Namastecita had the pleasure of collaborating with an exceptional artist and yogi: Amanda, known online as "A Yogi in Modern Life."
Her yoga journey began several years ago, and since then, she's used her platform to share wisdom and motivation (and a bit of mischief) through her podcast and Instagram account, which boasts a growing and engaged yogi community. On herpodcast , Amanda interviews other yogis and they cover topics like integrating yoga into their daily lives , offering practical tips and insights that resonate with her listeners.
When Dara approached us about Amanda designing her custom yoga mat, we realized her creative approach and understanding of yoga would be the perfect match. The process was a collaboration filled with positive energy and creativity, resulting in a mat that reflects both Dara's spirit and Amanda's artistic vision.
In this interview, we'll learn more about Amanda: her yoga journey, her inspiration behind her mat design, and how she balances her modern life with her yoga practice. Her stories and experiences show us that yoga isn't just a series of postures, but a lifestyle that can adapt to any rhythm and circumstance.
Hi Amanda! Thank you for providing this space, and especially for the amazing design you've created. We'd like you to tell us a little about yourself and how your relationship with yoga began.
Hello! Thank you for giving me this opportunity and this space. Oh, the hardest question: Who is Amanda? Well, Amanda today is a woman full of doubts, tasks, and not getting everything done, but above all, trying to reach the end of the day feeling grateful. And that's where yoga comes in, because it makes me feel grateful and present.
The truth is that yoga came into my life at a time of enormous transformation, of being lost along the way and not knowing which way to turn. I tried it just for the sake of it, because something in my body told me I had to stop, even though I thought it wasn't going to be for me. And, lo and behold! I was hooked. At first, I wanted to learn and master more asanas... But then, as the years went by, I became more interested in yoga off the mat, in getting to know myself, stopping, enjoying the present, meditation, gratitude... And I realized that yoga is a whole world, not just a race to master postures, but rather, a path to finding yourself in all areas.
"Yoga came into my life at a time of enormous transformation, of being lost along the way and not knowing which way to turn."
In addition to practicing yoga, you have your own podcast, with over 50 episodes! What inspired you to create it and what benefits have you gained from it? Are there any particular episodes you enjoyed and would recommend to anyone who starts listening to your podcast?
I think I started the podcast for exactly the reason I was telling you, because yoga is much more than asanas and I was hungry to continue learning, and what better way than listening to other people.
It was back in 2020. I jumped in, very scared, thinking I'd give up at the first opportunity. And look, four years later, I'm still here! The podcast has led me to meet wonderful people; I can now call some of the interviewees friends. It allows me to express myself and continue learning and meeting yogis.
Depending on your goal, there's a podcast episode you can start with. For example, "Do you want to achieve sirsasana or handstand?" Then I recommend Laura's from Libertad Yoga Freedom. "Do you want to achieve home practice?" Silvia's. And if you sometimes get discouraged with your yoga practice, you have to listen to Dara's, where we talk about a very real yoga. I'm honestly proud of what's been shared. For example, the podcast on depression and yoga made my hair stand on end, the restorative yoga podcast seemed beautiful, and Pablo Ontiveros' podcast made me pay more attention to pranayamas. Yes! As you can see, I can't just pick one, haha. I could go on.
"Yoga is a whole world, not just a race to achieve postures, but rather, a path to finding yourself in all areas."
Let's talk about the collaboration to create Dara's custom mat. What specific features did you want to include in Dara's mat, and why were they important to you? Can you tell us a little about the meaning behind the design?
Dara and I had talked about her own mats for a while, but we'd put the matter on hold. But when she wrote to me that she'd met you and was going to make her own mats with you and wanted me to help her with the design, I was so excited!
The truth is that the project came to me right after giving birth to my second child, and although we all know what a recent postpartum period is like—diapers here and there, sleepless nights, pains... I couldn't refuse! It was something I was really excited about. So, with the baby in hand and latched on to my breast, I started designing. I asked Dara what her idea was, and from there we began to create. Dara told me she wanted the lines so the students could have a reference for the alignment. I didn't want them to be harsh, which is why they're so subtle, both the hands and feet, and also the central line that runs right through the middle of the drawing. Dara also wanted something that referenced the moon and the sun, and after several designs, that was the one Dara most identified with, which is really what I wanted: for Dara to feel reflected in her mat.
As a yoga lover, how do you think a mat's design can influence daily yoga practice? Are there any elements you think can transform a yoga session?
Oh, I'm a big fan of yoga mats. I have one depending on the practice I do. For example, I have a super grip mat if I'm doing a more power vinyasa practice, I have a cork one that I can carry everywhere, and then a microfiber one that I love for more relaxed practices. This is how it works for me, but everyone will have different tastes.
When we start yoga, and I've been there too, we think any cheap mat will do, but that's not the case. You need a good mat; there are things you have to invest in, and this is one of them. Because you'll notice it in the grip, its durability, and of course, its design. I think a good design also helps you get on the mat. But that's just me, haha.
"Creativity is not something you have or don't have, but something you train."
You have a great ability to combine creativity and well-being. What advice would you give to other yogis who want to integrate creativity into their yoga practice?
What a great question! Well, the first thing I would say is that creativity isn't something you either have or don't have, but rather something you train. In yoga practice, you can train it by going beyond the established norm. For example, yes, the sun salutation is like that, but what happens if I include a warrior 3 inside it? For example? By going beyond what you've been told and figuring out with your own body what you can do, you'll discover a very different way of practicing. On the other hand, you can also integrate creativity into meditation. If you like meditating, try guiding yourself. You can start with a guided meditation and then try to recreate it, adding your own twist. Little by little, creativity will emerge on its own.
What are your future plans as a designer, yoga student, and podcast host? Are there any new projects or goals on the horizon that you're excited about and would like to share?
I have many projects in mind, but right now everything's on hold due to my second pregnancy. I'd like to be able to handle everything, but I've realized that now is the time to stop and dedicate myself to my family. The podcast will be back in September, although that's not a complete certainty, because there's so much content coming right now, and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I know it fulfills me, and I have amazing listeners, but I also want to give it space to see where it's going.
And on the other hand, I'm planning to release something related to meditation, with that creative touch, as you say, but I don't know when it will come out either, because I'm laying the groundwork for everything related to A Yogi in Modern Life, where I want to go and how I want to do it. So, for now, I don't have many exclusives, haha. Thank you so much for this interview; it's been an honor.
