“I was never a huge yoga person. I tried it years ago, didn’t love it, and moved on to finding different outlets for my PTSD, fatigue, and anxiety. When I met Julie and her bubbly infectious personality, I instantly found some peace within myself that it was okay to be raw and give yoga another try. I cried my eyes out the first time (and every time thereafter) that Julie shared her practice with me. I have never felt a connection like that before, and it was through Julie I found out that connection was with myself!

I will forever be grateful for Julie and the impact she has had on my life, and thankful she reintroduced me to yoga. I never thought it would be such an impactful part of my life!

While I know live across the country from my favorite yoga instructor, I carry her values, positivity, and passion in my everyday life. Thank you, Julie for bringing sweetness and happiness into my life when I needed it the most.”

— Emily H.

“I had been practicing yoga for many years before I met Julie while I was in treatment. To me, yoga had just been a method of working out. The first time I practiced with Julie I was only able to do breath work and her guided meditation. It was so emotional and powerful for me, that I have never looked at yoga the same. I have had the opportunity be taught by Julie over the past two years and I have learned to listen to what my body needs rather than making sure a pose looks a certain way. She integrates the physiological process our body is going through and how our emotions are tied into it. The most important part of my yoga practice is now me making sure I am giving my body and spirit what it needs.”

-Amy G.

“I’m not someone who has had yoga as a lifestyle for years. In fact, I’m really just getting started. When I was considering going back to rehab, for the fourth (and absolute FINAL time), I wanted to find a rehab that suited my interests. So, I went to Google and typed in three words: Holistic Rehab Center.

I wasn’t certain there even was a rehab center that was ‘holistic’. And I was quite convinced that, if there was, it wouldn’t be covered by my insurance. I’m so glad I was wrong. I found a place in Southern California called Monarch Shores. And on their website were three words that stood out: Acupuncture. Meditation. Yoga. Plus, they accepted my insurance. I was sold.

When I got to the center and took part in their first session of yoga, I met Julie Anding, the yoga teacher. She was all smiles and very welcoming. I felt completely comfortable right from the beginning, as I wasn’t very familiar with yoga.

Since that first day, I have practiced yoga as often as I can and made it part of my recovery process. Yoga has offered me great benefits. It has taught me an exercise of how to strengthen my body and mind… and I know that my soul also is strengthened. I have learned that yoga also helps with anxiety and even PTSD, as I am a veteran of the Desert Storm War in the early 90’s. There are also many forms of yoga, even a 12-Step Yoga practice! And one of the best benefits to me is that I am now a part of a worldwide community of health-minded and spiritual people who practice yoga regularly. I have made friends within that community who have helped keep me grounded and focused on my recovery daily.

I am so grateful for yoga, for meeting my first real yoga teacher, Julie and for everyone who has made it THEIR practice as well… because they’ve all inspired me to live the healthiest I can and become the greatest version of myself.

— Lazarus B.