philosophy

Known as a "teachers' teacher," Annie teaches all levels of asana classes, mentors young teachers, leads workshops and retreats as well as Teacher Trainings. Annie has a playful spirit and encourages a balance between working hard, and a light, joyful exploration into one's own practice, into the awareness of one's true nature.

"Although our culture tends to shrink yoga to mean only the physical, asana element I believe that yoga truly is a shamanic path, capable of leading us through transformation on all levels. Yoga reminds us what is real, and thus who we are -- the light radiating from within."

history

Annie started her life in Virginia, where in her teens she found both of her passions, dance and yoga. She followed her heart to New York, initially studying, and eventually performing, and teaching for the Martha Graham Studio. Annie loved the rigorous discipline and athleticism of Martha's technique. However it was Martha's vision of the moving body as an expression of the soul within that echoed many of the beliefs Annie had developed in her study of yoga. She traveled extensively at this time, mainly to Europe and Asia, performing and teaching.

Annie loved the energy and intensity that enveloped the New York Dance Scene, but also sought the quiet and introspection that her yoga provided. For this reason, Annie found herself at Integral Yoga's ashram as often as possible. The emphasis on community, stillness and uncovering inner peace was the perfect antidote for the competitive world of dance. In her thirties, Annie taught modern dance at Butler University, while studying Movement and Gestalt Therapies, earning an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. She created movement rituals for small groups, especially for those healing from disease, specifically HIV and different types trauma. Annie found this type of work particularly rewarding bringing together yogic principles of self-study and compassion with her love of movement. She continued to choreograph, exploring multi-site pieces and working with a mix of professionals and pedestrian dancers. During these years, Annie studied Iyengar yoga and began to shift her daily practice and teaching away from dance and towards yogasana.

In 1996, Annie took a sabbatical to study at Yoga Works with Maty Ezraty and Chuck Miller, the founders of YogaWorks. She continued her studies and attended the teacher training with Lisa Walford, senior yoga works teacher and Maty Ezraty. Maty invited her to teach at Yoga Works soon thereafter and she never looked back! Annie has been fortunate to study with Dona Holleman, Gabriella Guibilano, among others and with Pattabhi Jois several times in the United States and India. Annie's teaching has evolved into an intelligent, yet organic Vinyasa Flow, reflecting her love of movement and rigorous discipline. Having studied anatomy, kinesiology, and developmental movement as a dancer, her classes are informed by the body's structure and evolution. Having great passion for creativity and metaphor, Annie loves to play with sequencing in order to take her students into a deeper understanding of a pose and, ultimately, of themselves. She believes that focusing on alignment is not just safe, but provides "points of dharana" or gateways to inner stillness and meditation.