Featured Yoga Instructor: Janet Lynn

Name: Janet Havenga aka Janet Lynn

Practice with me at:

Yoga in the Center @ Mill Creek Town Center
Online in my 21-Day Mind, Body, Belly Yoga challenge

How did you get started with yoga? Yoga and I were an unlikely pair at first, I was a marathon runner who hated stretching. I found a Yoga class at my local gym and told my friends that if they asked me to hug the earth, I was out (little did I know what was coming BLAHAHA). Fast forward a few years later and I had the most incredible opportunity to move to Cape Town South Africa. I was there for a few weeks when I decided to sign up at the gym in an effort to meet people. I took some classes like Pilates and some dance fusion, but then I went to a Yoga class and I might say, the rest is history. The teacher held space in a way that blew my mind: I was seen, I was supported and I was in a room with 30 other people. Right then and there I "drank the Koolaid"

That teacher, and many others in Cape Town, became one of my closest friends, and mentors, my guru. I tell her that this is all her fault. LOL I wasted no time signing up for teacher training and here we are today.

The funny story is that I was so new to the practice I had no clue I was signing up for Ashtanga TT and it was the best decision that fell into my lap. I am so grateful to have been guided and taught with a very tight lineage and high respect for the practice, the traditions, and the foundation of Yoga.

What is your mission as a yoga instructor? For me, I have two that go hand in hand. One is definitely self-empowerment. Yoga is a journey, not a destination and when practiced in a very intentional way we are given the opportunity to reflect on where we are in our journey and empowered to shift if we feel the need to do so. Reflection requires pause and awareness which leads me to my bigger mission. Contrary to what Nike wants you to believe, my mission is to just don't do it. At least not until after you have had the opportunity to check in, recover, find balance, and breathe. I believe that "doing it" is a distraction of the stillness we have grown to be uncomfortable with. I believe "just do it" is easily mistaken for force and when we force we are only met with resistance. Call me lazy but I would rather "go with the flow" than "fight the current."

What type of yoga do you practice and why?My Personal Practice is ever-changing. Some days my practice is slow and juicy, others it's strong and dynamic. I often do my own practice and it's usually between 5 min to 45 min. The majority of my teachers are online so most of my yoga is done at home, That is new for me though, Ive always enjoyed being in a studio with other students. When I do practice with a community I head into Seattle for a Commune Yoga practice that's sweaty and strong. Yin, however, is my bread and butter. I will take a yin class at every opportunity I can get. I might add, it's also the one I love to teach the most.

Who are some of your favorite yoga instructors? Locally I enjoy Patric Beach and really everyone at Commune, I absolutely geek out over a modern flair on a very respected tradition. However, the other teachers I practice with are John Salisbury at Modern Yoga in Scottsdale, AZ (online) and Travis Elliott on YouTube (one day I'll meet him in person, I’ve been his student for 10 years). I also love dipping into Forest Yoga on YouTube and really my own intuition I guess.

Outside of the world of yoga, what are you passionate about?Outside of yoga my passion is this planet, connecting to the earth, living simply (as much as possible anyway), and learning how to better align my self to nature. I use yogic principles and philosophy along with Ayurveda, elements, and recently tapping into the astrology. I love to geek out on all things healing and personal growth. I also spend most of my time outdoors with my 2-year-old pointer pups Luna and Rae and if im not cooking or any of the above im totally taking a NAP!

Other than practicing yoga, can you tell us about some of your wellness and self-care habits?Selfcare is my number one focus, I even run a business based on how to increase one's self-care in everyday life. My biggest focuses are spending time in nature, working out running, listening to soul-filling audiobooks and podcasts (I’m currently finishing up: You Are a Goddess, Sophie Bashford on Audiobooks), floating (sensory deprivation floating), cold plunge, taking naps, cooking my own food, journal when called, pull cards, and call my besties when needed.