Annick

Annick has been teaching at Yoga Yoga since 2000! Annick's Ashtanga and Hatha Flow classes, as well as her weekend workshops, have a strong following. Since becoming a teacher, Annick has logged over 500 hours of training with some of the most gifted teachers in the world. When students see Annick work deeply into postures, they can hardly believe that when she began practicing she couldn’t even touch her toes.

Yoga came into Annick's life in 1994 when she moved from South Africa to Boca Raton, Florida. At the time Annick was an avid runner, training regularly for marathons. She was not very flexible, but it didn't impede her ability to run and play. "I couldn't move my body, but it wasn't really bothering me."

When her gym offered a free yoga class for members, Annick gave it a try. Perhaps it would improve her running. She became friends with the teacher, and started attending regularly. Annick was immediately interested in teaching. She began studying Iyengar and Hatha Flow, and soon took her first teacher training course. In that teacher training course, Annick got tremendous encouragement from her teacher. "At the closing ceremony she said, 'Usually in a group, I don't find a sister, but in this group I have found my sister. And she turned to me and said 'It is Annick.' Even though she doesn't bend forward very well, she has the spirit inside and I believe she will be a very good teacher.’"

Annick was introduced to Ashtanga some time later, and went to a 5-day intensive training with Beryl Bender at the Kripalu Center in Massachusetts. "I loved the movement in the practice versus staying in one posture for a long period of time. I was able to use my strength and not be as concerned with my lack of flexibility." After studying with David Swenson in Vermont, Annick returned home to teach Ashtanga. She has continued her training throughout her career, including work with master teachers Tim Miller, David Swenson, Nancy Gilgoff, Beryl Bender, Manju Jois, Richard Friedman, Rodney Yee, Shiva Rae, John Friend and Donna Farhi.

Most recently, Annick attended a month-long program with Ana Forrest in Boston. There Annick earned over 200 hours of teacher training in injury prevention and healing. Her work with Ana Forrest lends Annick extra insight into modifications for students who are new to yoga, or who are recovering from injuries. In a rigorous practice like Ashtanga or Hatha Flow, it is not uncommon for students to push themselves into postures they may not be ready for. Injury prevention training helps Annick guide students through their practice safely.

Annick's Ashtanga classes take students through the entire primary series. She leads the class in the traditional Sanskrit, and offers newer students personal guidance throughout the class. In Ashtanga Mysore classes, Annick moves around the room guiding students individually.

When asked to describe Ashtanga, Annick said, "It is the coordination of movement and breath. The teacher is here to guide. Listen to the teacher. What you can do is fine, what you can't do is fine. Just have fun. For the first few classes, look around and you will get an idea of what is going on. Then you can start to learn in earnest."

In Hatha Flow classes, Annick uses interesting postures and modifications to create a fun and unpredictable class. Hip and heart openers are a frequent theme, and the classes are generally lighthearted and fun, although students should expect to work hard.

Annick's students say they feel very safe with her, and she has inspired several of the students to become yoga teachers themselves.

Annick continues to be very athletic in her own life, with daily walking and yoga, as well as regular spinning classes and hikes. She lives in Austin with her children and pets, and continues to regard yoga as a source of strength and power in her life. "By Ashtanga Yoga strengthening your body is strengthening your mind. I have raised four children on my own. I have been very grateful to the stamina and strength that Ashtanga has provided me to do this. The practice builds a power inside that I really like."

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