On The DL

Forrest Yoga

by Tiffany Jackson

Tue.-Wed., March 17-18, 6-9 p.m., $65 (single session)-$115 (both sessions), Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Ave., 215-387-3434, studio34yoga.com

Yogis don't normally garner hundreds of thousands of YouTube hits. (Can you imagine watching the downward-facing dog pose — or even worse, the corpse — for more than a few seconds?) But Ana Forrest, with her beyond-human flexibility, has attracted an impressive audience online. Watch as she sits cross-legged, then ever so casually swings into a full handstand, and you'll start to understand why.

For Forrest, though, the breathing technique is more important than fancy acrobatics. "When you're fully present in the pose and your breathing, it's powerful," she says.

So powerful, in fact, that she credits it as saving her life. Forrest was born with a deformed leg, and has experienced physical abuse, mental problems and drug issues throughout her life. She began yoga in hopes of rescuing herself. Now Forrest, who was the first yogi to be formally commended by a U.S. mayor — Los Angeles' Antonio Villaraigosa — for outstanding teaching, shares her experiences with students. "I teach people how to use their breath to bring aliveness to areas that are shielded or hurt," she says. "There's a lot of emphasis on healing and self-discovery in my classes."

While the course is certainly cerebral, Forrest also promises to make you sweat, so bring a change of clothes. "Everyone should be prepared to move," she says. "Not to sit around and take notes."