Hallo,
I'm thinking of doing an Ana Forrest Intensive training course (24 days) and would like to hear opinions or comments from others who are familiar with her courses/teaching/style.
I have surfed the yoga tribes for related threads and have read the posts with interest.......but these postings are now quite old (+/- 3 or more years ago).
The Ana Forrest intensive interests me because:
- it has a very intensive schedule (6 am-5pm) and I want to immerse myself for a period of time in this manner.
- it sounds personally challenging.......am I tough enough??.
- it sounds well constructed.
- I like the idea of the teacher being an older woman....I can relate to that being a 47 year old woman myself.
I am a bit apprehensive about her emphasis of yoga as a form of therapy and healing....I don't feel "screwed up" enough for this, just the normal hang ups!!
I'd love to hear newer experiences or comments......
Thanks and regards
Rosemarie
I'm thinking of doing an Ana Forrest Intensive training course (24 days) and would like to hear opinions or comments from others who are familiar with her courses/teaching/style.
I have surfed the yoga tribes for related threads and have read the posts with interest.......but these postings are now quite old (+/- 3 or more years ago).
The Ana Forrest intensive interests me because:
- it has a very intensive schedule (6 am-5pm) and I want to immerse myself for a period of time in this manner.
- it sounds personally challenging.......am I tough enough??.
- it sounds well constructed.
- I like the idea of the teacher being an older woman....I can relate to that being a 47 year old woman myself.
I am a bit apprehensive about her emphasis of yoga as a form of therapy and healing....I don't feel "screwed up" enough for this, just the normal hang ups!!
I'd love to hear newer experiences or comments......
Thanks and regards
Rosemarie
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Fri, February 8, 2008 - 5:32 PMI 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>> -
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Sat, February 9, 2008 - 12:52 AMThanks for replying -
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Sat, February 9, 2008 - 7:59 AM"I am a bit apprehensive about her emphasis of yoga as a form of therapy and healing....I don't feel "screwed up" enough for this, just the normal hang ups!!"
I don't know anything about Ana Forrest, but I do know quite a bit about healing - and everyone is worthy and in need of some healing, no one is "screwed up" (some just reach points where they must go forward or backward), and, perhaps (bite me if you like) you're more worried you'll find that you are "screwed up"? Trust me, you're just wonderful.
(though it sounds like that you won't, per cathy's response, get much from ana herself anyway.... is this typical of big name yogis? how dull)
namaste,
Lynn
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Fri, February 15, 2008 - 1:52 PMello again, I really liked the thoughts of the recent 2 posters.
I coudl nto get that thought out of my head.
I stated here.. it seemed ok. I did not connect with her either and I didn't with any students.. it seems heart or personal connection which to me heightens personal energy and extension and aliveness.. was missing and that can be extremely important.
Again, technically she is good and definitely well-known and respected.
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Sat, February 9, 2008 - 9:53 AM"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.
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Tue, February 12, 2008 - 12:11 AMHello 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. -
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Tue, February 12, 2008 - 2:31 PMHi -
I have taken a few sessions with Ana during yoga conferences... She is certainly knowledgeable and really challenges students, she is an amazing yogini herself. But, I did not connect with her personality - I found her (and her staff) to be pretty cold, harsh and stand-offish... (she actually scolded/put the group down for not following her instructions perfectly) But, I am also drawn to more open, loving, funny teachers, so it is about personality for me as well as skill.
It is all about you and what you are looking to get out of the experience.
Good luck! -
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Thu, February 14, 2008 - 4:29 PMAlthough I have had the pleasure to work with many excellent yoga teachers who were trained and certified by Ana Forrest, I personally am not drawn to her for reasons similar to the last two posters. I spent many years very involved in martial arts and I find Ana Forrest, like many of my martial arts teachers to be very "manipura chakra", if that makes sense - at this moment in my life I feel like I need work with another emphasis.
At another time in my life, Ana may have really appealed to me. She is definitely a force.
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 8:02 AMHi,
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. -
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Sat, May 3, 2008 - 4:28 AMI have found that teachers who have studied under Ana Forrest including Michelle Cordero, at Namaste in Rockridge are great and offer intense practices. I knew a woman who was living in a VW van in Fairfax and processing quite a bit of trauma who when she found Ana Forrest was able to really soothe and settle her life. I have also heard, second hand, that there is a bit of a darkness in her being and approach and that that is part of the crucible of change. I one time went to her studio in Santa Monica and it must have been the only restorative class on her schedule so I was puzzled by all of the feedback which I had heard. Funny chance of a drop in. . . -
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Sun, May 4, 2008 - 12:09 AMHallo again,
Thanks for all your replies.
Even though I posted my question in February, I only registered for Ana's TT yesterday!
I spent 3 months going "yes/no/yes/no/yes/no".....and yes finally won out.
I realised that the resistance was because I felt (and feel) guilty at the sheer self indulgent extravagence of doing this.
San Francisco here I come!
Thanks & cheers
Rosemarie
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Re: Ana Forrest question
Sun, May 4, 2008 - 6:31 PMgreat that you decided to go ahead.
I hope that you post about your adventures and learning.
I personally am going to learn with Katerina Wen, a previous student of Shiva's.
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