Thought you knew everything there was to know about yoga? Think again! Check out the five fascinating facts even we didn’t know below!

1. According to a 2008 study, around 16 million Americans regularly practice yoga.

Yogis on June 21, 2013, practicing in New York City’s Times Square

2. One of the first Westerners to practice yoga was Carl Jung, a renowned Swiss psychiatrist known for founding analytical psychology and his friendship with well-known neurologist Sigmund Freud.

Carl Jung

3. The Rig Veda is one of the oldest Hindu scriptures, as well as one of the oldest texts in the world. It documents the first mention of yoga, specifically Veda yoga, which is the oldest known form of yoga.

The Rig Veda

4. Om is part of both Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, and in Hinduism the three major sounds of OM (A-U-M) are representative of the three major Hindu deities (called Trimurti). They are: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva the destroyer or transformer.

5. The Sanskrit definition of the word yoga is simple but powerful. It means unity. This reflects yoga’s power to positively influence the body, mind and spirit, integrating them into the whole and harmonious person that is uniquely You! Once we have achieved unity in ourselves, we can create more unity in the world around us.

Yogis practicing on the beach

Looking to expand your practice?
Come visit us at BarefootYoga.com today!

Posted under Health and Fitness, Styles of Yoga

Sitting for hours every day can take its toll on back muscles and vertebrae, affecting the rest of the body as well. Let’s do some stretches at our desks focusing on the mid-torso.

Cat-cow stretches

• Seat with your feet flat on the floor.
• Place your hands on your knees and keep them there while you do the stretches.
• On an inhale, and sitting tall, arch your back and look up at the ceiling.
• On the exhale, round your spine and tuck your chin to your chest. Repeat for a few breaths.

Seated Spinal Twist

• Seat sideways on the chair with your feet flat on the floor.
• Twist from the waist toward the back of the chair, holding the back with both hands if you need to. Keep your seat bones planted on the chair and your head aligned to your sternum. Keeping your body where it is, then gently turn your head to the direction of your turn. If your chair has armrests, use them as you would the back of the chair.
• After a few breaths, gently turn your head to the opposite shoulder for a neck stretch. Repeat on other side.

Seated Forward Bend

• Push your chair away from your desk.
• Plant your feet flat on the floor.
• Interlace your hands behind your back, straighten your arm, keeping shoulders back.
• Fold at the waist, reaching forward as you fold.
• Keep your interlaced hands over your back.
• Set your tummy on your thighs and release your head.

For yoga essentials to continue your practice at home and in the yoga studio, visit www.barefootyoga.com!

Posted under Health and Fitness

Here are some arm stretches you can do at your desk without leaving it! In all the following exercises, make sure your feet are flat on the ground, thighs perpendicular to your shins, and your body anchored over your sit-bones, spine tall.

Lateral Deltoid Stretch

1. Place the arm you want to stretch across your body, straightening your elbow.
2. Use your other arm, pull the arm that is being stretched toward your body. Repeat with other arm.

Bicep Hand-Down-the-Spine Stretch

1. Extend the arm you want to stretch down the center of your spine with finger facing down.
2. Using opposing arm and gently grasp the elbow.
3. Gently pull your elbow toward your head, taking your fingers down the spine. Repeat with other arm.

Eagle Arms

1. Straighten your arm in front of you at a 90º angle.
2. Cross your right below your left.
3. Interlock your palms with fingers pointing up. If an interlock is not possible, an alternative would be to place the backs of the hands together.
4. Remember to keep your elbows forward and up. Repeat with left arm under right.

Visit www.barefootyoga.com for yoga props to extend your practice both in and out of the office!

Posted under Health and Fitness