Wellness Guru: Julie B Yoga
- Darryl Gibney
- Aug 14, 2017
- 7 min read
I first met this weeks Wellness Guru, Julie Burke, when i asked her to teach a Yoga class at one of our regular Wellness Wednesday events. I had long been a fan of her social media presence (@Juliebyoga) - as a fellow Yoga Teacher i can appreciate when a teacher has dedicated themselves to their practice and really mastered their asana skills. Well she was just as warm and engaging as i expected, and all of our guests that night left the Yoga class all aglow and feeling super 'zen' post-class. Julie's career has gone from strength to strength since, and she's about to embark on an entrepreneurial adventure of her own next month by launching HotPodYoga in Dublin. This weekend she's teaching at our Thrive wellness event, so we asked her to share her tips for wellness ahead of her class!
1. Tell us about yourself, and how you got to be where you are today?
I am a yoga teacher from Dublin, founder of Juliebyoga and Hotpod Yoga Dublin. I left the crazy corporate world to become a full time teacher whilst living in London about 5years ago- before that I was teaching around my full time job. I moved to London in 2011 and worked as a Marketing Manager for a year before making the leap to full time teaching.
I reluctantly stepped onto a yoga mat for the first time 10 years ago. I was dragged along to my first class by a friend in work. At the time I didn’t really know much about yoga. From what I did know I had a feeling it wouldn’t be for me. I don’t often admit it but this is one time I am very happy to say- I was very wrong. I had this pre-conceived idea that yoga was just gentle breathing and easy stretching. I have always been into fitness and it has always been a way for me to de-stress and unwind and I really didn’t think yoga was something that would challenge me in any way physically or mentally. Ten years on yoga is not just my job and passion but part of my life in every way.
I returned to Dublin in 2016 and since then have been working full time teaching. I started with my own business Juliebyoga and most recently have started a new business called Hotpod Yoga – it is a brand new concept in yoga and i’m very excited to share this with Dublin very soon. It is an inflatable hot yoga studio, which holds 20 people. Designed to take the fear / stigma out of yoga. It is a fun and friendly environment, which welcomes all, levels and offers a unique immersive yoga experience. We are launching in September.
2. Tell us how you spend your average working day
I’m usually up about 6am – I’ll either have early morning classes to teach or else I go to a yoga or pilates class. Most of my classes are around the city centre so I have lots of options close by. After teaching / working out I go to the Fat Fox for my daily treat of porridge. I would honestly be lost without porridge. It is perfect for me as i’m running between classes and often have very little time to eat. The Fat Fox’s porridge is so yummy- it’s dairy free and I usually have it with compote, fresh fruit and a little granola. I’ll usually have mid morning or lunchtime classes to teach- in between or after I catch up on emails and any admin I need to do. If I’m not working in the evening I’ll often go to a yoga, pilates or barre class. My porridge really sets me up for the day so I usually have a light lunch maybe a salad or grab a dairy free smoothie. When I get home in the evening I may have some emails to catch up on or client plans to write for my 1-1 clients and dinner can be anything from chicken with roast vegetables and sweet potato, a stirfry with brown rice or if I need something really quick an omelette. I try to be in bed by 11pm.
3. What inspires you?
My students inspire me every day. I constantly say this in classes or through my social media that I truly feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do every day. I continually get inspiration from students in my classes. I love it when students come to speak to me before or after class and talk about not only certain poses but how yoga has helped them off the mat or how something we did in class or something I said resonated or made a difference. This inspires me every day to keep doing what I do and love.
4. What’s your goal in life?
To be happy – as cliché as it sounds. I feel very lucky to have found something that I love and am so passionate about and to be able to do it as my ‘job’ although I really don’t ever feel like I’m working. I have an amazing partner who makes me happier than I could have ever imagined and we have just bought our first home and starting a very exciting chapter. Both combined make me truly happy- my goal is to keep this as the journey continues.
5. What does Wellness mean to you?
To me Wellness is a balance of mental, emotional and physical content. It’s a lifestyle. For me it’s not just my job it’s how I choose to live. It’s about looking after yourself on every level- what you eat, how you exercise, how you treat yourself and others.
6. What advice would you give to a person looking to change their lifestyle to a happier healthier one?
Do it- every journey starts with a single step. Every step is a step in the right direction. The only thing stopping you is you.
7. Tell us about your business?
Juliebyoga is all about learning how your body should feel in every pose. In my classes I encourage students to find their edge and learn how to challenge themselves in the right way for their body. When I returned to Dublin after 5 years in London I was disappointed to see so many studios with really busy classes and students not knowing the postures or understanding how their body should feel in the pose. It was more about rushing through a sequence. When I teach it’s really important that everyone feels welcome, safe and understands how to develop their practice safely.
Whilst I was in London I worked with a number of professional athletes- rugby teams, weight lifters, runners and boxers. I specialised in sports yoga and spent a lot of time in the UK working with S&C coaches and physios helping build yoga into the weekly training schedule for all levels of athlete. I have a keen interest in developing this in Dublin.
Hotpod Yoga Dublin- Hotpodyoga started in London 5years ago and I was one of their first teachers. I am just about to launch my new business. There is nothing like it in Ireland. It is an inflatable hot yoga studio; which holds 20 people. It is a completely immersive experience- it’s a hot yoga dome and the classes are designed to suit all levels. We will be launching in the city centre at the end of September. Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter: @hotpodyogadublin
8. Tell us your Top 3 Tips for Wellness?
Find balance- wellness is not just about exercising, take time for your mind. Make sure you find time for you in your life. As simple and obvious as it sounds- it’s often something we neglect. Do what makes you happy, be with those who make you happy and let go of anyone or anything that brings negativity to your life.
Keep in fun- make sure however you choose to exercise is something you enjoy not a chore. For me it’s yoga or pilates or barre and sometimes a nice long walk or run. Other sports / activities don’t appeal to me- I’m not a cycling fan so I don’t do it.
Make it easy- you have to fit your life into it. Don’t make excuses but make choices that allow you to stay fit and healthy without too much effort.
9. So what’s next in your career/life?
Launching Hotpod Yoga Dublin in September and renovating my new home with my partner.
More about THRIVE Wellness Festival
Thrive, Groove Festival’s all new health, fitness and wellness precinct, offers festival goers the chance to relax, rejuvenate and reenergise the mind, body and soul through our weekend program of over 35 free movement classes, wellness workshops and inspirational talks.
Featuring over 20 leading names from the world of health, fitness and wellness, including Julie B Yoga, Jenny McElvaney, Wind of Change Wellness, Derval O’Rourke, Roz Purcell and Andrea Hayes, the broad program promises to challenge, excite and inspire.
Set in a secluded woodland sanctuary within Killruddery’s gardens, Groove Festival goers can find their flow in a gentle yoga class, let their hair down in a vibrant dance class, or take a seat at the Thrive Talks Stage to discover the secrets to nourishing the body and mind inside and out. Then it’s time to dance the night away to Groove Festival’s stellar line up of top international and local music acts, tuck into wholesome festival fayre, and discover all that the new and improved festival has to offer.
If you’re excited by health, fitness and wellness Thrive is the place for you. Activity in the Thrive precinct will run from 11am to 7pm over the two days of Groove Festival this August 19 & 20.
If you'd like to book an appointment with a wellness practitioner of any kind or would like to learn more about Wellness visit Wellclik.com
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