As the summer starts to heat up, we’re all getting excited about taking our yoga practice out into the sunshine! Practicing in a natural environment can help to heighten your senses and refresh your mind and body, so why not give it a try? Here are some ideas for places to enjoy yoga outdoors…

1. Your own backyard

Feeling a little hesitant about practicing out in public? Give outdoor yoga a trial run in the privacy of your own backyard! You’ll get a feel for the way that the grassy surface affects your balance, and enjoy the benefits of your natural surroundings, while having quick access to any forgotten necessities like your water bottle, an extra towel or sunglasses.

2. The Beach

What could be more soothing than the background sound of the rolling surf? If you’re practicing on the beach, first of all make sure you remember the sunscreen! You’ll want to use either a yoga mat or large blanket, and focus mainly on grounded poses rather than flow, to help avoid getting sand everywhere. The beach is a great place to practice balancing poses, since it offers an extra challenge and really engages your lower leg and ankle muscles. Finally, remember to keep hydrated!

3. The Park

Whether it’s a tiny city park, a sprawling national forest, or somewhere in between, taking your practice out into the natural world can be a beautiful experience. When the sun is beating down, find a shady spot beneath a tree to save your energy and stay invigorated. If you can find a patch of smooth grass, it’s great to try ditching the mat and literally connecting to the earth with your hands and feet on the ground.

4. Your Local Museum

Many museums offer yoga classes, either for free or for a small fee. Some, like the Seattle Art Museum have their classes outside. While practicing at the SAM sculpture park, you can enjoy the beauty of nature while taking in the wonderful works of art all around you!

5. Festivals

For a large-scale outdoor yoga experience, check out the yoga festival nearest you! In addition to practicing with some of the world’s great yoga instructors, you’ll be able to enjoy classes about mindfulness, guided meditations, and inspiring kirtan concerts.

Check out barefootyoga.com for a wide array of yoga products perfect for both indoors and out!

Posted under Eco-Friendly Yoga Products, Health and Fitness, Styles of Yoga, Yoga Mats, Yoga News

Yoga teacher Nasa Mitchell

Nasa Mitchell (500 RYT) is a Yoga Alliance registered instructor based in California. She is a talented and beloved teacher (and yes, this is straight from her students!)  who has also been a valued Barefoot Yoga customer for years.

BY: What originally brought you to Yoga?

NM: Heritage and Life;

Where I am from, Yoga is about spirituality, mantras and chants. Back then as a child and an adult, I had no idea it was yoga.

As a mother of two sons, living in noisy, fast and busy lifestyle for years, instinctively everything in and out of me telling me to Just Be and Connect With Myself which is yoga.

Practicing with some BFY signature blocks and straps!

BY: In your experience, how has Yoga affected your physical and mental being? How has Yoga changed your life?

NM: I am physically and mentally stronger by accepting where I am and who I am. Many of us suffer from perfectionism which does not exist. I am originally one of those people.

Through the practice of yoga I am okay with not being the perfect human being. I am kinder to my body when I am practicing asana practice, more forgiving to my judgmental thoughts and worries that do not feed me and people around me. I am back to “Stepping out of your comfort zone” is totally okay and it can be rewarding.

BY: Is there anything in Yoga (poses, styles) that you would like to explore but haven’t yet?

NM: Yoga study is never ending and there is always something new.

Lately I am more drawn into mantras and pranayamas which prepare us to meditation and healing.

BY: Do you have a favorite place to practice?

NM: As much as I love practicing yoga at our home where it is quiet and sacred, ([although] most of the time it is noisy and messy ) I enjoy practicing yoga off the mat and out of my home by just living in everyday life at a store, in my car, out at my kids’ activities, with my students in the studio.

I believe yoga is in everything and everywhere if we allow it to be.

Want to connect with Nasa? Find her on Facebook here.

Looking for some props of your own to get started? Visit us at Barefoot Yoga today to view our full range of straps, blocks, mats, and more!

Posted under Barefoot Yoga News, Health and Fitness, Meditation, Styles of Yoga, Yoga News, Yoga Studios, Yoga Teacher Interview, Yoga Teachers

With yoga’s focus on mindfulness, it’s no surprise that many yogis in the community wish to reach out and help others. One of our favorite yoga-focused charities is Street Yoga, a Seattle-based nonprofit which brings the healing and restorative benefits of yoga to marginalized youth.

Through Street Yoga, a number of generous yoga teachers volunteer their time and skills to teach yoga classes at shelters, schools and treatment centers that assist youth and their families. By teaching yoga, mindfulness and compassion, these teachers try to inspire their young students to grow, heal, and create meaningful and healthy lives.

Street Yoga holds an annual event called YogaLOVE, which brings together 200 Seattle yogis to enjoy an uplifting morning of yoga and raise funds for Street Yoga’s great work. The YogaLOVE festivities include a “half marathon” of 108 sun salutations led by 9 different instructors who represent a variety of styles. There are also raffles and prizes – which this year include a meditation gift basket from Barefoot Yoga! YogaLOVE 2015 is coming up on June 27, so if you’re in the Seattle area, don’t miss it!

Posted under Health and Fitness, Meditation, Press, Yoga Events, Yoga Gift Ideas, Yoga News