Before we get to the interview, a message from Anne:

‘Hosting this podcast and interviewing all these amazing people has been such an enriching experience, and I had no idea the impact it would have on me and my listeners. With every conversation, I feel changed by my guests' stories. Because it is stories that stay with us, that and how people made us feel.’

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If you enjoy Out of the Clouds, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps make it stand out and will support booking of upcoming guests.’

Episode Notes

Known in the yoga world as THE teachers’ teacher, Annie Carpenter (@anniecarpentersmartflow) shares her story with Anne, who has been an avid student, first via online platform Glo.com, before attending live Zoom classes and IRL workshops with her in 2022.

Annie’s journey starts in Virginia, but she tells Anne how she found her path early on with dance, leading her to the Martha Graham company and New York City. From getting a scholarship to working at the junior company and briefly joining the main company, Annie found a calling in what she refers to as authentic self-movement and in teaching at the Martha Graham Center. An introvert, she shares with Anne how yoga became an essential part of her life, thanks to Integral yoga (Swami Satchidananda’s school) which felt like a refuge from the competitiveness of the dance world.

Annie explains how after a trip to LA and a conversation with her teacher Maty Ezraty, she impulsively relocated to the West Coast and turned to teaching yoga full time, training at Yoga Works under Maty and Lisa Walford. They go on to talk about teaching, about Annie's movement principles and energy, how to create inspiration for students, and why Annie founded her own yoga school, Smart Flow Yoga.

Annie also shares why continuing to evolve is essential, as well as learning to let go of preconceived notions. She explains how she has learnt to tap into her students’ expectations rather than relying on her own. Now based in Northern California, the teacher, who turned 65 this year, also talks about the stages of life, or ashrams, and she is learning to ‘retire’ whatever is not supportive in her practice. Quoting Noam Chomsky, she says: "If you are teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either your field is dead, or you are.”

Annie also reveals her passion for bird-watching, her mindfulness and pranayama practices, and how learning to be still was the doorway to her meditation practice. Finally, she answers the most delicate and profound question of all, one that Annie regularly asks her students: who is Annie?

A joyous, profoundly thoughtful and inspiring interview. Enjoy!

Takeaways

Annie Carpenter's journey from dance to yoga and the influence of Martha Graham on her practice
The importance of finding one's truth and balance in yoga practice
Annie's development of Smart Flow Yoga and the principles behind it
Annie's role as a teacher's teacher and her experience teaching on Glow Glow Yoga offers a variety of teachers and practices that are both entertaining and beneficial.
Teaching yoga via Zoom has its challenges, but it also allows for a more global community.
Traveling for yoga teacher trainings can be both rewarding and guilt-inducing due to carbon emissions.
Tapping into energy and using inquiry are important aspects of teaching yoga.
Somatic movement and meditation can enhance the yoga practice and bring about self-discovery.
Yoga philosophy, such as the Yuga Sutras, offers insights into time, space, and the human experience.
There is a need for more accessible yoga classes that cater to beginners and focus on functional movement.
Birdwatching is a passion of Anne's that connects her with nature and brings her joy. Birdwatching can be a meditative and calming hobby that allows for a deeper connection with nature.
Daily rituals and practices, such as breathing exercises and yoga, can support well-being and balance.
Continuous learning and evolution are essential in teaching and personal growth.
Exploring the question of 'Who am I?' can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and a sense of constancy.
Connection, empathy, and self-discovery are key to finding happiness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Annie Carpenter

03:01 Annie's Journey from Dance to Yoga

11:19 Annie's Early Yoga Experiences and Integral Yoga

22:38 Creating Her Own School and Curriculum

27:07 Movement Principles in Smart Flow Yoga

31:45 Annie Carpenter: A Teacher's Teacher

34:36 Teaching on Glow and the Future

36:02 The Exciting and Beneficial World of Glow Yoga

37:28 Teaching Yoga via Zoom: Challenges and Opportunities

38:55 The Dilemma of Travel and Carbon Emissions

42:17 Tapping into Energy and the Power of Inquiry in Teaching

44:43 Exploring Somatic Movement and Meditation in Yoga

57:31 Insights from Yoga Philosophy: The Yuga Sutras

01:09:10 The Need for Accessible Yoga Classes

01:12:04 Finding Joy in Birdwatching

01:13:29 Birding: A Meditative and Calming Practice

01:20:22 Daily Rituals for Well-being and Balance

01:25:22 Continuous Learning and Evolution in Teaching

01:32:40 Exploring the Question of 'Who am I?'

01:43:29 The Significance of Connection, Empathy, and Self-Discovery in Happiness

***

Selected links from episode

You can find Annie at https://www.smartflowyoga.com/about-annie-carpenter/

on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anniecarpentersmartflow/

and on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/annie.carpenter1

And all details for her upcoming class schedule and teacher trainings are available here - https://www.smartflowyoga.com/

or find Annie's classes on Glo - https://www.glo.com/

Selected links from episode

Martha Graham on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Graham

And https://marthagraham.org/

The classic piece Appalachian Spring - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM5-CsI713g

Integral Yoga - https://integralyoga.org/

Savasana pose - https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/6582/savasana

Ali McGraw Yoga, Mind & Body - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmW5Og4VBg8

Eric Schiffman - https://erichschiffmann.com/

Sally Kempton - https://www.sallykempton.com/

Swami Satchidananda - https://integralyoga.org/founder/

Maty Ezrati - https://matyezraty.com/

Kia Miller - https://www.kiamiller.com/

Triyoga London - https://triyoga.co.uk/

Diana Rilov - https://www.dianarilov.com/

Feldenkreis - https://feldenkrais.com/

Alexander Technique - https://alexandertechnique.com/

Bonnie Bainbridgecohen - https://bonniebainbridgecohen.com/

The Glo Podcast - https://podcast.glo.com/

The yoga sutras of Patanjali - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Sutras_of_Patanjali

Siddhis - https://www.thecontemplativelife.org/blog/yoga-sutras-patanjali-siddhis-mystic-powers

The prothonotary warbler - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prothonotary_warbler

Slow birding, the book by Joan E. Strassmann - https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Birding-Science-Enjoying-Backyard/dp/B09SN7L7WM

Scrub jays - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_scrub_jay

The four ashrams of life - https://yogasvi.com/the-four-ashrams-of-life/

Abhinivesha - https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5533/abhinivesha

Annie’s favourite word 'molt' - https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molt

Out of the Clouds' playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Viqm1uiiHtM5Y0FwTCtFR?si=9c1d46979d784aba

Annie's choice for what song best represents her is I'll Take You There by the Staple Singers - https://open.spotify.com/track/5xHfZxFBcMA2akGVMM1bdk?si=fb01ff20b53c42b7

An Immense world by Ed Yong https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59575939-an-immense-world

***

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For all notes and transcripts, please visit Out Of The Clouds on Simplecast - https://out-of-the-clouds.simplecast.com/  

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***

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