Ashtanga, NY - A Yoga Documentary

This is a lovely film. The filmmakers started to make a film about an elderly yoga teacher's visit to New York, where he would teach a workshop to hundreds of appreciative yoga students. Halfway through the month-long workshop the terrorist attack of 9/11 occured. The teacher's response to this terrible event - and the response of NY's yoga community, becomes the story.What really sets the film apart is the total absence of New-Age Yoga Journal BS. Here is a real, living community of individuals just doing their practice, living their lives, and thinking critically, and supporting each other in a time of crisis.Celebrity commentary and appearances of Paltrow, Beastie Boy Mike D, and Willem Dafoe, who has a particularily amazing yoga practice.

I just got this (highly anticipated) documentary yesterday and last night I sat down and watched it all the way through. TWICE! There really is something about Ashtanga that makes itself necessary in one's life. As one of the women reviewed in the documentary states (and I paraphrase), "There is no such thing as going half way with Ashtanga." You either experience it and get involved, eventually, in all the limbs, or you drop it and decide it is not for you.I am an all or nothing girl, and I feel like this practice is meant for me. It cools me out and reminds me to be introspective. This documentary made me proud of my practice and it really affirmed my choice to stick it out every day...even when it is tough (especially when it is tough).This is in no way an instructional DVD and if you don't already have some knowledge of Ashtanga, you might find it supremely boring...yet, then again, maybe this is just the inspiration you need to discover the practice and how it inspires and changes people.Lastly, what is really poignant about this short film is that is depicts Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' last workshop in the U.S. before his death. Furthermore, this workshop took place right in the middle of 9/11 in New York! So inspiring to see how people stuck with their practice as a means to continue living and to dedicate their energies to the fallen.Love, love, love this doc and would recommend it highly to anyone interested in the workings of (Ashtanga) yoga. I have a feeling I will watch it many, many more times :)Namaste.

Nice interviews with various people, famous and not, who find benefit practicing Ashtanga yoga and revere the guru featured in this film during his 2001 visit to New York. I was hoping for a bit more about yoga helping people who were there during the Sept 11 attacks in NYC, and an exploration about yoga healing individuals and perhaps producing some world peace. Nicely photographed and excellent sound quality. If you are rabid about Ashtanga yoga, you will like it. If you want to go beyond ...

Watched this when it was on Netflix. Now it is not on Netflix. Was looking for the option of digital download but it is not. Hope it will be available soon.

I've been practicing Astanga yoga since the 1970's. I knew Guruji (Patabi Jois) and his wife, Amah, for decades. My husband lived with them in Mysore for a year or more in 1981. We love and miss Guruji and found this documentary delightful. I just hope that people who practice this form of yoga have the humility which goes hand in hand with the philosophy of astanga. BTW, I don't know where the letter "h" is from in Astanga; My own asana guide, made by Guruji in the late 1970's, spells the word astanga yoga, with no letter "h". Also, I met my husband of 30 years in a yoga class in Encinitas, CA. Great minds...!

This documentary does a great job in telling the story of the effects Ashtanga (both physically and psychologically) on various practioners. Some you may recognize like William DeFoe and Gwenth Paltrow, but there are others whose stories are equally as interesting. The DVD also provides interviews with Sri K Pattabi Jois and Sharath. The yoga demos are awesome, and the interviews are sincere and warm. If you are a fan of ashtanga then this is a great DVD to watch.

i thought it sort of missed the point of yoga by focusing so much on famous people who didnt really have a lot to say - i would have loved more of the actual practice - it would have been interesting to have followed a beginner and see how they changed over the course of the month - it is still definitely worth watching - its great to see such a wonderful family and how they work together

Love the documentary