somatic therapy

Jill Baumgardner, MA

Jill brings a clear, steady and compassionate presence to the classroom. Her classes are known for weaving challenging physical intensity with the development of mindful self awareness.  Jill gives practical, focused, and sensitive individualized instruction. Her skillfulness in adjusting and modifying poses empowers students to work safely and in a healing way with injuries and health conditions. She is passionately committed to turning people on to embodying spirit in their yoga practice and in their lives.

Jill has been teaching yoga for 6 years. She's assisted her teacher Ana Forrest in Hong Kong, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Having finished the coursework for a Masters in Counseling Psychology, with a focus in Somatics, she's pursuing the final leg of practicum with movement counseling. Jill has an infant son who is regularly around Kula.

Education includes:

• 2005: BA in Comparative Histories of Ideas, University of Washington
• 2005 & 2006: Forrest Yoga Foundational Teacher Training
• 2007: 200hrs Napa Valley School of Massage
• 2008: Forrest Yoga Advanced Teacher Training
• 2008: AcroYoga Teacher Training
• 2010: Prenatal Yoga Continuing Education, Seattle Holistic Center
• 2007-Present: MA in Counseling Psychology, Concentration in Somatic Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies

Additionally, Jill studied abroad to intern with the Ministry of Social Services and the Bicycle Empowerment Network in Capetown, South Africa in 2004, and, was a Teacher's Assistant in Auckland, New Zealand in 2005.

Her academic pursuits coincide with her love for rock climbing, cycling, and water sports.

Notably:

• 2001: 3 months in Western EU: Climbing and Language School in Nice, France.
• 2004: 7 months in South Africa: Climbing Champagne Peak, Drankensberg Range, Rocklands & cycling.
• 2005: 4 months in New Zealand: Climbing Mount Taranaki, Wharepapa, Taupo, Canterbury & cycling the north & south island.
• 2006: 6 months in Yosemite National Park: Climbing South Face, Washington Column. Tuolumne Meadows. Cycling and hiking.
• 2006: 4 months in Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Peru: Surfing Popoyo, Nicaragua. Mal Pais, Costa RIca. Mancora, Peru. Hike Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Peru.
• 2007: 8 months in Yosemite National Park: Climbing Tuolumne Meadows. Lost Arrow Spire & Tyrolean traverse. East Buttress, Mt Whitney, Cycling.
• 2001 - Present: Mountain Biking, Camping and Climbing the Cascades!

"It is my goal to stay connected with breath, options, and communication so that each exploration is robustly authentic"

To book an appointment with Jill, contact her at (206) 972-2999 or jill@kulamovement.com