Julie Martin wants you to think outside the box, get off your mat, shake up the old dogmas and find freedom to unfold into the beauty of a yoga practice that emerges from the inside. With over 25 years of experience and an international following of students and teachers alike, Julie’s greatest aim is to inspire.
Her particular passion for human movement means continual investigation of new anatomical approaches, working with natural movement, range of motion, integrated stability and letting go of some of the old asana myths in order to move with the body and not against it. The practice is always an enquiry, a somatic exploration of sensation, movement and stillness.
The practice is always an enquiry, a somatic exploration of sensation, movement and stillness.
“Coming from a dance background and starting an asana practice to save my knees (which it did) I was initially so thankful for the practice. But as I moved over into the deeper world of yoga and teaching it (25 years ago) I was soon riddled with injuries. I had to rethink how this method that had initially "saved" my body was now the source of pain and injury and why everyone in the midst of it was so intent on a "right way" to do the practice. So I stepped away from the strict methodology (which lost me students in some cases) and worked on combining information from modern anatomy and fascia research, including some of my dance knowledge with natural movement and letting people find their own alignment instead of forcing ideas of what anything should look like. For me it's about allowing students to find a somatic practice that nurtures and heals the body and mind.”
Julie encourages students to find their own pace, fluidity and strength in a structure that is only a "suggestion". She no longer asks people to get "into" a pose, but if stillness arises in a moment then space is given for them to pause, feel and sense. Moving on only when they are ready.
The practice is not in the asana, it is in the awareness ~ Julie Martin
Your yoga practice should invite you into relationship with your self, your body, your mind and emotions. Weaving philosophy and tantric teachings of enquiry, awareness and experimentation Julie unfolds a practice of curiosity that gives space for students to explore in and around structure and make up their own minds about what works for themselves.
This is not Instagram yoga or circus skills class. This is moving through layers, feeling, experiencing and observing process, moving towards stillness, moving towards self.
- Learn more about Julie's approach in our interview with her.