There is an art to finding stillness and space amidst the crashing waves and turbulent seas… The zone where the noise around you quiets, time slows, your focus becomes singular and yet expansive, and the only thing that matters is what is immediately in front of you.
We all search to find the harmony within chaos and in that, Gerry “Mr. Pipeline” Lopez is our guide. The legendary surfer with a daily yoga practice since his 20s, Gerry has ridden some of the world’s most dangerous waves with a sense of calm and balance. He tell us, “Yoga and surfing are two profound dances with nature. Both teach us the art of finding balance and a sense of peacefulness amidst the storm.”
Gerry credits his yoga practice with not only sharpening his mind and strengthening his body for surfing, but also for enabling him to continue to actively surf and snowboard as a septuagenarian. Many athletes use yoga to prepare themselves for sport and then find that the many benefits include faster recovery time because the body is better able to withstand the various stresses and avoid risk of injury, which ultimately means more time in the water, on the mountain, etc.
It is in the spirit of longevity and balance that Manduka has collaborated with Gerry on a small collection, combining high-performance, durable materials with his unique perspective and history in both yoga and surfing. Available for purchase now, the Manduka x Gerry Lopez Collection includes three mats (PRO, PROlite, and eKO SuperLite) and yogitoes mat towels in colors of bright green and ocean blue. Some pieces incorporate Gerry’s signature print found on many of his hand-shaped surfboards while others feature a stripe down the middle, suggesting a stringer, which adds stiffness and rigidity to surfboard. This tonal stripe is meant to be a subtle reminder of balance and support.
Find out more about the Gerry Lopez Collection and how Manduka creates products for a long-lasting yoga practice here.
About Gerry Lopez
Surfer, shaper, yogi, writer, pioneer and teacher in so many ways, Gerry Lopez is considered an icon in the world of surfing. His numerous surf-related achievements and accolades include several championship titles, many magazine covers, multiple successful businesses, a host of books including a collection of stories titled Surf is Where you Find It, and in 2022, a Patagonia Films-produced movie about his life, The Yin and Yang of Gerry Lopez. Gerry attended his first yoga class in 1968 and still maintains a daily practice which he credits for improving his surfing, from added strength and flexibility to finding focus and learning to breathe properly. His longevity and vitality in and out of the water is notable, as is his contentment and authenticity. A native Hawaiian and resident of Bend, Oregon in the United States, Gerry is deeply connected to and supportive of all environmental causes and today is an advocate for ocean conservation and protection.
