"Who Knew? This Yoga Stuff Actually Works"

As an avid yoga practitioner myself for over a decade, I was ecstatic with the opportunity to review the documentary “Yogawoman” premiered this September. Narrated by actress Annette Bening, the film features snippet testimonies from several yoga icons, doctors and practitioners from all over the world sharing their experiences on the benefits of yoga in their lives and community.
The word “yoga” in Sankrit means union, which implies integration of body, mind and soul to achieve a balanced life. At a visceral level, yoga is movement and breathing. When given full attention, it is through “asanas” (yoga poses) and “pranayama” (breathing exercises) that one’s physical constitution and neural pathways are affected. The movie explores how powerful such simple combination can be to help improve women’s lives in today’s hectic society.

While a stereotype of yoga is to help balance the lives of busy women who are juggling several roles (and that is true too), the movie explores its impact on cancer survivors, pregnant women, larger women, kids, prisoners, women in menopause and aging seniors. It is based upon the premise that whatever you need, the yoga practice is there for you: There are several ways it can help the individual to evolve from building a stronger and more flexible body, to quite literally finding joy and purpose in life.

“Yogawoman” goes even further. It shows how yoga is making an impact in the larger, global community by supporting women in developing countries. Seane Corn’s outreach program “Off The Mat and Into the World” helps women in Uganda, and Paige Elenson’s “Africa Yoga Project” focuses in bringing yoga to the slums of Kenya.

The documentary also includes scientific opinions of medical professionals such as integrative physician Dr. Sara Gottfried and world-renowned research scientist Dr. Shirley Telles. They advocate yoga to their patients as a way for women to maintain hormonal balance, emotional fulfillment, reduce anxiety, treat depression, manage stress, and develop strong sense of self.

The statements proclaimed in the movie are very powerful: “Yoga is the fountain of youth”. “It shifts something in your heart; it helps you find purpose in life”. “It gives you courage to be vulnerable and as you are”. “It teaches you how to be yourself”. I can see how these can be farfetched to a beginner, but if you commit to a frequent practice; it will with no doubt change your life.

As for myself, I have experienced deep, positive transformations in my life since I have started a decade ago, and there is no wonder I am a strong advocate today. Yoga is an incredible life tool: it helps the practitioner to enhance awareness and self esteem, develop discernment and authenticity like nothing else (that I know of) really can.

“Yogawoman” is a must see not only for the yoga enthusiast, but also for the curious and seekers. The documentary is likely to please a broad audience and is bound to serve as an eye opener for women (and men!) interested to learn more about this incredibly powerful life enhancing activity.

“Yogawoman” DVDs are available for sale on September 15th.

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