Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

The 14 Day Slim Down with SkinnyMom.com

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Rise and Shine, Team Zobha!

 

With bathing suit season just around the corner Zobha decided to teamed up with skinnymom.com for the 14 Day Slim Down fitness challenge – for the next 14 days we’ll be posting a daily workout from skinnymom.com so check back tomorrow!

You can also visit skinnymom.com to officially sign up for the 14 Day Slim Down and receive daily emails with workouts and meal plans: http://bit.ly/12aPren

 

Day 1 Fitness Plan: 

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Day 5 Fitness Plan:

Day 6 Fitness Plan:

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Day 8 Fitness Plan: 

 Day 9 Fitness Plan: 

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Day 12 Fitness Plan: 

Day 13 Fitness Plan: 

Tell us how you’re doing with the 14 Day Slim Down and you could win a top from Zobha! All you have to do is tweet about your progressive using hash tags: #14DaySlimDown and #Zobha!

 

Every Mom Needs Love & Yoga

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

Every year, on the second Sunday of May, we take time to reflect and give thanks for the amazing women in our lives that make us who we are – our Moms. But for all that moms do, they deserve more than a day! Moms deserve to feel appreciated, and to appreciate themselves every week. Thanks to Regina, a loyal member of Zobha’s Instructor Program, we are please to share the below entry in hopes of inspiring moms from all walks of life to find time for themselves in their busy schedule.

 

Every Mom Needs Love & Yoga…How to fit a 60 minute sequence in your day!

The Entrepreneurial Mom

You’re the mom with the big ideas and big dreams that have manifested themselves into your own company!  This is wonderful because you’re a woman of your own rules, although like most entrepreneurs you are short on time to regenerate and time just for you.   A consistent yoga practice is so important for mind & body balancing and clearing space for you to be more creative & productive.  There are a few routes you can take to make sure you get your yoga on and back in balance…Seek out a studio nearby, grab a schedule & find 3 classes that fit easily within your week.  You can also download a yoga app, play some music & do some yoga in your own time!

The New Mom

You have a beautiful new bundle of joy that you love dearly.  Your love and care for your little one fills most of your 24 hours and most of the 7 days available to you in a week.   Carving out time to do something like yoga seems like a far-reaching dream to you…surprise, surprise…it’s not! Make it a co-yoga date with your wonderful new little one by finding a few mommy & baby yoga classes at the local studio.  Great moving meditation and calming, yet energizing for you and baby.

The 9-5 Mom

As with most of the world, the core 8 hours of your day have been pre-designated and they’re spent at your place of work.   Of course your commute to and from increases those hours by 2-3 more per day, leaving you searching for time for yourself as you manage all of the other elements of your life.  Try carving out an hour a day to take a jaunt to the yoga studio closest to your job.  Regain your center & balance at least twice a week by committing to a  few yoga lunches!

The Stay At Home Mom

To everyone else, you have it made, although you have the busiest schedule to manage and a plethora of juggling that happens on a daily basis from taking care of the little ones, the family, and managing the household.   For you, catching 5 minutes of zen sounds like heaven.  And yes, your calm is important!  Get your zen on by catching some yoga classes online.  Myyogaonline.com and yogaglo.com have tons of free classes of all types that would be perfect for you.  Turn on your computer and…ready, set, om.

As a mom you have one of the most amazingly important and rewarding roles…. While being a mom can keep you beyond busy, it’s also necessary to maintain your center.  Write down this quick list, or type it in your phone…Just keep it close to you and  start creating time for your om :) .

  1. Download the pocketyoga app
  2. Visit yogaglo.com
  3. Locate the yoga studio closest to your place of work
  4. Find some mommy & me yoga classes at your local studio for you & your new little one
  5. Turn on some music, remember your favorite yoga poses &  just do them!

About Regina:

Regina is a registered yoga instructor teaching creative vinyasa flow sequences to a plethora of yoga aficionados a weekly basis. 
Passionate about the benefits of a continuous practice, she enjoys sharing it with others. “Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.” Henry David Thoreau, http://about.me/reginasvinyasa

 

 

Learn to Strike a Balance

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Being a mom is one of the most rewarding roles we can play in our family, but it is also the most demanding! It is a full time job in itself and you can’t clock out at 5pm. Add to that the pressures of a full time job and it can be downright overwhelming. We asked a few of our Circle of Grace members who are working parents what they do to keep their cool while juggling the pressures of parenting, supporting a family, maintaining a healthy relationship with their spouse, and finding time for themselves. These three themes kept bubbling to the surface:

  • Quality over Quantity: When it comes to kids, quality time is what really counts. Having a real conversation with your kid as opposed to just being present in the background is what will make an impact at the end of the day so set aside an hour each night, or institute family dinners with no TV or cell phones to make sure you’re really connecting.
  • You don’t have to do it all: Many moms hold themselves accountable for doing all the cooking, cleaning, scheduling and car pooling and when they can’t find time to make a homemade dinner after a long day they wind up beating themselves up over it. You don’t have to be superwoman to be a good mom! It’s ok to pick up take out once in a while, or heat up leftovers. Give yourself a break.
  • Set Aside Time For You: There is an old adage that says “happy wife, happy life” and how true it is! One thing that we heard over and over again from our Circle of Grace moms is that when they are able to set aside time for themselves to take care of their needs and get centered, it makes them more productive and impactful in every other area of their lives. So put it on your calendar and take 30 minutes to do whatever it is that makes you feel centered – a yoga class, a walk around the block, reading your favorite book – we all deserve time to focus on ourselves!

 

Zobha’s Favorite Travel Spots. Get Moving!

Friday, March 15th, 2013

Finding time to exercise while traveling can be challenging.  But, doing yoga on vacation is a great way to stretch, get your blood circulating and maximize your much deserved relaxation time.  

Below are images of our Circle of Grace Members practicing yoga in their favorite travel spots.  So what are you waiting for?  Book your summer vacation and get moving!

Ashley Turner in India at the Taj Mahal

 Allison English in Edinburgh at King Arthur’s Sea 

Jill Miller in Yellow Mountain, China

Jon Witt in London

KayKay Clivio in Oahu

Laura Burkhart in Pulia, Italy

Kino MacGregor in Bali 

Lindsea Swisher in Hood River, Oregon

Mercedes Ngoh in Bali

Michelle Klink in India 

Sarra Morton in Aruba

Shannon Paige in Colorado

Stacy McCarthy in Maldives Islands

Yoga & Breakfast: Raising Money for The Whole Planet Foundation

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

On the heals of a great month for philanthropy at Zobha, we are excited to share some highlights from one of our local events we did here in Mill Valley.

Zobha partnered with Whole Foods Market, Gaiam and YogaWorks Studios to put on an event that raised money for the Whole Planet Foundation, which helps families in need in third world countries.

On a beautiful Saturday morning over President’s Day weekend, we gathered at the Whole Foods Market in Mill Valley, CA for a donation based yoga class led by one of Zobha’s Circle of Grace members, Lisa Rueff. We had a great turn out for the yoga class and people of all ages came to participate in the event. It was my first time doing yoga outside, and let me tell you, it was a game changer! It’s so nice to do a sun salutation and actually be able to look up at the sun shining down on you!

Following the yoga class we had an amazing breakfast catered by Whole Foods.  Check out more photos from the day on our Facebook page.

The Zobha team was so grateful to be included in this great event and it was such a success that we, along with the other partners from that day, are all working together to plan another Whole Planet Foundation fundraiser around the Spring Equinox in March! Stay tuned for details!

 

With Grace,

Jen + The Zobha Team.

Zobha’s Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

Friday, February 8th, 2013

What are your Valentine’s Day plans?

We took a poll around the office and gathered the top five Valentine’s Day date ideas that will make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Have a Picnic

If the weather is nice, embrace the outdoors with your favorite snack and beverage of choice.  If the weather is less than promising, bring the picnic indoors to your living room and add some candlelight. 

 

Take a Cooking Class

Learn while you create new memories and enjoy a delicious meal with your loved one.

Watch a Comedy Show

What better way to spend time together than enjoying a night of laughter?  Keep it simple and watch a comedy show on television in the comfort of your own home, or head downtown to see the show in person!

Enjoy a Couples Massage

Pamper yourselves and enjoy a relaxing massage with the one you love most.  You will both walk away feeling refreshed and connected.

Make a Couples Bucket List

Take turns writing down a handful of things each of you aspire to do and as a result you will make an exciting list of future dates.

 

 

 

Jamie’s Story

Monday, January 28th, 2013

I created Zobha while teaching yoga in Hong Kong where I lived with my husband and two children. I virtually lived in my yoga clothes but could never really find the perfect combination of fashion, elegance, and function in any of the fitness clothing lines. With my business background in apparel, I decided to stop saying “I wish there were” and do what moves me. Zobha was born.

Zobha is a Sanskrit word meaning “grace, beauty and brilliance,” in other words, everything I hoped the brand would be. I am proud to say, Zobha has brought these words to life both in our clothing designs and in our desire to give back to our community. 

I grew up on the coast of Maine, the daughter of a painter and sculptor and was inspired at an early age by the beauty around me both in Maine and later in Asia. You’ll notice these strong influences in the Zobha products you see today from the rich colors to the simple, elegant designs. 

At Zobha, it’s important to us to not only be the brand that creates beautiful and high-quality products, but one that builds community and philanthropy around meaningful causes. We know we are only as strong as the world around us. That’s why our performance gear is only as important as the world it performs in. Helping others. Giving back. Creating beautiful thoughtfully designed active wear. That is the grace of Zobha. And that’s what moves us.

With Grace,

JAMIE HANNA, Zobha Founder

 

100 Days of Yoga: Yolanda’s Inspiring Journey

Friday, January 18th, 2013

The Zobha Team first met Yolanda at our Yoga In The Square event to celebrate the Mill Valley store opening. She had just begun her long journey to complete 100 days of yoga. Today marks her 100th day and we were able to take her final class with her, which proved to be emotional for all of us!

Below is Yolanda’s inspiring story that reminds us to never give up, and always aim higher!

 

“100 Straight days of Yoga”

Hello,

My name is Yolanda Bradby. I am a childcare provider living in downtown Mill Valley. I have been a resident for Thirty years. In March I will be 58 years old!

A year ago I was overweight and depressed. I felt as if I had lost real purpose in my life and I didn’t know which way to go, but in reality I was sinking!

Thanks to friends and family, I am climbing my way up the ladder through yoga and meditation. A very good friend had told me about this amazing yoga teacher and the powerful benefits of power yoga practiced in a heated room. So I did it for the first time and so far I haven’t stopped!

My brother mentioned to me once that if you do something for 100 days it becomes ingrained in your mind and body. It takes less of an effort and it becomes habitual. What a magnificent habit to have!

So here I go! I’m on an amazing journey of yoga practices that’s opening doors for me inside and out! I do not weigh myself, but I have gone from a size 12 to a size 8! Most of all, I’m happier, more peaceful, and I see a very bright future in 2013 and beyond.

I cannot thank my wonderful yoga teacher (Susan Hauser), and my new found friends at Zobha for their love and support. I am eternally grateful! 100 days of yoga! :)

- Yolanda Bradby

Meet Alena – Our Zobha Guru!

Saturday, January 5th, 2013

Hi there,

My name is Alena and I work in the Zobha Corporate office as the Brand Sales Coordinator.  I am a fitness enthusiast and a true gym rat at heart.  I exercise 7 days/week and enjoy weight training, running, biking and tennis.  Over the course of a year, I have been privileged to wear many hats around the Zobha office and I’ve been recently dubbed the Zobha Guru.  My daily responsibilities include everything from Customer Service, to IT, to fit model and offering design input.  I’m excited to be a new contributor to the Zobha blog, so be sure to check back to hear more about what goes on behind the scenes at Zobha!

Whether I’m at the gym, in my pilates class, or on my Saturday morning hike to the coffee shop, I believe it is essential to look good and feel great while exercising.  I worship the Zobha Performance Tech Collection, and I am always sporting my Compression Capris.  The Endurance Jacket is also one of my top favorites and the Yoga Panties of course!  (PS. The panties are being offered in a new color this Spring so be on the lookout!)

Currently, I am training for the Napa Valley Marathon which takes place on March 3rd.  This will be my first marathon.  Outfit wise, I am planning on wearing our Zobha Hot Short and the famous Double Strap Tank.  But, we do have a new running short coming out very soon, so my selections are not finalized.  Decisions, decisions!

The new Zobha Spring Collection launches in less than two weeks and I cannot wait.  The color palette for spring is fresh and vibrant with a combination of cool and warm colors, and several new moisture-wicking fabrics for those drizzly Spring days.

This upcoming Spring Collection offers something for every fitness enthusiast and it was designed with our fellow cross-fit, tennis and running enthusiasts in mind, while maintaining its fundamentals in yoga and pilates.  You’ll see new fabric combinations and the incorporation of mesh in many products which sets the 2013 Spring collection apart from previous ones.

Check out Zobha.com around January 15th to be the first Spring shopper!  And visit our Zobha Blog around March 4th to gain the inside scoop on my first marathon, and what Zobha pieces I chose to wear :)

It’s been a pleasure sharing with you,

Alena

We Can’t Look Back Without Looking Ahead: Hopes & Goals for 2013

Sunday, December 30th, 2012

Every year the week leading up to January 1st seems to have a similar tone to it – we take a deep breath to mark that the holidays are behind us, we make plans for ringing in the new year, we remember highlights from the year that’s coming to a close and talk about what we want to accomplish in the year ahead. Maybe it’s just me but this year feels a little different. I was never really fearful that the world would end with the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012, but the fact that it didn’t really excites me – it’s like a new lease on life!

I hear a lot of media and people a-buzz talking about what they want to change about themselves or their lives in 2013; the theme “New Year, New You” seems to pop up every year. For the team at Zobha though, it’s not about reinvention, it’s about continuing to grow, evolve, and challenge ourselves in new ways. 2012 was a big year for so many people and as we sat around the office talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly, it became apparent that we can’t look back at all that we’ve accomplished without looking ahead at everything on the horizon – both personally and professionally. In talking to the team I realized that while not everyone sets a “new year’s resolution” per se, everyone has goals, dreams, hopes for the future and I felt compelled to capture some of the most popular themes amongst our team:

  • Spend more time with loved ones. Some people have specific things they want to do with children, spouses, parents, friends, etc., and some people just generally spoke about being more connected to the ones they love, but the theme of spending more time with loved ones was a popular one.
  • Volunteer for a charity or organization that speaks to you. At Zobha we are always looking for ways to give back and many of us want to take it one step further and build that dedication into our personal lives as well.
  • Enjoy what we have. Take time to read a book purely for pleasure, enjoy the great outdoors more, appreciate your surroundings – we work so hard for all that we have, but like Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
  • Be healthier. Setting new workout and fitness goals, holding ourselves to a higher nutritional standard, and working to limit the stresses of every day life.

From our family to yours, we want to thank you for all your support over the years for helping to make this brand more than a clothing brand, but a community of people that want to make a positive impact on ourselves, our community and our loved ones.

Have a Happy & Healthy New Year!
Jen & The Zobha Family