A 200 hour-RYT through Yoga Alliance, Julie Leigh has been teaching yoga for 14 years and Pilates for four years. She has practiced yoga for 24 years, practiced Pilates for 14 years and has a background in gymnastics and cheerleading. A graduate of the Pilates Certification Program at Orange Coast College, Julie also graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia.

Julie has been fortunate to learn from teachers all over the world. She was originally drawn to yoga while she was living in London, far from a family support network and raising newborn twins. After a traumatic birth experience left her in the ICU, Julie needed something that would help her recover physically and mentally. She credits yoga for not only helping her build a stronger body, but also helping her experience increased mental clarity and mindfulness – striving to live each moment of life fully present and aware.

In addition to her vinyasa yoga training, Julie has completed a number of intensive college-level anatomy, physiology, nutrition, kinesiology, Pilates and sports medicine courses as well as yin yoga training with Paul and Suzee Grilley. She has studied yoga with notable teachers including Dharma Mittra, Kino MacGregor, Kathryn Budig, James Brown, Bryan Kest, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea, Matt Giordano and Diana Christinson. Julie was trained in mat Pilates, reformer, cadillac, Wunda chair, ladder barrel and spine corrector by experienced Pilates instructors and Orange Coast College professors Delyer Anderson Coffman and David McMahan.

Julie has a strong background in partner work. She cheered in high school and at the University of Virginia, and taught for Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) both in the United States and Japan. While working at an international public relations firm in Chicago, she also coached Northwestern University cheer and judged the national high school and college UCA competitions on ESPN. Julie has trained with some of the best acro and cirque performers in the country in acro and hand balancing, and she and her acro partner have taught workshops and performed exhibitions at various events in Los Angeles and Orange County. Acro yoga has challenged her to explore the boundaries of physical strength and flexibility, all while requiring the development of a deep trust and creative partnership with another person.