Produced by husband-and-wife team Kate Clere McIntyre and Michael McIntyre, the new documentary Yogawoman is far more than the flexible poses it depicts. The most joyful documentary I’ve ever seen, Yogawoman harnesses the knowledge and activism of yoga rock stars and takes you on a trip to nine different countries, while providing insight into a variety of yoginis leading a quiet revolution. The filmmakers interviewed over 70 amazing women who have found their voice and power through yoga. The beautiful cinematography, which reveals women who are different ages, sizes, and nationalities, all sharing yoga, is really quite powerful. The film radiates such positive energy, you can’t help but be moved by the transformation stories and the diverse projects that these women have accomplished, all because of opening their minds and hearts through yoga.
Narrated by Annette Bening, who is a noted yogini, the film discusses a variety of yoga’s benefits for a variety of women. It shows pregnant women doing yoga, and having calmer pregnancies as well as peaceful babies. It includes a yoga class for young teen girls, whose teacher discusses the benefits to the girls’ self-esteem and confidence. The film shows old women doing yoga and finding renewed energy for life, and people from Seane Corn’s yoga class going to Kenya to build a birthing center for the women there, their activism completely inspired by the practice of yoga. Another incredible yogini featured is Tari Prinster, a cancer survivor who’s created classes specifically for cancer survivors. The fim will make you want to practice yoga and harness your own power.
Thursday night at the N.Y.C. Yogawoman premiere, while sitting among a bunch of yoga enthusiasts, the audience’s energy was palpable. There were audible reactions from people whenever they related to or felt inspired by the film. And this continued after the credits rolled, as people could not stop talking about it. During the Q & A with the filmmakers and N.Y.C. yoga teachers, the general consensus was that the world can be healed with yoga. In the film, many of the yoga teachers discussed how yoga can unite communities, and it seems like this film could also do just that. As I left the movie theater, I knew that even though I’m not a yoga rock star, the rest of the audience members were and would continue to spread the joy of yoga. That in itself was as inspiring as the documentary.
If you need some motivation to start doing yoga, or if it’s already a part of your life, you’ll love Yogawoman. Check out the website for screening information or to purchase the film on DVD.
