WHAT GOT YOU INTO YOGA?

I got into yoga at a time in my life when I was living outside myself. I had given up teaching special education to have children and manage my husband’s animal hospital. I was overweight and stuck in a job I disliked, but I couldn’t understand why I felt unhappy. I turned to Kundalini Yoga and learned how to get quiet.

In meditation, I could see that I had gotten off track. My spirit was suffocating in a business of accounting, budgeting and taxes. Within a few months of practicing yoga, I realized I was not fulfilling the purpose of my life. I was running around, doing what everyone thought I should be doing, not doing the things my heart yearned to do.

Kundalini Yoga gave me the courage to lose eighty pounds, change careers, and find happiness within myself, rather than continuously looking outside. Yoga helped me to find my way back to teaching.

DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING AND INFLUENTIAL TEACHERS:

I enrolled in Yoga Village’s first teacher training, because I wanted to have a better understanding of how meditation and mantra worked. The teachers who came to Clearwater were all amazing. Each one influenced me in a distinct way. I feel blessed to have learned from Deva, Pritpal, Dev Suroop and Awtar.

Here at the Village, I feel especially close to Updesh. She has been generous and supportive in helping me grow as a teacher.

I also admire Sunder. I love the way she holds the space of a teacher and teaches with confidence. I always feel a shift in her classes and she is a great example of how our personal journeys have to be about growth. Everyone is either growing or dying, and I think she models and motivates growth.   

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START TEACHING?

I decided to become a teacher of Kundalini Yoga because nothing had ever moved me, changed me, or elevated me in such a profound way. Once I felt the power of Kundalini, I knew I had a responsibility to share it with others.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and have always loved the energy of kids, so when I learned Shakta Kaur Khalsa offered classes in teaching Children’s Yoga, I immediately signed up and became certified in all three levels of her trainings. Combining my teaching experience, yoga training and the children of Yoga Village has been one of the greatest opportunities of my life.

DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE:

My personal practice is heavy in mantra and meditation. If I have a challenge in any area of my life, I use a mantra or a mediation to get myself through. I usually practice two or three mantras throughout my day. I also love walking meditations and daily Kundalini Kriyas.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THIS YEAR’S SUMMER CAMP?

This summer, I am excited about being in the energy of the children. They radiate happiness and soak up the teachings like beautiful, happy, little sponges. I hope the camp will bring some new children to the Yoga Village Community. Sharing yoga with those who are unfamiliar with the practice is especially rewarding. Children eagerly accept the idea of asana, mantra and meditation as tools to improve life, so it’s a joy to share with them.

Annette teaches the weekly kids class on Mondays at 4PM. This class will change times over the summer to accomodate our kids camp, which Annette directs. She will be teaching every Monday for both sessions at 1:30-3PM and 3-4:30PM.