Yoga with Julie

Whether I am planning a practice for a class or practicing on my own, I usually find myself searching for the perfect quote that will inspire a theme or intention for the practice.  Sometimes this leaves me a bit frustrated because I find myself on a search for inspiration from another source besides what innate wisdom already lies within.  There is definitely something said to lead a class through inspiration from a sage, guru, fellow teacher, favorite author.  Always wonderful to look to others experiences and knowledge for a spark.  However, today I took my seat on my mat and decided to lead practice from what I already know... We are born with a great amount of innate intelligence that does not have to be taught to us.  Our heart did not need to learn how to pump, our stomach did not need to learn how to digest food.  When we were babies we did not need to be told when to cry if something didn't feel right or upset us.  This exists within the entire animal kingdom as well. Fo

Current Favorite Playlist: You all know how much I love creating Yoga Playlists!  Here is one of my most recent creations.  Check out the songs on Itunes and download the ones that inspire you to groove with your asanas :o) 1. Nectar Drop by DJ Drez 2.  Windtalker by DJ Drez 3.  Best Days by Eric Hutchinson 4. He Shiva Shankara by C.C. White 5.  Hope by Shaggy 6.  Hari Om Shiva Om by Deva Premal 7.  Days to Come by Bonobo 8.  For What It's Worth (India Dub) by DJ Drez 9.  The Freedom Song by Jason Mraz 10.  Spirit I am by Steve Gold 11. Flow by Sade 12.  Ganesha by Sistashree 13.  Dream by Priscilla Ahn 14.  Mul Mantra by Snatum Kaur 15.  Prayer to Kuan Yin by Donna Delory

Meditation of the Day:  Invoking the Radiant Heart Whether mother nature decides to deliver rain or you just feel like a rain cloud is lingering over your head you know that when there is a storm, there is sunlight around the corner.  This simple seated meditation is to push away those clouds and reveal your inner light once again.  ~Start in a seated position that is comfortable for you.  Sit tall with your palms facing up on the thighs.  Close your eyes and begin to settle on the softness of your breath.  ~Acknowledge that you may have feelings of lethargy or heaviness and its okay to just be with that.  Breathe into those places that feel stuck, tired, and dull.   ~ With your inner gaze begin to recognize the "sun" that is behind these clouded feelings.  On your inhalation, visualize the light getting brighter and more vibrant.  On the exhalation visualize your breath parting the clouds to reveal a bit of that light.  Continue with this for a few minutes, allowing

Greetings and Namaste my dear yoga friends!  I am very pleased to welcome you to the "Yoga with Julie" blog, which is dedicated to bringing little gems of inspiration into your lives.  This ongoing project is a seed that was planted in my intention garden for quite some time and due to the course of life was a seed that laid dormant for a bit.  Well, the seed has been nourished and is about to sprout right now as I am composing this first official post.  Now that the sprouting has begun, it is time to nourish the sprout into full bloom.  Just like nature does not rush her growth process neither will this project, as I intend for it   to slowly grow and become more fruitful with time.   The blog will consist of quotes, thoughts, yoga wisdom, pictures,videos, etc.  I also hope you contribute to the blog and share your thoughts and inspirations as well.  At this moment, I have the first video uploading and will hopefully have that up for you to practice with very soon.   Tha