Julie Murphy

Julie Murphy, who publishes as Yogaressa, is a Florida-based teacher whose work centres on Yoga Nidra, the guided practice of 'yogic sleep'. She spent many years as a technology executive working across Africa, Europe and the United States, where yoga and meditation kept her steady. She began teaching in 2007, the same year a first teacher training in Austin, Texas, introduced her to Yoga Nidra. Later studies took her to an Anusara immersion in Sarasota, a 300-hour training at a school in McLeod Ganj in northern India, the Divine Sleep method with Jennifer Reis, and a 200-hour Yoga Nidra immersion with Swami Yogaratna at an ashram in Gokarna, rooted in the Satyananda tradition.

She presents Yoga Nidra as more than a way to drift off: a structured journey through the layers of awareness, guided by a heartfelt intention, or sankalpa, that can open the way to insight and change. Her free recordings on Insight Timer reach a large audience, and her albums are on streaming services. For students who want to go further she runs a self-study Yoga Nidra Essentials programme and a 35-hour certification, both recognised for Yoga Alliance continuing education. Since 2015 she has also co-led small yoga and meditation retreats with her friend Karen in countries including Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Italy, Peru and South Africa.