About Jules Wolf Stenzel, R.Y.T

I have been teaching Vinyasa yoga classes in Madison since June of 2004. In addition to Vinyasa, I have studied a variety of Hatha yoga styles including Bikram, Ashtanga, and TriYoga. I did my teacher training with Scott Anderson of Alignment Yoga and received my 200-hour teaching certification from Yoga Alliance in May 2005.

Always active in sports, I slowed down my high impact activities after the birth of my two daughters had an affect on my spine. Yoga has been an exciting path for me in understanding the body-mind connection. I have found, and continue to explore, that different schools of body movement can be integrated to enhance performance, ease of movement, and style in one's chosen activities, even if that is just toting the kids around or working at the computer. Yoga helps me to feel comfortable and at home in my body.

In August of 2008, I began my formal study of the comprehensive Pilates technique, mat and equipment, at Midwest Pilates Institute, the teaching school of Madison Pilates. I graduated from the 500 hour teacher training program in October of 2009. I am now Assistant Director at Madison Pilates, and I help to train the new students at the Midwest Pilates Institute. The Midwest Pilates Institute was a wonderful experience, furthering my study of movement and enhancing my ability to teach in many situtations. It has added to my knowledge of mind and body mechanics and given me new insight into the interplay between mobility and stability in the body.

I am also a student of many styles of dance, starting as a child with ballet and moving from very folky to extremely technical. Among my repertoire is English country dancing, English clog, Appalachian clog, Irish ceidhli, Irish step dancing, contra dancing, belly dancing and tap dancing. Recently I studied the Martha Graham technique of modern dance under Lisa Thurell and Robert Cleary, directors of Kanopy School of Dance.

In addition to dancing, as well as teaching yoga in various venues, I love swimming, biking, walking (with or without children and/or dog), running and kayaking. I will try (most) anything at least once. However, even after years of giving it a whirl, I still "throw like a girl" (which doesn’t mean I’m giving up). My other hobbies include sewing, gardening, painting, cooking, and performing. I have had many opportunities to perform and love doing so whether in a set performance or street theater. Given the chance to perform or take a break, I will always choose the performance.

I am an experienced teacher. I have taught cooking, Morris dancing, and Irish ceidhli dancing to adults (not at the same time), but my special love is working with children. I am continually amazed how much I learn from kids, including my own. I have taught children dancing, yoga, and environmental education and have tutored reading to first graders.