Annie is the founder of Budding Yogis (2003) which became Circle Yoga, and she is the co-founder of DC Community Yoga / DC Yoga Week, Yoga on the National Mall, and the Opening Heart Mindfulness Community. Annie has been active in much of the grassroots community yoga and mindfulness activities in the Washington DC Area. She has been a student of yoga and mindfulness since the 1990's and a teacher since 2001 — and has most recently received the dharma lamp transmission at a ceremony at Plum Village France. She is also a writer and published her second book, Things I Did When I Was Hangry: Navigating a Peaceful Relationship with Food with Parallax Press in 2015. Read Annie's mindfulness blog at rawmindfulness.com. Join Annie's email list for tips on how to be present and at ease in your daily life.
Annie holds masters degrees in both Computer Science, from the University of Michigan, and Religious Studies from Howard University. She was ordained by her mindfulness teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, in 2009 with the ordination name True Blue Lake, and became a licensed massage therapist in 2011.
Annie's first yoga teacher training was with Suzie Hurley at Willow Street Yoga Center in 2004, and Annie was one of the country's first certified Children's Yoga teachers. She is a certified Focusing professional and has studied and practiced Nonviolent Communication (NVC), witchcraft, trauma-informed clinical practice, and many other modalities.
In 2010, Annie created The Pink House Foundation, giving grants to social justice organizing for frontline communities. Annie transformed the Circle Yoga LLC into a worker-owned cooperative in 2014 because she is a strong supporter of cooperative economics and democratic governance. She is especially interested in how to redistribute land, wealth and power.
Studio Waiver
As the student taking classes or workshops at the studio, via livestream or by video (the “Classes”) with Circle Yoga Cooperative (CYC), I understand that the Classes include physical movements and exertion. As is the case with any physical activity, the risk of injury, even serious or disabling, is always present and cannot be entirely eliminated. I understand that it is my responsibility to consult with a physician prior to and regarding my participation in the Classes. I represent that I am in good health and physical condition and I have no medical condition which would prevent my full participation in the Classes. In addition, when in the Classes, I will make the instructor aware of any medical conditions or physical limitations before class begins. If I am pregnant, become pregnant, or I am post-natal or post-surgical, my signature below verifies that I have my physician’s approval to participate. In consideration of being permitted to participate in the Classes I agree to assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, or damages, known or unknown, which I might incur as a result of participating in the program. In further consideration of being permitted to participate in the Classes, I expressly irrevocably release and waive any claims that I have now or may have hereafter for any reason against Circle Yoga LLC, its owners, employees, and independent contractors, for injury or damages that I may sustain as a result of participating in a Class.
Photos: I may be photographed while at the studio and these photographs may appear in CYC promotional materials unless otherwise specified. No person whose photograph is used will be identified by name, nor will any compensation be extended for such use.
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