What brought you to the practice of yoga?  I began teaching yoga about 10 years ago when I was searching for a way to save my life. I had two amazing children who were the "loves" of my life  but realized I hadn't found the love in my life. My marriage was ending and honestly I had to create an energy to support myself. I sat at the computer one dismal day and typed in to the Google bar, "dance and yoga." A miracle clearly for me was a YouTube film of Shiva Rea moving to music that "moved" me. As a dancer and choreographer I knew instantly this practice would be the perfect fit. As soon as I decided to study and receive my yoga certification people who knew me said, "as soon as you are ready I want you to be my teacher." It was as if the Universe knew I was a yoga teacher and I had finally heard the message.

Who are some of your yoga teachers?  The bigger answer is myself ...I am my teacher, all my students are my teachers, but I have been fortunate to study with Shiva Rea, Seane Corne, Baron Baptiste, Gurmukh, and others who have "reinforced" what I do and to be authentic. 

How would you describe the form of yoga you teach currently? I teach Vinyasa yoga. I have combined "tastes" of Kundalini as well. I started teaching because of my intrinsic knowledge of movement and dance, so I weave a lot of spirit into my practice. My students say I channel energy. I imagine I do because some of what I do in practice feels so effortless and almost dreamlike...that is why I named my business Yogadream. I am also a big proponent of Love so I continually speak of highest vibration in the practice to "buzz" Love.

Where do you teach? I teach about 20 classes a week in clubs -- Elite  Exhale Studio in Mequon and Glendale, Le Club in Glendale-- and corporate and private classes. On Sundays I teach in Thiensville at Heart Space and in the summer at Doctor's Park at the beach.

Why do you teach? Yoga is a beautiful "template" for life and its teachings. Baron Baptiste says, "you want to land here." I agree. I feel that along with being a fountain of youth, an elixir of health and vitality, yoga takes you to such high places in your own being that you might never feel or experience otherwise. I am continually learning, exploring, facing my fears and in rapture with this practice.

What aspect of yoga do you personally want to explore more deeply?  I would like to become certified in Kundalini yoga and perhaps study more with some of my "River Guides," Shiva Rea and Gurmukh.

What are your thoughts on the growing popularity of yoga?  I think yoga is where everyone is aspiring to be, in this lifetime or perhaps another. I'm not sure everyone is ready to hear the message of freedom.  So the population that finds their practice coming for the aspects of fitness find themselves staying for the aspect of liberation. It doesn't matter how you "arrive" but staying is crucial.

What are your hobbies? My hobbies are probably not hobbies. I love learning so I read a lot, from books I can hold and write in the parentheses and mark with post-its. I have a library of yoga inspired books in my car, on my bookshelf and most often in my bed! I love to move and breathe fresh air so I find going to the beach even in the winter exhilarating. I grew up in a home with art and good food and both my children are amazing cooks and artists so my appreciation is immense in those areas as well. And I hope soon to take up the guitar again...I just want to belt out a few songs. I think my dream would have been to be a back up singer and dancer to Tina Turner!

What is something unique or quirky about you that not many people know about? I probably said a few things about myself people might take as "quirky" but I am a montage of quirky, grace, love, joy, gratitude, tenderness, courage, strength, energy, humor...and aren't we all?. I think yoga gave me a forum to express all those qualities and more and I am so grateful that practitioners from this city, this community have embraced some part of my teaching. Thank you and I honor your Light with mine.

Learn more about Anne at YogaDream.us