Healing Through Yoga: Judi Bar’s Inspiring Journey on In Spirit Podcast

I’m beyond thrilled to share with you an incredible conversation from a recent episode of In Spirit with Missy Reno Smith. This time, I had the honor of sitting down with the remarkable Judi Bar, a certified yoga therapist whose story of healing and transformation will leave you inspired and uplifted. Judi’s journey is a testament to the power of the mind, body, and spirit working in harmony, and I can’t wait for you to dive into her wisdom.

A Dance with Pain and Resilience

Judi Bar’s story begins with movement—she was born to dance, twirling through life as a ballerina from the tender age of three. Her love for dance carried her across the world, from ballet studios in Paris to her own dance studio in Chicago. But in the mid-1990s, Judi faced a life-altering challenge. One morning, she woke up unable to walk, gripped by debilitating pain from spinal stenosis and degenerative back disease. Doctors warned her that a wheelchair would be in her future, and the pain was so intense that she relied on a cane, with her legs often giving out beneath her.

“It was my dark night of the soul,” Judi shared, her voice carrying both vulnerability and strength. But instead of surrendering to despair, Judi listened to an inner voice that refused to accept a life of limitation. She told her doctors, “Give me a year. I’m going to try to heal myself.” That decision marked the beginning of a profound spiritual and physical awakening.

Discovering Yoga as a Path to Healing

Judi’s journey led her to yoga, not just as a physical practice but as a holistic path to healing. She dove deep into the spiritual aspects of wellness, inspired by pioneers like Deepak Chopra and Andrew Weil, who emphasized the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Through yoga, Judi began to address not only her physical pain but also her emotional and spiritual well-being. She explored how stress, diet, and sleep impacted her health, refusing to rely solely on surgery or medication.

What’s truly inspiring is how Judi transformed her pain into purpose. She enrolled in a yoga therapy program, determined to heal herself and share her discoveries with others. “Something inside me said, ‘This can’t be my fate,’” Judi told us. And she was right. Through dedication and a deep dive into yoga’s gentle practices, Judi not only became pain-free but also built a life of purpose, helping others find their own healing.

The Birth of Wellness Yoga at Cleveland Clinic

Judi’s personal triumph led her to create a unique yoga method that’s accessible to everyone, regardless of age, fitness level, or physical condition. Known as Wellness Yoga or Gentle Yoga, this approach is designed to meet people exactly where they are. Using a chair as a prop, Judi’s method allows anyone to practice yoga, from those with chronic pain to those simply seeking to reconnect with their bodies. It’s a gentle, inclusive practice that emphasizes mindfulness, breathwork, and movement to promote resilience in mind, body, and spirit.

As the former Yoga Program Manager at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, Judi brought her method to a groundbreaking platform. The Cleveland Clinic, a leader in integrative medicine, embraced her vision, offering Wellness Yoga to employees, patients, and patient families. Judi’s classes, often held in intimate settings or even virtually, focus on reducing stress, improving emotional health, and managing chronic pain. “It’s about meeting people where they are,” Judi shared, “and giving them tools to feel good in their bodies.”

Her work at the Cleveland Clinic also extended into the community, with free neighborhood classes to promote wellness equity. Judi’s mission is clear: to make yoga accessible to all, fostering peace, relaxation, and empowerment through simple, intentional movement.

A Spiritual Awakening Through Yoga

What struck me most during our conversation was Judi’s emphasis on yoga as more than just a physical practice—it’s a spiritual journey. “Yoga changed my life,” she said with heartfelt conviction. Her approach integrates mindfulness and breathwork, helping people quiet their minds and reconnect with their inner wisdom. For Judi, yoga is “soul work,” a way to make our hearts sing and calm our nervous systems. It’s about finding what lights you up—whether that’s yoga, gardening, or helping others—and letting that joy ripple through your life.

Judi’s story resonates deeply with my own mission as a Soul Purpose Medium™. We all have a Divine Soul Purpose™, and sometimes our greatest challenges—like Judi’s chronic pain—become the catalyst for discovering it. Her journey reminds us that healing is possible when we listen to our bodies and trust our intuition.

Healing Rooney

Judi also shares the story of Rooney, her beloved Golden Retriever, and how she helped him beat cancer. Rooney was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. Rather than giving in to this horrible condition, Judi got to work and helped Rooney beat cancer using many of the same methods she used to beat her own health challenges. Today, both Rooney and Judi are thriving!

Join the Journey

Listening to Judi on In Spirit is like receiving a warm embrace from the universe. Her story is a powerful reminder that we are never defined by our limitations. Whether you’re dealing with physical pain, emotional challenges, or simply seeking a deeper connection to your Divine Soul Purpose™, Judi’s Wellness Yoga offers a path forward.

You can catch the full episode of In Spirit with Missy Reno Smith on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you stream your podcasts. Judi’s wisdom is a gift, and I encourage you to listen, reflect, and maybe even try a chair yoga pose or two! You can now take these classes with Judi Bar at the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, Ohio. If you’re curious about classes at the Cleveland Clinic, now taught by practitioners trained by Judi, check out their website for free virtual sessions and local community offerings.

How are you finding healing and purpose in your life? Share your thoughts with me on Instagram (@missyrenosmith), book a session, or join me for an upcoming event to explore your own spiritual journey.

As always, remember God loves you and I'm sending Angels your way!

Soul Purpose Medium™

Catch new episodes of In Spirit with Missy Reno Smith on Friday evenings and awaken your Divine Soul Purpose within!