Instructors

Julia was first introduced to Bikram Yoga in 2003, when she and a friend decided to try out a class. She remembers experiencing meditation for the first time while attempting to lock her knee in Standing Head to Knee Pose. After the class she felt both relaxed and energized and knew her life was going to change with this new form of exercise. Bikram Yoga soon became a constant in her life, helping her stay calm, focused and confident while completing a degree in Communications from SFU and as she started working in the field of marketing and public relations. In 2006, Julia moved to England to work for almost two years in the city of Leeds. With no Bikram studio available, she realised how much she had come to rely on the yoga to bring peace, balance and physical fitness to her life. When Julia moved back to Richmond, she chose to make a stronger commitment to include Bikram yoga in her life by attending teacher training, based in Acapulco, in the fall of 2008. Since returning, Julia is enjoying teaching in Richmond. She is continually amazed at both the students as well as her own physical and mental transformations and finds teaching is just like practicing - a lifelong, constantly evolving journey.

Teaching Style

My teaching style is inspired by a quote from the dialogue: "If you do 1% correct, or 99% correct, both of you get 100% benefit, medically, biochemically, physiologically, psychologically. As long as you are trying the right way, and you don't give up. That's the ultimate destination." I emphasize a focus on form over depth because practicing with the correct foundation allows your body to transform in the ways that will make you grow stronger and able go deeper into each posture. I also make sure to use plenty of encouragement in class because I know how challenging it can be in the hot room!

Favorite Posture

Camel Pose, because it is such an emotional release. It is a posture where you allow your heart to be fully open. It's an intense backbend in the part of class where you are at the deepest point of your meditation while also causing your body to secrete endorphins so you feel blissful afterwards.

Least Favorite Posture

Standing Bow Pulling Pose, because you need tremendous stamina to create the marriage between strength and balance and hold it for a full minute. I always feel like I'm kicking hard enough then somehow end up falling out of the posture!