I first met Julia Cobban when I was in grade 9. She was the new girl in school and everyone was curious about her. She was beautiful, quiet, and very kind. We quickly became friends and I enjoyed hanging out with her at lunch and on the weekends.
That was 18 years ago and while we don’t hang out at lunch anymore I love that we’re “Facebook Friends” and enjoy seeing what she’s been up to… it’s really quite inspirational!
So, let me tell you more about this cool chick I used to share lunchtime with:
Basic Introduction: Julia Cobban lives in Ko Tao, Thailand where she regularly practices SUP Yoga and teaches yoga classes. I’ve featured several photos throughout this blog just so you can see what I’m talking about! Not only is her physical discipline inspiring, but it’s also very artistic and beautifully captured via photography. The real reason though I chose to highlight Julia as an inspiration is because of the wisdom and insights she regularly shares in her classes and online.
For example, today’s was, “Julia – “Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly” – unknown.
Jami – “What are your recent accomplishments?”
Julia – “My most recent accomplishment was a Thailand yoga retreat that I organized and hosted alongside my very good friend and business partner Rachael Waring. One of our students Beth Kendall who came wrote two fantastic articles about the retreat, one for Yoga Magazine’s online blog and one for Health and Fitness magazine (online and print). That was more her accomplishment then ours, but was pretty great to be recognized for our retreat!”
Jami – Julia regularly posts inspirational quotes, sayings and thoughts on her blog and I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you throughout this article:
“She is a constant dreamer
A believer
A doer
She found what she loved
And she went after it
With a burning passion
Enough to light her
Soul on fire”
– beautiful words by #joyf
Jami = “What do you do when you’re not doing Yoga?”
Julia – “I go exploring on a stand-up paddleboard (which often includes yoga…), rock climb (which also sometimes includes yoga), hike, drink fresh coconuts, play guitar, drink Pina Coladas, cook, hang out with awesome friends, eat dark chocolate, drink red wine. And LOTS of handstands :)”
Jami – “Okay so tell us all about YOGA!”
Julia – “That’s a loaded question, there is so much to tell!
Yoga means “to yoke” or “to unite”. It is integrating body, mind and soul, practicing presence through awareness of the breath and our bodies. Using our physical bodies as a guide we learn to challenge ourselves, but to also be compassionate and know our limitations. As we grow and learn more about ourselves and what we are capable of, we begin to let go of our stories, and become empowered from within. We learn how to better deal with the everyday stresses and trials that life brings. Somehow all of the little things that bother us begin to matter less and less.”
Jami – Here’s another excerpt that Julia recently shared, “Beautiful words from my favourite yoga teacher @meghancurrieyoga The pressure to let go, perfect, succeed, overcome, be better and grow is high…nothing in nature blossoms as fast as we expect ourselves to. Let yourself take sweet time to blossom, digesting every rich experience along the way…especially the ones that you wish to hide from the most…let us not miss the real meaning of life this time around..pressure off, expectation dropping, ease coming. #meghancurrie #letgo #livefree”
Jami – “Tell us about Thailand. Why Thailand? How did you end up there?”
Julia, “I had been to Koh Tao on vacation a couple of times before and just fell in love with it. I had the opportunity to do some travelling, and since we had decided to do our next yoga retreat on Koh Tao I thought it would be the perfect first stop on my adventure. The day I arrived I decided I would stay, it’s just such a special place!”
Jami, “What is your favorite inspirational quote?”
Julia – “We must always welcome the end of all things. For sometimes knowing that nothing lasts forever, is the only way to fall in love with all of the moments and all of the people that are meant to take our breath away.” R.M. Drake. A beautiful reminder to stay present.”
“This is one of my favourite poems that I shared in class recently. I’ve had a few requests for it, so here it is:
Tragedies will always be found in the things we love. And if we are not willing to see the beauty in losing something that means the world to us, then imagine how terrible it will be to live for them. We must always welcome the end of all things. For sometimes knowing nothing lasts forever is the only way to fall in love with all of the moments and all of the people that are meant to take our breath away. #rmdrake #livefree #loveeverymoment”
Jami, “What’s a lesson you learnt from a time where you “failed”
After I did my yoga teacher training I was so excited to get started. I decided to quit my other job so that I could focus solely on yoga. I was a bit naive and I still had much to learn. After less than a year of teaching only a few classes a week, out of money and feeling discouraged, I decided to throw in the towel and find another job. This was the best thing I could have done. It gave me the time I needed to focus on gaining more knowledge and building on my own yoga practice. When I was ready and the time was right I began teaching again. Now I am happier than I have ever been, doing what I love and living my dream. I learned to look at my life as a whole and to see the positives in every circumstance (which is not always easy, work in progress). Every occurrence in your life is just a puzzle piece in a bigger picture. If you look at that picture you’ll usually find that all of the pieces fit together just the way they should to create something beautiful.”
Another great thought Julia recently featured, “Most of us say we have freedom but sadly this is society’s illusion. Most of us are stuck in cages with bars barely big enough for us to spread our wings. What is cruel is that we can see through the bars at those who are truly free. Free from limiting beliefs, free from insecurities that prevent them from chasing their dreams. It’s utter torture. We ask ourselves why are they free and I am not? Most of us will die never escaping. The sick thing about it all is that the cage is not LOCKED. All we have to do to be free is open it.”
Jami – “Who inspires you? Why?”
Julia – “That’s easy, my mom. She has always taught me to follow my dreams and live with an open heart. She is my BIGGEST supporter and I am so incredibly lucky to have a mom like her. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and although she’s not been well for most of my life, she has always kept a smile on her face, never complains and is just a bundle of love. Ask anyone who knows her and they will say the same. She inspires me every day.”
Jami – “What is one song that always makes you get up and dance?”
Julia – “When I need to shake something off I put “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine on full blast and dance/jump/twirl/flail around like a complete crazy person. It’s one of the best feelings in the world, and you feel amazing after. You should try it.”
Jami – I HAVE tried it, I LOVE that song. We regularly have family dance parties to it!
Jami – “Please finish this sentence, I think it’s important for children to connect with nature because…”
Julia – “They can play, explore, be curious and ask questions. Being outdoors gives them an opportunity to be stimulated by something other than television and video games and toys. They become more mindful and learn to respect the earth and all living things.”
Jami – Another finish the sentence, My favourite family adventure is…”
Julia – “The Vancouver aquarium. I took my nephew there once and it was wonderful to see the magic in his eyes, the curiosity and excitement.”
Jami – “My favourite solo adventure is:
Julia – “That depends where I am. Since I’ve been living in Thailand it’s going out for a stand-up paddle, in Bournemouth it was a long walk down the beach on the water’s edge, in Vancouver it’s a trail run or meander through the forest somewhere in North Van.”
Jami – It’s Girl Guide Cookie season! Do you like the chocolate or vanilla ones best?
Julia – “Wow, I haven’t had a girl guide cookie in ages! Hmmm, that’s a tough call but I’d say vanilla wins out for me :)”
To learn more about Julia Cobban and follow her https://www.facebook.com/juliacobbanyoga
Hello:
Embedded within your website is a poem/quote written by Lorraine K Mitchell.
Please read my story –
Inclusion of acknowledgement of Authorship of literary property
On Monday morning, October 23, 2000. I received an email from a friend.
It was those adorable baby pictures by the photographer – Anne Geddes.
I had needed and had been greatly supported in every way by my friends and my family during that period of my life.
I was extremely grateful and thankful that morning… so in honor of my love for my special friends who had stood by me, I wrote:
“I Believe Friends are Quiet Angels who lift us to our Feet when our Wings have Trouble Remembering how to Fly.”
And signed the quote Lorraine K Mitchell with the date and sent the emails to the three of them.
Within the the next few days every email I received from any and everyone had my quote attached to it, which shocked me to the utmost.
One of my friends said that I should be honored that so many found my words so beautiful and encouraging. I wept and grieved.
(I recognized the strength and value of the words God had given me that morning. And I felt as though I had lost my child to the world. My heart weeps for my quote daily because the world refers to me as unknown. But I am here. I am alive. And I desire for my words to know their mother. I am an artist.)
But, the very next year was nine-eleven… and my quote took on a new life of its own. It was posted everywhere, even in a half page article in a national newspaper accompanying a beautiful picture of a fireman with a nine-eleven victim. The image of an Angel stood just above them. The photographer received credit, but I was listed as anonymous.
I’ve been told over the years that I have the gift of the written word, although I couldn’t believe it. I shied away from the compliments.
On the other hand my child, my quote has confirmed the power of my gift over and over for the last 16 years.
But lately I’ve been troubled.
My child, my quote is being sold all over the internet in various forms, on small rocks, sliver jewelry, plagues, wall hangings, and on ugly t-shirts.
I’ve found organizations in and outside of the United States that are also using the quote. Associations, fund raisers, school teachers, bloggers have used the quote for their website titles, and two women have claimed the quote as their own. A song writing team has written a wedding song.
I’ve found My quote to be listed as the number one used quote on one website and as number 15 on another as the most requested and used.
And my quote has been used in the introductions and acknowledgements of over 26 books/text written since 2002.
Although, there is an author that I found that readily admitted the quote was forwarded to him in an email by his friend and he gave praise to the strength of the quote by the anonymous author.
But, at least he acknowledged what he knew of my quote’s lineage.
This Friday, I wept uncontrollably seeing it yet again flashed in my face. Now, I am claiming my child, my quote and bringing her home.
I am Lorraine K. Mitchell
I am a daughter
I am a mother
I am a cancer survivor
I am African American
I am an author.
I am the author/owner and have the legal copyrights of the quote(s) written on Monday morning, October 23, 2000.
No versions of this quote(s) may be used without the legal and written consent of this author.
“Versions 1 and 2”
“I Believe Friends are Quiet Angels who lift us to our Feet when our Wings have Trouble Remembering how to Fly.”
“I Believe (sisters, brothers, cousins, parents, grandparents, nurses, teachers, etc.) are Quiet Angels who lift us up when Our Wings have Forgotten how to Fly.”
Peace be with you all.
Please post my name as the author of origin.
Thank you
Peace be with you,
Lorraine
Hi Lorainne,
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention, we would like to rectify it. We’d like to connect with you to make sure that we give it the proper credit and any links if possible, and have your approval to do so. Can you email us at [email protected] so we can connect? Thank you! Jami