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Anna-Marie Babington
Anna-Marie Babington
is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher. She trained at
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Ayurveda in 2016 following nearly ten years of
practicing yoga. In 2017, she worked at Kaliyoga Retreats Italy where she
practiced with master teacher Tashi Dawa. Anna-Marie teaches Hatha yoga with
an emphasis on meditation and pranayama. Her experience with Kripalu Vinyasa
and Ashtanga has also influenced her teaching style.
Anna-Marie aims to make all classes safe and accessible to all levels. She
encourages her students to follow a path of self-inquiry during their yoga
practice - going inside, getting curious, noticing sensations, becoming
comfortable with things as they are. In this way, yoga becomes a "meditation in
motion". Anna-Marie believes in cultivating body-breath awareness as an
essential tool to promote health and happiness. Her practice also informs her
work as an artist; by making art and practicing yoga, Anna-Marie nurtures her
fascination with the human mind, body, and spirit. Anna-Marie believes in
Living Yoga on and off the mat, and she cherishes the opportunity to share yoga
and be part of a community of practice.
Adrienne Berg
Adrienne Berg
was introduced to dance as a child, which fostered in her a love
of the
movement arts. Seeking relief for back pain and stress reduction led her to
begin practicing yoga in 1997. Private study began through various readings
and texts, and training has continued through workshops led by Ginger
Layden-Braun, Amy Likins, Doug Keller, and Kevin Durkin. Her emphasis in spinal
therapy subsequently led her to the work of Joseph Pilates. Enjoying the
compliment of both disciplines, Adrienne began teaching both yoga and pilates
in 2001. She is certified in Pilates Mat work through Body Arts & Science
International (BASI), and is currently pursuing Comprehensive Pilates
Instructor Training through Balance Body University. Eventually she seeks to
begin Therapeutic Yoga Teacher training. Her goal is to never stop learning!
A believer in a well rounded lifestyle, Adrienne is also a practicing Harpist
and performs Celtic, Medieval, Classical, and Popular music at weddings and
other events. Other interests include composing meditative music, drawing,
Ballroom dancing, and hiking - although not all at the same time (carrying the
harp during the hike can be a real challenge). She has a B.S. degree in Marine
Biology from the University of South Alabama.
Adrienne truly enjoys the process of teaching and working with others to help
them create a harmony of body, mind and spirit so they can relate to the world
in greater health and ultimately spread greater peace and compassion to others.
Her classes might be characterized as meditation in motion - her own eclectic
mix of compassionate vinyasa flow, breath work and asana holds designed to suit
her students' needs. Her teaching philosophy is one of respect as she wants her
students to learn to value where they are in the present moment, both in their
inner journey and outer lives.
Angela Cain
Angela Cain
holds a degree in International Studies from the University of
South Carolina and, although from Mobile, has lived all across the United
States and overseas. Curiosity brought Angela to yoga as she had always been
an active person. She enjoyed running, aerobics, weight training, and had
played soccer in both high school and college, so what else could she do? Her
first class was at Lotus Seed Yoga with Stone Doggett and Angela was blown away
at what
was going on in her body. From that point she was hooked and learned how yoga
could sooth the nervous system, ease anxiety and depression, as well as
transform the physical body. She has been blessed to have Chris McFadyen and
Nadia Jenkins as her teachers here in Mobile - they have been instrumental as
her guides as she continues to discover what yoga is to her and how to share
this discipline.
In 2005 Angela began training with Baron Baptiste, and has also completed
teacher trainings with Core Power Yoga in Colorado and Doug Swenson, as well as
workshops with Bryan Kest, Yoga Fit for Prenatal and Children's Yoga. Angela
is currently an associate Baptiste Power Vinyasa teacher and has completed the
necessary trainings with Baron Baptiste Level 1 in Hawaii, Level 2 in Austin,
TX, Assistant Training in Cambridge, MA, and all day personal revolution .
She is currently in the process of completing necessary qualifications to
become a certified Baptiste teacher.
I am constantly growing as a teacher spiritually and personally. The Baptiste
style speaks volumes to me, and as a result my class is a physically dynamic
and a powerful class mixed with compassion. Yoga is a language the body
understands and will translate into daily life - we all faces challenges in
life, but the question becomes how we handle them... will we suffer through or
will we bring balance, acceptance, and power to the situation? With yoga you
can begin to develop that discipline. I offer yoga to whoever crosses my path,
a chance to go on a journey with me during my classes and find freedom in the
body, heart, and soul. Explore the possibility of living a powerful life
living your dreams and living big!”
Martha Collier
... we will miss her warmth, sprirt, and grace. May she rest forever in God's
light.
Linda Csaszar
Linda Csaszar's
first exposure to yoga was in 2002 in Ft. Lauderdale when she took a
class because she was seeking an alternative to the high/low impact aerobic
exercise she had done for decades. It is a matter of fact that Linda did not
really care for her first yoga class, but after speaking with her now beloved
yoga teacher Debbie Otto she gained some excellent advice - You can't judge
something by one experience. You should come back and try again. That advice
was some of the best she ever received, and something she shares with her
students to this day. It was not long after that point when Linda realized that
yoga is so much more than a physical practice, but rather one of connection.
Yoga is a practice that truly encompasses mind, body and spirit. Through the
breath we can quiet the mind, calm the nervous system, and relax the body -
this allows us to be more open to our spiritual self.
Linda began teaching in Mobile in 2009. Her classes will help connect the
student with their inner teacher and learn more about themselves. In her
Vinyasa flow style class with Iyengar influence she strives to explore asanas
that challenge, enlighten, and bring joyful fun to her students' practice, and
also focuses on proper alignment and makes sure her students are safe. Linda's
love and passion for learning has inspired her to complete her RYT 200 hour
training, and she also continually takes workshops to learn even more about
yoga so that she can share more with her students.
Linda believes that yoga helps us to escape the hectic stressful world where we
can practice being in the now and can live in a continuous state of gratitude,
where our focus on our many blessing ultimately helps us create a more joyful
life!
Chelle Ferguson Davis
Chelle Ferguson Davis
, a wife and mother of four wonderful children, has lived in Alabama most of
her life. A gymnast from the age of six, Chelle started coaching
gymnastics while still competing, something she continues to this very day. She
especially loves what gymnastics teaches children - one of her goals in life is
to share this love with as many as she is able, as long as she can. The sport
allowed her to discover her passion for fitness and wellness, especially yoga.
Being able to stay flexible and maintain muscle memory has always been
important to keeping her spine strong and healthy.
Chelle is a graduate from the University of South Alabama, where she pursued a
degree in physical education. Along with being a competitive gymnastics coach
for over 20 years, she has held titles as head Recreational coach and Preschool
Director.
Chelle also has over 10 years experience in the fitness industry as a personal
trainer, group fitness instructor, and boot camp instructor, as well as
teaching classes in Pilates, Tabata, Tone, Shred, PiYo, and yoga. Yoga is her
focus at this point in her life. She currently teaches all levels and styles
including vinyasa flow, power, restorative, and hot yoga. Chelle likes to base
her class on getting to know her students and discover their needs and wants in
a day by day, class by class progression.
Sarah Deshauteurs
received her 200 hour yoga teacher certification in October
of 2016 from Soul Shine Yoga School in Fairhope, Alabama and is an RYT per Yoga
Alliance. During her 6 months of training Sarah fully immersed herself into
yoga philosophy and asana and developed a strong and steady practice. She now
teaches all-levels Vinyasa classes and chair and partner yoga in Mobile,
Alabama and surrounding areas.
Sarah's classes are intense but easy to follow. While teaching, she places
heavy emphasis on breathing techniques and encourages students to let their
breath lead their practice on and off-the-mat. If you ever take one of her
classes, you might see elements of BowSpring and dance.
Rita Durant, Ph.D.
Rita A. Durant
has studied yoga for more than 50 years, since when she was a young girl and
her parents put her in an exercise class with yoga poses. She first taught
movement at the age of 12, giving swimming lessons at a local community center
in Kansas City, MO. She continued to study yoga through college and beyond. In
2012, she earned her RYT 200 under Michelle J. Roy of the Bhakti Yoga studio,
focusing on classical yoga studies, breathing, therapeutic applications, and
energetic awareness. She has also studied under Doug Keller, Gary Kraftsow, and
Judith Hanson Lasater. Rita's focus has always been to help students enjoy the
feelings of ease and range of motion, whether in chair yoga, restorative yoga,
slow flow, or more vigorous practices. She has also taught children's yoga to
students at Prichard Preparatory School.
In 2016, Rita received her Level 1 certification in the Franklin Method of
Dynamic Neuro-cognitive Imagery, where she learned to incorporate imagination
and mindfulness into her classes in order to speedily improve the
practitioner's positive experiences of embodiment. She is interested body
language, how the body communicates.
Rita loves to teach. In addition to yoga and the Franklin Method, she has
taught college Business Management courses in Entrepreneurship, Organizational
Studies, Management, and Leadership. One of her upcoming academic publications
will be a chapter called Spirit as Breath in a book on New Organizational
Forms. She has also taught English as a Second language in Central America,
Florida, and Alabama.
Jill Frankel
learned about yoga at a party in 1992, where she met her first teacher, Suzie Munchnick Spencer - Suzie was telling her about her new Iyengar Yoga studio and encouraging Jill to come take a class. Jill was extremely skeptical, being very stiff as well as in her second trimester of pregnancy. She decided to try it, loved it, and attended classes regularly until moving seven months later. Family, work (Jill has practiced law since 1990), and lack of a teacher as knowledgeable as Suzie kept, Jill away from yoga until she moved to Dallas in 2013.
In Dallas, Jill sought out another studio and found the BKS Iyengar Studio of Dallas, where she has been fortunate to study regularly with Randy Just, David Slack, Tatyana Wagner, Paula Weithman, and Greg White. With her move to Mobile in late 2017, Jill was very sad to lose the ability to regularly attend classes. However, to continue her practice as well as to increase her knowledge she has entered the Iyengar teacher training program at Audobon Yoga in New Orleans, taught by Becky Lloyd and Randy Just.
Chris Garrett
holds a Master
of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and has been a practicing engineer
since 1981. He has been teaching yoga since 2001 and Pilates since 2004, and
has completed Yogafit's Level 1 Teacher Training as well as attended various
yoga retreats and training workshops hosted by Doug Keller, Bryan Kest, Ginger
Layden-Braun, Amy Likins, Kim
Schwartz, Kevin Durkin, John Friend, Cat McCarthy, Leeann Carey, and Aadil
Palkhivala.
Chris has also successfully completed Balanced Body University Reformer 1 and
Movement Principals as well as Core Barre training.
In addition, Chris has been a
group fitness instructor since 1988. He was Primary, Step, and Kickboxing
certified through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, certified as
a Keiser Power Pacing bike instructor, and has also
been an AFAA Examiner.
Yoga and Pilates have helped to give him balance in his daily
activities, and in this phase of his life both have become an
essential part of his existence.
Dana Garrett
Dana Garrett
has been teaching yoga since 2001. She received her 200 hour yoga teacher
training from The Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago, Illinois and is a
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. Dana also holds a
YogaFit Level I
certification, has completed the YogaFit Pre/Post-Natal workshop, and studied
yoga with Bryan Kest, Doug Keller, Amy Likins, Ginger Layden-Braun, Kim
Schwartz, Kevin Durkin, John Friend, Cat McCarthy, Leeann Carey (Foundation
Teacher Training, Anatomy: Form & Function, Developing the Eye, and Mapping the
Body weekend intensives), and Aadil
Palkhivala.
Dana has a Pilates Initiation 101 certificate from the PhysicalMind
Institute, Level I and II Mat certifications from the Pilates
Institute of America, certification from Merrithew (Stott) Pilates in their
Intensive
Mat-Plus (2007) and Intensive Reformer (2008) methods,
completed training for the Merrithew (Stott) Pilates Intensive Cadillac (2012),
Intensive
Chair (2012), Intensive Barrel (2012), and Injuries and Special Populations
(2013) methods, and
completed Core Barre training. In addition, Dana has completed
the following Merrithew (Stott) Pilates CEC Training Workshops:
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Foam Roller Challenge, 2009
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Jumpboard Interval, 2009
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Mini-Stability Ball, 2009
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Matwork for Golf - Level 1, 2010
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Osteoporosis & Scoliosis, 2010
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Pilates with Props - Level 1, 2011
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Superior Balance, Stability Ball - Level 4, 2011
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Matwork for Golf - Level 2, 2011
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The Shoulder Girdle: Stability & Function, 2014
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Lumbo Pelvic Region: Stability & Function , 2014
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ZENGA V2 Vinyasa on the V2 Max Plus Reformer, Level 1, 2015
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ZENGA Power & Strength, 2015
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ZENGA Fluid Conditioning with the Mini Stability Ball, 2015
Dana has been working in the local fitness industry since 1984 and holds a
Master of Science degree in Sport Fitness Management. She is certified through
the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health and Fitness Instructor, is
certified through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America for High/Low
Impact Aerobics, Kick-Boxing, Weight Room, Personal Training, and Advanced
Personal Training. Dana also holds a Personal Training certification through
the American Council on Exercise and was also certified as a Keiser Power
Pacing bike instructor.
Dana was the Fitness Director at SportPlex from May, 1990 through December,
2004, and has traveled extensively for the Aerobics and Fitness Association of
America certifying instructors for group exercise and kick-boxing. She is also
a CEU provider for AFAA's aerobic and kick-boxing choreography workshops as
well as a presenter for the Mat I and Mat II programs (Yoga/Pilates workshops).
Dana has also presented a Fitness Yoga certification for the Deep South
Alliance in New Orleans.
"I have always tried to show others that they can reach their goals if they
set a series of small and attainable steps - setting themselves up to succeed,
rather than raising the bar so high they ultimately give up. Not succeeding
does not equal failure. In the big picture, the only failure is in not trying.
I consider myself to be a recovering envelope-pusher; someone who felt they
had to climb Mt. Everest everyday in order to prove themselves - usually only
to myself! Yoga has brought me to a much kinder and realistic place - it has
brought a balance that I never understood could exist. During the past few
years, I have gone through many challenges and changes. Without God, yoga, and
the love and support of my husband, I don't know how I ever would have made it!
The hectic pace of life today has most people frantically running in circles -
yoga can bring balance, compassion, patience, self-acceptance, and so much
more. It is hard to believe that something seemingly so simple can have such a
profound effect. I guess people haven't been doing yoga for over 5000 years
for nothing!
Susan Steber Kangal
Susan Steber Kangal
resides as a life-long native of Mobile. She has two daughters - Kamran, 16
yrs., and Alli, 14 yrs. old.
Susan began practicing yoga in 1998 in search of a more gentle form of exercise
after years of teaching high impact aerobics. Yoga offered a balance and
discipline that helped calm the mind and focus on rejuvenation of chronic pain
issues. Susan is certified through YogaFit. She teaches an intermediate yoga
practice adaptable to all levels. The class includes a variety of fundamental
postures (standing, seated, floor, and many times the wall) providing
stretching, strengthening and restoration. Her style focuses on alignment,
flexibility and strength training.
She is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a BFA degree in
Graphic Design, a minor in Drawing, with concentrations in Photography and Art
History. Her professional background for more than 25 years has ranged from an
Art Director at an advertising agency, Print and Media Sales to Product
Marketing Manager and formerly owner of Kangal Gallery In The SAIL LOFT in
downtown Mobile. Today Susan is an Account Executive for Lamar Advertising
Company.
Susan's latest passion is combining yoga with her love of water... Stand Up
Paddle Board Yoga on Dauphin Island!
Please visit her
Facebook SUP page and also enjoy her
SUP video.
Virginia Keene
Virginia Keene
enjoyed the benefits of yoga in her own life for several years prior to making
the decision to become a yoga instructor. Having a strong desire to share yoga
with others, in the fall of 2012 she completed her training and obtained her
instructor certification in Asheville, NC; she has been spread her love of
yoga ever since.
Virginia's classes are very light & individualized, and incorporate a blend of
yoga styles. She encourages her students to connect with themselves and adjust
their workouts to what their bodies need at that particular time. With clear
instruction, she guides her students to safely explore the stretching,
strengthening, and relaxing benefits of yoga.
As Virginia says at the end of her class, "Let a gentle smile come to your
face, and find someone to give it to today."
Bo Lackey
Bo Lackey
, RYT 200, is an Alabama boy, born and raised. He has moved on occasion and
traveled
extensively, but always comes back to the Gulf Coast. He spent his earlier
years in the Navy and then had a long and successful career in law enforcement,
keeping the peace.
He came to yoga as a way to prepare his body, mind and spirit for endurance
events, but quickly discovered yoga is something you live, not something you
do. Realizing the importance of yoga in his life he sought out a teacher and
mentor and was blessed to receive his training from internationally acclaimed
yoga guru Eric Paskel of Electric Soul Yoga in Los Angeles, California.
Incorporating a wide range of popular music, ancient yogic principles, and a
sprinkling of philosophy, his classes nourish, refresh, exhaust and inspire.
People leave looking and feeling like they got a massage at the spa, won a
street fight, and attended an amazing concert... all at once.
Bo has completed two Ironman triathlons, 4 half ironmans, the Chicago Marathon
and numerous other endurance events including Escape from Alcatraz triathlon,
century (100 mile) bike rides, and GORUCK Challenges. A practicing vegan as
well, he does his best to avoid attachments and show universal love. He now
focuses on keeping the inner peace. For more information about Bo visit his
website and blog at www.SpiritualCadre.com.
Faye Mahan
Chris McFadyen
Chris McFadyen
has been teaching hatha yoga for over 10 years. His personal
practice has included Iyengar, Anusara and Ashtanga styles of hatha yoga. Chris
is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. He has
attended intensive workshops by nationally known teachers including Doug Keller
(Anusara), Bryan Kest (Ashtanga), Shiva Rea (dance/movement) and Didier Razon
(Iyengar). He has also completed workshops in Thai Yoga Massage Therapy and has
been practicing this form of massage for many years.
Rebecca McLeod
Rebecca McLeod
came to yoga while working a stressful job in retail management. As she lay
in Savasana in that first class, she thought to herself "where has this been my
whole life?" The feeling of connection, relaxation and the pure bliss had
hooked her and she became a regular after that. Loving the chance to "escape"
for an hour a week onto her mat.
Life unfolded as it does and she found herself leaving that stressful job and
moving to Mobile where she met a wonderful yoga community. When the opportunity
for yoga teacher training came up, she wasn't initially interested. She was
enjoying being "retired". However, that feeling she had in that very first yoga
class was still with her and she wanted to share that with others, giving them
the opportunity to quiet their mind and feel that connection with their breath
and their body. She completed her RYT-200 training in July of 2015 with Kula
Yoga Community of Mobile. She teaches Hatha, Vinyasa, Gentle, Restorative and
Prenatal Yoga. She believes that yoga is for everybody and every body. Her
classes focus on connecting with and creating space for the breath.
A native of small town rural Northern Pennsylvania, Rebecca grew up on a dairy
farm. She has a Business Administration degree from Mansfield University and
spent over 10 years in the Harley-Davidson business. She received her strong
work ethic and compassion for others from her loving parents and grandmother.
Rebecca loves making others feel good and helping them to relax. When she is
not teaching or taking a yoga class she is traveling with her husband and her
Westie Leroy. She also enjoys cooking, sewing and makes Aromatherapy eye
pillows. Rebecca is a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA Essential Oils and a
supporter of the Mobile Ballet, Days For Girls, and Esophageal Cancer Action
Network (ECAN).
She looks forward to seeing you in class and helping you to relax and reset.
Valerie Mitchell
Valerie Mitchell
began practicing yoga in 2004 (when she walked into her first
yoga class with teacher Chris McFadyen) after searching for an activity she
could do with her then-middle school-aged daughter on Saturday mornings. Little
did she know then that yoga would become central to her way of life. Twelve
years later, and she is practicing yoga more than ever, teaching yoga, and
still taking classes from Chris McFadyen! (Her daughter, however, now an adult,
has sadly not remained so faithful with yoga... but there's always hope!)
Valerie is 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified, after studying for a year with
Tracey Glover in Mobile.
Raised in Virginia, Valerie holds a B.A. degree from Mary Baldwin College, an
M.A. in History from the College of William & Mary, and a J.D. from the
University of Virginia. She practiced law for eleven years with a large law
firm in Dallas, Texas, where she was a partner. After "retiring" from her
practice, she moved towards more right-brain activity and has worked as a
graphic designer and photographer for the past 20 years. She and her husband,
Andy, a Mobile native, have been back in Mobile for 18 years, living in
midtown.
JJ Moody
began practicing yoga in the year 2000 while working at the Omega Institute for
Holistic Studies. As a staff member there she was exposed to all different types
of yoga. The style that she is most drawn to is known as ashtanga, or vinyasa
yoga. In plain terms it is a power yoga style that follows a specific sequence
of flowing movements to warm up the muscles before moving into more challenging
postures or longer holds. In 2015 JJ decided to go through teacher training to
gain better understanding of the history, philosophy of yoga and to learn
in-depth the physical structure of each posture. Studying with three different
yoga schools, she received an RYT 300 through Aura Wellness in 2016, then
studied with
Tracey Glover at the Shanti Warrior School of Living Yoga for 100 hours and
attended Glow Yoga's training program for 100 hours, completing a total of 500
hours of
training.
JJ began teaching in Spring 2016 with a goal to make yoga accessible to
everyone
regardless of their experience level. Each yoga class will focus on
dynamic stretches for each muscle group, while strengthening the core and using
the breath as a guide. She also really enjoys teaching yin yoga (known as ROMWOD
in the crossfit community) and restorative or gentle yoga practices. JJ loves
working with athletes, skateboarders and anyone new to yoga. She believe yoga
can
be beneficial to everyone as it's main purpose is to help us slow down, breathe
and let go.
Manja Herlt Podratz
Manja Herlt Podratz
completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Tracey Narayani Glover of
Shanti Warrior Living Yoga at Quiet Mind Massage and Yoga Studio right here in
Mobile.
Manja received her Bachelor's degree of Arts Management and Cultural Studies at
the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam (Germany) and her PhD in Theory
of Architecture and Media Studies at the Brandenburg University of Technology
in Cottbus (Germany). She taught at college level for 11 years in Germany,
Italy, and the United States, and published several academic books and articles
both in English and German during this time. In 2001 a sport accident caused
fractures of three vertebrae, which after long months of healing and hospital
treatment brought her back to a more intense yoga practice.
Manja is mother of three wonderful children, and the author of "Das Leben kennt
den Weg" - a guidebook about natural pregnancy and childbirth as well as vegan
nutrition during pregnancy, currently being translated into English. Manja is a
Certified Translation Professional, working as medical, legal, and sports
interpreter.
Annette Porter-Ham
has been a student of yoga since 1996 and instructing practice since 1999.
Annette is an E-RYT 500, RPYT, FiTour Master Yoga Instructor, Spinning
Instructor, Fitour Group Fitness Instructor and Certified Personal Trainer.
Annette has competed in 4 Ironman Distance Triathlons, numerous marathons,
multi-sport events and bicycle centuries. Annette completed a double century
(200 miles) and earned the honor of being the first female to complete the
distance in Alabama. Annette has an extensive background in competitive sports,
sports specific conditioning, functional training and her passion of Yoga.
Though her knowledge of exercise and the human body, she is able to design
creative and dynamic programs for any client's fitness level and their specific
goals. She believes in achieving these goals by finding balance in the mind,
body and spirit.
In prenatal yoga, Annette's intention is to create a nurturing and safe
practice that will emerge in the beauty of wholeness and health for the Mother
and her newborn child. Her yoga instruction will facilitate each person's
uniqueness as she guides them into self-awareness.
Her life has been blessed with
two beautiful daughters. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her
family and friends, Celtic music and playing flute.
Jasmine Woodward
More teacher bios will be added as they become available!
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