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Building Community & Resilience Through a Yoga Practice

Building Community & Resilience Through a Yoga Practice

Daily Practice Inspiration Yoga

Simple Ways to Overcome Your Barriers to Socialize

Three years into the pandemic, many of us are still struggling to find our “new normal.” The way that we live, work, and socialize has completely changed, leaving many of the community aspects of life behind. 

Earlier this year, Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor and PhD social scientist, wrote an article called, “How We Learned to Be Lonely.” This article articulates the way so many of us have been feeling lately, but maybe haven’t been able to put into words. He brought up a lot of important points that got me thinking about the importance of community and how that relates back to my own yoga practice. 

Why Have We Become Hesitant to Socialize? 

In the article, Brooks explains that community can be healing after experiencing times of crisis. However, in the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw the opposite happen as isolation forced people into their own bubbles forming what he calls, “habitual loneliness.” 

He goes on to say, “If you’ve sought remote work instead of in-person work out of convenience, chosen one-to-one activities over group activities out of awkwardness, or have chosen not to reconnect with old friendships out of sheer numbness, you may be stuck in a pattern of learned solitude.” 

It’s hard to break out of patterns of isolation because loneliness affects executive function,  which are the skills needed to make a phone call, reach out to a friend, or make social plans. That’s why you may feel lonely, yet struggle to make the first step to reach out to your community or social circle. 

Getting Back into Community Spaces  

Why is it so hard to try new things and go back to doing activities in real life? I found myself having a hard time getting dressed, packing a bag, getting out the door– all things I did daily when I worked in an office. 

It turns out that the uncomfortableness we feel when trying something new is just a muscle we have to exercise. The more we do it, the more it will be good for us. 

Brooks offers some advice to overcome the uncomfortable obstacles of socializing more or trying a new activity outside the home. Similarly to building a muscle, he compares it to starting a new exercise routine; it’ll be uncomfortable at first, but you will feel better afterwards: 

“To break the cycle, you may need to try a “countersignal” strategy. Your indolence is probably telling you that getting dressed and going to work will be a hassle, and asking someone over to dinner will be awkward. You should definitely do these things. Think of it as starting an exercise routine after a long period of sedentary life (another common COVID problem). At first your system complains bitterly, but as you push through the discomfort you soon find that you can exercise (or socialize) easily because it has become routine and because you can feel it improving your life.” 

How I Found Community Again Through a Yoga Practice 

One way to build this new social “muscle” is to add classes or activities outside of the house into your weekly schedule. This past year, I started going to yoga classes in the evening,  which is the perfect transition from work. Yoga classes or any other type of workout classes are a great activity because they check the box of exercise, socialization, and community all in one.  


It was a welcomed positive change in my life, as I felt the isolation and sedentary lifestyle of long working hours affecting my life and energy. Taking one hour to be completely present without technology and constant notifications can do wonders for your mental health and overall stress levels.  

Tips for trying a yoga class with image

Are you looking to try a new yoga class but don’t know where to begin?

Here’s some tips for getting started:

  1. Look for small group classes:  If you don’t like the idea of a large group, try looking for small group classes, as they can be more accommodating to the individual. 
  2. Arrive early and lay/sit with eyes closed or socialize with others: Do you want to be in a group setting but are not ready or wanting to socialize? It’s okay to set up before the beginning of class, either sitting or laying on the floor with our eyes closed as other participants enter and set up. Your teacher and others will know to leave you space before class begins. 
  3. Meet the instructor beforehand: If you have any questions or special accommodations, it might help to meet the instructor beforehand. This can help put you at ease and make you feel more comfortable before the first class. 
  4. Take a friend with you: It’s always easier to try new things in pairs. Grab a friend and try out a new class together. 
  5. Try just one class to start: Tell yourself that you’ll just try out one class. The first step to starting a habit is showing up. 

Try out these tips and see how it goes. You can also set weekly goals to try new activities until it becomes second nature again. No matter how busy life gets, we have to remember that social interaction and community are essential to our well-being. 

After laying out some actionable plans, Brooks closes out the article with a great reminder that we can learn from:

If you can remember the warmth and happiness of your old social self and make a few changes, 2023 can be a year of renewal.”

Attend Small Group Yoga Classes in Boise, Idaho 

Are you local to Boise, Idaho and looking to start a yoga practice? Julie Watson Yoga offers small group classes and private sessions at her yoga studio space to help relieve stress, build resilience,  care for acute and  chronic pain, and support neurological conditions and disorders. She also offers virtual sessions for those located outside of Boise. Reach out for a free consultation or book a class today. 

Cucumber, Radish and Snap Pea Salad

Cucumber, Radish and Snap Pea Salad

Nourish

This is a vibrant vegetable salad that’s full of texture and a great pairing with many proteins or cold noodle dishes. (Try with the Mint, Cilantro and Green Onion Soba Noodles.) It tastes great fresh. If eating as leftovers the next day, keep in mind that the next-day vegetables will taste pickled with the dressing combined. I like this salad with a bigger sour and astringent taste of vinegar. If you’re sensitive to vinegar, try adding half of the quantity first and adjust to taste.

  • ­­­­1 medium cucumber
  • 1 bunch radishes
  • 1 1/3 lb snap peas
  • 1/8 cup sesame seeds
  • 2 Tbs rice wine vinegar*
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Lightly toast sesame seeds on low to medium heat stovetop, tossing often, until golden. Set aside to cool.

Trim peas as needed. In a medium saucepan, cook peas in boiling salted water for 30 to 60 seconds. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop peas from cooking.

Peel and deseed cucumber. Halve cucumber and radishes and cut unto ¼-inch thick slices. Cut the larger peas in half.

Combine vinegars, salt and sugar in small bowl. Stir until salt and sugar dissolve.

Toss vegetables, vinegar mixture and sesame seeds in a bowl. Salt and pepper to taste.

*If using seasoned vinegar, the additional salt and sugar may not be needed.

Soba Noodles with Mint, Cilantro & Green Onions

Soba Noodles with Mint, Cilantro & Green Onions

Nourish

Soba Noodles with Mint, Cilantro & Green Onions

As the weather start to heat up, I like to cook simple meals. I found a soba noodles recipe and modified it below to my liking. Mint and cilantro are two favorite herbs that add a stimulating and cooling, respectively, effect to meals. They worked perfectly with this dish.

I paired this with the Cucumber, Radish and Snap Pea Salad (shown in photo.) If I were to pair the noodles with something less sour and astringent, I would add rice vinegar to the noodles. I’d start with a tablespoon and adjust from there.

  • ­­­­10 oz soba (buckwheat) noodles
  • 2 Tbs avocado oil
  • 2 Tbs soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 ½ tsp sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup fresh mint, chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 cup green onions, thinly sliced
  • freshly ground pepper to taste

Cook noodles in boiling water until just tender, about 4 minutes. Drain immediately in colander under cold water to stop noodles from cooking. Drain well. Place in refrigerator if you are preparing ahead of time.

For dressing, whisk together avocado oil, soy sauce, sugar and salt until sugar and salt are dissolved. Taste and adjust as needed.

Toss noodles with dressing, mint, cilantro and green onions. Add pepper to taste.

Kohlrabi and Baby Leek Soup

Kohlrabi and Baby Leek Soup

Nourish

My husband and I were at the Farmers Market. He wanted kohlrabi; I wanted baby leeks. I thought I’d make a soup with both. That’s essentially how this recipe was created.  And while the recipe is written for kohlrabi and baby leeks, there are some alternate ingredients included below. When visiting friends in Seattle and wanting to make it for a dinner party, kohlrabi and baby leeks weren’t available or in season. So, I used what was at hand locally and in my friends’ pantry. I know you aren’t supposed to experiment when cooking for others but I made a rutabaga, which I’ve never cooked but is from the same brassica family, and leek soup. Both soups were equally delicious and didn’t disappoint.

The flavor profile using kohlrabi versus rutabaga is mildly different – hints of sweet, peppery broccoli stem versus bitter turnip. And, the kohlrabi will create a slightly thicker soup. Pick your desired combination and enjoy!

  • 5 Tbs unsalted butter, separated, plus more for flavor if needed
  • 4 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 bunch baby leeks* (about 5-6) chopped; use entire leek
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 small to medium kohlrabi,** greens and stems removed, cut into ½-inch chunks
  • 1 medium Yukon potato, peeled and cut into ½-inch chunks
  • 5 cups stock (chicken or vegetable)
  • Aleppo pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3-4 sprigs of thyme, plus extra for flavor or garnish
  • Salt and pepper
  • Pecorino Romano cheese,*** grated, for garnish

Heat 4 Tbs of butter and the olive oil in a large pot on medium heat, melting the butter until it is slightly foaming. Add baby leeks and onion and cook until the onions become slightly translucent, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add thyme sprigs and 3 generous pinches of Aleppo pepper. Reduce heat slightly and cook until leeks or onions just start to caramelize.

Add kohlrabi, potato and 1 tsp salt. Return heat to medium and cook about 5-7 minutes.

Add stock and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until kohlrabi and potato are tender.

Remove pot from heat and discard bay leaf and thyme stems. Purée mixture with a hand blender until smooth and creamy. Add stock to thin or cook longer to reach your desired consistency. Taste and add chopped thyme, Aleppo pepper, salt and/or pepper to adjust seasonings as needed. Butter can also be added if desired (which I did for the rutabaga variation.)

Return pot to heat and cook on low until ready to serve. Garnish with Pecorino Romano and thyme. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 3-4 dinner portions or 6-8 side portions.

Alternative Ingredients (interchangeable for one or all of the above):
* 2 leeks, white and light green portions only, chopped
**1 large rutabaga, peeled and cut into ½-inch chunks
*** Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated

Relax, Restore, Recharge Wellness Event

Relax, Restore, Recharge Wellness Event

Wellness Workshop

Relax, Restore, Recharge 

Start the New Year with restored energy, relaxation, & balance 

Are you looking to rejuvenate and recharge for the New Year? Join us at an in-person yoga wellness event at the Healing Arts Collective in Boise, Idaho where you can spend two hours focusing on relaxing your mind and body. You’ll leave this workshop feeling balanced and ready to start 2023 with renewed energy. Class sizes are limited to 5 spots to leave room for personalized attention and all levels are welcome to attend. 

Yoga Wellness Event in Boise 

When? Saturday, January 21st 1-3pm

Where? Healing Arts Collective at Bown Crossing

3046 S Bown Way, 2nd Floor, Boise

Cost: $50

Yoga Workshop Flyer

Nourish Your Mind & Body 

Take your health and happiness to new heights in the New Year! Unwind from the holidays, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and rejuvenate to return to the healing rhythm of the season and your body. In this two-hour yoga workshop, we’ll nourish the body with a blend of warming releases, gentle twists, supportive heart-openers, and guided meditation to promote a healthy and healing mind-body connection. We’ll follow the practice with tea to detox and ignite digestion. Together let’s celebrate a new, balanced you.

Reserve Your Spot Today  

The class is limited to 5 spots. Registration is required in advance. For bookings, contact Julie or

Book an appointment with Personnel Calendar using SetMore

If you’re looking for a nurturing and healing yoga studio in Boise, I’d love to have you join us for this event. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year! 

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Testimonials

  • "Julie is an incredible teacher. I began taking her classes when trying to gain strength and balance again after a knee surgery. I found her classes to be extremely helpful throughout my journey to feeling like an athlete again. Fast-forward years later, my new goal was staying present, strong, and healthy throughout my pregnancy. Julie’s classes helped me stay in a positive mindset and maintain strength despite a complicated pregnancy. The core and breathing exercises she shared with me ended up being so incredibly helpful in labor and post-birth recovery. She was very knowledgeable in poses that would benefit my body, especially those to help regain control of my core mindfully. We moved right before the babe was born, I only wish she would come down to San Diego to teach!

    Brooke V.
  • "Julie has been one of the best yoga instructors I have ever had. I have started practicing yoga with her following a back and wrist injuries. I have attended her classes as well as one on one sessions. I couldn't have been more satisfied. Julie teaches with a lot of kindness and generosity. She has shown me how to listen to my body at every pose. She always adapts her teaching to each person, even when in a class setting. When it comes to my injuries, Julie has helped me develop a training plan to improve healing and avoid future problems. I strongly recommend Julie. She is an incredible teacher.

    Elie M.
  • "If you're looking to make a positive life change, you must work with Julie! I've taken both group yoga classes and private yoga therapy sessions with Julie in San Francisco. She worked with me 1:1 to help me deal with chronic pain and fatigue caused by scoliosis. If you deal with chronic pain, I highly recommend trying her private sessions. I am able to use the techniques she taught me in my everyday life and have noticed a huge improvement in my pain and stress levels. She's also an excellent teacher and is equipped to help you through some of life's toughest challenges through yoga therapy and breathing techniques. Her calming techniques and her ability to listen are truly life changing when it comes to reducing stress and making wellness a bigger focus in your life. She can also work with you virtually, which makes it easier than ever before to book sessions with a busy schedule.

    Allyson L.
  • "Julie has an infectious energy she carries with her wherever she goes. This is essential as an instructor, especially for those that rely on her to disconnect from the stressors of everyday life outside of yoga. As a local Doctor of Physical Therapy, I recommend her to my patients, especially those that appreciate attention to detail and value nurturing instruction.

    Kevin F.
  • "My wife and I were very new to yoga when we found Julie. It’s now been about a year and a half that we’ve been doing private sessions with her twice a week – and it’s been great. Our sessions vary each time, so we are exposed to different positions and movements and it keeps it new and interesting. She has always given thought to planning what we will do and takes into account our recent practice, what we’ve expressed interest in, and other factors like whether it’s early in the morning or at the end of a long day at the office. We always feel great when we are done and we look forward to maintaining our practice and improving our strength, flexibility, and general mindfulness about how we carry ourselves throughout the day. We have many other positive things to say, but to state it briefly: based on our ongoing experience we can wholeheartedly recommend her to others like us who are relatively new to yoga.

    Andy
  • “I work with Julie 1:1 about once a week for private sessions. She's been an incredible teacher, and she's funny and kind on top of that. She spent the first couple of weeks working on correcting my form, which has been totally transformative to how I feel. Her background in PT and Ayurveda combined with her knowledge of yoga is incredibly valuable. She coached me during a health setback, researching and tailoring the practice to my needs. And now that I'm feeling better, each session feels tailored to where I want to build strength, and I keep getting stronger. My session with Julie is one of the highlights of my week.

    Erica K.
  • "I have been seeing Julie for private sessions for about 3 months now. I first met her when I took her Vinyasa class at Union Yoga, and really liked her teaching style. Since I’m a beginner, I wanted (and needed) one-on-one instruction to learn how to practice yoga. Julie is a knowledgeable and fun teacher. Not only can she demonstrate how to do poses, she also provides clear and precise instructions on how to do them. In my experience, not every yoga teacher has the ability to do that well. Julie also is really good about hands-on adjustments, which I like because it helps me to understand how to get into poses. I’ve seen real improvement in my practice since working with Julie, especially in my strength and flexibility. I highly recommend her as a teacher!

    Beatrice
  • “The moment we contacted Julie Watson for corporate yoga lessons literally changed our lives. She is a true professional who is warm, patient and empowers her students to feel confident and comfortable at their own level of yoga practice. Our small office consists of six staff members who’s age ranges from 18 through 60 years old, and four of the six had no prior yoga experience. Julie patiently corrects our form and makes adjustments to sessions based on unexpected injuries or limitations. She provides the expertise to enhance our well-being and contributed to our weight lifting and cardio performance. Since she has come on board, we have noticed significant improvement with balance, flexibility and coordination. To learn yoga from Julie is truly a gift!

    Judy
  • "Julie has a thoughtful and intelligent teaching style. I always feel that she is taking care of me, even in a large class. She has a great depth of knowledge and understanding of the body and it shows in her sequencing and cues. Not only do I feel great after her classes, but I always discover something new about a pose. She also has a genuine warmth and you feel it. I recommend Julie highly for your yoga practice in San Francisco!

    Susan G.