About Carla Yoga
Carla Yoga is a integrated approach to yoga based in Jersey, Channel Islands where the main goal is to encourage surrender and induce total relaxation to create the perfect environment for the body’s innate intelligence to heal itself from within.
My classes are a unique mix of tantra yoga including breath work (pranayama), chakra meditation, mantras, mudras, bandha control and yin yoga to juice the joints and work the connective tissue in the body, and Yoga Nidra to help explore and expand consciousness so you can discover your divine potential.
My Journey
Ashtanga Yoga
I was introduced to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga popularised by K. Pattabhi Jois over 2o years ago. In 2015 I finally fulfilled a dream and completed a Yoga Alliance registered 300-hour Level Ashtanga and Yin Yoga Teacher Training course with Melanie Cooper and Norman Blair.
Yin Yoga
During the course I realised that the passive, slow and deep qualities of Yin Yoga complimented the dynamic energetic flow of Ashtanga Yoga and I started to incorporate both qualities into my own practice and my classes. The taoist roots of Yin Yoga as pioneered by Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers based on the teachings of Hiroshi Motayama, ignited my interest in the meridian system, the flow of chi / prana (energy) and Traditional Chinese Medicine. At this time I also discovered the healing power of the Tao as explained by Mantak Chia.
Vipassana
Vipassana literally means - ‘The Art of Living’ and is an ancient form meditation that was re-discovered and taught by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago. In order to be initiated in this meditation practice, which focuses on the deep connection between mind and body, I attended a ten day silent retreat. Yes, that means no talking for ten days, it also requires sitting in meditation for ten hours a day. Yes it can be challenging at times however the effects remain with you forever. I have now completed two courses and incorporate Vipassana practices in my teaching.
Yoga Nidra
In 2020 I qualified as an accredited Yoga Nidra Facilitator in the Integrative Method of Yoga Nidra from the Amrit School of Yoga with Kamini Desai and was initiated into the lineage of Amrit Yoga Lineage of Masters - descendant of one of the most esoteric yogic traditions of India, the path of Shaktipat Kundalini.
Tantra
Widely misunderstood in the West, Tantra is an ancient practice-orientated tradition that realises and harnesses the divine within one’s own body.
Tantra invokes the worship of Shakti, the feminine principle of cosmic consciousness, in quest for the divine. The ultimate goal is self-realisation achieved via practices that reunite Shakti (energy) with Shiva (consciousness).
Rather than reaching enlightenment via austerity, the tantrics consider the whole person - where every aspect of life is seen as a tool for spiritual growth. The body is a living temple, a manifestation of the divine. Practices include rituals, mantras and mudras, yantras, meditation, pranayama and visualisation of deities.
Another name for Trantra is Kundalini Yoga, which literally means ‘She who is coiled.’
Kundalini Awakening
On the 18th May 2022 I was practicing pranayama and meditation when I suddenly awakened my Kundalini energy. This was not something I intended to do or even really understood at the time however it has transformed my life completely.
Kundalini is a powerful form of divine prana (energy) that usually lies dormant coiled around the base of the spine. When awakened it rises through the chakras and finds expression in spiritual knowledge and mystical visions, which can lead the practitioner to enlightenment.
Since my awakening experience my entire attitude to Yoga has changed completely. Previously I would take time to be on my mat and practice Yoga, now my whole life is Yoga. The poses matter less to me and instead I work with channeling the energy in deep pranayama and meditation.
I now have an empirical understanding of how to awaken and balance the chakras and use mantra to purify the mind. I have an abundance of energy flowing through me, my mind is more open and strong. I have overcome all addictions and I now possess a grace I never used to have.
Sri Vidya
In search of further guidance and lack of any physical guru I sought refuge in meditation, consumed literature and discovered the teachings of Raja Choudhury who initiated me to the practice of Sri Vidya - The Art of Discovering and Exploring Yourself.
Sri Vidya is Kaula Tantra - Kaula means full or total. This ancient and previously highly secret form of yoga is the sacred knowledge of Lalita Tripurasundari - the primordial Wisdom Goddess. Mantras along with meditation on her yantra - form the basis of Sri Vidya practice.
I am still in the early stages of my awakening and like everyone I am constantly evolving and learning.
My classes have transformed completely since my awakening. I am teaching what comes naturally to me as guided by the Kundalini energy within.
While awakening Kundalini energy is not something that everyone will experience in this lifetime the practice of meditation, pranayama, mantras and mudras will naturally result in helping people overcome limited belief systems and addictions, combat negative thought patterns, attract success and ultimately reach their true potential.
“My sessions are welcome to all ages and levels. All the poses can be adapted and alternative options can be provided.”
