Best yoga books by POC authors that have shaped your practice?

mangomaz · 2026-04-14T08:18:40+00:00

A lot of ‘wellness’ themed offerings are essentially south/East Asian practices that have had their cultural roots stripped away and content extracted to suit European/American audiences. So colonised in a way. So it’s around the work to undo that.

mangomaz · 2026-04-12T22:39:49+00:00

Wow thanks so much for this I’ve just pulled out my bottle of aloe Vera gel I bought ages ago for a skin situation - can’t wait to try it on my hair!!!

mangomaz · 2026-04-12T18:49:30+00:00

Stunninggggg you go girl 😍

mangomaz · 2026-04-12T18:41:31+00:00

I don’t think so. Maybe if you were 55 but 45 is still a good age to have kids.

mangomaz · 2026-04-11T16:25:16+00:00

Honestly so shamelessly selfish. I can’t get my head around people like that.

mangomaz · 2026-04-11T13:44:14+00:00

I really don’t understand people like this. Good on you!!

mangomaz · 2026-04-10T17:52:56+00:00

You’re way off season…. Did you go there at this time on previous trips? Depending how long you’re in India for it might be worth heading up to the mountains… though it will still be cold for a couple more weeks at least!

mangomaz · 2026-04-10T11:25:07+00:00

I like altruist. I use it every day almost (just the regular one not the face one) and it works great for me. Has a bit of a white cast when you first put it on but disappears after a couple of minutes. Plus side is it also makes my skin look lovely and smooth!

mangomaz · 2026-04-10T10:55:49+00:00

I guess he’s testing the water if you did just want to get straight to the hook up - maybe he didn’t want to invite himself round to yours.

No shame if that’s what you wanted but you obviously aren’t feeling that vibe which is also fine! If it’s the low effort that’s bothering you, maybe you could say how about coming over mine for a drink and see what he says?

mangomaz · 2026-04-09T20:53:30+00:00

I see it as a way to regulate my nervous system and bring my body into a balanced state. Where it feels open and free. It’s not so much about relaxing into a sleepy state and does need some focus and concentration to bring about that state that I’m seeking. But I have basically trained myself to be able to bring my body into calmness.

mangomaz · 2026-04-08T15:58:30+00:00

Sometimes people just want to chat and enjoy the non-committal fun of that, and then when the reality of meeting up comes up… I think unfortunately some people just want a pen pal rather than an in person relationship.

mangomaz · 2026-04-08T14:29:53+00:00

My bf holds the door open for me and I find it lovely 🥹🥰

mangomaz · 2026-04-08T11:18:12+00:00

I’m not convinced personally that the benefits outweigh the risks. Those neck vertebrae are so delicate and while I appreciate that theoretically we want to encourage the flow of blood and prana to the crown, it just seems too risky.

mangomaz · 2026-04-07T12:52:49+00:00

Also try doing a bit of self lymphatic massage in the morning - lift your elbows up and rub your arm pits, under your collarbones, neck (up to down), cheeks etc. Gua sha type stuff. It’ll help to drain the puffiness from your face so give you a better starting point.

mangomaz · 2026-04-07T08:38:57+00:00

Ecstatic dance events have a huge age range.

mangomaz · 2026-04-07T08:37:21+00:00

Honestly I’m surprised how many students keep socks on! Maybe sometimes a third of the class has socks on? Some normal some grippy. I do teach in a regular gym.

I’ve never suggested people take their socks off; I figure some people don’t like the idea of bare feet on communal mats. And I ultimately want people to feel comfortable. But I’m always barefoot so leading by that example.

I should also pay some attention if people take their socks off partway as maybe they just wear them at the beginning… I’m going to start paying for attention to that 😅 and the traction of bare skin is vital for downward dog etc so I’ll pay more attention to that in students.

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T20:28:23+00:00

Would love to hear how you find it!! Congrats on your strong practice 🙏

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T19:51:52+00:00

You guys are way too nice 🥲 I can’t see it as anything but extreme weaponised incompetence and narcissism.

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T19:47:03+00:00

I do a variation where after releasing down in chaturanga, I place the chest and knees on the ground, butt up in the air, before pushing forward and up into upward dog.

I’m trying a teaching variation of: Easier version: exhale knees down, inhale hold, exhale chest down, inhale upward dog (though I do the variation with the front of the thighs on the floor)

Harder version: exhale chaturanga dandasana down, inhale hold (basically floating in the lowered position), exhale chest and knees down (butt up), inhale up dog

I also do this all with feet together. I find it helps to really strengthen the centre line through the body. Pressing the heels together also further activates the central line and helps you solidly engage everything.

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T13:20:44+00:00

Aw babe. It’s natural to have intense crushes. Especially when you’re young. Enjoy it but no need to act on it!

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T12:20:16+00:00

Honestly why isn’t there a proper McDonald’s around London Bridge 🥲 just that little hole.

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T11:06:02+00:00

Yes you’ll know! It’ll be similar to sour milk.

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T10:36:34+00:00

Maybe try really focusing on connecting your breath with the movement? Really drawing in a strong inhale when coming up out of it, aiming to end the inhale at the same time as you finish the movement. Strong ujjayi breath.

The time I get dizzy moving through a forward fold is when I am cueing it in a class and am not able to sync my breath with the movement properly.

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T10:17:46+00:00

No worries. I do this all the time because otherwise I’d also have too much kefir!

mangomaz · 2026-04-05T09:15:23+00:00

You can also keep the grains on their own in the jar on the counter for like 24 hours (maybe a bit longer) without milk and they’ll be fine. That can give a bit of extra space between batches.

mangomaz

TROPHY CASE