Oct. 2026 | Vol. 6, Issue 10

Every year in January we do a deep dive into subtle body energy with the chakra series. The classes seem to enjoy blending movement with subtle body energy practices. In October, we will start what I'm calling, the Channels of Energy Yoga Series as part of our weekly yoga classes. Channels or streams of energy are known as meridians in Chinese Medicine and nadis in yoga philosophy. The meridians and nadis run in specific directions and patterns throughout the body. These channels carry our life force energy, aka prana in yoga and chi in Chinese medicine. Meridians are depicted as pathways in our physical body, but they also correlate to energetic, emotional, and mental qualities.

In our Channels of Energy Yoga Series, we will focus on 10 meridians (or 5 meridian pairs) that are easily accessible in a traditional yoga class. Our meridians classes will combine both a yin organ and its corresponding yang organ. Because meridians are streams of energy, they have a lot of touch points in the physical body. For example, the Large Intestine meridian starts at the tip of each index finger and runs along the arms and shoulders before it branches. One branch of the Large Intestine meridian goes through the neck and mouth to the side of the nose. The other branch goes down into the lungs, diaphragm, and large intestine.

The resources I'm using to plan these classes: Subtle Body Anatomy CEU course at Asheville Yoga Center and the book Insight Yoga by Sarah Powers.

Read more about meridians in yoga here

Read more about the 12 main meridians here

What can you expect?

What can you expect in a class during the Channels of Energy Yoga Series? There are specific poses and movements to target the five meridian pairs. Each class will have elements of heat building movement (yang energy) and slower, prolonged poses (yin energy) to target the specific "meridians of the week." We already incorporate yin and yang energies in every class, but during this series I will be more intentional about explaining the poses and grouping them together in a manor conducive to the meridian pairs. For example, the Kidney and Bladder meridians are associated with the water element. You can expect fluid vinyasas that week and poses that stimulate the kidney and bladder energy channels such as butterfly pose, seated forward bend, and child's pose. Also, because the channels of energy are so extensive, it's easy to use yoga poses we're already familiar with to target meridians.

Otherwise, you can expect the same fun vibe, stretching, movement, and relaxation. I'll try not to talk too much; I get very excited about "new to me" information and subtle body energy. Yoga philosophy not your jam? Don't worry, just ignore the yoga philosophy and enjoy the class. As with all things in my classes, you choose your own practice and the pieces that work for you. Want to know the "meridians of the week." Check out my Instagram @EmilysYogaKy for the weekly class plan. Usually, I post the theme on Sundays. The timeline will be flexible as we already have fun classes scheduled for the fall like Halloween Yoga and Turkey Flow.

T-shirt design is in the works! Watch your email for details and a giveaway.

Celebrate 5 years of Emily's Yoga with a new t-shirt. In the spirit of celebrating movement and community, help Emily's Yoga support local nonprofit organization whose mission is using movement and accessibility to connect the community.

Our very own Thursday night yogi, Doug Bagby, is an integral part of Madison Multiuse. Madison Multiuse is dedicated to developing multiuse paths (bike paths, walking paths) in Madison County.

Emily's Yoga will donate all proceeds above the price of the shirt directly to Madison Multiuse. When you pay for your shirt, add in your donation and I'll handle the rest.

Madison Multiuse

1. Why do you yoga with Emily? "Emily meets us where we're at with humor, compassion, and joy -- and that's how the community flows as well. It's not always fun being a human being, but in Emily's class we can be HUMAN together!!! Also, I learn things in her classes and the flow is amazing."
2. What's your favorite yoga pose? "Maybe locust? It just squeezes my shoulders and back in all the right ways."
3. Where might we find you when you aren't at yoga? "With my family at home (we live on a veggie farm in Paint Lick), at the Episcopal Church in Nicholasville where I work, or at our kids' sporting events."
4. What's one thing that brings you joy everyday? Coffee
5. A favorite spot in Richmond: Watching our son's soccer games at Lake Reba
6. A recommendation: "Today? The song Flat Foot Flewzy by NRBQ"
7. What's one of your hobbies that might surprise people? "Reading romance novels (as a priest)"
8. What 3 nonessential items would you want if you were stranded on a desert island? Spotify, this new massage therapist I've found in Berea, frankincense
9. If you could compare yourself to an animal, what would it be and why? "Australian Shepherd - I want to be friends with everyone, I like everyone, sometimes I'm nervous, I love life, I'm smart-ish"