Meet Even Keel

Elizabeth Matthews discovered the benefits of yoga during her freshman year of college and instantly became an avid yoga student. Throughout her growth, she continued to work in the profit and non-profit sector hoping to one day have her own business. Finally, Liz decided to pursue this desire and incorporate her passion for yoga and create something wonderful out of it.

Part hipster, hippie, athlete, do-gooder, and cynic, she wanted yoga gear that fit her personality and lifestyle. Liz recognized the need for unique, functional, and sustainable yoga apparel. "I've been practicing yoga for years and didn't adore any of the pants that I had in my closet", so with no background in fashion, Liz started Even Keel in December 2007 based on the philosophy of maintaining balance in our personal and professional life and all of the activities big and small that it entails.

The Even Keel’s styles are made with a sustainable blend of bamboo and organic cotton fabricwhich means it's produced without the harshness of chemicals and earth-friendly! This fabric blend is incredibly soft, lightweight and breathable. The bamboo has natural anti-bacterial and wicking abilities - important qualities in yoga and exercise apparel.

Now I can speak from personal experience, I received a pair of the Luscious Leggings to try out. Normally, I would prefer to wear something a little looser. Sometimes us curvy girls may not want to show off the curves but in the fairness of yoga journalism, I took one for the team. I put them to the ultimate test. I wore them to a sweat inducing Open Level class at Jivamukti in NYC,Russell Simmons was there ok??? I went with the lovely Mary from Om Bites. I was already sweating the first five minutes into the asana but my legs were feeling pretty good. The looseness at the bottom of the leggings enable me to fold them up to my knee without any tightness around the leg. The high waist is a definite plus as I'm always fidgeting with the back to make sure my underwear isn't showing. No worries with these leggings and the truth is, I didn't look bad in them at all! I'm a size 12, sometimes 14 depending on the store and a size L almost felt a little TOO big on me but I didn't want to chance it with a Medium. I would have taken a photo of myself modelling them but I sweated in them way too much to post on the internet but trust me, I was very happy with them and would gladly wear them again, curves and all!

As part of celebrating Yoga Month, all Even Keel products are 20% off from Sept 1-30, 2008. Use promotion code "NYM2008" at checkout. Offer valid only through EvenKeelYoga.com. Even Keel is also available at Jivamukti Yoga studios.