Anne Pitman is well known for her innovative and mindful approach to movement and yoga. Acknowledging the body as the teacher, she has created many unique programs over the past 25 years of teaching, including Shanti Yoga, Empower Dance, Open (body) Space, Moondance, Cycle Yoga and Intuitive Dance and Yoga. Curious by nature, Anne has studied alternative medicine and movement approaches; most notably Homeopathy, New Medicine, Ayureveda, Feldenkrais, Contiuum, Trager, Sacred Circle Dancing, Sensory Awareness, Body-Mind Centering, Chi Running, Non-Violent Communication and many forms of yoga (Iyengar, Krilpalu, Svaroopa, Ashtanga, Anusara, Scaravelli). As part of celebrating life and its many passages, Anne facilitates both the seasons of the year (Equinox, Solstice, Beltane etc) and the seasons of life (blessing way, coming of age,) rituals.
Always interested in bringing more freedom to the body, Anne was drawn to the work of Vanda Scaravelli ( "Awakening The Spine"), a student of Iyengar and Desikachar, and completed Teacher Training in this approach with Irene Beer. The inspiration of Vanda's work was a turning point - she taught "Infinite time and no ambition", moving through yoga without the strain and effort.
After years of academic work, decades of teaching, vast experience in alternative movement, specific training in yoga, focused time in personal practice, it all coalesced into this: the body knows. Just be in the body. Begin the conversation. Listen. Breathe. Come home. Yoga practice allows us to slowly release tension and drop fully into the body, to let go of goals and expectations and be present to how the body wants to breathe and move, moment to moment. Rather than following others or imposing a technique upon the body, the practice comes from the inherent wisdom of the body. All we need do is listen mindfully. And follow. With kindness. The movement that comes tends to be gently opening, releasing, circulating, integrating, connecting, re-juicing, freeing and healing. Yoga.
Anne holds group classes and private sessions for all levels, including prenatal yoga. Her special interest is in creating an individual body-practice during injuries or life altering events, such as cancer. She is certified with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT500 - RYT500) and is a teacher and Yoga Teacher trainer for Santosha Yoga Studio and Empower Me Yoga.
Most recently Anne has accepted the position of Cancer Coach at the Maplesoft Survivorship Centre. There she sees guests privately, with regard to any aspect of their cancer journey, and in group yoga classes.
