Meet Anna.

Hey There.

So glad you stopped by to say hello. Let me introduce myself, I’m Anna. In this life, I adore a number of things, one being sunrises accompanied by my husband Chris, my daughter Asha and our dog Moses. I have a fascination with hippopotamuses, but we won’t get into that just yet. I’m a pour over coffee connoisseur. And in my garden I grow Drift Roses (of all things).

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I’m a social worker through and through and also a slight geek. After receiving my undergraduate degree in social work and religious studies, I graduated with my Master of Social Work from East Carolina University in 2016. I’m a 500 hour yoga teacher, registered with Yoga Alliance. I’ve enjoyed teaching since 2014! I received my 200 hour training through the Kunga Yoga Lifestyle Teacher Training and my 300 hour training Kunga Yoga Therapeutic Essentials Teacher Training, taught at The Wilmington Yoga Center. Becoming a yoga teacher shifted my perspective on trauma healing. I’ve since trained with trauma informed yoga experts such as David Emerson, Hala Khouri and Kristin Cooper.

I've spent the majority of my career collaborating with leading trauma experts to develop innovative approaches to care for boys and men who’ve exited the life of sex trafficking. As a result of co-founding nonprofit Restore One with my husband Chris and serving boys and men from years 2012-2019. While running Restore One, I was compelled by the lack of education pertaining to male sex trafficking and took the leap with friend Kartal Peel and Chris to co-produced a full-length film entitled, Boys Documentary, an educational tool concerning the sexual trafficking of boys and men. 

Along the way I’ve met a lot of people and one question I get asked often is what led you into the place you are now? It’s a reasonable question to ask, but it’s one I often fumble through. There is no straight answer. See, there are many reasons as to how and why I am here. Learning the real answers to that question are like a good sunrise, you’ve got to sit in the dark, wait, then little by little inches of light appear. Eventually the sun shows herself. Good answers take time to develop and often we have to face the dark before we get to see the glory of the light.

So I’m here with you, I do not have all the answers, but I’m willing to face the dark and anticipate the hope of the dawning light.

And for what it matters, I believe healing is possible for everyone, no matter age, gender or situation – it is possible.

Love Always,

Anna Marie Smith