Julie | Kripalu Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, and Nia classes and private lessons in Knoxville, TN
My name is Julie Morgan, and I’ve been teaching yoga and Nia Technique classes since 2006. I grew up in Knoxville, TN and earned a B.S. in Human Services, Educational Interpreting for the Deaf from the University of Tennessee in 2004.Since 2004, I’ve worked as a full-time sign language interpreter at the University of Tennessee. I also speak Spanish and enjoy volunteer interpreting at the People’s Clinic Hispanic outreach, which provides basic medical care for Latino immigrants who don’t yet speak English.
Yoga: My 200-hour yoga teacher certification in Sivananda (Classical Hatha Yoga) forms the foundation for my yoga teaching philosophy. Sivananda yoga emphasizes healthy living, regular yoga practice, and selfless service. Yoga makes the body and mind calm, flexible, agile, strong, and steady.
Nia:The Nia technique is a mind-body fusion fitness that uses grounded, non-impact cardiovascular movements inspired by martial arts, healing arts, and dance. In Nia, we seek movements that feel good and bring joy. Just like yoga, at the end of a Nia class one feels energized, yet relaxed. I find Nia the perfect complement to regular yoga practice.
Specializations: I specialize in working with people who have multiple sclerosis, Sign Language Interpreters, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing people.
My personal practice: I practice Nia, Sivananda and/or Kripalu yoga daily because it’s grounding, calming, and completely liberating. Why Sivananda yoga? Unlike many other hatha yoga classes, Sivananda classes are standardized, meaning they follow the same basic format. In my opinion, this is the greatest strength and also the greatest weakness. It lends itself to developing discipline and a regular home practice. You always know what asana to practice next! This allows the mind to further relax, focus on the breath, and surrender to the bliss of the present. Over time, progress is easily marked because you practice the same format. I’ve experienced increased concentration, flexibility, strength, and inner calm. The downside is that some days your body needs something else - possibly something more gentle or targeted to a specific part of the body like hip openers. That’s why I also practice Kripalu yoga and Nia. Nia enlivens my spirit with it’s freedance and healing through movement. It’s the only group fitness class I’ve experienced that is inward focused, guided by each person’s body wisdom. Kripalu, to me, is the optimum yoga practice for all body types and conditions. It is meditation in motion, a yummy way to start or end the day! Although we are not our bodies, it’s important to take care of them as they are the vehicle for our true selves. Namaste.
