TBY Yoga Creative Director, Yoga Educator, Mind/Body Writer & Speaker

Julia has devoted much of her life to yoga, teaching yoga, and helping others to understand how to apply yogic philosophy to daily life. As a yoga and meditation student since 1991, Julia has completed advanced study and apprenticeship with her primary teacher, Gabriel Halpern. She has also studied with other esteemed yoga & meditation teachers, including Prasad Rangnekar, Desiree Rumbaugh, and Venerable Bhante Sujatha. With more than one thousand hours of training and decades of personal experience, she is dedicated to helping the world be a better place through the ancient practice of yoga. In addition to teaching and continuing education, Julia mentors rising yoga teachers in her Yoga Teacher Training and one-on-one.

Growing up, Julia experienced migraine headaches and chronic back pain from scoliosis. It wasn't until a college yoga lesson with her drama teacher that she had a felt experience of the connection between physical and emotional pain. Yoga allowed her to get in touch with what she was truly feeling and to take better care of herself, which relieved most of her symptoms.

Julia shares yoga therapeutically, which is especially helpful for people experiencing physical or emotional pain, nervous system dysregulation, or simply wanting to feel better in their mind and body. She combines functional, mindful movement with inspiration for conscious living rooted in yogic philosophy and Ayurveda. She also holds a certification in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell and offers plant-based coaching and healthy lifestyle support.

Earning a degree in Broadcasting & Film with a minor in Sociology from the University of Central Missouri, Julia worked for over a decade as a television newscast producer in the South Bend, Orlando, and Chicago markets. Drawing from this background, Julia integrates her communication skills and storytelling prowess into her yoga instruction, offering a unique blend of engaging content and expert guidance. She also shares her insights on yoga, stress relief, and intentional living through her blogs, articles, and published children's book - Just Me & The Trees, a Children's Guide to Meditation - demonstrating her commitment to spreading well-being to diverse audiences.

Julia is the proud mother of two young adults and two rescue dogs. She enjoys nature walks, plant-based cooking, traveling, ballroom dancing, barre classes, reading, and, of course, yoga.