The Creative Altar is brought to you by Julie Gladstone (otherwise known as Jules),

Canadian Interdisciplinary artist, Alchemical healer, Reiki practitioner and Senior yoga teacher.

Hello, my name is Julianne and I’m based in Toronto Canada. I’m an artist working in painting, textiles, music and writing. I’m also the mother to a 5 year old daughter. I have an MFA from OCAD University and I am the curator and former director of Gallery 555 a contemporary art gallery and healing arts space that was located in downtown Toronto. I studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and ran an acupuncture practice for 5 years before pivoting to focus on my art career and teaching. Living Maps Alchemical Yoga, emerged out of this period of transition. When my daughter was born in 2019 and then the pandemic hit, I pivoted my studio into an online space where I have continued to offer my unique system of practice that I designed combing my training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chakra Yoga, Alchemical Healing and many years as a professional artist. All of my offerings flow and weave between realms to include the body dreamspace, energetic and spiritual maps, alchemy, lunar cycles, Tarot, essential oils and journaling. Overtime, I have come to see the many ways in which creative practice and alchemical healing overlap. I have been developing resources that address the full human experience: body, mind and spirit when working through common creative obstacles such as working through creative block and taming the inner critic and healing our inner child. I’ve come to see that these are deeply healing practices that aim to address the shadow aspect, so that we can shine brightly in our lives through the integration rather than rejection.

Julie holds certification in Yoga Teacher Training from the Chakra Yoga Centre, Victoria, BC, 2001, received her diploma of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine from Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine Academy in 2012 and is a registered (Inactive) member of the CTCMPO. Julie is also a Reiki practitioner who incorporates essential oils, flower essences, dream work and acupressure massage into her sessions. Julie has been a member of the alchemical healing community A New Possibility since 2012 with ongoing mentorship in Alchemical Healing with Lorie Dechar. She has studied Mindfulness Meditation with Sarah and Ty Powers, Michael Stone and Vipasana. Julie is a graduate of the Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design program at OCAD University (2022). Julie has taught yoga at the McGill Medical School and was the personal trainer for the McGill Woman’s rugby team in 2007. She also taught yoga to youth at risk and to teachers through the Montreal School Board. In 2010 Julie founded Starving Artist Yoga and established her commitment to offering affordable PWYC classes to Toronto’s creative community in various studios in the GTA. In 2017, Julie opened Gallery 555 a multidisciplinary art gallery, yoga studio and healing arts centre in the Annex.