Enlighten Up! A Skeptic's Journey Into The World Of Yoga

 

Pattabhi Jois and students at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India.

I really didn't want to head out to the grocery store on Saturday at 5:30 to pick up the green onions I needed for a recipe.  But I did.  Good thing.  If I hadn't been in the car I would have missed hearing the NPR Weekend Edition story about a new documentary, called Enlighten Up!, which opened last weekend in New York City.

Here's the pitch, Kate Churchill is a Green-smoothie-for-breakfast-yoga-practitioner-kind-of-gal.  She's sure if she can just immerse a skeptic into the "yoga lifestyle",  it will change his life.  Substitute yoga for anything else--religion, diet, exercise, you-name-it----and this documentary becomes more than just a story about yoga.

All she has do is find someone who "couldn't care less about yoga", schlep him all over the world (NYC, LA, Hawaii & India) to yoga classes with the most holy of Yogis, and voila, he will find Enlightenment, and she'll produce a documentary along the way.  And yes, this is a real documentary, not a faux-documentary.

Kate picks Nick, a a physically fit skeptical journalist who's the kind of guy who likes a big cup of coffee, and a bacon, egg & cheese sandwich for breakfast.

Not only does Nick not find Nirvana, neither does Kate.  She is so annoyed with Nick throughout their travels she's unable to focus on the message that all the wise Gurus were telling her:

Yoga isn't something that you can have foisted upon you.  Everyone has to follow their own path.

It sounds like a documentary that I want to see--with the added bonus that it has a sense of humor.

**I dedicate this post to my niece Tarah, a Bikram yoga teacher, who wouldn't think of foisting yoga upon anyone, not even her husband!**   Am I right about that? 

Reviews of the film:

The NTY says: "As the title indicates, “Enlighten Up!” explores its subject with a light touch and welcome sense of humor. That it ends with a lack of resolution about yoga’s ultimate goal suggests that Mr. Rosen wasn’t the only one to gain some self-knowledge along the way."  Read their review here.

The Film Journal International: "A fast-moving, often humorous account of a young man's journey to find his "higher self through yoga.  Rosen’s dad told him the secret of life years back: “Get rid of what you are not. Be yourself.” There’s a sound bite that, properly absorbed, can do more to transform a soul than a few years of holding a leg two feet over your head for a half-hour in Mysore’s 120-degree heat. But yogis have to make a living, don’t they?"  Read their review here.

Interview with Kate Churchill

The following interview was written by Ian MacKenzie. It is posted on his web site: Brave New Traveler.  Exploring the Inner Journey Through the Outer World.

Follow Nick Rosen, a self-proclaimed skeptic, on his beginner’s journey into the world of yoga.

Filmmaker Kate Churchill has been practicing yoga for 12 years. In that time, the form and variety of yoga has exploded, but she remains convinced that yoga can transform anyone.

Enter Nick Rosen, a New York journalist and all around skeptic.

He’s fairly certain yoga is good for nothing more than staying limber, but he’s willing to try any school, and meet any guru, to see if it’s more than skin deep. The resulting film, Enlighten Up, is a fascinating journey into the heart and history of yoga.

Watch the trailer - Quite well-done. (click here if you don't see the video):

Surprisingly, (at least for me) the film is about more than this ancient spiritual practice.

Nick ends up battling his own psyche as much as his flexibility; and Kate plays a much larger role than she originally intended. Both participants learn that the path into their perfect practice is really a path into themselves.

On the eve of her film’s premiere, I spoke with Kate Churchill in an illuminating interview about life, poses, and the secret of happiness.

BNT: What first attracted you to yoga?

Kate: I started practicing yoga consistently about 12 years ago (it was 7 when I started making this film). After decades of playing sports, my body was starting to fall apart. A yoga studio opened in the neighborhood and I decided to try it to alleviate some of my physical aches and pains.

How did you come up with the idea for Enlighten Up?

Director Kate Churchill with Gurusharanananda at his
ashram in Northern India.

The initial idea for this film came from Tom and Jeanne Hagerty, the Executive Producers, who had gone on their honeymoon to Hawaii and met Norman Allen, an unusual yogi who lives in a remote part of the island.

The following year, they approached me about making a film. At that point, we were all practicing at the same yoga studio, and I don’t think we had any idea what we were endeavoring to do.

What drew you to casting Nick Rosen as the yoga guinea pig? Was there anyone else that came close?

We considered a number of different people. Ultimately, we chose Nick for a number of reasons. I liked that he was a journalist, he was good at researching and asking important questions and he was skeptical about yoga.

In the film, you come across a bit like a task-master, keeping Nick to his yoga goals. Did you anticipate that you would need to play this role?

I had never planned to be in this movie. When we set out, I had no idea the conflict between my expectations and Nick’s identity would become such an issue. Ultimately, in the edit room, we realized that conflict was the driving engine of our film.

What was one of the biggest challenges making this film?

The biggest challenge for me was accepting to include the conflict between Nick and me as a vital part of the story. Putting myself in the film, and examining how my actions affected Nick was a very humbling experience.

Throughout the course of the film, Nick learns how yoga intersects with ideas of God and happiness. What did you personally take away from these experiences?

I learned that there are many different ways to find happiness and many different ways to develop a spiritual path. What matters the most is what works for you.

How did your own perception of yoga change throughout the course of the film?

Nick Rosen’s perspective is turned upside down
in Pune, India.

I started out thinking we would find one yoga practice and teacher that would answers all of our questions. I ended up realizing that there is no one teacher or practice that will give me everything I need.

Were there any favorite scenes that had to be cut?

We shot more than 500 hours of material, so there were many interviews and scenes that had to be cut. One scene I really liked that we had to cut was when Nick went to visit Russell Simmons, a dedicated yogi and prominent leader in the hip hop world.

What was the most important insight you learned about yourself?

I learned that my expectations can sabotage my journey, and I can find what I need right in front of me if I am aware.

Enlighten Up premieres April 1, 2009 in New York City. Check out the official website for more upcoming showtimes.

Comments

[Tarah]

Aunt Debby,
It is so true... everyone must follow their own path. I strongly believe that a yoga practice can change someone's life. The key is that it must be right for that person, in their own time. I'm so excited to see this documentary! It's playing here in Atlanta on 5/29 & we'll be there! Thank you for dedicating this post to me... I feel extremely honored.

Love,
Tarah

[The Healthy Librarian]

Can't wait to be a student in your class! Uncle B, too!

Love,
me

[shelagh]

This is very similar to a novel I read recently. Enlightenment for Idiots Really fun read but with the same outcome, it's up to you ultimately!
http://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Idiots-Novel-Anne-Cushman/dp/0307381641
I have been enjoying your blog immensely!
Cheers, Shelagh

[Apurva]

If you are out for genuine yoga tips ......Please Check out the blog mentioned below its really cooool !!!!!!! .... Check it out, I'm Sure you'll love it.

http://staysharpwithyoga.blogspot.com