The holiday season is over and somehow — for many bulldoggers, at least — it’s still winter.

Maybe you dig winter sports or happen to love chilly temps, or maybe you live somewhere where wintry conditions aren’t so brutal. That’s so great!

For everyone else, though, winter can be tough. The skies are gray, the heavy coats are getting old, and you might even be experiencing a touch of the winter blues.

Sometimes, all it takes to change your mindset (no matter the season!) is a fresh perspective, and one of the things we love best about being surrounded with a fantastic team of yoga-loving class leaders is the fact that we are always just a few seconds away from just that — a new perspective! Each of our leaders brings their own special vibe to their yoga practice and to our community as a whole along with bringing that same energy to our unique Boulder yoga classes.

Boulder-based leader Julia Turpin is no exception.

As we kick off 2020 here at bulldog, we are so grateful to have Julia to learn from.

She has a lot to teach — not only dance-fueled Boulder yoga classes, but as a generally cool human with an awesome perspective about so many things. (And don’t we all need a little more of that?)

Keep scrolling to learn more about what activates, invigorates, and exhilarates Julia.

What activates… Julia!

Hiking in the mountains!

I love getting out into the fresh air and resetting myself in nature. I grew up hiking in the Smokey Mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway and now try to hike the Flatirons here in Colorado in my free time.

When I was a kid, trying out a new trail was a normal family outing for us. When I was in undergrad at the University of Georgia, I worked in the outdoor recreation center and found joy in hiking and backpacking independently.

Now, living in Colorado, I look forward to hiking to the top of mountains and taking in the beautiful views whenever I can. Tackling a new hike is one of my favorite ways to reconnect with myself.

What invigorates me…

Dancing and yoga, which are two of the most important things in my life — and both have given me incredible opportunities, like dancing in the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show and leading classes at bulldog!

Both have brought me friends who are now more like family and have inspired me to heal others through movement.

Dance and Boulder yoga classes revitalize me and allow me to connect mind and body at crucial moments. Because of this, I found Dance Movement Therapy and am now pursuing a Masters of Art in somatic psychology (more specifically in Dance Movement Therapy) at Naropa University. I love teaching others and sharing my love for movement.

One day, I hope to have a nonprofit dance studio and mental health resource center so I can reach a plethora of people and pass on all I have learned to help others.

What exhilarates me…

A new challenge or adventure! Choosing to pack up my life, leave everyone I know, and move to the other side of the country when I came to Colorado was both terrifying and exhilarating.

I love tackling new things and giving myself a chance to grow. I know some of the hardest and most exciting moments in my life have shaped me into who I am today, and I’m so grateful for every opportunity I’ve had.

When a new experience comes my way or I find a new yoga pose or dance step that challenges me, I’m excited to dive in and tackle whatever comes my way!

Check out our Boulder yoga classes schedule to find out when you can practice with Julia next!

***You can get the bulldog experience anywhere, anytime with our online classes or via our app (App store | Google Play)! Don’t forget to subscribe to the bulldog blog so you can get e-mail notifications about every new post.***