We had the good fortune of connecting with Gila Shire and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gila, how does your business help the community?
I am a strong believer in change and am grateful that I can reach and educate people through all the different services I offer ! As a prenatal yoga teacher I have a certain responsibility to shed light on birth choices & options – it is so important that we bring awareness back about the normalcy of physiological birth.. So much of our life is impacted by the way we are born/give birth.
In addition to teaching prenatal yoga, I love guiding people through restorative journeys, inviting them to go deeper on all levels, relax, restore and ultimately heal.
In my bodywork I treat humans of all ages, including initiating and introducing kids to their first holistic massage- and am lucky to have had some of my former doula babies on my table🙏

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I graduated from nursing school in germany in 1984, worked for 14 years as a nurse in hospital & home care and always loved working with people. The birth of my daughter in 1991 unexpectedly changed me and my world. my interest in a more wholesome, organic life was sparked and I decided to explore the other side – holistic medicine. I slowly began learning about alternative methods, came to Phoenix in 1997 to study massage therapy – and never left…..my life changed drastically after my divorce – I started over from scratch and also had met my soulmate Forrest to whom I have been married for 28 years now. in 2002 I became a yoga teacher and specialized instantly in restorative, yin & prenatal yoga. I also have been part of many local YTT’s as a guest teacher, covering how to teach restorative and prenatal yoga. Through a back injury over 15 years ago I had to re-define not only who I was but also how I was approaching my teachings. My restorative practice helped me tremendously to find my way back into active teaching as well as leading prenatal classes with focus on back health. By then I had become a doula and assisted women through their pregnancy, labor and birth. I learned so much from them – and still do ! My passion for undisturbed birth, midwifery care and empowered birth stories grew over the years and the connections I’ve formed with midwifes, birth providers and especially my families became deeper & more meaningful for me. My passion is clear : to guide and assist women and their families throughout their journeys and with that impact the world one birth at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love nature and the outdoors, especially if there is water (lake, creek, ocean) close by. Camping/ Glamping and Kayaking on our local lakes is one of my favorite things to do ! I l am a fan of home cooked meals and enjoy restaurants like flower child, true food, giving tree/chocolate tree.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My very first yoga teachers Martin & Jordan Kirk shaped & inspired me greatly !
In my birthwork studying with Whapio and her movement ‘the Matrona’ influenced me the most !
And of course all the amazing midwifes & families I got to know over the last 2 decades ! You know, who you are !

Website: https://www.yogila.com

Instagram: Yogila2

Facebook: Gila Shire (Yogila)

Image Credits
Buddha Bella, Michelle Jewel, Meagan Tanner

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.