Navigating grief is HARD.
You shouldn’t have to do it alone.
Hi, I’m Julia. I became a widow back on September 1st of 2021 after my husband succumbed to his lifelong battle with addiction and died of an accidental overdose. The day he died, the woman I was in that moment in time died alongside him as well. I felt isolated, alone, shame-filled, as well as carried immense guilt for the way he passed.
All of these emotions melded together leaving me with a deep yearning for community, to find a sacred, safe space where I could share my truth. Where I could speak out loud all the dark, intimate, trauma-filled experiences I had walked through, and continued to wade through after losing my spouse. That in sharing I’d be met with understanding, not judgment.
I searched fervently for such a space, and when I couldn’t find the solace I was looking for, I began to share my story online. Speaking out about my husbands struggles, as well as what it felt like to loose him to this disease after years in recovery myself, I was desperate to find others who could say “me too” and share in their experiences with me, and before I knew it, so many of you found your way to me, ready to link arms as you exclaimed boldly “ME TOO!”
This is when the tiny ember of creating a container for all of us to come together in understanding and to find gentle healing slowly ignited into the flame I like to call
Surviving Stigma.
What You Will Find Here…
This is a 12 week live group container for any woman/widow navigating a loss that came from addiction. alcoholism, mental illness, suicide or loss that carries heavy misunderstanding/judgment/stigma.
We will gather weekly to share in our stories, dive deeper into the science and statistics behind addiction and mental health, as well speaking to the duality that comes along with a loss like this. Sharing about the secondary losses, the painful and confusing parts of grief and allowing all of us the chance to be seen and held.
We will learn ways to soothe our nervous systems, stay connected with our loved ones long after they pass and most of all, find a deeply rooted connection with those walking the same path as YOU.
Each session will start with a guided meditation to signal safety in the body and to ground you into the space, as well as ending each session with a gentle Somatic Practice to hold space for any emotion that may have arrived during our time together.
This is a safe space for you to share your truth without the fear of judgment or deep shame.
What The Woman Are Saying…
Sydney
"Julia created such a safe space not only to be heard and seen, but also to process the grief and all the changes in life in a loving and healthy way, through the incredibly helpful somatic practices she taught us each week.
This space allowed me to talk about things haven't felt comfortable talking about with anyone else (due to fear of judgment or just knowing that other people won't get it). The best part is that we have the tools we learned and the bonds we created forever.
Surviving Stigma has been one of the most helpful and transformative experiences in my grief and healing since losing my fiancé, Tyler. Although I have a great support system of friends and family, there is no support like that of someone who actually gets what you're going through from their own experience. Sharing the myriad of emotions with the other women in my cohort (even through the phone or computer screen) made me feel more understood than I ever have in grief."
Diana
“Julia was wonderful from my first interaction. When she talks with you, you instantly feel seen. Being a young widow is already such a small community but being a widow of someone who died in a stigmatized way is even smaller.
Julia created a space for others like me to meet weekly and connect. It was a life saver and just what my aching heart needed. I have found that connection with others is the key to surviving widowhood and Julia gives it to you on a silver platter.
She encourages you, shares with you, listens intently to your words, gets you thinking and feeling on a deeper level, and allows space for brokenhearted women to connect on the Internet.”
Leona
“I stumbled upon one of Julia’s Instagram posts shortly after I lost my husband in January of 2023 and it literally changed the course of my grief journey.
I work full time as a nurse, so my only concern is that I wouldn’t be able to attend the live sessions. Julia encouraged me to join, assuring me that I would be able to connect with others that understood my grief in a way I haven’t found. I trusted her, and boy am I glad I did. I immediately connected with the other women in the group via chats online. I watched the replays of each weekly session while working through the handbook, following the journal prompts and tapping into these deep emotions I was going through. I leaned on these women during difficult days and felt a very real, deep connection.
The meditations, conversations, somatic exercises, and community found in this container were worth my investment ten fold. I am beyond grateful for Julia and this sacred space she has created. It has forever changed my life and has been so instrumental in my healing.”
Candis
“I joined Julia's Surviving Stigma group as a recommendation from another widow/life coach that felt Julia would be a good fit for me and my grief experience based on what I shared about (my person) and how he died. Alcohol related, sudden, unexpected death.
Julia has created an amazing community of women experiencing stigmatized spouse loss related to substance abuse, suicide, and the like.
Julia's words are so kind, full of love, sincerity, compassion and so understanding of where you are at in your grief process.
This group has provided the safe, protected space I needed to open up and be vulnerable to all the grief feelings I am dealing with. I received so much validation, love and support from the other women in the group experiencing similar feelings with their own grief. This group has been so helpful, providing me to feel like I'm beginning to heal and move forward with my grief. I have been able to learn more of who I am now and what I want for me moving forward.”
What to Expect
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Week 1 & 2
These first two weeks will be about establishing safety and comfortably within the group. We will share our intention behind curating this space, what to expect over our 12 weeks together as well as giving everyone ample time to share a little about themselves and what brought them to this container.
We will open up about sharing our stories about love and loss and who our person was.
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Week 3 & 4
Week 3 we will continue on cultivating safely and connection through sharing our stories and getting to know one another more.
Week 4 we will navigate the science and statistics behind mental health, trauma and addiction, as well as what makes a stigmatized loss feel different. We will chat about why we may feel like “outsiders” in our grief journey, and the shame/guilt that comes along with the judgement that is tied to the way we lost our person.
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Week 5 & 6
Week 5 will be all around anticipatory grief and the challenges we may have faced in our marriage/relationships prior to the loss occurred. (ie: infidelity, trust issues, loss of self, codependency, divorce)
Week 6 we will continue on with grief topics, focusing on life after the loss. We will chat about topics such as how to continue on when life changes, secondary losses, duality of it all, losing friendship, family dynamics changing, solo parenting, money, how we support our grieving children etc..
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Week 7 & 8
Weeks 7 we will dive into exploring trauma, how it affects us, as well as nervous system regulation/support. I will give you some gentle, tangible somatic tools to aide in this as well. You will also receive recordings/slides of each Somatic Practice we move through.
Week 8 we will chat about our own personalized idea of recovery, healing and finding ways to tend to our trauma + experiences in ways that keep us accountable, but are also gentle and without force.
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Week 9 & 10
Week 9 We will also explore our emotions, such as anger/guilt/shame/blame and the idea of forgiveness. Diving into ways we can honor our grief and tapping into our heart chakra/heart space. I will guide us through a meditation to open our hearts as we experience the pain that accompanies our own personal grief journey.
Week 10 we will chat about how we rebuild after loss, discovering who we are now, and all the pieces that accompany this, like dating, working again, moving, or any other new experiences we may be currently navigating.
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Week 11 & 12
Week 11 will dive into ways we stay connected to our loved ones, talking about signs, continuing bonds, mediums, and ways we can allow our love to grow in death. Guest Speaker Megan Winfrey will join us to chat about mediumship and staying connected with our person.
In Week 12, we will wrap up our time together share any final thoughts, feedback, catch up and to chat about “what comes next…” in regards to support and staying connected.
What The Woman Are Saying…
Kourtney
“It was so helpful to relate to others who experience the same feelings within their journey. Talking about mental health and how that effected everyone really helped me feel less alone, because even though (my husband) didn’t have an addiction, I found that all of our partners suffered in the same way he did, they all dealt with anxieties and depression. I have shared things (in this space) that I have never shared before, I felt safe and seen within this group”
Sarah
“This program was a game changer for me.
I have gained a lot from other widow support groups on dealing with grief but hearing & forming relationships with others who dealt with more difficult circumstances helped me to become more aware and heal additional layers of pain & trauma. A safe place to share hard things without fear of judgement is the greatest gift ever.
I can't say enough good things about Julia's support, care and leadership!”
Jennifer
“Connecting with other widows has been my lifeline, but connecting with women like all of you who GET IT so deeply has been above and beyond that other lifeline. This has been the safest space I have been in in my life (…) my feelings and thoughts feel so held and safe here (…) I know I can share anything with all of you with zero judgement.
This space was what I needed and I’m so grateful I found it”
Jill
“I was originally concerned about spending so much money on this program. I have never done any kind of coaching or group therapy or whatever and I wasn't sure how helpful it would be. I was so so wrong! I feel so connected to everyone and understood and loved. I honestly would have paid 10x the amount I did if I knew how impactful and healing it would be! I think for many people it is a large investment and kind of intimidating to commit to but I can absolutely attest that it is worth it! I have truly made lifelong friendships and I am excited to see the women we all continue to grow into.”
The Details + FAQ’s
What’s the investment?
A single payment of $1997, or two payments of $1111, will get you direct access the 12 week live support container
**. there are many options to break the payments down even further (into 6, 12 or 36 payments) on the checkout page by using Affirm and/or Klarna.
What else does the investment include?
You will have direct access to a community chat board that will be held on the app, Slack, to keep up with the connections you make during our time together. You will also have access to this app indefinitely.
The price will also includes pre-recored Somatic Practices + Meditations, 2 opportunities to participate in optional Restorative Yoga Flows outside of our weekly sessions, access to a weekly meeting held on Wednesday’s for alumni when you finish the group, as well as a PDF workbook that you can utilize during our time together.
Please reach out if price is something that is holding you back. I am happy to work with you on this. I understand how this is a big financial commitment, which I do not take lightly, and I am more than happy to discuss options with you.
Please email me at julia@juliawarrenyoga.com to discuss any pricing restraints.
What if I decide to drop out, do you offer a refund?
Unfortunately, no. Due to the sacredness of this space and the container itself, the business and the overall integrity of the group, I will not be able to refund you. I am happy to answer any questions you may have before you enroll to make sure you are at ease with the decision and commitment you are making to yourself and to the container as well.
When do we start?
The course begins on October 2nd and will run each Tuesday at 11am CST (9am PST, 10am MST, 12pm EST) for 12 weeks.
If you can’t make it to the live container, that’s ok! You will receive recordings to keep for life and to utilize as needed.
How many women will be in the group?
We will cap the group at 10 women.
How long will each live group last?
I advise you carve out 75-90 minutes for our time together. This will be fluid, but we will stop at 90 minutes to be respectful of everyones time as well.
What do I need?
You’ll want to have Zoom downloaded on your phone or preferably your computer or tablet, as this is how we will meet live. You will want to download the Slack app if you feel called to connect with all of us outside of the weekly groups. As well as an open heart, a journal (or the workbook we will provide) and a quiet space where you can truly be present.
How can I ask more questions?
Simply email me at julia@juliawarrenyoga.com and I will get back to you with answers ASAP
Meet the Facilitators + Speakers
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Julia Warren
GROUP PEER FACILITATOR
Julia became a widow on September 1, 2021 when her husband, Doug, succumbed to his lifelong battle with addiction and died of an accidental overdose. This left her a solo mom of two young boys, with a deeply unregulated nervous system, a burning desire to live life fully in his absence, and a passion to help many women just like her along the way by sharing her truth and their story.
She is deeply passionate about speaking out about the intricate layers that come along with losing someone to addiction to help educate others and to soften the stigma, while providing a safe landing for those looking for support as they navigate stigmatized loss and widowhood.
As a 500-hour trauma informed yoga teacher with extensive training in guided meditation, energy work, yogic philosophy, as well as nervous system regulation + somatics, she helps her clients find healing by teaching them how to get in touch with their bodies, their emotions and the felt sense that lives inside all of us through gentle somatic work and support.
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Megan Winfrey
GUEST SPEAKER
Megan is a psychic medium and energy healer who works with grievers to connect them with their loved ones on the other side.
She came into her gifts in early motherhood, and has leaned into them as a gift from her high-power in order to help those of us left behind to heal, find meaningful connection and to bridge the gap between the world we live in, and the spirit of our loved one that is still very much with us.
She works with widows and grievers in all walks and also uses oils to help promote healing on an energetic, emotional and spiritual level.
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Lora Babb
ALUMNI SUPPORT
Lora lost her person suddenly and tragically back in February of 2022, leaving her widow and yearning for a group of humans who could understand what she was navigating.
She is an alumni from the first cohort of who offers such gentle, tender support to all the widows and grievers in her life, and is the warm and welcoming face to our weekly alumni meetings you will enter into after completing our 12 weeks together.
She is also a wonderful support in our Community Chat Channel in the Slack app we use for communication outside of our weekly seesions.
Disclaimers
Surviving Stigma is NOT a substitution for psychotherapy, I am not NOT a licensed therapist.
I cannot and will not offer medical advice.
To protect the purpose of our group, as well as guarantee the safety of each individual member I encourage everyone to seek out outside support for any issues beyond the objective of this group. This may include issues related to trauma, depression, addiction, suicidal ideation, and any other mental health struggles.
Other Helpful Recourses
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or SMS: 988
Find a therapist:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
Al-Anon Help for families and friends of alcoholics:
https://al-anon.org/
CoDa Codependents Anonymous
https://coda.org/
Alcoholics Anonymous
https://www.aa.org/
Narcotics Anonymous
https://na.org/
Big Book Awakening (AA, Al-Anon, Overeating, Sex addiction, etc.)
http://www.bbaworks.com/gettingstarted