![](https://yogawithanney.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/7D63F80E-B517-45BE-ADF1-1469B853E117_1_201_a.jpeg)
My Story
![](https://yogawithanney.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/about-me-4.jpeg)
I am a certified yoga and meditation teacher, retreat and event planner and teach with passion, experience and a lot of love. I offer a range of in-person and online classes, private sessions, workshops and retreats for all levels. My aim is to help you connect with your mind, body and spirit through the practice of yoga. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner, I’m here to support you on your yoga journey.
Yoga is a journey to ourselves, our true nature and essence. The postures and breathing tools are used as a way to get into our body and a way to calm and regulate our nervous system.
My aim is to make yoga real and accessible to everyone regardless of age, sex or fitness. Yoga is not just for those who are fit or flexible but for all those who want to improve their all round quality of life and the ability to remain calm and present in all aspects of life.
Through combining meditation, pranayama (breathing practices) and asana (physical poses), the focus of my yoga is to build physical strength and flexibility, ease pain or discomfort as well as improve life off the yoga mat by finding a place of calm and peace within and remaining present, balanced and grounded. My classes are creative and encouraging, no matter your level, background or ability. I will strive to keep you inspired and supple. The goal of my yoga classes is to create a sense of union and balance between your mind, body and soul, a sense of coming home to you. Yoga with me is a way to find some space, some stillness and to calm the busyness of your mind.
My philosophy is based on Yoga being an inclusive practice for all, a way to play and be curious, a way to connect with ourselves, a personal and inward journey with the absence of judgement, ego or competition but instead filled with compassion for and acceptance of yourself and others. Yoga is the union of different aspects of the self as well as with others we have contact with in our lives, an energy practice.
![](https://yogawithanney.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/about-me-3.jpeg)
It’s not about achieving the advanced asana, though progress is, of course, great. The yoga pose is not the goal, becoming flexible is not the goal nor is standing on your head, though these are all great side effects. The goal is to create space where you were once stuck, to unveil the layers of protection you’ve built around your heart. To appreciate your amazing body and breath, and to become aware of your mind and the noise it creates. To make peace with and accept who you are with love.
I love yoga. The unity and balance it brings to my mind, body and soul but also how this extends to all aspects of my life.
My inspiration to practise yoga came from my mum, who has practised yoga for the past 40+ years. She not only inspired me but her gentle persistence whilst I tried unsuccessfully to touch anywhere below my knees, also allowed me to explore and appreciate the wonderful physical, mental and spiritual benefits yoga has to offer.
![](https://yogawithanney.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/about-me-2-1024x842.jpeg)
In 2017, after teaching English to international students in various places around the world for 10 years, I decided to take the plunge and undertake the yoga teacher training course in India. It was something that had been at the back of my mind and the opportunity presented itself as I would be spending some time traveling around Thailand, Cambodia and India. I found a course in the holy city of Rishikesh, nestled between the Ganges and the foothills of the Himalayas. As so much of the philosophy of yoga is intwined with the Indian culture, I knew it would be a real and authentic opportunity to learn traditional Hatha yoga.
I returned to the UK and began teaching privately, corporate groups and in a few studios around South-west London for about a year. In October 2019 I decided to return to India and complete my training in Goa, to become 500-hour Yoga Alliance trained in Ashtanga, Hatha, meditation and pranayama. It was a beautiful and challenging experience and really set me on my yoga journey.
During my time in India, I became very aware of the importance of energy and on returning home undertook a level-2 Reiki healing course to be able to channel the universal healing powers available to us.
![](https://yogawithanney.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/about-me-1-1024x842.jpeg)
When the pandemic struck, like so many of us, my plans came to a stand still. A stark reminder of how little we actually control and the importance of living day to day. My classes moved online, a steep learning curve. In September 2020, I finally managed to attend my Yin yoga teacher training in Ibiza. It was an intensely introspective journey and we delved deeply into the healing powers of Yin yoga and the amazing benefits it can bring to every body, mind and soul.
Continuing my training in 2021 I qualified to teach yoga and mindfulness to children and young people, expanding my knowledge of the development of the mind-body connection, the importance of living and moving mindfully and how this in turn develops our quality of life, our relationship with ourselves and others and our ability to live through compassion rather than judgement. I learnt the power of creating and changing our neural-pathways and how our yoga practice, at any age can encourage and influence us to respond rather than react, have a greater awareness of and healthier relationship with our thought habits and emotions, and to love and accept all that we are through true connection to ourselves and all around us.
Yoga keeps me balanced and fulfilled and I love sharing that with my students, whether we are together on retreat, private 1-1 class, in a group lesson or workshop.
Kind Words
“Anney is a caring and conscientious teacher. In both group and one-to-one sessions she takes time to respond to the needs of those she’s working with, and offers numerous options throughout the sessions to suit abilities and moods. I always get a lot out of the sessions, both physically and mentally, and find them really fulfilling. I highly recommend Anney as a teacher.”
“I have been a runner all my adult life which has kept me fit but at a cost to my upper body. Realising that I needed to embark on some strenthening exercise, but hating gyms’ friend suggested yoga. I had always thought yoga was women sitting crosslegged on mats chanting but my first class with Anney quickly changed that misconception. After carefully listening to what I wanted to achieve, she devised a progressive plan over the following weeks. It was tough going at the start but with Anne-Marie’s gentle encouragement I began to see an improvement in all areas. I can certainly recommend Yoga with Anney to all men who wish to find an alternative to muscle-building gyms”