Vive Detox “takes you from ‘eating to survive’ to ‘eating to thrive'” with three distinct 14-day cleanses designed for immunity, weight loss or a full-body reset with daily instructions, videos, challenges and online support.

Their launch event, hosted at Steiner Studios, will feature a yoga class led by Tara Milhem, profiled by FITiST and Well+Good, mini acupuncture treatments, organic snacks and a gift bag geared for fitness lovers.

**WIN IT!**
One lucky reader can join me at the Vive Detox launch party on Thursday night (6-7:30pm). Comment below and tell me what you’d like to improve in your yoga practice to enter for the chance to win.

Winner will be notified by Wednesday, 7/9.

(If you’re not selected, there will still be time to buy your ticket until Thursday morning at 8am here!)

Event will take place at Steiner Studios, 15 Washington Avenue – Stage 6 in Brooklyn.

Admission provided by Vive Detox; all thoughts/assessments are my own.

Designed by mostly New York-based artists, each of the seven eco-friendly yoga mats brings art into our daily yoga practice with totally eye-opening, avant-garde imagery.

One of my favorites is the Eric Cahan Mat (directly above).  Taken from his Sky Series, it shows the East Hampton sunset as captured by the artist at exactly 7:22pm, exploring the relationship between light, color and space.  Who doesn’t love a dreamy beach sunset?

Launched at buzzy Art Basel Miami Beach in partnership with lululemon, you can grab your favorite at South Beach Morgans Hotel properties like The Delano, Shore Club and Mondrian and shop the collection on Grey Area’s site.

This is one viewing party that just can’t be missed.

The process of writing this blog has opened my mind to not only testing my limits through new workouts and innovative activities, but, also re-visiting those of my past.

Introducing Lyons Den Power Yoga, now open on Church Street, across from the perennially chic Tribeca Grand.

Founder Bethany Lyons is a classically trained ballet dancer and Master Instructor at SoulCycle (she’s one of a hand-selected few from the very beginning, and, if you know Soul and how it has overtaken cycling from Brooklyn to Beverly Hills, you know that’s a big deal). Inspired by Baptiste Yoga, her studio is the only one of its kind in NYC.

Lyons Den is a small, cozy space three floors up. Still under construction, the building-in-progress somehow matches Bethany’s grounded personality.

Bethany & Josie, the de facto Lyons Den mascot. (Notice the front desk doggie door!)

I signed up for a class called “Power Flow,” a creative interpretation of the Baptiste “Journey into Power” sequence. I had no idea what that meant. Do you? I’ll break it down: Baron Baptiste is an actual man. And, he comes from a family who studied the teachings of Krishnamacharya (the original yogi). But, that’s where the new age-y stuff stops. The key to “power yoga” is accessibility–followers of all ages and backgrounds are invited to participate, and, feel empowered, through strength of body and spirit, to lead in their lives. Plus, it’s hot: 90-95 degrees (but, less than Bikram’s 105+).

As a beginner, I found the class to be both comforting and challenging. It has a consistent rhythm and it’s relatively easy to follow. Asana (poses) to know: Upward-Facing Dog, Downward-Facing Dog, High Plank, Low Plank, Pigeon, Triangle, Warrior I and Warrior II. Chants were limited to a few “om”s at the beginning and end.  After several poses, I was literally dripping in sweat, even more so than in cycling class. If you have your own mat, bring it. I was glad to have mine.

After 60 minutes, I can say that I was never bored, I didn’t miss the bike, I felt concentrated and calm. Bethany’s Midwestern accent is soothing and her presence as an instructor is spot-on, serious with a few silly moments in between.  In her words, she “shows up big” and asks that students do the same.

My take? At Lyons Den, there is definitely joy and peace to be found, long after the holidays are done.

Lyons Den Power Yoga: 279 Church Street, NYC