Social Workout

Mandy Ingber: Musical Yogi to the Stars

Mandy Ingber via Self.com

I first encountered Mandy Ingber in an unusually good Self magazine spread getting all bendy with her client Jennifer Aniston. Ingber is a yogi to the stars, with requisite DVD, and at the moment she's on tour (as celebrity yogis will do these days) with Self's multi-city Workout in the Park series. (I don’t mean to be all pluggy, but I’ve been to the Wokout in the Park before, and it’s really kind of this awesome festival of spandex and squatting, and proceeds go toward curing cancer.) Anyway, Mandy was gracious enough to ditch Jennifer for a few minutes to hang with me and answer some questions....

What is it like to be a yoga celebrity? It seems like a dichotomy, doesn't it? It is a total surprise. I was not expecting to become famous for teaching yoga. I used to be an actress, and left that profession to teach, so it's kind of funny that it turned out this way. I guess the pressure is on to be more relaxed! And to stay off of coffee.

How has yoga changed from when you started doing it, both for the better and for the worse? Wow. I have been doing yoga since 1973. There was no yoga community!  It was a little strange back then, but it didn't stop my dad from doing a handstand at a gas station. That would probably still seem radical. It's a lifestyle trend now. Very acceptable....now it seems like you are not "cool" unless you practice yoga. But when I was a kid it was "weird". What I really like about yoga now is that the studios are becoming more hip, and fun rather than uber serious.

Music seems to be a big part of your practice, how do you choose yoga-friendly tunes? I think I have always been influenced by music. In general, music that has space and makes me feel happy. That's always a good gauge.I like everything from Bob Marley, to Led Zeppelin to Jay Z. I even like traditional yoga music: Krishna Das, Shaman's Dream. It's nice to have something to listen to instead of what is between the ears ;)

Does you think yoga is going to keep growing or has it maxed out? Growing growing growing....It's great because it's challenging, and  you do not need any equipment. It offers a mindfulness that other sports/exercises often brush over. By the way, all exercise is spiritual!

If it continues to get more mainstream and more commercial,  what does that change? I think that each individual must find what gives meaning to them.  Life is ever evolving and collaborative. Some people will always want to remain true to tradition, and there is something for them, some people just want to wear the clothes....and some people are practicing yoga every time they observe themselves almost losing their temper. Yoga is a mind-body connection. A relationship. And relationships are personal to the individual. It's always tempting to look to the person beside you for what they are doing or how they are doing it...but the real deal always comes from within.

What do you see that stops people most from progressing in  their practice? Needing to do it perfectly. Expecting certain results in a short  amount of time. Patience. Lack of connection to a larger reason for  doing it. That's why I created the VISIONMAT, so we could constantly be motivated by what we see on the mat! Seeing words and images that  stimulate and inspire us can be incredibly effective, as can setting an intention.

You'll be leading a session at the SELF Workout in the Park, what can we expect at that event? I will be teaching the last yoga class of the day, closing the event. I am planning on an energizing first half with some of the YOGALOSOPHY WORKOUT DVD hybrid moves. (toners combined with yoga poses) Then a relaxing finish with some lengthening stretches. Striving for balance!

What exactly is Yogalosophy?  It is basically Yoga combined with my philosophy of the body and exercise, which I share on my website mandyingber.com Starting with loving the body exactly as it is, and recreating it from there. I believe this body is an amazing gift and being physical is a celebration.