Joy Dog Yoga Therapy specializes in providing high-quality yoga therapy services to individuals seeking to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Through the Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy program, I am trained in a variety of yoga therapy techniques and mindfulness practices. I am dedicated to creating personalized therapeutic sessions tailored to meet each client's unique needs and goals. Whether you are recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply looking to reduce stress and enhance your overall wellness, my expertise and compassionate approach can support you on your journey to optimal health and vitality.
Personally, living with chronic pain due to injuries sustained from an active yet disembodied lifestyle, led me to a variety of rehabilitation techniques. Though I would find some reprieve, it seemed to be temporary. Every day presented new obstacles and limitations, impacting my overall quality of life. After retiring from my career as a school psychologist in 2017, I began my first yoga teacher training and found out there was SO much more to yoga than the physical asanas (poses)! Always being one to equate more movement to more health, I learned the power of being still and turning inward. Woah! It was the beginning of a profound transformation for me. I began teaching yoga and continued on to my 300 hour advanced yoga teacher training.
I did many different types of yoga and found that some intensified my pain. Then, I went to a therapeutic yoga class….and I kept going…and my pain subsided. In June, 2021, I decided to enroll in the 1000+ hour Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy training program. I was fascinated in the research and evidence-based practices for such a variety of mental and physical conditions. It was during my advanced yoga therapy program trainings that I learned movements and practices that were helpful for my personal conditions and those that were contraindicated (would likely cause painful flare-ups). I thought….where has this information been my whole life? I had found an effective, natural and holistic approach to managing my pain! The gentle movements, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques have provided me with a sense of control and empowerment over my body and emotions. I am forever grateful for the support and tools that yoga therapy has offered me in navigating this complex landscape of chronic pain and the anxiety and depression that often accompany it. I am passionate about helping others become empowered to create positive lasting changes in their mental and physical health.
Though I specialize in treating clients with chronic pain, anxiety and depression, my training has prepared me to work with individuals suffering from a variety of conditions, including: addiction, PTSD, chronic grief, cancer recovery, autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, weight loss, pelvic floor, eating disorders, Parkinson’s, ADHD/executive dysfunction and physical rehabilitation.
Joy Dog Yoga Therapy offerings include 1:1 yoga therapy and group therapeutic yoga with a certified yoga therapist. Virtual and in-person options available. In addition, therapeutic yoga practices in the work place have been shown to be very beneficial as part of an overall Wellness in the Workplace initiative. Workshops, retreats and guided group practices can be tailored for specific therapeutic purposes.
Want to learn more? Contact Julie (owner) at julie@joydogyoga.com.
A few tidbits about me, Julie, owner/founder of Joy Dog Yoga Therapy:
Retired school psychologist; worked in school settings with children and adolescents of all ages for almost 30 years, I have expertise in working with a variety of abilities affecting daily living, including impairments in cognition and executive functioning
Experience with writing and interpreting psychological and neuropsychological reports
RYT 500 yoga instructor at Life Time in the Minneapolis area
Proud wife, mother and Mimi!
Lover of dogs, animals and nature
Lifelong learner
Passion for cultivating joy and resilience within myself and helping others do the same
Certified Yoga Therapist through Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy
Proud IAYT member
Yoga therapy offers a unique approach to healing that aims to improve mental and physical health of the client.
As a yoga therapist at Joy Dog Yoga Therapy, my role involves creating personalized yoga practices to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of my clients. I conduct thorough assessments to understand each individual's specific needs and goals, then design tailored sessions that may include gentle movements, breathwork, meditation, and relaxation techniques. Through regular sessions and compassionate guidance, I support clients in cultivating self-awareness, reducing stress, managing pain, and enhancing their overall quality of life. I am dedicated to empowering others on their healing journey through the transformative power of yoga therapy.
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”