Annette Ginn Raj, M.A., has practiced yoga since 1996 and taught yoga since 1998. Since 2000 she has devoted her practice, study, and teaching to the Iyengar method. She became Iyengar certified in 2005. Annette earned a masters in clinical psychology in 1994 and worked as a school psychology specialist, her former profession.
Hi Annette, I would be pleased to comment on my Iyengar yoga practice with you as my teacher. I have been taking a weekly Iyengar yoga class with Annette Raj for over four years. I am now 67 years old or young and the thing I appreciate the most is Annette's ability to adapt a pose for my limitations so that I can get the most benefit from it without making me feel embarrased or less than capable. The classes with Annette have helped me with flexibility, balance, and strength. All of which are so important to my feeling healthy and good about where I am at this stage of my life. I have used the breathing techniques she has instructed us to help relieve stress and reduce pain. The classes are always a respite from the hectic world we live in. -- Sharon Weiss
Annette: I can't say enough about the benefits your expert guidance has given me over the past 3.5 years. Iyengar has been perfectly suited for someone like myself: a couch potato for most of her adult life, who, at the young age of 62, needed a method that would challenge, strengthen and accommodate my limitations - all at once! Today, no one is prouder than I after doing my (modified) head stand or after being able to lift my body off the floor using only arms & feet! Who would have thought! Amazing. Thank you for your patience, your supreme yogic expertise and unending confidence in your students. It's been enlightening, empowering and always FUN!
The practice of Iyengar yoga has changed my life in so many positive ways. Over the past 4 + years I have come to love and appreciate the physical and spiritual benefits of Iyengar Yoga, thanks to the expert instruction and encouragement of instructor, Annette Raj. As a result, I have experienced better balance, muscle strength/tone and flexibility. In the summer of 2004, I came to the realization that I wasn't getting any younger so decided to give yoga a try, as a way to develop better balance and flexibility. Iyengar yoga does require concentration, persistence and discipline with a willingness to try whatever poses are taught. I find the challenge exciting and fun as well as a way to keep my mind active while holding poses. All the students are great and very supportive and encouraging, so there is no need to feel self conscious about looking silly in the beginning! Annette's teaching style is tailored towards the individual student's particular abilities and needs. She is patient, kind and precise in her instruction. I believe her attention to detail is what sets her apart from other yoga instructors. She is great at demonstrating and explaining poses as well as individually advising each individual student on how to adjust and improve a pose based on their body type and capabilities. All in all, I can't say enough good things about Annette and all she has taught me over the years. I highly recommend her!!
Diane Legg
Executive Search Consultant
I am a registered nurse working the labor and delivery unit at Ben Taub General Hospital. I have been taking yoga lessons for a couple years with Annette. Annette teaches yoga very effectively for each individual's need.
I use her yoga teaching method for my nursing practice. I use a lot of pillows to make comfort for my patients while they are in labor or strictly staying in bed with fetal monitors on. My coworkers call me a pillow nurse. They look so comfortable with pillows around and smile at me and say thank you. It is such a rewarding moment in my nursing career. My goal as a nurse and yoga lover, I would like to make educational material for my patients who are confined to bed for a long time due to their medical condition.
Wonja Leonard RNC
Testimonials
I have been taking yoga from Annette for a little more than 3 years and had never been in a yoga class before. Shortly after I started her class, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Except for a short break after the lumpectomy surgery, I decided to just keep taking yoga. Through diagnosis, biopsy, surgery, radiation treatment, etc., I just kept going. Annette's teaching style and Iyengar yoga seemed to help provide me a sense of calm during an otherwise stressful and scary period. Her class made me feel I was doing something good for my health. The yoga kept my range of motion and flexibility unchanged. I know that yoga may not be possible for everyone diagnosed with breast cancer, but it offered (and continues to offer) a tremendous gift to me. As a result of that period, I came to really appreciate the power of the mind-body-spirit interaction. Thank you, Annette!!
