Hi there and welcome to the Daily Practice.
I’m honored and excited that you have landed here and are considering joining me and this beautiful community for 30 days of daily morning practice.
This is a simple, straightforward, grounding daily practice that is powerful in its form. A daily, reliable, rhythmic practice.
We arrive each day from 6:30am - 7:05am PT for 30 days. Live on zoom.
You simply arrive, light a candle if you wish, and we begin.
Join Us for the next Daily Practice Beginning October 1st.
Please sign up here. Suggested contribution: $325. Sliding scale range $150 - $500. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Please reach out to me if finances are a barrier to joining. We would love to have you.
Please add your contact info here to join for small group reflection. Options are Friday or Saturday AM, right after practice at 7:10am.
About me // Inspiration for Daily Practice
In my 10+ years as a practioner of yoga and meditation, I can look back and connect the dots on when I have felt most supported and clear (in life, in work, in love, in purpose) — and those times are without a doubt connected to daily practice. The practice I now have on my own— began and was nurtured by daily practice in community, with my teachers. In yoga trainings, it’s typical to arrive everyday and early in the morning, and the first thing is to sit together.
Having support to create a reliable, sacred daily rhythm for ourselves is so important. We are also wired for connection and community, and thrive when we are (and feel) supported. In this practice, its my honor to guide you each day in an easeful, effortless connection to your body, your breath and to the ever-present of love and trust within.
I am offering this practice because what I have found to be true in my practice is exactly what is described in the texts of yoga… that daily committed practice works. These days it seems we want to find a more clever hack or workaround.. but really I think this IS the hack.
The benefits are hard to quantify on paper, and are vulnerable to sounding like hype. What I can say is that a supported daily practice has been one of the greatest parts of my practice and my life. And from that place of feeling the positive ripple effects in relationship with myself and with all I am, and all I want to create in my life. From this place of sincere connection, I invite you in to begin or renew your daily practice with us.
Reviews
“As a regular meditator and yogi, I am amazed at how this short and simple daily ritual has powerfully taken my practice to the next level. No matter how I’m feeling in the morning or what I have on my agenda for the day, having this daily commitment to myself (and to the others in the group), reminds me that nothing is more important than prioritizing my wellbeing. It’s also reminded me of the great power of community to magnify and support, particularly at this time. Joining other committed practitioners on this month-long journey has unlocked a deep feeling of connection- which inspires me to show up more clear, curious, and focused in all contexts of my life. With Julie as our luminous guide, holding space, guiding and encouraging us, all I have to do is show up and receive. And the practices really work! The breathwork and slow stretching help ground me in my body and quiet my mind. I’ve also noticed it’s been easier for me to maintain balance at work and through the waves of emotions that come up week to week. On a physical level, my anxiety has significantly decreased and I’m experiencing some newfound freedom from chronic gut issues. Gratitude is an understatement. I’m so looking forward to continuing this group practice in February. It’s been the most nourishing and grounding gift I could have given to myself.”
For more reviews — scroll to the bottom!
MEETING TIMES
Daily: 6:30am - 7:05am. Morning Practice.
Friday OR Saturday morning: 7:15am - 8am. Group reflection. Choose your preferred slot here.
Sunday 7:15am: Weekly Dharma / Teaching. Review practices for week ahead. *this is recorded if you can not join at this time.
One time meetings:
Thursday September 31st 6-7pm - Orientation for new daily practitioners.
Thursday September 31st, 7pm - 7:30pm - Weekly Dharma Session.
About the additional meeting times:
Sunday 7:15-7:45AM Meeting: Share Teachings / Theme for the week and review practices. It will be about 30 minutes of talking and sharing yoga philosophy, the chant for that week, as well as practices we’ll be doing. And then you can ask questions and we can have discussion after.
Morning reflection group: choose from Friday or Saturday. This is a time to share, reflect, and ask questions.
It is not required to join this, but if you do choose to join, please be present for all 4 weeks.
Commitment
The invitation is to commit daily. 100% is much easier than 99% :) If you have to skip on occasion of course it’s fine. There’s no penalty!! It’s your practice. But you really will receive the most from this practice if you consider it your date with Love every morning, and you remove the element of decision and choice. It is commitment for the sake of love. For you, and for all.
This is also a small group where each person that joins is committed to 30 days. So it is for the benefit of all that you can regularly attend.
Location: zoom. Please have your camera on. No one is watching you during practice. It is however really nice and builds community in that short moment when we sign on to see glimpses of other faces.
Recommended to join from your computer. Though phone / ipad also works.
You can also make your practice screen full screen, so that it’s all you’re seeing on your computer.
Feel free to adjust brightness on your device to a lower setting.
Your space:
Set a designated daily practice space. Even if it’s a space where you do something else, have a way of setting up your space at night so that it feels like a welcoming sacred practice space in the morning.
Set up an altar of clear space. It can very simply be a candle. And can include anything like fresh flowers, deities, a photo of someone near to your heart, a photo of a beautiful place in nature.
This is sacred time, so create your space in a sacred way.
Set up either a meditation cushion or a few folded blankets.
You might like to have a meditation shawl or a blanket to wrap around you in the morning.
Clothing: wear something you feel good in. Ideally not something old. Something that feels clean, soft, natural and comfortable.
Contribution: Sliding scale of $150 - $500. This is an intimate group. If finances are a barrier to joining, please let me know. No one turned away for lack of funds. Please contribute the amount that feels aligned with the value and your financial ability.
cultivate:
FAITH IN COMMITTED ACTION. ANY kind of daily practice offers the opportunity to strengthen our muscle of commitment with a tiny bit of faith that our efforts and actions matter. Because they DO! This is not faith in dogma or beliefs, it is faith to give yourself permission to open to your own direct experience of what daily practice can awaken in your life.
SUPPORT. Allow yourself to feel held, uplifted and the feeling of lifting others with your presence. I and we create a space of refuge and kindness that is tangible. And it makes each morning practice more effortless than you would imagine.
SATISFACTION AND MOMENTUM. It is my experience and my hope for you that each day during and after practice you’ll likely feel a sense of grounded and authentic connection to your body, mind and heart. And a feeling of accomplishment for having have taken action on something important to you.
RHTYHM. We create a reliable space us to arrive at the same time each day, regardless of what is happening within and around us. To create a structure in our day that we know offers a place of refuge, warmth, and great potential for inner growth simply in the surrendering to daily, consistent rhythm.
SAFETY. EASE. JOY. COURAGE. In generating our own safety and ease, we soften our defenses to open the inherent joy that is our true nature. And feed the place of courage within to manifest our dreams.
Practice structure:
Don’t worry if you understand these terms or not. They are very simple to follow practices. Know that the practices I share are yogic teachings and technology that have been practiced for centuries, and are practices that I have practiced and run through my own system and feel effective and true for me.
Mudras (simple hand positions), pranayama (breathwork), chanting, asana (postures) and kriyas (simply- breathwork and movement together). Estimated timing of practice.
5 minutes of arriving, breathing and centering.
1 minute chant together. You can listen or join.
10 minutes of very relaxed stretching. We move slowly and breathe deep to deeply relax the nervous system.
7 minutes of kriya - active breathwork and movement. We use powerful breathwork to strengthen the nervous system.
10-12 minutes of seated meditation.
Daily Practice is supported by foundational yoga philosophy.
2 pillars of the yoga practice are abhyasa and vairagya. Abhyasa is daily practice. Vairagya is non-attachment. This means we show up each day for practice without grasping to any particular experience. Instead we allow ourselves to remain open to the truth that is revealed to us when we enter into sacred space without an agenda.
Themes for February 2021
Welcome Intro + Week 1: Embodied safety and exploring the concept of intention.
creating a safe haven and refuge to connect to safety in the body
exploring intention. what is intention? how do we cultivate a clear intention that is relevant and helpful.
exploring foundational practices of buddhist vipasana meditation.
Week 2: Trusting in our divine nature, purpose + strengthening nervous system.
exploring texts and our own divine nature.
explore exploring kundalini kriyas.
Week 3: Working with desire, challenge in practice (and life :)
tapas and the element of fire. how do we connect with desire in a constructive way.
how to work with challenging aspects of practice. practices that both allow us to honor pain and challenge, as well as hold the light of inherent joy and light to create balance
Week 4: Wholeness and self-trust.
continuing to explore themes of self-trust and wholeness.
connecting to chakras - energy centers - global awareness
Books to support your practice
All optional. Some students ask for recs - so here they are. I find connecting to a text that resonates with you very very helpful!
Adyashanti, The Way of Liberation - this link is to free online book. **Please read Chapter 1. It’s only about 5 pages. Simple!
Start Where You Are by Pema Chodron
Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Reviews from Daily Practice participants
As a regular meditator and yogi, I am amazed at how this short and simple daily ritual has powerfully taken my practice to the next level. No matter how I’m feeling in the morning or what I have on my agenda for the day, having this daily commitment to myself (and to the others in the group), reminds me that nothing is more important than prioritizing my wellbeing. It’s also reminded me of the great power of community to magnify and support, particularly at this time. Joining other committed practitioners on this month-long journey has unlocked a deep feeling of connection, which inspires me to show up more clear, curious, and focused in all contexts of my life. With Julie as our luminous guide, holding space, guiding and encouraging us, all I have to do is show up and receive. And the practices really work! The breathwork and slow stretching help ground me in my body and quiet my mind. I’ve also noticed it’s been easier for me to maintain balance at work and through the waves of emotions that come up week to week. On a physical level, my anxiety has significantly decreased and I’m experiencing some newfound freedom from chronic gut issues. Gratitude is an understatement. I’m so looking forward to continuing this group practice in February. It’s been the most nourishing and grounding gift I could have given to myself.
Daily practice with Julie has been so powerful for me. I am awake very early so it serves as a mid morning snack for the soul. I find myself inspired, grounded and in a creative space for many hours after the practice. Julie's style, presence and kindness makes it feel like a profound experience being shared as opposed to a practice being taught. The best way I can describe my experience is that Julie opens up access to inspiration, stillness and spaciousness and all I have to do is be open to receiving.
I have noticed clearer seeing in all aspects of my life since starting this practice three weeks ago. I am seeing more connections, finding myself more in flow and more curious about myself. My insatiable curiosity being turned inwards is a good thing and I can thank this practice and the teacher for that. Grateful & all love!
I'm so appreciative for this group and the chance to explore a morning practice for the first time. The consistency and commitment to wake up and start the day with movement and breathwork has helped me feel more energized and connected throughout my day. Julie carries such a caring and loving energy that seems to always attract the most supportive, open and curious group of people who, in this practice, have created a space to ground and connect.
I know that when I rise, and focus on my breath, allow for some lovely awakening stretches, and clarity of mind, that I’m going to be best prepared for what the day will bring. I know that my mood and energy levels will be higher when I practice. I however, am someone who loves to roll back over in bed, sink my head deep into my pillow until the very last second before I must get up. Knowing all this, I have found that having a group of people to rise with helps me to hold myself accountable and start my day in a calm and grounded way has been so so wonderful for me. I wake up excited to begin my day, I feel empowered to continue to shine light, as I’ve just given myself that gift. Julie’s loving, welcoming and encouraging energy sets a clear tone is really a wonderful way to begin the day. I am so grateful and am for sure continuing this practice with this group in February.
This practice has been really wonderful! I signed up with the intention of regrounding and refocusing my days from the very start. Working from home has thrown off my morning routine, and even almost a year in, I'm still searching for what to do with my time before work. This practice has been the perfect fit. I feel more grounded, calm and ready to take on whatever challenges may come my way. I've truly enjoyed every day, and appreciate the community the group has formed. And of course, Julie is an awesome teacher! Highly recommend trying this out!
Even though I am not typically an early riser, I decided to challenge myself to try Julie’s daily early morning ritual, aiming to try something new, experiment with a new routine, and establish a deeper, more consistent meditation experience than I typically would do on my own. Waking up every day this month to the grounding rhythm of morning ritual, lighting a candle, and feeling the presence of the virtual group, has transformed my mornings into peaceful and introspective moments to truly support and provide foundation for the day ahead.
The gentle movement and powerful breathwork build up to leave me in a state of bliss at the close of the session, as I open my eyes to catch the sun rising, then enjoy a cup of tea, easing into the day rather than plunging straight in. It has also seemed to help make my digestion more regular and open up more space for journaling, reflection and manifestation. I have learned and experienced new technologies that I will be able to take and build on for my own morning ritual. Thank you Julie for offering this experience.
From a passage of one of my favorite books. This passage resonates because I believe in my bones that each of us is here on purpose. And that purpose is not a job, though that can be one amazing expression of purpose, there are many. Purpose in my experience is understanding that we are each expressions of the divine, longing to express, create and receive love in the world. I believe when we have a daily rhythm of connecting to the divine place within, more opens up than we know is possible.
For millions of years, before you arrived here, the dream of your individuality was carefully prepared. You were sent to a shape of destiny in which you would be able to express the special gift you bring to the world. There is a unique destiny for each person. Each one of us has something to do here that can be done by no one else. It is in the depths of your life that you will discover the invisible necessity that has brought you here. When you begin to decipher this, your gift and giftedness come alive. Your heart quickens and the urgency of living rekindles your creativity.
You can awaken to this sense of destiny and come into rhythm with your life. Rhythm is the secret key to balance and belonging. It is a rhythm of dynamic equilibrium, a readiness of spirit, a poise that is not self-centered. This sense of rhythm is ancient. All life came out of the ocean; each one of us comes out of the waters of the womb; the ebb and flow of the tides is alive in the ebb and flow of our breathing. When you are in rhythm with your nature, nothing destructive can touch you.
from Anam Cara by John O’Donohue