ANN WELCHANS

My first yoga experience was in 1975. I was working at a place in Cleveland Heights, Ohio called Tommy’s which was a vegetarian, Lebanese, Italian soda shop. In walked this group of people who seemed different…they were high on life. They were yogis from the Light of Yoga Society. So it began for me. I practiced for a few years but then got distracted by other things in my life. In the 1990’s yoga found me again. I eventually wanted to share my love for yoga so I got certified with Interactive Yoga Therapy in 1998 with Jan Hauenstein. I also must give gratitude to another of my teachers at the time, Dympna Ferante, who influenced and held me up at a very low point in my life. I joined the Yoga Alliance in 2003 and am still a member. I have taken many classes, seminars, and continuing education over the years (2000-2006) which include experiences at the Himalayan Institute, Om, Shivananda, Jivamukti, Kripalu, and Integral Yoga. In 2005-2006 completed Phoenix Rising levels 1 and 2, and part of level 3…still in progress.

I found Yoga One shortly after they opened and immediately felt at home. As I deepened my practice I knew I wanted to take the teacher training at Yoga One with Johnna Smith. The experience changed me and helped me grow…a process which continues, in ways that surprised and delighted me. I took Prana: The Power and Path of Yoga with Rod Stryker in the spring of 2008 and plan to continue learning with him. I also took a number of short weekend classes in 2008 at the Himalayan Institute with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D, and Rolf Sovik, PsyD, . In the late summer of 2008 I took the Level One training with Baron Baptiste and will at some point take Level Two.

I am so blessed to have Yoga One, Sally and Steve Knight, Johnna Smith, all the teachers who have shared and taught me, and the community of people I have been honored to meet and share with through yoga that I can only do my best to be my best. Teaching makes me feel humble and grateful that I can share with others what all my teachers have shared with me.