December 6, 2011

What is on your yoga gift wish list this year from www.barefootyoga.com? Find us on Facebook & let us know! One comment on the gift wish list post and you are in the running to get it. If you share the post, your chances double!

We will pick 5 random winners by December 16th who will be sent what they wished for (one per person; ship to US 48 states only).

Have fun and Happy Holidays!!

November 14, 2011

The Art of Yoga is a wonderful event that will be taking place in the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) on Thursday, November 17th!

The yoga session is being hosted by SAM and Flavorpill and is part of a nation-wide event featuring yoga in major museums around the country. The event features 8 Limbs instructors Anne Phyfe , Douglas Ridings and Terilyn Wyre. KEXP radio station will be DJ’ing and free Pure Coconut Water from sponsor Naked will also be available. Once the session is over, participants will get the opportunity to enjoy all of the galleries in SAM free of cost!

The event is free to the public and will take place from 6:30-7:45PM, with reservations required. You can reserve your spot here: RSVP to practice yoga at SAM.

Imagine practicing yoga surrounded by amazing pieces of art work – how unique & inspiring! We hope to see all of our fellow Seattleites there!

November 8, 2011

Here is a great article by FitSugar.com on how to re-use your old yoga mat!

1. Hang it horizontally in your garage to keep car doors from scraping the walls.

2. Use it as a kitchen mat in front of the stove or sink.

3. Lay it under your sleeping bag on your next camping trip; it won’t provide much in the way of cushioning, but at least you won’t feel every rock and stick.

4. Scrub the heck out of it, then cut it up as liners for shelves and drawers.

5. Make it into floor covers for the backseat area so your kids’ muddy shoes and cleats won’t ruin your mats.

6. Carpet the tree house!

7. Cut it into small circles and use them under furniture legs to protect the floor.

8. Wrap it around that attic beam or basement pole you keep running into.

9. Put it under the litter box so the cat won’t track stuff all over the floor.

10. Cut it to fit under slippery rugs to keep them in place.

11. Put it under the stationary bike or treadmill to protect the floor from sweat and machine-induced scratches.

12. Line the floor of Fido’s crate to make your pooch more comfortable.3. Lay it on the laundry room floor in front of the dryer so dropped clothes stay clean.

14. Cut it into circles and use them as jar openers.

15. Put a piece in the trunk of your car to keep groceries, boxes, and sports equipment from banging around.

16. Put a square under your pet’s food and water dishes to keep the bowls from skittering (and splashing) all over the floor.

17. Cut out shapes of fruits, veggies, and animals, and put them to work as hot pads under pots and pans.

18. Use it as a kneeling pad to keep your knees happy and clean when you’re working in the garden.19. Lay it by the pool so your feet don’t get all grassy (or cement fried) when you step out.

20. Roll it out under your beach towel—that sand is always harder than it looks, isn’t it?

21. Cut it into circles to put under leaky planters and flowerpots to protect the furniture or floor.

22. Use it as a cushioned drop cloth for your next big painting or refurbishing project.

23. Trim out a large rectangle, fold it in half, stuff some newspaper or foam in between, and use Crazy Glue to seal the sides. Voilà: a stadium seat pad!

24. Wrap pieces of it around sharp chair legs, table corners, and fireplace hearths for instant baby proofing.25. Let the kids use their safety scissors to cut out fun shapes and glue magnets to the backs.

26. Cut it up into new mouse pads for everyone in the house.

October 12, 2011

Article by Diana Castaldini from Whole Body Magazine

Yoga Style Guide

Whether you’re into sweating, chanting, or just lying back and relaxing, use this glossary of 11 common forms of yoga, some ancient, some modern, to find just the right class for you.

ANUSARA: A traditional style rooted in the Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness. After a chant, heart-opening postures emphasize proper alignment to harmonize inner and outer worlds.  See John Friend’s Revolution Mat.

ASHTANGA: Means “eight limbs,” referring to the tenets outlined in Yoga Sutras. Traditional but high-energy and known for fast-paced poses. Recommended mat for Ashtanga Practice: Mysore Practice Rugs.

BAPTISTE: This vigorous form of power yoga swaps chanting for intense movement. Its goal is to renew inner and outer personal strength.

BIKRAM: In this “hot yoga” style, studio temps reach 105 degrees to facilitate deeper stretching, build stamina, and rid the body of toxins.

HATHA: A classical style, popular in the West, that focuses on physicality but may include chanting and meditation. Postures are often basic, slow, and relaxing. Good for beginners.

IYENGAR: Commonly practiced in the West, this school focuses on precise alignment and holding postures often for several minutes at a time. See firm Foam Blocks and Practice Straps.

JIVAMUKTI: This style, which originated in New York City, combines spirituality and an intense aerobic workout. Incorporates chanting, music, breathing practices, and ancient scripture.

KUNDALINI: A practice that stimulates and releases energy believed to sit dormant at the base of the spine. Includes deep, fast, rhythmic breathing and chanting.

POWER: Derived from Ashtanga with a wider variety of postures, this fitness focused style is prevalent in gyms.

RESTORATIVE: A modern form that includes deeply supported poses held for minutes at a time so the practitioner can experience total relaxation.

VINYASA: A continuous flow of breath-synchronized movement that incorporates postures from various styles, though it evolved from Ashtanga.