Discover Your Freedom

Yoga is the commitment to become established in a state of FREEDOM

Hey there — welcome home!
This is an authentic space to slow down, breathe deeply, and return to feeling more like you.

Whether you’re here to deepen your practice, join yoga classes; online and in-person, a retreat, or explore teacher training, you’re in good hands.

With over 25 years of teaching experience around the world I offer an authentic, supportive approach to yoga and personal growth.

Come as you are. Leave feeling more like yourself!

ā€œAfter many years of not practicing yoga, increasing stiffness and a herniated lumbar disc, I summoned up the courage to phone Julie. I am beyond glad that I’ve treated myself to a weekly individual lesson. Julie has the rare skill of being able to listen, understand and produce a series of postures that are totally appropriate, just the right side of challenging & fun! Thank you Julie for all your encouragement, you really are making a difference. Sue ā¤ļøā€
— Sue Aitken
Kerala, South India Yoga Retreat
ā€œJulie is an amazing yoga teacher accommodating everyone and keeping the practice focused, calm and challenging for everyone. Great approach, explanation, adjustments.
She is loving and giving and lives yoga. The practice of intentions, non judgement and gratitude and being humble.
She is full of life and fun and grace
I have just been on a yoga retreat in Bali. It was in a beautiful, very comfortable exotic hotel Komune in keramas . She created a fantastic program, daily yoga, great food, a beautiful and purifying cleanse in a water spring temple, a bike ride through rice fields, small towns and temples, a massage, and time for yourself, so it was not too busy.
She respects culture and people.
She is a gem.
I would highly recommend a yoga retreat arranged and led by Julie. ..ā€
— Kae Bennett

If you’re new to yoga, you’ll be amazed by how it supports your physical health, mental clarity, and overall sense of wellbeing. Here are just a few of many benefits yoga offers.

Physical Benefits:

  1. Improved Flexibility: Regular practice helps increase the flexibility of muscles and joints, leading to better range of motion and overall improved quality of life.

  2. Increased Strength: Yoga poses, especially those that involve holding your body weight (like Planks, Chaturangas, Handstands, Backbends, Bird poses etc), help build muscle strength.

  3. Better Posture: Yoga encourages awareness of your body alignment, which can help improve posture.

  4. Improved Balance and Coordination: Many yoga poses require balancing on one leg or holding positions that improve stability. Balancing’s teach us to stay strong in our centre when life challenges present.

  5. Enhanced Breathing: Yoga teaches controlled breathing techniques (like pranayama) that improve lung capacity, oxygen flow and clarity of mind.

  6. Increased Circulation: The physical postures and breathing techniques can help promote better blood circulation.

  7. Pain Relief: Yoga can help alleviate chronic pain, especially back, neck, and joint pain.

  8. Detoxification: Twisting poses and deep breathing can stimulate lymphatic flow and aid in detoxifying the body.

  9. Cardiovascular Health: Some forms of yoga (like Vinyasa or Power Yoga) are great for boosting heart health by improving circulation and lowering blood pressure.

  10. Improved Joint Health: Many poses improve the range of motion in joints and can help prevent joint stiffness or degeneration.

    Mental Benefits:

  11. Stress Reduction: Yoga promotes relaxation through mindful breathing and meditation, helping to reduce overall stress levels.

  12. Improved Focus and Concentration: The practice of being mindful in yoga enhances concentration, improving mental clarity and attention span.

  13. Enhanced Mind-Body Connection: Yoga helps individuals tune into their bodies, promoting self-awareness and a deeper connection to oneself.

  14. Mental Clarity: The practice can help clear the mind, improving decision-making and reducing mental clutter.

  15. Increased Mindfulness: Yoga fosters a present-moment awareness, encouraging practitioners to focus on the here and now, reducing anxiety and distractions.

  16. Gives you a purpose!

Spiritual Benefits:

  1. Inner Peace: Yoga encourages quieting the mind and achieving a sense of inner peace and balance.

  2. Spiritual Awareness: For those who incorporate meditation and philosophical teachings, yoga can be a path to spiritual growth and enlightenment.

  3. Increased Patience and Discipline: The slow, deliberate practice of yoga cultivates patience and the ability to stay committed to personal growth.

Lifestyle Benefits:

  1. Better Sleep: Yoga can promote relaxation and calmness, which can help improve sleep quality and manage insomnia.

  2. Enhanced Digestion: Many yoga poses stimulate the digestive system and can relieve constipation or bloating.

  3. Boosted Immune System: Regular yoga practice can support immune function by reducing stress and improving circulation.

  4. Better Self-Esteem: Yoga fosters a greater sense of confidence and well-being, contributing to improved self-esteem.

Emotional and Psychological Benefits:

  1. Improved Mood: Yoga can elevate serotonin levels, leading to improved mood and emotional well-being.

  2. Reduced Anxiety and Depression: By incorporating mindfulness, deep breathing, and meditation, yoga can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

  3. Emotional Resilience: Yoga helps build emotional strength by teaching practitioners to respond calmly to stressful situations.

  4. Increased Self-Compassion: The practice encourages non-judgment and self-acceptance, promoting greater self-love and compassion.

As you can see, yoga is a holistic practice that combines physical movement, mental focus, and spiritual growth, making it an excellent tool for overall well-being.

A worthwhile investment don’t you think?

ā€œJulie Stephens has been my yoga teacher for nearly nine years! And, she is the best of the best. I’ve done yoga with many lovely teachers over the years, but her style and knowledge is beyond comparison. Anyone who has done a yoga class with her will know they have met someone special.
Julie planned a yoga retreat recently in Bali and I was lucky enough to attend. She used to live in Bali, so she knows the ins and outs of the area, the beautiful spots we would want to see and how to haggle a good deal.
She created a retreat that focused on yoga, meditation, cultural exploration and adventurous excursions. It was wonderful! It exceed my expectations and it has sparked my devotion to yoga. I met new people, I practiced yoga while staring at the sea and I meditated with the sound of birds and geckos in the background. šŸ§˜ā€ā™€ļø
I’m a business owner and Mom who needed a reset. I was exhausted, I was crabby and I had no discipline. This retreat has left me feeling refreshed and focused on my health. Even my two year old now knows that Mom needs time for yoga so she can stay happy and healthy.
If you’re curious about my incredible (and reasonable) yoga retreat to Bali? Reach out to @juliestephensyoga for more information - your mind and body will be eternally grateful.ā€
— Dana Hansen

Ways we can work together

  • Yoga Classes (Available Online)

    Classes are predominantly Vinyasa Flow and accommodate different levels of experience. I always like to encourage self-inquiry in my classes, to enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the body, mind, breath connection.

  • International Yoga Retreats

    New dates are set for 2026!

    Koh Samui, Thailand - 12th - 18th of July.

    Kerala, South India - 1st - 8th of September

    Journey to breath-taking destinations, connect with rich local culture, and deepen your yoga practice—all while making lifetime memories, friends, connection, and good times.

  • Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)

    New dates are set for 2026!

    Our next 10-day yoga immersion is set for 27th of February - 8th of March here in Nelson, New Zealand.

    200-hr and 100-hr Yoga Teacher training. Our Yoga Teacher Training/Immersion (YTT) provides a comprehensive curriculum that equips you with the knowledge and skills to become a confident and inspiring yoga instructor. Or like many, want the full immersive experience with no intention of teaching.

Free Online First Lesson.

Want some free tips? This full guide provides your first online lesson free.

ā€œWhen you touch one thing with deep awareness,
you touch everything.ā€

Thich Nhat Hanh

A beginners yoga series of 6 classes $45

Experiences: