arline jernigan

Dublin was wonderful. Well, I was not actually in Dublin, but just south of it in a lovely village called Dalkey. I loved it. It is literally inches from the Irish sea, and when the sun shines, the view is incredible. The sun shined a lot of the time that I was there, so I was lucky to see it.

The people there were wonderful too, very open, receptive and kind. I look forward to going back to them. It makes me happy to share what I love to new bodies, as well as to those who have been with me for a long time.

Travel is going to be more regular with me I think, because that is what my heart is telling me. My home base is still here in Memphis for now. I love my people here, and have no imminent plans of leaving, but my wings are expanding, and am going to spread my energy and love where I can.

It is interesting to me, what being in a foreign place is like, and how it can beautifully take you our of your of habits. Much of the time, we go through the day, and forget to see where we are, and what we have. We can even loose sight, and forget why we do what we do. It is good to be snapped out of your comfort zone now and then. I find when I return to my home, I have a renewed appreciation, and am recharged somehow.

It is also interesting to me, where fear can crop up, and how something benign can bring on a panic state. While I was in Ireland, I had no cellphone service. I still cant get over how much I rely on electronics (at one time I was NEVER going to have a computer, HA). Now, I am grateful for them, as they make life expansive in many ways, but I still shake my head sometimes at this reliance. It was weird, not being able to use my phone on a whim, or when I actually needed to.

I was supposed to go to an exhibit with my new friend Dee. She was initially going to pick me up from where I was staying, and we would venture out. Plans change sometimes, and this is not a big deal, but I was taken by surprise when she called the house and asked me to meet her by taking one of the public transport systems, called the DART. I took a deep breath and said OK, but inside my heart stopped. Typically my fear shows up in situations when I am in a new environment, where I don’t know where I am. I really freak out inside. Once I am comfortable and have a feel for a place, all is well, but sometimes it can take some time (there is no time like the present). The DART station is about a 10 minute walk from where I was staying, and It was pulling up just as I purchased my ticket, my time was short. I was supposed to get into the last car and she would meet me in the car. Well, things got a little confused, because everything is opposite of what I am used to. For example, the driver side of the car is on the right side instead of the left, so I was not sure what was first and last in terms of the DART cars, not to mention, that I only had a few seconds to run into the closing doors. At this time Dee was not sure what had happened, because she did not see me in the car. I got off at the street that she told me to get off on, incase something happened, and I waited for a while. I found a pay phone, and called her cell, but I got no answer. I did not know where the museum was, or I would have gone there, so I just got another ticket and set out to go back to Dalkey, but, I did wait for about 20 minutes or so, to see if I could find her, and as it turned out, we both just missed each other by minutes. She was looking, calling and waiting for me too, but alas, no connection.

This situation was a great opportunity for me to practice yoga off the matt. I focused on my breath, and looked at my situation with humor. I was not really that lost, only slightly separated, and I was able to ask for the direction that I needed to head to, and as I said, I was not that far off track. I was actually able to relax, and enjoy the experience of being out of my comfort zone. Now while this seems simple, and not a big deal, it is to me. I somehow feel stronger and more able to venture out.

I want to thank Dee and Heidi once again for bringing me to Ireland, and to also thank all the wonderful students who came to my workshop. I am excited to return very soon.

Big hugs to all of you

Love Arline

In 8 days, I am going to Italy with a group of amazing people to teach yoga. I am sooooooooooo excited.

It seemed so far away for so long, in fact, it was almost like a dream, but it is actually right around the corner, and it is happening. Someone asked me if I was prepared, and the answer is no, not yet. I have been suddenly hit with a bazillion things that need to be taken care of before I leave. I am making the list now.

I”m not worried though, I am too happy to be.

We are flying from Memphis to Amsterdam, then on to Rome. Once in Rome, we will get another flight to Brindisi, and will be picked up and taken to the site where the retreat will be held.

We will do yoga twice a day, morning and evening. There are plenty of things to do or not to do while there. I can’t wait to see the place, it looks beautiful from the pictures. I hope to take a bunch of my own pictures (note to self, get new memory card).

After the actual retreat, several of us will head on to Rome, just to explore. I can not wait to see the architecture, and the art. We wont forget yoga while there, no no, I plan on teaching there too, as a gift. We may have to move some beds and do it in the hotel, but we don’t care.

I have so much to do I can’t sit here. More later…

Love and Hugs

Montreal is beautiful. I just love it!!!!!!!!

This trip was pivotal for me, taking me to a new level in my practice and teaching.

I was invited by my wonderful friend Annick, to teach a yoga workshop in her city. What an honor! I have been taking my students and potential students on retreats to Costa Rica (or where ever else, because we are branching out) for a few years now, but this was my first opportunity to be invited as a guest teacher. HOW EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!

The plane ride there was very smooth and easy. During the layover, I was doing some stretches (and a backbend), two little girls about age 6 and 8, came to join me. We had a blast. They wanted to do everything I was doing. It was so cute. I think their mother was happy too, because it kept them occupied and got some pent up energy out of them, I know it did for me :) .

The first day, I just spent relaxing and walking around the neighborhood until it was time to teach my first class. The first space I taught in, Spa Zazen, was so beautiful, and intimate. It was only big enough for a just few people, so it was warm, cozy, and just a wonderful way to start the start off weekend. Afterward, a few of us hung out at Annick’s house until we got so sleepy, that we had to go to bed.

Saturday is actually when the workshop began. I taught two classes on saturday, and two on sunday (of course each being different). I have to say, that the people who went to the workshop, were so open and willing to try new things. I was extremely pleased by their enthusiasm and openness.

I got an opportunity to meet some quite amazing people, who are doing brilliant things in this world. I walked away feeling totally honored and inspired. There is a lot of work for me to do, yet I know there always will be, as long as I am on this earth. This can be exciting news, rather than daunting. I became quite aware, that I have some gifts to share, and at once see clearly what some of my obstacles are. I decided to really acknowledge and feel both non objectively. I am growing for sure, and spreading my wings.

I will be going back to Montreal in the spring for more yoga, and fingers crossed, a gallery opening for my paintings.

I am blown away by everything right now, and have to calm myself down, remember to breathe, sit and connect. To also give eternal thanks to the universe for its abundance and generosity. I keep seeing it and am rolling with gratitude.

Joy!!!

Warning: this is kind of long, but please read me :)

HI everyone, I missed you while I was gone, and wish you coulda come with me.

Costa Rica is wonderful, beautiful and amazing. there is so much to see and do. The first day was a bit of a trek, and very long, because once in costa rica, our ride from the airport to the retreat center is about four and a half hours long depending on traffic and road conditions (a lot of the roads there are not so great). By the time all of the planes had landed with my people, (and a couple were were three hours late), we loaded up into the van and made our way to Samasati. When we got there, it was dark, we were hungry and exhausted from the arduous journey. We were greeted with loving open arms, ate, got introduced to our rooms, and most everyone crashed, hard.

The first night, I slept well, just not long. Because of the time change, and my funky cellphone clock (it showed a two hour time difference, when there was only one),I had no concept of time when I got there, which is very unusual, as my time sense is very keen. In many ways, it was quite refreshing, and I enjoyed letting go. I woke up at a ridiculously early hour (even for me), and headed, into the darkness and quiet, to the yoga/meditation hall. I put my music into the sound system, and began my practice. I went for an hour or so before l realized that it was still rather dark, so I turned the music off, and stayed in the yoga room, went back to my mat and fell into a deep savasana (relaxation). After a bit, sounds began to fill the space. It was pretty incredible, and have chills just remembering. It started with this heavy, deep rich and almost haunting sound. Its resonance was quite powerful in and of itself. These were the howler monkeys, which wake and start to sing at about 4:30 am (Yep, I got up really really early). Then the tree frogs and insects began another layer of sound and provided a constant undercurrent of different pitches, next the many different bird sounds gave melody and percussion. I was amazed at the beauty of the music that these creatures provided. Yes, GOD is in fact a DJ, and a very talented one at that, orchestrating things so beautifully.

I won’t go into the whole trip, but will write about some of my favorite parts. Oh, I will say this, I packed poorly, clothing wise (which was OK, I was not there to look ravishing), and I forgot my adapter for the camera to the laptop, my memory card is very limited, so there are very few pictures for me to present.(bonks herself on head). Though, in truth, I am not really one to stop and take pictures when I am in the midst of experiencing something. Others had cameras and video, so I will rely on those folks for the visual memories (wink).

Samasati was created by a small group of people who studied with a spiritual teacher in India. After the teacher died, they wanted to create a place where healing and all forms of spiritual practice could take place. They researched places, and decided on Costa Rica, found a good amount of land pretty much in the jungle, and went to work. They hired people to test the land, and found spots where they did not have to cut down any trees. They used the fallen trees to build the bungalows, and had a very clear vision. The center is located on a very steep hill that is just under a mile, but is 600 feet up above sea level, and tortuous. I walked up everyday, and the last day, I did it twice (great use of energy). My room was lovely, very rustic and cabin like, but not too rough, at all. It had two single beds as you walk in, a very nice sized closet, as well as other storage, just in case. There was this great patio that had a hammock to sink your body into, and an amazing view of the trees and the ocean. There was also a loft upstairs with a double bed, which is where I chose to sleep. I took all the pillows from the other beds, so I was very cozy. Normally in life, I take time to nap, welcome them, though there was no napping here, one because I was busy most of the time, and two because natures music never really stopped until well after dark, and it was too loud to sleep. I did chill on the hammock for a few minutes one day though, and that was wonderful.

One of the excursions was the zip lines through the tree canopy’s. Basically you are in the upper layer of the forest. Apparently, the canopy’s are layers of trees, made because birds drop seeds, and the seeds land in the branches, which take root, and begin to grow. Yes, there are trees growing on trees, you can see the roots dangling. It is very cool. A guide harnesses you in, and you fly from tree to tree, each line a little more thrilling. It is so awesome! Sarah, Steve, and I all got adventuresome, and (with the guides permission, hung upside down on some of the lines, while flying to the next tree in line, SUPER FUN!!!

Here is what totally did it for me though, SURFING. I see why people become addicted. We went surfing, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!

Now here is where some choices had to be made. I had planned to go on at least three excursions,( of course they all seemd fun, but you could spend a small fortune to do them all, so three was my allotment), and get two massages, that I really needed (still do actually). Instead of doing the final excursion, and second massage (the massage that I did get, was OK, but I felt no wish to return to her for another, so my choice to forgo the second one was simple), I decided that two more surf lessons were in order,I would have done ten. That is what I had been looking forward to all year anyway (besides teaching yoga :)). so a few of us set two more lessons up, and could hardly wait. Of course things change, and you have to be flexible. We had our heart on surfing two more days, but our surf teacher could not do it on one of the days that we picked, so we only got one more surf lesson, which was on the last day of the trip (don’t worry we found plenty of things to kind of fill the space). I guess I did well at surfing, because the teacher kept telling me so, and was calling me little ripper. All I know, is that I had a blast, and want to surf some more!!!!!!!!! I certainly plan to for sure.

I love the group I went with. Everyone being interesting and full of life, happy to leave the craziness of everyday existence for a week, and come with me on a journey to do yoga (which admittedly can be an adventure itself), and play in the jungle. WOW, I feel so blessed, and got teary a couple of times because I feel so grateful. Several people in the group had to leave early for various reasons, and their energy was really missed, but life falls like that sometimes. Hugs to everyone who came with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all.

I plan to do many more retreats, in new and different places, so the journey has just begun. So fasten your seat belts, relax, and come with me.

The travel home was interesting as well, and fortunately the peace of the week left me feeling un-harried, in fact, we all rolled with what came our way, and had fun with it. Our flight was delayed for two hours, and of course we missed our connecting flight , so at around 12am (we began at about 7am) got into the hotel, slept for a couple of hours before catching a morning flight to memphis. We came close to missing that one too, because the shuttle to the airport would not start. Fortunately there just happened to be another shuttle about to head to the airport, WSHOO, Thank you Ganesha for guiding us, and helping us to get home safely.

I feel tired in the best way. No fatigue, just great use of a lot of energy. I had a wonderful time.

I am almost ready to get outta town. On saturday at 6 am, I will be on a plane flying to Costa Rica. I will be there for a week, and I can’t wait. There will be no phones no internet, no outside world for seven days, just me and 17 other people who are taking the journey with me.

I feel so blessed and honored that I get to travel and teach yoga. I am really glad to get away for more than a couple days (oh how I need this). I plan to teach yoga, have tons of fun and come back restored.

I love the earthiness and beauty of costa rica, the people there are so nice too. One day I will learn spanish. Not only do I want to know another language, it is nice to be in a foreign place and be able to communicate freely. I would love to learn French as well,ahhhhh, there is so much to learn. All in due time.

Preparing for the trip has been a trip in itself. A lesson for me here of late, has been about my expanding (in many ways). Spreading seeds, and tilling soil. This trip has been about that, it has been a lot of work, and it looks like everything is in order (knock on wood, everything will take care of itself from here on out). There are valuable things that I have learned along the way, and things I will do differently in the future for sure. The fun has not even started, so with that I will go.

See you when I return. I will miss you, but my thoughts will be for the most part, electronically free for a whole week.

BIG HUG