Newly Certified: Anne Taft

IMG_1450Meet Anne Taft! Anne is a cyclist, personal trainer, and a fantastic yoga teacher in the Chicago area. While she’d planned to join me in North Carolina this summer for the in-person content portion of the Sage Yoga for Athletes certification, life got in the way, and instead I had the pleasure of working with her online. Along the way, I saw her measured approach to exploring the field and was pleased to hear that the course confirmed her own conclusions about the way sports and yoga can and should mesh. Watching Anne teach was a real treat: her wide range of experience comes together in a class that is clear, appropriately challenging, and comfortable for all students.

Here’s Anne in her words:

ANNE TAFT, Registered Yoga Teacher, Posture Alignment Specialist, Certified Yoga for Athletes Instructor

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I have been practicing yoga since 2001, teaching since 2008, and completed my 200-hour certification with Rolf Gates, author of Meditations from the Mat, in 2013, and my Yoga for Athletes certification with Sage Rountree in 2015.

My background as a Posture Alignment Specialist is evident in my classes as I focus on helping students maintain the functional integrity of the body while building strength and quieting the mind. I have continued my yoga teaching journey with coursework in functional yoga anatomy, yoga for men and of course, Yoga for Athletes.

An athlete my entire life (runner-turned-cyclist), I believe it is dedication to  my yoga and meditation practice that has allowed me to continue my fitness endeavors relatively injury free. I am committed to helping students “practice yoga in their own bodies” and encourage private sessions in order for students to gain insight into their unique physical structure.

Classes range from physically challenging, strength building vinyasa classes to muscle-releasing restorative classes for athletic recovery. I really love helping students find balance, whether it’s yin/yang, intense training/recovery, or mindful movement/meditative stillness.

I create my own balance by cycling, gardening, cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with my family, friends and big black lab, Jack. Fun and laughter are top priorities for me!

My website is currently under construction, but I can be reached at amadaytaft@gmail.com or 630-917-2783.