Educator, lecturer, researcher, trainer of aerobic gymnastics, co-author of a physical education textbook and other educational publications for students. She carries out various analytical and research works in the field of physical activity, public health and education, participates in national and international projects, conferences.
How did educational studies come into your life? What is fascinating about it for you?
Education science came about during my master’s studies at KTU, when I became very interested in research on children. I started teaching during my studies, so the latest knowledge of education science wase applied in real life. Educational research using IT and various physical activities is still fascinating today, as it is relevant in today’s age of information.
You are also a coach in aerobic gymnastics. What brought you to this particular position?
Being physically active is my way of life. Aerobic gymnastics has been with me since my bachelor’s studies, I started work as a coach while still a student. I began working as an aerobic gymnastics coach at the KTU Centre for Physical Education and Sport, which I am still very happy about and I am extremely grateful to everyone who encouraged me to do it at that time. After my academic work, in the evenings I run to the gym to work with the youth, we go to competitions in Lithuania and abroad, participate in various camps.
One of your hobbies is also sport-related, it is downhill skiing. Where do you go skiing? What do you get from this activity?
Downhill skiing is our family hobby. However, the children learned to ski on a snowboard, not on skis. Every year we look forward to the winter holidays and the whole family, together with our friends, dive into active leisure. I have been skiing for more than 10 years, we started skiing in a Slovak ski resort. We like to ski in Austria, in the Tyrolean Alps. Before the pandemic, we went back to Slovakia. There we helped our children to fall in love with the mountains. The glory of the mountains is enchanting, and that is, in a way – love for the mountains. The white snow and wintery nature are extremely charming and take us back to our childhood with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. After such a wonderful rest, the emotional well-being is extraordinary, the energy is just bursting and you are ready to do new things!
You have been instructing various workouts at the KTU Sports Centre for a long time, and in early 2020 you developed an exercise programme for those suffering back pain – which has become popular all over the world. How do you feel about such success?
I don’t think it’s a success – it’s just our work that we can share with others. We can educate others to live a healthy lifestyle and plan their time.
What advice would you give to students and colleagues who spend most of their time at their workplaces – studying/working in front of the computer?
The most important thing is to adjust the height of the chair and the desk appropriately. Of course, breaks should be taken as often as possible: at least every 40 minutes it is recommended to stand up, take a walk, walk around the desk or go to the other end of the building. However, time management is a basic rule that we must follow as much as possible, so that we have enough time for work, rest, leisure and, of course, for our loved ones.
What is your life motto?
Move on! Even if I’m not doing well, even if I feel bad, I keep moving.
To meet the other faculty members please visit: fssah.ktu.edu/teachers
