Julie C. Nelson, RYT: My Yoga Journey
In 1997, I began to explore “alternative healing” modalities to deal
with a very stressful corporate life.
Through the readings of “Eight Weeks To Optimum Health” by Andrew Weil
and “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda, I found the practices
of pranayama and meditation first before asana.
I practiced on my own from 1998 - 2000.
From 2000-2002 I took group lessons and written lessons through the
Ananda center in Addison (Dallas), Texas and with Denise Hogan of the American
Viniyoga Institute. The Viniyoga method
of adapting yoga to the individual resonated with me and I continue to incorporate
those principals into my classes.
I
quite my corporate job in 2002 and began my formal yoga teacher certification
training through Samatva Yoga in Plano, Texas.
It was a 250-hour course that spanned over two years and included
concentrations and separate certifications in Pre and Post-Natal Yoga and
Childrens’ Yoga. Throughout my training
I also continued to take weekly classes in the Samatva style (similar to
Kripalu) and also continued classes in the Viniyoga and Iyengar styles. In January 2005 I received my 200-Hr Yoga Alliance
Registration and will qualify for the “E” designation later this year (having taught over 1000 hours of yoga classes).
I continue to study yoga and Buddhism and attend workshops and trainings once or twice a year. Some of my favorite Master Yoga Teachers are Francois Raoult and Daniel Orlansky. I recently completed the Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Level 1 program.
From 2003 - 2005 I taught Children’s Yoga, Pre- and Post Natal, and Gentle Yoga/Yoga For Beginners at various locations in the North Texas area. I moved to Vermont in Spring of 2006 and have been offering various classes and workshops at my private studio and also through Family First Chiropractic and Burlington Yoga. I also taught group yoga classes Sports & Fitness Edge from July 2006 through July 2009 at their Essex location.
Since 2007 I have continued to explore the connection between craft and spirituality and offered workshops and retreats in Knitting, Yoga, and Meditation. My current teaching focus is on helping individuals through private Yoga Therapy sessions.
