Breathe Yoga & Essential Oils

04/08/2026

My dearest yoga friends,

I am thankful for every chance we get to step away from our day and on to our mat together, yet individually. With your help, we have created a space at Breathe Yoga to be calm, to be still, and to recharge our mind, body, and spirit. Together we can meditate on scripture, open our heart to see Jesus, move with the confidence of a child of God, and reflect in silent prayer.

The next series of Breathe Yoga classes is inspired by the armor of God as written in Ephesians 6.

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:14-17

​Join us for Christian yoga classes on Monday and Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. (CST) at 901 F Street, Fairbury, Nebraska; or let me know that you want the Zoom link to sign in live from wherever you are located. We will all get to enjoy this series of six classes on April 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, and 27. Fee is either $30 for everything (and includes free gifts!) or if life needs flexibility, I totally understand! Just drop in for class anytime for $8.

One more thing; I invite you to reach out to a friend and bring them to yoga. Who has been on your heart lately? Do you want to spend meaningful time together? Would yoga, prayer, and meditation be good for both of you? We would love to have you attend our Christian yoga classes.

Jesus first, yoga second,
Julie Petersen

PS During a previous Armor of God series, I recorded each class. I would like to offer these 14 classes for you to enjoy anytime from anywhere. For a suggested donation of $20, you will receive access to the YouTube videos. Simply comment on this post or sent me a message and let me know you want the Armor of God series. This would also make a wonderful gift! Please pray and consider who could use this in their life right now.

04/05/2026

Have you been to The Bean in Chicago?

03/02/2026

Thank you for following Breathe Yoga & Essential Oils. I know that your notifications can quickly fill up with advertisements from many businesses. I'm so glad you clicked on this one today.

Here is a YouTube link to a body blessing that I recorded during a live class last week. This is a Christian yoga nidra meditation. I hope you can settle into stillness and maybe even close your eyes for 16 minutes as I pray over you. Headphones may help quiet external stimuli. The video is not anything special nor creatively edited, so set down your device and simply breathe while we pray together.

While in the studio recently, we have been enjoying a series called Pray Like. Thank you to those who have joined us; we always have room for one more! We have already done 16 Christian yoga classes to pray like Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Samson, Ruth, Hannah, David, Solomon, Jabez, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jonah, and Habakkuk. Would you like to view the prerecorded classes? Simply contact me or fill out the Google Form link in comments and I will follow up with a YouTube link to an unlisted playlist (no sign in or passwords!) for you to participate on a schedule that works best for you!

On March 9th we will continue this series as we shift to the New Testament and Pray Like... Anna, Mary, Peter, Jesus, Stephen, and Paul. Along with meditating on scripture and echoing their prayers, we also emulate their postures of sitting, kneeling, standing, and lying down. Join us on Monday and Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. (CST) in studio at 901 F Street in Fairbury, Nebraska or live on Zoom. Just ask me for the Zoom link.

Now go ahead and take the time to listen to the body blessing.

This is a Christian yoga nidra meditation that I call a body blessing. We did this after a restorative practice and it is recorded live during a class. You d...

01/02/2026

What are your prayer requests for 2026? Feel free to reply to this message and I will add any petitions to my own prayers.

How can we intentionally deepen our prayer life this year? I would like to lead you not only in moving your body on a yoga mat, but also learning about prayers in the Bible and how they can guide our own prayers. In January, we will meditate on scripture and study the prayers of Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Samson, Ruth, Hannah, David, and Solomon. In addition, we will notice and emulate their postures of prayer whether seated, standing, kneeling, or laying down.

Admittedly, I am SO EXCITED about this new series of Christian yoga classes for us! During our two week pause from meeting together, I have been planning, praying, and preparing for our time together... soon! I miss you.

Breathe Yoga continues to enjoy gathering together in the chapel at The Baptist Church in Fairbury, Nebraska (901 F Street) as well as live on Zoom. Join us on Monday and Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. (CST). Let me know if you would like the link details for Zoom.

Pray like... will be an eight class Christian yoga series for January 2026. Join me on January 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 at 6:00 p.m. This series is $40 or you may drop in any time for $8.

If you prefer, either instead of or in addition to, you may purchase the unlisted YouTube link for my pre-recorded Christian yoga classes. I have six classes ready to send you for the postures of prayer. A donation of $20 is kindly appreciated.

You are in my prayers,
Julie

12/01/2025

To all of my yoga teacher friends,

Are you ready to deepen your own practice and strengthen your ministry? Is it time to get your 500 hour yoga teacher masters?! YogaFaith has a brand new (opened today!), fully online, training. This program is incredibly deep and rich. It has been my honor to contribute lessons to the trainings.

Sign up today to take advantage of Cyber Monday discounts.
https://yogafaith.org/?rfsn=8915236.bc19328

Let me know if you have any questions. Tell me when you sign up so I can be praying for you along this journey!

12/01/2025

The doors are now open to this brand new trauma sensitive training!

You do not have to be a yoga teacher to complete this training. Any teacher, parent, or pastor would benefit from completing this course that is now fully online!! In addition to contributing to the lessons, I have seen what is offered. It is truly incredible! I encourage you to sign up and make a positive difference in the world around you!

Click here to purchase. The price is discounted for cyber Monday.
https://yogafaith.org/?rfsn=8915236.bc19328ggviv

Reach out to me if you have any questions. Let me know when you sign up so I can be praying for you.

12/01/2025

Due to the slippery roads today, let’s stay home and stay safe and warm tonight. No yoga on Monday, December 1, 2025.

11/24/2025

Make and Take essential oils
Today I had fun creating essential oil gifts with a friend.
5 personalized roller bottles
2 personalized inhalers
2 personalized bath soak
23 lip balms (2 recipes: lime + spearmint, spearmint + eucalyptus)
6 body butter (3 Adaptiv and 3 sweet dreams)

Our home is aromatherapy!

Who wants to come to my house next and create personalized essential oils gifts?

11/12/2025

I love this! Check it out and let me know what you think.

I received yet another message this week expressing concern about Christians practicing yoga.

I understand where that concern comes from—truly. And for anyone who’s ever wondered the same, I want to share my heart behind what I do.

If you’ve ever attended one of my classes, workshops, or retreats, you know that it’s not about yoga in the cultural or Eastern sense. It’s about creating sacred space to move tension out of the body so we can be still in the Lord’s presence (Psalm 46:10).

Before I ever taught my first class, I wrestled and prayed over whether to even use the word yoga. But God made it clear: it’s not the word—it’s the heart and the focus behind it.

In every class I teach, people hear Scripture. They worship. They breathe in His peace. They pray. They meet Jesus on their mat. My mission has always been to help others make space for the Holy Spirit—to quiet the noise, release what’s been stored, and draw near to Him.

After 16 years as a trauma therapist, I know this to be true:
trauma lives in the body. Even when the mind forgets, the body remembers. Movement—yes, even stretching or yoga—can help release what’s been held so tightly that we can make room for healing, connection, and freedom in Christ.

And here’s what I also know: God designed our bodies to breathe, to move, to heal, and to connect—with Him and with others. Nothing was created without His knowledge. He is the Creator of all things, and He can redeem anything for His glory.

So why do we put Him in a box?
If God can speak through a burning bush, heal with mud and spit, and part the sea with a staff—surely He can use movement, breath, and stillness to reach the hearts of His people.

I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve watched people meet Jesus on their mat. I’ve witnessed tears fall as tension releases and hearts open. I’ve seen freedom and healing happen right there in that holy space.

If you’re coming from a place of concern, please know this: you are welcome here. God sees your heart. And He desires freedom, wholeness, and peace for all of us—mind, body, and spirit.

🕊️ “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17

11/03/2025

Our annual November yoga series returns! Thanks and Planks.

While we reflect on what we are thankful for, we will also be strengthening the entire body with plank pose! I am looking forward to apple crisp and pumpkin pie, but I also need to workout my core strength. This series of Christian yoga classes will offer six classes for $30.

Mark your calendar for the following dates:
Monday, November 3 at 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Wednesday, November 5 at 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Monday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Wednesday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Monday, November 17 no class
Wednesday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Monday, November 24 at 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Wednesday, November 26 no class

As always, you can join us in the studio if you live close! I'd love to see you at the Baptist Church Chapel (901 F Street, Fairbury, Nebraska). Or hop on Zoom and join us virtually. Let me know if you need the Zoom link.

Along with strengthening our core and working in plank pose through various yoga sequences, we will meditate on scripture, pray, and express gratitude. Come and see what Christian yoga can do for your physical and spiritual strength!

10/06/2025

Join us in October for this seven class series for Christian yoga with the theme Harvest of Blessing. Take time on the mat to nurture yourself, grow in your faith, move with gratitude, meditate on scripture, and trust that God wants you to harvest a blessing!

Galatians 6:9 reads "Let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."

I hope to see you at the Baptist Church chapel (901 F Street in Fairbury, Nebraska) or live on Zoom on Monday and Wednesday at 6:00 PM (CST). This series will be happening on October 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29. You may pay an $8 drop in fee or $35 for the series.

If Paul wrote us a letter today, he might say "Keep sowing goodness - the harvest of blessing is coming!"

08/03/2025

May I share something very special with you? I recorded my recent Christian yoga series and I have uploaded all four classes to YouTube! You now have FREE access to these four, one-hour classes right here! No login. No password. So roll out your mat and worship our Savior with me.

Are you in the midst of making important decisions? ALWAYS! This series offers meditation on Psalm 25 and accessible flows to anyone who has completed a beginner series. (I have one available! Let me know if you need that link.)

We meditate on Psalm 25 with a breath prayer as: Inhale: Oh Lord Exhale: I give my life to you. Are you facing an important decision? How do you know what Go...