June 4th, 2012

Gil is living his dream. For 7 years, he and his wife have wanted to open a community-based yoga center. They recently made that dream a reality by celebrating the Grand Opening of Breathe Yoga Center in Norfolk, Virginia.

As a longtime competitive athlete, Gil knew that there was something more for him than training and pushing his body to the limit. He also needed balance, and something that would be restorative and nourishing. He found that in yoga and has now dedicated his life to serving others through teaching.

Gil believes that we are all connected. He believes that our actions influence the world we live in and we all have the unlimited power to make positive impacts in our communities and this wonderful planet we call home. He is so grateful as to have landed in the supportive community of Norfolk, Virginia, and is excited for the road ahead.

We loved meeting Gil, and we need to meet you too. This is your community, and this is the YOU year. Manduka is on a mission to get to know everyone who makes this yoga community so vibrant, and so real. Because we all have something to learn from you — about how we see ourselves, or approach our practice, or make yoga mats.

May 30th, 2012

I remember as a child, when I would ask for something, my parents would reply, “What’s the magic word?” I learned early on the beauty in graciousness and the possibilities created by a simple question. Now many moons (and “pleases”) later, I have learned the magic in words, but wonder how many of us are reluctant to ask the question.

They say, “Ask and you shall receive”. Sometimes it might sound like wishing on a star, but if you don’t ask you’ll never know.

It’s not just in seeking an answer to a question (or for me then as child, my favorite sugary cereal), asking applies to manifesting our hopes and dreams, inviting someone to go for a walk, or even requesting help in a yoga class.

Sometimes we are afraid to ask, as we fear the answer we might receive. In making the request, support finds its way to you. It may not come always as you expect it (or when you want it to), but trust and know that it will. Put forth your intention and lovingly hold space for the magic to happen.

May 28th, 2012

In 2006, Lindsey's son passed away in her arms from a rare pediatric liver disease. She was quickly blessed with another son, which was joyful, but also delayed processing her grief. Depression came later, with nervous breakdowns, hospitalizations and a host of medications. Her therapist prescribed a lesson in mindfulness - hot yoga. Instantly, Lindsey felt that this was something that could help heal all the parts of her that felt so broken.

After Lindsey had gotten into a consistent practice, she made the brave move to set up her mat in the front row of class – where the ‘yoga rockstars’ practiced. She went through sequences with a new sense of empowerment and dared herself to push farther. After class, another student stopped her and shared that Lindsey's performance had inspired her to try a pose she was afraid of. It brought tears to Lindsey's eyes, and face. In that moment she felt compelled to inspire more people to find their true potential, on and off the mat. She is now working on her 500 hour teacher training.

Yoga has taught Lindsey not to take anything too seriously. To find the fun, and to laugh in moments of intensity.

We loved learning about Lindsey - and we want to learn more about you!

May 21st, 2012

Sparky just got into his first side crow pose. After spending a weekend with Diamond Dallas Page and Arthur Boorman, he was really anxious to try it out. “I had a few minutes of down time in my office today, so I figured what the hell. It took me a couple of attempts, a face plant, a broken pair of glasses and a bloodied eye from said glasses. It was ugly, but I pulled it off. I had to; there was no way the floor and a pair of glasses were stopping me from hitting it!”

Sparky says he started yoga to replace the “deathstyle” he was living with a lifestyle that would heal his body and would last. Before starting DDPYoga, he was a lump on a couch. “You could have called me a father and a husband, but I was just a fat, lazy, uninspired person. Now I am a Daddy to my kid, a Partner to my wife, and someone who wants to see everyone else enjoy the same success in changing their lives that I have had. Everyone deserves to OWN THEIR LIFE!”

Now Sparky is determined to keep moving forward. He knows that it may be tough, it may take several attempts and a new pair of glasses, but he continuously challenges himself and refuses to quit.

May 16th, 2012

It’s 1998 for me. I know you’re looking at your calendar scratching your head. Yes, technically it is 2012, but sometimes we have to go backwards to move forward.

In the last 8 months, I’ve lost a parent and a grandparent, and have traveled the world to teach yoga. Though I had received an uppercut to the heart, I felt the need to keep moving, teaching, and exploring the frontiers outside of myself. I’ve been living the life of my dreams while enduring my worst nightmare. Now that I have finally been able to be still for more than 2 weeks in the same place (there really is no place like home), grief came rushing in like a tidal wave. I was swept up in the undertow, and left gasping for breath.

Humbly, I consider myself a dedicated yogi. I can quote the Sutras and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. I’ve studied the requisite books (and then some). I’m initiated into a lineage, and have a consistent meditation practice. What a lot of these books don’t tell you is that loss and sadness are isolating. Just as being a yogi can be. People speak in platitudes and clichés, ignore you all together (keeping a safe, emotional distance), or think that because you are a yogi, you must have it all figured out (if they only knew). In this big, beautiful yoga world you will find many a great article on how to open your heart chakra or perfect your inversions, but not much guidance on what to do when your heart is breaking.

I did the only thing I thought I could do, I withdrew. I went into my cave, ignoring my work, my loved ones, my life. My sadness and regrets weighing heavy on my heart, I cried for what felt like a lifetime. I contemplated quitting teaching and moving away. I felt frozen like Arjuna on the battlefield in his chariot. Do I run, or do I stay and fight?

Rather than being swallowed by it, I decided to sit with my shadow, exploring my inner landscape like a new world. The difference now was I couldn’t hop on an airplane to escape. I had to face my past. I had to love myself - warts and all.

Eventually, I unrolled my Manduka. Not solely in my home, as I had been already doing daily, but taking group classes around the city. Just as Arjuna had Krishna, I had my practice (and some really amazing and patient people in my life). Slowly I’ve been coming back into the world, embracing asana like I did in the early years on my mat. I’m remembering the passion I had for my teaching and my work (Yes, Manduka ambassadors, I am back).

I had to face what was behind and within me to begin to move onwards on my path. Sometimes, I still feel the pull to retreat into my cave, but it's walls aren’t as suffocating as before. I know that I will fumble and stumble as I navigate this new terrain, but in meeting my darkness, I am remembering my light once again.

My Manduka helps me practice hope. What does your Manduka help you practice?