ANU KANOTRA 

YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Anu is a Yoga teacher who was born and raised in India. He started practicing yoga in 2014 and fell in love with how good it made him feel. Before yoga, he was stuck in the prison of his own mind, always living someone else's life and never being his authentic self. A consistent practice helped set him free from the prison of his own mind. He truly believes in the quote, "Stretch your body, the mind will follow."

In 2017, he followed his heart and left his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering to share his love for yoga with the world. He travelled from Canada to India to get his Yoga teacher training from Rishikesh (Yoga Capital) and then moved to the US. Anu focuses on helping members develop a consistent yoga practice to help them transform and free themselves from their limiting thoughts.

He believes in the YMCA's dedication to developing the spirit, mind and body of all persons, and joined the YMCA family to bring yoga to its members. It is Anu's goal at West Cook YMCA to serve a community where every individual feels included and nurtured through yoga.

Certifications: RYT-200, Corrective Exercise Specialist

YOGA SCHEDULE

YOGA CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

CHAIR YOGA

No complex transitions or getting up and down from the ground. Chair yoga is a specialized form where postures are modified to practice using a chair. This is a gentle practice perfect for seniors looking to get into yoga and experience its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

GENTLE MOVEMENTS (BEGINNER MOBILITY) 

Gentle Movements is designed for those new to yoga or those who are interested in a gentle practice. You can expect to flow through simple sequences and slower paced movements. We will focus on tension release and mobility work that you can easily apply to your day-to-day life. This class is appropriate for anyone of any age and experience level in yoga practice.   

INTRODUCTION TO VINYASA YOGA 

This class focuses on developing clear and safe alignment in foundational poses. The basic postures that form the Vinyasa yoga sequence will be demonstrated and guided with modifications. Meditation and breath exercises will be offered in each session to quiet the mind and awaken our senses. Introduction to Vinyasa yoga is a great way to build heat, get stronger, more flexible, and meditate through dynamic movements. 

POWER VINYASA  

Power Vinyasa offers practice that builds your endurance and strength. This energetic flow will make you move through a creative sequence exploring advanced versions of the yoga postures. You will enjoy moving in rhythmic music, breaking sweat and challenging yourself to advance your practice. This class is for students that have basic understanding of yoga asanas. For your safety, please take the introduction to yoga class before trying Dynamic Flow.   

RISE & SHINE MORNING YOGA

In our Rise & Shine Morning Yoga class, we focus on making smooth transitions between asanas that feels most natural. Class is designed to guide our mind and body to gradually open up through gentle movements that feels good. The focus of this class is to awaken and energize our soul for the day ahead. Dynamic variations of each asanas will be introduced in a fun and encouraging environment. Daily morning yoga practice will help you feel energized, strong, and flexible.   

YIN RESTORATIVE YOGA (BEGINNER FRIENDLY)  

Yin is a slow-paced style of yoga where postures are held for longer periods of time. The sequences of postures are meant to stimulate and help in stretching connective tissue around the joints like the knees, pelvis, sacrum, and spine. The long hold times of this practice offer the chance to sit with our emotions and can help us become more resilient to stress. It is a more meditative approach to yoga, and its goals are awareness of inner silence, and bringing to light a universal, interconnecting quality. In this class, we will incorporate various yoga props, such as blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets to deepen our postures.