ABOUT UMI YOGA
Umi Yoga, LLC, was founded by Julie Hayes, RYT 200, in 2025 with the mission to offer in-person and online classes for communities in Eastern NC, bringing people together for moments of peace, introspection, conscious movement, and connection.
Umi (pronounced “oo-me”) means 'ocean' or 'sea' in Japanese and 'mother' in Arabic. Besides being fun to say, the word carries deep symbolism in the yogic context. There are associated concepts of the sea of consciousness, diving deep within the self, waves, flow, fluidity, water as a life-creating and life-sustaining element, and water as synonymous with the Soul's power of love in yogic philosophy. Additionally, the beach and ocean are symbols of peace, tranquility, and calm across cultures--a place where we can find respite from the stress of daily life and engage in quiet contemplation.
The translation of 'mother' is meaningful as it relates to Mother Earth and the Divine Feminine, which are important concepts in yoga; the Divine Feminine is associated with the Earth, our connection to the physical realm, and the power of tuning into the body and mind. These deeply profound meanings converge in the simple but powerful word, 'Umi.'
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MEET JULIE
Julie Hayes grew up in Tarboro, NC, and is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) with the Yoga Alliance. She completed her training at Purple Blossom Yoga Studio in Greenville, NC, under the guidance of Noelle Whittington, E-RYT 500, with the Kunga Yoga School.
Julie is passionate about teaching holistic yoga practices and principles to help students find relaxation and nervous system regulation on and off the mat, as well as reconnect with their inner wisdom and the shared sacredness of all. Her classes emphasize flow-style sequences, body awareness, breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation, yogic philosophy, permissive language, posture options for accessibility, and encouragement to tune into the evolving needs of the body, mind, and spirit. She welcomes all experience levels.
Julie began practicing yoga in 2013 as the topic of her senior project at Tarboro High School, with a research focus on yoga's potential benefits for anxiety and depression. Her personal yoga practice remained a cornerstone of her physical and mental health as she navigated life's many ups and downs over the years, and after integrating the lessons of her training, she embraces yoga as a means for personal and collective spiritual liberation. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and also incorporates her psychology background in her classes, particularly through guided meditations. Outside of yoga, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Emory (big shoutout to him for this awesome website!), and two cats, Zelda and Louie, along with family and friends. Her hobbies include video games, anime, tennis, birdwatching, writing, and acting.
KUNGA YOGA
Julie received her training in Kunga Yoga, an open style of mind/body yoga with focused teachings on service (Karma Yoga). There is no particular style taught in Kunga classes, and Julie teaches a variety of class types. A portion of the proceeds from classes noted as Kunga Yoga classes benefit three primary non-profits: Homes of Hope Orphanages India, Farm Sanctuary, and Yoga Village. Learn more on the Kunga Yoga School website.
