Ask Om Gal: Which Direction Should My Yoga Mat Face?

Hi Darling*: 
So, I was doing yoga, yesterday, after my run, and was wondering . . . Is there an optimal location/direction that one should position a yoga mat (i.e. towards East, or Northwest)?  I realize this may be a weird question, but it got me wondering about whether or not there was an optimal, zen-capturing position for a yoga mat?
xo Angie

Should she face this way . . . 

. . . Or that way? 

Hi Angie:

Not a weird question at all!  I'm happy you thought to inquire about the optimal "zen-capturing" placement of a yoga mat.  Traditionally, yoga is practiced facing the sun.  Sun salutations (surya namaskar), for example, literally "salute" the sun, so, ideally, we position our mats accordingly.


In the event that this is not possible given the layout of your space (at home or in a yoga studio), I recommend doing what feels best.  Feng shui, a Chinese system of aesthetics, may naturally be a factor without your knowing.  For instance, you might gravitate toward an area of your home that feels light and airy for your yoga practice, as your body will absorb these energies by being there.  Also, you might not enjoy resting in sivasana with your feet toward the door, as the Chinese believe this is an inauspicious position.  (I once heard that the reason for this is that the dead are carried out this way.  Spooky, I know . . .).


In summary, face the sun if you can.  If you can't, choose what feels best.  Good luck with your home practice!


xo Om Gal 


[Disclaimer: this person is a personal friend, hence the "darling."]    

Style File: The Non-Workout T-Shirt

Rebecca,

You’ve got a great sense of style . . . Where have you been shopping lately?  I’m looking for those really unique (and comfy) tees but haven’t had much luck anywhere. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jill

Hi Jill:

Style is, of course, highly subjective, but thank you so much for recognizing mine.  I have also been told I dress like Mrs. Roper and, on occasion, a man (I went through a vest/trouser phase when I worked at Boston magazine).  In other words, when it comes to fashion: to each, their own!  

Whatever your personal style, T-shirts are a comfortable and cool wardrobe essential, for fitness or fashion.  And they're increasingly fashionable, today, with many more options than your basic, boxy-cut design.  However, if you like the retro look, American Apparel makes great variations on the original (see below).   

Brainstorming in a basic tee.  

For more stylized versions that are also super comfortable, I've had good luck at H & M this season.  I bought this tank (below) in two colors and have had them on steady rotation all summer.  I even bought a couple for Erin the Intern, as they caught her eye around her birthday last month.  (She'd also like you to know she's a fan of Vince tees).  Side note: the H & M shirt is somewhat sheer, so in the interest of saving you a wardrobe malfunction, you'll need to layer.  Forever 21 can impress with some of its tops, too.  I bought colorful and striped cotton tees in NYC when I was there to cover Yoga at the Great Lawn: The World's Largest Yoga Event.   

  (Left to right): Me, Eliza (lululemon, Boston), yoga teacher Amy Leydon, and Goldie (lululemon, Boston).

I thought it might help if I polled some of my most fashion-forward friends, too, for their insight.  Answers ran the gamut from stocking up on T-shirts in Asia because he prefers the slimmer fit (photographer friend, Jonathan), to praising purveyor of the effortless chic James Perse (retail expert pal, Vinitha), to seeing tees as wearable art from hard to find labels like Comme des Garcons PLAY and nautical inspired designs from Rogues Gallery (artist and graphic designer dude Matt), to steering clients toward the classic and cost effective white v-necks at Club Monaco (stylist and personal shopper, Alisa).     

I hope this helps with your search for the perfect shirt.  Remember, it's not what you wear, but how you rock it, gal.

Comfy & cool summer wishes, 

Rebecca 

Train Your Brain

Meditation is the practice of quieting the mind, and cultivating this skill allows us to live fully in the present moment, which is the only one over which we have any influence. The past is gone and unalterable, while the future is mere speculation.

Recently, a reader wrote rebecca@omgal.com to share some of the challenges associated with his new meditation practice and request some reading recommendations to might support the process. Here's a cursory collection of books that have served me well in different ways, at different times. Some act as portable therapists imparting sensible wisdom along the way while others sit sage-like on my shelves, eternally highlighted and underscored, as timeless references. Meet your new spiritual entourage:

The Original Life Coach: The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Indian text that follows the young soldier, Arjuna, into battle under the guidance of Krishna, who explains, "Your own duty done imperfectly is better than another man's done well."

The Peace Prescription: The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh captures the simplicity and pragmatism of meditation.

The Philosopher: The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav is distinctly more metaphysical but no less inspiring than the previous two. It's an original and heartfelt commentary on relationships, among other things.

The Healer: A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson is a healing text. For a time, it traveled everywhere with me, and I often shared passages with my students during yoga classes. The author often references A Course in Miracles, but it's not necessary to have read/completed that book in advance.

The Shrink: The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck brought me clarity and courage, just like a good therapist-- and the bill paled in comparison.

The Paramedic: When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron is your lifeboat, antidote, and panic button bound into a book by a Western Buddhist nun. As the title suggests, it's not afraid to address our darkest hours with a refreshing lack of drama. It's forthright, forgiving, and smart. While anyone can learn from it, I find it particularly helpful to those who are grieving in some way.

I welcome your own recommendations. Happy reading!