INCREDIBLE WOMEN AND FRIENDS (AND A YOGA GIVEAWAY!)
Scroll down to see the yoga contest – I’m giving away THIRTY DAYS (one month!) of free yoga.
I thought I’d spend a little bit of time today honouring about some really amazing people in my life. Some really amazing women. They are friends, mentors, colleagues, classmates… and they are all women that I look up to. I spend way too much time on this blog talking about myself, and not thanking or talking enough about the people that made me who I am today.
KIM S – I don’t know where I would be without Kim. Kim has been my best friend since we were 7 years old and happened to live on the same street. My dad and I went over to welcome them to the neighbourhood with a purple balloon with Kim’s name on it, and well, I guess we just went from there.
Kim is an incredible women and a great friend. Kim is the same age as me, and at 25 she has already opened her first business – a hot yoga studio. What I most admire about Kim is that she had a dream and she made it happen. She’s been in love with yoga ever since it changed her life and her arthritis in her back, doing years of training as a yoga student and then years of training as a yoga instructor. She took it all on herself: finding and leasing the property, drawing up the business plans, managing the contractors to do the renovations, handling the marketing, hiring of new employees and launching the business. It’s now a thriving successful hot yoga studio (Moksha Yoga Vancouver).
Kim has also been an inspiration to me as an athlete. In high school we played competitively on the junior and senior basketball teams for several years together… she always encouraged me to play hard and practice more. Kim went on to play varsity basketball at McGill. She’s one of the best athletes I know – her determination and never-give-up attitude sparks any team she plays on.
More importantly, I can honestly say that Kim has had the single most impact on who I am as a person toady. Several years ago I sat down with her and she opened my eyes to the kind of person I was, and the kind of person I should be. I changed my outlook on life because of her and I wanted to become a better person. I can never thank Kim enough for inspiring me to make change in my life… and I know my friends, Allan, my parents, and even my career have benefited from her advice to me. She has always been able to give me practical advice and tell me the hard truth about myself. She is always there when I need her. Thank you Kim. I know we’ll be lifelong friends.
CHRISTIE G – Christie and I have been best friends since she moved to Canada from England in the middle of elementary school. With her wacky British fashions and her quirky sense of humour, I knew I wanted to be friends with her when she first walked into the school. Christie has always moved around, from Hong Kong to England to France… but no matter how many years or even days she is in Vancouver, we resume our friendship right where it left off and stayed in touch.
Christie is another one of my friends who has been able to follow their dreams… she knew she wanted to be involved in the fashion world and pursued those interests throughout high school university, and in her first few jobs. She did modeling in London and Hong Kong. She started out as a purchaser at a prominent department stores in London (Browns, Matches), and then her career exploded as she worked at the high fashion house of Mulberry, and now… premier fashion website Net-A-Porter.com. I couldn’t be more impressed with her ability to go after what she wants and get it. I’m pretty sure in a few years she’ll have her own fashion house or something.
Christie and I have been through a lot of tears and laughter, and she’s probably influenced my “coming of age” more than anyone. From teaching me about boys, how to kiss, school dances, men’s magazines, and all sorts of other hilarious experiences… she and I have been through some pretty funny times. But she’s always been someone I can call or talk to about my problems and she’ll always give me practical advice. So thank you Christie, for all your advice and for all the laughs.
NIKI T – Niki is someone I met in university, whom I always looked up to. We’re not best friends, but I’ve always seen her as a close friend, and sensed that we could grow into really great friends one day. I think more than anything I’ve always seen her as a role model, and I think she’s a great person to talk about in this post because she’s quite inspirational.
Niki and I first got to know each other in university when working on a business project with a few other classmates in our first two years of school. We all got quite close over the process, with long nights, fights, and the stress of making it to the championships of the business competition and doing many, many presentations. We both got into business school after that and ended up in the same class “section” (you stay in your section for almost all your classes for the first year). We ended up on many projects together, were on the same inner tube water polo team, and spent a couple summers together at her cabin and went on many double dates.
Her father is actually an extremely famous author, and despite having access to what I’ll loosely call “fame and fortune” (that’s a terrible way to put it, sorry Niki), she’s one of the most down to earth people I know. She works her butt off and does not take anything for granted. And ridiculously modest. Niki is the kind of woman that is going to end up as Prime Minister of Canada… I know it’s a potential aspiration for her, and I know if she ever decides to go for it that she’ll be able to do it. She speaks with confidence, makes friends effortlessly, has great fashion sense, is incredibly perceptive, and has a great sense of humour. She’s also very, very smart.
Niki got hired out of university as a consultant for Accenture. This is a very tough position to get and she’s already managed to make a big impact even at a company of that size. On a leave from Accenture, Niki is now working as an Associate Director of the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. Yes, she is 26 years old and is an Associate Director. CRAZY! Niki lives and works in Geneva with her boyfriend, Moritz who is also a very good friend of mine. Throughout my adult years, Niki and Moritz have always been wonderful friends and I’ve loved going on double dates with them. Niki is also a fashionista, an accomplished singer (she tried out for Canadian Idol, and has a band in Toronto), is an avid skier and surfer, and is always up for new adventures. Oh yeah, and she hob nobs with people like Stephen Harper. 
Despite the fact that we’ve never lived in the same city, I think we’ve stayed close friends and I’m looking forward to our relationship growing. What I value most about our relationship is that she’s always up for anything, and she’s always someone I can count on when she gives her word that she’s going to do something. If we lived in the same city, I think we’d probably do a lot of snowboarding and surfing together and probably be really great friends. Thank you Niki — I’ve learned a lot from you about confidence, being yourself, and being down to earth.
——————-
In honour of these wonderful women, I’m doing a fantastic giveaway on my blog to Kim’s studio, Moksha Yoga Vancouver which is an amazing hot yoga studio here in Vancouver.
MOKSHA YOGA VANCOUVER YOGA GIVEAWAY CONTEST
About the Studio: Moksha Yoga Vancouver is a hot yoga studio that Kim personally manages to make sure that it is run with integrity, energy, responsibility towards the environment, and kindness. She even teaches. She’s got some great instructors and classes and also a charity volunteer program that really gives back to the community. It’s located in Jericho Village at 4th and Alma and is one of the few dedicated hot yoga studios in Vancouver. They offer beginner-friendly classes that practice on a bamboo floor with infra-red heat panels at 38 degrees. Some classes are offered by donation and student rates too. Oh yeah — and if you go for their morning classes you get freshly baked muffins and scones. Yum! You can follow them on Twitter here.
What you’re playing for: A 30-day (one month) all access yoga pass to MYV.. enough yoga to get you all fit for the summer!
What you have to do: Leave a comment on this blog post by Sunday, May 9th at 10:00 PM PST, and then check back on Monday to see who won.
Good luck, and thanks for reading!
Update: May 10th, 2010: Congratulations to Comment #4… Nolwenn! I’ve drawn you as the random winner for the contest for one free month of yoga courtesy of Moksha Yoga Vancouver!
Tags: amazing, Christie, contest, females, friends, giveaway, hot yoga, inspirational, Kim, Moksha Yoga Vancouver, Niki, Vancouver, Women
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May 5th, 2010 at 11:57 am
when i moved from toronto to vancouver one of the first things i was homesick for was mokysha yoga. i went to every studio in the city. so excited there is one in my new hometown! i’d love to spend thirty days in downward dog.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Good friends are hard to come by. Nice post Allie. Oh and yes please on yoga.. really want to try it, and get fit for surfing
May 5th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Would be interested to try as an alternative to Bikram.
May 5th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Being grateful is something I find really important and life-changing. It’s good to know that we have people we can count on (and that they can count on us as well) no matter what, true and long friendship is sometimes hard to find.
I’d really love to try Kim’s yoga studio (I pass by it so often, indeed).
Thank you for sharing.
May 5th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Would love to try a new hot yoga studio.
May 5th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Hi Allie,
This is the first time I have come to your website, and what a first impression! *WoW*!! What a wonderful tribute to the most influential and important women in your life, not to mention your eloquent way with words =P
As a woman, I think a month of hot yoga is a wonderful gift to give. I recently started to do hot yoga (~ 2 weeks ago, at Moshka Yoga Vancouver!!!), despite being a bit skeptical about it, initially. I must say though… I truly fell in love, as it has become a wonderful healer for both my body and soul=) I would totally love to continue my journey with it, *so here’s crossing my fingers* !
Congrats to all the success in the lives of you and your gal friends! x
May 5th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
oops.. i meant for that to be an avatar, bypassed the huge *note regarding that. =(
May 5th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Good friends are hard to come by, and its awesome that you have such a great group of friends behind you!
I want to drop a couple pounds gained during exam week and yoga seems like a perfect way to get fit!
May 5th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
I have a few friends who go to Moksha on a regular basis… I had no clue it was Kim’s start-up business! Heard great things about it, and I’ve always meant to check it out… and I will, regardless of whether or not I win your contest!
May 5th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
It’s so great to have girlfriends who inspire you. Sounds like yours are amazing.
And yes, yoga please!
May 5th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I’m actually looking around trying to find a place to do yoga. Would be awesome if I win this.
May 5th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
I hear a lot of good things about hot yoga, so I’d love a chance to try it out!
May 5th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I have went to the moksha yoga studio back in my home city of Calgary. Would love to try out the vancouver one!
May 6th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Hi Allie,
I really like reading your blog as you live a very interesting life. Not sure how you manage to pull it all off but sounds like with great and accomplished friends like yours, anything is possible.
I’ve been to the Moksha studio and found the experience very calming and exhilarating at the same time.
May 6th, 2010 at 11:15 am
I love reading your twitter, and adore the zest for life you exude through it. Recently moving to Vancouver, I felt a little more connected to the city or the possiblities the city holds through your twitter/blog. I did a little yoga back in my small town in Ontario (in a church basement haha!) I would love to get a true Vancouver yoga experience.
May 6th, 2010 at 11:28 am
You are so lucky to have such amazing friends in your life! This is an awesome contest! It’s great reading about someone else’s relationships!
PS I LOVE Kim’s studio!!!
May 6th, 2010 at 11:41 am
I’ve never tried a yoga class and really have always wanted to…
May 6th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Hi Allie!
I’ve been checking out your blog here and there.. amazing. Love the posts and the pix, such a complete package of a blog.
I’m back in Van for the summer and was looking up the Bikrams packages when I saw your FB status! Wow, Kim has her own studio, that’s so great! Do you go to classes there as well? Would love check it out as an alternative to Bikrams.
And Christine, so cool to read updates on her through your blog as well.
Anyway, I hope everything is wonderful with you. You are definitely living life to the fullest and no joke, every time I visit your blog it’s a reminder for me to do the same, so thank you for being an inspiration!
- Julia
May 6th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Hey Allie!
Cool contest Allie! I gotta say, I’m super impressed with your blog and all fantastic swag you’re able to get your hands on.
Having recently gotten myself into photography, I check out your photos and I’m really impressed with the quality of your pictures! Even if you do use a Nikon!
Keep in touch,
Sean
May 6th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Ugh, I totally meant to write CHRISTIE, not Christine, what a dumb typo! Sorry!
- Julia
May 6th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
beautiful! i adore inspirational women!
May 6th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Kim’s Studio is amazing- she is truly an inspiration to everyone by conquering her health issues. I am in awe of her. Can’t wait to find out who will be the lucky winner of the Moksha Yoga giveaway… I most definitely already have a date with the studio this summer!
May 6th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Wow! You’re so lucky having this kind of people around you. I always say that people make you how you are too, not only your experiences in life.
Love!
xxx
May 6th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Amazing women! I wish I lived in Vancouver right now…not just because Robert Pattinson is there at the moment, but so that I could win! I love hot yoga.
Congrats ladies on your accomplishments. Allie you have tons under your belt too. You guys sounds like a great group!
May 6th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I’m glad you’ve had the chance to met those people. It’s a little hard find the right persons. A friend is for the bad moments too, not only the best. They can make you a better person and help you in the worst moments, and fill your life with joy.
I’d love to find great friends..
I’ve never do yoga, but I always wanted to. I guess I have to learn some
Have a great week!!!
xxx
- Laura
May 6th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Wow, Allie, I really loved this post. You have quite the amazing and inspirational group of friends.
It’s funny you’re offering a month to Moksha, I was just checking out their website the other day because I’ve been dying to get back into yoga, but was deterred when I saw the prices (student budget… you know how that goes). I would absolutely love to win this, since the studio is only a few blocks away from me and I love hot yoga.
May 6th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
What a wonderful post to honour some inspirational and very gorgeous ladies. And yay yoga!!!
May 7th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Namaste,
I would like to say how much I enjoyed reading these words about Kim. I met her about a year ago when the studio opened, and felt welcomed from the moment I stepped in. Months and months later, I emailed Kim to ask if she had time to answer some questions about how she came to this place in her life and what it was like to own a studio. She once again welcomed me with open arms and took time out of her busy life to meet with me. I felt her generosity of spirit. All the best Kim, for continued success, health, prosperity and peace. (and thanks for the amazing muffins! – once again, generosity and kindness from Kim)
Om shanti, om peace.
May 7th, 2010 at 10:46 am
I just started visiting Kim’s moksha studio a couple of weeks ago and have already seen amazing benefits. It’s wonderful to visit a place where there is such a strong sense of community and positivity. I am a person who values friendships as well, and I think it is fantastic that you have such strong women in your life as close friends!
May 7th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Allie. Love your post. You are a fortunate to have amazing friends. Long and lasting friendship is a true gift.
After traveling in the US and abroad for 12 years, I recently moved back to Vancouver and find myself to be so at home. When living in the US and Europe, I always connected several times a year with friends here, but always felt something was missing.
Since I’ve moved back, I talk nearly everyday with my two best friends of nearly 30 years (and I’m 34!). One of them lives here, so we run, ski and merry-make together. The other lives in Calgary and we are launching an exciting new business together.
Never doubt the importance of ‘little’ friends….they might just last a lifetime.
May 8th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Moksha looks fab
I’ve always wanted to try it out.
Cheers
May 8th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
What a great post! Makes me want to reconnect with my friends close and far.
I would like to try another hot yoga studio
May 8th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I would love to try hot yoga 4 my 1st time ! I read that practicing it can help to
De-stress
Lose weight
Improve our immune systems
Increase our cardiovascular abilities
Feel more energized
May 9th, 2010 at 10:14 am
i want this so i can be stretchy in bed for my bf!! no kidding…this would be really cool.
go nucks go
May 9th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Hi Allie!
I have been living on the east coast for the past four years, and I am returning back to Vancouver as of next week! I will be reunited with my own “incredible women”, who I have missed dearly and look forward to re-connecting and seeing regularly again. Just. Can’t. Wait!
With the move and re-settlement I have actually been searching for a studio to continue my yoga practice to help me stay somewhat centered during the stress of the move. Either way, Kim’s studio looks inviting. I will be checking it out.
Cheers!
May 9th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Hey Allie!
I really enjoyed your write up on Kim, Christie & Niki!!