The Film: Inspirational Stories

“Difficult situations and emotions continue to arise but my relationship to them is much more mature,” Sarah Powers, yoga teacher.

Yoga and Me is an independent documentary featuring inspirational stories from my favourite hatha yoga teachers.  I find yoga philosophy really interesting but it can be hard to digest from texts, I learn the best when my teachers tell me stories from their lives.  These can be funny and heartwarming, sometimes moving and always inspiring.  I filmed some of these stories and put them together on this DVD in an effort to help others understand the essence of yoga. The DVD is conversational and suitable for people who have never done yoga, for people who want to take their practise deeper or those just curious about other people's lives.

The documentary is divided into chapters, you can watch it seamlessly from beginning to end, or use the menu to select topics you are interested in.   The chapters are yoga and the mind, detailing how yoga facilitates the ability to witness ones thoughts. Yoga and pain demonstrates how the art of yoga can assist in alleviating both physical and psychological pain.

In the chapter yoga and drugs, the film explores how yoga can assist in liberating drug and alcohol addiction. Food is one of life's greatest pleasures but also a tricky area to navigate in cities where we are spoiled for choice: the teachers discuss how yoga has helped them establish and maintain a diet that is both nourishing and joyful in the yoga and food section.

The chapter yoga and emotions discusses how yoga can lead to a sense of equanimity. One of our teachers testifies that, ‘yoga has been the foundation to [her] relationship.’ You can hear why she says this in the section yoga and relationships. This chapter also includes examples of how to deal with difficult relationships. The link between sex and yoga is often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood.  In yoga and sex the documentary explores how our teachers have improved sexual intimacy through yoga. Finally, the yoga documentary explores in the chapters yoga and the environment and yoga and the community how yoga practise creates a connection, not just with our bodies and our breath but also with our communities and the environment.

The DVD extras include extended interviews with the teachers and a unique yoga bandha demonstration by internationally-respected teacher, Simon Borg-Olivier.

The uplifting music was composed by my good friend Tristan Waley, with vocals by another beautiful friend Natalie Macken (who also designed the DVD cover) and Tristan's friend Fiona Treloar. In addition the yoga video features the beautiful Sacred Earth song, Govinda.

The film was shot over two years and really was a labour of love, I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did making it.  It is available online now by going to the purchase page.

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