Must Have: Aktiv - Review and Giveaway!

Review by Angela Mackintosh

As a freelance writer, editor, and graphic designer, I spend most days at my desk with my BIC (butt-in-chair), which is great for tapping out words, but the sedentary lifestyle is obviously not good for my health or growing backside.

A few years ago, I discovered that if I wore workout or athleisure wear to my home office, I immediately felt energized and moved more. It’s like lighting a candle before a writing session—a simple and effective ritual that’ll help you snap into the zone. The clothing keeps health in mind and influences my food choices. I mean, who wants to eat a greasy 700-cal cheeseburger while wearing yoga pants? Yuck! Lol. Instead, I’ll opt for green juice and a power bowl.

Yoga leggings are my staple on most days, and right after I finish work, I can walk to my living room (gyms are still closed here in Los Angeles) or my backyard and flow straight into a vinyasa. Many writers know yoga and writing complement each other—the focus, discipline, and ritual invites us to tap into our potential. There are even writing workshops that combine both! Nature is another inspiration for many writers, and other days I’ll wear hiking pants and hit the trails as soon as I type my last sentence. In the evenings or whenever I can get out into the world (which isn’t much right now), I wear these amazing jeans that I’ll tell you about in a sec!

Solstice Leggings and Midi Top

I’ve tried just about every brand and online store, and until recently, Athleta and REI were at the top of my list. Then I discovered Aktiv. I love their clothing! As far as I know, you can’t find these brands anywhere else in the States. The founders, Leslie and Nate, journeyed to Norway with their two children in 2016, and through their adventures, fell in love with Nordic style fashion. When they returned to their home in Colorado, they struggled to find their new favorite brands, and formed an idea. In 2018, they launched Aktiv. Their clothing not only looks great, but it’s also rugged, practical, sustainable, and designed to last for years. They test each piece before bringing it online—wearing it to the gym, on the trail, and in the coffeehouse. I’ve been lucky enough to test their clothing, too! I’ll share a couple pieces I enjoy, and you’re in for a treat—Aktiv has generously provided some yoga leggings for a giveaway!

Moonchild Yoga Wear

I’m pretty new to yoga, and was introduced to it a few years ago because it was part of my P90X routine; but I’ve always been a yoga wear connoisseur and do a lot of mat work and body weight training. My poses may not be perfect, but I relish the practice of loosening my body after a long day in my office chair. I have a pair of the seamless Solstice Leggings in Blue Iris Silver (pictured above), and they are vibrant and adorably decorated with silver crescent moons. The high-rise style sits right above my belly button, which is excellent for holding in my tummy. They are lightweight, breathable, flexible, and not see through, which is often a problem with seamless yoga leggings. These are cute enough to wear out paired with a long tank or tunic.

The Solstice Midi Top is adorable! It’s longer than most workout bras, and during my yoga poses—everything from wheel to modified crow—it held me in place. Despite having non-adjustable straps, it fit perfectly. The material is the same as the leggings and super soft. I wear a medium in both the leggings and top, and I would say they run a little small, so if you’re in between sizes, size up. They are machine washable, and they recommend air drying. I usually wash all my yoga wear in delicate and dry on a delicate cycle and they’re fine.

ReDEW8 Jeans and my current virtual book club pick:
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

ReDEW8 Jeans

Oh my gosh, these are the most comfortable jeans I’ve ever owned. I want to live in these things! I have the Örn Denim Jeans in Black Implode, and they are made out of reDEW's famous 360° stretch material, which is super soft and flexible. But they aren’t like other skinny stretch jeans I’ve owned that are thin and flimsy; these have a nice medium weight to them and you can actually feel the quality. The site says they are genderless—I’m a huge fan of gender neutral clothing—made for travel, and they feel buttery and supple, yet sturdy. They are simply amazing.

If you’re looking for unique, active, high-quality clothing that you can’t just find just anywhere, check out aktivstyle.com. You can sign up for their newsletter to get special deals.

And now for the giveaway! Enter to win a pair of Moonchild Yoga Wear Solstice Leggings!

***** MUST HAVE GIVEAWAY *****

Enter to win a pair of Solstice Seamless Leggings in Blue Iris Violet by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway ends September 2nd at 11:59 pm CST. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget the next day. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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19 comments Aktiv, Aktiv clothing, athleisure wear, hiking, Moonchild Yoga Wear, ReDEW jeans, self-care for writers, yoga for writers, yoga leggings

Writing & Yoga Retreats: What are They? How do They Benefit Writers? GuestBy Stephanie Renée dos Santos

Ever imagined having the opportunity to dedicate a whole week to working exclusively on your writing, with daily guided yoga and writing exercises outside your door, to be amongst other writers, and writing teachers who support your effort? Writing & Yoga Retreats now span the globe in place like: Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Ireland, England, and the United States.

What are some of the benefits from attending this type of writing retreat? These retreats aim to kindle your creative fire and liberate your authentic voice and deepest truths. Writers need dedicated time to connect with the Muse, or to bring concentrated effort to complete a project ̶ time that can be hard to come by in everyday life. Everyone’s standards are raised in a community of writers. And getting outside of one’s everyday writing atmosphere can trigger new perspectives and imagination. A writing retreat combined with yoga offers an ideal space in which to concentrate on writing without interruptions and to help you relax into your work.

Writers often suffer from physical pain in the shoulders, neck, head, lower back, hips and eyes. This stress in the body can inhibit or block creativity. A daily yoga practice helps reverse and relieve bodily tension; when the body is eased, so are the tensions of the mind.

Yoga Benefits to the Writer:

· Open your chest, bring your shoulders back, loosen up your neck, and increase circulation to your head. Improve your posture after long days at the computer and reading

· Stretch your body and awaken your mind

· Open your hips, where creativity, emotions and creative expression often get trapped

· Learn to create and access the state that creativity likes to manifest into: A state of empowerment, focus, grounding, intuition, strength, compassion, staying power

· Learn to set intentions/goals for your writing and visualize/meditate on them

· Create balance, which will increase your ability to focus clearly

· Experience community

· Release your mind and body and open the space for ideas to flow

Participating in a writing retreat is a public declaration of being a writer and demonstrates your courage and willingness to test your ideas ̶ honing, sharing, and readying them for the world. A daily yoga practice aides the writing endeavor.

Writing & Yoga

Writing and Yoga are soul mates. Yoga reveals insights; Writing is the recorder. Yoga balances the rhythms of breath; Writing surfs breath through oceans of language. Yoga taps the unconscious mind; Writing transcribes the wisdom of the unconscious. Writing requires work; Yoga is the assistant. Writing is an offering to the world; Yoga eases the offering’s sacrifice. Writing is a solo act; Yoga provides community.
 

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Stephanie Renée dos Santos is a fiction and freelance writer and yoga instructor. She is currently working on a historical novel set in 18th century Portugal and colonial Brazil. Stephanie leads Writing & Yoga Retreats in Brazil and the United States. For more information please visit: www.stephaniereneedossantos.com or email stephaniereneedossantos@gmail.com.

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

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4 comments Stephanie Renée dos Santos, writing retreats, yoga for writers

Relax Body and Mind

by LuAnn Schindler

In the midst of winter, it's sometimes difficult to take a break from the computer screen and head outside for physical activity. But writers need to make time to step back and give their minds and bodies a rest from the office chair and the written page.

When I'm in the middle of a long stretch of writing or editing, I work for an hour to 90 minutes, and then I take a break. Then, I strike a pose - a yoga pose - and clear my mind and stretch my body. The Sphinx pose restores the curve in the lower spine. When you're sitting in the office chair for extended periods, it flattens. Sphinx also gives a boost of energy to the chest by giving the heart and lungs more space to operate.

How does the position affect your disposition? An open chest encourages an open heart, preventing depression from setting in. It also gives an individual a feeling of support.

It's easy. Lie on the floor on your stomach. Feet should be shoulder width apart. Rest the tops of the feet on the floor. Prop your torso up on your forearms, keeping your elbows underneath the shoulders. Forearms and fingers point forward. Lift up your heard and keep the chin level to the floor, eyes gazing ahead. Pull shoulder blades toward each other. Stay in the position for at least five deep breaths or up to two minutes. To come out of the pose, lower your torso and head to the floor. Move the arms next to your sides and turn head one direction. Rest for several moments before resting in child's pose.

Balancing work and rest helps creativity. Take a few minutes for yourself throughout the work day. You'll be amazed at how your productivity increases!

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2 comments body mind connection, LuAnn Schindler, rest, yoga for writers