Shiya Furstenau is a Nursing Mothers Alliance Counselor and a Birth Arts Certified Breastfeeding Educator. She is also a yoga teacher, holding certifications in Vinyasa Yoga, Jivamukti Yoga, Pre- and Postnatal Yoga, and Yoga for Fertility. Currently, she is pursuing her Postpartum Doula certification through Birth Arts. Shiya is working toward becoming a board-certified lactation consultant and hopes to achieve her IBCLC credential by spring 2026. She is a mother to three beautiful boys—two in her arms and one forever in her heart.

Shiya began her yoga practice in 1995 and became a certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher in 2004. Inspired by her yoga journey, she engaged in Seva (selfless service) and participated in the 2008 Off The Mat Cambodian Bare Witness Challenge. That year, she raised $20,000 for the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF). In February 2009, she traveled to Cambodia with 20 other fundraisers to work at CCF and participate in leadership training. She received her Prenatal Yoga certification in 2011 and her Postnatal Yoga certification in 2012, in addition to extensive studies in Yoga for Fertility and Restorative Yoga.

In 2013, Shiya and her husband welcomed their first son. In July 2015, they faced one of the most challenging experiences a parent can endure—the loss of their son, Bodhi, due to complications during labor and delivery. A year later, in July 2016, they welcomed the birth of their rainbow baby, Shepard. Shiya breastfed both of her sons past their first birthdays and cherished the unique support she received from breastfeeding support groups. Inspired by her friends and mentors, Tammy Arbeter and Brittany Sharpe McCollum, she pursued her Nursing Mothers Alliance Breastfeeding Counselor certification and her Breastfeeding Educator certification through Birth Arts International.

Shiya believes that her personal experiences with life and death, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and parenting have given her a unique perspective on breastfeeding, yoga, spirituality, and life. She is honored to share this perspective with others who seek support in their prenatal breastfeeding preparations and breastfeeding journeys.