Certified Buti Yoga Instructor Jaynene Johnson in Mendocino County has fused West African Dance with Yoga and HIIT to offer her new Primal Rhythm class online.
On Johnson’s development process: When I was introduced to West African Dance I found something I didn’t know I was looking for, and it felt like a piece of my soul was given back to me. https://youtu.be/LlNsk6Vn11I
Jaynene Johnson is a certified Buti Yoga instructor. Buti Yoga is a dynamic blend of yoga, tribal dance, plyometrics, and deep abdominal toning which she has built on to a new offering called Primal Rhythm. Primal Rhythm blends yoga, hiit, primal movements, and dance.
On Johnson’s development process: When I was introduced to West African Dance I found something I didn’t know I was looking for, and it felt like a piece of my soul was given back to me.
Her journey to be a Primal Rhythm Fitness Instructor began when I became a student of yoga my first year in college, almost 20 years ago. I had always been an athlete, but there had been little emphasis based on the benefits of flexibility. I was training to play college basketball and strained my ACL and was deemed ineligible to play. I was devastated. Basketball had been my life.
Due to financial limitations and fear, surgery was not an option for me. I enrolled in a yoga class that opened my mind to a world I had yet to know. In my hatha yoga 101 class I felt I was taking control of my recovery; to heal myself, to be in balance, to be strong, to be flexible, and to go within, through meditation.
My yoga education has continued as I’ve practiced, Vinyasa, Iyengar, Bikram, and became a Certified Instructor in Buti. Buti: an Indian Marathi word meaning “a cure that has been hidden or kept secret”. Sattva meaning Enlightened One. Butisattva (BUTI-SATTVA) means One that has successfully realized the power to heal is within.
Dance has always been a love of mine and good medicine for me. When I was introduced to West African Dance I found something I didn’t know I was looking for, and it felt like a piece of my soul was given back to me. The drumming, the movement, the freedom of the hips, the joy, it all speaks to my heart. I cherish the strong and vibrant African dance community we have in Mendocino County. In which I’ve enjoyed performing in multiple dance ensembles on many stages such as Benbow Summer Arts Festival, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Kinetic Carnival, Goddess Craft Faire, Space Theater, & Burning Man. My African dance history and my heritage are why I called my Buti Yoga offering, Afro Buti.
After my second child was born my desire to get into the shape I wanted led me to discover Insanity. High-Intensity Interval Training or HIIT is what that style is referred to as today. I received amazing results and began sharing the results with friends. I began a fitness club and we worked out on my patio. We started at 530am! It was fun, and the results were great! I got into the best shape of my life….and then I got pregnant again.
My youngest is now 6. His energy has inspired my exploration of primal movement. He is a natural climber and acrobat and has been enrolled in gymnastics and Capoeira. Engaging in his classes with him felt so good to use my body in indigenous ways of movement. The strength that is gained from lifting one’s own body weight, as well as the balance, coordination, and flexibility that comes with it was of such benefit that I’ve incorporated it into my practice. Hence, Primal Rhythm.
Primal Rhythm seamlessly weaves these life-changing discoveries; yoga, African dance, primal movement & plyometrics. There is a depth to this practice, and I am still learning so much more about each.
Originally on this path as an instructor, I knew that there was power locked in our hips. Observation gave me that wisdom as with the obsession with dance moves such as: twerking, dance hall whining, belly dance, West African dance and so much more. Buti Yoga Certification taught me to understand even more how to connect with the inner power we have in all of us and how to harness it. By using the principles of deep abdominal toning and strengthening the pelvic floor through spiraling technique, hip opening, and meditation we awaken the Kundalini energy, that may lay dormant at the base of our spine. Drawing our natural unlimited energy up through each chakra, which is invigorating and empowering allowing us to connect to our abundant creativity, personal power, and for some enlightenment.
I am so thankful and grateful to be on this journey, and invite you to join us on this transformative path of opening, strengthening, and self-discovery.
Peace. Love. Harmony.
