I slowly inhale, hold my breath, and then exhale at a controlled rate. My mind is clear, focused on stretching, balancing and holding different poses. I don’t care about perfect form, the only thing I’m focused on is my body and the fact that I’m finally doing something for me. The next pose is new to me, and I turn to my laptop screen, perched on the entertainment center in my living room.
“Should my foot be pointed straight or turned out?” I ask. Julie responds that my foot should be turned out for this pose and that I should still be able to wiggle my toes while putting my weight on the ball of my foot.
Julie Bel Conner isn’t physically in my living room with me, but she could be if I had more space; Julie’s leading me in a yoga and meditation session via Skype.
When Julie guest posted on my blog she shared 5 Fast Tips for Stressed Out Moms, ideas that she works with parents on through her Happy Mommy Coaching service. I think Julie’s coaching service is an amazing idea, and I’d likely make use of her services if I wasn’t already working with a therapist to sort through and manage all aspects of my life. What really piqued my curiosity is the fact that Julie is a trained yogi.
I’ve wanted to practice yoga for quite some time now, and my therapist pushes me to get into a class at each of our monthly appointments. My husband works long hours (read: insane hours and schedule), which makes it difficult for me to make it to a class (we don’t have childcare either, apart from my mother’s helper who comes in the mornings for me to work). Then there’s the fact that I had never before taken a class and would a beginner class really be for beginners? (Read: would I make a fool out of myself?) Julie couldn’t have entered my life at a better time!
image by Marco Antonio Reyes
Julie teaches private yoga lessons, which would have been perfect for me except the fact that there is not an area in our small cottage that would fit two of us doing yoga. Then I saw that Julie offers Skype yoga and meditation sessions — eureka!
Not only am I able to learn how to practice yoga in the privacy of my own home, but I don’t have to worry about working around my husband’s schedule or finding a babysitter. I practice yoga with Julie for an hour a week while my son is upstairs napping. I feel amazing after each session — it feels amazing to be doing something for myself, too!
Julie is a mom to three boys, so she understands the craziness of raising a family while running a business, and the need for moms to have a little ‘me’ time for themselves. I look forward to weekly yoga sessions with Julie, and she is completely understanding as I yawn throughout the first fifteen minutes of our session — she gets it! However, by the end of our sessions I feel completely relaxed and energized, a perfect mid-day reboot and re-centering activity.
I strongly encourage you to take a look at your schedule and see where you can make some time for yourself, especially if you’re feeling tired, stressed and harried by your busy schedule. I found a way to fit it into my crazy schedule, and so should you! And don’t worry if you’re a beginner, Julie is incredible patient and mindful, providing great feedback and pointers throughout.
Check out Julie’s website, juliebelconner.com, and see if Skype yoga is a good fit for you! You can also check in with Julie via social media — Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google +.
