Julia Sims Haas

Julia Sims Haas began her yoga journey while in college. She found that yoga not only relieved stress and helped heal a back injury, but affected her in deeper ways as well. After experiencing the benefits of yoga inside and out, Julia wanted to share the practice with others. Upon moving to Columbus in 2003 she enrolled in a teacher training program, focusing on Ashtanga yoga, and received her first 200 level certification. After teaching full-time in many different environments and working with all levels and abilities of students, she developed a desire to better reach students struggling with illness and injury. In 2005 Julia received her 200 level Hatha yoga certification through Yoga on High. Considering herself a lifelong student, she completed a 500 level certification program and went on to qualify as an experience teacher by Yoga Alliance standards. Many great teachers such as Paul Grilley, Tim Miller, Cyndi Lee, David Swenson, and John Friend have influenced her personal yogic journey and teaching style. Julia also enjoys teaching yoga to teens, kids and babies. She sees children as natural yogis and finds inspiration in their honesty, energy and creative spirits. She certified with YogaKids® International in 2006 and Itsy Bitsy Yoga® in 2008. Through teaching moms and babies together, she continues to be amazed by the bond they share and looks forward to experiencing that in her own life. Through a strong personal practice which includes both the Ashtanga Primary and Second Series as well as a variety of Hatha and Vinyasa variations, Julia continues to explore and enjoy all the openings that yoga can create, in the body, mind and heart. Her approach to teaching reflects a sincere concern for each student and is expressed by Julia’s emphasis on promoting self-love and compassion while encouraging her students to challenge themselves. Off of her yoga mat Julia enjoys knitting, movies and spending time with her loving husband, Chris.