I met Julia when I was 13. As a project for school, I collected donations from classmates for

Circle of Life, the
organization she
founded while sitting
in Luna. My father had just passed away from
brain cancer, and knowing I was a fan of
Julia’s, my teachers sent a second donation to
Circle of Life in his memory. Julia contacted
me. I have since lost that first note, but her
utterly kind words left a mark on me. I went
on to work at Circle of Life throughout high
school, and for my graduation I was blessed
to have her as the guest speaker during the
ceremony. She received a standing ovation.
Julia has believed in me when I haven’t
believed in myself. Since then, at the
University of Washington, where I am now
a junior, I have organized Earth Day, been
co-president of Earth Club, and received a
Mary Gates Leadership award for piloting a
green project. I’ve been a reporter for The Daily,
the campus paper, and am now managing
editor. A picture of Julia and me together sits
on my desk in the newsroom, and her message,
that we are more powerful than we could ever
imagine, is always in my mind. Many
years after our friendship began, Julia
continues to inspire me to find my
tree and make my difference. —E.U.

shaun walker

TWO YEARS ALOFT:
From 1997 to 1999,
Hill lived in the
canopy of an ancient
redwood named
“Luna.” Her remark-
able commitment to
save the threatened
tree has evolved
into a life’s work
of promoting
transformation.

churches and the Howard Dean network. “We were looking for the best practices of how people find their vision, build community, and create change over time,” says longtime colleague Alissa Hauser. “The answer we found was ‘small circles.’ We believe a network of small circles has exponential impact.” The hope is to start circles in communities throughout the world.

people in the U.S. who do yoga,” says Hill. “Many of them have a vehicle for self-inquiry on the mat, yet it is not as common to have a practice off the mat.” Hill and her team have partnered with nationally known yoga leaders Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, and Suzanne Sterling to create the program. Hill credits her own yoga practice with helping her achieve more connection between her body, mind, and spirit.

 

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Meet Julia Learn about her current projects

Hill and the Engage Network also launched Off the Mat and Into the World, aimed at yoga practitioners. The seven-week program encourages yogis to become active in their communities, in joyful and sustainable ways. “There are over 20 million

Both programs are still in their infancy, but growing quickly. “I am committed to my life being about learning, growing, and serving,” Hill says. “I have always maintained that my story is more than just about me and a tree.” 0