Rain Tees loves inspirational people and Mandy Ingber is definitely one of them! Renowned for being a fitness and yoga guru to the stars, which include the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Brooke Shields, she also transforms lives and slims the physiques of men and women everywhere with her recently released yoga-hybrid DVD, Yogalosophy.
Mandy has been featured in InStyle, Vogue, People, Glamour, Vanity Fair, Elle, and more, and has also appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America Health, E!, and Access Hollywood. What we love is that Mandy is not only inspirational and accomplished, she is also earth conscious in her every day life and shared with us in a recent interview her personal thoughts on the environment and her love of rainforests.
Here’s what she had to say:
Q:What are a few things you do in your daily life that are environmentally friendly and that our readers could also incorporate easily into their lives?
Mandy Ingber: Here are the simple things I try to be conscious of, but am not always perfect!
I don’t use bags when I shop. Turn the water off when I brush my teeth (Rain Tees loves this as turning water off while brushing teeth can conserve nearly 1,000 gallons of water a year for an average family household!). Take a shower or bath with my boyfriend. Bring my own cup when I get tea or coffee. Use eco-friendly and non-toxic cleansers.
Q: At Rain Tees we work to educate the world on what is happening in our world’s rainforests through the eyes of the youth living in them. Tell us why you love rainforests!
MI: I visited a tropical rainforest ecosystem in Costa Rica and it was truly one of the most wild and magical places. For me, a rainforest represents untouched beauty and the miracle of nature. There is an amazing aliveness when you are in a rainforest and you literally become a part of it. I think that’s probably one of the primary truths about a rainforest. The ‘interconnectedness’ of all things. An ecosystem where each component is useful and an interdependence. That is really the truth.
We are each of us interconnected and we need one another in order to survive. I understand this better having experienced the rainforests in Costa Rica. Nothing more lush and beautiful….and maternal. Mother Earth.
“The way that children are educated is something I feel passionate about. I want children to find their own voices and express themselves in their own way.”
Q: You are an inspiration to so many people coming from all walks of life. How do you stay centered and not let negativity or stress bring you down in your own life?
MI: I breathe and try to return to my center. Sometimes stress and negativity can affect me and I have to either accept things for what they are or perhaps take responsibility for what I can do in the given situation.
I try to remember that I can’t see the big picture and that I am not always right. Believe me when I tell you, I have all of these tendencies to get stressed and negative, and that it is a constant practice. Sometimes an inspirational book or music will help return me to my center. And certainly yoga, cardio, or anything physical. This allows me to notice what I am telling myself and gives me an opportunity to shift my thoughts. Better self talk!
Coming into the present moment is almost always the answer, because if I am stressing I am usually reacting to the past, or worrying about the future.
To learn more about Mandy and her amazing classes and products, please visit her website and online store.
Photo Credits: mandyingber.com