Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

TIPS TO GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR HIGH INTENSITY WORKOUTS

Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

Whether it’s Cross Fit, Boot Camp, TRX, or some other high impact routine you’re grooving on these days, we wanted to provide you with some expert tips on how to maximize your workout.

Zobha brand ambassador and trainer to Hollywood A-listers such as Courteney Cox, Mary Louise Parker, and Jason Statham, let us in on some of her secrets she uses when training the stars. Check them out:  

  • The keys to any success in weight loss are cardio, nutrition, hydration and strength. Hydration is key, in order to metabolize fat efficiently while working out so it is critical to be hydrated.
  • Your Heart Rate
 is the key to exercising at the right intensity (heart rate zone) to meet your fitness goals. If you exercise regularly but are aiming to lose body fat, exercise at 60-85 percent of maximum heart rate. Build up to an hour long workout of continuous exercise. Courteney achieved this through interval training on the treadmill where she would walk and run while keeping her heart rate in the “fat burning zone” for 60 minutes.
  • Aim for 20-60 minutes of continuous exercise incorporating intervals in your target zone each session.
  • Just getting started in the high impact sports? Studies show that people who exercise at too high of an intensity, especially in the initial stages of their program, drop out sooner, have more injuries, and tend to develop a negative impression towards exercise in general. If necessary start in a low exercise intensity zone and build up.

Hope these tips are helpful! If you have specific questions for Michelle Lovitt leave them in the comments section and we’ll get back to you!

Now go get ‘em!

The Zobha Team

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.

Back to Basics!

Monday, February 25th, 2013

3 Tips to Simplify your Workout:

1.       Grab your sneakers and embrace the outdoors.  (And soak up some sun at the same time.) There’s nothing more basic then lacing up your sneakers and taking a run around your neighborhood! Try sites like mapmyrun.com to help you find the best route from your front door.

2.       Find a comfortable spot in your home to do a 30-minute circuit of wall squats, abs, push-ups and jumping jacks.  All you need is open floor space and 30-minutes of motivation. Here are a few options for circuit workouts you can try today: http://bit.ly/X7D3Jv

3.       Lay down your yoga mat and take yourself through this sequence of poses and hold each pose for one minute.  (Downward Facing Dog, High Lunge, Chair Pose, Eagle Pose, Half Moon Pose, Revolved Side Angle Pose, Dolphin Pose).  Repeat three times.

 

With just 30 minutes you can fit a quick workout into your day without leaving home!

 

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

Highlights from the Jeffrey Levin Trunk Show

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

It was such a treat to have Jeffrey Levin, the artist behind our Jeffrey Levin for Zobha jewelry collection, in our new store in Mill Valley this month. As we’ve articulated in past blogs, the coming together of two artists is really a beautiful thing and at Zobha we are so happy to celebrate this collaboration within the Zobha community.

Jeffrey was in the Zobha Mill Valley store for 2 days showcasing his full collection and exposing the Zobha community to even more of his beautiful styles and unique handmade jewelry pieces. The reaction from the community was everything we hoped for. People were able to speak with Jeffrey directly and hear the story behind how he created special pieces.

All of Jeffrey’s jewelry is handmade from precious metals and inspired by unique and beautiful things that Jeffrey has encountered. A few of my favorite pieces will forever stand out in mind because of the story behind them.

This piece comes from the Jeffrey Levin NDU line, which is a collection inspired by Jeffrey’s South African heritage. This particular piece is from the Coming of Age collection and signifies the right of passage that boys go through in South Africa when they become young men. When you’re looking at the collection and hearing Jeffrey talk about the ritual you can feel the history and influence behind each piece.

Another favorite of mine, was the Roset Pendants. At first glance it may seem like a relatively simple piece but hearing the amount of time Jeffrey spent molding each rose petal perfectly really gives you an appreciation for the attention to detail, care and craftsmanship that goes into every piece he creates.

 

The best part was, if you couldn’t decide which piece you liked most at the trunk show, Jeffrey found a way to make something special and unique just for you, so a few lucky customers went home with custom, one-of-a-kind pieces! He is an amazing artist. A great friend. And an inspiring individual.

I hope you can join us the next time Jeffrey joins us in Mill Valley. Follow us on Facebook for information on upcoming events.

 

- The Zobha Team

3 Tips to Finding a Workout Class That Suits You

Saturday, December 8th, 2012

Hello Friends of Zobha,

If you’re anything like me, you know how hard it can be to find a workout class that motivates you and keeps you coming back for more. I have tried a ton of different classes but even after I find the type of workout I want to do, I wind up trying a number of different instructors before landing on the one that’s right for me. As a result I have found myself getting in a rut and not trying new workouts. To keep myself going I have put together a short list of to-do’s before I sign up for a new class! Hopefully these can help others experiencing the same struggle:

  1. Prior to signing up, research your options online or on Yelp. This way you can get a gist of what students have experienced in the past including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
  2. Make sure to look into whether or not there’s any prep work needed upon arrival. For example, if they prefer you to show up to class 10 minutes early, this would be the perfect time to call ahead and check!
  3. Last but not least, make sure to pick a class that suits your fitness level. From yoga classes to boot camps, this ensures you know what you’re getting yourself into!

Hopefully these tips will help end your tiring and strenuous search for the perfect class.  As for now, what’s the latest workout class you’ve taken?  We want to know!