Christiana Jansson comes from the beautiful town of Aizpute in Kurzeme and has lived in Riga since her student days. The knowledge and skills she gained during this time have allowed her to blend the wisdom of both Western and Eastern medicine. She helps her clients relieve pain and regain their health, improve their athletic performance and go hiking.
Kristiāna Jansone, RSU graduate and fitness trainer
All photos from a private archive
She believes we should analyze less and enjoy and live life more. Jansone is a graduate of the Health and Sport Specialist Studies Programme at the Riga Stradiņš University (RSU).
Can you tell me about your daily routine?
I currently work as a health and sports trainer, a Pilates and Yoga instructor and also run my own fitness studio “Veselības sporta stacija” in the beautiful Argenskalns district.
I also teach in several educational institutions. At RSU, I teach healthy movement, pilates and fitness yoga classes. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with RSU students during their training.
I have a background in Ayurveda but I also work as a yoga teacher. I use my knowledge of Ayurveda to understand my clients better and develop a holistic yoga practice. In my yoga classes, I blend yoga and Ayurveda with the latest trends in science-based research, biomechanics, neuroscience and other fields. The critical thinking skills I developed during my philosophy studies have also been extremely useful in my work.
Why did you choose RSU’s Health Sports Specialist program?
I wanted to become a fitness trainer and was looking for a study program in Latvia that would give me all the knowledge I needed for the profession and give me a deeper understanding of the potential of using fitness to promote health.
It was also important to me to find a program that would teach me practical skills.
After researching several study programs and taking into consideration the recommendations of coaches I knew, I ultimately chose RSU.
What did you gain from your studies?
Through my studies I have gained the knowledge to provide my clients with quality training, helping them relieve muscle and joint pain, improve posture and enhance their appearance. My clients range from professional athletes and office workers to pensioners, anyone who wants to look and feel better.
I’ve received videos from clients of them hiking mountains without pain, photos from their weddings where they look amazing, feedback that their knees no longer hurt after running or gardening, and their golf performance has improved.
I have also trained myself to enjoy an active life and stay healthy. I transfer the knowledge I have gained in research and practice to my students by working as a teacher in the same degree program.
Why would you recommend the Health Sports Specialist program to others?
Through guidance from expert trainers recognised in Latvia and abroad, you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to become a competitive and sought-after fitness trainer on the national and international job market.
How do you mentally recharge after an intensive session with a client?
I get energy from the emotions of the people around me: my family, my clients, my students, my colleagues. I love my job as a trainer and teacher, so it feels like a hobby to me. Of course, there are moments when my “emotional battery” runs out, but I can quickly recharge it by seeing the smiles of the people around me, relaxing with my family, doing research, reading books, or going on a trip.
