May 31, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC The other week, I decided it was time to get back into the habit of bikini waxing. I just feel better when my bikini area is trimmed back, and I was really fed up with having to shave. For some reason I am unable to master the technique of bikini line shaving (it’s not just me!), and I always end up with painful, itchy, red bumps wherever the razor has touched. I remembered that waxing was uncomfortable, but I had forgotten just how painful it can actually feel (read: worse than the pain of your favorite TV show making some very questionable narrative choices in the series finale). But, as with the aforementioned TV show, I persisted. As I was lying there, I kept repeating to myself: The more you do it, the less it hurts. I clung to that mantra during the darkest moments of my waxing appointment. Because, as you’ve probably heard, bikini waxes supposedly get less painful the more frequently you get them. This got me through the appointment, but is it actually true? Something about it…feels like a lie? Not a malicious one, but like one we tell ourselves so that we feel better about something. Like, I’m never going to drunk text my toxic ex ever again because I deleted him from my phone (even though I have his number memorized). So I set out to see if this was just a thing we tell ourselves to make
Category: Yoga
The “origami stretch” quickly unfolds your cramped muscles after sitting all day
May 31, 2019 at 07:15AM by CWC After eight hours of sitting at a 90-degree angle at my desk, I always feel like I need to dust of the proverbial cobwebs in my aching muscles. Truth be told, I usually reach for the remote—not my yoga mat—when I arrive home from work. But adding one (just one!) stretch to my evening routine would majorly combat my hip pain from sitting all day, every day. Introducing, the origami stretch (also known as “cat pulling its tail”)—a yummy, yoga teacher favorite for unfolding (ha!) super-compressed muscles. Yes, you can do it lying down. Yes, you could theoretically nap in the position. And yes, it works wonders on every last muscle group that suffers from sitting 24/7. To move into the stretch, yoga teacher Lindsay Pirozzi of New York City’s Y7 studio says to first get horizontal on a mat, in bed, on a paddle board, or—you know—really anywhere. How to use “cat pulling its tail” to combat hip pain from sitting “When the shoulders settle comfortably onto the ground, inhale while subtly drawing your navel in and up, and hug your right knee into your chest,” Pirozzi instructs. “As you exhale, guide your right knee across your body, to the opposite side. Allow the spine to gently rotate, placing your left hand on top of your right knee for support.” From there, rest your right knee on the ground (make sure it aligns with the hip socket) and extend your right arm at shoulder
The “origami stretch” quickly unfolds your cramped muscles after sitting all day
May 31, 2019 at 07:15AM by CWC After eight hours of sitting at a 90-degree angle at my desk, I always feel like I need to dust of the proverbial cobwebs in my aching muscles. Truth be told, I usually reach for the remote—not my yoga mat—when I arrive home from work. But adding one (just one!) stretch to my evening routine would majorly combat my hip pain from sitting all day, every day. Introducing, the origami stretch (also known as “cat pulling its tail”)—a yummy, yoga teacher favorite for unfolding (ha!) super-compressed muscles. Yes, you can do it lying down. Yes, you could theoretically nap in the position. And yes, it works wonders on every last muscle group that suffers from sitting 24/7. To move into the stretch, yoga teacher Lindsay Pirozzi of New York City’s Y7 studio says to first get horizontal on a mat, in bed, on a paddle board, or—you know—really anywhere. How to use “cat pulling its tail” to combat hip pain from sitting “When the shoulders settle comfortably onto the ground, inhale while subtly drawing your navel in and up, and hug your right knee into your chest,” Pirozzi instructs. “As you exhale, guide your right knee across your body, to the opposite side. Allow the spine to gently rotate, placing your left hand on top of your right knee for support.” From there, rest your right knee on the ground (make sure it aligns with the hip socket) and extend your right arm at shoulder
9 comfy ‘Booksmart’-inspired jumpsuits that’ll earn you an A+ in summer party style
May 31, 2019 at 06:19AM by CWC For the uninitiated, Booksmart follows two overachieving besties who try to jam-pack a last chance at high-school revelry into a single night after having spent years playing things, well, by the book. Spoiler alert: They’re as successful in their party endeavor as they undoubtedly were on their AP tests—perhaps most notably in their #lewk for the night out. Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) end up styling themselves like badass Ghostbusters in comfy AF jumpsuits and sneakers. Some might call that an ill-informed fashion faux pas or just like, “a real chore if you need to pee.” But I, for one, am here for it because when you’re ready to eschew the JOMO and be a high-performing social butterfly, nothing says you’re ready to kick ass, take names, and make some memories like a cool jumpsuit. An all-purpose jumpsuit is the outfit for ambitious doers who prioritize function above all. Done right, it’s work-appropriate, errand-appropriate and gym-appropriate. It communicates that you’re crawling out of your introvert shell and you’re doing just fine. Sure, a case could be made for cute floral sundresses being the summertime party go-to, but the one-piece look encompasses enough visual interest that it doesn’t even need a wacky print to jazz it up. It is the strong and silent type that means business—even if the business at hand is a good time. Sure, the summer jumpsuit can be accessorized with the likes of funky belts, heeled metallic sandals,
9 comfy ‘Booksmart’-inspired jumpsuits that’ll earn you an A+ in summer party style
May 31, 2019 at 06:19AM by CWC For the uninitiated, Booksmart follows two overachieving besties who try to jam-pack a last chance at high-school revelry into a single night after having spent years playing things, well, by the book. Spoiler alert: They’re as successful in their party endeavor as they undoubtedly were on their AP tests—perhaps most notably in their #lewk for the night out. Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) end up styling themselves like badass Ghostbusters in comfy AF jumpsuits and sneakers. Some might call that an ill-informed fashion faux pas or just like, “a real chore if you need to pee.” But I, for one, am here for it because when you’re ready to eschew the JOMO and be a high-performing social butterfly, nothing says you’re ready to kick ass, take names, and make some memories like a cool jumpsuit. An all-purpose jumpsuit is the outfit for ambitious doers who prioritize function above all. Done right, it’s work-appropriate, errand-appropriate and gym-appropriate. It communicates that you’re crawling out of your introvert shell and you’re doing just fine. Sure, a case could be made for cute floral sundresses being the summertime party go-to, but the one-piece look encompasses enough visual interest that it doesn’t even need a wacky print to jazz it up. It is the strong and silent type that means business—even if the business at hand is a good time. Sure, the summer jumpsuit can be accessorized with the likes of funky belts, heeled metallic sandals,
How to turn a trusty plank series into an arms *and* abs burner
May 31, 2019 at 05:05AM by CWC There’s no greater joy in life than using the arm-flexing emoji and meaning it. And IRL, the same holds true. That’s why in strengthening your arms in the gym or at home during your sweat sesh can basically be a master class in feeling strong AF. And that doesn’t have to just mean cranking out reps with barbells. In fact, your trusty plank can give you all the support you need on your way to strengthening your arms as you light up your core. Happily, trainers have put together the ultimate arm-torching workout for all the good vibes and fire emojis at hand. If you’re looking to get stronger this summer, then keep on scrolling for all of the best moves to implore while in everyone’s favorite plank-ready position. 1. Push-up series “Push-ups help strengthen the chest, shoulders, biceps, triceps, and upper back, while also recruiting the core, glutes, and quads to stay strong and stable in the position,” says Pure Barre vice president of training and technique Katelyn DiGiorgio. “There are so many variations of push-ups that are modifiable for most people and it is a great move to perfect over time.” To perform a series, she says to carefully come down to all fours and place your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. “Walk the feet back behind you, hip-width apart, and press the balls of your feet down into the floor,” she says. “Bend and press the arms (make sure
How to turn a trusty plank series into an arms *and* abs burner
May 31, 2019 at 05:05AM by CWC There’s no greater joy in life than using the arm-flexing emoji and meaning it. And IRL, the same holds true. That’s why in strengthening your arms in the gym or at home during your sweat sesh can basically be a master class in feeling strong AF. And that doesn’t have to just mean cranking out reps with barbells. In fact, your trusty plank can give you all the support you need on your way to strengthening your arms as you light up your core. Happily, trainers have put together the ultimate arm-torching workout for all the good vibes and fire emojis at hand. If you’re looking to get stronger this summer, then keep on scrolling for all of the best moves to implore while in everyone’s favorite plank-ready position. 1. Push-up series “Push-ups help strengthen the chest, shoulders, biceps, triceps, and upper back, while also recruiting the core, glutes, and quads to stay strong and stable in the position,” says Pure Barre vice president of training and technique Katelyn DiGiorgio. “There are so many variations of push-ups that are modifiable for most people and it is a great move to perfect over time.” To perform a series, she says to carefully come down to all fours and place your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. “Walk the feet back behind you, hip-width apart, and press the balls of your feet down into the floor,” she says. “Bend and press the arms (make sure
The leopard print midi (AKA spring’s fave skirt) looks even better as leggings
May 30, 2019 at 03:24PM by CWC As my fashion-stylist friends always like to say, leopard print is a neutral. At least that’s true this season, when you can’t open Instagram without seeing some chic woman rocking a mid-calf length, silky skirt in some variation on the pattern. And while that leopard-print midi skirt is actually a lot more versatile than you might think—I’ve seen it paired with vintage band tees, oversize blazers, and platform sneakers, sometimes all at the same time—the one place you can’t really make it work is the gym. (I mean, prove me wrong, please!) Thankfully, the activewear powers that be are one step ahead of us. Leopard leggings, too, are all over the place for summer, with options in all different colors, sizes, and price points. They’re a more unexpected choice than the typical warm-weather florals (Miranda Priestley would be so proud), and as someone who owns a pair, I like to think they give me a little hit of badass energy when I’m about to tackle a particularly hard workout. Plus, because they’re a print, they do a great job hiding sweat after a particularly grueling fitness class. Keep on scrolling for the best-of-the-best leopard print leggings to add to your rotation. From baby blue varieties to biker shorts to some good old-fashioned 7/8-length classic spots, there are plenty of ways to take the print this spring (whether or not you also have the skirt that’s seen everywhere this spring). One thing’s for certain:
The leopard print midi (AKA spring’s fave skirt) looks even better as leggings
May 30, 2019 at 03:24PM by CWC As my fashion-stylist friends always like to say, leopard print is a neutral. At least that’s true this season, when you can’t open Instagram without seeing some chic woman rocking a mid-calf length, silky skirt in some variation on the pattern. And while that leopard-print midi skirt is actually a lot more versatile than you might think—I’ve seen it paired with vintage band tees, oversize blazers, and platform sneakers, sometimes all at the same time—the one place you can’t really make it work is the gym. (I mean, prove me wrong, please!) Thankfully, the activewear powers that be are one step ahead of us. Leopard leggings, too, are all over the place for summer, with options in all different colors, sizes, and price points. They’re a more unexpected choice than the typical warm-weather florals (Miranda Priestley would be so proud), and as someone who owns a pair, I like to think they give me a little hit of badass energy when I’m about to tackle a particularly hard workout. Plus, because they’re a print, they do a great job hiding sweat after a particularly grueling fitness class. Keep on scrolling for the best-of-the-best leopard print leggings to add to your rotation. From baby blue varieties to biker shorts to some good old-fashioned 7/8-length classic spots, there are plenty of ways to take the print this spring (whether or not you also have the skirt that’s seen everywhere this spring). One thing’s for certain:
*Exactly* how often you should do yoga to reap the maximum benefits
May 30, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC The #YogaEveryDay hashtag has 5.7 million photos attached to it on Instagram. Some of them feature people doing headstands in front of exotic locales (Machu Picchu seems to be a popular choice), while others simply show yogis hanging out in child’s pose in their local studios. The vast collection serves to prove that there are a whole lot of yogis out there getting into their practice on the reg. But whether you subscribe to the “yoga every day” way of life (like one of our writers, who got her vinyasa on every day for an entire year), or hit the mat only as frequently as the mood strikes, how much yoga should you do to be able to reap the benefits? Well, there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all answer to that question. Really, it depends on what you’re looking to get out of your practice, be it a stronger mind, body, or something else entirely. But according to the pros, there are definitely positives associated with the #yogaeverydamnday (another very popular take on the hashtag with 16.1M ‘grams) movement. “Daily yoga practice can definitely help your mood,”says Kajuan Douglas, founder of Merge New York, pointing to studies that cite yoga as an aid to coping with anxiety and depression. “Besides becoming stronger and more flexible, you will start to change your outlook on life. Whether you believe it spiritual, mental or emotional, daily yoga can help instill patterns or routines for self care.” Los Angeles-based