Meet December’s Thavma Student of the Month: Liz Zajak She didn’t just join Thavma — she lit the room up.

What first brought you to Thavma Yoga—and what were you struggling with in your body at the time?
 
I have always wanted to try yoga to complements my running and strength training, but all the yoga I ever tried, I was always just counting down the minutes until I could leave the room. Until this past summer, July 2025, I found an instructor up in New Jersey who taught a 26-2 class and the rigidness of it made me fall in love with Yoga. When I came back to Florida for the school year, I googled “hot yoga near me” and found ThaVma. I showed up to Taylor’s 90 minute 26-2 on a Wednesday morning class in August and I fell in love. So I say this to anyone that will listen, New Jersey made me fall in love with Yoga, but ThaVma and the instructors have kept me in love with Yoga. 
 
What’s one surprising result you’ve noticed since starting? (Physical change, confidence, or mindset shift?)

I am FINALLY the hybrid athlete that I dreamt of/manifested being for YEARS‼️‼️‼️ Yes of course, consistency and figuring out proper fueling is a part of that but ThaVma is a HUGE part of it too. I don’t think I would be where I am today (running faster, lifting heavier, playing tennis like I’m back in college) without ThaVma. Muscles are recovering faster, less tightness, and THE BREATHING OMG. Having to adapt to 100+ degree heat and breathing through static poses has had an INSANELY beneficial effect on my cardiovascular system. So I will literally say this again and again until I’m blue in the face… THAVMA IS MAGICAL. ✨

 
Which Thavma Yoga class  ;Thavma Method™, Premium 26+2  or Phoenix Method is your favorite—and why?

Originally, I said 26+2 when I first started practicing but over the past few months, it’s changed to the ThaVma Method… and I have a couple reasons why. I love the way the class is split up, warm up, strengthening exercises (specifically core and glutes/hip flexors which as a runner- I have a love/hate relationship in that department😏), followed by a flow and ending with a core movement. I may not know what exercises/poses to expect every time but I like to know the general suffering… I mean outline of class 🤭🫠 
Second reason… I MUST mention that the instructors who classes I have taken religiously really seal the deal. Farah is an incredible teacher/Scorpio goddess who has wonderful modifications and makes you feel some type of way with her explanations of energy exchanges, Marina, the badass owner and founder, kicks my ass (quite literally) and makes lovely “runner jabs” and faces which makes me laugh and smirk through the pain (it’s a good pain). Lindsey, is constantly working my core from the exercises and from her constant jokes and laughter- I appreciate her sarcasm SO much- it gives me life during those static poses that we hold for an ungodly amount of time. And last but absolutely not least, Tay. I originally started by only taking her classes and she is the reason I kept coming back. Her one line zingers during class, insanely positive, welcoming, and calming presence is what keeps me grounded. 
 
What’s the biggest difference between Thavma and other workouts you’ve tried?
 If we’re comparing it to other yogas, it’s far from boring. But if we’re comparing it to all the other workouts I’ve tried… it’s the only thing that truly complements everything else. Especially the breathing. I’ve taken weeks off running and can jump right back into it with a better time and less tightness because I’ve been consistently doing ThaVma. 

If you could tell someone on the fence about trying Thavma one thing, what would it be?
 DO IT- IT’S LIFE CHANGING. Not only will your body feel better because the teachers really know their stuff and will tell you EXACTLY how to hold a pose/where you should be feeling it/how to correct it…. The instructors/members are some of the best people I ever met in my life 🥹

What do you feel in your body after class—three words only?

Proud. Grateful. Relieved. 
 
How has the Thavma community impacted you outside of the yoga room?

The community has changed my life. For real. Not only do I enjoy the classes, but you’ll most likely find me hanging out after the classes to chat with other members or the instructors and back in October, I had one conversation with Tay and that conversation quite literally changed my life and my outlook on life. So short answer: Life-changing. 
 
What’s one pose or movement you never thought you’d do—but now can because of Thavma?
Holding any variation of a plank for an extended period of time. I’ve always had a weak core/misalignment of “dumping” in my shoulders. ThaVma method- especially Farah’s pep talks “you can hold this. You’re strong enough. It’s your mind you have to convince” have really amazed me with my core strength. 
 
What personal goal are you working on next at Thavma?

Better hip alignment for sure