"Inversions" workshop II

[flexagon]

I just got back from a long-awaited inversions workshop with Ana Forrest, who's a big name in the western yoga world.

This is the kind of thing Ana's famous for:



So one wonders where, in this workshop, the inversions went. In two and a half hours we did two forearm stand poses, one handstand and no headstands. We did do some evil, boot-campy ab work, some pranayama I wasn't familiar with, and some sequences leading up to koundinyasana, one-legged crow and an (admittedly very cool) shoulderstand variation called twisted cypress. Perhaps I should be more forgiving -- one-legged crow is almost an inversion if you get the free leg up really high -- but I just don't feel forgiving. For this I risked my hamstring, even though I quit my regular yoga studio for a month to avoid reinjuring it? Bah. I feel like I've barely been upside-down today.

Comments

[nevers.livejournal.com]

aw, man! i went to a disappointing arm balance workshop around this time last year and i remember the feeling afterward. how did you like her as a teacher in general?

[flexagon]

I would have thought she was okay if it had been the class I wanted to take, but the people she had helping her were really pushy and insistent with their instructions. It was a bit of a scene, and definitely a bit more boot camp than the yoga classes I usually go to. Also, there was some total weirdness about "turbo dog", which is about halfway between dog and dolphin, and a version of up dog where the elbows stay bent apparently just in order to make the pose harder, and a lot of poses we were supposed to relax the neck instead of extending the pose through the whole spine like I'm used to... and so maybe I'm just being sensitive since between the stylistic differences and my sticker saying "right hamstring hurt", I came in for a lot of fire adjustments.

As long as I am grouchy, though, can I mention the cute waffle-knit top they were selling outside the classroom? It stopped being cute when I saw they wanted $64. Grrr, the famous teacher markup. :P

I would take more classes with her if it was just her, but I don't know if that ever happens anymore if you're not in her teaching program.

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

ever tried acroyoga?

its full of inversions, only its with a partner. i've seen some pics you posted up, and it seems you do several of the poses they use in that style.

its freaking fun!

that woman stole my name!

[flexagon]

Yes, I've done it with nevers and then done the things she taught me with a few local friends, but never anything advanced because nobody seems to teach it in Boston. :_(

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

i think its a west coast thing.

BUT, i know the people who teach it travel around a bunch. So...there is hope!

or come to burningman, as they are there and you can do yoga and gymnastics and dancing and flailing to your hearts content 24/7.

:)

[flexagon]

burning man DOES sound tempting, for just that reason. Hmmmmmmm... *considers*

[figmint.livejournal.com]

Aha, a friend from my Sacramento days was OBSESSED with Ana Forrest and her style of yoga. After endless prodding, I took an intensive weekend course. The thing I most remember is the incessant spreading of the toes. She's big into spreading the toes, that Ana.

Of course, it's hard to argue with that body. And the instructor had an astonishing body and had recently given birth to boot.

But I just didn't feel comfortable with it, and never went back. That said, I know that I should be doing some yoga, mostly for anti-stress purposes.

I know there's at least one Forrest studio here in Chicago.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

The thing I most remember is the incessant spreading of the toes. She's big into spreading the toes, that Ana.

Too funny, I watched a video of her doing her thing, and it IS amazing, but the whole time I was like "Woman! Watch your toes!" As a former gymnast it was KILLING me. I'm not sure if learning that she does it purpose makes me feel better. Maybe a little...

[figmint.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, it's completely on purpose! In fact, as you're doing the poses the instructor will keep reminding you to "remember to spread your toes!" It wouldn't get beauty points in gymnastics, no, but it's supposed to make you more aware of your feet, I think...?

[nevers.livejournal.com]

i think it's also supposed to be a way of extending every bit of your body out into the universe. and a way of showing off one's awesome body control ;). i feel like pointing your toes all the way really shortens the backs of your legs and the toe thing feels longer. it took me a while to come around to that, though.

[figmint.livejournal.com]

Do you do Forrest yoga? Do you like it?

[nevers.livejournal.com]

i don't, so i don't really know her particular reasons for favoring the toes-spread technique. but i've had instructors suggest it before and i play around with it. mostly when i'm getting tired of pointing my feet. i'm an acrobat, so i have to point my feet most of the time.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

I bet it feels good from a stretchy pov too.

[flexagon]

Yes, indeed it does. After a day in work shoes it feels quite good to spread 'em. Toes, that is. ;)

[flexagon]

There are probably lots and lots of non-Forrest studios in Chicago, too. I'm sure you can find one whose style you like a better, if you experiment a bit!