Look goodFeel good

By Dakota-Lynn McCaffrey

Q:"MY FRIENDS ARE CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT HOT YOGA IS AND IT HAS PIQUED MY INTEREST. I AM MORE INTO WEIGHT LIFTING AND CARDIO. WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR A FIRST TIMER LIKE MYSELF?”

Allisun Hull CCHt, E-RYT, Senior Teacher Hot Yoga Downtown (505) 243-4688

A:“Trying anything new for the first time can be intimidating. It’s important to remember that yes, hot Yoga is challenging… and you can do hard things! Through challenge comes resilience and growth.

Hot Yoga is a meditative discipline with numerous benefits on and off the mat.

Keep in mind that your Yoga practice is your own; go at your own pace, listen to your body.

It is a good idea to not only rehydrate after practice, but also pre-hydrate before your Yoga practice.

You will get the hang of it and you WILL get used to the heat eventually.

Remember to be playful, you are here to feel good!

Lastly, as instructors we are here to help! Ask questions, let us know if you are feeling anything painful or even just funky.”

Marisa Johnson RYT 500, Co-Owner SWEAT Yoga Studio (505) 363-8021

A:“Walking through the door is the hardest part! Hot yoga can be intimidating but once you’re on your mat, focus on your breath first and the poses second, and you’ll be doing it right! Hot yoga offers an effective method to create and expand your health and wellness via a modality that is gentle but can be a powerful way to improve strength and stamina. It allows an increase in stretching and flexibility and helps to prevent injury caused by stiff muscles.

In addition to providing a phenomenal workout, hot yoga heals the body holistically. It has a positive effect on the ability to focus, reduces stress, and improves sleep patterns.

On the day of your first class, focus on hydration. Bring a mat towel (because SWEAT!) and a water bottle. Be patient with yourself. It takes time for your body to adjust to new things!”

A:“I absolutely love this question. Being a fellow weightlifter myself my advice is get started in hot yoga asap. You will wish you had started so much sooner. Yoga is so different, but it is also the perfect complement to an athlete who’s focus is weightlifting. It’s the peanut butter to your jelly sandwich. Being nervous is normal for anything that is out of your comfort zone. Just like weightlifting you never make progress until you get a little uncomfortable. With weightlifting that is done regularly comes stiffness, soreness and the constant struggle with flexibility.

HOT yoga specifically will help loosen up your body to increase your range of motion aiding in safer weightlifting. It also will help those achy muscles recover so much faster which leads to increased results from your normal fitness routine. The added heat is more friendly to those that lack flexibility in that it helps ease the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons in warming up a little faster and a little safer when you get moving on your mat. Make sure you hydrate well beforehand, avoid eating a large meal, and be ready to sweat like crazy. Dress comfortably in moisture wicking attire, bring a towel and extra water. If it’s chilly out pack some warm loose comfy clothes for afterwards so the drive home is a pleasant one. Ultimately, just show up. Come with an open mind. Know that hot yoga is not boot camp. Everyone moves at their own pace.

Take as many breaks as you need, hydrate throughout the class and lay down and relax if you feel a little nauseated before bolting out of the hot room. The outside air or lobby tends to be a drastic drop in temperature, and you want to give yourself a few minutes to prepare for that adjustment. Hot yoga is a major detoxifier so nausea can occur when you are new. I tend to offer a mint, ginger chew or sugar free hard candy for my new students. Depending on where you plan to attend, I recommend bringing something like that in case the studio doesn’t offer that. The name of the game though is honestly to allow yourself to enjoy the experience and feel good. If something hurts while practicing, listen to your body and back off from the movement you are doing. If it is a tad uncomfortable, breathe through it you’re making progress. Make sure after class is done that you also continue to hydrate. I recommend a good 20 to 30 ounces.

A:“Hot yoga is a great full body workout! Not only are you challenging your mind, you will practice activating and lengthening muscles that you don’t typically work. I advise bringing a towel and water bottle to class; you will sweat. It’s important to focus on yourself and listen to your body throughout the practice. Rest when you need, so your body can adjust to the heat at your own pace. I always like to remind my yogi’s to tell their instructor it’s their first time. If you’re “down dog”, we will see you at Let It Be.”

By Emma Trevino

From Shakespeare To Steinbeck

You’re with friends on a weeknight and would rather be curled up with a good book. What to do besides grab this lit-lover’s game off the shelf? Think of it like Cards Against Humanity for those of us with a serious reading habit. Who knows, maybe you’ll come across a new book quote to compliment your next IG post.

Papercuts, $22

Page 1 Books

5850 Eubank Blvd NE Ste B-41 (505) 294-2026 page1book.com

Salsa Gets An Extra Kick

A few years ago marked the beginning of a glorious partnership between ABQ legend Sadie’s Salsa and Marble Brewery with the introduction of a joint effort: the Marble Red and Green Salsa. Made with the given tomato and green chile, the star of this jar is Marble’s Red Ale, hence the Christmas name. Enjoy with blue corn tortilla chips and you’ve got the combo of the year.

Marble Red and Green Salsa, $35-$68

Sadie’s Salsa

6230 4th St NW Lot (505) 345-5339 sadiessalsa.com

Burque On A Board

This spin on a family favorite is all sick, huh? Hot air balloons, steamy sopas, and of course all things chile are included in the ABQ version of your mom’s Monopoly. Just make sure you don’t get stuck in Route 66 traffic!

Albuquerque-opoly Board Game, $30

Brotique 505 - Green Jeans Farmery

3600 Cutler Ave NE

(505) 257-5043 brotique505.com

Nm Spirit Two Ways

If you live in New Mexico, there’s a 99% chance you’ve either 1) been to a NM United game, 2) been to Meow Wolf, or 3) both. Combine your NM pride with this longsleeve that’ll no doubt make you the envy of every United fan at their home games this year. PS: catch their first game of the season against Miami FC on March 18!

Meow Wolf Unisex Away Long Sleeve Jersey, $89

The Team Shop in Nob Hill 3500 Central Ave SE, Ste 2 (505) 209-7525 shop.newmexicoutd.com

Jewelry artists work at their benches beyond display cases filled with finished pieces of silver, turquoise and other semiprecious stones. A couple browses at the counter as a jeweler answers their questions. Downstairs, out of customers’ view, a woman models Southwestern jewelry in a live show for Facebook fans.

Tskies isn’t an ordinary jewelry store.

“This had been a side project that was never intended to be the business it is,” says Tskies founder Matthew James Shepardson.

His project, a blog about turquoise, has morphed into a thriving online and brickand-mortar business, and a nonprofit coop supporting the work of independent jewelry artists, as well as paid internships and scholarships for students.

Most of the jewelry artists are Native