Before I noticed that Ana Forrest had published a book I knew nothing about her or her style of yoga, all I had were my own projections of what I thought of her, and in my mind she was a tough woman, someone to almost fear.
I am not going to attempt a review but I will say that it surprised me in more than one way. For one, it reads more like a biography than a yoga book, it is her life, and her life so far, has been one tough life! I mean, they should make a movie about it.
It ranges the scales of smoking at 6, early rape, heavy drinking, beatings at home, epileptic attacks, dealing with bulimia etc. She finds redemption through shamanic practices, the elements, ceremony, prayer and of course, yoga. The chapters bleed and heal, not necessarily in that order.
The book has so many more stories that even if you think you know what it is about by what I just told you you would be wrong. For example there is when she visited Iyengar, whom she calls "the dictator", a fact that even BKS himself realizes: "Because I am seen as a stern authoritarian teacher, people do not realize how strongly I have in fact reacted against the harsh and secretive regime in which I was brought up" (Light on Life
, chapter on pranayama)
There is one particular exercise she has her students do on day eleven or so, during teacher training. It is called the "death meditation". It has you imagining that you have 12 hours to live.
I followed the exercise along and it can be very revealing to find out what you hold grudges towards, who you need to call, what needs to be taken care of so you can be at peace, what you regret doing or even worst, not daring doing. It is a cathartic way to bring in new life and get rid of the old, by the time you die (in the exercise) at least you have a bit more clarity.
Funny enough, two days after reading the book I find myself thinking about that exercise again and again, and noticing how much denial there is in me about death. I wanted to think I am all good, but maybe I am not really. I know death is coming, I just don't want to think about it. Who does?
I found the shamanic aspect of her approach very interesting and enticing, loved the idea of circles of healing and ceremonies and believe these to be especially helpful for people who are in tremendous pain, which, she says, is the type of students she tends to attract.
The yoga poses are inserted in the book as a way to help deal with issues that are brought up in the chapters.
Recent Reviews:
Kino, Tim and Greg: Intro to Ashtanga DVD
Ashtanga Yoga As It Is, Matthew Sweeney
21 Things to Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga Practice
I am not going to attempt a review but I will say that it surprised me in more than one way. For one, it reads more like a biography than a yoga book, it is her life, and her life so far, has been one tough life! I mean, they should make a movie about it.
It ranges the scales of smoking at 6, early rape, heavy drinking, beatings at home, epileptic attacks, dealing with bulimia etc. She finds redemption through shamanic practices, the elements, ceremony, prayer and of course, yoga. The chapters bleed and heal, not necessarily in that order.
The book has so many more stories that even if you think you know what it is about by what I just told you you would be wrong. For example there is when she visited Iyengar, whom she calls "the dictator", a fact that even BKS himself realizes: "Because I am seen as a stern authoritarian teacher, people do not realize how strongly I have in fact reacted against the harsh and secretive regime in which I was brought up" (Light on Life
, chapter on pranayama)There is one particular exercise she has her students do on day eleven or so, during teacher training. It is called the "death meditation". It has you imagining that you have 12 hours to live.
I followed the exercise along and it can be very revealing to find out what you hold grudges towards, who you need to call, what needs to be taken care of so you can be at peace, what you regret doing or even worst, not daring doing. It is a cathartic way to bring in new life and get rid of the old, by the time you die (in the exercise) at least you have a bit more clarity.
Funny enough, two days after reading the book I find myself thinking about that exercise again and again, and noticing how much denial there is in me about death. I wanted to think I am all good, but maybe I am not really. I know death is coming, I just don't want to think about it. Who does?
I found the shamanic aspect of her approach very interesting and enticing, loved the idea of circles of healing and ceremonies and believe these to be especially helpful for people who are in tremendous pain, which, she says, is the type of students she tends to attract.
The yoga poses are inserted in the book as a way to help deal with issues that are brought up in the chapters.
Recent Reviews:
Kino, Tim and Greg: Intro to Ashtanga DVD
Ashtanga Yoga As It Is, Matthew Sweeney
21 Things to Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga Practice
Sounds like a fascinating book, Claudia. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteShe's perfect for Astanga!!
ReplyDeleteHi aimee, you're welcome
ReplyDeleteBoodiba, yeap, only she has created her own style....
I loved this book. It's very NLP (I see she has studied with Tony Robbins). A lot of Ana's beliefs may not appeal to everyone but It's a real gift when someone has really searched (or 'hunted down') every fear in themselves and shares their learnings. She's an amazing pioneer and inspiration.
ReplyDelete(have been doing her wall handstands, need to get me a pair of those gloves she wears- wristssssss)
The death meditation chapter spoke the most to me too. Powerful stuff. It's a great way to rediscover your values (if a little spooky- I watched a documentary the next day about a man choosing assisted suicide because of ill health and it made the meditation idea all the more compelling- as here was someone who actually knew exactly when he was going to die). Jacqui
Jacqui, that sounds very intense, interesting that you watched it after reading the chapter. Powerful stuff!
ReplyDeleteShe sounds very interesting, in her power, and healing. I am glad I read the book too :-)
I had ordered this book 2 weeks back itself through an online portal in India and eager to receive this book . Good that u have read it and find it inspiring . One thing that many people do not know about Ana Forresst is that she is the lady who did that nude yoga practice ( a short 2 mt clip ) in the Movie " Blue Lagoon "that came in Mid 80s .
ReplyDeleteI am very much eager to have this book in my hand .
Oh, is THAT the movie she talks about, I had no idea, saw the movie so long ago I did not even remember there was a yoga thing in it...
ReplyDelete