Conference with R Sharath Rangaswamy

Where to Buy

Currently AYB offers cotton Mysore rugs, mat bags, and books by request (learn more here). What AYB doesn't supply, I'll definitely will help you find. I'll only recommend what I know works, is of quality, and ethically produced. If I'm not certain of any of these, I'll say so. I try my best to stay current with what is available and what is out there, however, it is impossible to be on it all the time, so, if you have thoughts, suggestions, or updates, your feedback is welcome. Lastly, because we are a Brooklyn-based program, my suggestions are as local as possible. Support small businesses! If you prefer to shop online, check out the AYB Amazon Store.

-Elise


Yoga Mats
How to choose a yoga mat (click here)
Go Yoga: Harmony Mats and Manduka Mats, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Kula Yoga Project Manduka Williamsburg, Brooklyn (more in Manhattan)
Greenhouse Holistic: Harmony Mats Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Lululemon (see below) Manduka
Om Harmony & Prana

Yoga Rugs
Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Kula Yoga Project Yogitoes Williamsburg, Brooklyn (more in Manhattan)

Yoga Mat Bags
Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn
Go Yoga

Yoga Clothes
Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York (Malaika Padma Pune Chic Yoga Shorts) Chelsea, Manhattan
Yoga Works (Hard Tail leggings, pants, and shorts) Manhattan
Pure (Tanya-B pants) Upper West/East
Online/find a store (Shining Shakti pants)
Kula Yoga Project Hyde pants (men) and tops/pants (women) Williamsburg, Brooklyn (more in Manhattan)
American Apparel (Leggings--though they wear out quick & t-shirts) Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Jivamukti (organic tops and bottoms for women, some items for men, prancing leopard, inner waves) Union Square
Om Union Square (women)
Yoga Sutra Midtown
Laughing Lotus Midtown
Lululemon Union Square and Brooklyn (men/women)



Books
Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn
Go Yoga
Barnes and Noble
Yoga Sutra
The Strand
Yoga Works
Jivamukti

Ashtanga Yoga Gear

Cotton Mysore practice rugs
Why you should rug it

Yoga mat bags

Yoga Mala book

Yoga Sutras

Bhagavad Gita

email info@ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Eat Local: Saturday Farmers Market

While the produce isn't from your neighbor's backyard, the bounty at the weekly Greenmarket in McCarren Park is pretty darn close. Sometimes you'll spend a bit more than at the grocery store, but often you'll find yourself spending much less. Plus, you can glory in the fact that you are getting really close to the source of what you put in your body. You're also able to literally put your money where your mouth is... Each dollar you spend is a vote, an investment if you will, for local, whole, healthy, sustainable, different, not factory farmed, etc. sustenance.

You are what you eat and eat what you are.

Greenpoint / McCarren Park Greenmarket

Location: Union Ave between Driggs & N 12th Street

Schedule: Saturdays, year round, 8am-3pm. 2010 Schedule changes: 12/25 & 1/1 will close for holidays.

Subway: L, to Bedford Ave; G, to Nassau Ave
Bus: B43, B68

EBT/Food Stamps and WIC & Senior FMNP Coupons Accepted

Greenpoint/McCarren Park Greenmarket from GrowNYC on Vimeo.

Food, Inc. Trailer

Recycle!

Sunday, May 2nd, head over to Williamsburg/Greenpoint's McCarren Park for the Go Green! Greenpoint Earth Day Festival. The event will run from 11 am - 4pm and will feature:

• Education Displays & Vendors
  
  
• Children’s Center
  . . . ever heard of Box City?
  
  
• Greencycle Swap
  Drop off your clean and gently used clothes, shoes, bedding, toys, and books. They'll also take your bikes & electronics (working) and computers (non-working okay). Take what you want and what's left gets "Goodwilled".
  
  
• Sensitive Document Disposal
  
  
• Art, Science & Writing Contests
  
  
• Blood Drive
  
  
• Live Music & Performances
  

Want to do some donating/swapping and can't make it on Sunday? Town Square holds Greencycle Swaps every 2nd Saturday.

Yoga Mat. But which one?

One thing that I really love about Ashtanga yoga is that you really only need yourself in order to practice. Practice on a wood floor or on the grass loosens things up while practice on carpet seems to just never work out. While there are certain advantages to going "en plein air", most people are going to use a yoga mat and sometimes a rug too. It is of course more hygenic (if you keep your mat and rug clean), there is something about the bond one creates with a mat after hours and hours of urdhva mukha svanasanas, and in certain postures more padding is essential. But which mat? And why use a rug?

The Typical
Most people (myself included) started with an inexpensive PVC yoga mat. Usually around $20, one can find these mats just about everywhere from Barnes and Noble to the local pharmacy. Slippery and stinky at first, this will dissipate over time. Usually the go-to mat for yoga studio mat rentals because of the very low price, these mats shred over time. They are often thick, but not firm (a quality that beginners often mistake for a good thing). I do not recommend purchasing a PVC yoga mat. There are many health concerns regarding PVC and it is usually not recycled. These days, with a little effort, you'll definitely be able to get your hands on an eco-friendly mat at a comparable price point. Search Gaiam for mats around $20. I haven't tried any of them, let us know!

The Eco
The common eco mats ($40-$70) are the Jade Harmony mat and the EcoYoga Jute mat. When you first roll it out, it has a strong rubber smell, but that goes away. I found mine (Jade) to be incredibly sticky from day one. So sticky, that certain maneuvers on the mat had to be rethought on account of the non-slippage. That said, other people have told me that it was slippery for them. The Jade mat also attracts dust and hair at the beginning, so be prepared to wipe it off a lot if that kind of thing bothers you. After over two years of use, mine had yet to shred. Other people had shredding within a year. Thickness varies, medium to firm. While the non-stick and eco aspects are positive, for people learning jump throughs I definitely recommend considering a mat with a different textured surface or placing a rug on top for seated postures. Other natural mats can be found through Hugger Mugger, Prana, and Manduka. I've tried the Manduka Eko Lite. It is super light (great for travel). It has two sides: slick and sticky. Extra padding is in order for certain second series postures.

The Classics
The Manduka Black ($90) mat is an Ashtanga classic. Slippery, thick, and firm. Ideal for Ashtanga practice, but not necessary for beginners. Does not shred. These things last forever, but to my knowledge are not eco-friendly. They are heavy and travel with them is not fun at all. David Swenson has come out with a yoga mat which appears to attempt to out-do the Manduka. I haven't tried it. Have you? Is it eco-friendly? Shraddha has also been cooking up a mat...


The Rug
I don't really know why other people use rugs, but here's why I like them.

1. Practice seems less daunting when I'm staring at a rug instead of The Mat.
2. Rugs come in many fun colors and patterns and can liven up any mat.
3. Instead of worrying about cleaning my mat all the time, I just have to wash my rug.
4. Soaks up moisture.
5. Doubles as a resting blanket.
6. Good surface for learning jump throughs.
7. Extra padding for certain postures.
8. Some say they help with slipping.

If you aren't going to India tomorrow, you can find a Mysore rug at many Ashtanga shalas, studios, and online. Many people also use "mat towels". I prefer rugs.

How/where to get a mat
- Online (new-stores, new/used-craigslist)
- At a yoga studio (new/used)
- Health food stores (new)
-Through Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn or our Amazon store

What to do with an old mat
Tips from Elephantbeans
Tips from Gaiam



What do you practice on?