ANNA (Amba) WINKLER, Director of Shakti Yoga & living arts, BA, E-RYT 500, YACEP, LMT
Anna has been practicing and teaching yoga since 1989. She was originally certified through the Sivananda Yoga Organization, where she served as a volunteer staff member for over 6 years. Among many other things, she assisted in the Yoga Teacher Training courses and modeled for 2 yoga books during her time there: Yoga, Mind and Body and 101 Essential Tips: Yoga.
Anna began practicing Ashtanga Yoga in 1997 with Eddie & Jocelyn Stern, as well as other authorized teachers, including Pattabhi, Saraswati, Manju and Sharath Jois, Nancy Gilgoff, Tim Miller, and others. She taught Ashtanga Yoga from 2002-2020. Anna began studying and practicing Iyengar Yoga at Studio Yoga (now Santosha Yoga) in Madison (and with other Senior Iyengar teaches) in 2007. She received her second 500 hour teaching certificate from Theresa Rowland of Studio Yoga in 2014. She is currently teaching and practicing Yoga Sangraha and Gentle Breathing Practices from her training with Eddie Stern and Robert Moses of the Yoga Education Collective.
Anna teaches an Alignment & Breath Based Hatha Yoga class, based on all of her previous yoga experience, including Reusi Dot Tan (Thai Hermit Yoga) from her studies with David Wells and Tibetan Yoga practices that she has learned from her teacher Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche, as well as with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang.
Anna has been teaching in the Maplewood area since 2001, She is the founder and director of Shakti Yoga & living arts since June 2005 (formerly the Yoga Room in Millburn).
Anna graduated from Nalanda Institute‘s Contemplative Psychotherapy Program (Compassion Module) in May, 2021. In March, 2022, she became a certified Compassion Based Resilience Training (CBRT) teacher, also with the Nalanda Institute. She completed the first Embodiment Module of the CPP, in June, 2023. She is currently enrolled in the Vajra Therapy Course, a collaboration of Dr. Joe Loizzo and Dr. Nida. Anna thoroughly enjoys sharing these teachings with the community.
Anna is honored to serve on the Board of Directors and as a teacher at the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, a retreat center in Cragsmoor, NY, founded by her teacher, Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche.
Anna’s teaching style is both challenging and nurturing. With a dash of humor, a focus on alignment and sometimes just going with the flow, her classes will leave you feeling worked, yet tranquil and energized.
Anna is available for Ayurveda Lifestyle Consultations, Myofacial Release Massage, Private Yoga Lessons, Raindrop Technique, Therapeutic Integrated Massage, Thai Yoga Bodywork and Thai Abdominal Massage.