I took 2 different classes when sh ecame ot Seattle for intensive teacher training weekends.
So we were in a room of maybe 70 people with her students teaching and adjusting us. She had them teach and video taped them.

It seemed ok. They taught fundamentals and there was a lot of emphasis on alignment and careful positioning.

He r philosophy of yog a for healing and therapy is not really bad to the yoga teaching which she has her students do.
I think what might be meant is that with careful technique and alignment that there is great room for personal growth and also that with this attention when needed for physical therapy there is a fundamental basis.
If you can afford it and have the tiem and are willign to be humble and to change//GO FOR IT>>

"I am a bit apprehensive about her emphasis of yoga as a form of therapy and healing."

I don't know anything about Ana Forrest. I do know that in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras there is a lot of emphasis on attenuating the "causes of suffering". This requires some application of yoga philosophy though, and does not rely just on asana's.

Hello Rosemarie,

I don't think every teacher resonates with every student.
I've taken a workshop here in Seattle with Ana back in 2003 and observed her on a couple of panels at the YJ conference.
She has a certain paradigm or approach and it may be perfectly for you.
I personally do not find it empowering or nurturing in any way. However, in my previous life I was in collegiate and professional athletics so I've had enough "edge" and butt kicking for this lifetime. I'm not looking for the sort of challenge Ana offers.

But you should absolutely go for or go to that which resonates for you, as every student has a unique path and Ana may deliver exactly what you thirst for at exactly the right time for you.

she looks angry

Hi,
I'm surprised that you've received only indifferent and negative responses about studying with Ana.
I've taken several weekend workshops with her and am taking her teacher training this summer in Boston because of the profound shifts in my practice and life after just short periods of time with her.

Her teacher training is well known in the yoga circles I"m in to be an excellent and thorough preparation for new teachers, as well as a demanding personal journey in terms of both your yoga and meditation practices, and how to bring the awareness cultivated through these practices into other areas of one's life. The "healing" aspects address physical as well as emotional and spiritual ills, and will well prepare you to work with others' pains and problems, even if you are unsure as to how you might apply this to yourself. And in terms of applying it to yourself, I'd say just see what comes up and be open to it if you're going to study with her.

I know your question was asked in February and might not be relevant anymore, but I hope it might still be helpful. I'd say, follow your intuition.

Hallo,

I did a training with her recently. I enjoyed Ana teachings - it is definitely not for everyone. Ana is very talented.

However, she has a new lead assistant that I did not like - I pay to see Ana and learn from Ana- not this girl. She had really bad energy. I probably will not go to see Ana again while this woman is working with her. She was very unprofessional. In the business you must be careful who you surround yourself with in the world.

Em

Hi Rosemarie,

I'd love to hear how the training went for you! I hope it was amazing and worth the trip!

With that said, to the thread more broadly: I've studied with Ana twice in intensives and hope to take her teacher training next year. I agree that she is not for everyone, but if you do feel drawn to her, it's likely to be an amazing, I dare say life-changing experience.

In my second class with her she picked up on things that (really amazing) teachers that see me everyday failed to notice. She gave me breathing and alignment cues that will be part of my practice forever.

If you practiced with her and didn't like it, it wasn't for you. There are definitely traditions and teachers that are not for me - I try to not bash on them and instead just say they weren't right for me. If you haven't practiced with her you really can't judge except to say it doesn't seem like it would be right for you :)

-J-