Ann Henrie began practicing yoga in 1995.  She studies locally with Denise Benitez, and nationally with John Friend, Desiree Rumbaugh, Sarahjoy Marsh, Betsy Downing, Rolf Gates and Noah Maze.  She received her teacher training from Seattle Yoga Arts, one of Seattle’s only Anusara Yoga studios.  Ann is continually inspired by her students, the relationship between art, music and dance, and the world around her.  She offers both public and private lessons for all levels and abilities.  She has taught yoga in the workplace, in studios, gyms, and schools, and for chronic conditions including MS, leukemia, breast cancer, Crohn’s, & fibromyalgia.  Ann can be reached at annmhenrie@gmail.com

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Yoga is transformative. The best thing about it is ANYONE can practice yoga.  You are never too old, too weak, too inflexible.  The practice begins from wherever you are.  It enables optimal physical, mental, and spiritual health.  That doesn’t mean you have to renounce religious beliefs or have any at all.  Yoga isn’t dogmatic.  It serves to fully enhance all aspects of one’s life.  This ancient system provides tools to deal with our hectic, modern world.  The true joy and privilege of teaching yoga is helping others to discover the beauty and divinity within themselves. 

Vast oversimplification of the history of yoga:  Originating in India over 5,000 years ago, it was developed to aid the priestly class in meditation.  Dissatisfaction with using an intermediary to access the Divine caused the public to eventually seek their own spiritual practice.  Over thousands of years, it evolved from the Brahmin class to the personal practice we see today, influencing Hinduism, Buddhism, and many forms of Eastern and Western philosophy.

One of the reasons yoga is so popular is because IT WORKS.  The emphasis on breath work distinguishes it from other forms of physical exercise.  Yoga is also an excellent compliment to many other sports such as running, tennis, golf, swimming and cycling.  It is also used in conjunction with physical therapy to help heal injuries.    

Another benefit of regular practice is yoga’s ability to help bring the mind back to a place of stillness and clarity.  From an uncluttered perspective, we can look at life without all of the usual distractions.   Yoga helps to improve concentration and the ability to focus.  This attention makes it possible to live more fully in the moment, and to truly enjoy every aspect of life...even some of the tougher moments!