Fierce Medicine: Breakthrough Practices to Heal the Body and Ignite the Spirit [Hardcover]

Ana T. Forrest (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 3, 2011

“One of the most compelling, inspiring, and eloquent stories you will ever read. I absolutely could not put it down and I’m thrilled for all the other readers who will be captivated by Ana’s storytelling and wisdom.”
—Martha Beck, bestselling author of Finding Your Own North Star
 
Charismatic yoga master, respected teacher, and acclaimed healer Ana Forrest shares her inspiring life story for the first time in Fierce Medicine. Along the way, she reveals methods that anyone can use to overcome the emotional stresses and spiritual burdens that stand in the way of health and happiness. For readers of Yoga Journal and fans of Cameron Alborzian’s The Guru in You or Judith Orlaff’s Emotional Freedom, Forrest’s moving, personal story and her profound lessons in physical, emotional, and mental healing will be a fierce—and very welcome—medicine.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“As a teacher, this is a book that I would certainly share with my students, but as a student myself, there is much in this book that will aid in my own growth and for that I am grateful. I highly recommend this book to all seekers on the path.” (Seane Corn, internationally acclaimed yoga teacher and founder of “Off the Mat, Into the World” )

“One of the most compelling, inspiring, and eloquent stories you will ever read. I absolutely could not put it down and I’m thrilled for all the other readers who will be captivated by Ana’s storytelling and wisdom.” (Martha Beck, bestselling author of Finding Your Own North Star )

“Fierce Medicine is a journey from the wounded to the healed soul using the grace and elegance of yoga as a guide. Ana Forrest has given us all the best of herself in this book.” (Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Defying Gravity )

“Fierce Medicine is classic Ana Forrest: straight ahead life tales from one of the meteors of the modern yoga movement...laced with the intense focus of a Tiger seeking the freedom of the heart.” (John Friend, Founder of Anusara yoga )

From the Back Cover

As the creator of Forrest Yoga ,Ana T. Forrest has been transforming people’slives throughout the world for more thanthirty-five years. Her unique blend of physicalpractice, Eastern wisdom, and profoundNative American ceremony takes her teachingsliterally off the mat and into daily life—toheal everything from addictive behaviors andeating disorders to chronic pain and injury. InFierce Medicine, Forrest tells her own story ofhealing from the scars of abuse and physicalhandicaps, and reveals the proven practices thatenabled her to move beyond her past into a lifecommitted to helping others reconnect withtheir bodies, cultivate balance, and start living inharmony with their Spirits.

In her unique, powerful, and inviting voice,Ana Forrest reveals how to:

• Learn to stalk fear and break free from it instead of running from it.

• Be attentive to your body, discovering its own inherent healing properties.

• Speak and act from a place of honesty and compassion.

• Cultivate an open heart that is feeling, responsive, and reflexive and able to embrace change.

• Harness your intuition and the courage to live in alignment with your Spirit.

Whether you’ve never done yoga or are a seasonedpractitioner, Ana Forrest’s practices, stories,and exercises will help you uncover yourown warrior’s heart. With this wise woman as yourtrusted guide, you, too, can become centered,strong, and more alive than ever before.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061864242
• ISBN-13: 978-0061864247
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.1 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ANA FORREST is an internationally recognized pioneer in yoga and emotional healing. The creator of Forrest Yoga, a unique fusion of traditional yoga, new poses and sequences created by the author, Eastern wisdom, and Native American medicine, she is a contributing expert to Yoga Journal internationally as well as leading Asian and European wellness publications. Forrest teaches worldwide at yoga conferences, workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings. She lives on Orcas Island, Washington. Visit the author online at www.forrestyoga.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and Powerful May 17, 2011

By B. Nadine Feldman

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

In this deeply honest book, Ana Forrest shares details of a difficult and shattered life, not as a victim, but as a powerful woman who learned ways to heal herself and others. I couldn't put it down. I've practiced yoga for many years, and I really appreciate her willingness to find her own truth in yoga, even if that means questioning the status quo.

I intend to use the practices in this book as a primer for my current phase of life, which is navigating through my menopausal years, though anyone could read this book at any stage of life. For me, this book has come along at the perfect time, and I'm excited about using it as an ongoing resource.

Having taken one of her weekend workshops, I knew how powerful she would be, but she was also loving and funny, and her humor comes across in this book. As with all of her work, Fierce Medicine is top quality.

99 of 115 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A Little Too Fierce for Me... August 11, 2011

By Swayembu

Format:Hardcover

I am giving this book two stars to discourage people from actually buying it. It definitely does have some value, yet I feel there are certain things here that are rather disturbing and which perhaps could be addressed in future editions of the book.

First, as one reviewer already mentioned, I would have liked to have seen more yoga in the book, though I will also say that combining memoir with yoga teachings is interesting, not something that I have seen before.

More troubling for me is the way the book comes off as a vehicle to stoke the image of Ana Forrest as a world teacher. In her personal mythology, every major thing that happened to her in her life (and even past lives) was some abuse or another that she had to overcome in order to become the Medicine Woman. This might be okay if she could have done it without villifying a bunch of people, like her parents, as well as some great and world famous yoga teachers from whom she clearly learned so much. Where is the gratitude, compassion, and the mending of the hoop with them? I question whether this is really in the spirit of yoga and ahimsa (which she says she doesn't really consider a top priority), not to mention a balanced approach to reality...?

As I said before, there certainly are some teachings of value in this book, yet most of them can already be found elsewhere. My feeling is that your $25.99 for the hardcover could be better spent other than to support what feels ultimately like a self-serving way of attracting new disciples to Forrest's self-named yoga system. I would suggest reading it in the bookstore or taking it out of the library, and not supporting the world movement...

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Voice of A Healer May 13, 2011

By aura carr

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fierce Medicine is a powerful guide for the seeker who wants healing. Ana Forrest openheartedly reveals her fear-facing ordeals, the dark and bright sides of her life experiences, with wit and wisdom. In sharing her own remarkable journey she shows us all how to reclaim our right to "walk in Beauty."

Ana has mindfully synthesized the gems from an in-depth exploration of yoga, Native American medicine ways and most importantly, from her own life, and presents them to us in this awe-inspiring book. Those who have practiced Forrest Yoga with Ana, or have been trained under her vigilant supervision, understand what it feels like to touch their own energy and direct it to where it is needed most.

When I was searching the yoga world for a skilled instructor, someone who embodied both strength and insight, I found Ana Forrest. She and her circle of dedicated protégés became my teachers. With their healing guidance, I have learned how to loosen my grip on the notion of perfection and instead choose a path of personal transformation, one deep breath at a time. You will laugh and probably shed a few overdue tears as you embrace Ana's words and realize that personal healing is possible, no matter the depth of your wounds.

Funny and edgy, Fierce Medicine is a life-shifter. Read it and practice your own voice, even if it is only a whisper right now. Fierce Medicine and Forrest Yoga will set you on a path of speaking truth and reconnecting your inner spirit with your outer body. Ana Forrest's determination will fuel your own. Behind her fierceness you will find great compassion and a courageous mentor.

Fierce Medicine is a valuable gift, a clear reminder that we are all truly connected and powerful.

Thank you, Ana Forrest. Aho