Everyone experiences low energy at some point or another; and most of the time the antidote is as simple as a good night’s sleep or strong cup of coffee. But what about when that doesn’t do the trick?
Yoga has been shown to have a wide variety of health benefits in relation to chronic pain conditions, anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia. Why not benefit from the incredible healing yoga offers even when the issue may be as simple as having stayed up too late watching the newest episode of that must-see show?
To get your body and mind back on the path to your most energized and revitalized self, check out the invigorating poses below!

Camel Pose

A full body stretch that will rejuvenate the body and spirit.

Warrior I Pose

An uplifting pose that releases stress by stretching and opening up the torso, arms, and pelvis.

Triangle Pose

A blissful side stretch that calms while reenergizing.

Chair Pose

A pose that can be done almost anywhere at anytime, the chair pose stretches and strengthens the back, legs, and hip flexors.

Mountain Pose

A simple but powerful pose that calms and enlivens, mountain pose does your body and mind a world of good, whether you’re in the middle of your practice or just taking a moment to center yourself on a busy day.

Eagle Pose

A rejuvenating pose that relieves stress while improving balance, this pose is great for that extra dose of energy and poise.

I don’t know about you, but I feel better already! To find out more about yoga and the props and accessories that help you practice with the utmost comfort and ease, visit us at BarefootYoga.com.

Posted under Health and Fitness, Styles of Yoga

Even though Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter this year, we’re already starting to feel a thaw in the air and smell the first flowers blooming up here in the Northwest! But, if that spring feeling hasn’t crept up on you yet, and you’re still feeling the chill of winter in both body and mind, consider the tips below to get your mind out of the snow and into the sun!

1. Get out of the hibernation mindset. In the frigid (or the moderate to mild in Seattle) winter months, it can be easy to freeze out your social circle and stay home with a warm blanket instead, perhaps only enduring the cold weather to get to that hot yoga class. Get back in the spring mindset by calling up a group of friends for a hike on a sunny day, or to try out something new and adventurous like aerial yoga!

2. Spring cleaning! There’s nothing like a good old spring cleaning to refresh your home and your mind. Spend a Saturday cleaning out the cobwebs and scrubbing out those neglected nooks and crannies, and you’ll feel great, not to mention ready for whatever new adventures spring throws your way!

3. Freshen up your fridge. Nothing says coziness like a mug of hot chocolate and plate of cookies! While delicious, heavy foods can make winter feel even longer. Try lightening up your food choices and incorporating some of the fresh produce that’s just now coming into season. Making fresher, more vibrant food choices can help you transition into the mindset of new growth and the world coming into bloom again.

4. How about freshening up your wardrobe too? There’s nothing more fun than buying a couple new pairs of capris or cute tanks to make you feel ready for spring! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to layer down, not bundle up. Check out new spring lines of OMgirl and Prana clothing, which have the perfect combination of fashion and function to get you going!

5. Instead of New Year’s resolutions, how about spring resolutions? New season, new resolutions! Or, recommitting to the New Year’s resolutions you’ve made but have fallen to the wayside. What better time than to give yourself a fresh start, and actually take time off to go to that retreat in India, or even take the time to do something as simple as walking to the studio instead of driving.

Posted under Food and Cooking, Health and Fitness, Yoga Clothing

Feeling like you’ve been having “one of those days” since you stepped into the office Monday morning? Can’t seem to catch up with that to-do list? Check out the tips below to get that much needed dose of R&R.

 1.      Deep breathing. It’s known that taking in a few slow, deep breaths through the nose and out through the mouth delivers a calming message to your body and nervous system, curbing anxiety and slowing down heart rate. 

 2.      Sleep. Ideally, we should all be getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but that isn’t always doable. So instead, my advice is simply to get as much sleep as possible. Stop checking the time, turn the light out and relax. If you’re unable to fall asleep after a half hour or so, make a cup of tea, take a bath, or read a book. Eventually, your body will relax enough to send you off to dreamland. Until then, don’t let not getting enough sleep be what’s keeping you up at night.

 3.      Pay attention to yourself, not your stress-induced habits. It’s been a tough day, and you just got into a fight with your significant other or tanked that presentation you’ve been working on for weeks. Now what? Stop and take a breath. When under duress, it becomes incredibly easy to fall back onto self-destructive habits and turn to unhealthy ways of dealing with stress. So just take a moment, and stop. Ask yourself questions like, “If I was content and peaceful right now, would I want this?” and “How will I feel after I eat this piece of cake I’m not hungry for?” If the answers to those questions are “no”, and “bad”, then stop. Take that deep breath and know that your true satisfaction is going to lie in understanding why you’re feeling like indulging in that old pattern of behavior and instead finding the real solution to the problem you’re dealing with.

 4.      Don’t block the stress. Often when we’re stressed it’s so automatic to go to a place of trying to push the stress away, which never works. I was once told that our feelings are like the ocean; they rise to the top so that they can evaporate and be let go of. I believe it, and I think one of the best things you can do for yourself is simply let yourself feel whatever you need to. Let all that stress and upset in, assess whether there’s a reasonable solution to it (or if you just have to make peace with not having a solution for the time being), and then let it all go.

 5.      Yoga! Last but certainly not least, is yoga! Yoga has proven health benefits, including reduced stress, improved physical fitness, and natural management of high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and heart disease. Even setting aside just 10 or 15 minutes to do a few relaxing poses, such as child’s pose or corpse pose can help bring you back to a space of peace and clarity. So remember yogis, don’t sweat the small stuff! Let it go and come back to your peaceful, loving center.

Visit www.barefootyoga.com for yoga and meditation supplies, including zafu meditation cushions and soothing silk eye pillows.

Posted under Health and Fitness