Yoga Does a Body and Mind Good

I recently began reading a new magazine based on my appreciation for an early yoga class that I drag myself to each week and leave feeling fabulous. Flipping through Yoga For Beginners was intimidating, as it focuses on complex poses and cool new props to incorporate into practice. I figured I would end up tossing the magazine, only slightly more aware of my inflexibility — but I was wrong.

Following a marathon of assignments and exams in the last few weeks, just as I thought I could breathe again, I cracked open my planner only to face the second coming. I felt as though all of my previous accomplishments now meant nothing in the face of this new tsunami of work. I sat down to read Yoga For Beginners and was drawn to a short, powerful article on the very last page. I could have sworn the author, Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD., was speaking directly to me.

In her article, Lasater writes about the responsibilities that tag along with being a working mother. She compares her infinite cycle of chores to the Tibetan Monks that spend ages working on sand mandalas — intricate mosaics in which individual grains of colored sand are arranged by hand. Upon completion of a sand mosaic, the monks destroy their creations to celebrate life’s impermanence. Lasater teaches her readers that impermanence is part of the human condition. If we are able to embrace this condition, we will be able to embrace life. Her explanation falls into place perfectly; if you are able to realize that nothing is permanent, then you would be able to accept losing someone close to you. You would taste the full flavor of every moment, bitter or sweet, but let go just as easily as you embraced it.

It dawned on me that perhaps yoga is not all about poses and props, but also about finding this type of meaning in everyday life. The article inspired me to accept change and to take each moment one at a time.

--Naomi Seliktar

We Found It First. Now Pass It On!

Spin Magazine recently collaborated with Best Buy and Napster to launch a special edition of their magazine entitled Find ‘Em First. The edition comes with a 20 track CD titled “Fall’s New Best Sounds,” a free three month subscription to Napster, a discount on Spin subscriptions and 15 free mp3 tracks of your choose. Readers can find band interviews and reviews. French band Phoenix graces the cover and the CD features music from Passion Pit, The Ting Tings, LMFAO and Juliette Lewis. The magazine has over fifty pages and can be purchased for ten dollars at local Best Buy stores or from Bestbuy.com.

In celebration of the new issue, Spin will sponsor a concert with Passion Pit at Terminal 5 in New York City on January 9, 2010. Readers can enter in to win a prize package, passes to a meet and greet, a guitar signed by Juliette Lewis and a signed copy of the issue. The special edition also has shots from exclusive photo shoots.

As for recent full length versions of Spin, check out The Flaming Lips cover story for the November 2009 story and reviews for American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert’s debut album and the new releases from Kid Sister, Weezer and Norah Jones. Also, the magazine interviews The Stroke’s lead vocalist and songwriter Julian Casablanca on his solo career and new release Phrazes for the Young.

You can stream and buy music from artists featured in the magazine here.

--Melissa Savignano

For the Body + Soul

I tend to be skeptical when it comes to quick fixes, especially in regards to my health. While washboard abs in eight minutes and 24-hour life turnarounds are all the rage, Body + Soul magazine offers an optimistic alternative for those of us who tend to read with a glass-half-empty attitude. This down-to-earth magazine focuses on “whole living,” which is anything from the basics of being happy and keeping your body healthy to maintaining a fresh and exciting lifestyle.

Rarely am I able to read a magazine cover to cover in a single sitting, but I found this issue to be fascinating. Everything about its style was intriguing to me; even its coarse cover pages on my fingertips felt original, and thus I felt compelled to explore. Body + Soul somewhat mimics the layout of an average health magazine or health column with its “quick tips” and “must-have makeup,” but manages to branch out in a new direction. In addition to reading about alternative health techniques, I learned how to spice up an average turkey sandwich and I was able to investigate why women often have difficultly concentrating, lose sleep and get bored easily.

The best part was reading about how I can realistically overcome certain obstacles. The information felt concrete and within reach. I was not asked to spend money or to sail across the Indian Ocean to harvest sacred herbs that will unlock the secrets to my happiness. Articles that hone in on the personal experiences of the writers lend a sense of intimacy to the publication. I found myself relating to the contents of the magazine on a deeper level, as if I had conversed with a friend. Do yourself a favor and snag the latest issue of Body + Soul to get a fresh spin on “whole living”.

--Naomi Seliktar

Q the Music

On October 26, 2009, Q magazine, a monthly UK music magazine, awarded Muse, Lily Allen, Lady Gaga and others with their annual Q awards. Muse won the honor of best band in the world, while Allen won song of year for “The Fear,” off of her latest album, It’s Not Me It’s You. Lady Gaga won best video for her debut single “Just Dance.”

Also rewarded was British alternative band Kasabian, who won best album for West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. They beat out U2 and current cover boys, The Arctic Monkeys. The Arctic Monkeys took home the award for best live act. The award for classic single went to the song that spawned millions of T-Shirts, Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s hit 1984 song “Relax.” Marianne Faithfull won the prestigious icon award while admitting she does feel like an icon and suggested that all young female performers rest as much as possible in order to succeed. Robert Plant won an award titled Outstanding Contribution to Music, which he can put next to all his 2009 Grammy awards.

In 2007, Q magazine named Elvis Presley the greatest singer of all time and launched its official radio station in 2008 with the help of Coldplay. The current issue of Q features profiles on all the winners as well as a list of the 50 best albums of 2009. On the magazine’s Web site, Qthemusic.com, visitors can browse though “Tracks of the Day,” with today showcasing three of Muse’s most popular and influential songs. The website offers the Q radio station so fans can listen to all of Britain’s best rock acts where and whenever they want. Fans can even vote for the set list of Moby’s next concert on the site, a promotion made specifically for Q fans and readers.

Full List of Winners

--Melissa Savignano

Throw Out Your Ab Lounge, Step Into the Fit-Flop

Tight skin, tight bodies and tight-fitting clothes: if it’s tight, Hollywood is all about it. Let’s be honest — who wouldn’t kill to walk around in a leotard and fishnets 24 hours a day, Gaga-style? The difference between an A-list celeb and the average American is that most people cannot afford to spend the time or the money on perfecting a deadly physique, and many of us are downright lazy.

A woman’s endless quest to “tighten” without the effort gives rise to products like the fit-flop, a shoe that is meant to tone the legs, butt and lower back. While I am a firm believer that it is often foolish to seek solutions that don’t require any work, I must admit that a shoe with built-in exercise puts a smelly and uncomfortable detox cleansing formula to shame.

In the latest issue of Elle magazine, April Long takes a look at these miracle shoes, and what makes them so much better than a slick pair of stilettos — after all, heels can provide quite a workout for those in need of some toning. In her research, Long finds that these not-so-stylin’ slip-ons are much more comfortable than her typical foot attire. Heels can leave feet looking bumpy and feeling sore, so perhaps a not-so-flattering flat is worth the temporary relief. She learns that the shoes help to absorb shock, putting less stress on her joints, and allowing her muscles to work for each stride.

The most important lesson, however, is that no shoe is perfect: individuals who over-wear shoes like the fit-flop can end up with joint problems as well. In the case of heel-lovers like Long this is good news, because she can alternate between both styles.

My advice, of course, would be to get famous or to swing by the gym every once in a while. But until I get around to following my own advice, I might look into grabbing myself a pair of fitness shoes.

--Naomi Seliktar

The Material Girl Mouths Off in RS

In the newest issue of Rolling Stone, the reigning queen on pop music, Madonna, talks Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, her empathy for Britney Spears and her massive Sticky and Sweet tour.

Madonna presents a candid and insightful look into her iconic career and her take on the next generation. She recounts where she was when John Lennon was murdered and how her daughter Lourdes introduced her to The Ting Tings and My Chemical Romance.

Because his death is the story that will never be forgotten, Madonna talks of her friendly relationship with Michael Jackson and the awe she felt watching him grow up (they were born in the same year but Madonna did not become a star until the 1980s). She reflects on his musical genius and her jealousy of his songwriting abilities.

The most relevant part of the interview relies on her take on who many call the next Madonna, “Poker Face” singer Lady Gaga. Madonna claims Gaga has the “It Factor” even if her act needs a bit of tweaking. However, she added that she “sees herself in Lady Gaga.”

Madonna tells tales of her childhood growing up in Michigan, which includes a 7th grade performance of The Who’s “Baba O’ Riley.” This is the twelfth time Madonna has graced the cover of the bi-monthly magazine and the first since 2005.

Rollingstone.com compiled a list of Madonna’s fifty most groundbreaking moments, from the time she told Dick Clark she would rule the world from when she made out with Britney and Christina, her first Rolling Stone cover in 1984 and Playboy cover a year later.

Check out an exclusive RS Madonna video here

--Melissa Savignano

Going Rouge

With the advertising dollars finding any place other than magazines these days, the thought of a new magazine hitting the streets seems like the last thing on anyone’s mind.

Mega-corporation Procter & Gamble is launching Rouge, a new health and beauty mag for women. But don’t get too excited. Critics says it’s closest competitor is brandSaver!—basically the coupon book in your newspaper.

P&G says the quarterly magazine will be 50 pages, with 60% being about P&G “branded editorial coverage,” 20% traditional ads, and the remaining 20%, “unbranded editorial.”

Yeah, I’m sure that “unbranded material” will feature tons of helpful, unbiased tips that don’t require you to buy a single P&G product.

Nevertheless, beauty is a growing area in most consumer magazines, so we’ll see how it goes.

--Gregory Miller

My Alternative Press is Too Cool For You

The Alternative Press has been providing a look into the non-mainstream side of music for almost 25 years. Established in 1985 by Mike Shea as strictly a fanzine, the Alternative Press has grown to become the voice of the punk alternative generation.

It is a monthly music magazine that focuses on undiscovered bands and music rarely discussed in modern media. The current October 2009 issue features the band Paramore as they discuss their almost breakup and their new album in a Kingpin inspired spread.

However, if you want to pick up the latest issue to read about the top 10 essential swan songs and array of album reviews, the Alternative Press can only be found in select stores. Only stores that don’t cramp the cool, unconventional style of the magazine and allow the magazine to profit fully stock the magazine. You won’t be finding the latest AP at your local Walmart, but you can check out the mag’s Web site, altpress.com for a complete listing or subscribe to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

The site presents a band of the week to help showcase an up and coming band. This week puts the dance rock band Shut Up and Dance front and center, comparing them to P!nk and Cobra Starship. The band with a female lead singer records dance friendly pop rock hits that will be sure to convince a crowd to follow their name’s lead. You can check out the site for a news feed featuring briefs on tour dates, upcoming releases, new music videos, and cheap album prices.

--Melissa Savignano

A New Publication for Foodies Everywhere

Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine; with all the dozens of food magazines out there, it’s funny to think that no magazine dared to call itself “The Food Magazine.”

Well think no more, because this past January, Cutter Parker Media launched The Food Magazine, an A-list magazine featuring celebrity chefs and easily made gourmet meals. The tone is hip and fun, as they portray chefs as superstars, and turn five star meals into home cooked dinners.

Some of the top stories it featured in their latest issue included “The Health Benefits of Winter Squash,” with recipes from Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa. “The Do’s and Don’t of Fondue,” included recipes from Emeril Lagasse, and a wine how-to guide, which explains the best wines to go with everyday food.

A few of the mouth watering recipes the issue featured were goat cheese stuffed chicken breast, baby back ribs with espresso BBQ sauce, and spring green risotto…and those are just the entrees. As complicated as these dishes may sound, the recipes are surprisingly short and undeniably delicious.

An instant success, the The Food Magazine has already launched internationally and is sure to become a favorite of every food-lover.

--Lauren Tousignant

Glamour.com's Fashion Week Beauty Re-Cap

Another fashion week has come and gone, and the beauty trends this year were over the top and totally un-expected. Glamour.com reported their top favorite crazy beauty picks.

Forget the classic red lip, pretty pink nail or elegant wavy hair, make-up artists crossed the line and took beauty to a whole new level. Between silvery eye shadow and grainy nail polish, Spring 2010 beauty trends have overdosed on edginess and are challenging fashionistas everywhere to leap out of their comfort zone.

**Warning: These beauty trends are not for the faint of heart.

Trend #1: Feathered lashes
In a never-ending effort to make eyes stand out, feather eyelashes made their debut. A long and very thin, very delicate line of feathers (seen in dozens of colors) is attached to the outer corner of the eye, creating a mystical, fairy-tale like look. Crazy? Brilliant.

Trend #2: Grainy nails
No longer will you need to worry about your nail polish chipping, smudging or bumping. Jan Arnold, runway nail extraordinaire, had her team use granulated sugar to texturize nails at the Catherine Malandrino show. So before your nails dry, sprinkle sugar on top and paint a second coat over it. Again, brilliant.

Trend #3: Hardcore eyelids
The MAC pro’s were constantly spotted using their MAC crushed metal eye shadow to give models an edgy look that wasn’t too sparkly, but the “sheerest metallic finish,” (Glamour.com) Creating both a sexy and mysterious eye, the product has already been deemed a staple to add to your spring beauty collection.

Trend #4: Orgasmic cheeks
A new look for an old favorite, Nars' Orgasm blush is a beauty must-have, and the company just made it even more desirable. The blush stick will soon become a liquid blush, which will help to create a sleeker, more defined cheekbone. Hot.

Trend #5: Peel-off and stick on hair
Stylist Kiara Bailey created a line of “stick-on” hair extensions that were unveiled during Fashion Week. Yes, stick on hair extensions, made from real human hair. Now you can go from short and chic hair one day to long and luxurious locks the next.

While I’ll probably be saving the feather eyelashes for Halloween and costume parties, you can be sure I’ll be rocking the metallic eye shadow and sugar coated nails come spring. Props to Glamour.com for keeping us up-to-date with the latest, heart stopping beauty trends.

--Lauren Tousignant