arline jernigan

I fell in love with yoga almost immediately after my first class. It was very interesting because while the class was quite vigorous, I left feeling calm and peaceful, yet I was clear focused, and energized. I found that what I thought would be simple turned out to be something extremely intricate, while it worked my body thoroughly, safely and mindfully, something deeper had been touched inside of me. I was inspired.

Yoga is vast and rich. The intention is to wake up and free our minds from suffering and to open the heart layer by layer.

Asana (postures) is what I started with. The poses, and the flow of moving through space gave me a sense of coming home, a place where I belong. In practicing, I soon came to realize that I had entered into a system that was designed to bring on a profound understanding of ones self and of others, and to realize our inter connectedness.

Yoga penetrates more than the physical body, and through disciplined practice, one can go deep into the layers of the body, mind and spirit.

The layers in yoga are called koshas or sheaths, there are five, starting from the gross and tangible to the more subtile and illusive. They also correspond with the elements earth, water, fire air and ether.

Anamaya kosha is first. it is the anatomical layer or the food body. This sheath pertains to the physical body, skin, muscles, and bones, and is of the earth element. Asana opens the door for deeper exploration. We can begin to tune the alignment of the body and work through stiffness, feel the breakdown and rebuilding of muscles, enjoy strength and flexibility, and new ways to move through space.

Pranamaya koshs is second , and is more subtile, it cannot be seen but can be felt. (prana=life force) This sheath has to do with the physiological body, respiratory, circulatory, glandular, reproductive, and excretory systems and relates to the water element. After aligning the physical body it becomes easier to notice how the breath moves through the spaces inside, how the quiet but powerful energy of the prana increases and can bring the body to life, direct attention, and reconnect to an inherent goodness.

Manamaya kosha is the third layer, and aligns with the nervous system, and also relates to the mind, thoughts, and emotions. The element is fire. Meditation taps into this space and can help to bring awareness to thought patterns. This is important because when we look carefully and with compassion, at the tendencies of our personality, we can transform the unwanted, such as frustration, disappointment, anger, and resentment. A lot of what happens in the mind can show up in the body, for example, tension in various places, joint stiffness and pain, or other forms of dis-ease. Mindful awareness and intention can help mitigate ailments and bring ease in the body.

Vijianamaya kosha is the fourth, and is the intelligence or wisdom layer, and is reflected in our consciousness. The element is air. Through consistent self study (svadhyaya) and observation, choices become less reactive, insights are greater, and the intuition rather than discursive thought patterns can prevail.

Anandamaya kosha , number five, goes into the core or the essence of the practitioner. The element is ether. This is where unconditional love and connection with all of life is realized and felt. Words cant really describe this place, but it is also reached by meditation and direct attention.

Asana, and pranayama, with clear intention and focus can become a moving meditation. By redirecting the unwanted and perhaps limiting thoughts, focusing on the breath and mindfully moving through space, tention can release, clear the mind, and create a space for healing.

All of these layers can be penetrated simultaneously, and is a beautiful process of self discovery that ultimately reveals the goodness that we are.

By definition kundalini is the energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine until it is activated by way of yoga practice, and channeled upward through the chakras in the process of spiritual perfection.

Kundalini in sanskrit means coiled up, coiled serpent or divine cosmic force. When activated, it is said that this serpent power rises up from the muladhara chakra (root chakra) through the sushumna nadi (central channel), activating each chakra that it touches until it reaches the sashrara chakra (crown chakra). After the kundilini has been activated, divine powers are said to be activated. It is however encouraged that one not become too attached to these powers, as they can become an obstacle to true enlightenment.

It is important when working on such a deep energetic level, that one works with a highly qualified teacher to avoid frying the central nervous system, and so that one doesn’t loose sight of the spirit in the practice.

Yoga seeks to unite ones energies, not to overload. Everything in yoga practice must work together for the kundilini to work positively. The body must be strong, the mind clear, and the heart pure.

Prana means life force, cosmic energy, wind and power. There is, in yogic thought, no distinction between the breath of an individual and of the pulsation and movement through the cosmos.

The pathways for energy to travel are called nadis, which means movement or stream. On a gross level these nadis correspond to the veins and arteries that carry blood through the body as well as the nervous and lymphatic systems. On a deeper and more subtile level, the nadis channel the flow of prana.

There are perhaps thousands of nadis traveling through the body, though for the yogi, three main nadis are of importance. These are the sushumna, pingla, and ida (pronounced eda)

The sushumna nadi is the main channel, and is often referred to as the most gracious channel. Here, energy is moved through the central axis of the spine starting at the base and traveling up to the crown.

the pingla and ida form a double helix around the sashumna nadi, intersecting the chakras along the way.

The pingla, also starting at the muladhara chakara, spirals up the spine ending at the right nostril. It corresponds with the sympathetic nervous system, is associated with the sun, and is masculine by nature. This channel, when activated is warming, and good when action is needed.

The ida, starts at the svadisthana chakra and spirals up to the left nostril. It corresponds to the parasympathetic nervous system, is associated with the moon, and is feminine by nature. When activated, this channel is cooling, calming and brings equilibrium and steadiness. This sets up a good space for meditation.

There are many pranayama (breath control) techniques that can activate the nadis, and bring specific results, though the main objective is to cultivate energy, and increase life force.

In hatha yoga, the spine is what is thought of as the core. It is the central channel of energy, and contains a lot of power, and movement.

Energy that thrives deep within the spine is the chakra system.

Chakra is defined a wheel. These wheels spin clockwise, correspond with many systems in the body, and have emotional and physical attributes as well. Health or mental condition can affect the energies in a big way.

There are Seven main chakras:

Muladhara chakra= base of the spine “root” It is the foundation, seat of will and courage, stability, home, food, survival. When in balance, there is a grounded sense, and a feeling of security. Here it is easy to be patient, calm and confident. When out of balance, energy can become scattered, decisions become difficult, and sense of urgency and greed can dominate.

The element is earth

The color associated with it is red

The seed sound or mantra associated is Lam

>Svadisthana chakra= is in the sex organs, and the navel. It is the center of sex, creativity, procreation, family, inspiration. When in balance, movement through life seems effortless, accepting things as they arise is simple, there is a natural unfolding , the beauty in the world is vibrant, and the pleasure and appreciating sexuality and sensuality feels beautiful. When out of balance, the mind becomes stagnate, workaholic tendencies can take over, sexual disfunctions could occur, and connecting with others and with feelings seem impossible.

The glands associated are the adrenals

The element is water

the color is orange

the sound is Vam

>Manipura chakra: represents the ego, and is the emotional center, housing fear, anger, and shame. It is action oriented, and when in balance transformation and personal growth happen, taking risks are fun, assertion of self in a warm and loving way is natural. When out of balance, obsessive compulsive can take over, digestive issues , and perhaps eating disorders may be present with a tendency to lean towards perfectionism. It is also extremely hard to let go of anything.

The gland associated is the pancreas

the element is fire

the color is yellow

the sound is ram

>Anahata chakra: is the heart center, where unconditional love, joy and compassion reside. Joy, and light radiate out brightly when in balance. When out of balance, life is spiritless, and is emotionally stuck. The head leads rather than the heart, there is a lack of trust , and it is easy to become quite self centered.
Gland associated is the thymus

element is air

color is green

sound is Yam

>Vishuda chakra: is about speaking and hearing truth, it is about voice and communication, higher knowledge and inner truth. When out of balance, neck and shoulder tension, can develop, as well as TMJ, hypo, and hyperthyroidism, sore throat. Emotionally one can have an inability to speak in public, or will go the other way and talk entirely to much.

glands associated are the thyroid and the parathyroid

element is ether

color is blue

sound is Ham

>Ajna chakra is the third eye. Located between the two eyes, slightly above the brow. When developed and in balance this center is a place of great insight and wisdom. Problems arise with excessive ajna energy, such as headaches, dizziness, that distract, and make it impossible to concentrate.

gland associated is the pineal

no element is associated

The color is indigo

the sound is OM

>Sahasrara chakra: crown chakra, It is associated with the highest functions of the mind, and divine consciousness, and transcendence. Balance brings insight, and gives an ability to see a greater meaning in existence. Connection of the body mind and spirit is possible. When out of balance, Skepticism and lack confidence, as well as apathy can enter in creating a space in the mind where nothing seems to matter.

no gland is associated

no element

The color is all colors

no sound

As a teacher my intention is to create a space that is peaceful and supportive for people to explore their abilities, and to move beyond limited beliefs.

to provide tools that empower students to take responsibility for their quality of life.

My approach is a combination of precision to alignment and intuition, strength and fluidity, and wisdom in action, all initiated by the breath. It is pure vinyasa flow. Vinyasa comes from the Sanskrit “naysa,” which means “to place”, and the prefix “vi,” “in a special way”

The flow of a class unfolds through dynamic and creative sequencing designed to wake up all parts of the body. By moving into and out of poses in unique and sometimes unexpected ways we travel trough the layers to connect to the body, mind and spirit.

Classes/practices vary. Sometimes the focus is on strength and endurance, tapping into ones inherent power. At other times the focus will be geared towards balance and grace, while another might be low to the ground exploring roots. All classes have a conscious focus on the breath, and whether the practice is vigorous, or slow moving, the over all lasting energy will be one of balance an deep relaxation.

I also like to introduce the other aspects of yoga with in my asana classes.

Hopefully the student will be able to translate what happens on the matt (and sometimes off) into every day life.

I hope to challenge, nurture and inspire my students to connect with their true essence and embody their aliveness and creative potential.

My work is inspired greatly by my teacher Shiva Rea, and her exploration and teachings on the wave theory, finding the fluid body, Prana vinyasa flow, and Yoga Tracne Dance. I feel very lucky to have had her as my teacher, and am honored to have been one of her assistants.