“When moving to USA my teacher (Lino Miele) advised me to go to see Annie and to practice with her. From the very first breaths I felt like I had landed in the same Ashtanga lineage as at home. I had an opportunity to practice with Annie several times and she is truly remarkable. She has such a vast knowledge and experience of Ashtanga Yoga that only few hold. I experienced Annie’s authenticity, wisdom and love towards this beautiful practice. Next to helping me go deeper with asana and breath, she brought me to a deeper level of inner experience. I am forever grateful life brought me to Crestone and to Shakti Sharanam. ”

“I came to Shakti Sharanam to practice with Annie in a period of my life when I was quite lost. I was nervous, yet excited to meet her. From the time I walked into the Shala I was struck by the energy. Annie was immediately warm and welcoming. She takes the time to get to know her students, which is hard to find these days. Annie helped to guide me and build my self-confidence. She sticks to the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga, but with openness and humor. If you’re interested in learning from a truly gifted and experienced teacher, you can’t go wrong. I have been back to practice with her many times and love her and Crestone. There is a place in my heart for Annie Pace!”

“ I have only spent three weekends with Annie Pace at her Shakti Sharanam, yet all three experiences were transformative. A student of Pattabhi Jois, Annie truly “embodies” what she teaches. With no trace of ego, she exudes a ‘no beating around the bush’ truthfulness, combined with a genuine devotion to serving, and topped off with an infectious sense of humor. Her attention to detail and the seemingly subtle corrections she made have made a huge difference in my practice. The effect on me as a student was to ignite a curiosity, a thirst to go further, not only in my asana practice, but to further incorporate all eight limbs into every aspect of my life. I am so grateful to have been introduced to Annie and her teaching, and look forward to deepening that relationship in the future.”

“I just moved to Crestone a couple months ago, and innocently walked into this Ashtanga practice which completely blindsided me. This is not a throw-down-your-mat-and-be-lead-through-a-series-of-asanas-practice, it is much more disciplined which is a giant challenge for me. Then there’s the practice space of Shakti Sharanam itself which being in Crestone is like a concentrated sacred space within a broader sacred space. The Shala to me has a very grounding, analog energy. Considering the state of the world, having real, live human contact is such a blessing! And then there is Annie Pace herself, who has dedicated her life to this practice. Annie calls herself a hard-ass but I don’t really see her that way. I’m calling her extraordinarily disciplined. In my opinion, she is not a hard-ass because a sense of humor and laughter are a constant in Annie’s classes. In our currently upside down world with a constantly inverting reality, I feel very blessed to be pushed way out of my comfort zone. Annie’s got that down to a refined science. Synchronicities lead me here and I am grateful for this opportunity which appeared. Its a blessing!”

“Attending class with Annie Pace has been on my mind for a long time. The Ashtanga teachers that have been certified by Pattabhi Jois are rare jewels in this yoga crazy era. So when Annie began teaching us it was very special. She explained some basic principles in the Ashtanga tradition. She had gone so deeply in the practice as to make it clear that yoga is about the whole being wanting to unite with the divine. That said we did a little practice. Its rare you meet a yoga teacher whose knowledge is so engrained in them that when you practice with them they transmit that incredible connection to the breath that makes the yoga much deeper. I was only able to stay a day and do two classes but her personal understanding of each of our needs was very apparent. And I liked how she gave us insight into adapting the practice to times when we are weak or disabled in some way. She is a fiery angel with a charismatic enthusiasm that makes being in her class warm, fun and personal. Thank you Annie.”

“I had the transformative experience of spending a week in Crestone, at Annie Pace’s Shakti Sharanam Ashtanga Yoga Shala. It was an honor to be studying with one of the most accomplished Ashtanga vinyasa practitioners on the planet. Annie’s depth of experience and devotional practices come through in every instruction, smile or gesture. Part of my experience in assimilating the weeklong teachings, was noticing the effects of the advanced practice, the energy and depth of intention that mark Annie’s spirit. This directly informs her communication with her students, giving it the impact of direct experiential transmission.
 Annie’s teaching style is a complex mixture of heart, precision and discipline. Her decades of experience seem to allow her to connect with students at any level, and directly transmit the inner workings of the practice no matter what one’s physical ability. I observed her working with the same clarity of focus with an elder student with real mobility issues, as well as an advanced series practitioner, both working and being guided with equal connection and equal intensity,  in the same class. I personally received many detailed corrections which took the parts of the practice I do with ease to a different level, and on point instruction on how to approach the areas where I am challenged. Classes are small so everyone receives individualized attention.  And, the best part… there is usually a feast once a week!”

“Annie is one of the most highly skilled and effective teachers I’ve ever met. Warm, welcoming and immaculate with her word and coaching, she is a teacher’s teacher and a beacon for her student’s. Highly present and embodied, any time spent with Annie has deepened mypractice and understanding of yoga.”

“An extraordinary gift in my life has been the opportunity to practice yoga with Annie Pace for over 20 years. In the early years, although Annie had a reputation as a ‘fierce’ and dogmatic teacher, it took merely a second glance to realize her intensity represented her devotion to the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga and her own dear teacher Pattabhi Jois. Annie’s commitment to detail, and her ability to help a student begin to understand the relationship of the eight limbs of yoga, is a remarkable gift she readily shares with humility and grace. Annie’s deep devotion to teaching is thankfully always delivered with her lighthearted and genuine sense of humor, and profound compassion for each and every one of her students.”

“I have found Annie Pace to be a truly exceptional teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. Her presence is potent and concentrated. Through her impeccable eye and generosity, she has been able to help me to advance my practice in ways that no other teacher has been able to before. She has been able to answer every question that I have asked, and she helps to take me above and beyond what I perceive to be my limits every time that we meet. I have taken many of my Ashtanga students to Crestone to study with her. Again and again it becomes clear that it is absolutely effortless for her to advance the practice of every person who chooses to accept her instruction. My prayer is to be able to study with Annie for many, many years to come! She is an answer to a call of my soul. ”

“Annie Pace is a true treasure. Throughout my years of yoga practice, I have looked to her for the most authentic instruction an American teacher has to offer.  Her heartfelt wisdom of YOGA as a practice and way of life are inspiring and leave the student richer with a knowledge and understanding far beyond asana. I highly recommend visiting Shakti Sharanam in Crestone for the full experience.”

“Annie brings such beauty and energy that is nothing short of contagious. She instills a depth, breadth of “parampara” that permeates your soul. Annie brings forth the energy, soul and passion that Guruji Sri K. Pattabhi Jois shared. From the design of her shala, Shakti Sharanam, to the peaceful surroundings in Crestone one’s spirit is recharged. I come away with a depth of understanding of the Ashtanga yoga method and depth to my practice that might otherwise only be found in Mysore, India.”

“Annie is a wonderful spiritual friend and a wonderful guide on this truly beautiful journey.  She is filled with a light of loving energy that feeds the soul. I came to Annie over 12 years ago, a very lost soul. Looking for something, not knowing what I was looking for. Annie has pointed me in the direction of my true home. I am still on that journey, and I have seen glimpses that are glorious and beautiful along the way. I do not believe I would have found them without my dear friend. I thank Annie for showing me the light.  ”