Julianne recognized from an early age that her passions are gifts meant to be shared with people – as a pianist, an equestrian, and now a yogi. Julianne always envisioned herself teaching yoga someday, perhaps in retirement when she would be older and wiser! However, the events of 2020 catalyzed a profound shift in perspective and sense of urgency. With this newfound clarity, she recognized that it was time to begin. With a background in psychology and a career dedicated to service, Julianne approaches her teaching with empathy and a unique understanding of disability and resilience. Her focus has always been on empowering others, recognizing that she is just a facilitator humbled to witness another’s journey of growth and self-discovery.

She took her first yoga class in high school and was immediately hooked after experiencing savasana! Her practice has deepened and evolved over the course of nearly two decades, particularly during times of personal hardship. Julianne’s commitment to honoring the ancient roots of yoga while simultaneously “living as a normal person in suburbia” led her to complete the Pranakriya School of Yoga Healing Arts 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, enriching her practice and guiding her approach to sharing yoga. She is an aspiring Yoga Therapist and plans to launch the Sapper Spirit Foundation in the future to break down barriers to accessing genuine, in-person teachers spreading the Light of yoga and human connection to All Beings, Everywhere.

Julianne embodies a philosophy of "Choose Your Own Adventure," both on the mat and in life, and endeavors to impart this spirit to her students. Committed to fostering compassionate spaces free from judgment and dogma, Julianne gives students permission to explore their unique experience of yoga and receive their discoveries with curiosity and grace.

Viola’s yoga journey began in her mid-twenties while searching for an outlet to help cope with day-to-day stressors as well as the unique challenges brought by being a military spouse. She experimented with Chi-Gong, Tai-Chi, various breathing therapies, and even earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. However, it wasn’t for another 20 years until she tried Yoga and finally found what she was looking for. Her experience during her second practice was so profound she instantly fell in love with yoga and its healing power.

For Viola, yoga is more than physical exercise. It’s finding harmony within oneself through the synchronization of breath and movement. Building a bridge between body and spirit while finding acceptance and contentment within oneself and one’s life. This not only allows one to find pleasure and joy on the mat, but also in one’s day-to-day life. Viola is passionate to share with others how they can intertwine pranayamas (breathing techniques), asanas, and postures to keep the physical shell healthy while truly nurturing the soul.

The beauty of yoga is that it doesn’t only happen on the mat.  It can be practiced literally anywhere, which is why she fell in love with Pranakriya Yoga and its emphasis on the power of breath.

Yoga has become a constant companion in Viola’s life. As she learns more about herself through practice, she can feel herself evolve into a better version of self for her and others.

Viola earned her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification through the Pranakriya School of Healing Arts in May 2024.