Starting to think ahead to the summer's Vinyasa Krama (2ooHr TT) course in LA. Do I take the Manduka or what?
I've used it pretty much every day for two years, hate the thought of jumping about on anything else. How does anyone practice Vatyasana on a regular mat, or rocking back and forth on your spine in Garbha Pindasana....
What DID they do before they invented the wheel?
It's a little known fact (according to Wikipedia) that The Manduka was invented by T. Krishnamacharya who found an ancient text on closed-cell mat production in the Mysore palace library (this text was, of course, latter eaten by beetles). Until then, Yoga asana was a static affair, pretty much just Padmasana on a deer skin, as we know from the Yoga sutra's. Krishnamacharya made this first Manduka mat and came up with another 83, 999 asana's before his tea. Unfortunantely that first Manduka was made up in a faux tiger print and never caught on.
Can you take a Manduka as carry on, I have one of those nifty Manduka carry straps. Airlines are paranoid about deep vein thrombosis, perhaps if I tell them I need the mat to avoid it, I'll be allowed to take it on and pop up to the first class lounge for practice.
And what about when I'm there, on the course. Didn't somebody mention here once, that when they were themselves on a course, to which they took their Manduka, they spent the whole time shifting it from one end of the room to the other.
Has anyone used both a travel Manduka and a normal Manduka, how do they compare really? I mean if your used to the one does the other....... do?
'You do not do, you do not do
Any more, black shoe
In which I have lived like a foot' Sylvi Plath (famous former Astangi and Manduka Ambassador )
Obviously it will be the gray equa rather the pink.... sorry, sunburst. (As it happens I just bought another eQua towel on ebay, came across it by accident, glacial blue and under a tenner, couldn't help myself, pictures to come).
And another thing.
What do people wear on such courses, Practicing at home I just wear a pair of shorts but I think one would feel slightly under dressed. I guess I have those blue Adidas, could get another couple of pairs of them. Do people really practice in t-shirts? Inversions? How does that work. It explains the one armed handstand of course the other holding down the shirt. I point blank refuse to tuck a vest into my shorts.
I googled current LA fashion and it seems the picture above is de rigeur in Venice Beach. That I can handle, the robe will be ideal for the meditation part of the course and perfect for all those VK savasanas.
..... and people wonder why I practice at home.
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I'm actually at a workshop this week. I have both the travel Manduka and the fancier "Pro" version at home. I brought the travel mat along with a towel to cover it with. My workshop buddy brought her Manduka Pro mat on the trip. We both carried on our mats as "personal items" on the airplane without any problems. Personally, I prefer the thicker mat...but I've brought it on long trips before and I just don't like carrying it around. If lugging it around isn't a problem, I'd suggest bringing the thicker mat.
But...you can always bring the lighter mat and put a thick towel over it for extra padding.
Looking forward to reading about your upcoming workshop. :)
I live near Venice Beach and can attest that the "Dude's" wardrobe in the picture isn't very accurate - it has been much to warm here recently to wear a robe around to do errands. People do tend to dress casually though.
Some guys do go to yoga classes shirtless. Other guys wear tight-fitting t-shirts (one or two sizes to small in my case - so they don't move around much). Most yoga places have a stock of blankets that you could probably use for meditation, if you tend to get cold while being still.
Omg! The dude!!! Love the dude!!!!!!
I always take my regular manduka. Always. I check my mat bag and voila!
Hi Grimmly, funny post, loved it.
I actually do not take the manduka with me because, well, it is way too heavy to be airported around. So I have a lighter version of a yoga mat that I use for trips. That with the towel works well for me.
As per clothing, I have seen everything so I am sure nobody minds anymore... besides, California in the summer, it will be hot... In the ashtanga class where I go there is rarely a guy on a shirt...
Thanks Arki, Boodie, guess i'll stick with My Pro. I have a direct flight to LA with Virgin so it's less likely to get lost if i have to Check it. Hopefully i'll be staying on Campus too so wont have far to take it back and forth.
Was kidding about the Robe Anon. I can imagine how if you Come from Venice beach the whole 'Dude' thing might be getting a little tired, sorry if that's the case, didn't mean to offend. T-shirts probably the way to go, besides it's not Ashtanga so shouldn't be getting that sweaty.
Am a big fan too YC, great movie Goodman's line on nihilism is my favourite in Cinema.
:laughing:
(word verification is roach, seems right for the Dude)
Hope you get a chance to make it to some of our Ashtanga classes too while you're in LA!
Thanks Claudia, your comment must have come in just as i was responding to the others, wasn't ignoring you honest. Found a video on youtube by someone on one of the previous courses, looks like a big hall so probably not too hot.
Hi Rene. Don't know if I'll get the chance the course is pretty full on 8-6 seven days a week. Always wanted to visit Tim Miller's place, perhaps next time. Something in the evening might be possible, anywhere you recommend?
Folks are serious about sticking to the traditional morning schedule here. But if you can tack an extra day or two on to your schedule, the drive or train ride down to Tim Miller's place along the coast, or up to Steve Dwelley's in Santa Barbara, is short and beautiful. There are also plenty of good Ashtanga teachers in LA proper -- James Butkevich, Joel Bender, etc. But I truly envy you the course you're taking. Sounds absolutely fantastic.
hi Grimmly
you're so funny with your questions. The black manduka is too heavy to lug around, unless you really need it for a long workshop as is your case, or for going to India. I would put mine in a suitcase and carry a folding thin one for practicing in the airport. If you decide to carry it with you on the plane, it's no problem. You can do it. I have. However, don't forget it. I once did the charity of replacing a friend's manduka. She forgot it in a plane change coming back from India. Since she was a student, I replaced it for her. She painted for me a painting of a monkey holding lotus leaves in appreciation.
regarding what to wear, what about the dristhe? if it's ashtanga, shorts and no T-shirt is the norm in California. I don't know about in other types of practices, but I imagine that if it's not too sweaty, you can wear a tank top or t-shirt.
Don't worry about the shorts making you feel exposed. As long as the underwear holds the things in place, you're OK.
cheers,
Arturo
This was hillarious, including the photo. And you managed to include a Plath poem. Genious.
I am all for men wearing some kind of top in shala/workshop, in ashtanga, with all the sweat, sometimes they can be dripping all over and during jumps, their sweat can fly around. But vinyasa krama being less sweaty, maybe a top is no a must. But once you are in LA, you could always pop to some 'yoga shop' where you could see what the latest fashion is. Big Lebowski style bath robe may get in the way in some asanas, so no to be recommended.
you're funny with all this concern about mats. we don't even use mats at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram!
how nice that you will be studying with my teacher...I will see him in September.
I wish you well!
by the way, I use the original Eco Mat (from England) in my travels. I just retired my old one in Africa.
Thanks Arturo. yes, going with the Manduka, it's a five weeks, although it might not be possible to stay on campus. guess I can leave it in the practice room. Will need something for home practice back at the hotel though.
Re the clothes, wasn't being too serious but there was a moment when I practiced VK in the Yurt that time. First lesson I stripped down to my skimpy Nike pro's alla ashtanga as normal but the the other guy was still in tracksuit bottoms and t shirt, an uncomfortable moment : )
Yes, mangotree, Plath and the Dude in the same post, was pleased with that. Really good to get a woman's perspective on this. Guess the sweat does get thrown around a bit in Ashtanga, horrid sweaty boys that we are. On the first of the two times I went to a shala I wore a tight nike shirt but the teacher ( a woman) suggested at the end that I might want to lose the shirt next time. That was at AYL it was very very hot and I sweat 2 kilo's that day.
Your right Linda, i should just pick up a couple of plam fronnds from venice beach, how soft the modern yogi has become.
When I was a lad we used to practice on tiger skin....while tiger was takin a nap.
Yes looking forward to meeting him. Are you taking a workshop in September? Did you see he's doing a 10 day course in New Delhi. in December
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