Introducing Dr Julia Frearson, the Yoga Instructor & Clinical Psychologist Behind the Blackfriars Yoga Mini Retreats

This year, we have teamed up with the amazing Integrative Yoga Teacher, Dr Julia Frearson to bring you the chance to immerse yourself in self-care, peace and tranquillity at our beautiful Medieval Priory.

We caught up with Dr Julia with a few questions to help you get to know the person behind the sessions. Read on to find out how she got into teaching yoga, her teaching style and what you can look forward to at our yoga workshops. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Can you share a little bit about your background and how you got started with yoga?

I was first introduced to Astanga Yoga at the climbing centre in Gloucester in around 2009. It was offered as an adjunct to climbing performance. I quickly fell in love with the movement, which felt accessible and releasing (and good for my climbing skills) but also the peaceful nature of the class and the benefits of the quiet focus on breathing well and mindfulness that came with it. I was hooked from the beginning!

What inspired you to become a yoga instructor, and what keeps you passionate about teaching?

After this particular teacher moved away I connected with several other yoga teachers. It’s hard to believe now but there was not many teachers around - especially in Gloucester and particularly Astanga Yoga. I found three teachers and they all taught at the singular yoga studio in Cheltenham. This studio was small but had several other yoga classes available and I tried it all. The benefits for my complete bodymind were so huge that I basically lived there absorbing ALL the wisdom I could. My central nervous system - that had for my entire life been activated - experienced moments of peace and calm. I learnt ways to understand myself and my emotions that I had never been shown.

At the same time I was becoming disillusioned with the ways I was able to help people in my day job as a psychologist. The talking therapies I was allowed to use in the NHS just did not feel like they were connecting with people in the right way. I was encouraged by one of my teachers to undertake the training and I applied to Yoga Campus in London to begin their 200hr programme. It was an awesome and complete training led by some really advanced and experienced teachers.

I stay passionate about teaching because I have lived experience of the wider benefits of yoga but also because I see shortfalls in the standard information that people are given when it comes to coping with the ups and downs of being human. The eastern wisdom is magic and I think everyone deserves to own the spell book.

How would you describe your teaching style, and what can attendees expect from your classes? 

 Although the movement part of my classes varies depending on the focus of the class, the people in the class, the time of year and the style ( I teach Astanga, Sportsyoga and my own blend) there is a common thread.

I am inviting people to connect to their bodies and minds – which is often avoided, disconnected or obsessive.  As well as each other. I strongly believe in encouraging people to find comfort in challenge on the mat (not necessarily body based challenge) – so this might be by doing less than usual, breathing more mindfully, staying present, nourishing themselves, developing self compassion. Most importantly I want people to feel strong, empowered, healthy and in charge of themselves. I am driven to be part of a movement to improve the level of compassion in the world and so this is a string feature. Lastly everything I do comes with a light touch and A LOT of fun and laughter.

What can participants look forward to during the mini yoga retreats at Blackfriars Priory?  

Time, Connection, Peace, Nourishment, Learning and Freedom from demand. Blackfriars is such a historic and beautiful building that just being there invites a level of contentment. The little treats add a flavour of luxury and of course its always good to mobilise the body and cultivate a bit of loving kindness.

What do you hope participants take away from the sessions, both physically and mentally? 

I would love for people to take away some wisdom that enables living life with more ease and contentment. That might be about moving the body, breathing technique, lifestyle tweaks, mind based strategies for example. However just a memory of time  spent doing something nourishing for themselves and a bit of quiet time  - allowing the central nervous system to flex.

How does the location of the retreat of Blackfriars Priory enhance the overall experience of the participants? 

Blackfriars is such a peaceful, romantic, enigmatic space. Cosy in the winter and a garden of calm in the summer. Teaching there over the years has topped up my tank on many occasions. You can FEEL the history and you can HEAR the building whisper when we have quiet moment.

Can you share any personal practices or rituals that help you stay grounded and centered as an instructor? 

I have made so many changes to the way I live my life over the last 15 years. But I will share these within the workshops and retreats 😊

What do you think makes yoga such a powerful tool for transformation, both on and off the mat? 

Yoga is a way of life. It sounds glib but its true. Once you have this alternative way to look at the way you relate to yourself and others  - you cant stop the cascade. If you also put it in to every action yoga ‘rewires’ you at a neurophysiological level. I don’t mean the movements really – although the body and mind are one of course. I mean the attitude, mentaility, compassionate mentaility, the habits, the attentional control. Its hard to answer without writing an essay. But yoga brings the cessation of the busyness of the mind or yoga stills the mind – we all ned that don’t we since we are actually wired for ‘better safe than sorry’. That gets us in to all sorts of pickles!

Why is it important for people to take time for themselves and attend a session like this, especially in today’s busy world? 

Life is suffering! Modern life brings very little opportunity for connecting, nourishing and recovery. Our central nervous system gets stuck – which has obvious consequences for our emotions and behaviour and physical heath. Even if we just think a bit about the body – often we’re just sitting or we’re beasting it in a sport or hobby. Very few people move the body through full range of motion regularly.

10.What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about attending but hasn’t yet decided? 

Please come and give yourself space to grow. Learn something new, find some peace, connect to your body and mind. Move your body mindfully and restore some balance. I always  aim to create an environment that is welcoming and friendly where people can just be themselves – masks off! We all need that right?