I got to Times Square for the 9:30 session and started taking in the nontraditional sights and the sounds in Times Square.  Everywhere I looked there were thousands of people, mats spread waiting to begin. Our warm up was headed by Jessica Mahler and she led us through a few poses as part of the Tampax Active Pose Demonstration.

Paula Tursi, the owner of Reflections Yoga, led our practice for an hour. Before we got started, Paula talked about her 25 year career as a yoga instructor, and about the idea that we are all love, which really resonated with me. She said that the $100 yoga mat and yoga pants won’t make you a better yogi, but you have to find it inside yourself. She also told us to feel the vibration of the people around us and to tune into the universe and understand that we are all collectively practicing, not a bunch of individual people who just happen to be at the same place at the same time.

Even though we were practicing yoga in the middle of the busiest intersection in New York, once we began moving, I didn’t hear a single car horn, truck or construction that was happening just feet beyond us. It was a really amazing experience, and I got chills when we started and finished by chanting three oms. It was a really great experience, and I know that I will be back in Times Square for many years to come.

I also happened to be next to one of the anchors from Fox News’ The Five and they caught me on camera a whole bunch. While I don’t agree with their commentary after the clip, I do think the clip is very cute. Check it out if you want to see some great shots of the event.

I was given the opportunity to attend solstice in Times Square thanks to Tampax Active, and I wanted to share a really cool contest they have going on now. You can upload your #awesomelyactive pics to the Tampax Facebook page for a chance to win $500 and a year’s supply of Tampax products.

How did you celebrate the solstice? Have you ever been to Solstice in Times Square or a similar event?

Disclosure: I was invited to the Solstice in Times Square by Tampax and received a gift for my attendance. All opinions are my own.

The post Summer Solstice in Times Square appeared first on Frolic Through Life.

My morning started off with a press conference to kick off Reebok’s new partnership with the Spartan Race with some fellow Fitfluential Ambassadors – Christine, Noelle, Ashley, Ava, Megan, Alfonso, Andre, Meghan

I’ve heard a lot about different obstacle/mud runs in the last few months, but the Spartan Race really blows all of the other races out of the water. The Spartan Race really tests your fitness and if you aren’t able to complete an obstacle, the penalty is 30 burpees…yikes! The Spartan Race has grown exponentially, starting with 1,500 participants in its first year up in Vermont, to over 1.5 million people competing in 60 events worldwide in 2012. Not too shabby for an event that the creators were told that no one would show up to!

This new partnership between Reebok and the Spartan Race will allow for the race to expand even further. The creators of the race have an Olympic dream and want obstacle course racing to be an event in the Olympic games. Something that I would totally watch! Through this partnership, the Spartan Race hopes to bring obstacle racing to new markets around the world and expose people who would otherwise never know that these types of races exist. Reebok is also creating a new line of Spartan Race gear including clothes and shoes, which I am very excited to see! The Spartan Race is also 80% done with building a training course in Vermont, just six miles outside of Killington. I know that I will be visiting this once it opens!

The real fun began when we headed outdoors. There was a 10 obstacle course set up in the heart of Times Square, which was a preview of  the real thing which is taking place in Citi Field in April. The course was not easy! I was hesitant at first, and did not want to roll through the mud, but I figured that I had a change of clothes and when would I ever have the chance to roll in the mud in the middle of Times Square, right?

Another amazing thing about the Spartan Race is the sense of community. It really reminded me of Crossfit. I knew I wouldn’t be able to climb the rope, and was ready to give up and do the burpees when two people on the course ran over and propped me up. I rang the bell on top of the rope and felt so proud! Everyone who completed the course got sent home with some bling, which I proudly wore!

I was honored to be able to compete alongside incredible athletes and amazing people, like the wounded veterans who compete with Team Extreme. Seeing Todd Love, a triple amputee, climb the rope on his own, threw every excuse in the book out the window.

I cannot wait to complete the real thing in April in Citi Field, but until then I need to train or else my butt with be doing way too many burpees!

P.S. My feet made the official Reebok Spartan Race video..check out my fresh new kicks!

Have you ever done an obstacle run?

The post Reebok and The Spartan Race in Times Square appeared first on Frolic Through Life.