RACHAEL SELLARS
ANSWERS 7 QUESTIONS
ABOUT ANNIE CARPENTER’S
SMARTFLOW YOGA TEACHER
TRAINING PROGRAM
STARTING JANUARY 23, 2015
Yoga Sanctuary is proud to host Annie
Carpenter’s 200 Hour SmartFLOW Teacher
Training Course, the world-renowned yoga
teacher training program. Our own Rachael Sellars
leads the training with an incredible team of local
and guest teachers. Rachael has studied extensively
with Annie Carpenter and her insights shine
through in her beautifully crafted classes at Yoga
Sanctuary. Because of her in-depth knowledge of
SmartFLOW, we asked Rachael to answer some
questions about the program. For more info or to
register for SmartFLOW, call or stop by our
studios or visit our website: lasvegasyoga.com
1. RACHAEL, YOU’VE TRAINED WITH SO MANY AMAZING YOGA TEACHERS OVER THE YEARS, YET YOU HAVE A
STRONG AFFINITY FOR ANNIE’S APPROACH. WHAT MAKES ANNIE’S SMARTFLOW SO EXCEPTIONAL IN YOUR VIEW?
I’m attracted to Annie Carpenter for her love of movement, her understanding of functional anatomy, her dedication to the
sacredness of yoga, her discipline to the practice; which has been over 35 years and her authentic teachings. In 2006, I stepped
into Annie Carpenter’s class at YogaWorks, Main Street in Santa Monica, California. I remember the class like it was yesterday.
She called me “my new bendy friend” and brought me out of so many poses when I thought ‘maximum stretch’ or going to ‘full
sensation’ was a good thing. She came up to me halfway through the class and asked me if I want to practice Yoga till I’m 108?
If so, then to be aware of how much I am collapsing in my joints. ‘Practice yoga today, so that you can practice forever.’ I left
there feeling glued back together and never looked back. Annie’s program is so exceptional because her view of teaching is
that we are teaching ‘individuals’ not Yoga! To recognize that each student will experience yoga in their own capacity in terms
of range of motion, stamina, strength and the ability to pay attention. Yoga is then presented as an inquiry not a final outcome.
2. TELL US KEY WAYS THAT ANNIE’S TRAINING PROGRAM MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HOW YOU TEACH YOUR YOGA CLASSES?
I structure my classes much more effectively than I did before. I have always been passionate about sequencing (that’s the exdancer in me), but after studying with Annie, I understand that ‘less is more.’ SmartFLOW program has taught me not only to find
my own voice, but most importantly has taught me intelligent, organic sequencing that takes the student’s body on a particular
path or journey! Annie encourages me to create sequences that provide students a safe, nurturing environment of exploration
and inquiry. The SmartFLOW curriculum has helped me understand that my role as a teacher is to guide, empower and to point
the way; thus hopefully providing a meaningful and transformative experience for the individual.
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
RACHAEL SELLARS
ANSWERS 7 QUESTIONS
ABOUT ANNIE CARPENTER’S
SMARTFLOW YOGA TEACHER
TRAINING PROGRAM
3. HOW HAS THE SMARTFLOW TRAINING PROGRAM IMPACTED YOUR LIFE OFF THE MAT?
Too many to list… but most importantly I have a better sense of Self!
4. SEVERAL STUDENTS TELL US THEY WANT TO ENROLL IN THE TRAINING TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN PRACTICE RATHER
THAN TEACH. HOW WILL SMARTFLOW TRAINING DEEPEN THEIR PRACTICE?
SmartFLOW training will touch on many aspects of yoga that are not found in a group asana class. Studying yoga on a deeper
level like philosophy, yoga sutras, pranayama, etc. will enrich one’s understanding and practice. Going to any yoga class will be
even more special as well as self-transformational.
5. WE UNDERSTAND THAT A STUDENT NEEDS AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OF REGULAR YOGA PRACTICE PRIOR TO THE
START OF THE COURSE. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS SIX MONTHS EXPERIENCE AND
WANTS TO ATTEND, BUT IS HESITANT BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY’RE STILL A BEGINNER STUDENT?
What better time to start than right now! The foundation that one will build upon will be enormous; the practice will grow to a new level
and embodying yoga off the mat will be significant. I wish I took a curriculum like SmartFLOW when I first started on the Yogic path.
6. PLEASE SHARE WITH US ONE SPECIAL MEMORY OR MOMENT FROM YOUR SMARTFLOW TEACHER TRAINING THAT
ALWAYS STAYS WITH YOU.
It’s hard to pick only one. Just being selected as a Senior Trainer by Annie and assisting her at trainings and conferences around the
U.S. is an immense honor. I’m always mindful I’m working with the “teachers’ teacher”, one of the greatest yoga teachers of our time.
7. ANNIE IS KNOWN FOR HER ALIGNMENT-ORIENTED CLASSES. TELL US WHY ALIGNMENT IS SO IMPORTANT AND WHY
IT’S EMPHASIZED IN SOME CLASSES AND NOT IN OTHERS?
I feel that ‘alignment’ is misunderstood or misrepresented. Annie does give very specific details and things to play with in the
body, but she presents this as ‘self-inquiry.’ This is her way to connect the body with the mind, since the mind would rather
wander off. Annie has an amazing ability of using the body as a tool to bring the mind to a steady place or point. In yoga we
call this Dharana. Where we place our attention can hold a lot of power; known as shakti, energy or prana. Focusing attention is
central to the practice of yoga whether the attention is physical practice, meditation, breath work or even how you interact with
the outer world. Gradually focusing inward we come to understand who we really are. Annie’s way of directing our attention
toward the refinement of our body, breath and heart is a way to move from external to internal; ultimately leading one to
personal transformation. I heard Annie say once “the poses really don’t matter, it is just a way to pay attention.”
YOGA SANCTUARY PRESENTS ANNIE CARPENTER’S
SmartFLOW 200 Hour
Yoga Teacher Training Program
Selected Weekends: January - April 2015
At Yoga Sanctuary Las Vegas
FOR MORE INFO OR TO REGISTER: CALL US AT 702-240-7666 OR 702-407-0043
… OR VISIT OUR STUDIOS OR WEBSITE: LASVEGASYOGA.COM
Las Vegas’ Premier Place for Yoga (west studio) 7915 W. Sahara #101 240-7666  (east studio) 9480 S. Eastern #252 407-0043 www.lasvegasyoga.com
FACEBOOK: Yoga Sanctuary Las Vegas TWITTER: www.twitter.com/yogasanctuary