Yoga and Pregnancy

Thanks for the kind email, Sara!"I am hoping I can come to yoga soon... Thank goodness for your podcasts - I've spent time in my basement listening to your voice, practicing yoga and pretending I am in your class. :)   Even more special to me than getting to yoga with her outside of me, is that I felt her for the first time at the end of 16 weeks while in your class. I feel like your class (in particular, your way of turning us into puddles by the end!) would wind me down and relax me enough that I was able to feel her way before most people do with a first pregnancy. I even know the date: January 30.   :)"

Yoga and Pregnancy

Thanks for the kind email, Sara!"I am hoping I can come to yoga soon... Thank goodness for your podcasts - I've spent time in my basement listening to your voice, practicing yoga and pretending I am in your class. :)   Even more special to me than getting to yoga with her outside of me, is that I felt her for the first time at the end of 16 weeks while in your class. I feel like your class (in particular, your way of turning us into puddles by the end!) would wind me down and relax me enough that I was able to feel her way before most people do with a first pregnancy. I even know the date: January 30.   :)"

The Meaning of "Namaste"

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you."
To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart, close the eyes, and bow the head. This is an especially deep form of respect. Although in the West the word "Namaste" is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.
We bring the hands together at the heart to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart.
For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.
Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart. Namaste, Em
(http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/822)

Yoa is Healing

I was talking with a fellow yoga participant this week who is new to yoga and she was expressing how much she is enjoying her yoga experience. We were initially having a light-hearted conversation, further examining the benefits of yoga when she then shared with me that her brother had passed away the week before. She became a little teary-eyed as we continued to talk and I shared with her my belief that yoga is a tool that we can use to help heal. Have you ever experienced a physical or emotional release in class? It could of been something as little as giggling, passing gas, or dizziness... or it may of been something more extreme. I have found myself crying at the end of a class, completely present in the moment and appreciative of my opportunity to be who I needed to be. And I feel this is healthy. We learn who we are, what we need, and how to be content with what we discover. It's nice to have this safe space we can come to, united with other's energy and support, and learn to listen. With time, we begin to understand the "why's" of the world.
Namaste, Emily

Sign up HERE for Saturday morning yoga - JULY

It's back!! If you're interested in starting your weekends off right, consider joining us for Saturday morning yoga by clicking here:

http://www.doodle.com/756cf79v99s39n9u

Thanks for your support and enthusiasm. If you haven't come for a while, we'd love to see you again! Namaste, Emily

June Audio Podcast FREE

Thanks for your support and enthusiasm about the monthly podcast. To say THANKS, this month the podcast is free! If you want it on a cd, due to the additional time on our part, we would appreciate $5. Donations are always accepted but never required. My intention is to simply share the love and joy of yoga.

Never hesitate with questions while practicing the yoga podcast.

The link:

http://www.bffcast.blogspot.com

Namaste, Emily

Vinyasa Yoga - Flow Yoga

I found this article interesting and thought you may enjoy it as well. See you in class! Namaste, Emily

What is Vinyasa Yoga?
By Ann Pizer, About.com

Vinyasa is a term that covers a broad range of yoga classes. The word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” In other words, the teacher will instruct you to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. This technique is sometimes also called Vinyasa Flow, or just Flow because of the smooth way that the poses run together and become like a dance.
A Cat-Cow Stretch is an example of a very simple Vinyasa, because the spine is arched on an inhale and rounded on an exhale. A Sun Salutation sequence is an example of a more complex Vinyasa. Each movement in the series is done on an inhalation or an exhalation.

What To Expect From a Vinyasa Class
This style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations. If your yoga class schedule lists a Vinyasa class, expect movement, not just stretching. Whether the class is fast or slow, includes chanting, or is very alignment-oriented will depend on the individual teacher. Some very popular yoga styles, such as Ashtanga and Power Yoga, make use of the Vinyasa method, but they will be listed on a class schedule by their individual names.

What Does “Go Through Your Vinyasa" Mean?
When Vinyasa is used as a noun, it describes a series of three poses that are done as part of a Sun Salutation sequence. When the teacher says, "go through the Vinyasa at your own pace," she means do Plank, Chaturanga, and Upward Facing Dog.

Is Vinyasa Yoga for You?
Vinyasa’s strength is in its diversity. There is no single philosophy, rulebook, or sequence that teachers must follow, so there is a lot of room for individual personalities and quirks to come through. This makes it essential that you find a teacher you enjoy and can relate to. If your first Vinyasa class doesn’t rock your world, keep trying different teachers. If you enjoy having things a little loose and unpredictable and like to move, Vinyasa is probably right for you.

Kind Words from a fellow yogini

I recently received a very heart-felt email from one of our fellow participants that was a regular in my Sunday Basic Yoga. He now comes to Friday Mixed-Level and is going great! Thanks, Bart, for your support and for sharing with us.

"I miss your strong voice (my hearing is not as good as it used to be) and instructional methods that you used in the yoga practice. I am not the only one; both Kevin and Gene have the same opinion. We all agree that you are not just good but excellent at teaching yoga."

Namaste, Emily

Memorial Weekend

If you are lucky enough to have a few days off of work for the holiday like me, let's make some time to just enjoy. This is truly a way for us to practice yoga. Yoga, or union, means to balance opposites. Sonar and Lunar, Right and Left, Up and Down, Breath and Body, Earth and Heavens, Forward and Backward, Work and Rest. If you are the type to GO, GO, GO! consider a slogan that also involves "REST... STOP... SLOW DOWN... PAUSE AND RELAX." I know I need to listen to this advice as well. The body and mind need time to play and sort.

Take time to remember. Let's practice the essence of Memorial Day, remembering those we love and feeling blessed that we knew them and were fortunate to have them in our life at one time. I bow to you and your efforts. Namaste, Emily

Already Time! Saturday Yoga - June

Sign up here for Saturday morning yoga class in June:

http://www.doodle.com/s4gmxqx5zs44ifib

Only TWO Saturdays in June. Depending on weather, one may be at the park, BYOM (Bring Your Own Mat) Summer 2009!! It's time to intice the senses and learn to be free from distractions. Oh, and have fun together in the summer sun :)

Namaste, Emily

Mindful Walking

Walk With Me! The flowers are bright, the grass is green and the trees are paving our way! Namaste, Emily

Take Your Mind for a Walk
By Linda J. Brown

Walking burns calories, strengthens muscles, carries a low risk of injury, builds denser bones, is easy on fragile joints, requires little preparation or equipment and can be done anywhere. And that’s not all. If you engage your mind through a method called “walking meditation,” you may find that getting great exercise is only the beginning of the mindful walking experience.

Walking meditation, also called mindful walking, combines the basic principles of meditation, such as breathing, concentration and relaxation with rhythmic walking. “As with traditional meditation, walking meditation can reduce your blood pressure and heart rate, create feelings of well-being, help you sleep, improve your mood and help you manage stress,” says Shirley Archer, a fitness expert who teaches walking meditation workshops at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif.

Walking meditation is fairly new to the United States, having originated with Buddhist monks, but there are a growing number of classes and workshops now available. Even the corporate world is engaging in mindful walking: Some businesses incorporate group walking meditation in team-building events and company wellness programs.

For workshops in your area, check with gyms, yoga studios, med­itation centers, community colleges, universities, spas that have fitness activities and Buddhist educational centers.

If you can’t find a class or want to go solo, Archer makes the following suggestions:

Find a spot. Choose a place, indoors or outdoors, where you feel confident and can walk comfortably.

Find your breath. Walk slowly and focus on your breathing. Count the number of steps you take as you inhale and exhale. Take four steps on the inhale and four on the exhale.

Find a mantra. Say a phrase to yourself (one word for each step) such as, “I am at peace, all is well now.” The mantra will make it easier for you to focus on walking and quiet your mind from thoughts related to the rest of your life.

Find your senses. As you move, observe the sensory experience of the walk. Feel the ground against your feet, the texture of your clothes against your skin, and the breath flowing through your nostrils and notice the sounds, smells and sights around you, especially if you’re outside.

Find patience. Don’t get frustrated if you have trouble staying focused. It’s not easy to do, but the benefits are many if you stick with meditative walking. Concentrate on your breathing and, as Archer recommends, “Let the walk, walk you.”

Courtesy of www.arthritistoday.org

What Emily's LOVING now

I love supporting my local artists, and especially those that support our yoga journey. Check out one of our fellow yoga classmate's new online jewelry store.

http://www.thebeadedlizard.etsy.com

She has a lot more to offer than what you see here. Also, if you don't see exactly what you want, she will custom make jewelry for you at NO ADDITIONAL COST.

Thanks, Kathi, for sharing your great talent with us!

Namaste, Emily

Why keep coming?

So, you've been practicing yoga for a while now and feel pretty good about yourself in most poses. And, be honest, maybe you've even become a little bored with it? So, you wanna give up and move on to something else? It's okay if you do. Our life leads us down many paths and in new directions. But, why not allow yoga to travel down these new roads with you? Let's realize that yoga is a process that has NO end result. There is no goal we are trying to reach and no point where we can say "so, I made it... this is it?" I have done some standard poses many, many times and each time it excites me as I feel something new. Take even the most basic pose, Mountain. If you are really present in the moment and concentrating on everything the body is supposed to be doing, it can become a very challenging asana to maintain. Then, add in the breath! And bam! You have even more sensations that perhaps you've never imagined before. There is always something to new to learn and more ways to grow, whether it's trying to control the breath, remain present, explore new poses, or just make the commitment.

We look forward to seeing you (maybe back) in class.
Namaste, Emily

Checking in with ourselves

Write down your short and long-term GOALS four times a year. Two personal, two business and two health goals for the next 1, 5 and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.

Namaste, Emily

What Emily's LOVING now

Help charities do good deeds while softening skin (LOVE IT!)
Feel good on the inside and outside when you buy a Charity Pot of skin-softening hand and body cream. Every (repeat - EVERY!! Now, that's something I can stand behind) penny of the retail price (excluding taxes) goes directly into a charitable fund to support animal rights, environmental protection and humanitarian concerns. With natural oils and fair trade cocoa butter, this lotion does a world of good for your body too. To top things off, it's gorgeously fragranced with ylang ylang, geranium and marigold essential oils. (Smell me sometime, I smell AMAZING!!)

A gift that gives! Want a charity pot yourself or for someone special? Visit http://www.lush.com Namaste, Emily

Sign up for Saturday Morning Yoga Here

May:

http://www.doodle.com/iez2p3rkm5qxeap8

Social Responsibility

"Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the time you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can."
-John Wesley

Here's to a fullfilled week!
Namaste, Emily

April Podcast is ready!! :)

Everyone's loving their monthly podcasts and our personal yoga practices are blossoming this Spring! This is great news! The April podcast is ready to be shared. Simply email me at emilyrmorris@gmail.com if you would like to have access to the podcast. At $5/ month, you can improve your yoga poses and your overall mood (get some "me" time). Now, that's a bargain! Namaste, Emily

Sign up now for Saturday Morning Yoga in APRIL

Believe it or not - March is racing past us and April is coming up quickly behind. If you are interested in joining us for some Saturday morning yoga in April (join for one or sign up for all), visit this link:

http://www.doodle.com/xxa4ubr7a9nb6gxe

Class space is limited to 5 participants. It's a wonderful way to begin your weekend. I know I have been thoroughly enjoying it. Namaste, Emily

Shinkichi Takahashi

The wind blows hard among the pines
toward the beginning
of an endless past.
Listen: you've heard everything.

Thanks, Thom. E

Saluting the Sun - Welcoming Spring

Spring is upon us and Earth Day is before us! It is a beautiful time of year to get outside and move the body. A walking meditation is easy when the sun is warm, the flowers are budding and the city is more alive.

Spring is like a re-birth and is a joyful time to welcome fitness back into our daily lives. Why not learn how to properly salute our sun? Sun Salutations consists of a series of poses linked to our breath. It's a flow that builds heat, nourishes our body and provides us with overall strength and endurance. When done correctly, Sun Salutations are very demanding... and rewarding!

Our Sun Salutations begin in Mountain. From here, Inhale: Upward Salute. Exhale: Forward Fold. Inhale: Lunge. Exhale: Downward Facing Dog. Inhale: Plank. Exhale: Chaturanga. Inhale: Upward Facing Dog. Exhale: Downward Facing Dog. Inhale: Lunge. Exhale: Forward Fold. Inhale: Upward Salute. Exhale: Chair. We can repeat the series 2-20 times, depending on how we're feeling and how much time is available. Namaste, Emily

March podcast available

Want to be included in the fun? Email me that you, too, want to listen and practice along to the March audio podcast!! For $5 you will have access to a complete mixed-level class, 1 hour in duration. Explore your personal practice and grow in your yoga journey. As always, feel free to email questions that may come up along the way. I am here for you. Namaste, Emily

Join us in March for Saturday morning yoga!

Come one Saturday a month or come every week! Saturday yoga is the way we are kicking off our weekends. Simply go to this link:

http://www.doodle.com/dzwkcuaw8ecbx8da

Sign up for the days YOU want to come to yoga. It's that easy! Classes are only $10 and space allows for 5 in each class. We hope to see you at the Barefoot Studio.

Namaste, Emily

One-year anniversary a success!

A recent email I received in reflection on class this past Saturday:

Emily,

Thanks so much for the class on Saturday. It made me appreciate yoga so much more; just being in that space is relaxing. It made me think of this poem by Czeslaw Milosz, so I thought I would share it with you:

Gift

By Czeslaw Milosz



A day so happy.

Fog lifted early. I worked in the garden.

Hummingbirds were stopping over the honeysuckle flowers.

There was no thing on earth I wanted to possess.

I knew no one worth my envying him.

Whatever evil I had suffered, I forgot.

To think that once I was the same man did not embarrass me.

In my body I felt no pain.

When straightening up, I saw blue sea and sails.





Thank you so much for all you have done!

Anna

Yoga Clothing

Although no special clothing is needed to practice yoga, your yoga clothing should allow maximum comfort and movement. Wear something loose and/or stretchy such as shorts or cotton drawstring trousers and at T-shirt or tank top. Slightly form-fitting clothing is also acceptable. In addition, your clothes should not make you sticky and moist during your practice. The best yoga wear is comfortable and breathable.

Beware Your Hair! If you have long hair, your yoga apparel must-have list to take to a class should include headbands, barrettes, and ponytail holders to keep your hair away from your face. Because so much of yoga involves bending and twisting, long hair flapping in your face will distract you and may interfere with your breathing as well. Even if you have short or medium-length hair, you may want to use a headband or barrettes to keep layers of hair off your face so you are not distracted by it during inversion poses or forward bends.

Footwear: You should not wear shoes when doing yoga. Having bare feet when you practice will help you to have proper balance and stability. However, since maintaining a comfortable temperature is also important, you can wear socks if the floor surface is cold. -Emily

Courtesy of http://yoga.lifetips.com

Our Chakras

For the past month, my BFF Yoga class has been self-examining their chakras. We have completed 4 of the 7 thus far and are enjoying the journey. So, what does this mean to you?

According to www.colourtherapyhealing.com, "a Chakra is like a spiral of energy, each one relating to the others. Chakra (pronounced sha-kra) is the Sanskrit word for ' wheel '. If you can imagine the main chakras / energy centres as a set of cogs/wheels, they are rather like the workings of a clock or an engine; each cog /wheel needs to move smoothly and at a similar speed for the clock / engine to work properly. Thus good health and well being is achieved by a balance of all these energies (or the smooth running of the cogs/wheels)."

Each chakra has a color and symbol assigned to it that co-relates to the rainbow. (For a great, in-depth detailed look, visit the ever-fabulous Wikipedia for more information than you can absorb in one sitting!) But, in a nut shell, it's important as yoga participants to have a basic understanding of what chakra means.

Muladhara: The Base Chakra (red)
Rrelated to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This chakra is located in the region between the genitals and the anus.
Key issues involve sexuality, lust and obsession.

Svadisthana: The Sacral Chakra (orange)
Considered to correspond to the testes or the ovaries that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle. Svadisthana is also considered to be related to, more generally, the genitourinary system and the adrenals.
The key issues involving Svadisthana are relationships, violence, addictions, basic emotional needs, and pleasure.

Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra (yellow)
Related to the metabolic and digestive systems.
Key issues governed by Manipura are issues of personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion-formation, introversion, and transition from simple or base emotions to complex.

Anahata: The Heart Chakra (green)
Related to the thymus, located in the chest. The thymus is an element of the immune system as well as being part of the endocrine system.
Key issues involving Anahata involve complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium, rejection and well being.

Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra (blue)
Relating to communication and growth through expression.
It governs such issues as self-expression and communication'

Ajna: The Brow Chakra (indigo)
(also known as 3rd Eye) Linked to the pineal gland which may inform a model of its envisioning.
Key issues involve balancing the higher & lower selves and trusting inner guidance.

Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra (violet)
Considered to be the chakra of pure consciousness.
Involves such issues as inner wisdom and the death of the body.

Thanks, Wikipedia, for the assistance! Namaste, Emily

Barefoot Fitness, Yoga and More now offering audio podcasts

As some of you know, Barefoot Fitness, Yoga and More, is one year old this month! I can hardly believe it's been one year since this journey began. Some of you have been with us the whole time, others have dropped in here and there, but all of you have shown me a vast amount of encouragement and support. For you, I am grateful.

Of course, all of you know that I am always looking at new ways to continue to spread the joy of yoga. So, this month, our one-year anniversary, I am offering for free, to anyone interested, the ability to download an audio podcast of one of my yoga classes. You can listen directly from your computer or on your mp3/ipod players. Now, this is an experiment and the first time I attempted to record one of my classes. Therefore, I do not have all of the kinks worked out. Some of you know I have a degree in broadcast journalism, so I am a bit of a perfectionist in this area, and the audio quality certainly has room to improve. I spoke a lot louder than I thought I would, but all in all, I think it's something you will enjoy. You do need to be familiar with my style of teaching, as you cannot see me and need to understand what I am conveying through my words. Another option to to purchase my yoga book, as all of the poses are featured in this book!

So, if you are interested, email me at emilyrmorris@gmail.com and I will send you the link! After this month, I will be posting monthly podcasts that you will be able to download with a $5 donation. This is a great opportunity to work on your personal yoga practice. Namaste, Em

Why Barefoot Yoga?

Barefoot Fitness, Yoga and More is an in-home yoga studio which offers several services. We specialize in yoga instruction - group and private, as well as personal traning. BFF Yoga is a small class setting inclusive to all types of bodies and fitness levels. While we encourage everyone to work at their own level and to listen to their own body, we gaurantee you will get a good workout and leave feeling more confident and refreshed.

Change is a comin'

As we near the 1-year anniversary of Barefoot Fitness, Yoga and More, I have begun to evaluate everything is consists of and am always looking for ways to enhance how we can continue to inspire you to yoga, fitness, and wellness. With that, the blog address has changed to a more encompassing name. This will help all of those involved with BFF Yoga to feel more included. This also takes the focus off of "me" and onto "you," the participants and believers in our journey. Namaste, Emily, your teacher