Manduka International Site

August 15th, 2010

We Are Family

By Eka Ekong

In the Spring of 2010, eighteen amazing yoga teachers dedicated their time, their energies and their hearts to show not only their love of yoga, but also their love of Manduka. I was lucky enough to be a fly on the wall (or on a yoga mat). James Wvinner was the photographer, and to see the world through his eyes was truly a delight. Kasey Luber recorded the day’s activities with humor and honesty.

In the morning, Charlie Samos, Susan Sterlace, and Melanie Lora Meltzer were the first to appear. We chatted about new products. They warmed up their bodies in the cold studio, and then and got on some eKo lites. I was lucky enough to watch them playfully practice on their mats, and share in the happiness and ease they had with each other. Throughout the day, more Ambassadors arrived and gleefully jumped on the Manduka Mats: Caleb Asch, Travis Eliot, Kishan Shah, Brock and Krista Cahill, Kia Miller, Annmarie Solo, Jill Miller, Simon Park, Sara Ivanhoe, Ashley Turner, Brynn Rybacek, Jessie Schein, Elise Gulan, and Stella V. Wilkins. Everyone was excited to see each other and they greeted one another like a loved one who had been away from home for too long. Some brought their own Manduka mats, which they spoke about like a badge of honor, and with a level of reverence that shared their gratitude for their mat of choice.

There were lots of hugs, laughter, eating, and we talked about life, love, yoga, and everything in between. It was incredible to be in the company of so many gracious yogis, who are extremely dedicated to their practices, and to the elevation of the human spirit. We may not look the same, talk alike, or see life with the same eyes, but all of our paths have led us to this practice, and to Manduka. We are each connected by yoga, but also by the mat beneath our feet, and it easily felt like I was home, with family…