ALANA BRENNAN (she/her)
For over 20 years, no matter where in the world I’ve found myself, my yoga practice has consistently provided me with both the tools to adapt to new environments and a direct, often immediate connection to a community that shares my core values and beliefs.
In 2006, when I moved to Boston to pursue my master’s in Public Health, I began practicing Forrest Yoga intensively. This journey led me to complete the Forrest Yoga Foundation Teacher Training in 2007. I deepened my expertise by completing the Advanced Forrest Yoga Teacher Training in 2010 and 2015, as well as the Forrest Yoga Mentorship in 2015 with Heidi Sormaz, owner of Fresh Yoga in New Haven, CT. To complement my Forrest Yoga teaching, I trained in Restorative Yoga with Judith Lasater in 2012. Most recently, in 2020, I completed the Poppy Pre- and Postnatal Yoga Training with Catherine Allen.
Forrest Yoga’s strong emphasis on the connection between body, breath, and consciousness has profoundly shaped my personal practice and has given me a solid foundation as a teacher. This approach allows me to guide my students through their own journeys, helping them work deeply within their bodies.
Students have described my classes, whether Vinyasa or Forrest Yoga, as both challenging and enjoyable. I strive to create a supportive environment where mindful breathing, alignment, and non-harming principles guide students toward physical and mental shifts at their own pace.
Off my mat, I am an Associate Professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health in the Departments of Global Health and Epidemiology. My research focuses primarily on the intersection of infectious diseases (HIV and tuberculosis) and non-infectious chronic conditions (diabetes and hypertension) in sub-Saharan Africa.
What You Can Expect From My Class
In my mixed-levels classes students will experience various breathing techniques, deep core work and inversions incorporated into a strong Forrest-inspired vinyasa flow. I always offer modifications for students and can help pre-natal and post-natal individuals adapt their practice, so they can continue to stay on their mat as their body changes.