Liza Janda
Yoga Janda
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Liza Janda is a Certified Childbirth Educator AAHCC, Certified Lactation Education Counselor, Experienced Registered/Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher, E-PRYT200, and Experienced Registered Certified Yoga Teacher E-RYT200.
With a combined 40+ years of teaching, Liza has a passion for Healthy Pregnancy, Labor, Birth, Babies and Moms, Breastfeeding, and Yoga.
Her goal is to help women and families create their best pregnancies and births through childbirth education and yoga and to help moms and babies get breastfeeding education and support before and after the baby arrives.
What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months?
Purchasing a Bible study book on the book of Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World on Amazon.
How do you want your chosen field of exercise to change in the future?
I would like medical insurance companies to pay for Prenatal Yoga.
How did you first get into pilates or yoga?
I was a fitness instructor for 25 years and a childbirth educator. At 44 I found I needed something less physically demanding yet challenging physically and spiritually. I managed to find my niche in the world of expecting moms who wanted to not only stay fit but rid themselves of the anxiety around pregnancy and childbirth. I found another way to give expecting mothers confidence in their bodies.
In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
Studying the bible. IN addition to joining a women's bible study, I begin each day opening the YouVersion bible app and following the study of a verse a day.
What’s more important: the teacher or the mindset?
The mindset!
What is your proudest moment/accomplishment in pilates or yoga?
I have many moments where I feel proud but I feel more grateful ad blessed to be able to reach so many women. Even my prenatal yoga videos have touched people I"ve never met. This email from a woman gave me such joy, " Hi Liza, I just wanted to express my gratitude to you! Though we’ve never met, you made a very important impact in my life. Nine years ago, when I was expecting my son, I discovered your prenatal yoga class on yogadownload.com. I loooooved your gentle, soothing voice and felt like I could trust you to guide me through a beautiful but frightening time of (literal!) growth. And you did! With no mother, sister, or other close friend I could lean on for support and wisdom during this time, I tethered myself to your soothing voice. I practiced your class almost daily and brought you with me on my iPod to the delivery room. I stayed so centered and calm with your help. The nurse said she’d never seen anyone giggle a baby out before! Now I’m the luckiest mother alive, with a really great kid you helped me bring into the world. I’m even exploring the possibility that I may, too, become a prenatal yoga teacher. Thank you Liza! You are loved and appreciated. Let your light shine! Kellie R.
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
Being a wife and mother.
Do you think there is any trait that all exercise practitioners share?
A need to exercise. If I don't exercise, I just don't feel as good.
What advice would you give to people wanting to start pilates or yoga?
Just start. Try a variety of classes, teachers, and styles, and keep at it.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I am also a Lactation Educator Counselor, which is a step below a Lactation Consultant. I'd like to be a Lactation Consultant. I love helping new moms with breastfeeding.
Tell us about someone you admire and why you admire them?
My cousin, Betsy Stowe, who has had breast cancer and non-Hodgkins Lymphoma twice. She has never lost her faith in Jesus and continues to completely trust in Him.
What is a 'hack' you have for success that most people don't know about?
Passion for what I do and heping others.
What is the most surprising thing you've seen in your industry?
How many narcissistic yoga teachers and yoga studio owners there are.
How would you describe pilates/yoga in 1 word?
Challenging.
What's your favourite colour?
Teal
What popular celebrity do you admire the most and why?
Ricky Gervais because he says it like it is and doesnt care what anyone thinks.
What one thing in life do you consider to be overrated?
Any celebrity.
What are you NOT Very Good at?
Numbers
What's your star sign?
Capricorn
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
Toast with peanut butter
Most satisfying experience practicing yoga/pilates?
Accomplishing some challenging poses
Most embarrassing experience practicing yoga/pilates?
Falling on my butt while doing a triangle in front of 40 people.LOL
What are your biggest pet peeves about the culture/community of your chosen practice?
That it's okay to talk about this god and that goddess and look to crystals etc. for answers and guidance. But it's not okay to talk about Jesus.
What is your favourite thing about the culture and community of your chosen practice?
I love helping to expect and new moms find confidence in themselves and their bodies.
Do you tend to use a lot of different equipment when you practice? Why/Why not?
Blocks and straps for my pregnant students. it makes things much more accessible witha growing belly.