Julia Grace Vishnepolsky
Santa Monica, CA
Julia Grace Vishnepolsky, M.A., R-DMT, is passionate about helping people find trust, flow, and meaning in their lives in ways that are creative and embodied.
She has dedicated the last 12 years to studying the nature of human behavior with deep exploration on the role of the positive psychology, mindfulness, embodiment and creativity in helping human beings thrive.
Julia specializes in creatively helping people learn practical skills to increase resiliency, reduce stress and anxiety, and become more present, fulfilled, and at peace with their life.
Julia is a registered Dance Movement Therapist with the American Dance Therapy Association and holds Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy and Dance Movement Therapy from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA.
When did you take your first Qoya class? In the beginning of 2011, at the opening of Dara Cole's Sacred Studio in Brooklyn, NY. I can still see the set up of the room, with candles and rose petals everywhere! I realized at my first class that this wasn't just another dance class, but truly an experience of healing, transformation, connection, and sisterhood.
What does it mean for me to teach Qoya? For me, teaching Qoya means helping women come together. Come together to share authentically themselves, to feel, to heal, to trust and to be embodied. It means providing a space in which women can feel comfortable in their bodies and connecting with other women. It means holding a safe space where women can slowly begin to discover and speak their truth, shed what is blocking them to believe in themselves and step fully into their power.
What is your favorite song to dance to right now? I just moved cross country and there was a lot of movement happening, so I am finding Kirtan and grounding songs really comforting. Some that come to mind is Hari Om, devi prayer, and heal this land by Tina Malia.
What book has inspired you on the path to embodying the feminine? Honestly, I'm not even just saying this, but Rochelle's Qoya book -A Compass for Navigating an Embodied Life that is Wise, Wild and Free is phenomenal. I love that she so authentically speaks her truth and it is so easy to resonate with (and is funny). I also really value experiential learning and her book offers experiential to do individually and in community. Prior to her book coming out, the book that comes to mind is Eat, Pray, Love.
What would you tell someone who is thinking of taking a Qoya class? Yay!!! So excited for you to experience this magic, and welcome to the powerful community of some of the most amazing, conscious, supportive women you have ever met.