Blog

Julie Featured in Fierce / Calm

Thank you to @fierce_calm for sharing my story! I’m proud and honored to be one of your featured survivors.

*Trigger Warning*


“In times of trauma, like a sexual assault, you don’t think clearly and you don’t file memories correctly all the time. There are things I can’t remember — and things I’ll never forget.”

Meet trauma informed yoga teacher Julie Grossman sharing her #yogasavedmylife story with us. These are her words.

“I remember what I was wearing — a baggy sweatshirt, and jeans. It was a weeknight, and we were going to watch a movie. As I relaxed with my feet up on my friend’s couch, he brought me a tall, fizzy, orange-flavored drink. Then it’s all a blank — until I woke up later on his bed. He was on top of me. I registered what was happening, but paralyzed and terrified, I passed out again.


I drove back to my apartment later, called my parents, and moved home. The police wouldn’t even take my story. I talked to my therapist, and that was helpful, but I still struggled with anxiety attacks and bouts of severe depression. But then I found what would change me forever — yoga.


It started as simple exercises, then become a daily practice of meditation, mindfulness, spirituality, and reconnecting with my body.I hated my body — I wanted to escape it, to hide away and live in my head.

Trauma-sensitive yoga, however, teaches how to be gentle with yourself, to be in the moment, and find that comfort and healing once again. It was absolutely life-changing for me. I even reached a point where I was able to forgive my attacker, inside myself, and stop the cycle of hate. I studied TSY as much as I could, and became a certified teacher. Now I am thrilled to be able to help and guide other women on their own path to healing. I truly feel this is my purpose in life.

It happened to me too, like it happens to too many others. But nobody took anything away from me. I’m still whole and I’m complete. And now, with yoga as a tool and a lifestyle, I’m stronger than ever before. Julie

#FIERCECALM #yoga #survivor #abusesurvivor #traumayoga #traumainformedyoga #traumasensitiveyoga #yogaheals #metoo

The Lotus

For the International Day Against Violence Against Women, I’m sharing some song lyrics for “The Lotus.”

Please enjoy.

Alabaster white bud
Rooted in the mud
Waters from the flood
A lotus
Fragrance like perfumes
Petals like bird plumes
Tenderly she blooms
The lotus

Little sister, you’ll be alright
Just turn your face to the light
Roots in the mud mean you’ll grow just right
Little lotus

Emerging gently
Acquiescently
We gaze intently
At the lotus
Sweetly the earth sings
From the silted spring
Through it is a flourishing
Lotus

Little sister you’ll be okay
Turn your face to the light of day
You need roots in the mud to grow the right way
Little lotus

Yoga and a Pint Fundraiser for Gray Ducks

Making your weekend plans? Consider treating yourself to a yoga class and a pint for this great cause. I’m going to be teaching a beginners series for empowerment — to ground yourself and tap into your source of strength!

Gray Ducks brings yoga classes to domestic abuse shelters, youth prisons, and more. It’s a great cause and I’m excited to volunteer for them! Namaste!