Annabelle’s classes incorporate the traditions of Iyengar, Ashtanga and Vini Yoga, with a focus on mindful flow, as well as holding poses for longer periods of time, creating sustainable strength and deeper stillness. Expect to move with synchronized breath from one pose to another, movements are slow and mindful, allowing for pause and depth, often with the use of props. Students are guided and encouraged to delve deeper into the many teachings of yoga through Asana, Meditation, Pranayama and Mantra. Over the past decade in particular, Annabelle’s studies have been focused on trauma-informed teaching, which offers an approach to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive space in which students can learn emotional regulation skills through connection with the breath and increased body awareness. Trauma lives in the body, and there is no separation between mind and body. Yoga Asana in particular can help us track our bodies, allowing for the possibility of releasing the tension and trauma that get stuck in the body.

Bringing a lifetime of travel and spiritual awareness to her practice and teaching, Annabelle continues on her path of studentship & yoga studies, always the student first. Her studies over the last 20+ years  have been diverse. Annabelle is especially grateful to Seane Corn, Nikki Myers, Hala Khouri and Janet Stone for sharing their deep wisdom and gifts, and for their solid guidance along this path.

Annabelle first discovered the practice of yoga through Asana in 1997. Since then she has experienced various styles under the Hatha Yoga umbrella. She began teaching Yoga in 2007, while living in Yucatan, Mexico.

Her 12+ years experience as a Social Worker in Oakland, as well as her 28 years on the healing path, have informed how she relates to others and how she carries the message of yoga. Annabelle is certified to teach with Niroga, Y12SR and with the Prison Yoga Project. She teaches weekly Y12SR (The Yoga of 12 Step Recovery) classes in Hospitals and Treatment Centers in the East Bay, Dynamic Mindfulness & Yoga classes to youth within the public school system, as well as teaching weekly classes at San Quentin Sate Prison. Annabelle has completed various trainings with Off the Mat into the World, these trainings have been pivotal in her personal and professional growth. Her studies in Trauma Informed Yoga have influenced how she guides her students through the practices. Annabelle was raised bilingually and bi-culturally and also offers donation-based workshops and classes to the Latino community in Spanish.

She manages and leads retreats all over the world and is the founder of Satya Retreats. For more about Annabelle, visit her websites: http://satyayoga.info/ and http://satyaretreats.com