Ana Pilar Cruz

Ana Pilar is a prolific cook, voracious reader, amatuer gardener, local farmers market peruser, beginning rock climber, and intrepid green belt explorer. Ana Pilar has made Austin her home for the last 8 years, after living in Mexico City and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

You'll find Ana Pilar teaching our Hatha Beginners Series, and teaching teachers in Yoga Yoga's Teacher Training program. On our regular schedule Ana Pilar teaches Hatha and Hatha Flow. Ana Pilar's classes are great for students who are new to yoga and need a demonstration and explanation of the postures, and for experienced students who want to investigate movement on a deeper level. Her Hatha Star and Hatha classes are gentle enough for students who are working with limitations. Her Hatha Flow classes are more dynamic, and typically involve inversions and more advanced breath work. Ana Pilar's teaching is inspired by the Viniyoga method and the innovative work of Donna Farhi.

Students in Ana Pilar's classes will work on connecting the breath with movement. Ana Pilar often uses postures that protect and strengthen the lower back, a vulnerable part of the body that often needs attention. Before coming into poses and holding them, Ana PIlar has students open up their bodies with dynamic motion. Her classes end with a pranayama, or breath control exercise, so that students leave with calm, focused energy.

Ana Pilar completed the Yoga Yoga's 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program, and the 500-hour Viniyoga training from the American Viniyoga Institute. She has studies Vinyasakrama with Srivatsa Ramaswami, and taken part in various workshops and intensive trainings with Donna Farhi.

When Ana Pilar first came to yoga she felt like she was finally home. She came looking for relief for the very same type of low back issues that she helps students through today. Yoga has been a part of Ana Pilar's life during periods of growth and change in her life. Her students at Yoga Yoga inspire her to continue her own practice.

Ana Pilar loves Barton Springs, the various greenbelts of Austin, and 1940s Torch songs. She hopes to live in New Zealand one day, and is willing to dance to anything and everything.