Vanya Francis is founder of Cherished Life, a boutique, Atlanta-based yoga and wellness company. She is also a Holistic Birth Doula, Holistic Health Coach and Yoga Instructor specializing in Prenatal Yoga. Deeply inspired by her students, Vanya’s goal is to empower them to achieve greater self-awareness, harmony and wholeness of being. A culturally aware, life-long learner with a passion for holistic wellness, Vanya is certified at the 200-hr level in both Classical and Kemetic Yoga and has received multiple Prenatal Yoga certifications. She studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College and a Master of Arts in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. 

Vanya has been supporting women during pregnancy in preparation for birth for 10 years and recently received her doula certification through The Matrona with Whapio Diane Bartlett. She is currently the Yoga and Meditation Professor at Spelman College and offers Prenatal Yoga classes and workshops throughout Atlanta.

Off the mat, Vanya is a mother to two beautiful, light-filled children, Taraja and Tunde. Her work as a mother informs her light-hearted, compassionate teaching style and prenatal care. Vanya’s gift lies in her ability to create a safe, nurturing space for women to heal, grow and thrive in their daily lives. She believes yoga is ultimately meant to positively transform our lives and relationships.