“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
This scripture from Isaiah came to my heart as I was putting my thoughts together for this post about Julia Landon, CPI (Certified PraiseMoves Instructor) who is CPI Rookie of the Year 2020 and CPI of the Season for Autumn 2020. Once you meet Julia, I believe you will see this Word of the Lord at work in her life, too.
Julia and her family live in Chambersburg, PA, and first heard about PraiseMoves when her mother-in-law invited her to a PraiseMoves class given by Becky Nicklaus, CPI in 2016.
Q. What is special about PraiseMoves to you?
Julia: “PraiseMoves is so much more than a physical workout. When I tried my first PraiseMoves class I had been doing yoga for decades and always felt something was missing. I would get bored and disconnect from class, wandering off into my own thoughts.
“Once I tried PraiseMoves, I had no interest in ever going back to yoga! Reciting Scripture and hearing God's Word has transformed my workouts into worship. I have memorized Scripture by learning postures and Scripture sequences. These verses are weapons I carry with me wherever I go, not just in the fitness studio.
“When I walk, go to the gym, or take another fitness class, my mind naturally drifts into praising the Lord and praying during my workout. I have grown so much in my relationship with God and feel Him relentlessly pursuing me through every aspect of my life including physical fitness.
“PraiseMoves is the tool God has used to build a firm foundation for me to stand on in my faith; a foundation of His Word. PraiseMoves helped me to memorize Scripture before I knew how much I needed that! Praise Him!
“When I desperately needed the Sword of the Spirit, it was already there, through PraiseMoves postures and practice. What a blessing that was to me in the fight.
“PraiseMoves is also a community of Holy Spirit-filled women and men who inspire me and teach me about walking in victory. Each CPI brings their own unique fingerprint to the community and I am learning so much from the beautiful women I have met through PraiseMoves.
“Don't miss out on this opportunity! I am so grateful to have found PraiseMoves and blessed to have the chance to share it with others.”
Q: How soon after hearing about PraiseMoves did you decide to become a Certified PraiseMoves Instructor?
Julia: “Immediately! A few days after that first class I was at Becky’s house doing a one-on-one class with her and learning what I needed to do to become a Certified PraiseMoves Instructor. I enrolled for the February 2017 Online training. That summer, Becky and I went to the PraiseMoves Annual Conference together!”
Julia: “I did the online training… twice! After finishing the training in 2017 I ended up letting my certification lapse.
“I was in a dark season of physical and emotional difficulties and family challenges. I enrolled again in 2019. By the grace of God, and with a few extra doses of prayer with Dr. Laurette to boost me along the way, I made up my mind to finish and completed the certification.”
Julia: “The first time I certified I tried to offer classes at my church right away. But the class didn’t take off and I gave up. I demonstrated PraiseMoves for a few groups and I had a great idea to do outdoor classes, but I didn’t pursue it and stopped teaching after just a handful of attempts.
“When I certified the second time, I began talking to churches about class space before I had even finished training! I did offer one free class at a church but it was canceled during the quarantine.
“The online classes went great in 2020 and I got comfortable creating classes and keeping the schedule. Recently I was offered a space at my church as one of their small groups. It’s going great! I have some students from online classes and some new. I enjoy the combination of online and in-person classes.”
Q: Please tell us about your family.
Julia: “My husband Ben and I have twin daughters, Layla and Nathalie. Ben is proud of how committed I have been and all the challenges I have overcome pursuing PraiseMoves.
“My daughters love PraiseMoves and teach their own classes to me! They also come to my in-person class and are a delight to the students, praising the Lord, speaking Scriptures, and putting on the whole armor of God. We joke that they will be the youngest certified PraiseMoves instructors! God be praised! He has given His angels charge over them to keep them in all their ways!
“I homeschool the girls and work as a tutor for our homeschool community group.
“I enjoy playing golf which I’m have just started to learn this year since we moved next door to a golf course. The girls play too and it is such a fun way to be outside and active with my family.”
Q: Julia has really taken hold of Power PraiseMoves. I asked her how she came to create a number of wonderful new Power PraiseMoves postures and Scripture Sequences (flow-throughs). Below are two of the Power PraiseMoves postures she's created, Lion & A Bear and Trusting One.
Julia: “I’m blessed and honored that God has put the desire in my heart to develop postures and sequences for the PraiseMoves community. When I find a Scripture I want to meditate on, my first thought is to look it up in the CPI files (where we have over 150 PraiseMoves postures). When I see a stretch or strengthening move that isn’t a posture yet I start praying for God to bring me a Scripture for it and in His perfect timing, He inspires me. I love paging through His Word! I love getting lost (and found!) in the Scriptures.
“Building classes, writing sequences, and creating postures has become a part of my daily time with God.
“Power PraiseMoves is my chosen way to work out since the gym closed during the quarantine. I’m excited to see what God will do with this passion He has put inside me. My hope is to be a part of something that will empower us all to become stronger in body, soul, and spirit. Praises to God for the riches of His glory!“
WE are thrilled that Julia is helping people of all ages grow in their relationship with the Lord in His Word while developing as Fit Witnesses for Christ spiritually, mentally, and physically.
LIVE and ONLINE Classes with Julia. Whether or not you live in the Chambersburg, PA area, you can check out Julia's in-person and Online classes on Julia's website “Your Set Apart Studio.”
If you'd like to become a Certified PraiseMoves Instructor and offer classes in PraiseMoves, PraiseKicks, MIRA! (our alternative to Zumba), PraiseMoves Gold (to teach seniors and limited mobility), PraiseWaves (Aqua PraiseMoves), L.I.F.T. (Laughter In Fitness Training), Prenatal PraiseMoves, check out Training Dates and Information HERE.
