- Photo by Steven Manicinelli, copyright 2011
Ann Votaw [VO-taw] is a born-and bred-Hoosier who moved from Chicago to New York in 2003. A Certified Health Education Specialist (C.H.E.S.), Ann lives in Manhattan where she teaches yoga and various types of wellness at Columbia University. Specialties include Vinyasa Yoga, Restorative Yoga, CPR and First Aid instruction, and Personal Training for senior populations.
She finished her M.A. in Health Education and Promotion December 2011 from Lehman College! Her thesis: COLLEGE STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE USE OF FACEBOOK TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT HEALTH. Conclusion: College students like the idea of health forums on Facebook, provided there are opportunities for private conversation with health professionals.
Ann is excited to enter the emerging profession of health education. After more than 10 years in appearance-based fields of musical theater and fitness, Ann sees limits to physical interventions (exercise and nutrition only). She welcomes integration of mental, social, sexual, and environmental health.
As an Assistant Program Coordinator at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, she conducts healthy food demonstrations in waiting rooms and press conferences. In addition, she teaches and promotes exercise to employees.
Past Achievements: Ann gleans from her rich background in dance and movement arts, starting age four, as a tap dancing cat. In 2006, she was semi-knockdown karate champion in Montreal and New Jersey. In that same year, she partnered/lifted Jamie Ansley in their self-written “Be Your Own Friend,” a popular dance/comedy sketch about two depressed subway riders. They performed Friday nights at People’s Improv Theatre, where Ann studied improv comedy.
Dance career highlights include nightly performances on the M.S. Scotia Prince, Hunyak in Chicago, and Texas in Cabaret. Off-Broadway credits include Out of Water at the Duke Theatre. Television appearances include the Food Network’s Ham on the Street: she and fellow dancers made canned food and “can-canned” with Chef George Duran. In 2009, Ann lived a dream by kicking high with current and former Rockettes in a Hewlett Packard industrial in Times Square.
Education: Ann has a B.S. in News Journalism with minors in Dance and Political Science from Ball State University, but her most valuable education came from New York City, where her hard “r” reveals an Indiana accent. She has never stopped writing or going on daily walks. As recommended by Mark Whitwell, Ann practices yoga at home, seven minutes a day.
To read more, view Ann’s resume on LinkedIn or follow her at AnnVotaw on Twitter or Ann Votaw-Wellness Education at FB.