies for blowing up your feeds, but there was just so much cool stuff to share!
For those unfamiliar, Wanderlust Festival is a four-day yoga retreat filled with classes from the world’s top yogis, awesome music, inspiring speakers, and delicious food. This year they’re doing mountaintop retreats in Squaw Valley, Aspen, Whistler, Stratton, and Tremblant.
In anticipation of their summer getaways, they host one-day yoga festivals in big cities nationwide, and last week they came here to L.A.
I was psyched to spend my Saturday basking in the sun by the beach, soaking up rays while I did sun salutations. It was such a blast and I highly recommend you check it out next time. If you live in San Francisco, Chicago, or Philadelphia though, get ready because they’re coming your way next!
Here’s what you need to know:
1. You don’t need a yoga mat.
Although they suggest you bring your own mat, they have a humongous patch of faux grass set up, and you can just plop down and stake your territory. While most people at the event planned to be there and came prepared, a bunch of passers-by saw what was going on, and just hopped in.
2. You do need to bring sunscreen.
I checked the weather and it was supposed to be cool here, but the sun was blazing and I definitely had to reapply during the six-hour day.
3. Take it slow.
Over the course of the afternoon, there were a total of seven classes from seven teachers for about 30 minutes each. That’s a lot of yoga. If you’re a newbie (or someone who only practices a couple of times a week), it’s probably too much for you to take all of the classes.
I popped in and out of the first few classes, and stayed the entire time for the last three, and I was so sore the next day. If you go, I’d suggest picking one two-class/teacher session and sticking with that.
And don’t try to copy the Acro-Yogi’s.
One minute you’ll be flying high, the next you’ll be icing your back.
4. Come hungry.
I’m the last person to suggest that you skip a proper meal pre-exercise, but in this case, you’ll want to save room. There are so many tasty food and beverage vendors at the festival.
They were handing out scrumptious kale chips…
…they had gallons of Kombucha on tap…
…and my new favorite go-to meals from Luvo were in constant rotation.
Here’s a recap of What I Ate Wednesday at Wanderlust…
Immediately upon arriving, I headed over to the Luvo booth where they were handing out their amazing steel-cut oatmeal & quinoa with fresh fruit — it was just what I needed to fuel me for my first class.
Post-class I was hungry again, so I hit up their stand for some Cherry Tomato Flatbread. So good.
Mid-afternoon, following a particularly strenuous dance party with my friend Katy of Joy Laughter Sweat…
…I decided I deserved a treat.
These Strawberry Greek Yogurt Bars are what dreams are made of (90-calorie dreams that is).
I finished off the day by trying Ear Acu-Magnets — tiny little magnets in that go in your ear to supposedly alleviate whatever ails you.
It was strange, but also kind of cool.
And you know what, my aliment cleared up a mere 20 minutes later…
Yeah, you guessed it. I was hangry, and the situation magically cured itself.
Was it the Chicken Chili Verde…or the magnets? I guess we’ll never know.
5. It’s not just Yoga.
There’s also a ton of fun stuff, like the aforementioned ear magnets, massages, and people making flowers wreathes.
And they have a bunch of cool, local vendors with awesome jewelry…
…and funny tank tops.
It was such a great experience all around!
While I can’t teleport you back in time to the festival to enjoy this experience yourself, I may be able to hook you up in another way.
All of the fabulous Luvo meals I was consuming in the pictures are up for grabs in today’s GIVEAWAY!
Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win a month-long supply of meals. I’ll be picking 3 — that’s right THREE — lucky winners next Wednesday.
Some more info about Luvo…
- Luvo’s meals are a great choice for health-conscious people who don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Not only are they delicious, but every dish is guaranteed to have under 500 calories (usually less) with under 500 mg of sodium.
- The food comes in a patented, BPA-free steam pouch that is microwave & oven-friendly, and doesn’t give off nasty chemicals when cooked like some other frozen meals. The packaging is also recyclable!
- All of the meat is antibiotic and hormone free, and the food is organic when possible. Their products don’t contain any artificial flavors or coloring, preservatives, high-fructose syrup, or hydrogenated fats.
- Luvo’s great-tasting, nutritious meals and desserts are available locally at various Whole Foods, Von’s, Bristol Farms and Ralphs. Check out their store locator here to find a store near you, or order them online via Amazon or HSN.
Also interesting to note, celebrities like Jennifer Garner and Derek Jeter are investors in the company. Meaning, they’re not just paid spokespeople, they actually believe in the product.
*A big thanks to Luvo for inviting to me WanderlustFest, hosting this giveaway, and hooking me up with their delicious meals. While I was compensated for this post, I truly believe in this product and all opinions are my own.
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says:
I’d love to try the chicken chili verde!
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life says:
What a fun event! Wish they had one like that in Ohio! :) My favorite yoga pose is tree, triangle or downward dog!
Whitney English says:
You’ll just have to come out here for the next one :)
Paige c says:
I want to try the sweet potato and butternut squash enchiladas!
Sarah Gillespie says:
I would love to try the cherry tomato flatbread, my mouth is already waterinf.
Maria @ The Good Life says:
This looks like the most party ever! Does it break you concentration to have so many people doing yoga at the same time? And that flatbread….omg.
Whitney English says:
It is a little less peaceful but it’s also really fun!
Heidi says:
I’m a sucker for pancakes and their pancakes w/ ricotta look amaze.
Allie says:
I’d love to try the chicken chili verde! Sounds so good! And it looks like such an awesome fun time! So healthy compared to most festivals all about the booze I always end up consuming too much of :)
Whitney English says:
Yeah it was definitely much different than the last festival I went to (Coachella)!
Annie Purcell says:
That flatbread looks amazing! I definitely want to try that. And what amazing timing as I have to look after our newborn little girl and have little to no time to cook ;) My favorite pose is reverse warrior because you get such an amazing stretch all through your side while strengthening your legs.
Whitney English says:
That’s one of my favorites too! Congrats on the new baby btw!!
Hayley says:
They all look so good ! the flat breads look yummy!
Catherine says:
All the Luvo entrees look SO GOOD! But as a huge fan of Mexican food, I’d be most excited to try the chicken enchiladas or the Chicken Chili Verde.
Katy says:
Ha! I totally noticed your ear magnets but wasn’t sure what was going on there, so I didn’t ask questions. I had so much fun with you! And I REALLLLY hope I win this Luvo prize, their food is DELICIOUS! Thanks for introducing me to it :)
Whitney English says:
Oh you hadn’t heard? Ear magnets are a new fashion trend :) So funny.
Rachel @ Betty LIVIN says:
Looks like a blast!! I’m hoping I get accepted to be a volunteer for Wanderlust Whistler. I’m dying to go!
Stephanie Schippers says:
Looks totally fun! Would love to get to go to this one day :)
Leigha @ Minougirl says:
Oh man. So many good options! I think I’d love the kale ricotta ravioli!
Tatum | EATS From The Oil Patch Blog says:
aweeeh man!!!! wish I would’ve been in cali for this!! we arrive monday weeeee
Kim says:
That looks like such a fun way to spend a weekend. Those acroyogi are incredible – I feel like I could get hurt just watching!!!
And, the food looks amazing!!!
Whitney English says:
Haha I know! It’s probably best I just watch next time.
Cavin says:
Any and all! New to Luvo!
Donna says:
The Chicken Chili Verde looks good to me. I would live to give it a try. My favorite yoga pose is pigeon, but I think the way I do it is really sleeping swan. It is the kind of stretch that hurts so good.
Whitney English says:
I know the feeling!
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
I had them at Expo West – I want them all! :)
katie says:
The sweet potato and butternut squash enchiladas look delicious!
Brittany Koelmel says:
Oh my gosh my mouth is watering! The Thai Style Green Curry looks so yumm…
Kelsey says:
I think the one I’d want to try first would be the sweet potato and butternut squash enchiladas! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Dale Janee says:
Definitely entered this and I’ve been hearing all about Wanderlust and even though I do more Pilates than Yoga, this looks fun and the Greek Yogurt Pops look SO good. Nice tips about not over-doing it on the sessions for newbies and the dancing video is so cute. You should go to the SF one next. :)
xoDale
Calli says:
The chicken chili verde looks awesome, and like it will cure my hangriness too :)
Bethann Wagner says:
I have never heard of such a thing! I love it! It sounds like a dream. So glad they cleared up your ailment with those ear magnets.
Gwendolyn says:
the chicken chili verde sounds amazing! looks like they don’t sell them close to me, though :(
Vicky says:
definitely excited to try the strawberry yogurt bar!
Lynn @ The Actor's Diet says:
Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Enchiladas sound right up my alley!
Brittany @ Barr & Table says:
I can’t decide what I want to try first, it all sounds amazing! The apple cinnamon flatbreads, sweet potato enchiladas, and fudge bars are definitely on my list!
Jennifer King says:
I’ve never done yoga! The chicken chili verde sounds good!
Jess Guthrie says:
I look forward to the Tandoori Chicken
Katie W. says:
The chicken chili verde and orange mango chicken sound really good! Would love to try them! :)
MaeG says:
Yum nation! Sweet potato and butternut squash enchiladas to compliment my Wild Child and Eka Pada Rajakapotasana :)
katy says:
I would love to try the chicken chili
Lauren says:
Yum those butternut squash enchiladas sounds awesome!
Vangie says:
I love Mexican food, so maybe the Chile Chicken Verde:)
ann says:
the kale ravioli sounds awesome!