About Me
Hi, I'm Ann Thomas, the heart and hands of Yoga and Healing Services.
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I began practicing yoga and meditation in 1983 and began teaching in 1992 in Washington DC. I received most of my training in the tradition of BKS Iyengar (Iyengar certified from 1996-2019). It is a classical hatha yoga style that focuses on alignment, breath, awareness and therapeutic applications of yoga. I have continued ongoing training and study with many senior teachers including two trips to India for study at the Iyengar Institute in Pune. I have over 25,000 hours of practice, training and teaching experience. I am certified with Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 500 level. I did my first yoga therapy training in Integrative Yoga Therapy in 1995 and am a certified yoga therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT).
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I received my master's degree in health promotion and education. I have promoted the integration of yogic and contemplative lifestyle practices with conventional healthcare protocols for improved outcomes throughout my career. I offered yoga and meditation-based stress management and health education programs, biofeedback and yoga therapy at Georgetown University Hospital from 1996-2001. I then attended divinity school and served as a hospital chaplain.
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From 2008-2020, I taught yoga, meditation and yoga therapy at an integrative functional medicine practice in Leesburg, VA. I have taught in a myriad of healthcare settings; schools (preK-12, higher ed and for at-risk youth); in senior and Alzheimer's care centers; faith-based settings; and business and secular settings of all kinds. I now specialize in teaching Christ-centered practices, gentle yoga, restorative yoga, and trauma sensitive and resiliency yoga to support healing from trauma and addiction.
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I also remain a student, ever learning and evolving. I am so grateful to God for healing in my own life and for endless blessings. My hope is to give God the glory and share what I have so generously been given in service to others.
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Fun fact: A favorite hobby of mine is sailing with my husband on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay and spending time with our young adult twins. You can practice asanas on a sailboat, though I do not recommend sirsasana (headstand)!
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I look forward to serving you soon.
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Namaste.
"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do"