Ana Forrest

About

Ana Forrest is an inspiration and has been changing people’s lives for over 45 years. She is an internationally-recognised pioneer in yoga and emotional healing. Ana is the creatrix of Forrest yoga and a mystic, visionary, philanthropist, author and medicine woman. Ana crafted Forrest yoga while working through healing from her own life’s traumas – abuse and addictions, the helplessness around the addictions, and the ongoing suffering from chronic injuries and illnesses. She learned how... Ana Forrest is an inspiration and has been changing people’s lives for over 45 years. She is an internationally-recognised pioneer in yoga and emotional healing. Ana is the creatrix of Forrest yoga and a mystic, visionary, philanthropist, author and medicine woman. Ana crafted Forrest yoga while working through healing from her own life’s traumas – abuse and addictions, the helplessness around the addictions, and the ongoing suffering from chronic injuries and illnesses. She learned how to transform her pain and fear into deep inner healing. The process of healing herself inspired her to teach others about what really works. Forrest yoga is a powerfully physical, internally-focused practice that emphasises the integration of transformative experiences from the mat into purposeful daily life. Incorporating philosophies like “evolve or die”, “never waste a good trigger” and “no matter what happens, there is healing for you if you are willing to do the work”, Forrest yoga is designed as a healing tool but also helps you answer questions about your life 's purpose. Ana’s spirit pledge is to carry out her role and intention within Forrest yoga as “mending the hoop” and “inspiring people to clear through the stuff that hardens them and sickens their bodies so they can walk freely and lightly in a healing way, in a beauty way.” Ana took her first yoga class at age 14 after not backing down to a challenge. She couldn’t even touch her knees, so she couldn’t believe that there were all of these ‘old’ people who were so much more flexible than her. Ana was experiencing abuse and abusing herself, full of rage, doing drugs and smoking, and not attending school - but she still returned to the yoga classes. At the time she didn’t really know why, but felt compelled by the challenge. In hindsight, this was a magical intervention. She became a certified yoga instructor in 1975. Her study and clinical application of healing modalities is vast and includes homeopathy, naturopathy, anatomy, reflexology, acupressure, craniosacral treatments, regression therapy, reiki, polarity and hands-on healing. All of these inform her work and make her a wise, intuitive teacher and healer. In her life-long love for evolving, Ana has journeyed into Indigenous sacred ceremonies like sweat lodge, pipe ceremony, Vision Quest, and sundance. Ana has now taught and toured in over 30 countries. Ana is the author of “Fierce Medicine: Breakthrough Practices to Heal the Body and Ignite the Spirit” which is part memoir and is filled with helpful Forrest yoga poses to teach us to reconnect with our bodies, cultivate balance, and start living in harmony with our spirits. In 2014, Ana met international music legend Jose Calarco in Sydney. They now bring their two worlds together, pushing the boundaries of yoga and music. Jose’s experience as a faith healer and medicine man spans more than 30 years and Forrest yoga now incorporates ceremony, music, dance, ancient healing techniques, veganism, and First Nation philosophies. Thousands of students have undertaken Forrest yoga teacher training over the years, bringing their personal discoveries and growth with them to share with the world. When they’re not travelling the world teaching workshops, Ana and Jose live on Orcas Island in Washington, USA. They love experiencing different cultural practices, believing that we are all branches of the same tree and that culture is about sharing. Join Ana and Jose for breath, integrity, strength and spirit. Read more

Languages

English

Therapies

Membership of professional associations

• Yoga Alliance and Yoga Alliance Professionals

Education and training

Forrest Yoga