Great minds think alike, that is for certain. Last week after posting my plea to West Elm to bring back their amazing Morroccan windowpane rug, I went in search of a replacement. And apparently you did too! We all found the same rug, a flat weave beauty in a bevy of colors made by Surya and available at a few online retailers like CSN Rugs (which is offering 30% off right now!), Home Decorators Collection and Shades of Light. The colors, the pattern, the weave, it's all PERFECTION in my opinion and an excellent replacement for the West Elm rug!
Come to find out, this rug is designed by a fabulous Boston designer, Jill Rosenwald (who also e-mailed me to alert me of it's existence- I was just flattered she reads the blog!)  I've seen Jill's pottery before in stores and always loved the colorful and whimsical feel they exude, but I had no idea she was designed goods like rugs! Here's her new patterns that will be produced by Surya- I smell another hit!

At this point I am guessing that you either fall into one of two camps regarding my writing on yoga: either you think "okay Erin, we get it, you like yoga-please get back to talking about sofas" or you are interested in perhaps trying it for yourself or already practice and understand my slight obsession.  I've had several readers write me over the last couple months requesting my advice on starting a yoga practice and/or a post about my workout regimen. One person even suggested that my "killer triceps deserve to be tagged separately in Facebook photos". While that might be a wild exaggeration, I'm delighted to add this little "lifestyle" tidbit to my normal design advice seeing as I feel very passionately about it.

I started practicing yoga as a senior in college alone in my dorm room with videos (after no doubt reading something in People about it being how Jennifer Aniston kept her body so...well... bitchin'). I was always too scared to go to an actual class where other people could criticize my poor form, so for the next eight years I continued to practice on and off  once or twice a week while mostly logging in time on the treadmill and elliptical machines at the gym. Eight months ago I serendipitously met David Magone, a nationally praised, Boston based yoga teacher and founder of his own style of yoga, PranaVayu.  He invited me in for a class at a fancy gym and I anxiously went, knees shaking and scared as hell. I'm pretty sure (actually, 100% sure) I even considered taking a couple shots before going in order to work up the nerve, which by the way, is not zen at all.  After just a few classes with him I was totally hooked, no longer afraid of others' judgment and actually quite addicted. I hardly ever find myself on the treadmill anymore and I've never felt better (although a few more runs now and then would probably not hurt the ol' heart!)

You can't swing a Lululemon yoga mat in this town without hitting a fellow "Magone-y" (what I've affectionately dubbed all the dedicated followers of David's teachings).  He's got such a nice, realistic approach to yoga in which you feel it can be a lifestyle supplement and not necessarily an entire lifestyle if you don't want it to be (no worries if you don't wear hemp, burn incense and desire to live at an ashram a la Eat, Pray, Love).  So I figured, why not get advice for you from the source? I sat down with David after class recently and asked him the questions you've been asking me:
E: People say they are "scared" to go to a yoga class as a beginner. What is your advice for people who want to give it a try but are shy about attending a class?
D: Trying anything new can be a little intimidating.  Because of this, finding a good teacher to get you started is really helpful.  Ask your friends for referrals or check out online rating services like yelp.com to find a person who is good with beginners. 
Sometimes, taking a few private lessons before actually attending a class can be really helpful.  Most yoga studios and many gyms offer this service.  If you’re not able to meet with a teacher personally, pick up a Shiva Rea DVD (* I have loved this one for years, and it has David's blessing too) and practice throwing down a few down dogs and warrior’s postures before your first class. 
E: What are some of the top physical and mental benefits to a dedicated yoga practice?
D: Yoga is a great physical workout.  Because yoga practitioners primarily work with their natural body weight to develop strength, many people who practice yoga develop strong lean muscles.  Many students also lose weight through the practice.   Many of my students have lost 15 to twenty pounds through a combination of three to four yoga classes per week and a healthy diet! 
Mentally, the practice is beneficial as well.  When combined with 10 to 15 minutes of meditation, a yoga class can help you feel as relaxed as you would feel after a week of vacation.  A regular yoga practice can also help you deal with high-blood pressure, insomnia and other stress related problems. 
E: As stated in many articles of ate, meditation is a great addition to a hectic life.  I have a hell of a time doing it or even just quieting my mind, as do a lot of people- any tips for those who want to simply add meditation to their daily routine?
D: A hectic life really stirs up the mind.  When you’re forced to multi-task and run to a thousand different appointments every day you might find that it’s very difficult to experience any sort of mental clarity in meditation and you’ll wonder why everyone makes such a big deal out of the practice.  Nevertheless, if you’re willing to stick it out, I think that you’ll find that the practice really can help you cut through your thoughts and experience a more peaceful state of mind. 
As with most things, a little technique can help.  If you’re new to meditation, I suggest you focus on your breath to start.  It’s always there, and easy to observe.  Close your eyes and practice counting your exhales from one to 21.  If your mind wanders substantially, begin again at one immediately.  Repeat this process for five minutes.  At first, you’ll be lucky to make it to five before you start to daydream about a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond or your grocery list.  If you persevere however, you’ll soon find that your concentration will strengthen and your thought process will begin to slow a little bit.  This is a huge success!  Stick with it, and after a bit of practice you’ll be able to make it all the way to 21 with no major mental distractions.  Afterward, you’ll often feel much calmer and focused that when you first began.   
E: What are your favorite poses for beginners?
D: Down-dog - This pose is cool because it strengthens the upper body, triceps and shoulders like mad. 
Warrior II- It really tones the bum, legs and thighs.  Who wouldn’t like that?
The prayer twist- It is still one of my favorite poses because releases so much tension from the back. 
E: There are a lot of types of yoga out there,how should a new student pick a type to study? Are there any that are suited best for certain results or body types (i.e. inflexible people, injuries, those wanting to loose weight?)
D: I would recommend checking out Yogajournal.com to learn more about individual styles.  That said, here are links to a few that I’d recommend.
Iyengar – Great for those who love precision and alignment.  Iyengar classes are appropriate for anyone from raw beginner to the uber bendy student. 
Ashtanga – The polar opposite of Iyengar.  Classes tend to be intense, fast and a little sloppy on the alignment front.  If you’re down with a challenge though, this could be the one for you.  It’s best to have a little experience before your first Ashtanga practice. 
Yin – These classes are perfect for new students as well as those with injuries.  Yin classes flow really slowly.  Typically, you practice around six to ten poses over the course of a class.  Each one is held for between three and five minutes on either side. 
PVYU – PranaVayu classes emphasize a balance of power yoga sequencing and meditative practices.  If you want to learn how to turn your body into a pretzel and free the mind, these classes are for you.
(*Side note on "hot yoga" or "Bikram yoga"- a lot of people love it. I happen to not enjoy it and typically end up wretching in the hallway excliaming that I am "dying, no seriously, DYING"- but it does help make you extra bendy and fry up calories like no one's business! It's all a personal choice.)
E: It's typically hard to get guys into the yoga studio. Any tips on getting the fellas to down dog with us?
D: A yoga class can be great cross training for men who might be involved in other more active sports. Try to sell them on that one.   If you talk them into it, they might respond well to a power yoga class that that includes at least a few funky arm-balances or inversions. Find a teacher who can offer this, and give it a go.
Another benefit to yoga has been the amazing people I've met in David's class, like entrepreneur and fashionista Betty Riaz, who I wrote about previously here.  She's opening her own yoga studio, Stil Studio, at Legacy Place in Dedham on October 3rd featuring a slew of great teachers, including one of David's apprentices.  Not abandoning her fashion roots either, she'll be selling some really fantastic lines of yoga clothing, beauty products and jewelry at the studio to keep everyone looking good when perhaps their crow pose isn't looking so good.  And a couple stores down from her is a brand spankin' new Lululemon! I couldn't complete this post without a mention, let's be serious. They take like 1/4 of every paycheck I pull in. Here's a great starter outfit from them for a yoga practice (the cool clothes certainly make this a fun sport to get into):
As a personal side note, yoga has not only brought me flexibility and strength, a bit of inner peace and a cure for the dreaded Irish flat ass, but also something quite profound. As you know from my previous articles, I was afflicted with anorexia as a teenager and while I've been recovered for years I still never felt I had a healthy relationship to my body.  Eating disorders are a pretty severe and effective way to sever the mind/body connection.  I found out by reading many articles and books about recovery that many people who physically recover never abandon the negative thinking patterns associated with the disease. I assumed I was one of those people and that I may not ever regain a connection to my body in a spiritual and honest way.  Since starting my yoga practice that has all changed.  A sense of pride has been born, not necessarily regarding how I look, but rather how I feel- being more concerned with my strength than size and respecting the grand emotional swing from hatred to love.  The shift may be imperceptible to others, but internally I have moved mountains in only several months of  practice.  I may not be able to meditate or have mastered the scorpion pose, but I have discovered what I think might be the final step to my healing process almost 15 years after falling ill, and am so grateful to be given that gift.
To inspire you to give it a shot here's a playlist of my favorite songs to practice to . I tend to be more of a trip-hop/electronica kind of yogi- an great beat makes me feel like I can hold Warrior 2 for like 8 minutes!  It's just another example of how a yoga practice can be whatever you want it to be. You could listen to rap music if you really wanted to, whatever inspires you to do it.

And now I'm off for yoga class! Hope this answered some of your questions!

There are a lot of exciting and dynamic places to live in Boston- the bustling and luxurious Back Bay, the European feeling South End, gritty turned glam Southie or green and funky Jamaica Plain. But the hottest new area to be developed is Fort Point Channel. Bridging the financial district and the waterfront, this industrialized area has condo and apartment buildings popping up left and right- but none as heralded as FP3. Designed by the prolific and oft-published Hacin+ Associates, this new condo building offers up sleek modern space in the heart of this exciting "new" area of Boston. And just to show it off a bit more, they have teamed up with Boston Magazine to design a concept home in one of the penthouses with some of Boston's best home design vendors. And here is a sneak peek into the space! Be sure to check out the Concept Home site for lists of events that will be coming up in the penthouse! Who wouldn't want to attend a party here?

The building:

Finally, it's here.
I think I may have carpal tunnel from spending DAYS working on this post. I have had several readers e-mail me lately for my picks for where to stay, eat and shop in Boston. So here is my guide to my dear city (with many glaring omissions I'm sure- I may add to it as more places pop into my overloaded brain). I hope it's helpful for those of you planning a visit!

STAY.
Some truly lovely places to rest your weary head.

XV Beacon- The location is magnificent, the rooms highly styled. Dramatic and boutique. Check out the roof deck for your morning coffee while overlooking Boston.

Liberty Hotel - I mean, it's an old JAIL, people. The cool meter is registering off the charts. Plus it's got jaw dropping design and in a great Beacon Hill location. There are 18 original rooms that you have to specially request, so ask when you book. The bar, Alibi, is one of Boston's hottest too- check out the original jail cell doors!

Inn at St. Botolph-XV Beacon's charming little sister property for long term or short term use. Feels like your own Back Bay pied-a-terre.

Eliot Hotel - LUXURY. An impossibly chic interpretation of Boston Brahmin style. Grab a bite at Ken Oringer's Clio or Uni for a very special evening.

Colonnade Hotel- Recently renovated, it's taken on a new life! One of Boston's few rooftop pools too!

Westin Copley Place- Yep, it's a chain, but the beds ARE heavenly, the price is right and the location is central. Plus if it's crappy weather you don't have to go outside to get to some of Boston's best shopping in the Copley and Prudential malls!

Mandarin Oriental-A brand spankin' new hotel right smack in the center of Back Bay. Bonus: it also houses a killer salon (Mizu) and the hip and happenin' L'Espalier and Sel de la Terre restaurants, both great for dinner out!

DINE.
Not ALL of the best places, but a nice collection of my personal favorites for those visiting with empty stomachs!

Mistral- Flawless. My favorite "fancy occasion" place. Try the fillet mignon with horseradish whipped potatoes. Yes please.
No. 9 Park- Repeatedly named "Boston's Best", chef Barbara Lynch does everything right here. Spectacular and very special for a memorable night out.

Sorellina- a close second behind Mistral, this place will knock your socks off- from the decor, service, bar and menu. Try the truffled french fries and try to not to gorge yourself to death on them before your entree arrives.
Mooo- What used to be The Federalist (which was previously my fave restaurant)- Moo is a delightful replacement. Again, the decor is amazing and the service is too (oh, and the steaks!) :)

Beehive- One of those places that makes even long time Bostonians fall back in love with their city- live jazz, amazing decor, yummy food and drinks. Perfect night out.
Grotto- A tiny and hidden spot snuggled amongst the brick row houses of Beacon Hill this gem is romantic and cozy on a fall night.
South End Buttery- Great for breakfast, lunch, coffee or dinner. An amazing little cafe (check out the gorgeous pressed tin ceilings) in the cutest area of the South End (boutiques Hudson and Looc are right next door too!)
Franklin Cafe- An old school favorite for an affordable, laid back, jump-for-joy-it's-so-good meal! New location in Southie too!

Stephi's on Tremont- I was sad when Garden of Eden closed it's doors in this location, but was rewarded with the FAB Stephi's. Great decor (check out the private dining room) and a brunch worth talking about.
Aquitaine- Feel like you're in Paris with this French bistro. Spectacular brunch.

Oleana- If you are willing to travel to Cambridge, you'll be rewarded with the mind blowing Mediterranean fare and Boston's most romantic outdoor patio.
Via Matta- One of our staple places- try the Tagliatelle Bolognese with a Lime Basil Gimlet. I die. I've never ordered anything else in the 20 times I've been there- it's THAT good.

Persephone/Achilles Project- An impossibly cool venue that combines a fashion boutique/restaurant & bar/art gallery and arcade (you can buy a dress, have a cocktail, nibble some apps AND play an Xbox game? Is this Disneyland for urban professionals? Maybe.)
Sportello- think of the most chic diner you could possibly conjure up in your imagination, and that's Sportello. Eat at communal counters and enjoy their simple but delightful food (the tomato soup and "grilled cheese" is so good for lunch). Stop on your way to the ICA!

Metropolis- Feels so European with it's coziness, small tiled floor, vintage stools and Moravian star lights. Oh, and did I mention the food is OUTSTANDING?
Stella- Italian dining at it's chicest. Always busy and always delicious! Plus, it's design is divine.
Butcher Shop/B&G Oysters- Across the street from each other, these two Barbara Lynch outposts are adorable and local favorites whether you crave bivalves or beef.

SHOP.
Get out your credit cards and get ready to have some fun.

Clothing/Accessories:

Looc - Like traveling to Nantucket and the South of France all at once. An amazingly edited collection of goods by the lovely Audra Boyle.
Stil - Edgy, hip, of-the-moment designs curated by the ever stylish Betty Riaz.
Wish- Beacon Hill's answer for what to wear on a night out or a weekend trip to ACK.
Louis Boston-Slightly intimidating (took me years to get the guts to go in), but so worth it! Even if it is just to gander at the high style, fresh of the runway looks (all in an amazing space)!
Filene's Basement-Put on your boxing gloves darlings, 'cause you'll have to fight to the death for that 75% off Missoni dress.

Dress- Divine fashion goodness- you'll be sure to always find something here whether it be a drapey Tucker blouse or cool chain necklace. Oh, and is that Cow Parsley by Cole & Son on the walls? Yes, that'll do just fine, thanks.
Stel's -Chic, under the radar designers reign supreme in here- think Alexander Wang, Reyes and A.P.C. Like a mini Barney's without the attitude.
Holiday-Like shopping in your very stylish friend's very girly, pretty and vintage-cool closet.
Intermix- A bit o' Manhattan on Newbury street. DVF galore and plenty of other designer labels.

Sarah Campbell- Handmade fashions from right here in Boston. For the preppier set, in SUCH a cool South End space (check out the dress patterns hanging from the ceiling!)
Portobello Road- a truly magical, brightly colored mix of boho-chic inspired fashion, home accessories and floral design all in one place. It's well worth the trip out Route 9!!!
Flat of the Hill- need a birthday/bridal or baby gift? Look no further. And scoop up a gorgeous handbag and some lip gloss while you're there.

Home:

Hudson- My favorite home store in Boston with a mix of old, new, modern, classic and all in perfect taste. Owner Jill Goldberg has a FLAWLESS eye. The kind of shop I'd open if I could.
Devi Home- Luxe fabrics, drapes, pillows and furniture from India. AMAZING.
Good- Like walking through a jewelry box of accessories!
Koo de Kir- A great place for accessories of all kinds- tabletop items, pillows even purses and jewels!
Antique Shops on Charles Street - there are many. Go in them.

Lekker- Danish design brought to the South End. Awesome for unique wedding gifts!
Acquire- New to the scene and already getting heaps of praise for her mix of vintage and new home goods. In the North End, so plan to go before you get a yummy plate of pasta!
Bliss Home-imagine your dream wedding registry-this is it. Drop dead gorgeous tableware and accessories galore.

Machine Age- Coveting a pair of Barcelona chairs like I am? Make a point to pop in here to view a great collection of designer and vintage furniture.
Reside- Over the river in Cambridge is this shop chock FULL of vintage mid-century modern furniture and accessories.
Didriks- If you're going to Reside, you better as well pop into this amazing little shop that carries some of my favorites: Match pewter, Chilewich, Libeco Home and Heath Ceramics.
Landry & Arcari- Need an amazing, show-stopper rug? This is your place. Tibetans, area rugs, antique Persians- you name it.
Aunt Sadies- fantastic gift shop full of candles, baby items, soaps, home accessories and the like.

SPAS/BEAUTY.
After a long day of shopping and eating, you might need a break. Or to break a sweat.

Exhale- Zen beauty at it's finest- with massages, facials and amazing mind/body classes (take a yoga class with David Magone, my favorite yoga instructor) or get ripped with the pain inducing but results driven Core Fusion.
Spa at Sports Club LA- Alexandra gives amazing facials and Andrew said he had the best massage of his life here!
Gretta Cole Copley- Katerina Kolokotronis has been my eyebrow guru for almost 7 years now. I trust no one else with my Brooke Sheilds-esque brows- plus she gives great facials too. Love everyone who works there.

Bella Sante- A go-to for Boston pampered and pedicured ladies.
Lauren's Nails- Efficient and quick (and in two locations) if you need your nails and toes polished and scrubbed for $35 in a jiffy.

Other things to consider:
* Visit the ICA, Isabella Stewart Gardner and MFA.
* Take in a Sox game. And eat a Fenway frank.
* Stroll along the Charles River or through the Fens.
* Have a drink at the Top of the Hub at night for the view alone.
* Go on a Duck Tour. Looks cheesy, but it's actually really fun.