Our Story

Life is busy. Crazy busy. No one understands this better than Julie Potiker whose life had become so stressful she started having serious medical issues and was sure she had a brain tumor. After a battery of medical tests, her neurologist recommended she try mindful meditation. This began Julie’s transformative journey to becoming a master practitioner and instructor of the healing art of meditation. After years of training and working with clients, she founded the Balanced Mind Meditation Center, a non-religious drop-in meditation studio where people learn simple techniques to enrich their lives. In addition to drop-in meditation, the center offers a robust selection of the best evidence-based classes being taught in the United States today. 

The Balanced Mind Meditation Center was created in memory of Julie’s mother, the late Ruth Jacobowitz, a passionate women’s health advocate, author, and lecturer. Julie and her father, Paul Jacobowitz are proud that Ruth’s lifetime of commitment to the betterment of humanity will live on through the center. 

We invite you to join us for classes and workshops designed to balance your busy life.

Our Instructors

JULIE POTIKER

As a trained Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and longtime practitioner of mindful meditation, Julie Potiker has an elegant synthesis of many teachings, which she brings together in her unique program called Mindful Methods for Life. Students in her courses, workshops, and one-on-one sessions say Julie has an uncanny ability to keep lessons enjoyable and accessible to a broad range of people – skeptics included!

Julie was trained in the first cohort of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teachers trained by Kristin Neff, Christopher Germer, and the University of California, San Diego Center for Mindfulness. She earned her Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School.

Drop-in Classes

Mondays 6:30-7:00 P.M. 
$10/members free

At the end of the work day, enjoy a combo class of breath meditation, guided meditation focusing on a word or a phrase, and open awareness meditation, all techniques which allow you to be more calm and present in your day-to-day life. These classes are suitable for all ranges of experience from complete beginners through to advanced practitioners. Everyone is welcome!