Ana Forrest - Yoga Journal Demonstration - part 1

[cbojorquez]

I'm reading she was born in 1956!!!!!! Gosh, she's so inspirational.

[mayatiita1]

I like the postures, I honestly do, I just felt like the vibe of the demonstration was a bit whimsical. If you see David Swenson demonstrate you can see the focus and internal attention. His mind is steady on his drishti and breath. I didn't get that vibe at all from this video. I saw some foot taping and an outward display. I'm sorry but that's how I perceived it.

[eishakarol]

It is so funny that people are watching this and saying it is the work of a contortionist. This is a woman's triumph over being born crippled with genetic adversity through her own hard work, commitment to personal transformation and path as a teacher and living example of what can be achieved with a warrior spirit. If that is not yoga, I don't know what is!

[knagual]

does anyone know who sings this  song?

[kindadreamer]

I would love to be as good in my yoga practice, it will be part of my journey

[Ljomi]

OH. MY. GOD!! She is Cirque du SO AMAZING!!! She's so incredible I have goosebumps. Seriously. That's *impossible* - looking ,and yet, it's unfolding *right* before my eyes....*swoon*! I want to do those moves. Well, now I have something to aim for!! WOW!!! Thanks for sharing the inspiration!! :-D

[kingmolehillz]

Inspirational!

[TheSilvertini]

She's doing this at nearly 60 years old! She was born with serious physical problems and when she was an adult she had a terrible back problem and could barely move for years. This is amazing! Read her book, Fierce Medicine. it is fantastic.

[sadaka201]

Not one Surya Namaskara (vinyasa) but nice athletic skills....

[yogeastan]

I think we need to forget cloths and brands and see the reality any one who do yoga is respectful and lovely . don't be jealous and make yourself stronger in this path. we are all the health and peace fighters and we all one.

[lajollajoe]

she uses gloves

[karmatrinleyeshe]

Ana Forrest is about deep movement. I am grateful to see this video of one of the greatest healers I have ever met.

[Olegflow]

So much fire ~

[karmatrinleyeshe]

@Olegflow: absolutely. But was there ever a moment when the fire induced carelessness? --I think not.

[Nigriff]

lol the pony-tail is like a little tripod.. . Cool stuff. . . Inspirational !

[macjimjava]

Is the music and WWF pants really part of yoga?

[Ryan2Ryan22]

Yoga Journal sucks. If you have anything to do with YJ... then you suck. This is nice performance art though.

[johnferinal]

She is not genetically gifted. She had a lot of sickness, and, through yoga, she gained healthy and comes to this level. Yoga practice and benefits are very underestimated in the US, so passionate people like her do these tours and events to spread the knowledge of yoga to other people. It is indeed inspiring to a lot of people to continue practitcing yoga to get to her level. Stop all the hating.

[budogirl21]

summer olympics, 2012; perhaps she should try out for the women's gymnastic team-

[aidybop]

Don't see the point of this at all...performance yoga?? this would be run of the mill down at your local circus!

[xomagick]

I am a Bujinkan teacher. Money is the key to learning more and helping more people. You get that by doing demonstrations that get people excited about the art. I can tell you that our demos are not the same as our teaching. In demos we do fun crazy movie like stuff. We telegraph punches so the watches can see what is happening. At the same time we really try to show what our art is about. I am sure she is doing the same. This is an ad for her teaching and her school to find new students.

[scors2]

about prof. De Rose: he starts to teach on 1960, at age of 16 years old

[MsDreamfighter]

"Yoga ist wie Zähneputzen" (Ana Forrest) Sonst nix ;-)))).

[hingamy]

This kind of performance is enough to put people off the true values of Yoga. There are 2 types of flexibility- muscle, tendon and ligament which can always be stretched or bone joint flexibility which is purely genetic, you either have it or don't, which is what she is 'performing' here as though she was spiritually enlightened!.

Kepp it real and don't be put off folks, Yoga is for everyone. The 13 most important poses for health can be enjoyed and utilised by anyone....

[PumaYoga]

Don't be a hater. If you've never studied with her, you don't know what you're missing. She is an amazing teacher with a ton of insight; Ms. Forrest works with injuries, shows modifications and works with students to move deeper into their poses.

I agree with you; not everyone can do these poses; but what is the harm in watching someone that can? Kudos to them!

Forrest Yoga is REAL and IS for everyone.

[Ducatiboy73]

@PumaYoga WHO can hate on Ana? She and her style of yoga is amazing. Because of injuries I may never be able to do some of these poses, still I practice on. I look forward to studying with her in 2012

Namaste

[yogandclimber]

where does it say she's enlightened? Sure she's genetically gifted but she still needs to do it to get the benefits. I'm sure she can also do your 13 poses for your health.

[nicoles926]

@hingamy i studied with this woman and she helped me immensely. you state to know so much about yoga, what about compassion and lovingkindness? don't judge so quickly especially if you know nothing about them. ahimsa,= nonharming and is applicable in all situations. If you look in light on yoga, he "performs", as you put it. by the way, the yoga masters Pattabhi Jois and BKS Iyengar took themselves and their families to "perform" all across India. What lineage do you follow? 13 important asanas

[hingamy]

She doesn't teach Mula Bhanda because Americans are too constipated already!.

What has the SAD (standard American diet) got to do with this integral muscular support system? She also doesn't use the Sanskrit terms for the poses, such a shame, they are wonderful to say and a link to the 6000 year old tradition. Nothing worse than seeing a genetically gifted person going through a 'spiritual' experience...yuuuk!

[Nutka456]

@hingamy

If you mean that being crippled by childhood deformities is a "genetic gift," then I'd say there is nothing BETTER than Ana using that "gift" to inspire her on her journey — in teaching, inspiring and healing others.

[daveadler]

The complaints from yoga snobs are unbelievable. Hate her gloves? So you don't ever use blocks, or a mat I take it? It's heartening that there are so many uber-experts who know exactly what yoga is and should be, so much that they can dictate to others. It sounds like the main complaint is that she's too good to be a "real" yoga practitioner...she didn't know that once you achieve a certain level of flexibility and strength, you're supposed to quit yoga.

[EclecticYogi]

Yogastics at its finest....had to post this truly inspirational piece!

[nuncaendomingo]

There is nothing new about her methodology. Have you seen Maestro De Rose Method since the 40´s he developed a whole technique regarding Yoga of the Origin even he had founded a University in ARgentina and Brasil

[cbojorquez]

Yoga can have amazing effects in people's body, but that is just a part of what yoga is in reality.

[nicolai0774]

It's a beautiful demonstration if she's doing it with an attitude of unselfish or selfless service. It's total BS if she's doing it for selfish reasons. The trouble is that none of us has any idea what her intentions are, and it's none of our business anyway. If you enjoy it and it inspires you, awesome. If you don't like it, change the channel!! Hari Om.

[oldtownyoga]

Ana is awesome. She just wants to share her love and passion. I was at this conference by the way! :)

[WiredCan]

yes, through most will probably not. There are safer ways of gaining strength than manipulating your body weight without a good base. Yoga if done carefully is among the best for a functional body strength throughout life. I would argue through, that with any set of movements, knowledge, and attention to your body you can do the same. Yoga is a good way to get the information in a slightly less sterile format, as long as you don't go to an instructor with a hokey religious philosophy.

[vagisil4eva]

2:33 is pretty incredible, performative show or not

[elric64]

This is pretty awesome and instructive

[mettabee]

this isn't yoga, she's a performer putting on a show

[vagisil4eva]

agreed

[CHanfordB]

Why can't yoga be a performance?

[nadamal]

should meditation be a performance?

[CHanfordB]

it is the performance of parama parusa

[stevensgirl19]

I totally agree.

[ekapadabakasana]

can't agree more with you..

[FraterAnarkhos]

Is there some rule against yoga being a performance art?

[tutupoola]

I think she's incredible! Can anyone tell me what the music is??

[Flossylina]

My understanding of Yoga is focusing on breath, breath with movement, opening heart and finding your root. Practicing within your own limits , meditation, and quieting the mind. Offering your practice , etc. Before you knock the woman go to a class that offers "Forrest Yoga". It changed my life forever and destroyed a path of loathe and inner darkness. In all inner strength and love .

[Nutka456]

@Flossylina

After reading some of her articles, and because of testimonies such as yours, I'm inspired to try it!

[Flossylina]

I've been reading the comments on here and I have to question anyone who' willing to critic someones practice. So what if she wears gloves? Has anyone ever thought that maybe certain people hands need extra protection? I mean I wear palm guards sometimes does that make me less of a yoga student? This woman was born crippled and healed herself with yoga which she has been practicing since she was 14 . Her yoga is all about healing she herself a abuse survivor

[arctic2012]

Are acrobats and people wearing gloves banned from enlightenment? Are there any other restrictions?

[ekapadabakasana]

i bet you wear gloves too.

[arctic2012]

you're right - i do... when it's cold. And i also wear a fur coat :-)

[stevensgirl19]

hahahahah!

[ekapadabakasana]

she is just an acrobat imitating yoga poses.. that's all.and these gloves? like she is in the gym. if this is your thought of what yoga is, you don't have the smallest idea. namaste

[deemyze]

oh how little you know.. but thats ok, your judging this from a video. no worries...

[bill33vt]

I see a lot or criticism here, mostly from the people who claim they know what yoga is all about, forgetting that it definitely isn't about forcing everyone to follow one way. It's a beautiful demonstration, just as it says in the title.

[swordfishfighter]

This the most beautiful demonstration of yoga that I've ever seen. She is a true master.

[jenijuhl]

I just spent a weekend at one of her workshops and she is not simply just an acrobat. Maybe this video does give that impression but don't let it fool you. I have been practicing for over 4 years and teaching for 2 and her workshop was one of the most wonderful experiences I have had. It was challenging, spiritual and very honest in every way. Yes, she can do all of those amazing poses but don't let it fool you into thinking that she doesn't know what yoga is...she does!

[rsridhar]

One piece of advise. Decide what u want from yoga. Yoga has been invogue since ancient times in India and was supposed to keep body fit and prepare it for a more important purpose: spriritual quest (in the form of meditation).

Yoga poses are slow, rhythmic, one movement blending into the next effortlessly. Unfortunately, most Americans have missed the essence of yoga and made it into another kind of gymnastic activity. There is no benefit in this kind of yoga.

[yogandclimber]

it sounds like they don't do this type of stuff in Yoga in India. I've been practicing "American" yoga for a year and when i first started I saw this video and was surprised to see this in "yoga" but I'm finding myself able to do lot of it now. I think I'll keep practicing it.

[cspace1234nz]

Actually it all started in India with Iyengar, Patthabi Jois and the like. Their extreme gymnastic and physical approaches have been adopted in the west to an even greater degree by these various ones who have managed to turn it into something of a sideshow.

Just because it's popular, just because many people pay lots of cash to do their workshops and teacher trainings does not make it yoga and does not make it right. They are ripping people off just like the churches and other such things.

[yogandclimber]

yeah i'm signed up for a workshop. It is popular here and that's why they can charge so much... it's supply and demand. I looked into Iyengar and Jois but they are very expensive and completely booked too. So for now that's all we can do here along with reading books from Jois and taking classes from his students that are here in the US.

[Nutka456]

@yogandclimber

Does it really matter what they do — or what you "guess" they do — in India? Are Americans not permitted to benefit from yoga in their own way?

[ccrgali]

we heard that already

[kcandoo]

she is an acrobat not a yogi

[kcandoo]

she is really good but i believe, and i might be wrong, that she does yoga for the wrong reasons. Americans are ruining yoga

[yogigirl08]

thank you to Ana for showing us the miraculous benefits that cultivating inner strength, devotion and peace can reap, and for dedicating her life to inspiring others and healing them! we are initially drawn to yoga by the way it looks, but it is the profound spiritual effect that keeps us. Ana's yoga cured my body and melted away the incongruencies of my soul-and it all started with this demo. thank you Ana, for moving yoga into a new era, making it desirable to so many more.

[cqubed]

Unbelievable how Ana's yogic talent & dedicated practice through the years opened the doors to create such a contemporary demonstration blending yoga, dance, music & spirit to entertain us!

[cspace1234nz]

Right down to the showy little gloves this is an appalling bastardisation of what yoga has denegrated into in the last 50 years, so far removed from the real thing that of course the average person can never begin to perform these gymnastic feats.

If you don't believe me then listen for the applause ? How can true yoga ever be applauded ?

Even as a gymnast or dancer she is very ordinary, these people claiming to be yogis have an awful lot to answer for.

Cute though !

[Lotus8620]

I agree with you, but I tink that everybody can do what they want...

[cspace1234nz]

And I agree with you.

In the same way that people are generally free to do what they want, and youtube must be a great example of this, each of us is also free to comment in whichever way we choose.

This of course is what makes it most interesting of all.

[ccrgali]

she inspires some people but not all and definitely not you cause you have a deeper practice i guess. I doubt you know her... she also practices healing and spiritual aspects which she is not going to demonstrate on youtube. her personal healing through yoga is nothing you can get from gymnastics. go check her out first.

[cspace1234nz]

Inspires people to what exactly ?

These "superstars of yoga" have become a part of the very problem they are purporting to cure. They have become highly commercialised and find it easy to justify their pseudo-spiritual approach.

And she knows who I am but that is irrelevant. As to who has a deeper practice or not is just another form of gymnastics, that of an intellectual variety. Who could judge anyway ?

We actually need more invisible yoga teachers and less of the sideshows !

[ccrgali]

OK so you know she's been practicing long before anyone and she was a "superstar" and it was an invisible practice. you're the one judging her saying she's just ordinary if she was a gymnast. you must know more than the yogis she practices with. Yeah they're all big names but they've been practicing a long time and will practice long after they are displaced as superstars and they have a lot of knowledge and that's what inspires... cause we can watch gymnast if that's all it was.

[cspace1234nz]

Your thinking is muddled.

Too much gymnastics perhaps.

[ambroulard]

Lotus-  Like George Bush did pretty much just what he wanted- yeah I dig it freedumb.

[Lotus8620]

Ambroulard...This is not the sense, when I wrote "everybody can do what they want". I only want to underline the beauty of free expression, in the same way cspace123nz said when he wrote that "each of us is also free to comment in wichever way we choose". that's no doubt that he explain that idea better than me :-)

[thewoospot]

password = evolution

keyword = change

stubborn = ego preventing one from embracing the new

tolerance = does little if it means you're "dealing" with something quietly in disgust

change takes place at the crossroads of action & intellect, the corner of then & now

is it music only when pavrotti performed not domingo?

would you be critical if bruce lee preserved your life with jeet kune do or would you require karate?

change comes when you view the variety in people and their valuable contributions

[ccrgali]

what's you def. of yogi?... someone from India? If you look up yogi on youtube you'll find either yogi bear or "yogis" from India who are as or even more flexible and demonstrating crazier stuff than this. Are they contortionist because they are "into doing stuff like that"?

She not going to just do Sun Salutations and she doesn't have 2 hours to do full primary, intermediate and advanced series. She's doing a demo so she's going to demonstrate what she can do in 10 minutes.

[Tigerhartt]

Wasnt she the naked lady in "Blue Thunder"?

[daveadler]

yes, she was in Blue Thunder. Why people are giving your question a thumbs down, I don't know. Maybe it's "not yoga" if it's in a commercial work.

[Tigerhartt]

thanks Dave, I'm sure that person was upset because it ruined their image of her as a non commercial "yogi" who would never do a nude movie scene. Or maybe they just didn't know. Either way, thanks for the reply.

[heidimarten]

um, Ana Forrest is renowned for her yoga teacher training program. Yoga and contortionism are different because of the

"mind" and breathing aspects. Granted, she sure can contort her body beautifully! I'm not the biggest fan of the music or outfit...but I guess to all, his/her own.

[yogapolice]

this is not really yoga.

and shes not a yogi.

Shes a contortionist.

Anyone whos into doing stuff like that is not a yogi.

I cant believe yoga journal allows this kind of xhit

[Adelinesclee]

Wow, excellent and amazing poise.

Nice costume, where can I get it ...

[PrincessShiya]

I can do that!

[waybizzy]

amazing! her goal is to evoke the power of emotion. after watching this video and reading your comments, i can confidently say-SUCCESS ANA!

[pdmccann]

What beautiful expression and amazing poise. Nice music and cool pants too.

[yogapolice]

These are questions not comments.

How is this different from the work of a contortionist?

Do we now have to call the contortionists yoga practionars?

[911karmapopo]

You're questions are vanilla, regurgitated slop from spiritual fraud authors you've been reading. "Lets discuss over chai at the health food store with all the miserable yogi complainers" Topic: contortionist or yoga?

You are a fool stunted, unable experience or recognize greatness when it slaps you in the face. Oh ouch... that's abuse.

[99yoga99]

Whether this is yoga or not is up to Anna. Are her mind fluctuations ceasing through her acrobatic handstands? My concern is if she will be able to execute the same postures 30 years from now due to excessive strain on her wrists. Perhaps a more balanced practice will be needed at that time.

[BakuretsuKoinu]

Thats some kinky shit

[berrymcd]

Yoga is a practice and can mean different things to different people. Let's not forget that is is a means to free yourself of tension and judgement. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be crippled but I can imagine that if I had been, I would be very happy to "share" with others what Yoga practice can do to heal the body and mind! Ana is an inspiration to all no matter what you may think of of her "exhibition". It is Yoga that gave her that ability.

[mattikeim]

Amazing. What a privilege to get to see those poses linked, even if only as a demonstration. A lifetime of work there put together on the mat. Ana rocks.

[ambroulard]

What's with the pants and the wrist braces? Yoga that needs wrist braces is not yOga- If you've pushed yourself so hard you have to wear braces your competing with yourself or some perfect image that doe's not exist- and you will lose.

[zedd3]

a friend of mine who works with her says she wears the gloves because "wrists are not ankles" and aren't made to bear weight the same way...seems reasonable enough to me...

[ambroulard]

But it's not reasonable at all- your suggesting then that it's ok to ask the body to do something that it wasn't designed to do (at least not with the maniacal frequency that Ana seems stuck on), by adding Splints or other artificial supports-- again this was Never the aim of Yoga in fact exactly the opposite- Striving to be a gymnast is very different than being a yogi or yogini and I would suggest that this is exactly what Ana really is better qualified to be- a gymnast.

[ambroulard]

Zedd- wow great insight- "wrists are not ankles"- then why would one in touch with their body ask that their wrists do what their ankles do in the first place?

[mistermaster03]

I completely disagree. Using wrist braces is her "doh", not yours or mine. I have been doing Forrest yoga for 6 years and have not needed wrist braces, but I am not Ana and neither are you.

[ambroulard]

Doh as in "crutch" for relentless abuse.

[mistermaster03]

I think you need to let go of your criticism and focus on enjoying your own practice.

[ambroulard]

My yoga practice is fine and enjoyable. Criticism is an entirely different dept. I hate to see yoga represented as New Age Junk which is precisely what this is- wild pants- crappy music- some kind of performance thing- (acrobatics- dance-?we don't know?) she would do great with cirque du soleil but she's too old- so she calls it Yoga, I don't.

[ooiulkj]

I'm not sure if you really do yoga, but you should consider it. Venting this anger and negativity demonstrates that you could really learn from true practice. You can disapprove of what is shown here, but where is this hate coming from? Peace.

[ambroulard]

Ignorance is bliss, fly high little bunny.

[911karmapopo]

jealous much? Go om with your fruitcakes, and feel good about yourself somewhere else. You're toxic. "My yoga practice is fine and enjoyable" "FINE and ENJOYABLE" LOL, idiot.

[ambroulard]

911 Karmapoopoo- Correct- Fine and Enjoyable- and your practice is what?- Hot and Bitchin with your pinstripe flame on flame retardant pants your wrist and maybe knee braces and your trendoidal new age wretch on a disc club yoga mix music- I think you need to heal yourself from your self abuse.

[911karmapopo]

You think what? You think at all? You're an idiot. a moron, focusing on the external dress and the music. You have nothing to offer. Your jealousy, stupidity and anger is your path. Now you want to focus on my practice? - you'll never be so privelleged. Focus on yourself or go to hell.

[ambroulard]

Pookarma-Look at how insanely angry your silly post is!You need so very much work evidently-keep at it-eventually you might calm down but probably not soon-Maybe you should try about 30 different systems until you find Just the right one for you- obviously the fruitcake oming thing IS TOTALLY NOT Working!Darn, and I could tell that was one of your favorites.Try this,it might work-While in your sitting pose put a bag of ice on your head and then a Big Raw Steak on top of that-Stay for 3 HOURS!!

[ambroulard]

911 pookarma- Judging by your name you would be the one with the toxicity issues-I might consider Oming with some fruitcakes but I've never heard of this one- evidently it's something your familiar with since your suggesting it? Gosh we all I'm sure would love to hear about it. So do you sit on the fruitcake or is it in front of you or on top of your head or what? Please Karmapoo let us in on the secret of your Oming system-don't leave out the flame and dragon pants!!That's the best part!

[911karmapopo]

Judging by what name? You I-D-I-O-T. Gosh, Golly GeeWiz and Goodness me. You do yoga so you can buy the clothes, read "healthy living" magazines and feel so good inside about yourself as you twist in your subdued yet stylish yoga outfit. You're a scared fool who will never learn what's important and ask: why can't I be happy? Go buy your Lululemon and gaze at your vanilla self in the mirror. Don't forget to breathe now.

[ambroulard]

911Pookarma-What is your prob?what do you mean what name?your chosen name PooKarma-careful also when you wipe by the way-you can easily get feces on your fantastic plastic wrist braces and then you would be suffering your pookarma so to speak-I've seen it happen in those flamin forrest classes,Fecal Gauze so to speak-not pleasant-And your one to talk about clothes I just wear yoga shorts and a tshirt-but you must follow your fearless forrest and wear flame-tards or whatever they are,Klingonwear?

[911karmapopo]

ambroulard: You know nothing about relentless abuse. Ana's life has been about healing herself from abuse. Your life, on the other hand, is PATHETIC and you know it. Hard for you to watch someone who puts your laziness to shame? Wannabe.

[ambroulard]

PooKarma- Just make sure you wash your wrist braces before you go to class- it can be offensive.

[retardhunterspoint]

Yea! Finally, somebdy who cna put these stupid yoga people in their place! Like karma even exists, and that forest woman thinks she's hot in her dumb pants. I like the music tho. but can't stand yoga or the people who thnk just becasuse they do yoga they are doing something to help the world. Ambroulard is my hero the first person who doesn't try and be goody goody and knows what they are talking about. Go to a circus class if you want to learn how to do this stuff. Weak wrist cry babies.

[x76baby]

I'd love to know the name of this song too. Anyone know?

[dzgt1977]

I cannot remember the name of this particular song but the singer is Brenda Fassie, a South African musician... Definitely not new age as this is part of the kwaito genre in SA and blends traditional South African music with house music.

[yogapolice]

how is this different from the work of a contortionist?

or do we now have to call the contortionists yoga practionars?

What's with Yoga Journal posting this

as a yoga demo!?

[911karmapopo]

You're an idiot yogapolice, everyone on this site is too nice to tell you. so let me do you a favor so you might have a chance to pull your head out of your ass. You're an idiot, you know nothing. Self righteous, pretentious, yoga-snobs disgust me.

[Bodhibuilder]

Wow. You didn't answer his question at all, instead you proceeded to flood him with "ad hominem", even to the point of profanity. And all the guy did was ask some questions. And with your response you proved, beyond doubt, that he has a point.

[arnoldooo3]

yes, go on i tunes and search "crappy new age techno"

[ambroulard]

Exactly!! the music is suckin!

[patnarob]

Can anyone help me in finding out what the songs are Ana is using in her demonstration? Many thanks :-)

[pendekarsoktau]

One has to admire the courage with which Ana, despite being burdened by many debilitating diseases including chronic constipation and tobacco addiction, is carrying on her message to the People.

[antianticamper]

tobacco addiction is a disease? was she born with it or did it arise when she started smoking? is she also battling yoga addiction or could she stop anytime she wants to?

[paulahope]

Ana was my very first teacher. I feel fortunate.

Thank you Ana for being my teacher.

Namaste

[maripilibarroso]

Fantastico, una maravilla esta Ana!!!

[yogaroots]

not bad

[jdcruise2001]

wow shes strong and what a body!!!!!!!1

[TeshawnEdmonds]

That's gotta be gnarly from Ana. Way more wicked than a 720 Double Backflip

[Mavafire14]

woah!

[trobot87]

Mavafire14, can you do any of those poses? She's pretty amazing!!!

[Torsten710]

awesome